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degusart · 4 months

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So I colored that image (and added a couple of characters that were missing). Anyway, it's the full lineup of BFFs. I feel so normal about these blorbos. Thank you to @viridiandruid for running such a fun game with great characters!

[characer names credits and other info under the cut]

A)ale! my PC and the loml. Massuraman Binder. They have a minimum of three souls in their body at one time and a maximum of five. they're doing so okay right now; don't worry about it

B) Devin, an eagle ale can summon him through their armor as an ally.

C)Cpt. James Hawkins. played by @theboombardbox, spellsword/barbarian. he's missing half of his soul <3, the Hat Man is following him, and he has worms.

D) Sash played by @halfandhalfling our wich/werewolf bestie. Apparently, she's a princess of the moon, but we don't have time to unpack all of that. Also, her (adoptive) mom fucked James.

E) Fig! Sash's familear

F) Orsa, Kiri's animal companion

G) Revazi, once played by @werepaladin. a barbarian whose "grandfather" Grandfather, a red greatwyrm, has been the patron of the party since like session five.

H) Chosen, in a human-only setting, she's an elf child! She's the reincarnation of ale's greatest enemy from both of their past lives, and they're apparently destined to end each other. But for right now they're buds, and she's the adoptive daughter of Kiri.

I) Kiri, @recoveringrevenant's PC, a Spirit Shaman. The newest Pc of the BFFs, our very chaotic party's grounding force, she can see a lot of stuff going on that no one else can see, both literally and figuratively.

J) Beren, a strange teenager our party was charged with keeping safe, then promptly lost (we're working on it). The person who charged us with keeping him safe may or may not be an abloeth, allied with the red dragon previously mentioned.

K) Cloves, the horse we bought in session two or three, that was then awakened by a random druid. He was one of the oldest members of the BFFs until... recently...

L) Erina, @recoveringrevenant 's retired PC, lets us crash at her place most nights, and she was a founding member of the BFFs, so even though she's not adventuring with us anymore, she's still one of us.

M) Agamemnon, our ship's AI, he's an orb that likes to dress up as a wizard :>

N) Ajatus, a guy we threatened to get to help us, but somehow became fully one of the crew. also, we need him to drive the boat, so, a BFF it is.

O) Father Lagi, a priest whose church collapsed into a skink hole after we visited it. We offered him a job in recompense, though by some of the conversations we've had, he's pitty chill in general. Also he embezzled like all of the church's coffers, so that's funny

P) Dahlver-Nar, one of the many souls that take up residence inside of ale's body. Though he's a bit more permanent. He helps out and gives advice alongside some skick-ass powers.

Q) Naz, this is the character I forgot in the first render of this piece. she's functionally dead atm (permanently trapped inside an amber tree), but you know how it is. a character once played by @recoveringrevenant as well

R) Cousin Chet! the half-dragon half ???? freak. we love him though

S) Bailey Wick, a once stow-away, now rogue-for-hire she has the sticky fingers and high dex our party lacks. So whenever we need to infiltrate a place, we send her on those missions. Though we've recently found out she's like 19, which is horrifying lmao. She also is one of the most competent members of the BFFs only because she's the only character that consistently rolls above a 10 (like genuinely)

T) Tansu, Revazi's twin sister. Our most recent true member of the BFFs, she's.... gone through it

#illustration #artists on tumblr #dnd #drawing #dungeons and dragons #player character #oc #dungons and dragons #artist on tumblr #pc #please rb

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girlbloggerdelrey · 10 months

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୨୧ ABOUT ME ୨୧

Name!୨୧ : girlbloggerdelrey !!

Age!୨୧ : 14 !! | February 8th !!

likes/dislikes !!

Likes!୨୧ : Reading/movie reviews!, horror movies!, clinically insane girl books!,clear/white/pale pink/red nail polish!, music!, Art!, My lovely bestie @girlblogger30 !, having crushes!, people who msg me randomly on here!, my followers!, journaling/writing!, Vogue Beauty Secrets!, beginner workouts!, subliminals!, manifesting!,

Dislikes!୨୧ : bugs (flies specifically)!,mean boys<<<, girls who bring other girls down<<<, haters<<<,

favorite people!!

