#everyone looks so good with these outfits.... horns really do compliment anyone.... | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

bluescarfvivi · 3 years

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A Taste of Christmas!

Merry Christmas @talifu!

I’m you’re Secret MSA Santa for @msaholidayspirits! You wanted some fluffy, slice-of-life, wholesome goodness with the team? I got you covered! This is the first year I decided going with a fic! Change it up a bit and try something new! I hope you enjoy it, and have a fantastic holiday season!!

Briiiing! Briiing!

Briiing! Briiing!

“Nggggh...just five more minutes...I gotta...take the potions...to the village elder…for exchange….exotic breads…”

“Vivi!”

Something warm and wet wiped across her cheeks instantly waking the bluenette up from her mumblings. “What!? What...I’m here. ‘M...here, I’m awake...” Somewhat. Her eyes held a stark heaviness, slowly blinking and shutting closed on occasion. “Wh...what’s so...you’re so loud...why..”

“You slept through your alarm Vivi! Three times!”

No answer.

“...you do understand what day it is, right?”

“Mmmis jus’...another...day off for me…” Vivi tossed onto her other side snaking an arm around a very blue, very worn stuffed turtle plush. “M’fine…”

Mystery sighed. Goodness this girl didn’t even realize why he provoked her. He jumped up on the bed, landing on top of the slow-breathing mound. Two paws massaged the sleeping creature beneath the sheets. “Vivi, it is Christmas. I believe you had plans with the others today involving-”

“HOLY SHIT, WAIT YOU’RE RIGHT!” Why didn’t it click?! It’s one of her favorite holidays! The sudden outburst sent the poor dog tumbling off the bed, but thankfully Mystery timed it so he landed on his feet. Vivi threw the covers off (poor Mystery couldn’t react in time when the sheets descended upon him) and ran to her closet. Most of her clothes lay haphazardly or shoved towards the sides in massive, dirty clumps. She saved a specific outfit just for today. After counting through several hangers, Vivi violently heaved the festive garment off its hanger. It looked as if Jolly Old Saint Nicholas literally used all his magic to make the most appropriately, most disgustingly festive, handknit outfit. Handknit too, and paired with bright dark green stockings.

“What time is it? What time is it!?” There wasn’t any time to check the clock, nor anytime to waste dawdling in the bathroom. A quick splash of soapy water on her face, a healthy dab of deodorant under her arms, and she called it clean. Now to slip on the dang outfit. She flipped the Christmas dress over her head struggling to shove the material past her chest. One little wiggle after another and the rest fell into place. Two arms through each sleeve, a simple fix near the hem, a onceover in the full body mirror and she looked set to jingle some bells!

“We still have plenty of time before your arrangement at the Kingsmens.” Mystery trotted in with a sheet in tow, and a Santa hat clutched in his mouth. “I doubt Arthur or Lance won’t you give you much trouble if you arrive just a few minutes late.”

“I still have to put everyone’s gifts in my bag.” Vivi scurried out of the bathroom back to her bedroom. Over on her desk were neatly wrapped gifts, decorated in various colors and tied together with small bows. Each color seemed to represent a certain person, some were rather small while a few took an extra coating of wrapping paper. She did her best! That’s what she figured. “Come on Mystery. Help me find my purse. I thought I had it on my chair!”

Mystery sighed. “Alright, just don’t get yourself too much in a tizzy.” It had to be somewhere in her room. He remembered seeing it draped on the back of her desk chair, but now it was covered in one of her bed blankets. He grabbed it with his mouth and pulled it off, with no sign of the item in question. Maybe it got lost in the sea of covers? He nosed into the pile, sticking his head further in until it swallowed him whole. A small lump moved around beneath the pile, and after a few moments his head poked out with a small, deep sea blue purse in his teeth. “Purse found!”

“Good good good!” Vivi swiped it out, tucking it over her right arm, while her left arm held a brightly colored, green and white paper bag full of her presents. She looked like a modern day Santa Claus in her outfit minus the blue boots. “No more wasting time. We gotta get over there or else lunch will get cold!” Her room may be in a tattered mess, but that would be a problem for future Vivi.

Her feet flew down the stairs taking two at a time, then jumped off right near the landing. A solid stance: give it an 8/10 since she did misstep. Her winter coat lay on the coat rack near the door, along with Mystery’s own doggie jacket and leash. She fixed up Mystery first, then pulled the jacket over her Christmas outfit. Everyone would get quite a festive surprise when she showed this off.

Double check everything. Purse. Gift. Outfit. Purse. Mystery. She couldn’t have forgotten Mystery of all people. Er well...scratch that one. “Let’s get going! I bet you Lance whipped up something yummy and delicious for us!”

“Hopefully I won’t have the intoxicating scent of haggis clogging my nostrils.” Mystery mused.

It wasn’t the best of days in Tempo. Cloudy and rather chilly. Even if the weather appeared gloomy, it couldn’t halt the joyous cheers and jolly greetings from the residents. Maybe the weather was holding out for something…

-----------

The local mechanic shop came into view. The bright, giant crowned wrench lit up just as usual decorated with garland. A little santa hat topped it all off. The windows were adorned with various strings of flashing colored lights, coupled with dripping icicle lights on the awning. Very festive and inviting.

“Wow, the icicle drips are new! I couldn’t even grab one of those for the book shop!” Vivi commented while watching the light show. “Duet had to order a set online but they didn’t come until a few days later. Chloe and I managed to hang them up before the store opened.”

“I’m sure all the little ones enjoyed the festive decorations you two put together.” Mystery nodded with a smile.

Vivi chuckled. “Alright! It’s time to get our Christmas on!” The duo stepped underneath the awning, and Vivi reached out rapping her hand against the wooden door. No answer, not even muffled voices beyond the doorway. They said they could come by anytime around noon. The bluenette double checked pulling out her cell phone. 12:20PM. Late but not ‘fashionably late’ in her eyes. Another knock still didn’t get them anywhere.

...until she heard a distance crashing sound.

“What the…” Vivi moved toward the closest window plastering her face against the glass. She peered inside seeing nothing out of the ordinary. The usual storefront was all she took in, albeit it’d been darkened due to the shop closure for the day. She scanned around the rows of hardware, the front desk, and locked on the low light coming from a doorway. That’s the store entrance to their home, but no signs of anyone. “I can’t see anyone near the back but...you heard that too, right?”

Mystery trotted over standing up on his back two legs so he could take a look inside. “I did...however with this low visibility and the nature of the crash I can’t judge whether it’s something we should be concerned about..”

“There is a side entrance. Let’s try knocking over there.”

This wasn’t the usual entrance for customers. It’s like a side-alley back door, where the employees could hang out during their break or needed to take out the trash. Piles of scrap metal and rusty materials lay against the brick walls, creaking here and there in the light breeze. Vivi stepped up the two stone stairs and knocked on his steel frame. “Arthur! Lance! It’s me and Mystery!” There wasn’t a response at first so she tried banging a little harder. “Guys? Is anyone-”

“VIVI!”

The door swung open catching Vivi and Mystery by complete surprise. She fumbled down the stairs catching herself on top of the squashed dog. Right in the entrance stood a familiar blonde mechanic. The smile on his square face could brighten any cloudy day. The greens and reds adorned on his sweater complimented the bright red nose taped over his own nose.

“Heeeeeey Vivi! Uh...sorry for scaring you there!” He offered her a helping hand. “I was about to catch you at the front, but then Lance told me he heard the knocks coming from the side.”

“That’s okay Artie.” Vivi sighed adjusting the bottom hem of her Christmas dress. “I wasn’t sure whether I should have gone the usual way or try my chances around here.”

“It’s noooo problem!” Arthur seemed very enthusiastic, and oddly cheery. Maybe it was the Christmas spirit...or he could be hiding whatever that faint trail of smoke billowing in the corner. Something seemed suspicious about that.

“Well...in any case, we’re sorry for coming here late. I overslept...a bit, but we’re here for a good lunch!”

“Yeeeeeah, so...about that.” Arthur chuckled nervously.

“Artie!” The familiar, Scottish drawl of the mechanic shop owner brightened the bluenette’s smile. A shorter man sauntered from behind the taller blonde rubbing a handkerchief over his thick beard. Lance wore a matching sweater, just like Arthur, with a Santa reindeer-horned hat on top. “Why are you letting this lass stand out in the freezing cold!? Bring her in! Come on, Vivi! We’re just about ready to eat!”

“Thank you Uncle Lance!” Vivi politely bowed, then skipped up the stairs past Arthur’s fumbling expression.

“Uuuuh Lance, are you sure you...really want to…”

“Ahhh don’tcha worry there, Artie. The fish may not have come out as perfect as planned, but that’s why we have a backup!” Lance laughed heartily.

“So that was the loud bang I heard, and why you looked in such a titz when you opened the back door.” Vivi commented adding a playful jab at his arm. It wasn’t a big deal or horrible outcome if something didn’t turn out right. Just take Vivi’s own cooking as an example! No one could ever trust what she brought to the table, and Vivi knew it very well.

“Heh heh...sorry about that.” Arthur shyly smiled and scratched one one his stripped sidebangs. “We really did want to make something special for the holiday, and just for you as well, but…”

Vivi stopped him with a gentle hand on his shoulder, accompanied with a small squeeze. “You don’t need to apologize for the flop. These things happen, and as long as I’m spending Christmas with my favorite people in the world I’m happy.” She smiled sweetly.

Arthur returned the smile with a goofy, toothy grin of his own. “Right...thanks Vi.” With that all cleared up, the blonde seemed to spring back to life. He hopped in front of the doorway leading inside the mechanic’s living quarters. His posture mimicked that of a fancy, snobby butler: puffed out chest, arms tight against his sides, his nose stuck in the air, and his hair slicked back. It sure got the giggles out of Vivi. “Now, madame and monsieur, I do hope you have prepared yourself for quite the luncheon.” His rigid left arm extended towards the door, carefully opening it until it stopped creaking. “Do have yourself a wonderful time~”

Vivi couldn’t stop giggling but played along with this silly act. She politely bowed to the ‘butler’ and curtsied her dress. “Oh thank you my good sir. How polite and...mannerly you are to such an exquisite lady such as myself.” Even Mystery played along bowing his head. The three joined in a fit of laughter before joining Lance’s round table.

It was a fantastic lunch: a healthy spread of sandwiches, various flavors of chips, and drinks galore. Galaham and Mystery were treated with scrumptious delights. Vivi may have slipped a few pieces of salami, ham, and of course...roasted chicken into his bowl. Arthur’s little ham-ham was treated to yogurt bites. The tiny hamster munched them all down, and then some. At one point he crawled up Arthur’s pant leg begging and scritching his sweater for more sweet treats. He couldn’t resist those beady, black eyes!

Jokes were thrown plenty around the table. Arthur stabbed two pickles on two separate forks and used those as tiny feet, while his giant head became the make-believe character’s body. Vivi snorted up a storm which resulted in spewing out fizzy soda through her nostrils. Absolutely gross, but hilarious nonetheless. After the clean up, Arthur brought out one of his prototype catapults. He played ‘fling the meat at the Mystery’ while Vivi offered to help Lance clean in the kitchen. All in all a successful afternoon at the Kingsmens!

A few hours passed, and once everything was set back to normal Vivi and Arthur grabbed their stuff. It wasn’t too late in the afternoon, but their next destination was a bit of a longer distance. Arthur offered to take the van instead of walking there, and when Vivi stepped outside after soaking in the cozy warmth she immediately agreed.

“I may be back late Lance, so don’t worry about leaving the back door unlocked.” Arthur patted the smaller man on the shoulder. “I got my keys so everything is fine.”

“Aye, alrighty then.” Lance nodded, and slapped Arthur on the back. Not too hard but enough force for Arthur to cough once. “Just don’t forget to get yer bum back here in the morning. We got the New Year’s stock coming in and you know how it be like around here right after Christmas.”

“Oh I know...I know very well.” Arthur shuddered. “Don’t worry, and I won’t go too crazy either.” He stepped outside the back door heading for the bright yellow van. Best to start up the old girl and get her warmed up.

Vivi took one of Lance’s hands firmly shaking it, then politely bowed once again. “It was a pleasure getting to spend the afternoon with you. I enjoyed the food and the good company. So did Mystery.” The dog chimed in with a playful bark. “Thank you so much for inviting me over.”

“Aaaaah you know we love having you around here.” Lance smiled warmly. “It warms my beating heart seeing you and Arthur so happy.” He jabbed her on the arm. “Now go and git! The Peppers are waiting for you!”

Vivi excitedly nodded. “Merry Christmas Lance!” She waved as the two ran out towards the van. The passenger door swung open, letting Vivi easily slide into the seat and Mystery hop into her lap. “Alright Artie! TO PARADISIO!”

“High ho Silver! Away we go!”

The van took off across the damp ground, smoothly transitioning to the pavement. It seemed like the clouds drew thicker, and darker too. Did the weather call for snow today?

-----

“Feliz Navidad!”

The joyous, festive greeting welcomed Arthur, Vivi, and Mystery upon their arrival at the local restaurant. The Peppers shut down for the day in observance, but for those lucky few who personally knew the family it meant the whole place for themselves. Garland adorned across the booth seats, white lights draped down from the ceiling, and on each table were candles of various reds and greens.

Even the Peppers went all out for the occasion, including their outfits. Mr. and Mrs. Pepper dressed in identical red and white attire complete with matching hats. Were they trying to play off Santa Claus and Mrs.? They looked adorable, but the ones who really stole the show were the little sisters. Green and white striped socks, dark green jackets with a buckle laced over the front, red mittens, and pointed green hats with glued on pointed elf ears!

“I see you two have quite the helpers on your hands.” Vivi giggled and leaned down admiring the girls’ outfits. Paprika gently pushed herself past Cayenne, who kept picking at a small hole in her left mitten.

“Mama picksed it out four usssh.” Every time her tongue clicked against her front teeth or she made certain hard sounds, a hissing whistle accompanied. It looked like little Paprika just recently lost a tooth! “I helped pick out thhhhhe mittens…”

“You did a great job helping out your mama.” Vivi smiled warmly. She patted Paprika on the head, careful not to let the hat fall off. Afterwards she stood back up looking around the empty restaurant. The majority of the Peppers were here to greet them, all except for one. “I thought we’d get to see all the family at the front door but….where’s-”

“MAMA!” A familiar, baritone voice echoed from the other end of the restaurant. The sounds of running sneakers squeaked on the linoleum flooring, and from the “OUT” door bursted a recognizable, purple-haired boy. “Mama, I just took the pork out of the oven, but I think it may have overcooked!”

Mrs. Pepper didn’t say a word, but the gleaned seen in her right eye said all. No one could get in her way. Her husband immediately stepped to the side allowing the woman her pathway towards the back kitchen. He followed her just a few feet behind. Lewis held the door open until they disappeared into the unknown. She knew what had to be done. No one else could bother her now. Which meant it was Lewis’ turn for his holiday greeting.

“Vivi! Arthur!” The larger, broad shouldered member spared no time taking each of his friends in a tight hug. He always gave the best, most squishy hugs! Vivi giggled while attempting her own hug back, but Arthur succumbed to the vice grip letting him shake the mechanic around like a rag doll. They shared their laughs then Lewis broke off, making Arthur gasp for more air. “It’s great having you guys over here again. Sorry I couldn’t swing by your place, Artie.”

“No..” He spat that out with a cough. “It’s...it’s all good, big guy. We had a...great lunch and I know...you always *COUGH* help out your folks here...”

“Veevee….veevee...veevee….” Belle snuck underneath Lewis’ legs and grabbed hold of a hand. “Come over and see what Santa left us!!”

“Yeah yeah!!” Joining behind Vivi was the troublemaker of the girls, Cayenne. “Santa left a HUUUUGE haul of gifts this year! He must have known I’ve been extra good.” The smaller girl gently pushed Vivi, and with Belle tugging the bluenette towards the tree what could she do. No way out of this now.

“Well I think the girls are going to kidnap me for a while. If you need me, I’ll be over in toyland.”

“No worries Viv!” Lewis chuckled waving her off. It’s heartwarming, as their older brother, how much the little ones enjoyed Vivi’s company. She held this welcoming air, always inviting others into her conversations or going out of her way to make a total stranger smile. Bless her little beating heart.

“...Hey big guy!” Arthur snapped his fingers in front of his face. “Helloooo, earth to Lewis? You still with me buddy or are you wandering off into space again?”

“Oh!” It took him a few blinks before his mind wandered back to Earth. “My bad, I was just...surprised the girls could take Vivi before even I had a chance to say Merry Christmas.”

“Well, you know it’s one of their favorite times of the year, including Vivi herself. Have you seen the outfit she planned? It’s like Christmas threw up all over her!” Not much of a complaint, but more of a blunt truth. Arthur loved her enthusiasm when it came to the holidays.

Lewis chuckled heartily. “That’s Vivi for you though. When it involves something she loves, or spreading some happiness in this quiet town she goes all out.” He placed a hand on Arthur’s shoulder nudging his other arm playfully. “Come on, take your coat off and get warm. Papa made a special hot cocoa blend for today!”

“Two editions, to be precise!” Mr. Pepper piped up from the kitchen window. “We concocted two special recipes combining the sweetness and rich flavor of chocolate and added a little fiery kick to the batch.” As if he were waiting for this moment, Mr. Pepper brought out two crock pots setting them right below the window. “The one on the left is a chili spiced hot chocolate and the right one is a cinnamon spiced chocolate mix. Add some of our homemade, fluffy marshmallows to the mix and it’s pure delight!” Mrs. Pepper took that cue to slip a small bowl of square-shaped marshmallows on the window counter. Perfect timing!

“Hmmmm…” Arthur took a moment thinking it over and stroking his maroon goatee. Every time he tried something new here it either ended in his tongue bursting into flames or having a mellow, sweet filled experience. 50/50 shot. He’d bite the bullet. “I think I’ll take a stab at the cinnamon spiced one.” Again, right on cue, a Christmas cup skidded across the window counter. Mrs. Pepper nodded from behind, holding a large ladle on her shoulder then disappearing once again. No other comment from Arthur when he accepted the cup, then scooped about a half-cup worth. He picked a few marshmallows, letting them splash and soak up the hot, sweet liquid. A few ‘huffs’ across the surface and Arthur carefully sipped.

“They’ve been working on these recipes this past month.” Lewis poked in taking some of the chili based hot cocoa. “My sisters and I were the taste testers. I couldn’t tell you how many batches they worked through until they came up with a finalized product. It’s not the ABSOLUTE final yet, but they need others’ opinions. Our taste buds have gotten used to the flavors by now.”

“Oh..*cough* of course…” Arthur smiled with a nervous chuckle. It’d been one sip but he could feel the kick right in his throat. Delicious yes, but a wake-up call as well. “It’s….*cough*, it’s really good...I’m not dying from it I swear, it’s...really really good with the spice…”

Time must have passed quickly since their arrival. Mrs. Pepper returned to the front, with Mr. Pepper in tow, leading everyone to the back area of the restaurant. Right through the kitchen and pass the freezers, the Peppers prepared a section of their living quarters for dinner. Various side dishes spread across the table, trays of sliced meats (that pork did come out well) and of course, sweets of all kinds decked out on a table against the wall. That’s what Vivi looked forward to the most.

The company was lively and boisterous. The Pepper sisters could never sit still in their seats, so they slipped underneath the table at times playing ‘tag’ with Mystery. He kept an eye on them just in case they wound up in any trouble, or plotted causing any too. Such mischievous little girls. Vivi scarfed down everything on her plate, then seconds, and thirds, with a little bit of fourths. Didn’t she already have a big lunch today? How could she be so hungry?

It’s a mystery Lewis and Arthur never understood, nor did they bother figuring out.

Arthur talked up a storm about the shop and his new blueprints for the coming year. A working, mechanical arm was his biggest project to date, but it didn’t sound like it’d be easy. Lewis didn’t talk much but laughed and smiled along with the conversations. He enjoyed the warm atmosphere, being around the people he called his family, and having his close friends to spend it with too.

“Mama! Mama!” After the sweets were eaten and cleared (thanks to Vivi as well), the three little sisters ran into the backroom. Mystery came in tow with a snow covered snout. Paprika ran up to her mother climbing up and sitting in her lap. “Mama mama, itshh shhnowing outshide!”

Everyone scrambled outside. Arthur and Vivi threw their jackets on, Lewis put on a simple coat, and the sisters waltzed outside in their Christmas attire. Sure enough, flaky specks of snow dotted the now blackened night sky. The lights from downtown illuminated off the low hanging clouds making the entire town glow. Combine that with the spots of colored Christmas lights and it made everything look vibrant and colorful.

“It’s so pretty….” Vivi stared into the sky, eyes lighting up with their own natural glow. “Snow on Christmas Day...who would’ve thought-”

“INCOMING!!” The sentimental moment came to a screeching halt when a rogue snowball landed right in Vivi’s face. She heard Arthur snickering across the street, and three little squeaks too. So that’s how it would be, wouldn’t it?

Vivi shook her head, much like a dog, getting rid of the cold, wet snow. “I see you have declared war upon us!” She tucked an arm around Lewis and scooped Mystery into her other arm. “Well, if that’s how it shall be then we will not back down from this battle! Lewis, start piling up snow! Mystery, stand guard and use your small body as a distraction.”

“R-Roger, Captain Vivi!” He broke away and scrambled to start squishing snow into smaller balls. Mystery wiggled free and playfully barked at the girls. Vivi, however, took a chance and scooped up snow in her arms. If they were about to head into battle they would need a solid foundation to keep themselves safe.

“You’re going down Arthur!”

Back and forth with the playful, sassy talk. Mr. and Mrs. Pepper watched from the safety of the opened back door. It looked like the snow would continue through the night. The wind and chill could freeze anyone to the bone, unless you were as fired up as these kids.

Another successful Christmas spent together. What more could anyone here ask for, other than a warm fireplace once the snowballs ceased.

#Have a happy holiday!!#hope you enjoy the festive fun times!#msaholidayspirits2020 #mystery skulls animated #mystery skulls

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pokemonswshbutionlyplayedsword · 4 years

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Wut do u think the gym leaders would dress up as for Halloween?

I like Halloween asks a lot because it can be either goofy or metaphorical. We’ll see where this one goes. Also, this’ll just be for a Halloween that has happened. This will also take place at a Halloween party that Rose throws because then I force myself to give everyone a costume by preventing myself from being able to say someone didn’t go. Also, of course, Rose would.

Milo:

-Honestly, I can see him not being a huge fan of Halloween. As a farm boy, he’s not a huge fan of candy. He also does not like being scared and dislikes horror content.

-However, he tries to get with the spirits and puts together a pretty neat minotaur costume. He wants to incorporate animals, but he doesn’t want to look cliche. It’s really impressive actually, and it works because he’s beefy. He gets a lot of compliments, but he wishes Rose’s lame Halloween party would end because the clip-on nose ring is starting to get sore. Halloween costumes are not meant to be comfortable. They are meant to be cool and don’t ever forget it. It’s about the aesthetic.

Nessa:

-Classic cute witch. Not an ugly one with a long nose. She wants to keep it simple and classy. Short black dress, green and black tights and black heels with green puffs at the ankle. A big witch hat and maybe a prop broom if she’s feeling bold.

-She has killer pictures for her social media. She looks so good and she knows it. Although it’s simple, Nessa has one of the best costumes out of the league. She was one of the few to enjoy Rose’s annual Halloween part because she got so many compliments and a lot of attention and also she won the costume competition again.

-She considered mermaid, but she didn’t know how to make it look good and also be able to walk, so that was over quickly.

Kabu:

-Kabu is not a big Halloween person. He doesn’t really want to go to the party, but he stays on brand and chooses a fire type pokemon to dress up as. He puts together a pretty classy Pyroar costume. It’s subtle, more like an inspired outfit, but it works well enough for people to know what he means.

-He strays away from traditional costumes because that’s not really his tradition. He usually always throws on an outfit that resembles what he’s trying to portray. Fortunately, he’s skillful enough to do it tastefully.

Bea:

-Ninja. Haha. Martial arts. She doesn’t hide her face with a mask, but her outfit is clear enough. While ninjas don’t really do martial arts, as she has to correct people all night, it was pretty fun anyway. She doesn’t like candy, but she does like dressing up.

-She doesn’t like Rose’s party, though. No one really does, but she dislikes it for different reasons. Every guest is so ignorant and she spend the night explaining to everyone why ninjas don’t do martial arts and what they actually are. She wishes she was old enough to drink so she could have something to pass the time with.

Allister:

-A spooky skeleton. He’s got an all black suit with bones on it. He also swaps his mask out with one that looks like a skull. He’s a bit bored at Rose’s party, though, because he’s the only kid there, other than Marnie, Hop and Bede, since they had to be there as well, but they’re still a bit older. They entertain him, though, at least Hop and Marnie do.

-He likes Halloween a lot. Spooky. Ghosties. Candy. It’s his favorite day of the year. Even more than his birthday. Rose’s party goes by with people talking to him about how much he loves Halloween and how fitting it is for the ghost type specialist.

Opal:

-A fairy. What else, though? Maybe even Queen Mab. She’s really elegant. She has big long wings draped behind her and a stunning old gown. She also made herself a crown of sticks and flowers to really fit the faerie aesthetic. She got second in the costume competition.

-She spends most of the time sitting and chatting, so people didn’t really get a good look at her costume until the end of the evening, but oh boy, did she shine.

Gordie:

-An ogre. He paints his face green and gets fake teeth to put on, as well as pointy ears. The teeth make it a bit hard to talk, and he unfortunately has to forgo the sunglasses to make it a good costume.

-A lot of compliments. A lot of people asked why he didn’t dress as a rock monster and all he can say is he would never glue a bunch of rocks to his body for a costume. Which is fair but also unnecessary.

Melony:

-Ice queen. Not Elsa, though. Just a queen with icy powers. She puts her hair up in an elaborate bun and has an “icicle” crown and a long blue dress. She looks very nice, like formal, but that doesn’t stop people from coming up and being casual, which is something she was worried about.

