#i spent longer on these sketches than I did on the next 2 combined :

[antisepticcrayon]

Posting here too! Just so I can give a longer explanation a bit for the few pieces I've been able to scramble for Sean.

Now I'm not the best at drawing people so it's very rare that I get to try to draw fanart for Sean and the community but I'll share the few I've been able to do!

Starting with the spring banner I made for Sean's server! Has to be one of my favorites becos I loved how it turned out and the fact that I somehow won the banner contest. It's always such a funny shock to go onto the server and see my art there. I've never been so proud of an accomplishment like that.

Next up is the Chase brody youtooz plush concept. Now I did this for kicks and giggles (/hj. Please Sean. We need sad dad plushies.) But it was pretty funny that that reference sheet got way more attention than I thought. And at the time of iris being fairly new was also so funny to me. He looks so sad. I need 17 of them.

King of the daisies portrait! My one piece of fanart that got the most recognition from the community! I spent a grueling 5-6 hours on this piece. It was during a time of art block so I wanted to try drawing realism for a month (didn't go exactly a month but I tried!) And this was my second attempt of the month and it came out so well. I absolutely adore it. And the inspiration came from when Sean announced that white daisies were his favorite flowers. So of course to honor the flow3r king, I did that for him. (Also another reason the banner, he's wearing a daisy crown!)

And finally the anti portrait. This one I made at work actually right before I was contacted for winning a meet and greet ticket to face time Sean through moment house. And to calm my nerves for the next couple days, I worked on this piece. (I referenced an art piece done by turquoise magpie I believe for this one!) But also another part of my month realism challenge!

The 2 realistic portraits hold a special place in my heart. Becos even through the horrendous wifi (and my uncontrollable anxiety) and cutting out during my meet and greet, I had the chance to show him them. I just didn't get to hear or see his reactions properly but the fact I showed him at all for him to see was more than enough.

Annnd then these last art pieces (I'm frankly TERRIFIED of showing. Unsure if it counts as fanart buttt)

These first 2 photos are reference pieces for my "JJ" inspired OC/Fursona. He is considered my comfort character who I tend to draw and doodle whenever I'm feeling down or having a bad day. Jameson (and chase) are my favorite egos and I find comfort in them. Not sure why, but I do. I feel like they just came at times I was struggling the most and brought joy to me though. Just Sean in general has done as such.

And the last photo is a book cover I created for a short story I'm writing with my self insert OC and chase Brody (along with the other egos).

The short story takes part of a community I'm in that surrounds giant/smalls/humans folklore and certain cultures surrounding a time of creatures big and small, Aka G/T! Think of any fairy tales like jack and beanstalk or even japenese animes like the secret world of ariety or movies and books like "The borrowers". (Another comfort for me. I find writing helpful as well for bad days and to also center and express myself again)

Anyways one of my favorite human pieces I've ever completed on my own through lots of practice and failed sketches (my good friend zora rendered and shaded it for me! Actual drawing, linework and coloring done by me!)

Anyways, I hope I'm not overstaying my welcome so I'll cut it off here!

I thank you both for doing this revival! I was never able to participate truely with "septicart" but I'm glad I can right now through this :)

Thanks for reading!

- Dj💜

(I apologize if my wording is wacky! ADHD and dyslexia isn't a fun combination when trying to write and explain things ack)

@turquoisemagpie @rogue-of-broken-time

#SepticartRevival2023 #septicart #jacksepticeye fanart #jacksepticeye

[k00299539]

Animation Brief 01 - Week 2 - Parallax Background

Above: Snufkin just chillin

Putting together a full parallaxed background was the biggest individual step in our "World Building" brief, which is why I kept putting it off. I was told by Yvonne that the work had to be produced physically before being digitally composited, for someone who hates painting this was bad news.

I guess like always, the first step was research and gathering reference. I chose Tove Jansson as my artist-to-emulate which proved a bit of a headache in itself. Jansson was prolific and diverse, working with different styles in different mediums regularly in her seven decades long career. A lot of my favourite works of hers are simple black ink on white paper illustrations. But mimicking that style would've gone against the spirit of the project.

I decided to buy a beginners set of gouache paint for a tenner and try to emulate her painted work, the likes of which can be seen on the covers for her children's books. I'd never used gouache before so I don't really know what I was thinking, other than that I knew I was sick of acrylic. Anyway, the first step was a sketch.

Above: Yeah not much going on...

Honestly looking back on this I probably should have spent more time drafting a good composition and actually thinking through the shot I was intending to make. It's not that I didn't give it any thought, just that when you're on a tight schedule and commit to an idea, you're stuck with it. The longer I worked on this project the less I liked it, a bit more foresight at the beginning could've helped prevent that. Ah well.

The composition I went with was a combination of a couple of my landscape sketches. I decided with my "mini-me" limited to being shot from the shoulder up, a horizontal parallax would work best. Basically a simple side-scrolling shot, like holding a camera out a car window. I took the forest backdrop from Cratloe Woods, the classic Irish dry-stone wall from the farm, and I threw in some road signs (and Snufkin) for a bit of fun. The only problem was now I had to paint it...

Above: A real Artíst's palette...

I had no idea how to use gouache. I even used the regular ass paper from my sketchook which was probably a mistake considering the number the water did on it. I started out dampening the paper a bit before going over the major areas with a wash of an approximate colour. You can really tell I worked left to right on the wall because it gets slightly less shitting as your eyes pan across it. The wall was great fun in general, basically just laying down shadows, darkening the crevices and building up the tone. I think I overworked it looking back, although that's true for the painting in general.

Above: Cameos

Don't have much to say about these sketches, I was working fast and trying to have fun with them while keeping in Jansson's style. Also if it's not obvious I take all these photos at night when there's no natural light cause I'm stupid...

Above: Ignore the giant pile of rubbish, I cleaned it up after I promise

At first I really wasn't happy with the treeline in my first painting so I tested out some ideas on another sheet. I liked how it turned out, and I was thinking of incorporating it into the animation, but as the trees are the furthest element in the composition, they will move the least in the parallax shot, making it a bit infeasible. I did reuse the bushes as a foreground element though.

The next step was a tedious one, scan the water-warped paintings on my shitty scanner, disassemble them in Photoshop and stitch the edges as to make them tileable. Honestly I actually enjoy this kind of tedious Photoshop work, I just hated my painting and the shot in general so having to look at them over and over wasn't exactly fun.

Anyway, having made liberal use of the offset filter in Photoshop I had all the layers cut and tileable and ready to import into After Effects. I kind of suck at After Effects so this took longer than it should have. I tried to create the parallax effect in an old school manner by parenting all the layers together and setting a keyframe on their position, and adjusting their start position individually to control the speed at which each layer scrolled. Sounds easy.

I wasn't. Apparently I can't parent properly cause it was anarchy trying to control the speed of the individual layers. Eventually I just watched a Youtube tutorial and used that guy's method, creating a new camera and parenting everything to a null object, then moving the individual layers back in z-space to create the parallax effect as the camera pans.

I'm tired as I write this and I'm unsure how intelligible it is. Here's the horses mouth explaining things if you want to watch for yourselves:

The worst part is after all that it's still just a rough composite. Even beyond the obvious absence of my mini-me, there's a lot of problems in regards to the speed of the individual layers, the foreground elements look more like they're moving on a treadmill than receding in space. A particular cardinal sin I committed was not matching the speed of the grounded elements to the ground on which they're well, grounded.

Anyway I can fix all that later, I'm just sick of looking at it for now.

#lsad #art #animation #world building #Youtube

[miximagic256]

Points of Interest (March - May)

Hey friends! It's been a while but rest assured I still want to keep this series going! Due to how the year is nearly over, I'm going to be double posting this and the next POI so you've got more to read!

(I should note with each topic I wanted to talk about there were supposed to be sketches accompanying them, however they've ended up taking longer than expected so for now both POI entries will have no pictures, but at some point they will be updated with the sketches, I'll be sure to leave an update notice when that happens)

With all that said...

April Fools Day

Honestly I don’t recall much happening for April Fools Day this year, and personally I’ve not released an April Fools video in over 4 years because I never manage to get any ideas (even the video I did release in 2019 isn’t up anymore since it was on my old YouTube channel and I’ve never reuploaded it). Sometimes April Fools events are memorable, such as in 2015 when YouTube included a button that when clicked played a sample of Darude - Sandstorm and any searches done in the YouTube site would suggest “did you mean Darude – Sandstorm by Darude?”

Alternatively on a smaller scale you have a specific person making something that’s memorable on said day, for example the YouTuber Jim Gisriel did an April Fools video where he “reviewed” the shows from Butch Hartman’s Oaxis streaming service, in the video Jim Gisriel talks about shows from the year 2032 that don’t actually exist which often parody other existing shows from Nickelodeon or even shows that you'd never expect to get mentioned like Attack on Titan. If you don't know much about Nick or Butch Hartman then the video won't really be noticeable to you as it's one of those cases where it's only funny if you know the context, but if you know the context of what's being referenced then that combine with how Jim is clearly trying not to break out laughing at several points in the video makes this one of my favourite April Fools videos ever.

I also like to give a shoutout to my friend Fupaboychris who updated his old cover of The Swamps Theme from The Smurfs NES game into a certain famous song used in bait and switches, it's a short and simple video but if you're like me who has knowledge of chiptune, high quality rips and the composer Alberto Gonzalez then you'll love this silly April Fools video for what it is.

London Trip

Okay so this is going to be a bit weird because I’m going to have to remove a lot of details for privacy reasons but it’s such a big event to happen I can’t not talk about it.

So for a long time I was involved in this expedition which involved a lot of activities relating to exercise, camping and teamwork which eventually ends with you getting your award for doing so, now what makes getting the award interesting is you have the choice to go to a ceremony as well and in my case, the ceremony was at Buckingham Palace! So the weekend was spent in London and when the day came I was sure to take pictures since being invited to Buckingham Palace is a once in a lifetime opportunity that I’m not sure I’ll ever get again. There was music, food and drink and event stalls where both other participants and noticeable presenters (like radio hosts) gave speeches relating to confidence, pushing yourself, etc.

I did do other things in London after the event but this one without a doubt is the main attraction for obvious reasons and honestly I still can’t believe that it actually happened, it’s funny because the expedition itself lasted about 8 years with there being an additional 2 year wait due to the amount of people that participated (and also due to lockdown), being invited to a grand place is always the end result of finishing the final part of the award so I wasn't too surprised but actually being in such a famous place is again, something that may never to me again and the day itself went by in flash. It’s one I’ll never forget for sure.

Washing Machine door seal repair- wait what?

Okay so this requires some backstory: When I was growing up, washing machines were my life (well I had other interests of course, but those took a backseat compared to this one up until I became a teenager), in fact my first exposure to YouTube was from the washing community (yes that’s a thing) around 2008 and because I watched so many videos about washing machines as a pre-teen it's resulted in many of those videos bringing a great sense of nostalgia to me as weird as that may sound (I could go into detail about individual channels I watched during that time but that would derail what this point is actually about so I’ll cover it another occasion, maybe).

I think around 2012 was when I started to lose interest in domestic appliances and started branch into more types of content (for example I remember this period of time was when I really starting getting into video game reviewers) which resulted with me not really paying attention to my old interest with domestic appliances anymore since I was now attracted by new types of content on a site that was rapidly growing and changing with each year (in fact in hindsight I think I spent too much time on YouTube but again that's a topic for another time), nowadays my “interest” relating to washing machines is less about them on their own and more so the fact I have an interest in electromechanical engineering which means sometimes domestic appliances are attached to it.

So imagine my surprise when not only did I start seeing washing machine content pop up on YouTube again (mainly as a result of memes e.g. the end jingle some appliances would play at the end of the cycle) but how I finally was in a position where my knowledge would pay off because the door seal on our washing machine had a tear, meaning water would leak out which lead me to look up information on washing machines that I haven’t done in a long time.

I admit, it was harder than I thought, despite using a video tutorial as a reference guide what I intended to take 2 hours actually took around 6 (I did have lunch during that time but it took way longer than I planned) however despite this the repair was a success! Honestly it feels so weird that after all these years that my knowledge would in fact be useful, albeit in a tricky way because I’ve had little experience working on domestic appliances and it's one of those cases where theory and practice can make a lot of difference in how good you are.

Topic End: Epilogue

So we've gone through a holiday event, a holiday I've been on and also something I did which I never expected to happen in my current life, this part of 2023 was certainly memorable!

Like I said at the start there's one more Points of Interest post I have after this so be sure to catch that one as well!

See you there!

#points of interest #jenposting

[krystalsartdump]

Have some early concept art, on basically I couldn’t decide on anything except I wanted a top-down view. Two more to post!

#req #anon request #nick wilde #kks art #kks sketch #general tag #request sketch #zootopia #large animal drawers sure are nice #i spent longer on these sketches than I did on the next 2 combined :/

[mylordshesacactus]

How much prep do you do for each dnd session? (As in, how many hours of prep per session hour?)

Honestly, uh....way less than the internet would give you the impression of. Also, I'm bad at time and numbers, and don't keep track of the hours I spend doing my hobbies for fun, so I can't give a very hard estimate, but.

One thing is that I kind of...frontloaded a lot of my prep. There was a leadup of about a month between forming the table and actually running Session 1, and in that time I did a LOT of brainstorming, planning, prep work, etc.

Obviously the worst thing a DM can do is plan out the campaign, I didn't do anything insane like that, but I put together a loose bullet-point list of maybe two dozen adventure arcs, only a few of which had "prerequisites". Like, some of them needed to happen in a certain order, but only in the sense of "this adventure arc, when they get to it, will give them the information needed to guide them to this other one" or "this will only make sense after the other thing has been established".

In fact, when I was planning my mountain-temple adventure, I actually sketched out three different versions depending on what level they were at when they got the mission, because there was no telling what order they'd do various adventures in, or whether they'd pick up certain quest hooks or ask certain questions.

(For example, if they'd been a few levels higher by the time they fought that dragon, it'd have been an ADULT blue dragon; if they'd met Arlette really early, and been tiny babies, it would have been a pair of wyrmlings instead. Similarly, if they'd been more skittish in the earlier levels, I'd have tossed in the hag arc and cut it down to a single hag. Flexibility is everything.)

But the point is, when I was initially laying out the campaign I spent a LOT of intense time planning out some of the "keystone" arcs, the major things that logically linked to each other, as well as "subplot" arcs that would serve to provide a steady build of hints and evidence to POINT to those keystone arcs. And that takes a lot of the pressure off me down the line, because I don't have to go "ah yes time for the next big arc. shit. I have to build it".

I'm usually actively prepping things I don't anticipate needing for like, two months. And I can do that casually, fifteen minutes at a time, often while doing other stuff; I'll get an idea and jot it down in my DM notes doc, or go back and figure out the specifics of a puzzle I came up with last month, but it's all bite-sized and there's no sense of time pressure because I'm telling you, I designed that puzzle like four months ago and they're still nowhere near it being relevant.

The OTHER thing that helps immensely is that I think 5-6 hour game sessions are fucking insane. I'm not doing that every goddamn week. Our sessions are 2/2.5 hours on Saturday evenings; occasionally, for a major setpiece moment like the dragon fight, if everyone agrees, we'll push to 3 hours or a little longer, but at that point I start to fade and it's not fun anymore. This does mean we tend to have less in the way of casual encounters--I'm trying to change that, and build in more casual (not "random," because I plan them to be thematically relevant to the area and interesting in some way, but not Major Boss Fights either) because I realized I wasn't giving my players time to get really comfortable with their combat mechanics.

But you don't actually need six-hour sessions every week. You'd be surprised how that time constraint aids in keeping gameplay moving and the story going forward, honestly.

Those things combined mean that the only immediate session prep I need to worry about on a weekly is making sure I've got NPC names generated and have established what creatures or statblocks I need, and bookmarked or copied them so I've got them easily accessible. I can do that in the hour before the game starts if I need to, without even feeling rushed! And that frees up a lot of time and energy for when I want to do something extra or cool to make a session feel special; like personalizing generic loot, giving the hags names and personalities, homebrewing an item, or making diagrams or handouts.

Everything else (any specific wording I need an NPC to use, a description I absolutely need to include because it's a clue, notes on tactics I want the enemy to use) has been waiting for me, lovingly bullet-pointed, for months at that point.

#d&d #I did like twenty minutes of prep for the dragon fight and 100% of it was tweaking the loot #everything else was already DONE I'd prepped it WEEKS before

[emy-loves-you]

Wrong Numbers and Useless Gays Chapter 9

Merry Christmas!

Chapter 8 | Masterlist | Chapter 10

Warnings: Crying, Virgil getting teased for basically being a sugar daddy, Logan attempting to deny his ever-growing chocolate addiction

P- (10:00 AM) Happy First Day of Christmas!

R- (10:01 AM) On the First Day of Christmas my true love gave to me

R- (10:01 AM) A Partridge in a Pear Tree

V- (10:02 AM) Okay first of all the 12 days of Christmas are December 25th to January 5th. The partridge is supposed to represent Jesus, whose birthday marks the 1st day.

V- (10:02 AM) Second of all, why isn’t Logan pointing out that Christmas is in 24 days, like he did with me for Halloween?

L- (10:03 AM) No comment.

R- (10:03 AM) Didn’t strike you for the religious type, storm cloud. And Logan won’t say anything because he gets a homemade chocolate Christmas calendar.

V- (10:04 AM) I had a very religious English teacher. And seriously, Lo? I gave you chocolate weekly and you STILL reprimanded my “Days of Halloween” until the chocolate bouquet. How much chocolate are they giving you?

L- (10:04 AM) No. Comment.

P- (10:05 AM) [*Photo attachment*]

[The photo is of a giant wooden calendar leading up to December 25th. It’s painted white with red doors covering the days. It’s obviously been used for many years. The 1st day is open, and there is a gallon-sized container of truffles next to the calendar. The container is half-empty]

V- (10:06 AM) L, please tell me you didn’t just eat half that container of truffles in 5 minutes.

L- (10:06 AM) NO. COMMENT.

R- (10:06 AM) He did it in 3.

L- (10:06 AM) TRAITOR!

V- (10:07 AM) IF YOU’RE THAT ADDICTED TO CHOCOLATE WHY WERE YOU MAD ABOUT THE BOUQUETS?!?!

L- (10:07 AM) BECAUSE I’M PRETTY SURE YOU SPENT $150 ON THEM!

V- (10:07 AM) IT WAS $118!

P- (10:08 AM) Kiddo, you don’t have to spend that much money on us!

V- (10:08 AM) I know, but it makes me really happy to spoil you guys!

V- (10:08 AM) Speaking of which, what do you guys want for Christmas?

R- (10:09 AM) Give us a moment

R- (10:09 AM) Last time you asked this I jokingly said “Katana” and you actually BOUGHT ONE

R- (10:09 AM) Now we actually have to think about what we want.

Virgil snorted, pocketing his phone. He didn’t have anything planned for today, so he went about sketching. He decided to do some elaborate snowflakes, each with their own unique design. He felt his phone go off several times in a row, so he quickly picked it up and scrolled through Princey’s rant.

R- (10:15 AM) We have made our decisions

R- (10:15 AM) Patton would like one of your more elaborate sketches. Something that makes you smile. If you need to buy him something, he would greatly appreciate some new cooking supplies or some stuffed animals.

R- (10:15 AM) Logan would like a new telescope. His original one broke a few days ago and he hasn’t found the time to get a new one. Some chocolate would also be appreciated.

R- (10:15 AM) And I would like a new set of headphones and anything Disney related.

R- (10:16 AM) But if you are going to buy anything for us, please let us return the favor. I understand your desire to not meet, but the thought of you giving us gifts with nothing in return is pure torture.

Virgil bit his lip, a habit he’d quickly developed after he met these guys. He’s already known them for over 6 months, and they’ve shown no signs of recognizing him or trying to use him. In fact, they’ve done the exact opposite. They respect his want to remain faceless; and while they do like the gifts that he gives them, they discourage him from spending more than he’s comfortable with (what they don’t realize is that he’d try and buy them the world if they asked for it). Virgil sighed (another habit that he's started partaking in more and more) and sent a quick response.

V- (10:17 AM) If I send you my address, do you promise to not try and come over while I’m home?

R- (10:17 AM) We swear on our honor that we will only visit when you are not home, and even then it will be to deliver gifts.

Before Virgil could second-guess himself, he already had his address in the group chat.

P- (10:18 AM) I didn’t realize you lived so close to us, Kiddo!

L- (10:18 AM) Indeed. I have also yet to meet anyone in this city named Virgil.

V- (10:19 AM) Yeah, I don’t really get out much and even then I don’t share my name.

R- (10:19 AM) Well, now that we have a place to send gifts, here comes the question: what would you like for Christmas, JDelightful?

V- (10:21 AM) I mean, new art supplies would be nice. If it helps, I love Nightmare Before Christmas and my favorite colors are black and purple

R- (10:21 AM) Alright, Storm Cloud. We’ll let you know when we’re ready to deliver your gifts!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(December 18th)

“Remus, Darling, what is that monstrosity in your hands?”

Virgil looked up from his map. They were currently in Aventura Mall, the largest shopping mall in Florida. They liked to come here every year for Christmas shopping, and they had a small set of stores that they went to each time. But Virgil had a longer list this year, so he needed a map to tell him where the other stores were. In front of him stood Janus and Remus. Remus appeared to be holding a pile of condiments. “It’s a hotdog,” he said. He took a bite out of the top, clearly missing the hotdog. Virgil noticed that the inside of the condiment pile was white, and he couldn’t tell if it was mayonnaise, marshmallow fluff, sour cream, or whipped cream. Knowing Remus, it could be any of them, or even a combination of the four. Virgil suddenly wasn’t curious anymore, or hungry.

“Come on, the first store’s just up ahead.” They made their way to the first store, which had one of Virgil’s gifts for Patton.

“Virgil, why are we stopping here? It’s not like we have a very specific set of stores we visit every year.”

Virgil’s eyes were suddenly glued to the sale in front of him, his cheeks bright red. “I just have a few more items on my list this year, that’s all.”

“Oh? May we see?” Virgil nodded, covering the section for Janus and Remus’ gifts before showing them his list.

They stared at the list for a while before Remus burst into giggles. “You really are their Sugar Daddy, aren’t ya?”

Virgil’s face grew even redder, if possible. He quickly turned back to the sale, grabbing what he wanted before making a beeline to the next aisle. “Shut up, Remus. I just like buying stuff for them, that’s all.”

“Right, and that’s definitely not the literal definition of a Sugar Daddy.” Janus replied, picking up one of the items in fake interest. Virgil was going to respond, he really was, but he got a text and he’d rather talk to his crushes than try and explain himself to these knuckleheads.

P- (2:36 PM) Hey, Kiddo! Are you home right now?

V- (2:37 PM) No, I’m at the mall right now. Probably won’t be home until around 8.

P- (2:37 PM) Alright, just wondering! Have a nice time!

Virgil fondly rolled his eyes, going back to the items on his list. The list wasn’t long enough for 5 hours worth of shopping, but Janus will probably want him to come over after their trip. Speaking of Janus, Virgil tuned out the giggling idiots behind him. He’d try and dissuade them from making “Sugar Daddy” comments later; right now, he needed to compare these prices.