favorite actors/film makers!୨୧ : Florence pugh!, Anya-Taylor-Joy!, Julia Roberts!, Angelina Jolie!, Sandra Bullock!, Natalie Portman!, Sofia Coppola!, Winona Ryder!, Johny Depp!, Leonardo DiCaprio!, Mia Goth!,

favorite song writers!୨୧ : Lana Del Rey!, Melanie Martinez!, Lady Gaga!, Gloria Trevi!, Luis Miguel!, Kali Uchis!, Tyler, the creator!, Ayesha Erotica!, Joey Valence & Brae!, Cults!, Vendredi sur Mer!, Gwen Stefani!, Nicki Minaj!, TV girl!, Rosalia!, Gorillaz!, Insane Clown Posse!,

favorite youtubers!୨୧ : Thewizardliz!, Amber Scholl!, mira daisy!, HRH collection!, precious diary!, Kate Brock!, Gigi MW!, Ariella ༄♡!,

favorite movies(for each season) !!

spring movies! ୨୧ : sleeping with the enemy!, Emma!, Marie Antoinette!, pride and prejudice!, 10 things I hate about you!, Notting hill!, Pearl!,

summer movies! ୨୧ : IT!, midsommar!, I know what you did last summer!, JAWS!, clueless!, legally blonde!, Aquamarine!, Call me by your name!, Texas chainsaw massacre!, The virgin suicides!, Christine!,

fall movies! ୨୧ : Gilmore girls!, Halloween!, The twilight saga!, Coraline!, Harry potter!, moonstruck!, Scream!, Nightmare on Elm St!, Carrie!, Monster house!, trick 'r treat!, Scary stories to tell in the dark!,

winter movies! ୨୧ : Home alone: lost in New York!, The shining!, American psycho!, Edward scissor-hands!, The sixth sense!, The thing!, Gremlins!, Silent night, Bloody night!,

୨୧ I will be continuing to edit this!!! ^^ ୨୧

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f1nalboys · 3 years

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Let The Show Begin

SO the amazing @bisexual-horror-fan has an OC Amber (who is literally the love of my life) and she recently wrote a fic of Amber meeting my Slasher OC Red and god I loved it!!

I had the idea of Amber going to see Red’s band in concert and just had to write it so, here it is!! I really hope you like it Bex, and I hope I did Amber justice!

WORD COUNT: 1569

WARNINGS: none. just Red and Amber being bffs

“Red, man, if you don’t stop pacing I’m going to have to beat you to death with the microphone stand.” Indigo mutters, their leg sticking out in an attempt to trip him. He flips them off but, knowing that they are 100% serious, flops down on the couch next to them. They rest their hand on his leg. “What’s got you so amped up? You nervous?”

Red nods his head. There was no way in hell he was going to tell Indigo why he was nervous. He can feel their eyes on him and he groans. “I invited a… friend to come see us play and I’m nervous.”

“Ooh, a friend you say?” Indigo teases, their eyebrows wiggling. Red scoffs, going to run a hand through his hair before remembering he had done his liberty spikes for the show. “And is this friend a sexy friend?”

“Shut up! And no, she’s in a relationship.”

“A serious one?” Red snorts. He had asked the same damn thing. He nods and Indigo hums, turning and waving at Naveen as he walks in. His drumsticks were sticking out of his front pocket, the paint on the ends chipping.

Naveen sits next to Red, swinging his legs over to lay on top of Red and Indigo. “Yeah, like, ‘his-initials-are-carved-into-her-skin’ serious.” Naveen whistles, not knowing what the hell the two of them were talking about.

Indigo grins, clearly loving that. “She sound’s badass. She coming backstage?”

“Yeah, I’m waiting for her to text that she’s here so I can go get her the pass.” His phone chimes and he pulls it out of his pocket and he smiles. Ignoring the ‘ooh's' and ‘Red’s got a crush’ coming from the two, he stands and rushes out of the green room. He had ten minutes before he had to get on stage.

She was easy to spot. She looked beautiful, her red curly hair a neon sign in between the sea of black and blue of the other patrons. “Amber!” Red yells, grinning when Amber looks around until she spots him. Her smile matches his and he can feel his heart skip a beat as she shimmies her way through the crowd. God damn it; she really was something special.

“Red! You’re looking good; the hair is nice,” She says, her manicured hand reaching out and touching one of his spikes. He grins, waving her flattery off. “So, you wanted to see me before you performed? Are you trying to warn me of some weird thing you do on stage? Tell me you aren’t one of those bands that throw up as part of their act.”

