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chiseler · 3 years

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Hero of Our Nation

I first encountered Roger Ramjet on a Chicago public access station in 1983. It was part of an early morning show apparently aimed at stoner insomniacs. The show came on at five and also included episodes of Lancelot Link, Secret Chimp, that awful Beatles cartoon, and a weather report clarified by some appropriate pop song (“Here Comes the Sun” or “Here Comes the Rain Again”). I was usually up and around that early for some godforsaken reason, and originally started watching on account of Lancelot Link. Always did love that Lancelot Link. But Roger Ramjet was, well, let’s just say it was a revelation.

Roger Ramjet, “ that All-American good guy and devil may care flying fool” (as he compulsively introduces himself) was a none too bright and none too coordinated drug-dependent space age superhero in an ongoing battle against the assorted forces of evil (or more specifically, N.A.S.T.Y.) to preserve the American Way of Life. He was square-jawed, straight-laced, straight-faced, and True Blue if little else, so hyper-patriotic that nearly every time his name is spoken aloud an American flag, a bald eagle, or a rotating ring of stars appears on the screen. After catching one or two episodes, I forgot all about Lancelot Link.

The show was easy to overlook, especially when squeezed between the Beatles and some secret agent chimps with a psychedelic band. The episodes were only five minutes long (maybe seven with the abrasive theme song filling out the opening and closing credits), and were so crudely drawn and animated it might at a glance seem like something a couple of junior high school kids threw together in their basement one weekend. The shows were so primitive they hardly bothered with niceties like “backgrounds” satisfied instead to settle for rudimentary suggestions of a setting. But the writing was so sharp and the voice talent so good what it really felt like, if you paid attention, was a spoof of a ‘40s radio serial like Sky King or Gangbusters, complete with a soap opera organ and illustrated by a handful of jerky drawings scratched out by someone’s kid. People who thought Jay Ward’s Bullwinkle and Dudley Do-Right were crude when compared with the output from Disney or Warner Brothers had no idea what “crude” meant.

Looking at it today what it reminds me of more than anything are the paper cutout animations of the earliest episodes of South Park, before they upgraded to Flash. Along with the lo-fi stylistics, the humor was clearly aimed at an adult audience while pretending otherwise. You may not find any child molestation jokes or crass religious cracks in Roger Ramjet, but for 1965 the lightning-fast humor was pretty hepcat and sophisticated, with undisguised satirical references to the Cold War, Central American turmoil, and the Vietnam War (“Hey kids, this is Roger Ramjet,” demanding that you stay tuned to this station to see my next adventure,” Roger announces in his commanding superhero baritone. “Or I’ll see to it that all you little rascals are drafted.”) . Mixed in with the topical jokes we also get some highly unlikely name drops, from Noel Coward and Henry Cabot Lodge to James Joyce and bawdy nightclub performer Rusty Warren, as well as film parodies and literary nods to the likes of Catch-22 and Catcher in the Rye. It’s also a little less than what you might call racially sensitive by modern standards (consider Mexican revolutionaries The Enchilada Brothers, Beef and Chicken).

While a lot of the more timely jokes might be lost in the murk of the over 50 years since it first aired, there’s plenty of rapid-fire absurdity that’s timeless, from the misspelled title cards punctuating the narration to the self-consciously dumb coked-up adventures.

Bullwinkle aired from ‘61 to ‘64. Roger Ramjet came along a year later and Jay Ward’s influence is undeniable. The difference was Roger Ramjet crammed the equivalent number of bad jokes, references, and plot twists of a typical 8-part Bullwinkle serial into each five-minute episode, both mirroring the rapid-fire screwball dialogue of the ‘30s and the frenetic quick-cut comedy to come along a year or two later in shows like The Monkees and Laugh-In.

The episodes were produced with essentially no budget and were cranked out very quickly by a small team of writers, voiceover artists and animators with solid day jobs in radio and TV. They were all seasoned pros, some dating back to the days of classic radio, who worked on the show after hours as a way of letting off a little steam and tossing around a few cynical, subversive cultural jabs their day jobs wouldn’t allow. The show was created originally by animator Fred Crippen (who went on to work on some pretty dreadful crap like the Extreme Ghostbusters and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) and Ken Snyder, an ad exec who moved over into producing cartoons. They brought in a remarkable team of voice talent and comedy writers, including Gene Moss (the voice of Smokey the Bear) Jim Thurmam (who did a lot of kids shows including Sesame Street), Dick Beals (the original voice of Gumby), and the great Gary Owens, a drive-time deejay in LA who would get national recognition soon enough as the on-screen announcer for Laugh-In. Although they would all get specific credits in the end (Crippen as director, Moss as a writer) it was a communal effort, in which everyone contributed to the writing, and everyone, even the executive producer, did a few of the voices. Apart from the regular crew, careful listeners might also catch a few uncredited guest appearances by some surprisingly big names (I’m told Sinatra and Dean Martin appear in an episode, but I’m still looking for that one). Owens was the star, though, as his ability to read the most ridiculous lines in a dramatic deadpan made him the perfect Roger Ramjet. Together they made 156 episodes (about 150 still exist), which were sold directly into syndication in ‘65 as half hour shows, each containing three unconnected adventures. I can’t say as I’m exactly sure who they thought their target audience was at the time, except maybe each other.

Much like William Conrad in Bullwinkle, each show opened with our narrator, Steve Allen alum Dave Ketchum, setting the mood and the scene (“In today’s depressing episode,” he’d begin with dramatic enthusiasm, or maybe it was an “existentialist episode,” “phlegmatic episode,” “rickety episode,” “hairy episode,” or “ethnic episode”). Then we’re out of the gate at a breakneck pace, with a flurry of gags coming from every direction. “Ramjet rode into Boot Hill,” we’re told, “where the men were men and the women were men, which can get pretty old after awhile.”

While none of the shows are connected, there are a few recurring characters and locations worth remembering: Roger hails from Lompoc, an actual California town (“where nothing ever happens, and seldom does”) and takes his orders from General G.I. Brassbottom, a no nonsense military man who “hadn’t had an original idea since he was a civilian.” He’s also assisted by Yank, Doodle, Dan, and Dee, the unusually chubby kids who make up the American Eagle squadron. Like Roger, all the members of the squadron wear their white jumpsuits and flight helmets at all times (Roger even wears his helmet on dates), and in true superhero sidekick fashion, their primary job is to get Roger out of scrapes and make sure his drugs are handy.

That’s one little detail more than a few casual viewers have taken umbrage with. Roger, see, is a pretty hapless character most of the time, but he repeatedly saves the world thanks to a little help from his Proton Energy Pills (PEP), which take five seconds to kick in, then give him the strength of 20 A-Bombs for 20 seconds. Modern viewers seem a little uncomfortable with the idea of a superhero gulping amphetamines in order to function, but all I can say is, well, it was a different time, and hey, it worked for Roger and Elvis both.

The proton energy pills come in handy when dealing with his arch-nemesis Noodles Romanoff, the short, trench coat and fedora wearing head of N.A.S.T.Y. (the National Association of Spies, Traitors, and Yahoos). Romanoff may not have a Natasha, but he does have a gang of cronies and thugs who all mumble in unison (save for one, who can’t seem to get the rhythm).

Along with Romanoff and his gang, Roger also has to contend with some lanky alien robots, the Solenoids (voiced by executive priducer Ken Snyder), and their repeated efforts to invade the planet in assorted ridiculous ways (in one episode, they begin kidnapping all the Miss America contestants, who “were disappearing faster than co-eds at a Dartmouth weekend.”)

When not saving the world, Roger found himself competing with the smarmy hotshot test pilot Lance Crossfire (who sounds an awful lot like burt Lancaster) for the affections of Lotta Love, the fickle Southern belle with a taste for the finer things in life.

Then there are the adventures themselves. Some seem standard superhero fare, but only to a point. Earth is besieged by flying saucer attacks (sort of). Roger’s hometown is terrorized by a werewolf (sort of). Roger plays tennis with a kangaroo, or becomes the first man to surf in space, or, in a personal favorite, attempts to stop the flow of bootleg comic books into America’s drug stores.

Actually, there’s an interesting moment in that one that revealed just how subtle you could be even with animation this unsophisticated. Okay, so Noodles Romanoff, see, is replacing real comics in drug store racks with bootlegs in which popular superheroes are humiliated, all in an effort to destroy the morale of America’s children. After Brassbottom shows Roger a few examples (the issues include “Superman Gets Beat Up by a Chicken!” and “Ratman Stubs His Toe!”) he explains that if this sort of thing continues, “America’s kids won’t have anyone to look up to except YOU, Ramjet.” Then, for just an instant in that crude and jerky style, Roger cuts his eyes toward the camera, revealing in that moment everything we needed to know, namely that it’s what he’s always wanted.

Thirty years on and that still sticks with me.

In the end, though, the characters and storylines are secondary at best In Roger Ramjet. At heart it’s a matter of trying to keep up with all the lightning-quick jokes and wordplay, the non-sequiturs and references. In the five minute span of one cowboy-themed episode I counted nods to at least seven classic Western films, from High Noon to She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, and I suspect I missed a few. It really is such a dizzying blur of dialogue and bad puns and cultural references, sometimes, christ, even just references to old jokes that take the form of bad puns (“Waiter, there’s a spy in my soup” or “how many angels can swim in the head of a beer?”), that absurd as it all is, repeated viewings are a necessity to catch everything. It’s a bit like having the complete contents of an issue of MAD magazine jammed onto a single page. It can make your head hurt after a while, but it’s worth it. Whether the density and the pace make it better or worse for stoner viewing is something, I guess, each stoner will need to answer for him or herself. Lots of bright colors, though.

In 1965 there was nothing new about making cartoons with adult sensibilities in mind. Betty Boop and Bugs Bunny were made to be shown as short subjects to largely adult audiences. Jay Ward’s cartoons a few decades down the line were near-revolutionary for smuggling hip, subversive political humor into what had become an exclusively child-friendly format. What made Roger Ramjet so radical was it’s blend of ‘30s radio style with mid-’60s cynicism, as well as its foreshadowing of our shrinking attention spans, a hyper-condensed proton pill of comedy and commentary disguised as just another dumb, low-rent superhero cartoon. Although it’s barely remembered today, its influence is still evident in most any subversive animated show you can name, even if they’ve slowed things down a bit.

by Jim Knipfel

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heauxplesslydevoted · 4 years

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And They Were Roommates (Bryce Lahela x MC)

Summary: A surprise leads to a major shift in Bryce and Casey’s relationship

A/N: Eeeek, this is my first time ever writing a Bryce x MC fic! The day you guys see me writing something not Ethan centric is the day you should play the lotto because it’s more rare than a unicorn sighting.

Anywho....please enjoy!

Tags: @drakewalker04 @canknot @lapisreviewsstuff @senseofduties @maurine07 @badchoicesposts @ermidc @sundaescreamcheese @danijimenezv @starrystarrytrouble @the-pale-goddess @gogotomago95 @have-aheart @aworldoffandoms @zaffrenotes @anotherbeingsworld @to-fangirl-or-not-to-fangirl @nazariolahela @the-unconquered-queen @writinghereandthere @omgjasminesimone @parkerattano @silent-storms-posts

~v~

“Okay, are we going out to lunch?” Casey asks, twisting her fingers into her skirt. From the passenger seat of Bryce’s car, the bustling streets of Boston fly past her. A tendril of her curly hair whips around in the wind, settling on her lip as it sticks to her tacky lip gloss. Bryce is a freaking speed demon and drives too fast for her liking.

But she does like looking at him when he’s behind the wheel. His grip on the wheel is relaxed, much like his posture, slouched low in the seat, right hand drumming against the gear shift. While it’s still winter, the sun is shining brightly, making the highlights in his hair and the light dusting of freckles adorning his nose stand out. Her boyfriend—even thinking that word makes her giddy—makes a pretty sight to behold.

“No, that’s not the plan. But we can go get food once we’re done,” Bryce answers..

“Ice skating?” Casey guesses. She watches as he shakes his head. “But ice skating sounds so fun.”

“We can go ice skating some other time, Case.”

“We’re going to the movies?”

Bryce chuckles. She’s been trying to guess all morning what he has planned for the day, and despite getting every single guess wrong, Casey comes up with another one at the drop of a hat. The persistence is admirable. “You’ll find out soon enough. Stop being so nosy.”

Casey pouts, feigning hurt. “I resent that! I prefer to be called naturally inquisitive. It makes me sound smart.”

“You’re nosy,” Bryce deadpans. “But don’t fret, we’ll be there in like, 5 minutes tops.”

He’s been excited from the moment he told her to get dressed, and Casey can see that his leg is bouncing up and down underneath the steering wheel. Whatever he has planned, he’s really excited about it, so Casey decided to keep quiet and enjoy the rest of the ride.

They enjoy the rest of the short ride, Casey scrolling through Bryce’s different Spotify playlists until she settles on the perfect song, but he’s pulling in and parking his car before she can even hit play.

An apartment complex was not what she was expecting to see. It’s a very nice apartment complex, located a few blocks away from Boston University. Casey can see the college students milling around, some adults walking their dogs, a few older more established couples, some with kids, some without going in and out of the building.

Now her curiosity is piqued. Is Bryce dragging her along to some surgeon friend’s apartment? Is this his idea of a Saturday adventure? Granted, he never promised her an adventure, just a surprise, and while she likes most of his surgical cohort, she’d rather be doing something else. Nonetheless, Casey doesn’t say anything, letting Bryce intertwine their fingers and lead her through the building.

They ride up the elevator in silence until they reach the 4th floor. It isn’t until Bryce reaches into his pocket and pulls out a key do the alarms go off on her brain. “Bryce? Did you–”

“I got a new apartment!” Bryce exclaims, cutting her off. “Surprise!”

Once the door is open, he’s pulling her in, his excitement palpable. Casey looks around the place. It’s unfurnished, the hardwood floors beneath them bright and freshly waxed. And even though she hasn’t looked around, she can already tell it’s much larger than his current 1 bedroom.

“Oh...wow,” is all that manages to come out of her mouth.

“I know! It’s in Keiki’s school district, thank god. And it’s a brand new unit, all stainless steel appliances, marble and quartz countertops, which are apparently huge deals when you’re apartment hunting. In-unit washer and dryer, walk-in closets, there’s a gym and a pool downstairs, a game room–”

Casey watches him as his animatedly rattles off all of the features in the apartment. His face is flush, pink with excitement, his words are breathless and tumbling out of his mouth all at once. She takes a step forward, cupping his face between both hands. “Bryce, I think you should stop and breathe.”

The command makes him flush hard, now from embarrassment. “Sorry.”

“It’s fine. You can continue now.”

“That was pretty much it. The main draw is that it’s a two bedroom, two bathroom apartment, so I don’t have to sleep on the couch anymore. Now Keiki and I will each have our own space. Do you think she’ll like it?”

“Will the 15 year old girl like having her own room, and not having to share a bathroom with her older brother?” Casey nods. “Absolutely. Keiki is a lucky duck.” She takes a few steps further into the apartment, silently appraising it. It’s beautiful from what she can see, and she hasn’t even seen the bedrooms. “Question: how are you affording this place? You’re a surgical resident, living in Boston is expensive, and I’m pretty sure Sallie Mae is eating most of your paychecks.”

Bryce looks down at his feet, shuffling them back and forth much to Casey’s dismay. He’s going to scuff the floors doing that. “I uh...I talked to my parents.”

“When?”

“A little over a month ago, before I enrolled Keiki in school. I called my parents and gave them quite the earful about not contacting Keiki once since she’s been in Boston, and I kinda let them have it. Turns out I’ve been holding in a lot of pent up...stuff regarding my parents.”

Casey’s eyes soften at his confession. They hardly ever have conversations about his parents, and when they do, it’s never good. “You want to talk about it?”

Bryce shakes his head, memories of that conversation trying to bubble to the surface. His mother tried her hand at making awkward small talk as if they hadn’t gone years without talking, while his father said nothing at all. He bites the inside of his cheek, willing the bad memory to go away. Negative thoughts of his parents don’t need to invade this space. “Nah, it’s not important.”

Resisting the urge to call bullshit, Casey simply nods. “Agree to disagree, Bry. But we’ll table it for now and just continue your story.”

He’s grateful that she’s willing to listen, but not pushy enough to force him to talk, leaving the ball in his court. “Long story short, I told them that Keiki is welcome to stay with me in Boston and I wouldn’t make it public news that they all but abandoned their daughter and drag social services into things, if they allowed me to be her legal caregiver.”

“Really?”

“Yup. So I can be in charge of her education and medical decisions while she’s out here. It’s less permanent than me filing her guardianship, and my parents still legally have rights, but it makes things easier. And because of that, my parents are giving me a pretty generous monthly allowance for all of her expenses. Housing, food, school supplies, the works.”

“So child support?”

“Pretty much, yes. I didn’t ask for it, but the Lahelas like to throw money at their problems. Some of that money goes towards the rent here, the rest I put in a savings account for Keiki. I’ll gift her the money when she starts college, so she’ll have a bit of a nest egg, and won’t be dependent on ramen noodles and the McDermot’s dollar menu like I was.”

Bryce shoves his hands into his pockets and looks at Casey, trying to gauge her reaction. “I know I dumped a lot on you, and you probably think I’m insane for taking all of this on but–”

Casey wraps her arms around his waist and cuts him off with a quick kiss. “If I could look at you with literal heart eyes right now, I would.”

“Really?”

“Really.” She leans forward, resting her head against the solid expanse of his chest. The faint scent of his laundry detergent and his cologne invade her senses, and she relishes in it. He smells like comfort, if there was ever such a thing. “I can’t believe you accomplished all of this in such a short period of time.”

“Well my lease was up, and I was trying to get Keiki situated in school, and it all sort of fell into place at the right time.”

“Stop trying to downplay it,” Casey orders. “You are strong, and brave, and you take initiative in any situation. I don’t know too many 27 year olds that would spring into action and volunteer to raise their teenage sisters, all while being a resident and trying to juggle their own personal life.”

The way she says it, the awe and idolatry in her voice makes his stomach flip. Bryce considers himself to be a pretty self-assured guy. He has a healthy level of self esteem, but something about Casey praising him always causes him to short circuit, without fail. “You make it sound so much cooler than it really is.”

“It is cool,” Carey argues. “You’re doing a noble thing, so let me give you compliments you deserve.”

He doesn’t meet her eyes immediately, the bashfulness still holding him tight. Eventually, Bryce looks up at her, her expression open and earnest. “You make me sound so much better than I really am.”