Just as Virgil expected, they finished shopping at around 5 and Janus insisted that Virgil stay over for a while. Virgil tried to be as dramatic as possible, summoning his inner Princey as he ‘begrudgingly’ agreed to come over. They hung out for a few more hours, making snarky comments and discussing Virgil’s new “Sugar Daddy” title. Time flew by and before Virgil knew it, he was getting a text from Patton.

P- (7:34 PM) Hey, Kiddo! I just dropped off a box on your back porch. It has wrapped presents from the three of us and my homemade chicken n’ dumplings! I hope you enjoy them (we’re eating them on Christmas Eve) and don’t open your presents until Christmas morning! Hope you like them!

V- (7:35 PM) I’m sure I will, Patton. Thank you

P- (7:35 PM) No problem, Kiddo!

Virgil asked Janus to give him a ride home and sure enough, a large box stood on his back porch. Inside were three wrapped gifts and a closed Tupperware container. Virgil quickly brought the box inside, putting the container in the fridge and the presents under the tree. The three presents were the same size, with red, blue or silver wrapping paper. It was quite obvious who each gift was from, and they were probably all in the same standard boxes. Virgil smiled, going to wrap presents for his crushes.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(December 25th)

Virgil woke up to his alarm going off at 10 AM. Which was weird, since he almost always woke up before his alarm went off. His mind went back to last night, with the heavenly taste of chicken n’ dumplings and enough Christmas puns to send Virgil back into a giggle-fest. He slowly got up, meandering his way out to the living room. He quickly sent a text to the group chat.

V- (10:02 AM) Merry Christmas, guys

P- (10:02 AM) MERRY CHRISTMAS, KIDDO!

R- (10:02 AM) MERRY CHRISTMAS, STORM CLOUD!

L- (10:03 AM) Merry Christmas, Virgil.

R- (10:03 AM) Now that you’re up, we can open our presents!

V- (10:03 AM) How long have you guys been up?

L- (10:04 AM) They both woke up at 6 AM. I convinced them to wait for you to wake naturally before opening presents, since most of these gifts were from you.

V- (10:04 AM) Alright, then. Let’s get to opening these gifts.

Virgil decided to wait until the others opened their gifts before opening his. He already knew what he got them, but he had no idea what they got from each other.

R- (10:10 AM) [*Photo Attachment*]

[The photo is of a wrapping paper massacre. In the center of the massacre are a set of gifts. The first one is a red pillow with the name ROMAN embroidered in gold letters, probably from Patton. The next gift is a book about the history of musicals, most likely from Logan. Virgil had gotten him a sleek set of headphones and a stack of Disney t-shirts. The headphones were red with gold stars on the ears and the word PRINCEY written in silver.]

P- (10:11 AM) [*Photo Attachment*]

[The photo is also of a wrapping paper massacre with several presents. There were two Winnie the Pooh posters from Roman and a new cookbook from Logan. From Virgil, there was a set of stainless steel cookware, a light blue stuffed dog, and 4 of Virgil's snowflake sketches. Each snowflake had small details that pertained to a specific person, such as crowns, hearts, stars, and storm clouds.]

L- (10:12 AM) [*Photo Attachment*]

[The photo has all of the wrapping paper neatly set off to the side. There was a navy blue pillow with Logan's name embroidered in silver from Patton. There were several posters of different galaxies from Roman. Virgil had gotten him a large metal telescope and several boxes of chocolate. The telescope was navy blue with silver accents.]

P- (10:12 AM) I LOVE THESE! THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH!

R- (10:12 AM) THESE ARE FANTASTIC! YOU ALL HAVE MY DEEPEST GRATITUDE.

L- (10:13 AM) I also appreciate the gifts, but VIRGIL HOW MUCH DID YOU SPEND?

V- (10:13 AM) No comment ;)

P- (10:14 AM) Did you open your presents, Kiddo?

Virgil turned back to the three boxes, an anxious pit in his stomach. What did they get him? He carefully unwrapped each present. Like he suspected, each present was a standard cardboard box that was taped shut. He turned to Logan's present first. The box contained a new set of art supplies and a sketch pad with a dark purple cover. The first page had a note that read:

"I sincerely enjoy your drawings. The one of the night skies was particularly pleasing. I look forward to seeing more of your art in the future. - Logan"

Virgil blushed at the compliment, turning to Roman's gift. Inside were several Nightmare Before Christmas posters and plushies, with a note explaining that he had bought the posters back in August because "they reminded me of you, storm cloud."

Blushing even more, Virgil turned to Patton's present. When he first opened the box, it looked like a pile of fabric. When he picked it up, however, he was shocked. It was a black hoodie with hand-sewn purple patches. The name “Virgil” was embroidered into one of the patches. Virgil immediately put it on. It was loose and slightly baggy, different from the tight black jacket that he wore as Anxiety. He loved it. Virgil went to text a response when he saw something sticking out of the hoodie pocket. He grabbed the note and felt tears forming in his eyes. It was actually a card, the front saying UR FAM. The inside had a giant heart with the letters ILY. Virgil knew that it was just a pun on family, that this wasn’t actually a confession of love, but a tiny part of him hoped that this meant what he thought it meant.

But he would never tell them that. No, the last thing he wanted was to ruin their friendship. He shakily grabbed his phone and blindly pressed send photo, wanting to send a picture of the gifts like they did. As he angled the camera to show off all of the gifts, he started muttering to himself. “God, these are perfect. It’s all perfect. Goddammit, Virgil, stop crying.” He quickly took the photo and hit send, still misty-eyed from the gifts. Sure, he had gotten gifts from Janus and Remus, but they had never sent such personal gifts, much less heartfelt notes! He quickly wiped his eyes when he felt his phone buzz. He went to check the messages when he felt his heart stop. “Oh Shit.”

V- (10:19 AM) [*Video Sent*]

P- (10:20 AM) Virgil, sweety, why are you crying?

L- (10:20 AM) I believe that Virgil is feeling “emotional.”

R- (10:21 AM) That’s alright, Storm Cloud. There’s nothing wrong with crying when you’re happy! You are happy, right?

Virgil had sent a video. Where he bawled his eyes out and muttered nonsense to the camera. God, Virgil had never wanted to stop existing more than he did now.

V- (10:21 AM) I’m happy, Princey. Embarrassed, but definitely happy.

R- (10:22 AM) No need to feel embarrassed, my Raven. After all, you’ve given us so much over the past few months. Knowing that our gifts made you THAT happy is… quite nice. We care about you, Virgil. It’s nice to be able to show you in ways beyond words.

V- (10:23 AM) Thanks, guys. It means a lot to me.

L- (10:23 AM) It was no issue, Virgil. Now, weren’t you planning on going to your friend’s house today?

V- (10:24 AM) Yeah, I should be going soon. Thanks guys, and Merry Christmas

L- (10:24 AM) Merry Christmas, Virgil.

P- (10:24 AM) Merry Christmas, Kiddo!

R- (10:24 AM) Merry Christmas, Storm Cloud!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Taglist: @bisexualdisaster106 @self-taught-mess @itawalrus @arodynamic-enby @sanderssides-angst

#useless gays #sanders sides fic #virgil sanders #roman sanders #patton sanders #logan sanders #remus sanders #janus sanders

[ruewrites]

We’re Blooming Together Chapter 2: Your Secret

AO3

Ship: Solomon/Asmo

Word Count: 2338

Warnings: None

Chapter 1-Chapter 2-Chapter 3-Chapter 4-Chapter 5-Chapter 6-Chapter 7-Chapter 8-Chapter 9-Chapter 10-Chapter 11-Chapter 12 

Asmo couldn’t decide if he thought Solomon’s lips would be rough or soft. Honestly, either one would be fine. What ultimately mattered was he was a good kisser. Of course, Asmo didn’t know really, but he’d heard from his past girlfriends.  He’d heard more from them as well. He dreamed of him every now and again, sometimes they were odd but other times he could feel his lips on his own, and how his hands felt on his hips. Not that it meant much. Dreams were dreams, and Solomon wasn’t interested in anything more than friends. Of course Asmo had had a crush on him, one that lasted for a long time, and it had been bad enough that he spent hours sobbing in his room when he got his first girlfriend. Slowly he got over it and started dating other people. Guys, girls, didn’t matter. Yeah he still had a little thing for Solomon, but it didn’t mean much in the long run. 

Solomon just wanted to be friends, and that was it. 

Still didn’t stop the dreams. They were always simple, Solomon’s hands traveling up his shirt and gently brushing against his hips, light kisses going up his neck  until he could whisper sweet words of affirmation and love in his ear, and then his lips on his-

And then a blaring alarm.

Asmo groaned as he rolled over in bed, hand roaming the counter until he found his phone and was able to turn off the offending noise. With a shudder, he wrapped the blankets around himself tighter. Getting up would be a hassle today. It was cold inside and out and Asmo wanted nothing more than to stay in his warm bed for a little longer, but he had a routine to keep. He slipped his feet into the slippers he kept neatly next to his bed. For a moment he contemplated bringing the blanket with him but ultimately deciding against it. He certainly didn’t want to snag the silk on the floor. 

Even if he was sluggish now his beauty routine would be sure to wake him up, it always did. Asmo had a few pictures framed, some taped, next to his vanity. Some were of him and his brothers, some were him and Solomon, others were individuals of them, or some group combination. Some would say that Asmo gave his affections out too easily and that it was easiest bought if you had a pretty face and sweet enough words on your tongue. While that was somewhat true, only those Asmo truly loved got a space next to his bureau. Each photo not only held one of his loved ones, but a dear memory as well. 

Some past lovers had had an issue with some of the pictures, mainly those that involved Solomon. Or maybe it was just Solomon in general. Or maybe it was the special relationship they had. Asmodeus had never been afraid to show his affections and he’s always been physical. Especially with Solomon.

He didn’t really understand why some had had an issue with it in the first place.

Asmo never hid how special Solomon was to him. They’d known each other for almost their entire lives. Hell, they’d gone to their senior prom together! As friends of course. Asmo had been broken up with the week before, and in the middle of running mascara and messy eyeshadow, Solomon had gently asked if he wanted him to take him.  It was a bit of a fiasco really. Neither of them matched each other, and then the corsage (that they talked about getting for the aesthetic) didn’t match either of them. Despite it all, Asmo instead in joking tones that they made quite the stunning couple who took some rather stunning pictures together. They were some of Asmo’s favorites too. 

He opened his bedroom door carefully. He would never forget the day he found himself covered in paint because Mammon forgot about an assignment he had due that day. It had completely ruined his entire look. Asmo probably would have killed him if Lucifer hadn’t intervened. Speaking of Lucifer-

His oldest brother mulled about the kitchen, filling his traveller mug with coffee and wrapping up his breakfast to take to work. Beel was shoveling eggs into his mouth, toast, bacon, and bananas surrounding his plate in line to be eaten and a Belphie slumped against his shoulder. Belphie had never been a morning person. Getting him up for school had always been a struggle to the point where Lucifer had considered getting him into any form of school transportation in the morning a success since the twins had been in middle school. Asmo had spent his senior year driving the twins to school with him, just so they’d all have a little extra time to get ready (or in Belphie’s case, sleep). They’d struck up a deal where Asmo wouldn’t tell Lucifer about Belphie going to school in his pajamas if Belphie didn’t snitch on all the times Asmo snuck out. In Asmo’s personal opinion, it worked out pretty nicely for both of them.

“Good morning Lucifer! Beel, Belphie,” Asmo sang. He ruffled the twins’ hair, earning a grumble from Belphie and a stifled “good morning” from Beel. 

“Good morning Asmodeus.” Lucifer turned his head to look at Asmo as he popped one of the bagels into the toaster and setting the cream cheese on the counter. “Any plans or can we expect you home for dinner tonight?”

“As far as I’m aware,” he giggled.  

Then Lucifer gave him the look.

“Fine. Yes Dad. I’ll be home,” Asmo huffed.

Lucifer rolled his eyes before setting the coffee pot back into place. “I could do without the sass, but thank you. Satan is on duty tonight, if anything changes text him,” he said, packing up his things nice and orderly. He turned around and addressed Asmo in a tone he and the rest of the brothers had been familiar with.

“And please, keep yourself out of trouble and be safe.”

“I will Luci, promise.”

Campus was always so pretty in the fall. There was one spot that Asmo particularly liked next to the campus gardens. Underneath a large tree sat a wrought iron table with two matching chairs. It felt partially hidden from the rest of campus and was a perfect spot when you wanted to be alone with your thoughts. Asmo liked to sit there to work on some of his more creative assignments. The changing colors of the trees and variety of flora in the garden served as muses for some of his design and had birthed some of his proudest works.

“Asmodeus!” 

Asmo looked up, and his face immediately lit up. Solomon had his bag slumped over his shoulder and a coffee cup in each hand. He placed the cups on the table, sliding one towards Asmodeus before sitting in the chair opposite of him and letting his bag fall to the ground.

Solomon had moved out of his old house and into a small apartment for a change of pace a year or two ago. His roommate Simeon had already been living there with his nephew and had been looking for another person to help split rent once their old roommate moved out. Asmo had seen the place a few times, it was small but Solomon liked his room and how there had been room for a bookshelf and a few of his other things. That didn’t mean that Solomon’s room was neat and organized, but Asmo didn’t blame him for liking the place and Simeon and his nephew were both nice enough. It was also nice when he wanted somewhere to work quietly. 

Asmo picked up the cup Solomon slipped him and sipped at it with a smile. It had whipped cream on top that had a slight pumpkin flavor with cinnamon on top. The drink itself was a sweet and creamy hazelnut. “Oooh they have their fall specials back! You always know just what I want,” Asmo cooed, placing the drink back down, a safe distance from his sketch pad.

“I would hope so, considering I’ve been your errand boy to the campus cafe the past three years.”

“You have more points and perks than I do!”

“Because I keep buying your coffee,” Solomon’s tone was teasing. He never really minded getting Asmodeus’ coffee. He’d been doing things for him for years, but he never minded. Asmodeus’ usually found a way to repay him, but even if he didn’t Solomon would probably still do things for him. It was something he’d done without thinking most of the time, they were always little things that reminded him of Asmodeus. 

Asmodeus had rolled his eyes and taken another sip of his coffee, “So, did you just come by to say hi to little ol’ me in between classes?”

“Well yes, it’s not unusual is it?” he asked, “But I was also hoping to show you something.” Asmo quirked an eyebrow as Solomon started digging around in his bag, pulling out three cups and a marble. He set them up on the table and pointed at the one the marble was under. Asmo could help the smile that spread across his lips, nor the chuckle that escaped him  as he played along, keeping an eye on the cup as it spun around on the table. Solomon had gotten into magic tricks sometime in middle school. He always practiced them on Asmodeus, but back then most of them had been little card tricks. He’d always thought it’d been cute.

Asmo pointed at the cup off to the side and Solomon grinned as he lifted it. The other two cups followed, all three empty. “Wait, wait, I think I see it,” Solomon was grinning widely as he reached behind Asmodeus’ ear and brought the marble in front of his face. Asmo broke out into laughter.

“You’re such a nerd.”

“And yet you indulge in my interests.”

“I didn’t say I didn’t enjoy them.”

Asmo picked up his pencil back off the table and went back to putting the finishing touches on his newest design. Solomon watched for a moment. He’d always liked Asmodeus’ little designs. They were rather unique and alluring, just like him. “When’s that one due?” 

“It’s part of a collection, so not for a while. Buuuut-” he stopped and flipped a few pages back and pointed to another one he’d already finished, “I have this one finished and just need a model. And I still have your measurements from every other time my most wonderful Solomon has modeled for me.”

“You used up all your little brother tokens?”

“Unfortunately.”

“And your big brother tokens?”

“Those too. I owe the twins more favors than I’d like to admit.”

Solomon hummed and leaned back in his chair, “I suppose I’d have some free time. Would you need me for your class too?”

“If you don’t mind being my full time model for the semester,” Asmo sang. Solomon usually ended up being his full time model for the semester. Solomon nodded and Asmo squealed in delight almost immediately. “Oh thank you Solomon!” he chirped, throwing himself over the table, somehow managing to not knock anything over, “You’re always the best model like ever!”

Solomon coughed.

“And the best friend ever. Of course my best friend would also be my absolute favorite model!” 

Asmo would get to finish his project and spend more time with one of his favorite people in the entire world, of course having Solomon as his model was always a wonderful thing. Plus, he always looked really good in the clothes Asmo made. Like, really good. Sometimes he wondered if his subconscious purposefully made designs that would show off the countless number of tattoos that covered his body. Specifically the ones that would peak out from the collars of his shirts or from behind the cuffs of his sleeves. Solomon would make a really good model… Maybe one day Asmo could convince him to come along and work for him when he made it big one day.

******

Asmo sighed as he slumped onto his bed. He still had some time to himself before he had to meet his brothers for dinner. They usually wouldn’t start until Lucifer got home from work. It wasn’t that they had to wait, they just preferred to eat together when they could. It had been that way ever since they’d been kids and none of them saw a reason to break tradition (even if the brothers didn’t always get along). Folding his legs he went to grab his laptop to attempt to start on a few more assignments for the upcoming week and to update some of his profiles. He wanted to make it into the fashion industry, he needed to keep everything up to date and looking attractive. 

No sooner had Asmo’s laptop left the bag did something else fall out. It was a pink envelope, with his name written in golden cursive on the front. The paper was glossy and sealed on the back with wax. 

Asmo had never gotten a letter before. At least, not one that had been this fancy. 

He carefully picked at the seal, not wanting to destroy something so pretty. 

Unfolding the letter, he couldn’t help but notice a smoky aroma coming from the inside of the envelope. 

How could any person ever glow so brightly?

Looking at you, I can’t deny that there must be some form of a higher power

For I refuse to believe that such perfection could be accidental.

Do you realize how truly wonderful you are?

Or that nothing in this life or any other could come close to comparing to your beauty?

I find myself being drawn to you

Like we’re connected by a string of fate.

I want to adore you.

I long to be closer to you.

Would you ever let yourself be mine?

Know that someone admires you in secret.

Think of Me,

Your Secret

#WBT #solodeus #soloasmo #asmosolo #asmodeus x solomon #obey me solomon #obey me asmodeus #obey me lucifer #obey me beel #obey me belphie #ruewrites #obey me #love letters #human!au #friends to lovers #slow burn

[artificialqueens]

Stupid For You, Chapter 5 (Crygi, Jankie, Jaida x Nicky) - Metaluna

Summary: In which everyone makes mistakes, and have to face consequences. 

A/N: Hey everyone! This does have a tw of domestic abuse.

The rest of the month went by smoothly for Jaida. She got to be team lead for most of her shifts, much to the jealousy of her coworkers. She didn’t care. She knew she was damn good at her job, and paid her dues for the past few years. It was what she deserved. Part of her was sad knowing it was her last summer at the park, but the idea of law school was much more exciting than telling guests that they had to put shoes on all summer.

She and Nicky continued their fling. It was some of the best sex Jaida had ever had. Jaida could feel herself developing feelings for Nicky, but rather than address them, she just ignored them. They’d go away on their own right?

She woke up at noon. Because there weren’t many leads in Sales, she worked six days a week, and it was her first day off in twelve days. She deserved to sleep in. Her phone buzzed. It was Nicky texting the groupchat.

Heyy ladies, I’m off today. Does anyone want to play in the park today?

This was her shot. Even though she and Nicky spent a lot of time together, they didn’t ever get the chance to just talk. Even after they hooked up, Nicky usually left pretty soon after, always having a reason to not hang out after.

First day off in 12. I’m down.

Nicky texted back quickly. See you at 2.

Jaida peered into her closet, and suddenly, she hated every single article of clothing that she owned. After rifling through shirts, and trying on different outfit combinations, she eventually settled on a cropped black tank top and army green shorts. 

Out of all of her coworkers, Jaida lived the furthest away. The half hour drive gave Jaida time to think. She knew that she felt differently about Nicky than she did with any of the previous flings. Even though she had her flings, none of them ended in a relationship. When she thought about Nicky, images flashed in her head of dinner dates, picking pumpkins, and curling up on the couch watching a movie. She had to do it. She had to bring Nicky to the Ferris wheel. If they went up together, they could talk it out. 

When Jaida arrived, it was only 1:40. The Landing, where the stores were, was in the front of the park, just off the entrance. She decided that she could harass her coworkers. Before entering Isle Mercantile, she saw Gigi walking with a cart full of beach towels.

“Gigi!” she called.

“Jaida! Hi! I saw you’re hanging with Nicky.” Gigi raised an eyebrow. “What exactly is going on with you?”

“Honestly, I don’t know. I really don’t.”

Gigi pushed her cart into a shady corner under the roof. “Here. Come over here. Step into my office.”

Jaida rolled her eyes and sighed. “It’s just so hard. I like her, and obviously she likes me enough to fuck me, but I don’t know that she likes me enough to date me.”

Her phone buzzed. Jackie.

Girl. I saw you were coming into the park with Nicky. Are you going to talk it out?

She decided she could reply later and continued. “It’s so embarrassing but I’ve never had a girlfriend. I don’t know how to have this conversation. I doubt she likes me.”

“If you guys have manage to hook up as many times as you have, I feel like you’ve got something there.”

“Thanks, Gigi. Hey, what’s been up with you?”

“What do you mean?”

“You just seem a lot less happy. Are you okay?”

Gigi nodded a little too quickly. “I’m fine! Anyway, Jaida if I don’t stock these towels, Brita’s gonna be pissed!”

Her phone buzzed again. It was Nicky.

I’m here. Meet at the food trucks!

After walking to the trucks, Jaida spotted Nicky at a table. The sunlight was hitting the blonde in just the right spots, making the her look even more beautiful than normal.

Jaida decided to sneak up behind Nicky. “Boo, bitch.”

She jumped, nearly falling out of her chair. “You bitch!”

“Let’s go ride the Jinn. I haven’t done it yet this year.”

While in line, she decided to text Jackie back.

I really want to, but I don’t know what to say, or how to bring it up. All I know that this feels different. This isn’t the same as all the others for the past three years. I can’t describe it. I really, really like Nicky. I want to take the next step, but I don’t know if she does.

As she hit “send” she returned her phone to her pocket, right as Nicky picked hers up.

Jaida knew what she did. Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck. How could she be so stupid?

“So, that didn’t go to Jackie. Jaida…” Nicky began. “Is this true?”

Jaida was hoping to bring Nicky up in the Ferris wheel. Even though things never fell in her favor, it was a comforting place. The line they were in was a 30 minute wait. They had nothing but time to talk it out. Even though it wasn’t ideal, Jaida nodded. “It is.”

Nicky sighed. “Jaida, I like you, I really do.”

This is exactly how every other girl began when they wanted to cut things off.

“And it’s not you it’s me?” Jaida predicted.

“It’s a cliché, I know. But I have so much going on right now, that I really can’t date anyone, not just you. Jaida, I really do like you. A lot. In other circumstances, we would already be dating, but right now I can’t give you what you want. I understand if you don’t want to keep doing… what we’re doing. I will respect your decision either way.”