-Her dress had a bunch of fake fur and stuff like that to fit the theme, but Melony had to take the overcoat off every once in a while because Rose’s mansion (which is where the party takes place) is like a furnace to her. It was worth it, though.

Piers:

-A vampire. This is one of the few things that Piers is enthusiastic about because he really likes Halloween. He’s got a great costume for it, too, since he can find the perfect style for it so easily in Spikemuth. So maybe he’s worn the same costume three years in a row, but he also got third place in the costume contest for three years in a row, so sue him.

-He spent the day before the party putting his hair in an elaborate braid for the Aesthetic. Maybe a little bit of makeup and fake fangs to really get into it, but he couldn’t spend too much time. As per usual, he also had to help Marnie get ready, because she had to come with him. Close family of gym leaders and those that were invited are also welcome, and Piers doesn’t want to leave her alone on Halloween.

Raihan:

-A knight. It’s a sick costume, and... Wait, no, Raihan. You’re wearing actual armor. Like, metal armor. Isn’t that hot? Yeah, it really is, but anything for the look. He’s been trying to beat Piers in the costume contest since last year, but he can’t. Because he has to take it off halfway through the party because it gets too hot. When will he learn?

-To be fair, it looks really good. He’s got enough knowledge in history and money to make an accurate suit of armor. Fortunately, he makes the sword fake, so he can get in, though. He’s stopped and searched by security a few times, just to make sure the sword’s a handle glued to the scabbard.

Leon:

-I’m sure this is pretty obvious, but a king. He’s got a big crown, and he swaps out his usual cape for an even bigger one, because of course he does. Some people are confused why Leon’s the kind and not Rose, but no one asks. Leon doesn’t get a lot of time to work on it, since he’s so busy, but he comes through with a solid costume anyway.

-In fact, as Champion, he gets a throne anyway at the end of the night, when everyone sits down and awards/prizes/ect. are handed out. So it fits. He wishes he could put a crown on Charizard, too, but his buddy just isn’t having any of it.

I’ve got some bonuses for you, anon, since I like this prompt so much.

Rose:

-Rose is a Copperajah. He wears an intricate mask and suit to keep it classy. It’s a nice costume, but you can tell not a lot of effort and thought went into it.

-Oleana made it for the most part. Well, she bought it. Rose didn’t even know what his costume was until he got ready for the party.

Oleana:

-She didn’t want to dress up, but she had to. She went with a devil. She knows this doesn’t bode well for her, but she doesn’t care. It’s not like anyone’s bold enough to say anything to her face anyways.

-She has a red suit, little horns, a tail on the back of her belt and a plastic pitchfork. It doesn’t get in the way much, since she sticks close to Rose anyway. Some of the gym leaders joke to each other when she’s not around. Nothing mean, usually lighthearted. They’re not jerks.

Hop:

-Being Leon’s little brother, Hop is invited. He’s pretty happy. It beats trick or treating because he gets to hang out with Marnie. Unfortunately, Bede’s not in the friend group yet because this is before the game. Anyway, Hop is an elf.

-He has a pretty simple costume, but it works. Pointed ears, a simple, elvish outfit and a fake bow to wear over his shoulder. No arrows, though, but he knew that already.

Marnie:

-She goes with Piers to a) keep him sane b) prevent herself from being alone on Halloween and c) to hang out with Hop. She’s a vampire, much like her brother. In fact, they’re pretty much matching. A bunch of people think it’s cute that brother and sister match each other, but really, Marnie did it because it was easy.

-She does take the fake fangs out pretty early, though. Not that it’s a big deal, but bobbing for apples is, surprisingly, harder with sharp elongated fake teeth. Also, she bit her tongue and it’s just not worth it. She loves Halloween, but what good is it if she tears her tongue of before she gets to eat any candy.

Bede:

-Bede is a mummy. Wrapped up in a mummy costume and stuff. He goes because he’s with Rose. He doesn’t do much, though. Hop and Marnie try to invite him to join them, but he doesn’t associate with rubbish like them. Oh, you sweet summer child. Soon, you’ll learn the value of these two.

-He ends up being pretty bored and wishing a little bit that he’d accepted their offer because they looked like they were having fun. Allister comes and talks to him for a little bit, though, so it’s not all bad. And he gets candy, too, so that’s cool.

#pokemon swsh #pokemon milo #pokemon nessa #pokemon kabu #pokemon bea #pokemon allister #pokemon opal #pokemon gordie #pokemon melony #pokemon piers #pokemon raihan #pokemon leon #pokemon rose #pokemon oleana #pokemon hop #pokemon marnie #pokemon bede #ask #animals

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artificialqueens · 4 years

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Not Nineteen Forever (17) (Branjie/Scyvie/Ninex) - Ortega

a/n: hey angels! thank u for ur patience, here is yet another chapter of the hellscape that is n19f. as i said on my blog, u will either love this chapter or hate it. either way let me know what u think!! this is a big chunky one at 13k (ik i’m treating u during this quarantine) so grab ur snacks and settle in. lots of love, byeee!

trigger warning: a little light drinking xo

please note: this fic contains young adults often behaving in irresponsible/unadvisable ways with regards to alcohol, drugs and sex. if you are someone who feels as if they could be heavily influenced by fic and incorporate what happens in the plot into ur own life, pls steer clear!

summary: Brooke, Yvie and Nina are three flatmates who forged a friendship in their first year of university and picked up some other waifs and strays along the way. Now in their final year, there are feelings that need to be unravelled and confessions to be made whilst navigating drunk nights, hungover mornings, takeaways, group chats, library meetups, cafe gossiping, and the small matter of getting a degree.

last chapter: Scarlet celebrated her birthday by helping Nina win back Monet, a surprise party organised by her girlfriend, and a suspiciously civil Brooke and Vanjie.

this chapter: from one birthday to another, the gang heads out to the country to celebrate Brooke and Akeria’s 22nd. everyone seems back on good terms, but will the combination of hide and seek, truth or dare, a hot tub and of course a lil bit of alcohol change anything?

***

“Holiday!...da-da-da-dum-dum-daaa, Celebrate!”

Brooke rolled her eyes, unable to help herself laughing as Nina rolled her suitcase towards Monet’s car. “It’s hardly a holiday, is it, girl? Overnighter in an airbnb in the middle of buttfuck nowhere?”

“Listen, I’ll take what I can get, thank you very much,” Nina raised her eyebrows, as Monet lifted the door of the boot up and Nina heaved her case inside.

“Oh, what a compliment,” Monet quipped from beside her, Brooke making a sick noise as Nina slid her arms around her girlfriend’s waist and gave her a squeeze.

“Not with girlfriends, obviously. You’re a Tesco Finest girlfriend. Not a smartprice girlfriend,” Nina explained, Monet smiling proudly and nuzzling their noses together. Brooke already wanted to vomit and she wasn’t even car sick yet.

“Pack it in, bitches, or Monet’s uninvited,” she deadpanned, pushing herself off the wall she was currently leaning against and looking up at her bedroom window, ignoring the girls’ shouts of indignation. “Right, have you got everything, yeah?”

“Have you seen the size of this bitch’s suitcase? I think she has literally managed to pack your kitchen sink,” Monet cocked an eyebrow at Nina, who elbowed her in the ribs. Nina produced her phone from the pocket of her dungaree dress.

“Hey Google, can you divorce your girlfriend?” she asked into the speaker, Monet howling a laugh and shoving her.

“Seriously, guys, I haven’t packed enough anti-sickness tablets for this,” Brooke said dryly, making her way to the passenger door.

“Oh, are you planning on recreating the great rail replacement bus fiasco of ‘18?” came a voice, Brooke turning round and narrowing her eyes at her smug flatmate, emerging through the door with her girlfriend and a small holdall bag.

“I was sat hungover opposite the toilet on a three hour coach journey, what the hell else was I expected to do?” Brooke defended herself. Yvie sat down on the wall outside their building, Scarlet joining her.

“Hmm, all I’ll say, Monet, is that I hope you have at least three empty plastic bags in the back seat with her,” she advised smugly, Brooke wishing she was still leaning against the wall so she could shove her off it.

“When is Plastique coming for you guys? Can I arrange for you to be sitting in the middle of the road when she drives up it?”

“Hey, what the fuck did I say?!” Scarlet yelped, outraged.

“You’re a bystander, Scarlet, and a bystander is worse than a bully,” Nina remarked sagely, Monet nodding along in support.

“Besides, I’m allowed to bully Brooke. It’s part of the lease,” Yvie shrugged, fixing the huge round sunglasses that had been on the top of her head and positioning them so they were right at the bridge of her nose. The March sunshine was welcome; it made Brooke feel happy, optimistic of things to come. Even the small scrub of grass out the front of their stairwell had bright purple, yellow and white bulbs poking through it, bringing a defiant sense of beauty to their surroundings. Brooke had been so pleased with the weather when she’d opened her curtains that morning that she’d packed a bunch of clothes she usually reserved for the summer. It felt odd wearing her denim skirt without the black tights she’d clad herself in for the past three months, but it was a welcome feeling. Yvie hadn’t really seemed to get the Summery memo other than her sunglasses- a huge knitted jumper covered in holes hung off her skinny frame and a pair of thick exercise leggings kept her legs warm.

“You couldn’t spruce yourself up a bit for my birthday, bitch? I feel like any minute now you’re going to start dancing around the street moulting straw singing about how you desperately want a brain,” Brooke smirked, Yvie simpering a fake smile and giving her the finger in response.

“It’s only fifteen degrees, Brooke, it’s hardly time to crack out the Kopparberg and blast T Shirt Weather yet,” Scarlet laughed. It was a bit hypocritical, Brooke thought as she looked Scarlet’s outfit up and down- a floaty, lacey dress and a pair of white Adidas- but of course she would defend her girlfriend. It wasn’t actually fair, contemplated Brooke. Scarlet and Yvie would always team up, so would Monet and Nina. Brooke had to fight all her battles herself.

“Besides, your birthday is over! Move on, hoe,” Yvie smiled, running forward and shaking Brooke’s shoulders relentlessly as the other girls laughed uproariously in the background. Brooke laughed and batted her away, knowing she was just joking. As she shoved her friend off of her, a familiar grey Audi drove up their street and pulled in behind Monet’s car. Plastique gave her horn a little beep, waving and rolling down her window.

“Let’s ride, bitches! I’m so ready for this weekend,” she squealed, as Yvie and Scarlet rushed to shove their bags in the boot of her car.

“I think I’ve been ready since we booked it,” Nina sighed, stretching. “Right, let’s go, girls! Dun-duun-da-na-na-dun dun.”

As Nina continued singing Shania Twain and hopped in the passenger seat of Monet’s car, Brooke passed by Plastique’s window and gave her hand a squeeze. “You know how to get there, yeah?”

“Up the motorway then off at junction 4 and then just follow all the signs for the B road. We good,” she nodded, then gave a laugh. “Kiki’ll probably end up in France somehow, you know what her sense of direction is like.”

“Yeah, but she’s got Silky and Vanj to direct her. She’ll be fine,” Brooke shrugged, thumping on Plastique’s door and making for the other car. “Right, see you ladies at the airbnb!”

Monet blasted her horn once, twice, three times as Brooke dashed into the back seat and buckled up. As Nina connected her phone to the aux cord and started blasting typically Nina-ish cheesy music, Brooke felt an excited little smile creep up on her face, slapping her hands against her thighs to the beat. The past almost-a-month had gone by quickly, and Brooke and Akeria’s shared birthday trip away had arrived before Brooke had known it. It had been booked on a whim, an excited message from Akeria on the group chat about a potential birthday night out had grown arms and legs until suddenly the girls were all transferring her money for a night in the country to jointly celebrate her and Brooke’s birthdays. They had turned 22 within ten days of each other, and the girls had all decided that the amount of money they would have spent on two big nights out- Ubers, big bottles of vodka for pres, club entry, club drinks and cheesy chips at the end of the night- probably equated to the same, if not more, than the amount they would drop on a boujie house in the country. The house they had booked was huge- five big bedrooms with floor to ceiling windows, a lounge straight out of a murder mystery drama with plush sofas, towering bookshelves and a massive roaring fire, a kitchen with a table big enough to fit them all round and an aga with what seemed to be a thousand burners- though whether anyone would know how to work the damn thing was anyone’s guess, Brooke thought with a snort. The icing on the cake of the whole place, though, was a huge section of outdoor decking with a hot tub set in the middle of it. To most of the girls it would be like living somebody else’s life for the weekend, but, Brooke thought mischievously, to Plastique it would probably seem the same as a weekend at home.

Brooke was glad they could all do something like this, go away together after what had happened. She didn’t really know what had happened to Vanessa to make her warm up to her so unexpectedly. It had all started when they were preparing for Scarlet’s birthday surprise; Brooke remembered how hard her heart had been beating that morning as she’d known it was the first time she’d be properly seeing Vanessa since they broke up, having to wipe her sweaty palms on her jeans as the door to the kitchen had opened and Vanessa, Akeria and Silky had walked in. Akeria and Silky, to their credit, had been fine and normal with Brooke, despite the amount of dragging through the mud they had probably done to her name when they’d heard the news of her and Vanessa’s breakup. Vanessa, (understandably, thought Brooke) had hugged Yvie, Plastique and Nina, but not Brooke, the obviousness of the action lost in the frenetic melee of the girls seeing each other all at once. Brooke had preferred that, though. She wouldn’t have wanted the awkwardness of reminding herself how perfectly her arms seemed to fit around Vanessa, the brief scent of the Aussie shampoo she used in her hair, her head against her chest even for just the tiniest second.

After that, Vanessa had started with the digs. Brooke had thought she’d had malicious intent at first, until she got bored and decided to fire back.

(Yvie’s voice had yelled from the hallway. “Who’s made the cupcakes yet? Anyone?”

“Well if it’s Brooke, we all dyin’ tonight.”

“At least I can make something! How much do you drop on Deliveroo in a month, like, half your student loan?”)

With each verbal sparring match, Brooke had watched as the small, sardonic snorts Vanessa had given evolved into a full-blown beaming smile, the kind she always used to shoot Brooke’s way with the perfect white teeth and the tiny dimple and the little blush that hit her cheeks. It was almost painful knowing that Brooke had given up that smile. And that had been the moment. The moment that Brooke had finally admitted to herself what she’d been wanting to deny all this time- she deeply wished she hadn’t ended things with Vanessa, that she’d fought through the ick and given it at least more of a shot than she had. Now Vanessa had moved on and she was seeing someone else and she was happy. Happy without Brooke. Why had Brooke broken up with her so quickly?

She was an idiot.

“She was an idiot.”

Brooke snapped out of her trance, blinking and trying to figure out how Monet had managed to get inside her head. “What?”

“That woman. Blue car. Completely cut me off,” Monet rolled her eyes, frowning as she inched forward in the traffic until she was almost bumper to bumper with the car in question.

“Oh M'net, don’t start a fight,” Nina sighed, resting her knees against the glovebox.

“I’m not! I’m just letting a bitch know that her misconduct was noted,” Monet growled.

“Her misconduct was noted? God, you’re such a teacher,” Nina laughed, a big chuckle with loads of heart that made Brooke smile.

“Hey, so are you!”

“Stop fucking bickering or I will take your vocal cords and strangle you with them!” Brooke cried, tiring quickly. She watched Monet smirk in the rear view mirror.

“It’s alright, Neens. Just because Brooke’s jealous of happy couples and regrets breaking it off with Vanjie-”

“Wait what? I don’t…oh, Nina, for fuck’s sake! I told you not to tell anyone!” Brooke snapped, training accusatory eyes on her friend. After Scarlet’s birthday, she’d told Nina what she’d told Yvie, just in a little more detail, and she’d been more sympathetic than her other flatmate, making her tea and nodding understandingly as Brooke vented at her. Nina was usually good with secrets, a reliable and trustworthy friend. Brooke couldn’t understand why she would-

“Ahahaha!!! BITCH! You just totally exposed yourself! Oh my God!!” Monet screeched in time with her tyres, thumping her hand against the steering wheel. Brooke was confused, her heart still thudding. “Nina ain’t told me shit but I got eyes and ears, an’ I saw you two flirting at Scarlet’s. All damn day and night. You don’t act like that with someone you just broke up with.”

“Yeah I’m afraid you just spilled your own secret, Brooke,” Nina deadpanned from the passenger seat, giving a little laugh.

“Shit,” Brooke sighed, putting her head in her hands. “Great. Well, you probably think I’m a total asshole, Monet.”

“Hey, I’m a very chill person! You do you, girl. You wanna get with Vanessa for 3 months, break up with her for one and then get back with her again, that’s no business of mine,” Monet shrugged, a twinkle in her eye.

“Yeah, I know I made a mistake, thanks,” Brooke sighed, biting her lip as she let her thoughts wash over her. Monet had a unique angle on the whole situation. She lived with Monique, of course, and that whole thing was still going on between her and Vanessa, if a message Vanessa had accidentally sent to the group chat last week was anything to go by. Brooke had wondered for days on end whether it had actually been an accident or not, the content of the message sending her crazy with jealousy as it was essentially just Vanessa begging Monique to come round and fuck her into the mattress. She’d considered whether or not it could have been deliberate, but the absolute roasting Vanessa had received afterwards from the other girls couldn’t have been worth it if it had. Brooke considered asking Monet for some inside knowledge, decided against it, and then did a U-turn as she concluded that her pride and dignity were already bruised so she might as well go the whole hog and shatter them.

“So, uh…Vanessa’s still seeing Monique.”

Monet ran her tongue over her teeth. “She’s certainly round at the flat a lot.”

“So is that, uh…I mean, do you think that’s going to turn into anything more, or…?”

“I don’t know, girl, I don’t know if it’s my place to say.”

This is like pulling teeth. “Do you think they-”

“They’re having a lot of sex.”

“Monet!” Nina burst out in a shocked laugh.

“What?! They are!”

“Excellent!” Brooke exclaimed sarcastically, staring out the window as the city around them turned into fields and the houses turned into service stations.

“C’mon, Brooke, you have to admit you do kinda deserve this a lil’ bit,” Monet laughed, Brooke rolling her eyes from the back seat.

“Right, both of you shut up. I’m officially banning any conversations about pining or relationships until we get to the house. We sing, we eat snacks, occasionally we play I Spy. That’s it,” Nina scolded them, turning around in her seat and staring Brooke down. Brooke had never felt more like a disgraced teenager in her life.

“Ughhhh, fine, Mom,” Monet groaned, changing up into fifth as they hit the motorway, the weekend becoming more real and making Brooke tingle with excitement despite the news she hadn’t wanted to hear.

Just as Nina had ordered them, the three girls spent the rest of the journey singing at the top of their lungs to Vengaboys, B*Witched and Cascada, Brooke on crisp duty as she passed the cavernous bag of barbecue rib McCoys forward every five minutes or so, Monet making hurried grabs at crinkle cut crisps in between changing gears. Brooke managed to avoid the dreaded travel-sickness that had plagued her since she was about six years old, much to Monet and Nina’s delight. The sun didn’t let up, and it still hung proudly in the sky as the girls pulled up the leafy, tree-lined driveway to the house they’d booked, the branches hanging low and curling around each other signalling they hadn’t been cut in a while. Spying Akeria’s Corsa and Plastique’s Audi already parked, Monet pulled up alongside the huge white house, the little set of three stone chimneys on the roof puffing out smoke and letting the girls know that at least one room wouldn’t be too cold inside. As Monet neatened up her parking, the sound of Silky’s screeching cut through the crunching of wheels against gravel, and the rest of the girls spilled out of the front door shortly afterwards. As soon as the car had stopped, Brooke excitedly hopped out of the passenger seat, hugging any girl she could reach. Before she knew it, she’d found herself pulling out of a quick hug with Vanessa, and the two were in front of each other.

“Hey,” Brooke decided quickly to speak first, setting the tone so there wouldn’t be any awkward pauses.

“Hey! How was your ride? Get here okay?” Vanessa asked politely, tucking a strand of her caramel hair behind one ear. She was dressed in a tiny little cropped black jumper and some faded grey jeans, Brooke trying to ignore her mind reminding her of how right it felt to wrap her arms around Vanessa again, how tiny her waist was and how much she wished she could go back for another hug- for fuck’s sake, cut that shit out.

“Uh, yeah! It was fine. Traffic wasn’t too bad. How about you?”

Vanessa let out a laugh. “Shit was like Wacky Races. Akeria nearly rammed some old cunt off the road. I’ve never seen road rage like it, we genuinely feared for our lives. Or her license. Oh my God, this house is insane. C’mon, you need to see it!”

There was a split-second where Brooke felt Vanessa tug at her hand, which was quickly dropped as if the action had never happened. It was almost as if Vanessa had been on automatic pilot; the ease with which she used to slip her hand into Brooke’s hadn’t been forgotten by either of them. And then Brooke felt Plastique leap onto her back like a monkey, and the girl was excitedly chattering away to her, and the moment had passed.

Brooke barely had time to take in the huge cream-painted hall with the varnished cream stairs stretching practically up to the ceiling when Plastique steered her down two steps and into the kitchen, grey stone tiles making Brooke’s feet feel cold even through her trainers and the huge wooden table overflowing with assorted snacks. Akeria and Scarlet clung to the rail of the AGA, the two girls clearly feeling the cold in the chilly kitchen.

“Did any of us actually bring a meal between us or are we just going to live off of Twirl Bites and Classic Dip Selections?” Yvie wondered, picking up a four-pack of various dips. Brooke laughed.

“Hey, there’s pizzas in the fridge! Do y’all really think I would let you starve?” Silky piped up, opening the huge fridge to reveal at least ten pizzas, more than they would eat in one night.

“Nobody goes hungry in the presence of Silky Nutmeg Ganache,” Plastique smiled proudly, holding her fist out for Silky to punch. As the girls’ fists connected, Brooke watched as Vanessa scraped a wooden chair out against the stone floor.

“You girls wanna have a munch and then get wrecked?”

“Hmm, if we get drunk too early then there’s no way we’ll be able to work this oven,” Scarlet shrugged, biting her lip and frowning.

“Yeah, we’re gonna struggle to operate this sober,” Monet considered, opening up one of the oven doors and investigating.

“Well how about we snack and then play a game? I wanna play hide and seek in here,” Nina bounced on the balls of her feet excitedly. Akeria snorted.

“Hide and seek, you’re such a child. But to be fair, that could be fun. Or sardines.”

“What’s that?” asked Brooke. “I don’t know if we had that but called it something else.”

“That one where one person hides and everyone else seeks,” Yvie explained. “It’s way better. Way more chaotic.”

“Sweet. I’m down,” Brooke shrugged. She was glad that all of the girls she was friends with were happy to dick about and play kids’ games for an afternoon, and it was the kind of thing she’d miss when she graduated and would have to find a job.

The girls were all feeling peckish after their long drive, though, so they all grabbed the nearest snacks they could and headed upstairs to the living room, where Akeria had managed to start the fire which was crackling warmly in the huge marble fireplace. They all dumped their food on the huge glass-topped coffee table and had a little explore around the house before they relaxed. There was a surplus of bedrooms, and it had been agreed that since they were celebrating Brooke and Akeria’s birthdays, the two girls should have a bedroom to themselves each. Brooke’s bedroom had a huge bay window out to the rear of the house where the fields stretched for miles, and an actual four-poster bed.

“I can’t help but feel like you guys should take this room and I should take yours,” Brooke said with a pang of guilt for Yvie and Scarlet, who had dumped their things in the room they were sharing and had come to investigate Brooke’s.

Scarlet made a noise of discouragement. “No, it’s fine! This’ll get cold anyway, it’s so big. Our room’s cosier.”

Brooke watched Scarlet share a smile with her girlfriend and wrap both of her arms around Yvie’s. “Yeah, honestly, Brooke, it’s fine. Scarlet would manage to bump her head and toe and Christ knows what else on all four of the posts anyway.”

Scarlet burst out into offended laughter, letting the girls know that she secretly agreed a little bit.

“How’re the others?” Brooke asked, peering down the little corridor with the exposed wooden beams and hearing chatter and Monet’s deep laughter coming from the other rooms.

“Plastique, Silk and Vanj are all in together. I think V drew the short straw so she’s on the sofa bed,” Scarlet gave a shrug.

“That’s unfortunate,” Yvie commented, raising her eyebrows at Brooke slightly.

“Behave,” Brooke smacked her, not appreciating the implication. Vanessa had only just become friends with her again. They were hardly going to spend the entire night going at it like rabbits just because Vanessa wasn’t looking at her like she wanted to kill her anymore. “Come on, lovebirds. I feel like I haven’t shovelled enough crisps down my throat today.”

The three girls made their way to the living room again, where Nina and Monet were draped over the sofa and snacking on some sort of jelly sweets. Gradually the other girls joined them in drips and drabs and they spent the time chatting and gossiping in their usual way- about anything and everything under the sun. Brooke kept finding her eyes being drawn to Vanessa. It wasn’t entirely her fault- she was sitting opposite her, and often Brooke would find her already looking her way. Although that could have just been Brooke’s imagination. God, she didn’t even know anymore.

“Right!” Nina cried, as everyone looked dangerously close to slipping into a snack-induced coma. “Sardines time!”

“Kiki should hide first, it’s her birthday!” Silky argued immediately, Brooke only the tiniest bit affronted.

“Hey, hey, it’s Brooke’s birthday too. Also, I feel like y’all are way more enthusiastic than me about this, so I really don’t mind.”

“Brooke hides first!” Nina shouted unnecessarily. Brooke stood up from the sofa and rolled her eyes.

“Wait, so everyone is after me? Christ. This is like that nightmare I had about being on Hunted.”

“Good luck tryna squeeze that Jolly Green Giant-ass body into any of these cupboards, bitch!” Vanessa yelled across the room to uproarious laughter, Brooke turning round in time to see Vanessa stick her tongue out at her.

“Oh, like you can talk! Are you not the same size as an actual Subway sandwich?” Brooke bit back, sticking her tongue out right back and feeling an excited fizz in her stomach as she caught Vanessa blushing slightly as she laughed. As the other girls joined in with the mocking and all piled on each other, Brooke spotted two girls who weren’t laughing- Akeria and Silky were looking at each other knowingly, a look that seemed to convey disapproval. What the hell was their problem? If Vanessa was fine with her, then that meant there was no reason for the two of them to hold a grudge either, right?

