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#is this glitter bucket look like popcorn
steveharringtonat3am · 2 months
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Steve Harrington x fem!reader
word count: 1.1k
You had always been a sucker for Valentine’s day. Maybe it was the love in the air, the beautiful pinks and reds that seemed to adorn every surface. You just couldn’t get enough of it. But with all the joy of love everywhere, you couldn’t help but feel a slight ache. You wanted that love with someone. In fact, you already had someone in mind.
“Oh good, you’re here!” Steve welcomes you into his apartment with a grin, taking the bags full of craft supplies from you as you hang your coat up. You were quite familiar with Steve’s apartment as he insisted on hosting weekly movie nights for your friend group.
“So, I went a little crazy in the craft store but you can’t blame me cause well…it was so pink!” You sheepishly smile, but feel no shame.
When Steve had asked you if you wanted to help him make some decor for tomorrow’s movie night, a romcom themed frenzy, you had jumped on the idea. A Valentine’s themed movie night with Steve? You were hooked instantly. Of course being the show-off he is, he needed to go all out. That’s where your crafting skills came in.
“This all looks great! But I have to ask, what exactly are we making?” He unpacks everything methodically, careful to not mess anything up.
“Well, I figured we could make some cute popcorn buckets, some fake movie tickets, and a whole bunch of decorations to make your place a little less…guy.” The comment makes him laugh, shaking his head at you.
“You’re in charge, I’m not very good at the whole Valentine’s thing.” He admits as he sets next to you, watching you set everything up.
“Really? I thought you had a Valentine last year?” You start making a trial movie ticket, sneaking a bite of the crackers and cheese Steve had set out for the two of you.
“Well I did but…she didn’t seem to like what I had planned.” You glance over as he messes around with the bottle of glitter, refusing to look at you.
“I’m sure your plans were wonderful. Maybe you just need someone who…gets you.” You feel heat in your ears as the words slip out your mouth. Your crush on Steve was a closely guarded secret and you weren’t quite ready to let it out just yet.
“Right…so how exactly are we doing this?” He holds the plain popcorn bucket in his hands, turning it over and inspecting it.
“Just do whatever feels right!”
“Alright but if it turns out ugly it’s Dustins’.” He grins at you as you laugh.
You play some music as you work but it’s a comfortable silence between the two of you. Steve had this quality about him that just made you feel so at ease. It was one of the reasons you liked him so much. You could just be yourself with him.
“Steve? Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.” He briefly meets your eyes, gauging how serious of a question this was about to be.
“Do you have any…dreams to get out of Hawkins? Sometimes it’s all I think about.” You had been worried briefly Steve would move away after you both graduated. So when he hadn’t, you had been so relieved you nearly confessed then and there.
“I think about it sometimes. Now that all the craziness has died down…I wouldn’t mind moving to the city someday. But I wouldn’t wanna go by myself.” He smiles softly at you and you return it.
“Yeah, me too.” You keep your eyes laser focused on the glue you’re meticulously applying to the pink cardstock, just a little afraid to look at him.
“What would you do when you got there?” He asks.
“I’m honestly not sure. I’ve always kinda dreamed about opening a cafe.” You share the thought quietly. You hadn’t told many people about the cozy cafe you had always dreamed of running, full of simple pastries and comfortable seating.
“That would really suit you.” He smiles.
You both reach for the pink glitter at the same time, fingertips brushing quickly. The sparks shoot up your arm as you recoil. You were no stranger to touching Steve. He was very affectionate, always bumping your shoulder when he made a dumb joke, brushing your waist whenever he needed to get by you, hand slipping into yours in a crowd. But it still took you by surprise. You offer the glitter to him wordlessly, picking up the red glitter instead.
The urge to confess climbs up your throat and you have to push it down with a sip of your water. You work in silence for the rest of the night, aided by your constant moving around to decorate every corner of his living room.
You both collapse on the couch late into the evening, covered in glue and glitter and exhaustion. His knee brushes yours and you’re suddenly wide awake.
“I think you’re ready for tomorrow.” You note, the room around you covered in pinks and reds and whites.
“Yeah…you think I’ll ever get this glitter out of my hair?” He shakes his head in an attempt to get some of the pink sparkles out, but it’s mostly futile.
“You want the truth?”
“Not at all.” He grins, making you both laugh. It’s not very funny, but you blame the fatigue that has settled in your bones for your current state.
When you finally recover, you both rest your heads on the couch, eyes locking.
“I’m really glad to be spending Valentine’s with you.” He mumbles, hand coming up to gently brush some hair off your face. His thumb lingers, stroking your cheek.
“So am I…” You trail off. Have his lips always looked this appealing? You can’t seem to think straight and the next thing you know, his lips are pressing against yours. You kiss back instinctively, like you’ve been doing it all your life. You sink into him, hands combing into his hair as he cups your face. It’s a thrilling moment, and you almost want to pinch yourself.
When your bodies finally come up for air, you can hardly stop the ear-to-ear grin.
“So…wanna watch a movie?”
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Full spread: 6 Oct. Suptober
Not for the first time, reality stabbed Dean right in the chest like a unkillable homicidal maniac would: he fucking loved Cas.
deancas first kiss, s13-ish au 🎃
"All right, let's see what we've got." Dean clapped his hands together and bounced on his feet. The long, new-to-the-cave coffee table was loaded from end to end. "Salsa and chips, yes. Sour cream and black olives?" He searched around. "Check." They were in a divided bowl shaped like a bat. "Pickle spears, yes, potato chips, yes, pirate booty, yes." He scooted two plates closer together; side by side, they looked like pumpkin spouses. "Little naans and hummus, check. Did I forget the spinach dip?"
Cas unwrapped a bowl that had been covered with foil. "It's here." He brought up a basket of brown cubes from under the table. "Along with this fake pumpernickel." 
Dean helped him make room for both. "Don't let Sam's snobbery rub off on you."
"I do not care about the authenticity of this bread," Cas said solemnly. "It was on sale, though."
"Nice." Dean approved of grocery clearance racks in a big way. "What else?"
From a bag on the saggy couch Cas took out an orange tray of dark purple cupcakes dusted with black glitter. "I don't know what this icing is supposed to signify." 
"It just looks spooky," Dean said, excited at the prospect of freshly baked sugar.
Cas squinted at the cupcakes and at him, but found one last spot on the table for the dessert.
"A full spread." Dean clapped his hands again. "This looks amazing."
"Oh," Cas said, going back to the bag. "I hope it's okay. I also bought plates and napkins. They seemed seasonally appropriate."
"Dude," Dean said, "these are awesome."
He hadn't even thought about plates and napkins. They already owned reusable plates and paper towels, and he was used to making do. He sat on the couch and beheld the glory of the bounty: the napkins were covered in a cackling skull print; in the center of each plate was a fanged mouth dripping cherry-red blood. He fucking loved Halloween.
He looked up at Cas and Cas's halfway worried expression, like he expected to be reprimanded for spending an extra ten bucks outta the bunker budget. Not for the first time, reality stabbed Dean right in the chest like a unkillable homicidal maniac would: he fucking loved Cas.
"They're perfect, honest," Dean said, because saying that other thing out loud was just… No. "Thanks for picking them up."
He reveled in the relief that flooded Cas's face and they spent a long breath gazing at each other, Dean's heart ticking like a murderer's metronome – and then someone knocked on the door frame and Dean nearly fell off the couch.
"Hello, Jody," Cas said, sounding forcibly welcoming. 
Suddenly the cave was full of people. Sam and Donna came in with clanking six-packs of Oktoberfest lager. Jody hefted in a crock-pot of chili so strongly scented Dean just knew it was gonna burn the hair out of his nostrils. She sat the appliance on the edge of the bar, and plugged it in under the neon Chevy sign draped with cobwebs. As if from nothingness, bowls and utensils materialized.
Jack staggered through the door with an enormous bucket of candy and a duffle on his shoulder that appeared to be filled with a toddler-sized bag of popcorn. "Mary said she'd teach me how to make kettle corn," he explained.
"I think you make that with unpopped popcorn, kid," Jody said, helping him divest of the foodstuffs. 
"Maybe she remembers how to make popcorn balls," Dean said, having only the faintest memory of those from his third October. 
"I do," Mary said. She'd appeared with a tray of sandwiches. "We'll work on it at intermission, if you want, Jack." Once the sandwiches were on the bar, she gave Dean a quick hug and moved on to hug Sam. "Thanks for throwing this gathering, by the way."
"Sure." Dean tamped down any bittersweetness about Mary not living at the bunker with them and chose to be content that she'd accepted the invite. He saw Cas standing way over on the other side of the room – so, as many as ten feet away – and went to be nearer. 
In that corner they beheld the crowd chatting and vying to fill plates and finding spots on the couch and in the matching recliners. Sam pushed the tv as far against one wall as possible and the foosball as far back against the other. It would be a tight squeeze for everyone to have a good view of the movie (Dean's choice: Quicksand III: Terror at Pleasant River) but no-one seemed bothered about it. The snacks were already a hit. 
"Aren't you going to eat something?" Cas asked.
"In a sec." Dean leaned back into the corner and was happy when Cas joined him. "Do you mind sitting on the floor?" He crooked a smile at him. "I'll be down there too."
Cas shook his head, his eyes dropping to Dean's mouth in a way that made Dean's stomach flutter. "I don't mind."
Dean's willpower, his shame and pride rolled into one stupid ball, vanished at that exact moment; he kissed Cas soft and quick and Cas, without hesitating, returned the favor. They kept the corner from collapsing and stared at each other in sweet, quiet shock. 
"We all gettin' a smooch or is it just you guys?" Jody called out. She bit into a cupcake and chewed pointedly.
Now all attention was on Dean and Cas. Jack and Mary had stopped mid-chew to watch. Sam's eyebrows were all the way atop his head. Donna was grinning like a jack o'lantern. Jody kept eating her cupcake with an expectant air.
"Show's over," Dean told everyone sternly. But he softened the effect by threading his fingers through Cas's.
"Happy Halloween," Cas said, just loudly enough for Dean to hear, and yeah, Dean thought, it really was.
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butmakeitgayblog · 6 months
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Did AWTR clexa ever go to a pumpkin patch and pick out pumpkins to carve into jack-o'-lanterns? Would they have been the type to give out candy to trick-or-treaters?
Oh yeah, that was one of Lexa's bucket list items 😌 about a month after their honeymoon they drove up and down the coast just to watch fall burst into bloom. They visited apple orchards to bring Gus back as many crates of their own handpicked apples as they could fit in the trunk of Clarke's shitty Honda to make treats and stuff for the shop (and also them, they swiped from the display case constantly). They went to pumpkin patches and loaded up their backseat with all different kinds and colors of gourds and pumpkins to carve up into interesting and crazy jack o lanterns, and haul out little trinkets/decorations they found from kitsch shops along the way. Enough to decorate the house, Abby's house, and the shop as well, to the point it looked like Halloween had thrown up all over everything that would stand still.
Clarke and Gus handle carving the bigger pumpkins while Lexa takes up a very authoritarian reign over the smaller gourds. Dozens of tiny jack o lanterns and cat silhouettes and wonky faced carvings lit up with inner tea lights peppering throughout the larger pumpkin displays. Just to add a little flare.
Lexa is the most excited to hand out candy because that's what she's always done since she was 8 years old. She never really cared much for trick or treating, not after her mom got sick. But getting dressed up anyway and stuffing herself with popcorn and candy while watching scary movies? Handing out candy and seeing everyone's costumes? Decorating the whole house with spooky stuff and pumpkins and cobwebs and little bats and candles????
Perfect. Day.
They go as Peter Pan and a very, very questionably appropriate Wendy. Lexa prancing around in her green skin tight tights and little hat slightly askew on her wild curls, brandishing her plastic sword and a playful grin to all the neighborhood kids who stop by. Which is helpful and a distraction from Clarke who settled on a wildly loose interpretation of Wendy, donning a rather short, tight white nighty in lieu of a nightgown, complete with a generous dusting of "pixie dust" (body glitter nicked from Lexa's secret stash of costume makeup via her high school performing days of the past).
She earns more than a few looks from the parents trailing behind...
Mostly though they spend the early evening just sitting on the porch swing out front, sneaking candy from the stash and getting pleasantly tipsy on Gus's homemade hard apple cider. After curfew they retire into pjs and the livingroom couch, snuggled up and crashing from the chocolate, alcohol, and sugar high of before, sensibly cutting the decadence with a mountain of popcorn that they share with Gus while listening to him complain about the sheer amount of blood, guts, and gore on the screen 🎃👻
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monty-glasses-roxy · 2 years
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Quick! Talk about Freddy like he’s your favorite!
Oh boy um
He has so much potential!! I look at him and turgle him because he's got so much he can be and so much he can do!!!
He's a bean! Bear shaped! He deserves to roar and no one can tell me otherwise. He has a little chewing stim but it's very much geared towards wood so sometimes he'll just show up after Monty or Roxy have wrecked a place like "Hey did you break the good stuff?" and they give him any wooden stuff they found.
He wants to change his look so bad but he's the mascot he's not allowed to do that. Has definitely lent Roxy and Chica his top hat and tie before in trade for spiked collars and bows. He's got an old fashioned sense of fashion and this both amuses and infuriates Bonnie.
While he doesn't often have the braincell, he's not typically the one causing chaos. He will sit and watch with a bucket of popcorn, warning the others about what they're doing and advising against it but not actively stopping them. He helps them clean up after whatever catastrophe they caused this time though.
This bear is the Poker Master. He's so good at poker. He's a secret gambler and will bet on any game they're playing because he feels it adds a level of risk to things that he enjoys and it's not like he has much to lose but a couple of bottle caps and his time. Seriously, don't challenge this guy at poker. He is too good.
He loves space! He may not get up to trouble but he broke the lock on the doors to the roof so he could see the stars. He and the others can sit up there for hours, just talking and chilling. He knows so much about space, he rattles off facts about planets and solar systems at the drop of a hat and will gladly infodump for hours and hours on end. The others like to set him off talking about it because he's pretty quiet until he's on that particular subject. Fazbear Ent did a space event once and they had pictures of the planets on artwork and Freddy got so mad that they got the colour of Neptune slightly too green and after a few days of glaring at it he caved. He went and asked Roxy and/or Foxy to fix it and gave them the exact hexcode Neptune should be and they spent the whole night working to get it just right for him. He had a permanent smile for the rest of the event.
He loves those glitter gel pens because when he writes with them it looks like he's writing with little tiny stars. He frequently joins Sunny for craft times and what not and likes betting on how long it'll take before Roxy and Bonnie start loudly singing along to a song as they dance at a party. He absolutely thought they were a thing for a while and that's saying something because in terms of romance? This guy is dense as bricks. Flirts fly over his head and he doesn't get many of the rude jokes the others say.
If Freddy and the others can eat? He loves making ice cream and he brings them to everyone based on how bad he thinks the day has been. He knows everyone's favourite flavours and toppings and has a dragons hoard of sprinkles in his room somewhere that he busts out on particularly bad days and special occasions.
He's very prone to the Floor Mood. The mood in which you lie on the floor to solve your problems and stare listlessly up at the ceiling. He's not much of a leader, often taking a backseat except when in his element but even then, it's a very flat team structure. He's not great at asking for help and it can take him weeks to go to Roxy about a technical problem he's experiencing unless she notices first. Has probably done that thing where they exaggerate their problem slightly so that its more noticeable just so he doesn't have to ask himself. He does this in moderation though and only when he's having a real tough time asking.
He's a bit clumsy and if he ever wants somethig he can't access himself for whatever reason, he will come up with some of the most bizarre solutions you've ever seen but still work. It's truly baffling sometimes how he comes up with this stuff sometimes.
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clapperboardtalk · 2 months
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MINDWARP (1992)
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Mindwarp (1992): Buckle Up for a B-Movie Bonanza!
• Title: Mindwarp
• Year: 1992
• Genre: Sci-Fi/Horror/Psychedelic Mindtrip
• Country: USA (with a heavy dose of DIY ingenuity)
Plot Twist: Imagine a world where everyone chills in a blissful VR utopia, except Judy. Yeah, she's allergic to fake happiness and prefers the post-apocalyptic wasteland outside. Think "The Matrix" took a wrong turn at "Mad Max" and ended up in a B-movie fever dream.
Genre Blender Gone Wild: This film throws genres at the wall like a toddler with a paintbrush. Sci-fi? Check. Cyberpunk? You bet. Gore galore? Oh, honey, you haven't seen anything yet. It's a beautiful mess, like a glitter bomb exploded in a comic book store.
Acting: B-Movie All-Stars: Let's be honest, the Oscars ain't calling these thespians anytime soon. But hey, they bring the camp with enough enthusiasm to power a small village. Plus, Bruce Campbell shows up, reminding us that even B-movies deserve cult heroes.
Visuals: Practical Effects Paradise: Forget fancy CGI, this film is all about good old-fashioned practical effects. Think rubber monsters that would make your grandma faint, buckets of ooze that would impress a toxic waste dump, and costumes that scream "made from my neighbor's curtains." It's charmingly low-budget, like a high school play on acid.
Sound and Fury: The soundtrack is a synthwave assault on your eardrums, perfectly capturing the film's gloriously cheesy sci-fi atmosphere. The sound effects are, well, let's just say you'll know exactly when someone meets their splattery demise. Think Gallagher watermelon-smashing level of impact.
Themes: Don't Trust the System (or Your Brain): Deep down, Mindwarp is more than just gore and giggles. It explores themes of individuality, rebellion against the status quo, and the dark side of technology. Think "1984" meets "Total Recall," but with a B-movie twist. Just don't overthink it – the fun is in the absurdity.
My Verdict: A Cult Classic in the Making: 2 out of 5 star. Mindwarp isn't your typical Hollywood blockbuster. It's a love letter to B-movies, a testament to practical effects, and a hilarious reminder that sometimes, the most fun comes from films that don't take themselves too seriously. So grab some popcorn, dim the lights, and prepare for a wild ride. Just remember, this ain't your grandma's sci-fi – it's a VHS treasure from the bargain bin of brilliance.
General Reception: Critics Shriek, Fans Rejoice: The suits in ivory towers weren't exactly thrilled with Mindwarp, but who needs them when you have cult followings? Over the years, it's gained a loyal fanbase of B-movie aficionados and sci-fi fiends who appreciate its unique blend of cheese, gore, and heart.
Budget vs. Box Office: Made for the price of a used car (and probably some duct tape), Mindwarp never graced the silver screen. But thanks to the magic of VHS and the power of the internet, it's probably earned its creators several lifetimes' worth of pizza and rubber monster parts.
Trivial Tidbit: The film was originally titled "Brain Slasher" and featured an ending so graphic, it would make Freddy Krueger blush. Thankfully, they toned it down for the faint of heart (and MPAA ratings).
So, if you're looking for a polished, high-brow sci-fi experience, head elsewhere. But if you're craving a B-movie adventure overflowing with laughs, gore, and enough cheese to fuel a nacho bar, then Mindwarp is your cinematic soulmate. Just remember, buckle up, hold onto your brain, and embrace the glorious absurdity. You might just have the best bad time of your life.