“No worries!” Jaida said happily, even though she felt like she was going to cry. “I’m totally fine with what we have.”

“Are you sure?”

“I promise.”

For the fourth year in a row, Jaida felt her heart break. She was left wondering if things were better had she taken Nicky for a ride in the Ferris wheel.

—–

After her shift, Gigi sat at her desk sketching a dress. She felt her phone buzz. 

can you come over

Yea. Everything all good?

no

I’ll be there in ten

Gigi made the ten minute drive in five. Crystal answered the door. Her eyes were red, it was easy to tell that she’d been crying the past few hours. Her hair was disheveled, and she was wearing an oversized sweat shirt. “Come in.”

Wordlessly, Crystal led Gigi into her bedroom. All of her walls were hand painted beautifully, each wall with a different color scheme. Her room was slightly messy, but still somehow organized. A picture of Harry Styles hung above the bed. An easel was in the corner with an abstract painting. The closet door was propped open, exposing Crystal’s brightly colored clothing.

 “Talk to me,” Gigi said said as she and Crystal sat on her bed. 

Crystal started crying as she sat down. “It’s Ryan.”

“What happened?“

“We started talking about me going off to college in a couple months. Usually when we talk about it, he won’t talk about it. Well, I needed answers… and I got them. He told me that if I didn’t stay home, he would break up with me.”

“Oh, Crystal.”

Gigi was pissed. She knew how hard Crystal worked to get into the graphic design program. The school they were to attend in the fall wasn’t easy to get into. It had a 50 percent acceptance rate. Crystal was too talented to let that go to waste. The audacity of that boy to ask her to throw that all away. She wanted to tell Crystal everything she was thinking, but instead, she held Crystal and stroked her hair.

“We’ve been together since we were fifteen. I don’t know how to live without him, you know?”

“Mmm.”

“I just love him so much, I don’t think I can leave him. I think I’m going to withdraw my application from Ferris.”

“Crystal, no. You can’t. You worked your ass off to get into that school. You know you did.”

“I know. But I love him.” Crystal rubbed her eyes, causing her sleeve to roll down, revealing a deep bruise.

Gigi gasped. “Did he do that to you?”

“He didn’t do it on purpose! He said I was being unreasonable, and he was right. He just needs to calm me down sometimes, you know?”

“No, Crystal. I don’t know. That’s not okay, under any circumstance. I don’t care if you cheated on him. That does not give him the right to ever put his hands on you.”

“I’m so stupid. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have even applied to that school in the first place.”

“Absolutely none of this is your fault. Please don’t ever say that it is.”

Crystal sighed. “I think I need to stay here.”

“I think you’re wrong. But, what I do think is that Ryan’s bad for you.”

“How fucking dare you.” Crystal’s voice was harsher than Gigi had ever heard it. “You don’t know him like I do. He’s known me a hell of a lot longer than you have.”

“Crystal…” Gigi felt tears forming.

“No. Don’t start. You don’t understand what all we’ve been through. How could you? You could never understand because you’ve been alone your entire life. You can’t let people in. Even me. You’ve been weird as shit every single day since the party, and won’t tell me why. All you do is shut people out when they’re trying to help you. Me, Jan, Jaida, Jackie… We’ve all tried to ask you what was wrong, because clearly something’s wrong. You don’t let people in, or you get fucking pissy. Why? It’s not our faults that your dad fucking left. Stop taking it out on us.”

Gigi sat completely stunned.

Crystal realized what she had said. “Gigi… I didn’t mean… I’m so sorry. I–”

“I think it’s time for me to go. Find your own ride to work, or walk your ass there. I don’t care. Don’t text me. Don’t fucking talk to me.”

“Gigi, wait!” Crystal called. But it was too late.

–

On the drive home, Gigi felt her chest tighten and knew a panic attack was starting. Knowing she wouldn’t be able to drive, she pulled into a parking lot. All she could think of were Crystal’s words which cut her like a knife. Gigi knew that Crystal wasn’t a cruel person, and that it was all in the heat of the moment, but it didn’t matter. Gigi didn’t even know where the words came from, why out of nowhere Crystal would bring up Gigi’s behavior in that conversation, and she really didn’t know why she brought her dad into it. 

Her phone lit up.

gigi, i am so fucking sorry. idk where that came from. i don’t mean it. i hope you know that. that was fucked for me to say. so fucked. i understand if you don’t want to reply and need your space, but know that I am so fucking sorry, and ill never forgive myself for what i said. i can tell what i said really hurt you, and i understand if you dont want to talk, but just know if you ever do, i’m always here to listen

Gigi started typing.

Yeah, that WAS fucked. That fucking hurt me more than I could say. When I said my dad wasn’t a good person, I meant it. When I had my first girlfriend, I came out to my parents. My dad wanted to throw my ass out, and my mom wouldn’t let him, and said that it if I wasn’t out of the house, he was going to leave. My mom would never throw me out, so now he’s gone. It fucked with me. You wonder why I can’t people let me in? That’s why. I’m fucked up, and you’re right. I do need my space. Leave me alone.

She reread her response, and decided she didn’t owe Crystal an explanation, and deleted every word of the text.

—

Crystal was laying on her bed looking up at the ceiling, which was painted like a galaxy. How could she be that cruel? Her words were volatile. Crystal didn’t know the whole story. Even if she did, it wasn’t right to bring it up, especially not like that.

She had to make it right. She sat on her phone, trying to formulate the perfect apology text. A text felt so impersonal, but Gigi hated talking on the phone, and hated Facetiming. Crystal knew that a text would be the best thing she could do. After rereading her text a few times, she hit Send.

Gigi was typing something. Something long. Crystal anxiously waited for her reply, but the three dots disappeared. Instead, she was left with Read.

The pain Crystal felt was stronger than anything before. It was worse than anytime Ryan laid his hands on her. It was worse than the time he cheated on her. It was worse than anything, and she had no idea how she was going to make it right.

#rpdr fanfiction #gigi goode #crystal methyd #jan sport #jackie cox #jaida essence hall #nicky doll #crygi #jankie #jaida x nicky #lesbian au #stupid for you #metaluna #tw abuse #submission #s12

[caelesjjk]

dream fiend | boogeyman!calum

My sweet babies! Welcome to the next installment of my SupernatualSOS series, and its boogeyman!calum!! This is over 10k of my blood sweat and tears, so strap in angels! I’m so proud of this, please tell me what you think!!

Calum was very old.

He can remember as far back as the 1500’s when he first came from hell. That was a very long time ago, and the world is very different now. Especially now that he’s been gone for almost 200 years. He had been banished back to hell by someone he had once considered a friend. Calum had gone down a dangerous path all those years ago, and he was banished for his own good, so he was told. But he found that hard to believe.

It had become his mission to hunt down his so called friend and seek out an explanation. And possibly get in a few swings at his face as well. Calum had a lot of time to think about what he was going to say when he saw him again. None of it was calm or well organized, but that wasn’t something Calum was well known for.

What he was well known for in this world was being the Boogeyman. A creature mostly known for scaring children when they misbehaved. But that’s not where it ended for Calum. He haunted the dreams of people of anyway age, that he felt were doing wrong. He sometimes used his power to see into the dreams of anyone he wanted. For hundreds of years he did as he was supposed to, he used his gifts from Lucifer to manipulate the dreams of those who were wicked to give them a glimpse of the hell they would soon encounter.

And one day, Calum fell in love with Gracie O’Hare. He stumbled upon her dreams by accident. They were so beautiful and pure, that Calum visited her dreams much more often than he should have. He loved to see what was going on inside her mind. He wanted to keep her all to himself. The poor, sweet girl even began to think that he was an angel that visited her in her dreams, and she loved him too. Calum began to secretly show himself to her so they could be together, things were so different back then, in this day and age, Calum can walk around freely without anyone knowing the difference.

But being with his love in his physical form was very dangerous. And when a certain witch caught wind of what Calum had been doing, he was banished to hell without the opportunity to explain himself to the love of his life. He knew that she was no longer alive, she would have passed away and gone onto heaven a long time ago, but it didn’t stop him from feeling that slightest bit of nostalgia.

With a bottle of amber colored booze in hand, Calum stumbled down the empty gravel path in the sweltering heat of a hot Georgia night. The likeliness that her house was still there was completely absurd, he knew, but he wanted to go for her. He put the bottle to his lips chugging down more bourbon and letting it burn his throat. It took a lot for a demon to get drunk, and Calum was going to put that to the test tonight. He could hear the phone in his pocket ringing over and over. Ashton had given it to him so they could keep in touch, but Calum wasn’t in the mood to reminisce with his old friend. Not yet.

As he reached the end of the gravel road, he found just what he was looking for. It wasn’t her house, no, her house had a white picket fence around it and bright blue shutters. This house was run down and old. He couldn’t believe no one had the sense to take care of such a nice place.. But Calum stumbled across the grass of the yard until he could plop down right in the middle. He lay back against the damp grass and stared up the moon and stars, the constant sound of crickets ringing in his ears. But everything else just seemed almost too quiet if he was being honest.

“This one’s for you, Gracie.” He said loudly, chugging down the rest of the bottle and throwing it into the street where it shattered. Calum stayed there for a few moments, until he sensed another presence was near him, he sat up with inhuman speed and looked around, eyes landing on a figure standing on the wrap around porch, a long barreled shotgun in hand and aiming right at him.

“I know who you are.” She said, carefully walking around the side of the house.

“Is that so?” Calum hiccupped.

“I’ve seen your face. I know who you are.” She said the words with more authority, stopping at the top of the stairs with the gun pointed at him still.

“Who am I then, love?” Calum giggled, a questioning look on his face as he tried to focus on her face.

“You’re him. The demon.” She cocked the gun and descended one of the stairs.

Calum froze where he was, his face falling serious. Who was this girl?

“You should let me explain…” Calum said, putting his hands up and taking a step towards her.

“Come any closer and I’ll shoot you where you stand.” She said.

“Do you know how to use that thing dollface?” He took another step, knowing that the bullet wouldn’t hurt him.

“Have you come to find out?” She stayed put, watching him intently.

“No need for that. I only came to pay my respects to an old friend.” Calum kept his hands up.

“An old friend? Gracie O’Hare drew pictures of your face over and over until she lost her mind. Said you were the angel in her dreams that she fell in love with. But you aren’t an angel.” She spoke, and Calum could hear her heart beating in her chest from where he stood.

“How do you know Gracie O’Hare?” Calum asked.

“I’ve read her letters that she sent to my great great grandmother. Letters all about you. She was obsessed.” The words leaving her mouth are spoken with such distaste.

“Those could be about anybody.” Calum shrugs, not sure how he was going to get out of this situation quite yet.

He watched as the raven haired girl reached swiftly into the back pocket of her high waisted jeans and pulled out a folded piece of paper. She didn’t say a word, just tossed the paper towards Calum, never taking the gun off of him for a moment. Calum bent down slowly, keeping his eyes on the gun wielding girl and picking up the paper. He unfolded it, feeling his chest tighten at the sight.

It was almost a perfectly done sketch of his side profile. There was no denying that this was a drawing of him, the resemblance was too uncanny.

“There’s hundreds of them. She sent one with every letter she sent to my great great grandmother, over and over. And Gracie told her that she just knew you would be back. And here you are.” She comes down another step.

“It wasn’t my fault…” Calum tried to explain.

“Not your fault? I could feel the pain in those letters. Imagine being a 12 year old and discovering a trunk full of letters and pictures? I’ve been waiting for this moment.” She descended the rest of the stairs, walking with purpose to where Calum was standing and pressed the gun right against his chest.

“I didn’t choose to go away.” Calum’s jaw sets in frustration. This girl had no idea who she was dealing with.

“Keep telling yourself that.” She presses her lips together, her golden colored eyes staying focused on Calum.

“You aren’t going to shoot me, are you sunshine?” Calum tried to smile, but as soon as he did he felt the gun go off against his chest. His eyes went wide from surprise as he looked down to see the gaping hole where the bullet had gone through his chest.

“Why are you still standing?” She asked, fear spreading throughout her.

“Demon, remember? Did you not plan this out?” Calum pushes the barrel away from his chest roughly, it wasn’t enough to kill him but it was extremely uncomfortable. He could see the fear on her face, and he needed it to heal himself.

Calum wrapped his hand around her arm, closing his eyes. He could feel her pulling against him and screaming for him to let her go. His fingertips, hands, and wrists turned pitch black as he pressed into her skin and his power leaked from his hands like black smoke. It wrapped around Diana and consumed the fear from her body. He lived off of fear, and he needed it now. He opened his eyes and looked down at his chest, watching it fill back in as if it had never happened. The girl in his grasp continued to fight against his grip until he finally let go.

“Give…give me…whats happening?” She started to get dizzy, her eyesight and head becoming fuzzy. Calum caught her just before her head hit the grass covered ground they had been standing on.

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Diana Montgomery spent almost every summer with her grandmother in Georgia. She loved to sneak up to the attic of the old Victorian house and play dress up with the vintage clothes and gaudy accessories. There were trunks full of things that her grandmother just couldn’t bring herself to toss out. But Diana had always been an old soul.

The summer after she had turned 12, on a particularly hot day, Diana found herself up in the attic as usual. It was so very hot up there and she knew she wouldn’t be able to stand the heat for long, but she wanted to discover something that she hadn’t already found. 

After pushing a few things out of the far corner, just the slightest bit of light streaming in through the old dirty window, Diana stumbled upon an old blue trunk. There were at least 2 inches of dust on top of it, it hadn’t been touched in who knows how many years. That thought alone had Diana dusting off the top in a hurry.

“O’Hare.” She said, reading aloud the faded name written on top of the old leather.

Diana moved to sit on her knees in front of it, undoing the gold clasp on the front and slowly lifting up the lid of the trunk. It fell open, causing the dust to cloud around her and make her cough. The heat and the dust were not a favorable combination. But after the cloud of dust had settled, Diana sat up to look inside the trunk. There are yellowing envelopes and scattered papers all across the bottom. She reached into the trunk and grabbed a handful and brought them out into her lap. They were almost crunchy from being so old, and all of them were written in the most beautiful cursive handwriting. Diana carefully unfolded one and angled it towards the light coming in the window.

Dear Anita,

I’ve appreciated so much that you haven’t shunned me the way the rest of our family has. I know the things I say have been somewhat upsetting for some of them. But I just want you to know, these things are true. There is an angel that comes to me in my dreams. He comes to me almost every night. And soon, we will be together outside of my dreams. He’s promised to be with me, and I just can’t wait for you to meet him Anita!

Love to you my cousin,

Gracie

There were hundreds of letters from Gracie talking about this angel from her dreams. And with every letter had come a sketch of the man she loved. Diana couldn’t stop reading them. She gathered them all up and took them to her room, reading them all in secret until she felt like knew Gracie O’Hare. She understood her feelings. She also discovered that the woman Gracie had been writing to, Anita, was her great great grandmother. 

But Gracie’s letters turned dark when she stopped seeing the angel. She went crazy to the point that her family had her locked away because of her constant babbling about her angel from her dreams. She ran away several times only to be sent back to the institution. Diana cried quietly as she finished reading the letters, wishing more than anything that she could help Gracie. She wanted to tell her that she believed her. She believed that someone was haunting her dreams and made her believe he loved her.

Diana believed that Gracie deserved better than the fate she was given. After pestering her grandmother for information she learned that Gracie died in the institution of unknown causes. But it was safe to assume it all just became too much for her heart to bear. Such a tragic ending for someone who just wanted to be loved.

Diana could feel a light breeze bring goosebumps to her sweaty skin as she breathed in the familiar sent of the sheets on her bed. It was far too warm in here. And suddenly she remembered what had happened in the late hours of the night. Her eyes snapped open, seeing her ceiling fan spinning slowly. She sat up with difficulty, as one of her wrists was tied to her black iron headboard. She pulled at the restraint with no luck. Her hair stuck to her face and forehead with sweat as she tried to think of a way to get out of this situation.

“No way…” Diana whispered to herself, looking around the room frantically for the Boogeyman. He wasn’t there one moment, and then when she brought her eyes back to her bedroom door he was standing there with a glass of water in hand.

“Morning sunshine.” He says, walking towards her with a small grin on his face.

“What did you do to me?” Diana glares at Calum as he sits the glass of water down on her side table.

“I need you to listen to me, and not shoot me again.” Calum says before he disappears suddenly, and then reappears just as quickly in the chair that sits in the corner of the room. Diana jumps slightly from his sudden movements. The small bit of fear seeping out of her makes Calum’s heart beat pick up. God he wanted it so badly.

“I’m not making any promises.” Diana straightens herself, letting her back rest against the headboard and watching Calum intently across the room.

“Fair enough. Will you tell me your name before I begin?” He says.

“No.” Diana stated.

“That’s fine, Diana Montgomery, I went through your mail while you were passed out.” Calum smirks again and gently bites his lower lip.

“What do you mean you went through my mail?! I’m definitely shooting you when I get out these damn things!” She pulled at the restraints around her wrist to no avail.

“Just listen, alright? If Gracie O’Hare means anything to you, you’ll listen.” Calum scoots to the edge of the chair, watching as Diana thinks for a few moments but keeps her mouth closed and nods for him to continue.

“I loved her. Believe those words or not, but I loved Gracie. You see, I’m a demon whose special purpose was to strike fear into those who deserved it through their dreams. Over time, humans named me the Boogeyman. Almost every culture on the planet has some type of lore about me. And I was so damn powerful. I mean, fuck I fed off the fear of millions and it was goddamn euphoric.” Calum ran his hand through his black, curly hair a few times, trying to calm himself before he got too worked up. “And then I met Gracie. I came across her dreams by accident and they were…beautiful. She was so pure and just so good that I became obsessed. I wanted to see her every night, and it became so frequent that she fell in love with me too.” He stands up and paces in front of the bed. “But back then, it was still very against the rules for demons to become romantically involved with humans. Using them for sex and pleasure was where it should have ended. But it wasn’t like that for me, I really did love her.” Calum explains more.

“So what happened?” Diana could tell she was starting to feel just the slightest bit sorry for him now.

“A friend of mine…” Calum practically hissed through his teeth. “A witch to be exact, found out what I was planning and had me banished back to hell for a miserable 200 years. I…I didn’t want these things for Gracie, you must believe that.”

“I’ve always pictured you as the bad guy, and I’m not sure why I believe you. I just figured you were getting some kick out of torturing the poor girl…being a demon and all.” Diana shrugged her shoulders.

“I am the bad guy, sunshine. But not for the things you’ve been accusing me of. Falling in love with humans was and always will be highly discouraged.” Calum walks around the bed, his eyes never leaving Diana as he approaches her.

“Why did I pass out when you touched me?” Diana asks.

“Because I drained the fear from you. I needed it to heal myself.” Calum brushes some dirt off of shirt as an excuse to not look at the pretty girl tied to the bed.

“You need fear?” She asks.

“I do. It…calls to me.” He didn’t want to admit that he can smell it from a mile away.

“And you can see into peoples dreams?” Diana’s curiosity was getting the best of her now.

“Well yes, but I can also manipulate dreams, make people see what I want them to see.” Calum wasn’t sure why he felt compelled to tell this human girl so much information about himself.

“How did…how did you become the Boogeyman?” She asks, pretty bottom lip retreating between her teeth. Calum can’t help but wish it was his teeth pulling at her bottom lip. Being away and deprived of a humans touch was starting to get to him.

“The same way most creatures come about I suppose. Stories, legends, lore. After so long things get turned into another human nursery rhyme. Parents started using me as an excuse to scare their children into being good. Thus, I am the Boogeyman.” Calum smirked and laughed quietly as he thought about the first time he had heard himself referred to as the Boogeyman. His friends had laughed but he always sort of enjoyed the name.

“What are you going to do now?” Diana asked.

“I’m going to find my witchy little friend and give him a piece of my mind, I suppose.” Calum shrugs, standing up and moving closer to the bed.

“Where is he?” Diana could feel herself fidget beneath his gaze.

“Somewhere here in the south. He’s trying to keep me from tracking him, and I’m sure he’s already sensed my return from hell.” Calum stands at the end of the bed, looking down at Diana. “Are you going to shoot me again if I release you?” His voice is deep and filled with authority as he bends down, ring clad fingers resting on each side of her hips and pushing in to the mattress. His face coming down to be just inches from hers.

Diana shakes her head ‘no’, not sure if she could speak without giving away the fact that he was affecting her. She believed the Boogeyman was telling the truth. It was not something she had ever actually planned to happen all those nights she stayed awake plotting out ways to kill him in the name of Gracie O’Hare, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that he was sincere in his explanations. And now, she couldn’t explain why, but she felt compelled to help him in his quest to find the witch he was seeking.

“I have a car.” Diana said as Calum touched the bindings on her wrist, the black smoke trickling from his fingers again, slinking it’s way between the binding on her wrist. They immediately fell loose without him even working at them. Calum stayed quiet as he took her wrist in his hand and gently rubbed his thumb over the red markings. Diana looked at his face curiously her eyebrows scrunching together at the feeling of his gentle touch. Calum stayed that way another moment, lost in the softness of her skin and the quick beat of her heart before he swiftly stood up from the bed. Diana watched him step into the shadows in the corner of the room until he disappeared within them.

“Are you offering to help the Boogeyman?” She heard his voice but it sounded far off in the distance.

“I um…yes?” Diana looked around the room frantically, getting to her feet and walking backwards towards the door, trying to keep her eyes peeled for the demon hiding in the shadows of her bedroom.

“Boo.” Calum’s low voice whispers right into Diana’s ear, making her jump slightly when she feels his breath against her neck.

“Cut that out.” Her breathing and heart beat have both picked up, and Calum likes the sound a little well.

“You’re going to have to control the fear a little better, sunshine. You’ll have me in frenzy.” Calum stood up straight, taking the last few steps towards the doorway.

“Perhaps you should control your creepiness a little better then?” Diana sighs the words and Calum laughs quietly.

“Shall we?” He motions with his head, a small smirk at the corner of his lips.

Diana followed him out of the room, but before she was through the doorway he was gone again. She looked around the empty hallway, just feeling a slight breeze brush across her cheek. She rushed down the hall and out the back door towards the detached garage. She unlatched the deadbolt and quickly flung open the doors to see Calum lounging against hood of her car, with his arms crossed over his chest.

“Took you a bit.” He smiled, watching Diana try to catch her breath.

“You’re going to have to stop doing that.” Diana rolled her eyes, grabbing the keys to her car from the hook on the wall.

“It’s part of my charm.” Calum said, moving to open the drivers side door.

“Who told you that?” Diana said, smiling slightly as she slipped into the drivers seat and watched as Calum closed the door. Faster than should be possible, he appeared in the passenger seat before she had even gotten settled.

“You really should let me drive.” Calums long legs move around and attempt to get comfortable in the not so roomy car.

“That’s not going to happen.” Diana scoffed, putting the key into the ignition and starting the car. She could see Calum roll his eyes as she began backing out of the garage building. “Where to, Mr. Boogeyman?” She teased.

“Texas.” He says. Diana’s eyes got wide, knowing that would be a few days trip.

“I don’t have anything with me, Calum. I need a bag if we’re going to be driving that far.” She started to put the car in park when Calum closed his eyes and Diana could see all the door locks slide into the locked position with a loud click.