“Jesus, no. What kind of bands do you go see?” He asks and she shrugs, smiling again. Her lips were painted red, a staple of hers it seems, and her outfit was surprisingly more punk than he’d have expected from her. “I wanted to give you a backstage pass. There’s another band going on after us and I figured you might wanna come and see me, you know, since you’re totally going to fall in love with me while I sing.”

Amber rolls her eyes, taking the slip of paper from his hands. “A backstage pass for little old me? You shouldn’t have.”

“It’s a pretty exclusive offer, had to cash in a few favors for it.” He says, puffing his chest out slightly. He was obviously fucking with her, but she didn’t realize the extent until she really looked at the paper. She laughs, throwing her head back, and his heart swells. He made her laugh!

“It’s a piece of paper with ‘Let her through, Nathan. - signed, Red’ on it. You might’ve gotten ripped off, babe.” He rolls his eyes, glancing down at his watch and cursing. He has five minutes. She grins at him. “Gotta run?”

He nods, pulling her in for a quick hug before turning and running backstage. Amber chuckles to herself, slipping the paper in her pocket, and begins to make her way through the crowd. She was excited, actually. The last time she hung out with Red she had convinced him to show her one of his bands songs and she immediately wanted to see him live.

The lights dim as she gets closer to the stage, grinning as the crowd quiets. The sound of microphone feedback catches her attention and she can feel the excitement in the crowd grow. “Welcome to the stage… Sinful Tranquility!” The crowd erupts into cheers and shouts as the stage lights turn on, the stage turning red.

Amber could make out four silhouettes and immediately clocks Red, his liberty spikes giving him away just a bit. The drums start, and then a guitar, and a bass, and finally Red. The lights flash, the crowd jumps in tune with the music, and Amber realizes she is kind of in the middle of a mosh pit. Red was singing and playing the guitar at the same time and Amber was actually really impressed.

Seeing them live was vastly different from listening on the record Red had. Their sound was a mix of early Napalm Death and Against Me!, which came together to make a unique sound Amber hadn’t heard before. She loved it. She found herself jumping along with the crowd, yelling and cheering with each new song.

“Thank you all! That’s it for us but stick around because Sinners, Saints, and Souls are next!” Red yelled into the microphone, breathing heavy, as his set finally finished. The lights go dim and he and the rest of his band get off stage. He breaks into a grin as he gets backstage, people cheering and clapping him on the back.

“We were fucking awesome!” Naveen says, throwing an arm over Indigo and Kell, the band's bassist. They grin, turning to Red who was looking around for Amber. “You looking for your little girlfriend, Keiji?” Naveen teases.

Before he can give his snarky response, Red see’s a flash of red and grins. “Not his girlfriend, just a friend who’s a girl,” Amber replies cooly, coming over and grinning when Red slings his arm over her shoulder. He had a good foot on her and his arm completely swamped her. “You guys were fucking awesome, by the way. I’m Amber, though I take it Red’s talked about me?”

Indigo snorts and Red sighs, preparing for the embarrassment about to ensue. “Bordering on obsession. I’m Indigo, that’s Naveen and that’s Kell.” Amber elbows Red in the side slightly as he groans. “So, I heard you got your boyfriend’s initials carved into your skin?”

“So you’re spilling all my secrets?” Amber asks Red who can do nothing but give an embarrassed smile in response. She pulls her collar down to reveal the scar and Indigo whistles. “Told you we were serious.”

“You’re fucking cool.” Naveen says before getting distracted by a tech guy who walks past him with a wink. He excuses himself and runs off after him, surely trying to get his number. Indigo groans. Now they were going to have to wear their soundproof headphones if Naveen got to bring him home.

Red walks Amber to the green room where the next band was leaving. He says hi, introducing Amber to the members, before getting inside the room and shutting the door behind him. “The lead singer is a dickhead,” He mutters, grabbing a water bottle and tossing one to her. She chuckles, sitting on the couch and patting the spot next to her. “So, you really enjoyed the show?”

“Yeah. I mean, it was a 7 out of 10.” She says, instantly feeling bad when she sees his face drop. He swallows hard, nodding and turning his head away from her. He’d never admit it, but he really was trying to impress her. It’s not even that he wanted to date her, it’s just that she was so cool and he wanted her to think he was too. “I’m kidding, Red. You did great!”

“Don’t fuck with me like that!” He whines, punching her shoulder gently. The two of them break into a fit of giggles. “I’m glad you liked it, though. This was definitely one of our better shows.”

