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#not just the over familiar part but i hate being a 'girlfriend' I'm a partner if you're real goddamn lucky
lemonbalmgirl · 1 year
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Plague House Update, 3/22
I took my first COVID test last night, since we aren't sure when Roommate had the exposure that infected her. Currently, I'm testing negative.
Roommate's mom brought her Paxlovid from the doctor's yesterday and my mom brought us some essential groceries. Bless good moms!
Roommate feels a lot better today, though her voice is still mostly gone. She spiked a fever Monday night and while that went down some on Tuesday, she was still running warm and experiencing chills and complete lack of hunger.
The rest of this is just me having feels.
I think I touched base with everyone I interacted with over the weekend, aside from customers at the Saturday event (where I was masked and did remember to use at least some hand sanitizer). I'm dealing with a lot of guilt around potentially exposing friends, especially since it may fuck up some of their work opportunities.
I honestly can't remember if Roommate mentioned that the teacher she was subbing for tested positive on Saturday - I don't think she did (or maybe she didn't know until later Sunday) because I finished off some food she'd eaten her fill of and she would have said something usually.
If I'd known we'd had an exposure risk, I wouldn't have gone out on Sunday. I especially wouldn't have ridden in a vehicle and eaten with friends unmasked.
(Apparently it's also good that my mom helped me with groceries yesterday, because she informed her husband about the house's positive status and he banned her from coming back over until we're clear. This caused me a minor freak out, since all of my stuff for the booth is currently in my garage, "decontaminating" from being in the house. Mom was going to pick up Girlfriend tomorrow, come and get my stuff (Girlfriend would put stuff in and out of the car trunk), and drop them off at Booth Partner's place. Mom can still transport Girlfriend if needed. Luckily, my awesome friend Minnie is willing to shift her plans tonight and take stuff to Booth Partner's for me. Goddamn, good friends are fucking lifesavers.)
I really hope my booth partner keeps testing negative, since she's in her 70s and one of our biggest events is 2 weeks from this weekend. She's definitely becoming more anxious as time passes, which I understand, but this is also on top on how anxious she normally is before events. I hope Girlfriend can handle the weekend okay, though Booth Partner is pretty good about apologizing after she's had a freak out.
Later today, I'll be going over, well, everything about the booth with Girlfriend. I'll focus on going over the point-of-sale system, since Booth Partner always appreciates me mostly handling that part, even though she can do it herself when necessary. Luckily, Girlfriend has more familiarity with knives/blades than I do, so she should be quicker on the update than me with Booth Partner's wares.
The booth will be next to Booth Partner's roommate's booth, so I'm hoping that provides some grounding (though it may also just frustrate Booth Partner, since she and her roommate have very different ways of doing things). Another pair of friends are also vending at the event and Girlfriend has met/hung out with them before - they're going to check in on Girlfriend and Booth Partner for me and again, hopefully having familiar faces around will help some.
I'll have my phone by me all weekend, in case they need something, but I hate how useless I feel about the whole damn thing.
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hiriajuu-suffering · 2 years
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Contact Complacency
One thing I don't like to acknowledge when it comes to missed opportunities is, no matter how much I resent them, I might be guilty to an extent I can't realize of missing opportunities.
Thirteen years ago, as an arguably still lanky and awkward sixteen about to be seventeen year old, objectively speaking that's when I drew the most eyes and had the most interest in romantic exploration externally. Swiping aimlessly through the hellscape of dating social media, I stumbled across a familiar face Sunday evening who I deliberately ignored the advances of because, at the time, I buried myself in the narrative of my own personal success. This particular person, who I will be the first to admit I failed to see the depth of potential in, forewent all the social media we shared some time after high school. All of our mutual friends are totally monogamously committed or were able to flee our hometown and are devoid of the desire to return, not that I imagine either of us want to stay here all that much completely of our volition. The temptation I had to text the number I've had saved for her for thirteen years washed over me: I always thought she was attractive but she hadn't grown into herself yet, she lacked the confidence in herself to rock what she was and she really improved herself to be more attractive in a normative sense. I honestly don't care as much about that, not that I'm not happy for her, I was just expecting her to have been more forward back when I faked the confidence. I'm probably just a left swipe to her at this point, because I deconstructed the haughty self-defeatist front to form my view on social morality today.
It sucks. How does one go from being demanded when fake to being alone when real? I feel like it's obligatory for every person in my past to forget they ever knew me. The last time I really had a best friend was a decade ago. Between Z.A., M.B., A.H., and Y.P., I don't know what happened. I really thought those 4 had to end as lifelong friendships and they completely froze me out. So why take a chance on reinitiating an opportunity I missed when my best friends so readily forgot about me, how can I expect some random who had a crush on me for a few weeks to remember she did when my supposed best friends decided I wasn't worth staying connected to?
I look back on that weird time when I saw myself as lanky, androgynous nearly asexual person and half the MSA of a rival school had a crush on me. Then I ended up dating one of those people 3 years later only for it to end in a glorious flame of lies and brainwashing, as South Asian culture is so good in imparting upon its daughters. One of the things I miss most about high school is feeling part of something and retaining the privileges that come with having certain things locked to the facets of identity. I've been completely and totally without solidarity to fall back on most of my adult life. It's not like I can just do what everyone I grew up with did, date around a clique that prefers you until you find the one that sticks. God, I hate how sick it feels to be comfortable with having such a convenient answer as to why not to pursue a deeper version of love and intimacy when it's an insult to assume convenience delegitimizes the depth of a relationship, as much as I personally believe it.
I have a girlfriend application up to open opportunity, but even I can't say I've really capitalized on every opportunity. I have no doubt in my mind there's some I keep away from my mind like someone who hasn't been on any social media platform I use since I moved back "home". If I'm being honest with myself, I've only put my full heart at stake to be totally vulnerable for the outcome twice and both times were significant contributing factors to how my depression developed. When I did it, I totally overwhelmed my partner and they grew cold and hostile towards me. I likely subconsciously came to the conclusion polyamory was the only solution because I had more emotional intensity to give than a single partner would ever be willing to take, and I know this missed opportunity likely isn't any different.
Life rejects me so regularly, taking the rejection of attempting to revive a missed opportunity when I commanded requisition of romance just feels weak normatively. I know it shouldn't matter to a genuine person, but it still hurts, even if it's only what little pride I have left. At this age, I thought I would be close to my peak level of normative attractiveness. Instead, I look too old for those in their twenties and I somehow still look like a child to those 35+. Oh, and stigmatization of age in heteronormative relationships keeps people in their early 30's away. I'm really too young to be feeling this old, I'm really too old to be feeling this alone.
If you're reading this and choose not to initiate conversation with me, please just initiate. You have no idea how much I would appreciate feeling just a little human when my mind goes down this spiral. Even the slightest bit of effort would remind me I'm worth the acknowledgement to remember, which I can't say I necessarily believe feeling constantly rejected of existence by the world. I'm just a thoughtlessly given left swipe, in almost any social context. Holding out the slightest bit of hope that might change by the end of summer.
I referred to way too many people in this, but if you care to know who anyone above is, it really wouldn't take much more explanation. Plus, I will be totally honest about it. Hate that makes me come off as wantlessly needy instead of just ambitious in my optimism of the human spirit.
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sentientcave · 3 years
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The worst thing about tinder is that I have zero way to tell if I'm gonna find someone attractive in person and the second worse thing is that if I suspect someone is too attractive I have to swipe left. I can't be out here looking how I do next to some beefcake with abs it's just not right.
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millenialcatlady · 3 years
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The Sound
Pairing: Adam Sackler x Fem!Reader (Fem pronouns used literally just so I could make Sackler say one sarcastic comment lol)
CW: THEY WERE ROOMATES BABY! pining if you squint, mentions of alcoholism, mentions of general addiction, some allusion to buried feelings.
A/N: Here's my addition to the @adcuficexchange Summer Sackler series! It is basically-as the wonderful @jynzandtonic put it in their AO3 comment-a character study. I am unashamedly a lover of all the deep dark parts of Sackler's personality, and my prompts were a great opportunity to explore that. That being said, it's a little bit emotional (cause it's me and I'm a soft-ass ho), and a lot deep. I'm so proud to have a price among all the great works in this collection!
Ray leaned back against the counter at Grumpy’s, granting himself a break after the morning’s caffeine rush finally began to subside. With crossed arms, he waited patiently for Adam to finish ranting about the current state of his absolutely deplorable search for a new roommate.
“Aaaaahhhh!” Adam let loose one of his best intentionally obnoxious groans. “I fuckin’ hate it, Ray. Every person looking for an apartment in this city is terrible.”
“I don’t think you can say ‘everyone,’ Adam”
“Yeah, Ray - I’m pretty fuckin’ sure I can.” Adam insisted. Setting his coffee back on the table in front of them, he began to pace the short length of the countertop. “I’ve probably met seven people since I put out this last ad, and I hated them. Every one of them!”
Ray snorted, “To be fair, you really don’t like anyone.”
“That’s not true.” Adam’s head whipped around so quickly, that Ray was sure he’d end up with whiplash by proxy. “I like you and Abigail. And Tako! And I did like Jamie before he turned out to be a fucking asshole.”
“Three people, does not the whole city make, my friend.” Ray shifted his feet beneath him, taking a long moment to cross and uncross his ankles. He hated seeing Adam frustrated, especially over something like this. It was the third time in a year that Adam had ended up kicking out a roommate, and the stress of searching for someone reliable was beginning to weigh on him visibly. “You already know what I think.”
“Yes, Ray. I know what you think and I have told you twenty-five times that this movie is more important than being able to afford my stupid apartment.”
Raising both hands in mock contrition, Ray relented “I know, okay? I just hate to see you going through this shit. You and I, and everyone else you’ve ever worked with know that you are worth far more than you get for these indie-sort of projects, Adam. I mean, they are always cool in the end, but you’ve already put six months into this and you’ve barely seen any kind of compensation. You know I don’t mean to pry, but like, how fast are you eating through your savings?”
“Faster than I’d like.” Adam admitted with a soft sigh, allowing his determination to lapse for a split second before he managed to close the wall back up. “But, that doesn’t matter. This is really going to be something. I can feel it, Ray, and I won’t let my own bullshit get in the way of that. I’m not gonna be one of those--those fuckin’ commercial sell-outs.”
“Okay okay. Look, I get it, alright?” Ray pushed away from the counter and clapped a hand onto Adam’s shoulder. “I’m just trying to help, man. And, you know you could always pick up some shifts here-if you wanted to. Everyone at this store usually does really well on tips alone.”
Adam’s mouth turned up at the corners just slightly. “Thanks, but I’ll figure it out. I don’t really have the time to pick up anything extra right now. I just need one person who can pay half the rent, and not be an assho--”
“Shit!” Ray cut in, breathing out your name quietly. “I can’t believe I forgot!”
“Who?”
“I...well not me, per say, more like just someone I know, may just have the solution to your problem.”
Adam stared warily at his friend for a while. Warm brown eyes lingering and heavy with suspicion.
Ray waved him off, “Just listen. The singer who’s been heading up the open mic thing for me on Fridays mentioned to Abigail that she’s looking for a new place. Something about her current roommate getting engaged, maybe? Anyways, I think she’d be perfect!”
“My track record for living with women isn’t exactly stellar.”
“Maybe so, but after the last two roomates you tried, I think it’s safe to say that your track record of living with anyone isn’t great. Besides, it’s not like you’re dating her. This is just a roommate, man. All of the real disasters have come from you moving in with a girlfriend, not you just living with someone.”
Adam hesitated, fidgeting with the collar of his jacket. Seeming to weigh the few options he had. “I’ve got two people lined up to see the apartment this week. I can’t promise you anything, Ray.”
“Hey, that’s cool! I don’t have any irons in this fire. Come in on Friday night--if you still need to--and just meet her.”
“Fine.”
“Fine.” Ray smirked, more toward the floor than Adam, but he sounded amused all the same. “I think you’ll like her. She’s chill.”
“She’s chill? How the fuck is someone chill?”
“Yea, Chill. Fuck. Get with the times, Sackler. Jesus, you really might as well be an old guy in a good body.” He mutters, before gesturing at the air around them. “It means she’s cool--I think. Like easy to get along with and shit, I don’t know.”
“ Oh Shiiiiit!” Adam hums suddenly, having noticed the time. “Gotta walk this next asshole through the apartment in 10 minutes.”
“You know that attitude doesn’t help any…” Ray started before being cut off by a flurry of motion. “..thing.”
Adam darted toward the open door suddenly. Nearly mowing over a customer while haphazardly turning around to send back a shouted ‘Thanks!’ along with a hurried wave of his gangly arm.
Shaking his head, Ray pulled the phone from his back pocket. Hesitant fingers hovered in the air momentarily before they began to move, crafting a short message and releasing it over the airwaves.
~ R: Hey, no promises, but I know a guy who's looking for a roommate just a few blocks away. Asked him to stop by on Friday if he’s still looking then. He’s trustworthy, and I know that you’d get along fine.
Just a few moments later, your reply appears.
~HOLY SHIT RAY, REALLY?!
I was starting to think that no normal person in the whole city needed a roommate. This search has been a nightmare and I swear, if this works out I'll owe you BIG.
~R: Hold your horses there kiddo, I didn’t say he was normal. Adam is...what you might call “eccentric.” But he’s a good guy, and he’s as sick of looking for a roommate, as you are of looking for a place.
You’ve been a lifesaver for Abigail and I trying to start the whole open mic night thing, so if this works out, we’ll call it square ;)
~Sounds great, and it’s nothing really :) See you guys Friday!
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It was no secret to Adam that he could find personalities addictive. He could latch on and pour himself into others in the same way that good whiskey slides warm and effortless into a waiting glass. After his last two long term relationships ended in what could only be described as a firestorm and a landslide respectively, he’d put it all together. Over the last few years, and with the help of a few extra meetings, he’d taught himself to look for the signs. It was easy for him to get lost in partners that were self-absorbed, or people who sought their validation in the wrong places. Too many times, Adam had recognized that familiar haze gathering around him too late, and each one of those times he’d paid dearly for it.
His judge of character had always been pretty good, but he’d honed it over time almost to the point of hyper-sensitivity. Nothing about him had changed, really. He was still the same friendly, kind, and sometimes obnoxious Adam that his real friends knew and loved; just slower to trust. Slower to really open up and let people in, because he knew now how dangerous they could be.
Usually, Adam could tell within just a few moments of quiet observation if someone would be good for him. Humans are complex creatures, sure. That was nothing more than an inescapable fact of life. He knew that you can’t ‘judge a book by it’s cover’ and all of that tropey bullshit that everyone has to learn the hard way eventually. Sometimes he was still surprised by the differences in a person’s behavior when they didn't know that anyone was paying attention, but not often. Usually, he could work things out well enough so that everything made sense.
But you didn’t make sense.
Everything about you was a contradiction.
You carried yourself like an introvert at first, all closed body language and hesitant movement, but the way you smiled when Abigail moved in for a hug was breathtaking. It was so warm and welcoming that Adam found himself struggling to stay in the back corner where he’d found a spot to stand and watch the set. Something tugged at him, pulling from the center of his chest as though a cord had latched itself around his sternum, but somehow he convinced his shifting feel to remain in place.
Finally, you stopped moving around the small stage and situated yourself on the single stool in the center of the shop’s large front window. You took one deep breath and smiled out at the sizable gathering of customers. A random assortment of people that obviously needed a distraction for one reason or another. The kinks in your posture disappeared, and you suddenly looked more at home in your own skin than Adam ever would have thought possible. He would have expected that someone with all of the apparent reservations you carry would have been a stuttering mess in front of a crowd, but you were in your element.
“Hi, Everyone.” You finally spoke and the sound of it washed over the group like the tide coming in. Gentle and intentional in a way that he never would have seen coming. No wonder Ray has been so busy on Friday nights lately. Adam thought to himself as you continued. “Thank you so much for coming out to listen. And thanks Ray and Abigail for putting up with me for so many weeks in a row. Most of you probably won’t recognize this song, because it’s older than most of us are, but it’s one of my personal favorites. So I hope that you enjoy.”
You began to strum on your guitar and hum softly at first, volume building steadily over the first few chords. The melody drifted slowly through the air until it found its way to him. The hype around live music had never really made much sense to Adam. While he could appreciate a good performance of any kind, unfortunately he’d met one too many artists with a head so big, it could no longer sit comfortably on their shoulders. You seemed to be quite the opposite, he imagined that your face was more likely to heat up with embarrassment when facing a compliment; than to ice over with a smug grin. The remnants of your smile stuck around even as you sang, settling as a gentle glimmer into the jewel tones of your eyes. They were captivating, even from the back of the large café.
And your voice...
Now that was a sound he could get used to.
The tune you carried so gracefully was old, just as you had warned, but it was familiar somehow, too. It was reminiscent of childhood in vague way, pulling out the briefest flashes of long-stored memories. The back of his mother's hand as she turned the radio dial. His sister's arm twined with his own as she pulled him playfully across the floor, ending up a dogpile of limbs and laughter as they tried to make up a dance together.
Bittersweet was the right word, he decided. It made him feel something strange and strangled, that he knew words couldn't describe if someone should ask. But all the same, Adam found himself swaying gently as you sang. The rich tones of your voice clung against every available surface, smoothing over the rough edges like honey that's just thin enough to fall from a hive shaped dipper.
Maybe Ray was right. Maybe you were chill enough to get along with easily. Adam felt a familiar upward tug at the corner of his mouth when you finished up your set. Murmuring your thanks before you retreated from the single spotlight to huddle with Ray and Abigail while the next performer took the stool.
After a few moments, Ray waved him over and made introductions. Conversation and laughter flowed among the four of you easily, and Adam felt great. You were perfect, just as Ray had thought you would be. Finally he had found exactly what he needed, someone who could pay half the rent, and not be an asshole. You met him to take a look around the apartment the next day, and worked out the terms over lunch.
That was that. Three days and one background check by the building manager later, Adam could barely contain his joy enough to maneuver his thick fingers over the phone screen.
~A: Looks like you’re all clear! See you around, Roomie. ;)
You pinged him back, almost instantly, and the way he grinned at the appearance of your name on his screen could have been criminal.
~Thank God! I was starting to get worried there for a minute. So starting Thursday I'll be around to bug you all the time. 😆
~A: Can't wait, Kid.
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Six months in, Sackler knew he was fucked.
Well and truely fucked.
He could practically feel it in his bones. He thought--no he knew--that he would never manage to find someone he could enjoy living with more than you. After the first few months, Ray started jokingly referring to you as his 'better half.' And as much as Adam wanted to tell his friend just how right he was...he laughed it off instead.
The two of you had settled quickly into a comfortable friendship. Talking often about the horrors of past relationships, books, life in general, and laughing together about the irony of it all. He liked the way that you inherently understood everything about each other without needing too much in the way of explanation. Nothing in his life had felt this easy before, and pushing for anything more would just jeopardize that.
Romance always ended in disaster, for both of you, it seemed. Adam couldn't bring himself to let you become a victim again. So he refused to acknowledge the warmth that threatened to spread through his chest every time you smiled at him. Eventually, he successfully squelched the hunger to wrap his arms around you, and carry you to his bed instead of your own when you fell asleep on the couch.
In no time at all, you had done so much for him, bettering his day to day life in countless small ways. A warm towel waiting on the bathroom door handle every time he forgot one. Quick texts to check in without expectation of an immediate answer. Plates waiting in the microwave on the nights he got stuck on set far too late.
He returned the small favors whenever he could, of course, bringing coffee or lunch to the bookstore where you worked on his days off. One of his favorites though, was doing the dishes if you'd cooked on the rare evenings you were both home, just like tonight.
"Hey," your disembodied head poked out from around the corner suddenly. "I have half a load of laundry, you need anything washed?"
Adam laughed. "Uhhh, yes. I think it's all in the bathroom basket."
"What's so funny?"
"Your floating head, it made me think about The Wzard of Oz--WAIT!"
"What?"
His eyes narrowed, head tilting away from the sink to try getting a better look at you. "Are you naked?"
"Uh, yes? I'm going to take a shower."
"You're deflecting." He grinned. Relishing in the black abyss that swallowed up the color of your eyes. "You're naked outside of your room!"