“I put your bag in the trunk already. Drive please.” His throat worked as he swallowed hard, feeling more fear seep from Diana.

“Am I supposed to trust that you packed everything I’d need?” She could tell he wasn’t used to not getting what he wanted, when he wanted it.

Calum opened his eyes slowly, trying to keep his breathing even. Diana tilted her head and squinted her eyes, it was so quick that she almost missed it. But the whites and the pretty browns of his eyes turned pitch black for a moment before he blinked it away again.

“We need to go, Diana. Trust me, you won’t go without anything. Drive.” He leaned to the side and pressed his head against the window.

“Fine.” Diana tried to seem unaffected, but her voice was shaky as she pressed on the gas and headed for the highway.

After a few hours of driving in silence, Diana finally reached down and turned on the radio. She flipped through the static channels until she finally found one that came in. Calum had stayed eerily still the entire way, not saying a word as Diana drove.

It was late in the afternoon as they crossed the Georgia/Alabama border. Diana could hear her stomach begin to growl embarrassingly loud. She tried coughing over top the sound several times, but nothing was going to hide it at this point.

“Is the human getting hungry?” Calum’s gruff voice finally broke the silence.

“Starved.” Diana replied, biting her lip and tightening her grip on the steering wheel just slightly. Calum sighs loudly.

“Alright then, lets get you something to eat.” He straightened up in his seat. “Pull over here.” There was an old diner up ahead that would just have to do.

Diana parked the car out front, taking a moment to take in the bright blue neon lights in the window of the diner flashing the word “Stud’s” over and over again. Calum got out, stretching his arms above his head as he groaned when his muscles protested. The blue light was pretty in contrast to his brown skin and the way it bounced off of his black hair had Diana feeling a little bothered, and not just by the Alabama heat.

“Two?” A woman in a pair of dirty jeans and even dirtier white tshirt asked as they entered the diner.

“Yes please.” Diana said, following the woman to a booth towards the back. The leather of the seat was ripped and torn and stuck to the back of her legs as she scooted into the booth.  Calum followed closely behind and slid into the booth across from her.

“Drinks?” The woman asks with a sigh.

“Just a water for me.” Diana says, looking across to Calum.

“Do you have bourbon?” He asks. The waitress gives Calum an odd look before answering.

“Does this look like a bar?” She asks, her chubby hand going to her hip.

“Coffee then, black.” Calum scowls a bit as the waitress walks away. “She was fucking dreadful.”

Diana almost chokes when she starts laughing at his words, not expecting it to come out of his mouth. Calum watches Diana laugh, feeling a bit of a pull in his chest. The sound is so much more pleasant than he imagined it could be. He didn’t think it was possible for him to enjoy that sound again. He smiled softly as she tried to calm herself and control her unexpected laughter. Calum may have even thought she was beautiful if she hadn’t shot a giant hole through his chest.

“Are you okay?” Diana asked.

“Perfectly fine.” Calum said, looking down at the cup of coffee the waitress had just sat in front of him.

Diana ordered herself some food, and Calum stuck with his coffee. He didn’t really need to eat anything and most times, food didn’t even seem appealing. The thing he craved was fear. He wanted it more than anything. At least that’s what he had thought before he stumbled upon this girl, and it didnt make any sense. He shouldn’t want anything to do with her, she was just helping him find the witch, after all. And that was it, thats where it should have ended. She was sitting across from him talking away about one thing or another and Calum was fascinated. The way she didn’t bother to finish chewing before she was continuing her previous sentence. It was oddly adorable.

“You’re not really listening to a word I’m saying, are you?” Diana finally broke Calum from his thoughts. Making his eyes focus on her face again.

“What were you saying?” His bottom lip coming between his teeth innocently. Diana rolled her eyes.

“I was trying to work out a plan. To find this witch. I mean we should have a plan right?” She shoveled another bite of pancake into her mouth and looked him expectantly.

“The plan is to find him and deliver 200 years worth of ass kickings.” Calum sat his back against the booth and sipped at his coffee.

“Okay, but what if that doesn’t work? I mean he’s a witch, with powers right? Should I be your back up?” Diana let her fork clank down against the glass plate as she wiped her mouth. Calum laughed loudly at the statement.

“You’re going to be my back up? I dont think so, sunshine.” Calum reached into the back pocket of his black pants and pulled out his wallet, throwing some money down on the table.

“I’m serious! I’ll back you up on this!” Diana scrunched her eyebrows together as she followed Calum from the booth and then outside where the car was waiting.

“I don’t think you understand what we are dealing with here. This witch was powerful enough to banish my demon ass to hell for 200 years. It’s not a matter for a human to be involved with. I simply need you to drive me.” Calum ran his hand through his hair as he stood next to the old beat up Jeep.

“I want to help...for Gracie.” Diana nervously looked down at her feet.

“End of discussion.” Calum could feel the blackness rise up his hands and wrists. It always happens when his emotions get the better of him. Diana’s jaw was set tight and her arms were crossed over her chest. Calum reached down, seeing his black fingers and quickly trying to open the door to the car, but the doors were still locked.

“You aren’t going to treat me like a child. I blew a hole through your chest once, and I’ll gladly do it again.” Diana stepped up almost flush against Calum’s chest, pretty lips close enough to make him crazy.

Calum kept his fingers wrapped around the door handle, focusing his power there. The black smoke travelled from his fingers and slipped inside the lock until it popped into the open position. He didn’t take his eyes away from Diana as he carefully opened the door of the Jeep.

“Fine then, sunshine. But I’m driving.” Calum spoke between clenched teeth as he ducked down and got into the drivers seat of the car.

“No. No way are you driving my car. Get out!” Diana banged against the dirty glass of her Jeep, as if it would somehow help the situation. She growled in frustration and yanked her fingers through her dark locks before unwillingly walking around and getting into the passenger seat of the vehicle.

Diana plopped down into the seat and folded her arms over her chest again. She knew it was childish to act this way, but this demon was simply maddening.  With his gorgeous smile and perfectly curly hair, simply maddening.  She watched from the corner of her eye has Calum plucked the keys from the cup holder and started up the Jeep. 

“Don’t be mad, sunshine.” Calum playfully elbowed at Diana’s shoulder, but she wasn’t going to crack so easily. “Lets play a game then shall we? 20 questions maybe? Isn’t that what you humans use to get to know each other?” Calum asks, smiling when he sees just the corner of Diana’s pretty lips turn up into a smile.

“You’re an idiot, Calum.” Diana shook her head and uncrossed her arms as Calum pulled back out onto the empty road.

The next part of the day and late into the evening was spent having long conversations as well as comfortable silences. Calum found himself yearning to know more and more about Diana Montgomery. He wanted to hold her hand and kiss each knuckle one by one just so he could see her smile and watch the goosebumps rise on her pretty olive skin. 

Diana soaked in as much information as Calum was willing to give. All the things he had seen and heard were more than fascinating. She could spend the rest of her days listening to him and still not have enough time to hear all of it. But he was a storyteller, and Diana was enamored by that. She was captivated by the big bad Boogeyman.

When Diana began yawning as the night got later and later, Calum decided to pull off the highway and find the nearest hotel. They were somewhere in Louisiana and there was at least another days worth of driving to do, and he wanted her to be comfortable for the night. 

“We can just sleep in the Jeep if you want, Calum. This hotel looks…too nice.” Diana swallowed hard as she looked up at the large stone building that Calum had just parked the car in front of. It was obviously historic with all of its chipped paint and light fixtures. 

“They were just beginning construction on this hotel when I was banished. So if it’s alright with you, I’d like to stay here.” Calum reaches into the trunk of the car and pulls out the luggage that he had packed for him. Diana didn’t even want to imagine what he could have possibly packed for her.

“What exactly did you pack for me?” She asks.

“Don’t trust my taste? Your closet was quite limited but I did what I could. I put them in here when you were unconscious.” Calum smirks but doesn’t make eye contact with her while that settles into her mind.

“Wait…you already had all of this in here before you even knew if I’d agree to this trip? What the hell Calum?” Diana approaches him, lightly pushing against his chest.

“I can be very persuasive.” Calum wiggles his perfectly thick eyebrows as he continues to smile down at Diana. The look on her face giving him more joy than it should. She rolls her eyes and releases a loud huff, turning away from his smug face and walking through the revolving doors of the hotel.

They were able to secure a room, but in true cheesy fashion, there was only one bed in the room that would have to be shared. Diana could feel her heart thumping in her throat as they road up in the elevator together. They didn’t look at each other but the tension was so thick it could be cut with a knife. Calum carried the bags down the purple carpeted hallway until they reached their room and he was able to slip the key card into the lock and open the door.

The room had tan carpet and very out dated art on the walls, but it was somehow still perfect. There was a small table next to the two glass doors that lead out onto the balcony with two wrought iron chairs on either side of it. The bedding was a mixture of floral patterns and gold thread, but appeared to be clean and soft, and that was very appealing to Diana’s tired body. She sighed contently as she walked towards it and turned so that she could flopped down flat on her back. Calum laughed quietly, settling the bags down on the other side of the room. His hands went to the front pockets of his pants as he watched her scoot around on the beds soft blanket until she was comfortable against the fluffy pillows.

“Do you need a drink as badly as I do?” He finally asked, deep voice bringing Diana back down to earth.

“Sure.” She said, sitting up and resting her back against the headboard.

Calum kneeled down next to his duffle bag and unzipped it carefully. He quickly pulled out a bottle of bourbon and tossed it onto the bed so that it landed next to Diana’s legs. She jumped a little at the sudden presence of the bottle but her heart really began to thump when she watched Calum pick up two glasses from the mini bar and slowly approach the bed.

“I can hear your heart beating from here.” He said, sitting down on the other side of the bed.

“I just…haven’t drank in long time. Its nothing.” Diana tried taking some deep breaths to calm herself down. Calum handed her a glass and poured some of the amber colored liquid into it before pouring some into his own.

“Cheers to you, sunshine.” Calum drops his eye into a wink and listens as Diana’s heart rate picks up again. She brings the glass up to her lips and throws her head back, taking the whole half glass full down at once.

“Oh god, it burns.” She choked out, her face scrunching up in distaste.

“It’s meant to be sipped. You shouldn’t chug it down like some kind of beast.” Calum laughs.

“Interesting that the Boogeyman would refer to me as a beast.” Diana raises an eyebrow in question. “Down the rest of yours.” She smiles wickedly and Calum wants nothing more than to show her just how wicked he can be.

“Listen, sunshine. It takes a lot for me to get drunk. You’ll be a mess before I’ve even begun to feel it.” Calum’s voice is smooth and challenging at the same time.

“I’m waiting.” Diana grabs the bottle from Calum’s other hand and pours another few shots worth into her glass. Calum keeps his eyes locked with Diana’s as he puts the glass back to his lips and lets the rest of the contents slide down his throat. He licked his lips to get that one last taste of bourbon, and before he can think twice about it, Diana is pouring more into his glass.

“Slow down, beasty.” Calum grabs the bottle from her hand as she downs her next glass of alcohol.

“Party pooper.” Diana coughs on the shot again, trying to smile through it. Calum cant help but smile and watch as she grabs at the bottle again, but this time he keeps it out of her reach.

“May I ask you question?” Calum asked, the pout on Diana’s face becoming too much for him. Diana reached across Calum’s body trying to capture the bottle from him once more. She hadn’t noticed the close proximity until she was able to smell his clean smelling cologne and the warmth of his body. She quickly retreated from the position she was in and scooted across the bed.

“Yeah. Sure. Ask away.” Diana cleared her throat and puller knees up to her chest. Calum smiled gently at her nervousness. The slightest bit of fear dripping in her veins made him close his eyes before he started speaking again.

“How did you come acquire Gracie’s old house?” He asked.

“Before my grandma passed away, she told me about the house. And that her mother had taken her there a few times to visit Gracie when she was a child. So when I came to just see if whoever lived there now would just let me look around, there was a For Sale in the yard. No one had lived in it for years and years because it was supposedly haunted. So I bought it.” She shrugged her shoulders, letting her legs flatten back down against the mattress as she relaxed.

“And is it?” Calum asked.

“If it is, its haunted by someone that doesn’t mind that I’m there.” She laughed a little. Feeling a bit brave, Diana scooted back towards Calum. “Could I ask you a question now?”

“Yes.” He simply stated.

“This witch…do you plan to kill him?” Her voice was soft and curious.

“No. This witch…Michael…he’s a friend.” Calum poured more bourbon into the two glasses and handed one to Diana.

“What kind of friend banishes their friend for 200 years?” Diana asked.

“He thought he was doing what was right. It wasn’t easy for him to do. If anything, it was my fault that he’d lost faith in me. We all answer to Hades, you see. And we were not to reveal ourselves to humans, and Gracie already knew what I was.” Calum’s face is a bit pained as he explains himself.

“You were in love. Love makes you do stupid things.” Diana said just before she drank the shot Calum had poured for her. He couldn’t help but smile at her words and actions. Her cheeks were tinged pink from the alcohol and it may have been the prettiest color Calum had ever seen.

“We can most certainly agree on that, Diana Montgomery.” Calum drank his glass of bourbon down as well.

“Do you want to be in love again?” Diana hiccupped.

“We’ll see.” Calum answered a little too quickly, but Diana didn’t seem to notice, she only smiled and laid her head against Calum’s shoulder.

“The Boogeyman wants to be in love. Not something I thought I’d ever hear.” She laughed and so did Calum.

“Does Diana Montgomery want to be in love?” Calum whispered, his lips brushing against her forehead, making Diana sigh.

“We’ll see.” She repeated, looking up from his shoulder to meet his dark brown irises. 

Diana could feel the liquid courage burning through her veins. She wanted to kiss him and her body was not going to tell her no in this moment. So she leaned up just the slightest bit to brush her lips over Calum’s. He didn’t pull away, but his eyes fell shut at the feeling.

“You shouldn’t do that.” He whispered again.

“I want to.” Diana lifted a hand to cup the side of his jaw.

“You’re drunk, Diana.” Calum put his hand over hers and slowly brought it away so that it fell into her lap.

“I’m not that drunk. I’m a big girl, Calum. Do you not want to kiss me?” Diana pulled away, a scowl covering her face as she hiccups again.

“I most certainly want to kiss you. I want to do hells most sinful things to you, sunshine. But I won’t do them when you’re drunk.” Calum stands up from the bed and grabs his bag from the floor. “I’m going to shower. You should sleep.” He didn’t wait for her response, just walked into the bathroom with the door shutting behind him. He could hear her groan dramatically through the door just before he turned on the steamy water in the shower.

Calum came out of the bathroom with only his sweatpants on and a white towel drying gently at his dark curls. He was about to ask Diana if she needed some water when he noticed that she was asleep in the bed. Her hair was messily spread around her head like a black halo and her sweet pink lips were slightly parted as she quietly snored away. It shouldn’t be possible for such a creature to exist among mere humans. She had a magnificent fire burning inside her, and this world didn’t deserve her. But if Calum was being honest with himself, he didn’t deserve her either.

He knew that he shouldn’t. He shouldn’t look into her dreams, but it was nearly impossible to resist. The things she dreamed about were all he wanted to know. 

“Just for a moment.” He whispered to himself. Calum sat down on the bed next to Diana and picked up one of her warm hands. He closed his eyes and concentrated his energy until the blackness travelled up his arms and his veins turned to fire. Black smoke trickled out of his fingers and slithered its way into Diana. It didn’t take long for Calum to find himself inside her dreams.

The first thing he saw as he opened his eyes was Gracie’s old house, but it wasn’t old anymore. It had a fresh coat of paint, blue shutters, and flower gardens around every corner. There was a white painted porch swing on the front porch area where someone appeared to be sitting. Calum knew he didn’t have long to be here but his curiosity was getting the best of him. 

He hadn’t made it all the way up the steps to the porch before he saw Diana coming out of the front door. She was holding a beer bottle in each hand and there was a huge smile on her face as she stepped out onto the porch, practically skipping over towards the swing. She was angelic to say the least. 

“I got you one as well.” He heard her say as she sat down next to the other person on the swing. Calum couldn’t tell who it was from where he was standing so he took a few more steps towards them.

“I’m so glad you’re here.” Diana said. Calum knew she couldn’t see him and when the other person on the swing finally came into view he stopped dead in his tracks.

Diana smiled as she took a long swig of the beer in her hand, using her other hand to reach over and push some messy curls off of Calum’s forehead. He was watching himself in Diana’s dream. But why would she dream of him? What had he ever done to deserve to be here? The heart in his chest started beating in the oddest way. He looked up to see himself wrap an arm around Diana’s shoulders, and that’s when he knew he needed to leave. He closed his eyes and breathed in a long breath and he was back in the hotel room, holding her hand in his.

The next morning, Diana woke up with the worlds worst headache. It was absolutely trying to split her skull in half. She blinked her eyes slowly as they tried to adjust to the light in the room. The air blowing from the open balcony doors was warm and the sun that tickled her skin was even warmer. Her body protested slightly when she rolled over onto her other side to see a glass of water and two pain relievers sitting on the night stand. Diana sighed, sitting up to take the medicine and drink the water.

She looked around the room for Calum until she realized he wasn’t in the bed and nowhere in sight. Diana took a deep breath then, taking in the delicious smell of eggs and something sweet. Her stomach growled as she stood up from the bed and followed the delicious smells. 

As she crossed the room she noticed the small table and chairs were no longer in the room but were now out on the balcony with the most beautiful spread of food Diana had ever seen. There were multiple trays of neatly arranged fresh fruit and several more plates of eggs, bacon and pancakes. Diana didn’t wait long before she sat down in one of the chairs and started to eat the food in front of her.

Calum stood in the doorway watching fondly as Diana filled her stomach. She wasn’t like any human he’d known. And he had known too many of them. Her dark hair was a mess of knots on her head and he longed to push it away from her freckled face so he could see her eyes a bit better. Something about the way she pulled one leg up onto the chair and sat without a care in the world made Calum want to be closer to her more than ever.

“Morning, sunshine.” He says as he approaches the table. Diana jumps in surprise as she turns to see Calum dressed in black sweatpants and a plain white t-shirt. It was so simple and so different from his fancy outfit yesterday. 

“Hi.” She squeaked out between bites of food.

“How are you feeling?” He asks, sitting down in the chair across from her.

“Better now.” She said. “Won’t you eat?”

“I don’t need to eat.” Calum replied.

“But can you?” Diana raised an eyebrow.

Calum answered her question by picking up one of the chocolate covered strawberries from a tray and popping it into his mouth with the sexiest smirk on his face. 

“Satisfied?” He asked.

“For now.” Diana answered.

“I’m not sure that you are.” Calum stood from his chair and started walking very slowly around the table. “I don’t think you know what satisfaction is, sunshine.” His eyes are dark as they freeze Diana in place. She couldn’t move if she wanted to.

“And you do?” Diana breathes out.

“Mm. I do.” The growling noise that rumbles deep in Calum’s chest is not human at all. He stands in front of Diana a moment before he reaches down between her legs and grabs the seat of the chair pulling it around so that she’s facing him. He then kneels down in front of her, his face just below Diana’s so their eyes can meet.

“Calum…” Diana says barely above a whisper.

“Did you only want to kiss me because you were drunk?” He says. “I wouldn’t…I wouldn’t blame you for not wanting a monster…”

“You’re not a monster.” Diana swallows harshly. Calum laughs quietly with a shake of his head.

“Most would beg to differ. But I thought about that kiss all night, Diana. It took every bit of my restraint and a very cold shower to not give in to you.” Calums hands cup her cheeks that are burning with desire. Diana could remember bits and pieces of the night, but she most certainly remembered that little brush of lips. How could she ever forget a warmth like that.

“What are you waiting for then Mr. Oogey Boogey?” Diana bites her bottom lip and tries to hold back the smile on her face when Calum reacts.

“I dislike that. Please don’t use it again.” Calum uses his thumb to gently pull Diana’s lip from between her teeth. His eyebrows furrowed together adorably.

“You don’t like the Nightmare Before Christmas?” Diana asks.

“I’m sorry…the what?” Calum smiles at her adoringly.

“May you should just kiss me.” Diana sighs, wrapping her arms around his neck.

“You’re something else, Diana Montgomery.” Calum’s breath fans over her lips while his nose brushes over hers.

“It’s been two days…you think you can deal with my humanity?” Diana laced her fingers into his dark curls.

“We’ll see.” He smiles as his lips come down to hers. Soft and slow as they learn the way the other feels.

Diana didn’t know how to comprehend how she had gotten here. She had despised this demon two days ago, and now she was kissing him on the balcony of a gorgeous hotel. So why did it just feel right? Why weren’t there any second thoughts? Why did he just make sense? Maybe she didn’t need to know right now or ever. If this was the only time this happened, that would just have to be good enough.

Calum could feel the blackness begin its journey up his hands and to his wrists. He craved her as well as that tiny bit of fear lingering in her veins. 

“I need to tell you something before we keep going.” Calum took his lips away from hers momentarily.

“What is it?” Diana touched his jaw and ran her thumb over his swollen bottom lip.

“When I feel…I feel everything so intensely…that this happens.” He holds up his black hands, bits of dark smoke leaking from his fingertips.

“Will it hurt me?” Diana asked curiously.

“I would never.” Calum has a very serious look on his face. “You’ll only feel things more intensely as well.”

“Then please stop worrying so much.”  She wraps her arms around his neck and pulls him towards her. “I’m not afraid of you, Calum.”

“Then I’ve failed quite miserably at my Boogeyman duties, haven’t I, my darling?” He swiftly picks her up from the chair and threw her over his shoulder. Diana laughed and smacked Calum’s back playfully.

“Put me down!” She shouted just before he placed a playful smack her to her ass. Diana squealed when Calum lifted her effortlessly from his shoulder and tossed her onto the bed. She could easily be mistaken for an angel.

“I need you naked. Will you do that for me?” Calum climbs up her body, slinking slowly and placing kisses to any skin he can get his lips on. Diana couldn’t find the words so she nodded her head. 

Calum sat back up, reaching behind him and pulling his shirt over his head. He tossed the white cotton material to the floor and looked down at Diana who was still lying against the floral sheets. Her chest was rising and falling with her quickened breaths. 

“Jeans first.” Calum walks around the bed but never takes his eyes from her as Diana clumsily unbuttons her jeans and fumbles to get them off of her long legs. He couldn’t help the smirk that played at the corner of his mouth watching her sit up on her knees and crawl towards him.

“Anything else?” She asked innocently, lifting her shirt up just slightly so that Calum could see baby blue cotton underwear she wore beneath it.

“The shirt goes as well, sunshine.” His voice was low and rough, his long fingers running along the frame of the bed as he continued his way around it. The confines of Calum’s pants grew tighter as he watched Diana pull off the shirt, rumpling her already messy hair. Her chest was bare beneath the shirt and the fact that Calum didn’t have his lips wrapped around her nipples in that moment was a true tragedy.

“I haven’t quite decided why I’m letting you boss me around so much.” Diana says, she doesn’t try to cover herself, she wants Calum to see her.