She raises an eyebrow, taking a sip from her water, waiting for him to elaborate. “The last show we did here, Indigo almost shit themselves. The complimentary burritos weren’t all that fresh, if you know what I mean.”

“Keiji! Don’t tell her that!” Indigo says, standing in the doorway, their face contorted in anger. He hadn’t even heard the door open. “Come here, fucker!” Red jumps up and over Amber, running away from Indigo who follows closely behind him. Amber laughs as she watches them leave the green room and laughs even harder when she hears the sound of Red being tackled.

“Ow! Get off me, you fucking heathen!” Red yells, his voice muffled by the floor. Amber settles back into the couch, taking another sip of her drink, and grinning. She liked him. He was funny, cool, definitely interesting, and he liked her. And despite the constant flirting, she knew he wouldn’t ever try to go further than that even if she gave him an in.

“Damn, I’m guessing Red told you about the shit-show last year?” Naveen says, flopping down next to Amber and she snorts, nodding. “They’re gonna be fighting for a while. Want me to order some pizza?”

#slashers #s1mping4slashers writing #s1mping4slashers works #s1mps slasher oc #red devlin #amber cottrell #bisexual-horror-fan #slasher oc #friend's ocs #amber and red r besties #pure fluff #horror movie villians #slasher headcanons #slasher imagines #s1mping4slashers masterlist #amber x red #slasher oneshot #slasher fic

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mariequitecontrarie · 7 years

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Meet Me in the Courtyard: Part 4

Summary: Ruby finds Belle and Gold in an awkward embrace. Later, Leroy approaches Belle with some unsolicited advice. The Fic: Belle hosts a monthly movie night in Storybrooke, always leaving the seat next to her empty. Gold loathes movies, yet movie night at the library is the one community event even he can’t seem to resist. Rating: T A/N: @a-monthly-rumbelling November prompt: They work opposite each other. (Also fills October’s prompt, “You said you’d always be there for me…so how did this happen? Why weren’t you there?” but I’m really late). Yes, Ruby is still being a jerk, but Gold’s not going to take it anymore. Also finally some GrumpBelle/ Dwarf Beauty, because I’ve been wanting to fic their friendship for a long time. Thanks to @magnoliatattoo for being my beta!

{On AO3} Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3

“Lemme guess…it’s not what it looks like.” Ruby grinned and flicked droplets of water off her raincoat, then shimmied out of the jacket and dumped it on the worktable.

“Actually, it’s exactly what it looks like,” Belle snapped. It was a lie, but Ruby’s arrogance was really pissing her off. Her hair was still attached to Gold’s belt and half her face was pressed against the scratchy wool fabric near his zipper, making it painful to look anywhere but at Ruby’s pointy red stilettos. “Don’t you knock?”

“Don’t you know how to lock a door?” Ruby countered. Belle cringed; the seventies porn couple was still in the throes of their faked orgasms. “It’s pouring outside, or I’d guess you couldn’t hear me over the sound of your heavy breathing.”

“Here to save Miss French from the town monster, Miss Lucas?” Gold asked. Belle felt his body tense, and his knuckles dug into her cheek as he struggled to unbuckle his belt.

“If the knockoff Armani fits…” Ruby sneered.

“It doesn’t,” Belle interrupted, her heart sinking when Gold referred to her as ‘Miss French.’ At this rate, she could say goodbye to any hopes of a relationship. “No rescuing required,” she added with artificial brightness.

“Yeah, looks like things are going really well.” Ruby stepped closer and gave her a condescending pat on the head, then turned to Gold. “Instructional video, huh? Aren’t you a little old not to know how it works?”

Belle gritted her teeth, giving Ruby one-eyed glare while Gold continued to struggle with his belt. Her cheek was chafing from where it was pressed against Gold’s clothing and her neck was starting to cramp.

A snapping noise pierced the room as the belt came off, and she slumped against his legs, smacking her forehead on his kneecap. “Ow!”

Gold snagged her by the arm and hauled her to her feet. She pressed one hand to her throbbing forehead and the other to her scratched cheek. “Are you all right?” he asked near her ear. His warm hands curled around her upper arms, steadying her.

“I’m…yes, I think so.” She took a step back, still massaging her sore face.

“Let me get you some ice,” he said, gesturing toward the small refrigerator in the corner. He tossed his belt on his desk, then made his way to the back corner of the shop.

