#Librarian here is all drained out

[just-some-friendly-fun]

Forged by The Stars AU (FbTS) Pt. 3

Okay, so been a minute. Now we're kinda just on the main OC that I made up the Forged by The Stars AU for. Titania. I'll dive right into it but if you're new to whatever the hell I'm talking about, you can probably find some context in Part 1 or 2 (preferably recommend looking at the first half of Part 1)

If you're looking for them, links should be right here:

Pt. 1, Pt. 2, Pt. 3 (You're here)

I must warn anybody though, that before going on ahead. There will be mentions of suicide.

So if you're fine with it, please proceed Moving on,

So I originally started out Titania as the first in this Forged by The Stars AU after listening to "Middle of The Night" by Elley Duhé but decided to indulge a little further in Quartzstreak and Ace's background in this AU but I'm happy I can finally elaborate on Titania's, finally. Titania's appearance comes in the design of the same accessory she wears on her actual reference aka. A golden necklace with a round ruby-like piece that will appear on herself in present form albeit in just a false design to what the original actually looks like.

And her purpose in this au? Well, surprise, surprise, her wish is what deems her to be more of a limited cursed object then anything. Her wish is to drain the life force of those who use her for her strength and powers when they command her to heed to their call, limiting their life span, strength, and so forth, gradually based on how frequently they use her in battle or whatever the situation may call upon her for. She refers to it as "feeding on the selfish, cowardly, undeserving, and ignorant"

Every life-form she's inevitably promised to offer strength to, have died, offering her the strength in return and the wearer? Absolutely nothing in the consequences of their greed.

Titania had arrived to Earth, upon being passed around, hand to hand, from different life forms, beings, you name it until the time arrived where she was being sent by via. Cargo ship and ended up sent to pre-Earth in a wreckage, amongst other items that were intended to fulfill some portion of an exchange the previous seller was hoping to clear out.

The celestial being encased in the necklace waits, but during this time begins to manifest themselves from the crystal from time to time in a illusion-like design, in search of a potential host every now, as they beg, whisper about the promises of great power and strength, and to put on the necklace.

For the first few years, life begins to flourish around them and at the loss of it all, Titania prepares to just submit to her misfortunate circumstances that she ended up in a place clearly without an intelligent enough form to bare the item. Until, a potential host enters her proximity enough for her to be pulled towards them in an attempt to get them to come closer, near enough for them to find her necklace and put it on. There is nothing but a silhouette to show what her host looks as she only maintains to her sole quest: make them wear the necklace and forge a bargain.

Once that occurs, she comes to meet the bearer of the Forged Item, surprised by their looks before she's realized, they're no native of the planet she was lying dormant on for years. A robotic yet sentient being who holds the name, "Dinobot"

She makes light judgement but still offers the proposal to the rightfully skeptical Cybertronian, who after some strong persuasion (or slight hypnotizing) holds enough courage to shake Titania's hand to seal the bargain. The host knows exactly what he's gotten into and still accepts the consequences? In Titania's mind, she believes Dinobot to be a fool or a stroke of luck that just happens to appear before her.

Although to Dinobot, Titania just happens to be a 50/50 chance he's willing to take. Since considering at this point in time, where they meet. Dinobot is fully aware of the Golden Disc's purposes, where he'd hid them, and now-- was just simply the crossroads, in his mind, whether he should end his life before fate takes its turn for the worst or for the better. Having Titania, won't change his fate but it'll let him know when he'll meet his end, the offering of her strength in battle was only an extra. His wish to Titania, was to help him succeed in carrying out the termination of Megatron, when that time came fit, and for that, the deal was set.

Both sides at this time, believed that they got exactly what they wanted but as time gradually progresses. Titania finds herself sympathizing Dinobot at times, from the still faded yet evident mistreatments of him still being apart of a Predacon heritage, to his reconsiderations of every contemplated choice he makes whether to do something in order to change the course of his fate.

After some time, she comes to try and talk to Dinobot, attempting to sway him from time to time from doing rash things that would otherwise prove to be out of character for her since-- after all. She was expecting Dinobot to die eventually, yet never expects it to be by his own hands. The ex-Predacon would argue back that it was unreasonable of her to be talking about his death and that it should've been none of her business, they already knew he was going to die, so what's the point in trying to stop it from happening?

Titania could never answer Dinobot properly, but still continued each and every time to try and talk to him, bit by bit and eventually? Dinobot stopped pushing away Titania, whether it was because he got tired of doing so, or because he found Titania's attempts to divide his thoughts from the more "darker" ones to be... nice, or at least a good try.

The two somewhat bonded over the time together, it was short but sweet, almost saddening all the same as it left Titania to regret making the exchange with Dinobot as she realized that he was never how she expected them to be.

And when the final days came, Dinobot started to rely on Titania, less and less. Which clearly became an evident notice to Titania, who would question him at times out of worry and what he was trying to do. Short responses were all she'd receive back every now that barely quelled her concern until the time arrives.

This would all occur in "Code of Hero" as Titania was forced to watch the entire battle between Dinobot and the Predacons, leaving him battered and exhausted during his arrival to Megatron before she watched him continue to try and fight with a dying breath, before he got onto his knees, battle-worn and on the brink of completely shutting down forever. For the last time, Titania appeared, kneeling before him to cradle his face as he gripped the forged item around his neck, while she begged in whispers for him to summon her.

In a final attempt, to take Megatron down with him, he gives in before becoming blasted by Megatron once more, allowing Titania to take him down with Dinobot in the heat of the moment, thus ending the Predacon leader's life for Dinobot's wish to be completed. Yet even so, Titania remained heartbroken and unsatisfied, returning to the bot that lied still on the ground and kneeled by his side until the fire in the forest faded, deeming his spark-- already gone to the stars above.

#Anyways-- wahoo! Angst! #I wanna draw the scenes at some point but hrbghrhg energy says no #motivation says no #Librarian here is all drained out #Maybe I'll get to doing it sooner or later #really want to draw the scene called 'Kiss of Death' between Dinobot and Titania when she finally comes back to him after killing Megatron #It's just a neat little idea I'll probably never remember again after this tho :P #Forged by The Stars AU #Librarian Blabs #oc #original character #titania (oc) #my oc #oc x canon-ish??? #Dinobot #beast wars #transformers oc #beast wars oc #bw dinobot #dinobot bw #beast wars dinobot

[circeyoru]

Unwanted Soul _ Part 5 = Requested

[Yandere!Alastor x Owner of his Soul!Reader]

The Request

Part 1 — Part 2 — Part 2.5 (ask) — Part 3 — Part 4 — Part 5 (here)

How you had such a depressing life was beyond Alastor. He didn’t understand it. Can’t comprehend it! But he pushed these questions back to tend to your sadden mood, tucking you in and lulling you to sleep

Alastor sat next to your sleeping form, the room pitch black save for his glowing red eyes that pierced through the darkness. His staff played soft music to calm you down and fill the silence of the room. The only tears you should be shredding are ones of joy and happiness 

The people you’ve mentioned, surely they were in Hell as well. They can’t be in Heaven for causing you such torment. He can’t let you see them, any of them. He needs to get to them first. However, for now, he can’t leave you alone in such a state

His eyes closed as he thought out how he’d torture them. Perhaps skinning them till they beg for mercy and your forgiveness? Pulling out their limbs and draining their blood? Letting the cannibals partake in a feast? No, no, he had to enjoy this. They were your tormentors when you were alive, he’ll show you that he can and will be your protector, even a guarddog if he must

But his heinous thoughts were put to a hold when you shifted in your sleep. He pushed away his thoughts while he watched your serene form rest. He put away his monocle, laying beside you and gently pull you closer to him so he was hugging you to his chest. His eyes drooped close. Perhaps he should let those unfortunate souls enjoy Hell a bit longer. If they crossed his path or yours, their voice will be on his everlasting broadcast

When things got slow for you, you found yourself hanging out with the hotel residents at times. They were an interesting bunch to say the least

Charlie was always happy to see you and would invite you on her little activities and exercises to redeem sinners. Though you’d mostly decline unless it catches your interest in some way. On the rare chance you join, she was very appreciative of your presence and wasn’t shy to thank you for joining in front of everyone. Her cheerful attitude was a bit of a hit and miss for you

There was one exercise that got you sharing something you’ve almost forgot

“Okay! Last two to share! Who’s going first?” Charlie beamed

“I’ll go first, My Darling needs all the time to recall!” Alastor directed the attention to him. “My joy in my hay day is my murders. Oh how I felt the rush when chasing my victims, hunting them like prey in the woods. The warmth of their body fading the moment I repeated stabbed my trusty blade into their weak bodies. The—”

“Okay, okay, you can shut it with the creepy killing. Sheesh.” Vaggie interrupted with a groan. She turned to you who was still in a daze, completely unfazed with what Alastor said. “You ready to go?”

“Huh? Oh, okay.” You snapped out of your daydream, unconsciously, your hand patted on your book that was strapped to your hip. “My joy when I was alive… I barely remember it, but I loved going to the library and read all the books I can.”

“That’s surprisingly cute considering you’re with that freaky smil—” Angel’s mouth was immediately shut with the slap of Alastor’s staff

You continued without flinching, this was all a normal banter between the two already now that you were hanging out with the crew more. “I frequent the library, borrowing and finishing a stack of books everyday. The librarian would recommend me new books or save me my favourite corner. I can even eat and drink in the library just because.”

Charlie’s head tilted, “So you love reading.”

“Not just reading. I love books of all kinds. Sometimes I rad that book just cause I liked the texture or the shape of it. I collect books and keep it like treasures. I hate lending books to other because they don’t care for it like I do.” You fondly smiled at the memory, “Then I got a bunch of notebooks too, because I love the design or the cover.”

Lucifer leaned back into his chair, “No wonder your powers are centered around books.”

“Better call you bookworm now! Hahahaa—” Angel was hit by two cranes, one from Alastor and another from Lucifer. Charlie, Vaggie, and Husk flinched with a face twisted to pain as if they felt that. Niffty was living in the moment, wanting one too

Husk gulped some alcohol, “You better shut that loud mouth of yours if you know what’s good for you.”

Everyone laughed and chuckled, Charlie concluding that it was a good exercise and bonding time since everyone was in attendance. Alastor got up and offered you his hand, bringing you two back to your room. You stayed out of it, being in a daze again

When Alastor asked if you were fine, you smiled and said you were fine, if you needed anything, he would be the first you’d call for. So he left you alone

You didn’t tell them. You were that absorbed into reading that you didn’t realize you were being bullied, you were used. You shared your dream of wanting to be a writer that people would love to read what you wrote and share it with friends, to entertain others. You shared your ideas with your friend but your ideas were stolen from you

The moment you handed in your writing, the publishing company said they had one already and that yours was not up-to-date. They rejected your writing. Days later, you saw the newest novel on sell. The title was so similar to yours that you checked the summary at the back. That was your story idea. But your work was rejected so how was it published?

Your nightmare came to life. A betrayal so painful and chilling. Your friend’s name was on the cover. You remember your hands shaking. It wasn’t rage you felt, it was disbelief and sadness. The trust you gave, the care you gave, and the attention you gave. It was all to stab you in the back

You watched from behind the screens at the achievement and success that should have been yours. All of it, it should have been yours to smile upon. But then you were crying and shutting yourself behind the world of fantasy, an escape from reality

Why? Why? Why!

Closing your eyes for a moment, you locked up those memories. They don’t mean much to you now. Not when you had Alastor with you and an unlikely friendship with Lucifer the King of Hell himself, then there was the silly demons of this hotel. Ironic how you found true friends in demons

That’s why when you saw Mimzy again in the hotel, you were skeptical and burning with rage. She had someone as amazing and caring as Alastor to call as a friend, but she’s abusing it without a care. How she has the guts to come back and ask for Alastor, you have no idea, though you’ve seen her kind when you were alive

“You’re a new soul!” Mimzy’s voice made you want to throw glass or grip something until it broke. “Hey, I’m talking to you!”

“What do you want?” You eyed down at Mimzy with a bored expression

She let out a sound akin to ‘uww’ with a face of disgust. “You’re never gonna get your lucky someone with that attitude.”

Your eye twitched, “I never said I was.”

Mimzy gave you a fake shocked look, “Really? I thought you were going for Alastor!”

You groaned, heading over to the bar to ask Husk for something to drink (not alcohol) because you didn’t want this annoyance to follow you to your room

“Hey,” Mimzy sat next to you without asking, “You know what Alastor’s like when he’s upstairs?”

You ignored her, but your face of silent rage was enough to get her to continue

“You don’t know. He’s a realy lady’s killer! Not literally, but you get what I mean. Girls and ladies throw themselves at him and he doesn’t even bat them an eye. A nice wave and a dashing smile, then he leaves them high and dry! Oh, the broken hearts he had was definitely more than his body count and that’s something!” Mimzy laughed at the end

What’s that got to do with you? You thought to yourself as you aggressive sipped on your drink. Husk eyed you two while cleaning some glass to appear like he was busy. You’ll maybe admit, you were a bit envious of Mimzy that she got to see Alastor when he was alive, you wonder how he looked. Not like you were going to ask

Mimzy endlessly talked bad about Alastor behind his back. What happened to trying to apologise and wanting to make up? No idea, down the drain at this point. As the others around you wonder why you were still humouring the chatty demon, you were wondering the same. Why are you just sitting here and listening to all this?

“You should shut it, can’t you see you’re the only one talking here?” Husk spoke up, indirectly telling Mimzy to just leave you alone

“Aww, and you should do your job, bar cat.” Mimzy teased back. “I’m given this poor soul some attention cause Alastor’s too high of a standard to give some.”

“Ha! Jokes on you. This hot stu— I mean, cutie here’s always got smile’s attention.” Angel inserted himself into the conversation, climbing over the bar to stand next to Husk

You got up, “This is a waste of time.”

Mimzy faked another gasp, “No way. You poor poor thing. You actually fell for him of all people of this hellhole?” She got so close in your face and not to mention your personal space, “I understand why, but! Ha! That’s just bad luck! You’re bound to get your heart broken like all those poor ladies before you.”

Before you said anything, Husk’s wing separated Mimzy from you, “You really need to shut the hell up before you regret it.”

“You shut it fur ball! I ain’t talkin’ to you.” Mimzy snapped at Husk

Deciding that it was not worth your time, you started walking away. This was drama you didn’t want to be involved in and you didn’t want Alastor catching this happening since he sees Mimzy as a friend still

“The hotel won’t allow this.” Charlie tried to establish order and break things off

“Alastor will leave you in the dirt worse than whatever you were before once he’s had his fun with you! You might think you’re on cloud 9 now, but you’re going to be in a world of pain and hurt soon enough.” Mimzy continued, completely ignoring Charlie and Husk’s words

With each step you took, she continued as if singing a song, “Alastor only like things that entertains him. He never commits. He never cares. He doesn’t even have a heart to care! He’s so powerful because he has no room for ridicious things like love. The love he has is only for himself. Alastor is just a selfish heartless motherf—”

“Shut up!” You turned to her, a deep scowl on your face

“This is gonna be good.” Lucifer whispered to the others watching, “But bad for her. Yeah.”

“Shut you annoying f- mouth.” You snapped, unaware that your hair leviated a bit from your rage. “You don’t know how lucky you are to have a friend like Alastor. Alive and dead. But what do you do? You use Alastor’s name just for the fun of it and for your benefit. You just use it! How can you use your friendship with him like this! What’s wrong with your stupid tiny head?! In Hell, you’re supposed to treasure what you have. Not abuse it.”

Mimzy scoffed, “You think you’re so good? So righteous. Well, you would have been up there, now wouldn’t you. Don’t think you’re any better.” She smirked, “In Hell, we use everything and anything to our advantage.” Another gasp came and she covered her mouth, “Oh wait, could it be?” She got close to you, “Haha, you being so defensive and triggered by all this. You really actually did fall for him.”

“I love him.”

“Wait? Couldn’t hear you, sugar—”

“I love Alastor.” You repeated firmly and loudly

“What was that?”

Getting annoyed, you turned to the direction where the question came from. Perhaps it was all this anger in your system that made you slow to realize, “I said,” That you were now face to face with Alastor. “I love you!”

Note: This part's major focus has been mentioned in an ask already. And since it's confirmed that you and Alastor are dating in the latest asks and requests, I'm putting this scene in more detail since asks are trivia for the story

P.S. There's something new planned for future chapters~ Remember that lover and friend mentioned? OCs might be appearing cause I can't do rando short forms. Still thinking... You're thoughts? Or should I just end this series?

Circe Y.

Other Works: MASTERLIST

Taglist:

@aconfusedwonderland

@crowleysthings

@donustellaron

@mistpurpl3

@nevermore-ramblings 

@justboredforreal 

@youroneandonlysimp 

@falsemain

@scenteddelusion5

@anni1600

@readergirlstuff

@salutations-demonsanddappers

@mistpurpl3

@haruskrd

@biadoll21

@speedycoffeedelight

@wendds

@paninibit

#Circe's Nighty Writings #Circe's requested writings #alastor imagine #alastor x reader #alastor x y/n #alastor x you #hazbin hotel #hazbin hotel alastor #alastor headcanons #hazbin hotel fanfiction #alastor #hazbin hotel oneshots #yandere alastor #yandere alastor x reader #yandere hazbin hotel #alastor fanfiction #hazbin hotel imagines #Unwanted Soul

[be-missed]

Rule Breaker

Wednesday Addams X Vampire!Fem!Reader

(Picture not mine)

Summary: Wednesday Addams, punished librarian, clashes with Y/N, a rule-breaking vampire. Can Wednesday keep with the antics, or will Y/N push her limits?

A/N: OOC Wednesday (probably) here is a story, my first one for Wednesday. Wednesday was punished by Weems so she's in a Library duty. A short one, I just want to write.

Warnings: Curse words, blood sucking, notify me if there are any.

Masterlist

______________________________________________________________

Echoes of book that fell down from the farthest side of the library can be heard from where Wednesday is. The girl was returning scattered books that students have left on tables that they were once occupied. With a huff, Wednesday let the book on her hand fall on the pile of books in her pushcart and started to walk her way down the aisle.

While walking and getting close to the area of her destination, she can hear a heavy breathing and silent moans. Taking her last step, she was faced by Y/N who is a vampire and man who is on his knees.

"You're getting the wrong idea" Y/N said looking like a deer caught in head lights, trying to hold the man's head in front of her and trying to wipe her face. Wednesday, not surprised with what Y/N is doing just shrugs her shoulder and said "Your action is disrupting the ambient tranquility, and it's adversely impacting the pristine condition of the flooring."

Y/N then pushed the man making it lying on the pristine wood flooring of the Library that made Wednesday's face scrunch, oh how Wednesday wish that she was not the one tasked to be cleaning the floors.

"I'm sorry, they are following me and I have no place to go, so I-" before Y/N gets to finish her sentence, Wednesday cuts her off and said "You know that you can't eat inside the library, yes?" and Y/N nods, Wednesday continues "This is your first offence, you can't bring your food inside or eat inside the library."

Y/N tries to defend herself and says "I know, I'm sorry I have nowhere to g-" but Wednesday cuts her off again, "I couldn't care less about your lame excuses; you're well aware of the rules, so adhere to them. Consider this your first offence"

With a pout, Y/N nods and hold the lifeless man on a kneeling position so she can continue to drain his blood out. But before her fangs touch the man's neck, a book was thrown into her direction. "I said no eating inside the library. Go somewhere else" Wednesday said and Y/N groaned trying to massage her head that was hit by the book, before Y/N leaves, Wednesday added "Oh, of course, after you eat, go back here and clean the mess that you made."

"This is so unfair" Y/N whispers as she see Wednesday disappearing into the see of bookshelves.

A week have passed after the said rule breaking that Y/N did and she was now second in line on the counter for her to borrow the book that she needs for their botany class. She's trying to ready herself to face Wednesday but a voice have popped her out of her bubble.

"I need your I.D" Wednesday asked with her monotone voice and her life-sucking stare. Y/N then opened her bag and tries to find her I.D inside, she seems to have a hard time finding it inside knowing that her bag is carrying a lot of things, from pencil, to beans of plants, to a finger, and a fucking protein shaker.

"Its hanging around your neck, dimwit" Wednesday said with a smirk on her face, looking at Y/N, thinking how dumb can the other girl can be. With that, Y/N gave her I.D to the other girl and stares at her feet. While Wednesday is logging the borrowed book, Y/N the mutters "He's a bad guy, just so you know."

Wednesday not paying attention to what Y/N and continuing to do her duty. Y/N then tapped the table that got Wednesday's attention repeated what she said, "He's a bad guy, the one that you saw."

With a blank look and a scrunched eyebrow, Wednesday said "I don't care about your preference, all I care is you follow the rules and be clean when you are inside the hall." Wednesday then gives Y/N the book that she's trying to borrow, she then gets up the counter and went to the pushcart to return books.

When Wednesday was out of sight, Y/N then pulls the bunched up roses that she picked from the bushes in the garden that she painted black; "A for effort" Y/N thought, if she can't find a black rose then might as well do it herself.

She goes around the counter and put the black roses and the box of dark chocolate beside Wednesday's bag where she saw Thing, everyone knows Thing. They waved to each other and Y/N tells "Please let this be a secret, okay? I'll give you 2 bottles of hand lotions." Y/N bribed and Thing agrees.

Every other day, Y/N just strolls down the library aisle just to get a glimpse of Wednesday with her pushcart in tow, returning books from where they belong to. In every time that Y/N gets caught by Wednesday, Y/N tries to pretend that she's finding a book.

In an instance, when they were in an aisle and Y/N got caught by Wednesday, she then grabbed the nearest book in front of her and acts that she is reading it.

"Are you following me?" Wednesday asked getting closer to Y/N, the other girl then said "Oh, Wednesday, you're here, I didn't see you there" and ended it with a nervous chuckle. Wednesday then just stared at the other girl for a good second and says "You're reading the book upside down and that's a bible you're holding. If you're gonna lie, better sure you have a great alibi"

Y/N then feels a burn on her hand and muttered curses, she then looked up, trying to find in what section they are, "Why the fuck is a bible in the Fictional section? Did you plan this?" Y/N then looked at Wednesday, blowing her burned hand. Wednesday then smirked "Of course, I know what you're doing. You are going in here every other day and you are following me. So what I did was to set you up and make yourself burn your own hand" Wednesday ended her sentence with a chuckle.

"Damn it, okay, I surrender. You are right I'm going here every other day and I'M following you" Y/N admitted, Wednesday then answered "That's not a good plan. If you're trying to kill me, try to come up of a plan that is foolproof" Wednesday then scoff and left Y/N.

Y/N was left with herself and says, "I'm not trying to kill you..."

Black colored roses and boxes of dark chocolate didn't finish there, Y/N tries so hard to put those near Wednesday's bag every week, with a written poem from Wednesday's favorite author or a miniature of a torturing tool that she made.

Another week have passed and finals season is coming, the Library has extended its working hours to accommodate the students that wants to study for their upcoming test.

Wednesday was walking around trying to check if there are naughty students that would use the Library premises for other purposes other than studying, and with that, she's right. She saw drops of blood on the hardwood floor, following the leak, she then saw Y/N.

With a look that can kill, Wednesday stared at Y/N's back where a pool of blood can be seen below her, "What did I say with eating your food inside the library?" Wednesday said with a stern voice, Y/N's back still facing Wednesday and is trying to ignore the other girl.

Wednesday's blood boil with such disregard that Y/N is giving her, she then walked towards the other girl and grabs her shoulders to make her face, and then there was Y/N; clutching her side, leaking with blood, her fangs out, and a disheveled look.

"I didn't eat my food inside, I swear" Y/N whispers, and then groan, still clutching her side that is bleeding. "What happened to you?" Wednesday said with a concerned voice, not because she is pitying Y/N, but she thinks that another monster is back in town, meaning another mystery can be solved.

Y/N said no response since she was focusing to clutch her side that was bleeding. Wednesday noticed that the vampire is losing blood, so what she did was she let Y/N fall into her side and helping her walk, "Where are we going?" Y/N asked, Wednesday then answered "To my room, I'm gonna stitch you up"

Y/N smiled at the thought that Wednesday did care about her and said "So you care about me?" with a scoff, Wednesday looked at Y/N ridiculously and answered "I'm not pathetic like the others, I need you alive so I have an intel on the new monster."