“Come here, baby.” Calum makes a come hither motion with his pointer finger as he stands at the side of the bed, his knees barely pressing against the mattress.

Diana moves on her hands and knees towards Calum and as she reaches him, he hands immediately go to his bare torso. He was the perfect mixture of soft skin and hard muscles. She could spend hours exploring him with her finger tips. The sun shining through the windows was practically making him glow, and if she didn’t know better she’d swear he was from heaven and not hell. She sat up on her knees and pressed a kiss to the middle of his chest, the soft hum that left his mouth was perfect. The blackness had started travelling up his arms, the veins of his arms were noticeably burning beneath his skin and Diana wondered if it was hurting him in anyway. Her concerned eyes coming up to meet his.

“I’m fine, beautiful. Promise.” He answered her silent question. Diana nodded, fingers running up his chest until they dip into the curves of shoulders and move up his neck until they reached the hairs at the back of his neck.

Calum finally allowed himself to touch her. Her skin was softer than the worlds finest silks and he needed to discover every inch of it. He cupped her breasts in his hands, rolling her nipples with his thumbs until she’s quietly moaning with her lip between her teeth. When her mouth parted again Calum was quick to attach his mouth hers. Diana felt her knees get shaky at all the sudden sensations she was feeling. She pulled at Calum, pulling him down onto the bed until they both fell onto the mattress in mess of sweet kisses and tangled limbs.

Thick lips sucked at Diana’s neck and collar bones, leaving red and purple marks in their wake. Her nails skimmed over Calum’s back and shoulders, just enough to make him crazy.

“Calum…I want more.” Diana said breathlessly.

“Then you’ll have more.” Calum moves to his side, his elbow against the mattress and hand resting against his cheek.

Rough fingertips ghost down the center of Diana’s chest and over her stomach until they reach the band of her simple cotton underwear. Diana wished more than anything she had put on something cute yesterday, but it was so too late for such things now. Calum’s fingers were already dipping beneath the material and searching for the parts of her that needed him the most.

Wetness engulfed Calum’s long fingers as he swirled her clit between them. The sight of Diana arching her back from the bed and moaning out in ecstasy was a sight that he knew was meant for him and him alone. His fingers slipped inside her petting at that spot deep inside her that had her pretty eyes rolling to the back of her head. She was already clenching around his digits, chasing her high that she was just at the edge of. 

The blackness was slithering up and past Calum’s elbows, and he knew by the way Diana was quickly reaching her orgasm that she was feeling it the same way that he was. A few more long deep pumps of his fingers and she was falling apart just the way he wanted her.

“Oh god…” Diana breathed as she started to come down.

“God can’t find you here, sunshine.” Calum pulled his hand from her underwear and slipped his fingers into his mouth, closing his eyes at the sweet taste. Diana smiled at the statement, suddenly understanding its hilarity. 

“I liked that.” Diana admitted with pink cheeks.

“What else would you like?” He asked, fingers grabbing the band of her underwear and pulling them down her legs.

“More of you.” Diana watched as Calum sat up and lifted his hips from the mattress so he could slip off his sweatpants in one swift motion. His cock was practically perfect as  he stroked it a few times.

“Do you want me to fuck you?” The words fell from Calum’s mouth so nonchalantly that Diana was almost taken off guard. But she knew what she wanted.

“Yes.” Diana crawled over to where Calum was sitting against the headboard and gently straddled his lap. She took in the sight of the onyx color that had practically taken over most of his arms and the fire in his veins that could be seen glowing beneath it. “You’re so beautiful.” The words slipped out before she could think about them and now she was afraid to meet his eyes. Calum’s fingers touched under her chin and tilted her head up so he could see her.

“You never have to feel ashamed for saying what you’re feeling. Even if I question your definition of beauty.” He smiled and lifted his hands to her hips, pulling her body forward until she hovered above his waiting cock.

“I won’t question yours if you don’t questions mine.” Diana’s hands came to rest on his shoulders and Calum leaned forward to kiss her lips. His tongue licked into her mouth and danced along with hers until he couldn’t take it anymore.

“Need inside you, sunshine girl.” Calum whispered against her mouth, she smiled against his and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Calum settled her hips and used his other hand to angle his cock until the head slipped inside the wetness of her pussy. He let her adjust and take her time moving her way down him. Diana had her dark hair thrown over one shoulder and hands moved down to his chest. When she felt comfortable she started a slow rhythm, just moving her hips up and down and coating him in all her wetness. There was already the smallest sheen of sweat appearing on Diana’s forehead as she continued to work her hips, adding in a swivel and eventually bouncing with Calum’s help. 

“Calum…it’s…it’s so much.” Diana moaned, the feeling of Calum’s power dripping from his hands was heightening the way everything felt for her and him as well. There was a fog of black smoke settling on top of the blankets around them, it moved each time Diana did.

“You’re doing so well.  Should I make you cum now?” Calum asked and Diana nodded. “Would you love that?” He said against the shell of her ear when her head fell forward to his shoulder.

“Please…please, Cal.” She was out of breath as she said the words, the small endearing nickname had Calum flipping Diana onto her back, his cock never leaving inside of her as he started to rick his hips. He moved slowly at first, making sure she was okay.

“Let go for me, Diana. I want all of you.” Calum encouraged her orgasm and it was all it took for her head to fall back and her back to arch from the mattress. Her nails scraped down Calum’s back until they reached the globes of his ass where they stopped and dug crescent shaped indentions into the flesh there. Calum was so close. He hadn’t had this release in so long he wasn’t sure how he had lasted as long as he did. 

Looking down into Diana’s eyes, the late morning sun bouncing off her skin and the sweet sounds that left her lips as he fucked her, had Calum spiraling. He closed his eyes tightly, not wanting her to see the way they went black when he reached this point. But he felt her smaller hands cup his cheeks and thumbs swipe at his sweaty skin.

“Look at me, please?” She said. “It’s okay, please.” She begged again. 

“Don’t be afraid.” Calum barely choked out, being so close to his release.

“I’m not afraid.” Diana held onto his curls as he dipped his head down a little and opened his eyes. They solid black and Diana though maybe he could see into her soul with those eyes, but she wasn’t afraid. No, not in the slightest. She wrapped her legs tightly around his hips and held onto him tightly.

Calum groaned and grunted until he finished inside her, falling limp against her body.

“You’re alright?” Calum asked, kissing her chest and neck.

“Of course.” Diana answered, eyes taking in the sight of all the black smoke surrounding them retreating back into Calum where it had come from. “Tired again.” She rubbed his back, feeling the raised trails of nail marks down his back.

“Sleep. We can leave in the morning.” Calum pulled himself from inside her and rolled to the other side of the bed.

“Are you sure? You were in quite the hurry yesterday.” Diana snuggled up against him until her head could rest on his chest.

“That was yesterday. Totally different day.” Calum teased, kissing the top of her head and putting an arm around her body.

“I think I’ll shower.” Diana sighs contently and begins to get up from the bed.

“Want to have a go at it in there as well?” Calum’s arms go to rest above his head as he lounges against the pillows and wiggles his eyebrows suggestively. Diana laughs, bending back over to kiss him a few more times before she heads to the bathroom.

“I definitely wouldn’t say no if you happened to show up in here.” She doesn’t bother to close the door, just turns on the water. Before she could even get the temperature right, Calum was standing behind her with a grin on his face.

“Couldn’t stay in there when I knew you were naked in here.” His arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her closer to his warm body.

____________________________________________________________________________________

The next morning was almost a blur. Quick kisses and and even quicker breakfast, as Calum had his urgency in finding his friend again. But he still took the time to make sure Diana was still comfortable going with him, and that things hadnt somehow changed because of what they had done...and hoped to continue doing. She assured him that she wanted to still be his “back up” and most definitely wanted to keep having him in any way he would give her.

They were back in the Jeep just as the sun was coming up and the days long drive was underway. Diana didnt mind the long car ride when she could simply ask Calum anything at all and he would give her the most beautifully detailed answers. Things from his past, how he spent his time over hundreds of years. But all too soon, they reached their destination.

Calum could sense that Michael was here. But he was beginning to think that he probably wasnt hiding anymore. The side show carnival scene in front of him was not where Calum was expecting to find one of the most powerful warlocks he had ever known. But at the same time, it was a very Michael type of place to try and lay low.

“C’mon, sunshine. We’ll find him in here.” Calum got out of the Jeep and quickly appeared to the other side to open the door for Diana. She stepped out and he immediately grabbed her hand. “Just stay close to me, okay?”

“I’m not worried. I know I’m safe with you.” Diana kissed his shoulder and let him lead her through the entry gates and into the carnival.

There were the typical red and white striped tents popped up all over the place. Plenty of people playing games and watching the different acts around the grounds. The air smelled of sweet cotton candy and deep fried corn dogs. It was a little heavenly if Diana was being honest. But she kept herself focused, and kept close to Calum as he looked around. He didn’t have to walk far before he saw a blue velvet tent sitting off to the side. The sign outside reading “The Fortune Teller Is In”. Diana immediately felt Calum tense up.

“You should wait outside.” Calum said as he got closer to the tent.

“I cant very well be your back up from out here, Cal. I’m coming with you.” Diana let go of his hand and stood at the entrance of the tent.

“Stubborn woman.” Calum smiled and took her face in his hands so he could kiss her lips. 

“Lets go see Michael.” Diana motioned with her head towards the tent. Calum nodded, pushing open the tent door and letting Diana follow him in before he let go of the curtain and it moved back into place.

There were candles lit around the room and a large crystal ball sitting on a table on the far side. There didn’t appear to be anyone there however.

“Where is he?” Diana asked.

“He’s here. Hes just hiding away like a fucking coward.” Calum said loudly, his mouth set in a straight line. They stood there another moment before Calum quickly twisted around, pushing Diana behind him when he sensed a presence behind him.

“Took you longer to get here than I expected.” Michael said, a black beanie covering most of his blonde hair. He was wearing a black beanie that covered most of his blonde hair.

“Got held up.” Calum smirked, squeezing Diana’s hand gently. Her cheeks turned bright pink as Michael took a moment to smile down at her.

“What can I do for you?” Michael asked. “Doesn’t seem like you’ve been too deterred of the humans.”

“Does it really matter anymore? You left me in hell even after things changed. And I just felt like you should know, that I’m going to kick your ass.” Calum raised his hand ridiculously fast, too fast for Diana to comprehend, and the black smoke shot from his fingers and wrapped around Michae’s neck.

The blonde boy made some choking noises and pulled at his neck. When he realized he wasnt getting anywhere, he started to whisper softly to himself. Diana wasn’t and expert on things like this but she assumed he was saying a spell or incantation.

“Your magic isn’t going to work…” Before Calum could finish his sentence he was getting flung across the room. Diana ran to him, and help him up from the ground.

“Are you okay?” She asked. Calum grabbed her wrist and put her back behind him. Calum was getting ready to attack again but Michael stopped him.

“Stop, okay? Just fucking stop. I didn’t pull you out of hell right away for exactly this reason. You’re a fucking hot head, Cal.” Michael situated the beanie back in his head and sighed loudly.

“Wouldn’t you be the same way?” Calum scoffed.

“We have bigger things to worry about.” Michael said. “The vamps are getting out of control.”

“What are you? SOme kind of supernatural police officer? Why should I care about some vamps?” Calum stood with his arms crossed over his chest.

“Because you’re little human girlfriend will most certainly be on their menu if they have things their way.” Michael explained. Calum reached behind him and took Diana’s hand.

“They would never get the chance.” Calum said, his voice was deep and serious.

“Then maybe you should stop holding a 200 year old grudge and help me out with this?” Michael took a step closer to him, but still kept his distance.

“I shouldnt even fathom helping you with shit.” Calum gritted his teeth and spun around with Diana’s hand still in his to move towards the door.

“Vamps are the ones that got Gracie.” Michael said, freezing Calum in his tracks. “And they’ll keep getting stronger.”

“You’re sure?” Calum asked.

“I thought she died of natural causes?” Diana said.

“That practically code for vampire attack back then.�� Michael explained. He walked back to Calum and put his hand on his shoulder. Calum looked over at his hand with a scowl on his face.

“Don’t touch me.” Calum sneered, pulling his shoulder away from Michael’s touch.

“If I help you with this, its for Gracie, not for you.” Calum made sure his words were loud and clear.

“Whatever gets you on board with this, man.” Michael moved to the other side of the room and placed one of his hands on his crystal ball. “We are going to need more help.” The crystal ball flashed different colors and swirls of light as Michael moved his hand in circular motion. Calum sighed in frustration before he turned back to look at Diana.

“Are you in? For Gracie?” Calum asked her.

“For Gracie.” Diana said with confidence, not sure what her part would be in all of this. But she was ready nonetheless.

taglist:  @maoricth @slimthicccal @bbycal @kinglyhood @sugarcoated-pain @shower-me-with-roses @c-dizzle-swizzlex @calumculture @sugarcoatedcalum@calthesensation @cheyenne-in-wonderland @softboycal @moonlightcalum@unconditionalcalum @irwinkitten @singt0mecalum @angelbabylu @5sosnsfw@aspiringwildfire @myloverboyash @cal-puddies @lashtoncurls @kchillout@pinkbubbles-and-bigtroubles @callllumhood @sick-orca @lfwallscouldtalk

#5sos #5 seconds of summer #calum hood #ashton irwin #luke hemmings #michael clifford #5sos imagines #5sos blurbs #cth #afi #mgc #lrh #it took me 85 years to write thjs #i cant believe its actually done #5sos smut #how dis we end up here??? #im so excited i cant type anymore #please tell me what you think of it #im desperate for feedback

[malisonquill]

Rebuild: Behind The Scenes

I thought just for some fun, I might post the plan I made for writing Rebuild. It has some silly alternate titles, some doodles I sketched out, and I thought some people might like to see how much the end product was different from the plan. 

I do also have a section of the plan just for ideas, but I haven’t included it here because it contains spoilers for the sequel(s). 

Hope you enjoy my ramblings below! (Obviously it contains major spoilers for all of Rebuild, so make sure you’re read all that before reading this!)

Rex Brickowski AU Outline

C1: Rexile (AKA Anikin Voice: "I hate Sand". AKA What to do when you're suddenly not dead)

Rex ends up back in his own original timeline in the outskirts of Syspocalypstar. He’s alone, no Rexcelsior, no velociraptors. That makes him sad. 

He looks to the city and thinks about everything.

Cat lady comes, he gets bricks and builds and awesome bike  and drives to the city. 

C2: Shattered (AKA Rex really likes bikes for some reason and also fucks shit up)

There, Lucy and the others are chillin in a park while Rex tears through the city exploring, turning heads. 

He goes up a ramp that sends him up over a building above the park. Whilst in the air he grabs his bike and does a flip. The others watch him. He lands on the road next to the park and spots Lucy, his eyes go wide. He does a skidding turn to pull up beside them. 

They say how awesome that was. They don’t recognise him and he plays along with that. He needs to get used to them and himself before he drops a bombshell on them. 

They show him around the city. He gets a black coffee from the shop. Freezes when he sees a laundromat (PTSD), he hallucinates the deafening roar of the Dryar of Undar until Unikitty distracts him and pulls him away and they continue the tour. 

At one point Everything is awesome plays, he acts aloof but taps his foot quietly and lucy notices. 

Eventually they get to the town square. There is a statue of Emmet. Rex is immediately taken aback and asks what it is (to gauge his friends reactions and also because he's genuinely surprised to see he's been acknowledged). 

Lucy says it honours the special, Emmet. That he was there friend. That they looked for him for a while, but eventually had to admit that he was gone, so they stopped looking. 

BIG ANGST TIME.

Rex snaps. He’s still bitter. He starts off vauge like “You gave up? Would he have given up on you?” but gets increasingly louder and madder. Revealing that he was trapped in Undar, how he feels abandoned and slowly revealing to the others that he’s Emmet. Lucy is like “Emmet…?” And he’s like “Emmet is gone! He’s dead!” 

He breaks the statue in one punch in anger. His friends are horrified. He looks between them and the statue, shocked and saddened by himself. “What have done?” (Internally). He drives off, leaving the others sad and confused. 

C3: Traces Of You (AKA Talking to your ex who you feel betrayed you, even though she thought you were dead… that's rough buddy)

Alternate titles, How can you stand there, a whisper from me? Gone But Not Forgotten

After a short while, giving everyone some time to breathe/ think, Lucy finds Rex in the outskirts. They talk. He explains how he toughened up, how he did some terrible things, how he wants to be better but doesn’t know how. How he’s ruined any chance he had with his friends because of the statue incident. Tears form in his eyes. Lucy goes to comfort him with a hand on his shoulder and says “Emmet...” Queue the “I’m not Emmet anymore and I dont know how to be” line.

Lucy convinces him to not be just one, be a combination. That his friends can help him through this and him to be happier again. He says he’s still can’t fully/ needs time to trust them again, but he’s willing to try. Oh and to call him Rex, cause he wants to be different from movie Emmet. 

C4: Building Blocks (AKA DON'T TOUCH ME WHEN I'M WRITING ABOUT SPACESHIPING!!!!)

Lucy and the others ask Rex to build something with them. He decides on a spaceship, they let him lead. Friend interactions. 

C5: Time Heals All Wounds (AKA So it turns out you based your entire new personality on your friends and also you finally acknowledge your PTSD)

Over a longer time period (make this clear), montage of helping with each individual. Them understanding Rex and who he is more, maybe after he tries to act exactly like Emmet would but it’s unnatural for him? Finding out about raptor training. Helping him cope with his PTSD (Dryar, paralyzation, loneliness) and abandonment issues.

(after writing half the chapter, i realised) His hand injury and recovery mirror emotional healing! )

https://askmarietheapprentice.tumblr.com/post/183050688583/meta-monday-rex-dangervest-based-his-persona-on 

Order: 

Fist, alone with Benny, flying spaceship they all built. (Who Rex developed his spaceship love from.) Emotional thing dealt with: ?

Unikitty. He learnt to harness/ weaponize rage from. Unikitty encouraging him to release some anger and destroy some rubble. Helps him get his anger feels out.

Metalbeard. About being a captain of pirates/ raptors. Talk about how he misses them.

Batman. Learnt how to be tough fighter and suppress deep emotional issues. See below for events. Then they talk about talking through things with others, stuff B learnt in Lego batman movie.

Maybe he’s left alone for ten mins whilst a friend goes to grab a brick or something and is terrified they wont come back. He’s relieved but visibly shaken when they do return. 

Maybe a change over between friends. One has to go and leaves Rex to meet the batman outside of a shop. As he waits his mind wanders thinking Batman has forgotten about him, doesn't want to meet with him, or even like him etc. As this happens he hallucinates hearing the dryer roar. He stands frozen in place, covering his ears as his vision gets darker. Maybe this causes him to glitch to the real world and back every few seconds. The roar gets louder and louder and louder. Batman comes, sees Rex, is concerned and tries to get his attention by touching his shoulder. Rex freaks out, snapping out of his hallucination shouting/ screaming and madly thrashing punches. He smashes a bin or lamppost or car to pieces before Batman can calm him and he realises he's fine. Rex apologies.

Lucy. Made a super cool alias like Wyldstyle, and hides his insecurities under confident exterior like her. Maybe they talk on their way to her surprise. She asks why he changed his name and himself? He explains his thoughts on Undar, how at the time he thought his friends were right and so he toughened up. Made a cool name like she did. He realises a lot of his Rex traits are semi based on his friends. Maybe talk about how it's good to be confident but also not bad to be vulnerable/ talk about problems with others. He realises he's already been doing this with others? Or just have mostly fun not angst for them here!? Meh, idk yet.

Ends with Lucy giving him that cute little house he made for her, that he’d almost forgotten about. Says it’s just a basis and he can change it if he wants. Talk. Suggests they could be platonic (for now) roommates. She leaves him for the night, he’s now ok (ish) with being left alone. 

C6: True Colours (AKA Title made it sound like Rex would turn out evil but surprise! He actually just wanted to look pretty. AKA Rex stares in a mirror for an awkwardly long time)

When Lucy returns, Rex looks different. He briefly went to the Man Upstairs realm and used markers etc, to change his appearance. He wanted some brighter colours to look happier, and more like a combo of Emmet and Rex. He explains this, and decides he wants to be called Rex Brickowski to symbolise this combo of all his aspects. 

Basically this first bit is the man I used to be from count of Monte cristo musical.

(Rex and Lucy designs and also size comparison.)

Maybe some Rex and friends hanging out, it’s better than before. Group karaoke? Tries to warm up to Sweet Mayhem?

C7: Epilogue (AKA The end happens. Everything is awesome is still a bop)

Rex and CO are hopeful for the future. Rex knows who he is now and thinks he can be happy again and trust his friends. He’s a mix of mature and innocent/ sweet. He can now enjoy ‘childish’ things and tough things. He’s happy and thinks everything might be ok now. 

Maybe he goes to the coffee shop, orders Lucy something and a black coffee with 25 sugars for himself and returns home, listening to rock music on his headphones.

(End on poignant thing.)

Side Notes/ Reminders For Myself

“According to a draft from the first film's script, Emmet is 22 years of age in that film, thus making him 27 in the sequel if accepted.” My AU Rex spent 2 years on Undar, plus 5 getting tough before the movie happens. Making him 34 at the start of the AU.

Rex was in his past changing things. But when Emmet was saved, it was no longer his past/ his timeline. So he faded and was sent back to his original timeline. All the stuff he did in the movie timeline still happened, we see three raptors are still there with Ms Scratchen-Post at the end. So the raptors stay where they are in the movie timeline, because they aren’t like Rex who is being written out of the movie timeline’s future. Which is why Rex is alone at the start of this AU. 

Very important! Rex's trust of his friends. My take: friends are the most important thing to Emmet. With friends, he was happy even during the apocalypse. Without them, he becomes jaded, tough. Lucy is who he was closest to/ loved. None of his friends, but especially her not coming for him and moving on hurt him the most. As Rex, he was most mad at her (see him scowling at her during the movie). But then they all try to come back for movie Emmet. Lucy makes it through and saves him. She saved him. This changes post back to the futuring Rex's view. The fact the movie Lucy saved him plus the fact he loved her and cared for her the most before, means AU Rex is inclined to trust her most. 

Titles for 3 stories: Rebuild. Rekindle. Re-----. (I'm an idiot for planning 3 of these!!!!!)

Rebuild: Rex's relationships and himself up again. 

Rekindle: his and Lucy's love for each other. 

Re-----: ((REDACTED BECAUSE IT’S A SPOILER! You’re gonna have to wait to find out what it is!))

INFO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aw-r_G7rfnU - Chris Pratt Singing

Dino facts:

https://www.psd1.org/cms/lib/WA01001055/Centricity/Domain/36/SS_How_Fast_Did_Trex_Grow.pdf

http://cycles.westinmathies.com/Info_Pages.asp?ptype=Velociraptor_Cycl

SPELLING = Armamageddon (according to the subs)

-----------------

And that’s it! This is the rambling mess that brought you Rebuild. Hope it was interesting to see.