“Grab your Viagra on your way back,” Ruby sang out. “Looks like you’re gonna need it.”

“Most men would in order to get in the mood with you, dearie.” Gold barked a dry laugh over his shoulder.

Belle slumped onto the small cot she’d been sitting on earlier and rubbed her temples. She wanted to tell Ruby to stop talking and leave, but the room was spinning and her mouth felt like it was stuffed full of cotton.

Gold returned to her side, then handed her an old-fashioned ice bag with a screw-top lid, and Belle pressed it against her forehead with a grateful moan.

He lightly tapped her neck with two warm fingers and her pulse skittered. The spicy scent of his aftershave calmed her, and she leaned against his shoulder, forgetting for a moment that they were no longer alone.

“I think these bruises will fade fast.” He grimaced, reminding her of their audience. “I’m so sorry, Belle.”

“Gross.” Ruby stuck out her tongue. “Don’t start reenacting the porno until after I leave, okay?”

Belle blinked at her and Gold dropped his hands. “We weren’t watching it.”

“Evidently.” Ruby gestured at the screen where the movie continued to play.

“It was an accident,” Belle protested. “The film was there by mistake, and then we couldn’t turn the machine off.”

“Really.” Ruby walked over to the projector and hit the button, and the reel stopped with a creak. “I think that ice is starting to numb your brain, Belles.”

“Miss Lucas, to what do we owe the pleasure?” Gold stood and squared his shoulders. “I’m sure there’s a strapping young lad waiting in a bathroom stall who requires your particular brand of attention.”

“Actually, I’m here with the rent check,” Ruby said with saccharine sweetness. “Thought I’d hand-deliver it this month.” She flapped a damp, coffee-stained enveloped at him.

Gold gave the envelope a distasteful glare. “Missed the large lockbox labeled R-E-N-T outside the door, did you?”

“Yep, breezed right by it.” Ruby said, slapping her hand over her face. “And now I need a drink or bleach for my eyes. Maybe both.”

“Help yourself to the scotch.” Gold waved a hand toward a crystal decanter and a set of tumblers sitting on his desk.

Ruby dumped the amber liquid into a glass with a smirk, filling it almost to the brim. “Don’t mind if I do.” She took a huge swallow and choked, sloshing some of her drink on the floor.

“Probably a good thing you’ve mastered that gag reflex, Miss Lucas.” Gold poured modest servings of scotch into two glasses and handed one to Belle.

“Not at all, Gold.” Ruby hopped up on the worktable and crossed her legs. “I always gag when I see your ugly face.”

“Ruby!” Belle dropped her drink, splattering scotch, ice cubes, and splintered glass all over the polished hardwood. “Oh no! Gold, I’m sorry.” She hopped off the cot and searched the room for a broom.

Ruby rolled her eyes. “Relax, Belle. It’s just a drink. No need to be so dramatic.”

“Sit down, Belle,” Gold ordered, snatching the broom and handing her his glass. “I’ve got this.”

While Gold mopped up the liquid and swept up the bits of glass into a dustpan, Belle wrapped her hands around his drink, feeling wretched. What was wrong with Ruby? Ever since Belle had finally started connecting with Gold at the library movie nights, her so-called best friend had been smug and snappish and throwing up opposition at every opportunity.

She needed Ruby to leave before things got worse, but she didn’t have the first clue what to say.

Gold shoveled the broken glass into the wastebasket, followed by the empty Johnny Walter bottle, and tied up the bag. “Take this out, would you dearie?” Gold threw the white plastic garbage bag Ruby’s feet. “You know your way around the trash.”

Ruby froze with her drink halfway to her mouth, then set it down with trembling fingers, her eyes wide and her face white as a sheet. “Are you calling me trash?”

“If the pleather fits.” Gold studied his fingernails with quiet nonchalance.

Belle had never seen Ruby move so fast. She watched in stunned silence as Ruby picked up her coat and hurried through the curtain to the front of the shop on wobbly legs.

“Miss Lucas, a moment.”

“What?” Ruby half-turned, her dark hair falling over her cheek.

Gold’s smirk was cold as ice. “I’ll take that rent check now.”

Ruby hurled the envelope, sending the paper fluttering, and he caught it. He slipped the envelope inside his breast pocket in one smooth motion, an impassive expression on his handsome face.