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tobimilobi · 4 years
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2h drawing animation for about 5 seconds of movement... Welp, that’s my life now xD
Still not done, but wait for it ;)
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threelionsgirl · 2 years
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you calling love ben or baby for the first time and when you notice you feel your face heat up and he is all happy showering you with kisses and hugs
obrigada triz lenda 💘
my love | ben chilwell
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warnings: loving!chilly, rainbow and glitter like a fluff ><
notes: FINALLY SOME CHILWELL's CONTENT!!! te amo isa <3
word count: 510
masterlist | requests are closed!
Rainy days were horrible for going out. You knew you weren't made of sugar, but you hated getting wet with rain water, so you suggested to Ben that you should do something at home that day. You decided to stay in his and have a Marvel movie marathon.
It was already dark, and you were on the couch, wrapped in the blanket, while Ben was in the kitchen making popcorn. It was cold enough that you couldn't enjoy each other, and you were already missing him there on the couch.
"Y/N do you want butter on your popcorn?" Ben shouted from the kitchen, and you looked to the right. The spaces were open, so you could see and hear him well.
You had only been going out for a few weeks, but you already felt so comfortable around him, at his house, with his friends, everything was so natural that you didn't realize the answer until you had already said it:
"No, love, thank you."
The blood rose to your face, and you felt your cheeks flush when you looked to your right and saw Ben standing there holding the bowl of popcorn and looking at you. It was the first time you had ever called him that, and it had definitely made you a little uncomfortable, especially with the way his blue eyes were staring at you.
"What did you call me?" he approached, and you tried to hide your face with a pillow. Maybe it was too soon to use that word.
"Nothing." You tried to deflect, hoping Ben hadn't heard right and would let it go, but he heard more than well, he just wanted to make you say it again. He left the bucket of popcorn on the coffee table and pulled you close. You had no idea how happy he was to hear that.
"You called me 'love'." He spoke, pulling the pillow out of your hands and making you look at him. Ben looked very cute with his hair on his forehead and that sparkle in his eyes.
"If you already know, why are you asking?" You frowned.
"Why are you dodging? I am not your love?" You caught on as his mouth pronounced the word love, and he pulled you toward him, just enough for you to rest your head on his chest. You lifted your face to look at him with an arched eyebrow:
"I don't know, are you?"
"Yes, I am!" He exclaimed, pulling you up so that you lay on the couch, your body underneath his as he kissed your cheeks and your collarbone. You started to laugh as his hands moved down to your belly, tickling you for a while. This went on for a while, and before you could ask him to stop because you were running out of air, he stopped.
Ben's face rested on the curve of your neck, and you ran your hands through his hair, smelling the scent of his shampoo. He lifted his head and looked at you, "And you are mine."
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Pregnancy Test Roulette // Charlie Gillespie
Summary: As a college student living with your three best friends is the best and even better when they get along with your long-term boyfriend. However, one of your best friends decides to film a video inspired by another tiktok video. You just had to jinx yourself.
Warnings: Swearing, unplanned pregnancy, allusion to abortion (doesn’t use the actual word), college, and reader has a gender-neutral roommate and best friend named Lu.
Words: 2.4k
A/N: This inspired by a video I watched of someone announcing her pregnancy by taking a test with her friends. They each took one and put in a box to shake and hell exploded with the positive, the actual person was aware before the pregnancy roulette
Masterlist
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They say your ’20s are your best years and maybe that comes from being able to bounce back from a night out with your friends. A night that turned your memory into episodic moments you could recall and others you had to guess about. Maybe it’s because you’re in the years where you aren’t under lock and key with your parents but not at the point where you’re expected to have a marriage, kids and mortgage.
It was the sweet spot in life. Now you didn’t drink as much as you did your first year, but you did enjoy the odd glass of wine occasionally—a beer with your older brother or a shot with your best friend. But more often than not you were in bliss nestled into your boyfriend’s side watching an old movie with a bucket of popcorn you had argued over who would make. However, Charlie was in Vancouver filming for Julie and the Phantoms leaving you in your house for the upcoming season. The home you shared with your three college friends to save money but not be stifled in dorms.
“I have an idea!” Sophie spoke, sliding into the living room in her thick socks with duckies on them. Her sudden appearance received both Alice and your attention from the movie Bad Moms playing.
Sophie’s recently dyed blue hair concealing her face from you as she flipped the long strands from her hair. Her bright brown eyes glittering with the same happiness that typically exuded from her.
“What’s this idea?”
“Where’s Lu?” Sophie inquired scanning for them in the room, “Did they have a date?”
“Nah, I’m right here Phee,” Lu announced their presence from the kitchen island going over work emails.
Sophie quickly dragged them from the counter to Alice and you on the couch with a box in her hands. Everyone in the room shared a look as the blue-haired girl went into one of her tangents that could continue indefinitely.
“Phee, calm down. What do you want to do?” Lu questioned whereas Alice had leaned forward to grab a look at the box.
“I think the best question is: what does it have to do with the box of pregnancy tests in your hand?” Alice asked flicking her ocean blue eyes at the girl sheepishly looking at the group, “Do you think you’re pregnant?”
“What! No! I thought it would be hilarious to take a test each and put in the box.” Sophie replied, pursing her lips together with a pleading look in her eyes, “Plus I wanna know how you do it…?”
You sighed with a shake of your head, “You saw this on Tiktok. We’re all damn careful at preventative measures. There’s no harm in taking the test. Hand one over.”
Sophie was quick to hand you a test along with the rest of the group before splitting off to the attached bathroom to your master suite room. You hadn’t even fought for the room when you moved in your sophomore year of college. Lu had been quick to announce that as the only one in a relationship Charlie would be over and they didn’t want a show.
The instructions were straight forward enough you had capped the test brought it the hallway to drop in the box held by Sophie. The camera catching everyone as they did so. Lu followed with their test followed by Alice, and you wandered back to your seat in the living room.
“Is there a reason you made us pee on sticks?” You inquired grabbing one of the decorative pillows Alice had bought. It was mostly Alice’s touch that brought the living room together with her minor in interior design.
“I thought it would be fun.” Sophie simply shrugged joining Lu on their couch, leaving Alice back in her seat.
The movie still paused as per Sophie’s request, so no one forgot about the tests waiting to be revealed. You had no clue why it mattered to not forget about them, as you had said before. Everyone had a pact to keep up on contraceptive, hell there’s a box near the hallway filled with condoms. Everyone just added a few to the box if it was lower than twenty squares.
“Okay.” Lu trailed off, clicking their fingers on the phone in their hands. Their attention is easily taken away from the game Sophie wanted.
Sophie was always jumping on trends on Tiktok, a few even before they became real trends, so this wasn’t anything new. Sophie even had a few viral videos on the app that sometimes took all her attention for a few hours. That being said, you weren’t overly scared about the outcome.
“Ooh, Charamader is calling.” Lu snorted leaning overseeing the cheesy photo of Charlie kissing your cheek. His contact photo in your phone had been taken by Luk as well.
“One moment.” You told Sophie with her wide eyes pointedly staring at the box on the coffee table littered with magazines, “It will be a second!”
Sophie waved you off to the kitchen where you clicked on the green button.
“Hey!” Charlie beamed from the kitchen on the apartment he shared with Owen during filming. His wide eyes crinkled by the grin he wore, “What’s new? How was that exam?”
“I think I did a lot better than I had expected.” You admitted to the Canadian guy brushing the hair away from his face. He had to recut to Luke’s style when filming for the new season happened.
“I told you!” Charlie cheered, flipping his gaze from his phone to the pan he was carefully inspecting, “How lucky am I? My girl is going to graduate with a fancy degree! I’ll be front row when it happens.” 
“Just as I will be right there when you win an Oscar.” You teased your boyfriend as Sophie loudly counted down from the living room. Charlie’s attention was drawn to the trio of your best friends waiting.
“Did I pull you away from something?” Charlie’s brown brows furrowed as he mentally went over the plans you had informed him of.
There wasn’t a single plan he remembered so he relaxed marginally when the fear of missing something faded.
“Sophie’s made us do this video for TikTok. We’re halfway through-“
“Hey Charlie, she’ll call you back. We had pregnancy tests to check!” Sophie interrupted ending the video call with your boyfriend.
Both Charlie and you frantically talking as Sophie ended the call with that bomb and not clarifying further on it. To take it further, the blue-haired beauty pocketed your phone as well to avoid her video being interrupted.
You had no doubt the Canadian actor was freaking the fuck out that you were taking a pregnancy test. If he was spamming your phone, Sophie wasn’t reacting to the vibrating other than to aggressively point over to the couch.
“Just text him,” Sophie grumbled throwing your phone back at you when the line formed between her eyebrows. The frustration of Charlie overcoming her excitement for the video.
“PREGNANCY TEST?” Charlie screamed as soon as you accepted his phone call, “Am I missing something?”
“Sophie wanted to do a video of Alice, Lu, her and I took one. We’re good.” You soothed the ruffled feathers of the male who released a gasp.
“Sophie, you gave me a heart attack. Holy shit, I just about knocked Owen unconscious.” The man in question was speaking, but you couldn’t hear the words he spoke, “What! I thought my girl needed me!”
“I’m Charlie but I won’t if I don’t end the call-“
“We can mute the call.” Charlie interrupted dancing on the balls of his feet with anticipation in his blood even if you had denied being pregnant, “This sounds like-”
“Nice try Gillespie. Y/N will call tomorrow, it’s roomie night.” Lu spoke before ending the call for you just like Sophie had, “AS much as I like the dude, this is getting interesting.”
You simply shared a look with Alice as Sophie expertly stationed the camera to get everyone, Alice was the one to shake the box again. Each of you was given a test to hold with snickers falling from lips. Lu’s hand ran through the recently chopped hair while Alice repositioned her body on the floor.
“Okay…one, two, three.” Sophie calmly spoke before flipping her test around. Everyone followed suit.
“Negative.” You informed the group. Lu was quick to announce the negative in her hand.
Sophie simply shook her head before everyone turned to Alice, “Alice?”
 The brunette pixie-haired girl stared at the test before she lunged for the box, “What’s a positive?”
“Why-“
“The test is positive!” Alice snapped shakily reading the instructions as she gripped the test in her hand. Her lips mouthed the words she read with a speed that greatly impressed you.
Everyone was huddled around her after Sophie had ended the video in pure shock, reading the test that very much said positive. Your lips parted in stunned silence sitting back on your heels just as Sophie did.
“Who’s test is it?!” Sophie exclaimed roughly running her hand over her face, “Holy shit.”
“Not mine.” Lu informed the group with a nervous smile on their face, “The last person I was with was Susan from Statistics.”
That left three people.
“Eliminate the options.” You breathed looking at Alice, “Wasn’t the last guy you were with a few weeks ago? Jas or something from-“
“Jasper from my Mythology course, but that was like four months ago! I’ve been swamped with classes and work.” Alice spoke with a small smile, “He was terrific. I should see if he’d like to grab a- “
“Not the time Alice!” Sophie screeched frantically looking around the room, “Oh my god, what about you?”
Sophie’s eyes came down on you with a pleading look in her eyes at this very sudden twist on her once innocent game. Your mind went over the last few months, but you were blanking at every opportunity.
“I can’t. Shit. I need to call Charlie.” You grumbled tapping the screen of the phone, “Alice, can you go grab a box of tests from the store? We used all of them.”
“-grab as many as possible!” Sophie cried, shaking in her slippers and cosy clothing. This was not how she had expected the night to go.
“I thought it was roomie night.” Charlie spoke as soon as the phone connected, “Something wrong?”
“When was the last night we had sex?” You inquired, leaving the man in Canada to choke on his beer.
In Vancouver sharing a beer with Owen with a film that had interested the pair playing Charlie hadn’t expected your call. Owen barely blinked at the interruption when the movie was fascinating, but he did turn when he heard Charlie choke.
“W-what?” Charlie coughed wiping his chin with the back of his hand, “Is this some weird part of a card game-“
“Charlie, when was the last time we had-“
“Jesus, I stayed the night before we left for the airport two months ago? We had a quickie in the bathroom at the airport as well.” Charlie scrunched his face recalling the lack of time he had been physical with you. His face turning red with Owen’s full attention on the flustered Canadian actor.
“Everything good?” Owen asked his best friend but only received a wave off.
“You sound scared. Is everything okay?” Charlie now demanded while your lips parted to ask if it was possible the condoms you used broke. The frantic breathing of Alice interrupted you, however.
Your e/c eyes found the pixie-haired girl leaned over, catching her breath with the box in her hands. Without thinking, your phone fell from your fingers as you lunged to the box with three tests. Alice had thought ahead and bought a box each for you and Sophie.
“Sophie’s waiting in the living room. Lu’s got her.” Alice softly told you both deaf to the two males on the phone, “I’ll be right here.”
“Thank you, Alice.” You choked marching into the bathroom, “If it’s me…I-“
 “If you’re the one pregnant, then this baby will be blessed if you decide to continue the pregnancy. If you don’t, I’m right here for you. If you’re not pregnant, we can do a couple shots.” Alice squeezed your hands unintentionally, sending Charlie into a frantic moment once more.
Your feet stopped suddenly remembering you hadn’t hung up the phone with Charlie, “Fuck.”
Alice, already reading the situation, tossed your phone to you with a smile as she sat on your bed. With a thankful one sent back, you entered the bathroom with your thumb, clicking the FaceTime button.
“This is the second time!” Charlie exclaimed scanning the background for one of your roommates, “I thought you weren’t pregnant!”
“So did I! Until one of four tests turned out positive, and now I have three more tests I need to pee on!” You exclaimed, “I jinxed us! I literally said how all of us are so good keeping up with preventative measures!”
“Apparently not as well.” Owen spoke, shoving his head over Charlie’s shoulder to see you with his kind smile, “Can you take three slow but deep breaths for me?”
With a few words coaching your breathing, you calmed down enough to mute the call and turn the phone to the ceiling for your privacy. Once the toilet was flushed, tests capped waiting on the counter, and your hands washed, you turned back to the call.
“What’re we gonna do Char?” You sobbed with a deep ache to be in his arms just as he felt the same, “We don’t live together! How can we do this!”
As Owen had led you through the calming breathing, Charlie had dug deep to calm down eternally for you. He found clarity even in the storm of being terrified and somewhat guilty, which he knew was misplaced.
“If you’re pregnant I’ll be there for you. No matter what, I will be there for you. If we keep the baby, we will rock parenting. We have friends and our family.” Charlie soothed you with his pretty hazel eyes glittering at you, “We’ve been together since we were eighteen. We’ve talked about marriage and kids.”
“Should I le-“
“You can stay.” You softly told Owen who squeezed Charlie’s shoulder while you sat in silence with Alice quietly sitting by your side.
Alice’s hand grabbed yours in comfort and support, waiting for the minutes to end and when they did you cried.
Separated in different countries you and Charlie took in the news that there was, in fact, a child on the way. Charlie’s lips parted in glee as he easily read the excitement in your facial expressions amid the fear.
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mrs-han · 3 years
Text
Flinch
The evening started innocently enough - your cold toes pressed against Jumin's warm calves as you both snuggled to an evening of K-dramas. He would occasionally lean over and peck your lips or neck; his fingers would even traverse down your arm in short, simple strokes. He would make a corny joke about how the protagonist's clumsiness was similar to your own, while you would make a playfully snide remark about her love interest being as stoic as Jumin. 
You ate popcorn and nursed a glass of wine while Jumin successfully ordered a bucket of chicken from KFC. It took more time than he wanted to admit, but Jumin had successfully convinced you to take a break from your strenuous workout regiment, just for tonight. He encouraged other means of working out extra calories... if you were up for the task. 
But that would come later in the evening. You were invested in the present moment. You were relaxed and calm - at least there was nothing that could spike your anxiety or trigger another depressive episode. 
"Mm," Jumin grunted, moving to stand up. "Could you pause it?"
"Potty break?" You asked, popcorn in your mouth.
Jumin nodded meekly before stepping over you. Pausing the streaming network, you leaned your head back, observing the glittering chandelier and mindlessly tracing its features with your finger. "Jumin!" 
"Yes, love?" He called from the bathroom.
"On your way back, can you bring more pillows?!" 
"Yes, dear," Jumin replied before nudging the door closed with his foot. 
You closed your eyes. "Jumin!" 
"Yes, dear!" 
"I want milkshakes!" 
"Aren't you lactose intolerant, dearest?!"
"I! Want! Milkshakes!" 
"All right, give me... three minutes, dear!" 
You pouted. "Jumin!" 
"... Are you purposely trying to vex me, MC?"
You opened your eyes and saw your husband towering over you, two pillows in his hands. Giggling, you pulled your blanket over your nose as Jumin set one of the cushions down. "That wasn't my initial intention!" 
He smiled sinisterly. "You nonsensical little vixen."
You opened your mouth to invite him to sit next to you, eager to cuddle with him again... but out of the corner of your eye, you noticed Jumin raising the pillow.
And you flinched. 
Fists balled and your teeth biting harshly on the inside of your lower lip, you waited for any impact on your head or back. 
"Darling?"
Your husband's sympathetic yet broken voice made your eyes shoot open. Jumin stared at you, his eyes a darker shade of gray - like tears were ready to spill. You lowered your fists and tried to stop shaking; Jumin cupped them and kissed them reverently.
"I - I'm sorry about that," you stammered, forcing a laugh. "It's just... there's this..."
"You don't have to explain anything," Jumin spoke firmly, his eyes burning an abyss into your soul. "Come on. Come here."
You released the breath you had been holding and looked at Jumin. "I know you weren't going to... you know."
Jumin pulled your head to his chest and soothed your cheek. "I understand. But that means someone has done this to you, doesn't it."
You hugged his waist. "... Yeah. Yeah, someone has."
His warm, tender palms cupped your cheeks, and he eyed you before placing tiny kisses over your cheeks, your chin, your forehead, and brows. Grinning stupidly, you closed your eyes. "What are you doing, Jumi?”
"I am erasing all traces of anyone in the past having laid their wretched hands upon you," Jumin hummed, his lips pecking your chin. 
Absorbing his words, you took a sharp inhale and bit your lip to keep from crying. 
"You are allowed to cry if that is what you need," he whispered, lifting his head and nuzzling your forehead with his nose. "My lips will capture your tears, too."
You held onto his wrists. 
"I will never allow anyone to ever hurt you that way again. It is my honor to protect you, my dear one... oh, my love." 
"Stop, you're going to make me cry!" You hollered, this time with a genuine giggle. 
"I did say crying was okay," Jumin beamed, his thumbs stroking your ears. 
"In time... I'd like to tell you about what happened... regarding... that. You've been vulnerable with me. It's time I return the favor," you nodded. 
"About time," Jumin mumbled under his breath.
"Excuse you?"
"Whenever you are ready, dear. I have more patience than you are aware of."
"... Thank you, Jumin. For now, why don't we go back to watching the show?"
"What a splendid idea," he cooed, pressing more kisses to your face. "But first and foremost. Are you all right?"
"I am because of you," you blushed, rubbing your cheeks against his palms. "... Jumin?"
"Mm?"
"... Did you wash your hands after you used the bathroom."
"... What a rude question," Jumin stated boldly before rubbing his hands on your face. 
"Ah! No, not your poopy hands!" You laughed, squirming against him.
"Too late, you are contaminated now," Jumin laughed, making it difficult for you to escape.