As another note of my writing process, I did a lot of jumping around. If I had an idea for some lines of dialogue pop into my head, I wrote it down before I forgot and then slightly altered it and filled in the gaps later. In fact that whole bit between Lucy and Rex in chapter 3 was almost all dialogue (with a few notes like “He turned. She smiles” Etc in between) and then later after writing some of chapter 4, I went back and filled in all the gaps. 

I would really recommend writing down whatever pops into your head like this if you want to write things. You might think “Oh, i’ll remember to put this in when I get to writing here!”, that is a lie. You won’t. Or it’ll be different to that brilliant thing you came up with whilst day dreaming out a window. It’s definitely better to jot it down and have it, then decide to edit it later if you don’t like it, than lose it entirely. Just make sure when reading over your chapter/ story that everything flows together nicely. :)

This method also meant I wrote chapters 5, 6 and 7 simultaneously. I had about half of chapter 6 and 7 done whilst I was still making my way through 5. (Probably because 5 was so big!) But then when I was done with 5, I finished off 6, then 7. It also really helped when I came up with the idea to put the first line of the story as the last line too. It gave me a direction to go in for the last chapter (after Rex get’s back from the coffee shop) and also was a nice way to end it off. 

Anyway! Hopefully I see you all again for Rekindle! Which by the way, if there is anything involving the characters from this story that you might want to see, please let me know! I might just fit it in somewhere! :D

#lego movie #tlm2 #fanfic #rex dangervest #rex brickowski au #My writing #tlm2 au #mali speaks

[comicteaparty]

October 19th-October 25th, 2019 Creator Babble Archive

The archive for the Creator Babble chat that occurred from October 19th, 2019 to October 25th, 2019.  The chat focused on the following question:

Describe your design process for new characters.  How do you go about it?

Holmeaa - working on WAYFINDERS

Ohooh it is my time! First I draw a bunch of quick drawings of body and face We are a small team, so then we had discussions, we knew how they looked in general, sallly had to be small with curls etc. Then when the body was chosen it was time to draw outfits. Since we are doing a whole world we had to find out about what kind of clothing generally people would wear, what accessories, what does nobels and rich wear, contra poor, what is religious garments. Then the faces had to be chosen and drawn again. Then when all elements was in place, it was time for colors. For Lani, I did like 30 different versions of colors, ans combination before we found the right one. For side characters there has been only a few sketches, and since we knew the whole class system with clothing, it was easier to pick and match compared to place in society. Then thinking about the role the person have in society. Next is designing scientist, and that's going to be fun!

Line up if the finished designs of the main(edited)

Face exploration

[IMAGE]

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More final clothing design

[IMAGE]

Color exploration

[IMAGE]

spacerocketbunny

Oh damn I love all this! I never thought of actually mapping out all the different classes religious/ non religious formal/ casual etc. That's so smart! And these designs are so cute ahhhh

Holmeaa - working on WAYFINDERS

aaw thanks! It was very important for us that it was clear to see! Since the man Andrée is a nobel, and Sallly was part of a crime gang, and Lani is a tempelgirl, and we do have a lot of different social groups

The Q - working on WAYFINDERS

And their homeland is very northern/Viking inspired. I'm very excited to show the other country in the story, which has a much more Mediterranean flavor!

Also yes @Holmeaa - working on WAYFINDERS is super impressive!

Holmeaa - working on WAYFINDERS

Aaaaaaaw you are too sweet!

AntiBunny

Process? Not so much a process as an idea forms in my subconscious and then like Athena rises fully formed in armor from my head. After that they will go through a few revisions. Usually they get simplified a bit, I try to make them a bit more iconic, and easier to draw repeatedly of course.

In AntiBunny http://antibunny.net/ this resulted in some of the earlier character designs being a tad inconsistent, for instance a character in a T-Shirt interacting with a character in a long winter coat.

Since then I've been trying to come up with more consistent seasonal outfit designs. With Book 2 I think I've gotten a lot more consistent with the outfits all making it very clear that it's summer.

So short version is that it starts out with them forming organically from loose ideas, then getting refined and redesigned over time. Not exactly the most scientific approach I know.

LadyLazuli (Phantomarine)

For new major characters in Phantomarine (http://www.phantomarine.com/) I usually try to design a character and draw them at least 5 times before I have them show up in the comic. Their initial design usually pops into my head pretty quickly, but I do a bunch of test drawings to A) see what looks best and B) isolate things that might be difficult to replicate, and simplify them as much as I can. For new minor characters, my process is way more haphazard - and I’ll admit I fall back on a lot of similar face and body shapes when designing incidental crowd characters or random one-line characters.

But the area I’ve had the most fun jumping into - and didn’t expect to even try out - was costume design. I imagined my characters staying in their main outfits for the entire story, but was encouraged to design wardrobes for each, just as a fun exercise at first. And now, I see outfit-swaps as ways to get out of drawing ruts - and it’s more fun for the readers, too! Makes total sense that characters would switch clothes over a longer story, so when I started doing it, it was not only a “OF COURSE!” moment, but a huge relief in terms of being allowed to try new designs. I’m really looking forward to drawing my characters in all sorts of different ways now.(edited)

The Q - working on WAYFINDERS

THem color schemes though!

MJ Massey

I need to get better about this. I usually slap dash throw characters together, especially background characters, but based on their character traits, I have an idea of how I want them to look.

For my main characters, I start drawing them a couple times, mostly just doodles and then like a concept art or two to really get the hang of them, but I find that drawing them in the comic is what gets them under my fingers the best

Emily and Chester were the ones I designed first, as the two mains I wanted to make sure they would play off each other well. With Emily, the key thing was to make sure she wasn't too cute or attractive--she's supposed to be kind of plain looking and a little drab

Chester, in contrast, is soft and playful looking while Emily is more angular and sharp

Cronaj

For Whispers of the Past, my characters have gone through several redesigns over the years, as I spent time planning the comic, getting better at drawing, and discovering the deeper personalities of my characters. As it is my first comic, I wasn't very organized in my initial process. Since my art style is not very cartoony, I don't use the same stylistic cues to help the readers tell the characters apart, and instead, I rely on a lot of subtle features to tell them apart, such as Agatha's thick eyebrows and full lips:

Or Izrekiel's round under-eye, or his round face:

Some of these reference sheets are more complete than others, and some are older or newer depending on how much help I needed when adjusting each character's designs to my evolving style.

Desnik

I usually start with writing them before I totally know what they look like. Sometimes they wind up with props that I need to work into the design as the story gets rewritten.

Deo101 (Millennium)

For me I generally have a solid idea in my mind before I start drawing. I draw that idea, refine it a bit, and then I draw them about 10-100 more times, depending how much they'll show up. For background characters i pretty much design them right then and there, but for major and minor named characters, i need to get comfortable with them and really test how they react to things. I also will paint my main characters, because I find that forcing myself to fully realize what the character would look like realistically really helps me be more informed when I'm simplifying them later! I tend to focus pretty strongly on color, and tend to monochrome designs. There is also some research involved, where i make moodboards once i get the initial design down so I can refine things! A lot, i know.

#ctparchive #comics #webcomics #indie comics #comic chat #comic discussion #creator interview #comic creator interview #creator babble #comic tea party #ctp

[onlydogscanhearme]

Somebody to love (Roger Taylor/Brian May)

Pairing: Maylor

Summary: Roger and Brian were best friends until one drunken night that Roger can’t remember. Brian is furious with him for some reason and refuses to talk to Roger any more than side comments and scoffs. Word Count: 2′984 (5′158) Chapters: 2/3

Chapter 1 is here

Vodka had never been his favourite drink, but it was just what Roger needed. He hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol in the three weeks since the night he’d forgotten, too scared of doing something even worse to his friend, but now he really needed to lose himself.

John had been round earlier in the evening, sitting with Roger in silence for a few hours. He’d wrapped an arm around Roger when he’d started crying and pretended not to notice Roger’s useless attempts at wiping his eyes and hiding his red cheeks.

Neither of them had mentioned Brian, though John had hugged him a little harder than normal when he left and hadn’t pulled his usual face when Roger brushed a shaky kiss to the apple of his cheek.

Ten years. Roger had known Brian for ten years and had never gone so long without talking to him. Any arguments they’d had had been relatively small and had been sorted out in a matter of days.

Not this one, though. Roger took another swig of vodka, grimacing at the hot burn but swallowing greedily anyway, too eager for the haze he knew it would bring.

Without Brian, well… Roger wasn’t sure what he would do.

There had always been Brian. A life without his best friend didn’t bear thinking about.

/

Roger knocked on Brian’s door, shuffling awkwardly while he waited and wrapping his arms around himself when he pulled his hand back. He was perfectly sober in the cold light of day, but he really wished he wasn’t. It was also blooming cold standing on the doorstep of Brian’s flat waiting, hoping, for the other man to answer.

Roger looked up when the door finally opened. He had a whole speech prepared, but when faced with the sight of Brian in all his glory, – old jeans and a soft maroon jumper – any semblance of clear thought flew right out of his brain.

Brian’s eyebrows lifted to his hair line as he stood there in silence. Roger held out all of two minutes before he broke down.

“Are you gonna let me in, mate? It’s bloody freezing out here.”

There was another beat of silence before Brian stepped back ever so slightly, leaving a small gap for Roger to squeeze through to enter Brian’s flat.

When inside, Roger headed straight for the living room, taking in the familiar surroundings. It had only been three weeks since he’d been in his friend’s place, but it felt like so much longer. Nothing had changed in the small flat and yet Roger felt uncomfortable, as though he was out of place. Where he would normally be throwing himself down onto the couch or heading to the kitchen to get himself some food or make a drink, now he was hovering awkwardly by the sofa and trying to get his best friend to actually look at him.

“What are you doing here, Roger?”

Roger tried not to wince at Brian’s tone, sharp and yet somehow soft, defeated almost.

“I wanted to see you. Wanted to talk to you.”

“I thought I’d make it clear enough that that wasn’t what I wanted.”

“Yeah, I know,” Roger said quietly. He finally sat down, dropping onto the settee behind him and keeping his eyes on Brian, still standing in the doorway. “I know and I’m sorry, but I want to know why. Please, Bri, please tell me what I did. I can’t go on like this.”

Brian’s tongue poked out, wetting his lips as he looked away from Roger.

“Come on.” Roger would have been ashamed of how his voice cracked if it had been anyone but Brian in front of him. “What did I do? Please tell me.” God, he was just repeating the same three things and he sounded like a damn broken record. “You have to know I’m sorry for whatever it was. I obviously didn’t mean it.”

Brian finally looked over at Roger and the young man was taken aback at the anger and, even worse, the hurt in his friend’s expression.

“Fucking hell,” Roger moaned, his heart beating rapidly and his stomach clenching with guilt-caused nausea. “What the hell did I do? I know I can be a dick when I drink. But seriously, Bri. I’m so sorry. Just tell me and I’ll never do it again.”

“I never thought you could be so cruel,” Brian started, his voice low and weak.

Roger startled almost violently at that. Cruel? Christ, what the hell had he drunk that night? Bloody absinthe straight from the bottle? Fuck, he was such a prick.

“An asshole,” Brian continued, “sure. Especially when you drink; you’re annoying and needy and loud.”

Well. Roger guessed he deserved that. It was all true, even if it made him feel like shit.

“But you were never cruel. You really were the last person that I ever thought would do that to me, to take my… to throw it all in my face.”

“Take what?” Roger stood when Brian broke their eye contact and shook his head sharply. “Brian, what did I throw in your face?”

“Like you don’t know,” Brian scoffed. “Don’t try and pretend you’ve forgotten now. All these years and you’ve never brought it up, but that night. Jesus, Rog. You were such an ass– ”

“Why?” Roger practically yelled, fed up of not knowing what was going on. “How was I any different to usual? I’m sorry if my drunken self had less restraint than I usually do and I got a little handsy. Sorry that you can’t handle my feelings.”

“Your feelings? What about my fucking feelings?” Brian roared, his voice uncharacteristically loud and shocking Roger into silence. “My feelings, Roger.” Brian repeated, this time softer and yet somehow sounding more broken.

‘My feelings’. Roger stared at Brian when he heard those words, feeling as though he had heard them before. No, he’d definitely heard them before. Someone had said that to him recently.

Roger stumbled into the wall, laughing as though it was a comedy sketch, head thrown back and mouth wide open. He felt so light, worries far away and body feeling like it was floating. He turned when he felt hands slipping around his waist and a smile spread across his face when he saw who they belonged to.

“Brian,” he said happily, leaning into the hand as Brian helped him to stand and start to walk again. “What are you doing here?”

Brian returned the smile, though there was a certain wistfulness to it that Roger was too drunk to decipher. “Thought you’d need a hand back to the room.”

“Oh,” Roger said happily, sliding a hand up to cup Brian’s neck and giving a sloppy wink. “I see.”

Brian rolled his eyes, making Roger laugh again. “Get your mind out of the gutter, you daft sod. You’re too drunk to get it up now anyway.”

Roger stopped walking, making Brian stumble into him. “Hey,” he said as seriously as he could in his inebriated state. “If you were in my bed, it would never go down.” Nailed it, he thought to himself, such a romantic.

Roger sighed when Brian brushed his comment aside and started moving them down the corridor again. They were in a fancy hotel, staying in Birmingham after a gig, and there had been a party downstairs in the bar for them. Roger had told himself that he wasn’t going to drink, but then he’d seen Brian in his stupid, tight clothes with his stupid, perfect hair. When Roger hadn’t been able to get near his best friend for the hordes of men and women hanging all over the guitarist, he’d gladly accepted offers of some drinks and propped the bar up all night instead. He hadn’t noticed how drunk he was until he’d tried to leave. Alone, he might add.

His balls were going to fall off if he kept going to bed alone, but the only way he could get off was to imagine Brian and that just wasn’t fair to whoever he tried to hook up with.

“Rog?”

Roger startled when Brian’s voice came, close to his ear and sending a shiver down his spine.

“You with me?”

Roger couldn’t help the moan that escaped him at the combination of Brian’s words and his hot breath tickling his neck.

“You okay, mate?”

Oh, right. Words. Brian was expecting Roger to say words.

“Yeah. Yeah, I’m good, Bri. Just had a couple too many, I guess.”

They were silent as they carried onto Roger’s room. When they got to the door, Roger made no effort to get out of his friend’s weak hold. Instead, he tightened his grip of Brian’s neck and lifted his other hand to rest it upon Brian’s chest. He forgot what he was going to say as he felt Brian’s lean muscles under his palm, so sinful and so perfect.

“Roger?”

Keeping his hand on Brian’s chest, Roger slowly dragged his eyes up to meet Brian’s. They were blown wide, all dark and lustful. Roger’s tongue poked out to wet his suddenly dry lips and he felt something victorious deep in his stomach when Brian’s gaze dropped to follow the movement.

“Come inside,” Roger said, his voice husky and low. “Come with me, Brian. Kiss me.”

Maybe Roger would regret this when he was sober. Maybe he was ruining everything. Maybe he would hate himself for this and would spend the next weeks crying over the loss of his best friend and bandmate. God, he was going to regret this no matter what the outcome was, a tiny little voice somewhere in the back of his head yelled. There had to be better ways of announcing his feelings of deep love rather than propositioning someone when almost black-out drunk.

But he just couldn’t help himself. Brian smelled so good and looked so wonderful. He held Roger so tightly and it was as if their bodies were made to fit together, hands moulding round hips like they had always been there. Roger had spent so many years being so good and holding so much back, but he couldn’t do it anymore.

Pressed almost head to toe with Brian’s hot body, warmth seeping through their thin clothes and eyes locked together, Roger couldn’t bite his tongue.

“Wouldn’t you like it, baby?” The pet name slipped past his lips before he could stop it, though judging the way that Brian’s hands flexed over his hips it didn’t seem as though the other man minded.

“Don’t you want to know how I feel? To know me inside and out. Make me moan with your hands, Brian, make me scream your name. Do you want me, baby? Cause I’ll be yours if you do. Imagine it, Bri.” Now that Roger had started, he just couldn’t stop. The words were rolling off his tongue and he could feel himself hardening, pressing himself subconsciously against Brian.

“I want you so badly. I want you to fuck me and don’t ever stop. Just once; you and me. Wouldn’t it be good?” Roger’s eyes rolled back and he swayed forward, sliding his hands up to the top of Brian’s neck and curling his fingers into the other man’s hair. His voice dropped even lower as he carried on.

“Your hands all over my body, me bending to your every whim. I would be so good for you, I swear. I’d make it all worth it. You’d like it, wouldn’t you? Tell me you’ve wanted me and I’ll make every dream you’ve ever had come true. One night and I’ll be yours.”

Roger jolted when his back hit the door, the cold doorknob shocking him as it pressed into his side.

“Fuck you, Roger.”

Roger blinked stupidly as he registered Brian shoving at him, his hands tight around the tops of Roger’s arms.

“You bastard,” he heard in a low growl, harsh and snapped.

“Brian?” Roger blinked again, struggling against Brian’s hold. “Ow. Ow, get off me.”

“How could you? When you know how I… I’ve got feelings, Roger. Just because you don’t doesn’t mean you can use me like a fucking sex toy.”

When Roger didn’t say anything more, his mouth open in shock and his brain too hazy to think of anything quick enough, Brian sighed deeply.

“Get some sleep, Roger. Sleep it off and don’t be such a prick tomorrow.”

Roger let out a shaky breath, standing stock still with his mouth hanging open. He stared at Brian completely unmoving, eyes wide in horror.

“Fucking hell, Brian.” Roger didn’t want to believe what he’d remembered, but the evidence was there in his head. “You’re acting like this because I propositioned you? Jesus, I thought you were better than that.”

Brian scoffed derisively and held up his hand. “Don’t start that. You know I don’t have a problem with that, you dick. Bit hypocritical of me, wouldn’t you think? I’ve been in a mood because you were an asshole. How could you do that to me?”

Roger threw his hands up. “Do what? I asked you to kiss me one time–”

“But I don’t want to kiss you once, do I?” Brian screamed, surging forward and towering over Roger. “You know I’m in love with you and you threw it in my face. Asking me to take you once because you finally wanted it. Acting like you actually fancied me back when all you wanted was a quick fuck because you were alone and horny. You offered me everything I’ve ever wanted on a silver fucking platter whilst making it very fucking clear that it was only for one fucking night and I’d never have it again.”

Roger gasped for air suddenly, feeling as though there was simultaneously a hand around his throat and someone punching him in the chest. He’d never heard Brian so angry or to swear so much in one go. Not even when Tim had left them high and dry, yelling all manner of vile slurs on his way out, had Brian snapped so badly.

“You…” Roger cleared his throat when his voice came out choked up and tight. “You love me?”

Brian glared at him with such venom that Roger took a step backwards. “Don’t you fucking dare, Roger. You knew. You’ve always known.”

Roger shook his head weakly, tears blurring his vision. “I didn’t.” His voice was still feeble, shaking. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing, but he could see it in his friend’s eyes. “Brian, I swear, I didn’t know.”

He took another step back, feeling as though his legs were going to give out. He’d honestly had no clue and now Brian was saying these things, telling him that he’d been in…

“I would never.” Roger closed his eyes for a moment, trying to regain some tiny amount of control over the situation. “I would never do that,” he whispered vehemently, forcing as much fierceness into the statement as he could. “You know I wouldn’t have done that.”

“But you did!” Brian’s voice made Roger flinch, yet Roger couldn’t blame the other man. Brian had every right to be furious; the mere thought of having his own love rejected and thrown back in his face made Roger feel ill.

“You did do it, Roger. You kept saying how it would just be once; just the one time that you would be mine. You’d let me touch you for one night only, all the time knowing that I was dying inside at the thought of never having you again. Don’t you think it’s bad enough that I have to watch you parade around all day every day knowing I’ll never have you? Having to watch you take home a different guy every night?”

Roger couldn’t help his flinch at that. Okay, so he wasn’t celibate, not by a long shot, but he also wasn’t that bad. Especially not lately; he hadn’t had a partner in months. Pathetic really. Sure, he still picked guys up in bars or let someone push him against a wall at a party, let them kiss down his neck whilst he stared at Brian through half-lidded eyes. No further though; he couldn’t.

Something flashed in Brian’s eyes at Roger’s pain before it was shoved down.

“I could deal with all of that, though. I could cope with you hugging me after a gig, could deal with holding you when you cried. I could even cope with you falling asleep with me.” Brian paused and gave a small shrug. “Well, I longed for that sometimes. I managed for so fucking long to stamp down my feelings, the embarrassment of having everyone know and you not returning them, not wanting me. Sometimes it was so easy to hope; when you’d look over at me with your stupid smirk or how you nudge me playfully whenever Fred teases me. God, when you get hit on at the pub and you run to me, it’s just so fucking easy to pretend.”

Roger couldn’t stop the tear that fell from his eye. Everything Brian was describing had been exactly his own experiences and he had had no idea that Brian had been feeling it as well.

Brian spoke again, seemingly never going to stop now that he had started. He was never one for huge speeches and now that the dam had broken, everything was pouring out.

“Having you ignore it all hurt, but, God, it was better than this. I would so rather you forgot everything again than be such a vile bastard and use my love for you to get off.”

“I didn’t.” Roger finally found strength in his voice again and pushed back, keeping his eyes on Brian’s. “I swear to you, I had no idea. How could I? You’re saying you…” love me.

It was frankly laughable, and yet neither of them were laughing.

#my writing #maylor #roger taylor #brian may #maylor fic #maylor fic rec #roger taylor x brian may

[winryofresembool]

Love Can Melt the Ice, ch. 19

Summary: Figure skating time! Part 2.

A/N: I’m not gonna say much this time. I just... really hope you guys will enjoy this one. It’s important. Thank you ♥

Previous chapters:  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5.5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 pt 1, pt 2, 16, 17, 18

Next chapter: x

Companion pieces (note: these are all post Olympics happenings so reading the main fic first is recommended): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Words:4543 (yup. A monster)

Genre: hmmm.

Warnings: pls have your tooth brushes nearby.

Winry closed her eyes for a moment and peeked through the glass door again. Was she really seeing correctly? Ed? Talking with Mei Chang? Alone, without Al? What was he doing with her? There was no mistaking him, though; she could clearly see his long golden mane, the crutches in his hands and the cast in his left leg.

She knew they hadn’t seen her yet and tried to figure out how to get out of the arena without being noticed. If she just marched out there and asked what was going on, she would probably get to hear a bunch of lies, making the situation even worse. Still, she couldn’t stand behind the door either; people were coming in and out, and she’d get caught staring. She decided to use another exit on the other side of the arena, casting one last look towards the door before biting her lip and turning away.

Had Winry stayed 10 seconds longer, she would have seen Al joining Ed and Mei, giving Mei something as he arrived. Not long after, the group separated, Ed leaving towards the hotel, Al and Mei towards a restaurant. But she didn’t see any of that, so her mind was racing 120 km/hour as she took the longer route to another exit.

One, a small part of her was yelling extremely loud curses in her head, but the rational part of her tried to convince her that what she had just seen meant nothing. Maybe Ed had just been waiting to see her and accidentally bumped into Mei. Winry knew Mei well enough to know she was very familiar with hockey, so maybe she had recognized Ed and wanted to introduce herself. Besides, after the sweet, private moments in her room, would Ed really just ignore all that? That didn’t seem like something he would do.