Brooke frowned, trying not to read too much into it. She turned around and headed out the door. “Okay, count to 100 then, bitches!”

As she heard the others all start chanting descending numbers like a terrifying cult of mathematicians, Brooke began dashing around the house for a place to hide. She ran past the bedrooms, assuming that the others would check there straight away. Brooke considered going behind the porch door, but then thought that might end up being too obvious. She found herself in the kitchen, and to her delight she noticed a huge wooden door set into the wall that had to be a cupboard. Opening it, she saw what looked to be a pantry- shelves and shelves with only a couple of tins left by other guests at the house. It was good, but Brooke didn’t think it was a particularly great place to hide until she spotted another door at the very end of the pantry- slightly smaller with a little circular handle. As Brooke turned it, she was confronted with a tiny dark room, with only the blinking lights of the boiler that sat inside to illuminate it.

Perfect.

As Brooke hopped in, she could hear the blood roaring in her ears and her heart thumping. She wanted to giggle. This was exactly how it had felt to play hide and seek when she was little, and she couldn’t believe she was a grown-ass twenty-two year old still feeling the same way. Hell, she couldn’t believe she was a grown-ass twenty-two year old playing hide and seek. Gradually, she began to hear the sound of footsteps thundering above her, the old ceiling creaking and letting Brooke know the girls were on their way. Then, it all went silent for a while. Brooke breathed out heavily. Just then, she heard the door to the pantry open and one set of footsteps shuffle through it. They dashed to the end of the room and then seemed to be satisfied that there was nothing more to investigate- until Brooke heard them do what seemed to be a double-take. Keeping her breathing silent, Brooke stood frozen to the spot as she saw the door gradually open with a long, murder-mystery style creaaak…

Shit.

Vanessa stood at the doorframe to the cupboard, a shit-eating grin on her face. “I’ve been tellin’ Yvie I’m the best at hide and seek, but she ain’t believe me. What’d that take me, two minutes?”

“Yeah, good job, Poirot,” Brooke smirked, although it was hiding a multitude of nerves. Her and Vanessa, stuck in a tight, dark space together until the other girls found them. This was fine. This would be fine. “Right come on then, girl, you need to get in.”

“Fuck no, I ain’t goin’ in there! That’s a straight-up spiders’ nest, fuck that.”

“Just get in!” Brooke grabbed her gently but firmly by the wrist and dragged her inside, closing the door behind them. It was entirely dark except for the small strip of light where the door met the doorframe, which illuminated Vanessa’s hair and collarbones. There was a small beat of silence in which Brooke’s eyes adjusted to the darkness again, and when her vision had settled she could see Vanessa smiling at her cheekily. “What?”

“There’s a spider in your hair.”

Brooke rolled her eyes. “No there’s not.”

“There is! A big one. It’s some Harry Potter type shit, I swear.”

“Shut up, Vanessa, I’m not falling for that shit,” Brooke snorted a laugh, squashing the unease that began to creep up on her.

“It’s got, like, a billion eyes.”

“Has it.”

“An’ forty legs,” Vanessa bit her lip, trying not to laugh.

“What the fuck kind of biology classes did you go to? A spider with forty leg- JESUS!” Brooke all at once cut herself off, feeling a movement at her shoulder, her hair flicking against her neck slightly. She gave herself such a jolt that it felt like whiplash, and she watched as Vanessa laughed at her brushing wildly against her shoulder. Brooke was confused when her hand connected with another hand. Vanessa’s hand. How the hell she’d managed to reach up there without Brooke’s notice was anyone’s guess, but she’d certainly done what she’d set out to do. Brooke launched herself forward and squeezed a hand at Vanessa’s waist, laughing as the other girl screeched in response. The two girls descended into giggles, Brooke having to fend off Vanessa’s playful swipes as she berated her.

“Shut up, bitch! You’re going to get us caught!” Brooke laughed, grabbing one of Vanessa’s wrists in each hand. Suddenly, both girls paused, the compromising position they were in dawning on both of them. The memory of when she used to pin Vanessa to the bed with both her wrists and kiss her neck shot through Brooke’s mind like a hot iron, unwanted and welcome all at once. In the darkness, she could see Vanessa’s single raised eyebrow.

“You telling me you don’t wanna get caught?” she murmured, her voice low and making the atmosphere charged and thick with something that hadn’t been there before. Brooke squeezed her thighs together. This couldn’t turn into something else. She couldn’t let it.

“Well, that is the whole point of the game,” Brooke said, trying to inject as much level-headedness into her tone as she was able. To her dismay she watched as Vanessa’s eyes took on a dark twinkle.

“Oh, right, uh-huh. The game. Sure,” she smirked, Brooke only able to laugh in response because that way she wasn’t saying anything. This situation was fucked. It was so weird. Vanessa was flirting with her, unprompted. So what did this mean? That she still liked Brooke? That she wanted to be friends and was just playing? What did this mean for her and Monique? They couldn’t be that serious, then, if Vanessa was doing all this? Or maybe they’d fallen out and Vanessa wanted her to be jealous? But what was the point of making somebody jealous who wasn’t here? What if her and Monique were together and Vanessa was cheating? What if-

“AYYYYYY FUCKIN’ HOES! Yes! I’m shit-hot at this game, Jesus!” Silky threw the door open, screeching her head off and sending every thought that Brooke was overthinking into the stratosphere.

“Stop yellin’ bitch, and get in!” Vanessa laughed. As Silky squeezed into the ever-decreasing-in-space cupboard, Brooke felt her throat almost close up as Vanessa shuffled up against her to make more room, tilting her head up, locking eyes with Brooke and sending her a look that she couldn’t decipher before looking away and whispering to Silky.

They were eventually found by the other girls- namely because there was no space at all once Scarlet arrived so Plastique found half of the girls with one toe in the cupboard and the rest of their bodies outside of it. The game carried on, but Brooke’s head wasn’t properly in it. She would deliberately put in the bare minimum effort when she was looking for the girls because, really, she wouldn’t know what to do if she was stuck in another confined space with Vanessa. Why had it turned so weird before? All flirty and edged with something she couldn’t work out. It wasn’t right- Vanessa was meant to be mad at her, meant to hate her and never want to speak to her again and somehow they’d gone from civil, to nearly-friends, to eye-fucking each other in a boiler cupboard in the space of a month?

The encounter was still playing on Brooke’s mind as she got ready for dinner. The girls had all decided that they would “do a Love Island” (in the words of Akeria) and all get glammed up to sit in the living room and play games after they’d eaten. It felt funny to be putting on a dress, heels and fake lashes without the possibility of going out anywhere, but the methodical process of putting on her makeup was a welcome distraction from the swirling thoughts in Brooke’s head.

“Ayo,” came an unexpected voice, causing Brooke to flinch a little and drop the lipgloss she’d been applying moments before. Looking behind her in the mirror she saw it was just Yvie and Nina. Usually she’d have been happy to see them, but right now she was doing too much overthinking and couldn’t let on what had happened earlier between her and Vanessa. So Brooke just stuck on her best fake smile as she turned around to face them.

“Hey! You guys look so good,” she complimented them, Nina smiling and Yvie giving a little snort.

“Well I didn’t want to be accused of not making an effort for your birthday again,” she poked her tongue out at Brooke and tugged a little at the beads on the hem of her short gold dress.

“If you trip in those heels I hope you know that’s, like, instant paralysis,” Brooke commented, looking at the spikes of Yvie’s six inch stilettos. When the girl did glam, she did glam, Brooke had to give it to her.

“As if Yvie needs to be any taller than she already is,” Nina laughed playfully.

“Awh, she needs to be tall so she can look down on her smol bean uwu girlfriend,” Brooke teased, Nina continuing to giggle and Yvie giving an amused roll of her eyes.

“What’s up with you anyway, bitch? You’ve been, like, extra bitter around all the couples today. It’s supposed to be your birthday, cheer the fuck up,” Yvie gave her a little nudge with her foot. Brooke frowned. She didn’t think she had been being bitter, but maybe Yvie was right. Fuck, what had she even said today? Brooke hoped that Vanessa hadn’t noticed anything.

“No, that’s not true. I’m fine! Just…” Brooke sighed, the bingo-hall-style tombola spinning rapidly in her head to generate an excuse. “…exams are soon, you know, and I’ve not started revising yet-”

“Oh my God, bitch, they’re in May! This is March! Chill the hell out,” Yvie laughed, pulling Brooke up from her position on the floor by the long mirror in the corner of her room. “Let’s go eat pizza. If Monet and Plastique have worked out how to cook them in that 1920s horror oven.”

As Yvie excitedly strutted out of the room and Brooke made to join her, Nina reached out to squeeze her hand.

“You’re a crap liar, Brooke Lynn Hytes,” she hissed quietly, Brooke rolling her eyes and making to protest when Nina spoke again. “But I won’t push it. I just wish you’d open the fuck up more.”

Brooke felt guilty. “I just don’t…it’s something I don’t want to overthink, Nina. So the best way you can help is helping me stuff myself full of carbs then pouring a 24 pack of San Miguel down my throat.”

Nina nodded understandingly as they reached the top of the stairs, Brooke holding back a snort as she watched Yvie cling to the bannister for dear life as she descended. Nina gave her hand another squeeze, then dropped it. “I can do that. You look beautiful, by the way.”

Brooke shyly looked down at her short, black one-shoulder dress and smoothed it down. “Thanks, babe.”

Nina’s smile suddenly turned scheming. “And so does Vanessa.”

Before Brooke could protest, Nina was bounding down the stairs in her bright white Filas that she’d paired with her blue and white checked dress. It wasn’t as formal as Brooke’s or Yvie’s, but that was the beauty of having a glam night in a big house where it was just them- nobody could judge you for being over or underdressed.

As Brooke followed her flatmates into the kitchen, she was met with the sight of her friends all happy, chatting, and in their best outfits. Annoyed at herself, she found her eyes darting around to find Vanessa. She wanted to know why Nina had said what she’d said, wanted to know if she was just winding her up.

And then her eyes came to rest on the most gorgeous version of Vanessa she’d ever seen, and her anxiety dipped, did a loop, then spiked. They were both in black- some dumb coincidence that the earth had sent her way, no doubt- but Vanessa’s was shiny, a vinyl dress that clung to her as if it was made of latex and painfully highlighted every curve of her body. She’d paired it with red heels, which had straps that snaked their way up her calves and showcased her perfect skin. Her dark hair had been blow-dried out (probably by Akeria, Brooke guessed) and fell in perfect waves down her back and over her shoulders (had she fucking highlighted her collarbones?). Her makeup was, as usual, perfect, a dark shock of eyeshadow and an indecent red on her lips causing Brooke’s heart to race. The worst part, though, about the whole outfit, was the silver zip that ran from the top of the dress to the bottom, right in the middle at the front, and either Vanessa (or someone mucking about with her…probably Silky) had unzipped it just the tiniest amount. For about the hundredth time that month, Brooke cursed herself for breaking things off with Vanessa. It wasn’t just about her looks though, or her body, or how much she missed the sex. Their interaction in the cupboard made Brooke remember how funny Vanessa was, how much of an endearing goofball, how she was just a cheerful person whose only real wish in life was to be properly happy. And Brooke had hurt her, made her the exact opposite of that. Vanessa loved everything and everyone so deeply, was the most open of books, and was so unafraid of feeling. Meanwhile there was Brooke not even able to tell her own flatmates, the two girls that knew her best in the world, about her own feelings.

As she watched Vanessa’s eyes drift from Scarlet and Monet, who she’d been talking to, across the room to rest on her, Brooke felt her heart stop. Not giving a single thing away, Vanessa smiled, gave a little wave, and crossed the room to where Brooke stood.

“Hey!” she began, so confident and self-assured and making Brooke feel more like a trashbag than she already did. “Nice dress.”

“Thanks!” Brooke smiled, uncharacteristically flustered at the tiny compliment. “You look so beaud!”

Fuck. Brooke kicked herself for getting tongue tied, badly hoping Vanessa wouldn’t have noticed. As she watched a confused smile appear on her face, Brooke realised she’d have to explain herself. “I was going to say beautiful, then I changed it to good and they just sort of…mushed together.”

Brooke felt her face grow hot as Vanessa simply raised an eyebrow in a smirk. “I’ll take both. Beautiful and good.”

Just as Brooke was about to defend herself, Silky announced to the girls in her own Silky-esque way that the pizzas were ready, and, giving a cry of delight, Vanessa had dashed across the room and left Brooke forgotten about.

As they all ate, Brooke fought an internal battle. She had absolutely no right to feel sorry for herself, this mess was entirely of her own making. Besides, she had to put everything out of her head now; she had made her decision, Vanessa had moved on, and she had to let the whole thing drop. But despite all this, it didn’t stop her brain constantly pestering her with what-ifs.

It was still pestering her once they’d all finished their dinner and moved upstairs into the huge living room for drinks and games, so she was glad when Nina popped herself down beside her with two ice cold bottles of beer from the fridge.

“One for each hand,” she explained. Brooke burst out laughing. She fucking loved Nina so much.

“Where’s yours?”

“Monet’s making mojitos for me and her. I love having a girlfriend, it’s like a sexy butler that you get to have sex with and cuddle any time you want,” Nina mused wistfully, giving Brooke her second belly-laugh in the space of two minutes. As she composed herself, Monet came into the room with two huge tall glasses overflowing with crushed ice and garnished with lime and mint.

“Where the fuck did you get mint and limes?” Brooke asked, screwing her face up in confusion then scrambling to pull a slightly more attractive one as Vanessa came in flanked by Silky and Akeria.

“I brought them, bitch! Anyway what did I miss?”

“Nina called you a sexy butler,” Brooke said casually, sipping one of her two beers and smiling as she watched Nina grow flustered.

“Jesus Christ, I’m getting all the compliments today! First I was a Tesco Finest girlfriend, now I’m a sexy butler. You know how to treat a lady, Neens,” Monet teased, pulling her girlfriend in and smothering her with kisses on the cheek.

“Ugh, get that couple shit outta here,” Vanessa yelled from the other sofa, throwing a leftover crisp at them. Monet instantly snapped back.

“Uh, like you can talk, Vanj.”

“What the shit hell is that meant to mean?” Vanessa laughed, amused.

Akeria grew outraged as she turned around to face Vanessa, her long, straight hair swinging wildly as she flipped it over her shoulder. “NEED we remind you what you sent to the group chat last week?!”

Silky began yelling, mirroring the cries of woe and dismay that were circling through Brooke’s brain at being reminded that Monique was still very much in the picture. “NO we do NOT need reminded! I can’t go through that again, dear Jesus God…”

“Fuck babygirl, I need that mouth on me-” Akeria began reading dramatically from her screen, the girls cringing and laughing and every word feeling like a kick to Brooke’s gut as Vanessa, face bright red, wrestled with Akeria to get the phone out of her hands. “-I’m touching myself but you know it’s not the same- aw, V! Give it back!”

“I’m gonna eat this fuckin’ phone, Akeria Chanel Davenport, I swear,” Vanessa chided her furiously, holding the phone out of her reach then relenting, giving it back to her. Silky fanned herself dramatically, making the others laugh. As Brooke did her best fake laugh and joined in, she tried not to make eye contact with Vanessa’s embarrassed face.

“Aw, are we talking about the unfortunate dirty text incident?” Plastique’s voice came from the hall, everyone laughing again as she sat down in the armchair beside the fire. “Seriously, V, you should be a songwriter. I swear that whole thing could’ve been from a Kamille song or some shit-”

“Well, all sexts are a little bit cringey, aren’t they?” Nina offered kindly, attempting to cheer Vanjie up. In doing this, she only succeeded in earning herself an exasperated cry from Monet.

“V, do you wanna go out? I can’t stand this bitch any more, she just keeps insulting me.”

As everyone howled with laughter and Nina frantically smothered her girlfriend in kisses trying to get her back onside, Brooke sneaked a look at Vanessa. She was laughing, but her face was still a little red. Christ, she looked so cute. Idiot, idiot, idiot.

“Speaking of sex, I’m assuming Yvie and Scarlet went off to bang?” Plastique shrugged, everyone finally realising who was missing.

“Oh, fuck this! Save that shit for later!” Silky protested, Akeria laughing and whacking her.

“Hey, let them be happy! It’s my birthday so I’m sayin’ if they want to fuck, let ‘em. In the meantime I have an empty wine bottle and a room full of girls with secrets that need spilled,” Akeria announced. Plastique clapped excitedly, Silky cheered and Vanessa rolled her eyes.

“For Christ’s sake, Kiki, do we not already know all there is to know about each other?” she complained. Interesting. So Vanessa didn’t want to play truth or dare, a game she was usually always down for.

“Excuse the fuck outta me, we played that stupid tuna game earlier!”

“Sardines,” Brooke deadpanned, earning herself a laugh from the room.

“It was some type of fish, I got that much right.”

“How are you through a whole bottle of wine already?” Silky asked, impressed.

“Can I live? It’s my birthday! Now will you hoes stop pissing in my cereal and let’s play!” Akeria implored, setting the wine bottle down against the red carpet and spinning it so violently Brooke worried that it would smash on the marble grate. It slowed, turning round and round and finally resting right back at where Akeria leant down from the sofa. She let out a giggle. “Oops. Guess it’s me.”

“Keeks, truth or dare!” Plastique asked excitedly. Akeria tilted her head, deep in thought.

“Hmm. I ain’t drunk enough for dares yet, so let’s go truth.”

There was a beat of silence as everyone racked their brains to think of something. Monet was first with an idea.

“Fuck, marry, kill: Silk, Vanj or…uh…”

“Asia,” Vanessa said simply, sipping some coke and spirit concoction through a straw as Silky let out a screech. Brooke was confused. She met her eyes with Nina’s, who looked equally baffled.

“Wait, who’s Asia?” Nina asked. Akeria, to her credit, looked composed. To be fair, Brooke had hardly ever seen her look anything but.

“She’s a friend from my course. We did a paired project together an’ she came over to the flat to work on it the other week,” Vanessa shrugged. “Her an’ Kiki seemed to hit it off.”

“I don’t have a fuckin’ crush on the girl, Jesus. Don’t make it weird,” Akeria rolled her eyes, blinking slowly. If Brooke squinted she might’ve spotted a flush to Akeria’s face, but perhaps that came from the glow of the fire.

Monet muttered under her breath to Brooke and Nina as the three flatmates bickered away. “Is Akeria gay?”

Brooke blew out a bunch of air. “Fuck, I don’t even know who’s what anymore.”

“She’s never classed herself as straight,” Nina elaborated cautiously. “She talks about getting dicked down by guys a lot. Then again, it’s really only Silky that does that and Keeks just joins in.”

“Silk and Vanj know something we don’t,” Brooke reasoned, watching as the two girls laughed and Akeria sat, poised and smirking at them indulgently as if they were kids.

“Right, enough! ‘Keria, fuck marry kill: Vanjie, Silk or Asia, then,” Monet shrugged, sipping her mojito.

Akeria flipped some hair over her shoulder and tilted her head to the sky thoughtfully. “I honestly can’t decide who I’d rather kill, Silk or Vanj.”

“Oh, so you’re gonna fuck or marry Asia, correct?” Vanessa quipped, a little fire igniting in Brooke’s heart as she watched a wicked smile spread across her scheming face.

“No, I don’t know her well enough to have any strong feelings towards her either way. You and Silk, however…” Akeria raised her eyebrows long-sufferingly, coaxing a laugh out of the other girls. “Uhh, right, marry Asia, or whatever. Kill Silky.”

“Bitch! I’ll kill you for real,” Silky objected, pummeling Akeria’s arm with a cushion.

“Fuck Vanj because she likes girls anyway and if she’s going down on me it means she’s not talking with that fuckin’ gritter-truck voice of hers,” Akeria shrugged as she concluded, the room cheering and Vanessa doing a little celebratory bow. As she flipped her head up she caught Brooke’s eye, giving her a little wink. Brooke crossed her legs and tried not to think about Vanessa going down on anyone. Least of all her.

“Aight!” Akeria said, indicating to everyone that her turn was well and truly over. “We move.”

The bottle was spun once more, Brooke taking a long drink out of her bottle and draining it. She needed to be tipsier than this. Everyone else seemed a little more drunk than she was, apart from Vanessa who she noted was sipping her drink sparingly. Brooke shook her head a little, trying to stop bringing her focus to Vanessa every five minutes. She’d taken her heels off and tucked her legs up underneath her on the sofa, and her thighs looked good for it.

“Plastique, truth or dare!”

Plastique tucked her hair behind her ears. “Uhh, dare.”

Brooke knew what to do for this one. Plastique had taken Ariel on a couple of dates, but the girls were emotionally stunted and neither of them had properly articulated their feelings to the other yet. “Call Ariel and tell her how you feel about her. Properly.”

As the other girls “oooh"ed in appreciation, Plastique fixed Brooke with an unimpressed glare. "I’m not doing that.”

“Pussy,” Brooke shrugged, sipping her other beer. Vanessa let out a laugh from the other side of the room.

“Brooke Lynn’s telling someone else they’re a pussy for not being open about their feelings? Are we in the correct universe?"

As the other girls gave a laugh that was only the slightest bit uncomfortable, Brooke rolled her eyes. "Okay, well at the very least send her a heartfelt text.”

“Why are you pushing this so much, ma?” Plastique pouted as she relented and reached for her phone.

“Because I’m bored of sitting in lectures hearing you moan about how you can’t tell her how you feel because it would make it weird or how you don’t want to come across too intense!"

"We all had to listen to you pine after Vanjie for two and a half years but we never forced you into admitting anything,” Plastique shrugged, the room erupting into shrieks. Brooke gave a choke of a laugh, wanting the ground to open up and swallow her. She knew her face was bright red without having to look in a mirror and, as much as her brain was imploring her not to, she found her eyes darting quickly to Vanessa to catch a glimpse of her face.

Calm, smiling tight-lipped and smug. As if she’d won something.

“No, but you did start a sweepstake about us so get off the high horse, thanks!” Brooke sing-songed back, the slight hint of irritation to her voice letting Plastique know she was to drop it. Us. The word felt weird in Brooke’s mouth, it hadn’t been used in so long. Two and a half years. Had she really liked Vanessa for that long before everything had happened between them? Brooke had actually thrown away two and a half years of feelings for the sake of one feeling of indecision, a feeling that maybe they shouldn’t have been a they any more?

For Christ’s sake don’t look at Vanessa.

“Fine. I’ve put tonight’s really fun but I miss you, I always miss you when you’re not with me, hope you know how much I care about you. That heartfelt enough for you bitches?” Plastique muttered, embarrassed. Nina let out an “aaw”, Akeria made a sick noise.

“Acceptable,” Brooke shrugged, sipping on her beer again. Suddenly, a cheer went up from Akeria, Vanessa and Silky who could see who was coming through the living room door first. Yvie and Scarlet were walking close, holding a glass of red wine each and wearing matching poker faces.

“Oh, here they are! Nice of you to finally join us!” Nina cheered, Scarlet giving a small smile and smoothing her dress down, sitting beside Yvie on the last remaining couch.

“All the best people are fashionably late!” she shrugged. Yvie gave a snort and swept some hair over her shoulder to cover her neck. Brooke saw the action and jumped on it.

“Nice neckwear.”

Yvie turned only slightly red. “Thanks. Gucci.”

“Hear that? Yvie’s girlfriend is Gucci. Not Tesco Finest. Gucci,” Monet nudged Nina, setting another laugh off amongst the girls.

“We’re playing truth or dare,” Brooke explained to the two girls, as Plastique gave the glass bottle a bit of a pathetic spin.

“Vanjie!”

Vanessa shook her head. “Nah that spin was shit, it don’t count.”

“Like hell it don’t! Truth or dare, bitch?” Silky all but interrogated her. Vanessa thought about it for a moment, then decided.

“Truth.”

Brooke’ heart hammered in her chest. She hoped to God they wouldn’t ask Vanessa anything about her, anything about them.

“What’s going on with you and Monique, Vanjie?” Monet asked dramatically, Akeria giving a cry of delight and thumping her hands against her thighs.

Great.

As the room broke out into eager laughter, Vanessa just smiled.

“Well, Monique and I are good friends, and…we get on well. We both been, y'know, unlucky in love a lil’, so…” Vanessa trailed off, the room giving little chokes of anticipation and Brooke’s stomach twisting. “…if it’s one in the morning and one of us is maybe still up…y'know…”

Monet gave a tiny squeal through her teeth. Brooke wanted to wedge herself in between the sofa cushions and not emerge again til May of next year.

“Y'know, Monique’s very confident, very sure of herself, an’ that's…y'know, it’s attractive…” Vanessa trailed off, running her tongue over her teeth. Brooke knew that face, remembered the time when that face used to get directed at her before they’d fall into bed together, frantic kisses planted along collarbones and clothes discarded over the uneven floorboards of Vanessa’s room.

“But what’s actually going on? You’ve said so much but not actually said anything,” Yvie let out an unimpressed laugh. Vanessa composed herself and sat up straight, taking a rare sip of her drink.

“Well, we get on well. She’s a good person. And we’re friends,” Vanessa smiled coyly, causing the girls to laugh uproariously.

“Okay, okay, we all see it! We all get it!” Monet laughed, the knife twisting in Brooke’s stomach. Could it have been more obvious that they were obviously having each other in every type of position imaginable with any chance they got, or was it just Brooke being paranoid? She thought back to what Monet had said in the car earlier and concluded that, occasional hits of the bong aside, she was not being paranoid by any stretch of the imagination.

The game rolled along. Nina was made to do something vague and embarrassing with Monet that Brooke forgot quickly (or perhaps blocked out), Scarlet was forced to admit (rather proudly, Brooke thought) that her and Yvie had quickly fucked upstairs in the time they’d been away, and a few other of the girls did a couple of bland truths. As much as the bottle spun and spun, it never seemed to point Brooke’s way. Brooke was glad. She didn’t want to admit or say anything, and she also didn’t want to do anything remotely risky. However, when the bottle landed on Vanessa a second time, Brooke began to reconsider her thought process.