Y/N stopped on her tracks and looked at Wednesday, the other girl then said "Why are you stopping? I need you alive, come on." With a deep sigh, Y/N then continued to walk until they reached Wednesday's room, Enid was out, trying to study for their finals with the group.

Wednesday laid Y/N on her bed while she's trying to find her operation kit that she uses to dissect animals. Y/N was trying to fight her eyes that were trying to close. With a light slap on her face, Wednesday appeared on top of her, sitting in her crotch with a needle and a surgical tweezers on the other.

"Try not to flinch and yell. If you do, I might as well gag your mouth with a cloth" Wednesday then started to stitch Y/N up, knowing that even Y/N can heal herself, this slash is bigger and deeper. Y/N bites her arm to muffle the groans that she was letting out.

As Wednesday closes up the wound, she looks up at Y/N, now with her eyes closed, steady breathing, and a tear stained face. Wednesday checks Y/N's pulse, and getting a heart attack for a second because she only feels a weak heartbeat then realizing that Y/N is a vampire, of course she have a weak pulse.

Wednesday then cursed herself and thinks, why is she acting like a fool in front of this foolish vampire who almost got herself killed. Of course Wednesday knows that the black colored roses, the boxes of dark chocolates, and the miniatures come from the vampire.

It was a lame gesture and a cliché way to show affection, but it doesn't mean that Wednesday didn't like it. It also doesn't help that it came from Y/N, the vampire that is an achiever in all of her classes that she rivals with, but acts so foolish and brainless when it's just the two of them.

Hours have passed, Wednesday is seating in front of her typewriter, continuing the chapter that she left unfished when she heard a movement from her bed, "Don't move, your stitches will be opened" Wednesday said with a stern voice, not looking at Y/N who goes back on laying.

Y/N's eyes then scanned around the room, this wasn't her first time in here because she got partnered with Enid, but mostly with Wednesday on their projects. And in every time that she got partnered with Wednesday, every braincell of hers that almost know all of the information in the world, will be erased when she looks in Wednesday's eyes, or even if Wednesday is just an arm away from her. She gets so dumb and she be acting like a fool in front of Wednesday, when in fact, she is one of the most brightest student of Nevermore.

Y/N then noticed the empty boxes of chocolate that she gave Wednesday near the trash bin and it made her smile, knowing that Wednesday did eat what she gave her. "What kind of poison did you put on the chocolates? I'm starting to think that I'm getting immune to them" Wednesday stuttered, Y/N then acted clueless "Huh? What do yo mean? I don't even know that brand" and chuckles.

Wednesday then stood up and went closer to Y/N and said, "Stop lying, I know you're the one that's leaving the roses, the chocolates, and the miniatures beside my bag. I'm telling you that it is impressive." With a confused look, Y/N then said "What do you mean poison, Wednesday?"

Wednesday then chuckles "Aren't you trying to kill me? I'm telling you that this poisoned chocolate roulette is a fun way. Now tell me, how many poisoned chocolates do you put inside the box?" Y/N then rolled her eyes, perplexed with Wednesday's view of her gestures.

"Again, Addams, I'm not trying to kill you, okay? The chocolates aren't poisoned. It's not what I'M doing you dumbass" Y/N said trying to sit down from Wednesday's bed. With a smirk Wednesday then answered the vampire "What are you doing then?", challenging the vampire to admit her feelings and to not play around.

"I'm trying to..." Y/N said trying to toy at the loose thread on Wednesday's blanket, "I'm trying to cour-" Y/N got interrupted by an opening door, where Enid is standing, books in front of her.

"Wednesday, a little help?" Enid squeaked out, trying to balance the mountain of books in front of her, Wednesday have no choice but to help her. Putting down the books on her table, Enid then saw Y/N on Wednesday's bed with an annoyed look, then looking at Wednesday scowling at her.

A silence has eaten the room not until Enid said "Oh... I did interrupt something, huh?" With a nervous chuckle, Enid collected her bag and hurries to get out of the room and closed the door.

Waiting for a few minutes, Wednesday then looked at the girl who is sitting on her bed and say, "As you were saying?" with a raised eye brow. Y/N then answered "Never mind that, you were right, I'm trying to kill you."

Wednesday brows met in the middle and she started to clench her fust, because she knows that Y/N will clearly say another thing. Y/N then tries to weakly stand up from Wednesday bed. Nearly falling to the ground, but thankful that Wednesday caught her.

The goth girl sat them on the floor and looks at Y/N's eyes, "Tell me the truth and I'll let you go" Wednesday tells the other girl, Y/N then shakes her head and said "I told you the truth Wednesday, you caught me, I thought that was a foolproof plan and I am wrong."

Wednesday getting annoyed with the other girl said, "You're gonna tell me another thing, Y/N, don't lie to me." Y/N then looked at Wednesday's burning stare, she have no room to run and she was to weak to fight. so with a sigh she tells "'Okay Wednesday, I was doing it to court you, okay? I don't know what else to do, I got so dumb when I'm in front of you and I act like a fool when you are with me. So I can't think of any other way to make you know that I like you and I will die for you, heck, I would even kill for you."

Y/N ended her statement looking at Wednesday's eye. A few beats of silence have passed and a smile grew from Wednesday's lips.

______________________________________________________________

A/N: Hope you like this! Thank you for the support! Comments are appreciated, I wanna know what you think. Also, I do not ignore your comments, I just forget to reply, I would get to them soon.

#jenna ortega #jenna ortega x y/n #fanfic #fiction #jenna ortega imagine #wednesday x you #wednesday addams x reader #wednesday addams x female reader #wednesday addams imagine #wednesday addams x yn #wednesday addams

[yandere-chocolate]

Yandere invisible monster x Reader ~(Plamantic)~

@biribaa requested an invisible yandere.

CW/TW: kidnapping, possessive behavior, horror, fear.

You were in the old library that resided out by the hill near the small town you lived in. You had heard there of the folklore surrounding this library since you were young. Some told you it was haunted by lost souls that died in the woods before the town was built, whilst others said the library itself came alive at midnight & consumed all who entered. Whatever the case, the folklore never seemed to paint it a friendly light; which is why you’re here now. You wanted to prove these foolish tales wrong! & also the books & atmosphere in this library are simply divine.

You walked between long, full shelves; completely unaware of the nonexistent eyes burning into your soul.

You gaze at the spines, giving some a soft stroke to feel their golden letters. All the books here looked like they came straight out of a fairytale! Although some had odd titles such as:

“The cookbook for demons.”

“The bride’s spider.”

“How to kill someone beloved.”

“101 ways to eat teeth of all kinds!”

All of which had soft leather covers & gold engravings, which only made their content more bizarre.

As you were reading a book titled “the love story of butterflies” the lights flickered & you heard the sound of a book falling on the cold, hard light-auburn floor.

You slowly turned to the noise, the fear of seeing someone or something else there making your blood run cold.

But there nothing there.

Just a book the laid at the center between two book shelves. As you took a closer look the pages began flipping faster & faster until they landed on a page.

“‘Hello! What’s your name?” I ask to the lovely patron, or rather someone I hope will become a frequent visitor.”

You stared in awe at the page, a chill crawling its way up your spine. The page stayed like that before it flipped to the next one,

“‘Can you understand me?” I ask, hoping the other person can understand me & isn’t unable to read. There are unfortunately quite a few people who can’t read in the nearby town, especially after they stopped allowing me to teach people…oh, so much education; wasted. “Oh!” I acknowledge, remembering that if they can read, they can read my boring melodrama. “I’m sorry! I haven’t been to tαʅƙ ƚσ αɳყσຖē iຖ ฯēคrŞ.’” The text said, the writing near the last section becoming…different than the rest of it. But it was clear the book was talking to you. You felt a little worried, but that drained away soon enough.

“My name is…” you trailed off, only able to stare at the page. It flipped once more after about a minute,

“‘That’s okay, my friend” I say, “I will find out soon enough~”. I smile, but my newfound can’t see it, not with what happened. “Oh dear! Please, ignore that, the story sometimes just writes itself!” I tell them, gazing at them through the shelves, though they can’t see me due to my lack of physical form; outside of this book, of course!”

Although you still felt off you still talked to the book, almost all of the fear in your body had slipped away & you began learning about the strange spirit…shadow…demon…whatever.

You learned that it was a man! A man that was dedicated to learning as much as they could so that they could share that with everyone he could. He became a professor & a librarian; pleased to educate anyone who wanted to learn & when they weren’t teaching, they were learning. From what they told you, they seemed to almost have their head in a book when they were…well, they aren’t sure if they should say “alive” or “physical form” but, regardless of if they were a ghost or a being unknown to you, you felt a bit of that fear spike back up but quickly die back down.

You soon left, planning to come back despite the multiple chills you felt at the library. They were genuinely nice, albeit talkative.

He learned your name & you learned his; Vivílo.

You kept thinking about Vivílo & their magical library. Books full of spells, descriptions of other dimensions, & even some normal stuff like cookbooks & children’s fairytales.

You soon fell asleep in your warm bed, dreaming of those stories you & Vivílo read together.

——————————————————————

You had been visiting Vivílo every dusk. Reading stories, listening to him table about certain discoveries he made that he used to teach the town, but you did notice how the next would change in the books he presented himself in every time he mentioned being alone or being without a bipedal form. Or any form outside of a book, for that matter.

Unfortunately, you & Vivílo’s friendship couldn’t last. You had gotten a job elsewhere. Normally, you wouldn’t even bother, but this particular job paid quite a bit. You didn’t want to pass up this opportunity.

“‘Hey! Are you okay? You aren’t paying attention to anything my vessel is writing! I can’t speak anymore, you know?” I say to them, becoming a mix of annoyed & worried. They haven’t been reading my texts for the past 5 minutes!” You read, feeling embarrassed that you zoned out on this invisible person for 5 whole minutes. You didn’t mean to! It’s just…it breaks your heart that this is your last night together. Well, maybe. Who knows? Maybe you will find time to visit.

You told Vivílo.

“…” the page said, remaining only those three dots for what felt like forever. The ink faded away; retreating into itself & the page was left blank. You waited, but to no avail. You let out a sigh of disappointment.

You closed the book Vivílo was controlling, set it down, & headed to the door while waving goodbye.

But as soon as you reached to open the library door, they closed shut on you with so much force that you stumbled back. Confused, you tried opening the doors again, “it might just be a strong gust of wind! These door are very heavy.” You thought. But unfortunately, no matter how much you tried to push them open, they stayed closed.

You began violently shaking the doors, banging on them, but they didn’t budge.

Then, you heard the oh-so-familiar sound of a leather book falling to the floor.

You slowly turned, seeing the book about 5 meters away from you. You freeze.

Did Vivílo…?

The book open sharply, its leather cover smacking to the floor. It stayed blank for a few seconds before letters began to appear as you walked closer. It felt like a bad idea—but what was the worst that could happen? Vivílo had no form! They’re invisible!

Of course, you were wrong. Because how could things possibly be that simple for you? How could you be that lucky?

“‘I’m sorry, my dearest friend”, I say to them, “I’m afraid I have been alone far too long to let you leave forever. Do you have any idea how long I have been here? Alone? Well, I can’t tell you, because I lost count after the first hundred years.”’ The text read. He sound pissed. “‘Can you believe that?” I ask, “can you believe that after spending 378 years of my life to help these people & they repay that by leaving me to not only rot away in my library but they made folktales to deter others from coming here as well?! I-…” I pause, letting out a sigh. “That doesn’t matter. Because now I have you. &, unfortunately, you aren’t going to change that. So sorry, love.”’ The book said as thorny vines crept around the doors & locked them into place. You began shaking, completely confused. Vivílo was never able to do this before!

“‘Oh? Impressed? Well, I suppose I never told you I can control this entire library & then some~” I say” as the text appeared the candles began flickering before burning just as bright as before.

“‘Sorry, love. But I think another hundred years alone mɨɢɦȶ ɖʀɨงē ๓ē t໐ ๓คᦔꪀꫀᦓᦓ”’

#yanderecore #yandere #yandere blog #yandere x reader #yandere oc #yandere monster #yandere monster x reader #soft yandere

[local-lesbrarian]

Yesterday, the board of trustees for the library I work at voted unanimously against banning This Book Is Gay by Juno Dawson! This was a huge relief for me (and my fellow staff), and I just wanted to share a few takeaways from this experience.

For context, a library patron had submitted a formal request to have the book removed after seeing it displayed alongside other recent additions to our YA section. He took issue with, of course, the chapter on sex ed and provided pages of out-of-context quotes and straight-up lies to make the book appear "dangerous." Lots of the homophobia and puritanism you'd expect. Per our policies, we formed a committee to address his request, and the committee decided the book was fine where it was. Again per policy, he had the option to appeal to the board of trustees, which he took.

We found out he was doing this 5 days before the next board meeting. And even with that short warning, we had over 150 people show up to a small-town library board meeting that often has few or no public attendees! We couldn't fit everyone in our biggest room! Look at us all!!

Public comments are limited to 3 minutes or less, and that still lasted for more than an hour. People spoke who were parents, teachers, nurses, therapists, voting activists, workers at other libraries, and of course, many queer people. They talked about censorship, freedom of expression, freedom to read, the positive impacts of this book and books like it on youth, their own experiences as queer kids and teens or parents or such, and more--too many perspectives to list here. Every single speaker opposed the book ban. Every. One.

The patron who initiated this challenge was present, but left before public comment was over, without speaking.

So, those takeaways:

This is further evidence that campaigns of censorship and queer erasure are perpetuated by individuals and small groups, and don't represent the common view. You can check out stats on ala.org to back this up, but most people, including most parents, oppose book bans.

This turnout was gathered mainly through texts, email, chats (like Discord), phone calls, and word of mouth. Every town and city has people willing to fight and support those fighting the tides of fascism--keep in touch with your community and your allies, your local friends and trusted acquaintances, and when the time comes for action, they will show up.

Pushback, especially public, visible pushback, demoralizes bad actors. These are often people with little to do except organize and promote their hatred, often people with few material problems demanding their attention. (In this case, a retired eye doctor.) Give them a fight, and they often back down. If they don't back down, see #2 and beat them with numbers and passion.

Even after a victory, stay alert. We're prepping for litigation (not that we think he has a case, but he does have a reputation). We're also keeping a close eye on the smaller libraries in nearby towns and townships. Even if someone like this backs down once, they might try their luck somewhere easier. Keep those contact networks from #2 ready to go.

None of this is comprehensive, and your particular situation may well require different tactics. I'm not an expert, just a chronically online trans woman and librarian who's gotten unexpectedly attached to her current town. It was incredibly heartwarming to see so many people stand up for queer teens where I live, when it usually feels like nobody cares about what's happening to queers in the States. This post has already gone on longer than I expected, I'm just still quite emotional and wanted to talk about it. (Also still mentally drained from the past few days of stress...)

Huge shoutout to everyone who helped make this community action happen. Many of them were more eloquent or piercing in their comments, but here's my 3-minute spiel. It was delivered with none of the eye contact or dramatic reading I'd rehearsed because, holy shit, there were a lot of people there!

#public libraries #censorship #community action #my words #this book is gay

[ficthots]

Polar Opposites

A/N: Angsty with a happy ending (lil bit of asshole Josh). You're welcome 😌. As always let me know what you guys think and enjoy!

Word Count: 11.9k+

There comes a certain bliss that accompanies silence. Allowing one to slow down and take notice of the things around them in a way that they would not be able to do if there was a constant rumble of noise. Silence means being able to listen to the way the wind whistles as it cascades through the trees, rustling the leaves and creating its own music for the world to hear. It means being intune with your surroundings, being able to pay attention to the slightest shift of the room. Silence is a friend.

It has been your friend for a majority of your life, a welcome acquaintance that shields you every day. Growing up mainly alone meant basking in the quiet that would drape across a room. It had been just you and your mother your entire life and when you were deemed old enough to be alone, you were. 

She worked as a doctor, leaving you for a majority of the day. She would be gone when you were up in the morning to get ready for school and home at seven thirty each night for dinner before starting it all over again. You admired her and everything she had done for you, ensuring that you would lead a comfortable life. 

A comfortable life for you means spending time by yourself. It wasn’t sad in your eyes, actually the complete opposite. It was what you knew and loved. Being able to wind down after a long day of classes, reading silently, writing in peace, and having time with your thoughts. 

While you were indeed shy, it wasn’t a large hindrance to you. You knew how to turn on the social battery, but you did admit, it would drain fast. You chose to remain quiet as others spoke to you, carefully deciding how to respond to your chat companion before just blurting out anything that came to mind.

That didn’t change as you went to college. In fact, it allowed you to take stride in that behavior. You had one friend that you would see and have lunch with every week, but most of the free time you had you reserved for yourself. 

Until he came into your life. 

You were sitting in a large lecture hall for one of the regular, mandatory, core classes. It meant there were hundreds of people attending each session. You sat dead center of the hall, eyes down on your laptop as you began formatting your notes when someone sat loudly next to you. 

Paying them no mind, you continued, pulling the syllabus up to have on your screen to follow along as your professor was scheduled to read it this morning. 

“Notes already? Isn’t it day one?” You gave a soft smile to the boy next to you. You felt your mouth go dry at how purely handsome he was. His dark brown eyes gleamed playfully at you as you turned your attention back to your screen.

“I just like to be prepared is all,” he leaned towards you, arm brushing yours as he did. “Ah, I see. Better to be over prepared than under, right? I’m Josh,” he stuck his large hand out towards yours. You gingerly placed your hand in his as he enclosed his fingers around your own. 

You offered your name back watching as his smile grew. Jeeze, his teeth were basically perfect. “What’re you in for?” Your brow furrowed at his question as he laughed, making your heart skip a beat at the melodic sound. “I mean what’s your major? I’m here for film. Love it, always have, figured I should do something with it, you know?” 

You smiled at him, feeling it slowly grow as he kept talking. “Mine is not as interesting. I’m an English major,” his smile remained as he turned to face you in his lecture seat. “I love writing. I thought about being a journalist for a long time. That’s another reason why I want to do film, I can write.” Your pulse was quickening as he spoke, eyes never leaving you as he deemed a real interest in you. 

“I do, too, but that’s not what I want to do. I mean, not mainly. I’d love to be an author some day, but I want to be a librarian,” his eyes narrowed slightly at you, head tilting as he took you in, tongue poking out between his pearly white teeth. “I can totally see that. You would be a perfect librarian,” your cheeks were heating at his words, never having someone scrutinize you so obviously before. 

The professor entered the room, letting a hush fall over everyone as he started speaking about the course. Your eyes widened as Josh leaned over towards you, whispering over the professor. “You want to get lunch this week? I want to hear you talk about being a librarian some more,” you shushed him as he started typing on his own laptop.

“Look at that, you already have the shushing down pat,” you bit back a laugh at his words, eyeing him from the corner of your vision, seeing him beaming. “So, yes to lunch?” You grew anxious wondering if anyone else in the hall could hear him talking to you. You had never spoken over a teacher before and your paranoia was washing over you. 

“If I say yes, will you please be quiet so I can hear the professor?” he winked at you, making the motion of zipping his lips and throwing the key away. 

As the lecture came to an end, you quickly placed your belongings into your bag and tried to hurry out of the room before your seat companion could catch up, but to no avail. “Ah, can’t get rid of me that easily!” His voice carried through the air, stopping you dead in your tracks. 

You turned to face him and saw that large grin take over his features, gorgeous dimples on display. “Lunch this week, I’m serious. I’ll find you later this week for it,” he shot you a wink as he started walking in the other direction. 

His chances of remembering the plans were slim, you convinced yourself and that’s why when you saw him leaning against the stairs railing of one of the buildings your lecture was in, shock took you over. 

Josh had his hands stuffed into his pockets, looking around the crowds trying to find you. A large smile took over his face as you came into his view. You couldn’t believe he remembered.

He didn’t even say hello as you cautiously approached him. “What are you feeling today for food? I’m thinking tacos. There’s a really good place downtown if you’re down,” you walked next to him and nodded at his words. 

“Sure,” he took your backpack off your shoulder, slinging it over his own, but as you went to take it back, he stopped you. “Pretty girls don’t carry their own bags. How was class? Learn anything good?” you felt like you were going to throw up right then at him calling you pretty. 

You two sat on a patio table, laughing as Josh told you stories about his brothers. “I’m dead serious! I wake up and see him peeing in the fireplace, completely shit faced, butt naked from the waist down, leaning against the wall,” you were trying to catch your breath as he shared. 

As you both calmed down, catching your breath, he took a chip from your plate. “Alright, what stories do you have? Any crazy siblings?” You shook your head, offering a soft smile. “Nope,” he narrowed his eyes, resting his chin on the back of his hands. 

“Cousins?” You shook your head. “Parents?” You nodded and held up a finger. “One, my mom, but I don’t have any crazy stories about her,” you shrugged as you sipped your drink. “Grandparents? Aunts? Uncles?” You giggled as he carried on, growing more shocked as he went through the list. 

“It was just me a lot. My mom’s a doctor so she was gone most of the time. Not a lot to share,” you bit into a chip as you finished, but instead of Josh making you feel bad about spending most of your childhood alone like most people did, he smirked at you. 

“That’s why you’re so quiet. It’s not a bad thing, I don’t think. I wish I would’ve been alone more growing up. Especially with having a twin, it was a pain in the ass most days. But if it wasn’t for them we wouldn’t have our music,” you eyed him, letting your hands rest against the flat surface of the table.

“You do music?” It was like opening Pandora’s box. He lit up, talking for over an hour and a half about the music they made and how passionate they all were. It was thrilling seeing how much he loved it and you couldn’t help but smile at him as he hardly took any breaks as he spoke. 

His voice changed between tones and you were completely enamored with it. It made you want to hear him sing since he claimed he was the lead singer of the band, but for now you could suffice with listening to him talk. You didn’t think you could ever bore of him. 

He finally stopped himself, cheeks glowing a bright red as he looked back at you. “I’ve been talking for almost two hours. You have to stop me or I could talk forever! Seriously,” he laughed as he rubbed his face, but you giggled at him.

“I don’t mind. You have a nice voice,” the complement left your mouth before you could think of it and your eyes widened as you stammered after. “Gosh, I’m sorry. I don’t know why I said that,” he laughed, grabbing your guy's trash as he stood.

“Don’t apologize! That’s practically the best compliment you can give someone who loves the sound of their own voice,” he winked at you as you stood, walking out of the restaurant with him. He looked around at the downtown scene and nudged you. 

“You need to get back right away? You want to walk around for a bit?” He was nervous. Listening to him for as long as you did had let you learn his tonal habits quite quickly. His current tone gave him away. You only nodded, letting him take your hand in his as you two strolled the streets, listening to him tell you random thoughts that popped into his head, unable to keep them in, needing to be shared with someone. 

Josh slowly picked away at your shell after that. You began opening up for him a little bit at a time. Each time he discovered something new about you it was like he had won the lottery. His eyes would light up, his dimples would show, and he would blush. 

It wasn’t too long before you were together more often than not. He would meet you outside of your classes, taking you on a walk or for lunch, planning dates he knew you would enjoy. He felt awful after he took you on a mini golf date and you left with a pounding headache from the screaming kids that littered the area. No matter how much you assured him it was fine, he refused to believe it was. 

He had surprised you with a picnic one late afternoon and you sat in between his legs, leaning back against his chest, watching the sun dip below the horizon. You both sat in silence, your eyes shut, savoring the reprieve. 

His fingers lightly traced up and down your arm, letting you bask in the quiet evening. A small smile graced your face as you heard a squirrel run through the tree you sat underneath. The grass had a soft wave going through it with every light breeze that would float through the air. 

You were startled out of your thoughts when Josh whispered into your ear. “Mouse?” He laughed as you jumped, placing both of his palms flat on your arms, trying to still you. “Sorry, didn't mean to scare you. I wanted to ask you something,” you rested back against him, willing your heart rate to go back to normal as he continued rubbing his hands over your arms.

You hummed, the sound almost falling on deaf ears, but he heard. He always did. “Would you want to come home with me this weekend? I want you to meet my family. My moms dying to meet you,” he chuckled at the end. 

He was biting his lip, you could hear it in the way he spoke. He was anxious about asking you, but the slight tilt in his tone meant he was excited about you meeting the people he loved most in the world.

You turned your head to peer up at him, seeing his hopeful eyes look over your face in awe. The sun had you gleaming in the golden hour and he had never seen anyone more beautiful in his life. His heart leapt into his throat as he stared at you. 