Winry realized that if she was going to make this, what could be a beginning of a meaningful relationship, work, she had to trust him. And in the end, nothing about the meeting she had witnessed had suggested anything more than a friendly encounter. But still, where had Al been? And why had she smiled so widely at him? And why did all of this have to happen now that she was supposed to focus on her competition and they were going to leave to their home country in only a few days?

When Winry got back into her hotel room, she decided to do what best calmed down her mind; drawing blueprints for her next mechanical project. When she began drawing, she had no idea what she wanted to make, but soon the sketch started to become clearer; it resembled an arm. At first she thought she was unconsciously drawing the exact copy of Ed’s automail arm, but at closer inspection she realized it looked different. It looked more like the person whom she was imagining using it; a flame symbol decorated the top plate, reminding her of his fierce nature. Even though the material she wanted to use for this automail was lighter than the one he was now using, the layers it had made it stronger. She had to admit, she quite liked how it ended up looking.

Just when she was putting away her pencils and erasers, her phone started ringing.

“Granny! Hi! How are you doing?” Winry had been thinking about her grandmother quite a lot for the past few days, so hearing her familiar voice made her feel better.

“I’m doing just fine, dear. But I must say, I am slightly surprised you haven’t called me since the team event. I hope everything’s fine there, though, because it’s not like you to ignore your grandmother.”

“E-everything’s alright! I hope you saw my performance today. Only 0,10 points from the lead!”

“I saw it! You looked wonderful out there. But you don’t sound very convincing, I hope it really is alright.”

“It’s… a long story. Granny, I… like someone.”

“Really? Now that’s a surprise. I thought you are so into your sport you don’t have time for anything else.”

“Yeah… I kinda thought so too. So, do you remember Edward Elric from Resembool? Our ex neighbor?”

“Of course I do! You guys were always at it, fighting with each other all the time, but if someone dared to say a bad word about you, he was always there to defend you.” Pinako smiled at her memory. “Have you seen him there? Doesn’t he play hockey these days?”

“Yes, I have, and he does… You see… He’s kinda the person I like. And I think he likes me too.”

“Oh! Well, if he’s anything like his parents, I’m sure he’s a decent person.”

“He is… Only, today I saw him talking with my rival and… I don’t know what to think about it. I mean, it probably was nothing, but… I got jealous.”

“If he is in his right mind, he doesn’t even look at anyone else when he could have my granddaughter. Don’t worry, Winry. If that bothers you, why don’t you just ask him?”

“I already had one opportunity, but I chickened… And I can’t ask him now because I said we should keep some distance between us until my competition is over.”

“You have put yourself in quite a situation. But my advice is that just talk with him. That way you’ll know what exactly happened.”

“Right. Thanks, granny.”

“No problem.”

After saying her worries aloud, Winry realized how silly they must have sounded. After all, it wasn’t like Ed wasn’t allowed to talk with other girls. That’s why she decided to change the topic: “Hey, listen! I just drew some blueprints for an automail and I’d like you to take a look at it. I’ll send you a photo and you can then tell me your opinion on it!”

The grandmother and granddaughter spent the rest of the evening discussing Winry’s automail, Pinako giving Winry some advice and improvement suggestions and Winry doing the necessary changes. By the end of the evening, she was feeling like herself again, and was already imagining how Ed would react when she’d show him the blueprints.

 …

 “Next up, performing her free program, Winry Rockbell!”

Winry inhaled and exhaled deeply and shook her limbs to warm the muscles up before finally stepping on the ice. She had thought the previous performances would have calmed her nerves a bit, but as she was waiting for the music to start playing, she realized that this was every bit as hard as it had been earlier. Maybe even harder in a certain sense. The reason for that was sitting in the stands, or at least she assumed he did. For some reason, knowing that he was watching, made this performance more personal.

When Garfiel, who usually made Winry’s choreographies, had suggested her free program would have a romantic theme, Winry hadn’t liked the idea. Romantic love had always been a foreign area to her, and she had never even officially dated anyone even though the reason for that wasn’t the lack of interested people. It was the lack of interesting people. The few times she had been on dates, she had noticed the other person was on a totally different wave length from her, not caring about the same things she did, or asking her out simply because they had recognized her from TV. Sometimes she had wondered if there was something wrong with her, or if she was simply an a-sexual, but she hadn’t gotten answers to her questions until she arrived in the Olympic venue.

Was it love she was feeling towards Ed? Winry had always been one to think that real love didn’t strike anyone that fast, but when she had told Ed she was falling for him, she had meant it. She might not be quite there yet, but she was on her way. The thought of getting to spend more time with him and learn to know him even better excited her. On the other hand, she had felt jealous when she saw Ed with Mei, which was an emotion only familiar to her from her childhood when she had seen her classmates getting hugs and kisses from their parents, and she had only had her grandmother. She knew Ed could be a tough person to handle on his worst days, but somehow, she believed the good days would win them 100-0. If he gave her a chance…

Because of all this, she felt she understood the character she was acting in her performance a lot better now. Earlier, she had often gotten critique for performing the elements cleanly but lacking in the emotion department. The audience would see a robot doing what she was supposed to do, not having any emotional connection with the performance. Now, she wished that she could use her recent experiences to build a believable story that did move something in the audience’s hearts.

She quickly tested that her hair and the bright red dress with a lot of glitter on it (Garfiel’s idea) were where they were supposed to be and finally heard the first sounds of the romantic song starting to play, meaning it was go-time.

The first element in her free program was a triple Lutz – triple toe loop combination. She managed to land it cleanly, but was worried her body language was screaming she didn’t know what to do… If only she’d get the three first jump elements out of the way, then she could breathe a bit. The step sequences and spins had always been more of her thing.

Double Axel. Done! And she felt she would have had enough speed to keep on rotating but decided to not risk it this time. There would be a time and place for a surprise factor later on…

Then came the final jumps of the first half of her performance, a triple Salchow – triple toe loop combination. Unfortunately, Winry had gotten a bit too confident after the double Axel, and she slipped a bit between the jumps, having to cut the rotation short and making it only double toe loop. Not a big loss, considering she still hadn’t fallen or otherwise failed, but it still bummed her for a moment.

She didn’t have time to get stuck on that one slight slip, though, because she already needed to start focusing on the first spin. It was successful, and finally she managed to make herself smile a bit as she moved onto the step sequence. Even though step sequences had always been her favorite part of her programs, she found this particular one challenging because she was supposed to express the happiness of having met someone special. Now she understood that emotion better, though, and the audience oohed and aahed with excitement as they watched her move swiftly, the smile coming from her heart instead of being forced.

…

“How the hell did she do that?” Ed asked as Al and he were watching Winry performing a triple flip – double toe loop – double loop combination. To Ed even one jump was amazing, to perform 3 of them in a row was beyond his understanding.

“It’s called routine, brother, she has practiced that for years,” Al stated. It was really amusing to watch how into Ed could get into this sport he knew nothing about, all because of that young woman who was currently gliding on the ice. If he was honest, Ed was the last person he would have expected to see in such a situation, but it was a nice change, and he could see it was doing good to his brother.

Ed yelled proudly when he saw Winry perform another jump, triple Lutz this time, then turned to look at Al briefly:

“Do you think she has a chance of winning this?”

“It is going well, I don’t see why not. But the competition is tough.”

“Right.”

“Hold on a sec.” Al held his breath for a moment when Winry was in the air again. “That isn’t… yup, it is! Triple Axel!”

Ed didn’t really know what a triple Axel was, or how it differed from the other jumps (he made a mental note to learn more about it later), but it must have been something awesome because the entire audience around him was roaring with excitement.

“W-what?” he asked.

“Brother, you really should do some studying on figure skating… Only a few female skaters have managed to land it successfully in a competition. She did it in the team event here, but I believe that’s when she got hurt… But based on her reactions there were no issues this time! Now she REALLY has a chance of winning!”

Ed focused his attention on Winry’s facial expressions and noticed that she really did seem like a huge weight had fallen from her shoulders as she was performing a choreographic sequence. In fact, her expression looked a lot like the one he had only seen on her face when they had been alone in her room. But why would she…

“Uh, Al? What do you think this performance is about?” he asked suddenly.

“Isn’t it obvious? It’s a love story, she meets someone and shows her love for that person.”

“Really?”

“Definitely.”

Ed felt a blush spreading on his face as he took Al’s words in. Suddenly focusing on the performance felt a bit harder. He did see her jump one last time (Al did say the jump’s name but he missed it) and do the spin combination that finished the routine, but his mind was elsewhere. He would have to tell her about his decision soon.

…

“Congratulations, dear, that was a fantastic performance! I am so proud of you! And that triple Axel? Only you would have had guts to do that again after what happened the last time! But the risk was worth it!”

“Thank you, Garfiel!” Winry said as she hugged her coach. “I felt… I needed to prove myself I could do it even though I would have probably done just fine even with a double Axel… “

“To me it looked like you also did a lot better job portraying the emotions of your character… Is there any specific reason for that?”

“Uhh… nothing you need to know right now… I’ll tell you some other time,” Winry answered awkwardly.

Winry barely had time to take a breath after pulling away from Garfiel when two new sets of arms surrounded her.

“If that isn’t a gold winning performance, I don’t know what is!” Paninya squeeled and Rosé agreed with her.

“Oh, come on, guys, you are not here to celebrate me, you are my rivals!” Winry scolded them. “Now, if you don’t go back to your preparations, I’m gonna kick your asses. And Garfiel, we need to go, they are gonna announce the points any minute now.”

They sat down on their seats, and sure enough, only a few moments later the announcer yelled:

“And Winry Rockbell’s points are… 150,15! Together with the short program, that makes 232,10 points! What an astounding performance! That is her personal best!”

“Wow…” was all Winry could say.

“Winry, my dear… I think a new champion has risen.” Garfiel said next to her.

…

Paninya and Rosé’s turn was soon after, and both succeeded well with their performances. Paninya got her personal best score and Rosé got her seasonal best as well. The two of them were already ready to celebrate Winry’s victory when it was Mei Chang’s turn, and they held their breaths (probably more nervous than Winry herself) as she performed. The audience reacted loudly to her elements and it was clear everything was going according to Mei’s plan.

A few minutes later, her points were announced: 148,5. Together with the short program, that wasn’t enough to top Winry. She couldn’t help but smile a bit, remembering what she had seen the day before. This also Winry really had a chance of winning the entire competition.

The last skater of the night, and Winry’s biggest challenger, was Lan Fan from Xing. She had gotten just slightly better points than Winry in the short program, but she was known to shine in her free programs, so despite Winry’s amazing points, nothing had been decided yet.

As expected, she performed her elements flawlessly, but her jumps were slightly easier than Winry’s, and at least in Garfiel’s opinion she seemed to lack the charm Winry had had on the ice. Winry watched the performance in the dressing room with the other girls, but when she met with Garfiel afterwards, she found him biting his fingernails nervously.

Winry wasn’t sure what she was feeling at that moment. The biggest part of her was relieved it was over; no matter what would happen, she already knew she had done her best and would go home with a medal. However, there was a reason why she was a professional athlete; she did have the competitive side in her, and that side tried to argue with the rational side that said she could be proud of herself, either way. A silver would be a disappointment after such a performance.

Winry’s heart was beating fast when Garfiel took her hand as the announcer started to speak.

“Lan Fan’s points are: 149,10! That means she wins the silver medal, winning her country woman Mei Chang by a point. Our Olympic gold medal winner is… Winry Rockbell from Amestris!!!”

…

“Ed, you gotta go!” Al tried to get him to leave the arena before the rest of the audience would.

“What, I want to congratulate her! Dammit, Al! This is the biggest moment of her career so far and you are telling me to leave?!”

“I mean, she’s gonna have a party, and you can’t go there looking like that! Brother, please!”

“Fine. But if you see her, you’ll tell her that I’ll see her soon, right?”

“Of course! Just go now.”

…

 She really was the Olympic champion. When the information sunk in, it seemed like her brain just turned off and she could remember only bits and pieces of what happened afterwards.

There were a lot of hugs. Garfiel, waiting for the points next to her, was obviously the first one to hug her. Rosé, Paninya and Gracia were all waiting for her by the rinkside, giving her quick, tight hugs before she had to go back to the ice to accept her reward. When she joined the other medalists on the ice, they hugged her too, and especially Mei seemed really enthusiastic and happy for her, making Winry a bit confused. Was there something going on she didn’t know about? In that moment, she only wished she could find the person she wanted to hug the most, but scanning the audience with her eyes, she couldn’t find him. One would have thought it would be easy to spot the two golden haired men in the audience, and she knew for fact they had promised to be there, but for some reason she couldn’t find them.

She accepted the flowers and the plush she was given (the actual medal would be given later that day in a special ceremony outside the arena) and after skating a few rounds and thanking the audience, she tried to get into the dressing room to change into something more comfortable. That turned out to be difficult though, with all the passing people wanting to congratulate her and get her first comments, and it took her at least 15 minutes to finally get into her destination.

“You haven’t possibly seen Ed and his brother anywhere?” Winry asked her figure skating team that was already starting the party in the dressing room, popping a bottle of champagne that someone had hidden into the locker.

“No, not a glimpse,” Paninya and Rose answered in unison. Winry started getting anxious. This was such a huge moment for her, and she really wanted all her favorite people to be around.

It took a while before she could leave anywhere because glasses needed to be emptied, speeches given and songs sung. Paninya even threatened to throw Winry into the cold shower like was the habit in the hockey world, but fortunately for Winry, she managed to talk her out of it. Eventually, she managed to sneak out with the excuse that she needed to go back into her hotel room because she had left her party dress there.

Before she would do that, though, she would find out where the hell Edward was. He hadn’t even answered her calls while the other girls had taken Garfiel into the cold shower instead of her. Briefly, she wondered if that meeting with Mei had something to do with this, but quickly pushed that thought aside. Now was not the time for that.

When she got into the hotel hallway that Amestris’ athletes shared, she debated for a long while if she should go and change like she was supposed to, or if she should just march into Ed’s room and let him hear it if he happened to be there. She chose the latter.

“Edward Elric! If you are there, get your ass out right now!” she nearly yelled as she banged his door. She wasn’t actually expecting anyone to be there, so when she heard the sound of the crutches from inside the room, her eyes widened in embarrassment.

“Hi?” Ed opened the door, revealing the black suit and a red tie he was wearing. Winry looked at his outfit with confusion.

“Are you going somewhere?”

She guessed it was too much to ask him to spend this important night with her.

“Aren’t you?” Ed took in the tiny red figure skating dress she was still wearing. Why did she have to look so good in it, he growled in his mind. “I’m not sure that dress is the most appropriate one for a formal party.”

“What are you talking about?” Winry felt she understood less and less about what was going on.

“That you and I are gonna go to your party, what else would I be talking about?”

“I thought… I thought…” Winry couldn’t form a full sentence. He had been thinking about her after all.

“What?” Ed asked, equally confused.

“That you had forgotten. Or didn’t want to go. Or had other plans…”

“And why would you think that?” Ed frowned. He didn’t understand why Winry was acting so weirdly all of a sudden.

“Because I didn’t see you at the arena! And you didn’t answer to my call! And I saw you hanging out with Mei Chang the other day!” she blurted without thinking.

“Again: what? Winry, there’s a good explanation to all of those things. I left the arena early because when it became clear you would win, Al forced me to come back here to clean up because apparently I couldn’t look like an emo at your party. I wouldn’t have wanted to leave. He also promised to let you know I would be waiting here. Which clearly he didn’t. And I didn’t hear your phone call because I was in the shower. And I definitely wasn’t with Mei because I wanted to, but because Al told me to wait with her while he was getting her some flowers or chocolate or who knows what unnecessary… They were gonna go out for a dinner, you see.”

“So… you’re saying all of that was just an unfortunate misunderstanding?”

“Yes, you silly.”

“Great. Of course I would ruin my own party by overthinking things.” Winry sat down on Ed’s bed and covered her face with her hand with embarrassment.

“Hey, don’t be mad at yourself. You couldn’t have known.” Ed sat down next to Winry, setting his crutches down, and took her chin between his thumb and index finger and lifted it, so she was staring right in his eyes.

“But I…” She couldn’t finish her sentence because she noticed the expression on Ed’s face, and it nearly made her knees go weak. She had seen that fierce, determined look a couple of times before, all of them right before they had almost…

Only this time there wasn’t “almost”. Ed hesitated only one moment, deciding this was a now or never situation, and with his free hand he pulled her closer. He moved the hand that had been holding her chin behind her neck, while he was wondering how she would react to what he was about to do. Winry didn’t have time to close her eyes before he pressed his lips against hers, a bit sloppily but firmly, soon finding the right angle to get best access to her lips. Winry couldn’t help but smile into the kiss when her brain finally registered what was happening. He really was kissing her.

All too fast, he pulled away, his heart pounding faster than in a hockey game and his cheeks adorably red. Winry thought she couldn’t have looked much calmer herself. She had imagined this situation so many times in her head, but now that it finally happened, she couldn’t nearly believe it. From that little preview she knew she wanted that to happen again. And last a lot longer.

Finally, her brain recovered enough to be able to form full sentences:

“Hold on. Ed, would you care to explain what this means? Didn’t you say the other day you had promised…”

“Shhh, just listen. I can’t… I can’t promise it’s always gonna be an easy road, but… I want to try.” Winry looked at him expectantly, so he continued: “You have made me see I don’t have to do this alone, and I really owe you a lot for that. You have made me feel happy even though normally I wouldn’t even be able to get out of my bed in this situation.” Winry knew he was referring to his broken leg and the tournament that had ended too early for him. “So that’s really amazing. You just seem to have that weird power. You know, you deserve to be happy, and I… I want to be someone who makes you happy. Equivalent exchange, right?”

“Ed!” she squealed and hugged him so forcefully he almost fell from the bed.

“So, what do you say? Do you want to give me a shot?” he asked nervously.

“Yes, you idiot!”

This time it was her turn to initiate the kiss. It was much longer than the first one, and Ed even allowed his hand to wander on the backside of Winry’s thin dress, feeling the smooth material and causing chills in Winry’s core.

“By the way… Congratulations,” he whispered, leaning his forehead against hers.

“For what?” Winry had nearly forgotten what had happened only a little while ago.

“For winning the Olympic gold, dummy. My girlfriend is world’s best figure skater!” Ed exclaimed proudly.

“Oh… thank you.” Winry blushed and pecked his lips once more.

“So… Will you get your dress changed?” Ed asked with much more confidence when they pulled apart.

“Yes… But if you think I’ll let you watch just because you’re my boyfriend now… well, I dare you to try.”

“You’re feisty. I like that.” Ed snorted and Winry threw a pillow at him.

Ed stayed nicely in his room while Winry went to change, but the whole time both of them had huge smiles on their faces. Somehow, Winry had a feeling she had just won something far more valuable than an Olympic gold.

#edwin #edward elric #winry rockbell #fullmetal alchemist #ice skating au #lcmti #aa i'm so excite #i have wanted to write this a loong time #pls review pls

[sinceileftyoublog]

Live Picks: 6/8-6/11

Hop Along; Photo by Tonje Thilesen

BY JORDAN MAINZER

The weekend’s got plenty of music and a couple more festivals. Check out what to see.

6/8: Bill Frisell Trio, Old Town School of Folk Music

Bill Frisell has long been one of the most innovative jazz guitarists, injecting influences from Americana/country (see Blues Dream), Malian guitar music (see his excellent The Intercontinentals), and even ambient/experimental music. To see him play in any capacity is a treat. This trio performances features bassist Thomas Morgan and drummer Rudy Royston.

6/8: The Black Dahlia Murder, House of Blues

Tonight, Michigan death metal band The Black Dahlia Murder plays last year’s Nightbringers in its entirety, their best album since Ritual and certainly one of their best records yet. We previously covered a show of theirs in Joliet to support 2015′s Abysmal, and if that was anything to go by, they’re experts at combining melody and power on stage as well as in the studio.

Knoxville deathcore band Whitechapel (playing This Is Exile in its entirety) co-headlines. Italian death metal band Fleshgod Apocalypse and blackened death metal bands Aversions Crown and Shadow of Intent open.

6/8: Young Widows, Subterranean

Tonight, Young Widows celebrates the 10-year anniversary of their album Old Wounds by playing it in its entirety as well as playing some never-before-played tracks from their just-released compilation DECAYED: Ten Years of Cities, Wounds, Lightness, and Pain. Earlier this week, we spoke with front-man Evan Patterson about the new album and the upcoming show.

Singer-songwriter Emma Ruth Rundle and local post-hardcore heroes Sweet Cobra open.

6/8: The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die, Lincoln Hall

There’s a reason that this band has made it to our top albums of both 2015 and 2017 and that their show three years ago at Subterranean was one of the best we’ve reviewed. The band’s trademark mix of post-rock, post-hardcore, and truly tender emo makes their sound unmistakable. Their stories, filled with tales of sexual violence, feminist revenge, and experiences with xenophobia have hit hard for many. Yet, their most successful songs remain as vaguely relatable as their music is expansive. Their live show is becoming increasingly ambient, as well, a refreshing shift for a band not content to stay within any one scene.

Baltimore Indie post-hardcore band Pianos Become The Teeth co-headline. LA garage rock trio Teenage Wrist opens.

6/8-6/10: Chicago Blues Festival, Millennium Park

Headlining performances take place in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion and include tributes to founder and owner of Delmark Records Bob Koester and legendary blues musician Little Walter, as well as a performance by a living legend, Mavis Staples.

We previewed Mavis Staples’ headlining show at the Vic Theatre back in February:

“Since 2010′s stunning You Are Not Alone, Chicago legend Mavis Staples has fostered a fruitful musical relationship with another beloved Chicagoan: Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy. Three out of the past four albums feature production and/or songwriting from Tweedy, and his minimalism is the perfect complement to Staples’ deep soul. Her most recent offering is If All I Was Was Black, an outward and explicit political statement. Live, Staples tends to cherry pick from her recent discography but also play Staples Singers classics and covers of The Band and Buffalo Springfield.”

Vieux Farka Toure plays the Budweiser Crossroads Stage (at South Chase Promenade) on Saturday at 2:45 P.M. The Malian singer and guitarist is more than just the son of the legendary Ali Farka Toure; he’s put out some great albums in his own right, namely his self-titled debut and 2011′s wide-ranging The Secret (I see you, Dave Matthews feature). His most recent album is last year’s Samba, which features the limber and joyous “Bonheur”.

Fantastic Negrito opens for Mavis Staples on Sunday at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. His subversive, hilarious blues punk broke out in 2016 with The Last Days of Oakland, and he’s got a new album out next Friday with Please Don’t Be Dead. So far, he’s released two songs from it: the blistering “Plastic Hamburgers” and funky “The Duffler”.

6/8-6/10: Ribfest Chcago, Lincoln Avenue from Irving Park to Berteau

You can even be a vegetarian and enjoy Ribfest because it usually books pretty good bands. This year, headliners include Southern rockers The Weeks and country punks The Waco Brothers tonight, SILY favorite Algiers and indie folk act Yoke Lore tomorrow night, and 2000′s hype kings Ra Ra Riot and Americana duo Striking Matches on Sunday.