Casey grabs hold of his sweater and tugs him closer, forcing him to crane forward and be at her eye level. “Mhmm, it’s a hidden talent of mine. I happen to be an excellent salesperson.”

Bryce smirks, their lips barely brushing against each other, and mumbles “You’re such a dork,” before capturing her in a kiss. Casey responds instantly, matching his eagerness and fervor. It doesn’t take long for things to get more heated, his tongue slipping into her mouth, hands going to grip her waist.

She breaks to kiss to inhale sharply. “You’ve lived here for 5 minutes and you’re already trying to defile the place.”

“Can’t help it. You make me feel like a horny teenager again, baby.”

“Well stop it.”

Bryce rolls his eyes. “You’re no fun.”

“Come on loverboy, show me around. Give me the grand tour.”

They wander around the apartment at a leisurely pace, Casey pointing out all of the different things Bryce could buy to furnish the place—“What do you mean you’ve never gone to Home Goods?”—and admonishing his idea to shop on Craigslist. He’s an adult, not a college freshman, and his home should reflect that.

“You want to know what the best part is?” Bryce asks, leading Casey back to their starting point, the living room.

“What?”

“Keiki’s bedroom is on the other side of the apartment, separated by a pretty sizable living room.”

He wiggles his eyebrows suggestively, and she shoves at his chest, laughing. “And? Are you trying to say something?”

“Yeah, that one of us—you—can be pretty loud at times.”

Her cheeks heat up and she blushes furiously. “Well I’ll make sure to keep it quiet on the nights that I sleep over.”

“What if you didn’t just spend the night over here?”

He instantly regrets the way he phrased that sentence because it sounds like he just told her he doesn’t want her in his apartment. Casey frowns. “What do you mean?”

“Sorry! That sounded weird.” He flushes, stumbling over his words. Something about Casey Valentine makes him very nervous. “That’s not what I meant, I promise.”

Bryce grabs both of Casey’s hands, holding them close to his chest. “Move in with me.”

Her eyes widen at the suggestion. He wants to do what? “What?”

“I spent all of last year tiptoeing around our relationship, trying to keep things light and breezy when I really didn’t want that. And it took you being in that...horrible accent for me to finally reveal the full extent of my feelings for you. Now that we’re together and official, I don’t want to waste any more time.”

“I would like to go to sleep with you every night, your ice cold feet pressed against my legs, and your curly hair tickling my nose because you’ve invaded my side of the bed. And I want to wake up to you every morning, because even though you think you look crazy in the morning, I think you’re absolutely beautiful. I want us to cook together every day, or just you because you’re a much better cook than I am.” Casey giggles at his jokes, which only spur him on further. “Besides Keiki, you’re the most important person I have, and I want you here with me, permanently.”

When Casey doesn’t say anything immediately, Bryce understands. He just dropped a bomb—a few bombs actually—right at her feet, she needs time to process. But the silence stretches until it grows into something long and uncomfortable, and a thin sheen of sweat forms at Bryce’s hairline. Did he just shoot himself in the foot? Did he seriously overestimate her feelings for him, and the nature of their relationship?

Before he can open his mouth to renege on the invitation, Casey speaks. “We’re going to have to talk to your landlord, or the property manager, because a new lease needs to be drawn up.”

“W-what?”

“I mean, I assume it’s just you and Keiki listed on the lease, and I don’t want to just be a permanent guest staying in your apartment. I want it to be our apartment, so I need to be on the lease agreement,” Casey explains. “And I know you said your parents cover most of the rent on this place, but I want to contribute, so I guess I’ll be in charge of the–”

She doesn’t get to finish talking because Bryce is on her in an instant, his mouth crashing into hers in a fiery kiss. His fingers dig into her hips, walking her backwards until her back bumps into the kitchen island. In a quick show of strength, Bryce lifts her onto the island, and Casey has to break the kiss to hiss.

“Shit, that’s cold!”

“Sorry baby.” He’s not the least bit sorry, flashing her his signature smirk. “I’ll warm you up.”

“And you say I’m the dorky one,” Casey teases, laughing as Bryce kisses her between each word.

“You are,” he insists, kissing down her neck. She squirms away from him as his lips find a particularly sensitive spot, but he holds her in place. “We bring that out in each other.”

He kisses her a few more times, some softer than others, some so deep, she feels dizzy when he pulls away.

“We’re really going to do this?” Casey asks rhetorically. “This whole living together thing?”

“We are. I asked, and you said yes, so you’re stuck with me, little lady.”

There’s a smile on his face, so huge, Casey really thinks he might blind her with his pearly white teeth. She hasn’t seen him this relaxed, this unabashedly happy in a while. She can’t help but to smile back.

“You have to let me have creative control on furniture and decorations though.”

“This apartment is going to look like a furniture store magazine spread.”

Casey nods. “It’ll smell like the inside of a Bath & Body Works store in here, too.”

“You’re going to go crazy on the candles, aren’t you?”

“Oh absolutely. They also have cute wall plug-ins.”

Bryce laughs. “I don’t care. You and Keiki can do whatever you want to the place.”

“Mhmm, now you’re talking my language, Lahela.”

They talk excitedly, basking in the fun that this new journey is going to bring their relationship. They don’t know how much time has passed when the conversation finally dwindles down.

“Hey, Bryce?”

“Yeah?”

“Can you let me down from here?” Casey asks, gesturing to the countertop. Bryce has her caged in, arms on either side of her. “Despite your best efforts to warm me up with a make-out session, this thing is freezing cold.”

“No one told you to wear a mini skirt like this in winter, you naughty school girl.”

“I resent that! This skirt is very cute, and it would’ve looked even cuter had you taken me ice skating.”

Bryce rolls his eyes. He’s gonna have to take this girl to the ice skating rink, and soon. He trails his hands up and down her legs, taking in all the goosebumps that have popped up on her smooth skin.

“You want to know where this skirt would look even better?”

“Where?”

Gripping the backs of her thighs, Bryce lifts Casey off of the countertop and into his arms. “The floor of our new bedroom.”

#playchoices #choices: stories you play #open heart #bryce lahela #dr. bryce lahela #bryce x mc

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agentlemuse · 4 years

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i was thinking about a buddie prompt where eddie gives buck puppy eyes (role reverse haha) to get him to make his fav dessert or something idk!! love your writing :)))

His body has betrayed him.

He supposes he can’t be too mad, it has been awhile since it decided to break down. Eddie can’t even remember the last time he was sick enough to admit he was actually sick. El Paso, if he had to guess. Before Shannon left. That’s right, she took Chris and stayed at his parents’ house so they wouldn’t catch whatever he caught. Seems so long ago now.

The thing is, he doesn’t have time to be sick. Even if he can spare a sick day from work that he purposefully reserves for Chris should he need him, he can’t exactly take time off from being a dad. He has to keep going, that’s the gig.

So trust his body to break down the day after Chris leaves for camp. His body may have betrayed him, but at least it has impeccable timing. That’s something, right?

Eddie spends the first night of Chris’ grand adventure away making a damn good attempt at coughing up his lungs. Sleep eludes him as he sweats through his sheets, the dampness of the fabric and the fever ravaging his body making his teeth chatter so hard he wakes up with a sore jaw. Doesn’t matter, he’s too nauseous to eat. He spends a good hour debating the pros and cons of laying on the cool tile floor to wait for death when Buck begins to blow up his phone.

“Look, you’ve had enough time to wallow,” Buck starts in, not bothering to wait for or offer a greeting when Eddie finally accepts the call. Eddie can’t help but grin, even as he buries his head further in his pillow. “I have given this a lot of thought and I’ve created an itinerary to keep us busy while Chris is away.”

“Can’t,” Eddie mumbles against his pillowcase, wincing at the scratchiness of his voice.

“...Why do you sound weird?”

“Dying,” Eddie states flatly, tensing against the latest round of coughing to wreak havoc on his throat.

“Are you sick,” Buck asks with concern even as Eddie coughs his confirmation. He can practically hear Buck thinking as the silence stretches for a moment. “Is someone coming to take care of you? Isabel?”

“I don’t want to get her sick.”

“I’m coming over.”

“Buck you don’t have to--” Eddie croaks, but Buck has already hung up. He should call him back. He should protest Buck risking his health and wasting his free day by taking care of him. He should do a lot of things, but he doesn’t. He knows Buck well enough to know he’d be wasting both of their time.

By the time he hears Buck’s key in the door he has dragged himself to the couch, wrapping himself up in as many blankets as he could find along the way. It may be the middle of summer, but he’s freezing. It’s the fever, he knows, but he doesn’t care. He’s cold and the blankets are comfy.

“Okay, I know you’re Mr. Tough Guy,” Buck starts in, geared up for a fight as he marches his way into the living room having clearly been practicing this speech in his head on the way over. “And I know you can take care of yourself, but it’s not going to kill you to accept some he--”

“Soup,” Eddie asks hopefully, interrupting Buck’s speech as he glances down at the bags in Buck’s hands. Buck looks like a puppet whose strings have been cut, all fight knocked out at him upon realizing Eddie isn’t going to protest his presence.

“I -- Uh, yeah. Chicken noodle. Bobby’s recipe.”

Eddie perks up a bit, pushing his face out of his blanket where he had burritoed himself in. “I like chicken noodle.”

Eddie likes to think he’s pretty good at reading Buck by now, but he’s not sure what to make of the soft expression that’s currently on Buck’s face. There’s a fondness there like when Chris hands him a piece of art he made, but something else. Something he can’t quite place. He blames his fever.

Buck gets to work on laying everything out, grabbing a bowl and spoon from the kitchen before filling a bowl up for Eddie to eat. As good as the soup smells, he’s reluctant to remove himself from his blanket, but he forces his arms out into the open air.

“You’re not wearing a shirt,” Buck observes, eyes trailing down his newly exposed skin, but surely isn’t bothering him. They’ve seen each other without their shirts plenty of times.

“I’m hot.”

“I can see that,” Buck grins, his knee tapping against Eddie’s own playfully. The back of Buck’s hand is cool against his forehead, which must explain the sudden shiver traveling down his spine. “Jesus Eddie, you really are burning up.”

Eddie shrugs, carefully swallowing sips of soup under Buck’s watchful eye. “Thanks for the soup.”

“It’s nothing.”

“It’s something,” Eddie insists. Only one other person has ever made him soup when he was sick and that was his abuela when he was eight and she was in town visiting. No one has taken care of him when he was sick as an adult. He hasn’t asked, but a small part of him has always hoped someone would offer. Buck offered without prompting, so yeah, it’s definitely something. “The soup is really good. My compliments to the chef.”

Buck straightens at the praise, his smile now reaching his eyes in a way that makes his birthmark crinkle. It’s a good smile. He likes being the one to put it on Buck’s face.

“Eat up, we’ll have you feeling better in no time.”

He expects Buck to leave after he finishes eating, but instead he does the dishes before settling next to him on the couch. He expects Buck to leave when the sun starts to go down, but instead Buck runs his long fingers through Eddie’s sweaty hair without complaint, massaging his head until Eddie’s falling asleep under his touch. He expects him to leave as Eddie curls pitifully into bed, but he stays, bringing him fresh glasses of water and stroking his back as he hacks and wheezes throughout the night.

He expects Buck to leave, but he stays. He stays. He stays.

“Maybe tomorrow we can have ice cream?”

“Eddie, dairy will make your mucus thicker which will cause more draining and...Are you giving me puppy dog eyes?”

Yes, yes he was. In his defense, it always seems to work on Buck when Chris does it. Chris is much cuter and an actual child, but still.

“Please?”

“Eddie, I don’t think…”

“Please, Buck? It will make me feel better.” Buck sighs, but by lunchtime he has ice cream.

The look also gets him control of the remote, free head massages and the right to use Buck’s thigh as a human pillow. Or maybe it’s just because he’s sick. Either way, Buck doesn’t put up much of a fight, even when Eddie wipes his snot on Buck’s shirt to Buck’s absolute horror. It is almost worth the side cramp he gets from laughing and coughing so hard simultaneously.

“The kleenex are too far away.”

“They’re literally right there,” Buck exclaims, pointing towards the box sitting right in front of Eddie’s face.

“Your shirt is softer.”

“You’re disgusting.”

He is, but Buck still stays. He stays until Eddie can admit he doesn’t want Buck to go.

“I think your fever finally broke,” Buck says softly on the fourth day, his fingers moving from Eddie’s forehead to stroke through his hair. Eddie’s head rests on Buck’s thigh, still wrapped up in a pile of blankets as he lays out across the couch.

He was always going to get better. Buck was always going to leave. Still, he was hoping for a little bit longer. It’s selfish, but it’s there.

“Maybe, but you should stay a bit longer just to make sure,” Eddie ventures, voice soft as he stares ahead at the TV.

“You know, that’s probably not a bad idea.”

“And maybe, if you get sick, I could take care of you.” Eddie does look up at him then, blue eyes staring back down at him with that soft look he can’t quite place.

“I’d like that,” Buck grins, his birthmark crinkling as it reaches his eyes.

Buck doesn’t get sick for another four months, but when he does Eddie is there. Buck doesn’t even have to ask.

#buddie #eddie diaz #evan buckley #soft eddie #prompts #I AM SO SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONG #my stuff

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fluffymcu · 4 years

Text

Letting Loose

Part FIVE

This series is TICKLE related. Outfits that are linked here are purely for picturing the clothes, you don’t have to look like the model.

Series Summary: You’re the little sister of the one and only Captain America. You’re also the youngest girl on the team, so that automatically makes you the avengers’ little princess. And they spoil you as such. They have become your amazing family and you don’t know where you’d be without them. This series will show random adventures and fluffy events in the daily life of the reader and her family, along with an unexpected turn later on as you read.

A/N: I’m so excited to be writing this series! This is my first time writing one and I’m a bit nervous but I hope it all goes well. :) The first few chapters will be about random events, not really following a timeline until Chapter 9. Hope you enjoy!

Word Count: 2,500

Previous Next

-----

School was okay, Jeremy hadn’t come to school so you had a pretty decent day as you didn’t have to deal with his constant teasing. You had gone about your day, talking with friends and meeting Ned and Peter for lunch, until the last bell rang and you excitedly packed your things and skipped to your locker.

You were especially excited to get home today because last night over dinner, Tony suggested we should barbecue outside tonight and hang out at the pool. You put your books in your locker and stood by it, waiting for Peter. While you waited, you were towered over by a shadow behind you, and you turned around to see a tall guy with his friends, smirking down at you. You smiled tightly and awkwardly, nodding slowly as he just started at you while holding that smirk. Finally, after what felt like forever, he spoke up.

“Hey girl.” He said smugly, nodding once.

You gave him a polite smile and nodded back. “Hi.” He chuckled and leaned toward you, crossing his arms and leaning against your locker.

“What are you doing later?” He asked, his friends chuckling behind him. You looked around for Peter, not trying to make it obvious but you really wanted him to show up. Any time now…

“Uhh, I am going to go home and hang out with my family.” You said, tilting your head and smiling, turning around again, mentally cursing when Peter still wasn’t rounding the corner. You sighed and turned to see him looking at you up and down. You immediately began to feel twice as uncomfortable and you started to shift on your feet nervously.

“Why don’t you ditch those plans, and come to my house to hang out? I’d like to get to know you better.” He smirked. You couldn’t hide your grimace as you shook your head.

“Nnno thanks, I’d rather go home and relax. I’m kinda tired.” You said, giving him a lopsided grin and deciding to just get out of there and text Peter to meet you somewhere else, but he got in front of you blocking your way.

“Oh, come on honey. There will be other times to go home, don’t miss out on an opportunity like this.” He said, pointing at himself, his friends agreeing behind him. You put your hand up to refuse.

“I think I’ll be fine.” You chuckled, trying again to walk around him but he grabbed your arm to stop you. You silently gasped and looked down at your arm, and he immediately let go.

“Look. I’m just saying, a lot of girls want to date me so the fact that I’m coming to you should make you feel spe-“ He was interrupted by a tap on his shoulder and he turns around to see Peter. His eyebrows are furrowed and he’s looking at the guy suspiciously. “Can I help you?”

Peter looks at you for a brief moment before looking back at him. You sigh in relief at his presence and visibly relax. “Uh, Yeah, you can. You can go bother someone else, she’s clearly uncomfortable and doesn’t wanna talk to you. So if you could lay off, that’d be great.” He says, giving him a tight smile and walking over to stand by you.

“Look kid, you weren’t here when we were talking. So you don’t know how she feels so lets just let the lady decide.” He smirked, pointing towards you. Peter then took a defensive step towards him and looked up at him since he was a bit taller than him.

“She turned you down twice. I know it. So back off.” Peter said sternly. The two boys stared at each other before the other finally backing off. He let out a chuckle, looking at you right in the eyes.

“Didn’t take you as the loser type.” He quipped, turning around and walking away. Peter started at him but you grabbed his arm.

“It’s okay! He doesn’t matter, just leave it.” You smiled genuinely at him, his frown softening into a smile. You both made your way outside to look for Happy and stood at the sidewalk, waiting for his car.

“Did he touch you, or hurt you?” He asked. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there sooner.”

You shook your head. “It’s okay really. And no, he didn’t hurt me. He grabbed my arm but it wasn’t rough at all. Don’t worry this had happened before, not my first time.” You chuckled. You finally spotted Happy’s car and you both got in, excited for tonight.

------

“How was the test?” Happy asked you both, referring to the test you had taken today at school. Peter went on to explain how easy the test was while you stared out the window for a moment.

“Yeah it wasn’t as easy for me, since I'm not as smart as this braniac,” You teased, ruffling Peter’s hair, causing his to chuckle. “But it wasn’t too hard either. I guess it was a pretty challenging test. I hope I passed.” You shrug. Peter reassured you and you smiled, thanking him before arriving at the compound.

You said hi to everybody, giving Steve, Tony, Nat, and Bucky a hug before running upstairs to stretch. You got in your leotard and began to stretch your legs, moving on to practicing a few easy dances that didn’t require much space since you were practicing in your room. You didn’t know why you preferred practicing in your room instead of the gym where there's lots of space, maybe you just felt more cozy in your room. Your room was still really big though, so it wasn’t cramped. But seeing how much you practiced in there, Tony just decided to install a stretching bar on one of the walls.

You had taken up ballet when you were younger, after you had gotten back from the ice, and it had just stuck with you. You stopped attending recitals or taking classes when you were in 7th grade but you practiced and remembered the basics and a few dances you did on the stage.