“Course I will. I’d love to meet everyone,” his smile grew as he bent his head down to meet you, lips gently pushing against your own. You hoped that your own nerves weren’t displaying across your face, fear pummeling you at the thought of meeting his family. His people. 

What if they didn’t like you? You had been told that your quietness had been taken wrong in the past, coming off as more standoffish than anything. That wasn’t who you were, but they didn’t know that. You were spiraling, feeling the knot grow in your stomach. 

Josh drove you both up to his childhood home a few days later. You were breathing quickly and shallowly, fears overtaking you. Josh had been talking almost the entire drive, giving you the rundown on everyone you were supposed to be meeting. There were going to be so many people there. 

Your hands had a slight tremble to them that Josh noticed as he looked over at you in the passenger seat. You had pulled up to the house and their driveway was packed with cars, throwing a barbecue for the event of meeting you. 

“Hey, hey, hey,” he took your hands in his and saw you gnawing at your lip, unable to tear your eyes away from the house. “What’s going on?” You blew out a shaky breath, knee starting to bounce. “What if they don’t like me? I don’t want them to think I’m rude,” he shook his head, rubbing your hands in his, smiling at you. 

“First, they’re gonna love you, I know it. Second, they aren’t going to think you’re rude, mouse. I told them that you’re quiet, so they know that, okay?” You nodded at his words, peeling your eyes away and meeting his own as his fingers pinched your chin. “Third, I am right here and will be by your side all night. If you need to take a break, just let me know and we’ll go to my room,” you gave him a shaky smile as he leaned over the center console, connecting your lips in a reassuring kiss. 

“Okay?” You nodded at him, getting out of the car, meeting him at the front of it, letting him take your hand in his. His fingers laced with yours tightly, your other hand toying with the hem of your dress. Before you walked into the backyard where the mess of voices, music, and food cooking was wafting from, he stopped you and gave you a bright smile.

“Deep breath,” you mimicked him as he winked at you. “I love you,” your face warmed at his words. “I love you, too,” he led you both into the backyard and his brother's eyes fell on you two first.

“They’re here!” His hand squeezed yours as one of his brothers jumped off the deck railing, landing in front of you both. He pulled Josh into a hug and then turned his attention to you. 

“My brother has not shut up about you since you met. You’re too pretty for him, by the way. If you want a Kiszka worth your time, I am readily available,” your eyes widened at his words, shocked at what he had just said about his own brother. 

“This is Jake, my twin. He doesn’t know how to read a room and keep that mouth of his shut,” he and Jake quickly pulled into a tussle and you jumped when another voice appeared from behind you, yelling loudly. 

“Boys knock it off!” You turned to see a woman with short blonde hair and a large smile on her face. “Oh my gosh, you are gorgeous. Hi, honey! I’m Karen,” she pulled you into a tight hug as you awkwardly laughed, gently wrapping your arms around the woman before someone else spoke up.

“Come on, let them be stupid. I’m Veronica, but everyone calls me Ronnie. You can help us get the condiments and stuff ready,” her arm linked with yours, pulling you with her towards the house. Your eyes widened, panic coursing through you, but you tamped it down.

You could do this.

It was over an hour later when Josh finally found you. You were sitting on the couch with his mom and sister, watching them flip through his baby album, telling stories behind the images. 

“There you are. You were stolen from me and I’ve been looking all over for you,” his face lit up as you came into his sight, you returning the smile as he saw what sat on your lap, his mom on one side of you, his sister on the other. “Oh no, how did you get into the baby books so fast?” He took it off your lap, grabbing your hand in his and pulling you up from the couch.

“I’m stealing her back!” You laughed as he ran you away from them, leading you upstairs to his room. His hands cupped your cheeks once the door shut and he smiled at you. “Hi, I’m sorry you got stolen. You okay?” You put your hands on his forearms and leaned into his touch.

“I’m good,” he brought you forward and let his lips land on your forehead. You turned around from him and took in the room. It was every aspect of his personality in one single spot. 

The posters took up every square inch of space they could, every band you could think of represented. His desk was cluttered, knick knacks, old books, journals, papers littered the space. He had a bookshelf that only had a few books actually on it, the shelves filled with old CD’s and records. His bedding was light green with a pattern you couldn’t make out because the bed was unmade. The room smelled of incense. It was Josh.

You slowly walked around the room, taking in every little fact you could, storing it in your brain for use later. He eventually ended up behind you, explaining what things were and why he had them. His fingers danced on your arms as he spoke quietly so only you two could hear, giggles mixing together at some of the tales behind the objects.

When someone clears their throat behind you both, you jump, hand landing on your heart, Josh grabbing you to still you as he laughed. “Honey, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. Just wanted to let you two know that the food is ready,” his mom laughed at your surprise. 

You smiled at her as Josh said you’d be down in just a minute. When you two ventured back downstairs, everyone had made their way outside, the outdoor dining table packed with people. You sat next to Josh as he made you a plate, handing you all your favorites as he yelled at his brothers from across the table, occasionally throwing food at one another.

You heard your name flow from someone's mouth and as you saw his dad smiling at you, you knew it came from him. “So, remind me again what you’re in school for,” as you went to answer, hands slightly trembling as the attention settled on you, Josh spoke up.

“She’s an English major, but she’s going to be a librarian. My girl is so smart it’s insane,” your cheeks burned as his mom's smile widened at his words. She looked at her husband who returned the look. 

“I think it’s quite fitting that Josh is with someone who can professionally shush him for a living. Someone needs to,” you laughed at the joke his younger brother said, but you shrugged as you wiped your mouth with a napkin. “I don’t mind his talking. I actually like it a lot,” he smiled at your words, squeezing your knee. 

As the night came to a close and it was time for you to head back to campus, Josh’s mom grabbed you into another bone crushing hug. “Thank you for coming out. I know we can be a lot. Especially him, but I think you’re so good for him,” as you pulled back, her hands cupped your cheeks and patted them.

“Alright, mom give her back,” he gently tugged you away from her as you waved bye, saying how great it was to meet everyone. The drive home was quiet, the windows rolled down, your eyes shut, feeling the breeze skirt across your face.

His hand held yours the entire time, thumb brushing against the back of it. “Everyone loved you, just so you know. Think you’re way too good for me,” his soft smile had your chest growing warm. You didn’t respond with words, only tightening your grip on his hand, saying all you needed to. 

Weeks later at dinner with Josh you took a moment in the lull of his constant chatter to interject. “Hey babe. What would you think about meeting my mom this weekend?” It was like you had asked him to marry you. The excitement coursed through him and he started talking incredibly fast. 

“Oh my god, yes, absolutely. She wants to meet me? What do you want to do? Why don’t I take us all out to dinner? Obviously we’ll go to her. What good restaurants are there?” He grabbed his phone to start looking as you chuckled at his giddiness, grabbing his hand to still him. 

“Josh, take a breath. She wants to cook for us,” he switched gears, asking what he should wear. He was nervous and you thought it was adorable. This was much less intimidating than when you met his family, but he wanted to make the best impression on her.

In his eyes it was more difficult. With his family, if one person didn’t like you that was fine because there were a dozen others that did. With your family it was just your mom. If she didn’t like him, what the hell was he going to do? 

When you pulled up to your home, Josh nervously fixed his shirt, having your hand in a death grip as you walked to the door. He was in awe of the mid-century home that sat on the hill away from other houses. 

You walked in and the smell of home cooking greeted you both. It was incredibly quiet, the sounds of cooking took up the space as well as some music playing very low in the background, almost on silent. 

“Hi, mom,” you spoke out as you entered the kitchen. Her face lit up as she hurried over to you both, taking you in a tight hug. “Hi, baby,” Josh watched as you two stayed locked in the hug for a beat longer than normal. You didn’t get out to see your mom often, her being a few hours drive from you, so you cherished the time you could get.

You looked briefly at the boy whose eyes wandered the rooms he could see and noticed that they all appeared like no one ever lived in them. 

As you pulled back, you grabbed Josh’s hand and gently pulled him forward, snapping his attention back to the moment. “Mom, this is Josh,” her smile brightened even more as she took him into a hug. “Josh, welcome to our home. It’s so nice to meet you,” he smiled at her as she ushered you both to sit down. 

“Thank you so much for inviting me over,” Josh spoke out as you pointed to the chair he should take. She brought you both a glass of wine, but you didn’t sit with him, going around the island to see what she needed help with. 

“Oh, of course, Josh. You-” she pointed at you with a smile, “go sit down. I got this,” you followed her instructions going and sitting while taking your hand in Josh’s, lacing your fingers together and giving him a reassuring smile. 

“Josh, what do you do?” She turned leaning on the counter, smiling gently as she sipped from her glass.

You three fell into easy conversation over dinner. Josh told her stories of him and his brothers, their passions for music, his adoration of film, and his love for you. Your mom listened intently to his stories, occasionally adding to the conversation between you two, but she mainly observed. 

As the night wound down, you took over the dishes for her, leaving her and Josh to chat in the living room for a bit. You could hear her laugh echo in the house at whatever Josh had said. You wandered into the room and peered around the corner, seeing the two of them chat like old friends.

She loved him. Of course she did. Who didn’t love Josh? 

“Babe, we gotta get going. It’s a long drive back,” you sighed reluctantly as he stood at the same time as your mom. “Let me use the restroom real quick, then we’ll go,” he kissed your cheek as he walked by. 

Your mom gave you a soft smile, waiting to hear the noise of the door click. “He’s sweet, love. I like him,” she knew you were waiting for her to speak. A breath of relief rushed from your chest, a smile growing at her words, but she turned, grabbing the empty glass as she continued. 

“But he’s going to hurt you. Not intentionally I don’t think, but it will happen. You two are so-” she took a breath, walking past you to the kitchen, your stomach flipping as you listened to her talk, smile falling down as she continued, “different. Too different. He’s into that music thing which is great, but that will end up being his personality. It’ll take over his life and that’ll be great for him. Not for you. I’m not saying it can’t work out, but you are my baby and I want you to be okay. I just want what’s best for you and I don’t want you to get hurt. Just be careful, okay?” 

You didn’t have time to respond before he reappeared, arm slipping around your waist. “Ready to hit the road, mouse?” You nodded, plastering a smile on your face despite the feeling of dread sitting heavy in your stomach. 

“Yeah, let’s go,” you walked to the door, taking your mom in a hug as she rubbed your back, her words sitting heavy on you. “Josh, come back anytime. It was a pleasure having you. I want to hear more stories about those wild brothers of yours,” he chuckled, letting your mom briefly hug him. 

“Of course, I have a million more to share. Thank you again for having me,” you two walked to the car and as he drove away, you watched your mom growing smaller and smaller as you drove off. 

Her words rattled you for a bit, but as time moved forward, you and Josh stayed strong. You believed he was the love of your life and who you were destined to be with. As his music took off with his brothers and the years rolled on, you continued on your track as he ventured off to focus on the band.

They had become a huge success and you got to watch him blossom into a captivating man. You loved his brothers and they took you in as one of their own without hesitation. It was what you had missed as a child and although it was a lot to deal with, you slowly got more used to it. 

You would never be the person to actively seek out activity that would cast you in any sort of social light, but you felt calmer with Josh by your side. He loved introducing you to people and telling them, “The love of my life is a librarian. She runs her own library, like she’s the lady in charge.” It always made your face burn, tucking further into his side as he said the most praising things about you everytime he could.

The two of you had moved in together two years into your relationship and it was the perfect chaos of your combined personalities. When Josh needed to come home and destress after a long day at the studio, you ensured that the house was set for that. He knew when you needed more attention than normal, never going out of your way to ask for it, but he would dote on you. Pulling you from the couch to dance with you, hands always on you in some way, asking you to talk about your day just to hear your voice and knowing when you needed to talk about your problems. 

When he was gone on tour, you started missing his constant presence in the house, but you were okay. Everyone swore you had the perfect personality to be matched with someone like Josh, despite being polar opposites you both were exactly what the other needed. 

Your mom's words never left your mind though. Keeping a watchful eye on things over the years to be able to tell if something was going to happen, but as time went on, it fell off your radar completely. 

That’s why when things did change, you didn’t catch it earlier. 

The first time an icky feeling wormed its way into your gut was on a Friday night. You had been reading on the couch, already having washed your face and thrown on your pajamas, when Josh walked out of your room, fully dressed. 

Your brows furrowed as you looked at him. “Where you going, bug?” He grabbed his phone from the counter, slipping his shoes on as he walked over to where you sat, quickly kissing your temple. “Going to get a drink with my brothers. I’ll be back later, okay?” You nodded, offering a tired smile as he left. 

That hadn’t been the time it had made you feel odd. It was the fifth time it happened. 

It was that time where he didn’t walk over to kiss you goodbye, only quickly saying a whispered goodnight over his shoulder as he talked to someone on the phone in an upset tone, leaving the house and you sitting completely alone. You took in a shaky breath, but pushed the feeling down. 

He just forgot. 

You had asked him a few days later if he wanted to go out for dinner that night and he excitedly agreed. As you two sat at your favorite place, he got your order wrong. You chuckled awkwardly as he ordered before correcting him. He looked shocked that he had gotten it wrong, but you shrugged it off.

“You’ve been tired. How was today by the way?” You sipped your drink as he brushed off the topic. “We finally recorded my song, but it wasn’t anything like I wanted it to be. Nothing new,” your heart sank a tiny bit. 

Josh had never passed on the opportunity to talk about his passions, especially the album they had been slaving over for months. You sat quietly, almost unsure what else to talk about, but the waiter brought your appetizer and he started on a story about what Jake had done last week at the bar they had gone to. Without you, again. 

Little moments like that came and went, but they hung heavy over you. You felt like you were watching Josh make moves away from you. Was he growing and you weren’t entirely keeping up with that? You had felt content with how your life currently was. How you were together, but doubt settled in you because Josh didn’t appear to be feeling the same way anymore. 

You and Jita sat chatting at dinner a few weeks later, but she grabbed her phone and sighed anxiously. “I meant to show you, this is what I’m wearing to the release party next week. What are you wearing? We should match, that would be so cute!”

As she showed you the photos, you shifted in your seat, uncomfortable silence falling on the table as you quietly answered. “Uh-what party?” You tried to laugh through the nausea that sat in your throat. The brothers eyes all darted to Josh, who looked back at you before what had happened dawned on him.

“Shit, I meant to tell you tonight. The album release party is next week,” you stared at him as he refused to look at you, instead making eye contact with Jake. Jita cleared her throat, trying to clear the tension that sat. 

“Okay, well we can find you something. We have time!” You forced a smile as your heart sank further into your gut. You felt sick to your stomach and excused yourself from the table, walking quickly to the bathroom as the restaurant was growing too loud for your liking, needing a moment to calm down and breathe. 

When you left the table, your hearing tuned in to yourself to calm down, but you heard Sam speak first. “Josh, what the fucks going on, man?” Your eyes welled with tears as you eyed the restroom, opting to step out of the building instead. 

The door opened and closed behind you as your shaking hands grabbed the railing in front of you. “Hey mouse. You feeling okay?” You knew that voice anywhere. Turning and smiling at Danny, you nodded your head.

“Just a bit loud is all,” he stood next to you and stared out at the city view in front of you both. You and Danny had grown unbelievably close over the years, finding comfort in each other with how quiet and reserved the two of you could be. He never pried more than necessary and his presence was a comfort on its own. 

When your breathing calmed down Danny chuckled. “I have no idea what I’m supposed to wear to that party. Apparently it’s a formal thing, but I mean, do they even know us?” You laughed as he spoke. “Throw on some dress pants and shirt and you’ll be set.”

After a bit of time, you wandered back into the restaurant to see the group getting up from the table. Josh looked at you both and then focused his attention on you. “Ready to go?” You nodded, saying goodnight to everyone and following him out. 

It was quiet the entire drive home and when you got home, Josh went straight to bed. 

You and Jita went shopping the next day and you found a dress that made you feel beautiful and what you thought would make Josh’s eyes bug out of his head a bit. It was you stepping out of your comfort zone and you knew Josh would be proud of you for doing so.

The day of the event, you spent hours getting ready. You made sure your hair was just right, makeup done tastefully, and the dress was on correctly. He was waiting in the living room for you and when you came out, his eyes were glued to his screen.

You felt silly being so nervous, but this was something you hadn’t done before and you were anxious to see what he would say. Josh heard you enter the room and he quickly looked at you and smiled before going and grabbing his keys.

“You look good, mouse. Ready?” You didn’t know how to react, just grabbing your bag and nodding your head, walking out behind him. Maybe you expected too much. You had put too high of hopes. Maybe you didn’t look as good as you had previously thought. 

When you entered the party with him, Josh broke from you almost immediately, saying he was going to talk to some people. When Sam and Jake’s eyes fell on you, their smiles took over their entire face. “Jesus Christ, mouse. You look fantastic. Absolutely breathtaking,” your face burned as Jita came and showed you the table where you were all supposed to sit. 

You sat at that table waiting for Josh for almost an hour with Jita before Jake came and took her away. Danny came up behind you, startling you as you jumped with a laugh. “What’s a pretty girl like you sitting here all alone for?” Your eyes fell to Josh and saw him laughing and chatting with a group of people you didn’t know and Danny followed your gaze. “Ah, you know I’m not good at this stuff,” you waved your arm around the space, trying to laugh off the situation, but he wasn’t having it.

“He’s being stupid. C’mon, I’ll take you around then if he won’t,” you took Danny’s arm, letting him lead you around the room, chatting with people you had never met and seeing others you had known for years. 

You had never felt so grateful for someone to be your saving grace at that moment than you were for Danny. You two had a blast, laughing together as you leaned against the bar, people watching and snickering into your glasses. 

When you two landed back at the table, just the two of you, your eyes instinctively found the boy you had been in love with since you were a teenager. 

Your mom was right. The more you thought about it, the more you realized it. Sadness took over your being as you thought to yourself. You two were such extreme opposites that it wasn’t going to work. Especially as he continued to morph into a person that was more outgoing than ever before. He was outgrowing you. 

Danny saw you staring off into space and you felt his hand take yours. “Danny?” You asked out, seeing him eye you, waiting for you to continue. “Do you think Josh still loves me?” You whispered it out, only wanting him to hear. He was basically your best friend and someone you knew would give you what you needed to hear not what you wanted to hear. 

Your eyes fell to him and a sad smile took over your face as your eyes grew glossy. “It’s okay. Be honest with me,” he shook his head and spoke, pulling your attention solely to him. “Of course he does. He’s been tired from working on this album, we’ve all been fighting more than normal and I know that’s taking it out of everyone right now, and I know things have been weird, but they’ll go back. It’s you,” he said it like it was so obvious, but it only further solidified what you were thinking.

He was right. It was you. 

You and Josh drove home together that night and when you tried to make small talk to break the silence that you couldn’t feel comfortable in no matter what peace you tried to find, you instantly regretted it. 

“That was fun tonight. It was fun seeing everyone all dressed up. I met a lot of new people and saw people I hadn’t seen in ages,” your fingers linked through themselves as you spoke, but Josh only scoffed at your words. Irritation seeped into every syllable he spoke. 

“Yeah, you sat at that table all night. You didn’t talk to anyone except Danny,” you bit back any more words, knowing if you spoke anymore it would only escalate the situation. You weren’t good with confrontation and tried to diffuse situations at any chance you could to make sure you would escape unscathed. 

That meant remaining quiet for the rest of the ride home. When you pulled up to the house and went inside, Josh went and sat on the couch as you went to your room and changed. He hadn’t moved as you reappeared, but he spoke as soon as he saw your figure. 

“Why couldn’t you try? Just tonight, why not?” Your face contorted in confusion as he spoke. “What do you mean?” He laughed dryly as he continued on. “I needed one night's worth of effort from you. To go around and talk to people. Do you know how embarrassing it was to see you sitting at the table like a scolded child?” Your jaw hung slack at his words, eyes wide in shock as he spoke.

“I did talk to people. I went around with Danny for a bit,” you whispered back, not wanting to speak louder, not sure if you could. “I’m sorry if I embarrassed you. I didn’t mean to, but I don’t really have anything to apologize for Josh. I hardly knew anyone at the event anyways. I went around the room and spoke to plenty of people all without you,” he shook his head, running his hands through his hair. 

“With Danny! Not alone! You didn’t know anyone? Then go talk to people! You hardly left his side all night, it was like he took you, not me,” you crossed your arms and looked at him in disbelief.

 “That’s your fault, not mine. The second we walked in the door, you disappeared. Danny didn’t want me sitting by myself,” he cut you off as you tried to keep talking, overpowering you easily in the conversation.

“Of course he didn’t, but I did. Here’s what we’ll do, you just sit here in your silence like you always do and I’ll be in there cooling down so I don’t say anything else stupid, yeah?” Your eyes widened as he spoke, unsure where he had gotten that from. He walked out of the room, closing the bedroom door with a slam behind him.

You didn’t need this. Didn’t deserve this. You quickly grabbed your shoes and car keys, leaving and taking a breather for the night.

When you pulled up to an empty parking lot, you sat in your car and cried. You cried for what you knew you had lost. Your Josh had been gone for a while and someone new stood in his place. Someone that didn’t suit you anymore. Someone that needed something different, someone to better match what his life was like. That wasn’t you. 

You were sitting on the empty living room floor, taking in the space around you and smiling to yourself at the memories that were going to happen in this place. The home you now shared with Josh. It was quiet, letting you close your eyes for a second and listen to the house itself. 

“Okay, mouse. Movers are gonna be here in like twenty minutes, we need to go to a store of some sort to get some basics. Mom, dad, and brothers are coming up tomorrow. I think we made sure the air mattress was unpacked and in the Jeep so we have somewhere to sleep tonight,” his rambling echoed and bounced off the empty walls and you just smiled, listening to him grow closer to where you sat. 

His large hands landed on your knees, creeping up your thighs, forehead pushing against yours. “Sorry, didn’t know you were in quiet time,” you let your hands go behind his ears, tucking the hair back and opening your eyes.

“I was just listening to the house is all. Getting used to its noises,” he hummed, landing his lips against yours before pushing you onto your back and laying on you. His lips moved from yours to your neck and you giggled as his fingers tickled your sides.

“Talk more to me, Josh. What else do we need to do?” He pulled back, dotting the end of each of his sentences with a kiss somewhere new on you. A knock on the door pulled you two from the little world you had fallen in and he stood, taking you with him. 

“Ready to build our world together?” You sunk into his side as his arm wrapped around your shoulder, kissing your forehead as you walked to the door. “Can’t wait.”

You hiccuped in the car from crying so hard, hand angrily wiping at your face as the tears continued to fall. The house had seen so many good memories, but lately they had only consisted of you or the two of you on opposite ends of the world you both had constructed for the two of you. 

Your phone went off and as you checked it you saw missed calls and messages from Josh, one text from Jake which meant he was calling everyone. You texted Jake back quickly before he talked to anyone else. 

Twin #2- Hey Josh called me asking if I’d heard from you. You okay? What’s going on?

You- I’m good. Just taking a breather

Twin #2- I’ll let him know. I’m here if you need me 

Your tears fell harder as that message popped up on your screen. Losing Josh didn’t just mean parting from him, but from the family you had become a part of that you absolutely adored. 

“Okay, okay! This one is for mouse, from Karen and Kelly,” Ronnie handed you a beautifully wrapped present that had your chin wobbling. “Guys, I told you no gifts please,” his mom waved you off as you leaned against Josh. “Go on and open it!”

He eagerly watched as you opened the wrapping. When you pulled out a photo album that was full of pictures of you and the siblings, extended family, and Josh you bit back tears. “I know how much you love going through those books and I wanted you to have one, too. You’re one of us now and that means you get an album, but it stays here with the rest of them.”

You had never felt more at home with a group of people then you did with them and this made you feel like a part of a family that you had never would have thought you would get to be a part of. 

“This is the best gift I’ve ever been given. Thank you,” you choked back tears as you spoke and Josh kissed your head, taking it and going through it. “Actually that would be me, but this is a close second,” you slapped his arm as everyone groaned at him, Sam throwing wrapping paper in your direction. Josh kissed your cheek as he giggled with you.

“Who’s next? I’ve been skipped twice now!” Jake yelled into the room as he moved under the tree to grab another gift.

Staring out onto the horizon, it was still dark, the sun not expected to rise for the next couple of hours. The calls and texts from others stopped, but Josh persisted. You eventually shut your phone off, not wanting to see the panicked questions from him on where you were and why you had left. 