"Well forgive me, not all of us are built like a Greek God, and ready to be an exhibitionist at the drop of a hat. I'm pretty sure I saw every single pair of underwear you own in the first month I lived here!"
"We've had a breakthrough!" He whipped around, boasting to the empty living room with his very best sideshow ringmaster voice. "Ladies and germs, drumroll please...May I present to you, for one night only…MY NAKED ROOMATE!"
Rolling your eyes at him, you let out a sound that Adam promptly decided was his new favorite of all the ways you laughed. A sort of a cross between a chuckle and a scoff that tapered off into little more than a heavy exhale.
"I swear, you're so fucking weird sometimes, Sackler."
"Maybe." He smirked, turning back to the sink. "But you know you love me, Kid."
"Yea," Adam could have sworn he caught it from the corner of his eye, a flash of something solemn dancing across your features before that warm, familiar smile returned to its place. Your face vanished from the corner just as quickly as it had appeared, and he heard you call back. "And you're pretty fucking lucky I do!"
He turned off the tap and listened to the sounds of you moving through the ritual of your even routine. It was oddly peaceful for him, a small reminder of the fact that you were real and there with him. A soft squeak as you opened and closed the linen closet door. The muffled thud of the bathroom laundry basket being deposited into the hallway. Running water echoed through the quiet apartment, and he knew you must not have closed the bathroom door completely behind you.
Then you began to sing softly.
It was the song from that first day you'd met. The one that had him in awe of you from the very beginning. Your very own modern take on Ella Fitzgerald's "This Can't Be Love." It was his favorite to hear, and much to his delight, it had become a favorite of yours lately.
"This can't be love, because I feel so well.
No sobs. No sorrows. No sighs.
This can't be love."
Adam swayed gently, shifting weight from one foot to the other as he stacked plates in the drying rack. Humming along with you, he closed his eyes and let the honey smooth sound of your voice fill all the empty spaces around him, as it always did…
"I get no dizzy spells.
My head is not in the skies.
My heart does not stand still, just hear it beat."
Suddenly it dawned on him. You filled the empty spaces in him, too…
"This is too sweet to be love…"
Deep amber eyes snapped open, and the last plate slipped from his grasp. Crisp white porcelain tumbled to the kitchen floor, landing with a sharp crack in the spot where his feet had been a moment before.
"Adam? Are you oka--" You began, sounding concerned about the crash you'd heard just seconds before. The question morphing into a startled shriek as the bathroom door was thrown into the wall, and the shower curtain practically yanked from its fastenings.
“That’s it, Kid! The song!”
“HOLY SHIT, ADAM WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!” You gawked at him, but you had no time to struggle against the hand that found your wrist and turned you to face him where he now stood--fully clothed--beneath the running water.
“I love to look into your eyes...”
“What?”
“I love to look into your eyes.” He repeated, boring into your gaze with his own, willing you to understand what it was he wanted to tell you. He was still trying to find the right words for this rush--this thing that had been hiding out in the depths of his chest for months without his knowledge. The tether that pulled him toward you during every second of every day.
“Yes, Adam, that's the last line of the song, but I’m failing to see what that has to do with you invading my shower like a fucking maniac!”
“Ahh, fuhuuuck.” He sputtered nervously, then paused. Unblinking, he took a deep breath in through the nose. As he let it go, his unoccupied hand carded through his wet hair, and then reached out tentatively toward you. Eventually coming to rest on the side of your face, its long fingers fanned out, allowing his gentle grip to span the whole length of your neck and then some.
He pulled you in, rolling his shoulders down to meet you in the middle. “I love looking into your eyes, Kid. I love hearing you laugh and sing and snore. I love the way that you smile when I say something dumb, and the way that you just understand me--all of me--the weird parts especially. And I--” The feeling of your hands on both sides of his face stopped the rambling explanation dead.
That same look from earlier washed over your beautiful features, and for a second, Adam’s heart fell through his stomach. He couldn’t live with himself if he’d ruined this. He could still salvage it, he would salvage it. “Kid, I--please don’t feel weird about this, I didn’t mean--”
“Adam.” You spoke so softly, but it was calm and sure. Just like when you sang.
“What?”
Your hands slid back, coming together in his wet hair. You pulled him down to your level and just looked at him. Eyes darting quickly from one feature to the next, as if you were trying to find something in his face. “Kid...Please, say something. You’re really starting to freak me out here.”
The way your lips slotted against his own was perfect. Warm and welcoming just like every other part of you. He released your wrist and wrapped his arm around your waist. Pulling you tightly against his chest; he deepened the kiss, and urged you backward until he had you pressed securely against the shower wall. Only then did you finally part, gasping for air against one another’s lips.
“I love you, too, Adam.”
He grinned, watching as a smile split your cheeks wider than he’d ever seen. He knew, in that moment, that the sound of those words whispered from your lips would always be his favorite.
Kittens (affectionate): @mariesackler @butyoudidthis4what @xxcatrenxx @maybe-your-left ​ @finn-ray-nal-beads @theoncrayjoy ​ @contesa-lui-alucard ​ @sacklerscumrag ​ @direnightshade ​ @hopeamarsu @leatherboundriot @han-not-solo @reyloaddict55 @jynzandtonic @paper-n-ashes @paterson-blue
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hotchscvm · 3 years
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chapter one: a midsummer’s nightmare [dirty secrets]
Chapter summary: Her father’s death brings in two hunters into her life.
Series warnings: underage reader, consensual underage sex, explicit sexual content, underage drinking, language, violence, gore, angst, major character death, major age difference, size kink, unprotected sex
Chapter warnings: minor character death, implied attraction, language, decapitation, implied underage drinking
Word count: 4.8k
dirty secrets masterlist
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"Don't you look ... depressed." you mumbled, taking a seat next to the spaced out, lacrosse co-captain. You poked your finger into his dimple, smiling when he broke out of his daze. The sand shifted under you, the dampness pulling at the ripped denim. "Why're you staring at the ocean like you lost the love of your life?"
Emmett chuckled, taking the cheap beer from your hand, swallowing it all before grinning at you. Your best friend from middle school that had to be dragged out of his sweats draped an arm around you. "I was trying to look mysterious. This bonfire is a bore, by the way."
"I know, last year seemed more fun, didn't it?" you agreed, laying your head on his shoulder, the muscles making it slightly uncomfortable. "How's the hand?"
"It's fine, don't worry. You said you had something to tell me, remember? What is it? Are you secretly in love with your bodyguard? The buffy one that keeps glaring at me?" Emmett joked, groaning when he felt your elbow hitting his ribs. "Ow!"
"These FBI agents came to the house today and asked a bunch of questions about my dad's old partner. They never said anything about what the guy did so I was wondering if you heard anything on the news? The guy's name is Andrew Daniels. I looked him up but nothing came up." you informed. "My dad was acting edgy."
Emmett raised an eyebrow, flinching when the water crept to his feet. "I haven't heard anything. What did the Feds ask you?"
"If I remembered anything about him basically. They were really hot, by the way. Especially the tall one, and his partner had the most beautiful green eyes--"
"Okay, okay, okay. I get it, they were hot." he interrupted, waving a hand to stop you from finishing the sentence. "Other from being interrogated by the Feds, did anything else happen?"
"Nah, I just watched my skin burn for the rest of the day, what about you?"
"Declan came home today, and we worked out. He kept asking about you, wondering if you were dating anyone. He's so fucking annoying. Did you really have to date my brother?" asked Emmett, playing with the solo cup before throwing it into the ocean.
The party behind you had started to die down after the first few hours, turning into a chill hangout around the large bonfire, while others wandered out into the dark ocean. The light from the tacky fairy lights and the burning fire was enough for everyone to see the major part of the beach without difficulties.
"My bad." you shrugged, noticing a movement from the corner of your eye. Glancing to your left, you saw two familiar faces, an eyebrow lifting. Green eyes in the dark met yours, and you quickly look away, mumbling under your breath. "Well, fuck me."
Emmett stiffened, looking in the direction you had, confused and wary. "What? What's going on?"
"Those are the agents I told you about," you said, biting your lip to hold back the smile. You had no reason to smile, especially if they were here but they made an impression, and the tuxes certainly helped.
"Dude, one of them is coming over. Stop smiling like you're the joker. I know you like them but chill." Emmett elbowed your ribs lightly, enough to knock the maniac smile off your face.
The sound of the ocean was loud enough to drown your whispers as Banner walked over. The suit had been replaced with a plaid flannel paired with a heavy, drab coat, and a pair of jeans that looked uncomfortable. With the confidence, he carried, he seemed, even more, intimidating out of his suit.
"Ms. Pierce?" Agent Banner checked, watching as you stood from your seat, his lips quirking into a smile.
Emmett stood with you, not missing the barely visible twinkle in your eyes. Fixing your denim shorts, you returned the smile. "Agent Banner. You don't have to call me Ms. Pierce. I mean, I told you my name for a reason."
He chuckled, goosebumps rising on your arm as he murmured your name. "Alright, well then, I'm Sam."
"Okay, Sam. Oh, um, this is my friend, Emmett." you motioned to the blond beside you, a smug smirk etched on his face despite his attempts to bite it back.
"I was going to get more ... water. Be right back." Emmett injected before Sam could say anything. He left immediately, practically running back to the bonfire where many teens had circled around.
Sam stuffed his hands in his jacket's pockets, looking at the ground as Emmett left you alone with the man you wanted to climb like a tree. Your nails dug into your palm as you clench a fist, trying to contain what Emmett called your 'inner slut.' "What exactly are you doing here, Agent?"
"Sam." he corrected, a stray hair falling over his eyes. Sam brushed it back, his eyes never leaving yours. "I wouldn't want to worry you anymore than we've probably have. We're handling the situation, but you should avoid Finn Burke."
Dread washed through you, as did confusion. "Finn Burke? Whatever your thinking, you're wrong. I've known Finn my whole life and he's not the kind of person who'd do anything illegal. He's so vanilla and lowkey boring."
The brunette in front of you raised a brow, a little surprised by the honesty. "I wouldn't be too sure. Promise me you'll keep your distance from him. At least, until we've handled the situation."
"And what does that mean?" you asked, crossing your arms, patiently waiting for the gorgeous Fed to answer.
He opened his mouth, only to close it a second later. Sam shook his head, taking a step back. "Don't think too much about it."
Before you could question him, someone called your name. Looking behind Sam, you saw your friends, Katherine and Crystal wiggling their eyebrows, Katherine winked at you while Crystal bravely humped the air. A laugh escaped your lips, causing Sam to turn around. They immediately stopped, quickly turning around, their shoulders shaking from laughter. Unfortunately, Sam had seen enough to blush profusely.
You giggled, covering your grin with your hand. You changed the subject quickly, "You look like a narc. Like, one of those cops from 21 Jump Street who shops at Lumberjacks 'R' Us. I'd say you're the Channing Tatum, but you're taller than him."
Sam chuckled, rocking back and forth on his heels. "I'd expect you to say that considering how short you are. Hey! Not in a bad way, it's cute how tiny you are."
"I don't think that counts, everyone shorter than six feet belongs in the short category for you." you replied, struggling to keep from blushing at his previous statement. "I mean, you're a giant."
This warranted a laugh from Sam. Peeking behind you, he spotted Dean waving him over, an annoyed expression imprinted onto his face. Ignoring his own brother, he turned his attention back to you. "Says the short cheerleader. You know, I could bust you right now, I can smell the alcohol from here."
"Ooh, kinky." you joked, causing Sam to cough violently. You threw your head back in laughter while the agent's choking eased. Looking back at his partner, Agent Stark who had mastered the bitch face, glaring at the giant in front of you. You pointed your thumb towards Stark. "I think your partner wants to talk to you."
Sam coughed once more, clearing his throat as he looked over at his annoyed partner. "I should see what he wants. Try to stay out of trouble."
"I'll call you when I turn eighteen, Sam." you murmured, brushing up against his arm as you passed him. You felt him tense beside you for a second, and you smirked, walking away. Looking back, you saw Sam glaring at his feet. "Don't die!"
You were already out of ear shot before Sam could muster up a reply.
"Dude, we're on a case." Dean lectured, shaking his head at his flustered brother. Sam raised an eyebrow, too distracted by what the young—beautiful—girl had implied. Dean rolled his eyes, motioning for his brother to follow him. "Wait until we're done til you hit that."
Sam's eyes widened, glaring at his brother. "She's seventeen, Dean."
"Wow, she doesn't look seventeen. Whatever." dismissed Dean, slightly irritated by the amount of sand entering his shoes. "I talked to the stoned douchebag, and from what I can tell, we were right. Andrew Daniels is a vampire, turned that Finn kid, and in the process of growing a large nest."
"Did you find out where the nest is?" Sam asked, more worried than usual for the victim. He still couldn't place what was so different and intriguing about the girl.
Dean shook his head, and Sam couldn't help the exasperated sigh that left his lips. The green-eyed man clapped his brother's shoulder. "Relax, we'll find it. For now, we keep an eye on Finn and take him out when he's alone. You told your girlfriend to stay away from her ex-boyfriend, right? Or did you forget while you were ogling her?"
The younger brother ignored Dean's jab, nodding. "Yeah, but we should look out for her. She isn't entirely convinced he's dangerous. Not that I blame her, he looks like he'll cave if someone threatened his dog."
"Okay. I'm guessing you want to stalk her while I behead Edward Cullen?" Dean blocked a slap from his brother, smirking at the response he had gotten. Sam's bitch face was enough for him to draw a conclusion. "I'll take that as a yes."
"Jerk."
"Bitch."
Sam glanced around the beach, dread washing over him when he couldn't find her. "Call me when you're done."
Under his breath, Dean mumbled, "How much can someone hate their kid enough to name them Finn?"
Excusing yourself, you slid out under Emmett's embrace, wiggling your empty cup at him. Too focused on getting to the cooler without tripping, you hadn't noticed Finn Burke following you until you inadvertently tripped over your feet, a pair of strong arms catching you. To your surprise—and disappointment—it wasn't the shaggy-haired FBI agent you had been thinking about all night.
Still, you couldn't help the grin that appeared on your lips, happy to see your friend. "Hey, you made it! Aren't you a little bit late?"
Finn smiled softly, helping you to steady your legs, keeping an arm around you as you both headed to the cooler. "I got here an hour ago but Tom wanted me to help out with a prank. Are you sure you should be drinking anymore?"
"I'm getting water since my dad is so adamant I stay safe tonight. I haven't drunk much but my legs are jelly," you replied, leaning on the toned soccer player. His piercing gray eyes drifted to yours, narrowing as he studied you. "Seriously, I'm not drunk, just clumsy."
"Let's get you some water," muttered Finn, sitting you down on one of the portable lawn chairs someone had brought. You relaxed in your seat, giving him your empty solo cup. After a few seconds, he handed it back, the solo cup now filled with water. "Drink this."
You gulped the water down, thirsty from talking all night. "Thanks. How's— hey, are you okay?"
He slowly nodded, his gaze fixed on your throat as he licked his lips. "Yeah, just a little tired. Finals really took it out of me, and I've been sleeping for the past few days. I wanted to talk to you about something."
"What's up?"
"Do you wanna go to my car? It's just so crowded here and it's important," said Finn, looking around. You mirrored his actions, confused, seeing everyone around the bonfire, several meters away while the rest were swimming in the ocean. "I'm not looking to hookup, I promise. Just some peace and quiet."
Against your better judgment, you ignored Sam's warning and nodded, taking his hand as you stood up. "Okay, sure. Let's go."
The walk to his car was silent, the air warm and salty enough to make you tired, even after the day of laying around and doing nothing. You yawned, covering your lips with one hand while Finn held the other. Despite your gut telling you to return back to the bonfire, you gave Finn the benefit of the doubt. After all, you'd know him since you were in diapers. He couldn't hurt
you.
You breathe in a sigh of relief as you saw the blue jeep under the warm light, allowing you to see a lot more than in the brief darkness. Leaning against the jeep, you faced him. "So, what did you wanna talk about?"
"How did it feel when you broke up with me in front of my friends?" he asked, taking a step closer. There was a glimmer in his eyes that made your spine shiver.
"What?" you mentally slapped yourself for letting your voice shake. He took another step closer, a predatory look washing over his face. Instinctively, you went to take a step back, realizing you were stuck between Finn and the jeep. If the unspoken threat hadn't been looming over your head, then the inability to speak about the breakup would've been more than uncomfortable.
Finn's smirk grew, one that you've never seen before. Out of all the things you would've described your friend, dangerous wouldn't've been one of them; it wouldn't have come close. "Did you feel satisfied when they pitied me? Happy when they witnessed you list every single flaw I have?"
"Finn, you know I didn't realize they were there. I thought you were alone. I would never do that to you." you reasoned, placing a hand over your heart. Your heartbeat was painfully loud, beating in your ears. "You're my friend."
He scoffed, eyes darkening as they focused on your neck, head tilting as he brushed away your hair for a better view at your pulse. "Friend? You'd throw me under the bus to save your ass. Even you'd kill your daddy for your survival. You're a selfish, pathetic bitch."
Anger bubbled up inside you, pushing the fear deep inside you. You opened your mouth to speak only to close it when a hand wrapped around your throat, shoving you up against the jeep, your head hitting the metal with a force that left your ears ringing in pain. Your vision blurred, body limped, and lungs screaming for air. In an attempt, you clawed at his arm but the gesture only seemed to make him laugh.
"Please." you gasped out, the corners of your vision slowly turning black. Finn lets out an inhuman growl, throwing his head back, several teeth growing in when he opened his mouth.
The soccer player leaned in quickly, and you prepared for the sharp pain but nothing came. For a moment, you were confused, wondering if the lack of air was the result of the blackness, only to realize you had shut your eyes. The hand on your throat lessened, a panicked voice in the back of your mind, and something wet splattered on your chest. A worried voice called your name, a pair of warm arms caught you as you slumped down.
You slowly opened your eyes, disoriented and puzzled to see Sam in front of you, his arms wrapped around your waist as he held you up. With wide eyes, you looked around, waiting for Finn to ambush the both of you, only to meet Agent Stark's angry eyes. But he wasn't glaring at you. Sam called out your name once again, bringing your attention back to him. "Sam?"
He sighed in relief, checking out your neck where you would later find out was bruised. "Are you okay? Didn't I tell you to stay away from that douchebag? Fuck, I'm sorry."
You were overwhelmed by the rollercoaster of emotions Sam displayed, surprised by his tight grip on your waist. Glimpsing at Agent Stark--who had bit his lip to keep from laughing at his brother's worriedness--you saw the blood-covered blade he held. You followed the trail of blood, eyes popping out of their sockets when you saw Finn laying on the parking lot; without his head. "Oh. Looks like he lost his head."
Stark burst out laughing, unable to contain his surprise at your ease about the bloody situation. Sam glared at his brother, letting you go as you processed what had happened. "Hey, listen to me. Dean and me have to go. We think there's more monsters like Finn after your dad."
The mention of your father broke you out of your state, a hand quickly grabbing Sam's. With panicked eyes, you looked at him. "No, no. I'm coming with."
"It's not safe." Dean responded, cleaning the blood off his blade, grimacing when a few droplets made contact with his skin. Sam nodded in agreement. "There's going to be a whole nest of vampires, and we can't protect you and save you dad."
You opened your mouth to protest, goosebumps rising as you heard the word. Vampires. Subconsciously, you looked at your former friend's decapitated head, the sharp fangs intact, beaming under the street lamp. "Is that what he was? A vampire?"
"Yes," Sam replied, waiting for you to scream, run away, slap them for killing your lifelong friend, or anything other than quietly processing the information like they just told you something other than the existence of supernatural beings. "We're hunters, we save people from things that go bump in the night."
"The vampire that turned your friend is Andrew Daniels, the man who threatened your dad. We have to go, there might be a whole nest of vampires at your house--" Dean stopped, halting when he saw his brother's glare. He got the message: worrying the girl, even more, would not help them in any way.
You pushed yourself away from Sam's arms, grimacing when you stepped in the pool of Finn's blood. "If my dad's in danger then I'm coming with."
"No way," said Sam, shaking his head immediately. "It's dangerous, and you could get hurt more than you already have. Let us handle this, and we'll come back to get you when the coast is clear."