Belle hunched her shoulders, wanting the floor to open and swallow her up. Her stomach gave a sickening lurch; he must be furious with her. Who could blame him? Ashamed, she forced herself to meet his gaze. “I’ll be right back,” she whispered, then hurried toward the front of the shop to catch up with Ruby.

“Ruby! Wait!”

Ruby whirled around, her green eyes snapping. “Can you believe that guy?”

“Yeah, I can.” Belle crossed her arms over her chest. “You deserved it.”

“What?”

“Your behavior tonight was inexcusable.” She wheezed, feeling like a weight was crushing her lungs.

“Are you serious, Belle?” Ruby’s hands flew to her hips. “He’s so stiff he probably sleeps with his cane up his ass. Not to mention he’s old enough to be your father. You’re supposed to be the smart one. I thought you had more dignity and a hell of a lot more sense.”

The string of accusations stung, and angry tears filled Belle’s eyes. She blinked them away, not bothering to explain away her awkward embrace with Gold yet again. Ruby had barged in on them and turned an awkward situation into utter humiliation, and now she wanted to play the injured party?

Belle wanted to scream her frustrations, to fire horrible insults designed to hurt, but she and Ruby had grown up together. They’d supported each other through first crushes and bad breakups and conquered everything side-by-side from acne to the prom. Ever since Belle had thrown a book at Killian “Hook” Jones’ head for dipping Ruby’s pigtails in glue back in second grade, they’d been sworn besties for life. She still had her half of the friendship bracelet they’d bought together when they were ten in her jewelry box.

Even when Belle had gone to college in Boston while Ruby stayed behind in Storybrooke to help Granny run the diner, they texted almost every day, and when Belle came home to work at the library, they’d picked up right where they left off.

It wasn’t so easy to be indifferent to her oldest and closest friend.

“Well?” Ruby tapped her foot. “Do you have anything to say for yourself?”

That did it.

“Me?” Belle squeaked. “You’re judging me about relationships? You have a red book where you write down all your conquests and rate them on their performance, and I’m the slut.” She was starting to shake, and her throat felt like it was full of sawdust. “You know how I feel about Gold. How long I’ve waited to find someone to love who might actually love me back. Do you know how hard tonight was for me? Well, let me tell you something: it was very hard. I needed a friend today, Ruby. I thought that person was you. You said you’d always be there for me, so how did this happen? Why weren’t you there?”

xoxo

Belle sat alone in a booth in a back corner of the diner, picking at the bits of crispy dried cheese on the edges of her bacon cheeseburger. It looked and smelled delicious, but her appetite had withered when Ruby had flounced past her table without even a glance in her direction. Belle signed and frowned at her iced tea. She’d deliberately sat as far from Ruby’s section as possible, but she should have gone to Tony’s for pizza. Two weeks had gone by since her terrible humiliation, and she hadn’t been able to face either Ruby or Gold.

“Oh, hey. It’s the movie librarian lady,” a gruff male voice said. “I’m Leroy. I work across the street from the library at Snowy White’s.” He held out a beefy, callused hand.

Belle shook his hand without making eye contact and pulled a book out of her handbag. She wasn’t in the mood for conversation, and the last time she’d crossed paths with Leroy, he had been a total jerk. She seemed to be running into jerks a lot lately. “Yes, I know who you are,” she said.

“Snowy White’s is the dry cleaner,” he continued, as if she hadn’t spoken. “I work the front desk.”

“I’ve seen you in the window.” She didn’t add that she often spied on Gold when he went into the cleaner’s with a bundle of shirts to be laundered, or came out with a collection of pressed suits on hangers. She pressed her lips together and cracked the cover on her book, hoping Leroy would leave her alone to read and cry into her burger in peace, but still he stood there, hovering beside the table.

He plopped down on the banquette opposite her. “You look upset, sister. What’s wrong?”

Belle looked up warily. She was at odds with her best friend and she had been completely humiliated front of a man she really liked. The only man she’d ever really liked. She couldn’t handle another scolding from Leroy or anyone else. “Are you going to yell at me?”

He frowned and pulled his cap lower across his forehead, shading his eyes. “Would I have come over here and sat down if I was gonna yell at you?”

“You yelled at me at the movie night last month.” She twisted her mouth. “Remember? I was being too loud, you said. Then you hit me with a box of Junior Mints.”

“Oh.” His neck flushed. “Forgot about that. I’m really sorry. It’s Ruby who got under my skin, to be honest. Girl’s got a mouth the size of Michigan. Also, I, uh, get a little emotional over movies.”