Silence was your friend. It had been for the majority of your life, but now as you sat in it, staring into the rolling hills, it ate at you. 

Josh brought a chaos of noise with him wherever he went and over time it was what you had come to love in your home, just like how he craved the sanctuary of quiet you brought with you wherever you went. 

It was late. Extremely late. Far too late for you to be up and waiting for him to return home, but you hadn’t seen him in weeks and were desperate to just catch sight of him for a second.

What you didn’t expect to happen was to drift off to sleep on the couch waiting for his impending arrival. 

As Josh entered into your shared home, the silence greeted him in a welcoming embrace. It stilled his thoughts, dulled the overstimulating tremble in his hands, evened his breathing out, eyes slipping shut to savor the quiet, tuning in his listening to see if he could place you somewhere in the house.

He spotted you from the entryway into the living room, curled up into the corner of the couch, throw blanket haphazardly thrown over your lap, a book you had been reading to keep you awake was about to fall onto the floor.

His heart ached at the sight of you. It was dimly lit in the house, your chest was rising and falling signaling you had been out for a bit. He crept towards you, removing the blanket and brushing his hand over your forehead, fingers rubbing into your scalp to lightly wake you. 

As your eyes slowly peeled open and you saw his large doe eyes crinkling as he smiled at you, one hand on your head, the other on your knee, rubbing small circles into the fabric of your pajama pants, you smiled back tiredly and groaned. 

Your hand pushed through his messy curls, moving them from his forehead as you spoke. “Hi bug,” he chuckled as your sleep riddled voice broke the silence of the room, the first time he’d heard your sound in person in weeks. 

“Hi mouse,” he leaned forward, setting his lips on yours in a kiss that was normally far too gentle for him, but seemed perfect in the moment. Your fingers cradled his jaw as he slowly moved his mouth on yours. 

As he pulled back you let your hand rest in its spot and slightly pouted at the boy. “‘M so sorry, bug. I tried to stay up,” he shook his head, lips landing on your forehead. “Don’t apologize, mama. Our flight was delayed getting in. It’s already almost two. C’mon, let’s go to bed, yeah?” 

You nodded, getting up from the couch, wrapping your arms around his neck, breathing in deeply as his arms enclosed around your waist, holding you for just a second. “Missed you, mama,” his murmured voice was muffled by his head moving to the nook of your neck. 

Your hands traveled from his neck up to his head, tangling your fingers in the locks and sighing at the happiness coursing through you as you held him. 

The two of you stayed like that for longer than you thought, just drinking in one another, willing time to stay like it was just you two in the world. In the world you two had created together, it was just you two. It was always just you two. 

As you opened the front door to the house, music shook the walls and the sound of pans clattering in the kitchen created a ringing in your ears that had a smile creeping onto your face.

It had been a long day at work and all you wanted to do was get home to your boy since he had been gone for so long. The noise that rattled through the rooms leading you to him was what you had craved since his departure. It meant your other half was there and present with you. 

When you turned the corner and saw him in the kitchen, dirty dishes piled high in the sink, but two plates of food sitting at the dining room table, the scene made you laugh. His back was to you, not knowing that you had arrived home because of how loud the music was. 

His mop of curls bopped along to the song playing through the speakers and his soft voice whispered under his breath with the lyrics. 

“You know you are the only person I know who needs to use every single pan we own to make dinner?” He startled at your presence, almost dropping the bottle of wine he held in his hands, but his rosy cheeks lifted with his smile at you. 

“Shit, mama. Don’t scare me like that. C’mon, come sit. I made your favorite dinner. Don’t look at the kitchen, I’ll clean later,” he approached you, arms wrapping around you and pulling you to him. You drank him in as your lips connected, savoring the fleeting moment before he led you to your seat. 

You stared at him the entire time through the meal. Candles illuminated the room as he spoke, dancing on the walls and basking his shadow in a fitting glow. It was like watching a show on the far wall as his movements cast onto it. 

His hand wrapped around your own and pulled it to his lips after he finished another story from the few weeks they had been gone. “I love you,” you spoke it out as he eyed you, eyes gleaming at your words. He pulled you from your chair and onto his lap, nuzzling his face into your neck, eyes slipping shut and breathing you in. 

“I love you more. Tell me about the writing you’ve done while I was gone,” he spoke in a quieter tone, signaling to you that it was your turn to fill the space as he sat back and listened like it was the last story he would ever hear. 

Your tears had stopped as the morning sun took over your face, finally peeking from behind the hills. Thinking back on the times you two had shared made you think of the last time you had heard Josh say those three words to you. You couldn’t remember the last time he had. 

Cringing at the words he had spoken to you insead last night. Reality felt like it was hurtling towards you at a pace you were not prepared to deal with. It was slapping you across the face and the stinging sensation was what told you that this was real and happening. 

Even though you never hoped it would. 

Josh moved around the stage like it was where he was meant to be. Fans screamed his name, shouting how much they loved him and you smiled as you heard it. Who couldn’t love Josh? 

As the show finished you made your way backstage to meet up with him and his brothers and smiled as you saw him already changed and waiting for you. His adrenaline was always at an extreme high after a show and he used you to ground him, get him back to normal. 

His hands found home on your hips as he attacked you with kisses, not bothering to say hi, letting his actions do that for him. Your laughter echoed in the space as he continued kissing you anywhere he could reach. 

“God, you guys, knock it off. I’m not drunk enough to deal with this right now,” Sam groaned as he walked past you two, but Josh flipped him off as he went by. “You enjoy the show? You feeling alright?” Josh’s voice was low so only you could hear him, thumbs brushing over your cheeks as you nodded your head, lightly pecking his lips. 

“It was great, sweetie. You were great. I’m good,” his lips landed on the tip of your nose as he nuzzled his face into the side of your neck, lips coming to the shell of your ear. “The boys want to go to a bar. You wanna go?” You knew he wanted to, which was why he brought it up and you were still feeling antsy after the energetic show and agreed quickly, seeing his face light up. 

You were tucked into Josh’s side in the booth and were two drinks in for the night and about to stop with anymore as the night continued on. Conversation bounced around the space between the group and you sat contently, listening to everyone shout over each other before eyes fell on you. 

“What do you do? I don’t think you’ve ever told me.” One of the newer tour members spoke out over everyone and you smiled at his question, clearing your throat to speak up louder than you were used to. 

“I’m just a librarian,” his eyes squinted as he smiled at your response, but Josh spoke up quickly. “Just a librarian? Her job is so important for society as a whole. The library she works for relies on her for everything, she runs the entire place,” he leaned forward on the table as he continued speaking, your heart fluttering as he spoke so passionately about your job. “Do you know all the programs that a single library runs? It’s absolutely mind boggling and she does it all.”

Josh continued talking about your position for the rest of the night before it was time to go, enlightening the group to the true meaning of what being a librarian was. 

When you two got home that night, he eyed you in bed and sighed. “Baby? I want to talk to you about tonight,” you felt your stomach sink at his words. What happened? Had you done something?

“I don’t like hearing you talk down on yourself or your job the way you do. I know you try to play it off like it’s nothing, but it really is important. It’s a part of you that you love and that I most definitely love and I don’t want to hear you talk down about it, okay? If you’re too nervous or whatever about it, then I will. I don’t want you to think I’m embarrassed about what you do or you because that’s not the case now and it never will be. I love what you do and I love you.” 

You were speechless at his words, not having realized before how upset those actions had made him. You were only able to nod in response before he kissed you and had you lying flush with him, head resting on his chest listening to his steady breathing as he quickly fell asleep after the day he had. 

You loved him and everything that came with him and he loved the same about you. 

Sitting in the driveway you stared at the house, fear pummeling you at having to go inside and face what was about to happen. Your hands shook tremendously and you could feel bile rising in your throat as you opened the door and stepped in. 

You took a moment to listen to the house, trying to get your heart rate down, but ultimately failing as you heard movement in the living room. Exhaling a shaky breath you made your way towards him, knowing he would be waiting for you. 

When he came into view, his hair was a disheveled mess and his back was facing the entryway. He hadn’t slept, you could easily tell. He heard your footsteps enter the room and he quickly turned to face you, eyes rimmed red and bloodshot, exhaustion clear on his face. 

“Jesus, thank god. Where the hell were you? You were gone all night and had me fucking panicking. What is going on? You just left,” he stood up from the couch and tried reaching for your hand, but you took a step back and put your own up to stop him.

His demeanor shifted at your movement and stopped in his spot as he eyed you, confusion evident in his eyes. “I came out to talk to you and you were just gone. Jake said you went to take a breather,” he lowered his voice to a quieter tone to match the level you were giving. 

It felt like you were staring at the old Josh again. The one you had fallen madly in love with all those years ago and who you had built the perfect little world with. The one you swore you were going to build a solid life with. The one who made you feel like you were the only person in the world when you were with him. It felt like it was him. 

You cleared your throat, voice wavering as you spoke. “Josh, I think we need to take a break,” you attempted to keep your voice still and not break as the words left your mouth. You had thought about it all night and you knew this was the only way to go forward because it wasn’t the same anymore and you weren’t sure it would ever be the same again. 

His eyes widened, tears forming as the sentence settled over the room. “What?” His voice was barely a whisper and would have fallen on deaf ears, but you heard. You always heard. 

“I think we need to take a break. I don’t think this-” you motioned between the two of you, standing on opposite sides of the room, but might as well have been on opposite sides of the world, “is working anymore, Josh.” You felt your eyes burning, knowing fresh tears were threatening to fall. 

He didn’t make a move, didn’t tear his eyes away from your figure, didn’t breathe as he responded. “What?” Was all he could respond with, knowing his brain wouldn’t function with more thoughts other than that.

Your eyes fell downcast to the floor, looking at your sock clad feet and sniffled before continuing. 

“I don’t know what changed, but something changed. You don’t treat me the same anymore. Last night you said you were embarrassed of me,” your eyes flashed up to see how he reacted to your words, tears spilling down your face and his as you willed yourself to continue. 

“I am so sorry that I am not a social butterfly, honest to god I am so sorry. I want to be that for you, I try, I promise I do, but it’s not me. That’s you. The energy you bring to everything's amazing and I love it so much, but I am not you. I am quiet and reserved and I used to think that was what you loved about me, but damn it I’m watching you start to resent me for it, Josh,” you were talking quickly, words spilling out of your mouth as your thoughts raced. 

“I think you need someone better suited for you because I don’t think it’s me anymore. You don’t invite me out with the group anymore, you didn’t want me to go to the event last night and when I was there you didn’t even look my way all night. Do you know the last time you said I love you to me? It was a month and two weeks ago and I don’t think you love me anymore. I don’t want you to feel stuck with me because that’s not fair to either of us.”  

As you finished, trying to catch your breath as tears continued their track down your cheeks, you looked at him. He had no expression on his face as he listened intently to you, hanging on every word you said. 

“You don’t think I love you anymore?” He spoke out after a beat, voice cracked and broken as he spoke out in disbelief that he was even saying those words to you. In response, you shook your head, looking back down at the floor. 

“I think you did. I do, but I think you’ve outgrown me, Josh. I think we are just too different,” he moved quickly around the room, putting his shoes on and grabbing his keys off the counter, and moving towards the door, grabbing your own shoes before coming back to face you.

“You need to come with me,” he crouched in front of you, putting your shoes on and grabbed your hand and pulled you with him out the door. “Josh, I’m not going anywhere with you right now,” you stopped as he got to the car, but he rushed back around and stood in front of you and took in a shaky breath, hands clearly trembling as he spoke. 

“I need you to just come with me, baby, please. I have to show you something and I swear after if you think I don’t love you anymore then we can figure out what we need to do, but please, just come with me,” he was begging, his eyes were filled with fear, chin wobbling as he spoke. 

You nodded and got in the passenger seat, Josh hurrying to get you to where he needed to take you. 

The ride there was silent, he fought the urge to grab your hand in his own, eyes attempting to take in your features and keep watch of the road as he drove. You sighed as you saw the recording studio come into view, this being the last place on earth you wanted to be. 

You reluctantly got out and followed him into the empty building, sitting where he told you to sit and eyeing him as he moved to do what he needed to.

He turned and faced you, eyes scanning your face and noticing the irritation and sorrow flashing across your features. “I lied to you,” your eyebrows knit together at his confession. 

“I lied to you for months and I am so sorry. We weren’t going out on the nights where I would leave. We were coming here. Every single night for months. I didn’t tell you because I knew you would be worried about the amount of hours I was working. I was here when everyone else wasn’t because I needed everything just right. I needed the most important thing I have ever written to be perfect because it needed to be for you. I obsessed over it and lost sleep over it and fought with my brothers over it because no matter what we did I just couldn’t fucking get it right. I wanted it to be as perfect as you and that just isn’t possible, but damn if this isn’t as close as we could get,” you watched as he spoke so fast he was tripping over his own words, hands going wild as he acted out them out, eyes bouncing around the room as he tried to explain it to you. 

His hand hit something on the board in front of you both and when music started playing, your thoughts went quiet. The buzzing of your mind ceased and you were able to solely focus on what was playing through the room. 

It was simply the most beautiful thing you had ever heard written from Josh and his thoughts. Pure art that he made into musical formation in a way you would never understand. In a way that he did just for you. 

You had never heard anything like it before and as it came to an end and you turned slowly to look at him, he dropped to his knees directly in front of you, hands splaying across your thighs as he started talking again, tone back to quiet to speak in a way that he only ever did for you. 

“I fucked up and I am so sorry. I shouldn’t have lied to you and left you like I did. I neglected you for months and I made you think I didn’t love you anymore and I will never be able to apologize enough for that,” his hands moved up to cradle your face, hands still shaking as he did, tears falling down both of your cheeks, “but I do love you. More than you will ever know. I love how quiet you are and how reserved you are, I swear I love that about you. I said things to you last night that I absolutely should have not said, but I am not embarrassed of you.”

His eyes fell down as he shook his head, whispering out as he spoke. “I was jealous of you and Danny. Time got away from me and when I realized that, he had already swooped you up and it pissed me off a lot more than it should have, but I wanted to walk you around. Do you know how breathtaking you looked last night and he got to show you off, not me,” you let a wet laugh bubble from your lips as he chuckled through his own tears and the stupidity of the situation.

“You know that I get caught up in the heat of the moment and that happened last night and I am sorry. I love that you listen to me talk for hours on end about literally nothing, that when I’ve had an overstimulating day which is more often than not, I can come home to the peaceful sanctuary that you crafted for us, and I love that you think before you speak because god knows I don’t,” his thumbs brushed the tears off your face as he kissed the tip of your nose, your hands locking around his wrists, eyes closing as he did.

“I love the look you get on your face when you’re concentrating on something and your tongue pokes out. You know what I love the most about you? That you’re my opposite. I need that, I need you. I love you so much, mouse, more than anything and I am so sorry.” The panic in his tone had him speaking quickly, stumbling over his words, trying to get everything out before you spoke back to him. 

His eyes remained shut as he rested his forehead against yours, shaking his head as he held you to him. “I will spend the rest of my life telling you how much I love you because you have to know that I love you.”

Your eyes searched for his as they reopened, taking you in as you nodded your head, hands rubbing his forearms as you finally spoke back.

“Let’s start with today first,” a breath he didn’t know he had been holding exhaled from his lungs, crashing his lips onto yours in a desperate and frightened manner, before pulling back with a small laugh. 

“I need to communicate better. You’d think with how much I talk I’d be better at that.” Your laughter mixed with his as it echoed off the walls, head tipped back as he refused to take his hands off of you, not wanting to let you go for a second.

When you two got home, Josh didn’t hesitate to take you to your shared room and climb under the covers together, pure exhaustion pulling you both into sleep after the events of the last day. You laid there, completely still, as you listened to his breathing even out as he held you. His heartbeat was steady, arm heavy around you, nose in your hair as he drifted off to sleep. 

Your fingers tangled with his as you let the silence of the space enclose around you. Silence was your friend and had been for most of your life. It was always a welcome presence for you, but not as much as he was. 

His energy and noise that traveled with him like a second being was what you craved every single day. He was what you craved. Your polar opposite. 

#ficthots #josh kiszka #joshua kiszka #greta van fleet #greta van fleet fan fiction #josh kiszka fanfiction #josh kiszka imagine #josh kiszka fanfic #greta van fleet imagine #josh kiszka x reader #josh kiszka x you #josh kiszka x y/n #jake kiszka #sam kiszka #danny wagner

[causereyna-artie]

I listened to Nep's New Album released today, and I loved it! So here's a wolfstar microfic based on her song, Cottontail (also inspired by my very own attack from a hot librarian)

i wish i was a lady like you (so i could look as pretty in december)

@wolfstarmicrofic

If your name were River I'd legally change mine to a nature related term (Like Fern!) So I could be the grasses sittin' by you Remus came to The Allan Room in the NYC public library everyday, to the point the librarian, Ms Pince, assumed he worked there. And everyday, new people came. Stressed, over-worked students. Hyper, grinning students coming to write first essays. Tourists (god, tourists). Librarians coming in for their shift. Other authors came in, glancing at him sceptically from across the room. Recently, Remus had a problem: he couldn't write. The degree, national journaling award, years of Minnie's mentorship down the drain. He liked to blame it on no inspiration; but that was fuck all, he was in New York. Remus knew that, and his editor--the scary angel of Pandora Rosier--knew that. He had two weeks to come up with an idea. "And that's being generous, because I love you, but it can't be more because I fucking love you." she had said. And that was after Remus had set Lily on her. Two motherfucking weeks. And then, they came in. An absolute Adonis of a person, black hair reaching their shoulders, and sea-grey eyes, long arms covered in black ink. Yeah, new people came everyday, but nobody like this. And they was walking to Remus. "Hey," And Remus was still reeling from that one fucking word. "Hi." His voice reaching an impossibly high pitch. The person raised their eyebrow, "Yeah, you need to come with me." "What?" Remus blurted out. He had seen the movies. This is how it starts. They're going to distract him with an angel, and then take him outside, and then he's going to get arrested, and he can't survive in jail---have you seen his glasses and noodle arms? God, his mam was going to kill him- "Uh, your book, The Diary Of Virginia Woolf, is overdue. The one in front of you. You need to pay the fine. I'm the new librarian." Oh god, it was even worse. His wet dream was reprimanding him for an overdue book. Oh lord, it was so much worse. "Yep, yeah. Sure," Remus fumbled with cheque book, "Wait, you take cheques, right?" The man---Remus had caught his badge with his pronouns--hummed, "You won't need to. A dollar." Remus grabbed a note from his wallet, handing it to--Remus tilted his head to read the name-tag--Sirius. How fitting. Shockingly, Sirius stayed there, checking out the book. "Remus Lupin," he read, the name rolling off his tongue, "is that what I should call you?" Shit, shit, pretty boy wanted to call him. "You can, but I prefer Moony." Sirius' lips quirked. "And why is that, Moony?" "Because I'm up there with you, pretty boy. The brightest star." Sirius tongued his cheek for a moment, before grabbing Remus' hand and pen, and scribbling something down. "Call me, Moony." Sirius strutted to another table, presumably to terrorize another innocent, helpless man. Remus flushed at the number, when the cover of Woolf's book caught his eye. Huh. Sirius hadn't taken it. He opened it flipping through the book, and checking the borrow card. The book was due 28th February. Two weeks from now. Remus grinned, looking down at his empty notebook. All of a sudden, he had inspiration.

#wolfstar #nep #cottontail #sirius black #remus lupin #lily evans #pandora lovegood #pandora rosier #pandalily #remus x sirius #sirius orion black #remus john lupin #the power of remus' ma #remus is not built for jail #be honest remus being reprimanded by a hottie for a library book is your wet dream #books & libraries #the librarians #writer remus lupin #authour remus lupin #minerva mcgonagall #librarian sirius black #valentines day #wolfstar valentine #happy valentines

[andmaybegayer]

On Coffee

I, for one, do not know basically anything about coffee. However, if I had to trust one person to explain coffee to me it would be our beloved coffee nerd/machinist/librarian/man-about-town @morrak and he was kind enough to do just that, helping me pick some coffee from the local speciality shop.

Given the extremely rudimentary prompt:

My closest reference is probably tea, so like, I enjoy the texture you get from oolong, and the scent experience you get when drinking assams. As for dislikes, not a big fan of green tea.

We ended up with these

Square Mile's Filter Blend and Lady Marmelade Kenyan from Chroast. Brewed two 125ml cups on 7.5g of beans in an Aeropress.

I have tasting notes, which should be taken with a grain of don't know what I'm doing.

Just sniffing the beans, the filter blend is very neutral, smells very much like what you think coffee smells like. The Chroast beans smell strongly like something tagged in my head as aldehydes, whether that's an accurate association or not.

Square Mile Filter Blend

Mild flavour, very smooth texture, note here is "oily/buttery". Sweet, not very bitter at all, minimal aftertaste that wasn't just the taste slowly dying out. Citrusy, but in the way that the zest of an orange or a grapefruit is citrusy. Makes me think a little of what would happen if I made a kind of too strong black coffee and tempered out all the bitterness and astringency with milk without adding enough to actually taste a milk flavour.

Chroast Lady Marmelade

Much stronger flavour, drier texture but still less astringent than something like black tea. Not really coffee-like in my head at all, also very low bitterness, less than plain black teas by far. A very plant-y aftertaste, but in a different way from how green tea has a plant-y aftertaste, because I don't mind it here. Aldehyde thing isn't present in the taste, instead it is just kind of sharp. Aftertaste goes up the back of your sinuses in a nice way, tastes like it smells when brewing.

Conclusion

I have not done a comparative coffee taste before, although I've done it for teas. These two are quite different when directly contrasted and I'm certain I'd not have picked up on it without them side by side, the Square Mile is very smooth and sweet, while the Chroast is much more strongly flavoured and has that dry texture I like from black teas. Both felt better than what I had before this, so definitely good recommendations from Morrak here.

I do wonder if brewing half my usual amount here threw something off, the Aeropress drains real fast on only 7.5g of beans. I will try making full cups of these the way I normally would and see how that goes but this came out pretty good, I enjoyed and wanted more of both of these.

It's noticeably different from the coffee I get in the machine at work, which I also happen to know is all extremely old because they are using pre-pandemic coffee that is now hitting its end of shelf life and being dumped in the staff kitchen as freebies.

#coffee #thank you morrak #food

[roxie-roo]

another hermit hollow fic!! Hope you guys like this one, and stay tuned for some Interesting two fics in the future <3 enjoy, @majickth

People didn't move in to Hermit's Hollow. That just wasn't the case. Then again, no one moved out either. It was just a small, insular community, full of people who it seemed had known each other for years.

So imagine the surprise when a new person came, greeting Pearl with long built up feelings.

Her brother, they'd learned. A recently fired journalist, looking for peace and quiet for once.

Word travels fast in the Hollow.

Thus did news of his investigation into the hooded figures that townspeople dared not acknowledge.

It passed through trees, between lumberjacks. The blond one lugged a tree over her shoulder as she walked back towards town, pausing only to see her companion frozen in place.

"Ren?" She called to him. "What's got into you?"

"By the pricking of my thumb.." Ren muttered to himself, "something wicked this way comes.."

Shakespeare. She'd recalled Ren to have been a fan. Still, she didn't quite understand the usage of it now.

The news was spread among customers in a small bookshop near town. The librarian refused to say anything beyond cryptic messages and poetic waxing, all of which received eye rolls and "typical Joe"s from the customers. Except for one. A blond approached the counter, trying to look as casual as possible as he fidgeted with his feather earrings.

"Did-.. did he really say he was investigating.. them?"

"That's what I heard." Joe Hills, the owner of the bookshop, nodded and closed the book on his desk. "He's a journalist, I like journalists. They remind me of myself in a way... never know when to quit. Yknow, I think I met a journalist a while back. Some two,,, three? Years ago?"

The blond tuned out Joe's rambling, hastily paying for his books and leaving very quickly. Far too quickly for Joe to not at least be a little suspicious. He eyed the customer behind him, and shrugged.

"Oh well."

______________________

Hermit's Hollow was full of uneasy souls that afternoon. Coincidentally all blonde, a thought that crossed Ren's mind as he watched his,,, friend? Friend sounded good. Watched his friend stare at a scar on his wrist. The symbol was an almost perfect rectangle, permanently etched into the skin. Martyn had told him once what had marked him. A hot iron. Ren shuddered at the thought of it.