After practicing, you changed into some clothes and went downstairs to join the team. Everyone was in the second living room of the compound, closest to the backyard. You sat next to Steve and he smiled, wrapping an arm around you. “You excited?” He asked. You nodded, a wide grin displayed on your features. Tony and Clint got up from the couches to go take the meat out of the fridge and take it out to the grill. “Alright, we’re gonna start on the barbecue now.” Everyone nodded and began to go upstairs to change. You and Peter raced upstairs and you both went to your rooms to change into your outfits.

“Last one in the pool is a big loser!” You yelled over to Peter before slamming the door to your room. You put on your two piece suit, and ran out your room, trudging down the stairs. You were coming up behind Steve and he turned around at the sound of your hurried footsteps. Steve smirked before snatching you off the ground and holding you bridal style. “Steeeeve!” You whined partly annoyed, twisting around in his grip.

“Why are you running? You’ll get there.” He chuckled, kissing your cheek. You grunted as you pushed him away. He smirked and tightened his grip on you, smiling widely when he heard you burst into bubbly giggles from him expertly squeezing at your sides. “What’s this whole ‘rushing to get in the pool’ thing, huh?” He asked. You blushed, cackling when he began scratching at a particularly ticklish spot on your ribs.

“STOHOHOP! I CAHAHANT!” You squealed, making Steve giggle along with you. After a few more moments of torture, he finally stilled his fingers. You relaxed in his hold, panting and holding his hands at bay for good measure.

“I'm racing with Peter.” You giggled. Steve hummed and let you down, watching as you ran off again. Surprisingly, Peter still wasn’t out. Just as he came running outside you let out a cheer and jumped into the pool. He sighed disappointedly, and you brought your head out of the water. “Why’d you take so long? Your swimsuit is literally just a pair of shorts.” You giggled, closing your eyes before the water hit your face as he made a big splash.

“I couldn’t find my shorts so it took me longer to change.” He chuckled. You laughed and shook your head at him. He’s always losing his stuff. A few more minutes went by before the rest of the team joined you all in the pool. Bucky, Steve, Thor, Sam, Nat, Wanda, and Pietro were in the water while Bruce and Vision were on the reclining chairs, and Tony and Clint were cooking the meat. You and Peter splashed around, using pool noodles and water guns, Eventually, everyone in the pool joined you and Peter’s little battle, grabbing their own water guns and fighting every man for himself. Nat and Bucky had the upper hand in the water gun fight, for obvious reasons.

After a while, Bucky had won the fight. You jumped out the pool and wrapped your hair in a towel to not track water inside. You had forgotten your flipflops inside so you had to go get them. You shivered as the cold air of the compound hit your body that was warm from the pool water. You hurried to find your shoes before going back outside and taking your towel out. When you came back, Thor was messing around with Nat, throwing her up in the air and catching her. She was yelling at him to stop, the team laughing at her expense. You smiled, taking a seat on the edge of the pool and dipping your feet in.

“Thor stohohohop!” She squeals, causing another round of laughter from the team. He throws her up one more time, laughing handsomely when she yelps again before putting her back down. She growled, feigning annoyance as she swam as far away from him. You giggled, grabbing Thor’s attention. He smiled widely at you before nodding. “Would you like a go, little one?” He asked, the team turning to look at you with wide smiles. You shrunk yourself a bit, shaking your head shyly.

“Nohoho. No thanks.” You squeaked. The team began to chuckle, yelling random “come on”s and “don’t be scared” and “it’ll be fun.” You still shook your head, giggling and getting nervous when Thor swam his way over to you.

“Nonsense! Don’t be scared, darling. Its fun!” He chuckled, grabbing you and bringing you to his chest, chuckling at your protests.

“Nohohoho.” You giggled, squealing when he picked you up and held you over his head. The team began to chuckle at your nervous state.

“Just relax, y/n, it’ll be fun.” Steve smirked at you, giving you an encouraging nod. Thor grinned before throwing you up high, causing you to scream. You laughed frantically as he caught you, tapping his shoulder repeatedly. “Okayokayokay, I'm done, let me GOHOHOOO!” You shrieked when he suddenly threw you up again, sending the team into hysterics. You were really scared in the moment but at the same time you were having so much fun. You knew Thor knew what he was doing but you couldn’t help the nervous butterflies in your stomach as you flew through the air.

“Thohohor wahahahait!!Hahahaha!” You tried before falling into silent laughter as he threw you up again. Thor laughed along with the team, throwing you up again before suddenly bringing your stomach up to his face, blowing a big, slobbery raspberry. You shrieked, pushing at his head and throwing your head back in hysterics. “THOHOHOR!!”

The team once again found themselves in a fit of laughter at your expense. Thor continued to throw you up, blowing a raspberry on your belly every time he’d catch you. Somehow, his rasperries on your wet skin made the feeling 10 times worse. After throwing you up one last time and playfully biting your ribs, he set you back down in the water. You could barely stand so you decided to just float around, letting out residual giggles.

“Now it’s the Spiderboy’s turn!”

Spiderboy was gone

----

You got out of the shower, feeling really tired from the night in the pool. You changed into some warm pajamas and went down to the kitchen to get a late night snack. You settled on a granola bar and went back up to your room and get in bed before falling asleep.

A couple of hours later, you woke up, looking at the clock on your nightstand. It was almost 3am. You were feeling hungry again so you sighed and got up to get to the kitchen. Time at the pool always made you extra hungry after. When you jogged up the stairs, you noticed light shine from under Bucky’s door to his room. You were confused to why his light was on this late so you peeked your head in to see him with his hands on his knees, sitting on the edge of the bed. You frowned, since you realized he probably had a nightmare and woke up. You felt bad for him, since these nightmares were common for him to have. You opened the door a but more to show your presence, smiling lightly when Bucky’s eyes met yours. “Oh, hey, what are you still doing up?’ He asked. You smirked a bit, sassing him.

“I could ask you the same thing.” You walk over to him, smiling as he breathed out a laugh. He returned his gaze to the ground and sighed.

“Just another one of those nightmares again.” He shrugged. You sat next to him, holding his hand in the both of yours. You both sat there in silence for a few moments before you spoke again.

“Are you gonna try to go to sleep again?” You ask, looking up at him. He pauses, shaking his head slightly.

“I don’t think so, baby doll.” He sighed, not taking his eyes off the floor. You drop your gaze, looking at some of the books on his shelf before you came to an idea.

“What if I stay with you until you fall asleep? That way you can sleep peacefully and you won’t be tired and grumpy tomorrow.” You smiled hopefully. Bucky chuckled and sighed, giving in. He knew you weren’t gonna go to sleep either if you knew he was still up. He laid back down on the bed and opened his arms towards you. “Sure honey.” You grinned and got under the covers and snuggled up to him, squeezing him in a tight hug. He laid there, staring out into nothing, absentmindedly running his fingers through your hair.

Although you were the one who fell asleep first, Bucky felt extremely comforted by your act of kindness and not long after, he found himself drifting off with a peaceful expression on his face.

#ticklish!reader #tickle fight #avengers tickle #marvel tickle #steve x reader #thor x reader

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leggomylino · 4 years

Text

S&M Act I, Scene I | Windstorm ༄

༻✦༺ ༻✧༺ ༻✦༺ ༻✧༺ ༻✦༺

Genre: Adventure, Drama, Comedy, Fluff, Angst

Pairing(s): Lee Minho x fem!reader x Kim Seungmin

Au: Wizard of Oz au

Word Count: ~2.6k

Warning(s): Minorly to moderately dark themes of suppression, depression, panic, and insanity. Mentioning of blood, dark magic, violence, and (censored) language.

A/n: I’m so happy this story is finally coming to light! <3 Thank you to everyone behind the scenes who has supported me on the creation of this series, and to anyone who has ever supported my writing ever. ^^ I hope you enjoy!!! | Inspired by the events of Dorothy Must Die, by Danielle Paige.

Tag List: @hanniiesuckle17 @distrikt9 @hanstagrams @hyunsunq @smolboiseavey @jisungsjheekies @iluvlix @moonlit-han @stay-nctzen @yangomangos @stayndays @cotccotc @skzctnightnight @multi-stan-present @dreamy-dreamies @yunhoesss (Please let me know if you’d like to be added! Comment, ask, or DM me!!!)

ღ S&M M.List | Stray Kids M.List | M.List ღ

༻✦༺ ༻✧༺ ༻✦༺ ༻✧༺ ༻✦༺

The dreams had been plaguing you for a while now.

“Y/n,” a boy’s voice spoke. “Y/n, always remember, and never forget. You must forgive, and never forget.”

“Remember what?” You’d cry out into the empty space. “Always remember what? What is it I’ve forgotten? Who is it I’m supposed to forgive?”

Alas, the empty space never told you anything. It was just a soft chuckle, the feeling of eyes lovingly watching you from somewhere far away, cloying and envious, and then, in the blink of an eye, it was gone.

~ ♕ ~

The rain pelting against your bedroom window that night had been harsh. You listened to the uproarious melody, now awake, lying in a pool of your own sweat, heart racing, wondering where you had come to and where you’d just been. It was always this way, taking time to cool down from such a feverishly swift and spiraling dream; although you were theoretically standing still in a vacant space, you felt the effects of falling as you arose.

The rain calmed you. Despite its intensity it was the one thing that gave you peace, something mentally stabilizing to cling onto and give full focus to as the echoes of a dream deferred vanished into the far recesses of your mind, where they’d be all but forgotten until the next evening. You didn’t know what you’d do when the stormy season was over-- it had already been unusual to have such a large mass of wacky weather one after the other this time of year-- and sure a ferrying rain shower or two was normal-- but you’d grown accustomed to running to the storm’s ferocity for guidance, a child’s blanket, a figurative teddy bear that you could squeeze against your thoughts when escaping the dream realm. The heavy downpour washed all of your fears and anxiety away. What would you do when it was all over, and Fall returned?

It had been so odd; with all the rain and fluctuating humidity, the flowers and Spring-Summer crops were in full bloom. You’d never experienced seasonal allergies in the Fall until now. Neither had your best friend, Hyunjin, and...speaking of…

You hadn’t realized it was morning until Hyunjin came bursting into your room with one of your uncle’s chickens in his arm. It was still raining, hard, the droplets sounding like tiny fists pounding to come inside. Doubtful to let up anytime soon. “Y/n! Are you still auditioning for the role of Sleeping Beauty up here? ‘Cause I’m pretty sure Mia Harper’s got it covered, and Aunt Em’s gonna slide me your stack of pancakes in the next ten minutes if you don’t get your share of the chores done.”

A yawn escaped you. Hyunjin and his sidekick Kkami had been coming over to assist in your busy-hermit lifestyle ever since you could remember. He was your neighbor, after all, but...more on that later. The moment Hyunjin’s words soared beneath the backlash of bad weather, you’d completely forgotten what it was you’d just been thinking about, before the rain, what it was you’d dreamed. (Ever ironic how the dream had instructed you to remember, and yet, here you were, doomed to forget.) “Yeah, okay…” You yawned, stretching and easing yourself into the usual morning (sometimes afternoon) routine. You glanced at the chicken in his arms, and his subtle goofy smile in the doorway. “Is this your way of saying you’d rather have Pluckers as your lab partner instead of me?”

He shifted his eyes thoughtfully to Pluckers, watching him twitch and litter feathers like drops of rain before giving you his answer. “...I mean, that’s not a bad idea, actually. Have you even started your half of the worksheet yet?”

Ugh. Always about school. You wanted to tell him yes, but in all honesty you’d been spending your free time and late nights with your nose lodged between Harry Potter pages or your eyes plugged and gasping over YouTube storytimes. So you clamped your mouth shut.

And now, the backstory: Hyunjin had been your best friend for years. The two of you grew up next door to each other, which for country living was pretty dang far; having someone as your neighbor here was the same thing as having them live down the block. You’d never known your parents; you were adopted at a young age by your Aunt Em and Uncle Henry, who weren’t biologically related to you in any sense and just as good as any biological pair of adults. The details surrounding your DNA relatives-- and the year you’d come to live here-- were all unknown to you. The only story you’d ever gotten out of Aunt Em was that they’d had you from “knee-high” and that you couldn’t remember because of a nasty fall from one of Uncle Henry’s apple trees; Uncle Henry himself refused to speak of the subject at all, either pretending he needed hearing aids or choosing to run into the next room.

Hyunjin was your only friend in school. You’d never been very good in the communication department; growing up in a small town made your comfort zone the same. But not Hyunjin. He was popular and kind and got along with everyone. He had a gift for catching people’s eyes: every boy envied him, every girl drooled over him, and all your teachers and professors fawned and smiled and patted him on the back, even when he’d blurted out the “dog ate my homework” excuse in eighth grade and you proudly stood up and announced that he didn’t have a dog, disregarding Kkami, just for the amusement of finally seeing him choke and get scolded for once in his life. Instead you found yourself pouting with the Cone of Shame in silence while Hyunjin outrageously was given a star on the Good Noodle chart. It’d been the one moment to ruin your friendship for the remainder of class...until he gave you his Free Ice Cream ticket for PeachyKeen’s ice cream parlor downtown. Then, you were okay.

Even now, in your town’s small local college, he was applauded by all. The only person you’d ever seen frown his way was Uncle Henry, who often argued that a boy of his age shouldn’t be barging into a young lady’s room anymore. But Aunt Em always shrugged him off, quoting her famous “times change” saying and shoved a slice of pie before him, and he was back to watching TV.

A flash of lighting lit up the dim clouded sky, followed by the roar of thunder, and with a panicked squawk Pluckers shot out of Hyunjin’s arms, leaving a trail of feathers to follow down the hall. With a nervous look the two of you exchanged a nod before Hyun gave chase, closing the door behind him, and you got right to work getting ready for the day. It was Saturday, meaning no school, however there was still plenty of farmwork to do and the crops in the field weren’t going to protect themselves. Not from yesterday’s shower, and not from today’s.

You hustled downstairs with toothbrush hanging from your lips, dawned in your favorite plaid skirt and lime-green raincoat, the one with the little frog face over the left breast. Ruffling Kkami awake, Hyunjin’s “beloved baby,” you tossed her a treat from the clay jar you and Hyunjin had made together for her in sixth grade art, spinning and spitting in the kitchen sink.

Aunt Em gave you a nervous look as you tossed the brush in the dishwasher and started aggressively inhaling cinnamon apple pancakes like a beloved Nintendo character. “...And how is my favorite girl this afternoon?” She asked. Her whimsical tone made your neck blush.

“Sorry, I stayed up late studying again.”

“Studying the wizarding world of Hogwarts, you mean?”

“...Perhaps?”

You smiled apple bits and maple syrup, and she laughed, waving a dish towel at you and squinting the other way. “Keep your mouth closed until you're done. Didn’t I teach you better manners than that?”

“I dunno, did you?”

Her eyes bore into yours in warning and you laughed harder, nearly choking on the last bite of spiced apple goodness. Aunt Em sighed, shaking her head while wiping her hands clean. “I suppose I walked right into that one.” She nodded toward the side door, leading to the barn. “Hurry before the storm picks up. It’s gonna be another bad one, they say, so if the wind picks up anymore or it starts hailing or God forbid you see a giant funnel in the sky, I want the two of you right back inside, you hear?”

“Funnel cake?!” Uncle Henry called. He was glued to his usual pleather chair when he wasn’t out tending to the garden or the farm animals or fixing a leaky faucet. He was also in need of a hearing aid; working eight hours a day around screeching metals and brazen farm animals had left his eardrums in shambles. Aunt Em rolled her eyes, cupping her hands around her mouth.

“Not cake, I’m talking about the weather!”

“It’s raining cake?!?”

She groaned, earning a chuckle from the two of you. It was cut short when Hyunjin came stumbling past, spitting out feathers and just in arms reach of a couple hens, Pluckers in the lead, signaling that brunch was over. “Thanks for the meal!” you said, shoving the plate forward.

“Be careful!” Em’s voice bridged across the living room. “You two look out for one another! And hurry!”

“We will!” You shouted back. The sound of the door clicking shut was barely audible beneath the heavy thunks of raindrops slamming against the tin roof as the two (five?) of you ventured out into the stormy play.

You wished then you would have taken just the sliver of a moment to look back.

~ ♕ ~

You’d never seen a flourishing of colors much like the one taking place outside. Turnips turning upwards, tulips banging heads, carrots and corn stalks exchanging blows before ending up on opposite sides of the field. Sunflowers having the sun beat out of them. It was something out of the rising action of a thriller movie. You’d seen similar scenes in nearly half the Harry Potter movies; the only thing missing were wizards and wands and perhaps a giant dragon.

“You round up Maribelle!” Hyunjin yelled over the storm. His arms were spread wide as he squinted and squatted through the blinding rain, ushering the rest of the chickens and hens inside the barn. “I’ll get the horses next!”

Nodding you ran through sloshing mud puddles and drowning fields of grain towards the feeding pasture, where dear old Maribelle the could be found, often grazing on weeds or spreading out for an afternoon sunbath. The lone cow of SunnySkies pastures for fifteen years, and the first to join the farm. Instead you found her darting bug eyes around wildly, her knobby limbs quivering beneath a willow tree that provided little protection, the willows only adding to the streams of precipitation pouring over her stiff brown fur. She gave you a frantic moo and bobbed her head in relief to see you.

“There, there,” you soothed, whipping the grass and water from her eyes. “Quickly now, let’s get you into the barn before this picks up anymore.”

She moo-ed again, lower this time, giving you an argueless agreement.

You sledged hard against the rising winds, the blades of greenery that cut surprisingly sharp like razor blades, leaving a small mark upon your cheek. You winced, annoyed at the slight sting, the small drops of crimson that came up against your fingertips only to be washed away just as quickly. It began to rain harder, faster, the wind practically howling in your ears. The faint sounds of a freight train or some sort of heavy machinery filled the distance.

“Let’s hurry, now,” you encouraged your steed, pulling her along beside you. She was reluctant to move, frightened by the spiraling commotion around her. It didn’t help when something snapped beneath your feet, a twig, maybe, or some glass. As if on cue the willow tree came crashing down with a thud.

You braced yourself, sucking in a sharp breath; you needed to get inside; but Maribelle had other plans. Startled, she ran a wayward direction, disappearing in the fog that was beginning to settle over the pasture. “Mari--!” you began to call, taking two steps forward-- ‘til the cries of another all but took your breath away, making you forget about Maribelle, making you forget about everything.

You stood, jaw slacked, slit-eyed, watching Hyunjin blow away. He wiggled in the fierce storm breeze like a flag pitched on the roof. “Y/N!!!” He screamed, clinging to the roof’s edge for dear life. “Y/N, GET INSIDE!!! CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT!!!”

“HYUNJIN!” You bleated back. “HYUNJIN, HANG ON!!! I’M COMING!!!”