“Dare,” Vanessa smiled, a glint of danger in her eye flashing quickly as she darted her eyes quickly to Brooke.

Brooke tried not to look at Nina as she spoke. “Vanjie. Kiss the hottest girl in the room.”

“Oh, that’s a good one,” Plastique whispered quietly. It seemed as if the whole room held its breath. Brooke didn’t know if she was grateful to Nina for the setup or whether she wanted to descend into the earth’s core. She knew Vanessa had answered this question before with this group of girls, she knew that Vanessa thought the answer was her. But that was before everything had changed. Brooke felt her pulse race as Vanessa looked to the ceiling, deep in thought.

Slowly, she turned her gaze to Yvie and Scarlet.

“Yvie,” she began, a small sinking feeling lodging itself in Brooke’s chest. “Can I kiss your girlfriend?”

Yvie smiled at Scarlet proudly, happy for the compliment. “Dare’s a dare. Bring her back.”

“Scarlet, can I get a lil’ smooch?” Vanessa laughed, Scarlet laughing back and motioning for her to sit beside them on the sofa.

“C'mere, friend,” she laughed easily, Vanessa crossing the room and joining them. Brooke remembered when Vanessa had kissed Scarlet before- in the nightclub, before they were together and before Yvie and Scarlet were together. She remembered how it made her feel- a little irritated and sad all in one. Looking back, she realised it was plain and simple jealousy, and she knew her feelings weren’t going to change this time.

Quickly, Vanessa leaned in and met Scarlet’s lips, kissing her gently but slowly, her hand resting on Scarlet’s hip easily. It could only have been about three seconds long, but each one seemed to tick by agonisingly slowly, and Brooke hoped she wasn’t showing any of her fucked-up emotions on her face. As the two girls pulled away and the others whooped and whistled, Scarlet made a face.

“Bitch, all I tasted there was pepperoni. That was the least sexy kiss I’ve ever had.”

“You loved it, hoe!” Vanessa laughed, retreating back to her seat. Desperate to look at anything but Vanessa’s face, Brooke watched Yvie and Scarlet. Yvie had the satisfied grin of a mafia mob boss as Scarlet whispered something in her ear, then smiled seductively, kissing her once, twice, three times, red lipstick meeting purple.

“Well if I wasn’t bi before, I sure as hell am now,” Plastique fanned herself.

“We are the cornerstone of Plastique’s sexual identity. That’s a fucking compliment!” Scarlet cheered, Yvie laughing and wrapping her arms around her.

“Nah, you and Yvie are my parents. The Mums of the group,” Plastique explained.

“Fuck off, we’re not the Mums!” Yvie laughed, outraged. “Nina and Monet are literally right there!”

“Hey! That’s not fair!” Nina cried, outraged at the perceived injustice.

“Yeah, don’t lump me in with this dork!” Monet yelled, laughing with the other girls as Nina swatted her on the arm.

“Right! Spin, Vanj,” Yvie ordered, the girl spinning the bottle round obediently. Brooke watched as the top of the bottle whizzed by her once, twice, three times, past Yvie, Scarlet, the Antigua Road girls, slowed down as it reached Plastique, edged past Monet and Nina and then came to rest on Brooke.

“All RIGHT! About time this bitch spilt some tea,” Silky clapped in delight.

“Brooke,” Akeria said with the threat level of an MI5 employee. “Truth or dare?”

Brooke paused. Her go-to was usually a truth, however there was no way she was going for that this time, not while she was still a concrete mixer of feelings for Vanessa and not while there was a room full of people wanting to know exactly what was going on with them. She shrugged. “Dare.”

“Okay-” Akeria tailed off, making to stop and think. A practically evil smile spread across her face as realisation dawned on her. “Same dare. Kiss the hottest person in the room. Ten seconds.”

Silky let out a scream, growing so excitable on the sofa that Vanessa was almost sent through the ceiling. Scarlet whispered something to Yvie on the sofa, both of the girls looking at Brooke intently. Plastique shouted over something to Akeria that Brooke couldn’t hear. All she could focus on was how Vanessa had grabbed Silky and was laughing, but somewhat nervously. Her face had gone bright red. Brooke bit her lip. She thought back to their flirting in the cupboard earlier, how they were almost back to square one again, the weird bid Vanessa had made to make Brooke jealous. She could always kiss Yvie or Nina, take the easy way out. But the more she looked at Vanessa, the more drawn she became to her until before she knew what she was doing, Brooke had stood up from her place on the carpet and taken one, two, three steps to sit on the couch and look Vanessa in the eyes.

Brooke could hear everyone in the room screaming, and she knew Silky had run out of the room shouting incoherently, but all she seemed to hear was her blood roaring in her ears as Vanessa leaned in. Before she knew it, Brooke’s hand was resting on Vanessa’s bare thigh and they were kissing each other, slow and deep and lazy and in a way that Brooke never wanted to end. She felt Vanessa’s tongue licking at hers gently and immediately felt a throb of heat between her legs as she remembered 3ams spent between her sheets and Vanessa’s head buried between her thighs.

Christ, this was a bad idea, this was a bad idea-

“ZERO! And y’all can officially cut that shit out,” Brooke suddenly felt herself being wrenched away from Vanessa, Akeria’s voice cutting through her hazy thoughts and bringing her back down to earth with a bump.

“Well, I feel like on that note,” Monet clapped her hands together decisively. “I’m away out to drink in the hot tub. Anyone else?”

One by one the girls agreed, dashing out of the room excitedly, and it was obvious to Brooke that everyone would be talking about what had just happened. Vanessa had run off quickly, her hand in Silky’s as the two dashed upstairs to get their swimwear on. The only girl that was left in the room as Brooke made to do the same was Akeria. She frowned at Brooke as they both left the room, a warning in her eyes which sent a chill down Brooke’s spine. Trying to ignore it, Brooke dashed upstairs, changed into her pink bikini and then ran outside to join the others. They wouldn’t talk about her and Vanessa’s kiss if she was there, so the less time she was away the better. Brooke grabbed a third beer from the fridge on her way out to the garden, and as she stepped outside she noticed how the moon already hung huge and bright in the sky, how the grass already had a shine of cold wet on it, and how everything looked almost a little bit magic. Joining the others and sitting between Yvie and Plastique, she tried to ignore Vanessa sitting opposite her in a black bikini that looked equally sinful as the outfit she’d been wearing before. Luckily the rest of the girls had no further desire to play drinking games, and talk instead turned to movies. Brooke didn’t join in. She couldn’t- too much was swirling around her mind, namely how good the kiss had felt. Scarlet had probably lied to make Yvie laugh- Vanessa had tasted like sugary coke, and the all too familiar scent of her perfume was still inexplicably clinging to Brooke. It had been weird to kiss after months of no contact at all. It had been a bad decision. Brooke had done yet another wrong thing.

So why did it feel somehow correct?

“Right!” Akeria said after a while, almost toppling over as she stood up. “I think I’m gettin’ a touch of the hypothermias. Who’s comin’ inside to watch Sister Act?”

“Bitch! That’s like, my favourite movie. Hell yes,” Monet sprang up, knocking Nina off her lap and into the middle of the hot tub. The girls erupted in a laugh, Brooke almost dropping her beer into the water. One by one, they all filed out of the water. Brooke was the last one left. Admittedly she didn’t want to leave- she was now tipsy enough to not feel the cold, and she could have lain back and stared at the white light of the full moon in the inky sky forever. Just as she was about to follow the others, she noticed that the second-to-last girl out of the hot tub was Vanessa. Brooke swallowed thickly, trying her best not to stare at how the small droplets of water clung to her thick thighs or how her tiny bikini barely covered her firm ass, or how her slick, wet hair cascaded down her back. Almost as if she could read Brooke’s mind, Vanessa slowly, tortuously turned around. She had a little wicked smile on her face, the kind she always used to wear when she flirted with Brooke. It made Brooke cross her legs and squeeze her thighs together.

“You got a good enough view from there?” she asked, playfulness coating her words as she spread both her arms out to lean against the back of the hot tub.

This was bad. This was not good. Brooke couldn’t flirt back. It would only lead to another really horrendous, catastrophic decision. Her mind was hot-wiring, and to her dismay she couldn’t come up with any form of quick-witted comeback. Noticing how long it was taking her to reply, Vanessa gave a throaty laugh.

“Hmm. I’ll take that as a yes, then,” she purred, crossing the water and sitting down close next to Brooke. Brooke tried her best not to choke as she took a sip from the bottle in her hand.

“Thought you were going to watch Sister Act?” she asked, trying to sound casual but cringing at how nervous she sounded as the words left her mouth. Her blood pressure dialled up a notch as Vanessa laced her fingers together, placed her hands on Brooke’s bare shoulder, then rested her head against her fingers.

“I don’t know. Think I’d rather see what’s so special about this view you love so much,” Vanessa murmured softly, Brooke not missing the way she rushed out the word ‘love’ as if to distil any awkwardness. She didn’t need to worry, though, because right now all Brooke could focus on was how good Vanessa looked in that black bikini, and how her red lipstick still clung to her plump lips as if it had just been applied, and her beautiful dark gaze from under her fake lashes.

“Hmm. It’s a pretty good view. Pretty beautiful,” Brooke found herself whispering, eliciting a sparkle from Vanessa’s eyes. Fuck. Shit. She shouldn’t have said that, it just seemed to have happened, but with Vanessa sitting pressed up so close to her how else could she have possibly reacted? There was a small silence in which Vanessa gave a small giggle, looking down at the constantly popping bubbles. The jet stream pummeled Brooke’s back to bits.

“What’s funny?” she smiled cautiously. Vanessa looked at her, something nostalgic on her face.

“Your pickup lines are still cringey as fuck,” she smirked, Brooke rolling her eyes a little. She had to steer this conversation back to normality. Whatever the fuck normality was as far as her and Vanessa were concerned.

“That wasn’t a pickup line. If I was trying to pick you up, you’d know about it.”

“Oh, I know about it, baby. Don’ worry,” Vanessa hit back instantly, Brooke taking the pet name like a fatal shot. Brooke knew that Vanessa knew what that word did to her in the right context with the right tone. Fuck. Bad idea, bad idea. She was determined not to lose whatever game this was. She would not do anything stupid. She would not ruin the tiny, small beginnings of this foundation of their friendship that they were gradually re-building. She would stand up and go inside and watch Whoopi fucking Goldberg dance about in a fucking habit and all would be right with the world again.

“Two and a half years, huh? You had it bad, bitch, I never knew I had that kind of effect on you,” Vanessa laughed suddenly, Brooke trying not to blush as she remembered Plastique’s words from earlier.

“Not that you’re letting it go to your head,” Brooke shrugged, taking a sip.

Vanessa giggled again. Brooke wished she wouldn’t. “Never.”

“Good compliment for you, I guess.”

“Better than beaud,” Vanessa smirked, snorting a laugh as Brooke tipped her head back and cringed. As she quietly stopped laughing, Vanessa shrugged lightly. “An’ I mean, nice to know I’m the hottest girl in the room too.”

Brooke let out a small sigh at having to confront her decision. “I mean just because we’re not dating any more doesn’t mean it’s not objectively true. By Western beauty standards you probably are the hottest girl in the room.”

Vanessa laughed again. “Western beauty standards, my God. I’m not even white, you dumb bitch.”

“Yeah, but…you’ve got this gorgeous skin, and all your shiny hair. And your eyes that go all twinkly when you’re happy,” Brooke explained. Where was all this coming from? “And you have perfect white teeth, and the best smile. I feel like you light up the whole room when you laugh.”

Brooke’s heart gave a twinge as Vanessa’s face broke out into a smile, tilting her face to the side a little inquisitively. Brooke gave a little cough, aware of all the compliments she’d given her. “And you have a really good figure as well, so, yeah.”

“Oh, obviously. Well, we all know how much you like that,” Vanessa smirked cheekily, Brooke suddenly snapping her neck round to face her properly.

“What?”

“Liked that. Like, liked. Whatever. We’re friends now, we can laugh about it,” Vanessa shrugged, the words coming out of her mouth confirming their status at once relieving Brooke and putting her on edge. They were back to being friends. This was what Brooke wanted, right? Vanessa still had the little cheeky grin on her face as she spoke again. “Friends who still kiss each other, apparently.”

“Well, you kissed Scarlet,” Brooke said, trying to make it as nonchalant as possible. Judging by Vanessa’s smug reaction, she hadn’t succeeded.

“You seem pressed.”

“Not pressed! Just saying,” Brooke tried to protest gently but felt she came on way too heavy.

“Mhm. There’s just one problem about all this, though…” Vanessa murmured, her tone charged with something that immediately made the hairs on Brooke’s arm stand on end, giving her goosebumps.

And then, with one fluid movement, Vanessa moved to straddle her.

Shitshitshitshitshitshitshit.

Brooke’s heart almost flatlined as Vanessa spoke, her face still wearing the tiniest cocky smile that Brooke so badly wanted to kiss off of her. “It’s kinda hard to try an’ be friends with you when I know what you look like with no clothes on.”

Brooke tried her best to keep her voice level. “Well, it’s also kind of hard to try and be friends with you when you’re flirting with me.”

“It’s also hard to be friends with you when I know what your kinks are…” Vanessa brought her arms around Brooke’s neck and barely concealed a smile as she bucked her hips ever so slightly. “…Mami.”

Brooke felt the tiniest hiss escape her lips, glad it wasn’t the fuck that had immediately popped into her head.

“It’s kind of hard to be friends with you when you’re riding my thigh…or when you’re coming on to me like this,” Brooke replied, keeping one hand firmly on the side of the hot tub and the other wrapped around the glass bottle in her hand so tight she thought it would smash.

“Coming on to you?” Vanessa suddenly tipped her head back and laughed, Brooke immediately realising what she’d said. “That can be arranged, you want face, tongue or fingers?”

“Fuck’s sake, Vanessa,” Brooke laughed softly, letting one of her hands drop down under the water and rest against Vanessa’s thigh. As Brooke’s thumb rubbed at her skin softly, she tried to reason with herself. Just because she was stroking Vanessa’s skin, and had her on top of her, and was basically talking dirty to her, didn’t mean that anything was actually going to happen.

“I know you miss me, Brooke,” Vanessa said, her tone matter-of-fact as she straightened up a little in Brooke’s lap, Brooke eyeing the way her breasts were pushed up.

Brooke had to think carefully about her response. She knew she’d hurt Vanessa, so she had to keep things light. “I mean, it kind of looks like you miss me, baby.”

Oh fuck, that pet name was a mistake. Vanessa’s smile was sultry as she pushed one of her hands into Brooke’s hair. “Me? Nah, I’m just doin’ this because it’s fun. Monique’s treatin’ me very well.”

Jesus fucking Christ, Vanessa knew how to hit Brooke where it hurt. Brooke pursed her lips. She wanted to fight dirty, she would give as good as she got. “And that’s why you’re cheating on her?”

Vanessa burst out laughing. “Oh, bitch, please! Me and her aren’t exclusive! We ain’t even a thing! She vents to me about her ex, I vent to her about you, and then we fuck away our frustrations!”

A part of Brooke’s heart soared up into the black sky like a helium balloon. She didn’t think she’d shown her relief on her face until Vanessa gave a laugh. “So. You ain’t denied it.”

“Denied what?”

“That you miss me,” she shrugged, giving a little look down at Brooke’s hands on her thighs. Brooke couldn’t pinpoint when she’d brought the other one down under the water but apparently she had done. Her throat was dry as she considered her response. Before she could get there, Vanessa threw her mind into chaos as she brought her hands back behind her head, fidgeted for a moment, then suddenly threw her bikini top across the decking. As Brooke’s gaze flicked down to Vanessa’s full breasts, the other girl brought one finger up and tilted her chin up to face her. The heat between Brooke’s legs was unbearable, and she felt her paper-thin resolve rapidly melting away. Vanessa smirked. “You wanna kiss me so bad right now, don’t you? Like you kissed me earlier. You can’t even stay away.“

Vanessa seemed to edge closer to Brooke, although they were already so close that seemed an impossible feat. Brooke raised an eyebrow. “See, I feel like if Monique fucked you as good as you say she does, you wouldn’t be in my lap right now.”

Vanessa blinked slowly, mockingly. “Oh, baby. You don’t want to know the things I let her do to me.”

Brooke bristled. The tension between them and Vanessa’s teasing was getting her riled. “You’re right, I don’t.”

“Aww. You jealous, baby?” Vanessa pouted. This was going to drive Brooke insane. Her mind constantly swung between this being a bad idea and a good idea, and she had no idea which it would settle on.

Brooke locked eyes with Vanessa, the other girl’s gaze a challenge. “No.”

“You sure? You seemed jealous when I kissed Scarlet earlier, I saw your face.”

“I don’t get jealous,” Brooke repeated, holding her gaze with Vanessa. Their faces weren’t too close but their bodies were, and Brooke felt as if she was a ticking time bomb.

“So you ain’t jealous of Monique?” Vanessa murmured inquisitively. Brooke shook her head, now unable to tear her gaze away from her lips which had felt so perfect against her own earlier. “You ain’t jealous of the fact she gets to ride my face and get my pretty lil’ tongue working her clit? You ain’t jealous of the fact that it’s her name I’m crying out when I cum on her fingers? You ain’t-”

Frustrated, tense, and out of willpower, Brooke let out a low growl as she finally brought her hands up to Vanessa’s jaw and crashed their lips together, kissing her wildly and deeply and running her hands over every inch of Vanessa’s skin she was able to touch. She didn’t even care that she’d proven Vanessa right, because she had missed this, missed her, missed the way they just seemed to fit together like two pieces of a puzzle and dear sweet fucking Jesus she’d been an idiot to give up this sex. Brooke whined needily as she felt Vanessa pull away, the other girl laughing against her lips.

“You don’t kiss like a girl who ain’t jealous,” Vanessa tutted, a satisfied smirk on her face. "Or one that don’t miss me.”

Brooke ran her hands up and down her back and pouted. “Shut up.”

“Hmm. That ain’t no way to talk to me if you’re planning on getting what you want, lil’ brat,” Vanessa raised her eyebrows, bringing one of her hands down to rub at Brooke’s hipbone. Brooke let out a whimper and bucked her hips. She needed Vanessa so badly, and her words were only making things worse. Or better.

“Fuck, please, Vanessa, shit,” Brooke hissed, not caring about how pathetic and needy she looked now as she brought one of her hands up and rubbed a thumb over one of Vanessa’s nipples. Brooke felt her clit throb as Vanessa gave a little hum of delight at the contact. Her fingers had only been there for a second before Vanessa grabbed her wrist and held it down under the water, the sudden force causing Brooke’s eyes to grow wide.

“You broke my fuckin’ heart an’ now you really think I’m gonna make it that easy for you?” she barked a laugh, a guilty twinge tugging at Brooke’s rapid heart. “Fuck that. I want to hear you beg me to fuck you. You’re gonna have to work for me, baby. Shit’s on my terms.”

“Fuck, Vanessa, I really don’t give a shit how desperate I sound,” Brooke sighed, the shock of the prospect of Vanessa changing her mind about all this lighting a fire in Brooke. “Please, please, please, please, baby, I’m sorry, I’ll do anything you want, just fucking touch me, please-”

Brooke cut herself off with her own moan as Vanessa ran a hand down her body and lightly pressed two fingers against her, rubbing gently and making Brooke want to sob.

“Good girl,” Vanessa purred, Brooke writhing underneath her and completely past the point of thinking about any of the consequences of any of this. “You miss me, don’t you?”

“Fuck, so much.”

“You been missin’ this?”

“Shit yes, so much.”

Vanessa’s eyes were dark as Brooke looked up at her. “Nobody’s gonna fuck you like me, are they?”

Brooke’s eyes nearly rolled into the back of her head, thinking that at this point if Vanessa asked her to get married she probably would’ve booked the damn venue. “No, only you, baby, fuck.”

“Mm, such a good girl,” Vanessa smirked, Brooke’s clit giving a spasm as she thought now was really not the time to realise she had a praise kink. “I don’t know, though. You seemed pretty sure you wouldn’t miss me when you ended things.”

“I do miss you, 'Ness, I promise, I’m sorry, I’ll beg on my knees if you want me to, I don’t give a fuck, you’ve been driving me crazy all night…so fucking perfect, shit…"

"Mm…you would look so pretty on your knees,” Vanessa leaned in and murmured into Brooke’s ear, pressing the lightest little kiss to her neck and almost sending Brooke over the edge before anything had even happened yet.

“I’ll do whatever you want, baby, fuck, I want you to feel like you’re the most gorgeous fucking goddess in the world,” Brooke gasped as Vanessa brought her other hand down to touch herself, the sight of her working Brooke and herself into a frenzy the hottest thing she’d seen in months. Her mind short-circuited, and she struggled to know if anything she said made any sense. “Jesus Christ, Vanessa, please fuck me, I can’t take much more-"

Pride glinted in Vanessa’s eyes before she leaned in and kissed Brooke, hot and wet with her fingers still rubbing and teasing her through the material. Pulling away, she motioned to the decking around the hot tub. “Lie back then, baby.”

As Brooke almost drove her face into the decking in her haste to scramble out of the hot tub she ignored the little voice in the back of her head that told her everything about this was a bad idea, and instead focused on the one that screamed it was the best decision she’d made in months.s

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javierpenaspinkshirt · 4 years

Text

Dear Diary

Javi x Diarist - One Shot

Warnings: brief mention of some NSFW activities, mentions of tight jeans, some Carrillo thirst because I’m only human.

Words: 2.7k.

Summary: writing in her diary, the Diarist documents her first few weeks at her new job and her first encounters of Javi.

Day one - Monday

Dear Diary,

Today was the first day of my new job! Mom said I should keep a diary so I can look back when I’ve been in the job awhile and see how much I’ve progressed. To be honest with you, Diary, I feel a bit daft writing in you… but hey ho! Maybe you’ll be fun to look back on?

Anyway! Today was the first day of my new life in Bogotá! I’m a secretary for the DEA at the American Embassy in the city – the building is a bit posh! The university isn’t too far away so I can easily get to my evening classes (studying History with Spanish) and even though I’m classed as a ‘mature’ student (mature! HAH!) I’m hoping I’ll make friends both at class and at work… maybe someone with a car so they can drive me, teehee!

It’s a group of five girls working as secretaries for the DEA. We have a good age range and I sit sort of in the middle of the group age-wise I think. They’re all really lovely, there’s two other Americans and two Colombians so a cool culture mix. Hopefully they all like me!

I didn’t do much work today, just shadowing the others and walking round to meet everyone. The agents all seem to keep to themselves. There’s two Americans down the hall from my desk – I didn’t catch their names (whoops) but apparently they’re the two I’ll spend the most time working with. I should introduce myself properly tomorrow.

I’m looking forward to my first Tuesday on the job!

Day two - Tuesday

Dear Diary,

Today was day two. It was good, there’s a lot of information to learn and it’s especially difficult to flick between English and Spanish in my brain… But I guess I’m new to all this and I’ll get the hang of it! One of the other secretaries – Erica – has promised to speak to me mostly in Spanish so I can get into the habit of speaking like a local, I thought that was sweet of her!

But that wasn’t the most interesting thing to happen today, Diary, oh no no! Today I met Javier and Steve. They’re the two Americans I’ll be working for mostly. Steve is nice, barely speaks any Spanish which I can tell frustrates him and Javier, but just like me he’ll get there! I think I might end up his interpreter… but he seems kind and he is really into the job! He’s got a wife and they haven’t lived in Bogotá all that long either so we have that in common! Well… the being new here… not the wife bit(!)

And then there’s Javier, who all the other secretaries call Javi… so I guess I will too. I can tell he’s going to be trouble. He came up to my desk after lunch just to tell me that he liked my blouse and that the color suited me! I have to admit he is very handsome… But he strikes me as the ‘would ruin your life for a shag’ type? That might be harsh and he does seem nice. The others all say he’s lovely and is a man you can depend on but he is a dreadful flirt!

I wish I’d had something smart to say back to him as he stood in front of my desk telling me he liked my blouse but honestly, Diary, I think I just whimpered?? I was so taken aback by it! If there’s a next time I’ll have to be smarter!

Day 3 - Wednesday

Dear Diary,

This morning Javi bought me a coffee and brought it to my desk. He actually apologised for trying to flirt with me yesterday! He was very sweet actually. He said he wanted to make sure we got off on the right foot so wanted to apologise if he made me uncomfortable! I told him he didn’t I was just surprised he would even notice me! He was very sweet and said something like ‘I’d have to be blind not to notice you’… wait was he flirting with me again??

Diary, I am going to have to get better at this!

Day 4 - Thursday

Dear Diary,

I think we have a situation. I think I might have a teeny little crush on Javi. I mean, I am certainly not the only one! All the girls seem to melt slightly when he talks to them… Except Coleen actually… somehow she’s immune to his charms… Maybe she’ll teach me?

I caught myself actually waiting for him to come over to me today because I was looking forward to chatting to him. He always seems to make time to chat to us all and sees us as actual people… a lot more than most of the other staff.

He does wear some insanely tight jeans though. It's like it's 1985 and he thinks he's Axl Rose! But Javi does look good in them... like really good… Oh dear… I think I fancy a government agent. Who have I become??

Day 5 - Friday

Dear Diary,

That was my first week! Done and dusted! I think it was good! Everyone has been so kind and supportive and Erica has even invited me out for drinks tomorrow night with some of her friends! I cant wait!

School is going well too, I had my first classes this week and I think I’m going to be okay! The subject material isn’t going to be easy, but we like a challenge don’t we, Diary?

Now back to the important stuff – Javi’s outfit of the day. I was sat at my desk making some phone calls when Javi walks passed in a pair of those damn jeans and a red shirt. He caught my eye as he walked passed and gave me a smile and – I shit you not – my brain kicked in to gear and I said:

‘Nice shirt, the colour suits you’ and I was so cool and casual with a little smirk on my face, Diary I have never played anything so cool in my life. I got a chuckle from him and a wink and I swear down I would have taken my panties off right then and there.

Diary, my mom can never read you.