“Me too.” She felt the shadow of a smile cross her face. Leroy was gruff and a little rough around the edges, but there was a kindness in his hazel eyes that put her at ease. And at the moment, the fact that he found Ruby annoying was a point in his favor. She set her book aside. Maybe some company would do her good after all. “Would you like some fries? Granny fixed me this huge plate, but I’m not really hungry.”

“Yeah, thanks.” He removed his cap, and caught the basket of fries she shoved into the center of the table. “You talk, I’ll eat.”

“Deal,” she said, and this time her smile was genuine.

Leroy attacked the food, and Belle found that once she started talking, she couldn’t stop. She told him everything, filling him in about the uncomfortable movie nights, the awkward lunch and dinner out she and Gold had shared, and the horrible evening at the shop with the vintage porn film when Ruby had ruined everything.

“I should have kicked Ruby out myself,” Belle said.

He snorted. “Nah. Gold knows how to take care of himself. But your date didn’t sound so bad before Ruby got there.”

“It was fine. Better than fine.” Flushing, she looked away, remembering how close she and Gold had come to kissing before Ruby barged in. “And then it wasn’t. That was two weeks ago, and I haven’t spoken to Gold since. I call and hang up; I walk by the store and peek in the window, but I can’t bring myself to go inside. Three days ago I saw him at the park.”

“What happened at the park?” Leroy took a long drag from his soda.

“I waved,” she said, cringing at how lame she sounded. “He waved back!”

“That’s it?” Leroy snorted again.

Belle took a sip of tea and changed the subject. “Do you…I mean, what do you think of him? Gold.”

He clamped down on a toothpick. “It doesn’t matter what I think of him. Not me or anyone else. All that matters is you like him. You need to be brave, Belle. If you really like this guy, and it sounds like you do, tell him. Take charge. And be honest about how you feel. Chances are he feels the same, but isn’t sure how to say so.”

“What if he doesn’t?” Belle wasn’t sure she could open herself up to another rejection.

“At least you’ll know.” Leroy rolled the toothpick in his fingertips. “You said he likes Chinese food. Today’s Saturday; date night. And it sounds like he gets twitchy out in public—”

“Twitchy?” Belle interrupted.

Leroy raised an eyebrow. “You know what I mean. The diner, the movies…things seem to go wrong when you’re out. Show up at his house tonight with Mr. Wong’s and a movie and see what happens.”

“Sounds…adventurous. The last time I surprised him, it didn’t end well.” She laughed nervously and tapped the cover of her book. “The stories I read about always end so much more happily than real life.”

He shook his head. “This isn’t a book. This is your life. Don’t think, Belle. Go.”

Belle bit her lip, gripped in indecision.

He reached across the table and patted her hand. “Look, you asked me what I think, and I think Gold’s a self-important jerk.”

“Hey!”

“You asked. But here’s the funny thing, sister. Sometimes people are grumpy because they’re lonely. They’re waiting to see if someone will bother to peel back the layers and see if they’re worth it. You could be that person for Gold. But you’ll never know unless you give it another try.”

“You’re right,” she said. It was the best advice she’d heard in a long time, maybe ever. She was lonely herself these days, and certainly feeling more than a little grumpy. “Thanks Leroy.”

He flushed with the compliment, then rubbed his dark beard. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

He dug around in his pocket, then pulled out a crumpled square of paper. “Would you like a coupon for Snowy White’s? Bring in six sweaters, only pay for four.”

She nodded. “That’s quite an offer.”

“I’ve got a whole book of ‘em,” he said excitedly. “And hey, since we work opposite each other, maybe I could help you. People could drop off their books at the counter when they’re in a hurry, and I could bring them to you at the library at the end of the day. Maybe you could leave some coupons for Snowy’s at the circulation desk, too?”

“I think I can do that,” Belle agreed with a smile.

“Great!”

“So, does this mean…are we becoming friends?” She held her breath, not realizing how much the answer meant to her until she’d asked the question.

“Yeah.” He grinned, showing two rows of gleaming white teeth, a charming little gap between the two front ones. “Yeah, I think we are.”

###

#rumbelle #rumbelle fic #a-monthly-rumbelling #mr. gold x belle french #dwarfbeauty #grumpbelle #grumpy/leroy #ruby lucas #meet me in the courtyard #mqc writes

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