"You know, staring at it isn't gonna make it go away, dude." Ren called, arms crossed as he watched him.

"I know." Martyn sighed. Tired and drained, and so, so frustrated. "I don't know what to do at this point. Do I talk to him- ? Tell him its a bad idea?"

"I guess you have to.. Would he listen?"

"That's what I'm afraid of..."

It was certainly a fear not unfounded. And he wasn't the only one who felt it.

"Baby, you pacing is gonna make me dizzy." A soft laugh echoed through the electronics store, the owner of said store leaned over the counter as he watched his partner traverse the small shop, occasionally stumbling and tripping over his feet.

"Sorry.." He stopped, instead hugging his thin frame with a worried huff. "You know why I'm so freaked out.."

"I do." Tango nodded as he stepped out from behind the counter, frowning at the sight of his anxious partner as he pulled him into his arms. "C'mere... you wanna go home?"

"No,, no I'm okay.." He shook his head, relaxing into Tango's arms slowly. "Sorry.."

"Don't be sorry, Jimmy.. I get it.. hey, maybe it's just a rumor. Yknow?"

"Yeah.. rumor.."

The bell above Decked Out rang and Tango untangled himself from around Jimmy's frame, quickly ducking behind the counter again. "Welcome to Decked Out, what can I help you with?"

Jimmy turned to look at the customer, and all the color drained from his face. Exactly as described. Wiry frame, red sweater, glasses, journal and pen.

"Hi, I was told I might be able to find one James Tek here?"

Tango narrowed his eyes at the stranger, while Jimmy cleared his throat and stepped towards him.

"I'm him. Please, just call me Jimmy, everyone does."

"Jimmy, perfect." The stranger grinned. "Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?"

"I know what this is about.." Jimmy sighed. "I'll be back, Tangs..."

"Stay safe, baby.." Tango called out as they left.

Turns out, this was the rumored stranger, Grian. Pearl's brother. And Jimmy wasn't the only one being asked.

Martyn was also approached by this stranger, and asked the same question Jimmy dreaded now.

"What do you know about The Watchers?"

#hermits hollow au #roxie's writing

[huffle-dork]

Swap Across the CrystalVerse Chapter 11: Shadow City

Read Swapboys | Crystal’s AUs

Read SITCV | SATCV Masterpost | AO3 Link

Back upstairs, Jackie, Schneep, and Marvin all have their phones go off at the same time. Schneep is the first to check the message he's got. His eyes widen as he shows it to JJ, Chase, Bro, and Jackieboy. 

I think that Magnificent guy is here now. Someone else is with him too but idk who its too dark. 

Jackieboy and Chases's eyes widen too and Bro quickly pushes Jackie behind him as he looks around, eyes glowing with power. "We beat him... I guess that's good... no casualties here."

Marvin checks the message next. He gasps, leaning across the desk to get up in the librarian's face. "Look, this guy is here right now, you have to act now!" 

Meanwhile, Jackie shows Alt the message, too. 

Alt blinks and then pales as he sees the message. 

"Okay, okay, a-alright, sirs," the librarian says. 

He picks up a landline phone from the desk, presses a button, and speaks into the reciever as the loud BRAP! BRAP! of an alarm starts to play. "Attention all library patrons, please evacuate immediately. If you cannot evacuate, a staff member will show you to our hidden area." 

Immediately, there's a scramble. About half of the patrons disappear into thin air while the other half hurriedly run out of sight. Some of them leave their books behind, some of them take them with. 

Jackie frowns. "I thought the library was warded against teleporting," he says. 

"Teleporting in, yeah," Marvin says.

Alt whips around, trying to see if he can feel Magnificent's presence. "Fuck...!" He looks to the others, and nervously tells them, "O-Okay uh... for Mag be prepared for more black magic but also hypnotism! He usually goes for that first..."

"Hypnotism?" Schneep repeats, then glances at JJ. "Do you think that would work on us?" 

Only one way to find out, JJ says. 

Chase leans over to the elevator and sticks his head through the closed doors. Then he comes back. "The elevator is moving," he reports. "Either someone else has the worst timing or your Magnificent guy had to use it." 

"Heh. Kinda funny, actually," Marvin says. He pulls his mask down and the tattoos on his hands start to glow. "Okay, let's make our stand." 

Jackie turns into a wolf. He stumbles a bit, making a small whining sound, and licks the burns on his side before turning back to the elevator and growling.

Alt looks back towards the door with determination. He just hopes he has enough magic... it's been a while since he refueled. He then blinks and digs something out of his pocket and calls out to Jackieboy, "Jackie! Catch!" 

Jackieboy pops out from behind Bro and fumbles to catch Alt's pocket knife. 

Alt grins. "You said you were getting better with knives, right?" 

Jackieboy smiles and nods, flicking the blade open. 

Bro eases into a fighting stance, watching the door like a hawk.

And then... the doors open.

The metal doors go flying off as purple and green electricity blast them off. Magnificent emerges from the debris with a shit eating grin, his eyes reflective in the low light. "Well well well~! The annoyances beat us here it seems!" He tilts his head back with a sick grin, power radiating off him as he laughs, "Perfect." 

In a burst of static, he suddenly appears behind Marvin and tries to grab him.

Marvin spins around but is too slow to avoid Mag. He yelps in surprise and squirms against him. 

"What the--hey!" Schneep shouts, turning around. Jackie also turns, growling, and the two of them rush at Magnificent at the same time. 

Magnificent grabs Marvin by his arm and holds him tightly, giggling as he digs his claws into his skin. "Hello there, Marvin~! So nice to meet you!" He sees Jackie and Schneep attempting to get to him and wipes out a hand to send a blast of magic at them, driving them back. He then laughs and focuses on Marvin, trying to drain his magic.

Jackie and Schneep fall backwards, skidding across the floor. 

“N-no! Marvin!” Schneep gasps. 

Meanwhile, Anti strolls casually out through the broken elevator doors and scans the library. And his eyes land on one person in particular. He grins. "Oh hey, JJ! Are these the fucks you keep ditching me for?!" 

JJ backs away, fear and shock taking over his face. He unconsciously reaches up for his neck, checking that the high collar of his shirt is in place. As he adjusts it, he briefly reveals the scars on his neck he was hiding behind it. Some sort of terrible tearing happened there.

Alt stiffens as he hears the new voice and takes in his appearance. Jesus- this Anti really looked like him! Even his eyes! He shudders and trembles back and sees the scar of Jameson's neck. His eyes widen. 

Bro also seems disturbed by the sight of Anti but he steps in front of the others and growls, "Listen- I dunno who you think you are! But- Back off!"

“And I don’t know who you are, and I don’t care.” Anti bares his fangs. “But you look tough. Are you?” And he lunges for Bro. 

Bro bares his teeth and quickly manages to grab Anti's blow and throw him back. "The name's Bro Fantastic, you best remember it!"

Anti staggers backwards, laughing. "Wow--that's fucking ridiculous. But okay." His eyes drift over to Jackieboy. He grins and lunges for him next. 

Bro growls and then shouts as he sees Anti sprint around him to grab Jackieboy. 

Jackieboy shouts and tries to hold out the knife to defend himself but he quickly gets tackled to the ground. He tries to kick Anti off him. "H-Hey! Let go!!" 

Marvin gasps as Magnificent starts draining his magic. It flows freely, a sour power that burns slightly—but is strong and vivid. Marvin slumps, eyes rolling back in his head… 

Magnificent hisses slightly as he drains some of the magic but soon laughs as he feels it merge with his own. 

"No!" Alt shouts, trying to glitch over to help. But, then he stops and his eyes widen. 

Marvin’s tattoos start to glow brightly, so bright that the ones on his arms and torso can be seen through the fabric of his clothes. 

“I w o n ‘ t l e t y o u,” says a voice from his mouth—and suddenly a wave of green light bursts outward, a wave of concussive force.

Magnificent looks confused but then cries out and gets blasted back as the force hits him. He skips across the floor and is momentarily disoriented. 

Alt now glitches over to help, "M-Marvin?!"

Marvin's head lolls, eyelids fluttering. He's not unconscious, but he's on the very edge of it. 

Schneep also rushes over, checking him over. "H-his skin is hot," he gasps. 

Jackie growls and jumps for Magnificent, planning to pin him to the ground. 

Alt looks over Marvin with worry. Is there anything he can do to help? He stiffens though as Magnificent staggers to his feet behind them and laughs loudly. "What incredible power!" He licks his lips like a hungry cat and then lunges to try to grab Marvin again, just narrowly dodging Jackie's jaws. 

Alt glitches in front of him and tries to keep Mag back. He manages to make an electric bubble around him, Marvin and Schneep. 

Jackie misses attacking Magnificent and turns around, growling, getting in between him and Alt's electric bubble. 

"Jackie no you are still injured!" Schneep asks. "Damn it! Alt, let me out of here so I can kick this man's ass!" 

Anti laughs, grabbing Jackieboy tightly. Then, suddenly, he bites down on Jackieboy's shoulder, fangs passing right through his clothes. Blood is drawn. It feels so wrong. 

Jackieboy gasps and lets out a strangled scream as he's bitten, his back arching. He kicks weakly with his feet and tries to pull away but- his body is freezing up, feeling weak. 

Anti! No! JJ rushes forward, trying to pull Jackieboy free. Anti stops biting and smiles a blood-stained smile at JJ. "Oh? Why don't you help me instead?" 

JJ stops, quickly backing up, looking suddenly terrified. 

Bro screams in rage and tries to tackle Anti off of Jackieboy. 

Anti yelps as Bro knocks him away, but then laughs some more. "Alright then! Let's try again!" And he tries to bite Bro's arm.

Bro has arm holding Anti down, the other reaching up to punch his lights out as power blooms in his eyes. He then screams and nearly crashes to the floor as Anti's teeth sink into his arm. 

Jackieboy curls up on the ground, gripping where Anti bit him as his vision swims. 

Alt feels panic rising up in his chest as he breathes and tries to keep the shield up. At Schneep's shout, Alt grits his teeth and drops it for just a second. "F-Fine! I'll protect Marvin!" 

"Oh.. will you now, pet?" Magnificent grins sinisterly. But, the mutt is in his way. He sees his injuries and laughs, building up more purple fire in his hands, "Awww... is the puppy dog hurting? Here... lemme help~!" He lunges to attack him. 

Jackie the wolf quickly dodges by jumping to the side. As soon as the shield flickers down for a moment Schneep runs out, reaching into the pocket of the coat he's wearing and pulling out something thin and made of metal--a scalpel. He slashes it towards Mag. 

Magnificent laughs more, his eyes filled with madness. He hardly takes notice of Schneep until the scalpel is cutting down his arm. He staggers back then growls, throwing purple fire towards him. 

Alt's head whips over to the sound of his friends and he hesitates- then glitches out of the shield and leaves it in tact, going to try to grab Anti and glitch him away.

Schneep ducks and dodges, going faster than humanly possible in order to avoid the near-point-black blast of magic. He laughs. "They said you were powerful! They must have overestimated you!" 

While Schneep distracts Mag, Jackie jumps for him from behind. 

Magnificent roars in anger and tries to lash out his claws at Schneep. He doesn’t see Jackie until he’s tackled face first to the floor by the heavy weight. He growls and lashes out to find one of Jackie’s burns, trying to pump it full of even more black magic. 

Anti's eyes light up with sadistic delight as he drains Bro's blood. He doesn't even notice Alt grabbing him until it's too late. "Whoa!" he shouts after the glitching. "Fucking lightning magic!" 

Bro slumps to the floor, disoriented and dizzy. 

Anti twists around to look at Alt, grinning. "So? Now what?" And then he looks at JJ. "Come on, don't you want to help me?"

JJ covers his ears, as if that can help. "Come on." Anti's eyes turn red. "Help me." 

Alt breathes heavily, looking at his other self with wide eyes. His friends’ blood was dripping from his lips. Anger burns bright around him as his magic reacts to his rage, bright arcs of electricity sparking. But, his stomach drops as he sees Anti’s eyes turn red. 

It turns out covering his ears doesn't work at all. JJ suddenly lunges towards Alt. 

Alt glitches away, crouching down on the ground as he looks at JJ with slight fear. He then roars in rage and gathers up electricity to shoot at Anti.

Jackie yelps, jerking backwards, falling to the side as Magnificent pushes more black magic into his system. 

"No!" Schneep rushes forward, pulling Jackie back-- 

And then suddenly a face appears in front of Magnificent, a pale face without any eyes. "I've never done this before, but I think you deserve it," Chase says, and leans forward, disapeparing. Suddenly, Magnificent feels cold all over, down to his very core. 

Magnificent shouts out in surprise as Chase appears in front of him. He gasps as he enters his body and shudders. He grips at his head and yells out, “F-Fucking specter! Get out of me!” 

Anti dodges the blast Alt shoots at him, laughing. "Vamps are faster than you think," he says. "For example--" And his eyes turn red again. JJ suddenly attacks Alt from behind.

Alt staggers back, his fear evident on his face. He feels JJ behind him and manages to glitch away again. But, spots are starting to dance in his eyes. Still- he’s not out yet. His eyes burn green-white and then glitches over take his body- and out pops a black fox that snarls and rushes at Anti with a burst of electricity.

"Holy fucking shit!" Anti is not expecting the transformation, and immediately gets tackled by the fox, raising his arms to defend his face from the teeth and claws. After a struggle, he manages to throw the fox Alt off, and scrambles backwards. 

Alt snarls and claws and bites as much as he can before he gets thrown off. He barks at Anti, electricity snapping around him like live wires.

{Sorry,} Chase's voice says in Magnificent's head. {But I can't let you hurt my friends.} The cold gets heavier, and it's hard for him to move. But he feels himself get to his feet anyway. 

"I can do this for a little while, I think," Chase says through Mag's voice. 

Magnificent tries to scream and claw his way back to control- but he can’t. 

Schneep looks at Mag--Chase--impressed. "Nice!" he says, and Jackie barks and wags his tail. 

Jackieboy and Bro push themselves up and looks at Chase possessing Mag with wide eyes. “W-Well… that’s one way to stop him.” Bro says, trying to push himself up to his feet. 

Jackieboy can’t really seem to keep his eyes on Mag like this, gripping at his shoulder. 

Anti glances towards Magnificent, currently being possessed. And for a moment, he looks impressed. Then he shakes his head. "Fuck this." He gets to his feet, bleeding from various wounds, and walks around the circulation desk. "JJ, come home when the sun rises, we'll talk more then," he says. Then he ducks down and disappears into a shadow.

Alt yells out as Anti leaves and tries to stop him, transforming back and skidding in a collection of electricity and glitches right at the shadow’s edge. He looks at it and then yells out in anger, hitting his fist against the floor. 

JJ sighs in relief as soon as Anti is gone. He still looks a bit nervous, but with Mag also temporarily taken care of, the situation is a lot better. 

Sorry, Alt, he says.

Alt doesn't see JJ's apology as he's focused on the shadow.

"It won't last long," Chase says. "Is there any way you could knock him out or something?" 

Bro blinks and then grins, "Oh I could do that! I love doing that." He gets up and grabs Mag and starts to wind up a punch. But then he stops, "...wait this wont hurt you will it?" He asks Chase. 

"I mean... I can't really feel all that much, actually." Chase looks down and flexes Mag's fingers. "It's all weirdly numb. I could feel more as a ghost. So, it probably won't hurt." He smiles--such a sincere expression is strange to see on Mag's face. "So go ahead." 

Bro does look weirded out by seeing such a soft expression on Mag's face. So- he doesn't hesitate to knock the mad magician's lights out. Mag's body crashes to ground with little resistance. 

After Mag collapses, Chase's form lifts away from it, stretching. "Huh. It's weird, being in a body feels so... heavy." 

JJ turns his attention to Bro and Jackieboy and hurries over. It shouldn't be bleeding too much. Do you have bandages? 

Meanwhile, Marvin groans, lifting his head gently. 

"Everyone wounded over here," Schneep says. "I can look at you all." He drags Jackie, still in wolf form, over by Marvin.

Jackieboy looks Schneep nervously as he comes over. "... t-this isn't gonna turn us into vampires, is it??" 

As Schneep drags the injured into one place, 

The shield around Marvin flickers in and out before disappearing completely and Alt sways dazedly and then slumps to the ground.

Schneep shakes his head. "No, there is a whole process to become a vampire. You must first lose most of your blood, then drink a vampire's blood, then spend a full day enclosed--Alt?!" 

Jackieboy starts to look relieved at Schneep's explanation then jumps as he hears Alt fall. "Alt!" 

JJ hurries over and helps Alt up, guiding him over to the rest of the group. 

Alt dazedly blinks up at JJ and bonelessly lets himself be lead to the others, more spots dancing in his eyes. 

Bro hurries over and guides Alt to sit down, worriedly checking his temperature. "... I think he just used too much magic..." He mumbles. 

Alt slumps onto Bro's shoulder and mumbles quietly, "...'dun like vamp're me... s'aprick..." 

He really is a prick, isn't he? JJ agrees. 

Alt laughs loopily at JJ's signs and nods. 

Bro pushes back his hair with a bit of worry. 

Marvin raises his head. "...d' we w'n?" he mumbles.

Jackieboy looks down at Marvin and then laughs, patting his shoulder. "Yeah we did... you okay, mate?"

"Head hurts," Marvin groans. His eyes flicker over to Alt. And he reaches out and grabs Alt's wrist. "Schn'p, put my mask back on." 

Schneep nods, and does so. Marvin's tattoos flicker with light, and Alt suddenly feels a jolt of energy. 

"Wait a--Marvin you fucking idiot!!!" Schneep grabs Marvin's wrist and snatches back. 

"'m fine," he mumbles. "Th' mask helps. I stored some spare in there. Worry 'bout Jackie." 

Jackie lies where he is, ears drooping. "Oh... Jackie, we are getting you to the hospital right away," Schneep says softly.

Alt blinks blearily and then jolts slightly as he gets a burst of energy. He looks down at his hands and then back at Marvin in disbelief. "W-Why?" 

Marvin smiles weakly at Alt. "Looked like you needed it." 

YOU needed it, you dumbass, JJ says. 

"Yeah. But Alt's a visitor... Seemed, uh... right." 

Alt smiles gratefully at Marvin then quickly drags his bag out and digs through it, "I-I...! I can try a purification spell...! To help Jackie..."

Schneep looks at Alt. "That would be great, Alt. Anything would help." Jackie inches closer to Alt, putting his big wolf head on his lap.

Jackieboy looks at everyone and then swallows, "Should we all just... go to the hospital? T-Try to rest?" 

"I dunno... Mag not be out for long..." Bro mumbles. 

Schneep looks at the unconscious Mag. "Yes, people do not tend to stay knocked out for long when you hit them. Maybe we can find something to tie him up." 

Bro looks around the area, trying to think of something to tie up Mag.

Behind the circulation counter are some stretchy belts, similar to seatbelts. Most of them are binding stacks of books but in this situation it's probably fine to take them. 

Alt jumps slightly as Jackie lays on his lap. Then, he laughs. He gently pats his head and hurries to look for a purification spell. 

After a bit he finds the spell and starts to trace sigils over Jackie's burns, runes of light left hovering over them. He then finds Jackie's heart and holds his hand over it, pushing some magic into it with a whispered spell word. Light races from his heart towards the burns and the sigils pulse with magic then the light rushes over the wound like a wave, taking any sign of corruption away. 

Alt sways a bit again, a little dizzy but manages to shake it off. He smiles down at Jackie, "...I think that just takes care of the black magic... you might still need to get some things for the burns..."

Jackie nods at him. He backs away, sitting up... and transforms back into a human. He sighs. "Oh thank god. I was having difficulty changing for a while there. Thought I might be stuck. You don't want to spend too long in one form as a werewolf. Thanks so much, Alt."

 Alt smiles and nods, "Glad I could help." 

"Good to see you better." Schneep smiles. "We can pick up burn ointment on the way to the hospital for Marvin." 

"I don' need the hospital," Marvin mutters. "Jus' some rest." He closes his eyes--then opens them again when Schneep shakes him. "Jeez, Schneep. I promise I'm fine." 

"Better safe than sorry," Chase says.

Bro makes an ah-ha noise as he finds the stretchy belts and then grabs one. He hurries over to Mag and ties his arms behind his back. "There! that should hold him for a bit." 

"...I still think we should try to rest-" Jackieboy mumbles, "The TRVLR hasnt exactly had the greatest track record getting us home..."

“Well… if you all wish to rest, and if Marvin is sure he doesn’t need a hospital,” Schneep says slowly, “I think my flat is the closest to the library. I assume. I do not know where JJ lives.” 

Anti is probably going to be there, anyway, JJ says. And I’m sure none of you want to see him.

Alt narrows his eyes at this. He looks at JJ, "... what's his deal with you? He... he was... was controlling you."

JJ sighs. He looks tired. Anti is the vampire who made me. 

"Ohhh, that bitch was here?" Marvin says. "Man, wish I hadn't fucking... passed out. I would've punched him." 

"Alt beat him up on your behalf, don't worry," Chase says. 

Alt beams and looks proud and Bro ruffles up his hair, much to his displeasure. 

JJ chuckles a little. He does deserve it. As for how he was controlling me... there's a ritual a vampire can do while making another. In the period where their body is enclosed. It binds the new vampire to them, meaning that they have to follow commands given by them and can't go too far away from them. 

"Which is super fucking illegal, by the way," Jackie says. "Every Night Council in the country has forbidden it." 

Funny enough, that law went into effect the year after I was made, JJ says. Which makes me think Anti planned it that way. He shakes his head. He's not the worst vampire out there, I think. He has moments of humanity. But still... He gestures vaguely around them. 

The swaps then look horrified. 

“T-That’s… that’s awful…” Alt says quietly, shivering just thinking of having to follow every order given- never being to stray from the one who hurts you. He glances at Mag. “Sounds absolutely like something Mag would do…” 

Jackieboy mutters. “Even if he’s not that bad- he still bit the shit out of us. Let’s head over to Schneep’s flat and rest up. …at least for as long as we can before cat face wakes up.”

JJ sighs. It was worse in the beginning. I’m just glad that I have these guys now, as friends. 

Marvin nods. “We’re tryin’ ev’rything we can to help.” 

Schneep leans over and pats JJ on the shoulder. “Very well. Let’s go. I am sure Jack is waiting for us anxiously. Those who can teleport should meet us there once again.” 

————— 

Schneep’s apartment is on the second floor of a well-off apartment complex. The inside is neat, with mostly dark furniture that looks about a decade old. The living area has a comfy-looking sofa and a couple chairs, along with a coffee table, a TV stand, and some bookshelves, all tied together with a circular purple rug. A modest kitchenette is attached, with a couple stools and a counter. A hallway to the left leads to a set of closed doors, probably a bathroom and a bedroom. The front and right walls have windows, all covered in thick blackout curtains. 

“I do not have any food, but you may help yourselves to the drinks in the fridge,” Schneep says. “All of you are welcome in my flat.” 

The group piles in. Marvin has to summon Chase again, but everyone else walks in normally. 

“Bit crowded with everyone in here,” Jack comments.

“We’ll make do, your flat is really nice, Schneep!” Bro says, hoisting the still passed out Mag on his shoulder yet again. “…though man- getting real sick of carrying this guy.” 

“Maybe he’ll get brain damage from being knocked out so much.” Jackieboy snickers. 

"You can dump him on the sofa or that chair," Schneep says. "Or even on the floor, I don't really care." 

Bro unceremoniously dumps Mag on the floor and dusts off his hands. Then, he flops into a chair and checks over his bite wound. “…he bite me through my jacket! Fucking prick-“ 

"Vampire fangs are pretty sharp," Schneep says, smiling to show off his in turn. "Unless you wear something as thick as leather or very tightly woven, they tend to pierce through the smallest openings." 

Marvin and JJ crowd around the fridge, opening it up. After a moment, Marvin grabs a bottle of purple soda and passes a plastic bottle of red liquid to JJ (it's obvious what that is). 

Chase looks around. He drifts down the hallway, and back. "So you do have a mirror in your bathroom." 

"It has an aluminum back, I can see myself in it," Schneep says. 

Alt goes to glitch into a corner and digs around in his bag- finding some snacks and starting to tear into them. Jackieboy notices this and goes to hand him some more, just in case.