Day 6 - Saturday

Dear Diary,

It’s pretty late as a write this but that’s because I’ve been out with Erica and her friends! A couple of the other girls from work joined us as well so it was a lot of fun! We just went to a bar and had a few drinks and a giggle.

Erica did tell me she noticed me “making eyes” at Javi in the week though and I must’ve turned as red as the strawberry daiquiri I was drinking because she laughed at me. She told me he is, to quote her, ‘a bit of a slut’ and that most of the girls in the city know him in the biblical sense... I don’t think that put me off? I mean it’s the 80’s, do we still shame people for having sex? And to be fair, here I am making heart eyes at a man I’ve known for a matter of days. So no, Diary, I don’t judge him for that.

But I also don’t think I’m going to pursue him? I’m certainly not looking for a boyfriend. Although as I write this down I kind of figure he’s not after a commitment either? I mean I don’t know him that well but what kind of man shamelessly flirts with the new secretary on her first day if he isn’t looking for some fun? Maybe that’s what I’m looking for?

Diary, no more daiquiris for me!

Day 7 – Sunday

Dear Diary,

I went shopping today. Not the boring food type of shopping, clothes shopping! It was a lot of fun actually! I got to explore the city a bit and although it has a reputation (and my mom would kill me if she knew) I actually felt fine walking around on my own! I was in the busy shopping streets mind and it was daylight, but I really think this city could feel like home!

I bought a couple of pairs of jeans because mine are old and raggedy and I got some new shirts and tops for work, but the buy of the day – a pencil skirt that makes my butt look like I’ve done a 100 squats a day since the day I was born. I mean, not to blow my own horn, but I look GOOD in it!

I’m going to wear it to work one day… And yes Diary, I know I might be playing with fire, but a little fun never hurt anyone?

Day 8 - Monday

Dear Diary,

I wore the skirt.

Oh my! The girls all gave me compliments on my ass and legs (which lets be honest is better than any compliment from any man!) so that was great!

I’ll be honest though, by the end of the day I wanted to rip it off myself… I had severely underestimated how difficult sitting in a pencil skirt for 8 hours would be. Lesson learned!

I did see Javi though. He didn’t say anything but I was stood up as he walked passed and his eyes were stuck on me for so long Steve had to practically drag him up the stairs. Diary, I was very pleased with myself!

Day 9 - Tuesday

Dear Diary,

I don’t know what it is about the American Embassy but somehow the building attracts the most beautiful men.

Today, Diary, I met Colonel Horacio Carrillo and believe me I have never seen such a MAN! He must be 90% shoulder and 10% snark because Diary he is built like a wall and has a mouth sharp enough to even shut up Javier Peña! Not that I was listening in, I was collecting some papers in their office as the Colonel was talking to Javi and Steve.

Steve introduced me to the Colonel and he shook my hand (Diary, his hand was the SIZE OF MY HEAD)… he was wearing a wedding ring though. I’m no home wrecker… but my god is he beautiful!

I did catch Javi’s eye before I left their office though and I’m sure I’m not making it up when I say there was a flash of jealousy. I thought I was being crazy and arrogant to think that but no, I’m sure! The Colonel was very polite to me, very courteous, and were he not a married man I would have wished I was wearing my new skirt again. Diary, I can not stress enough the thickness of this man’s arms.

Anyway, despite definitely having the hots for the Colonel, I think I’d still rather go out with Javi. If we put the whole Carrillo-is-married thing aside, I just think Javi is more my kind of guy? Up for a laugh, not too serious, likes a drink and likes a smoke... very pretty!

I think we’d have a lot of fun if we went out. I’m beginning to wonder if he thinks the same?

Day 10 - Wednesday

Dear Diary,

Today the five of us girls went out for lunch. It was great! They showed me their favourite café, great for people watching but far enough from the embassy that we weren’t just looking at officials in suits! Great food too, I really do love this city!

I was sat with Coleen at lunch and she told me Javi had caught her after I’d left work for class and asked her about me. Apparently he asked if I was single!! Coleen told him she didn’t know because she didn’t want to drop me in it if I wasn’t interested in him (bless you, Coleen!) but I definitely am interested! Diary, when she told me he’d asked about me my heart raced! Like I’m some kind of school girl!

I really do like him and I’d like to get to know him better. But I think I’ll give it some more time maybe?

Day 11 - Thursday

Dear Diary,

I spent the whole day look at Javier Peña and his black fucking shirt. Oh my god, Diary! I am in too deep. He walked passed my desk while I was on the phone today and I stopped listening completely so I could concentrate on his butt.

It is becoming a problem.

So I have resolved to do something about it. I have decided that I’m going to ask him out for a drink tomorrow night after work. Fingers crossed for me!

Day 12 - Friday

Dear Diary,

Well… it’s sort of actually Saturday… I didn’t have time to write in you yesterday, Diary because… well because I didn’t come home last night (!)

Let me explain the events of last night:

When I got to work yesterday morning Javi was sat at my desk. He was wearing that damn leather jacket that, for no reason at all other than its his, I find incredibly sexy and was waiting for me. He said good morning to me then got up to let me sit down.

He watched me as I took stuff out of my bag and settled in before, seemingly out of nowhere, he asked me if I wanted to go for a drink with him after work!

Diary, I was so uncool. I was like one of those nodding dogs people have in their car or on their desk.

He laughed and said he’d come by my desk to get me when we were done. I spent the entire day obsessing about whether it was a date or just a friendly drink? Erica was sure it was a date, so sure in fact she made me borrow her red lipstick and made me promise to wear it.

I did wear it. And was I glad I did!

He complimented me on it when he came by my desk to get me. As we left the building he put his arm out for me and we linked arms and walked down the street and Diary it was the easiest, loveliest conversation I’ve ever had! He made me feel so at ease straight away, it was sort of like I’d known him for ages?

We actually ended up at the same bar I’d been to the weekend before… so I was back on the daiquiris!

We talked for ages, right up until closing but it was still like there was so much more to say! When we eventually got turfed out of the bar we ended up walking the streets, arm in arm again, laughing and chatting. Diary, it was lovely!

Turns out he only lives a few blocks away from my place but his is closer to the bar. We stopped at his door and he invited me up. I’ll be honest, I hesitated… but I was wearing his leather jacket (he’d let me wear it for the walk home) and he’d been such a gentleman, well I couldn’t resist the smile on his face!

So I ended up sat on his sofa as he told me about work and fixed me a whiskey… I don’t know what possessed me but when he came over to give me my glass I stood up and kissed him!

Diary, you know me, I’ve never been particularly forward! I blame those daiquiris… but oh no, it didn’t end at a kiss.

Before I knew it we were pulling each other's clothes off (I didn't even mind that he ripped one of my new tops)! I don't know if it's because he's well practised or he's just one of those guys that knows what he's doing... but lord did he know what he was doing!

Before I knew it he had me on my back on his sofa, screaming his name and Diary… well what can I say… I’ve had to write this all down quickly because I’ve just come home to shower and get a change of clothes before he comes to pick me up. That’s right, we’re going out again tonight!!

Diary, don’t wait up!

#javier peña x reader #javier peña fic #javier peña fanfic #javier peña x you #narcos fanfic #narcos fanfiction #javier peña #javi x reader #javi x you #javi #narcos

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slipping-through-my-fingertips · 4 years

Text

Klainetober day 26

Prompt 26: Trick or Treat

Summary: McKinley is hosting a Halloween dance. Kurt needs a date.

Notes: This is another story I was already writing and I added some details to fit with the prompt for today. Really proud of this one, I hope you all enjoy it.

AO3

The first annual McKinley High Halloween Dance was next week and Kurt Hummel still didn’t have a date. It wasn’t as if he was waiting around for someone to ask him because he was fairly sure he was the only out person in the entire school, except maybe Brittany. No one seemed to have issues with her dating anyone from footballers to glee clubbers or even fellow Cheerio Santana. However, she didn’t label her relationship with Santana. Kurt suspected Santana wasn’t quite ready to give up on hooking up with boys. Whether she actually enjoyed the company of boys was up for debate. If you asked, Kurt was positive Santana was experiencing the similar fear he once had when he was deciding to confirm what all the bullies already said about him: he was gay.

If Quinn Fabray, chairwoman of the dance, got her way, Kurt would have to endure two more Halloween dances, dateless, until he graduated and got the hell out of Lima. All because she needed an excuse to wear couple costumes with her new boyfriend, Sam Evans. Which was the real reason, Kurt Hummel needed a date. The rules of the dance were simple: couple costumes only.

Before you ask why Kurt couldn’t just skip out on the dance altogether, Mr. Schue had signed the glee club up to perform. He had to go and in order to attend, he needed a date. Everyone else was paired up: Finn and Rachel, Puck and Lauren, Mike and Tina, and Artie had asked Mercedes just this morning to go with him as a friend of course. Artie was still upset that Brittany and Santana were dating. Kurt assumed he didn’t want to cause any trouble so Mercedes was Artie’s safest bet for a date. Though, Kurt wished he had asked his bestie before Artie did because that would’ve solved his issue.

Kurt felt more alone than ever. All around him were couples. As he sat in the Lima Bean, he tried to tear his eyes away from couples holding hands on top of the tables, whispering to each other while waiting in line, ordering for one another, and their adorable, little kisses on cheeks. He went back to flipping through his math notebook and continuing his test corrections, which was his way of avoiding his need to find a song for the dance to perform.

He put his headphones in and let the music of his favorite playlist take him away from Ohio. Music was his greatest escape. Except today all he could see were images of the glee club in their costumes.

Quinn and Sam were going as a Na’vi. It was going to take a lot of work to get all of that blue paint off their bodies.

Ever since their musical movie night of Grease, Rachel’s been obsessing over Olivia Newton John’s outfit and was surely going to force Finn into a T-Bird leather jacket.

Though Kurt wasn’t quite sure about Puck and Lauren’s costume, Lauren did tell him it was rather sexual, which didn’t surprise Kurt at all.

He and Lauren had struck up a decent friendship since she joined glee. It was partly because Puck already considered Kurt “his boy” and partly due to their similar wit and sense of humor. Moreso the latter.

Among those couples in his daydream, Kurt saw himself standing by the punch bowl simply observing the over-crowded dance floor and wishing he had a sweetheart to sway with him while cheesy popular Halloween music played.

He skipped the next song on his shuffle and set about getting back to his test corrections for geometry. Somebody helped themself to the seat in front of Kurt causing him to look up. There in his blazer and slightly gelled hair sat Blaine Anderson, cute as could be.

Blaine was a Warbler. The enemy, if you asked Rachel. But to Kurt, Blaine was a friend and confidant. Someone who understood him better than anyone else ever had. Kurt had met him on a failed spying mission to Dalton Academy during Girl vs. Boys week. Blaine serenaded him with Katy Perry and Kurt’s been a goner ever since.

“Hey you,” he said.

Kurt removed his headphones.

“Hi, what are you doing here?” Kurt asked. “Don’t you have rehearsal until 4?”

“It’s after 4, Kurt.” Blaine smiled.

Kurt looked at his phone and sure enough it was almost 5 o’clock. “Oh.”

“What are you working on?”

“Math,” Kurt said with a long sigh.

Blaine hummed like he understood Kurt’s frustrations with the subject.

“I could use a break honestly.”

“Great,” Blaine said,. “How’s glee? Did you have your sectionals yet?”

“Not yet, Mr. Schue won’t even tell us our competitors. Who are you competing against?” Kurt took a sip of his nonfat mocha. “Not Vocal Adrenaline, I hope.”

Blaine smiled like he had a secret. In the short time that they knew one another, Kurt was already aware that Blaine wasn’t capable of holding in secrets, especially good ones (unless they were top-secret and very serious matters, like the extent of Karofsky’s bullying). This secret had him ready to burst at the seams.

“What’s going on? Are you doing a medley of Pink songs?”

Blaine laughed. “I wish but no.”

“So, what’s this all about?” Kurt gestured to Blaine’s bouncing in his seat.

“The Warblers are up against the New Directions this year.”

“We’re competing?”

“Yes!” Blaine explained. “I know it’s kinda strange to be excited but this means I’ll get to see you and hear you sing. It’s going to be great no matter who wins.”

“Well, obviously it’s going to be us.”

Blaine rolled his eyes. “In your dreams.”

There was a slight break in conversation as Kurt gathered up his worksheets and placed them in a green folder. He wasn’t doing any more today. Not when Blaine was sitting across from him.

“How’s school going?”

Kurt had confessed so much to Blaine. Things he didn’t dare tell the New Directions or even his dad.

“Good,” Kurt said, with a small smile. “Karofsky’s suspension has turned into expulsion thanks to Coach Sue.” He lowered his voice and looked around to make sure no one was listening. “In addition to his threats on my life, he was caught in the act of kicking another student so…”

Blaine lowered his voice as well. “So, that means you’re safer right?”

“I hope so. I worried if it’ll mean the other bullies will take his place or if they’ll leave me alone altogether. Time will tell.”

Blaine tilted his head slightly to the left and scrunched his nose. “I guess that also means there’s no hope you’ll come to Dalton?”

“I’d miss McKinley too much.” Kurt shrugged. “But transferring isn’t completely off the table just yet.”

Blaine reached over and took Kurt’s hand. “I’m happy for you, y’know.”

“Thanks,” Kurt said. “In somewhat happier news, Quinn has declared a Halloween Dance.”

“That sounds fun but you said somewhat...what’s wrong with a spooky dance?”

“She has also declared it a couple costume dance.” Kurt sighed. “Everyone needs a date and yours truly has no one to ask.”

“Mercedes?”

“She’s going with Artie.”

“Huh, you guys having it on Halloween?”

“Yeah, it’s a Friday so it actually works out well.” Kurt raised his eyebrows wondering where Blaine was headed with this train of thought.

“In the evening, I assume.”

“Yeah, it’s at 7.”

“The Warblers usually do some trick or treating in the neighborhood, they like that some houses make them do tricks before giving them candy,” Blaine said with a smile, “but I can skip out this year. We should probably start brainstorming costume ideas.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’ll come with you, Unless, you’re too embarrassed to be seen with me,” Blaine teased.

“Definitely not,” Kurt assured him, “I’d be honored to have you come with me.”

It looked like Kurt had a date to the dance.

“And you’ll help me with my song selection.”

“Wouldn’t want it any other way,” Blaine said, “but only after you agree to be the peanut butter to my jelly?”

“I refuse to go as a sandwich,” Kurt huffed.

“The Mario to my Luigi!”

“Taken by Artie and Mercedes. Next.”

“Buzz Lightyear to my Woody?” Blaine suggested.

“As much as I love Disney–”

Blaine cut him off, “–and Pixar.”

“And Pixar,” Kurt confirmed. “No.”

“Why not? You’d look cute in a spacesuit.”

Kurt tried not to blush.

“How about Broadway legends for couple costumes?”

***

On Friday, Kurt found himself exactly where he thought he’d be: standing alone by the punch bowl. Coach Sue had made her special punch, usually reserved for proms, and was guarding it. Kurt felt safer knowing she was watching out for bullies and people, namely Puckerman, who would be trying to spike it.

One thing Kurt hadn’t accounted for in his daydreams was how good Blaine looked in red. His entire outfit clung to his body: freshly ironed red button-down, appropriately sinfully tight slacks, and a skinny blood red tie. Blaine was sitting with Tina and Mike in their zombie cheerleader and footballer costumes. Even from here, Kurt noticed black curls framing his face and the rest were held back by light gel and devil horns.

“Your alabaster complexion wasn’t enough, Porcelain,” Sue said, “you just had to dress like a heaven-sent cherub.”

“I think there was a compliment in there somewhere.” Kurt smiled.

“Your boyfriend is too preppy to be a devil,” she commented, “but you’re the only couple couple here that doesn’t make me gag.”

Before Kurt could tell her Blaine and him weren’t dating, she was already yelling at a student for coming too close to the punch bowl.

Kurt decided it was best to join Blaine at their table. He carried two plastic cups of orange punch and placed one in front of his date. Blaine smiled his thanks and continued his conversation with Mike about the best local dance studios. The Warblers wanted to brush up on some of their step dancing abilities.

When the song changed, Mike escotted Tina to the dance floor leaving Blaine and Kurt alone.

“Are you having fun?” Kurt asked.

“I am. The New Directions are great.” He took a sip of punch. “Rachel’s better in short doses, Tina’s a sweetheart, and Mike and Sam could easily be my new best friends.”

Kurt chuckled and ducked his head. Blaine moved his hand onto Kurt’s knee so he met the other boy’s eyes.

“Your friends are great, I understand why you wouldn’t want to leave them.”

“They are,” Kurt agreed. “Not that the Warblers aren’t amazing too.”

“Oh they’re a lot to get used to as well,” Blaine assured. “We tend to be...traditional.”

“The New Directions don’t follow any rules. We just are.”

“You belong here.”

Kurt shook his head. “Maybe in the eyes of the glee club. No one else wants to claim me.”

“I would,” Blaine told him.

“You would?”

Blaine nodded. “Wanna dance?”

Kurt hesitated but Blaine was standing there with his earnest grin and hand out just waiting for Kurt to grab it. How could he say no?

The boys went out onto the dance floor, joining a majority of the New Directions in their circle. Couples were paired up but everyone was still dancing together. It reminded Kurt of how they’d dance during glee breaks. Just general fun, no choreography or audience. They were teenagers enjoying each other’s company.

#klainetober #klainetober halloween fic extravaganza #halloween dance with new directions #klaine fanfic #my fics

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hu4ngs · 4 years

Note

jisung as your boyfriend! thank you ♡

AAAAAAAA THIS MADE ME SO SOFT jisung is a big baby

can u believe this baby is 18 this year? cuz i don’t

i personally REFUSE to believe he’s 18

anyway

you met jisung during a basketball match

it was your school against his

you weren’t really THAT supportive you just came because everyone told you there was gonna be handsome players

also the food stalls during school matches are always the b e s t

so here you are

you were happy that you got a pretty decent seating so you immediately started looking for cute players

you figured you probably looked focused as hell cuz that’s how you met jisung

he was sitting next to you, you can tell he’s from the other school judging from his school blazer

he chuckled looking at you squinting to see the match when it hasn’t even started

when he noticed that you noticed him, he immediately looked away

you stared at him for a couple seconds longer before diverting your attention back to the court

the horn blew, indicating the game had started

you noticed a light haired fella from the other school literally killing your school’s team

he was fast, he was sharp, you can tell he’s in ace

you watched him effortlessly shoot a 2-pointer goal, which made the guy next to you immediately cheer

you were a bit surprised from his sudden cheer, which made you jump

your attention diverted yet again to him

“is that your friend?” you asked absentmindedly

he was taken aback for a few seconds before finally nodding

“he’s gonna kill it” he said proudly

a smile automatically formed on your face, another favourite of yours is watching people get excited during matches

“are you here to support your whole school or to just support #30?” you asked again

he laughed shyly, “of course it’s to support the whole team. it just happens that my best friend is the ace of the team” he bragged a bit in his words

you giggled

you found him super cute

“what about you?” he asked

you were a bit embarrassed to admit that you were just here to look at cute players

so you went with option #2

you lied

it’s a white lie so it’s ok

“oh yeah, i’m here to show support for my school’s team” you said, although you sound hesitant

you thank the gods he didn’t question your hesitation though

“jisung” he muttered with a smile

“y/n” you told him back, and he nodded to himself before turning back to the game

you did the same

long story short

you ended up cheering with jisung together for his friend (which you learned his name was chenle)

you earned a lot of stares from your schoolmates though

but you didn’t care

from the looks of it, your school’s team was barely winning

chenle was really beating their asses off

“dude, your friend is on fire”

jisung nodded proudly

“what did i tell you? that’s an ace right there”

you giggled at him before continuing to cheer on for chenle

when the match ended, you had gathered up all the courage you had to ask him to go around the food stalls with you together

because 1) he’s genuinely the cutest boy you’ve ever met

and 2) you had no friends to do this with you

yknow like seulgi once said. sometimes you gotta be BOLD

so anyway

before jisung was even thinking of leaving the court, you had asked if he wanted to go around the food stalls with you

you noticed him get a bit too flustered with the request

your brain had immediately started telling you that this was a mistake

and that he probably has a girlfriend already or something

but then he said yes!!!!!

HE SAID YES!!!!!!!!

you probably realised a bit too late that you got a little too excited

bc by then jisung’s face was already red after seeing you like that

“sorry” you chuckled

and he shook his head, “it’s okay”

just when you’re about to ask him to get out of the court he said something

“is it okay if chenle joins, though?” he asked

you were 100% okay with that, although a small part of you wished it was just you and jisung

but at that time it was still too early for you to notice that

so you agreed wholeheartedly

so that’s the story of how you became friends with chenle and jisung

chenle wasted no time to show his true colours

by seconds he was already a loud, laughing mess

he’d also make fun of jisung whenever he has the chance and you find their jokes toward each other to be super funny

you were super glad that this whole thing didn’t turned out to be awkward

when the overall event was coming to an end, you had to go on your own way

jisung made sure he got your number before you two depart,,, so that’s saying s o m e t h i n g

and after you left..... poor jisung was teased even more by chenle

“you asked for their number FIRST? you like them don’t you?” chenle asked teasingly, nudging jisung by his arm

“do me a favour, and just, shut up? please?”

chenle laughed

“i’m just saying, if you need help to ask a certain someone out.... i’m right here” he said proudly while puffing his chest out

ANYWAY

days after the event,,, like literally so many days later

you find yourself not able to stop texting jisung

the conversation just keeps on going

it’s crazy

you didn’t think he’d be a good texted but he simply is

whenever you text him first he’d immediately come online??? that’s a whole MAN

and he always have something interesting to say that would keep the conversation going

you find yourself drawn to him

it’s crazy

you’ve never felt like this before

like okay, you’ve had crushes before

but you never felt like THIS

everyday you’ll find yourself wishing that you’d get to see him again

and it’s really driving you crazy

like y/n???? smitten over a boy????? that’s crazy

jisung, on the other end, also felt the same

he lowkey wants to go watch a movie with you or something

but he can’t admit that to anyone

he can’t admit it to chenle because chenle will LOSE his mind

and he most definitely can’t admit it to you in fear he’d get rejected or get you weirded out

so he’s basically stuck

sometimes he’s on the subway on the way home and he sees two couples in it with him wearing matching jackets or are talking about getting boba together,,,,, he lowkey wishes he’d get to do that with you

it’s really driving him mad bc he can’t tell if he’s in love or just lonely or just going through puberty

he’s not really one to understand these type of feelings yknow.....

at the end he decided to contact his long lost friend

who’s like super older than him

it’s taeyong

he’s contacting taeyong

one night he suddenly sent taeyong a text

which caught the elder one off guard cuz it’s been so long since they talked

but it’s okay taeyong’s a nice person

when he asked jisung what was up

jisung immediately went into details

he told taeyong everything

from the basketball match

to the way you always stays online and wait for him to finish typing bc he admits he’s a bit of a slow typer

and he admits to taeyong that he does wanna hang out with you again

and not,,, platonically,,,, he genuinely wants to take you out on a date

taeyong let out a laugh when he read jisung’s super long explanation on what’s bothering him

he gave jisung advice alright

and he tried as hard as he could to make sure it was a good advice too

because it’s probably the first time the boy has ever felt like this, he can’t ruin this for him

and thanks to taeyong, jisung felt like the clouds in his head was finally clearing up

he was finally able to see a solution

which wasn’t that much hard to find,,, but he needed assurance from an older, experienced man

so yes, jisung ended up asking you out

when you received that text you were blown out of your mind

you were literally on cloud 9

the butterflies in your stomach? there were swarms of them

you couldn’t get a good night’s rest because your mind won’t let you stop thinking of the fact that you just got asked out on a date

BY PARK JISUNG TOO!!!!!

who’s doing it like you? not me, not anyone else. YOU’RE DOING IT LIKE YOU

jisung even made it clear that there wasn’t going to be a zhong chenle this time. just the two of you

and you find it sweet of him to reassure you that

nah, you’re just smitten by him

LMAO

so anyway

you spent your whole trying to find the perfect outfit

best believe you even went out to buy a pair of new shoes too

that’s how in love you are

on d-day, you two met in the subway

you met him after two stops, and he looked SOOOOO good

he literally looks like your future boyfriend

he wore something simple, but it really complimented his figure

unlike the other time you saw him, this time he wasn’t in his school attire, he had one airpod in, and overall he just looks dashing

you figured by now you ARE in love, because no boy wearing black jeans with a pair of converse topped with an adidas jacket had ever made you feel this way

but you’re not gonna complain

if you’re gonna fall in love with someone, it better be park jisung

when he noticed he thought similarly as you did too

he wondered how you could so good wearing something so simple

yup. if he was gonna get boba with somebody, it better be you

the subway was kinda full, so you were standing

he immediately went over to you

and you were lowkey blushing looking at how tall he was now that he’s standing right in front of you

“you look good” you commented, to make things less awkward, although that obviously backfired, because jisung immediately turned shy

“you.... you look good, too” he mumbled, looking away

luckily, after a few stops, both of you warmed up again to each other

he asked you about your day, and as usual you somehow carried away with talking about completely unrelated topic

but that’s what attracted jisung the most

he doesn’t do much of the talking

but he sure as hell enjoys listening to you talk

you were amusing too, and on top of that you made sure you weren’t just blabbing about yourself, you made sure he finds the fun in the conversation too

when you arrived at the mall, neither of you knew what you wanted to do

so you both ended up wandering around the big mall, and every once in a while you’d stop at a fast food restaurant to eat something light

you had to admit, even though you two weren’t doing anything specific, you were sure having a lot of fun

when (still) wandering around the mall, you two walked by a phone cover store

and jisung had the bravest, most brilliant idea ever

he asked if you wanted to get matching phone covers and honestly that was the sweetest thing someone has ever said to you

and like??? getting matching phone covers with jisung???? YES PLEASE

you agreed with your whole heart bruh let me TELL you

and that’s how jisung finally knew nothing wrong could really go with confessing

after buying matching phone covers, he finally fulfilled his wish to get you both boba