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mental-dilemma · 3 years
Text
DATPT part 5
The boys have a conversation with Bruce before all hell breaks loose. 
we're gonna ignore the fact I haven't posted in months, for compensation can I give you an extra-long chapter? BTW yes I did finish editing this during class, I'm also not great with pranking siblings, and since this was the way to tell them bout Marinette/Ladybug I ran with it.
Read from the beginning:
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“Ok, Damian, have fun.” Dick turned to his brothers. “Well, boys it looks like we’ll have the apartment to ourselves Damian’s staying with Marinette tonight.”
“And you're ok with that?!” Jason asked, shocked Dick would let their youngest brother stay over with his girlfriend.
“Oh don’t give me that they’re both eighteen now and something tells me Marinette’s parents will keep more than one eye on them. So what do you guys want to do tonight.” The three brothers had decided that this trip to Paris would also be family time, especially considering how they didn’t really get any of that during the year.
“Movie?” Tim asked.
“Which one.” Jason was not watching another
“How bout this one?” Tim picked up the box that Damian had left sitting out on the coffee table earlier that morning. Jason plucked it from Tim’s hands and began reading the title. “Night of the living statue. Are you sure this doesn’t even seem scary?”
“I mean there’s always the crowbar wielding clown we could watch.”
“Oh yeah, that one got burned a while ago.”
“Fair enough.”
“So Night of the living statue it is,” Dick said, already making the popcorn.
------------------
“No don’t go into the basement, oh come on!” Jason was yelling at the screen.
“Jason you know they can’t hear you right?” Tim said rolling his eyes, which were illuminated by the laptop screen sitting in front of him.
“I don’t care Replacement the fact they’re doing it goes against every bit of common sense, it just doesn’t make, well--”
“Sense?” Dick supplied walking back into the room with the third popcorn bucket of the evening.
“Exactly I just don’t get it!” Jason held out his hands and made a grabbing motion for the bucket Dick easily sidestepped him and plopped down between the two.
“Ok, Tim popcorns back computers off.” He said as he finished getting settled.
“But I’m almost in, five more minutes and we get authentic Wayne manor security footage, and that’s better than any movie.
“Rules are rules replacement you agreed to the trade so you have to deal with it,” Jason said munching on popcorn.
“He’s right, and anyway if you keep going at it we’re gonna get a call from Al-” Right on cue, the video call screen popped up on Tim’s computer. He groaned before hitting accept.
“Hey, Alf good to see ya ol’ buddy ol’ pal! How’s the good ol’ USofA?” He said in an overly perky voice.
“Master Drake if I might request you stop attempting to hack onto the Batcave system it would be much appreciated.” Alfred’s voice rang over the call.
“Just hacking into security footage, huh?” Dick said glaring at Tim, Paris was a no hero weekend and Tim just broke that.
“I uh… I’m gonna go.” He said ending the call, moving quickly he closed his laptop grabbed a handful of popcorn, bolted over the couch to the room he was staying in, and closed the door.  
“Well, that’s the last we’ll be seeing of him tonight,” Dick said moving to grab his phone. He opened up Alfred’s contact at called him back. “Sorry, Alfred he’s just itching to get a case. He’s gotten really bored seeing Paris like a normal person, well as normal as you can get given we’re Waynes.”
“Don’t worry about it I have one of those as well.” He panned his camera over to where Bruce was sitting cowl down at the computer in the Batcave. Dick and Jason both gave a small laugh.
“How is he doing?” Dick asked.
“Oh same as usual, sulking during the night, acting like a complete buffon during the day.” Jason laughed, Dick heard Bruce mutter through the phone, and Alfred brought the camera over to Bruce.
“Hey, Bruce how ya doing?” Dick asked innocently.
“How am I doing? Let’s see Richard, my sons hijacked the plane to go to Paris on a whim with no planning whatsoever, I got a call from Damian’s school that he was absent today. I'm also dealing with a very angry Italian ambassador, oh and with all the girls out on other missions I’m dealing with the entirety of Gotham and WE by myself for who knows how long. How do you think I feel?” The bags under Bruce’s eyes were more pronounced than usual as he berated his two older sons for a few more minutes, “now do you two have a reasonable explanation, or am I going to be feeding your asses to Harley Quinn for therapy sessions this week.”
“Damian has a girlfriend,” Dick said smoothly, Alfred and Bruce both paused, looked at each other, and burst out laughing.
“Please Dick if you’re gonna come up with an excuse at least make it a plausible one,” Bruce said while Alfred was attempting to compose himself in the background.
“I’m telling the truth, her name is Marinette Dupain-Cheng. She’s in his class and apparently, they’ve been dating for the last few months.”
“I’m going to search her up and if you’re lying to me it’s three therapy sessions with Quinn.” Dick shivered remembering the last time that happened, He had been suspended over a shark tank until he admitted he needed to start putting himself first. Bruce typed a few things on the computer and let out a sharp whistle. “Well, I’ll be damned.”
“See I told you,” Dick said smugly.
“That doesn’t change the fact that---” Bruce was cut off as they heard a scream come from Tim’s room.
“Sorry, Bruce gotta go check that out. Call you later.” Dick ended the video
following Jason to Tim’s room where they saw him sitting over his computer furiously banging on the keyboard.
“Woah Woah replacement if you keep that up then there won’t be any computer left to type with.”
“I don’t care! Someone cut the power and I was in the middle of checking Parisian crime records.
“Don’t freak out,” Dick said calmly, “I’ll go check the fuse box, you and Jason can go check the router. Ok?”
“Ok,” Tim said taking a breath. He put his computer aside and walked out of the room with Jason following him. Dick tried to call Damian to find out where the fuse box was, but for some reason couldn’t get a signal inside the apartment. He walked out onto the balcony waving his phone up wildly seeing if a bar would show up. He sighed as he brought his phone down. Nothing. As he turned to go back inside he felt a small pinch on his neck he moved to swat at it and he felt nothing. As he stepped forwards his eyelids began drooping, he stumbled and reached for the railing. He missed and before he slipped into unconsciousness he felt the bite of cold cement against his arms.
---------------------------------------
When Dick woke up the sun was streaming through the living room window. He felt a weight on his stomach and when he stretched his neck up he saw Jason was lying on him, with Tim lying on the top of the pile. He laid there a moment as the night caught up to him, he began formulating who would knock them out, and how he was going to get out of this dogpile when a sharp“Ahem” sounded from the doorway. Standing there was Damian in jeans and a shirt.
“Well, it looks like you guys had a blast last night,” Marinette said poking her head in. It was the first time Dick had seen her without pigtails, instead, she had her blue-black locks tied back in a messy bun and she was suspiciously wearing Damian’s sweatshirt.  
“You want to tell me why Father called me last night wanting to know all about my girlfriend and why I hadn’t told him about her yet.” Jason and Tim gave simultaneous groans of annoyance as Dick hopped up.
“Listen Damian I can explain,” He said stepping forward. He felt something hook his foot.  “What the--” he got out before red paint came crashing down on top of him. Jason and Tim, both awake now, shot up trying in vain to avoid the downpour only to stumble into more strings. Before anyone could blink glitter rained down from the ceiling sticking to the paint coating the boys. A camera flash later saw them giving the death glare to Damian as he and Marinette stood off to the side trying not to laugh.
“What. the. Hell.” Dick said as he wiped paint from his eyes.
“If you want to live Demonspawn you better hope that this paint comes out,” Jason said as he attempted to shake glitter from his hair.
“If Con ever finds that picture Jason isn’t gonna be the one you should be scared of,” Tim said dangerously low. Damian finally cracked and started laughing. Collectively the three batboys stopped and looked up in shock. They hadn’t heard Damian laugh before, sure they’ve heard the evil laugh and the Robin laugh but never his laugh, it was soft light, and infectious. Before long Marinette was laughing too, while Jason Tim and Dick were all smiling.  
“Ok you were right that was better than anything I could think up,” Damian said as he composed himself.
“Hey give some credit to Luka,” Marinette said, “He was the one who suggested glitter.”
Jason’s eyes widened as he realized that not only did Demon spawn pull a nonlethal prank, but Marinette was in on it. Not just Marinette but some kid named Luka too.
“Wait back up, you’re telling me you guys decided that you should knock us out, and then dump red paint and glitter on us?” Tim said blearily.
“Well, we couldn’t just come out and tell you,” Marinette responded.
“Well we could, but this is revenge for your little family trip,” Damian interjected.
“Tell us what? That you hate us with a passion? You’re an evil psychopath?”
“You know for a family of detectives you guys can be rather slow.” Marinette slammed a hand over her mouth realizing what she had said. “I’m sorry I didn’t me--”
“I love you so much right now,” Damian said gawking at her, Marinette blushed.
“Ok, will one of you two please talk to us rather than whatever,” Jason gestured vaguely to the two of them, “that is.”
“What color is the glitter?” Marinette said as she turned her attention from Damian. She sounded almost like a school teacher would when talking to children.
“Black…” The boys responded in unison.
“And what color is the paint?”
“Red.”
“So what’s red and covered in black spots.”
“Lady----- Oh for fucks sake,” Tim said slapping his hand on his forehead.
“There it is,” Marinette said triumphantly, a smile spreading across her lips. A few moments later Jason and Dick both gasped as the information finally sunk in.
“Why can’t anyone in this family be normal.” The second youngest Wayne lamented.
“Well, at least this means you can join my team and me on patrols. I bet that’ll make Paris a little more interesting.” Tim perked up.
“Woah. Woah. Woah. We can talk all that out later but you need to go get cleaned up before the paint stains the carpet.” Damian interrupted, he didn’t like the fact Marinette was talking about patrol with his brothers.
“I would like to remind you that this was your plan, Damian,” Dick said.
“It may be my plan but it’s someone else’s carpet now go.”
The three boys were shepherded to the bathroom while Damian and Marinette cleaned up the mess left in the living room. All three of them were rather impressed with the way the two of them had revealed Marinette’s identity, although it went unspoken how if anyone revealed it there would be serious consequences.
It took them over an hour to even begin making a dent in the glitter-paint combination that covered their bodies. Dick having been directly under the bucket had it the worst, with Jason coming in at a close second. Jason thought he had at least gotten out the stuff in his hair during his shower, only to look in the mirror and let out a quiet fuck. Dick gave him a questioning look, in response, Jason just pointed to his hair. Where his white streak was now stained a deep crimson. “This means war.”
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keeper0fthestars · 4 years
Text
Fear and Trust
francisco (frankie) morales x fem reader
Tumblr media
2K words
warnings: two idiots in love, language, fluff, so much fluff, cheesy intimate moments, Frankie is husband material
summary: There is only one thing in this world that scares you and that thing is heights
a/n:  based on this trope 
I am so blown away by everyone who reblogs my erratic little scribblings and sends me comments, you fuel me more than you will ever know.  And as always i would love to know what you think. 
~~
In search of your shoes, you walk down the hall in your bare feet, hands occupied with the zipper of your sundress. Rounding the corner into the living room, you find Frankie on the couch tidying the mess books and papers on the coffee table. Focused the space in front of him, he pulls a pair of sandals from under the coffee table, letting them dangle on two fingers. 
“Looking for thes-,” 
And that’s when he sees you. 
He doesn't drop the shoes in your outstretched hand as you expect; instead, they fall onto the couch and he takes your hand, pulling you up to him, knees knocking with his. His gaze is glued to your dress, the way it matches your eyes and fits you in all the right places and flares just above your knees, leaving just enough bare skin for his eyes to latch onto. He doesn't even need to say anything, your skin is already tingling under the weight of his eyes and you forget why you walked into the living room in the first place. His eyes finally drag back up to yours, his throat bobs and- 
“Tell me something, babe,”  leaning back on the couch soaking up the sight of you. "How the fuck am I supposed to wanna go anywhere with you dressed like this?"
You let him tug you down on top of him, content knowing that the effect you have on him is equally disarming, “Hey, this was your idea, remember?” 
Sinking into the worn leather of the couch, you brace yourself on his shoulders, knees hugging him on either side, your dress bunching over your thighs.  His hands settle on your hips, guiding you down, blowing a hot breath out of his mouth when he catches a glimpse of the dark lace between your legs. He looks weak and starved all at once, running his hands up your thighs, curving around your ass, giving you an appreciative squeeze.
“Mmhm...” he hums, hooking an index finger under the one strap, sliding it off your shoulder, he sits up, his mouth focused on the skin of your neck, leaving a trail of goosebumps on your bare skin. “I've got more ideas and all of them include this dress on the floor right now.”
“How am I supposed to resist that?” Sinking your fingers into his hair, you guide his mouth to yours.
His hands slide underneath your dress. “I hope you can’t.”
///
It’s taken all damn day and three caramel apples but he’s finally got you standing in line with him, sharing popcorn and more junk food, and every few minutes when the line advances, his hand finds the small of your back, tracing soothing circles, and you think maybe it’s the way he’s just licked cotton candy off your thumb, or maybe it’s the fact that he could not seem to keep his hands off you all day, but whatever he’s doing is working because the nervous flutter in your chest isn’t so bad anymore. 
From across the pier, it didn’t seem that big, but now that you’re standing directly under it, this is by far the worst ride in the entire park and you blame the sugar high for letting him talk you into this. He senses your jitters again and he tucks you into his side, pressing his lips softly to your temple. Your free hand slides into his back pocket and the brim of his ball cap skims the top of your head, he is warm and solid and more of your tension bleeds away. The next empty bucket that jerks to a halt is for you.
“You owe me for this, Morales.”
“I promise it’ll be worth it.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
He doesn’t answer; he just laces his fingers with yours, that dimple in his cheek melting the rest of your resolve and fuck, it’s kinda hard to deny him anything when he smiles like that. He leads the way up the ramp and into the open metal carriage with the narrow bench big enough for two. 
Everything from your elbows down is hidden from sight inside the swaying bucket.  The sturdy bar positioned across your lap looks like it was painted blue at some point but had long since been overtaken by rust. You resist the urge to look up.
The ride operator steps up, reaches inside and jostles the restraint over your lap, testing its latch before shutting the half-door with a clink. Without warning your bucket is yanked backwards a few feet and your stomach lurches, knuckles turning white on the rusted bar. The bucket then jolts to a stop to let the next people in line a chance to get on. 
Yep. Worst idea ever. 
“Oh god,” Taking a shuddering breath, you would give anything to be as relaxed as he looks, knees splaying, back slouched, “I cannot believe you talked me into this.”
He pulls you into the circle of his arms, his calming, “Breathe, baby, I’ve got you,” is the only thing that makes the next few jolts bearable as you climb higher. He reaches across your lap and gently tugs your knees together pulling them snug to his side. 
Turning your face into his shoulder, you wait for him to tell you this is nonsense and that you have nothing to worry about. 
But he won’t because that’s the thing about fears. They’re irrational like that. 
“Hey,” he coaxes into your ear, “you’re okay, I’m not letting go of you.” 
Forcing yourself to breathe, you relax your grip on the bar in front of you just as another jerk propels you backwards again, then another, and another and now you’re halfway up the back of the massive wheel. Squeezing your eyes shut, your heart is beating inside your throat now and you’re fairly certain your stomach is lying somewhere on the ground below. Frankie has to pry your hand off his thigh.
“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you? Watching me lose my shit over the damn Ferris Wheel.” 
“But you’re doing it,” with his nose, he nudges your face up, pressing his lips to yours, “even though you’re afraid.”
The truth was, you wouldn’t be doing it if he weren’t with you. And he knew that. 
When he’d learned there was only one thing you were scared of, he found it hard to believe at first and also adorable as hell, but he never bugged you about it; he knew what it was like to be teased about something you can’t control. The irony is not lost on you that your boyfriend happens to be a pilot. The only thing he'd said at the time was, only idiots are not afraid of anything.
Jerking to a halt again, you’re above the trees and now it’s the unobstructed view that captures your attention and steals your breath. It's spectacular, all glowing neon and twinkling lights. The sun is sinking, turning the sky into breathtaking orange and pink, matching the sprawling scene below.
“Oh," you breathe, "this is gorgeous.” 
"Yeah," he lets go of your shoulder to drag his thumb down your neck, placing his mouth just below your ear. “It is.”
Your shiver is accompanied by a familiar surge of warmth under the softness of his voice because he's not talking about the sunset.
Deep down, Frankie knows there would never come a day that his heart would not trip over itself and spill butterflies into his stomach whenever you’d enter a room. 
There used to be a time he'd thought he’d never be enough, but you’d put those deep-seated fears of his to rest a long time ago. You’d been the unshakable and constant stability in his life that left no room for any doubt. Not that he’d had any qualms or cold feet about spending the rest of his life with you; it was quite the opposite.  The purple velvet box at the bottom of his pocket induced enough butterflies to fill his truck bed if that was any indication of how strongly he felt about you. The rush he'd felt in his insides during his very first simulation at the academy was nothing compared to the glow he felt today and he had to keep hiding his smile against your shoulder to try and rein it in. 
The ride starts to glide smoothly and okay; all things considered, this wasn’t nearly as bad as you thought. Dusk is beginning to settle and Frankie’s arm rests warm and heavy across your shoulders. The wind on your face feels fantastic and you’re not quite sure when your nervous energy changes into something else but every time you feel the downward pull on your body, your face splits into a grin and if you weren't so damn happy, you'd be rolling your eyes right now wondering when your life turned into a fucking rom-com. 
When he faces you, the sun leaves dazzling flecks of deep gold in his eyes, making them shine like bronze. His crooked smile pulls softly at the corner of his eye, a smile that tells you he knows exactly what you’re thinking, a smile that makes your heart lose its balance. It’s the same look he’d had when you came out of the bedroom this afternoon; the same look you’d pretended not to notice all day, wandering the pier together. Your heart is suddenly fluttering again and it has nothing to do with being three hundred feet off the ground.
“Okay Frankie, what’s going on? This all part of some plan of yours?” 
He takes off his ball cap and then replaces it in the same spot on his head, clearing his throat. “What plan.” 
“Getting me on the biggest ride here, winning me over with… with enough sugar to last a year and all your sweet talk and... listen, it's gonna take a lot more than a few well-placed kisses to get me into your co-pilot seat.” 
You feel his chest beginning to shake with laughter, “Baby, my chopper is much safer than this fuckin rust bucket. The-,” 
Your mouth gapes.  “Oh fuck you.
Just when you were starting to relax.
He blocks your loose fist with a gentle grip before it hits his shoulder, uses it to pull you in, your affronted gasp cut off when his lazy grin bumps with your open mouth. You had a dozen comebacks for the way he just teased you, but they all melt before they have a chance to materialize. His eyes glitter with amusement and something else but he doesn't give you a chance to examine it. 
“Lemme kiss you properly and then you can think about fucking me, ok.”
It's a little hard to be irritated; it’s a little hard to think straight at all when his fingers start dancing up the inside of your knee. The rush in your stomach now has nothing to do with the way gravity is forcing you down into the seat. Damn this guy and his ability to silence every single thought in your head.  
The ride is nearing the end, and you find yourself disappointed remembering how nervous you’d felt about it at the start. It slows and eases to a stop, suspending the two of you at the highest point in the rotation. 