“NO, IT’S TOO DANGEROUS, GO-- AHHH!” He shrieked and ducked his head beneath a flying branch. “...GO INSIDE!!! CALL THE PRESIDENT!!!”

“I’m not calling the President,” you huffed, fighting your way across sideways weather and flyaway hairs to latch yourself onto the barn ladder. Of all the times to crack jokes, only Hyunjin would choose a raging level eight storm. “Hang on I’m coming…!”

...Your voice trailed off as your head listed aside, something bouncing in the corner of your eye. There, rounding the side of the barnhouse, was Kkami, frolicking like a happy-go-lucky lamb to Hyunjin’s side.

“Arf! Rwarf!”

“KKAMI?!?”

Your blood went cold. If Hyunjin caught wind of Kkami, it was all over. “Kkami!” you hissed, or at least tried to over the roaring ninety-miles-per-hour winds. “Go back inside! Go! Shoo!”

“IS THAT MY BABY DOWN THERE?!?!”

Oi. “N-NO, IT ISN’T! JUST A BRANCH!!!”

Ushering Kkami with a branch at least beneath the safety of the barn roof, you hustled back to the side of the building. The rain made it slick and hard to hold onto, but you scaled the side of the barnhouse as fast as possible, avoiding loose vegetation and swatting at leaves and smaller branches and once a lemon wedge that the storm must have torn in two somehow, crawling up loose shingles and various askew obstacles and then...then…

This was the hardest part to remember, a part you wish you didn’t have to remember. Face wet, hair whipping in the tempest breeze, you reached for Hyun’s hand, kneeling, pleading, focusing thoughts on hot cocoa and warm lemon pie inside, an Aunt Em specialty. The reality you were so certain in. A reality that would never come.

“Gotcha...!”

Your hands met, fingers touched, smiles of relief shared. But it only lasted a moment before the rainstorm ripped him away, your cries drowning in the funnel that appeared in the sky...or at least that’s how you wished to remember it: in reality there was a soft, whimpering arf!, followed by your best friend’s gasp as he relinquished your grasp to adhere himself to the skies after Kkami, now paddling against the storm’s current, cries of “My baby!” and anguished “AAAAH”s lost on the wind.

And you could only watch him go, just seeing him manage to latch onto his beloved pet of nine-odd years before disappearing from sight, sucked into the giant magnetizing center of it all you’d completely failed to notice, the last thing from his lips a cry to your name. It’d appeared out of nowhere, substantial and vigorous. Pulling into the station, the train had arrived, uprooting and tearing apart everything in its path. A giant, swirling cloud of gray and gravel and doom.

Oddly enough, in that paralyzing moment, something clicked in the back of your mind: a cursory afterthought at the eye of the storm.

“Always remember, and never forget. You must forgive, and never forget.”

You stared into the eye harder.

“Come home, Y/n. Come home.”

“Y/N!!!” Aunt Em’s frantic voice screeched below. “Y/N, HYUNJIN!!! Y/N?!?”

You couldn’t look. Couldn’t move. Horror froze you to the barn, eyes locked on the exact spot you last saw Hyunjin disappear, the trance calling you deeper and deeper into a strange petrifying submission, until the tornado whorled to your doorstep and swept you away; the pasture, the barn, your home. Everything.

༻✦༺ ༻✧༺ ༻✦༺ ༻✧༺ ༻✦༺

ღ S&M M.List | Stray Kids M.List | M.List ღ

Smoke & Mirrors. Copyright © 2020 - 2021 poeticallyspaghetti.tumblr.com. Unauthorized use or reproduction of works is expressly prohibited. Do not repost, plagiarize, claim as your own, or translate my works. Thank you. <3

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where-s-all-blue · 4 years

Text

More University Headcanons!

Straw Hat Pirates Edition

Luffy

He's studying to become a photographer because he looked up to Roger, who himself was a professional photographer during the time he was alive.

Another reason for this is the fact that photographers get to see a lot of things their life, sometimes even danger, it's like an adventure.

Like most of his friends, he resides in Gold dorm and has done his fair share of stealing furniture for it.

He keeps a diary which he decorates with cute stickers and Polaroids.

He has a good eye, which helps him with setting the camera in just right way to get the perfect shot.

He's one of the louder residents which often makes people who need the silence to concentrate, like Law, go absolutely bonkers.

He's banned from the kitchen.

He keeps dragging people into the dorm.

Somehow? You just can't hate him.

Zoro

Decided to study social work when he realised how unfair the world could be.

Is also in the kendo club which he joined upon learning that the person who is seen as the best is its captain, he intends to best him.

Currently he supports one hundred and fifty-one wins and one loss.

The only loss was against Mihawk.

He's naturally good when it comes to dealing with people, but he truly shines when he's around kids.

He's often helping around the dorm by moving large objects in/out.

He was the one to clear the large area which later on came to support the workout area and the garden.

He often takes strolls on the woods located behind the dorm, he's easily the scariest being there.

His sense of direction is so bad that he was given his own device which tells him his location and how to get to the place he wants to go to. This device was made by Eustass and Usopp with Law telling them to turn it into a wrist watch which also measures Zoro's vitals so he can monitor his own health and sport related achievements. The data of his vital signs is transferred into his phone.

Usopp

He majors in engineering and thrives when it comes to inventions, his secondary is English literature.

He writes plays and stories on his spare time, some of them are pitched to the theatre club and art majors.

He's good at crafting and thus is often seen working on something for the dorm like name signs that all match the personalities of the residents.

He was the one who thought of turning the street sign poles into a fence around the dorm's garden.

He's also in charge of modifying the stolen property to ensure that nobody realises where they originally came from.

He was the one who turned that one car into a bed after he moved it inside in pieces. The car bed is in a room called "Silence Room" which was made to have no sounds get in or out of it. He and Killer designed the interior of it to help those who have hyper senses and are more proun to headaches (or just can't stand being around people too long). It's also used as a guest room from time to time.

He works the best with people who are smart like Sanji, Law and Eustass, he also gets very well along Chopper, the therapy dog that goes around the campus.

He's free spirited goof ball with very wide interests who gets along with almost everybody.

Being the jokester of the lot is his attempt to have people think of him as a good guy to be around with and to see that he's not just brain.

He struggles with seeing his own self worth and is very proun to feeling melancholic due to his high Intel making him realise things that he'd rather not know of. He has a low self-esteem because of being dismissed as a child due to his dreams and goals being too ahead of his time.

Sanji

Culinary arts and management major.

He was raised in a foster home, more specifically by the owner of the Baratier restaurant Zeff who he considers to be his dad more than his biological father.

He was kicked out of the Vinsmoke estate by his father Judge due to his wish to be a chef instead of becoming a lawyer or a doctor or a politician.

Technically he's still eligible of inheriting the throne of Germa Kingdom even if he was exiled.

He's still expected to marry a high class member of the society and thus Judge keeps messaging him about his choices, fully believing that Sanji will one day see his way and abandon his dream of being a chef in favour of the kingdom.

He even has a fiancé, Charlotte Pudding, though he never agreed to the scheme that was orchestrated by Vinsmoke Judge and Charlotte Linlin. Pudding also isn't too happy about the situation.

His foster father is the actual lecturer in charge of the culinary studies, but as he was in an accident and thus hospitalised, Charlotte Linlin is subbing him much to Sanji's demise.

He's one of the few people who who can cook in the dorm and he takes notice of other people's likes, dislikes and allergies.

Sanji's kindness is often noticed by others.

Nami

She's a architecture major, her second interest being banking.

When she moved into the dorm, she quickly noticed that the students who renovated it had no idea how things worked, so she had them redo few things. The dorm is now a lot easier to keep warm during the winter.

She was the one to pitch the idea of the Silent Room upon noticing how Law was struggling because of how loud the dorm had become as a result of the new first years moving in.

She works part time as a waitress at Baratier and she is known for her ability to negotiate the costs a lot lower that they usually would be.

She's a bit of a kleptomaniac, result of her growing up on a poor and unsafe area dictated by gangs.

She's also a honours student, who's part of the special program which basically ensures that she has enough money to buy her school items and food.

She often chats with the local witch coven to obtain more information, she also likes to hangout with Killer and Usopp.

Her best friend Vivi Nefertari is currently in an exchange program.

Chopper

A golden retriever akita mix.

He was originally Sabo's therapy dog, nowadays he's more or less the therapy dog of anyone who needs him. He still sticks by Sabo for the most of the time.

He's broken into the classrooms during lectures to deliver forgotten items to Sabo so often that he has his own attendance record and he's almost considered to be a student at this point.

His job includes going to the local pharmacy every Friday to pick up a specifically constructed herbal infusion packet and bring it to the Lair.

He's highly intelligent dog who was capable of deducing which herbs were part of the herbal infusion treatment and then retrieve the plants based on their scent.

He picked these herbs and spices from the garden of Gold Dorm.

His bestfriend is Bepo, a samoyed owned by Law, who also happens to be the only other dog on the campus.

Robin

Social Work major, secondary studies in history.

She chose her line of studies due to wanting to prevent other kids being forced to go through the same kind of neglect and abuse as she did.

She's fluent in multiple languages and writes her notes in one of the dead languages, which she self taught herself to read.

She prefers to keep her information confidential and she enjoys the confusion some of her antics cause.

She takes part in the weekly movie night and enjoys them greatly.

Franky

Robotics major.

The only member of the group who doesn't live in a dorm. Nobody knows if he even sleeps or eats, but if you need him, you can always find him form the workshop.

You need to drag him out forcibly to have him even leave the room.

Thanks to Luffy, he now visits the Gold dorm few times a week to hangout, but the second he sees something that gives him an idea, he bolts out back to the workshop.

100% workaholic, 0% sleep, 120% Cola.

Brook

Actual university cryptid.

Is literally dead and walking around.

Formerly a music major.

Nobody knows how long he's been there and frankly nobody cares, his flamboyant style is a mood and his cravings for food and drinks is something we all relate to.

He knows every nook and cranny of the campus.

He's been there so long that nobody even questions it and he even gets invited to university parties and to hang out.

The only time someone freaked out was when the group went to a fast food restaurant and forgot that the outside world isn't aware of him. He tipped the waiter generously with something that looked like an old coin. It was probably worth more than the whole restaurant.

If you talk to him, there's 80% chance of you triggering his natural response to anything which is singing and dancing.

He's literally a walking musical.

He's one of the few who has heard Katakuri's doughnut song and lived to tell the tale. Except that he's dead already yohohoho.

He's very likely to console you if you're not feeling okay.

When it comes to the modern technology and stuff, he's a bit confused, but has the right spirit.

Jinbe

The current captain of the karate club.

Nobody knows what he majors in nor from which dorm he's from.

When Shirahoshi from Atlantis (=Fishman Island) started her studies in the University, he was quick to form a protection team to her and her brothers from the members of the karate club.

He might be the instructor of the club? Apparently he's one of the strongest.

I woke up one morning and he was eating soba noodles in the kitchen, why and how is he in our dorm. Is he even a student here?!

Oh my god he's now fighting against Ace, I swear to god sport majors are so dramatic.

It was a tie. How am I supposed to feel about this.

They both are now emptying our fridge, someone please get them out.

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animebw · 3 years

Text

Binge-Watching: Pokemon Johto Journeys, Episodes 19-21

In which we get a lot of little diversions that all leave a big impact.

Ash Has Two Shoulders

If you were to ask me, the Pokemon anime is at its best when it’s showing me things I haven’t seen before. Sure, it’s a long, sidetracky adventure that takes forever to have any sort of story progression, but as long as those sidetracks are constantly exploring new concepts within the world of Pokemon, I consider it a fair investment. This universe is so vast and full of possibility that there’s joy to be found in simply experiencing all its countless idiosyncratic touches. This chunk of episodes is a prime showcase of that potential. Nothing happens here in terms of big plot or character stuff, but there are so many fun little moments and details along the way that I haven’t seen from Pokemon before, so it still feels like this adventure is taking me to new and exciting places. I’m always a slut for sequences where only Pokemon are on screen telling a story just through strong character acting, so the whole subplot about Chikorita storming off in a huff and accidentally earning the undying loyalty of a gang of street-tough Fighting types was pure gold. Just the image of these big, burly Machokes and Primapes bowing to such an adorable little leaf critter was worth building an episode around all on its own. And then those Fighting types get to kick Team Rocket’s ass just minutes later, as if the whole situation wasn’t hilarious enough. Honestly, this show is shockingly good at taking these kinds of scenarios and running all the way with them. That’s the mark of some damn good episodic storytelling.

And the hits just keep coming across these episodes. We got Nurse Joy in glasses! Ash gets to be a badass and knock Team Rocket’s trash robot out of commission all by himself! We get this neat concept of using Hoppip to help read the weather, and this adorable Oddish who wants to be a Hoppip gets a whole mini character arc about learning to accept his own unique strengths! Plus, cool bits of characterization like the Oddish using his grass hair as an extra limb to hold his friends in place and climb over fences! Team Rocket getting even more hilariously meta than usual (“Just once, I’d like to make a dramatic exit that didn’t involve a life-threatening explosion.”)! Hell, the Chikorita episode is kinda sorta a kid-friendly introduction to the concept of couples’ therapy and talking to medical professionals to help sort out your emotional problems, and it ends on this really cute moment where Ash re-affirms Chikorita’s place on the team by offering her a place on his shoulder alongside Pikachu to show her how much he cares, and seriously how does this show consistently write a more compelling quasi-harem with fuzzy animals than most actual harems write with flesh-and-blood people? The fact that Pokemon is still able to surprise me this many episodes in, that it’s still able to show me things I haven’t seen before, is honestly kind of remarkable. No wonder this franchise ended up taking over the world.

Best of Team Rocket

-”It would be like winning the instant lottery, only for noodles!”

-”This one just doesn’t want to win badly enough! You can tell by the look in its eye.” Huh, maybe James should be a Pokemon breeder.

-”That button just ran into my paw!”

-Oh my god they seriously just wanted the noodles lkhjakashakjsdha

-”Don’t turn the other cheek, Arbok!”

-”Toodles, noodles!”

-”Thank you, I’ve been working on my evil inflections lately.”

-”Unfortunately, the two of us are at a lower altitude.”

-”That... actually makes a lot of sense. You traitor!” sdkfjhsdfk help

-”But what happens when the breeze dies down and drops the Hoppip ten miles from their destination?” Okay, something about the way James’ VA performs this line made it ten times funnier.

-”We’d never do anything honest!” “We could still cheat on our taxes, couldn’t we?”

-”Maybe if we changed the “blasting off” part of the motto, we wouldn’t blast off so much.”

-”We seem to be flying more than the Hoppip recently.” I know, it’s like you’re trying to set a new record for most blast-offs in a single episode.

Odds and Ends

-”I usually have a very dry sense of humor, but not today!” Lol, nice save.

-”Looks tiring.” Booooooooo. Booooooooooooooooo.

-We’ve been getting an unusually large number of “Team Rocket helps our heroes” episodes lately. Not that I’m complaining, of course.

-”I bet he’s using steroids on that Sunflora!” ...you know what, I don’t even wanna ask how that would work.

-Ah, I knew that Snubbul was coming back. Poor rich lady, she must be so worried.

-Man, Solarbeam is such a cool attack.

-Okay, framing that battle through steel pipes was a nice touch.

-Lol, I’ve never seen anyone leave a Pokemon match because their mom called them to dinner before.

-I am growing increasingly concerned with Professor Oak’s relationship to Ash’s Muk. What unsavory things do they do when the cameras are off? Inquiring minds want to know!

-”There’s a new Pokemon called Therapy?” pfft

-”One mental case at a time, please.” ffs Misty you can’t just murder a man like that

-”Good thing I didn’t lose my head chasing you, or you wouldn’t have had a place to land on.” Alright, she’s cute.

-”It’ll take more than you windbags to blow them away!” “Well, then, prepare to meet our biggest fan!” Man, I love when the dubbers have fun with the script.

-Jesus, I wasn’t expecting an actual tornado. This session is nuts, dude.

And on we merrily go. See you next time!

#anime #the anime binge-watcher #tabw #pokemon #pokemon gen2 #ash ketchum #misty pokemon #brock pokemon #team rocket #meowth

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fyrapartnersearch · 4 years

Text

if the saloon doors are a-swinging...

howdy, howdy fine folks! shock and surprise, i am looking for a couple of writing partners c: i am 26, and i work fulltime as well as go to school part-time, so while i cannot promise rapidfire posts, i am becoming better about daily posts! as long as they're relatively short, sweet, and to the point. so, limits/fun factoids about my style/"tl;dr are we compatible?" first: + when reaching out to me, please tell me your limits and any plot/character ideas! + addendum: i will not respond to messages that don't contain any information about you, your limits, and what you're looking to write or what characters you'd like to use! it doesn't need to be completely fleshed out, thanks! + i write over discord near exclusively now! + i'm adaptable and laidback! however, i do not write pedophilia, rape/sexual assault, incest, abusive relationships, romantic large age gaps, nor master x slave. i will not write explicit content with minors either. + quality is far more valuable than quantity regarding length. i prefer shorter nowadays! those tasty, 1-3 para potato chip rps, so to speak c: + third person only, please +i do like long-term! + romance and platonic is welcome! as far as romance goes, all gender identities and sexual identities are a-okay. i do admittedly have a preference for m// lately, so i will likely turn some other pairings down depending on what i am currently already writing! + i prefer writing middle-aged to older farts! they come in all shapes, sizes, colors, identities, and backgrounds! i wholeheartedly welcome the same! + i love ooc chatter! i'd prefer it if you did too, but it's absolutely okay if you're just interested in writing! it is not a dealbreaker + if you're not feeling it or if life happens, that's okay. you are free to either tell me you want a change, drop altogether, or even ghost me! i will do my best to communicate, but i am sorry in advance if i disappear without a word! i try to be pretty good at letting people know if i am not feeling it or if i am going on a break c: + yes, yes, i know i write like a goob - but i promise you that my posts will be crafted with love and care what do i like to write? [cravings] + constantly changing! i have a couple of silly nuggets rolling around. mostly fluff with sprinkled angst. + post apocalypse slice of life is also great. with plenty of humor to spare. + anything with werewolves and their human beloved very concerned about the recent furniture chewing phase, and wow is frontline expensive for a 400lb beast. + want something depressing? how about something inspired by bioshock? impossibly beautiful underwater world with genetic manipulation, unhinged leaders, and missing children. + a silly, humorous story about a familiar and their witch + something a bit more rocky, but an old fashioned western physician falling for an outlaw/ sheriff/ rancher, etc. bonus points for post-apoc and western themed. please, i got the perfect ole grizzled doc for this c: [modern] + i love modern, but i am not really looking too intensely for it right now c: i am happy writing about firefighters and lawyers, scientists, military readjusting to civilian life, boring divorced dads who find lifelong love with other divorced dads, fluffy slice-of-life, etc. + military and coming back home! + leaving the city for a life on a farm! + leaving the farm for a life in the city! "y'all mean to tell me you don't know what noodling for catfish is?"