AND in the boba store

it’s not the most romantic way nor place to confess but,,, that’s jisung for you

it’s not the fanciest place ever, but it’s still the sweetest thing to happen to you

ngl you were gonna cry but you’re a bad bitch so you DIDN’T

so now he’s your boyfriend

and compared to before, he became way awkward now, more than ever

but again, that’s just park jisung for you

he gets shy super quickly

and i’m not saying you aren’t shy too, but sometimes whenever you absentmindedly grab his hands to go somewhere or something, boy, he will n o t stop thinking about it

good news is that you two go on dates much more often now

and he’d visit you sometimes when he has the time whenever you have extra classes

and he strictly asked you not to reveal your relationship to chenle yet because he wasn’t sure if he was ready to face that boy yet

anyway

so during the first few........ months of dating, please don’t expect to have that much hand touching, or hugs, let alone any types of kisses

he’s just that awkward

and he’s super grateful if you understand him and doesn’t pester him to do any coupley things

in fact he’d fall in love with you even more if you’re like that

but eventually he’ll come around anyway

he wouldn’t really initiate anything first other than the simple arm-around-shoulders thing, but he definitely won’t flinch or blush like a madman whenever you hug him or hold his hand

daily facetimes with him are a must that’s a requirement from park jisung himself

he doesn’t show it but we all know he’s secretly clingy

like SUPER clingy but in his own way

if you don’t give him attention he’s definitely gonna sulk

if you give chenle more attention, he’s 100% gonna sulk

once again he doesn’t tell you about it, but he LOVES having his arm around your shoulders especially when you two are in public

he lowkey likes the feeling??? like it kinda boosts his ego when he does this so he does it a lot

he doesn’t buy you gifts too much but he definitely loves hanging out/going out on dates with you

he’ll definitely buy you all the foods you want too

when he does buy you gifts he’d buy you little things like a keychain of your favourite anime character maybe, or a pair of adorable socks, maybe a cute little necklace and a shitton of phone covers

whenever you’re stressed out with your studies he wouldn’t bother you, but he’ll definitely accompany you if you asked him

he’ll comfort you a lot when you’re breaking down, although he doesn’t say much, but having him hold you tightly in his embrace is enough comfort for you, especially when it’s coming from jisung

your first kiss together would be waaaay overdue tbh

like, your first kiss is probably a year after dating he’s just that shy

but it’s sweet

best believe this time it’s jisung that initiated the first move

as usual you guys are on a date

and unlike other dates, you guys decided to have a picnic by the river

and unlike other dates pt. 2, he’s much more smitten for you than he has been the other days

maybe you surprised him at school when he’s super stressed out

maybe you brought him something he had been wanting to have

maybe you took him out to a cafe that he’s been craving

WE’LL NEVER KNOW but he’s super smitten

and his heart keeps racing in a different way whenever he sees you on that particular day

so when you were busying yourself taking cute pics of the river with the sunset

he suddenly slides in his hand onto your cheek

which caught you off guard

you were like,,,,,

“is this really my boyfriend is he really doing something other than having his hand on my shoulders?”

you’re lowkey panicking and excited to see what’s he gonna do next

at first jsung was hesitant but his heart was screaming for him to do it

so HE DID

he leaned in and kissed you

and you gladly kissed him back,,, hell, you’ve been waiting a lifetime for this moment

your kiss with him was super innocent, and was so gentle

it was perfect

you two were on the picnic blanket, by the river, accompanied by the sunset

you can’t think of any better way for you to share your first kisses with each other

and to top that all up, after all that, he told you that he loves you for the first time ever

and that’s a lot for jisung

in conclusion, jisung will be a hard shell to break

it will take a lot of patience from you

but it’s all worth it because he’s a treasure

he will cherish you so so so so so much

and if that’s not love idk what is

don’t ever break his heart or trust bc he can NEVER handle that

OH also on a side note now that you’re dating jisung, you’ll have to deal with chenle too

he WILL annoy you as much as he annoys jisung it’s just zhong chenle tingz

lastly, jisung would probably, at one point in your relationship, tell you that he’s glad he shared his firsts with you because he honestly can’t think of a better person

ugh wtf im jealous somebody get me a bf like park jisung pls

37 notes · View notes

cncohdamn · 5 years

Text

Fated for Midnight - Christopher

Word count: 1,300+

Wowie it’s almost New Year’s!! I can’t believe it tbh, seems like 2018 just started. Hopefully 2019 won’t be as big of a dumpster fire as 2018 was but we all know how this works by now lmao.

By the way does anyone else watch that new year’s special on Fox or something with Pitbull as the host? Or is that just me, I have no idea but it’s always on on New Years so my family just has it playing in the background and then we watch the countdown 🤷🏻‍♀️

I didn’t really think I’d write anything for New Years unless I had some huge inspiration, but @quisieracnco was looking for some writers for a big new year’s group thing and I thought it sounded fun, I hope you enjoy and have a good New Year’s! (also forgive me if my Spanish is wrong oof)

New Years wasn’t much of a family holiday, more so a friends-and-strangers-over-21 type of celebration. Usually you’d either watch the ball drop with your immediate family or small group of friends and share a glass of bubbly or sit on your couch with a glass of wine, watch the clock hit midnight and head to bed right after. You wished it was more of a thrill like in the movies, go to a big celebration and maybe get a midnight kiss. You were lucky enough to be single every New Years. Friends and family kissed their significant others while the only things to touch your lips were cookies and alcohol.

Most years you didn’t mind it too much, though. Sure, it would be nice to have someone to kiss, but if there wasn’t someone special in your life at the time it wasn’t too heartbreaking. This year was different, however, because there was someone special.

Over some time you had developed feelings for your friend without even knowing. You had known Chris and the boys of CNCO for a little time now and actually gotten to be quite close. One day you just started to see Christopher differently. His stature seemed more inviting and you longed for his arms to wrap around your frame. The only sound you wanted to hear was his voice. His laugh sounded like a beautifully composed song. His touch, the little physical encounters you two would have suddenly sent shivers down your spine. You didn’t want to fall for him, but you did, and now your heart ached knowing that you’d likely never get your feelings reciprocated.

The approaching holiday was slightly upsetting now with the thought of your lips being left void of affection and his beautifully plump and always-rosy lips pressed against another‘s.

You were stirring around some noodles in the silver pan that sat over a blue flame when your phone rang.

“Oye preciosa,” Richard hummed on the other end, “what are you doing on New Years?”

A heavy sigh escaped past your lips at the thought. “Probably just going to watch Pitbull’s New Year’s Eve Special with my friend Pinot Grigio,” you joked. “Why?”

“The boys and I were thinking about going to a club to celebrate, I thought you might want to come.”

“A club?” You questioned, a bit wary. You never really went clubbing — you didn’t drink often, and if you did it wasn’t much. You were one to find joy in relaxing activities and clubbing was most definitely not relaxing. Spending New Years alone in your small apartment and drinking by yourself seemed pathetic, so you agreed.

“Sure, sounds like a good time.”

“Alright, dope.” You could tell he was smiling by the little crackle noise that followed his words.

“We’ll come pick you up around 11, sound good?”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“Hasta luego, (Y/N)!”

You both said goodbye and tapped the little red button to end the call.

—

“I don’t want to go anymore,” you whined to yourself, throwing what seemed like the 90th dress onto the pile of other rejects. Some dresses were too flashy, not flashy enough, not long enough, not short enough, too thin, too low-necked, etc. It was nearing 10:30 and you weren’t ready.

Finally you came across an older black dress you hadn’t seen in years tucked in the back of the closet. It was thick enough to keep you warm for the winter weather but not too hot for dancing in a tight place. The hem reached mid-thigh and clung to your curves, with little sewn ridges that circled your body. The sleeves hugged your upper arms and hung from the ends of your shoulders, proudly leaving your collarbones on display, and dipped down far enough to show a little cleavage. Four thin satin strips criss-crossed across your chest. It was a complimenting dress. You paired it with strappy black heels and a shimmery silver purse with a lengthy chain strap that dangled from your shoulder.

The time was 10:56, leaving you barely enough time to do your hair and makeup. You threw on a simple look, a cat eye and red lips that popped with your monochrome outfit.

Richard and Chris showed up five minutes late, letting themselves into your apartment.

“(Y/N), you ready?” Richard called out.

Your heels clicked on the wood floor as you rounded the corner, earning a shocked (and impressed) look from the both of them.

“Damn, (Y/N), you clean up well,” Richard joked, normally only seeing you in comfy or casual clothes.

“Yeah, (Y/N), you’re stunning,” Chris said in a awestruck mumble, not able to take his eyes off you.

“Why thank you,” you gave a somewhat awkward laugh, looking down at your outfit. “It’s not too much is it? Where are the others?”

“They’re meeting us there, let’s go.” Richard said, leading you and Chris out to the car.

—

When you arrived at the club the boys greeted you with loud shouting and hugging, wishing you happy New Years and offering to buy you a drink. Richard and Zabdiel went to the dance floor with their girlfriends, Joel and Erick following behind.

Christopher brought you a glass of champagne, flashing you a smile. “Vamos a bailar,” he shouted over the music, gesturing to the dance floor.

The two of you met the other boys on the floor and danced around to reggaeton and the pop music popular at the time. You stayed close to the boys, a man or two attempted to get your attention but you ignored it. Your attention was on one person alone.

Surprisingly, Chris wasn’t trying to get at any other woman, even with some throwing themselves at him and would do anything to be with him given the chance. He stayed relatively close to the group and never strayed too far from you. This gave you a little hope, even though it felt like a long shot.

The music came down in volume and the DJ’s booming voice rang out. “It’s 11:59 everyone, time to count down and grab someone for midnight!”

Zabdiel and Richard held their girlfriends close to them. Joel and Erick had no problem finding a girl to dance with and kiss come 12. Those four were at all sides of you and Chris, almost like a barrier.

“Pues,” Chris said with a smile, grabbing your hand, “looks like you’re mine, princesa.”

“Ten!” Everyone shouted on cue.

Was this happening?

“Nine!”

“Eight!”

“Seven!”

Chris brought you closer to him, his fingers locking with yours.

“Six!”

“Five!”

“Four!”

Christopher’s other hand cupped your cheek, his thumb circling your cheekbone.

“Three!”

“Two!”

Your lips were centimeters apart, his eyes half open and adoringly looking into yours.

“One!”

They touched. Your lips were locked with his plump ones. He leaned into you and towered over you, dropping your hand to bring his around your lower back.

“Happy New Year!” Everyone cheered, blowing into their paper party horns. Your lips were yet to part.

A few seconds later the two of you separated to catch your breath, still close, smiling at each other with red and puffy lips.

“I’ve been wanting to do that for a long time,” he laughed.

“Did you make the boys circle us?” You questioned with a chuckle, giving him a playful push.

“Maybe,” he shrugged and let out another giggle. “But I think we should redo that kiss-“

“Oh do you?” You teased.

Your lips met again and again, pecking at each other’s lips and letting out small, breathy giggles between them.

You couldn’t believe it. He wanted to kiss you, and he was right now. Your mind raced and your heart skipped beats. It did that the next year, and the next year, and the next. You found your forever new year’s kiss, never spending another lonely New Years again. And every year you felt the same spark as if it were your first one.

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tarithenurse · 5 years

Text

New Years Eve

Pairing: Sam Wilson x Avenger!Reader Content: Pining, fluff, lemons. Don’t read if you’re not old enough. A/N: Refound the draft for this which I must have started back in December 2017. Thought it was about time to finish it...even if it’s not really NY Eve soon. And still...didn’t do proper proof reading. Sorry.

”The party of the year”, had been the way Tony described it when he secured your attendance for his New Years bash more than two months ago. Since then, you’d only heard rumours about the plans, and you’d been too preoccupied about getting through your solo-mission to spare a thought. That’s why you’d more than happily accepted when Wanda and Natasha had offered to sort whatever was needed that night.

Leaning back in the car seat, you really hope your two friends and co-Avengers have kept their end of the promise, whatever it might entail. No texts or calls have come your way which had been rather relaxing. For a while. Now not so much. Both Wanda and Nat are perfectly capable of being reasonable adult with common sense, but sometimes they end up in a mood where they wind each other up. Add Clint to the mix and the result will be disastrous, yet brilliant, pranking. For all you know, you might be on the way back to a cellophane covered room and a New Year’s outfit suitable for disguising the wearer as a flamingo.

...

Even after very careful inspection of your rooms, you’ve not been able to find any pranks lurking. And the outfit? It couldn’t have been better which is good because a few hours from arrival to party-start wouldn’t have left you with a whole lot of option. Why not re-use a dress or something? That’s what you normally would, but in usual Stark style the party has to be themed and this time it’s “animals” – hence the worry about the flamingo. But you’re in luck and the outfit is perfect.

More than perfect, you admit to yourself as you smooth a hand over the tightfitting number you’ve wriggled into. Tiny, faux scales in an oily-black shade is covering your body, only broken by the plunging cleavage and daring slit at along the thigh and a series of red accents that shimmer like fire across you chest and hips. Unfortunately, it does little to steel your nerves. It’s too…too…little! You feel exposed, naked.

A knock on the door barely precedes Natasha and Wanda who come barging in. They’re ready to go (one as a tiger and the other representing her alias’ namesake) and are here to put the last touches to their plan.

…

“I feel…like someone else!”

The woman staring back at you from the mirror is perfect. Dark makeup compliments the outfit (normally you’d only go as wild as mascara), and the usually unruly hair has been tamed into a surprisingly long, sleek braid that on its own looks like the snake you symbolize.

“You don’t like it?” Wanda cocks her head, causing the plushy tiger-ears to wobble endearingly.

You frown at the mirror. “I…I do! It’s just so…not how I normally look…” Do you? “That there,” you gesture helplessly, “she’s…I mean…hot and I’m not.”

“Jeez, good thing we got you sorted then.” Natasha’s adjusting the red/black corset one last time but spares a glance in your direction. “It’s about time you see what everyone else sees.”

Everyone? There’s no room in your head to consider the possible implications of that, so you try to ignore the hot bubble of nerves in your stomach. It’s just Nat and Wanda saying it. They’re your friends. Supportive, sweet, honest…but not objective. Hell, you wouldn’t be surprised if a couple of the guys would claim you were pretty either. Like Tony, he compliments anyone he meets on their outfits or whatnot (even if there’s nothing new about it), and Thor and Steve are the biggest sweetheart although one is quiet and the other is boisterous about it. Yeah, but what about Sam. And there you go, thinking exactly what you didn’t want to.

Sam used to be your friend. A buddy you hung out with and who showed you the ropes when you joined the Avengers. You still try to do that, but each moment around him is close to painful because you don’t see him as a casual friend anymore. You should because that’s what you guys are…but it’s not enough. What you feel for him is so much more. Trusting him with your life would be the easiest thing. And there’s no limit to what you’d do for him both in the field and outside to make sure he is safe and happy. Fuck.

“Hey! Viper, where you at?” Nat’s voice reaches through the swirling thoughts.

Both ladies are waiting at the open door, ready to head out. Mumbling an apology, you hurry after them, hoping they don’t notice your quickened breath and pulse.

“Why a black snake?” Standing in the elevator, it’s only now that it strikes you as odd. “I mean…as Viper it would make sense to use that for the animal tonight.”

“People might get suspicious,” Wanda shrugs, busy inspecting her nails.

Nat’s busy looking for something in her tiny purse but manages to talk past a thin knife: “Bwe’ide, ‘omeone elwe claimed it.”

…

You’d been lucky that there already were plenty people at the venue, meaning you could snake in between the other guests and head straight for the bar (ditching your friends at the same time).

“Gin ‘n tonic, please.”

Waiting for the drink, you look around the place. It’s busy, both at the bar running the length of the ball room, but also at the place in general. Hundreds of people are milling about, snatching canapés from trays carried by various birds (not actual birds, but waiters dressed as flamingos, cranes and so on). Huge tables with champagne pyramids is the only “classic” New Year’s theme while the place has been invaded by what appears to be an entire jungle. Lush green plants and exotic flowers create section in the large area while trees and hanging plants mingle above the heads of the guests, infiltrating the chandeliers to the point where you don’t think they will ever get free again.

“There y’are!” Nat’s smoky voice curls around you together with your arm. “Found the others by the palm trees. Steve’s a cat with yarn and all.”

It’s impossible not to take than bait, so you let her lead the way as soon as you got the cool drink in hand. They’re a sight to behold. Not just Steve the Kitten, but also Tony the Unicorn (sporting a long horn with which he attempts to skewer hors d’oeuvres when Pepper the Peacock isn’t looking) and well, probably everyone, but of course your mind is being silly and making sure to get stuck on the sight of the one person you shouldn’t watch.

Hot damn. Green scales glitter in the light as they adorn Sam’s suit, making it looks as if a viper’s curling around his body in a way you wouldn’t mind mimicking. No! I shouldn’t think that. At least he hasn’t noticed you because he’s too busy examining the rear end of Tony.

“You installed cooling?” His warm voice muffled by the fake tail hanging down.

“Wha’?! He’s got air-con?!” An edge of betrayal is powering Rhodes’ disbelief. “Man, you said I couldn’t get my exo cooled!” Hurrying over to take a look through Stark’s rear, he pushes Sam aside.

“Hey! Wa–” But Sam never gets further.

His eyes are scorching your skin but it’s impossible to tell what he’s thinking. Out of sheer nervousness, you fidget with the metal straw in the drink, almost inhaling the clear liquid. Suddenly, the dress is too revealing, causing your guts to clench in a desperate plea for hiding, but the moment you try to move to get a bit behind Nat and Bucky, you feel the air breeze through the slit. Shit. Heat is rushing through your body.

“You’re looking good.” It’s Steve. “Like what Wanda and Nat have done, sticking with the venomous snake theme.” His friendly chuckle helps you soften up a bit as memories of your old life flashes by.

Growing up in the slums in the biggest city in South America had taught you a lot – even more so during the hardest periods where you stole away to survive in the jungle instead, figuring it was safer than being near the gangs and drug cartels. In hindsight, neither option could’ve been considered safe, but that was at least you learned enough to eventually take up the fight. Try to protect innocent people from the violent crime lords. That’s how you’d gotten onto the Avengers’ radar. Why they came to capture you. It was a good thing Clint had been there on that trip because he convinced the others to bring you back.

“Thanks. Feels odd not to wear something more…practical.”

A broad smile flashes. “I get it. Penguin suits are fine, but they aren’t made for moving.”

“That too.” Need to get away. “’Scuse me.”

Slipping away between the myriad of guests, you circle the room once while pretending to admire the decorations. In reality, you’re scoping the place for quiet corners and easy escape routes. But soon enough your feet are carrying you back to the bar for a refill. From there it’s possible to see most of the room…including the random flashes of a familiar green. My colour.

…

How can it not be near midnight?! It’s never been this awkward hanging out with the team. Sure, the chatting and fun is still going on…it’s just you that finds it hard to feel comfortable in your own skin as long as your near Sam. You’d tried talking to him, pretending everything’s fine. Normal. No unrequited love tearing you up from the inside, making it feel like someone has dripped your old venoms straight into your heart.

So you try to spend your time on the dance floor where no one expects you to carry on a conversation as you can lose yourself in the rhythms. Otherwise it’s the bar that calls, luring you with cold G&Ts until your head is buzzing comfortably. Not drunk…because you never know what can happen. 4th of July was bad, you remember, pushing the ice cubes around in the tall glass.

A delicate but strong hand clamps onto your shoulder, startling you.

“Relax, hon, just me.” The redhead takes a seat beside you. “Do you want me to ask or are you just gonna talk?”

“’Bout what?”

You don’t even have to look at her to know she’s rolling the eyes. “Why you moping.”

“Oh.” The straw clinks against your teeth. She’s bluffing. “Ask away. Doesn’t mean I got anything to tell.”

Somehow managing not to spill the martini, Nat whips around to face you. “Right, of course not. ‘Cause it’s not like you’ve been harbouring a huge crush on a special gentleman.” Your glare doesn’t discourage her. “Maybe you should consider why the viper was taken so quickly.” And with that she floats away, drink in one hand and hips swaying elegantly to the music.

…

Dancing with Steve is an interesting experience: as physically gifted as he may be, this is one thing he has a hard time getting the hang on although he does his best to follow your instructions while both of you are grinning like fools, the ending of the song still brings a certain relief. Until you turn around straight into Sam’s arms. For a second, he seems just as baffled as you do, but then his trademark crooked grin lights up his face.

“Guess there’s no way about it now…wanna dance?” A warm hand is already skimming along your hip although the other waits for your decision.

It’s odd how perfectly his fingers fit around yours, how his arms seem to create a bubble of calmness that seeps into you until your breath is even and your heartbeat follows an unheard rhythm. Fingers with blood-red nails slither across venomous-green faux scales until coming to a rest on Sam’s shoulder.

“Didn’t know you liked that colour.” It looks amazing on him. “You should use it in your uniform.”

They’re playing an old Frank Sinatra song that you’ve heard a million times, allowing your brain to switch off and Sam to lead you effortlessly.

“I’ve thought about it…didn’t wanna to steal from you, tho’.”

He twirls you in his arms before dipping you, causing your heart to pound rapidly against the ribs so hard he might hear it (especially considering how close to your cleavage his ear is). Not like you haven’t stolen anything already.

“Oh, is that so?” Pulling you back up, chest against chest, it’s evident that you must have spoken your thoughts. “What’d I steal, babe?”

Babe. Sure, he’s used nicknames before. He’s the master of thinking up witty monikers for everyone on the team and failing that there’s always the classical endearments which he freely uses for everyone. This time, though, it’s spoken in a soft purr that makes it sound anything like the usual banter. You can’t take your eyes off him as your try to kick your brain back into action. A quick sweep of the tongue to get your mouth working brings back the taste of lipstick and G&T, brings Sam’s focus onto the red colour adorning your lips and his eyes darken momentarily.

Maybe you should consider why the viper was taken so quickly. Nat’s words echo in your mind and small details that you’ve never really given much thought start to fall into place. The way Sam always makes sure there’s a spot on the couch on movie nights, or how he somehow checks in a bit more frequently on missions than with the others. He even knows how you like your tea and coffee, despite the fact that you aren’t sure yourself.

“Sam…” you bite your bottom lip, still nervous.

“[Y/N]?”

Somewhere outside the bubble he’s created, the music is still playing, and people are getting closer to the new year, but inside, it’s just the two of you standing closer than humanly possible, allowing your lips to brush easily over his. Maybe the soft sigh is from him, it doesn’t matter. Just the fact that he recaptures your lips to deepen the kiss is important. His hand travels up the back to cradle your neck, the other arm drawing you closer.

…

The party is far away across town when the new year approaches. Clothes are discarded around the familiar room as Sam looks at you from under heavy lips. His hand is resting on your head that bobs slowly in unison with your hand. Each time the tip of your tongue twirls around the crown of his cock he hums in approval and you can feel his muscles work under the free hand you’re supporting yourself with partially.

His erection twitches as moans become groans, maybe spurred on at the quiet laughter you can’t hold back. It’s exhilarating to have such power over him, but next moment it’s gone as he pulls your away. Sam’s got you on your back quicker than you’d anticipated, lips trailing hot over the goosebumps covering your body and then…then he’s the one in control as mouth, tongue and fingers play you like an instrument, coaxing sounds from you that increasingly sound like his name. Sound like begging.

Your limbs are shaking when he pulls you onto his lap. Hands on your hips, the gorgeous man allows you to set the pace after he has aligned the throbbing cock with your wet core, and as you finally glide down the shaft, as he fills you up more than anyone has before, both of you cling on.

Open mouths breathing hard. Sweat glistening on skin. Moans. Strangled cries of pleasure. Partially suspended above your arching body, your name tumbles from Sam’s lips while his hips rock into you. Harder, faster. Your legs are on the verge of cramping from the iron hold around his waist, ankles locking behind his backs while your nails are digging into his shoulder blades.

Outside the window, fireworks light up the night sky, their explosions nearly drowned out by his name as you both tumble over the edge and into the hazy sea of bliss.

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justanotherdumpingground · 5 years

Text

Chapter Reviews: June 18-22, 2019 + Plan for TRH

Wishful thinking Chapter 11:

Dang, things have gotten more tense because of Charlie forcing the MC to accept a bribe to pay for her dad's medical bills in order to silence her. What's really crazy is that Anna coincidentally arrived at the hospital after Charlie left.

Ouch at the MC losing her telepathy. And even more so when Aubrey said he wished she would say something to make him feel better. Honestly, what is wrong with this selfish moron? The MC's dad just got hospitalized, which is causing her stress, and that is what he said? If he wants to feel better, then he sould've just go back to reading his explicit books for all I care. At least Jaime and Anna are more supportive.

Well, hello there, Ellen. I know we'll have to work with you to take Charlie down. Sure she's no saint, but there's no denying that she's up to something, and she has made valid points. Not to mention that she mentioned working on an environmental piece, which foreshadows this whole shebang. Considering it a situation where the enemy of my enemy is my friend, though the MC and Ellen are still far from friendly to each other.

Nightbound Chapter 10:

The fight against zombies was pretty intense as far as I'm concerned. I'm glad everyone, MC included, put up a good fight. Even better was when I picked the premium option to sound the horn and summon a giant alligator to fight the zombies. The real and pleasant surprise is that the alligator AKA Chompers is surprisingly friendly towards the MC. I hope to see it again.

I kinda didn't expect the bloodwraith summoner to be revealed in the middle, mainly because I thought it would be revealed near the end. Anyway, I find Cassiopeia and Thomas intriguing characters. Cass was undoubtedly used by Thomas, who exploited her desperation for companionship stemming from childhood. That didn't excuse her actions, but it ensures that her actions and motivations make sense. Likewise, Thomas's hatred of the supernatural coming from their perceived abuse of power shows how one can go great lengths in response to perceived injustices. Definitely captured my whole interest.

I'm looking forward to see how the meeting with Lord Elric goes as well as his monster tear. What if he has secrets to share for the MC?

Passport to Romance Chapter 15:

I feel like I'm not shown much of London aside from the Tower Bridge and a few food the main cast at, but I never saw any pictures of. Just shows how this book fails to immerse me in terms of both plot and decisions. I don't even pick the option to help Marisa call Tristao out, for instance.