Jackie flops down in the nearest chair with the attitude of someone who's been here often and always sits in the same place. "Oh hey, you guys have snacks?" he asks Jackieboy. "D'you mind if I have something? I'm starving." 

Jackieboy laughs and nods, tossing him a protein bar. “See? You guys were making fun of me for taking a big backpack!” 

Alt huffs out a laugh and rolls his eyes. “We thank you for your Sage dad wisdom, Jackie.”

I'm truly very sorry for Anti, JJ says. 

"That fucker was acting more wild than me when I was a literal wolf," Jackie says. He accepts the protein bar. with a "thanks" and tears it open. 

Bro waves JJ off, “S’not your fault dude. He decided to be a motherfucking menace.” He tests his arm and nods as he can feel the punctures already starting to heal. 

Jackieboy takes out some of his first aid and starts wiping at his shoulder so at least it won’t look too bloody. Damn.. his white shirt though- 

JJ watches Jackieboy struggle with the shirt and walks over. He reaches into his pocket and takes out a small test-tube-sized bottle of pale blue-green liquid, which he hands to them. 

When you next get some soap and water, wash the shirt with that. A quarter of it should be fine for that amount. 

"You sure, JJ?" Marvin asks. 

You'll just have to sell me some more, JJ says, grinning. 

Marvin rolls his eyes. "Yeah, sure." 

"Ah, Marvin, I need some more blood remover too," Schneep says. 

"Neither of you are getting discounts, by the way." The two vamps laugh. 

Jackieboy blinks and then grins, taking the bottle. “Hey thanks! I was really bummed this shirt was ruined. It’s one of my wife’s favorites.” He laughs. 

"It's a very nice shirt," Jackie agrees, grinning. "Schneep, if I got this shirt for you would you wear it?" 

"Maybe on my nights off," Schneep says. 

"It'd look good on you," Jack agrees. 

"So... now what?" Marvin asks, glancing at Mag. "We can't keep him in here forever." 

“Don’t worry,” Alt says as he hurries to finish his snacks. “I’m just fueling back up so I can get us out of here.” He shakes himself out and glitches easily over to grab a soda from the fridge and down that too. He starts to buzz with more glitches. “I need a decent amount to power the TRVLR.”

"The traveler?" Chase asks. "That's how you got here, then?"

Alt nods, pulling the device out of his pocket. “Yup- this thing is programmed to help take us to other worlds. It should be taking us home… but…” Alt’s mind wanders to his reading before and he pauses. 

“But…? Do you think you know why it’s not working?” Bro asks. 

Alt shakes his head, “no I… I still don’t know why… malfunctioning I guess but… Marvin and I read some cards earlier and… I think we still have a bit of a journey ahead…” 

Jackieboy scoffs slightly, “you got that from a card reading? Those things can’t actually tell the future…” 

Marvin raises an eyebrow. "Not normally, no. Do I need to remind you you're in a world with fucking witches and ghosts and supernatural creatures? And you think cards telling the future is absurd?" He grins. "Though I will say they're not always right." 

Jackieboy opens his mouth to argue but then quickly shuts it, turning red.

"Maybe something's happening... when you're traveling?" Chase guesses. "Like... I-I don't know what, actually. But if you can't figure out what's wrong with the thing, maybe it's something else." 

Maybe if you try heading somewhere with fancy technology they can fix it for you, JJ says.

Alt looks the TRVLR over, “I mean… it was damaged before… but it seemed to work just fine. Now it just… doesn’t. It’s not going where we want it to go.” He lets out a huff of a laugh. “…if we get lucky enough to find a place with good tech then… yeah. But… I don’t know…” 

Bro is quiet for a second before he gets up and smiles. “Well- now it’s kinda like our first trip again, huh, Alt? We don’t know where we’re gonna go next so- let’s just hope for the best!” 

Alt tries to give his brother a soft smile back. Then he sighs and glitches over, grabbing his bag and slipping it on. “…in that case though… I guess we… gotta leave.”

"Don't forget your evil version of me," Marvin says, gesturing at Magnificent. "I think leaving him here is kind of like leaving a vampire in a blood bank." 

Stealing from everyday blood banks is illegal by the Council, though, JJ says. 

"And other people need that blood," Schneep says. 

"Okay, it's like leaving a vampire with no morals in a blood bank." 

The swaps laugh. “Nah, we wouldn’t do that to you guys. He’s bad enough in our universe.” Bro shakes his head and loads Mag back onto his shoulder. Mag starts to stir, groaning, his face aching.

Jack laughs. He looks at the group and grins. "It was nice to meet you all." 

Jackieboy knocks Jack lightly on his arm, “You too! Nice to see a normal lad like me around~ keep these crazies in line, won’t you?” He teases. 

"It's practically my job at this point," Jack chuckles. "You too with your guys." 

"Yeah." Chase nods. "Nice to meet you, Bro. I know this is probably strange to see, but... you're cool. If that makes sense." 

Bro blinks at Chase and then smiles warmly. “It was nice to meet you too. It was weird at first but- you’re cool too. I hope you’ll figure all this out. Seems like you got a great team.” He smiles at the others too. 

"Thanks." Chase grins at him. 

"Maybe we can hang out more if your thing gets fixed," Jackie says, smiling.

Alt looks reluctant but then grips the TRVLR tighter, “I’m gonna come back- someday! I- I need to read things in that library! And properly look at Marvin’s shop! So… this isn’t goodbye.” He smiles, “We’ll see you all again.”

"I'm looking forward to it!" Marvin says, eyes alight with excitement. "We can exchange all the knowledge." 

"Good luck getting home," Schneep says. 

I'm glad to have met you for a while, JJ adds. 

"I hope we'll meet again," Jackie waves goodbye to them.

Alt nods with a grin and goes to grab the others. Jackieboy and Bro wave as Alt opens up the TRVLR and hits the jump button, bracing for their next jump.

They fall into nothing, and--it's almost expected by now what will happen. Their course shifts, like a swimmer caught in the rip tide and being pulled out to sea.

#SATCV #SATCV SC #alt anti #bro fantastic #jackie mann #swap magnificent #god this fight was sooo cool!! #and like- i love that mag was too impatient to wait for the elevator to open so he was just like BOOM BITCH AHGVJ #slightly more familiar territory tomorrow!! #i hope you guys like these previews/tastes of other worlds :) #or other worlds that havent been written yet at least ahgva

[epitomereally]

'tis the damn season wip snip

THANK YOU @wolfpants & @mallstars for tagging me to share a wip snip (please see wolf's incredible wip snip for terrible people — which i am incredibly excited for — here and mallstars wip snip — for draco as a LIBRARIAN, kill me now please & thanks — here)! sorry it took me ~5 million years to get to it, but i am finally revisiting my beleaguered wip post-secret work completion. @mallstars and @queermccoy have given me excellent alpha feedback & am slowly making a plan of attack to fix the damn thing. this snip is later in this scene feat. emotional disaster case Harry and haughty, prickly, and desperate-to-be-loved Draco.

Malfoy gave him a scathing look. “Whatever I said to Ginevra was said without the intent of getting into your good graces and the second I tell what exactly I said, it’ll become about that, at least a little bit. All this to say, I will never, ever tell you.”

Harry narrowed his eyes at Malfoy, and Malfoy picked up his mug again, held it in front of his face, and said, trying to sound haughty and cold, but falling slightly short, “If you’re to … to love me, it’s on my own merits.”

Harry couldn’t look at Malfoy after that, just took another gulp of tea and tried to calm his pacing heart. Could Harry really love Draco Malfoy, who tormented him and his friend for years, who had a Dark Mark, who was nothing like the pathetic dream Harry clung onto of a cottage in the Cotswalds like his parents, like Ron and Hermione? Trying not to sound strangled, Harry said, “Can we just be … friends? Like can we hang out?”

Malfoy bristled. “Malfoys don’t audition, Potter.”

“That’s not what I’m asking.” Harry slammed the mug down, sloshing a bit of tea on the gleaming coffee table, and ran a hand through his hair. “I haven’t … I don’t do this, I’ve never … I don’t know what I’m doing, and you’re so“—and he waved a hand up and down Malfoy’s body, who clutched his mug of tea tighter to his chest, looking unsure if he should be offended or flattered—“bloody gorgeous and obviously funny and … and interesting, but we have so much history and look, we’ve done the shagging thing and it’s obviously great, but I don’t actually know you, do I?”

After Harry’s outburst, he snatched his mug up off the table and drained it, sure Malfoy was about to kick him out of his gorgeous cheerful home. But Malfoy actually looked to be thinking Harry’s proposition through. He ran his finger down the handle of his mug over and over, considering Harry. 

Eventually, he just said, “Fine.”

“Fine?” Harry said, hardly daring to hope.

“Fine. Fine, but,” Malfoy brandished a finger at Harry. “I won’t be waiting for you like some damsel-in-distress. I’ve been through too much to wait around for someone to decide if I’m good enough for them, even The Chosen One.” His voice dripped with disdain.

Harry frowned his direction. “I’ve been through a lot too!”

Malfoy sneered and Harry was forcefully hit with the reminder of the Malfoy he hated. “I’m not turning this into a competition of who has suffered more, Potter.”

“Well, if it were, I would win,” Harry muttered darkly.

Always love to see what anyone (aka YOU, reading this post) are working on, so please post & tag me if you do, but tagging @romaine2424 because i'm so intrigued by your long fic, @tackytigerfic because i will beg for scraps of multiverse drarry fic at your doorstep if you let me, @vukovich because i love your brand of derangement in my life, and ofc @mallstars and @wolfpants because i am truly obsessed with both of your wips.

#actually getting mallstars & queermccoys comments have made me excited for this fic again #and now i just have to tear out about half of it and FINISH the rest #tis the damn season wip snip #posts i actually wrote

[carolmunson]

bad blood (part two) (stella's version)

(ROCKSTAR!EDDIE X ACTRESS!READER) (@ROLLERGIRLWORLD ’S BOXER!STEVE AND LIBRARIAN!READER CROSSOVER) (18+) READ FROM LIBRARIAN!READER’S PERSPECTIVE HERE (PT. 1) and HERE (PT. 2)

WARNINGS AND SUCH FOR PARTS ONE AND TWO: SMUT IMPLICATIONS/ALMOST SMUT, FINGERING/TEASING, NAME CALLING, DRUG MENTION, SWEARING, BLOOD MENTION, INTENSE TOXIC BEHAVIOR FROM A ONE STEVE HARRINGTON, ANGST, CRYING, SOME KISSING, NOT REALLY ‘IGNORING’ PER SE – BUT FEELING IGNORED BY PARTNER, MENTIONS OF VEINS, ANGST ON ANGST, ADDICTION MENTION, DRUG USE MENTION, MENTIONS OF CHEATING AND BAD BEHAVIOR, FIGHTING, SWEARING, MILD VIOLENCE, BLOOD MENTION

“Wh-what?” you ask, your body is hot and for the first time in your whole life, you wish nobody would look at you while you stand there in the ring. Tears fill your eyes, blurring your vision, but you blink them away in a flinch as Steve throws the mitts angrily to the ground.  “Fuck this!” he roars, jumping out of the ring stomping angrily on the concrete floor – but you’re not done here. Anger starts bubbling in your chest at the sight of his angry face, at Libby scurrying away from him. 

“No, what the hell are you talking about, Harrington?” you shout, hopping down from the ring yourself and stomping after him. You both shared the same posture – angry and huffing, like two lions ready to fight over a lone, unclaimed carcass. 

“No, what the hell are you talking about, Harrington?” you shout, hopping down from the ring yourself and stomping after him. You both shared the same posture – angry and huffing, like two lions ready to fight over a lone, unclaimed carcass. 

“I’m talking about your fuckin’ boyfriend puttin’ his hands all over my girl." 

Before you can think about it, Eddie is next to you his hands up and wild to redirect the conversation, "No —hey! Hey, that is not what happened.”

You step slightly ahead, seeing Steve’s face. He looks menacing, terrifying, like at any minute he’ll slip and take Eddie out. Libby is lingering close by, her shocked expression matching your own. 

“No? Then tell me how it fuckin’ happened, Munson,” you wince at Steve’s tone, it feels like he’s yelling at all of you – trying to find out who took the last cookies from the jar. Eddie shrinks at the demand and you feel his hand touch yours – but the feeling makes you sick. ‘Your fuckin’ boyfriend puttin’ his hands all over my girl.’ So that was why? But that’s impossible. When could that have even happened? 

"I—baby, listen, I—” his voice is desperate and pleading, it sounds too familiar. He turns toward you, shoulders hunched and defeated – a little kid who doesn’t want to tell the truth. His eyes are pouring guilt – the same look he gave you in the living room when he got caught using for the last time. Something in you snaps – 

“Tell me what the fuck is going on right now, Ed,” you shrill, your heart felt like it was going to rip out of your chest, your hands balling into fists. You’d never felt more humiliated in your life. 

“Okay! Okay, okay, I—I saw Libby at a club back in March,” you can hear him about to break, his voice shaking with his shoulders. His brown eyes can’t meet yours, opting to stare at your collarbones instead, “And – and we – we kissed.” 

– we kissed.

– we kissed.

– we kissed.

You feel the color drain from your face and it feels like someone plunged you into cold water. You aren’t sure how it starts or where it comes from, but the SMACK! cracks along the vaulted ceilings of the gym before you register that your open palm collided with his face – wrapped hand and all. Eddie’s head turns sharply to the right at the impact, pink blooming on his cheek. He shuts his eyes to collect himself – taking a sharp deep breath through his nose. You see his hands twitch before crossing his arms tightly to keep himself contained.  “I deserve that,” he mutters quietly. If there is anything true about Eddie, it’s that bitch slapping him is the best way to get him kicked out of a bar – his opponent often leaving with a broken nose. It’s quiet for a moment while your hand drops back down to hip, breaths heaving out of you while you turn your attention to Libby.

“What’d I fuckin’ tell you?” Steve asks with a raised brow, his chest still heaving. You swear you see him smirk when he asks – like this was his plan all along. To see how much he could humiliate you, how embarrassed he could make you feel. How shredded he could get your relationship to make up for the shortcomings in his own. 

“Oh, fuck off, Harrington! You’re the reason she was out that night, don’t act like you’re fucking innocent. Drinking herself silly because she said you almost hit her,” Eddie’s voice has a new vigor, he’s angry and hulking – his sweater looking too tight on him. It hits you how close they are, Eddie’s fists twitching by his sides now, the vein in his neck pressing against his skin. 

The weight of Eddie’s words sinks in and you whip your head at Steve, ready to pounce on him, “Wait, what? What the f–” 

"—no! No, I said I thought he was gonna hit me,” Libby’s voice finally joins the conversation, and of course it’s to defend Steve. Your blood boils, you want to fucking shake her and not even because she kissed your boyfriend – you’re so tired of watching her come to Steve’s defense. 

Eddie takes the words right out of your mouth, "That’s not any fuckin’ better!”

“Hey! Don’t swear at my fucking girlfriend, dick!” You jump at Steve’s roar, still vibrating with rage at all of this happening when you were supposed to be training. Tim was definitely going to recast you now.

“Oh, that’s right. You’re the only one allowed to treat her like shit,” Eddie doesn’t hold back, reaching out and shoving Steve hard in the shoulder with one hand, sending him stumbling backwards. It would be hot if it was any other day, but this wasn’t the time and definitely not the person to mess with – a certified killing machine. 

“Ed! Enough,” you call out, but Steve’s dead eyes ignite with rage and he lunges forward. The boys are nose to nose, huffing and snarling at each other like wolves. Libby pitifully reaches for him, grabbing at his arm but it’s Big getting between them that gets them to slightly separate. You’re mortified, you can’t imagine being more embarrassed than you are right now. This wasn’t supposed to go this way. 

“Whoa, whoa, guys – how ‘bout we all take a breath?” Big’s voice would normally cool Eddie out, but he’s foaming at the mouth, reaching over Big’s massive shoulder to get another lick at Steve. "Fuck you, Harrington! All you ever do is fuck shit up!” Eddie yells, his voice sounds foreign, void of the normal light cadence he normally has – even when he was high. This was his withdrawal yell, his ‘I need to use now’ gruffness. Eddie was more than angry, he was scared, he was enraged. You’re stuck, unable to move – frozen from the embarrassment, the realization that the man you’re supposed to marry kissed someone you considered a friend. From your future husband raising his hands to a man who could kill him with a curated punch to the throat, from all the abuse Steve hurled at you and kept hurling at you. From Libby standing there, just as equally horrified and embarrassed as you are.

"—oh, I’ve been dying to fuck your shit up, Munson—”

Big is waltzing with them, keeping his arms up to separate their bodies while they keep trying to find each other. You almost want to shove Big out of the way so you can watch them fight – maybe it would be cathartic to see some blood on the floor.

“—your own girlfriend is terrified of you, and for good fucking reason. You’re a loose fucking cannon, Harrington, one day away from snapping—” Oh Ed, just shut up, you think to yourself. You don’t want to take him back to the hotel in an ambulance. Steve’s gruff voice shakes you when it calls over Big’s shoulder.

“—how those veins holdin’ up, Munson? Huh? You got any left, or are they all shot to death?” Your heart shatters when you see Eddie falter at the words – that wasn’t fair. He was really trying, and recovery was kicking his ass.  

“One day away from snapping? How ‘bout one bag of smack away from OD-ing.” ‘Just took two, just took two.’ ‘I’m not gonna use that shit again, baby.’ 

‘Stell you gotta call the hospital, he’s not wakin’ up.’ ‘Tour was gettin’ hard, baby – please don’t leave, don’t leave me.’ 

Flashes of Eddie’s slumped over body on the couch, outside of the club, covered in vomit on the bathroom floor play through your head. You don’t even realize that you’re crying until Simone’s smooth voice calls over the group, her trench swishing with her. She tosses her braids over her shoulder and claps her hands together, a bright smile shining against her coffee lipstick stained lips.

“O-kay! Before someone says something they regret, I think we should get some NDAs printed up, make sure this stays between—” “Fuck an NDA. You won’t be able to hide Munson’s fucked up mug when I’m done with 'im.” You want to bite back at him for yelling at Simone but she turns on her heel, calling out, “Tiffany start the car, we’re going to Staples to get some NDA’s printed.” Her boots clicking on the cement while she makes it to the door with Tiffany in toe.

“Steve, s-stop,” you hear Libby choke out, reaching out to touch Steve but he avoids her touch. 

“Stop what? Stop telling the truth? Did you wanna keep it a secret forever, honey?” His sneer is painful, you hate the way he looks at her. Eddie looks broken, full of realization of his wrong doings, he’s aching and angry. Libby looks embarrassed under Steve’s gaze, small and meek, afraid of him. 

“God, you’re awful,” you say straight to Steve, the words garbled with tears. You see him take in what you said and he briefly casts his eyes down, swallowing before casting his hard eyes back at Eddie. 

“St-Stella—” Libby’s voice surprises you, finally being addressed by her for the first time since you got to the gym. You can’t even keep your anger in when you look at her. She had disappeared after that day in September, never calling to check in – your people never able to get in touch with Steve’s people to see how she was doing. You’d wanted to scream with excitement with her when you saw her in that Prada ad – your makeup artist Hailey told you all about it, and how Libby’s ‘annoying fucking boyfriend wouldn’t stop hovering’ while she worked. But no, she’d been too busy kissing your boyfriend at a club and being forgiven by her dumb fucking boxer boyfriend, while you were kept in the dark. “—is this why I never heard from you? E-even when I sent that card to congratulate you after Prada —god, I thought you were my friend, Libby.”

Libby’s eyes stop flowing with tears and she looks shocked to hear about the card, her lips parting and eyebrows furrowing. You watch her turn to Steve, but he ignores her and it starts to make sense where the card might have ended up. You watch Libby wipe at her face and at first you can’t feel sympathy, but you truly ache for her. Stuck next to her brooding boar of a lover who hates you.

“Stella, I’m s-sorry—” she wails out, but Steve cuts her off immediately, his eyes piercing you.

“—oh don’t act like this is a fuckin’ surprise, Rink. Look at 'im, all he knows is how to self destruct,” his stare hurts you, like this is all your fault. You feel like he’s really seeing you – but not the way Eddie sees you. He’s seeing the bad parts – how weak you are, how scared and broken you are, how you want to run away but can’t because of how much you care.

"Shut your fuckin’ mouth, Harrington!” Eddie starts again, his eyes are wild – you’d only seen him like this a handful of times – and it was almost always related to a man getting too anything with you in front of him.

“How 'bout you make me?” You scoff as Steve beckons for him, but you know that it’s not for the best. Steve wants a reaction out of Eddie – he’s been waiting for this all day. You watch as Eddie lunges again, trying to clamor over Big unsuccessfully. 

“Ed, please,” you call out, but it’s futile, “Please, enough!”

“Nah, guys come on, cut this shit out. It’s not the time,” Big puts his hand on Steve’s chest to keep him away, clear that he knows his fuse is ready to blow. You gasp when Steve smacks at him, this man who is hulking and bigger than them – who could break them both with one hand. Big lets out a sigh, you can tell he’s desperate for this to be over.

“Whatever,” Steve sounds like the school bully who doesn’t want to get in trouble before a big game. You inwardly smirk while he takes a step back, not so tough after all. You prayed he felt embarrassed. Big finally puts his arms down, testing the waters and looking between both men – still reeling from the back and forth.

“You good?” Big asks.

“I’m good,” Eddie nearly yells his answer and your skin crawls. You hate seeing him like this, doused in anger and frustration – he was always much quicker to act on his impulses when he had too many feelings at once.

When Big clears away from both of them, Libby reaches for her book, Steve immediately follows her and you want to fucking kill him. Get away from her, you think, Let her fucking breathe. Your sight of her is suddenly slightly obstructed by Eddie stepping in front of you, one arm back to keep you a distance away. He tosses his glance back at you, a worried look on his face – almost telepathically you understand that he means ‘Stay behind me.’ You’re still angry at him, but your heart swells.

Big’s voice is soft and calm, calling over from the ring, “Alright, so how 'bout we all just calm down and talk about this like—”

Steve’s voice booms over Big’s and he takes a step toward you, finger jutting out to point straight at your chest, “—you know everything was fuckin’ fine until she started hangin’ out with you.”

Eddie immediately tenses, his protective hand coming back to his side, an evil snicker escaping his chest. You know that sound, it’s when he can’t contain it anymore, "Oh, I know that’s a fuckin’ lie. You don’t have a great track record, Steve. People talk.”

“You wanna talk about reputation, Munson—”

“—oh what, more junkie comments? Find something new Steve—”

“—you know, what’s got you so riled up, Munson? You think she’s gonna leave you?”

“Oh, shut the fuck up,” Eddie scoffs, head shaking. He is scared you’re gonna leave him, and Steve knows it. He knew it back in the kitchen at his Malibu condo last September, he knew it when Eddie called him up at the end of January to get back in the ring. He knew it when Eddie broke down in the locker room when your lawyer answered your phone and told him they’d send a restraining order if he called again.

“Think she wants a real man instead?” Your eyes snap up at Steve when he says it, you know it hits Eddie where it hurts. The question he’s always asked himself since he met you, that you’d want to be with someone who was nothing like him. Clean cut, all American, football captain, basketball player types that match your sweet as pie persona. You watch Eddie follow Steve’s gaze as it falls on you. He looks at you salaciously, mouth and lips wet, scanning you slowly from your feet to your face. His sneer changes into the same wolfish grin he gave you against the counter, head cocking to the side. 

His voice comes out husky while he looks at you, “You liked havin’ a real man’s hands on you?” His gaze drops from your eyes to your waist and you feel dirty under it. Remembering the feeling of his scratchy taped hands on you, too rough, too mechanical. Eddie sees your face falter, your cheeks get red – and not in a way that shows you’re enjoying it. Steve’s making you uncomfortable – so now Eddie had to make him uncomfortable. You blink and the wind of Eddie’s form rushing toward Steve hits you, watching horrified as Eddie’s fist collides hard with Steve’s jaw, another crack resounding through the gym for spectators to hear. All the pent up rage of the day, the way Steve touched you, the way Steve made you feel in front of him, all let out in that one hook to the face.

“Jesus Christ!” the words come out of you, but your voice feels detached. You want to run to Eddie and pull him away, but you step backward at the sight of blood pooling behind Steve’s lips. You watch his hair flop forward while he lets out a glob of blood, spraying the rest out in spit – staining the concrete floor. 