The sun half gone now, the clouds are washed with purple and dark orange, the leaves in the treetops kissing each other in the breeze. It’s peaceful up here, hanging above the world and you understand why Frankie loves it. And your heart just might shatter right now because for the first time you realize that’s why he wanted to share it with you. 
Your throat clogs up and you don't trust yourself to speak but you don't need to because he shifts slightly, angling you so he can slip his arms around your waist from behind, tucking his chin into your shoulder. He's the one steady hand in your life. You fall asleep at night and wake up knowing that he's never going to be anywhere but beside you.
“You're right,” you manage, "this was worth it."
The edges of his heart twinge at the lightness in your voice, he soaks it up, knowing he’s the one responsible for it, knowing all the things he wants to promise you, knowing he’s the one you lean on, the one you call in the middle of the day just to say hi, the one you trust, the one you’ve said countless times you want to grow old with so why the fuck was he so nervous. 
That’s the thing about fears. They’re irrational like that.
A fragment of a forgotten conversation echoes in his head, something he’d told you a long time ago: Only complete idiots are not afraid of anything. 
He ignores the trembling in his fingers and reaches into his pocket.
~~
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wiypt-writes · 3 years
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Riding High
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Ch17: Welcome to Miami
 Chapter Summary: Frank, Fliss and the Circle Of Truth take a Road Trip….
 Chapter Warnings: Bad Language words. SMUT (NSFW) No under 18s!!! 
Chapter Pairings:  Frank Adler x OFC Fliss Gallagher
Disclaimer: This is a pure work of fiction and classified as 18+. Please respect this and do not read if you are underage. I do not own any characters in this series bar Fliss Gallagher and the other OCs. By reading beyond this point you understand and accept the terms of this disclaimer.
Riding High Masterlist // Main Masterlist
Chapter 16
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 June 2018
“How’s Fliss?” Gregg asked as Frank leaned back in his chair, hand curled round his bottle of beer.
Frank looked at his friend and took a deep breath “She says she’s ok. I think it’s the waiting that’s the worst. Knowing the board’s been held is one thing, not knowing the outcome….” “I know it’s hard and easy for me to say this but…well, even if he gets out he won’t be allowed anywhere near her. As I explained to her likely hood is he’ll be tagged and on a curfew and movements restricted to the state of Mass.” Gregg took a sip of his drink “And if it isn’t done automatically, through the appeal process I can file for further restrictions as well around him contacting her in any way, shape or form…but I’d be surprised if that isn’t a condition.”
“I know.” Frank said, “And she gets that…I think it’s more anger about the whole thing now you know?” “It sucks.” Gregg nodded “He spent so long abusing her and he’s still managing to do it in a way through all this.” Frank raised his eyebrows and took a drink of his beer, nodding to Jake and Simon as they approached their table.
 “I know I don’t need to ask but…” Frank started but Gregg raised a hand. 
“You’re right, you don’t.” he understood immediately that Frank was asking him to keep quiet, and he nodded as their two friends arrived at the table. After the greetings they all settled down reaching for a beer from the bucket that sat in the middle of them all, the conversation easy. Frank was happy to see the boys, he hadn’t in a few weeks so he’d grabbed the opportunity for a few beers happily, Fliss and Mary practically shoving him out of the door as they had some girly night in planned with Roberta consisting of popcorn, pizza, facemasks and a Marvel DVD, Fliss and Roberta assuring him whole heartedly they were watching it because it was a good film and not merely to perve on Chris Hemsworth or Evans or whoever the hell the Chris was in this particular one.
Whatever, sweetheart.
 “So…” Simon said, looking around the table “Are we still on for a weekend somewhere? 22nd to 24th June?”
 They all made noises, and Frank nodded. “Schedules cleared, baby sitter lined up…we just need to decide where we’re going.”
 “Well, I got something to suggest to y’all…” Jake grinned “Greg already knows about this, but basically, the Company we’re doing the promotional work for has offered us up to 10 each for the Miami Rocks Concert which runs that weekend....so if you’re interested.”
 “Rock music?” Simon looked at him, and Jake shook his head.
“Not just rock.” he said, leaning forward “It’s a combination of tribute acts and the real deal…and there’s different stages each with a different genre, and the main stage which contains the big acts.” “Ok, I’m interested…” Frank leaned forward.
 “So the Friday night is a rewind to the 70s, 80s and 90s… headlined by none other than Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, Mr Will Smith himself…” Frank let out a snort and looked at Simon who had started bopping in his seat, clicking his fingers.
 “That finishes about midnight and then Saturday is the big one. You got 5 Seconds of Summer, George Ezra and Liam Gallagher from Oasis headlining that night.” Jake continued “The other stages rage from all sorts. Mo-Town, Indie, Chart, Reggae…and then there’s a party after which continues until early hours, run by Hot Dub Time Machine.”
“Shut the front door!” Simon snorted “Hot Dub?”
Jake nodded.
“Dude I saw him one New Year’s Eve in New York a few years ago.” Simon said “He was brilliant!”
Frank sat and listened as his friends started to discuss the concert in more detail. He had to admit, it sounded like a pretty good idea, and just the distraction Fliss could do with.
 “Hate to be the voice of logic…” Simon said. “But if it’s only like three weeks off, wont’ we have trouble getting hotel rooms?”
“Fuck that, I’ll sleep on the back of the truck.” Frank said, causing the rest of them to laugh. “No need Frankie-boi, I got a client who works for the Hyatt Group man.” Jake shook his head “Three rooms already reserved out in the Regency, about 10 minutes’ walk if that from Bayfront Park where the concert is…just in case you fancied it. $100 a room for 2 nights, including a late checkout on the Sunday coz, well, we’re gonna need it.”
 “Three?” Frank frowned.
 “You and Fliss, Simon and Bonnie, and Me and Greg…” “What about Zara and Lisa?” he frowned “I thought this was a couple’s thing, not a boys weekend away…” 
“Well it was going to be…” Greg shrugged “But Zara’s away with the kids that weekend, decided to go back to California as her sister is being taken in for a C-section, and of course she has to be there…”
“And it’s Lisa’s idea of hell…” Jake supplied.
 “So why don’t we re-arrange?” Simon asked.
“Fuck that!” Jake snorted “I’m got a child and fiancée free pass for the weekend.” “Amen brother!” Gregg hi-fived him.
 “But you two can bring your girls, no problem…they’re cool” Jake gestured between Frank and Simon with his beer bottle. “Thanks for your permission…” Frank raised an eyebrow. 
****
Naturally, Fliss was over the moon with the promise of a music festival, especially when she looked up the acts that were on. So, when the Friday in question rolled around, after dropping Mary at school, with strict instructions she was to behave herself as Frank WOULD be checking, they set off in Fliss’ jeep, Frank driving as she lounged in the passenger seat, eyes hidden by her aviators, hair pulled into a loose side pony tail as they made the four hour down the coast and across state to Florida, stopping half way for some food at a roadside diner.
Simon and Bonnie weren’t due to arrive until just gone 5 ish, Bonnie having to finish the morning’s classes before she could leave, whilst Jake and Greg were here having come down the night before, so when they had checked in they decided to freshen up and go for a walk, Fliss eager to hit Lincoln Road Mall. They spent a few hours just walking and looking in the shops, eventually finding a Pandora one which Fliss headed into wanting a new charm for her bracelet as a memory of the weekend. She paced the shop eventually settling for a silver palm tree with a small diamond in the middle of the trunk and Frank batted her hand down when she went to pay, instead producing his card. The usual argument about who was paying ensued, which eventually Frank won by telling Fliss that he wanted to be the one that filled that bracelet for her, and she relented, smiling softly. Frank didn’t miss the relieved look on the shop assistant’s face as she finally waved the out of the store.
They met Jake and Greg in a bar not far from the hotel, and they were joined by Bonnie and Simon for a drink before the two girls announced they were heading off to get changed and ready for the evening.  Frank left it until about 20 minutes before he needed to be ready and headed up to their room, pulling on one of his infamous hideous Hawaiian shirts which he had brought especially. Fliss looked at him, shaking her head with a fond smile on her face as he innocently asked her what the problem was. She laughed and told him nothing at all, before she gave him a kiss and they headed down to meet the others.
 The walk down to the Park took them 10 minutes. Fliss was walking slightly ahead with Bonnie, her braid swinging down her back, gently brushing against the yellow off the shoulder top she was wearing. Her bottom half was dressed in denim shorts, a pair of pink converse boots on her feet. She’d certainly embraced the Festival Vibe, opting for bright colours in honour of the fact they were heading back musically a few decades. They arrived and joined the queue to exchange their tickets for wrists bands which took them about 15 minutes, and then they joined the lines to get through the main gates. That didn’t take long at all and once they were through they followed the crowd before Greg stopped, and looked around.
 “We get split up…” “We all got phones!” Jake snorted “What are you, 50?”
 “Sorry, force of habit with the kids…” Greg let out a groan as everyone laughed.
 “So the main stage is that way…” Jake said, pointing to his left “Right at the back. DJ stage is there, and the other stages are dotted about…anyone got any preference on where we go?” “Other than Will Smith I really wanna to go the 80s stage!” Fliss grinned and Bonnie Hi-Fived her.
 “Yeah we got some Duran Duran to dance to.” she agreed. “And Erasure.”
“And Wham.” “And Culture Club….” “Yeah, we get the picture…” Simon rolled his eyes.
 “Oh and I want to see the Queen and AC/DC tributes.” Fliss finished.
 “Anything else?” Frank looked at her.
“Beer.”
“Well we need tokens.” Jake said, “No cash at the bar, tokens only so…the tent is over there…”
 They all set off, Fliss and Bonnie hanging behind chatting away, but it wasn’t long before their chatter died down and Frank turned to see that, actually, it hadn’t died down, they’d disappeared. “Where the hell are the girls?”  Simon asked, looking round as he realised they were missing.
 “Knowing Fliss in some tent getting her face painted…” Frank paused, turning on the spot before he spotted them. Fliss was stood as Bonnie was sat on a stool, having some sort of Festival glitter painted around her temple and eye socket. “Yup, there you go…” Simon followed his gaze and snorted. “Fucking hell…what are they, 8?” “Leave ‘em be.” Frank said fondly “Come on, let’s go get the drinks sorted.”
 He waved at Fliss, before pointing to where they were going and she gave him a thumbs up to show she understood, before Bonnie stood up and she sat down. Frank smiled at her face as it lit up and he headed off after Simon.
 By the time they had gotten the tokens and ordered beers for them all, the girls still hadn’t joined them, and it didn’t take long to realise why. They were both in a tent which contained 2 electronic dance mats, right in the middle of a very energetic dance off.
 “It’s like having a pair of kids…” Simon mumbled the boys stood by the entrance to the tent whilst Frank simply grinned. As they watched Bonnie made a mistake, the mat flashed red, and then another one, before Fliss made one too. The two girls’ foot work was ridiculously fast as the song gathered pace and finally the routine ended. Fliss grinned and hi-fived Bonnie as their scores flashed up, Fliss winning by 60 points.
 “Yesss!” she punched the air as Bonnie shook her head and the man handed them both some really tacky bright pink beaded necklaces for taking part. 
“Re-match…” Bonnie said, looking at Fliss as they both dropped the necklaces over their heads. 
“Maybe later, I’m fucked now…” Fliss said, bending over, hands on her knees as she drew her breath “I need a drink!”
 She turned and saw the boys in the doorway, Frank raised an eyebrow and held up the beer and she grinned. 
“I knew I bought you for something.” He rolled his eyes and then Greg suggested they head off to the first stage for the start of the 80s Tribute acts. They only intended to stay for a short while but Fliss begged Frank to stay longer, and was backed up by Bonnie as the Duran-Duran band came on. Fliss told Frank if he wanted to go and meet up later he could, but truth be told he didn’t want to. This was as much a weekend for him and her as it was for him and his friends, so with that in mind Simon and Frank both decided to stay with the girls and that they would find the others later.
 And Frank was glad of his decision, as about 20 minutes later, when Hungry Like the Wolf started to play, Fliss was bouncing around like a lunatic. He knew it was one of her favourite songs, and seeing her cutting loose was making him a little horny if truth be told. He moved up behind her and grabbed her hips, swaying with her in time to the music as he dropped a kiss to her shoulder, gently singing along as she danced in front of him, occasionally brushing up against the front of his shorts, which was doing nothing to help his current situation.
 “Someone’s definitely on the hunt down…” she teased, pushing her ass back into his crotch whilst she turned her head to face him as the song morphed into Rio. He grinned and gave her a kiss.
 “Not hunting, I already got you.” “Hmm, yeah you did…” she murmured against his lips.
 The continued dancing with one another, Simon and Bonnie doing the same before the 4 of them all decided they were ready for another drink. As fate would have it, they found Greg and Jake already at the bar. They muscled their way in, grabbed another beer and then all turned to head towards one of the tall, standing tables which were dotted around not far from the bar. Frank waited for Fliss as she had ordered a bottle of water too, and the guy serving had forgotten it. When he came back, apologising, Fliss waved him off and thanked him as Frank picked the bottle up and stuck it in his pocket. He reached for Fliss’ hand, and they were making their way over to their friends when suddenly he felt Fliss yell out and she stopped dead. He turned to face her, seeing someone had bumped into her and her beer had spilt all down her top.
 “Hey, come on man…” Frank looked at the guy as Fliss pulled her hand out of his to wipe at her top “Be careful huh…” But the man wasn’t looking at him, his eyes were fixed completely on Fliss. “Yes, wouldn’t want an accident now would we, Felicity?” At the sound of her full name Frank instantly knew this had to be someone to do with her ex-husband and he reached out for Fliss as he saw her stiffen and slowly she raised her head to look at the man, her eyes widening and she swallowed.
 “Richard.” she spoke softly. 
“Fancy seeing you here. Must be nice to be free to do what you want.” “Yeah, well, making up for lost time. I didn’t exactly get a lot of chance to have fun when your brother was beating the shit out of me.” Her chin raised a little defiantly and Frank felt a surge of pride as she stood up for herself, the anger evident on her face.
 “You’re a fucking liar…” Richard said and Frank immediately stepped in.
 “Ok that’s enough…” he spoke sternly, glaring at the man “We’re not here for any trouble, we’re just out for a good time with friends, and I’d like to keep it that way. So, if you don’t mind, we’re done here.” he turned to Fliss and slid his arm round her waist, making to steer her away.
 “You need to be careful.” Richard spoke to Frank’s retreating back. “Now she’s got her claws into you, you’re done…first sign of trouble she’ll be accusing you of all sorts.”
 Frank sighed, he’d tried to be reasonable, but the anger felt like it was bubbling from his feet and he whirled round, placing himself in between the man and Fliss. “Listen, asshole, why don’t you just fuck off?” his tone was laced with venom. “Your brother is a nasty, wife beating piece of shit.”
 At that Richard stepped forward, drawing himself to full height, still a good 3 inches shorter than Frank. His fists balled as he clenched his hands at his side, his mouth curled up into a snarl.
 “She’s a liar.”  Richard pointed at Fliss, before his attention turned back to Frank. “She lied and because of her, John’s life and career is ruined…” “His life? Ruined?” Frank barked out a laugh “Your brother got nothing more than he deserved, and so will you if you don’t get the fuck outta my face.”
 “Frank…” Fliss pleaded with him, pulling on his arm and desperately looking around for help before this descended into a fight. Thankfully, she caught Jake’s eye who hit Greg on the shoulder, who in turn tapped Simon, and the three of them plus Bonnie hastily started to jog over.
 “If he was that bad why has he been considered for parole?” Richard shrugged “An appeal his lawyer is convinced he’ll win…” Richard said, taking a step back as the other men approached. “And that’s all because they finally saw through her lies…” Frank made an angry noise but Greg pushed himself in between the two men, patting Frank on the chest.
 “Come on buddy…” he said. “Whatever it is, leave it…” Jake went to grab Frank’s arm, but he jerked it out of his grip.
 “I’ll tell you this…” Frank pointed at Richard “If he gets out, you can tell him from me, he stays the fuck away from my girl, and the rest of my family, you got that? Or I’ll put him in a hospital, see how he likes it.”
 “Big man making all the threats huh?” “It ain’t a threat, it’s a god-damned promise.” Frank snarled. Richard gave a snort of a laugh before he allowed his wife to steer him away, shooting one last contemptuous glance at both him and Fliss.
 “What the fuck?” Simon turned to Frank, who completely ignored him and moved to where Fliss was stood, her arms wrapped cross her front, hugging herself, Bonnie gently talking to her.
 “You ok?” he asked her gently and she gave a nod as he took her in his arms, hugging her tightly, hand falling to the back of her head.
 Greg gave Frank a questioning look, which Frank answered with two words “His brother.” “Who’s brother?” Jake pressed, “What just happened? I’m so confused.” “To be fair that doesn’t take much…” Frank heard Greg say which earned him a “Fuck you” in response, and the two men began to bicker as Fliss stepped back from his arms. Frank looked down at her, taking her face in his hands.  “You good?”
“Yeah…” she nodded “You shouldn’t have risen to him.” “Probably not.” he shrugged “But I’m not having that piece of shit or anyone associated with him trash mouthing you.”
 “My hero…” she rolled her eyes, but the smile on her face told him he wasn’t in too much trouble. He gave a snort of a laugh and dropped a kiss to her head. “Can we go back to the dancing now please? And I need another beer, that ass hole spilt mine.” “Is it time for tequila yet?” Bonnie asked, offering Fliss a drink of her beer. Fliss took a sip, shaking her head
“I swore after last time I would never drink that shit again.”
“But that was a lie, right?” Bonnie looked at her as she passed her pint back over. 
“Yup, a very big lie…” Fliss agreed, causing the rest of the group to laugh. 
So they did their tequila. Several shots of to be intact and spent the rest of the night wandering stage to stage, lapping up the atmosphere. Frank kept a close eye on his girl who seemed none the worse for her encounter as she danced the night away with him and Bonnie, the 2 of them disappearing at one point for a walk around the various stalls that were around the outside, coming back with a packet of interlocking glow sticks which they proceeded to activate and make head wear out of. 
 Will Smith took to the stage at about 10 pm and Frank was beside himself with laughter as Fliss reverted to some kind of school kid. She seemed to know every single word to every goddamned song he had, and when it came to Men In Black she launched expertly into the dance routine that half the crowd were doing, in time to the video showing behind the stage.  Simon and Jake tried to copy her before they both gave up and when she finished she turned around and Frank raised his beer to her and she bowed, as they all laughed. Deciding that they didn’t want to stay for the after party, considering they knew it was going to be a really late one the next evening, instead they agreed to head down to the beach. They managed to find a guy who was walking round with a cool box selling beer and they bought 2 bottles each, for twice the price they should be but, whatever…
 When in Miami…
 As they walked across the sand, Frank looped his arm round Fliss’ shoulder whilst they weaved themselves through the various mini-parties which seemed to be going on as people were set up all over with small fires, beer, drinks and music playing. Frank had a sneaking suspicion half of them were probably intending on sleeping there too. Eventually they found a clear spot and flopped down onto the sand, under the illumination of one of the boardwalk lights and then Simon stood up, heading over to a group of teenagers sat a bit to their right.
“What’s he doing?” Greg asked. 
“I think he’s reverse bootlegging.” Jake said and Frank gave a snort of laughter.