The logical part of you agreed with him; you had no knowledge of how to kill vampires, or anything supernatural for that part, and being there meant being in the way of these men doing their jobs. The reckless, anxious part of you wanted to be there, wanted to be the one to save your dad even when you didn't know how, and wanted to make sure he would alright. You let the latter made up your decision. With a glower, you crossed your arms. "I'm going with you. Whether you want me to or not."
"Sweetheart," Dean sighed, knowing one more word from you and Sam would give in. For that matter, Dean would've too.
"Look, he's the only family I have left. If I lose him ... " you trailed off, incapable of finishing. It didn't matter how busy your father had been the past few years or the lack of attention you've gotten. He was family and that meant everything to you. Meeting Sam's eyes, you silently begged him. "Please. I'll be out of the way, you won't have to protect me or anything. Just ... please."
Dean wasn't surprised when Sam caved, his younger brother nodding at your request. The younger Winchester reluctantly agreed and Dean gave up, following his little brother's lead. "Alright, let's go."
You walked behind Dean, following his lead to the black Chevy Impala while Sam silently walked beside you, the height difference making it slightly difficult to read your expression. Dean noticed the once over you gave his baby, beaming at Sam who rolled his eyes. You got in the back, admiring the leather and built of the vintage car, while Sam and Dean sat in the front.
The drive was silent and tense. You didn't miss the way Dean kept glancing in the rear-view mirror or the not-so-subtle over the shoulder glances from Sam. It took a few minutes but a recently buried thought crawled its way to the center of your attention.
"You guys aren't really FBI are you?" you blurted, mentally slapping yourself for not coming to that conclusion much sooner.
"Nope," Dean answered, making the p pop. "But after a lifetime of pretending to be one, it really does make being in monkey suits bearable."
"So, what are you guys? Low budget Ghostbusters?" you questioned, getting a simple scoff-like chuckle from Dean while Sam bit back a smile at the creative jab. "Seriously. You just decapitated my ex-boyfriend who turns out to be a vampire. And I'm wondering if I'm insane for trusting two men who posed as FBI agents and dress like virgin lumberjacks."
The elder Winchester lets out a guffaw and Sam allowed a little laugh to fill the Impala. Sam answered your question, "We're hunters. Or Men of Letters, if you want the old term."
"Right, I'm gonna pretend like I know what that is." you mumbled, meeting Dean's eyes in the rear view mirror. "Can you go faster? No offense, but my dead grandma drives faster than you."
Dean huffed, noticeably pushing the gas pedal harder. "I'll let you get away with that since you're in shock and can't control yourself."
"I'm not in shock, I'm just running away from my problems until I inevitably have to face them." you sassed. During different circumstances, you would've been scared, and frustrated but the existence of all things supernatural hadn't sunk into your brain just yet, and you had been hoping you were dreaming.
The elder Winchester's lips twitched upward, despite the situation. With the speed Dean was going, due to the peer pressure from the teen in the backseat, the three of your arrived at the huge mansion. All the lights were on and the unfamiliar cars on the driveway worried you. As soon as your foot hit the walkway, you had the urge to run, only to be stopped by Sam.
Silently, he handed you a blade, the light from the bright lantern nearby bounced off the silver. Dean had made his way to the front door, scanning the place only to kill a vampire when he reached the first step. He gestured for Sam to follow him, wiping the blood on a bush. Sam turned his attention back to you.
"Stay here. We'll be back with your dad. Don't hesitate to kill them because they will have the intention of killing you." Sam commanded, his eyes flickering to the dead, unnoticed security guard with his throat slit. He looked away before you could follow his gaze. "Stay in the car, please? We'll save your dad, but I—we need to know you'll be safe."
You nodded, tightening your grip on the handle of the blade. "I promise."
The younger brother threw you one last look before following Dean, his own machete in hand. The two brothers silently broke in, weapons in hand as they entered the large mansion. You kept your back against the Impala, looking around for any sign of the supernatural. With the amount of time you've been given to process the existence of the supernatural, the information hadn't completely sunk in. Not even when you pondered Finn's death.
It didn't take long for you to notice Edgar's limp body strewn across a bush, your father's lead security detail: dead and bloody. You gagged, covering your lips with your free hand. The sight of Edgar's corpse made you act against Sam's wishes, yet again. Walking to the door, you gripped your weapon, taking a deep breath prior to following the hunter's lead.
As soon as you stepped inside, you spotted a path of blood, leading towards the kitchen. You immediately regretted your plan when you saw an array of decapitated vampires. Loud grunts lead you to the kitchen, your sandals nearly slipping on the trail of blood.
Sam spotted you as soon as you emerged from the arch, blood splattered across his face, his blade dripping. The scene was horrid; Sam and Dean faced a large group of vampires, your father bruised and injured, the only thing holding him up was the fanged vampire behind him. Their eyes followed Sam's, heads whipping, smug smirks on their face when they realized who they were looking at.
Three things happened in the next second; first, the group of vampires pounced on you. Second, the two hunters expertly beheaded the said vampires. And third, a very familiar face sank his ingrown fangs into your father's exposed neck. One vampire had sped to you, yet despite the silent gasp your father let out, you instinctively ran your blade against his neck, the force beheading the monster.
All your heads snapped to your father, the two vampires that stood behind the one feeding from your dad baring their fangs. Sam grabbed your waist, pulling you behind him. You struggled against his grasp, wanting nothing but to slice the vampire into pieces, craved to watch them bleed, craved to have their heads. But all you could do was watch as the vampire quickly fed from your father, his eyes glazing over. It all happened quickly, but you knew.
Both brothers advanced towards the vampires, only to be shoved against the wall as the familiar vampire met your eyes. Then you realized, the vampire was Andrew Daniels. A strangled cry rose from your throat as he smirked, pulling his lips away from your fathers throat, only to snap the CEO’s neck, discarding the limp body.
The cry was enough of a distraction to the vampires that Sam and Dean has the ability to kill them, leaving the Andrew standing. He smirked, undeterred by his dead friends. “I’ll see you soon, sweet pea.”
And with that, he was gone.
You slumped on the floor, tears brimming your eyes as you sat next to the corpse of your father. The Winchesters watched you, guilty they hadn’t kept their promise. Deep down, you knew it was your fault. Of course, not directly, but if you hadn’t triggered Andrew’s actions, then your father wouldn’t be dead. It was silent for a few minutes, and just like before, you didn’t have the mental or emotional capacity to react.
Dean helped you up, wiping your bloody hands with his jacket. He sent his brother a look, knowing what this meant. Sam nodded, understanding. You were there responsibly now.
“I don’t understand.” you said in a monotone voice. The shock still hasn’t worn off, and you were afraid it was all going to come crashing down on you.
Sam shot Dean a look, and the elder brother froze. He shrugged and Sam sighed. “Andrew Daniels has your scent. And by the looks of it, there’s still more to his nest. He won’t stop until you’re dead.” Sam paused, trying to detect anything other than the blank expression on you. “It’s better if you come with us.”
You shook your head, looking around the living room. The white carpet had been stained by blood, although the bodies had been disposed, and burned. The only corpse in the house was your father’s. The one you forbade them from burning. “No. No, no, no. I can’t. I have to stay here. I have to plan a funeral. Oh, my God, I have to plan a funeral. I have—I—“
“Shh.” Dean comforted, resting his hand on top of yours, squeezing lightly. He knew it was only a matter of time before the numbness wore off. “Hey, look at me. It’ll be okay. We’ll take care of you. No one will hurt you.”
You yanked your hand away from his, standing as you glared at the blood stained carpet. “I can’t! I can’t just abandon my home. I’m not going to abandon my dead father, and run off with some hunters who posed as Feds. I’m going to stay here, and I’m going to plan a funeral.”
Sam softly called your name. “I’m sorry. I know I made you a promise to save him, and I’m sorry I couldn’t. But you have to let us protect you. You don’t know us, and we barely know you. But this is what we do, and right now, you have a whole nest of vampires with your scent. Who knows when they’ll come back. I won’t have you stay here. It’s not safe.”
“And I’m safe with you?” you spat out, venom lacing your voice. Sam and Dean recoiled, flinching at your harsh tone.
They nodded, and Dean stood up. “We’ll protect you with our lives.”
And stupidly, you believed them.
next >
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@sammykb1994 @fofisstilinski @writingforthelonelysoul
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silverisbestboy · 4 years
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Sonic Boom x Reader
Requested by @blackace1993: Conversation was accidentally deleted but from what I remeber of it, they wanted hc for the Sonic Boom characters who has a partner who frequently gets into trouble and/or captured by Eggman. They didn't specify which character they wanted so I just did all of them minus Tails. Hope you enjoy!
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Sonic:
There's no denying it
Sonic was smitten
The moment you set foot on the island Sonic was taken aback by you
To him, you were drop dead gorgeous with a great personality so I guess you could say it was love at first sight for him
This boy is a fool for you
It's actually quite funny watching him zip across the island at the slightest remark that you need something
"Man, you what? I'm feeling kind of hungry"
"Say no more!" He'll say as he zooms away and reappears seconds later with a chili dog in hand
"Uhhhh"
But, unfortunately for you, being in any sort of relationship with Sonic is not wothout complication
Eggman sees you as a new oppurtunity to best Sonic and ends up taking you hostage on a regular basis
The first time it happens, Sonic all but destroys Eggman's fortress looking for you
But after it continuously happening, it starts getting kinda old
"Greeting Sonic! I see you've come to rescue your little girlfriend"
"Yeah, yeah. Can we just we just get to the part where I clobber you?"
It gets to the point where Sonic starts teaching you how to defend yourself so you can hold your own against Eggman
Not that he doesn't mind rescuing, it's just he can't always be there to protect
With the amount of times they've had to save you, the team are already very familiar with you and consider you apart of their friend group
But as you get better is self-defence, Sonic officially announces you as part of the team and you start joining them on missions
While Sonic does tend to stick to your side more than his other teammates during battle, he's glad to have you fighting alongside them
After all, he's happy to spend as much time with you as possible, even if that means having to bash Eggman's robots to do so
Knuckles:
You're not a bad person
So what if you have anger issues
So what if you get into fights from time to time
So what if you've been in trouble with the cops before
Doesn't mean you're a bad person, it just means you've.... got some issues
One day you're not in the best mood and have already had a pretty shitty day, and you're just a ticking time bomb waiting to explode
So it's no wonder that when a big guy bumps into you and causes you to drop the tray of food you're holding, you go off on him
Unfortunately for you, this guy is huge, a tall red echidna with bulking arms that looks like he could punch you into next week
But you're not one to back down from a fight, you've beaten up guys twice your size before and you're not afraid to do it again
"Woah, hey, sorry about that, didn't see you there."
What, is he dense?! Who does this guy think he is barrelling into anyone he pleases just because he's big? You bet he was just gonna walk off without even helping you. Well, you'd show him!
Without warning, you lunged at the echidna with the intent of knocking him over the same way he almost did to you
But you underestimated his initial strength and reflexes and he caught you midair with your legs kicking and your hands clawing for his face
"Woah, dude chill! I said I was sorry!"
He just kinda holds you up in air at arms length with you kicking and screaming until you eventually tire yourself out
The echidna stares at you cautiously
"Are you good now?"
After a moment, you reluctantly nod, and he gently sets you back on your feet
He then carefully leans down without takong his eyes off you and grabs your burger which is still wrapped in foil and reaches it out to you
"How about we start over? I'm Knuckles."
You thought after that encounter, that was the last you'd see of him
But one day, you've gotten yourself into another fight, and to say you're losing would be an understatement
It's once again, a guy twice your size and he's absolutely beating the crap out of you
But by some miracle, Knuckles happens to be walking by and immediately notices you
He steps in to save you, and the guy you're fighting knows about Knuckles being part of Sonic's team and doesn't even bother attempting to fight him
Knuckles takes your half conscious body to Tails's work shop where they fix you up
After that, Knuckles refuses to leave you alone
Even if you try to leave, he always ends finding you to make sure you don't get into more trouble
He helps you find outlets for your anger by sparring and working out with him
You grow a soft spot for Knuckles that you'd never thought you'd have for anyone
He's your big goofball that somehow always manages to calm you down and get you out of whatever trouble your in
Though it's beyond you why anyone would want to put up with you, eespecially a lovable ray of sunshine like Knuckles, you're so grateful that you have someone like himin your life to keep you in check
A/N: Might make more hcs for that because I absolutely love the idea of big, strong goofball Knuckles having a little ball of pure rage as a partner.
Amy Rose:
Some would say you're a pacifist
Some would say you care too much
Some would say you're too nice
But you like to think that you're just trying to do good in the world
You're definitely the type of person that hates conflict and wants everyone to get along, and you're more often than not a bit of a pushover
You like to give people benefit of the doubt and prefer to see the good in people, although sometimes, this affects you negatively
A kindly looking (or at least in your opinion) wolf with a showman's top hat and a certain glint his eyes one day stops you in your tracks and asks you ever so politely if you would kindly lend him some money to help feed his family
Of course, you're quick to help, but little do you know that this is none other than T.W. Barker himself, and he's been watching you carefully for some time
He notices the way you jump at the oppurtunity to help someone in need, and he being a con man at heart, decides to take advantage of that
But before you can lend the man all the money you have in your pocket, a certain pink hedgehog decides to interfere
"Hey, you leave her alone Barker! Go find your own ATM machine!"
Amy Rose herself stands not far behind you, hammer in hand and ready for trouble
"N-now, now, let's not be too hasty. I was simply accepting a generous donation from this unsuspecting-- I mean self-less young lady."
"Yeah right. Beat it before I hammer you into next Tuesday, punk!"
You're in utter shock as the seeming wolf in sheep's clothing (pun intended) makes his escape
"Gotta look out for scumbags. Seems this village is getting more and more of them everyday. Anyways, I'm Amy, what's your name?"
Since then, Amy keeps a close eye on you to make sure you don't become prey to anymore scam artists
Now Amy will never admit she has anger issues, but she does get... irritated from time to time
On more than one occasion, you're there to help her calm down and have a sleepover planned or a spa day for when things get particularly rough for her
Whenever she needs help choosing which paint to redo her wall with, or which dress she should wear to a party, she calls you up, because no matter what you're interests are or how inconvenient the timing might seem, you're ready to help a friend, even with mundane things
Amy has you become a part of the Sonic family, and while you never do join them in battles, you help keep the peace between the team whenever there's an argument
And Amy always makes sure your overly caring attitude isn't being taken advantage of
No matter the time or the place, Amy knows she can always count on you, and you know she's always got your back
Sticks:
Well this is quite the predicament you've gotten yourself into
A lot of people would descibe you as clumsy, but you knew you just bad luck
And to prove just that, here you were dangling upside from a rope trap after deciding to take a liesure stroll through the forest
What are we, nomads? Who sets out traps in the middle of the woods anymore?!
After about 20 minutes, the blood is rushing to your head and you're starting to feel faint
But just as you think that your bad luck will finally be the end of you, figure bursts from the bushes with a fierce battle cry
It's a badger girl with a boomerang clutched in her paw, ready for a fight
But after a moment she realizes just who's gotten caught up in her trap
"Hey, what's the big idea?! Why're you in my snare?"
"Why am I in your snare? Why did you put out a snare you loon?!"
After about 5 minutes of arguing, Sticks reluctantly cuts you down, begrudgingly explaining that she set out a trap for any woodland monsters
You run into her again on another walk, crossing a small stream before tripping on one of the stepping stones and almost falling in before a furry arm wraps around your waist
"You outta be more careful out here. The wilderness is no place to be a klutz."
"Hey, I'm not a klutz. I just have bad luck is all."
And what more to gain the attention of a superstitious badger than the possibility of supernatural forces at play
"You could've been hexed by a witch. Or worse, there could be a vengeful spirit after you! We gotta get you an exorcist!"
"I'm fine, I'm just unlucky. Always have been always will be."
"We should still burn some sage in your home just to be sure."
You let Sticks do what she wants with you, after all, her superstitious perspective is a nice change from everyone just thinking your clumsy
You think her attempts to "cleanse" you are endearing, she tries something new everyday, and you end up learning a thing or two about survival and the corruptedness of politics from her
Weeks later, her attempts slowly dwindle down, and she just comes to accept she's just gonna have to keep an extra close eye on you, especially when she sets out booby traps
The time y'all have spent together, although it was somewhat motivated by Sticks not wanting to get whatever curse you exposed her to, lead to y'all having a close bond
Everyone has their quirks, she's paranoid and you're clumsy, but you two always manage to work things out
And that's the beauty of a relationship
A/N: Sorry I haven't been that active lately, so take this as an apology. Four hcs for the price of one!
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echo-three-one · 3 years
Text
Chapter 44
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The Road so Far
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more...
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The TWO of us, together
Alex
Hotel Lustig, Prague, Czech Republic
"Thank you, Kid." Alex saw Jack's mouth move as their eyes met. His eyes which were once filled with determination and optimism were now screaming for help and desperation. He felt like Jack didn't have any other choice. He had to do what needed to be done.
"Nooo!" Alex forced himself to get up as his possible last words weren't the ones he wanted to hear. Not here. Not now. He wanted to see him carrying a possible child. He wanted to still be a part of his life.
Alex had been assigned under Jack's supervision since he was moved to the CIA. It was Jack's optimism and dedication to responsibility that made him who he was today. He was a great mentor and Alex almost considered him as a father figure.
Even in the most inhumane situations, Alex had thrived to succeed in his missions and he owes it all to Jack. The man was a treasure trove of skills and knowledge and Alex was one of the lucky few whom he had imparted it with. He remembered how Jack saved them both in Brazil, buying them more time evading capture.
But there was one thing that Jack would have regretted before going. It was to meet his son. He'd probably be 20 by now but he was afraid to ever show up out of the blue. His divorce with his ex-wife was quite tragic. Because he had to do it just to keep them safe. That's why Jack was always reluctant about him and Samantha. He would never want the same thing to happen to him.
So in the absence of a son, he channeled his fatherly attitude towards Alex, and Alex admittedly hated it when he's being called a kid despite his age. But as time went by and they kept on being assigned together, he had grown accustomed to it and it kinda grew on him.
In a split second, Alex remembered all the times they've been together. All the almost impossible missions they finished, all the times they thought they were goners but somehow they escaped it. All those things were soon to become memories to tell the people who will miss him.
A tear fell on Alex's eyes as he forced himself to get up and catch up on the two as they dove down three flights, ignoring the searing pain from the helicopter blast. He grabbed on to the ledge as he saw Jack and Nero, huddled together, followed by a burst of light with a loud booming sound just before they hit the ground.
A black burnmark was the only thing left on the ground as the place was blotched with a mix of debris and blood. Pieces of both of their clothes were everywhere as the smoke from the explosion dissipated.
The war was over, with Nero gone, his troops will surely retreat. But it cost one important person. A soul for a soul.
Alex couldn't feel himself as his whole body froze while looking at the aftermath of the explosion. He was trained to withstand any feeling but this was too much for him. He hadn't realized how loss hurts until he was able to see for it himself. It was devastating.
"Didn't realize it'd end this way." Price said.
"We were too caught up with Nero, we didn't realize the possibility of him being alive." he added.
"No." Alex finally said, it was hard for him to say as he could feel his heart on his throat.
"His eyes. It looked hopeless. It was the only way…" He said to them, frowning.
"What do you mean?" Roach said, extending an arm on his back for emotional support.
"He's the hopeful type. If he sees a good way out, you could see it in his eyes. What he did was the only choice he could think of." Alex sighed as the resistance team started to signal their victory. The city was cleared from Nero.
"He sacrificed his life because he had no other choice." He breathed, standing up and looking at the sky.
"I'll never forget you, Jack. Thanks for everything." he whispered, honoring his mentor and father figure.
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The aftermath of Nero wasn't on the news. It was all just a story on how Prague was free from the militia groups that invaded their city as Alex turned it off and closed his eyes.
"How are you holding up?" Samantha plopped down beside him, leaning on his shoulders. Alex inhaled and looked for her hand, wrapping it against his and kissing it.
"Still devastated." He whispered as Samantha turned to him and looked at him straight in the eye.
"Jack wouldn't want to see you like that, you know." Her eyes were watery, but she was trying her best not to cry.
"You too…" he attempted to make her smile but they both ended up hugging each other for emotional support.
"Maybe he'll accept this every once in a while. The man would want to feel missed too." he whispered as they both curled up and let their emotions out.