“Stop, stop, stop! Please, just stop!” Libby wails, getting between the both of them, knowing that Steve won’t put her hands on her. Something has visibly changed in Steve and now you’re really afraid. If drugs didn’t kill your fiance, Steve Harrington certainly would. Big nearly shoves Libby out of the way, arms circling around a furious Eddie while he drags him towards the door, “DON’T YOU EVER TALK TO MY GIRL LIKE THAT AGAIN! I’LL FUCKIN’ END YOU HARRINGTON. I’LL RUIN YOUR FUCKIN’ LIFE.” “Okay, okay, Munson – let’s cool off, let’s cool down. You gotta get outta here man, let’s go,” Big soothes, pulling him out the door. Mikey follows silently, grabbing his smokes and jacket from the other side of the ring and bringing it outside. You can still hear Eddie yelling from outside, the slam of the Jeep door, the churning hum of the Judas Priest album – and finally the SCREECH of the wheels as he peels out of the parking lot. 

Your eyes scan the gym floor. 

You’re alone here, now – and you have no fight left. 

A defeated sob pours out of you while you walk around Libby and Steve – feeling the hum of his anger while you do – and push open the locker room door. You collapse on the bench across from your locker and the stuffy air makes it hard to breathe. You undo the tapes with shaking hands, whimpering and trembling – so upset at him, but wishing Eddie would come through the door and make it better. 

But did it even matter? Would he go and console Libby first? You felt bile sit in the base of your throat at the thought. Were you ever first to begin with? 

“Let go of me!” you hear echo through the gym, under the locker room door. You have half a mind to get up and intervene, but your body feels like it’s three thousand pounds. You’re exhausted and blubbering, the deep clawfoot tub of the hotel’s penthouse suite is the only thing you have to look forward to. 

You achingly get up and stand in front of your locker, clicking it open. The scent of your perfume hits you and you remember that Eddie has your travel bottle in his jacket pocket. You feel sick at the thought of him and his now battered knuckles – speeding home on icy roads. Impulsive, angry – Dangerous. You shrug on your coat and switch out your sneakers for you boots, not bothering to change clothes. Who cares? Who was gonna see you anyway? You pull out your gym bag and your purse, tossing them on the bench and collapsing next to them. 

The door opens slowly, Big stepping in – it’s clear he’s trying to be quiet but he’s so big that even his soft steps sound like stomps. 

“Figured y’might need a ride home,” he said, his voice low and apologetic, “Don’t think you’d wanna go with those two out there.” 

You laugh a little through your cry, wiping at your face. Big reaches into his back pocket and passes you a hankie, sliding next to you on the bench. It’s clean and pressed, light blue with gold stitching, embroidered with initials you don’t recognize.

“It was my grandma’s,” he said, “I never use it, just like to keep her with me. She’d come down and whack me with her purse if I didn’t offer it to ya.” 

The fabric is delicate against your face, a contrast to the muffled yelling from the gym ringing in your ears. Big’s arm reaches around you, falling heavily around your back, his hand collapsing on your other shoulder. 

“If it’s any consolation, I think ya did pretty good today,” he said with a smile, “I mean we don’t normally slap in boxing but if that had been a cross - whew! -Ed woulda been on the ground.” 

You chuckle again, wiping a tear away from your face, “I didn’t mean to hit him – I just–I’d never do that. I think – I don’t know – he didn’t deserve that.” 

“Eh,” Big nodded his head to the side, “I think every man deserves a good slap in the face once in a while. Think Munson had that comin’.” 

“I still feel bad,” you sniffed. 

“That’s okay,” Big said, clapping your shoulder and standing up, offering his hand, “You shouldn’t, but it’s okay that you do. Let’s get you out of here.” 

You take Big’s hand and turn to grab your bags but he stops you, throwing them over his shoulder instead. ‘If she wouldn’t whack me over the handkerchief, she’d whack me over not carrying a woman’s bags.’ You let him guide you out of the locker room, seeing Steve and Libby at each other, both of their faces contorted with rage. 

You quickly walk past them, wanting nothing more than to just get the fuck out of this gym so you never had to see Steve Harrington again. 

“Wait! Stella, please, wait –” 

You can hear her trying to chase after you, your throat tightening. What else could she possibly have to say to you? That she was sorry? Sorry that she kissed the man who called you his wife since your second date? Kissed the person who knew all of your favorite songs and put them on a mixtape as your first ‘month-a-versary’ gift? Does he know her favorite songs? You bet she doesn’t know his favorite songs.

“Stella, please –” 

Enough. You’d had enough. Enough of this day, enough of her crying, enough of her asshole fucking boyfriend. You knew you had to give her the only advice you had left in your arsenal. The lump in your throat grows while you stare down the slope of your nose at her. 

“You should leave him Libby,” you say matter of factly. You look at Steve, brutish and bloody, staring back at you, “While you still can.” 

They both look equally hurt by what you say and it feels good to watch them hurt. You turn on your heel and walk toward Big, through the door he held open for you. You see a flash out of the corner of your eye and immediately freeze, used to Eddie’s shielding arm around you – opening up his jacket to block the cameras from capturing you. His venom spitting at them to fuck off and leave you alone. Big does his best, getting his body between you and the paparazzi up until you’re in the passenger’s seat of his truck with the door shut, safe behind the tinted windows. He pulls out of the lot quickly, the photographers scattering like roaches back to their cars to see if they can track you, or Steve, or Libby on the road. You heave out a shuddered sigh while Big clicks on the radio, a song softly pouring out of the speakers. 

“I’m tellin’ ya baby, you will never find another girl – In this heart of mine.Look into my eyes, can’t you see they’re open wide? Would I lie to you baby, would I lie to you?”

Tears well in your eyes while the chart topper plays. How fucking fitting. 

“Don’t you know it’s true, girl, there’s no one else but you. Would I lie to you, baby? Would I lie to you?”

“Maybe the radio isn’t on our side today,” Big says, clicking it off. You sniffle, looking out the window. Big steals a glance at you through the rear view mirror. 

“I know Munson messed up, Stell,” his voice was warm, “But I’ve never met a man so crazy about his woman. He really give’s Harrington a run for his money.” 

You blush, shaking your head. He smiles at you while you sniff again, holding the hanky to your nose. 

“When he first came in, boy was he hopeless. He was just training with just me for a while, think it was right after he got your name tattooed on his hip. I said, ‘Boy, are you stupid? You know you can’t go around getting a woman’s name inked on you.’  He looked me straight in the eye and said, ‘You haven’t met my girl, Big. You’d get her name tattooed on you too.’ He was all starry eyed, talking about how he was gettin’ better for you,” Big’s story made your head fuzzy, your lower lip wobbling. 

“He’d talk about you at every session when I could see him, sometimes he’d have to just have to train with whoever, if I was on the road with Steve – and my guys would call me and be like ‘Does Munson do anything but play music and hang out with his wife?’ Couldn’t imagine the shock when I told ‘em you weren’t even married yet. We were on the road for a while, sort of fell out of touch, but when I saw him again at the gym – just workin’ out, not boxin’ – he ran up to me, lookin’ so healthy, lookin’ good. He told me he proposed and you said yes, told me every little detail, started cryin’ on the ropes of the ring replayin’ it in his head.”

He cried all night, when you said yes. Cried like a baby. ‘Told you, Rink. Gonna be my wife one day, now you’re gonna b-be my w-wife. I’m gonna – gonna fuckin’ marry you.’ 

“Didn’t see him for a while, caught some photos of him when he was down at a bar in Malibu when he said he’d be trainin’ – lookin’ a little rough around the edges. But he still looked like Munson, y’know? In September last year, that day you came with him, I figured we’d get Steve in the ring with him since we wanted to start exploring Steve startin’ to train, and we knew he had a good rapport with Libby – not y’know, kissin’ at the club good – but they had the whole book thing.” 

You winced at the reference to their kiss, their book exchange in Malibu now seemed less innocent. Did he even care that you bought him a custom bound Lord of the Rings series? With all of his friends incorporated in illustrations? Would he have liked the gift better if Libby bought it for him? Not that she could afford it without Steve, you thought bitterly. You instantly regretted it, shaking it out of your head. 

Big continued, “And I know somethin’ must’ve happened that day because I didn’t hear from him again until the end of January, almost a year ago. He was a bigger mess than the first time I met him, too skinny. He got to the gym in shambles, thought he lost you for good. He kept sayin’, ‘I gotta cut this shit out, Big. I need to be a better man. Need to show her I can be a father, I can be a husband.’ He was with us real consistent until around March – and I uh, I can guess why he started goin’ to different gyms after that.” 

“But if anything’s true about his, I don’t know what to call it – his journey? It’s that he’s been head over heels for you for all of it,” Big pulled into the lot of the hotel, putting the car in park to get your door open and grab your bags. Once you were settled in the lobby, he gave you a firm and tight bear hug – the kind that reminded you of your dad.

“If you need anything at all,” he said, “Anything. You call me.” 

You watch him leave through tear filled eyes, the headlights of his truck shining like north stars while he pulls around the entryway and back out onto the road. You push through the people waiting in line at the concierge to get to the elevators, furiously clicking the door closed button once you stepped inside. 

The elevator opened to the hotel suite living room, your body ached even though it had been hours since you last threw a punch. Eddie was sitting with his legs spread, leaned back on the far side of the couch by the window. His hair was a mess, cheeks tear stained with his left cheek still pink from your slap, he didn’t even take off his coat. His box of cigarettes laid empty on the coffee table.

“I didn’t know you’d be here, thought I’d find you at–” “At the bar?” he asked, his head snapping towards you, “D’you think that’s how I deal with everything?” 

He knew he didn’t have the right to be snippy with you right now, but his heart was racing. This was it, you were gonna leave him. There wasn’t any coming back from this – over something so meaningless, a kiss with a sad shy girl when he was so drunk he saw two of her the whole time. 

“I don’t know what you want me to say to you besides sorry, Stell,” he said, shifting to lean his elbows onto his knees, “I can’t go back and undo it.” 

“I know,” you whispered over the lump in your throat while hanging your coat up in the entryway closet. You kicked your boots off and dropped the gym bag next to them. Your socked feet padded softly into the living room, darkened outside of the low golden glow of the lamp on the side table next to the couch on Eddie’s side. The butts of all his cigarettes from chain smoking sat in the ashtray, some still smoking with low embers next to him. Toronto’s skyline glittered in the night, twinkling into the floor to ceiling windows. 

After Big’s story, you wanted to curl up next to him on the couch and kiss him. To tell him that it didn’t matter, that it was all okay. You’ll be there for him. But you needed to be stronger than that, even though you were so tired of being the strong one. 

“Maybe,” you croak out, his eyes meet yours when the word comes out, “Maybe we got back together too soon.” 

“Baby…” he started, his soft coo already melting your heart. He stands up, taking his jacket off while walking towards you, tossing the leather on the couch before putting your face in his big warm hands. 

“Don’t say that,” he said with pleading shining eyes, “We’re doin’ so good, aren’t we?” 

You so desperately want to believe him. You were doing good, he moved back into the new Hollywood house at the end of November when he hit his eight month marker. He made you breakfast in the mornings when you both had off, went on drives along the beach – he made a big show of taking you back to the planetarium where you had your third date, sharing McDonald’s fries in his car in the parking lot. He was so alive in a way he hadn’t been since the last time he got better. (And of course he was fucking you on every surface of that house you could comfortably fit on.) You look at him and put your hands over his hands, feeling the metal on his fingers and the swell of his knuckles on his left hand. Your eyes fall to his lips, wet and bitten red from stress – Libby kissed those lips. He let her. Your throat tightens again and you pull your face out of his hold, dropping your hands to your sides. 

“I think we should spend some more time apart,” your voice stiffened while you hold back another cry. You turn away from him, heading into the bathroom, leaving the door open. You unfurl one of the face cloths folded expertly on the double sink counter and run it under the cold water. Once it hits your face, so does the full context of the day, the coolness reaching the inside of your chest. Maybe it was like the seven stages of grief, all of this. 

“But I — I,” he started, his voice high and cracking, “Baby, I’ve been doing the work. I’m goin’ to meetings, I’m not partying. I’m still talking to a shrink twice a week. I’m doing this all to stay on track so we can – so we can do this for real.”

“For now,” you shake your head while he pleads behind you, following you to the bathroom, “Until that gets boring for you.” 

“Do you really think that little of me?” Eddie shrinks at your cutting words, his jaw tightening while his lower lip began to lightly tremble. 

“Am I supposed to think bigger of you, after today?” you bite back, your tone sounds like Steve’s and your shoulders sulk — your voice barely softening, “We’ll be apart anyway. I’m back to work after the new year, and you leave for tour in two weeks — just try not to fuck Veronica in Colorado this time, since you’re on thin ice.” 

“I’m not gonna fuck Nic in Colorado, Stell. Jesus,” he says quietly, leaning on his shoulder in the doorframe. He knows that tone of your voice, biting and acerbic. He tried to stack up the walls in his chest to keep your voice from getting too deep into him. 

“Oh, did you plan to fuck her in another state?” you laugh bitterly. Veronica ‘Nic’ Farragamo was Eddie and Gareth’s favorite groupie, there was even a song about her. 

“I’m not gonna fuck Nic at all,” he sighs, “I’m not going on tour.” 

You toss him a look through the mirror, “What’re you talking about?” 

“I called Bobby when I got here,” he rubbed the back of his neck, “I dropped out, they’re gonna have someone fill in for me. I’m just gonna do the bigger shows in California and New York.” 

“Why would you do that?” you spat, “You know how much you’re losing out on?” 

“I’m not losing out on anything,” he pushed off the wall, taking a step toward you, “I want to be there for you. I wanna make this work.”

“That’s bullshit,” you say under your breath.

“That’s bullshit? I’m telling you I’m not ready to go back on tour, Stella,” he says quietly, looking at the marble counter and tracing the lines of the gold filigree. 

“You’re just doing another grand gesture so you look good,” you see yourself in the mirror while you speak to him, your face swollen from crying. His posture stiffens, offense coloring his face and bracing his body.

“Do you hear yourself?” his face hardens, his forehead dropping towards you while he talks, “What the fuck, Stell?” 

“‘Let me quit tour to show her what a loving fiancé I am, and everyone will report it on the tabloids — he’s so devoted!’” you mocked, “So I look like a bitch. Do you know how many people talked about how unsupportive and selfish I was when I left? What’s another year of being Eddie Munson’s buzzkill ex-fiance?” 

“Do you wanna know why I really dropped out, Rink?” he asked, his breath picking up. 

“Enlighten me, Ed,” you raise your eyebrows, crossing your arms while still talking to him in the reflection of the mirror, “Tell me how it’s all my fault, again.” 

Ed bites his tongue before he can retort, trying not to make this a bigger fight, “I dropped out ‘cause–” He almost can’t look at you, “–‘cause before I called Bobby I – I almost called my fuckin’ dealer,” he let out, taking big breaths through his nose to keep from crying.

“That’s what you wanted to fuckin’ hear, right? That I’m still a fucking loser. Still one step away from fuckin’ it all up again. ‘One bag of smack away from ODing.’” 

Eddie’s breaths don’t keep up, his voice cracks, tears sliding down his face in thick streaks, “So I’m – I’m not ready, baby. Everything he said in that gym today, everything in Malibu. He’s right about me, Stell.” 

You can’t help but cry too, your heart in your throat, even when you thought you didn’t have any tears left to spill out to him, “He’s not right about you.”

“He is right about me,” Eddie nods, “Look what I did. This whole – this whole day was my fault.” 

“No it’s –” you want to say it’s Steve’s fault, but it isn’t. Steve was just reacting to his own hurt from the situation. You just so happened to be the best way for him to get it out. 

“What happened Eddie?” you asked, desperate for closure,  “What happened with Libby? Why didn’t you tell me on the beach?” 

Eddie wiped his face, features still crumpled from crying, “I didn’t want to tell you because I didn’t think it mattered. I know that’s stupid to say, of course it matters – but it had been so long since it happened and I felt so guilty. I didn’t – I didn’t want you to not come back. I was afraid if you knew, you’d be done.” 

“I would’ve appreciated it if you had been honest with me,” you sounded just like your mom when she’d caught you sneaking out, “Keeping it a secret makes it seem worse. Like you wanted it, like you’ve been wanting her since before we were apart.” 

“No,” he shakes his head, stepping out of the bathroom with you, “It’s been you the whole time, sweet thing. It’s always you.” 

“So why did you kiss her?” you ask, staring at him while sitting on the couch in the living room, tears pricking at your eyes again, “If it’s been me the whole time, why did you kiss her?” 

Eddie kneeled at your feet, leaving over to hold your thighs on either side of your lap, his chest covering your shins. He let out a sigh, looking up at you, “It was in March, I was at Glow with the guys and it had been a rough fuckin’ night. I was already a bottle and a half of Jack deep when I saw her there.” 

You looked at him, watching him replay it in his head, his memory whirring behind his eyes – you can tell he’s not lying when he does this. 

“I got so fucked up that night. I saw – thinking back it’s so stupid – but I saw in the paper that morning that you’d been spotted out to dinner with Jeremy and the picture – you were holding his hand – and I was so fucking hurt, baby. I know I shouldn’t have been, but I couldn’t even call you to ask about it ‘cause your lawyers were on me –” 

“We have an agreement about Jeremy, Ed. That’s not fair. The same way we have an agreement about Nic.” 

The agreement was, since there was a lot of chemistry between you and Jeremy, and Nic and Eddie, that each of you could fool around with the other, but only with your partner’s permission. (And in the case of Nic, Ed always preferred if you fooled around with them.) Jeremy was one of your first co-stars, you’d never dated but you used to sleep together – amazing lay, but not boyfriend material. The kind of boy who falls in love with any pretty woman who looks at him for five seconds. He was fun to have fun with, and that was about it. 

“You didn’t ask,” he said, “You didn’t ask me if it was okay, and I just – I missed holding your hand, baby. I fucking missed you, aching every day over waking up without you while you were out holding hands with some prettyboy scumbag. I was over here loving you, and you couldn’t even pick up the phone. So I thought ‘Oh shit, it’s really over. She’s done with me.’” 

“I’m sorry,” you cried, because you knew he’d see that picture. That’s why you reached for Jeremy’s hand that night when the flashes went off, showing off your empty ring finger while you did. You did it to hurt him, you wanted to hurt him because of how bad he hurt you. He reached for your hands and laced fingers with yours, his thumbs gliding over your skin. 

“So I saw Libby come in with some girl, saw her over at the bar and I knew something had to be up because Steve wasn’t around. He’d never let her walk around a place like Glow by herself – don’t think he’d even be caught dead there. Her friend left her to go see some girls in a section and I didn’t like that so I sent someone to go grab her. I just – I wanted to show her a good time. When she got up to VIP, God, I could barely see her, all the liquor just hit me at once and I don’t know what came over me. She was so sweet, she was so hurt – they got in a fight and she told me she left him, and you had left me so – you know, just two lost souls who might’ve needed each other for the night. At least that’s how it felt – and I hadn’t kissed anyone since you left –” 

“So I kissed her, cause I was hurting, too. I was so lonely, baby – and I know that’s not an excuse – but I was mad at you for Jeremy, and I had that little crush on her. I think I just wanted to get back at you or, or just feel something – it was so long ago, I don’t know. We didn’t do anything more than makeout, I promise – and when she stopped me and I realized what I did – oh fuck, I felt…God, I felt so fucking bad – I’m so sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you on the beach, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I was just scared.”

“And I’m,” Eddie was choking on sobs at this point, “I’m sorry that what I did made today so awful for you, that it affected your work. I never want to get in the way of what you do or mess up your process, and if I hadn’t been there. I don’t know, maybe he would’ve gone a little easier on you.” 

“I don’t think Steve Harrington has ever gone easy on anyone,” you say quietly to your hands, still interlocked with Ed’s. 

You felt sick when you pictured the scene in your head. Libby’s hands in his chest, in his hair, straddling him on the white couches at Glow. The grab of his ringed fingers on her thighs and hips, the taste of his smoky liquor stained tongue in her mouth. All you did was hold hands with someone that Eddie had given you the okay for. How could Libby do this after everything Steve did to you? After Steve made you cry in their kitchen, after Eddie had come back to the gym, undone and begging for help. Did she see how broken he was? Did she even know? 

“Am I –” the lump in your throat gripped the words, your question making you cry before you can even ask it. Eddie looks up at you, his own eyes wet with tears, his cheeks flaming pink.

“Is there s-something wrong with m-m-me?” you ask, it comes out more pathetic than you thought you had in you, but that’s how you felt. 

“No, baby,” he responds, his voice barely audible, “Nothing’s wrong with you.” 

“Then wh-when am I –” a hard sob racks your body, trembling with the words, “Wh-when am I g-gonna b-be enough f-for you?” 

Eddie gets up, his heart aching at the question. His fingers unlace with yours sliding up to your arms to your shoulders.

“What do you mean? You think you’re not enough for me? Whose putting that in your head, baby?” He’s trying so hard to soothe you through his own tears, but he can feel you vibrating under his grip.

“You are,” you confess, Eddie bites his lip to keep from wailing at the look on your face, “You always – you always –” 

“Always what, honey?” His gaze was soft, pleading. He hated watching you cry like this, he hated being the cause of it again. 

“You always pick the vice first. You only pick me when you think I’m gonna leave,” you spill out, wiping your tears from under your eyes but it was futile. More tears just kept pouring out of you. 

Eddie’s heart shattered because part of him knew it was true. He only had to try when you weren’t a guarantee. And sure, he wasn’t like that now. Now that he was nine months off heroin, being consistent at the gym for a year, making new music with the band, and working with a few others – things were looking good for him. Things were so together, in a way they hadn’t felt before, Ed had never felt so stable. Things between you had felt so right. He was just waiting for the day you put the ring back on so he could throw you in a white dress and call you his wife for real. 

He got on the couch, your crying and tired frame was pliant under his hands as he pulled you onto his lap. He adjusted your legs over him, holding you up to his chest while he wiped your face with a tissue from the side table. His other hand ran slowly up and down your back. 

“Shh,” he soothed, “I know how I’ve acted before – but I’m not just choosing you because I think you’re gonna leave me this time. I got a bad track record baby, I know. But I told you on the beach – I don’t – I don’t wanna be like my old man. I want to be better for when we have our own family.” 

“Jesus, I’ve been having dreams about having babies with you, Stell. About getting married. I can’t do that if I’m not better and that’s all I want – I’d throw all my rockstar shit away if it meant I could be your husband. That’s why I’m not going on tour – I don’t feel strong enough yet to say no when we’re out on the road. And yeah, sure, I know the guys would support me but – I know how I get, you know how I get. I only wanna go do the shows when you can come and keep me honest, where I can come kiss you after.” 

“You can’t always depend on me to keep you honest, Ed,” you sniffle. 

“I know,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to your lips, “I’m learning how to do it for myself, sweet thing.” 

You let him kiss you again, feeling too tired and cried out to stop him. After the ordeal of today, getting his attention felt like you won something. His palm was warm against your face, sliding down to the side of your neck. His tongue slid past your teeth, gliding against yours, pressing his whole body into you so you could feel him there. So you’d know he wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. 

“I’m so sorry, baby,” he said, breaking apart from you, “And I understand if you wanna leave, if you wanna spend some more time apart. I understand. It’s whatever you want.” 

Before you could answer, the phone rang and you leaned over Eddie to pick it up off the set on the side table. 

“Hi Miss Rink, we have a message at the front desk for you. Would it be okay for us to send it up? Simone also has a couple of papers for you and Eddie to sign that she’d like delivered.” 

“Sure, thank you. You can send it all right up,” you said, your actress voice back in it’s purity for the phone call. You hung up and slumped back down on the couch, “Simone’s NDAs are on their way.” 

Eddie let a breath out through his nose, you knew he was waiting for you to say something. To say you weren’t leaving him, to say you didn’t want to spend time apart, to assure him that it’s all better now. You get up at the ding of the elevator, the papers on a cart in the center – you quickly collect them and notice a card that didn’t have Simone’s hand writing on it. You pass one of the manila envelopes to Eddie, stamped with ‘CONFIDENTIAL’ and a smiley face drawn in Simone’s red pen. 

“Here,” you say. He meets your eye, waiting for anything else, “I’m gonna have to think about it, okay?” 

He nods, giving you a weak smile while he takes the envelope from you. You slide your own NDA on the coffee table and thumb the tiny card with your hand. 