Algiers’ The Underside of Power was one of our top albums of last year. They’re a stellar live band, lead singer Franklin James Fisher equal parts soulful and angry, the band behind him delving into everything from ramshackle post-punk to ragtime and blues.

6/9: Tech N9ne: House of Blues

Divisive and lyrically dexterous Kansas City rapper Tech N9ne comes around pretty often, but like Los Lobos, that’s reason for me to always say “I’ll catch them next time.” Eventually, you just need to bite the bullet. Albums like All 6′s and 7′s and Something Else cemented him as an ambitious rapper who can succeed when working with big concepts and other mega rappers, while recent albums like Planet and Special Effects have showed he can be a hit-maker. He’s got 20 albums to his name and a ton of other EPs. Not everything he produces is quality, but he’s pretty prolific.

Hip hop artists Krizz Kaliko, Just Juice, Joey Cool, King ISO, and Mackenzie Nicole open.

6/9: Clams Casino, East Room

We covered influential beat-maker Clams Casino’s set at Day For Night 2016, where we noted that both he and the audience seemed a bit bored. Something tells me, however, that catching him in a crowded club at night is better than catching him in a half-empty post office in the middle of the day. (I listened to Instrumentals a couple days ago, and it still bangs.) 

Producer Plu2o NASH opens.

6/9: Liz Phair, Empty Bottle

She’s got a sold out show at Empty Bottle and a major slot at this year’s Riot Fest. That’s because Matador records just released Girly-Sound to Guyville, a 25th anniversary retrospective of Liz Phair’s debut Exile in Guyville that even more notably includes remasters of her Girly Sound demo tapes. To celebrate the occasion, Phair’s set should be heavy on Guyville material, perhaps with a few highlights from Whip-Smart or Whitechocolatespaceegg. 

Indie darling Soccer Mommy opens.

6/9: The Mavericks, Thalia Hall

Tex-Mex band The Mavericks have been perhaps at their strongest since their 2010s reunion. 2013′s excellent In Time may be their best album as a whole, while 2015′s Mono (mixed in monophonic sound) appropriately emphasized production over hooks. Last year’s Brand New Day veered a bit towards Americana--just listen to those powered out fuzz riffs behind the Tex-Mex on “Damned (If You Do)”. Even if the new record wasn’t as good as the previous two, it was at least a symptom of a band unwilling to stay put.

6/9: Live from Here with Chris Thile, Ravinia

Chris Thile’s done it all: played with acclaimed bluegrass bands like Nickel Creek and Punch Brothers, won a MacArthur Genius award, and covered Bach on a solo album. Now, he takes over for Garrison Keillor, who was accused of sexual harassment, on Live from Here (formerly A Prairie Home Companion). Special guests tomorrow night include guitarist Parker Millsap (who we just previewed), acoustic instrumentalist band Hawktail, comedian Tom Papa, and duet partner Gaby Moreno.

6/10: Traschan Sinatras, SPACE

Scottish indie pop band Trashcan Sinatras embarked on an acoustic tour last year. Now, they’re on their “One Night, Two Albums” tour, in which they’ll play in full their 1990 debut Cake & 1993 follow-up I've Seen Everything as well as selections from their more recent discography. Their last album was 2016′s Wild Pendulum--but I’d hope for cuts from 2004′s Weightlifting. 

6/10: Simon Joyner, Empty Bottle

Omaha singer-songwriter Simon Joyner is the type to have laid back and made himself a steady presence in the Americana world. Those he’s influenced and collaborated with, like Beck, Conor Oberst, and John Darnielle, have sold more records than he has, but his music remains just as present. Last year’s Step Into The Earthquake followed 2015′s excellent Grass, Branch, & Bone, which we spoke to him about at length in our feature Palpable Pain.

Chicago singer-songwriter Gia Margaret and singer Angela James (joined by Jordan Martins of Quarter Mile Thunder on pedal steel) open.

6/10: Hop Along, Metro Chicago

We caught Hop Along’s intimate, energetic set at House of Vans last year after they had multiple years to iron out the songs from their great Painted Shut album. This time around, they have another excellent album to their name: Bark Your Head Off, Dog, released a couple months ago. In recording the new album, the band spent extra time in the studio, resulting in songs filled with strings, Rhodes, and complex, layered harmonies. The extent to which they’re able to replicate the album live is a selling point for seeing them just as much as lead singer Frances Quinlan’s incredible voice.

Ex Hex-offshot Bat Fangs opens.

6/10: King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Riviera

They did it. It was an ambitious promise, but Australian psych rockers King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard released 5 albums last year (including Murder of the Universe, reviewed on SILY). They were all good, but none as good as 2016′s truly nonstop Nonagon Infinity. Expect them to play from their entire recent discography minus Sketches of Brunswick East, which was released in collaboration with Mild High Club.

Melbourne rockers Amyl & The Sniffers opens.

#live picks #bill frisell trio #old town school of folk music #the black dahlia murder #House of Blues #young widows #subterranean #the world is a beautiful place & i am no longer afraid to die #lincoln hall #chicago blues festival #mavis staples #vieux farka toure #fantastic negrito #tech n9ne #clams casino #east room #liz phair #empty bottle #the mavericks #thalia hall #ribfest chicago #algiers #live from here with chris thile #ravinia #trashcan sinatras #space #simon joyner #hop along #king gizzard & the lizard wizard #riviera

[sorrellab]

𝙴𝚟𝚊𝚕𝚞𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗

My initial thoughts when starting this project were to research designed album covers to gather inspiration and thoughts on what my final album cover could look like. I looked at online images using a combination of Pinterest, Tumblr and Google images taking inspiration from graphical design and fine art ones. When looking through these designs I chose my favourites and added them to a mood board that I could refer back to at a later date as I progressed further through this course. I feel the selection of album covers I have shown different styles and techniques used to create them for example the fine art styles of Billie Ellish and Lorde covers compared against the type design of Ariana Grande and Doja Cat. Once happy with my research and mood board design I continued to do further research into Artists that have designed album covers of their own.

My first artist Kate Gibb has designed album artwork for various artists but has a longstanding relationship with The Chemical Brothers, her designs are very colourful, and I love the composition of the designs. My second artist Matt Maitland worked with artists such as Michael Jackson and Galantis, his designs very fantasy/space inspired using layering and collage is very eye catching and inspiring. Third artist is Roy Lichtenstein using an iconic pop art style of design which is very recognisable, I love his cover for The Fratellis it suits the genre and the band as a whole. Fourth artist is Jimmy Turrel a famous graphic artist and video director. His style of work using a combination collage, screen print and sketching. The bold bright colours really stand out and the tears in the paper from the layering of materials and often repurposes found images and graphics from different eras.

My fifth and final artist I chose to research is Banksy. I chose to look into Banksy because, I like his overall style in his prints and his message in the current climate. He uses his platform to send messages and promote certain subjects his most recent design being in support of the NHS. His use on stencils and spray paint create a eye catching combination, I like his technique used to create the album cover for Blur and his design worn by Stormzy to wear at Glastonbury.

After researching my five artists I decided to uncover more information about The Recycled Orchestra of Cateura a Paraguayan musical group, which my final outcome from this project is intended for. I looked onto their website to learn that the group use instruments entirely made out of garbage and that Cateura is built on top of a landfill site. Favio Chavez the groups creator began using the rubbish to create instruments for the children in the nearby neighbourhoods.  I found this very inspiring and due to the current climate with Global Warming I think it’s a great idea not only to recycle but, doing it in such a creative way. Looking into the band this way I can get a feel of the kind of print I’d like to create that would suit the targeted audience and The Recycled Orchestra as a whole.

Reviewing all my gathered research for this project I was confident enough to start working on some experimental designs and tasks set by my tutor. The first task to create collage design ideas in reference to Jimmy Turrel and his work. Selecting my favourite Stevie Nicks I gathered images from Pinterest to digitality manipulate then print to add to a collage design. Using materials from my home such as train tickets, receipts, newspapers etc I collected and ripped them to create raw edges. I created 3 A3 style pieces using various images and materials combined, my favourite design is the second collage I made just due to the overall composition and images used. I was more confident heading into collaging this piece due to my first design being more trial and error but overall, I liked how the 3 designs turned out. Although using the same techniques as Jimmy Turrel wasn’t enough and I didn’t feel like my designs referenced his enough which is why I did some further development and digitally edited images using Photoshop Camera, my favourite collage to intensify colours and to create similar compositions. Following on from the collage I created some type designs inspired by Jimmy Turrel using the same effect I did on the collage piece.

Looking at logos and type design I researched an artist called Alan Kitching who is one old the world’s most foremost practitioners of letterpress and typographic design and printmaking. I like how bold his designs are and the use of capital lettering in most of his designs, I also like how the type is printed and the background is white. It creates a crisp letter shape which is also eye-catching. I designed three different type design using stamps, ripped paper and washy tape and red acrylic paint which is my favourite print. I spent the most time on my last design and how it references Alan Kitching really well although my design is inverted with the background having colour and my text being white.

My third artist experimentation were logo designs inspired by my chosen artist Banksy. Initially I wanted to reference this artist by using real spray paints and stencil designs then upload what I’d created and then edit further digitally like I have done in previous experiments. Although I would have loved to have done this, the cost and also the space I currently have at home wouldn’t have allowed it. So instead, I used the initial digital logo I designed with spray paint lettering and an application called Painter to add more spray paint and watercolour effect brushes to create my desired effect and I’m happy with the outcome I created. If I had longer on this project, I would’ve love to use spray paint and stencils in real life.

My final experimentation task was to research and reference the artist Andy Welland. A visual artist using bright colours and experimental compositions. To reference his work, I used an app called Adobe Draw to create 3 separate designs. This was definitely my favourite experimentation task I had a lot of fun using this app and the use of colours and a sporadic composition. My favourite design is my second once I created, I feel this because, I became more confident using the app making use of layers, in app shapes and colour themes. If I were to create another design, I’d definitely incorporate image layers to add texture and depth. I enjoyed using the app so much I further developed my Alan Kitching research creating digital designs referencing him.

Looking into different artist styles benefited me within this project as applied some of these experimentations and references into my final outcome the Album Cover. Before creating final, my design dabbled with Canva creating 2 initial designs using my imagery taken at The Kelvingrove Bandstand. My tutor set us a task to gather images throughout the project initially I took photos of items you see every day to reference ‘The beauty in the Mundane’. These initial photos were taken on my daily walks and commutes. Whereas with the Kelvingrove Bandstand I felt related almost too well with the next task referencing words set by my tutor which were chorus, orchestra, piano, music, note, conductor, concert, jazz and loud. Although I took these words to literally, I like how my images turned out with the composition, depth of field and viewpoints from where they were taken.

Having my images, experimentations and experience with Canva I felt confident enough to create my final outcome my Album Cover. Already using my first hand images in 4 initial design already with my final cover, I wanted to create something different but, still use elements from these designs I liked with my final outcome. I liked my images facing the bandstand and of the seating area but, didn’t want to incorporate them as images having done this prior. I decided to print the image and draw over details using fine liner pen then uploaded it into Photoshop Camera to apply the yellow artist effect. Using letter frames on Canva to reference Alan Kitching I added the image to each individual letter to create the type for The Recycled Orchestra. I then added different paper elements and ripped effects to elevate the recycled/rubbish aspect to keep in reference to my intended audience.

Overall, I like both my front and back covers for my album covers. Throughout this project I’ve become more confident in both my analogue and digital designing. My chosen artist was Banksy but, I felt when using his using logo style which my imagery they weren’t very complimentary of each other whereas the type design referencing Alan Kitching I much preferred. I’m glad I looked at my different options and experimentations first as my initial album designs look very different to my final outcome. The overall composition to the design I’m very happy with I feel a little more shadowing around the title would help it stand out more but other than that the colours and different textures applied make all together an eye catching design.

#BM_HNDCPM1

[thing-you-do-with-that-thing]

Summertime

Characters: Y/N (reader), Jensen Ackles, fleeting OCs,

Pairing: Jensen x Reader

Warnings: mention of bullying, implied smut (very very light)     

Word Count: 2200ish

A/N: This is 1 out of my 13 entries for @mamapeterson / @mrs-squirrel-chester’s Album Fanfiction Challenge where I chose the album “Smoke and Mirrors” by Imagine Dragons. The song prompt for this fic is: Summer

I could share some thoughts with you I had pre writing this fic, but I’d rather let you read it and form your own opinions and maybe share my thought process later if any of you should be interested.

Betaed by my sassy sweet lil sis @mysupernaturalfics 

 ***My fics are not to be saved nor posted on any other sites without my express written permission.***

You had been tossing and turning all night long. Usually this day of the year was spent crying your eyes out, knowing that you would hardly see him again until next summer, but this year you had spend it thinking about the life you had and the life you could have.

Jensen Ackles had been your friend and protector all through life. In middle school you were the girl that liked to sit and draw rather than go play sports with your classmates. In high school you prefered to sit alone in the cafeteria in listening to music, sketching in your notebook, while he was the boy that was always surrounded by a huge group of people. He was a popular kid, but not mean because of it.

Actually, you were sure he was the sole reason why you got through your school years without ever really being bullied. Having him wink at you as he passed your table, where you always sat drawing and listening to music, keeping away from the noise that was high school. He stopped and talked to you by your lockers or teamed up with you in the classes you were in together whenever the teacher demanded you to do group work. You weren’t sure if he knew what he was doing, keeping you safe by interacting with you, or if it was simply just who he was.  

It had started the first day of preschool, when you had been crying and wanted to go home. Looking back you realized you hadn’t felt safe in school. All you wanted was for your mom to come back and pick you up. Jensen had sat down next to you and started talking, showing you his toys and you had slowly stopped crying; sniffling as you listened to the boy next to you.

As kids the two of you did everything together even as teenagers. When he played baseball after school, you hung around sitting next to the field, drawing and designing clothes and watching him. As you grew up, you stopped following him everywhere. You were different people and you didn’t want to impose on him. He had his own friends now and you preferred being alone anyway.

Still he had always been there. There hadn’t been a day where you hadn’t exchanged at least a few words and there surely hadn’t been a day where you hadn’t seen him. All of that changed with the end of high school. Jensen left Dallas for LA to pursue his acting career and you got accepted into Savannah College of Arts and Design, putting you on complete opposite sides of the country.

You hadn't realized how dependent you had become of him until the day he left. You had been so destroyed you hadn’t even been able to convince yourself to go to his house for the goodbye party his parents had held for him. Of course Jensen had know you weren’t mad or trying to be rude. He had snuck away from his party and climbed to your bedroom window and knocked like a million times before. You had let him in and Jensen had laid on your bed with you for hours that day, talking about your future. You had promised each other to always return home during the summer and always stay friends.

Jensen had always kept that promise. He had called you a once a week ever since. It helped you more than you thought he ever realized. College was good. You found friends with similar interests and you loved your classes, but you struggled with the change. You liked things to stay the way that they were and college had been a big disruption to your normal routines. Hearing Jensen’s voice every weekend, made your feel at ease. You could always be yourself around him and you knew he would never judge you for anything you said. He knew all of your secrets just like you knew all of his. He was your safety and your best friend.

College ended and you got a job in New York and Jensen now spend the majority of his time in Vancouver for different tv shows, but he never broke his promise. He called you each weekend and every summer you both found a few weeks to return home. It was during these weeks your feeling started to change. He was no longer just your best friend, you had fallen in love with him and having him leave or you leave him were getting harder and harder each passing year.

Finally you quit your job and returned to Texas. You bought your own studio and started designing for your own clothing line. Being in charge was stressful, but it made you feel more at ease. You could be yourself now and not worry what your bosses thought about you.

When you had told Jensen about your plans he had been over the moon. He had told you to go for it and that he knew you would be successful in no time. He was just about the only one who had supported you in your dream of owning your own clothing line. Most people you knew questioned your ability to deal with so many different people a business like this would acquire, but Jensen had supported you from the second you mentioned it to him. His faith in you meant more to you than all of the people doubting you combined. You were still nervous about taking the leap, of course, but his excitement had been so contagious you were able to shove the nerves aside and enjoy the ride. As long as you had him to lean on, you knew you could do this.

As you were lying on your bed tonight, you smiled thinking about his words had given you the final push. After having talked to him you had resigned the next day and a few weeks later you had found yourself in Austin with Jensen by your side, looking at different office buildings and showrooms.

That had been the summer you had turned 26 and it had been the same year Jensen had been offered his first leading role on a TV show. Neither of those things were what you remembered mostly about that summer though. It had been the summer where everything had changed between the two of you. It had been the summer where he had kissed you for the first time.

“I can’t believe I own this place,” you stood in the middle of the room looking around you when you felt his arms sneak around your waist, pulling you back against him. You smiled and rested your head against his shoulder. Everytime he touched you it felt like coming home. He was the only person in the world that could calm you in mere seconds, just by hugging you tightly against his chest.

“You’re not freaking out, are you?” Jensen teased, resting his chin against your head and you couldn’t help but laugh. If you had made the decision on your own, made the buy on your own and if you had been alone right now as it all hit you, yes you would be freaking out. But now with him right here, believing in you like he always did you knew you were doing the right thing. This had always been your dream. You could do this, just like you could do anything else you set your mind to. Something you had finally started to believe in after Jensen had told you a million times in the past.  

“No. Not with my best friend here,” you answered spinning around in his arms, wrapping yours around his neck. “Thank you Jay. I couldn’t have done this without you.”

“Yes you could, Y/N/N. You are. You are doing all of this. I am in Canada more often than not. You’re amazing. I wish you could see that,” Jensen spoke softly, tugging your hair behind your ear, slowly leaning in. Your heart almost stopped as you realized what he was doing, but you didn’t try and stop him. Instead you closed your eyes, enjoying how soft his lips felt against yours. How right it felt when he deepened the kiss. You melted into him completely and his grip around you tightened.

Your head was spinning and you smiled into the kiss, feeling him do the same. First kisses had always been nerve wracking for you in the past, but with Jensen it was different. It felt like the most natural thing in the world even if your heart was racing a million miles per hour. Your accelerated heartbeat wasn’t due to nerves, it was him. You had been in love with him for longer than you cared to admit and now he was in your arms, kissing you and holding you tightly against him. You couldn’t think of a single moment in your life when you had been happier.

You had never talked about the kiss. It has just been added to the things you did when you were together. You talked once a week on skype or the phone. Jensen flew to Austin every summer and sometimes on other breaks from filming. When he visited, you went out, you talked and laughed like always. He stayed at your house in your bed, you kissed and eventually you had sex.

It hadn’t been until this summer, 2 years after your first kiss, Jensen had pushed for something more. He had made it clear how he felt within the first couple weeks of his summer hiatus. He told you he loved you and that he wanted you and him to be more than just summer fling. He hadn’t pushed you or asked you for an answer right then and there, but you knew that your time was up. It was the morning of the day he was leaving, going back to Vancouver to film his series and he wanted you with him. Maybe not this instant but eventually. Uprooting your life was scary, but what scared you even more was to becoming a part of Jensen’s life. A life with press, red carpet events, and fans. It had scared you so much you hadn’t given him an answer all summer, but lying in your bed staring into the ceiling you realized that all of that wasn’t anywhere near as scary as a life without Jensen. You loved him more than anything. He had been your one true constant throughout your life and you weren’t prepared to let your own head get in the way of what the two of you could have together.  

“Hey beautiful,” his thick sleep heavy voice pulled you from the movie of your lives that had been playing in your head. You slowly turned to face him, smiling when your eyes met with his sleepy green ones.

“Yes,” you answered quietly and a confused, rather adorable expression instantly appeared on Jensen’s face.

“Sweetheart, I just woke up. You’ve got to give me a little more than that,” Jensen smiled at you, moved to rest his weight on his elbow gently stroking your hair away from your face.

“I want more too. I can design from anywhere. The showroom can still be here. Nicole and Claire can handle it,” you spoke softly and Jensen’s eyes opened wide, before a huge smile spread across his face.

“You’re sure? I know changes aren’t easy for you and my life is… well a bit chaotic at times. I don’t want you too…” Jensen started rambling, making you smile. You loved how nervous he was. Being nervous was usually your thing with him being the one to calm you.

You reached out to him, running your hand through his hair. “I don’t like changes no, but I’ll be fine. I’ll be with you. I can get through anything as long as I got you,” you spoke truthfully. Your heart skipped a beat when you saw the tears build in his eyes as he leaned down to press his lips against yours. In that moment you knew you had made the right choice. A stray tear rolled down your cheek blending with his. It wasn’t tears of sadness on either of your parts, it was tears of love and happiness. You had never felt more complete and loved that you did in that moment, lying in Jensen’s arms.   

You smiled into his kiss as you realized that you for the first time in your life was excited about the future and the changes to come. You could feel the excitement bubble in your chest, which was new. Usually changes meant chest pains and headaches but not this time. His kiss bore with it a promise of an uncertain future filled with people you didn’t know and millions of ways you needed to adjust at every turn. Still you knew you were going to be okay, better than okay. You were going to be with your best friend and the love of your life. You couldn’t picture a better life than that.

You were going to be with the boy that has always been there for you. You were going to be loved and cared for by the man you had fallen completely and heads over heels in love with. No matter what life could throw and you and Jensen, you would always have each other, and that would be enough.   

Jensen Tag Team

 @mysupernaturalfics @blacktithe7 @percywinchester27 @torn-and-frayed @docharleythegeekqueen @hexparker @deanxfuckingadorablexwinchester @feelmyroarrrr @starswirlblitz @akshi8278 @jpadjackles @crushing83 @flufy07 @quiddy-writes @akshi8278 @sleep-silent-angel @d-s-winchester @fuckyeahfeysand @lenaabs @iamnotsaneatall @jpadjackles @petrovadixon @blanketmadeofstar @arryn-nyxx @winchesters-flannels @mysteriouslyme81 @winchester-writes @ruprecht0420 @tas898 @emilywritesaboutdean @mogaruke @emoryhemsworth @tennesseewhiskey-and-pie @supernatural-jackles @jojo-nz @riakie @anokhi07 @adriellej @michirutenshi @dance4angels @charliebradbury1104 @jayankles @mouselovesmusic @jensenackesl @twistnshoutx @ivvitm1109 @sinbadcat83 @sinbadcat83 @thebunkerismyhome @iwriteaboutdean @winchesterprincessbride @captainradicalpassion @redunicorn10 @brooke-supernatural16 @purgatoan @haleyhay96 @becauseimawinchester @deansbaekaz2y5 @mamapeterson @spn-fan-girl-173 @be-amaziing @sandlee44 @profkmoriarty13 @secretlyfurrydragon @bringmesomepie56 @sonofabitch-spn @gecko9596 @impala-dreamer @jensen-jarpad @deansleather @yoursmilemakesmeloveyou @icequeen1371 @phoenixia67 @chickenmcsade @chaos-and-the-calm67 @brihughes4 @aiaranradnay @angelsdeadromance

#jensen x reader #jensen ackles x reader #jensen fluff #jensen flangst #jensen ackles fluff #jensen ackles flangst #jensen ackles #spn flangst #spn fluff #spn angst #spn imagine #spn fanfiction #spn family #actor fic