The next day, it was back to usual at 141 except things were a little bit formal. With everyone in their black funeral attire, they gathered by the small park to honor a hero's sacrifice.
Alex stood by the podium and looked at the notable few people who attended. They were all familiar as Jack was always keen to introduce him to anyone he knows albeit professionally or casually.
"When I met Jack, my first impression of him was a stereotypical angry old man. Some of you may have thought of it like this toward Captain Price, no offense" he said as the crowd laughed a little, looking at the British captain.
"But once you get to know him, he's actually one of the best persons you'll ever meet. Every day felt like a school day. He might not point it out, but every move he made was a lesson in life. The man knew a lot of things that were vital for surviving this world. I once referred to him as a treasure trove of information." Everyone muttered their thoughts and nodded in agreement.
"He taught me how to stay positive even in the most trying times and how every decision is vital. He taught me how to think outside the box and utilize every resource you have, something that I admittedly didn't master but I'm always trying and he kept on telling me that there was no harm in trying. That's when I realized how lucky I was to be with him as my Commanding Officer."
"The man saved me multiple times and I owe him a lot for that. I'm actually blaming myself for his loss but the way he looked at me before he jumped was telling me that I shouldn't blame myself and neither should anyone. He told me once that when he goes, he doesn't want anyone to worry about him, as he'd probably be swimming in the clouds drinking unlimited liquor. And that's what he was looking forward to." Another chuckle from the crowd.
"So, for us who would not accept his death. He would want us to think that wherever he is right now, he's having a blast and we shouldn't be worrying about him." He smiled at the crowd as he stepped out of the podium and went back to the seat beside Samantha, hugging her before they both sat down. The ceremony continued with a few more words from Jack's closest friend.
Later that afternoon, Alex preferred to stay with Jack one last time before going home. He still had a few more moments to relive, and the rest of the squad, including the girls, were more than okay to join him.
"Hey guys. Thanks for waiting for me." Alex muttered as Samantha quickly joined him, locking her arm on his. It looked like everyone was also doing it with their partners.
"You guys should wear suits more often. But I'm not wishing for another funeral, okay?" Maxine said as the group chuckled.
"I used to wear these all the time. I look good at it, right France?" Soap nudged his girlfriend, making France blush uncontrollably.
"Yeah fine. You do." She replied nonchalantly. But everyone knows she's more than smitten.
"Now that this is over, what's next for us?" Roach asked the group, as they collectively shot an 'I don't know' look.
"Well. It's obviously an R and R for us." France said, proudly citing one of 141's rules.
"R and R?" Maxine asked.
"It means Rest and Recreation." Roach was quick to reply.
Alex looked at Samantha with a smile. R and R
sounded perfect.
"I'm actually finishing my psych exam tomorrow." France stated.
"I'll go with her for a check up as well. That nasty fall still bothered me." Soap added, holding on to France's waist and pulling it close to him.
"Well, looks like everyone's got plans." Roach grinned, looking at Maxine, suggesting that they had something for themselves as well.
Next Chapter : Epilogue - ONE's Sacrifice
Notification Squad my Beloved
@enderio @smokeywhalee @samatedeansbroccoli @ricinbach @bumblingbee1 @whimsywispsblog
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crimsonbluemoon · 4 years
Note
I've never requested one of your drabbles before so I'm nervous but uh 67 with Krii7y. Love your work by the way!
Ahhh I’m so close to being done with these drabblez! 
Pairing: Krii7y Number: 67 Prompt: “Every morning you kiss my forehead before I leave for work, why was it my lips today?”
Being roommates with Smiity was weird. 
Not that Kyroz really though he was normal himself, but Smiity was just...different. He enjoyed milk way more than any human should, watched TV sitting upside down on the couch, and swore that Sailor Moon should be the next president of America (despite being Canadian). He liked tomatoes but hated ketchup, and swore that socks were meant to ‘keep the people in shackles’ despite wearing them 79% of the time when they were home. It was a little strange the first year they lived together, but three had made most of his  habits understandable. At least tolerable. None were bad enough to make Kryoz look for a new roommate, which had been the reason two of his last four relationships had ended. 
The other two broke up when realizing Smiity had one last ‘strange’ ritual that Kryoz didn’t mind nearly as much as he should have. 
“Fuck life, man.” Smiity wasn’t really a morning person, which he made clear every time he dragged himself out of bed before ten. They both had full time jobs, which left around the same time, yet Smiity always got up almost an hour after Kryoz. A glance from the eggs he was cooking proved to John that this time was no exception; Smiity’s eyes were barely open, and he walked straight into the table while trying to hop into one of his work shoes. A string of curses from Smiity made Kryoz snicker, and he poured the semi-decent eggs onto the plate before he plopped the breakfast in front of Smiity. He was no Bobby Flay, but he didn’t light the toaster on fire (Smiity still blamed it on a fuse being blown).
“Eat up, loser.” 
“Fuck you. You need a ride to work?” Smiity asked through his bite of food. Kryoz shoveled his food into his mouth while shaking his head.
“Nah, Panda’s got me. Should be here any minute.” The honk of the car from outside came one second after Smiity chugged his glass of milk, Kryoz too used to the weird sight to be disgusted. He tossed their plates into the sink, debating whether to waste time cleaning them (knowing they’d have more at night for dinner) when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Familiarity made Kryoz turn his head, wondering why he allowed the strange ritual to continue for so long. Saying goodbye to your roommate was one thing, but letting Smiity kiss him on the forehead? He knew it was weird, and yet he always defended his friend’s style of parting ways whenever a partner (girlfriend or boyfriend) complained about it. He just...it was fine, it was just a friendly gesture, Smiity didn’t even seem awake half the time when he-
Warm lips pressed against his skin, but it wasn’t his forehead that caught the affection. Kryoz blinked at the slow kiss against his mouth, Smiity letting it linger a second longer than normal before pulling away with a yawn.
“See ya tonight?” 
“Um, yeah.” For a second, Kryoz almost let the change go. But when Smiity hummed and turned, the sudden rise in his heartbeat made it impossible to ignore. “You gonna explain that one, dude?”
“Huh?” Smiity turned at the question, cocking his head to the side.
“I get that every morning you kiss my forehead before I leave for work.” When he said it, Smiity’s eyes blinked slowly, as if trying to push the sleep out of them. They quickly widened in shock when John continued. “ Why was it my lips today?”
“Wait, this is real?” Smiity’s mouth dropped open after the question, and Kryoz ignored Panda’s second beep to nod.
“Yes? You’ve literally done it like, every morning.” 
“I thought I was still dreaming! You didn’t say shit about it!” The reasoning was stupid, but also so Smiity, that really Kryoz couldn’t see him making it up. His dumbass roommate would be stupid enough to kiss him thinking he was still asleep. “Why would you keep letting me kiss you!?” 
“I didn’t really mind?” Now that he’d said it outloud, maybe some of Smiity’s weirdness was rubbing off on him. “Why were you dreaming of kissing me?”
“I-I just...dude. I can’t deal with this right now. I really fucking hate mornings.” Smiity rubbed his hand over his face and groaned, making Kryoz roll his eyes. 
“Tell me over dinner. I’ve gotta go before Panda shits himself.” He didn’t think twice about his next actions, stepping closer to Smitty and pulling his hand away from his mouth to kiss him. A jump against his lips proved it was unexpected, but from the way his roommate melted into his kiss, it was accepted quite easily. Smiity had started it, after all; Kryoz was just finishing it. He pulled back with a pop, smirking at the dazed face he left behind before sauntering out of the apartment. 
Maybe there were some benefits to having a weird roommate, afterall.  
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bethansfandoms · 4 years
Note
if you're up for another prompt... I'm a sucker for the classic Dancer!Remus and bored Sirius there with his family, but sees this adorable talent and suddenly could not be less bored. I'm not too bothered by the dance style, but preferably not Ballet because I've seen that done a few times. Maybe Ballroom/Latin, since I project onto Remus so much 🤦‍♂️. But it's not that big of a deal. Thanks! You're so talented btw...
Always up for new prompts, and thank you so much! Okay I think this may turn out different to how you intended and may not be the classic dancer! Remus prompt you’re used to, but I hope you enjoy it :)
Sirius absolutely hated these events. Like, really hated them.
Because why did being wealthy mean you had to know how to ballroom dance? Or prove that you know how in this case.
It wasn’t that Sirius couldn’t dance. He’d practically been been forced to as soon as he could walk. What he hated was actually doing it.
He also hated socialising with the friends of the family who liked to attend these sorts of things as well. Because he had enough lecturing about his posture and hair and attitude and voice at home. He didn’t need it from these people as well.
So as they entered the grand ballroom, Sirius immediately walked over to a table and sat on the chair away from the dance floor, much to his parents annoyance.
He knew full well about their ulterior motive. He was seventeen. This event was usually attended by the financially elite and so was a good place to find a girl for Sirius who his parents deemed worthy.
Sirius had a few problems with this. One, social staus was neither important nor attractive to him. Two, he didn’t trust his parents taste in partners as, well, they’d married each other. Three, the ‘girl’ part was an all round bit of an issue.
He could tell Regulus secretly hated this as well, but had not been brave enough to sit with Sirius at a distance from the dance floor, so had now been partnered with a blonde girl of similar age to him.
Sirius new this period of relaxation would not last. His parents were dancing together but they were obviously scouting the crowd for somebody to pair with their eldest son.
Sirius slumped in his chair pretending to not exist on the off chance it actually came true. He couldn’t stand to watch his parents dancing any longer and so scanned the room for familiar faces of family and friends who he probably hated and would intend to avoid.
And then his eyes settled on a couple that he didn’t recognise. A girl with bright red hair who seemed to be enjoying herself but was not a great dancer. And partnering her, a tawny haired boy.
And although Sirius was in no way attracted by people’s dance ability, this guy was possibly the best dancer in the whole room and Sirius couldn’t help but be impressed at how effortlessly he lead the red haired girl.
He was tall, really tall, and quite pale as well. His hair fell slightly in front of his eyes and curled a little bit at the ends. Which Sirius decided was adorable. He had this huge smile plastered on his face. Sirius didn’t fail to notice how cute his smile was. And unlike almost every male in the room, he was not wearing black and white but instead a combination of blues and browns.
And Sirius had always preferred watching to dancing, but now he felt more adamant about this opinion than ever.
And then suddenly his parents were talking to them and they’d stopped dancing, to Sirius’s disappointment as the guy looked so good doing it. And his name was being called and he tried to disappear into his chair. Which did not work and resulted in his name just being called louder.
The boy was walking towards him and sat next to Sirius, smiling at him. Sirius blushes slightly and hated himself for it.
“I think they require your presence.” He said, still smiling sweetly. And Sirius decided this was very unfair because holy crap even his voice was attractive.
“No, I think they must mean a different Sirius.”
And to his delight, the taller boy laughed. Okay, definitely not fair, he was not allowed to have a cute laugh as well.
“Not much of a dancer?”
“Define dancing. Because if you count jumping around to loud rock music, I’m a big fan. Ballroom, not so much.”
And when he laughed again and Sirius bit his lip nervously. And now his name is being accompanied by a glare and he knew he had no choice and groaned, walking towards them.
“Good luck!” The boy called after him. And Sirius didn’t think he was capable of responding and so didn’t.
He knew exactly why he was being called. The red haired girl looked about his age and so he assumed his parents were already planning their wedding.
He breguginglg took a position to lead and they slowly began dancing.
“I’m not marrying you, by the way.” The girl sad, grinning at him.
Sirius sighed in annoyance. “Oh no, they didn’t actually mention a wedding did they!”
She laughed, “indeed they did.”
“Well don’t worry, you’re not really my type.”
The girl stood on his foot, possibly by accident but he suspected not.
“No! I didn’t mean it like that.” He said hurriedly. “I, uh. No girls, that’s my type. Not females.”
She giggled again. “I’m Lily, it’s nice to meet you.”
He introduced himself as Sirius which earned him a snarky response about how everybody knew his name due to the volume his parents had been yelling it at.
“I’ve never seen you here before.” Sirius said. Changing the tempo of their dance as the song changed.
“Oh, well, this is totally not my scene. But Remus, my friend, his father was invited and made me come along for emotional support.”
And all Sirius could think was, Remus Remus Remus Remus. Because the boy from earlier had to be who she was talking about. And he decided he loved that name.
“Is that the boy you were dancing with earlier?” Sirius asked, playing it cool. Lily nodded. “And you’re just friends?” Sirius asked coyly, winking at her.
“Yeah. He’s single if you’re interested.”
Sirius intentionally stood on her foot causing her to grimace at him. But his heart fluttered slightly, much to his annoyance, because had Lily just implied that Remus would date a guy? Nope. He was being stupid. Lily had just been joking around.
Sirius’s previous conception had been correct, she truly was quite a horrific dancer. As he spun her round, she full on tripped and Sirius quickly knelt to see if she was okay. Her laughter made it evident she was.
And suddenly Remus had appeared to check on her as well.
“I’m fine!” She assured. “But maybe Remus should take it from here.” And with that, she quickly stood and strode off. Winking at Remus who made some comment at her under his breath.
Sirius stood, staring at him awkwardly. Oh no. He had freckles. Sirius knew he was done for.
“You leading or me?” Remus asked which snapped him out of his daydream.
“Oh, uh, I thought Lily was joking about that.”
Remus widened his eyes slightly. His beautiful, green eyes flecked with specks of brown. Sirius shook his head slightly.
“We don’t have to if you don’t want to!” Remus assured.
“No,” Sirius had said that far to quickly. “No it’s fine, let’s do it. You lead?” He suggested.
And Remus smiled and obliged. Taking Sirius’s hand in his own and placing his other around the top of his back. Sirius held their arms up at head level and rested his other on top of the one locked around him.
Being in this close proximity was definitely affecting his dancing. But Remus seemed unbothered and was still leading him around expertly.
“Oh, I’m Sirius by the way!”
“Yeah, I know.” He laughed slightly. “Remus.”
“Yeah, I know.” Sirius repeated. “Lily told me.”
“You two seemed to get on well.” Remus said, grinning and raising his eyebrows.
“Yes, well, my parents basically proposed to her for me. They’re desperate to find me a girlfriend.”
“Well, she’s single, you know.” Remus said, biting his lip a little. Sirius cursed that he managed to make literally everything he did so attractive.
“Yes, and I’m gay.” Sirius confirmed. Remus chuckled slightly.
“So I’m to assume your parents don’t know?”
“I think they’d actually kill me.”
And then Remus stopped dancing and pulled away, leaving his hand on Sirius’s back but looking him in the eye.
“I’m so sorry. It sucks to have parents who don’t support you. Luckily my mum was cool with it, dad took a while to come round.”
And then Sirius swore his vision went hazy as he realised what Remus was saying. And just as he was about to enquire further, his mother appeared at his side, enquiring about the whereabouts of the girl they’d partnered him with.
Remus grinned at him for the entire duration of the discussion.
“I should probably get going, but I’ll see you around?” Remus said.
“Yeah. Yeah, well, we come here the first Saturday of every month so, maybe I’ll see you here again sometime?”
“I’d like that.”
And then he was walking off and taking Lily’s arm, before shooting him a final wave and disappearing through the door.
And Sirius is just stood there, staring at him in awe. Because Remus, adorable, not heterosexual, single Remus, said that he’d like to see him, Sirius Black, again.
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mysteryofren · 4 years
Text
welcome back
part 8 of so happy together
Part 7
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  The days after new years felt like a dream. You and Ben texted non stop. You learned a lot about him in the past few days. The more you knew about him the more you liked him. You told him more about your relationship with his parents, and he tried giving you the best advice he could. You wanted badly to ask if he wanted to hang out, but you knew his parents were home. Even if he acts like it you feel like deep down he missed them, and that he’ll miss them when school starts up again so you never brought up hanging out. 
 Your grandfather went back to working again, so you only saw him at breakfast, and dinner. Some days he stopped working early so you two could go out, or watch a movie before he went to sleep. For a moment it felt normal. As normal as it could be. You felt like you were a regular teen with a regular parent. Well grandparent. He made time for you instead of constantly working and brushing you off. You were originally supposed to stay for christmas eve, christmas, and the next day. That first night was amazing, and you refused to leave. You would stay too if your school wasn't so far. It made you love your time here even more. 
 Gideon and you spent your days exploring the forest and playing games at the house. You learned a lot about the old dog in the days since you got him. One day there was a rare winter rain. You set up by a window and listened to music. Gideon saw you sit and sat next to you putting his head in your lap watching the rain fall down the window with you. He followed you everywhere. If you walked to the kitchen he went with you. You went to bed and he would follow you and sleep next to you. One day you decided to take a bath and he sat in the tub with you. The sentiment was nice, but bathing with a dog wasn't exactly sanitary. Your grandfather had chosen the perfect dog for you. You loved Gideon as if you had been his owner for his whole life. 
 Although they felt like a dream. The days went by fast then next thing you knew you were packing a bag to go back to school. Most kids just went back on the first day classes resume, but you wanted to get back early and enjoy the peace there before the chaos began. Your grandfather helped take your bag to your car. The worst part about going back was leaving him. You had so much fun being at his house the past 2 weeks it made you sad to think you had let yourself get so busy you were only seeing him every few months. He made you a copy of the house key so you could go by anytime you wanted to. You added it next to your dorm keys, and pulled him in for a hug. What were you going to do without him or Gideon. At least you would be with Elaine again, and you would get a chance to see Ben more. 
  The whole ride back you felt a strange emptiness. Like you were going away for good. You knew you werent. You and your grandfather had made plans for the following weekend to get lunch. Either way going back felt weird. Eventually you pulled into the parking lot for your dorm. You parked and got out looking around, and taking in the silence. You grabbed your bags out of the seat and walked to your room. You opened the door and set your stuff down on your bed. You grabbed your headsets and put them on. You started unpacking your bag and putting all the clothes you had used in a basket. You took all your unused clothes and put them away. You picked up the basket and headed to the campus laundry room. 
The next day came fast. You woke up early to get ready making sure your makeup was just right. The one thing you definitely didnt miss about the school was the stupid uniform you had to wear. It consisted of a dark green plaid skirt with a white button up tucked into it, along with a tie. You did have the option of wearing a blazer with the school's logo on it, but for the most part you went without that. The boys had to wear khaki pants, with a white button up, and a red and gold tie. Unlike the girls uniform it was required that they wear the blazer. After you got done getting ready you grabbed your backpack and books and headed to your home room class. 
 You walked in and saw all the familiar faces before sitting down next to Hux. Unfortunately he was the only friend you had in the homeroom. Elaine was always placed in another one. Once you sat next to Hux you said your hellos before your teacher had walked in.
“Welcome back, I trust you all had a nice vacation?” professor Windu asked. 
A hushed reply of yes’ went over the room 
“Good. we have a few things to go over before you go to your classes.” you listened as he went over basic stuff, updating everyone on fundraisers, upcoming events and future assemblies.
 You were close enough to Hux, that you could whisper to him without anyone noticing. 
“So how was the college?” you asked him
“It's amazing, everything is absolutely beautiful, I'm so excited to go at the end of the year.” 
“That's good, what are you going for?”
“I originally wanted to go for law so I could work with my father but they do have an amazing art program and I would love to be an art curator at the Met.” you never knew he was into art.
You two continued talking until the bell rang letting students know to head to their next class. The day went by fast and finally you arrived at your final class of the day. Computer science. You took your usual seat, and waited until your teacher gave you an assignment. A few seconds after arriving your desk mate walked in. You had completely forgotten Matt sat next to you. 
“So I heard you kissed brother, guess that means you’ll be with him now?” he asked as he sat down. 
“I mean maybe, I'm not really sure what's going on there.” 
“Well I consider you my friend so i know if anything does happen you’re cool, and you won't be mean to me like his last girlfriend.” 
“Hey! We are friends, and I would never be mean to you under any circumstance.”  then it finally hit you. How did he know you met his brother? Had he talked about you? Did Luke say something?
“So how did you hear about that happening? Did Luke say something?” 
“No he talked about when he got back. He seems to really like you.”
“I mean i kind of like him too so i guess that's good.” 