[(somewhat) historic] + btw, i am not a history buff - so be prepared for anachronisms galore! c: which might mean plumbing and dental care centuries before it was introduced. + noire crime! old grizzled detectives and their partners in crime trying to figure out these gosh dang murders. dang killers, bringing down everyone's vibes. + a detective moving to a podunk old town, with a ~mysterious past~. however, there isn't any mysterious past, the locals just humor the guy and i have a soft spot for the detective falling for the sheriff while constantly heckling him for assistance. + western! please, just... anything western. i love cowboys, ranches, train robberies, just... i will maybe propose if you let me indulge this.

[fantasy & monsters] + i am also happy to write fantasy! + fantasy can genuinely be blended into anything, into modern, sci-fi, post apocalyptic, etc. + i am also happy with pure, vanilla, cheesy fantasy - with kings, queens, beautiful warhorses and kingdoms by the sea, and conventionally attractive people with healthy teeth and... far less dysentery. + i am happy to write sci-fi into fantasy - hunters/mercenaries with eyes that can hologram maps and prey, platinum horses made of gaskets and titanium joints who breathe steam, a kingdom in the sky, anything! + something all 'bout dat circus life! star crossed lovers tropes abound! + very, very old monsters who pester that one Highly Top Secret Government Agent ™ to let them see the spectral ghost of their mortal loved one from centuries ago. the ghosts of their in-laws also tag along. + good-natured, summoned demon spouses who just wish you'd get along with your in-laws who reside in a lovely three-bedroom villa style family home in hell. + i have a love for monsters trying to figure out this whole. human. thing. attempting to fit polo shirts for their office job over their curled horns, old werewolves trimming their nosehairs and their primary physician chiding at them for eating too much red meat, etc. there are so, so many possibilities + also dragons! [post-apocalyptic] + i've got spurs that jingle jangle jingle! post-apocalyptic in the wild, wild west sounds incredibly fun! + one innocent or guilty chump gets kicked out of a survivors organization, and their closest friend follows. then they both adventure into the great unknown of a hollow world. + zombie survival, maybe? [sci-fi] + space pilots, space pirates, space colonies, space travel, spaaaaace! + i don't have anything specific! typically, my sci-fi is blended in with other themes c: if you have anything, i'd love to hear it! [... guilty pleasures] + i love the cheesy and humorous things to temper the chaos. love, love, love writing that domestic, usually peaceful, sweet life of two happy people who have been together for ages or just met in their golden years after struggle and just... working for their happy endings. + though i am not usually interested in cheesy, obnoxious tropes... i have a soft spot for two grumpy, gruff guys falling for each other c: [miscellaneous]

+ this is hardly an exhaustive list of ideas or themes that interest me! if you have something in mind that you do not see, or anything at all, please do let me know! i love brainstorming and hearing ideas c: + note: i love writing with pretty boy archetypes!! but i am inundated with them at the moment in my current threads, bring me yer more grizzled and rough and tough boys! the two characters i have in mind are too old and boring to keep up with pretty, lithe youngins! what characters do i have in mind? plenty! craving two in particular, but i have plenty more in mind if the following two don't catch your interest: + one is svelte, aloof, posh, thoughtful. the very characterization of something like... a sleek, abyssinian cat playing the cello. intriguing, a little odd, an intimidating, coded villain - but really, just socially awkward, and a sweetheart. + the other is beefy, grumpy, and also... a goof at the core. the archetype of an ornery grandpa with the warmest heart and a distinguished grey streak in his hair. both are middle-aged men and adaptable to anything from old-fashioned fantasy, to modern, to sci-fi, to fantasy-modern hybrids, to post apocalyptic. they can be rogues, kings, survivors, lawyers, detectives, chefs, scientists, neighbors, loyal right-hands, anything from protectors and anchors to the village/office boob. i am preferring to write the former gentleman, but i am up to write either, or someone completely different! i am also happy to elaborate upon contact if you are interested! fortunately, each one is more complex than several adjectives and a stereotypical archetype. i'd also love to hear the characters you have in mind! are you interested? well, neat-o! i can be reached at discord on howdy^3#6518, i look forward to hearing from you!

#independent roleplay #oc rp #multiple paragraph #para #semipara #long term #messenger #submission

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tokidokifish · 5 years

Text

∠( ᐛ 」∠)＿ i wrote something about curious and aekas shortly before they joined their current adventuring party so here it is if ya wanna read it.

They didn't have a tent, or anything like that - too much money, too much bother, too much of a hassle if they needed to pick up quickly - so Curious had set up a cramped but at least relatively clean nook between two buildings. It was dark enough to create a properly mysterious candlelit atmosphere (and dark enough that it concealed how patched and threadbare their exotic fabrics were, how costume her jewelry was), cramped enough that the incense wouldn't just get whisked away by the wind (nevermind that she didn't actually have any incense to burn, one of the first spells she ever learned let her simulate it easily enough), and private enough that she could throw a little Thaumaturgy in to put on a good show, safely tucked away from the eyes of any prying guards (they were usually easy enough to bribe away, but she'd rather just avoid it all together). It was a good spot, and she had put off buying a new book to treat Aekas to dinner for finding it.

The sailor she was currently doing a reading for was firmly in the show's grip, too. He was practically still a kid, maybe even younger than Aekas, with a face full of freckles and sincerity. The old sea dogs were fun to entertain, mostly aware it was all just smoke and mirrors but along for the ride anyhow, but there was something refreshing about having someone so hung up on the performance. It made her want to give the best show possible.

She flicked a glance over her guest, looking for one last thing to give him. She had promised him adventure and danger and possible riches, because why else would someone so young and fresh-faced have taken to the sea? But now her eyes fixed on a tattoo, half-hidden beneath a rolled up sleeve, but bare enough that she could make out the shape of a rose and scrollwork that read "Abigail".

She repressed a smirk, twisting her fingers into the shapes of a spell and humming out the incantation to change the scent of incense to smell of roses instead. The sailor took a deep breath, eyes widening, and she flicked a finger through her cards until she found the one she wanted, surreptitiously flicking it to be on top.

"And for your final card," she said, holding the deck out to him, and the sailor drew his last card - the Lovers. She smiled at him, taking the card to set it beside the other two. "I daresay that doesn't take much explanation, hmm? You have one who waits for you, longs for you, remains faithful in the face of the waves that separate you. Make sure you afford them the same courtesy, mm? And you'll have many happy years together." She winked at him, and he almost fell over himself nodding, eyes shining.

"Of course! I would never - I'm going to write her right this instant," he said, and much to her surprise, pushed an extra silver into her hands before ducking out of the nook. Curious flipped the coin and caught it, smiling. Sweet kid. She hoped what she told him was true.

She was in the middle of calling in her next customer when she heard the commotion outside, attention immediately caught by her brother's raised voice.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, I'm so clumsy -"

Which wasn't exactly concerning, at least until she heard the very angry reply.

"You think I didn't feel your hand in my pocket, you little thief? Who the fuck do you think you're fooling?!"

Fuck.

Curious looked at the woman half finished ducking into her nook, and climbed to her feet, stepping towards the street. On the way, though, she made sure to "accidentally" knock a candle over and onto a pot of supposed oil nestled in a bundle of silks. There was an immediate explosion of smoke and a flare of fire much larger than it would have been without a little magical assistance, and she yelped theatrically in "surprise".

"Oh, no, let me just -" She snatched at a thick piece of supposed velvet and threw it over the fire, quickly stamping it out, even as she peeked out of the nook. Her eyes catch briefly on what she can only assume is the angry man, nearly purple with rage and searching for something, but it seemed like her distraction worked, because her brother was nowhere to be seen.

She breathed out a sigh, looking to the woman about to duck in. "You'll have to excuse me, but I think that's enough excitement for one day, hmm? I'd be happy to give you a reading for free tomorrow."

The woman, to Curious's infinite relief, was understanding and left without complaint. As soon as she was alone, the tiefling started packing, tearing down her decorations and shoving them onto the rug she used for readings, hoping to get home to regroup with her brother before -

"Hey, Curious."

- a guard showed up.

After taking a moment to cringe, she schooled her features and turned around to face one of Waterdeep's finest. She relaxed, just a little, because it was Toulouse - assigned to the Dock Ward because they were born and raised there, and therefore slightly more understanding of the sort of things one had to do to survive in Waterdeep's slums. But she only relaxed a little, because even a guard born in the Dock Ward was still a guard.

"Sounds like there was a bit of bother 'round here," Toulouse noted, arching a brow. "A robbery and then a fire?"

"A small fire," Curious replied. "Knocked over a candle."

The guard glanced at her packed supplies. "Pretty convenient timing, right after the robbery."

"I was in a hurry to see what was going on."

"I bet you were, considering it involved a tiefling that sounds an awful lot like your brother."

She arched her brows, affecting a look of surprise. "It did? I had no idea. I haven't seen Aekas since this morning, and I certainly didn't see him then." And she thanked whatever god would be cool with being thanked for something like that, because it wasn't even a lie.

Toulouse eyed her. "And if I brought a cleric over -"

"I'd say the exact same thing. But that seems like an awful lot of trouble for a robbery in the Dock Ward."

Toulouse muttered something that sounded an awful lot like "you're telling me", and heaved a sigh. "Just... maybe try to keep your head down for a while, okay, Curious? You and your brother both."

"We always do," she replied. The guard didn't even dignify that with a response before they left.

Curious finished shoving her things away and scurried home. She wasn't extraordinarily concerned that Aekas wasn't there, since it was the first place the guards would have gone, so she just dumped her supplies inside the door and headed to the back alley they had designated for emergencies. If her brother wasn't there, then she would get worried.

But he was, letting his pet snake coil around his fingers while he waited, and his expression was sheepish when she got close.

"Sorry," he said, and she sighed, less because she was actually upset than out of relief that he hadn't been caught, or hurt, or something... worse.

"It happens," she said, boosting herself up to sit beside him and leaning a head against his shoulder. It had happened before, and it would probably happen again. "I'm just glad we got away."

"Thanks to you," he noted, and wrapped an arm around her shoulders for a squeeze.

"I thought about conjuring an explosion, but I thought that would get us a little too much attention," she said, with a grin, glancing up at him again. He grinned back, starting to respond, but then he stopped, playful expression dropping off his face. She stilled. "... Aekas?"

"There's -" he started, and then yanked Curious out of her seat as something whipped past her cheek. She gasped as she realized it was an arrow, and followed its path to find a man in dark leather dropping into the alley.

"What the fuck?" She scrabbled her dagger from where she kept it hidden in her belt, but the man didn't even hesitate, charging toward her. He had a sword of his own, and she threw herself backward to dodge it, her weapon clattering away as she hit the ground hard.

"Get away from her!" Aekas. She wanted to tell him to run, to leave while this stranger was busy with her, but her fall had knocked the wind out of her. She could only watch as her brother, armed with a knife of his own, tried to attack their assailant from behind. The man, whoever it was, dodged easily, bringing the hilt of his sword up to strike Aekas hard in the face. He stumbled back, dazed, and the man looked back at Curious, still on the ground in front of him.

He stepped closer, blade glittering in what little light found its way into their cramped alley - and then he howled, grabbing at his arm. Curious was confused, and then she saw Noodle, wrapped around his wrist and sinking its fangs into his hand. The man flung his wrist out, dislodging the snake and sending it sailing towards a wall, and Aekas shouted in alarm. Curious shouted, too, but she shouted a word, and reached out her hand, magically catching the snake before it could impact the side of the alley. She shoved Noodle towards Aekas, who caught it automatically.

"Run!" she gasped, and they did. She didn't know if Noodle was venomous or how long the man would be incapacitated even if the snake was, but there was nothing else to be done. They were clearly outclassed.

They didn't stop running until they had gotten back to the apartment, and the door was safely locked behind them.

"That wasn't just a mugger," Aekas said, his pale eyes large and worried in the gloom of their apartment. "Curious, I think that was -"

"An assassin?" she breathed, and he nodded. "But who would hire an assassin to come after us? The worst we've done is pick some pockets!"

"I - was going to tell you," he said, looking stricken. "Before." And then he fished out a purse she had never seen before, and opened it to show her what was inside. Her eyes went wide at the sheer amount of coin within. There was enough money to keep them in relative comfort for months.

"S-so... so we got a lot of money. Picking pockets. B-but anyone who carries around this much money on them, they - they've got to have more than enough, right?" She stared up at her brother, eyes wide. "And to hire an assassin, that's just... that's just more money! And it's been hours at most, how..."

She pressed a hand to her forehead, closing her eyes tight. It didn't make sense, but it also didn't matter. That money would have been enough to keep them in comfort, but it was also enough to get them out of town.

"We need to leave," she said. "We'll - we'll go to Neverwinter, hole up there for a while, until things die down. And then we can come back."

"We have always wanted to travel," he joked, weakly, and she gave a smile that was just as weak in return.

#curious #aekas #the tiefling twins #dnd #write write write #long post

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unkindnessofone · 6 years

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Silhouette

Sometimes you just got to write what comes out naturally. This took a fluffy turn though it was supposed to be angsty. I hope to get some Hemmings drama, Irwin drama, and Hood drama started soon. My work hours are about to change, but I’ll still be writing as much as I can. Please, enjoy. Sending it out to @katies-payne who is always supportive of my stories and has been reading them for so long. I appreciate you!!!

Holding his big sisters hand with all his might, Iden waddled to keep up with Emmeline as she led him to where the water bowed to the shore. His little belly, glistening with sunscreen residue, was protruding proudly while his floppy hat protected his head. Emmeline often forgot that her baby brother, at one and a half, could not move as freely as she did and tugged him along with her at full speed.

From an orange and white striped towel, Grace watched behind oversized and bejeweled Dior sunglasses and made sure Emmeline didn't get adventurous and lead them into the water. They were just going to dip their toes in, they agreed, until Dad was back. Michael had promised to keep his phone off while they had a morning just the four of them, but when his manager sent him an all caps message with five exclamation points to stop ignoring his calls, Michael slid back on his vow. He swore he could see his wife's unimpressed eye roll from behind her tinted black frames. Emmeline didn't seem to mind too much. She was just thrilled to be at the beach in her brand new two piece, her first one. It was Pink ombre and had sequins on the straps. She had been dying to wear it since it arrived in the mail the month prior.

"We aren't letting it out," On the phone, his manager explained what bomb had been tossed into his office today. "But I wanted you to know right away." Michael was groaning with his head against the top of his car door, leaning against it and squinting with frustration. He really hadn't the slightest clue how to handle the situation. "What are you going to do?" After just five seconds, his manager pressed. "I don't know." Honestly, Michael responded as he stood up straighter and shook his head. "I got to talk to Grace." He turned to look out at the beach, small waves shimming their way forward. He could make out Emmeline with her arms around her brothers chest, trying to lift him up as if to show him all the water. "I'll forward you the email I have. It has a few phone numbers. Let me know what you need, alright?" Michael wasn't his only client, he had a dozen other firsts to put out, but from working with 5 Seconds to Summer for so long, he felt a kind of friend obligation to put Michael on the top of his list. "Yeah. Thanks, man. Appreciate it." Nodding, as if it was going to make things easier somehow, Michael agreed and hung up. He leaned his back against his car and hung his head down, watching a caterpillar inch slowly by over the cement. Just like he taught Grace to do when she was freaking out, Michael stood still and closed his eyes, focusing on breathing in deep through his nose and exhaling from his mouth. After sixty seconds, he felt ready to go back to his family on the beach with only a half fake smile on his face. He knew now that his afternoon was going to take a hard turn. Grace might have been miffed that he took a call, but that was going to be the least of her concerns soon. "Hey gorgeous." Coming up from behind his wife, watching her watch their two little people while massaging sunscreen over her lower legs, Michael greeted her. He bent down slowly and met her sour expression for a kiss. "Phone is off now." He shook the black screen in front of her and then reached forward to drop it into her beach tote by his feet. "I'm here." He assured. His hands were behind him as he knocked his knee against hers. "Was everything okay? No one died?" He was being sarcastic, but it had become a real fear lately. Luke had been partying so hard at night after days of work and other obligations. Michael sometimes worried he might receive a phone call to go pick out his buddy from a line up or in a coroner's office. "Yeah, we can talk about it later." He pat her knee and forced a smile slim onto his face. Michael helped himself to the sunscreen bottle between her legs. He had smothered both of his arms and nose when he was covering Emmeline with it, but his legs were bare as well as his chest and back under his flimsy white t shirt. Grace didn't know what to make of what her husband said. She figured if it was something detrimental that he would be packing them up or ditching them in the sand. If he said they would talk about it later, she assumed it was just a opportunity being mulled over in the office or, perhaps, one of the tapes Michael had sent out to artists had been picked up. He was really hungry to venture more into writing songs for other bands and producing new material. If she had wanted to press harder, the chance was gone. Emmeline was running over while Iden trailed behind. His face suggested he was very happy at the prospect of catching up to his wild sister. Right as Emmeline made it to the towel's corner, Iden tripped over himself in the warm and dry sand. He landed face first even with his hands splayed out in front of him. Grace and Michael laughed in unison. Out of reflex, Grace leaned in and opened up her arms to call him over. She encouraged Iden to stand up and cheered loudly with Emme and Mike once he pushed himself up to his feet with some stability. "Daddy, let's go! Let's go! It's not cold!" She took her job of checking the water's temperature seriously and as she laid herself down on top of him, Emmeline was happy to report that she had completed her task. Of course, it had been cold, but she wanted to go in the water so badly that she didn't care at all. "It's not cold?!" Michael laughed at his little girl's excitement that was almost feverish. "Then what are these frosty things?" Surprising her and making her scream with giggles, Michael clutched Emmeline's cold, wet, and sandy feet. She buried her face further into his shirt while Iden and Grace cuddled beside them. "Brrr!" Was all the little boy managed to say. He was great with noises. Iden would bark when he saw a puppy or make what he thought were car noises when a fancy car pulled up near him. "No, it'll be fine." Emmeline wiggled out of her Dad's hands and started to step away, yanking on his wrist. "Come on, Daddy. You said! You said!" She jumped up on the spot and eagerly pulled on him to follow. With a theatrical groan, Michael pulled himself up. He removed his shirt and swooped Emmeline up with him to carry her over to the water with a smile as bright as the sun reflecting off the sequins on her suit. She shrieked with delight as he bounced her around while running to the water. He stopped abruptly to turn and yell to Grace, "You two slowpokes coming?" He wanted to make today great for his family even if that was about to come crumbling down. "We'll catch up!" Grace yelled back. She was keeping Iden standing still in front of her, blowing up the first of his water wings. It wasn't as if either him or her would go very far, but the fear of him being caught up in a big wave or sinking like a rock to the bottom was big enough for Grace. If it was up to her, Emmeline would still wear her old ones. From being thrown into the water and running around amongst the waves under the hot sun for two hours, Emmeline was exhausted. She fell asleep just minutes after Michael had her fastened in her car seat. Her wet hair was air drying curly as she cuddled up to the window with her mouth open. Iden was slowly drifting himself, but kept forcing his fluttering eyes to stay open when they threaten to shut. "I had a really nice morning..." With a dreamy look in her eyes that suggested she was still in love with him, Grace smiled at Michael, taking her eyes off the road for a second. When they were in California,she did most of the driving. It was her native land after all. He was turning his phone on with both hands, but before she lost him to his other world, she had to share how much she appreciated the time he gave them today. "Maybe we could make this a little more frequent. Once a week we can have an hour without our phones." They were better about spending private time as a family when it was just the two of them and Emmeline.