“What?” Fliss frowned, “What’s that?” “Instead of selling alcohol to underage kids he’s buying it off them, look.” Frank said, nodding to him. Fliss watched as Simon slipped one of the kids a twenty and took the bottle of vodka he was offering to them, raising it up as he walked back.
 “What the fuck man?” Greg snorted “That’s…”
“Shameful.” Jake nodded before he chuckled, shaking his head. “I love it.” With a grin Simon dropped down next to Bonnie, standing the bottle of vodka up in the middle of the circle they seemed to have made as Fliss sat between Frank’s legs, leaning back against his chest. His spare hand ran up and down the outside of her thigh softly as they all sat chatting about the evening, comparing their best bits and what they were looking forward to tomorrow evening. Eventually, someone, Frank wasn’t sure who, decided that they should play Never Have I Ever, and Fliss eagerly agreed, jumping in with the first question.
 “Ok, never have I ever driven a boat…” Fliss smirked.
“What, that’s a crap one!” Frank snorted “Everyone here’s probably driven one…including you.”
“Nope…”
 “Bullshit!” he snorted “On our first date, and several times since…”
 “I sailed it Frankie, I didn’t drive it…”
 He paused for a moment and then looked up as everyone in the circle grinned.
 “She’s right man…” Simon conceded “I sailed mine too…” “And me…”
“And me…”
 “Oh fuck you!” Frank spluttered as they all laughed at him. Fliss handed him the bottle, which he took from her with a glare taking a mouthful. Fucking hell, he could tell it was cheap as it burnt like paint stripper as he swallowed, wincing. 
That was basically the way the game went. Each trying to deliberately catch everyone else out. Simon caught Jake spectacularly, forcing him to reveal a tale about how he got locked out of a hotel room, naked on the balcony and climbed down 2 storeys to go and get a spare key from reception, Simon repeatedly got Bonnie on a number of occasions before Frank caught Fliss out with the tale of how she had once called her University Lecturer “Daddy.” by mistake. 
“Ok, Never have I ever…”  Fliss paused, before a wicked grin spread on her face and she looked at Frank “Called anyone else’s name during sex.”
“Oh God…” Frank heard Bonnie mumble from where she was sat, but before he could even open his mouth to call Fliss an ass hole, he saw Greg reaching for the bottle.
“No WAY!” Fliss spluttered, looking at Greg “What? When!”
 “I was about 21…” Greg said, scrunching up his face. “I was in bed with a girl and, well, I called her mom’s name.” The entire group fell silent before Jake, Frank and Simon all let out a roar of laughter, and Fliss snorted, grinning from ear to ear.
 “That’s…impressive.” Frank nodded as Greg put the bottle down and Fliss picked it up and handed it to Frank. Everyone turned their attention to him as he narrowed his eyes and grabbed it from her.
 “Spill.” Simon pointed at him.
 “I err, well…look, it…” Frank stuttered over his words “I was…look we don’t need to discuss this…” he said, knocking back the vodka and avoiding Bonnie’s eyes, shaking his head “I plead the 5th.” There were various groans around the group but when they realised Frank wasn’t going to budge Greg shrugged, calling him a pussy, and picked the next category.
 “Never have I ever kissed someone of the same sex.” he said, with a raised eyebrow. Both Fliss and Bonnie moved for the bottle at the same time, and the boys all cheered.
“Was it each other?” Simon grinned “Please tell me it was…” “Ok,no…that…” Frank began to protest, hiccupping slightly.  “That would be weird…”
“No it wasn’t each other.” Bonnie grinned at Simon “I was 17, playing spin the bottle and had to kiss this girl called Eva…” “And that’s it?” Simon asked.
“Yeah…” she nodded, taking a drink from the bottle before she passed it to Fliss.
 “Spill…” Frank instructed her, his hand on her hip where she was still nestled in between his legs.
 “I was 19…and, yeah, well, I experimented” she shrugged. “A few times…” 
“Wait, there was…” Frank looked at her as she turned her head to grin at him “You did more than kiss?”
 “For me to know and you to find out Sailor…” she winked. Well fuck me!
 Another 15 minutes or go they’d exhausted the bottle of vodka and decided to call it a night. Bonnie was faring the worst out of them all, her and Simon walking a little behind everyone as he kept his arm round her to keep her steady. Frank noticed Fliss was remarkably with it considering what they’d drunk, but then for such a small person she did have quite a high tolerance, and she’d drunk a hell of a lot of water as well.
 At the hotel they bid everyone goodnight and headed up to their room where Fliss decided she needed to shower to get rid of all the glitter and sand and sweat from dancing. Frank was inclined to agree so let her go first, swapping over after 10 minutes or so with an exchange of a soft kiss in the bathroom doorway. By the time Frank got out of the shower Fliss was sat cross legged on the large bed dressed in a camisole and boy-shorts set which was white with multi-coloured polka dots on it. It was the set he had bought her for Valentine’s Day, along with a set of baby-pink lace underwear. He loved seeing her in lace, but there was something about the lounge sets like the one she was wearing now that gave her an innocence, made her look so comfy and so settled that he adored seeing her wearing them around the house and to bed…even if they didn’t stay on long.
 She grinned up at him as he smiled, crossing to drop a kiss on her head.
 “You raid the minibar?” he asked, nodding to the packet of chips she had ripped open.
 “Yeah.” she shrugged “Figured fuck it, why not?” “Well…”he crossed the room and opened the fridge which was under the TV unit “In for a penny…” he pulled two beers out, popped the tops and passed her one.
 “Don’t you think we’ve had enough?”
“Can you see straight?”
 “Yeah…”
“Then no.” he said and she laughed, taking it from him.
 “You’re a bad man Frank Adler.” “I try.” he quipped. She shook her head, smiling before she reached for her phone which had just gone off. Frank whipped the towel from around his waist and stepped into a clean pair of boxers before he roughly dried his hair.
 “Bonnie says her and Simon are hitting the beach during the day tomorrow…do you fancy it?” “Sure.” he nodded, dropping to the bed, laying down on his side, propping himself up on his elbow as he reached for a Dorito.
 “At least I think that’s what this message says. ‘Going to the Bitch…’ I mean that’s gotta be beach huh?” 
Frank snorted as Fliss scrunched up the empty chip bag and tossed it across the room where it settled just besides the bin. They both looked at it for a second before Fliss shrugged. ”She was trashed.”
 “I’m not surprised.” Fliss said, moving to toss her phone onto the night table before she too settled on her side, facing Frank, elbow on the pillow “Simon was deliberately asking questions in that game where he knew she’d have to drink…” “Oh and you weren’t…” he looked at Fliss who shrugged, grinning cheekily “Never have I ever called anyone else’s name during sex, I mean seriously! She was right there!”
 “I know, which is what made it so funny.” “Funny is not the word I would use…” “Oh whatever, and as if Greg has done that too!” she said, chuckling as she also settled on her side “He’s a dark horse…” “So are you…” he looked at her taking a long drink of his beer. “In fact….I think you need to tell me more about these lesbian encounters you experienced whilst experimenting aged 19."  
 "They weren't proper lesbian encounters, I was teasing you...." 
 "I don't care, make em up." He said and she let out a laugh.
 "If I do will it get me something nice?" she grinned.
 "Something very, very nice."  He raised an eyebrow suggestively.
 Fliss grinned and then launched into a clearly made up bullshit story about some girl called Candy and Frank completely zoned out. He was simply too caught up concentrating on the childish, teasing expression on her face as she spoke. Her eyes were shining in the dim light of the room as she talked and grinned in the same manner she had been doing all night. Not even the encounter with that asshole’s brother has dampened her spirit. She was just enjoying herself, freely. And so was he. She said she couldn't remember the last festival or concert she had been to, and Frank had admitted the same. It had to have been easily 10 years ago. It felt good to be recapturing that part of their lives they had both given up (albeit for very different reasons) and making new memories together that he knew would last a lifetime. 
 A lifetime...huh, how about that?
 He zoned back in just in time to hear Fliss' very risqué story telling, and dropped his head with a sight that was half laugh, half groan at her filthy tale.
 "...and her thighs were so strong, it was ridiculous, my ears were squashed so hard, I felt like my head was in a vice. Still, I managed to-"
 "Ok..." he said, taking her beer off her and setting it down on his nightstand along with his, before he leaned over Fliss, caging her with his arms "I'm getting kinda jealous...and a bit turned on...it’s very confusing.
 “You asked…” she muttered as his face dropped her hers.
“Yeah, I did…” his lips brushed against hers “And I promised you something nice…” “Very,very nice…” Fliss said, her hands sliding up his arms to his shoulder.
 “Well, I’m a man of my word…” he grinned, lips pressing to hers harder this time in a soft, deep kiss which he pulled away from and ran his nose against hers. “Turn over…”
 “What?” she looked at him, her eyes widening slightly.
“You trust me?”
“Of course I do…” “Then turn over…”
 She took a deep breath, and looked at him and he looked straight back, fully understanding what she was thinking. He’d never asked her to do that before. “Lissy, I promise I’m not gonna hurt you.” “I know you’re not…” she shook her head, before she bit her lip and he moved back so she could turn over onto her stomach. With gently finger tips he brushed her hair off her shoulders, sweeping it to one side gently dropping soft kisses down her neck as his hands traced down to her hips. He gently grasped her top and she moved to allow him to slide it up and over.
 The sheets on the bed rustled slightly as he moved downwards, pressing his lips to the small of her back, watching her reaction carefully as he saw her fingers clutching softly at the pillow. He continued his affections, lips and hands exploring every part of the soft skin on her back until he was fully led over her, thighs bracketing hers, his mouth gently sucking at that spot behind her ear that drove her wild. And right on cue she let out a low groan and he felt his groin twitch at the noise. Fliss could feel his hardness against her back and as his teeth gently grazed her ear she felt her spine arch slightly.
 He moved away, and his hand gently slid to grasp at the hem of her shorts, and she tilted her hips up slightly so he could pull them down, hurriedly departing with his own boxers before he resumed his previous position.
 “You good?” he asked her softly and she nodded in response. 
With gentle hands he reached down between her legs to finding her hot and wet for him already. At his touch she arched her back again. Frank let out a grin and moved slightly so he could part her thighs with his knee. Repositioning himself, he led flat, his arms sliding up hers so he could lace his fingers with hers, palms resting on the backs of her hands and he gently pushed into her, the pair of them giving a groan at the feeling and tightness of this angle. He gently thrust, his chest sliding up over her back, and she moved ever so slightly with him, her head tilted back slightly and she turned her face towards his where he caught her mouth in a slow, sloppy kiss. Frank continued his languid, deep movements, listening to the quickening of her breath and eventually he felt her hips beginning to rise in slow circles, her whimpers increasing.
 He gently knelt up, and pulled her hips so she was perched on her knees, pushing into her slowly, deeply, letting her get used to the position that they’d never tried before because Frank knew it wasn’t one she had good memories of but right now, her body was relaxed and she was giving him everything. His hand reached up and he traced down her spine before he leaned over and placed another soft kiss on her neck before he moved and grasped at her hips again, his pace gently quickening, a low moan escaping his mouth as Fliss pushed back onto him, wordlessly telling him she wanted more. He thrust forwards again and again, pulling her back onto him at the same time, his eyes focussed on where they were joined, the sight of him sliding in and out of her made him moan with desire.
“Don’t stop…” he heard her half pant, half whisper and he picked up the pace ever so slightly, leaning over to gently nip at the back of her neck, causing her to shudder, a deep growl rumbled in his chest as her walls briefly squeezed around him.
“Fuck, baby…” he groaned as her hands clutched at the bed sheets whilst he buried himself deep inside of her stilling for a moment.
“Frankie…” she whined and squirmed as she turned to look at him over her shoulder. Once glance at his clenched jaw and she knew he was trying to fight back his high as he picked up his previous movements, just a little bit faster. She was close, quietly moaning his name as she dropped her head back down, forehead against the pillows, her spine arching as he continued to thrust.
Frank groaned again “Come on sweetheart...” his voice deeper like it always was when he was in the throes of desire, “let go for me.” He rolled his hips forwards, five or six more times before she was done.
“Fuck, Frank, I…” she let out a broken cry as her core spasmed again and again and her entire body trembled as a loud lament spilled from her lips. He was done himself, and with a groan of her name his relief washed over him with an intensity he couldn’t even begin to describe.
Fliss collapsed forward and Frank tumbled with her, his chest onto her back, his weight crushing her in the best way possible for a second ot two before he rolled onto his side. Reaching out, his hand gently across her bare back as Fliss face, which was pressed into the pillow turned to face him.
He leaned over and gave her a soft kiss, brushing her hair off her face.
“Okay…” she mumbled, nodding at him “I’ll concede. That was very, very nice…”
******* “You behaving?” Frank asked Mary as he and Fliss lay in bed the next morning, the phone held at arms-length so they could both see her.
“Yeah, of course…” Mary rolled her eyes “Bill took me to the yard last night and Joanne helped me tack Monty up and then Bill walked round the field with us so the dogs could have a run and it was awesome!”
“When I get back we’ll do the full trail ride.” Fliss smiled at her “Takes a good hour, we can go one evening before it gets dark.”
“Cool!” Mary grinned, bending down and then suddenly Fred’s bemused face filled the screen. Frank snorted as he was instructed to say hi to Fred, which he did, before the cat settled down on Mary’s lap and she continued to chat to him about what she had done the night before…which was basically staying up until gone midnight with Bill watching Harry Potter in the movie room.
Eventually they got her to pass the phone over to Verity, who assured Frank she was no trouble, and then they cut the call and decided to get up and head down for breakfast to meet everyone.
The day was spent lazily on the beach. Fliss hardly moved at all, simply soaking up the sun as Frank and Simon continuously brought her and Bonnie a supply of drinks as the man remained by the bar at the top of the sand.
“I gotta ask…”Bonnie said, turning to look at Fliss “And tell me to shut up if I’m outta line but yesterday, that guy Frank looked like he wanted to kill…who was he? Simon says he’s never seen Frank that angry…” “Oh, err…” Fliss rubbed her head “It was my ex-husbands brother, he was being an ass hole.” “Oh.” Bonnie frowned “I take it you don’t get along…nasty break up?” “You could say that…” Fliss said, taking a sip of her drink, tapping the straw lightly on her lips. “John…my ex…he er…he used to beat me. Badly. He’s actually in prison, well, for how long we don’t know as he had his parole hearing about 4 weeks ago so..” “Oh shit…” Bonnie dropped her gaze “Sorry, I didn’t…” “It’s ok.” Fliss said, waving off the usual apologies that came when she told someone about her past.
There was a moment of silence before Bonnie sat up and looked at Fliss.
“Wanna go for a dip?”
Fliss glanced at her, then down to the ocean and grinned, nodding.
Yelling to the boys to watch their stuff they headed down to the waves, Fliss happily diving straight in, simply allowing herself to float. She was calm, relaxed, and couldn’t remember a time she’d ever felt so happy before.
Eventually, it hit 5pm and Fliss was hungry. So they decided to pack up, grab a bite from the bar and then go change ready for the evening. Fliss had to smile as she saw Frank and the rest of the boys stood at a table by the beach bar all clutching pints and laughing. He was dressed in a pink shirt, black shorts with a baseball cap on the wrong way, glasses shielding his eyes.
“I never realised what an overgrown Frat Boy I’m dating.” Fliss mumbled to Bonnie who snorted as they made their way up the wooden boardwalk, beach bags in their hand.
 “Hey pretty girl.” Frank smiled as Fliss slid under his arm, reaching for his pint. With a roll of his eyes he watched as she took a huge drink. “You know if you want one I’ll get you one…” “Tastes better when it’s someone else’s.” Fliss shrugged.
 “Yeah, why is that?” Bonnie asked.
 “Because it’s stolen.” Simon looked at her “Well known fact, forbidden fruit just tastes better.”
Fliss went again for Frank’s drink and he jerked it out of her reach “Piss off, look, here…” he said, reaching into his pocket and handing her his wallet “Go to the bar.” She grinned and dropped a kiss to his lips, turning away, Bonnie following.
 “Dude you’re so whipped.” Jake snorted at him.
 “Yeah, I don’t much care.” Frank shrugged, burping slightly as he looked at Fliss, taking in her appearance. Her hair was falling around her face and down her back in a mass of long, messy salt and sand tangled waves and she was wearing a pink crochet slip over her black bikini. He would happily admit he was well under her spell and that she could whip him all she fucking wanted to. 
They grabbed a bite to eat, headed back, changed and made their way to the park for their second night of music. It went much the same as the night before, Bonnie and Fliss taking off on their own adventures, and Frank keeping his eyes peeled for any sign of John’s fucker of a brother, but he didn’t see him.
 By the time Liam Gallagher came onto the stage, Fliss was drunk. And so was he. But it didn’t stop her from going wild. Once again she knew every single word to every single song and when he launched into Rock and Roll Star she started pogoing like a person possessed. Mind you, so was everyone else on the dance floor in front of the stage, so Frank joined in. He quite liked this song and, well, if you can’t beat ‘em join ‘em…
 He ended the set with Live Forever, Frank’s favourite song that he had done and Fliss sighed happily.
“He’s sooo good!” she said, “Why does he have to go?”
“Because his set has finished.” “But why?” “Because it has!” Frank laughed “He’s been on for almost an hour and it’s 1 am!”
“Hey, Liss, don’t worry…” Bonnie hiccupped “Hot Dub starts in 20…just enough time for a drink…” “Yes…” Fliss agreed, pointing at her. “But I think I need some water too.”
“Pussy…” Frank looked at her and she narrowed his eyes at him.
“I’ll carry on drinking beer if you want, but you’ll be clearing up my puke later.” He snorted and held his hands up, palms out “Water it is.” Hot Dub Time Machine was surreal. He was on for about an hour and took them through a load of the best party songs from the 60s right through to the present day. One minute Frank was doing the Twist and Shout with Fliss, and the next they were all in a circle air-guitaring to Immigrant Song by Led Zep.
 By the time they left the park it was almost half 2 in the morning and Fliss decided that she didn’t want to walk and insisted Frank give her a piggy back. He rolled his eyes but crouched down and she took a jump onto his back as he carried her the 10 minutes or so back to the hotel, Simon groaning at him as Bonnie kept complaining he wouldn’t carry her.
 “You’re showing me up, dude!” he glared at Frank who simply shrugged as Fliss smirked.
 “I like riding him.” She hiccupped, as everyone burst into laughter and Frank shook his head as she pressed a kiss to his cheek.
 “You’re a fucking nightmare” he sniggered and she shrugged.
 *****
 The next morning everyone was feeling the effects of a heavy weekend, and Frank was pleased that they had the late check out option. Eventually, after dragging themselves out of bed they managed to shower, pack up and head down to check out. There was another argument about who was paying for the room, this time Fliss winning as she put her foot down telling him he was paying for New York and that she really wanted to pay for this. She’d told Frank before about John never letting her have any financial control over anything and Frank knew that it meant a lot to her so he relented, and instead bought them brunch before they set off home.
 They got back in time for a roast dinner, and then they headed back to the annex to watch a film, Fliss crashing out halfway through. She left them to it and headed to bed and was flat out by the time Frank made his way upstairs.
 “I can’t believe you got the day off!” She moaned at him over breakfast on the Monday morning.