 You and Matt had been cut off by your teacher telling you of a new project. Automatically you and Matt looked at each other knowing you were going to partner up for it. She explained the project would be for artificial intelligence. She gave the rest of the period to make a plan and get started. You and Matt made an outline of your plans and started making the powerpoint. Near the end of class you two discussed a day to get together after class along with eating lunch together and working on it. When class was over you walked around campus for a while together you asked him about Hoth and what he did when he was there. He told you about how it was his first time seeing snow, and going skiing. After a while he told you he told you he was gonna go unpack his stuff from his trip. 
  You walked back to your room and saw that Elaine still hasn't gotten back yet. Your guess was that she was still coming back from classes. You set your bag down and laid out on your bed, when you realized you hadn't talked to Ben all day. You pulled your phone out of the pocket you had sewn into your skirt and sent him a quick text. You figured that the first day must have overwhelmed him, and it just slipped his mind. After about 10 minutes you stood up and grabbed your bag. Digging your books out you walked over to your desk and sat down to do homework. You checked your phone every 5 minutes hoping he would reply. After about 30 minutes passed and Elaine walked in and she was wearing her soccer outfit. 
“Dude you'll never guess what happened today!!” she said as she walked in. throwing her bag down. 
“Is everything okay?” you turned looking at her. 
“Yeah everythings fine, but there's a coach from NYU coming to the game next week!”
“Oh hell yeah! This is gonna be so good for you!” you stood up and hugged her.
“You're coming to the game, right?” she asked 
“Of course I come to every game!” 
“Well you were busy with a certain someone else.” she teased. That reminded you to check your phone again.
“Actually a certain someone has spoken to me all day.” 
“Maybe he's busy. It was his first day after all.” she said as she grabbed clothes and headed to the bathroom. She was right, maybe you were overreacting. Some reason it just felt wrong. 
  You decided to throw your phone on the bed so you didn't feel tempted to keep checking. About two hours later you finished your work for the week you even thought of some ideas for your computer science project. Once you were done you got up and grabbed your phone to message Matt about some of your ideas. Still no text from Ben. You sent Matt some of your ideas. Frustrated you asked Elaine if she wanted to go to Mazs place for dinner. She thankfully agreed and you two got dressed. As you walked out you got a message from Matt telling you he had some ideas too. On the walk back you talked back and forth about them before deciding on a few ideas. 
  When you got to the restaurant you saw Hux sitting alone again.
“Do you mind if we go sit with Hux?” you asked her.
“Sure, but can I ask why his name is Armitage and we all call him Hux?”
“He hates his name so we all kinda just started calling him by his last name.” you explained as you walked over to his table. She nodded her head and walked over with you. 
“Hey Hux, can we sit with you?” you asked him. He smiled and motioned for you guys to sit down.
“Of course you can, Phasma should also be joining me at any moment.”
“Cool, we can all hang out I Dont really hang out with Phasma outside of practice.” 
 You both sat down and started talking to Hux when Phasma arrived. You've known her since about middle school. Her parents and yours were friends. You would call her a friend, just not one you hang around a lot. You all stayed four a few hours talking, and laughing. Well most of you are laughing. Hux never really laughed. He kind of just smiled, or let out a breath. You figured that's why him and Phasma were best friends. They were serious as hell. Phasma had her moments of goofiness but for the most part. She was a bad bitch.
  When you decided to leave you all walked to the dorms together. After Hux walked off to his room. You, Elaine, and Phasma had walked to the girls dorm area. Once you and Elaine parted with Phasma you checked your phone again. Nothing. You sighed and put your phone up. You watched Elaine dig her keys out and unlock the door.
“Still no messages?” she said  walking in. 
“No, i'm sure everything will be alright.” you walked in and quickly changed into yours night clothes.throwing yourself on your bed you sighed. “Maybe if he doesn't like me i can just date Hux.” you said jokingly.
“Oh yeah that's something I'd pay to see happen. Can you imagine little red headed versions of you running around. It'd be like a nightmare I had once.” 
“Stars can you imagine. Y/N Hux. it kind of has a ring to it.” you both laughed. 
“I can see it now. You, an up and coming fashion designer, him, a big hot shot lawyer! Together you two strike fear into the heart of New Yorkers!” she dramatically fell onto her bed making it seem as if she had fainted. 
“Actually he wants to be an art curator.” you corrected her.
“Even better you both are art nerds.” she tucked herself in and turned off her lamp light. You did the same as she spoke out.
“I'm positive he’ll text back. He's got to, he’d be an idiot if he didnt.” she yawned out before falling silent. You stayed up a while longer. You searched through old texts looking to see if anything had been different the day before. Could you have said something that put him off? Did he indicate that something was wrong and you didn't notice? You searched desperately for an answer, until you eventually drifted off.
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elusive---ivory · 4 years
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Circus Act - 10
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Woop woop, that's the sound of an update. This isn't as eventful as I expected it to be, but the next chapter will be long and crazy. That will possibly be out tomorrow. Thank you for being patient. Another thing is i do have a Taglist that's open to all. Just message me or send me an ask!! Enjoy!!
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10
Sandy drove up to the hospital, shaking profusely in her car. Her anxiety seemed to really have a grasp on her as she made it up to the hospital.
She saw the exact same detectives from before, interrogating Arthur.
Arthur sat outside smoking a cigarette. He seemed emotionally drained and tired from the stress of the evening.
"Mr. Fleck." Detective Garrity said, walking up to him. "Sorry to bother you, but I'm Detective Garrity, and this is my partner Detective Burke."
This was the last thing Arthur needed. Two detectives nosing around in his business.
"We had a few questions for you, but you weren't home. So we spoke with your mother." Garrity said.
"What did you say to her? Did you do this?" Arthur asked, slightly defensive.
"No, no. We just asked her a few questions, then she started acting all hysterical." Burke commented.
"Yeah, the doctors said she had a stroke." Arthur snapped.
"We're sorry to hear about that." Garrity said, disregarding what he said. "But, like I said. I still have some questions for you."
Arthur rolled his eyes, sighing.
"They're about the subway killings that happened last week. You've heard about them, right?" Garrity asked.
Arthur nodded. "Yeah. They're horrible."
"Right. Well, we spoke with your boss over at Haha's. He said you were fired for bringing a gun into the children's hospital." Garrity commented.
"It was a prop. It's part of act. I'm a party clown." Arthur took a drag of his cigarette.
"Alright, so why were you fired?" Burke asked, raising an eyebrow.
"They said I wasn't funny enough. Can you imagine that?" Arthur said, getting off the bench and finishing his cigarette. "Now, if you don't mind, I have to go take care of my mother."
"Right, but I've got one more question. Dennis Cullen. Do you recognize that name?" Burke asked.
Arthur shook his head, walking up towards the hospital doors. "No. I don't."
"Yeah? What about Sandra Dolere? Your boss said she was a coworker of yours." Burke asked. Arthur turned his head and glared.
"Yeah, she's my girlfriend." Arthur said, confidently.
The detectives looked at each other, curiously.
"And what about this condition? Is this real or just a clown thing?" Burke asked, one more time.
"A clown thing?" Arthur scoffed. "What do you think?" He put out his cigarette, just before running into the automatic doors of the hospital.
Sandy got out of her car, walking up towards Arthur.
"Hey." She smiled at him. Her anxiety died down a little bit as she finally met with Arthur.
"Hey, Sandy." Arthur smiled back, pulling her into a hug. He felt the annoyance of the two detectives wash away.
Sandy and Arthur sat in the hospital room of Arthur's mother. It was quiet in the room, other than the loud television playing above them.
Sandy rested her head on Arthur's shoulder. She couldn't really pin it, but she felt safe around him. Her anxiety wasn't bothering her that much. Her focus was on Arthur.
"You didn't deserve to be treated like that." Sandy said, finally. "I saw it from the parking lot. They were so fucking rude."
Arthur scoffed a little, paying no mind to it.
He appreciated Sandy's company. Arthur couldn't be more grateful with her driving up her like this. She was an angel.
Silence fell in the room as he heard Sandy snore softly on his shoulder.
'She must've had a rough day.' Arthur thought to himself.
Prior to all this, Arthur went out to Wayne manor to confront Thomas Wayne. His butler yelled at him, pushed him around.
It was bad enough that he was in competition with another kid.
Bruce Wayne. That little boy. He seemed sweet, playing around in his custom playground, protected from the outside world.
Arthur's thought were interrupted by the familiar tune of the Murray Franklin show.
A smile appeared on his face, looking up at the television. Sandy woke up from her little dream haze, but she was happy seeing Arthur excited.
Laughter struck the television as Murray was giving his opening monologues.
"So, other night I was telling my youngest son, Billy, you know the not so bright one." Murray said.
The audience laughed.
Sandy smiled, sleepily looking at Arthur.
"I told him the garbage strike is still going on, Billy. And he's says this, and I'm not kidding, he says well where are we gonna get our garbage from." The audience roared with laughter.
Arthur smiled, chuckling at the joke while holding his mother's hand.
"And in a world where every can do my job. Here's a tape from Pogo's comedy club, right here in Gotham. Here's a guy that thinks that if you just keep on laughing, people will think you're funny." The clip began to play.
Only it was a clip from Arthur's stand up. He got from his chair, his eyes glued to the television, whispering a small "oh no".
Sandy got up too, feeling just as shocked as Arthur.
"I always hated school as a kid. But my mother said, you should enjoy it, someday you're gonna have to work for a living. No, I'm not, ma. I'm gonna be a comedian."
He started to laugh, feeling gitty. Arthur hugged Sandy tightly.
She shared Arthur's excitement by squeezing his arm, gently.
Murray chuckled. "You should've listened to your mother."
Arthur's smile slowly faded, looking confused.
Sandy gulped. Her anxiety crept up, still holding onto Arthur's arm, but the pleasant feeling from before faded.
"Let's see one more. Love this guy." Murray proceeded to play another clip.
"It's funny, because when I was a little boy and told people I was gonna be a comedian. Everyone laughed at me. Well, no one's laughing now." The clip finished playing.
"You can say that again, pal." Murray said, and the audience ate it up.
Arthur scowled at the television. His idle, his hero laughed at him.
Sandy sighed, shaking her head. Murray was such a goddamn asshole.
Arthur turned his head to face her. "Can you drive me home? I don't think I want to be here anymore."
Sandy nodded, picking up her coat. "Sure."
Taglist: @princessgeekface, @gloomyladyy, @memory-mortis, @jokerflecker, @joker-flecked-me, @mama-mischief, @mr--clown
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alison-anonymous · 4 years
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♡ loose cannon ♡ pt 2
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Here's the second part everyone!! Please enjoy, let me know if you want more in the comments! No warnings, obviously!
The Burning Ice
♡♡♡
  VK Day. 
      Also known as the day that ruined your life. 
      It had became known that Mal, Evie, Carlos, and Jay were going to be coming back to the Isle on many occasions to pick up people as the "lucky ones" to come and stay with them in Auradon a bit to have a chance at becoming "good". Some people saw this as a good thing. Hades saw it as a way to escape. You saw it as a wretched, horrible thing.
      But when one certain VK Day rode around that Mal pulled out your name, everything changed. Apparently, everyone had been digging up some history on you and had decided that it would be good to give the little ice goddess a second chance. Of course, you absolutely refused to go at first. But after some convincing from Hades that you might able to make Mal free him so you could be together, you changed your mind. 
      So off you went, back to Auradon. Back to the people you hated. Of course, you did you best to make it work. Only for Hades. It was ONLY for him. When you got your powers back, Beast and Belle had it ordered that you have a power restricting chain placed around your neck once again. Just as a "precaution". Funny, you had thought. Back from prison and I'm still being treated like a prisoner.
      Needless to say, you couldn't be an uncontrollable ice goddess without your powers. At least you finally had a bed to sleep in, though you missed sleeping on Hades's chest more than anything. Speaking of Hades, word had gotten around you were his girl. Mal was pretty pissed for a while, but finally cooled off once she realized that you were actually pretty chill. You soon befriended Mal and Evie, and Uma, whether you liked to admit it or not. Since you had been brought right before the time that Audrey ran crazy, you of course were enlisted to help defeat her. Mal removed your property restricting neck chain and once you felt the ice running through your veins once more, you knew... you were back. 
      But revenge wasn't first on your list, remember? Hades was. And he needed you to stay on Mal's good side. Plus, she was pretty sweet too.
      So, using your slightly rusty and chaotic powers, you astounded the Pirate Trio and the VKs with your ice flurries and helped them take down Audrey. Unfortunately, you were forced to hold down the castle where Dizzy was and freeze anyone who dared touch her while they went to get the ember, so you missed seeing Hades. But according to Mal, he kept bugging her about how you were... the thought had brought a smile to your lips and a smirk to Evie's. But after you had helped them restore peace again, they brought the barrier down and all was well. You and Hades became one of the greatest power couples since Ben and Mal (who ended up adoring you) and life had finally gotten to where you had always wanted it to be. 
      Only... no one could fix you. 
      Despite the happy face you put on in front of the press and the family and friends, your powers hadn't changed since you left them. They were growing stronger and stronger, and you couldn't stop them. Stupidly, you tried to hide it. Especially from Hades, because he was under enough stress trying to be a good dad again, and you didn't want to worry him. But one day, when you and Hades were visiting Ben and Mal at the castle, and you snuck off to the library, you felt the all to familiar surge and before you knew it, the whole library was frozen. Including the poor librarian in it. Petrified, you quickly slammed and locked all the doors shut so no one could get in. 
      That was a bad idea.
      Don't feel it, you tried to think. Conceal it. Don't feel it. Don't let it through. Hold it in. Don't let it out. Just breathe. 
      Don't let it show. 
      You, of course, being trapped in the library hadn't noticed it when it started to snow outside the library. Inside of the castle, I mean. Hades, who had been searching for you, caught sight of the strange weather and instantly knew it was his beloved girlfriend. He picked up his pace and once he saw the extravagantly huge double library doors with ice coating the polished surface, he gently pressed his hands against the chilly frame. 
      "Love?" 
      His voice was like a hand reaching down into the tossing waters to pull you out to safety. Wringing your hands together, you shivered from the fear that was taking over your body. He knocked softly on the door. Usually, he would have just broke in, but he could already tell that something was wrong. You never hid from him. And the ice and snow? Well, that spoke for itself. "Love, let me in. Let me help you.”
      You tried desperately to calm your staggered breathing as you took gulp after gulp of air, pacing the frozen carpet. Small flakes of snow fell from the high ceilings above you and landed in your hair. The ice was coursing through your veins, pounding against your temples, begging you to give in to the power. Telling you to let it all go. But you had to contain it, you couldn’t bear to hurt anyone. No matter how badly you may wish to inflict harm upon those who have hurt you, you knew better than to let yourself slip into the cold. And the first step of not letting yourself go was to stop shutting people out. You could feel your irises begin to shimmer with a luminescent hue as you cautiously neared the door. Hades stood on the other side, his eyes scanning the frost coating the outer layer of the wood. 
      “Darling? Are you alright?” He closed his hand around the ember in his pocket and prepared to have to force the door open when the door suddenly cracked open on its own. Taking the opportunity, he quickly pushed the frozen door all the way open and shut it as soon as he was in the room. As soon as he laid eyes on your shaking, trembling, terrified form, he stalked up to you and wrapped his arms around you. Pressing you close to his warm chest, he buried his head in your hair and you blinked quietly from the shock that was still taking its course. A moment of silence passed as he silently inspected the damage you had inflicted upon the room. Hades had suspected that things would have gotten worse for you as soon as you got back on the mainland. He had tried figuring out ways to help you, but being as he was scared to use his ember on you and your family were too far gone, even he felt his hope start to chip around the edges. 
      But that didn’t mean he couldn’t be there for you. 
      “Are you alright?” He whispered into your ear. You shivered, only this time from his closeness. 
      “I don’t know anymore. It’s getting harder to control it.” You slowly pulled away from the hug, savoring the feeling of his arms around you. He refused to let you go untouched though, as his gloved hands slowly travelled down your arms and gently rested above your own, knowing that they scared you just a bit right now. You allowed your eyes to sink into his comforting ones, always finding him to be your safe haven when something horrific like this happened. The frozen librarian, mid between adjusting her glasses, was poking your brain with a little pencil until it won a spot in the worrying center of your brain. 
      “I swear, Had, I didn’t mean to freeze the librarian.” 
      Hades broke eye contact with you to look at the librarian, and a chuckle escaped from his lips before he could stop it. You gaped at him in disbelief. Was he seriously laughing about a person you froze? It was a bit entertaining watching him try to suppress his laughter before he suddenly burst into a fit of his signature evil laughter, the one that you fell in love with. 
      “Are you seriously laughing about me freezing the librarian? Hades, I froze a person!” 
      “I know, I know you did, sweetheart,” he gasped for breath. “It’s just, you know, if we were to take over the kingdom...” He stepped closer to you, having to crane his head down a bit to look at you as he wriggled his eyebrows suggestively, causing your heart to stop. 
      “H-Hades!” You stuttered, running a flustered hand through your hair, trying to avert his gaze. A blush was already rising to your cheeks, and of course he caught notice of it. He gently ran his fingers through a stray strand of hair that had fallen out of place, watching you with a sly smirk on his face. 
      “Come on, love. You would make a gorgeous Queen of the Underworld.” He leaned down slightly so your foreheads were touching. Being this close to him, you could see the heavy eye liner he wore perfectly. It made him look like a true rock star. A small smile grew onto your lips and before you knew it, you were giggling like you were high. 
      “What’s so funny?” Hades grinned, snaking his arms around your waist protectively. You intertwined your fingers around your neck in return, and gazed dreamily into his eyes. Oh, how you could get lost in those eyes. 
      “Just how it’s been about three years since they took down the barrier, and you’re still wearing my eyeliner and wanting me to be your queen.” 
      He tilted his head to the side and smirked at you. “My dear, I thought we established a long time ago that I have always wanted you to be my queen.” 
      You scoffed and gently fixed his spiky, electric hair. “You shouldn’t joke about stuff like that, Had.” 
      “Oh, but it distracted you didn’t it?” 
      “From what?” You were genuinely confused until Hades’s knowing crooked smile told you everything you needed to know. As you both glanced around the room around you, I suddenly realized that everything was back to normal. Even the librarian, who was sopping wet and rather frazzled about her water damaged book. Turning back to your loving partner in crime, you felt the butterflies flutter as you traced your finger along his jawline. His eyes never left you. 
      “Have I ever told you how good you are for me?” You whispered.
      He feigned thought, pressing his lips together and looking off to the side. “I’m not sure, love. But maybe you can show me?” He tapped his lips, raising his eyebrows at you excitedly. Rolling your eyes, you let the smile take over your lips as you stepped on your tiptoes and closed the distance. 
♡♡♡
      It had been six months since the incident in the library. Hades had gotten very protective of you over the past months, always following you around and keeping his arm around you (well, he did that all the time), and making sure no one said or did anything to upset you. He was always peppering you in kisses and hugs, and when you were alone, things always got a bit more heated (not that you minded, of course ;). Whenever you had another one of your episodes, he was always right there to comfort you. He always knew exactly what to do to calm you down. His favorite topic for distraction was making you his Queen of the Underworld, taking over the whole kingdom and ruling for your immortal lives. It wasn’t to say that you weren’t partial to the idea, but you knew that Mal and Ben were going to make great rulers. 
      You didn’t want to ruin that for your lover’s daughter.
      Things had seemed to have gotten a lot better. Life with Hades was amazing, and you pretty sure he was close to popping the question per Mal and Evie’s hints. You had made great friends with the VKs, and you even were accepted as part of the royal family. You had almost completely forgotten about the burning hatred in your veins. But of course, things could never stay good in your life for long.
      It was the week of Mal’s baby shower, as the announcement had came out only a day or two before. But Evie, of course, had a feeling and jumped the gun before anyone had a chance. Ever since the girl had started getting more serious with Doug, she had been a complete radiance of positivity. More than she had ever been before. Everyone was in a frenzy trying to get things ready for it, and even you were a bit sparky as well. You, Hades, and Mal were out for a walk in the forest, trying to get Mal away from all of the stress that wasn’t good for her or for the baby. You and Hades walked with intertwined fingers as Mal walked beside you, admiring the bright sky above.
      “How have you been doing, Y/n?” She asked you curiously, her eyes twinkling.
      You giggled. “I should be asking you that, Mal.”
      “Please, it’ll give me a distraction. It’s been nothing but me and the baby and Ben lately.” Mal sighed, leaning her head back so her purple locks tumbled off her shoulders. You watched her with a smile. She certainly did look like her mother. 