Things were busier now. It wasn't as easy to sneak away for coffee and banana bread in a no name cafe somewhere. They had two little kids and the band has just dropped a new single. Reaching for her hand as he checked his phone with one hand , Michael squeezed it in his, pulling it closer to his lap. He felt nervous and even though his uneasy feelings all came down to her, he still looked for comfort from her touch. He had always craved Grace's body in some form or another when he felt anxious. She was strength and warmth when he couldn't stand without shaking. "You got it." He had every intention on coming through whether or not it was realistic. Once home from their peaceful drive, the first one in a while without Emmeline pretending to be a world famous diva in the backseat, Michael put his phone back in the beach bag and went to the back to get Emmeline. She was a limp noodle when she slept and he held her carefully against one side with her read rolling off his shoulder while he held into the double straps of their beach bag. He really didn't want to wake her. "Look at that open mouth." Amused, Grace mentioned when glancing over her sleeping daughter. She leaned into the other side of the car and took Iden out. He was awake so she put him down on the driveway pavement. Right away, he groaned and yanked on her finger. He wanted to be carried. His little body was tired and he was uninterested in the independence she was trying to give him. "You can walk, Iden." Grace almost laughed, but he groaned at her again and fixed his face with a pout so upset that it wasn't even slightly cute. Knowing he needed a nap, she caved and picked him up, carrying him behind Mike and heading to the front door of the place they typically rented when in LA. Michael took it upon himself to take Emmeline straight to her bedroom. He laid her down gently and watched as she stirred for just a second, threatening to wake up but instead just curled up on her side and hiked her two knees up to her tummy. He ran a hand over her drying bangs and found a spot on her warm forehead to kiss. He took the beach bag with him to the washroom in order to hang up both her two piece, his trunks, and Iden's little suit. He didn't know what to do with Grace's knit monokini. She had a whole procedure with her clothes. Michael had shrunk enough of her stuff or accidentally stained something pink. He knew better now and just left it alone. He headed to the kitchen to make himself a sandwich, his mind occupied with telling Grace about his phone call earlier. Michael knew it wouldn't go well, but he was trying to decipher a way for it not to explode into a fight. He spent a lot of time trying to navigate them away from a heated argument. They were far and few between, but he had had some successes. While he finished putting together a sandwich that he felt Shaggy and Scooby Doo would be proud of, Grace was upstairs with Iden, changing his diaper and coaxing him to sleep with soft spoken compliments and a glow in the dark solar system blanket that was a gift from KJ Apa and his partner at the time of Iden's birth last year. "Do you have to rush away?" Entering the small open kitchen, Grace checked right away. She ran her hand from the counter and then over her husband's back right as he leaned into bite into his sandwich. "Not just yet." Through his chewing, he responded, his eyes following her as she took the bread bag he left out and pinned it up and put it back in the pantry. It wasn't until she was invisible due to being in the pantry and organizing their food that he went back to his sandwich, eating it over the counter as if they didn't have a very expensive dining room table or kitchen nook right beside him. "Do you have stuff on today?" He was always blown away by what she accomplished in a day. She stuffed her schedule with activities and errands as if she didn't have two little people to haul around with her. "A little." Grace answered back, her hands reorganizing the bottom shelf where she kept easy snacks for the kids. "A bath when they wake up for sure." She knew Emmeline was currently napping with sand in her hair. Michael was ready for a kiss when she emerged from the kitchen, even though his mouth had completely succumbed to the mustard on his sandwich. Grace accepted it quickly as she shut the door behind herself with her foot. "Nothing serious?" Michael checked. This might have been the best time to drop a bomb. He was leaving pretty soon to the studio. He could avoid any of the major fall out. "Bathing and feeding our kids is serious to me, but no, I'm not working on a solution for world peace." She sarcastically told him with a smile that admitted she was proud of herself. Michael grinned back and shook his head at her as she danced her smile in his face. He finished the last bite of his sandwich and wiped his hands together before pulling her in to lean against his stomach while he rested by the sink. With his face breathing in the beach through her hair, Michael rested his head on hers and prepped himself for ruining the moment. He strived to make Grace happy. He felt his most successful when he was the one who put a grin on her face or took a task from her list. Right now, he was purposefully doing the opposite and it felt slimy on his skin. He wanted to shower and exfoliate. "What are you nervous about?" Grace pushed his head off of hers when she wrestled her face off of his shoulder. His deep breathing exercise into her locks was a dead giveaway, plus his hands were gripping at her arms like he was worried she was going to run away. He used to hold her like that when they first began seeing one another and she always had one foot out the door. Grace didn't trust like Simone, she didn't have faith like Skye, and she didn't worry like Cagney. She just came right out and asked. There was no beating around the bush right her. "Mike, what's up?" Her face was waiting, eyes squinting up the him and expecting the worst. A gust of wind emerged from his chest through his mouth as Mike straightened his back and Grace moved away from him. Her arms crossed as she waited for him to speak. Grace always prepped herself for the worst. It drove Mike crazy. "Adam's office has been getting weird calls lately and today an emai-" Grace cut him off as only she could, "Just say it." She threw her hair back from the crown. She was never interested in the set up or pre-ramble. Grace just wanted to hear what was going on that had her husband feeling so stiff. "Your mom wants to see you." He tried to hold it back, cloak it around a cushioned story, but Michael knew from holding her gaze that he had to just come out and say it. He watched her freeze like someone had stabbed her in the back and sent her body into pin straight shock. Instantly, Michael felt apologetic even though he hadn't done anything wrong. "Her palliative care nurse has been calling Adam's office." Muffled by a sullen tone, Michael finished. He didn't know if Grace was listening anymore though. Glaring at him as if she wanted to burn a hole through his face, Grace wiggled her chin through a tight lock silently. Palliative care? Grace wasn't really considering the words Michael had said. All she absorbed was that this conversation was about her mother and her vision was blurred with thirteen different shades of red.

“She's old, Grace.” Michael knew he had to tread lightly over the hypothetical flames that his wife was raising from the floor with her eyes and shaking hands. “She's sick. They don't expect for to live very long and she has some regrets - “

“Good!” Snapping into reality with a fierce bite, Grace agreed. “She fucking should.”

“She knows she has grandchildren - “ Hell, he had stopped her from seeing them before.

“If you're about to say she wants to meet them, you already know my answer to that.” Every time she was pregnant, they had this discussion. Under no circumstance was Tina Bembenek allowed to be in the same room as their children. Grace forbade it. There was no wiggle room for the rule.

“She has regrets.” Michael again reasoned, playing Devil's advocate to his forever stubborn wife.

“That sounds like a her problem.” Grace rolled her eyes as she pushed off the breakfast nook she was against and started to putter around the kitchen, picking up a dishrag as if she intended to wipe away the crumbs Michael's snack left on the counter. “I can't believe you would even bring this up.” Grace hissed. “You could not have actually thought I would say 'yes'.”

“I thought you might want to see her. She is your mother.”

Grace froze again and turned her face to look at him in slow motion, giving Michael just enough time to choke on the words he should have said instead.

“She was not a mother.” Softly, Grace reminded Michael with a tone that was strong, but barely hid how painful it was for her to recall her upbringing. “You are the only person that I have told things to, things that she made me do, things that still wake me up some nights, and you are standing here trying to make me feel pity and make me want to - “ Grace was beginning to cave. The weakness was warbling at her voice and she was beginning to crack, but she inhaled sharply and tried to pull it together. She absolutely hated crying even if she was a rock star when it came to drying others tears.

Knowing his cue and when to stop, Michael lightened up himself and wrapped his arms around her. She was trying to put distance between them, her cloth actually wiping at the counter, but he wrestled it out of her hand and tossed it into the sink in order to better cuddle her to his body.

“I'm sorry, I'm sorry.” Michael whispered over and over into her ear, holding her close and running a hand down her hair blown out of shape by the beach breeze earlier. “I shouldn't have said anything.” Her mother had reached out to his management before and he always handled it himself, never bothering to upset Grace. He just felt like this time it would be different. “I shouldn't have said anything.” He apologized again. Grace wasn't falling apart, but he could feel her heart beat pounding against his chest through their clothes. She was trembling against him. “I'm cancelling the rest of my day, okay?” Michael took both his hands from her and stepped back to better see her now very tired face.

“You don't have to.” Quietly, she argued while wiping at her mess of hair.

“I want to.” He assured her. “Let me do nice things for you.” Michael sounded as frustrated as he used to when they first began dating and she insisted on doing everything on her own, never graciously accepting his help, presents, or compliments. She always made it as hard as possible for him to take care of her. “If you want to go to the gym, you don't have to worry about the kids, I'm here. If you want to just hang out, I'm here. You need me right now. Everything else can wait.”

He watched her face for his answer. Michael knew Grace better than she sometimes knew herself so he knew she would turn his offer down even if she truly wanted it. Luckily, he watched her use the last morsel of her energy to put a smile on and she nodded before crashing back up against his chest for another embrace.

“Thank you.” She murmured into his pectorals. “Both kids are asleep and we are talking about my mother instead of fucking each other's brains out. What's wrong with you?!” Only half joking, she grumbled into his chest and playfully smacked her hands against it.

“I'm a very silly man. Stupid, even.” Shaking his head, Michael gave her the only answer he had.

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randomfandomimagine · 7 years

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Sunshine in the Moonlight. Chapter 8: Sword in the Waterfall

Fandom: Final Fantasy XV

Pairing: Prompto x Alexandria (OC)

Previous Chapter - Chapter Index - Next Chapter

Wattpad - AO3

A/N: So the other day I finished writing the story and I’m so excited! I can’t wait to post more chapters and to know your opinion because I’m pretty proud of the result! :D

When I woke up, everything felt alright. All my restlessness from the previous day had withered once my weary mind was put to rest. I yawned as I looked towards the balcony. A pleasant breeze came in, accompanied by the tender beams of sunlight. It made me smile. I turned to the other bed, just to have my grin widened by the sight of an adorable sleepy Prompto. He looked so peaceful and happy, hopefully having a beautiful dream. As silently as I could not to wake him up, I stood up imagining that Ignis was already awake. I wanted to ask him what we were to do next as we had already met with Iris.

I flattened my clothes with my hands, wishing I would have worn some sleeping garments instead of my regular clothes, and put my hair up into a tight bun as I left the room heading to the reception, perhaps to meet with Ignis. Instead we met along the halls, presumably we were both headed in the same direction.

“Good morning, Alexandria” He greeted me effusively. Ignis was in a great mood, he was always a morning person.

“Morning” I said back with a head nod. “What’s the plan for today?”

“Talcott kindly offered to give us a tour around the city” He explained as we started walking down the stairs.

“Are all of us coming?”

“Gladio is already up, how about Prompto?”

“I think he was a bit distraught last night” I confessed, although I didn’t give him any more details. In fact, I felt bad for saying it without asking Prompto himself if I could tell Ignis about it, so I covered my answer. “He was probably just tired, but we should let him sleep”

“Noct too, in my opinion” Ignis replied, a bit sad. “After all the commotion as well as his headaches, he should get some more rest”

“I agree”

“Mornin’, guys” Gladiolus made his appearance just as we stepped into the reception hall.

“Hello, Gladio” I greeted him, making a conscious mental effort not to call him Gladiolus directly. He seemed to notice judging by the smirk that appeared on his lips.

“Noct is asleep, Prompto is-“

“Right here!” The blond hurriedly jogged down the stairs to meet with us. “Were you leaving without me?”

“We didn’t want to bother you in your sleep” I excused myself, hoping he didn’t take it the wrong way.

“Well, I’m awake now!” He replied, grinning as he gestured widely.

Prompto seemed still a little drowsy, probably after he woke up to the empty room and rushed downstairs fearing we were gone. He had literally just woken up.

“Shall we get going, then?” Ignis looked at us three. “Talcott should be waiting outside”

“Let’s go” Prompto, although rubbing his eyes groggily, was already full of energy as usual.

I smiled and looked over my shoulder to Ignis, who reciprocated with a fond glance, and to Gladio. The latter winked an eye at me.

Hence, the four of us walked outside the Leville with Prompto leading the way. He approached Talcott as soon as he spotted him by the spacious fountain that was in the middle of the street.

“Hey, buddy!” The blond greeted him, kindly messing up the boy’s hair.

“Hello!” Talcott replied, even if his eyes were focused on the entrance of the hotel. “Is the prince not coming?”

His expression fell when he realized Noctis wasn’t accompanying us. The little boy surely admired our royal friend, he probably was hoping to spend more time with him that day.

“Noct is still sleeping, and we really tried to wake him up” Prompto urged to say to cheer him up. “But boy is he a lazy one! I think not even the tremors could get him off bed”

With his little joke, Talcott laughed a little. It was so endearing to see Prompto interacting with the boy…

“Thanks for offering to take us around the city, Talcott” I friendly placed a hand on his shoulder and dedicated him a sweet smile.

“Indeed” Ignis agreed behind me. “It was very kind of you”

“Does your grandpa know you’re leaving with us?” Gladio worried, knowing we hadn’t seen Jared around the hotel that morning.

“Yeah, I told him! He’s okay with it”

“What are we waiting for then?” Prompto grinned at the boy. “Let’s go on an adventure!”

The two of them leaded the way as they maintained a lively chatter. I noticed our bubbly blond friend taking his camera out and showing it to Talcott, teaching him how to shoot a picture.

“He’s great with the kid” Gladiolus observed, nodding in their direction as we followed them to the main streets of Lestallum.

“Probably because they have the same mental age” I joked, addressing Prompto’s spry and childish as well as innocent and wholesome mentality. “It was to be expected”

Ignis tilted his head gravely, although he dedicated me the smallest of smiles in amusement to my comment.

“It is quite endearing, nonetheless”

Gladiolus nudged me mischievously, and when I looked up at him I recognized smugness in his expression. It was mostly his resting face, almost. Luckily, Talcott spoke just as Gladio opened his mouth to say something which was no doubt meant to tease me about something. I was secretly grateful for the interruption.

“First we’re going to Partellum Market” The boy announced, turning to us. “We’re almost there”

As we walked, the murmur increased and we soon noticed that the street we were currently in lead to a big square filled with people and stalls. A varied mixture of pleasant smells surrounded us as well.

Talcott turned to us as we exited the alley and entered the marketplace. He beamed, proud to be our guide, as he motioned behind him to the stalls.

“There’s lots of food and other stuff in here! You can find almost anything!”

“Perhaps I should buy some more ingredients” Ignis held his chin pensively.

“I can show you where the best ingredients are!” The boy offered excitedly.

“You better buy something to spice some noodles, Iggy” Gladiolus encouraged him, already following after the other two.

I grinned at their interaction and started walking myself, taking a look at the items displayed in the stalls of the market.

Everything looked quite appealing and delicious. All kind of spices, ingredients, deserts, and even some vases and items of decoration to have a bit of variety over all the food.

I thought that Ignis was definitely in his element, even if he had to put up with Gladio probably insisting on buying spicy items as well as lots of meat. Over the journey I had learnt that both he and Prompto adored spicy food, unlike me and Ignis. Noctis didn’t really mind it that much.

I admired the variety of colors as I took in the delightful scents of the spice stall I was looking at and moved over to the next one. I passed it by quickly as I was not too interested in decorative urns and vases. The next one was far more enticing than the first.

Wondering whether I should indulge in the sudden whim, I observed the display of chocolaty delicacies and took a deep breath as I pursed my lips together.

I was never one to follow after such cravings, seeing them as puerile and undeserving. But then again, I was starting to find out more about myself and realizing I could be childish even if I would deny it out loud. Upon such a dilemma, my first instinct was to think about Ignis. Spoiling me as he sometimes did, he would probably allow me to buy it. It was silly that I was hesitating, he wouldn’t scold me for buying a snack. I needed to stop thinking like the old and severe Alexandria and more like the authentic me.

I nodded to myself, resolving to buy it even if part of myself still felt guilty for giving in to childish caprices as I wasn’t used to them.

I leaned closer to the stall, absently taking a look at all the other sweets. They weren’t all made of chocolate, but I could also differentiate some strawberry treats –I absolutely loved strawberries, even if I was craving chocolate at the moment – as well as lemon, grape and many other flavors. Softly nibbling on my lip, I tilted my head to the side and tried to choose one of the chocolate items. It was a tough decision making up my mind between cupcakes, donuts, cake or…

A finger tapped me in the shoulder, so I turned my head in that direction yet I saw no one.

“Penny for your thoughts” A head peeked over my other shoulder, followed by a familiar energetic and soft voice.

Prompto had sneaked behind me, which I found oddly adorable. Especially given that cute grin he showed me as he positioned himself next to me, linking his hands behind his back.

“I want to buy a chocolate treat” I briefly explained. “Perhaps a cupcake”

“Nu-uh!” He replied, vehemently shaking his head. “You can’t do that!”

“Why not? Don’t you like chocolate?”

“I love chocolate!”

“Then what is the problem? Why is it that I can’t do it?”

“Because! I try to stay in shape, and chocolate makes people fat!”

“What does that have to do with me, Prompto?”

“You have to share my pain!”

I couldn’t help but to chuckle at his goofiness, even if he was pouting and I knew he was quite serious about it.

“Come now” I kindly poked him in the stomach. “You’re in great shape, one cupcake won’t hurt”

“No, but the ones that will inevitably follow that one will!”