 “I can’t believe you didn’t” he shot back
“I can’t…clients and stuff.” She pouted, biting into her toast before she groaned again. “I’m too old for partying all weekend…I can’t hack it anymore.” Frank snorted and took a sip of his coffee before Fliss grinned at him. “Can we go again next year?”
 Frank laughed “The Circle Of Truth have already decided it’s going to be an annual thing from now on.” he said, standing up and with a kiss to her head he moved to the stairs yelling for Mary to get a wiggle on. She came down the stairs, Fred and Thor following before she ate her cereal and then Frank bustled her out of the door to drop her off for the last Monday of the school term. 
Wednesday lunchtime, however, their happy little bubble burst.
 Frank was actually in the sales part of the shop, discussing the benefits of different types of engines with a customer, having been asked to give some advice. He spotted Fliss’ jeep pulling up and as soon as she climbed out and turned towards him, he could tell from her face what was going on.
 “Excuse me for just one second.” He politely told the customer, and glancing at his boss he jerked his head towards Fliss. His boss, a nice enough guy called Andy, knew vaguely what was going on and nodded in understanding as Frank stepped outside.
 “Baby?” he asked tentatively as Fliss stopped in front of him.
“He did it.” she whispered softly, stepping into his arm, pressing her face into his chest.  “He made parole. They let the fucker out.”
**** Chapter 18
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dudeandduchess · 4 years
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Kyōjurō x F!S/O: Disneyland (Fluff, Modern AU, Big Daddy 4K Promo, SFW Scenario)
Summary: Kyō and his s/o go to Disneyland for a date. Matching Mickey Mouse ears, and matching shirts as well. Oh my.
Note: Requested by @helloxhoneybean. Hope you like it, bby. 🥰 Also, I listened to ‘If It’s Love’ by Cyra, ‘Daylight’ by Taylor Swift, and ‘Sugar, Sugar’ by The Archies on repeat while writing this.
***
(Y/n)’s excitement was still unparalleled, even as she dug into her waffle sundae while sitting beneath the shade of one of the trees scattered all around the park. She should have been worried about Kyōjurō not seeing her through the throng of people mulling about in front of her, but she knew that he wouldn’t miss the matching shirt that she wore.
So, with much gusto, she dug back into her sundae; even closing her eyes as she savored the sweetness of the cold treat hitting her tongue.
She wanted nothing more than to eat the other Mickey Mouse shaped mini waffle that bordered the container, but held herself back from doing so— with a wistful expression crossing her features. After all, she had to save it for Kyōjurō.
It was just taking him so long to get back from getting churros from the cart not too far away from where she was.
Meanwhile, Kyōjurō had long gotten the churros that he’d claimed to want— along with the popcorn and the pretzel that he’d gotten with it at the last minute. What was taking him so long was trying to balance all of those snacks in his arms, while also trying to get the pair of Mickey and Minnie Mouse ears to stay on his head as he avoided the crowd around him.
He had even planned to surprise (Y/n) by slipping it on her head from behind, but it seemed that it wasn’t going to happen. As evidenced by the fact that he was already struggling with three snacks in his hands.
Looking down at the bucket of popcorn, he had to swallow back the urge to balance it on one arm— all so he could pop a piece in his mouth. Instead, the young man covertly looked around before bringing the paper bucket up to his mouth, and then poked his tongue out to eat the popcorn… much like a lizard.
A few people chuckled at his antics— mostly the kids that were getting pushed along by their parents in their strollers— but he paid no mind to them, as he made a beeline back to where he had left (Y/n) by the lip of Mainstreet.
In a sea of vibrantly colored shirts, she stood out in her black one; the matching pair to his own ‘She’s my Sweet Potato’ shirt.
He couldn’t even hold back the smile that tugged up on the corners of his lips, at the mere sight of her digging into her sundae. She truly looked so adorable, especially with the way that she was smiling so contentedly with every bite.
If he hadn’t been holding anything in his hands, Kyōjurō would have grabbed his chest and rubbed the spot above his heart. If only to calm his erratic heart down.
With a renewed pep to his step, the young man made his way through the throng of people between them— being careful not to bump into anyone, in case they made his popcorn spill. Because that would truly have been a loss for him.
“Hey, baby,” Kyōjurō greeted over the din of the music and the chatter around them, holding up the snacks in his hands and tilting his head to bring attention to the mouse ears that he’d gotten just for them.
If it was even possible, the smile on (Y/n)’s face got even brighter at the sight of him; which had him grinning as he tried to tamp down the flustered blush that was trying to color his cheeks.
Fortunately, she paid no mind to how adorable he looked with his blush— instead patting the empty space beside her, for him to sit at.
“I got us the ears that you were looking at earlier,” The blond offered with that same grin on his face, lowering his head once he sat down, so (Y/n) could take the ears that were obviously hers; if the glitter, ribbon, and sequins were anything to go by. “Do you like them?”
Gingerly, the young woman got her pair of mouse ears from Kyōjurō’s head, balancing the sundae container on her lap as she quickly slipped the headpiece on with an excited squeak. “Like them? I love them! Thank you, Kyō!”
To think that he got them after seeing her wistfully looking at them in passing… it had (Y/n) feeling all of the butterflies fluttering around in her stomach. Because it was one little gesture that meant so much to her, as it showed just how much Kyōjurō paid attention to her, even when she wasn’t looking
And Kyōjurō could only look on as his lover excitedly took her mouse ears off, holding them up in front of her face to admire them— grinning so beautifully that it took his breath away.
It was almost enough to make him drop his churro and waffle.
She was just that beautiful to him, especially when he was the reason that she was smiling.
“You even got the one that I liked the most,” (Y/n) mused off-handedly, before turning to look at Kyōjurō; only to see him holding such a soft smile on his face, with eyes as warm as the sun. He was looking at her so intently that she couldn’t even will herself to look away.
Instead, she found herself mirroring his own expression; as both of them got trapped in a bubble that was their own world. The noise slowly disappeared; no excited giggles of children, or the chattering of people around them, nor was there any indication that anything aside from the two of them existed at that very moment.
“I love you.” Red-tinted irises widened at first, not in regret but in surprise. Kyōjurō and (Y/n) had only been dating for two months, after all, and some would say that it was too soon for such a declaration.
Though, it wasn’t something that was construed as a spur of the moment decision, but something that Kyōjurō had always thought ever since he had met (Y/n).
He really did love her, more than anyone else in the world.
And her answering expression was more than enough to make his entire world stop and tilt on its axis; as it was simply the most beautiful smile that he had ever seen on her. Much more beautiful than any of her other smiles.
Because it was one that said that she loved him, too.
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Riding High Ch 17: Welcome To Miami
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Chapter Summary: Frank, Fliss and the Circle Of Truth take a Road Trip….
Chapter Warnings: Bad Language words. SMUT (NSFW) No under 18s!!!
Chapter Pairings:  Frank Adler x OFC Fliss Gallagher
A/N: As always, gotta thank @icanfeelastormbrewing for her help and suggestions with this!
Chapter Song:   Live Forever by Oasis
Series Masterlist  // Main Masterlist 
Maybe you're the same as me, we see things they'll never see, you and I are gonna live forever
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June 2018
“How’s Fliss?” Gregg asked as Frank leaned back in his chair, hand curled round his bottle of beer. 
Frank looked at his friend and took a deep breath “She says she’s ok. I think it’s the waiting that’s the worst. Knowing the board’s been held is one thing, not knowing the outcome….” “I know it’s hard and easy for me to say this but…well, even if he gets out he won’t be allowed anywhere near her. As I explained to her likely hood is he’ll be tagged and on a curfew and movements restricted to the state of Mass.” Gregg took a sip of his drink “And if it isn’t done automatically, through the appeal process I can file for further restrictions as well around him contacting her in any way, shape or form…but I’d be surprised if that isn’t a condition.”
“I know.” Frank said, “And she gets that…I think it’s more anger about the whole thing now you know?” “It sucks.” Gregg nodded “He spent so long abusing her and he’s still managing to do it in a way through all this.” Frank raised his eyebrows and took a drink of his beer, nodding to Jake and Simon as they approached their table.
“I know I don’t need to ask but…” Frank started but Gregg raised a hand.
“You’re right, you don’t.” he said, understanding immediately that Frank was asking him to keep quiet, and he nodded as their two friends arrived at the table. After the greetings they all settled down reaching for a beer from the bucket that sat in the middle of them all, the conversation easy. Frank was happy to see the boys, he hadn’t in a few weeks so he’d grabbed the opportunity for a few beers happily, Fliss and Mary practically shoving him out of the door as they had some girly night in planned with Roberta consisting of popcorn, pizza, facemasks and a Marvel DVD, Fliss and Roberta assuring him whole heartedly they were watching it because it was a good film and not merely to perve on Chris Hemsworth or Evans or whoever the hell the Chris was in this particular one.
Whatever, sweetheart.
“So…” Simon said, looking around the table “Are we still on for a weekend somewhere? 22nd to 24th June?”
They all made noises, and Frank nodded. “Schedules cleared, baby sitter lined up…we just need to decide where we’re going.”
“Well, I got something to suggest to y’all…” Jake grinned “Greg already knows about this, but basically, the Company we’re doing the promotional work for has offered us up to 10 each for the Miami Rocks Concert which runs that weekend....so if you’re interested.”
“Rock music?” Simon looked at him, and Jake shook his head. 
“Not just rock.” he said, leaning forward “It’s a combination of tribute acts and the real deal…and there’s different stages each with a different genre, and the main stage which contains the big acts.” “Ok, I’m interested…” Frank leaned forward.
“So the Friday night is a rewind to the 70s, 80s and 90s… headlined by none other than Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, Mr Will Smith himself…” Frank let out a snort and looked at Simon who had started bopping in his seat, clicking his fingers.
“That finishes about midnight and then Saturday is the big one. You got 5 Seconds of Summer, George Ezra and Liam Gallagher from Oasis headlining that night.” Jake continued “The other stages rage from all sorts. Mo-Town, Indie, Chart, Reggae…and then there’s a party after which continues until early hours, run by Hot Dub Time Machine.”
“Shut the front door!” Simon snorted “Hot Dub?”
Jake nodded.
“Dude I saw him one New Year’s Eve in New York a few years ago.” Simon said “He was brilliant!”
Frank sat and listened as his friends started to discuss the concert in more detail. He had to admit, it sounded like a pretty good idea, and just the distraction Fliss could do with.
“Hate to be the voice of logic…” Simon said. “But if it’s only like three weeks off, wont’ we have trouble getting hotel rooms?”
“Fuck that, I’ll sleep on the back of the truck.” Frank said, causing the rest of them to laugh. “No need Frankie-boi, I work for the Hyatt Group man.” Jake shook his head “Three rooms already reserved out in the Regency, about 10 minutes’ walk if that from Bayfront Park where the concert is…just in case you fancied it. $100 a room for 2 nights, including a late checkout on the Sunday coz, well, we’re gonna need it.”
“Three?” Frank frowned.
“You and Fliss, Simon and Bonnie, and Me and Greg…” “What about Zara and Lisa?” he frowned “I thought this was a couple’s thing, not a boys weekend away…”
“Well it was going to be…” Greg shrugged “But Zara’s away with the kids that weekend, decided to go back to California as her sister is being taken in for a C-section, and of course she has to be there…”
“And it’s Lisa’s idea of hell…” Jake supplied.
“So why don’t we re-arrange?” Simon asked.
“Fuck that!” Jake snorted “I’m got a child and fiancée free pass for the weekend.” “Amen brother!” Gregg hi-fived him.
“But you two can bring your girls, no problem…they’re cool” Jake gestured between Frank and Simon with his beer bottle. “Thanks for your permission…” Frank raised an eyebrow.
****
Naturally, Fliss was over the moon with the promise of a music festival, especially when she looked up the acts that were on. So, when the Friday in question rolled around, after dropping Mary at school, with strict instructions she was to behave herself as Frank WOULD be checking, they set off in Fliss’ jeep, Frank driving as she lounged in the passenger seat, eyes hidden by her aviators, hair pulled into a loose side pony tail as they made the four hour down the coast and across state to Florida, stopping half way for some food at a roadside diner.
Given that Simon and Bonnie weren’t due to arrive until just gone 5 ish, Bonnie having to finish the morning’s classes before she could leave and that Jake and Greg were here having come down the night before, when they had checked in they decided to freshen up and go for a walk, Fliss eager to hit Lincoln Road Mall. They spent a few hours just walking and looking in the shops, eventually finding a Pandora one which Fliss headed into wanting a new charm for her bracelet as a memory of the weekend. She paced the shop eventually settling for a silver palm tree with a small diamond in the middle of the trunk and Frank batted her hand down when she went to pay, instead producing his card. The usual argument about who was paying ensued, which eventually Frank won by telling Fliss that he wanted to be the one that filled that bracelet for her, and she relented, smiling softly. Frank didn’t miss the relieved look on the shop assistant’s face as she finally waved the out of the store.
They met Jake and Greg in a bar not far from the hotel, and they were joined by Bonnie and Simon for a drink before the two girls announced they were heading off to get changed and ready for the evening.  Frank left it until about 20 minutes before he needed to be ready and headed up to their room, pulling on one of his infamous hideous Hawaiian shirts which he had brought especially. Fliss looked at him, shaking her head with a fond smile on her face as he innocently asked her what the problem was. She laughed and told him nothing at all, before she gave him a kiss and they headed down to meet the others.
The walk down to the Park took them 10 minutes. Fliss was walking slightly ahead with Bonnie, her braid swinging down her back, gently brushing against the yellow off the shoulder top she was wearing. Her bottom half was dressed in denim shorts, a pair of pink converse boots on her feet. She’d certainly embraced the Festival Vibe, opting for bright colours in honour of the fact they were heading back musically a few decades. They arrived and joined the queue to exchange their tickets for wrists bands which took them about 15 minutes, and then they joined the lines to get through the main gates. That didn’t take long at all and once they were through they followed the crowd before Greg stopped, and looked around.
“We get split up…” “We all got phones!” Jake snorted “What are you, 50?”
“Sorry, force of habit with the kids…” Greg let out a groan as everyone laughed.
“So the main stage is that way…” Jake said, pointing to his left “Right at the back. DJ stage is there, and the other stages are dotted about…anyone got any preference on where we go?” “Other than Will Smith I really wanna to go the 80s stage!” Fliss grinned and Bonnie Hi-Fived her.
“Yeah we got some Duran Duran to dance to.” she agreed. “And Erasure.”
“And Wham.” “And Culture Club….” “Yeah, we get the picture…” Simon rolled his eyes.
“Oh and I want to see the Queen and AC/DC tributes.” Fliss finished.
“Anything else?” Frank looked at her.
“Beer.” she nodded “We need beer.”
“Well we need tokens.” Jake said, “No cash at the bar, tokens only so…the tent is over there…”
They all set off, Fliss and Bonnie hanging behind chatting away, but it wasn’t long before their chatter died down and Frank turned to see that, actually, it hadn’t died down, they’d disappeared. “Where the hell are the girls?”  Simon asked, looking round as he realised they were missing.
“Knowing Fliss in some tent getting her face painted…” Frank paused, turning on the spot before he spotted them. Fliss was stood as Bonnie was sat on a stool, having some sort of Festival glitter painted around her temple and eye socket. “Yup, there you go…” Simon followed his gaze and snorted. “Fucking hell…what are they, 8?” “Leave ‘em be.” Frank said fondly “Come on, let’s go get the drinks sorted.”
He waved at Fliss, before pointing to where they were going and she gave him a thumbs up to show she understood, before Bonnie stood up and she sat down. Frank smiled at her face as it lit up and he headed off after Simon.
By the time they had gotten the tokens and ordered beers for them all, the girls still hadn’t joined them, and it didn’t take long to realise why. They were both in a tent which contained 2 electronic dance mats, right in the middle of a very energetic dance off.
“It’s like having a pair of kids…” Simon mumbled the boys stood by the entrance to the tent whilst Frank simply grinned. As they watched Bonnie made a mistake, the mat flashed red, and then another one, before Fliss made one too. The two girls’ foot work was ridiculously fast as the song gathered pace and finally the routine ended. Fliss grinned and hi-fived Bonnie as their scores flashed up, Fliss winning by 60 points.
“Yesss!” she grinned punching the air as Bonnie shook her head and the man handed them both some really tacky bright pink beaded necklaces for taking part.
“Re-match…” Bonnie said, looking at Fliss as they both dropped the necklaces over their heads.
“Maybe later, I’m fucked now…” Fliss said, bending over, hands on her knees as she drew her breath “I need a drink!”
She turned and saw the boys in the doorway, Frank raised an eyebrow and held up the beer and she grinned.
“I knew I bought you for something.” He rolled his eyes and then Greg suggested they head off to the first stage for the start of the 80s Tribute acts. They only intended to stay for a short while but Fliss begged Frank to stay longer, and was backed up by Bonnie as the Duran-Duran band came on. Fliss told Frank if he wanted to go and meet up later he could, but truth be told he didn’t want to. This was as much a weekend for him and her as it was for him and his friends, so with that in mind Simon and Frank both decided to stay with the girls and that they would find the others later.
And Frank was glad of his decision, as about 20 minutes later, when Hungry Like the Wolf started to play, Fliss was bouncing around like a lunatic. He knew it was one of her favourite songs, and seeing her cutting loose was making him a little horny if truth be told. He moved up behind her and grabbed her hips, swaying with her in time to the music as he dropped a kiss to her shoulder, gently singing along as she danced in front of him, occasionally brushing up against the front of his shorts, which was doing nothing to help his current situation.
“Someone’s definitely on the hunt down…” she teased, pushing her ass back into his crotch whilst she turned her head to face him as the song morphed into Rio. He grinned and gave her a kiss.
“Not hunting, I already got you.” “Hmm, yeah you did…” she murmured against his lips.
The continued dancing with one another, Simon and Bonnie doing the same before the 4 of them all decided they were ready for another drink. As fate would have it, they found Greg and Jake already at the bar. They muscled their way in, grabbed another beer and then all turned to head towards one of the tall, standing tables which were dotted around not far from the bar. Frank waited for Fliss as she had ordered a bottle of water too, and the guy serving had forgotten it. When he came back, apologising, Fliss waved him off and thanked him as Frank picked the bottle up and stuck it in his pocket. He reached for Fliss’ hand, and they were making their way over to their friends when suddenly he felt Fliss yell out and she stopped dead. He turned to face her, seeing someone had bumped into her and her beer had spilt all down her top.
“Hey, come on man…” Frank looked at the guy as Fliss pulled her hand out of his to wipe at her top “Be careful huh…” But the man wasn’t looking at him, his eyes were fixed completely on Fliss. “Yes, wouldn’t want an accident now would we, Felicity?” At the sound of her full name Frank instantly knew this had to be someone to do with her ex-husband and he reached out for Fliss as he saw her stiffen and slowly she raised her head to look at the man, her eyes widening and she swallowed.
“Richard.” she spoke softly.
“Fancy seeing you here. Must be nice to be free to do what you want.” “Yeah, well, making up for lost time I suppose…” she said, “I didn’t exactly get a lot of chance to have fun when your brother was beating the shit out of me.”