      “I’ve been a lot better than I was before,” you replied honestly, feeling Hades gently squeeze your hand. “My powers have been getting a lot more... controllable lately.”
      That caught Mal’s attention. “Really? That’s wonderful! We’ve all been worried about you...” You raised an eyebrow.
      “Really?” Mal nodded her head. 
      “Everyone’s been worried that you’re going to go rogue,” Hades scoffed. “That could never happen, unfortunately.”
      You and Mal exchanged a glance, then stopped walking in sync to stare at the god. He looked at you both in confusion. “What?”
      “Why ‘unfortunately’?” You questioned. 
      He shrugged, a smirk tugging at his lips. “You know I love it when you’re off your rocker, darling. It’s more you that way.” 
      Mal giggled at his comment and gently shouldered you, sending a wink. You smiled at her in return as you all continued your walk. The peace was soon interrupted by the sound of footsteps running in your direction. Turning around in confusion, you put an arm out before Mal and Hades in protection before you recognized the figure as Carlos. He stopped in front of you all, bending over slightly to catch his breath. 
      “Carlos?” You asked. “Is everything okay?” 
       “Y/n,” he gasped. “It’s your brother.”
       “My brother?” You furrowed your brows. The very sound of his title sent a sharp pain throughout your body. “What about him?”
       “He’s here in Auradon. He’s come to see you.”
To be continued...
♡ a.a.
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yikesorps · 3 years
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I'm at family game night but Collin & Avery, intentional/unintentional + mistletoe. I love you don't hate me
On today’s episode of “my writing partner sends me asks while they’re drunk” 
send me   ‘ mistletoe ’  for my muse’s response to being underneath mistletoe with your muse.   specify whether it’s accidental or on purpose.
Personally, Collin had never been one to really appreciate the holidays. It wasn’t that he held a loathing for them, it was that up until recently he’d never been able to appreciate them to the full extent. This year was a first, rather than being able to hide under the excuse of being out of town, he’d been all but conned into attending his family’s holiday gathering. As if that wasn’t the worst part, none other than his ex-wife just so happened to also be in attendance. He should’ve guessed, given how weak his parents were over the idea of seeing their granddaughter was understandable - hell, even he was excited at the prospect of being able to see his daughter.
The problem was that that meant that his current girlfriend was subjected to not only the company of his ex but to the comments that came from his family members. He tried so hard to shield her, in fact, he spent the majority of the night, but that only went so far. Regardless, he’d spent most of the night practically clinging to poor Lyla’s side until he found a moment to leave her conversing with one of his aunts.
So far, everything had gone seemingly alright. He’d avoided Avery for the most part, but he was only capable of that for so long. Was it fair that she had to be so stunning when he was going through such great lengths to avoid her? You see, his only intention had been to fetch another drink, but one thing turned to another, and just like always - he ended up in a corner whispering insults back and forth at each other. “So your psycho couldn’t make it?” He shot at her, trying to keep the fact he was absurdly jealous to himself only ever lasted so long. “What a shame, I was looking forward to meeting....what’s his name?” 
Now, this was all only to rile her up, and he could tell that it was working. He knew that she’d be unamused the second her eyes had ended up on the drink in his hand, or better yet, the second he had once again reminded her that he didn’t even have a problem. It finally felt like their argument was winding down like she was finally going to give him a break, and that was when he noticed where exactly their argument had been taking place. The male’s throat cleared, and he gestured up to the mistletoe that they’d been hidden other. He knew that Avery wouldn’t go for it, and yet, he tried his absolute best to make it a reality. His judgement was cloudy, and she always did look so good when they fought. “What do you say, Harris?”  Just like that he was leaning in to press his lips against hers, craving that spark of familiarity that always came with Avery - with being intimate in her. But as per usual, he got carried away quickly, and within seconds he was leaning his body into her own as he tried to get kiss, after kiss. That was until he heard someone say his name. “Collin, what’s happening?”  That pulled him to his senses unbelievably quick, he straightened up, he even took a step away from the girl he’d been glued to only moments before. But regardless of how quickly he was able to compose himself, he didn't think he’d be able to talk himself out of this one. 
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Could you do a queer analysis of Getaway Car? I'm curious about your opinion. For me it's the most difficult to interpret from reputation. Some think it's swiftgron, other that it's about CH/TS. I think it's about bearding in general. The 1st part about CH/TS "worst of crimes" = the longest beard. But then it sounds like 2014 kaylor (not bearding) and kissgate "It was the great escape, the prison break The light of freedom on my face But you weren’t thinkin’ And I was just drinkin'" Thank you!
Hi everyone and happySunday!
Out of all the songson Reputation Getaway Car is one ofthe most popular, but as anon says it seems to be the one we as a fandom havethe most difficulty agreeing on what or who it’s actually about.
Some are thinking Dianna andSwiftgron, while others, like anon here are thinking bearding (andoften specifically CH or TH)
Personally I tend tofall into the Swiftgron camp, I think the song is about the ending of Taylorand Dianna’s relationship and how close they came to actually picking eachother over their careers (aka escaping the industry, with its systematichomophobia and bearding practices.) Here’s a Swiftgron master post for ahelpful timeline that brings up/explains stuff about the relationship I maymention in the analysis below.
Since it is one ofthe most complex and narratively interesting songs on the newest album it hasbeen heavily analyzed already (the analyses linked above are both excellent andprovided a lot of inspiration for this analysis) but I decided to put it on mylist anyway. I hope I can give you a satisfying and while perhaps not all thatrefreshing, at the very least interesting take on the lyrics.
Before we actuallystart looking at them I’d like to share some of my general thoughts on the song.
We all know Taylor isa brilliant singer and a wonderful songwriter, but what first drew me, a loverof stories to her music was the fact that first and foremost Taylor is astoryteller. From start to finish GetawayCar is a story and a complex one in ways that we’ll get into as thisanalysis progresses.
Taylor has picked (apossibly crime-fueled) road trip sort of theme (no, not THAT road trip) for thestory she wants to tell.
On the surface thesong chronicles the fate of two lovers on some sort of crime spree, or at leaston a road trip escaping their everyday lives in order to be together far awayfrom it all…Sounds familiar as far as lesbian fiction goes, wouldn’t you say?Someone knows their queer pop culture, nice one, Tay!
Unlike the semi-happyending of Carol or the sad andupsetting one of lesbian Bonnie and Clyde(or you know, straight Bonnie and Clyde too, actually) though, it doesn’tend with one of them dying.
Instead it all endswith one of them betraying the other and escaping with their stolen goodsleaving their partner to take the fall and presumably be arrested.
It is fairly easy toconclude that this plot is not to be taken as autobiographical, obviouslyTaylor didn’t rob a bank with a past lover, but she might’ve done somethingthat betrayed said lover’s trust and when writing a song about the incident sheused this escaping-the-law-thing as a metaphor for what actually happened inher own relationship. I think you’re all with me so far, but how do we connectthe story being told here to Swiftgron? Well, let’s look at it and see.
Oh, but also, beforeI forget, my usual disclaimers:
This is just mespeculating, I could be extremely wrong and everyone is free to speculate asmuch as they want on what this lyrical masterpiece is about.
Lyrics cred goes toAZLyrics yet again.
Now let’s start theactual analysis!
No, nothing good starts in a getaway car…
It’s been reported that Dianna actually proposed toTaylor as a sort of last, desperate attempt to save their relationship. After gettingback together yet again and enduring months and months of back and forth Diannasupposedly threw the idea of marriage out there and Taylor, forced to berealistic about her career and her life in general had to say no, thus endingthe relationship. I assume though, that Taylor didn’t say no immediately, atfirst she considered what would happen if she said yes.
Well, for starters it’d be the end of all the bearding,she could escape that part of her life if she actually came out, but it alsomost likely meant that she’d have to give up her career (at least mainstream,big-time success…cuz ew, homophobia.)
She considered it however, for a moment she consideredgetting into that getaway car Dianna was providing and just drive away from itall, all the fame and the fake PR games (LuckyOne vibes, anyone?) in order to be with her girlfriend, but then sheactually truly started thinking about it and realized that for this to workthey’d have to pull off something akin to a freaking heist.
Their coming out process would be complicated andwould most likely hurt both of their images considerably + both of theirmanagements at the time seems to have been pretty pro-closet, so coming outwould be challenge and a risky one at that.
If they’d actually be able to pull that off their marriage(and by association the rest of their lives together) would start in the dustof their public come out and all the drama that’d come with that.
Taylor fearedtheir (already rocky) relationship wasn’t strong enough to survive the public’sreaction to them coming out and getting married. In addition to that theirmarriage would’ve been born out of frustration, they’d both just about had itwith the closeting process and the PR games in their respective industries and+ they wanted to save their relationship which was rapidly falling apart,perhaps not only due to both of thembeing forcibly closeted, but I’m sure that didn’t…you know, help.
A marriage built from a combination of thosecircumstances doesn’t strike me as one that will last and Taylor seems to havecome to the same conclusion. (A reoccurring theme in her songs for Dianna is agut feeling or a knowledge that no matter how much they want to, they won’tlast forever) so she decides that they shouldn’t get married, shouldn’t try toescape their miserable, straight-passing PR lives this way because the marriagethat would come from that wouldn’t be a strong and enduring one.
After all nothing good starts in a getaway car, orfrom a need escape something (bearding) while holding onto something else (afailing relationship) that very clearly won’t last.
Criminals trying to escape the law will get caughtsooner or later and two closeted women won’t be able to be together without PRdrama if they don’t come out. In both cases it is pointless to try and escapethe inevitable (capture by police, or putting the crime metaphor aside,eventual outing) and if they do manage to put these things off it’s onlytemporary and not the foundation for something lasting or good.
It was the best of times, the worst of crimes
Generally Taylor seemed quite happy in herrelationship with Dianna, but their relationship was also torrid and prettydramatic and in Wonderland shedescribes it as “Never worse, but neverbetter” and what’s happening here seems to be similar. Taylor is happy andin love, having the best time, but just being happy and in love with another woman is basicallyconsidered a crime in her line of work. Homosexuality is insanely taboo in theentertainment industry, as a celebrity it seems to be just about the worstthing you can do (unless you’re already out at the start of your career andthus marketed as a gaysinger/actor/performer.)
So while Taylor was happy and in love she was alsoaware that the general public would judge her harshly if they found out she’sgay, in their eyes that’d be a betrayal of trust since she’d “lied” to themabout being straight, she might as well have murdered a man (aka committed acrime) as far as the hets are concerned.
Also as we knowin many parts of the world being gay IS in fact a literal crime, it’s evenconsidered so bad you could get death penalty for it in multiple countries.While that’s (thankfully) not the case in the U.S “the worst of crimes” seems afitting way to describe that atrocity that’s a reality for many LGBT+ peopleelsewhere. I hate this world with a burning passion!
…Okaaaaay,let’s not talk about that anymore… 🤮🤮🤮
I struck a match and blew your mind
But I didn’t mean it
And you didn’t see it
Matches are a recurring motif in many Taylor songs (atthe top of my head I can think of PictureTo Burn and Dear John) and mostoften they seem to signify ending a relationship or getting over someone.
Here they seem to allude to Taylor trying and failingto convince a proposing Dianna (and herself) that she couldn’t say yes and thatthey’d have to break up.
Dianna had been so desperate to save theirrelationship and so convinced Taylor felt the same desperation and thereforewould say yes that she wasn’t ready to get any other answer. When Taylorstarted explaining why saying yes wasn’t realistic (or “struck the match” aka essentially broke up) it blew Dianna’s mind,it wasn’t at all the response she’d expected as she’d convinced herself thatgetting married was the logical next step since they didn’t want to lose eachother.
Taylor wanted to be able to say yes, she wanted tobelieve their dysfunctional relationship could still be saved. So when sheresponded to the proposal she didn’t want to believe what she heard herself say,it’s not what she wanted to say (“I didn’t mean it”) and Dianna refusedto admit Tay was right. (“You didn’t seeit” “it” being the truth of their doomed love.) They were both clinging to an already lost hope, much like twodelusional criminals thinking they will be able to escape police forever.
The ties were black, the lies were white
In shades of gray and candlelight
Black ties makes one think of formal events orcorporate business dealings, kind of like how Taylor’s hetero relationships arenothing but business and how they  tellwhite little lies in order to sell the hetero story like the business deal itis. (“they” in this context being Team Taylor, but also Dianna’s team sincethey seem to employ much of the same techniques to keep the girls closeted, orat least they did before Taylor got rid of her old publicist and hired Tree.)
The mentions of black and white also makes me think ofhow all Taylor’s bearding relationships seem almost painfully simplistic, theyare either in love or they aren’t, it’s all the tired fairy-tale view of lovewith the prince and princess (code word for “straight woman” in much of Taylor’smusic, remember?) It’s all very black and white, much like black ties and whitelies. This PR-version of love is put in opposition to Taylor’s actual (gay)love life where everything is more complicated and realistic. For example twopeople who still love each other might have to break up, because their lovesimply isn’t enough to keep them together anymore. In other words, in this realversion of Taylor Swift’s love life everything doesn’t always work out so Disney-like, it’s often more complicated(and less straight) than the black and white narrative of her public lovelife.  (“Shades of grey”) but stillromantic most of the time (“candle light.”)
“Shades of grey” could of course also be a referenceto the Fifty Shades Of Grey series ofbooks/movies, a primary example of something that a vast majority of peopleseem to consider romantic when it actually is quite abusive and gross (x)rather like the structures keeping someone in a straight PR-relationship thatfronts a false sense of perfect and desirable romance while the reality of thatrelationship is something else entirely. 🤔
Yes, I do know Taylor wrote a song for one of the 50 Shades movies so maybe she likes themand does consider them romantic (or it was just an attempt to make her publicpersona edgier in preparation for Reputationand the “death of the old Taylor”) but as a self-proclaimed feminist (and avery smart woman) I have a hard time believing the abusive, patriarchal andheteronormative implications of those books/films got past Taylor.
In my opinion she might’ve drawn a pretty cleverparallel between the romanticized but clearly problematic relationship depictedin Fifty Shades   and the romanticizing of her own publicrelationships that are as shallow and void of any deeper substance as thewriting and story in those novels. This is very clearly a reach and I don’t pretend toknow anything of Taylor’s taste in literature, but I thought it was kind offunny to be honest. 😂
Iwanted to leave him
I needed a reason
Who is this “him”? Well, it could either be her beard(most likely Harry Styles if this was back in the Swiftgron days) or thebearding/entertainment industry as a whole. It seems that by the time she metDianna Taylor was tired of hiding and bearding and by now it seems she mostcertainly is. In previous analyses we’ve touched on the idea that many gaycelebrities are forced to choose between a fulfilling personal life and asuccessful career and this song isn’t the first time Taylor’s flirted with theidea of picking the former. (Lucky One)However, at that point in her career she felt she couldn’t just up and leavewithout giving her fans and explanation and coming out and getting married to awoman seemed reason enough. She wants out of the bearding system, so thereforeit’s tempting to say yes to the proposal even though she knows it most likelywon’t work out.
X marks the spot, where we fell apart
This is probably just a reference to one of Taylor’sfavorite songs by Hilary Duff, BreatheIn, Breathe out (x) but it could alsobe a reference to bearding being what made Swiftgron fall apart.
Often in bearding and PR relationship contracts areinvolved (See: Blank Space) and mostoften legal documents such as contracts are signed with a person’s signature,but sometimes they are signed with simple x’s.Admittedly that’s most often when a party is unable to provide their written signaturefor one reason or another, but this may be the safest way to hint atcontract-signing in the song without flat-out saying it. With this in mind Taylorcould be saying that putting an x on(or signing) all of those contracts and agreeing to “play straight” as much asboth women were doing put a strain on their relationship and led to its demise.
He poisoned the well, I was lying to myself
To “poison the well” means to discredit someone’sargument or point. Once again “he” makes an appearance and like I said I think“he” represents the bearding practice as a whole, or possibly the girls’publicists or PR teams. Their previous history with bearding andstraight-passing had poisoned the well in the sense that they’d make coming outa challenge. Everyone assumes both girls to be straight so were they tosuddenly claim to be gay everyone would try to disprove this with references totheir previous history with dating and they’d have no way to dismiss thiswithout admitting to bearding which would frankly probably be a PR disaster.Taylor’s saying that if she tried to convince herself that they could getmarried and then come out without major complications she was lying to herself,she wouldn’t be able to leave “him” as easily as Dianna was trying to convinceher and deep down Taylor knew this even if she didn’t want to believe it.Simply put, Taylor was lying to herself by thinking coming out would bepossible, let alone easy.  
I knew it from the first old fashioned, we were cursed
So, an old fashioned is a kind of drink and maybe thatdrink holds a special meaning in relation to Taylor and Dianna’s relationship?Obviously I wouldn’t know, instead I’m thinking that it might be yet anotherreference to bearding.
After all that’s pretty much a tale as old as time,it’s been going on in Hollywood since day one, quite old fashioned if you askme. Perhaps Taylor is saying she knew as soon as she started bearding that herreal relationships would be hard to make work while pretending to be hetero. Iimagine her and Dianna’s relationship were no different given that both womenare quite famous for bearding.
This could’ve been a factor in Taylor’s aforementionedgut feeling that they wouldn’t last, if we’re to trust I Knew You Were Trouble she had that feeling of eventual doom even inthe early days of their relationship and the fact that they both bearded a lotmight have been a contributing factor to this.
We never had a shotgun shot in the dark
This is clearly a reference to the wedding they neverhad. A “shotgun wedding” is a hasty and rushed one. A wedding that’s takingplace as a last effort to save a failing relationship through one lastdesperate, but still grand, romantic gesture seems pretty rushed and hasty tome, rather like the wedding Swiftgron would’ve had if Taylor had agreed to theproposal. *heartbreak*
You were driving the getaway car
We were flying, but we’d never get far
Through proposing Dianna provided a escape frombearding for both herself and Taylor, a getaway car if you will. Whileconsidering this possible plan of escape both girls could taste the freedomthey’d been denied for so long by being forced to stay in the closet. They werehappy and excited (“flying”)  that they’dfound a way to both save their relationship AND get out of tedious glass closetroutines, but pretty soon they (or at least Taylor) realized the plan wouldn’twork, their getaway car (or marriage) wouldn’t get far.
Don’t pretend it’s such a mystery
Think about the place where you first met me
Dianna shouldn’t be shocked Taylor isn’t ready to comeout the singer reasons, after all they first met while they were both deeply inthe closet. I mean this line might hold a more obvious significance to Taylorand Dianna as they alone know the details of their meet-cute, but all I canthink about is that the place they first met technically was the closet.Neither of them should be surprised (or “act like it’s such a mystery”) thatthe other won’t come out, after all they knew what they were getting themselvesinto when they first met as they were aware the other was very closeted.
We’re riding in a getaway car
There were sirens in the beat of your heart
If we’re going with the story of the outlaws on therun the sirens are quite obviously the police chasing them, the cops are closingin on them, threatening to end their little crime-spree fantasy. In the contextof the song’s queer meaning however it might mean something entirely different.In Greek mythology a siren is a sea creature, a beautiful woman who luressailors to their deaths in the ocean by seducing the men with their beauty. Sothe sirens beauty and grace tricked the men into doing something unwise ordangerous, huh? Sounds like a beautiful woman luring Taylor Swift away from hercareer with promises of happily ever after and beautiful words she wants tohear…Of course Taylor couldn’t be like “you’re a siren, luring me into yourgetaway car” so she had to use the Bonnie and Clyde narrative so that we’dthink about a police siren, not like, a freaking mermaid seducing our singerinto their getaway vehicle. 😂
Should’ve known I’d be the first to leave
Think about the place where you first met me
In a getaway car
No, they never get far
No, nothing good starts in a getaway car
Yet again Taylor’s saying Dianna shouldn’t besurprised Taylor won’t come out and at the first sign of breaking the glasscloset Taylor would leave.  Why? Well,before I suggested the getaway car might be a metaphor for Swiftgron’spotential marriage and how it “wouldn’t get far” the use of that metaphor herethough suggests to me that the getaway car is in fact their entirerelationship. They got into this relationship because they wanted to live theirtruths, at least privately, they wanted to have someone to come home to whenthe bearding was over for the day, they wanted true love, not just thefabricated bearding kind. Their relationship was a way to escape from theirhetero narrative, a getaway car. Keeping a relationship working while havingfake relationship with third-parties must be hard though and that’s why gayrelationships seldom work out for closeted celebs (at least in Taylor’sexperience it would seem) the attempt to escape their straight narratives neverget far. Furthermore having to live and love in secrecy doesn’t give therelationship a stable foundation, nothing good starts with an attempt to fleefrom something else.