Stella, 

Please meet me tomorrow? I’d love the chance to explain myself, and offer my apology in person. You deserve to hear it from me. I’ll be in the Tim Hortons down the road at 12. I hope you come. 

– Libby xx 

You take a deep breath and tap the paper on your hand, nerves growing in your chest. Maybe this would be your only chance to ever talk some sense into her. You’d likely never see her again after tomorrow. 

“I’ll be right back,” you tell Eddie, slipping your boots back on and hopping in the elevator to send a message back to Libby. You spent some time sitting alone at the hotel bar, nursing a diet Coke while you readied yourself to go back upstairs.

When you got back up, Eddie was found in the bedroom in his normal night time get up – shirtless in black sweatpants, sitting on top of the covers reading over the NDA in the light of the side table. 

“You okay?” he asked when you walked in. 

“Yeah,” you replied, “Libby wants to meet up tomorrow and talk. Just her.” 

Eddie stiffened, “You sure it’s just her?” 

You nodded, you were definitely never going to see Steve again – not  while Eddie was around. 

“I have a bath running for you,” he said, tilting his head to the adjoining bathroom. 

“Did you–” 

“Yes, the eucalyptus oil is in there already. I left the bottle on the edge in case you want more,” he said, going back to his reading. You couldn’t help but blush at how well he knows you, how he still knows what you need and when you need it. 

You started to undress, peeling your gym clothes off and tossing them in the closet hamper. You can feel Eddie’s eyes on you, you can almost taste the saliva pooling in his mouth knowing he can’t have you how he did last night. You shrugged on the plush white robe, wrapping it tight around your body while you headed to the bathroom. 

“Hey,” he said softly, you turned your attention toward him at the door, “You don’t have to make a decision right now.” 

You tilted your head and he licked his lips nervously, “I’m gonna go back to Hawkins for a bit, help Wayne with some renovations on the house I got him out there. If there’s anyone who can really keep me honest – it’s Wayne.” 

“He’s gonna be mad at you,” you say with a small smile. Wayne loves you. Loves you like a daughter. He’d be raving mad after hearing about all this. 

“He’s gonna kick my ass,” Eddie laughs, putting a hand over his face, “Fuck, he’s really gonna kick my ass.” 

He drops his hand and looks at you again, “So don’t worry about making any choices, don’t worry about me. You know I’ll be on the first flight back the second you call.” 

You nodded again, taking your hair down and shaking it out. 

“I love you,” he says, “I’m sorry it took me so long to say it today.” 

“I love you, too,” you offer him a weak smile before disappearing in the steam of the bathroom.

#eddie munson rockstar au #rockstar!eddie munson smut #rockstar!eddie smut #rockstar!eddie munson #rockstar!eddie #eddie munson x you #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson smut #eddie munson fan fiction #eddie munson fanfiction #steve harrington fan fiction #rollergirl! #steve harrington fanfiction #boxer!steve #boxer!steve harrington

[treetownconfessions]

guys is love eternal and transcending

arguably unrelated but. had an old au where flippy died but fliqpy remained. something something sheer desperation something something maybe time travel or anything similar. he gets dropped into an alternate timeline where flippy never joined the military and sorta stayed in his crappy hometown/wherever he was before tree town. flippy isnt nearly as traumatized but he's still. yknow. and he has most of the same hobbies. he works full time as a silly librarian and instead of facing the horrors of war he faces domestic horrors (spoiler alert its his terrible parents) (double spoiler fliqpy does not tolerate flippys parents hurting him in any capacity) (triple spoiler he probably kills them later) and theres an even greater divide between flippy and fliqpy here because they cant be connected through their shared experiences and mutual skills/understandings. its kind of jarring (and depressing) too because meeting this flippy on fliqpys end is like. the entirety of their relationship straight down the drain because flippy doesnt recognize fliqpy at all and is just mildly weirded out by how similar they look. but they gradually become friends anyway. and even though flippy is significantly different here the fact that hes still flippy at his core makes fliqpy fall in love with him all over again and vice versa and. yeah.

YEAAAAH!!! THEY WOULD LOVE EACH TOHER IN EVERY UNIVERSE.

[bluecoolr]

For Life Or Until Fault

Alt Timeline 2.0 - Darrell x Odile (Part 6)

Warnings: MINORS DNI! Main characters are slasher ocs. Implied murder. Mutual stalking involved.

Darrell belongs to me ♥︎

Odile belongs to @solmints-messyocdiary

Tagging my beloved @ajarofpickledtears who might get a kick out of this 🥹💕

Footsteps were muffled by the dusty, dull green carpet. Hardly anyone was at the library, and Darrell was sure that this might just be the norm. He waited for the kindly librarian to find the newspaper article he had asked for.

They huddled in front of a computer hooked up to a microfiche reader, sifting through page after page of old local newsprint. Finally, the librarian gave a satisfied "Ah!"

"Here we are," she told Darrell cheerfully, "I'll leave you to it, then."

She stepped aside to let Darrell slide into the chair in front of the monitor. "If you want to print anything," she said, "the computer's linked to the printer so just click this little picture here."

Darrell thanked her and began to read the article about the accident the town had simply dubbed as "The Fire". Not out of indifference, but of grim aversion. It was a ghastly thing, a tragic event that supposedly took the lives of a woman, a kindly priest, and his quaint charge.

Overturned candles, the authorities suspected, or some electrical problem. It could all have been easily avoided. Such a shame.

Perhaps by some printer's mishap, the photographs of Father Henrik and the woman were grainy. Parts of their faces were even blotted out completely.

Her, however. Her face was bright as day.

Odile, the description read, church custodian.

A timid beauty that drew the eyes to her spot on the page, where she presided like a saint over adverts and small town news.

From the corner of his eye, he noticed a slender figure lingering by the bookshelves. It was the ring leader from his last visit, swaying in place with her baby braids and her school skirt perched too high on her waist. Darrell kept his eyes on the screen.

An article - no bigger than his palm - ruefully declared that yet another body had been found gutted and impaled on a pike. No doubt the work of the killer the press had dubbed "Tepeş" - The Impaler - after the infamous Wallachian prince. Curiously, all his victims had been men who had a history of violence.

The governor was quoted to say, "I would not trade this horror for less congested jails. There is a perverse gratification in this for this individual."

That had been years ago. As far as Darrell knew, the killer had never been caught.

He hit a button and headed for the printer.

Her picture was warm in his hands, and he trembled as he folded away the parts that didn't matter.

At the book checkout, the little minx strolled up beside him, bearing a racy vampire novel in her hands. She ventured for small talk. Darrell tried to make it evident that he wasn't interested. She was however, persistent. "Who's she?" she asked, eyeing the picture.

Darrell covetously snuck Odile between the pages of the book he'd picked. She watched him draw his lips into a tight line. "She isn't your girlfriend is she?" She chuckled. "If she were, she'd give you her picture herself. You wouldn't need to print it from the library."

"You like him? He's quite a character."

Darrell glanced at his book's cover. Vlad the Impaler: His Life and Exploits, the title read.

"I think he's awful," Darrell told her. "But I'm feeling quite nosy today. Might want to get all up in his business. No school today?"

"Done for the day."

"What year are you in?"

"11."

"That makes you… what 16?"

"Yep." The young girl flashed him a pretty smile, revealing a row of perfect white teeth.

"I'm 31," Darrell said pointedly.

"I don't mind."

Darrell nodded once. "But your mother will. Maybe I'll have a talk with her."

The color drained from her face and her round eyes grew even wider. She suddenly looked like she wanted to get as far away from Darrell as she could.

"Look." He sighed. "You seem like a nice girl, ok? Don't waste your time on grunts like me. I promise I'm not at all that interesting."

He thanked the librarian for her help and made his quiet way to the door.

~

Darrell had seen no sign of the girl since their unfortunate first meeting. He'd left her little trinkets, apologies after he'd upset her, on a mossy footstone near the fringes of the forest.

So far she'd taken none of his gifts, but he did feel eyes on him when he came bearing new flowers - the last of that prematurely cold season. He pretended, then, not to notice as she pretended not to watch.

Sometimes, when Isabelle begged, Darrell would let her run to the forest to play with the girl. They seemed to be familiar with each other, and he caught himself smiling when he heard her giggle from somewhere in the woods. When he did spy her from a distance, he would venture a smile.

At last, she'd left carnations on the footstone for him, and he gladly took them home. The splash of color livened up the sickly yellow parlor.

One day, he woke up and took the 2-kilometer walk to the town. He purchased a pack of steaks from the lone supermarket. While leaving it out on the footstone, he hoped she had a stove. Hot food would certainly help with the cold weather.

He sat down beside his new offering, tired from the trip, and decided to rest before heading back to start the day's rounds. Somewhere between debating whether to start with the western or the eastern half of the cemetery, he fell into a doze.

The rustle of plastic wrap woke him with a start. He let out a soft gasp and froze.

There she was; Her posture tense. Her eyes blown wide; Grasping a blood-red steak in one hand, a ribbon of flesh making a bridge between her lips and her knuckle.

She began to scuttle away on her knees, and Darrell begged her to wait. "Please." He raised his hands as if to say I mean you no harm.

"I'm sorry," he said, his heart beating like a drum. Her brow crumpled in confusion. "About last time."

The recollection of their first meeting obviously made her embarrassed, and her eyes immediately became misty.

"Are you hungry?... C-cold? I… I can - want - to help, if you let me."

She dropped the steak and gingerly ran her palms over her arms, hugging herself. She looked into his face, trying to read his expression for any danger, any ruse.

"It's alright, Odile."

She gasped under her breath, and her eyes shifted into focus - her attention falling full on the man in front of her. The world seemed to grow sharper around the edges and she could see. The verdant hills beyond, the blue-gray heavens above, and the freckles on his face. It was all so clear.

"W-what?" she asked, her voice hardly rising over a whisper, as if she'd been roused from a deep slumber.

"Odile," he repeated, "I-is that your name? Odile?"

She felt a tug at her heartstrings and at the corners of her lips. Yes! Of course, how could she have forgotten? She had a name!

"Y-yes." She nodded. "My name… my name is Odile."

The smile he gave her was relieved, radiant. "That's a lovely name."

She quickly brushed the back of her hand over her cheeks, hoping he didn't catch the tears that had fallen.

"Well, hello, Odile. I'm Darrell," he said, "I'm happy we've properly met.”

"Here." He took off his jacket and draped it around her bare shoulders. She tucked herself into it, delighting in his warmth that was still enmeshed in the fabric.

He asked a question and she started, blinking blearily. "Hmm?"

“Shall we head for the manor? Get out of the cold?"

She nodded, and began to slowly reach for his outstretched hand. She jerked back. Tears suddenly welling from her eyes.

She stumbled back, fingers clinging still to the lapels of Darrell's jacket. She wasn't ready to let go just yet, but she told him what had plagued her since that day in the forest, "I-I've been horrible." Her next words were caught between a sob. "I didn't… I didn't mean to! I-I'm sorry!

"Oh, no, princess." Darrell flew to her side, brushing her arms to soothe her. "No, no, no, no, no. Please don't cry. It's alright."

"I-It's just that I was hungry and there was nothing left. I wouldn't have if I could, but-"

"I know," Darrell assured her. He pulled her to his chest, hastily wiping her tears away with his thumb.

"I'm sorry I did it. Oh, please," Odile wailed. "Don't hurt me."

Darrell took her face in his hands, wishing he could find the right thing to say to make her grief go away. "Nothing bad is going to happen to you," he told her. "I won't allow it. Okay? You poor girl. Shhh…"

"But they brought you here t-to find me… to make me pay.. f-for all my sins…"

Darrell stared into those olive green eyes, the pupils wide enough to look like chasms. Her nails dug crescents in his forearms, threatening to draw blood as she struggled to keep her breath even. He shook his head. "I swear, nothing will ever happen to you. I won't hurt you, and I won't give you to them."

"Please." Darrell could have winced at the way his voice cracked. "Come with me."

Odile was exhausted, and she was scared. But he offered warmth and kindness. Besides, Odile knew in her frail little heart, that there was no other place she wanted to be than with him.

#for life or until fault #odile x darrell #alt timeline 2.0 #darrell todd #oc: odile #odile #odile and darrell my beloved #bluecoolr.txt #gotta go update the masterlist again

[offsidekineticist]

And now we take a breath, because Giliys needs to figure out how to get Theo home, and even he needs a break from angsting every now and then. Here's part 4 of the (Completely Platonic!) Breakup arc.

Interlude

The Temple of Aroden in Rego Cader is a fucking wreck, but in comparison to the rest of the district it's prime real estate. The place has been abandoned for decades–maybe even since the death of Aroden–so there's a thick layer of grime on everything. The altar is gone, probably stolen, and the pews are rotting. The glass has been taken from the stained glass windows, and the gaping holes that remain in their place have been boarded up with wooden planks that are also half-rotted. The sacking of the temple is so complete that you can only tell whose temple it was because Aroden's holy symbol was chiseled into the floor–it was probably leafed with gold once upon a time. The gold is long gone, of course, along with the tiles that probably used to cover the rest of the floor, but they couldn't steal chisel marks. Not yet, anyhow.

"Where have you been? What part of 'emergency' was unclear?!" Qweck hisses at you when you finally arrive, and you scowl at her. 

"Do you have any idea how hard it is to travel with this fuckin Reclamation bullshit going on?" you demand. "Fuckin altar boys have the ports locked up, and every city in the plains is locked down. I had to detour to fuckin Absalom to find smugglers who would take me anywhere near here, and that meant stopping in every Garundi port between here and Absalom, and then I had to figure out a way to get into this horror show of a district–"

"Alright, yes, you are very brave and strong, Giliys, thank you for enduring this odyssey for us," she interrupts. "Now please come over here and look at our plans."

"Plans for what?" you ask as you follow her through the sanctuary. "And who's 'us?' You still haven't told me what the fuck I'm doing here."

"Theoven Derenge," she says, "the children's librarian at the Brastlewark Public Library, has been arrested by the Order of the Rack. They're holding him in Citadel Rivad."

Your brain seems to freeze for a moment. And then it goes into overdrive. They got Thay. You don't understand how–you were the only connection he had with any resistance cells. He did what he could to support your work with the Bellflower Network, but that was as direct as he was willing to get. "I've had a hand in raising so many of Brastlewark's children that I shudder to think what would happen if the powers that be ever felt they had to purge my influence from the city," he explained once. Not even Qweck had known he was involved in resisting Thrune in any capacity–hell, she didn't even know you and Theo had met. You were the only one who knew, and you certainly didn't tell anyone, so–

Does he know that?

You feel the blood drain from your face and your stomach turn over. You were the only one who knew. You know you didn't betray him–but does he? Is he sitting in Rivad, cursing your name because he thinks you're the one who sold him out? He must be–what else could he think? In his eyes you're devil-worshiping scum. He wouldn't be surprised to find out paladins can smite you. Betrayal isn't much of a stretch from there–you did it to every one of your victims after all, why not him?

"Giliys? Giliys!" Qweck's voice startles you out of your thoughts. She's glaring at you, her arms crossed and hip canted. "Could you at least pretend to care that the fate of an innocent man is at stake?"

"Well, excuse me for being confused about why the fuck the Rack would drag a children's librarian halfway across the country for interrogation."

"He had banned books."

In other words, his paranoid insistence of keeping his very illegal collection on his person at all times finally bit him in the ass. Shit, this means the Rack is probably keeping his mom's bag, too, doesn't it? He'll be heartbroken over that if you can't get it back for him.

"Hold up–doesn't your king have a deal with dear old Abby that keeps the Rack out?" You ask, the thought occurring to you suddenly. She shrugs, just as lost as you are.

"It didn't apply here I guess? They were looking for someone specific. I assume Thornfiddle let them in as a show of good will and just didn't expect that they'd arrest someone quite so beloved."

Looking for someone specific, and left when they grabbed Thay. It certainly sounds like someone tipped them off about his books. Yeah, Thay probably thinks you sold him out. Hell, you'd think you'd sold him out if it wasn't for you…uh…being you.

Fan-fucking-tastic.

"So you can probably guess where this is going," Qweck continues, oblivious to your thoughts. "There are three of us already willing to do something about this, but none of us have ever done anything like this before, and…we…need your help."

It almost sounds like it was physically painful for her to say that. You put a hand to your ear. "Sorry, I didn't catch that–I'm middle aged, now, you know–could you say that again?"

She closes her eyes and sighs, and you can tell she's praying or reciting mantras or whatever shit she does when she's worried she might crap out the stick up her ass. "I need your help," she repeats, and your eyes widen on their own. She really is desperate.

Of course she's fucking desperate! Someone she loves is in Citadel Rivad, you fucking asshole.

You drop your hand from your ear. "Well, I guess if you really need me, I can lend a hand." You cross your arms. "You said there were three of you?"

Five minutes later you're struggling not to gape at this crew made of, apparently, three of Thay's favorite students, because, gods, Thay likes the weird ones. The first, obviously, is Qweck–the gnomish devotee of a god obsessed with self-control and discipline even though she was literally born bleaching. But you already knew about Qweck. You did not know about Kob or Vrakka.

Vrakka is a half-orc–her mother is an orc, her father is a human, and both parents still live in Brastlewark. You get the feeling that growing up in Brastlewark was a pretty shitty experience for her, partly because she's more than six feet tall and feels even bigger, partly because when she came of age she wandered into the woods and never came back. Apparently she did it on Thay's advice, which feels weirdly irresponsible of him.

"Mr. Theo knew what I was capable of," she says with a laugh at the sight of your face when she tells you this. "It was he who took me for my first walks through the wilderness around Brastlewark. He used to say the bleaching took the color of the First World from him so that he could be more sensitive to the color of this world. Not that he's done anything to hone that skill, mind you."

"So you came back cuz you heard he was arrested?" You clarify.

"Yes. The birds brought Tidings of his ordeal."

You're not sure if she's a druid or crazy. She might be both. You should clarify that point before you set out to infiltrate one of the most secure facilities in Cheliax.

Kob, on the other hand, is definitely crazy. "BEHOLD, LESSER CREATURE: THE MIGHT AND POWER OF A TRUE DRAGON!" he says in the most self-aggrandizing manner you've ever seen.

He is not a dragon. He is a gnome. He is covered in black scales, with black wings on his back (which, during his introduction, he flared out to great dramatic effect) and long claws, but he is a gnome covered in black scales, with black wings and long claws.

"Uh…huh…" you say, eying Qweck and Vrakka. Play along, Qweck mouths to you while Vrakka rolls her eyes and shrugs. "And, uh, why would a creature so Great and Powerful as you want to help us 'lesser creatures?'"

Kob scowls. "I OWE A GREAT DEBT TO THE ONE CALLED 'MISTER THEO.' FOR, LOATHE AS I AM TO ADMIT IT, I WAS NOT BORN A MEMBER OF MY NOBLE RACE, BUT AS A LOWLY GNOME. THE ONE CALLED 'MISTER THEO' GUIDED ME IN MY QUEST FOR KNOWLEDGE, AND IT WAS UNDER HIS TUTELAGE THAT I FIRST HEARD THE NAME OF THE ANCIENT DRAGON WHO WOULD SEE MY POTENTIAL AND TRAIN ME TO ASCEND TO THE HIGHEST HEIGHTS OF DRAGONKIND: LATHIMAS."

From what you can gather, Kob's lifelong hyperfixation (most gnomes have at least one) was that he wanted to be a dragon. You vaguely recall Thay telling story about his first couple of years as a librarian involving a little boy the town had nicknamed Kobold because he wanted to be a dragon when he grew up, and how the kid tracked gold glitter all over the library after he seemingly bathed in the stuff trying to turn himself into a gold dragon.

Apparently little Kobold grew up to study dragons and magic and travel the world in search of a way to chase his dream. Eventually he met the ancient black dragon Lathimas and submitted to his tutelage, and in time he became worthy of ascending to dragonhood. Because he is definitely a dragon now, and certainly not a gnome whose mind has shattered under the weight of a careless infusion of draconic magic. (You decide that if this Lathimas guy exists, he's a dick)

That said, Kob can fly, he's stupidly strong, and apparently Vrakka did see him turn into an actual dragon for a couple of minutes once (though he refers to it as "BEARING THE ASPECT OF DAHAK," which isn't concerning in the slightest). And that, combined with Vrakka's reassurance that she is, in fact, a druid, piques something in your mind. Something that begins to spin itself into a plan.

"Ok," you finally say. "I have an idea."

#Oc: giliys #Oc: Qweck #Oc: vrakka #Oc: kob #pwotr pals #pathfinder wotr #The (Completely Platonic!) Breakup Arc #Part 4

[sternbilder]

It has been brought to my attention that since I had translated the self profiles for the Top 5 previously, a new tweet has come out for the Ha siblings! I have a day off today, so I took a crack at translating this real quick—Su-Chang's words/things that apply to both are in black, and Su-Yeon's are in orange:

"BURIED STARS" TOP 5

LET'S TALK ABOUT OURSELVES Feat. PD Shin Ha Su Yeon

Name: Ha Su-Chang / Ha Su-Yeon

Hometown: Human City Suwon [1]

Former Occupation: Office worker Librarian / High school student

Blood Type: B / Harmonious B

MBTI: ENTP / ENTP what do you mean I'm an E

Nickname: PlugHole [2] / (Illegible)

Date of Birth: Blossoming mid-20s / Delicate late teens

Height: Over 180 / 162

Weight: 69kg / Secret

Specialty: Following instructions / Giving instructions and evaluating the results

Hobbies: Watching films / Watching videos and performances

Habits: Scratching the back of my head / Raising my eyebrows

Top 3 Likes: Family, books, movies / Doyoon-nim, Han Do-yoon, Doyoonie♡

Top 3 Dislikes: Doyoon-nim, Han Do-yoon, Doyoonie♥ / All of what he did above

Motto in Life: Everybody lies [3] / ↑ This guy lies like he needs it to survive

A Person I Respect: Me / ↑ [3] But quite often is not that respectable

A Recent Worry: She keeps telling me to televote / He keeps telling me he won't televote

The TOP 5 Contestant I’m Closest To: No such thing / Doyoon-nim I would like to be unnecessarily close to you please

My Rival in the TOP 5: I don't even know who the options are so even if I were to be their rival... / I know right? I mean even if you were their rival... / You know what in that case I pick Han Do-yoon / I'll kill you

My Best Physical Feature: My intelligently shining eyes 👁️👁️ /My dainty but pointed nose ✨👃✨

When I’m Happiest: When I'm simply lounging about / ↑ When I bestow a task upon the one who is lounging about and verify its completion

When I’m Saddest: When Han Do-yoon is frowning... Reason is ↓ / When Doyoon-nim has that forlorn look on his face T_T....

Who I Want to See Myself Become: (Part of a) harmonious family / Watching one of Doyoon-nim's performances from VIP seats☆ / But what about harmony...?

Goals for This Year: Just do well for myself [5] / Watching one of Doyoon-nim's performances from VIP seats☆✫✬ / Stop it with the stars / I'll do what I want

What I Want to Say to Myself 1 Year from Now: Thank you for your service, and again going forward [6] / Doyoon-nim, thank you for everything this past year. / What about me...?

A Message for the Viewers: Thank you for your service re:all your hard work watching this at home / Let us all do our part to show our endless love and support for Han Doyoon-nim!

[1] Seems to be a reference to the official slogan of the city of Suwon, "People are welcome: Human City Suwon."

[2] Pun on the word "하수구" (hasugu) which sounds like the start of his name, Ha Su-Chang. Literally means sewage drain, but apparently in British English the word for this is "plughole."

[3] May be a reference to a quote/catch phrase of character Ha Mu-Yeol from the Panic Room (검은방) series, another games series by the same creator. Also what Su-Yeon literally says is "he lies like he eats meals," the implication being that the lies are frequent and regular. :P

[4] Ambiguous whether this is referring to Su-Chang or herself. I think it's Su-Chang but I could be wrong.

[5] Idiomatic, lit. translates to "eat well and live well," meaning just. Doing well; looking out for/taking care of yourself.

[6] Again quite idiomatic. 수고하다 means to like, take the trouble, put in the effort, do the work, etc. and 수고하셨습니다 means "thank you for the trouble" etc. but he's clearly being a little flippant here.

#Buried Stars #베리드 스타즈 #베리드스타즈 #My stuff #My translations #cam thoughts