Her chin raised a little defiantly and Frank felt a surge of pride as she stood up for herself, the anger evident on her face.
“You’re a fucking liar…” Richard said and Frank immediately stepped in.
“Ok that’s enough…” he said sternly, looking at the man “We’re not here for any trouble, we’re just out for a good time with friends, and I’d like to keep it that way. So, if you don’t mind, we’re done here.” he turned to Fliss and slid his arm round her waist, making to steer her away.
“You need to be careful.” Richard spoke to Frank’s retreating back. “Now she’s got her claws into you, you’re done…first sign of trouble she’ll be accusing you of all sorts.”
Frank sighed, he’d tried to be reasonable, but the anger felt like it was bubbling from his feet and he whirled round, placing himself in between the man and Fliss. “Listen, asshole, why don’t you just fuck off?” he spoke, tone laced with venom. “Your brother is a nasty, wife beating, rapist piece of shit.”
At that Richard stepped forward, drawing himself to full height, still a good 3 inches shorter than Frank. His fists balled as he clenched his hands at his side, his mouth curled up into a snarl.
“She’s a liar.”  Richard pointed at Fliss, before his attention turned back to Frank. “She lied and because of her, John’s life and career is ruined…” “His life? Ruined?” Frank barked out a laugh “Your brother got nothing more than he deserved, and so will you if you don’t get the fuck outta my face.”
“Frank…” Fliss pleaded with him, pulling on his arm and desperately looking around for help before this descended into a fight. Thankfully, she caught Jake’s eye who hit Greg on the shoulder, who in turn tapped Simon, and the three of them plus Bonnie hastily started to jog over.
“If he was that bad why has he been considered for parole?” Richard shrugged “An appeal his lawyer is convinced he’ll win…” Richard said, taking a step back as the other men approached. “And that’s all because they finally saw through her lies…” Frank made an angry noise but Greg pushed himself in between the two men, patting Frank on the chest.
“Come on buddy…” he said. “Whatever it is, leave it…” Jake went to grab Frank’s arm, but he jerked it out of his grip.
“I’ll tell you this…” Frank said, pointing at Richard “If he gets out, you can tell him from me, he stays the fuck away from my girl, and the rest of my family, you got that? Or I’ll put him in a hospital, see how he likes it.”
“Big man making all the threats huh?” “It ain’t a threat, it’s a god-damned promise.” Frank snarled. Richard gave a snort of a laugh before he allowed his wife to steer him away, shooting one last contemptuous glance at both him and Fliss.
“What the fuck?” Simon turned to Frank, who completely ignored him and moved to where Fliss was stood, her arms wrapped cross her front, hugging herself, Bonnie gently talking to her.
“You ok?” he asked her gently and she gave a nod as he took her in his arms, hugging her tightly, hand falling to the back of her head.
Gregg gave Frank a questioning look, which Frank answered with two words “His brother.” Gregg’s mouth fell open and he gave a nod of understanding.
“Who’s brother?” Jake pressed, “What just happened? I’m so confused.” “To be fair that doesn’t take much…” Frank heard Gregg say which earned him a “Fuck you” in response, and the two men began to bicker as Fliss stepped back from his arms. Frank looked down at her, taking her face in his hands.  “You good?” 
“Yeah…” she nodded “You shouldn’t have risen to him.” “Probably not.” he shrugged “But I’m not having that piece of shit or anyone associated with him trash mouthing you.”
“My hero…” she rolled her eyes, but the smile on her face told him he wasn’t in too much trouble. He gave a snort of a laugh and dropped a kiss to her head. “Can we go back to the dancing now please? And I need another beer, that ass hole spilt mine.” “Is it time for tequila yet?” Bonnie asked, offering Fliss a drink of her beer. Fliss took a sip, shaking her head 
“I swore after last time I would never drink that shit again.”
“But that was a lie, right?” Bonnie looked at her as she passed her pint back over.
“Yup, a very big lie…” Fliss agreed, causing the rest of the group to laugh.
So they did their tequila. Several shots of to be intact and spent the rest of the night wandering stage to stage, lapping up the atmosphere. Frank kept a close eye on his girl who seemed none the worse for her encounter as she danced the night away with him and Bonnie, the 2 of them disappearing at one point for a walk around the various stalls that were around the outside, coming back with a packet of interlocking glow sticks which they proceeded to activate and make head wear out of.  
Will Smith took to the stage at about 10 pm and Frank was beside himself with laughter as Fliss reverted to some kind of school kid. She seemed to know every single word to every goddamned song he had, and when it came to Men In Black she launched expertly into the dance routine that half the crowd were doing, in time to the video showing behind the stage.  Simon and Jake tried to copy her before they both gave up and when she finished she turned around and Frank raised his beer to her and she bowed, as they all laughed. Deciding that they didn’t want to stay for the after party, considering they knew it was going to be a really late one the next evening, instead they agreed to head down to the beach. They managed to find a guy who was walking round with a cool box selling beer and they bought 2 bottles each, for twice the price they should be but, whatever…
When in Miami…
As they walked across the sand, Frank looped his arm round Fliss’ shoulder whilst they weaved themselves through the various mini-parties which seemed to be going on as people were set up all over with small fires, beer, drinks and music playing. Frank had a sneaking suspicion half of them were probably intending on sleeping there too. Eventually they found a clear spot and flopped down onto the sand, under the illumination of one of the boardwalk lights and then Simon stood up, heading over to a group of teenagers sat a bit to their right.
“What’s he doing?” Greg asked.
“I think he’s reverse bootlegging.” Jake said and Frank gave a snort of laughter.
“What?” Fliss frowned, “What’s that?” “Instead of selling alcohol to underage kids he’s buying it off them, look.” Frank said, nodding to him. Fliss watched as Simon slipped one of the kids a twenty and took the bottle of vodka he was offering to them, raising it up as he walked back.
“What the fuck man?” Greg snorted “That’s…”
“Shameful.” Jake nodded before he chuckled, shaking his head. “I love it.” With a grin Simon dropped down next to Bonnie, standing the bottle of vodka up in the middle of the circle they seemed to have made as Fliss sat between Frank’s legs, leaning back against his chest. His spare hand ran up and down the outside of her thigh softly as they all sat chatting about the evening, comparing their best bits and what they were looking forward to tomorrow evening. Eventually, someone, Frank wasn’t sure who, decided that they should play Never Have I Ever, and Fliss eagerly agreed, jumping in with the first question.
“Ok, never have I ever driven a boat…” Fliss smirked.
“What, that’s a crap one!” Frank snorted “Everyone here’s probably driven one…including you.”
“Nope…”
“Bullshit!” he snorted “On our first date, and several times since…”
“I sailed it Frankie, I didn’t drive it…”
He paused for a moment and then looked up as everyone in the circle grinned.
“She’s right man…” Simon conceded “I sailed mine too…” “And me…”
“And me…”
“Oh fuck you!” Frank spluttered as they all laughed at him. Fliss handed him the bottle, which he took from her with a glare taking a mouthful. Fucking hell, he could tell it was cheap as it burnt like paint stripper as he swallowed, wincing.
That was basically the way the game went. Each trying to deliberately catch everyone else out. Simon caught Jake spectacularly, forcing him to reveal a tale about how he got locked out of a hotel room, naked on the balcony and climbed down 2 storeys to go and get a spare key from reception, Simon repeatedly got Bonnie on a number of occasions before Frank caught Fliss out with the tale of how she had once called her University Lecturer “Daddy.” by mistake.
“Ok, Never have I ever…”  Fliss paused, before a wicked grin spread on her face and she looked at Frank “Called anyone else’s name during sex.”
“Oh God…” Frank heard Bonnie mumble from where she was sat, but before he could even open his mouth to call Fliss an ass hole, he saw Greg reaching for the bottle.
“No WAY!” Fliss spluttered, looking at Greg “What? When!”
“I was about 21…” Greg said, scrunching up his face. “I was in bed with a girl and, well, I called her mom’s name.” The entire group fell silent before Jake, Frank and Simon all let out a roar of laughter, and Fliss snorted, grinning from ear to ear.
“That’s…impressive.” Frank nodded as Greg put the bottle down and Fliss picked it up and handed it to Frank. Everyone turned their attention to him as he narrowed his eyes and grabbed it from her.
“Spill.” Simon pointed at him.
“I err, well…look, it…” Frank stuttered over his words “I was…look we don’t need to discuss this…” he said, knocking back the vodka and avoiding Bonnie’s eyes, shaking his head “I plead the 5th.” There were various groans around the group but when they realised Frank wasn’t going to budge Greg shrugged, calling him a pussy, and picked the next category.
“Never have I ever kissed someone of the same sex.” he said, with a raised eyebrow. Both Fliss and Bonnie moved for the bottle at the same time, and the boys all cheered. 
“Was it each other?” Simon grinned “Please tell me it was…” “Ok,no…that…” Frank began to protest, hiccupping slightly.  “That would be weird…”
“No it wasn’t each other.” Bonnie grinned at Simon “I was 17, playing spin the bottle and had to kiss this girl called Eva…” “And that’s it?” Simon asked. 
“Yeah…” she nodded, taking a drink from the bottle before she passed it to Fliss.
“Spill…” Frank instructed her, his hand on her hip where she was still nestled in between his legs.
“I was 19…and, yeah, well, I experimented” she shrugged. “A few times…”
“Wait, there was…” Frank looked at her as she turned her head to grin at him “You did more than kiss?”
“For me to know and you to find out Sailor…” she winked. Well fuck me!
Another 15 minutes or go they’d exhausted the bottle of vodka and decided to call it a night. Bonnie was faring the worst out of them all, her and Simon walking a little behind everyone as he kept his arm round her to keep her steady. Frank noticed Fliss was remarkably with it considering what they’d drunk, but then for such a small person she did have quite a high tolerance, and she’d drunk a hell of a lot of water as well.
At the hotel they bid everyone goodnight and headed up to their room where Fliss decided she needed to shower to get rid of all the glitter and sand and sweat from dancing. Frank was inclined to agree so let her go first, swapping over after 10 minutes or so with an exchange of a soft kiss in the bathroom doorway. By the time Frank got out of the shower Fliss was sat cross legged on the large bed dressed in a camisole and boy-shorts set which was white with multi-coloured polka dots on it. It was the set he had bought her for Valentine’s Day, along with a set of baby-pink lace underwear. He loved seeing her in lace, but there was something about the lounge sets like the one she was wearing now that gave her an innocence, made her look so comfy and so settled that he adored seeing her wearing them around the house and to bed…even if they didn’t stay on long.
She grinned up at him as he smiled, crossing to drop a kiss on her head.
“You raid the minibar?” he asked, nodding to the packet of chips she had ripped open.
“Yeah.” she shrugged “Figured fuck it, why not?” “Well…”he crossed the room and opened the fridge which was under the TV unit “In for a penny…” he pulled two beers out, popped the tops and passed her one.
“Don’t you think we’ve had enough?”
“Can you see straight?”
“Yeah…”
“Then no.” he said and she laughed, taking it from him.
“You’re a bad man Frank Adler.” “I try.” he quipped. She shook her head, smiling before she reached for her phone which had just gone off. Frank whipped the towel from around his waist and stepped into a clean pair of boxers before he roughly dried his hair.
“Bonnie says her and Simon are hitting the beach during the day tomorrow…do you fancy it?” “Sure.” he nodded, dropping to the bed, laying down on his side, propping himself up on his elbow as he reached for a Dorito.
“At least I think that’s what this message says. ‘Going to the Bitch…’ I mean that’s gotta be beach huh?”
Frank snorted as Fliss scrunched up the empty chip bag and tossed it across the room where it settled just besides the bin. They both looked at it for a second before Fliss shrugged. ”She was trashed.”
“I’m not surprised.” Fliss said, moving to toss her phone onto the night table before she too settled on her side, facing Frank, elbow on the pillow “Simon was deliberately asking questions in that game where he knew she’d have to drink…” “Oh and you weren’t…” he looked at Fliss who shrugged, grinning cheekily “Never have I ever called anyone else’s name during sex, I mean seriously! She was right there!”
“I know, which is what made it so funny.” “Funny is not the word I would use…” “Oh whatever, and as if Greg has done that too!” she said, chuckling as she also settled on her side “He’s a dark horse…” “So are you…” he looked at her taking a long drink of his beer. “In fact….I think you need to tell me more about these lesbian encounters you experienced whilst experimenting aged 19."  
"They weren't proper lesbian encounters, I was teasing you...."
"I don't care, make em up." He said and she let out a laugh.
"If I do will it get me something nice?" she grinned.
"Something very, very nice."  He raised an eyebrow suggestively.
Fliss grinned and then launched into a clearly made up bullshit story about some girl called Candy and Frank completely zoned out. He was simply too caught up concentrating on the childish, teasing expression on her face as she spoke. Her eyes were shining in the dim light of the room as she talked and grinned in the same manner she had been doing all night. Not even the encounter with that asshole’s brother has dampened her spirit. She was just enjoying herself, freely. And so was he. She said she couldn't remember the last festival or concert she had been to, and Frank had admitted the same. It had to have been easily 10 years ago. It felt good to be recapturing that part of their lives they had both given up (albeit for very different reasons) and making new memories together that he knew would last a lifetime.
A lifetime...huh, how about that?
He zoned back in just in time to hear Fliss' very risqué story telling, and dropped his head with a sight that was half laugh, half groan at her filthy tale.
"...and her thighs were so strong, it was ridiculous, my ears were squashed so hard, I felt like my head was in a vice. Still, I managed to-"
"Ok..." he said, taking her beer off her and setting it down on his nightstand along with his, before he leaned over Fliss, caging her with his arms "I'm getting kinda jealous...and a bit turned on...it’s kinda confusing.
“You asked…” she muttered as his face dropped her hers.
“Yeah, I did…” he said softly, his lips brushing against hers “And I promised you something nice…” “Very,very nice…” Fliss said, her hands sliding up his arms to his shoulder.
“Well, I’m a man of my word…” he grinned, lips pressing to hers harder this time in a soft, deep kiss which he pulled away from and ran his nose against hers.
“Turn over…”
“What?” she looked at him, her eyes widening slightly.
“You trust me?”
“Of course I do…” “Then turn over…”
She took a deep breath, and looked at him and he looked straight back, fully understanding what she was thinking. He’d never asked her to do that before. “Lissy, I promise I’m not gonna hurt you.” “I know you’re not…” she said, shaking her head, before she bit her lip and he moved back so she could turn over onto her stomach. With gently finger tips he brushed her hair off her shoulders, sweeping it to one side gently dropping soft kisses down her neck as his hands traced down to her hips. He gently grasped her top and she moved to allow him to slide it up and over.
The sheets on the bed rustled slightly as he moved downwards, pressing his lips to the small of her back, watching her reaction carefully as he saw her fingers clutching softly at the pillow. He continued his affections, lips and hands exploring every part of the soft skin on her back until he was fully led over her, thighs bracketing hers, his mouth gently sucking at that spot behind her ear that drove her wild. And right on cue she let out a low groan and he felt his groin twitch at the noise. Fliss could feel his hardness against her back and as his teeth gently grazed her ear she felt her spine arch slightly.
He moved away, and his hand gently slid to grasp at the hem of her shorts, and she tilted her hips up slightly so he could pull them down, hurriedly departing with his own boxers before he resumed his previous position.
“You good?” he asked her softly and she nodded in response.
With gentle hands he reached down between her legs to finding her hot and wet for him already. At his touch she arched her back again. Frank let out a grin and moved slightly so he could part her thighs with his knee. Repositioning himself, he led flat, his arms sliding up hers so he could lace his fingers with hers, palms resting on the backs of her hands and he gently pushed into her, the pair of them giving a groan at the feeling and tightness of this angle. He gently thrust, his chest sliding up over her back, and she moved ever so slightly with him, her head tilted back slightly and she turned her face towards his where he caught her mouth in a slow, sloppy kiss. Frank continued his languid, deep movements, listening to the quickening of her breath and eventually he felt her hips beginning to rise in slow circles, her whimpers increasing.
He gently knelt up, and pulled her hips so she was perched on her knees, pushing into her slowly, deeply, letting her get used to the position that they’d never tried before because Frank knew it wasn’t one she had good memories of but right now, her body was relaxed and she was giving him everything. His hand reached up and he traced down her spine before he leaned over and placed another soft kiss on her neck before he moved and grasped at her hips again, his pace gently quickening, a low moan escaping his mouth as Fliss pushed back onto him, wordlessly telling him she wanted more. He thrust forwards again and again, pulling her back onto him at the same time, his eyes focussed on where they were joined, the sight of him sliding in and out of her made him moan with desire.
“Don’t stop…” he heard her half pant, half whisper and he picked up the pace ever so slightly, leaning over to gently nip at the back of her neck, causing her to shudder, a deep growl rumbled in his chest as her walls briefly squeezed around him.
“Fuck, baby…” he groaned as her hands clutched at the bed sheets whilst he buried himself deep inside of her stilling for a moment.
“Frankie…” she whined and squirmed as she turned to look at him over her shoulder. Once glance at his clenched jaw and she knew he was trying to fight back his high as he picked up his previous movements, just a little bit faster. She was close, quietly moaning his name as she dropped her head back down, forehead against the pillows, her spine arching as he continued to thrust.
Frank groaned again “Come on sweetheart...” his voice deeper like it always was when he was in the throes of desire, “let go for me.” He rolled his hips forwards, five or six more times before she was done.
“Fuck, Frank, I…” she let out a broken cry as her core spasmed again and again and her entire body trembled as a loud lament spilled from her lips. He was done himself, and with a groan of her name his relief washed over him with an intensity he couldn’t even begin to describe.
Fliss collapsed forward and Frank tumbled with her, his chest onto her back, his weight crushing her in the best way possible for a second ot two before he rolled onto his side. Reaching out, his hand gently across her bare back as Fliss face, which was pressed into the pillow turned to face him.
He leaned over and gave her a soft kiss, brushing her hair off her face.
“OK…” she mumbled, nodding at him “I’ll concede. That was very, very nice…”
******* “You behaving?” Frank asked Mary as he and Fliss lay in bed the next morning, the phone held at arms-length so they could both see her.
“Yeah, of course…” Mary rolled her eyes “Bill took me to the yard last night and Joanne helped me tack Monty up and then Bill walked round the field with us so the dogs could have a run and it was awesome!”
“When I get back we’ll do the full trail ride.” Fliss smiled at her “Takes a good hour, we can go one evening before it gets dark.”
“Cool!” Mary grinned, bending down and then suddenly Fred’s bemused face filled the screen. Frank snorted as he was instructed to say hi to Fred, which he did, before the cat settled down on Mary’s lap and she continued to chat to him about what she had done the night before…which was basically staying up until gone midnight with Bill watching Harry Potter in the movie room.
Eventually they got her to pass the phone over to Verity, who assured Frank she was no trouble, and then they cut the call and decided to get up and head down for breakfast to meet everyone.
The day was spent lazily on the beach. Fliss hardly moved at all, simply soaking up the sun as Frank and Simon continuously brought her and Bonnie a supply of drinks as the man remained by the bar at the top of the sand.