“Don’t be silly, I’ll buy you one” I turned back to the stall to talk to the seller instead of directly facing Prompto. “Two chocolate cupcakes, please”

The man nodded and leaned forward to pick them up and give them to me.

“No-hoo!” Prompto complained. “Aleeeeex, why do you do this to me?”

“Just this one, Prom” Remembering he liked me calling him like that, I decided to pander to him a little.

“Fine, just this one” He rolled his eyes, a gesture that felt out of place in his expression.

I smiled at him and offered him both the cupcakes so he would hold them for me while I paid the man. Prompto sighed dramatically as he obliged.

“Thanks” I gave the seller the money I owed him.

“Thank you!” He replied gladly.

I then turned back to Prompto and flashed him a mildly smug grin as we started walking around the market. His lips were tightly pursed together, but a grin escaped from the restrained expression.

My friend gave me my cupcake back and started eating his own. I observed him with the corner of my eye as I enjoyed the delicious first bite.

“Mmm!” Prompto groaned happily. “It’s so yummy!”

“Quite tasty, isn’t it?” I fully looked at him with an ‘I told you so’ glance that spoke for itself without actually saying the words.

“Never said it wouldn’t be, missy”

I couldn’t get rid of the smile on my face as we absently gazed at the other stalls of the market while walking and eating our cupcakes. They were delicious, soft and spongy and with a strong taste of chocolate without being overly sweet. The icing on top was also slightly lemony, yet it complemented the chocolate surprisingly well.

Covering my mouth with my hand, I snorted when I turned to look at Prompto. His lips as well as some of his chin were covered in chocolate as he was devouring it. Taking notice of my amusement and blushing a bit, he hurriedly shoved the last piece he had left in his mouth and cleaned the remnants with the back of his fingers. I kept laughing, however, which just made him chuckle in the end.

A loud whistling noise caught our attention, so we looked over to where it came from to see Gladiolus urging us to reunite with them. For a second I had completely forgotten he and Ignis were in the market too, along with Talcott.

Rejoicing in the taste of every single bite of the treat, I headed in their direction. Prompto followed me closely.

“What did you buy?” Gladiolus curiously eyed my snack as we joined him.

“Cupcakes” Prompto said for me since my mouth was full at the moment.

“Where’s yours, Prompto?”

“Already ate it”

Gladio laughed heartedly and shook his friend’s shoulder playfully before he pointed his thumb to another street.

“Talcott is taking Iggy to the power plant now, let’s go with them”

Now eating the last piece of my cupcake myself, I nodded and went with them. Ignis and the boy weren’t too far away from us. They turned to meet us once they heard us.

“Did you see anything you liked?” Ignis took interest in us.

“I bought some cupcakes for ourselves” I casually shrugged, but I analyzed his reaction carefully. In response, my friend smiled softly. However, he didn’t comment on it.

“As a matter of fact, I got you something myself” Ignis offered me a sack filled to the middle with something. “I bought them for you”

Puzzled and curious, I took it and opened it to reveal what was inside. I could feel Prompto peeking next to my shoulder. I gasped in surprise and joy when I saw they were strawberries. Ignis sometimes had those small gestures which just showed how much of a sweetheart he was. He always remembered my likes too.

“Aw, thank you, Iggy!” I effusively squeezed his arm in appreciation.

“You like strawberries too?” Prompto excitedly asked me. “I love them! Plus, they’re healthy!”

“Look at you both, willingly eating fruit” Ignis sighed sadly as he watched us. “Wish it would be so simple to feed Noct some vegetables”

“Yes” I looked at him as I absently-minded poured some strawberries into Prompto’s outstretched hands. “If only”

We both started snacking on the strawberries as all of us continued with the city tour, with Talcott leading us to the power plant. Which reminded me that I should offer him strawberries if he wanted too. I opened my mouth, about to do so, when Prompto beat me to it.

“Hey, Talcott!” He called the boy in his bubbly voice. “Want some strawberries? If Alex doesn’t mind, of course”

“Absolutely not!” I opened the sack and shoved it in his direction. “Go ahead and get some, Talcott!”

“Thanks!” The boy took a small handful of them and happily started eating them as well before going back to the front to guide us.

“He’s such a cutie” Prompto whispered to me before he nimbly moved to stay next to the boy.

I stood next to Ignis and Gladio instead. The latter stole a few of my strawberries too, to which I responded with a joking glare that made him grin.

“So what else did you buy?” I pointed at the small bag that Ignis mindlessly carried by tucking it between his arm and his side.

“Solely some ingredients” With his other hand, he proudly adjusted his glasses. “I have some new recipes in mind that I would like to try”

“Looking forward to trying those dishes”

“Especially the meat. It’s delicious, Iggy”

“And the noodles, Gladiolus?”

“Gladio”

“Gladio?”

“That too”

It didn’t take us long to arrive as it was only a few streets away from the marketplace.

“This is the power plant” Talcott pointed at it in the distance with a wave of his arm. “Only women work here, they actually do all the work in this town”

“Hell yeah, girl power!” Prompto exclaimed, throwing a fist in the air as he stuffed his face with strawberries and fidgeted around.

“That’s right” We locked eyes and I gave him a self-satisfied smirk.

“Smooth, Prompto” Gladio teased him because of his praise, holding his fist up for him. The aforesaid made a face yet bumped his fist into Gladiolus’ anyway.

“This is where you harness the energy from the meteor, correct?” Ignis ventured, asking Talcott.

“Exactly!”

“That’s worth a photo right there!” Fidgeting around as he did, Prompto got his camera out and snapped a quick picture.

“Wanna go to the outlook? It has an amazing view!”

I assumed it was the same outlook we saw the previous day as we arrived to Lestallum. My friends exchanged looks as well, probably thinking the same thing, but didn’t want to bring him down as he seemed too proud and eager to show us around.

“Sure, buddy!” Prompto broke the uncomfortable silence. “Show us the way!”

Talcott’s face lit up with excitement as he nodded, chatting with our friend again as they lead the march.

“When you do think Noct will be awake?” Gladio asked Iggy.

“Possibly not for another while”

“Or for a few hours”

“You still can’t get on with Noct?”

“It’s not that…” I absently glanced down to my feet as we walked, focusing my eyes in the tip of my black boots. “I was just stating a fact, Noctis isn’t a morning person”

The glimpse Ignis gave me next was one full of surprise yet suspicion and intrigue. If experience had taught me something about him, it was that he was a great and intelligent strategist. For all I knew, he could have sent Noctis deliberately, precisely him, to talk to me last night in the hopes that we would have a conversation similar to the one we actually had.

I squinted at him, suspicious myself, just to be received with a minuscule smirk that only happened on the corner of his lips.

“What, you’re best pals now?” Gladiolus dared to ask.

I looked ahead, wanting to keep track of Prompto and Talcott, and dissimulated by shrugging and staring up at the sky.

It was mainly clear, a delicate blue background scattered with a few white clouds. There was remnants of orange in the sky because of the dawn. The sight had a soothing effect on me, improving my already gleeful mood.

“Beautiful day, isn’t it?” I couldn’t truly explain it, but I was actually quite euphoric.

“You’re in a great mood for someone who angrily stormed off last night to sulk alone” Gladio observed, raising an eyebrow as he looked me up and down, insisting on the subject.

That reminded me of the conversation I had with Noctis, and how it finally seemed like we could become friends once we had settled our differences. That alone rendered me in a happy state of mind. The lovely morning we were spending together also contributed.

We were nearly at the outlook, to where Prompto and Talcott raced while we arrived behind them. The two ran to look through the viewing apparatus, exchanging comments in the meantime.

“This is it” Ignis pointed out to catch their attention. While the blond kept stargazing, Talcott moved to be facing us.

“Pegglar Outlook” He grinned. “Cool, right?”

“Awesome!” Prompto said, finally separating himself from said apparatus.

I walked to the edge and bent forward, resting my arms on the short wall. At least this time I could rejoice in the beautiful scenario without being rushed.

Talcott spoke to the boys behind me, enumerating some facts about both Lestallum and the meteor. Not too interested in any of that, I centered in enjoying the landscape.

The vivid orange shade lingered in the sky as the last moments of the dawn occurred, filling the white clouds with a rose tone that slowly faded away. I closed my eyes placidly and let the good energies fill me as I felt the light breeze around me and the very early beams of sunlight.

“Oh, oh! Look at that!” Prompto’s loud voice sort of broke the magic spell. “That’s the perfect shot right there!”

I heard the well-known sound of the shutter clicking and I knew that he had taken yet another photo of the view. And that I was most likely in it as well, just facing my back.

“Know what it would make it even more perfect? You!”

To ensure the idea that he was addressing me, I looked over my shoulder to confirm that he was indeed staring at me.

“Prompto…” I complained, honestly not liking being the subject of his photos. Not because I didn’t like him doing it –although he took too many photos of everything for my liking –but because I merely didn’t like my picture being taken. It also felt like history was repeating itself.

He had taken a picture of me at that very same spot yesterday, yet he would surely excuse himself arguing that this time the dawn made it a unique snapshot.

“C’mon, Alex! Just one!”

“Why can’t Ignis or Gladio pose?”

“Because they don’t have your elegant pose” With one gentle hand, he took me by the wrist and tugged at me.

“Nonsense, Iggy is far more elegant than I am” I retaliated, although allowing him to drag me around.

“But he doesn’t have your sweetness” He spoke absently as he held me by the shoulders now, even if his camera in his other hand dug in my upper arm, and positioned me where he wanted me to be.

Wait… Had he just called me sweet?

“Nice excuse, Prompto” Gladiolus had been watching the whole thing. Of course.

“She never poses!” The blond defended himself. “It would make for such a beautiful photo!”

“Just one?” I smirked, calling back to the cupcake.

“Just one” Prompto held one finger up, grinning a bit himself.

“Fine” I carelessly fixed my appearance and shifted in the spot quite awkwardly.

One of the many reasons why I didn’t like posing was because I didn’t know how to. What posture to have, what expression, how to casually smile to a camera, what to do with my hands. It always seemed forced and artificial.

Talcott, Gladiolus and Ignis were also observing the scene curiously, which honestly flustered me even further.

“Just act natural” Prompto definitely noticed my struggle as well.

“She should have gone for model instead of advisor” Gladiolus mocked, snorting at my visibly uncomfortable stance.

“Gladio, I can hear you” I glared at him intensely.

“I know, so? Whatcha gonna do about it?”

Even Iggy let a chuckle slip, becoming the next target for my glaring. In response, he held his hand up apologetically.

I briefly looked over my shoulder to see the image that he would document. I still couldn’t think how I would be improving it in any way, but I assumed Prompto enjoyed having a variety of subjects in his photographs. In that aspect he was right, the other were always glad to pose for him, unlike me.

“Gorgeous” Prompto concluded as soon as the picture was taken.

Deciding to take a break, I sat down in one of the benches nearby while the others lingered around. We had walked quite a lot and I also wanted to calmly stay there with that fantastic view.

The other four still observed the meteor in the distance. Ignis, on the other hand, needed to quickly glance at me to keep track of where I was at before he continued the conversation. Exactly like a loving father.

“Hey…” Prompto plopped down next to me. “You didn’t get mad that I insisted on taking the photo, did you?”

“No, don’t worry” Interested in how he seemed to be constantly seeking my company, I examined him.

Perhaps it was only that since Noctis wasn’t there with us at the moment he wanted to take interest in me. Maybe he felt closer to me in that regard and could relate more to me than to Ignis or Gladiolus.

“Alex, can I ask you something?” He piped up after a brief pause.

“Go ahead…”

“Why don’t you like your picture taken?”

I remained quiet for a moment. Like when he comforted me about not needing to be like Ignis, I knew Prompto wouldn’t mock me for feeling this way.

However, I wasn’t so confident of him following my perspective, understanding my insecurity. It was something I had been struggling with for a very long time, which was also why I always got jealous of beautiful girls like Cindy. Unlike them, I wasn’t graceful or extremely feminine. I had always connected better with boys –hence why I befriended Ignis and Gladio as soon as I started working for the king –and was interested in the art of fighting instead of personal grooming. I preferred to wear comfortable and practical clothes instead of those revealing and attractive.

I had always felt clumsy as, despite my composed exterior, I could be extremely awkward and incapable. A facet of me I had learned to conceal over the years and in presence of the Council. And putting a camera on me felt like bringing up all those insecurities, like when I posed I was forced to try and ignore all those flaws while they were being exposed.

I wasn’t unsure if it even made sense, yet it unsettled me either way.

“I’m… self-conscious” I put it simply, finding that all my thoughts were too convoluted.

“You? Why?!” Prompto’s surprise felt almost flattering. Whether it was because he didn’t see a reason for me to be insecure or because I acted confidently, it somewhat comforted me.

“Because… I’m not photogenic and I was never quite satisfied with my looks”

“But you’re really pretty!” When I stared at him wide-eyed, he began stammering and flushing bright red. “I-I mean… heh… well, you are”

I felt the urge to compare myself with other girls again. Cindy’s name popped into my head as well merely because of Prompto’s crush on her, but I forced to keep quiet instead of voicing those thoughts.

“Thank you, Prompto” I patted his knee gratefully. “It’s kind of you to say that”

Honestly, I didn’t truly believe he found me pretty. He just wanted me to feel better.

“Hey, even if you weren’t pretty… which… you-you are…” Prompto shrugged a little, although his eyes wouldn’t meet mine. “You’re still one of the most amazing people I know”

With that, he stood up and started walking like nothing had happened.

I knew those words weren’t as vital to Prompto as they were to me. He merely said them because he felt that way, he was always purely genuine and authentic. Prompto just spoke his mind honestly, passing it as something trivial because it was merely the truth to him. Yet to me, those words were making me a tad emotional as it was the first time someone said such lovely things about me. I was deeply moved by his sincerity and his personal opinion and perspective of myself.

There were moments like these that caused me to become so much fonder of him. Moments in which he showed me what a pure and kind-hearted soul he had, how endearing he was.

The smile that I had been carrying all day reappeared on my lips as I followed him with my glance. He was looking over his shoulder at me, stumbling for not looking where he was going, making me laugh in spite of myself. Then he made a face of embarrassment and looked ahead as he uncomfortably rubbed his nape.

I shook my head, extremely fond of the boy, and smiled tenderly.

“Shall we go back?” I stood up and called my friends. “Noctis might be up already”

“Certainly”

“Let’s hope Sleeping Beauty is awake”

I began walking back to the Leville to hopefully meet with Noctis there. Prompto was ahead of me, walking alone and refusing to look back.

“You’re quite unique as well” I pursed my lips together not to smile as I passed him by, walking ahead myself to avoid facing the embarrassment of my confession.

He paused, his footsteps stopping for a moment, before refraining.

I heard him laughing as he passed me by this time, purposely bumping his shoulder against mine to shove me slightly. I smiled to myself as he happily ran to the hotel.

When we arrived, Jared told us that Noctis had left with Iris. They had gone for a small city tour themselves. And hence we waited for them in the reception, chatting lively in the meantime.

“Did you enjoy your walk around Lestallum?” Jared asked us, leaning on the counter.

“It was lovely” Ignis nodded politely.

“Quite enjoyable” I smiled myself.

“Pretty nice…” Gladio was slightly grumpy, and I knew it was because his sister was alone with Noctis.

He had always been over protective, and we all knew about Iris’ crush on the royal one. Whatever the case, it was rare to see him sulky and annoyed like that.

I was used to seeing Gladiolus looking smug, teasing his friends and just having a laugh in general. Despite his menacing exterior, he could be quite a softie, a nice and likeable man.

I supposed I never saw the side of him that his protégé saw, for example. Even if Ignis would sometimes tell me that Gladio and Noctis had argued and weren’t speaking to each other sometimes, but I just couldn’t quite picture it.

“Lestallum is such a cool city!” Prompto cheered Talcott on, focusing my attention on the two. “And little Talcott here was the best guide!”

Jared seemed happy about the way we were treating his grandson. They were both lovable people, it was easy befriending them.

“Oh, there’s also a legend about a sword behind a waterfall!” The boy excitedly told us.

“What?”

“We need to tell Noct as soon as he gets back”

“Cool, treasure hunt!”

As soon as Iris and Noctis came back, we told them about the possible finding of one of the Royal Arms and immediately rode back in the Regalia there where Talcott had told us we would find it.

We had to move by foot a small part of the path and followed the sound of water, but we found the cave. It was slowly starting to get dark, which unsettled me, and it also assured that we would have to camp out in the open in order not to drive in the middle of the night and be exposed to daemons.

I was obviously excited to see that the legend was true and that Noctis could augment his power. However, I was not enthused about the idea of going inside a dark cave.

“Uh…” I mumbled as we walked towards the entrance. “No one told me we would have to immerse ourselves in an eerie dungeon”

“You will be alright, just stay close to me” Ignis, naturally, knew about my fear of the dark. He had known that, ever since I was little, it had been an irrational fear of mine. I was so frightened by whatever could be lurking there while I couldn’t see it.

“Just turn the flashlight on” Noctis shrugged one shoulder and calmly stepped inside the cave.

At least we had something to light our way, which eased my nervousness slightly. As well as being accompanied by four strong men that would look after me, even if that thought sounded quite selfish.

“You’re afraid of the dark?” Gladio asked me over his shoulder as he and Ignis entered too.

“Perhaps so” I nibbled on my lip, feeling extremely anxious. “Everyone is afraid of something”

Gladiolus’ response was a sarcastic guffaw, although implying nothing scared him.

Deciding the sooner we entered, the sooner we would leave, I braced for it. I took a deep breath and reluctantly walked inside, flashlight in hand. I followed after Ignis, closely behind, and had to restrain myself from the urge to hold on to the back of his jacket not to look like a terrified child. Knowing Prompto was behind me and hearing the sound of his boots making contact with the stone ground, however, comforted me further. It meant that he quite literally had my back.

“Whoa, it’s so cold” He mumbled in a shaky breath, and I had to agree with him. There was a drastic shift in the temperature, as outside it was comfortably warm whereas inside the cave it was extremely cold, which didn’t help my anxiety at all.

“Little chill won’t kill ya” Gladio commented back.

Yet Prompto was the only one unfortunate enough not to be wearing sleeves. Perhaps he was just proud of his biceps, but bragging about his muscular arms had turned out to be a bad thing for him at that very moment.

As we walked further into the cave, I found myself starting to shiver. I wore a thin black sweater, yet I wasn’t sure whether my shivering was due to the fear or the cold. Whatever the case, I was not comfortable.

The only source of light that guided us was also the one from our own flashlights, everything else around us was completely covered in darkness. The beams of light shaking with our walking casted shadows around the walls of the cave, making me silently jolt up in alarm sometimes as we advanced.