Wow, Getaway Caris quite the bleak look at the price of fame for someone in the closet,isn’t it? 💔
It was the great escape, the prison break
The light of freedom on my face
But you weren’t thinking
And I was just drinking
Their marriage was supposed to be the great escape,their chance to break out of the prison that bearding, straight-passing andpublicity had kept them in for so long. Damn, in even considering the mere possibilityof saying yes to such a ludicrous plan Taylor could see the light of thefreedom she hadn’t had in so many years, she could see the life outside of thecloset. Then she’s forced to admit Dianna is not looking at their situationrealistically (she’s “not thinking”.)
While the next line seems to suggest Taylor has somesort of drinking problem I think what it’s really saying is that she’s actingas if she was drunk. For a second while considering saying yes to Dianna’sproposal Taylor isn’t thinking logically, instead she wants to believe in theidea that love conquers everything and that they’ll be able to work out thedetails of their coming out as they go along. This isn’t realistic either andshe’s acting like someone who’s drunk by not caring about the fact that heractions will have consequences.
Another interesting interpretation is to consider thepreviously mentioned old fashioned, like I said before it’s a kind of drink sowe can assume that maybe that’s what Taylor’s drinking here. If we go with whatwe concluded before though the old fashioned isn’t a drink here at all, but thevery practice of bearding, so can we then assume Taylor “drinking” symbolizes herbearding?
Maybe. As Dianna was increasingly losing her grip on realitywhen it came to her relationship with Taylor (by starting to actually think adrama-free come out to be possible) the latter went through a quite intensestunting period to try and combat increasing gay rumors. (Most likely on ordersfrom the spiraling pre-Tree Team Taylor.)
In other words Taylor and Dianna were  on completely opposite sides of the comingout process and thus the freedom they were dreaming about just wasn’t realisticat that point which is what caused the relationship to end.
Well he was running after us, I was screaming ‘Go gogo!’
But with three of us, honey, it’s a side show
And a circus ain’t a love story
And now we’re both sorry (we’re both sorry)
As the girls try to escape the closet their historywith bearding haunts them and they both soon realize it’s impossible to deletetheir collective bearding history from the public consciousness. If they comeout as gay their male exes are gonna be questioned about their sexuality,Taylor and Dianna coming out in the way the want to will unravel so much withinthe industry that it’s frankly not possible. They can’t outrun their pastbearding no matter how fast they go.
Even if they do get married or continue theirrelationship they will have to keep bearding as they can’t come out publicly. Therewill never be just the two of them in the relationship, it will all always be aPR circus and that isn’t a worthy love story.
They both realize this is the truth of the matter andas sorry as they both are (note theoverlapping female vocals on that line) the relationship will simply have toend.
 X marks the spot, where we fell apart
He poisoned the well, every man for himself
I knew it from the first old fashioned, we were cursed
It hit you like a shotgun shot to the heart.
Two lines are new here and therefore they are primarilythe interesting ones.
He poisoned the well, every manfor himself
Taylor has realized she’ll have to be the one to leaveas Dianna is still in denial about the fact that they can’t come out. Taylorknows they won’t be able to escape their “straight” past, any claim they canmake regarding their own sexuality has been ruined by past associations withmen, she knows she’ll have to leave Dianna to realize this on her own (“everyman for himself”) as trying to talk to her only leads back to neither wantingthe relationship to be over and thus concocting unrealistic dreams on how theycould make it work against all odds.
It hit you like a shotgun shot tothe heart.
When the truth finally hit Dianna Taylor had alreadyleft and her ex was alone to deal with the pain of the realization that gettingout from the bearding shadow is going to be harder than she wanted to think. Thisundoubtedly felt like a shot to the heart for both Taylor upon having to leaveand Dianna upon finally realizing exactly whyTaylor left.
(Chorus)
 We were jet set Bonnie and Clyde
Until I switched to the other side
It’s no surprise, I turned you in
‘Cause us traitors never win
The duo who seem to have inspired the song areactually mentioned by name, quite a long shot from Romeo and Juliet, wouldn’t yousay?
Anyway, Taylor’s saying that her and Dianna were ateam until Taylor decided to pick her career over her girlfriend, this shouldbe unsurprising she muses, as she has (presumably) done so at least oncebefore.
Taylor callsherself a traitor here, interesting.
I recentlywatched HBO’s The Handmaid’s Tale wheregay women are referred to as “gender traitors” this also happens in the book (oneof my favorites) from 1985 by Margaret Atwood on which that show is based. Inaddition to that the term comes up as referring to people (most often women)who act in a way that is atypical or “unbeneficial” to their gender (aka feministsand lesbians) in my course lit for my gender and sexuality in literaturecourse.
 I don’t think that’s what Taylor is saying here (unless she likes thatbook too *fingers crossed*) I just thought that was an interesting sidenote asthe “never win” line following that could thus be interpreted as a reference tohow minorities (lesbians for example) are often screwed over by society and “never win”.
What she says I think is that people who pick theircareer over their love life won’t end up being happy, or “winning” at life inthe long-run.
I’m in a getaway car
I left you in the motel bar
I put the money in a bag and stole the keys
That was the last time you ever saw me
By using imagery that invoke the outlaws storylineTaylor is acknowledging her own betrayal she’s saying “sorry, but you should’veguessed this is what I’m like” she wouldn’t risk her career and they both should’verealized sooner.
(Chorus)
 I was riding in a getaway car
I was crying in a getaway car
I was dying in a getaway car
Said 'goodbye’ in a getaway car
Taylor may have fronted with “you should’ve seen thiscoming, Di” but really she was upset with herself, she didn’t wanna do this,but she saw no other way out. She was afraid of losing everything she’s workedfor by coming out so instead she took the safe route and broke the relationshipoff. 💔💔
Hope you all enjoyed thatread and feel free to tell me what you think the song is saying, it’s solyrically complex and interesting 😊
If you guys want meto anlyze more Taylor songs or if you have any questions for me, feel free toshoot me an ask 😊
The next song on thelist is Enchanted 🌈🌈🌈
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mrandmrsvex · 6 years
Link
Chapters: 3/? Relationships: Percival "Percy" Fredrickstein Von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III/Vex'ahlia Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Fake/Pretend Relationship, Sharing a Bed, Basically all the tropes, Critmas, Christmas
Summary:
„Could you repeat that, please?“ „“You heard what I said, Percy.“ „I did. I'd still like you to repeat it, simply to make sure my mind isn't playing tricks on me. Because this sounds like something from your brother's mind, not yours.“ „All I asked was if you wanted to spend Christmas with me at my father's place, and make him think that you... that we're... that I have a boyfriend.“
Chapter 1: Driving Home for Christmas
„Could you repeat that, please?“
„“You heard what I said, Percy.“
„I did. I'd still like you to repeat it, simply to make sure my mind isn't playing tricks on me. Because this sounds like something from your brother's mind, not yours.“
Vex sighed and stirred her coffee. They were sitting in the most non-descript Starbucks she'd ever seen – oh, there were many nicer and more familiar little coffee shops dotted through town, but in any of them, they'd stand a chance to be met by someone of their surprisingly large group of friends. And having to awkwardly explain why she was having coffee alone with the newest addition to that group would be bad enough – if any of them overheard her proposition, it would be even worse.
„All I asked was if you wanted to spend Christmas with me at my father's place, and make him think that you... that we're... that I have a boyfriend.“
Percy only sipped on his coffee – he was most definitely used to better – and looked at her over the rim of his cup, one eyebrow raised high even above his glasses. At any other time, Vex would have had to admit that this pensive look of his was annoyingly attractive, especially focussed on her – right now it was only making her nervous in a bad way. She needed to make this deal. She hadn't expected him to be quite so indifferent.
„I mean, you told me that you're not doing anything for Christmas, really, with your sister staying at university with her friends. And you're pretty much the only one of our group who knows his way around an estate. And the only one sly enough to keep our story up without mistakes.“
Two little stabs against him, followed by a bit of flattery. She'd learned that it usually worked with Percy, and it seemed to work now – he leaned back in his chair, still looking at her, but far less tense than before.
„And why do you need a fake boyfriend for your christmas with Dad? From what I remember, it's usually you and your brother that team up to give him the finger at any occasion where you have to deal with him.“
„Yes. Usually.“ Vex stirred her coffee once again – her cup was twice as full as his was at this point, and getting cold. But she hadn't invited him here to drink coffee, really. „Except this year, because my brother's managed to find an actually reliable excuse with Keyleth on why he can't follow up on our father's invite.“
„I would've thought your father would want to meet this new girlfriend of Vax's. Did she not get invited?“
„Oh, she did. But her father has decided to give her her christmas gift early, and it turns out to be a double ticket for a trip all across the country, and they've suspiciously decided to cash it in right now, so they're probably going to be... somewhere, in the wilderness, during christmas.“
It was a brilliant excuse, and Vex had a hard time admitting that her brother was lucky to use it. She was more busy with being angry at him for leaving her to deal with it all alone.
„I understand that you don't want to go alone, but why fake an entire relationship? Take Zahra with you, and watch your father's head explode trying not to say anything inappropriate to your on-again off-again girlfriend.“
„I thought of that.“ She hadn't. To be fair, she hadn't thought of Zahra for quite a while. That nagging image of the beautiful white-haired lady in her head during lonely moments had been replaced by someone with equally white hair, but so far, she'd refused to think of it more clearly. „I really can't take Zahra. Not after last year's debacle with Vax and Gilmore. I mean, I do want to annoy my father, but I also kind of want to enjoy christmas for a little bit and not spend it fighting all the time.“
„Stay home, then. Make up a fake boyfriend here in town, and that you're invited to his family's this year, and tell your dad how rude it would be to decline their lovely invite in favour of his cynical one. That way you get out of the whole situation and get to enjoy christmas however you like it.“
However I like it, she thought. The way she liked it was most definitely not sitting at home with Trinket, while her brother was away with his new lady and all her friends had someone to celebrate with except for her. She'd even rather face her father alone instead of that – but she simply couldn't. She really needed this deal with Percy, but there was no apparent getting forward.
„Ok, alright, fine. I guess I'll have to be completely honest here, goddamnit. You really know how to push my buttons.“ She sighed and rubbed across her eyes, not noticing the soft smile that flashed across his face for a second.
„I can't do anything else, no matter what you or I or anyone else thinks of doing that's more reasonable. I wanted to call my father to tell him I'm not coming without Vax, but I got his wife instead. And, god, she's just so nice. So happy to have me visit for the holiday. So I panicked and couldn't think of another excuse and I thought, if I asked to bring a random guy they've never heard of, even she would say no, but she didn't. It got her even more excited to meet my new boyfriend who I made up on the spot.“
It all rushed out in an angry rant against herself, but she was still conscious enough to omit the part where she had immediately thought of him as the new boyfriend to bring – it was only, she convinced herself, because Percy was exactly the kind of guy her father would both like and hate to see as her partner. Wealthy and of a good position, able to better his delinquent daughter's status on one side. Actually wealthier and of a far better status than himself on the other side. And vindictive enough to jab back at any comment her father could make that would only make her rage. She'd seen Percy tear into strangers in the politest way possible when they were too quick to judge his new friends. She could imagine him do it just as perfectly against her father. She kind of wanted to see it, actually.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Percy's laugh. It wasn't loud, all-out laughter, more an amused giggle that slightly grew larger, but it was definitely more than what she was used to from him. She could count the moments of him laughing on one hand, and he definitely never did more than a short snort or grin if they were in larger company. She tried everything she could to make him laugh, but there was no time to cherish it now. He'd already stopped and leaned forward, a wicked smile on his face.
„Vex, if you'd just started with the truth of you getting yourself into situations you didn't assess properly because of your hotheadedness, I would've said yes right away.“ He emptied his cup and his smile turned softer, yet still wicked. „Alright, I'll come with you for christmas. It might actually be enjoyable to watch the chaos unfold.“
„Thank you for driving, as well.“
The 4 hour drive had been surprisingly pleasant. She already knew that Percy could be a decent conversational partner if only his mind was focussed on something else as well, so he couldn't constantly overthink everything he said. And focussing on driving safely through the more and more snow-filled countryside seemed to work.
„Well, I thought if you wanted to make a grand entrance for shock as I expect from you, we probably shouldn't show up in the heap of rust and ducttape that was once your VW beetle.“
He was the only one allowed to talk about her car derisively - if only because she could hear the hint of affection in his voice. Ever since they'd met a year ago, he had been working on her car at least once a month, fixing little hitches and larger problems. It was by now more of a project of his than a car of hers.
„Besides, I wouldn't want to drive in anything that unsafe through this snow.“
He shifted to slow down a bit, and Vex remembered the old newspaper clipping that Pike had quietly told her about. The one detailling the story of how the most influental business man of the area had crashed his car in a snowstorm. How the car behind him, equally filled with family, wasn't able to break quickly enough. How the only ones the Emergency Services could save hours later were a young boy and his little sister. She suddenly realised that Percy offering to drive them both was far more than just a small gesture.
A quiet rustling sound behind them snapped her back to the present. Trinket had gotten up in the backseat and was sniffing around Percy's headrest. Luckily she managed to push the large dog back before he could lick across his ear.
„Trinket, down!“ She turned to Percy, who seemed unfaced by it all. It had happened about 4 times during the drive so far, after all. „And I'm really sorry about Trinket shedding all over the backseat. I promise I'll clean it when we get back home. I just couldn't... the kennel is really expensive.“ That, and she really hoped for a calming pile of fur to cuddle at night after facing her father.
„It's fine, Vex. I've transported worse with this car.“ His mind flashed back to the one and only time he'd offered to play designated driver while on a night out with Grog and Pike and shuddered. „We should be arriving pretty soon, anyway.“
Trinket gave a short, dissatisfied snort before turning to the bag of gifts next to him. Vex reached back even further to shoo him away. She hadn't bought much – not like her father would be interested in it anyway – but showing up empty-handed had been out of the question, and even Vax had left her a small gift for their younger sister. She was far more surprised that Percy had brought his own little bag of neatly wrapped boxes.
„It's very sweet of you to get something for Velora, by the way. She'll love you for it, and so will her mum.“
„Well, I assumed that the rest of the gifts would be from 'us', so to speak.“ They hadn't really talked any further about their fabricated relationship, and Vex wondered if maybe they should've set some guidelines, but assumed that Percy would play along well enough.
„Yes, obviously. But then who's the rest of your boxes for?“ She couldn't help but grin, but he only answered it with his own smirk.
„You wouldn't expect me to forget Trinket, would you?“
„They're here! She's here! It's Vex'ahlia!“
She could hear Velora's happy shouting even through closed car doors as they parked next to her father's ridiculous top-of-the-line sportscar – Vex relished the far more polished look of Percy's well-kept Oldtimer standing out against the showboating of the modern car.
The little girl standing at the front door was excitedly jumping up and down, waving at them until Vex waved back, then ducking inside shouting again for her parents.
The whole trip was probably worth it just for Velora's big smile.
„So this is your father's estate. Quite something for an ambassador.“
Percy was politely understating and they both knew it. Syldor had not been happy with his contract until they included the most modern, painful architecture of a house as possible, and a garden to match it.
Vex remembered her teenage years in this house and thought back the beautiful, historic Whitestone mansion that Percy had brought her and their friends back to once, after a trip together, casually mentioning that he had a 'place to stay' halfway back into town when it was getting dark. Compared to her father's stark grey, minimalist house, Whitestone seemed like a fairytale castle to her.
Percy's mind seemed to work over the same thing.
„I can't really tell just from the front – is it about the size of Whitestone? It might be a bit larger, even. What a place for such a little family.“
„It's always about size with you men, isn't it.“ She snickered, especially when Percy playfully swatted at her arm.
„I was just wondering how your boyfriend's home measured up to your father's. I am here to make him feel inferior, right? That's part of the plan, even if you won't admit it.“
It was easy enough to avoid an answer by picking their luggage out of the trunk, but Vex had quietly assumed that he'd seen through all of her plan the moment she'd asked for his help anyway. Percy, meanwhile, opened the backdoor to a flurry of brown fur jumping and running down the gravel walk to the front door before Vex could say anything to stop him.
„Lord, that- DOG!“ was the first thing they heard of the deep, stoic voice of Syldor, followed by a delighted „Trinket!“ from Velora and a lot of slobbery noises and giggling. Her father stood in the door by now, looking them both up and down as they walked up to him.
„We expected you a bit sooner. I'm afraid lunch is already over.“
„There was an awful lot of snow on the roads. Better safe than sorry, right? But don't worry, we stopped at a lovely place two towns over to eat something.“
It could have been a perfectly normal chat if it weren't for the biting tone in both their voices. Vex had already pushed past him into the hallway, quickly followed by Percy, who almost stumbled over Trinket's wagging tail while Velora scratched the dog's ears. Her mother Devana had arrived right behind her by now.
She greeted Vex with a genuinely happy „Welcome home, my dear!“ and a hug before turning to Percy. „Oh, and you're the young man she told us about!“
„I don't recall the name, unfortunately.“ Syldor chimed in from the side, but before Vex could react, she saw a perfectly fake smile appear on Percy's face.
„I'm terribly sorry about that. We really should have met sooner, at any rate.“ He offered her father his hand. „Percival Fredrickstein von Musel Klossowski de Rolo the Third.“
Vex heard Velora below her quietly gasp as she stared up at the tall man, who now bent down slightly towards her after shaking Syldor and Devana's hands. „You can call me Percy, though, that's far easier to remember.“
Vex didn't take in much for the next few minutes. It was friendly chatter, basic questions about their drive and the weather and how wonderful it was to have snow for christmas, and how used to it Percy must be, coming from the North, and how nice it was to finally meet him. She was much more focussed on watching her father instead, his face shifting ever so slightly from the usually detached mask to a furrowed brow. All Percy had to do was give him his name, she thought, to make him feel bad already.
Luckily she noticed Devana turning to her and shared a quick smile with her.
„I figure you want to put your bags down and maybe rest a bit. Let me show you to the guesthouse – we had it made ready for you this morning!“ „Guesthouse.“ She echoed.
„Yes. We built it only this year after far too many visitors to accomodate in the main.“ Syldor's smile was not even half as friendly as his wife's. „It's just past the patio.“
Not even ten minutes, and she was already shooed out of the house like... well, like an unwelcome relative, Vex thought, when she suddenly felt a hand in hers, squeezing ever so slightly, and looked up at Percy.
„That sounds rather nice, doesn't it, Vex? We'll have some privacy from time to time.“
She wasn't sure what she enjoyed more – her father's brow furrowing even further at the edge of her vision, Devana's short chuckle, or the strange twinkle in Percy's eyes.
„It actually is quite a nice guesthouse.“ Percy sounded as surprised as Vex was once they'd gotten inside and Devana had left them alone.
It was more of a bungalow than a house, definitely a bit further away from the mansion than 'just past the patio', not that she cared. A small living room with a kitchenette – good coffee, Percy would be happy about that – and a bathroom with an actual tub. And a cozy bedroom, she deducted as she opened the last door to carry her luggage inside and stopped still at the sight of the large bed in front of her.
„Oh. Well.“ Percy had followed right behind her, it seemed, as she heard his voice directly into her ear. „The couch looks large enough.“
„Don't be ridiculous.“ Vex turned around a bit too fast, hitting him in the chest with her shoulder before he could step back. „It's a large enough bed, and it's only for a few nights. I've shared with Vax a thousand times, and he's never complained. I'm not a bad bed partner, apparently.“
„He's your brother.“
„Well then I've shared a bed with Grog or Gilmore on some trips as well, and they haven't complained either.“
„It's really not about-“ Percy sighed. His face was hard to read at times, but Vex wondered if she wasn't detecting a hint of very strong embarassment before he shifted back to his usual demeanor. „Alright. Fine. I hope you don't hog the covers, though.“
„Don't worry. It doesn't get nearly as cold as in Whitestone around here.“
He mumbled something she couldn't really make out before setting down his own bag on a chair at the end of the room and began to unpack. She watched him for a minute, almost absent-mindedly – his movements were still so new to her, and she couldn't resist the urge to study them. She could tell all of her friends from quite a distance simply based on their moving, a habit she developed for far worse things when she and Vax were younger. It was better to notice shifty behaviour or dangerous people from a distance rather than up close. But they were in a better place now, and her talent was worth not much more than being able to order their friend's drink long before they'd even found them in the pub and surprise them with it.