“I gotta ask…”Bonnie said, turning to look at Fliss “And tell me to shut up if I’m outta line but yesterday, that guy Frank looked like he wanted to kill…who was he? Simon says he’s never seen Frank that angry…” “Oh, err…” Fliss rubbed her head “It was my ex-husbands brother, he was being an ass hole.” “Oh.” Bonnie frowned “I take it you don’t get along…nasty break up?” “You could say that…” Fliss said, taking a sip of her drink, tapping the straw lightly on her lips. “John…my ex…he er…he used to beat me. Badly. He’s actually in prison, well, for how long we don’t know as he had his parole hearing about 4 weeks ago so..” “Oh shit…” Bonnie dropped her gaze “Sorry, I didn’t…” “It’s ok.” Fliss said, waving off the usual apologies that came when she told someone about her past.
There was a moment of silence before Bonnie sat up and looked at Fliss.
“Wanna go for a dip?”
Fliss glanced at her, then down to the ocean and grinned, nodding.
Yelling to the boys to watch their stuff they headed down to the waves, Fliss happily diving straight in, simply allowing herself to float. She was calm, relaxed, and couldn’t remember a time she’d ever felt so happy before.
Eventually, it hit 5pm and Fliss was hungry. So they decided to pack up, grab a bite from the bar and then go change ready for the evening. Fliss had to smile as she saw Frank and the rest of the boys stood at a table by the beach bar all clutching pints and laughing. He was dressed in a pink shirt, black shorts with a baseball cap on the wrong way, glasses shielding his eyes.
“I never realised what an overgrown Frat Boy I’m dating.” Fliss mumbled to Bonnie who snorted as they made their way up the wooden boardwalk, beach bags in their hand.
“Hey pretty girl.” Frank smiled as Fliss slid under his arm, reaching for his pint. With a roll of his eyes he watched as she took a huge drink. “You know if you want one I’ll get you one…” “Tastes better when it’s someone else’s…” Fliss shrugged.
“Yeah, why is that?” Bonnie asked.
“Because it’s stolen.” Simon looked at her “Well known fact, forbidden fruit just tastes better.”
Fliss went again for Frank’s drink and he jerked it out of her reach “Piss off, look, here…” he said, reaching into his pocket and handing her his wallet “Go to the bar…” She grinned and dropped a kiss to his lips, turning away, Bonnie following.
“Dude you’re so whipped.” Jake snorted at him.
“Yeah, I don’t much care.” Frank shrugged, burping slightly as he looked at Fliss, taking in her appearance. Her hair was falling around her face and down her back in a mass of long, messy salt and sand tangled waves and she was wearing a pink crochet slip over her black bikini. He would happily admit he was well under her spell and that she could whip him all she fucking wanted to.
They grabbed a bite to eat, headed back, changed and made their way to the park for their second night of music. It went much the same as the night before, Bonnie and Fliss taking off on their own adventures, and Frank keeping his eyes peeled for any sign of John’s fucker of a brother, but he didn’t see him.
By the time Liam Gallagher came onto the stage, Fliss was drunk. And so was he. But it didn’t stop her from going wild. Once again she knew every single word to every single song and when he launched into Rock and Roll Star she started pogoing like a person possessed. Mind you, so was everyone else on the dance floor in front of the stage, so Frank joined in. He quite liked this song and, well, if you can’t beat ‘em join ‘em…
He ended the set with Live Forever, Frank’s favourite song that he had done and Fliss sighed happily.
“He’s sooo good!” she said, “Why does he have to go?”
“Because his set has finished.”
“But why?” “Because it has!” Frank laughed “He’s been on for almost an hour and it’s 1 am!”
“Hey, Liss, don’t worry…” Bonnie hiccupped “Hot Dub starts in 20…just enough time for a drink…” “Yes…” Fliss agreed, pointing at her. “But I think I need some water too.”
“Pussy…” Frank looked at her and she narrowed his eyes at him.
“I’ll carry on drinking beer if you want, but you’ll be clearing up my puke later…” He snorted and held his hands up, palms out “Water it is…” Hot Dub Time Machine was surreal. He was on for about an hour and took them through a load of the best party songs from the 60s right through to the present day. One minute Frank was doing the Twist and Shout with Fliss, and the next they were all in a circle air-guitaring to Immigrant Song by Led Zep.
By the time they left the park it was almost half 2 in the morning and Fliss decided that she didn’t want to walk and insisted Frank give her a piggy back. He rolled his eyes but crouched down and she took a jump onto his back as he carried her the 10 minutes or so back to the hotel, Simon groaning at him as Bonnie kept complaining he wouldn’t carry her.
“You’re showing me up, dude!” he glared at Frank who simply shrugged as Fliss smirked.
“I like riding him…” she hiccupped, as everyone burst into laughter and Frank shook his head as she pressed a kiss to his cheek.
“You’re a fucking nightmare” he sniggered and she shrugged.
*****
The next morning everyone was feeling the effects of a heavy weekend, and Frank was pleased that they had the late check out option. Eventually, after dragging themselves out of bed they managed to shower, pack up and head down to check out. There was another argument about who was paying for the room, this time Fliss winning as she put her foot down telling him he was paying for New York and that she really wanted to pay for this. She’d told Frank before about John never letting her have any financial control over anything and Frank knew that it meant a lot to her so he relented, and instead bought them brunch before they set off home.
They got back in time for a roast dinner, and then they headed back to the annex to watch a film, Fliss crashing out halfway through. She left them to it and headed to bed and was flat out by the time Frank made his way upstairs.
“I can’t believe you got the day off!” she moaned at him over breakfast on the Monday morning.
“I can’t believe you didn’t” he shot back
“I can’t…clients and stuff.” she pouted, biting into her toast before she groaned again. “I’m too old for partying all weekend…I can’t hack it anymore.” Frank snorted and took a sip of his coffee before Fliss grinned at him. “Can we go again next year?”
Frank laughed “The Circle Of Truth have already decided it’s going to be an annual thing from now on.” he said, standing up and with a kiss to her head he moved to the stairs yelling for Mary to get a wiggle on. She came down the stairs, Fred and Thor following before she ate her cereal and then Frank bustled her out of the door to drop her off for the last Monday of the school term.
Wednesday lunchtime, however, their happy little bubble burst.
Frank was actually in the sales part of the shop, discussing the benefits of different types of engines with a customer, having been asked to give some advice. He spotted Fliss’ jeep pulling up and as soon as she climbed out and turned towards him, he could tell from her face what was going on.
“Excuse me for just one second…” he politely told the customer, and glancing at his boss he jerked his head towards Fliss. His boss, a nice enough guy called Andy, knew vaguely what was going on and nodded in understanding as Frank stepped outside.
“Baby?” he asked tentatively as Fliss stopped in front of him.
“He did it….” she said softly, stepping into his arm, pressing her face into his chest.  “He made parole. They let the fucker out.”
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wri0thesley · 4 years
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8 or 53 with jolyne? :3c my tender lesbian heart.,,, I love she.,, - hol-whore
“If we get caught i’m blaming you.”
You are utterly incapable of saying no to Jolyne. Her smile and the tip of her head and the glitter in her eyes when she proposes some new misadventure just make your heart flutter, and though your head is whispering that whatever she’s telling you to do is a bad idea, your heart can’t help but want to follow her into whatever quagmire of trouble she’s headed for. 
You’re not exactly a pushover - neither of you are. When you need to fight, you’re all teeth and nails - and so is she. You two never fight each other, though. You have one another’s backs. And when Jolyne had rang you and asked you to go to a movie with her because her dad was on her ass about what she was going to do with her life now she was out of jail, you’d been locking the door behind you before she could even check that you were agreeing. 
You’d bought tickets for a shitty romantic comedy movie and sat in seats on the back row in the corner, popcorn balanced on your knee. You were laughing at some cheesy line the male romantic lead - boring, white-bread, cookie cutter - had said, when you’d noticed that Jolyne’s hand had landed on your knee and wasn’t inching towards the popcorn like it usually was. 
(Not that she needed to; you were quite happy to feed her morsels from your fingers, and actually whenever that happened - which was often - you felt a low quivering heat between your thighs at how her tongue licked the sugar and salt from your fingers and how her lipstick left traces of green on your fingertips). 
“Jojo?” You asked, softly. “You okay?”
“Just thinkin’,” she said, inching closer to you on the uncomfortable movie theatre seats. 
“About the movie?” You whisper. There aren’t many other people in the showing - it’s the middle of the day, after all - but there are still enough that you don’t particularly want to be thrown out. 
“About you,” she whispers. Her other hand closes around the rim of the popcorn bucket and you’re about to gently admonish her for stealing the whole thing when she could have just asked, but instead of taking it and curling around it like a dragon guarding her treasure, she puts it gently on the sticky floor. “About . . . us.”
“If you’re going to break up with me,” you tell her, “you should really have picked a better place to do it. This is weak.”
You get the impression, though, smile growing on your face even as you try and suppress it, that Jolyne is not going to break up with you. Her fingers are on your thighs, brushing bare soft skin beneath the hem of your skirt. 
“Just thinking about how cute you’ll look,” she says, leaning her head on your shoulder (that just-Jolyne scent of coconut shampoo and citrus body spray and sea salt and bubblegum drifts up and immediately your lips are calling out to be kissed by her and your brain is begging you to bury your face in her hair), so close her breath tickles your neck. “When you’re tryin’ not to make a noise.”
The hand rucks up your skirt a bit more and instinctively you bite down on your lip, cool air hitting both your newly bared inner thighs and the rapidly-dampening place between your legs. 
“Aww,” she says. “You’re wearin’ the cute underwear today. The one with the butterflies on. The ones you know I like.”
One finger deliberately strokes down the valley between the lips of your sex, and you know from the smirk on Jolyne’s face that she hasn’t missed that the seat of your cute underwear is sticking to your sex with wetness. You squirm, helplessly. 
“Look,” she whispers, and she kisses your neck, no doubt leaving a perfect green kiss-print on your skin. “See how red you’re gettin’ already? You’re so fucking cute, babe--”
Fingers gently prise underneath thin, damp cotton, on your slick core proper now. You squirm again, face reddening, a huff of air escaping your lips as you battle to not draw attention to yourself and moan aloud. She pulls her hand away, bringing it to her lips, pink tongue darting out to taste you. 
“Mm,” she whispers, closing her eyes in an imitation of bliss, like she’s play-acting at being a food critic - but that noise does nothing to quiet the raging fire you can feel inside you. A noise of distress falls from your mouth, and she looks at you, corner of her lips twitching. “Oh? You want something?”
“Jojo,” you breathe, whiny. “You can’t just leave me like this--”
There’s a wicked glint in her eye. She puts her hand back on your leg, back up your thigh, fingers working beneath elastic and cotton again, brushing your clit and dipping low to find your entrance. 
“Well,” she says, beginning to slowly press her finger inside you, sinking in easily thanks to how wet she’s made you with the teasing and the kisses and the flirting. “If we get caught, I’m blaming you.”
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manggaeteokki · 4 years
Text
Secret Garden || intro
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summary: for years and years, your mother whispered to you stories of the mythical secret garden, and for years, you thought they were just that: stories. but what happens when one day you stumble upon a place beyond your wildest imagination and not a clue how you got there?
come in and discover the legends of the Secret Garden.
pairing: ___ x reader, BTS x reader 
genre: fluff, romance, fantasy, alternate universe! au, smut (possibly?? *eyebrow wiggle*)
words: 1.7K
a/n: this is my first series and i’m super excited! this series will have a story in the garden for each member. please read the intro before delving into the stories!!! the intro sets up the stories, so its important to read, cuties. choose one to read or choose them all. either way, can’t wait to see you in the Garden!  (send an ask to be added to the taglist!!) 
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“Do you ever think there could be other worlds besides ours?” your friend, Aila, asks while shoving a fistful of buttery popcorn in her mouth. 
It was Movie Night in your shared apartment, and your friend and roommate, Aila’s, brilliant suggestion of Prometheus was gracing your T.V. screen. She loved movies about otherworldly creatures coming to Earth and especially loved when an invasion was involved. You often questioned her movie taste, and she would explain that she likes the idea of Earth “not being the only planet with viable and intelligent beings.” It sounded insane, but in some ways it made sense, you rationalized. 
You shifted on the comfy couch to look towards her. While you didn’t necessarily refute the point, you couldn’t be sure that you could answer such a question or even know where to begin with an explanation. 
“When I was younger,” you started, “my mom used to always tell me stories of this other world that had a garden.” 
“Sounds fucking boring,” she retorted. You hit her shoulder and she winced in fake pain. 
“Shut up. Like I was saying, before you so rudely interrupted, she would tell me stories of this place. The way she talked about the garden… it made it seem like it was real,” you smiled remembering. “She said that every flower in existence bloomed there, and that as soon as you entered, a wave of calmness immediately washed over your body. ‘A pure form of serenity,’ she said.” 
“No offense but it sounds like that time I got high at the Botanical Gardens with Nico last summer,” she laughed and you shortly followed suit. 
“Yeah, but she also talked about these beings that lived there. I think she said there were seven of them. She said that they looked like humans, but on a closer look, their beauty was too ethereal to be so,” you babbled. 
Aila’s face contorted into confusion and wonder as you recalled the stories your mother told you at bedtime each night. The movie long forgotten, Aila inquired more and more about your beloved stories until the music signaling the end credits began to play. Aila stood up and began clearing the popcorn strays from the couch while you walked over to turn on the lights in the living room. 
Your roommate let out a yawn paired with a sound that could easily be compared to a banshee, and let you know that she would be heading to sleep as she had work early in the morning. You nodded your head in acknowledgement and let her know that you would be staying a while in the living to catch up on a show you had been binge-watching that week. Her door to her room closed and you landed on your couch with a fwump! 
“Finally I get to watch this damn show!” you exclaimed, reaching for the bucket of popcorn Aila left out for you. The intro to Elite started rolling, and you snuggled deeper into the worn-in couch. You let out a sigh of relaxation, allowing yourself to get immersed in the show. 
Two episodes and about 3 hours later (you used one of the hours to mindlessly scroll through your social media), you decided, albeit belatedly, that you should head to bed due to work being in seven hours. Working in research wasn’t as taxing as you thought, but it still required you to be awake and not slobbering on a keyboard for eight hours, as great as it sounded. 
You started to head toward your own room when you heard a thump against one of the doors in the small hallway where the doors leading to the bedrooms existed. You decided that you were more tired than you felt and thought the result was auditory hallucinations; however, as you got closer to the middle door between you and Aila’s bedroom, you heard it once again and this time louder. 
“Aila, what the hell are you doing in there?” you called out but there was no response. 
When you and Aila first toured the apartment, the middle door did not go unnoticed. When asked about the door and why it was locked, the landlord simply said that he bought it that way and never received a key. Many jokes were made in terms of what lie beyond the door; moreso by Aila and her extraterrestrial fantasies than you, but they induced plenty of laughs nonetheless. 
The thumping occurred from the middle door again, and fear slowly crept into your veins making your body feel a rush of coolness in the process. You knew not to try to open the door, not that it was even possible, but you also knew that you wouldn’t be able to sleep with that incessant noise. You started banging on Aila’s door. 
“Aila, girl, I KNOW you hear that noise. Hurry up and come out! I’m scared,” you whined, but she still didn’t reply. You knew Aila was a heavy sleeper, but damn was she sleeping deep if she couldn’t hear you. 
You twisted the knob to her door and ran in expecting to see a lump on plump blankets in a human silhouette. Instead, you found her bed completely made, no human in sight. There was no way that Aila could have gone out the window, you guys were on the tenth floor. Things weren’t adding up, and you were on the verge of tears. 
A morbid curiosity suffused throughout your being as you slowly began walking towards the middle door. The thumping got louder with each step you took, and at some point, you couldn’t distinguish between the pounding of your heart in your eardrums and the perpetual beat against the mahogany entrance. You reached the door, and your hand encased the golden knob. You noted that it felt warm for a door that had supposedly not been used for a lengthy amount of time. With a twist of the knob, you were shocked to hear a click indicated the outdated door had been unlocked. You stood there for what seemed like forever, an array of questions racing through your mind. You finally gathered what little courage you had left and swung the door open. 
It was a bittersweet feeling when you listened to your mom. All those times when you wished you were spirited away from your life only to continue the mundane quickly taught you that stories were just stories. Myths were myths. Lies were lies. And gardens of every flower didn’t exist but in fairytales. 
So why, beyond a mysterious door in a crappy apartment, are the most beautiful meadows of flowers swaying in the wind, dancing a dance of entrancement, almost as if they were personally inviting you inside? Your eyes glassed over as you tried to process the view. It was as if your eyes were stuck in their place. 
You were frozen. 
It wasn’t until you heard the door shut behind you that realized you had moved inside. Your eyes whipped back, but you found yourself staring at acres and acres of flowers, not a door in sight. 
“Is there a reason you’re standing there like an idiot?” you heard a voice say. 
When you turned around, your eyes met your best friend and roommate. She donned a sheer ivory dress with golden acacias adorning her bodice and train. The silk threads shone in the sun almost as if the dress had been sewn by the heavens themselves. Her skin was as smooth as glass and possessed a beautiful brown pigment with a hint of olive. Champagne glitter bedecked the areas around her eyes, and her hair was tied up in a braid full of a different selection of flowers. Her eyebrow was raised and her arms were across her chest. You could hear her foot tapping against the ground in irritation. 
“Aila?” you whispered. 
“Who?” she practically yelled, “That is not my name, nor has it ever been.” 
You blushed, “then who are you?”
“Who am I?” she scoffed, “More like who are you? You’re the one who stood in the middle of the meadow as if you were waiting for someone to check you into a hotel.” 
Her tone was pissing you off, and if you had felt more comfortable in this situation, you would have told her exactly where she could have put it. Instead, you were too busy trying to figure out whether or not Aila put something in her popcorn. 
“I’m Y/N, and I don’t even know where I am or how I even got here,” you choked. 
The girl gave you a look then closed her eyes and sighed. She turned on her heel and began walking in the opposite direction without saying another word. Your eyebrows furrowed and your temper threatened to lose itself, but when she found that your footsteps were nowhere to be heard, she stopped in her tracks. 
“Are you coming or what?” she bleated. You nodded slightly and began walking quickly to catch up with her. 
You walked beside her for what seemed like forever, not sharing one word between each other, so you decided to take in your surroundings. 
You could see the flowers, yes, but you also saw little creatures you had never seen before participating in different tasks. Some were watering sections of plants, some were flitting and flying, sprinkling an unknown substance from the air that shone like diamonds, and some were simply laying down and napping in the sun. You walked further and found little manmade living spaces made from materials like twigs and leaves, and silently thought how adorable it all was. Just when you were counting your hundredth house, the girl suddenly stopped. 
“We’re here,” she stated. 
In front of you, seven paths diverged and outstretched throughout the pasture. Each one looked uniform at first glance, but the longer you looked, the more you could see the slight differences. With your lips slightly parted, you turned back towards the girl, however, the space she occupied was now taken up by a lanky, ginger, cat-like entity licking its paw. 
“What?” it spoke with the girl’s voice. 
You jumped back slightly but a calm hushed your body. You took a deep breath.
“What am I supposed to do now?” you asked.
“What do you normally do when you see multiple paths?” she snickered, continuing to lick her paw. You stayed silent and looked towards her. She stopped licking and instead arched her back gracefully. 
“Choose.”
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