Honestly, what is up with William suddenly promoting Elliot to a top spot in the family company? At least there's a board member who objected to it because she knows Elliot is unqualified for the job. I mean, all he does is mooch off of the family money as he travels around the world.

At first, it seems like the main cast finally gets a taste of what it feels like to not having enough money to keep up with their blog, but because of this story, they finally find a way to do it *cough*Elliot*cough*. And not to mention Yvette's right to be angry at the MC's ungrateful behavior for their unprofessional behavior.

Honestly, it's good riddance that this story's a standalone. I was okay with it for the first few chapters, but nothing really interesting happened, and my interest gradually decreased. There really should've been conflict in this story aside from the MC's struggle with maintaining their blog's integrity amidst Yvette's demands, but even then it has little effect on the story. Not to mention that the main cast isn't that great except Sumire, who's ultimately wasted potential because she doesn't even have a subplot nor any conflict with anyone.

Platinum Chapter 5:

When Ellis Knight said he's providing the MC the best apartment for her, I was expecting a recycled background art of Adrian Raines's luxurious suite, not Nadia Park's apartment. Oh well. At least Platinum MC's rise to fame is less easier than I thought. Yet at the same time, I need to keep an eye on Ellis because he might pose a threat in the next book if this story turns out to be a success.

Anyway, I like Zadie, Ozone, Luna, and Wade already. The clothes Zadie provides to the MC are beautiful, and I look forward to work with the other three.

I'm still uninterested in the romance aspect. Sure it's nice to have friends among famous singers like Avery and Raleigh, but as I've said earlier, I'm burnt out on the romance aspect that I just need to shift my focus away from it. That hasn't stopped me from feeling cautious on the potential scandal my MC just got herself into with Raleigh, however.

Red Carpet Diaries Chapter 3:

Why are we using Chazz's vision instead of coming up with my own? And why does he suggest cutting out an important female lead? As a player, I barely know about this Secret of Ninradell crap, yet the narrative doesn't allow me to know what it's all about. At least he's right about not every movie having to be romance. This should apply to most, if not all, Choices stories, even if getting rid of Byrony would ruin the movie.

Meeting with Marianne was okay, though it was also weird that she also suggested getting rid of Byrony. I seriously think she shoehorned the romance aspect of her book. At least the MC has the rights to the movie.

Premium scenes with Hunt and Matt? No thanks. I'm interested in neither, not to mention that I've chosen to be exclusive with Victoria.

The Elementalists Chapter 11:

It was nice and relaxing to spend time with Shreya and learn more about her family. I admire her and Nehal's ambition, and I wish her luck in her achevements.

I picked the premium outfit but not the hair because I love the former and feel eh about the latter. It doesn't do much aside from compliments, but I still love the outfit. Anyway, it was fairly easy to get Kavya's support despite the chaos that was about to follow. And I finally get answers from Greygarden Waithe. Man, I can't wait to see how this mystery unravels.

Bloodbound Chapter 6:

Dang, that was a mind-blowing chapter! Seeing Gaius fight against the council member easily grabbed my full attention. Every time Adrian and Kamilah seemed to have an upper hand, he easily showed them he isn't to be trifled with. Thank goodness they, along with the MC and Jax made it out safely.

Oh, of course Priya is in cahoots with Gaius. I never liked her since I first played Bloodbound, and. Sure she's a cunning villain, but she's also really psychopathic, selfish, and egotistical. Can't wait to bring her down to a peg like I did with Nicole.

Pity I couldn't afford to go after Jameson and determine his fate. This premium option is definitely on my to-pick list.

Man, Lester's death recorded live and used to persuade vampires to join his cause or die sets the tone for darker things to come. My guess is that Clans Raines, Sayeed, and Matsuo will oppose him while the other three will join him. Regarding Lester, he's starting to remind me of Jocelyn Wu in some ways. Sure they're unsavory people, but they set their priorities straight. In Jocelyn's case, she may be a bully, but she knows the moss creatures Redfield unleashed are a true threat compared to her targets. In Lester's case, he knows the feral problem and Gaius are bigger threats to his power than some clanless upstart like Jax. He's someone I have a begrudging respect for.

Anyone upset that Kamilah and Lily are sidelined for now in favor of Adrian and Jax? A part of me thinks Lily should've gone instead of Jax because of her technological expertise that might come in handy. As for this Seraphine lady, I'll see whether she's friend or foe.

On The Royal Heir:

For The Royal Heir, I've decided not to write reviews on this. Instead, I'm writing something like annals that embellish the MC's journey. Stay tuned for them.

#choices stories you play #chapter reviews

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nsschaintale · 7 years

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LINE 1:THE RUINS OF THE FALLEN CHILD

Everyone knows the old legend. The Legend of the War Between Monsters and Humans. Or, The Monster-Human War, as it was easier to call. To think humans and monsters used to live in harmony, only to end up in the war. Tried as they might, but the monsters were too weak to defeat the humans. As a result, all of the monsters were sealed underground under a mountain by seven magicians.

(a child is seen heading towards a cave entrance)

Over the course of the years since then, there had been disappearances. Now, a warning had been ingrained into the people's minds...

(the child gets closer to the entrance)

“Anyone who so enters this mountain....

(the child trips on a raised tree root)

….will never return, for it is the World of Monsters....

(the child is seen falling)

….and the Grave for Humans.”

It isn't clear if there was truth to the warning and legend, but it didn't stop those who disappeared from entering the mountain. There was always hope that they would return.

(the child is unconscious, lying on their stomach in a bed of flowers)

Sometimes, hope comes at a cost.

The child, a young boy, soon woke up from his fall into the mountain and sat up to his legs, glancing around as he dusted the crushed flower pieces off his clothes. He wore an oversized long-sleeved shirt that was blue and purple striped, his shorts a deep blue, he was also wearing black leggings, and black slip-on sneakers. The area was lit up by sunlight and was revealed to look like ruins of some kind. Crumbling marble pillars, cracked stones from years of vegetation pushing through and winding around, it looked like a place in homage to an ancient god or goddess than a place where dangerous monsters are said to roam. Or maybe it was both. The boy stood up and was about to move from the flower bed until he felt something pierce his mind. His vision started to darken as he could see a child crying in echoes next to him. It was a child like him, having a mop of chestnut hair to his cropped caramel hair, red eyes to his honey-brown, their pale skin to his tan, and both of their clothes are similar with some differences. The child had an oversized green sweater with a single yellow stripe and with ribbed cuffs, collar, and bottom, brown denim shorts that reached his knees, and black boots. Seeing the other child's body being translucent compared to everything else, they turned out to be a lost child spirit kneeling in the bed of golden flowers. He saw this single lonely spirit, with their teary crimson eyes and tear-stained rosy cheeks and approached them, only for the vision to blank out and brightness returned.

Boy: What was that? (crosses his arms) …..Hmm....Who was that? ….I better go. (looks back to see if he could climb back up, but there was nothing but solid chipped rock) ...Not that way... (looks around to find a kitchen knife-sized stick outside the flower bed) For safety..

The boy moved forward towards the arch past the flower bed. Once he entered, there was a large spot where a patch of grass breaking out of the eroding stone path and in the center of that patch, a little flower with a white face and six yellow petals was watching him walking up.

Boy: That's a cute flower.

Flower: Howdy! I'm Flowey the Flower! You're new to the Underground, aren't you? Golly! You look so confused. Someone ought to teach you how things work around here! Well, little ol' me will have to do. Ready? Here we go!

The area around the duo went dark while they themselves went into a gray scale. The only thing that still retained color was a red cartoon heart. Flowey explained to the boy that the heart is his SOUL, the very culmination of his being. The only way it can become strong is by getting LV.

Flowey: What's LV? Why, LOVE, of course! Down here, LOVE is given through.... (shifts his eyes) ...little...white...friendless pellets. (five white pellets appears around him) Grab as many as you can!

Frisk: Ok- (sees a vision of himself moving out of the way of something white and does it; ends up confused) Huh?

Flowey: ….Hey, buddy, you missed them. Let's try again. (sends more pellets)

Boy (sidesteps): Sorry!

Flowey (gets angry): Are you brain-dead or something.... RUN. INTO. THE. BULLETS friendliness pellets.

Boy (dodges the pellets): I'm sorry!

Flowey: …. (sneers) You know what's going on, do you?

Boy: I don't know...

Flowey: Ah. (surrounds the boy with pellets) DIE!

Boy: What, no!

(the pellets disappear and they both become confused)

Flowey: Wha- (gets hit by an incoming ball of flame and sent flying away into the darkness) AAH!

Soft patting of heavy footfalls approached the boy as a tall goatlike monster appeared before them. With Flowey gone, the area returned to what little color there was from before. The tall creature was a white bipedal goat with small horns, blue eyes, and paws like a lion's. The outfit it wore is a long purple robelike dress with white sleeves and a strange symbol that looks like a winged circle with three triangles under it. By the voice, it was a female monster.

Goat Woman: What a terrible creature, tormenting such a poor, innocent youth. (smiles at the boy) Do not worry, my child. I am Toriel, caretaker of the Ruins.

Toriel explained that he was the first human to show up in a long time, and offered to guide him through the catacombs. She led him towards an area where two flights of stairs on opposite sides lead up to an opening flanked by a length of vines. Piles of red leaves are scattered across the slightly damaged location and a bright four-pointed star gyrated in place between the stairs where the majority of the leaves were gathered. He looked around as he approached the star, the shadow of the ruins looming over him.

Boy (touches the star; a black screen pops up): Awah! What is this?

Hiro LV1 XX:XX

Ruins – Entrance

Save Return

Boy (looks at the number; it's showing his LV as 1): What's this mean?

??? (echoing): That number's too low for me....

Boy (looks around in a panic): Who?! (sees no one behind him) ….. (turns back to the screen and touches “Save”; the words turn yellow and he suddenly felt determined to do things) Cool! But that name.....am I Hiro?

Toriel: Is anything wrong, my child?

Boy: No, I'm okay. I think my name's Hiro.

??? (echoing): You'll see, +----.....

Hiro (looks around nervously): ….

Hiro followed Toriel up the stairs into the next area where six round panels in a double-cross pattern are arranged on the right side of the place. A pair of purple closed doors with the same symbol as the one on Toriel's chest remained shut. After welcoming Hiro to his new home, she proceeded to then explain the operations of the Ruins, walking on the corner four plates then pulling the lever switch. The doors creak open as a result.

Toriel: The Ruins are full of puzzles. Ancient fusions between diversions and door keys. One must solve them to move between rooms. Please adjust yourself to them.

Hiro: Ooh.

The boy followed Toriel into the next area where the path where across two small wooden bridges built over the canals that water flowed through, and thick vines covered some of the walls. There were three switches in the area, two of which Toriel instructed him to flip in order to proceed. Hiro did just that as Toriel led him to the other side of the room.

Toriel (claps her paws): Splendid! I am so proud of you, little one.

He followed her into the next area where a tall stuffed dummy stood in wait. She then explained how to deal with monsters in the Underground.

Toriel: When you encounter a monster, you will enter a FIGHT. While you are in a FIGHT, strike up a friendly conversation.

Hiro: ….Okay.

Toriel: I will come to resolve the conflict. For now, practice talking to the dummy.

Hiro walked to the dummy and initiated the fight. Like before, the area fell into gray scale except for his Soul, and four orange boxes appeared with the words FIGHT, ACT, ITEM, and MERCY. Frisk was about to choose ACT, but he suddenly had a vision of himself choosing FIGHT. A strange bar appeared in front of him. It was a long lime green oval, with six thick vertical bars and several tiny verticals going from red at the ends, yellow before them, and green in the middle of the oval. The open center of the oval was like a bull's eye on the dummy, and the vision hit it with a pointed stick that Hiro had on him. The dummy was destroyed instantly, its stuffing releasing a thick cloud of dust upon its stitches ripping apart. Hiro nearly shrieked after the vision blinked out and he hit ACT. A second branch of the screen showed *Dummy, and two options showed up around the dummy: *Check and *Talk. Hiro decided to talk to the dummy.

Hiro (waves a little): Hello. How are you..? You look....neat? …..

The dummy didn't seem much for conversation, but Hiro saw that Toriel seemed happy with him.

Toriel (claps her paws): Ah, very good! You are very good.

Hiro beamed.

Hiro followed Toriel into the next area where she asked him if he can solve the puzzle that is in the place. As they walked on, the room was about to go into a zigzag when a white frog-like monster hopped in between Hiro and Toriel, initiating a gray-scaled fight.

Hiro: Ah! (chooses ACT and sees that the frog is called Froggit and the words Check, Threat, and Compliment around it) Compliment....Ah! You look really neat!

Froggit didn't get what Hiro said, but was flattered anyway. Before the Froggit did anything, Toriel walked into the battlefield and stared down at the frog. The frog hopped away, looking ashamed.

Hiro: Phew, that was close.

After the sudden “battle”, Toriel led him to a spot where there are four long rows of spikes over a large pool of water. She was concerned about Hiro's safety, so she took him by the hand and guided him to the other end of the spike rows. The duo soon entered the next room where a long hallway stretched out in front of them.

Toriel: You have done an excellent job thus far, my child. But I have a difficult task for you. (averts her eyes then looks back at Hiro) I would like for you to go to the end of this hallway by yourself. Forgive me for this.

Hiro: Eh, wai-

As swiftly as her legs carried her large form, Toriel quickly trotted her way down the hall as Hiro just walked after her. He was tense about this, since it was a quiet walk until he reached the end of the hallway where a single complete pillar still stood. Toriel soon left the pillar and explained that she wanted to test his independence. There was one more thing she had for him.

Toriel (pulls out a little gray phone with a short antenna from a hidden pocket): I apologize for this, but I have some errands to run and I need you to stay here until I return. Here is a cell phone. (hands Hiro the phone) It already has my number, so if you need anything, you can contact me. (walks away) I'll be right back.

Hiro: ….. (looks at the phone and starts pressing buttons) How do I- (presses a green button and a black screen popped up; two black screens appeared)

The top box had his stats:

Hiro

LV 1

HP 20/20

G 0

And the second had ITEM, STAT, and CELL. Hiro tried STAT and another screen popped up:

“Hiro”

LV 1

HP 20/20

AT 18 (0) EXP: 0

DF 11 (0) Next: 80

WEAPON: Stick

ARMOR: Bandage

Gold: 0

Hiro closed the screens and decided to call Toriel, finding her number. They chatted for a short while, saying hello and Toriel talking about herself. She was even happy that Hiro called her “Mom”, and awkward when he made a “flirtatious” remark. If calling her a cutie pie would count as such. Hiro didn't know. But now, Hiro wanted to listen to what Toriel said about staying where he was, but his curiosity got the better of him. He soon left the hallway into the next room area where another white frog is present ahead of an entryway and a massive pile of red leaves with another yellow star ahead of them. Hiro was about to move on when the phone rang. Toriel had called to ask if he had left the room and warn him that there were puzzles she had not taught him about yet. Hiro was suddenly felt guilty and had no choice but to lie to her about not leaving. She just accepted it before hanging up. Hiro kicked some of the leaves around in a playful manner before touching the twinkling star. He touched the Save word, hearing a ding and the black panel vanished. He went into the entryway and found a small room where a bowl of what looked like candy sat on a marble pedestal, and waterways on the sides of the room. He took nearly all of the candy, and pretty much felt awful about being the scum of the earth after knocking the bowl off by accident. Hiro left the room and talked to the Froggit by the entrance.

Froggit: Ribcuse me, humanbit. Ib have some advice for you abit battling monsters, ribbit. If you act a cerbain way or fight untib you almost defeabit them, they might not want to fight abymore, ribbit. If a monster does not want to fight, please.... use some mercy, humanbit. Ribbit.

Hiro: ..Okay.

Hiro was about to leave until he ran into a little bug monster. The battle began and before he could see what it was, his vision darkened again and he saw himself stabbing the bug with the stick in his hand. The scene blinked out and Hiro grew confused and afraid like the bug. Hiro found out it's called a Whimsun, and before he could console it, the Whimsun flew off in tears. He was starting to wonder what these visions were, but he decided to ignore them again. Hiro continued on to next area where there is a hallway with six cracked spots in the floor and two rectangular holes on the wall.

Hiro: How am I gonna go over there? Maybe I can... (backs up far then runs; jumps but lands on a crack; falls through) AAAAAH!! (lands on a pile of red leaves, landing on his back) Ow! (curls into himself while waiting for the pain to fade; looks up to see a hole then sees two exit ways; goes to the right) Where does this go? (walks into it until it shrinks like a tunnel) Getting..kinda small... (climbs out through a rectangular hole on the other side of the crack floor) All right!

Once Hiro was out, he continued onward to the next area. It was a wide area where the wall has a few vines crawling up, a small rock about his waist, a gray platform, and a row of spikes. Before he could fully explore this area, he received a phone call.

Hiro: Hello?

Toriel: Hello, this is Toriel. For no reason in particular..which do you prefer? Cinnamon or butterscotch?

Hiro: Um...Cinnamon.

Toriel: Oh, I see. Thank you very much! (hangs up)

Hiro: Huh... (takes a few steps before the phone rings again) Hi, Toriel.

Toriel: Hello! You do not DISLIKE butterscotch, do you? I know what your preference is, but...would you turn up your nose if you found it on your plate?

Hiro: Mmm, I don't...think so.. I don't hate it.

Toriel: Right, right, I understand. Thank you for being patient, by the way. (hangs on again)

Hiro: Huh, why did she ask?

After the call, he looked around to see if he could get past the spikes. Hiro couldn't see his way around them, and he realized that there was no switch nearby, even when looking behind the vines. He then came across a grey sign that shows 'Three out of four rocks recommend you push them'. Remembering the rock, he went to go push it. He suddenly had an encounter with a Whimsun but this time, he was able to spare it before it fluttered away, leaving behind the scent of lavender and mothballs. It was an odd scent. Hiro resumed to push the rock to the platform ahead until he heard a click. Hiro saw the spikes had disappeared and he moved on to the next area. There was another rectangular hole on the hallway wall, and Hiro soon found himself before an entire floor of cracks.

Hiro: Uhhhhhmm.... How am I going to..... (looks around then moves forward) I'll just- (feels the ground cave in and falls) AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaa!!! (lands on the red leaves) Aaaaoow....

Hiro found himself in another underground room. This time, there is an excessive amount of red leaves. He got up and saw an exit out, avoiding the hole he fell through and fell down again in another hole. He thought about leaving through the other side of the room, but spotted a sign with 'Please do not step on the leaves' on it. He did notice that the room of leaves had a path-like void and followed it out. It took him a few times (and a few battles against a Whimsun, a Moldsmal (looks like a giant gelatin dessert), and a pair of Froggits), but he managed to get through.

Hiro (picking leaves off himself): I don't wanna go through that again.... I could've.....I should've......

??? (whole face is red): I should have killed them.....

Hiro (jolts): What... (looks around in fear) Who is that?

Hiro was getting worried about the strange voice and the creepy vision he just had, so he had to move quickly. He moved to the next room where there are three rocks this time, and a spiked bridge over a waterway. A wobbly, squelching sound was heard, and Hiro spots two Moldsmals ahead of him. He decided to try something during the battle, since the last time he did, he imitated one and they both contemplated life for a while. Now, he tried wiggling his hips with the Moldsmal's wiggles. It was a very sexy wiggle to the monster. Hiro was just wiggling. After sparing both monsters after nearly having his Soul hit by a stray exploding bullet, Hiro went back to moving the rocks. He moved the first two relatively well. The third one, however...

???: WHOA there, pardner!

Hiro: WAHH!!

???: Who said you can push me around?

Hiro: Who said that?

???: Down there!

Hiro (looks at the rock): …..You?

Rock: Yeah, me!

Hiro: Uuh...oh. Uum...Can you...uh, move over, please?

Rock: HMM? So you're ASKIN' me to move over?

Hiro: Y-Yes.

Rock: Okay, just for you, pumpkin. (moves ahead a little)

Hiro: No, a lot more.

Rock: HMM? You want me to move some more?

Hiro: Yes.

Rock: Alrighty, how's this? (moves off the path)

Hiro: N-No...Not that way.

Rock: HMM? That was the wrong direction?

Hiro: Yes. (points to the platform) There.

Rock: Okay, I think I got it. (moves to the platform) Was that helpful?

Hiro (sees the spikes collapse): Yes. Thank you! (walks to the bridge; the spikes reappear) AAAH!! (looks back to see the rock off the platform) You have to stay on it!!

Rock: HMM? You wanted me to STAY on it?

Hiro: Yes!!

Rock: You're giving me a real workout. (moves back onto the platform)

Hiro: Thank you...

After nearly getting skewered by spikes and running into yet another pair of Moldsmals, Hiro imitated and wiggled his way out of the battlefield and into the the next room. There, he spotted a yellow star, a block of cheese on a round table, and a mouse hole. He walked up to the hole to peek inside and the mouse squeaked at him. He wanted to coax the mouse out with the cheese, but when he went to get it, Hiro discovered that it was so old, it was stuck to the table.

Hiro: Ew....

Despite this, he knew that one day, the mouse will leave its hole and get the cheese. Just like he'll leave the Underground and return home to the surface. Hiro thought of this with determination as he touched the star and saw the Save box pop up. Once he was done, he made his way to next room where he spotted a ghost laying on a pile of red leaves.

Hiro: A ghost! I hope it's not mean.... (approaches cautiously) Hello...?

Ghost: Zzzzzzzzzzz.... Zzzzzzzzzzz.....

Hiro: Is it sleeping....?

Ghost: Zzzzzzz... (opens an eye, like it was wondering if Hiro was gone; closes it) Zzzzzz....

Hiro: Um... It's....pretending to sleep.... Um, can you please wake up?

Ghost (a little louder): Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..... Hiro: Please wake up! (his Soul flickers a bright red)

The room went into a grayscale and before Hiro was the ghost. Hiro checked for the information on it and found that the name was Napstablook. Napstablook didn't look to have a sense of humor.

Napstablook: Oh..... I'm REAL funny. (starts crying)

Hiro: Please, don't cr- (Soul gets hit by a tear) Ah! (dodges the tears)

Napstablook looked like they didn't want to be here. Hiro felt the same, but he had to get through the battle. Napstablook materialized something in the air in front of Hiro, and he was prepared to dodge it, but what was shown was....

“REALLY NOT FEELING UP TO IT RIGHT NOW. SORRY.”

Hiro just floated in his spot, confused. Napstablook went back to pretending to sleep, which didn't last long. Hiro continued to dodge more tears before deciding to tell a joke.

Hiro: H-Hey, why did the ghost take the elevator?!

Napstablook: …?

Hiro: He wanted to.. (points his thumb up) ...lift his spirits!

Napstablook: …..

Hiro: Be...Because..he's a...

Napstablook: Heh...

Hiro: Oh!

Napstablook started crying squiggly tears that crawled along the battle walls. Hiro had been hit a few times, but he threw in a somewhat flirtatious move after eating a piece of monster candy, which Napstablook didn't seem to pay much mind to. Napstablook looked just a little bit better, so Hiro gave Napstablook a patient smile.

Napstablook: Heh heh...

Hiro's cheering up of Napstablook during the battle seemed to have improved their mood, and they soon decided to show him something.

Napstablook: I...want to show you something....Let me try...

Hiro: Hmm?

Napstablook (cries again, but the tears rose around their head, forming a top hat): I call it...”dapperblook”. Do you like it...?

Hiro: I-

???: Absolutely hate it. It's ugly, just like you!

Hiro (hands on his head): Ngh...

Napstablook: ...You don't like it...?

Hiro: Did he hear that? N-No! I really love it! It looks really cool!

Napstablook: Oh oh....

(color returns to the room)

Hiro: So, why are you here, Napstablook? Do you live here?

Napstablook: No.... I usually come to the Ruins because there's nobody around...but today I met somebody nice.... …..oh, I'm rambling again...i'll get out of your way...

Hiro (watches Napstablook disappear): Goodbye.. That was cool. But that scary voice again... Why can I hear it..?

Hiro decided to forget about it and continue his walk past the leaves, arriving at a section with two openings. He went to the opening ahead of him and found a room where there are two spider webs, the first smaller than the second, and a sign that say “All proceeds go to real spiders".

Hiro: Eh? Proceeds....? What's that? (walks up to the second spider web; sees a note with “Spider Cider – 18G” on it) Hmm... (digs in his pockets, but doesn't feel any money, just his phone and two pieces of candy) Oh... I thought I got money from the fights. I didn't? (goes to the smaller one; sees a note with “Spider Donut – 7G” on it) Hmm...Ah! (waves his hand and the menu comes up; sees the money amount showing 15G) Not enough for the cider, but I'll get the donut! But how do I... (stands in front of the smaller web) Um... (holds his hand out) I want the spider donut! (nothing happens) Um….. Menu, spider donut! (nothing happens) Ah... (pulls out his phone) Maybe I should ask Toriel... Hmm.. (holds the phone to the web and tries a few buttons, landing on the # button; a small panel with “Leave 7G in the web? Yes No” and a square showing “$ - 15G SPACE - 2/8” pops up) Oh! (chooses Yes) Now what? (sees 7 coins land on the web, a few spiders descend from the ceiling holding a donut covered in purple glaze and sprinkled with spider-shaped sprinkles) Uuh... (is given the donut; watches a spider wrap the coins in silk and carry them up its string to the ceiling) Uuh...Thank you..? (puts the donut in his pocket) Okay..

Hiro left the room thinking about the spider situation. He wasn't too afraid of spiders, but he wasn't fond of them either. They just made him a bit squeamish. He went to the other entrance and came across a sign talking about a Spider Bake Sale in the room to the right and how the items were "made for spiders, of spiders, by spiders". Suddenly, Hiro wasn't sure if he should keep the donut. He spotted three frogs along the way. The first talked about how his friend never listened to him, but how lucky that Hiro wasn't like that. The second frog heard something about using F4 to make a screen bigger. Or did it mean “Four Frogs”? It didn't know. Hiro figured it meant the panels that show up around him. What's weird was that there's only three frogs here. The third one heard that Hiro was merciful for a human.