Still, she wanted to put Percy's to memory as well. He was slow in a very careful way, and precise. No movement seemed unecessary, everything was calculated. Vex wondered if he ever did or said anything without thinking it through at least three times. Then again, he seemed less decided and cock-sure whenever he was faced with the wit of the twins... or her alone.
„I wonder how long it'll take before we can make your father's head implode from sheer frowning.“ He turned to her with a grin, and she was glad her eyes shifted up quickly enough to not be noticed.
„If you keep flashing your title and flirting with his daughter right in front of him, probably just a few hours.“
„You just let me know if I take it too far. Preferably with a hard kick against the shin under the table, anything else I probably won't notice. We haven't really talked about this fake relationship beforehand.“
„Don't worry, darling. I don't think you could ever take it too far.“
She'd vanished towards the kitchen before he could stammer out a reply.
Her father's christmas dinner was smaller than usual – a few select and actually polite guests, rather than the party he used to throw when the twins were younger. Vex watched Devana sitting next to Velora, who happily turned her potatoes into mashed ones with her fork while the adults held conversations above her head, and wondered just how much they both had changed her father.
He was still more than enough of a pretentious idiot, though. Percy had been introduced as simply „Percy, Vex'ahlia's boyfriend“ - and kept repeating his full name almost in defiance while Vex grinned at the guest's various reactions to it and her father's face turning more and more sour.
Other than that, neither she nor Percy had much to fight against. Her father had decidedly seated them as far away from him as possible, it seemed, to avoid any discussions. Conversation with others at their table was light, and people seemed more interested in Percy's family business than his relationships.
Except for the traditionally eccentric and loud aunt that every family seemed to have – even one as cold and distant as Syldor's.
„So, now, you lovebirds!“ Aunt Sidiah sounded as if she'd had at least 2 more glasses of wine than anyone else. „Tell me, tell me more! Tell me everything!“
„I think everything might be a bit too much.“
„Oh, don't be like that, Vex! It's just such a rare thing for you to show interest in a boy, let alone bring him home! Not like your brother.“
Percy couldn't help but grin – he'd only just become a part of their friend group when Vax had decided to bring Gilmore to easter brunch at Dad's, but he had heard the only slightly exaggerated tale at their own brunch afterwards. Apparently Gilmore's glorious attire and behaviour didn't mesh well with Syngorn's high society, which was surprising, considering how much class the man could show if he wanted to – but maybe he and Vax hadn't wanted to.
„So tell me! How did you meet? When?“
„I'm afraid it's a rather boring story.“ Percy was quicker on the draw than Vex. „We were at the same New Years party last year – shared friends, you know – and both without a date, so I guess we were sort of left alone together. I don't know how much of it was on purpose.“ He winked at Vex, who was surprisingly quick to look down at her food. „We met for coffee a week later, and it just went on from there.“
It wasn't a lie, she thought. He didn't know the part where she'd annoyed her brother for a week that she had no New Years date to kiss at midnight while Vax had two, and maybe he hadn't noticed the wide grin on Keyleth's face when she'd introduced them to each other at the party. And he was simply polite enough to omit the bit where she'd drunkenly plastered a fat smooch on him at midnight. She remembered his bright red face and his flustered stammer, and the tiny smile that crept up before Grog with his novelty glasses smashed them both together in a bear hug.
Coffee a week later was more of a group tradition, anyway. He'd kept a chair for her when she was late, with his big bright coat.
„So it's almost your anniversary, then!“ Aunt Sidiah clapped her hands together. „Are you planning anything special?“ A wink. „Maybe a ring?“
Now Vex was faster. „I'd say a year is maybe a bit too early for that. I think fun at a regular NYE party will be enough for us.“
„And a gift.“ Percy smiled, and it didn't seem as fake as it had for the rest of the evening.
„If you want, darling.“
„Oh, always."
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d-noona · 4 years
Text
MAKE OVER
Chapter 2: Librarian the seductress
Jung Hoseok x Reader
Reader as Kang Hyeonji
SUMMARY: When Kang Hyeonji transformed herself into a striking redhead, the entire male population of Seoul stood up and took notice. But her make over was for Jung Hoseok’s benefit alone. He began to show interest in the new look but not in the way she wanted. Suddenly he was over-protective, perhaps a little jealous. It seemed that the idea of having a relationship with her couldn’t be further from his mind. The girl however wants more. So it was time for an ultimatum. If Hoseok didn’t want Hyeonji to lose her virginity to another admirer, he had no option but to make love to her himself.
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Hyeonji was standing at the library computer, running the wand over the first of the huge pile of returned books, when something caught her eye. Something bright and red. She glanced up through the glass door to see a shiny red car turning its brand-new nose into the empty parking space right outside the library. It brought no flash of recognition, despite being a memorable model. Not quite a sports car, it was stills stylish and expensive looking. A newcomer to the area, no doubt. Not knowing that this particular library branch was closed to the public on Wednesday morning. Hyeonji was about to return to the job at hand when the driver's door opened and a heart-jolting familiar head of hair came into view, gleaming under the summer sun.
Hoseok.
Her heart leaped. So he had remembered her birthday. He'd even come in person. She could hardly believe it. Her happiness knew no bounds as she watched him close the car and stride up onto the pavement and across to the front doors. He smiled at her through the grass as he tapped on the wooden frame.
"Can't they see were closed?" Choon Hee complained from where she was sitting at her desk, flipping through one of the new publisher catalogs. She could not see who was knocking. If she had, she would not be so anxious to send the unwanted visitor away. Min Choon Hee might be happily married to her husband Min Yoongi with three children, but she still had an eye for a good-looking man.
Hoseok was just that –and more. At twenty five, he was in his physical prime, his elegant body in perfect tune with his handsome face. His height was no joke either, his lean frame made him look even taller, and did his choice of clothing. In winter they range from soft suede numbers to tweedy sports coats. In summer he chose linen or lightweight wool in neutral colors, and teamed them with cool T-shirts. Ties rarely graced his neck. In fact, Hyeonji had never seen Hoseok dressed formally.
Today he was wearing stonewashed blue jeans, a navy shirt and a loose cream jacket with sleeves pushed up to his elbows. His black hair was longer than when she'd seen him last, falling to his ears from its side parting and flopping with its usual rakish charm across his high forehead. He looked slightly wind-blown and utterly gorgeous. Hyeonji immediately put her "moving on" decision on hold for a good seven years. Thirty, she decided a new, was soon enough to give up all hope. The fact that Hoseok was standing where he was at this very moment had to give her some hope. Fancy him abandoning his precious business on a working day to drive this long from Seoul to Gwangju, just to see her on her birthday.
"For pity's sake!" Choon Hee snapped when Hoseok knocked a second time. "Can't they read? The library times are on the darned door!"
"It's someone I know," Hyeonji said. "I'll just go let him in." Choon Hee jumped from her sit "But it's almost..." The sight of Hoseok's handsome-self stopped her in her tracks. "Mmm, yes by all means let him in," she murmured, primping her glossy black straight hair as Hyeonji hurried out from behind the reception desk across the functional grey carpet. Hyeonji wasn't worried that Hoseok would find Choon Hee attractive. As pretty as she was, she was a married woman. Hoseok believed in keeping his sex life simple.
"One girl at a time," he'd once confided in Hyeonji. "And never anyone else's."
It was surprisingly conservative attitude in this day and age, especially coming from a man who looked like Hoseok, who had women throwing themselves at him all the time. He had a similarly strict attitude to marriage. Only one per lifetime, which was why he'd always say he would not bother with marriage till he was in his thirties and financially secure. He didn't want to make a mistake in finding his partner.
"In the meantime," he joked to her one day, "I'm having a lot of fun auditioning possible future candidates for the position of Mrs. Jung Hoseok." It had always terrified Hyeonji that one of those future candidates might capture Hoseok's love as well as his lust. Fortunately, that hadn't happened, and Hyeonji had taken heart from the failure of his various very beautiful girlfriends to last more than a few months. But his latest was a bit of a worry. A statuesque brunette who went by the name Tinashe, she'd already lasted six months –a record for Hoseok. He'd even brought her home with him for Christmas break, during which time Hyeonji had many opportunities to see Tinashe's assets. What she could do for a bikini was incomparable.
But I'm not going to think about Tinashe right now, Hyeonji told herself as she turned the key and swept the open door. Today is my birthday and my very best friend has come to celebrate it with me. "Hoseok!" she exclaimed, smiling up into his dancing brown eyes. "Hi there, Hyeonji. Sorry to interrupt. I know you're working but I simply had to show you my new car. Picked it up this morning at one of those dealerships just the other side of town and couldn't resist taking it for a spin. Before I knew it I was on the express way headed here. I thought what the hell Hoseok? You haven't had a day off in ages. Drive up to Gwangju and visit your Mom."
He smiled a sheepish smile, showing perfect teeth and a charming dimple. "It wasn't till I pulled up into the driveway that I remembered today is her golf day. Took all the wind out of my sails, I can tell you. But no way was I going back to Seoul without showing someone. Naturally, I thought of you. So...what do you think?" and he waved in the direction of the car. "It's one of the new Mazda Eunos 800s. The Miller Cycle version. Great red, isn't it?" he finished.
Every drop of joy drained out of Hyeonji. Hoseok hadn't come for her birthday. He'd come to show her a pathetic car. Worse, she hadn't even been his first choice of viewer. She'd run a very poor second. As usual. Something hard curled around her heart, setting in concrete and trapping her love for him deep inside. Hyeonji determined it would never see the light of day again. She glanced coldly over at the offending vehicle and shrugged dismissively. "If you've seen one red car Hoseok," she said coolly, "You've seen them all."
There was no doubt he was taken aback by the icy indifference of her tone, for his eyebrows shot up and he stared at her with bewilderment in his beautiful brown eyes. Hyeonji was disgusted with herself for instantly feeling guilty. So much for her first foray into hating Hoseok, but she was determined not to weaken this time. Enough was enough.
"You know me Hoseok," she went on brusquely. "I've never been a car person."
"That's because you've never learned to drive, Hyeonji. You'd appreciate cars more if you were ever behind the wheel. Come on. Come for a short spin with me." He actually took her arm and began propelling her across the pavement. "Hobi!" she protested, wrenching her arm away from his hold and planting her sensible shoes firmly on the pavement. "I can't. I'm at work."
"But surely the library's not even open," he argued. "Certainly they won't miss you for a couple of minutes?"
"That's beside the point," she said sternly. "You might be your own boss, Hoseok, and come and go as you please, but most people can't, me included. Besides, it's almost morning tea and I have to be here for that." The rest of the staff had all chipped in to buy her a cake. It was a tradition in the library whenever one of them had a birthday. No way was she going to run out on her real friends to indulge Hobi's ego.
"I don't see why," he said stubbornly.
No you wouldn't...
Hyeonji thought mutinously, and toyed with telling him, just so he could feel terrible for a full ten seconds. The decision was taken out of her hand when Choon Hee popped her head out the door. "Come on birthday girl. Namjoon and the new girlfriend Han Byeol brought your cake along and all twenty-three candles are alight and waiting. So get in here and do the honors. You can bring your hunk of a friend, if you like," she added, looking Hoseok up and down with saucily admiring eyes.
"We've got more than enough cake for an extra mouth" Hyeonji relished Hoseok's groan. To give him some credit he did look suitably apologetic once Choon Hee appeared. "God, Hyeonji, I had no idea it was your birthday. There I was, blabbering away about my new car, and all the time you must be thinking how damned selfish I was being." Frankly, she was enjoying his guilt. It had a deliciously soothing effect on her damaged pride. "That's all right Hobi. I'm used to your not remembering my birthday." He winced anew. "Don't make me feel any more rotten that I already do." Hyeonji almost gave in. it was awfully hard to stay mad at Hoseok. He didn't mean to be selfish. He was, unfortunately, the product of a doting mother and far too many God given talents. Brains and beauty did not make for a modest, self-effacing kind of guy.
Hoseok could be generous and charming when he set his mind to it, but in the main he was a self-absorbed individual who rarely saw beyond end of his own classically shaped nose. God know why I love him so much, Hyeonji though irritably. But then her eyes travelled slowly from his perfect face down over his perfect body, and every female cell she owned clamored to be noticed back.
But the only expression in his eyes when he looked down at her was remorse. When he forcibly linked arms with her, she glared her frustration up to him. "Don't be mad at me, Hyeonji" he said with disarming softness. "I'm not mad at you," she returned stiffly.
"Oh, yes, you are. And you have every right to be. But I'll make it you to you tonight, if you'll let me" says the man who is desperately clinging to your arms. "Tonight?" she echoed far too weakly. "Yes, tonight," he said firmly. "But for now I think your colleagues are waiting for you to blow out those twenty-three candles."
With typical Hoseok confidence he steered her into the library and proceeded to charm everyone in the place. It annoyed Hyeonji that he gave her openly curious workmates the impression that he was a boyfriend of sorts. He even extracted her promise in Choon Hee's goggle-eyed presence to go out with him later that evening. She initially refused dinner, no way was she going to disappoint her mother, but grudgingly agreed to after-dinner coffee somewhere.
Hyeonji told herself afterwards that she would never have agreed to go out with him at all if she'd been alone with him. She would have sent him on his way with a flea in his ear. She didn't need his pity, or guilt. The moment his new red Mazda roared of up the road back in the direction of Seoul, Choon Hee and Han Byeol settled their dryly knowing eyes on her.
"Well you're a dark horse, Hyeonji, aren't you?" Choon Hee said as they walked together back into the library. "I've always thought of you as a quiet little thing and all this time you had something like that on the side." Han Byeol giggled along with Choon Hee. Hyeonji silently cursed Hoseok. All he ever caused her was trouble and heartache. "Hoseok's mother lives next door," she explained with more calm than she was feeling. "I've known Hobi for years. We're just good friends."
"Oh sure. He drove all the way up from Seoul to wish you a happy birthday because you're just good friends. You know what? I'll bet you're one of those girls who go home from the office at night, and perform one of those ten-second transformations." Choon Hee laughed while Han Byeol agreeing to every word she said. "You know the type. Off come the glasses and the straight laced clothes. Down comes the hair. On goes the sexy gear, make-up, and perfume, and –WHAM! Instant meat in heat!"
Hyeonji had to laugh. It would take more than seconds to transform her. "You can laugh," Han Byeol scoffed. "But I'm no one's fool. And you're far prettier than you pretend to be. I always did wonder why you never seemed to be on the lookout for a fella. I was beginning to think all sorts of things till glamour boy arrived on the scene today. He gave me a case of instant heat, I can tell you. And I saw the way you looked at him when you didn't think anyone was noticing. You've got it bad. I know the signs. So why haven't I heard of this paragon perfection before? Why all the mystery and secrecy? Is he married? A womanizer? A bad boy? Look, you can trust me with your deep dark secrets" she whispered. "I won't tell anyone."
Hyeonji laughed a second time. "There's nothing deep or dark to tell. I repeat... we're just good friends. As I said before Hobi used to live next door. We went to school together, though not in the same class. He was two years ahead of me."
"Well, there's nothing remotely boy-next-door about him anymore" came Choon Hee's dry remark. "He has city written all over him. Not to mention success." Hyeonji and Han Byeol nodded to this "I am well aware of that, believe me. I'm not blind, but there's never been any romance between us, and there never will be. He has a steady girlfriend. Goes by the name of Tinashe."
"Tinashe," Choon Hee repeated, her nose wrinkling. "Don't tell me. She's stunning with boobs to die for, hair down to her waist and legs up to her armpits?" Hyeonji startled. "You know her?"
"Nope. Just guessed. Men like your Hoseok always seem to have girls like that on their arm" Choon Hee smirks. "He isn't my Hoseok" Hyeonji said tightly. "But you like him to be, don't you?" Han Byeol added.
Hyeonji opened her mouth to deny it. But her tongue betrayed her when a thickness claimed it. Tears pricked at her back of her eyes.
Her Hoseok...
What a concept. What an improbable, impossible, inconceivable, unachievable concept. To keep clinging to it was not only demeaning to her personally but depressing in the extreme. "There was a time when I did" she said at last, her tone clipped and cold. "But not anymore. I have better things to do with my life than pine for the impossible."
"Impossible? Why do you say impossible?" as Han Byeol curiously asked. "For pity's sake Han Byeol, you've seen him and you too Choon. You guys said so yourself men like Hoseok go for girls like Tinashe, not mousy little things like me."
"You'd be far from mousy if you made the best of yourself. To be frank, Hyeonji, a little make-up wouldn't go astray. And an occasional visit to the hairdresser." Hyeonji stiffened, despite the criticism striking home. "I wouldn't want a man who didn't love me for myself" CHoon Hee said sharply. "That's rubbish and you know it! I'm a married lady and I still have to work hard to keep my man. Now you listen to me, Hyeonji and you too Han Byeol for your sake and Namjoon's." Choon Hee turns to face Hyeonji "Now, when Hoseok comes to take you out tonight. Surprise him."
"Surprise him?" Hyeonji asked dryly feeling nervous about Choon Hee's suggestion. "Yes, leave your hair down. Slap some make-up on." Han Byeol added "Use a sexy perfume. Wear something which shows off that great little figure of yours." Choon Hee nodded in approval.
For a split second, Hyeonji was buoyed up by Choon Hee and Han Byeol's compliments on her figure. But then she thought of Tinashe's tall, voluptuous, sex-bomb body and her momentary high was totally deflated.
"I don't have any sexy perfume," she murmured dispiritedly. She didn't own much make-up either. But she wasn't about to admit that. Choon Hee gave her an exasperated glare. "Then buy some at the mall during your lunch hour!" Their library was in a small regional center which boasted a few shops, a well-stocked chemist shop included. Hyeonji declined telling CHoon Hee and Han Byeol that she only had five dollars in her purse. Sexy perfume was expensive, and she'd rather wear nothing than douse herself in a cheap scent.
Hyeonji actually contemplating asking her friends to lend her some money and reality returned with a rush. She could wear more make-up than a Japanese geisha and drown herself in the most exotic expensive perfume in the world and it would not make Hoseok fall in love with her. "Thank you for your advice ladies," she said with a return to common sense "but I really rather just be myself. Now I'd better get back to these books." Hyeonji resumed checking in the returns, blocking her mind to everything but the thought that at least she would not starve to death tonight after her mother's special birthday meal. Hoseok could buy her something delicious and creamy to go with her after-dinner coffee.
Hyeonji gave no more thought to the girl's advice about make-up and perfume, till she arrived home late that afternoon and opened her carryall to find a paper parcel sitting on top of her house keys. It contained a small but expensive-looking bottle of perfume.
And a note. "Happy birthday darling!" Choon Hee and Han Byeol had written with their usual extravagant hand writing. "This always worked for me. Well, sometimes. Still, what have you got to lose? Go for it! We chipped in so don't worry about it. We love you. Go get your man!"
Hyeonji sprayed a tiny burst of perfume onto her wrist and lifted it to her nose. It was a wonderfully sensual smell, its heavy musk perfume bringing images of satin sheets and naked bodies and untold unknown delights. Hyeonji shook her head. To wear such a scent in Hoseok's presence would be the ultimate torture, and let's face it, Hyeonji told herself, wearing perfume, no matter how sensual, isn't about to turn Hoseok into some kind of sex-crazed lunatic. With a girl like Tinashe in tow, no doubt he has all the sex he can handle. Hyeonji glanced at the perfume's name and laughed.
SEDUCTRESS
Good Lord. It would've been a powerful potion to turn her into that. It was a nice thought of Choon Hee and Han Byeol's, but a total waste of time and money. So was her advice. For Hyeonji she believed she did have something to lose. Her self-respect, and possibly Hoseok's friendship.
Chapter 03
Masterlist
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