Hiro: Were the other humans mean?

The frog then proceeded to talk and ask about yellow names, which Hiro did notice when he spared the monsters. He just didn't know why it happened. He did find them very helpful. The frog told him that sparing meant that one won't fight, so he'd have to do it, even if the names aren't yellow. Before he got a chance to leave, Hiro ran into a Moldsmal and what looked like a walking cockroach. A Migosp, as he found out. It looked evil, but it looked like it was in the wrong crowd. When Hiro approached it....

Migosp: FILTHY SINGLE MINDER...

Hiro had to dodge bullets and now bugs. He saw that once he spared the Moldsmal, the Migosp started dancing along with a smaller version of itself like it didn't have a care in the world. Hiro danced along a little before sparing it, too. He soon received a call from Toriel who had realized she hadn't cleaned up in a while, and wasn't expecting company. She then reminded him that if he wanted the things that were lying around, he would need to have room in his pockets for them before hanging up. The only things he had in his pocket right now was the spider donut and two monster candies in his left one. He only had enough room for one more thing in it, so it was starting to worry him.

Hiro: Hmmn...

Hiro walked to the next room where there are six cracks on the floor, three on each side of the hall. He found a sign saying that there's only one switch, but when he looked around, there was none. He decided to check the walls, but when he went to check the walls, he didn't check to see if the crack of the first spot was normal. Soon, he fell through it.

Hiro: NOT AGA- (lands on the leaves) oooww.... Why....

Hiro sat up to leave the room when he found a carrot. When he tugged on it, it turned out to be a giant monster carrot with a creepy face. It sprung out of the earth and Hiro found himself in a battle with it. His options with fighting this Vegetoid were Talk, Devour, and Dinner. He tried to talk to the Vegetoid, but...

Vegetoid: Plants can't talk, dummy.

Hiro: But you just did.... (sees various vegetables rain down) Waah!!

Once he dodged everything, he realized that besides the candy, he hadn't really eaten anything filling since he fell into the Underground. Hiro felt his stomach gurgling and patted it, which seemed to be a sort of signal to the monster.

Vegetoid: Eat your greens!

Hiro dodged the vegetables again, but noticed one of them was green and caught it while dodging the others. He had a flicker of a vision where the vegetable was a half-eaten Vegetoid and he almost threw it away. Swallowing the uncomfortable feeling in his throat, he ate it. He felt a little better. The monster cackled softly as Hiro moved to spare it. Afterwards, he left the room and checked the one across from it. Bad idea. Once again, he fell down.

Hiro: I wish I didn't have to fall in the holes.... (notices a faded pink ribbon) Did someone drop this? (picks it up) Does this belong to a monster? I should find them and give it back.

Hiro did eventually find the hole with the switch and continued into the next area after being ambushed by another Vegetoid and a Migosp. He soon arrived at an area where there are three pillars in different areas of the room and the entrance on the other end of the room had a gray panel with a few holes in it.

Hiro (reads a nearby sign): “The far door is not an exit. It simply marks a ro...ta...tation..rotation in per....pre..per..spec..tive...perspective? Perspective. Eh? (looks at the three pillars and sees giant buttons in three colors) There's a red, blue, and green button. Hm. (walks into the next room and notices the room is the same, but this time, three are spikes in the exit) Eh? I was just.... (reads the sign) “If you can read this, press the blue switch.” Oh! I just saw the blue one when I came in!

Before he could reach, Hiro runs into a pair of monsters that has an eye for most of their body, jagged row of teeth, long arms, short legs, and a pair of horns. They both sized up Hiro and started picking on him. Hiro had checked on the first one and it, or they, were called Loox. They seemed to be family since their last names appear to be Eyewalker, which made sense to Hiro since they were a pair of walking eyes. Even when they were picking on him, he didn't return the flavor.

LooxA: Finally, someone gets it.

Hiro: I don't get it.... But okaaAAAAAY!!? (dodges strings of rings)

Hiro kept refusing to pick on them, all the while ignoring the vision of someone picking on the monsters. The visions were starting to get worse for him, and he wanted to get out of the Ruins quick. After the battle, Hiro went back to the first pillar and pressed the blue button. The sound of something clicking rang out, and Hiro sees the spikes are gone. After running into a Moldsmal and Migosp, he went into the next room. He ended up in the next room where the room looked exactly the same as the last one.

Hiro: Uh... (looks at the sign and he needed to press the red switch) Hmmm....I think it's by the other side? (walks to the exit with the spikes and looks around the pillar and finds it) Yay! (sees a pair of Looxs) Oh no...

After he spared those two, he moved on to the next room....which was the same again, much to Hiro's dismay. This time, he had to press a green switch, and deal with a Migosp/Vegetoid pair and a Whimsun/Loox pair. Afterwards, he managed to leave the room and arrived at a split path going left and straight ahead. He crossed over a thick line of grass that broke out of the ground and again through another patch as he headed straight. Hiro met up with a Froggit who said it saw Toriel coming through the entrance after shopping for groceries. It also mentioned that the other monsters were too intimidated to talk to her. This worried Hiro because if the monsters were too scared to talk to her, maybe Toriel was dangerous? She didn't look like it to him. He soon ended up at an area where the edge is fenced off like a balcony overlooking the landscape where an old ruined city is seen.

Hiro: Whoa....This is what it looked like here? I didn't know there was a city under a mountain! (stares at the city for a while longer before turning to leave; notices an item to the left of him) Hm? (goes to it and picks it up; it's a plastic knife) A toy knife? (swings it a little)

???: Go back...

Hiro (jolts): Wha?

???: Go back.....kill...

Hiro (shaking): Ah...

Hiro started to see images of the monsters being attacked by someone that looks like him. That strange panel he saw when he talked to the dummy kept appearing in front of the child as they slashed and stabbed the monsters until they were all gone. Hiro looked down to see the knife...

...And his hands were covered in dust.

His clothes, his skin, the knife, his shoes, they were covered in the powdery monster dust. Hiro let out a scream that echoed into the city and threw the knife down, trying to get the dust off him. But when he moved to do it, there was no dust on him. Not on his skin or sleeves or shoes. Not even on the knife. He ran from the cliff balcony in tears and spotted the Froggit. Seeing the monster made him feel a little better, but he was still upset by the vision. He staggered his way past the large pile of leaves into the next area. Hiro entered a large area where there is a building with two glassless windows with a massive pile of leaves under them with a star on the left pile, and an entrance missing a door with an unreadable sign above it built into the wall of the cavern. Closer to the entrance Hiro entered is a black tree whose leaves had fallen off. As he wandered ahead and trying to wipe his tears away from his eyes, he heard Toriel's voice.

Toriel: Oh dear, that took longer than I thought it would... (walks past the tree and stops to call Hiro; sees him) Oh my goodness! (runs to him then crouches in front of him) How did you get here, my child? Are you hurt?

Hiro (starts crying again): A little.. I-I'm soorrry... I-I wanted to s-see the Ruins, but I ran into m-monsters and I k-kept falling into holes and saw s-scary things and I-I'm sorry I didn't w-wait for yooou...

Toriel: There, there, I will heal you. (holds her paws over Hiro's wounds and a soft green light washed over them, mending the wounds until they disappear) There you go.

Hiro: snif.. Thank you..

Toriel: You're welcome. Oh, I should not have left you alone for so long. It was irresponsible to try to surprise you like this. (covers her mouth) Err..

Hiro: Surprise?

Toriel: Oops. Well, I suppose I cannot hide it any longer. Come, small one! (walks towards the building)

Hiro soon followed her to the house, but not before saving his....whatever he was saving.

Hiro: Progress? Maybe. (looks at the house) It does look kinda cute. (saves then goes into the house)

Hiro entered the house and found Toriel standing in front of stair railing, waiting for him. To the left of the two flight of stairs is ochre yellow table stand with a brown vase and yellow tulips, above the first flight is a long landscape painting of a mountainous landscape with a forest valley on the bottom and thin clouds. To the right, a flower-shaped wall lamp, a second square picture of a flower field and floor shelf with some books a few small trinkets are seen. Hiro caught a strong scent floating in the air.

Toriel: Do you smell that?

Hiro: Yes, what is it?

Toriel: Surprise! It is a butterscotch-cinnamon pie.

Hiro: Ooh!

Toriel: I thought we might celebrate your arrival. I want you to have a nice time living here, so I will hold off on snail pie for tonight.

Hiro: Eh? Livi-

Toriel: Here, I have another surprise for you. (walks to the hall on the right)

Hiro: …..I'm gonna live here? (follows Toriel; arrives in a long hallway where there are three doors, two tall vases with a zigzag design on them and two odd brown oblong things on a stalk, a large plant pot with a lily, two more stands with a red flower on the first one and a similar brown one on the second; four wall lamps, another smaller landscape painting, a mirror on the far end past the third door, and diamond patterned hallway runner rug that span from before the first lamp to before the fourth lamp)

Toriel: This is it... (leads Hiro by his hand to the first door) A room of your own. I hope you like it!

Hiro: Oh. (feels Toriel pet his head with her paw; looks up to see her have a strange but sad look on her face) Toriel...?

Toriel: Hm? (eyes slightly waters; sniffs) Oh! Is something burning..? Um, make yourself at home! (hurries away)

Hiro: ...Was she...hmm..

Hiro decided to explore the house a little before settling in the room. He went further down the hall and stopped at the second door. Around the left side of the room up is a trash can, a large desk with an open book, papers, and a table lamp. It looked like it was used by the way the chair is. A giant bed that looked bigger than a twin-sized one with blue covers and a light blue pillow with a paw print rug by it, two square photo frames hung behind the bed, a flowerpot with a tall plant, a wide bookshelf with a flowerpot of two bright yellow flowers and a small cactus. Next to the bookcase is a short dresser with another small lamp. A tall flowering cactus with two branches is seen to the far right of the entrance. He noticed an open book on the desk and went over to it to read it, seeing a circled passage in it.

Hiro: “Why did the skeleton want a friend? Because she was feeling BONELY...” Hmm... (looks at the rest of the page; they had jokes of the same caliber) Heh...Um...hmm...

Hiro explored the rest of the room where the trash can turned out to be a bucket of snails. In the bookcase was an encyclopedia of subterranean plants. He flipped through the pages of it and ended up in the middle.

Hiro: Ty.. “Typha” - A group of wetland flowering plants with brown ob...long seedpods. Known commonly as.. “water sausages”. (sees a picture of them) Are those... (walks back out of the room and sees a pot of them by the first door) So that's what those are. (goes back in the room; goes over to the drawers of the dresser.) It's Toriel's sock drawer. I don't think I should look in here.

So scandalous!

After Hiro finished looking around, he went back out the room. In the hall, he went past the door that had a sign saying that it is under renovations. He then noticed a mirror.

Hiro (grinning): It's me!

??? (a static black image in the shape of a child in the mirror standing behind him): C----!

Hiro: WAAH! (covers his mouth with his back against the mirror)

Toriel (calling out): Is everything okay?!

Hiro: Y-Yes! Just scared myself!

Toriel: All right...

Hiro: ….. (turns to the mirror) …....It's me... (waits; nothing happens) ….. (walks over to the stand and finds flower seeds and broken crayons)

Hiro moved on to the lobby area, looking at the books that may have been worn down from frequent use and finding an old calendar from the beginning of 201X in the table stand at the opposite end. He then looked at the stair case and became curious of what was downstairs. Thinking that Toriel may be busy, Hiro stuck his way down the stairs. It was a long dark hallway ahead of him and this made him even more curious. Before he was able to go further...

Toriel: I think you should play upstairs instead.

Hiro (freezes when he hears Toriel's footsteps): !

Toriel (gently grabs his hand): Come along now.

Hiro: Ah....

Hiro was released from Toriel's grasp once they left the hallway, and he wondered why she would stop him from going there. Ignoring his curious urges, he went into the next room. It was the living room, and Toriel was seen reading a book in her chair while sitting by the fireplace. When he got close, the fire isn't burning hot, it just felt pleasantly warm to be close to. Just enough to put his hand inside, but he didn't want to risk Toriel yelling at him to not do so. By the fireplace was another bookcase and by that was some fireplace tools. Hiro noticed that they were filed down on the ends, probably by Toriel to make them safer. There was also a large dining table with three chairs and a flowerpot with more flowers in it on the table.

Hiro: Um...Toriel..?

Toriel: Hello there, little one!

Hiro: Um.....Should I ask her about the hall? Mmm...(shakes his head a little) I'm kinda hungry.

Toriel: I see. Well, the pie has not cooled down yet, so perhaps you should take a nap for a while until it does, okay?

Hiro: Mm..not now.

Toriel: You would rather stay up and chat with me, then?

Hiro: Yes.

Toriel (smiles while adjusting her glasses): Well...Um, I want you to know how glad I am to have someone here. There are so many old books I want to share. I want to show you my favorite bug-hunting spot, and I have also prepared a curriculum for your education.

Hiro (frowns): Eee..

Toriel: This may come as a surprise to you...but I have always wanted to be a teacher. ...Actually, perhaps that is not very surprising.

Hiro: You look like you can be a teacher.

Toriel: Thank you. (frowns) STILL.

Hiro: ?

Toriel (smiles): I am glad to have you living here.

Hiro: Oh...okay..

Toriel: Oh, did you want something?

Hiro: Ah.......no, nothing..

Toriel: Well, talk to me again if you need anything.

Hiro: Okay.

Hiro left the living room to go to the next room and entered a kitchen. There was a refrigerator where Hiro found a brand-name chocolate bar, a sink with a small kitchen mat and white fur stuck in the drain, a rack with a pair of pans and oven mitts hanging above the cupboard that has cookie cutters in the shape of monsters for making gingerbread monsters.

???: Where are the knives...

Hiro (shivers): Hmmmn...

He ignored the questioning voice and approached a very clean stove top. Hiro figured that since she had magic, Toriel must use fire magic to cook. The full pie itself has a nice smell, but it's too hot for him to eat yet. He decided to do what she told him to and go to sleep while waiting for the pie to cool. Hiro was about to go to bed, but he did wonder what some of the books in Toriel's bookcase were about, so he went up to it and grabbed one as Toriel sat back down to read again. The one he picked up was a history book and it reads as follows on a random page:

“Trapped behind the barrier and fearful of human attacks, we retreated. Far, far into the earth we walked, until the cavern's end. This was our new home, which we named... “Home.” As great as our king is, he is pretty lousy at names.”

Hiro: A king....and the monsters, scared of humans? I thought they were the scary ones... (looks at Toriel) ….

Toriel (notices): What is it?

Hiro: Ah, nothing. (puts the book back)

Toriel: Well, bother me if you need anything.

Hiro: Okay....Good night.

Toriel: Sweet dreams.

Hiro left the living room to go sleep in....his room. The thought didn't exactly sit well with him, but it was better than hanging around in the Ruins alone. He entered and found that it looked like a child's room. A large rug with stripes inside a border of triangles is in the center of the room, and around the right side of the room up are a box of dusty toys, a brown bed with a white pillow and red covers, a pair of white and red stuffed animals, a striped floor lamp, a closet with a drawer, a table shelf with smaller toys and items, a photo frame and some papers, a chest, a picture of a flower taped to the wall, and a small table with a small table lamp. As cool as the toys in the box were, they didn't interest him at all. He checked the closet, but there was nothing inside. He found the empty photo frame covered in dust, and looked inside the chest. In it, there were kids' shoes in a disparity of sizes.

Hiro: Why does this have so many shoes? I didn't see another kid here... (yawns) Hmmn...Sleepy..

Hiro laid in bed, thinking about his exploration of the Ruins so far. The monsters didn't seem too bad once he talked, or tried, to them, but he was still wary of them. Toriel was no exception to his caution, but he was finding her to be like a mother. A mother. Hiro thought about his parents, and he wasn't exactly fond of his family. He had forgotten exactly why he came down to the Underground, but it felt like he just had to get away. The thoughts that flooded his mind soon went away as he drifted off to sleep. He wasn't sure when or how long he slept, but he woke to the light being off and a familiar scent hanging in the air. He got up from the bed to find a single slice of butterscotch-cinnamon pie on a plate in plastic wrap on the floor. Maybe Toriel wasn't so bad at all if she went out of her way to bring him a slice without disturbing him. He picked it up and put it in his free large pocket so it wouldn't get crushed in his thinner ones. As much as he wanted to enjoy this homey atmosphere, he had to leave. The thought of staying here forever didn't appeal to him, especially when he had a home to go to. At least he think he did. He left the room and headed into the living room to talk to Toriel. As he thought, he found her still reading.

Hiro: Um...Toriel?

Toriel (looks up from her book): What is it?

Hiro: Um, I really want to thank you for letting me stay, and I liked it here, but I wanted to know when I can go home.

Toriel (tenses for a split second): What? This... (smiles) This IS your home now.

Hiro: No, it's not. I-

Toriel (holding up the book in her paws): Um..would you like to hear about this book I am reading?

Hiro: Tor-

Toriel: It is called “72 Uses For Snails.” How about it?

Hiro: That's neat, but-

Toriel (slightly nervous): Here is an exciting snail fact. Did you know that snails....sometimes flip their digestive systems as they mature? Interesting.

Hiro: I didn't know that. But um, I want to know how to leave the Ruins.

Toriel: …. (removes her glasses and puts the book by her thigh on the chair) ...I have to do something. (gets up and hurries out of the living room) Stay here!

Hiro: Toriel! (runs after her)

Hiro chased Toriel and hears her down the stairs. He followed her down into the basement hallway and found her standing further ahead.

Hiro (walks up to her slowly): Toriel...?

Toriel (doesn't face him): You wish to know how to return “home,” do you not?

Hiro: Yes.

Toriel: ...Ahead of us lies the end of the Ruins, a one-way exit to the rest of the Underground. (looks ahead) I am going to destroy it. (turns her head but doesn't look at him) No one will be able to leave again. (looks forward) Now be a good child and go upstairs.

Hiro: Wha- (sees her run off) Wait! Destroy it? (runs after her and meets her again) Why do you want to destroy it? I can't leave if you do!

Toriel: I know. ...Every human that falls down here meets the same fate. I have seen it again and again... They come...they leave...they die..

Hiro (shocked): What..? They...die..?

Toriel (shakes her head a little, sighing): You naive child.. If you leave the Ruins.... They...Asgore...will kill you.

Hiro: Asgore..?

Toriel: I am only protecting you, do you understand? ...Go to your room. (walks away)

Hiro: Asgore...will kill..me..? (turns away, but decides to keep following; meets her at the corner) Toriel, I-

Toriel: Do not try to stop me. This is your final warning. (walks away again)

Hiro: Wait! (follows her; arrives at a wide area where Toriel is facing a giant pair of doors with the same symbol as the one on her dress on them) Toriel, please, I just want to go home!

Toriel: ...You want to leave so badly? Hmph.. You are just like the others.

Hiro: The others?

Toriel (sighs heavily): There is only one solution to this. Prove yourself.... (lowers her head) Prove to me you are strong enough to survive.

Hiro: Prove..?

Hiro noticed that darkness washed over him and Toriel. Color drained from the area and into the grayscale. His Soul illuminating the area and pulsing outside of his body. He knew exactly what this meant; he was getting into a battle.

He was about to fight Toriel.

Hiro (backing away): T-Toriel...W-What are you....

Toriel (flames spark to life in her paws): …...

Hiro: Ah!

Toriel: …..

Hiro: Toriel.. I don't want to fight you...

(Toriel sends off a stream of flames as she moved her arms)

Hiro (flies around to dodge the flames; his Soul gets slightly singed): AAH!! Toriel, please stop!

Toriel (looks through Hiro): …..

Hiro: Aah...Um...Noo..I can't think of anything!!

(Toriel crossed her arms ahead of her as the flames formed a crescent shape then releases them at Hiro)

Hiro (flies past them): Ah! Toriel!

Toriel (sends off another wave of flames): …..

Hiro (stressed): Come on, Hiro, think of something!!

Toriel (has two large fireballs spiraling in her paws): …...

(flames crawled along the walls as Toriel sends off smaller flames at Hiro)

Hiro: AAAH!! (floats away as he notices his HP is low; eats a monster candy to get some of it up) I can't think of anything... (looks at the orange boxes around him) Maybe I can.... (reaches for the MERCY button)

???: Kill her...

Hiro: Aah.. (dodges the flames)

???: She's going to kill you.. So kill her...

Hiro: No...Stop talking to me!

???: You'll die if you don't kil-

Hiro (presses MERCY; sees the Spare option isn't yellow): Is this what that Froggit meant...? (hits Spare) I'm not going to hurt you, Toriel!

Toriel (acting aloof): …. (sends off more flames)

Hiro (gets singed): Aagh!! (presses MERCY again) Toriel......!

Toriel: …..........

Hiro (dodges a stray flame): Toriel, stop fighting!

???: Just kill...her..

Hiro (ducks): No!

(Toriel takes a deep breath)

Hiro: Toriel, why won't you stop?

Toriel (sends off more waves of flames): …............................

Hiro (dodges the flames): Aah! (hits the MERCY button) Toriel, I am not going to kill you!

Toriel: …?

Hiro (dodges a few fireballs then hovers): Toriel!

Toriel: What are you doing?

Hiro: What?

Toriel (prepares another fire spell): What are you doing? Attack or run away.

Hiro: No.

Toriel: No? What are you proving this way?

Hiro: That I don't wanna fight you. I don't wanna hurt you...

Toriel: Fight me or leave! (sends off flames)

Hiro: No! (dodges most, but get severely singed) AAAaaow! I won't leave!

Toriel: Stop it.

Hiro (gives her pleading look): No! I won't!

Toriel (averts her eyes): Stop looking at me that way...

Hiro (eyes water; floats toward Toriel): Please stop fighting me..

Toriel: Go away!! (sends off an explosion of flames)

Hiro (covers himself, but doesn't feel anything; sees the flames split past him): The fire...

Toriel kept sending flames at Hiro and Hiro kept hitting the MERCY button. The more she sent, the more sadder she became. Hiro noticed this as well as the flames splitting before his Soul. It looked like Toriel never had wanted to hurt him from the start. Hiro moves closer to the flames and they move away from him. Before he knew it, Toriel dissolved the magical attack she prepared and ceased her onslaught.

Hiro: Toriel...?

Toriel (looking down): I know you want to go home, but...(looks at Hiro) But please...go upstairs now.

Hiro: …. (presses the MERCY button) I can't..

Toriel (smiles sadly): I promise I will take good care of you here.

Hiro (MERCY): ….I know...but I can't stay...

Toriel: I know we do not have much, but...we can have a good life here.

Hiro (MERCY; tears fall): I'm sorry...

Toriel (voice breaks sorrowfully): Why are you making this so difficult?

Hiro: I'm sorry...

Toriel: Please, go upstairs....

Hiro: I can't...

(silence)

Toriel (laughs hollowly): Pathetic, is it not? I cannot save even a single child.

Hiro: But you saved me...

(silence)

Toriel: No, I understand. You would just be unhappy trapped down here. The Ruins are very small once you get used to them. It would not be right for you to grow up in a place like this.

Hiro: You mean...

Toriel: My expectations....my loneliness....my fear... For you, my child... I will put them aside.

Hiro: Toriel... (watches the colors come back)

Toriel (doesn't turn around when Hiro grabs her dress): If you truly wish to leave the Ruins...I will not stop you. However, when you leave... (lowers her head) ...Please do not come back..

Hiro (surprised): !….

Toriel: I hope you understand.

Hiro: I- (gets hugged by Toriel) ...Uh....Toriel...(hugs her back while crying) I'm sorry...

Toriel: …. (lets him go while standing up) Goodbye, my child.

Hiro (watches her walk away): Ah...Mom..

Toriel (stops; glances back): …... (smiles then leaves the area)

Hiro had an urge to run after her, to ask her to come with him, but he never left his spot. After wiping a few stray tears away with his sleeve, Hiro walked to the doors and pushed them to open. Hiro made his way up a long hallway, thinking about how he wished he had stayed with her. He would have stayed, if he wasn't wanting to go home so badly. But there was a sense of guilt growing in him the farther away from Toriel's home he went that made him feel bad about not doing what Toriel told him to do. He believes now that she really was just lonely and only wanted to protect him from what's beyond the exit. By the time he finished his thoughts, he soon finds himself standing before a familiar flower...

Flowey: Clever. Verrrryyy clever.

Hiro: Flowey..?

Flowey: You think you're really smart, don't you? In this world, it's kill or be killed. So you were able to play your own rules. (grins menacingly) You spared the life of a single person. Hee hee hee... I bet you feel really great.

Hiro: Yeah, I do! I didn't have to beat anyone up!

Flowey: Well, you didn't kill anybody this time.

Hiro: Th-This time...? I didn't kill anyone. I'm not going to hurt anyone!

Flowey: But what will you do if you meet a relentless killer?

Hiro: ...Um...

Flowey (gets closer to Hiro): You'll die and you'll die and you'll die. (moves back) Until you tire of trying. What will you do then? (gives a wide toothy grin) Will you kill out of frustration? Or will you give up entirely on this world...and let ME inherit the power to control it?

Hiro (cringes back): I don't know what you mean by that other stuff or who you really are, but I....I'll talk to them. That's what Toriel taught me! Or run away. That first then talk. Who are you to say that stuff?

Flowey: Hee...I am the prince of this world's future. Don't worry, my little monarch, my plan isn't regicide. This is SO much more interesting. (grows larger and looms over Hiro; laughing menacingly before retreating back into the ground)

Hiro was shivering by the time Flowey disappeared. He didn't know what to make of everything that has happened to him. The monsters, Toriel, him falling into the Underground, everything. He did know what it would be like outside the doors, but as the three locks that held the exit shut dislodge, Hiro began to wonder how the rest of his journey will play out. Will he get to see Toriel again? Will he really have to kill someone who wanted to kill him? And why was he hearing a voice and seeing himself hurting monsters?

Hiro (walks through the exit as it opens): I hope I don't have to hurt anyone....I'm determined to leave this place!

TO BE CONTINUED

#linetempostory

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