“This way” Noctis said at the front of the group, leading the way as most times.

“Stay alert” Ignis’ voice startled me after a small pause. “Enemies might be hidden”

“Great” Prompto sarcastically said behind me. “Like this place wasn’t creepy enough”

I could hear his heavy breathing behind me, as well as his gulping. Honestly, I almost could make out the beat of his racing heart as he made it so obvious.

“We’ll be fine”

“Sure, why wouldn’t we be?”

“Shut up already”

“Up ahead” Ignis stopped their banter –I was comfortable in my silence, although I somewhat appreciated their chatter, no matter how bothersome it could also be. At least it wasn’t complete stillness.

We found ourselves with an easily remedied obstacle in our way. A slide made out of ice, which also seemed the only way down and further into the cave. I just hoped there was another way out, or else Noctis would have to warp us out one by one.

“Here goes nothing” Noctis didn’t seem bothered at all as he slid down the slope.

Ignis and Gladio followed without a word, determined and fearless. I, myself, frowned in apprehension and turned to Prompto. He looked as scared as I felt, judging by his panicked expression. He didn’t say anything to me, so I just faced the slope again and took another deep breath.

“I’m… I’m coming down!” I warned the others, cautiously loud. Just enough for them to hear yet not too much just in case I could awaken any dormant beasts.

Shaking as I sat down at the edge, I closed my eyes tight and let myself slide down the icy surface. I needed all of my self-restraint not to shout at the top of my lungs while I descended for several seconds into the unknown.

I opened my eyes as I was launched forward by my momentum, just in time to see a figure standing in front of me and catching me with secure arms. I let out an involuntary shaky exhale as I briefly indulged in the warm safety of Ignis’ presence. His hands kindly rested on my back for one moment before we locked eyes. His glance was reassuring and composed as he nodded silently.

“Where’s Prompto?” Gladio said behind Ignis.

Almost in cue, our friend’s little squeaks and exclamations of horror grew closer to us while he slid down the icy slope. He stumbled at the end, just like me, yet he managed to stabilize himself as the momentum pushed him to his feet. I gently moved away from Ignis’ loose embrace and observed Prompto.

“That… was terrifying” He stated, snuggling over himself and resting his hands on his bare arms.

“We must carry on” Ignis must have noticed I was shaking, because he took off his jacket and put it over my shoulders without a word. At least he was left in a long sleeve shirt still, otherwise I wouldn’t have accepted it. I smiled at the thoughtful gesture and followed after him, adjusting his warm garment and putting my arms through the sleeves. Shrinking myself under the jacket felt reassuring.

“No fair” The blond whispered under his breath, walking alongside us. “I want them to give me a jacket too, Alex”

I was certainly a bit spoiled by Ignis, who was far too paternal and slightly patronizing when it came to me, like I was the younger sister he never had.

We kept walking along that eerie and freezing cave, being startled by shadows and the reflection of our lights in the ice that covered part of the ground and the walls.

I opened my mouth, about to reply to Prompto’s comment, when something jumped at us. A group of flan monsters.

Jolting up, I held on to Gladio’s strong arm before reacting and summoning my sword. I heard a smug chuckle coming from him. Putting my flashlight back in the small pocket in my pants dedicated to it, I wielded my sword and prepared for the battle.

“Perfect, just what I needed” Prompto was even more talkative than usual, which I attributed to the restlessness that such spooky place caused him.

The adrenaline that started pumping through my veins warmed me up slowly as I also dodged and strained myself to attack and parry the attacks of the gelatinous beasts. We easily defeated them as they were quite weak, but the sudden warmth within me was nothing compared to the state of anxiety the random encounter rendered me in.

“Let’s go” Noctis encouraged us, continuing our way.

“Yep” Gladio stuck closely by him, ever his sworn Shield.

“Everyone alright?” Ignis checked, quickly turning to look at all of us.

I merely nodded, summoning my sword off and trying to keep my shaking at a minimum. At least, now that the adrenaline slightly warmed me up, I knew that it was due to my own restlessness.

For the first time in our journey I was starting to regret coming. I could be warm and cozy, back in my bed, tucked in under a comforting blanket. If it weren’t because our home had been destroyed. Just another reason to put me down. Yet I reminded myself that I had a purpose there, and I would loyally stand by my friends.

“Ugh, I have an ice cream headache” Prompto snapped in the middle of our silence. “Without the ice cream!”

“It’s called a brain freeze, Prom” I chuckled, amazed by the fact that he had actually made me laugh in that situation. Only Prompto could achieve such a deed.

“Watch your step” Ignis said, pointing to the ground, so we wouldn’t trip over the protuberances that formed in that part of the ground.

“Prompto…” I looked at my friend, resting the tip of my fingers on his upper arm, about to warn him about the tripping hazard in case he hadn’t heard Ignis.

“I’m not scared, you’re scared!” He snapped of a sudden, startled.

We both were more affected by the eerie cave than the others. Yet, unlike him, I was bothered by his fear. It reminded me of my own.

To try and warm him up but also reassure him, I rubbed his bare arms.

“Ah, your hands are freezing!” He complained, shrugging away from my touch.

“I’m sorry” I gave up on him at the moment, focusing on following after Ignis again.

“I really hope there’s something here” Gladio opined, making me open my eyes in panic.

If after going through all of that there was no sword or no tomb, I would be honestly mad. It would have been all for nothing.

“I believe there will be something if we just look” Ignis calmed us, collected as ever.

As we advanced even further in what felt like a never ending maze, we found ourselves with a thin ledge that was most likely the only way onwards.

“Oh, no!” Prompto exclaimed, annoyingly loudly. “Add heights to the list of horrible things inside this place”

Noctis sighed in irritation and went first, sticking to the wall as he shimmied through the very thin and unstable ledge. I mentally prayed that it wouldn’t break under our weight.

“Calm down” Gladiolus grunted in annoyance, rolling his eyes as he went after Noct.

“Excuse me if I’m not calmed in a place that also triggers my claustrophobia and fear of the dark!” Prompto replied back, offended. I glared at the blond, silently asking him to cut it out. He just pouted at me.

“Alexandria” Ignis called me, motioning for me to pass the thin ledge before him.

I grunted, dreading to walk over it, and obliged with a head nod. The tawny-haired man went after me, keeping a close eye on me in case I slipped. I moved as fast as I could to get it over with and reunited with Noctis and Gladiolus on the other side while Ignis and Prompto joined us too.

The four of us observed our royal friend as he looked around the cave, utterly clueless.

“We’re lost, aren’t we, Noct?” Gladio asked him, crossing his strong arms over his chest.

“I know what I’m doing!” Noctis sassed back.

“We’re quite definitely lost” Ignis sighed softly.

“It’s this way”

“I certainly hope so…”

“I trust Noct, bet we’re almost there!”

“I certainly hope so” I repeated, even more bitterly than before.

All of us followed Noctis as he kept venturing further down the cave. I told myself that I would be rewarded with a plate of Ignis’ delicious cooking as soon as we were done there, using that thought as an incentive to keep going.

Something then echoed around the whole space, startling the five of us as we looked around for the origin of the sound.

“Ah!” Prompto shrieked behind me, clutching to my shoulder. “What was that?”

“Sorry, kicked a rock” If I didn’t know better, I’d think Gladio did it on purpose.

“You’re killing me here, big guy!” I observed him, watching him roll his eyes as he let go of me, surely not even realizing what he was doing. “Are you trying to give me a heart attack or something?!”

“Prompto” Ignis placed a peaceful hand on his shoulder to put him at ease. The gesture had the contrary effect as it caused him to jolt up startled and squeak again. “It is only me!”

“Sorry, sorry” The blond exhaled deeply in an attempt to relax. “This place gives me the creeps”

“You’re going to have to take it easy” I pleaded, feeling how the little calmness I had left was abandoning me because of him. My heart had been racing the entire time we were in the cave, but at that point it hammered against my chest in a painful way.

“It’s not that easy, this place is the worst!”

“Prompto!” I gripped his hand urgently, tugging at it. “Stop freaking out!”

“I can’t!” He complained restlessly.

“Yes you can, I know you’re braver than this” I was a tad on edge myself, but I didn’t allow the illogical fears to get to me.

The only thing that actually scared me was the darkness, and although I was frightened I didn’t let it block me. Yet Prompto was behaving cowardly in a way that I didn’t think fit him too much. If he were that scared, he wouldn’t have continued with us. The boy was merely spooked and tense, as was I.

“Okay” He gave in, nodding and pursing his lips together in determination.

When we turned to Noctis, Ignis and Gladiolus, they took it as their cue to keep walking. Hence, Prompto and I followed closely.

I noticed, however, that he had refused to let go of my hand. I wondered whether it was conscious or not, but I didn’t act on it. If holding my hand was soothing for him and helped him feel braver, then so be it. His touch was comforting for me as well, if I was being honest. He also passed part of his body warmth on to me, which helped greatly. Hopefully I passed some of mine over to him as well. I merely observed all of this mentally, though, not wanting the rest to hear my thoughts. Not even Prompto, as it would be certainly embarrassing.

Soon enough, we found with a big door that definitely led to the famous sword that would add to the Royal Arms for Prince Noctis.

“Here it is” Gladio observed as Noct opened the door.

“I was optimistic on the subject” Ignis said, slightly tilting his chin up in pride, always the cold-headed and strategic one.

I then noticed how Prompto’s fingers closed tighter around my own, showing the gesture was completely conscious. To my surprise, he didn’t let go of my hand, which I was secretly thankful for. However, his eyes landed on me for a brief second, almost as though he didn’t want me to notice. I did yet pretended I didn’t.

Without further ado, we walked inside the chamber and waited as Noctis summoned the power of the former kings of Lucis. A blueish light illuminated the room as it obeyed his orders, taking over him as it collided with his chest.

When we finally left the cave behind, we found that it was well into the night. We passed from darkness to darkness. Yet being out in the open felt liberating and soothing.

“Wooo!” Prompto exclaimed happily. “We’re alive! Let’s celebrate by eating something dead!”

“I’m definitely looking forward to one of your marvelous meals, Iggy” I softly smiled at him, earning a small grin from him.

“Me too” Gladio patted his friend’s shoulder. “I’m starving”

“I say we look for a place to camp then” Noctis simply told us. “Can’t wait to go to sleep”

He grinned at us, but his kind expression instantly shifted into one of pure pain as he hunched over himself. He groaned as he held his head.

“Oh no…” I uttered, hoping it wasn’t more of his odd headaches.

“Noct!!” Prompto was by his side in a heartbeat. “You okay?!”

“Wha… What did I…? What was that?” The boy whispered to himself, not really listening.

“What is it?” Gladio asked him, observing him in concern like the rest of us were.

I slightly leaned forward to take a look at him. He seemed paler than usual.

“A hole on the ground… something burning… The meteor?”

“You saw the Disc of Cauthess?”

“This is not normal” I rested a hand on his upper arm, still worried even though he had stopped bending down in pain and the migraine seemed to have passed. “Are you feeling alright?”

“Yeah…” Noctis sighed tiredly, but glanced at me with soft eyes.

“Let’s keep going” Gladio tried to brush it off, pretend like it didn’t happen to avoid awkwardness.

Yet I felt bad for Noctis, knowing his whole life was destined to be like that. Being the Chosen King and having to put up with all those strange things that occurred to him. He was obviously exhausted. I could only imagine how he must have felt all his life, having to maintain that image and having to put up with people’s expectations and different treatment because of his royal blood. Perhaps he was spoiled, and perhaps he could be arrogant and cocky. Nonetheless, his royal status came with more disadvantages than perks. I was realizing that just now after I allowed myself to see his perspective. Also, he had showed me how kind-hearted and caring he could be, he had endeared me into liking him in spite of myself. We weren’t so different after all, we both were pretending to be someone we were not. Yet for someone so wise and attentive I failed to empathize with him and realize all of this before. He was opening my eyes more and more without realizing.

At least I was still honest and straightforward and I wanted to approach the subject. Just like I had done upon Regis’ loss, I wanted to let him know how I felt at that very moment.

“What’s so interesting?” Noctis teased me when he saw me staring, letting me know he was back to his usual self.

“Prince N… I mean, Noctis…” I rolled my eyes in exasperation at myself and corrected my words once more. “I mean, Noct…”

“You okay?” The aforesaid laughed a little, amused by my clumsiness. “You seemed a little worried there”

I rolled my eyes, even if I could tell by his sweet grin that he was teasing me. Again, we were having a strange yet friendly interaction disguised as hostility.

“Next time I’ll leave the worrying to your friends” I scowled at him and began walking, to which Ignis and Gladio followed.

“You can’t hate each other!” Prompto whined, stomping his feet as he reluctantly walked with us.

“Why not?” Noctis smirked, deeply amused.

“Because you’re my friends! It’s wrong! You have to like each other!” Prompto held his hands together, almost begging us to try.

“You can’t force people to get along” I knowingly sent Ignis a meaningful glance to which he reacted feigning ignorance.

“I can try!” The blond assured with a bright defiant smirk. “Who’s up to play some King’s Knight!”

“Prompto-“ I started to explain that all the hostility we displayed was just part of our own inside horseplay, but he was determined and wouldn’t listen.

“You’re gonna love it, Alex! Noct and I can teach you how to play and-“

“Not really feeling like it” Noctis stated, patting his back. “Sorry, Prompto, maybe later”

“Okay…” He sulkily stomped his feet on his way to joining the other two at the front in resignation.

I grinned at Prompto while he couldn’t see me, greatly entertained by his attitude. He really wanted Noctis and I to become friends, it was quite sweet and funny.

Suddenly, I lost balance when a hand impacted against my back. I looked to see Noctis chuckling, giving me a smug look. I pushed him back, humoring him in his silly friendly exchange. I could get used to those goofy interactions.

A nice conversation and a delicious meal later, we were all gathered around a warmth fire that lit the darkness of the night and eased the remaining of my nerves.

Ignis and Prompto were tapping their screens, probably busy with the infamous King’s Knight. Gladiolus was calmly reading his book and Noctis was nodding off, barely keeping himself awake. I absently looked up to the countless stars that adorned the sky. Even in the anguishing darkness of the night, I could find comfort in that beautiful nocturnal occurrence.

Shoving my hands into the pockets of my jacket, I realized I was still wearing Ignis’. Once we were out of the terrifying and freezing cave, I could give it back to him. I stood up from my spot, causing all of them to tear their glances away from what they were doing.

“Thanks, Iggy” I said, handing him his jacket back. “It was very kind of you to let me wear it”

“Are you sure? It is quite cold still”

“Don’t worry about it”

“Very well” He rested his jacket on his lap and looked back up to me. “Don’t hesitate to borrow it again if you need it”

“Thanks” I grinned at him, fondly squeezing his shoulder in appreciation.

“Hey, kid, how about some early training tomorrow morning?” Gladio asked me out of the blue. “What do you say?”

I honestly needed to improve my combat skills. Or more likely, my stamina and strength as my sword tactics weren’t as weak.

“It would be wise to train some more” I sighed tiredly. “Not that I’m looking forward to tiring myself like that”

“You love it” Gladiolus flashed me a charming smile.

Just then, I noticed Noctis standing up. There was a suspicious looking smirk plastered in his face despite his somnolent look. He walked alongside me those few steps until we reached my chair again. I hesitated, wondering what he was up to, seconds he used to occupy my spot. He had found a way to entertain himself enough to stay awake. Winding me up.

“Uh… Noct…” Prompto mumbled, puzzled.

“What are you doing, you royal brat?” Those words were meant to be loving insults instead of hurtful, yet I feared he would take them the wrong way.

“Dude!” Prompto exclaimed, as well as some other complaints by Gladio and Ignis.

“Annoying you” Noctis wasn’t bothered by it, it seemed. He just shrugged one shoulder casually.

“You don’t have to try so hard”

“I annoy you naturally, huh?” Surprised by my wit, Noctis laughed openly.

“Exactly”

“Might as well sit over there then, I like this place”

Very smugly, he got comfortable in my chair. Resting one leg over the other, he also put his hands behind his head and rejoiced in the coziness of his new spot.

“As you wish, Your Highness” Smiling widely, I passed him by and knocked his leg off its resting spot as I sat down by Prompto and Gladio. The latter let out a guffaw of laughter.

“So you actually like each other?” Prompto gasped in absolutely delight.

“Kinda…” Noctis replied, setting back his leg on its previous place.

“Interesting manner of displaying your affection” Ignis snorted slightly, subtly recovering with a quick adjustment of his spectacles.

“Thanks for the effort, though” I knew Prompto had been trying to get us to get along for quite a while.

“No problem, girl” He winked an eye humorously, doing a gesture that I could only describe as ‘finger guns’.

For the next couple of hours, we chatted and passed the time until we started to get sleepy. I wasn’t quite there yet, so I excused myself and I distanced from the group slightly. Also because Gladio decided to have a late night training session instead of an early morning one and I needed a moment of serenity after that.

I could still hear their voices –as well as their yawns –from my spot as they relaxed from the stress and action of the day.

I deeply breathed in, adoring those moments of serenity. Camping was my favorite moment of the day, one of my favorite parts of the journey as well.

I felt completely recovered from all the negative feelings I had experienced throughout the day. Lying there on the ground, watching the stars and hearing my friends laughing openly felt like a gift, a perfect moment in a lifetime that could be so beautiful.

“Whatcha doing?” Prompto’s voice said over my head just as he covered my field of vision.

I had been so immersed in my happy thoughts that I didn’t hear him approach me.

He was leaning forward so I saw his face upside down. I thought it was a cute gesture, and it made me smile.

“Stargazing” I simply replied, staring into his upside down blue eyes.

“Oh!” He stood up straight, realizing he was blocking the view. “Mind if I join?”

“Not at all” I watched him as he lied down next to me.

“Iggy said you love doing it” Prompto made small talk. “All of us were wondering what you were doing here by yourself, but he didn’t even have to ask”

Ignis knew me better than I knew myself, to be quite honest.

“Yeah” I dragged my glance away from him to focus back on the starry sky. “I’ve always loved stargazing”

“Cool” He simply replied, turning silent as he too watched the stars.

“Do you know any constellations?” I asked him, hoping he didn’t feel obligated to stay quiet not to bother me or perturb my calm moment. I enjoyed his small talk as well as spending time with him. When we were alone, it felt like I could be more open about certain sides of myself.

“Not really” His arm brushed mine as he shrugged. “You?”

“Just a few of them” I smiled, thinking back to when I learned them. “Ignis taught me”

“Is there something he doesn’t know?” Prompto snapped, sounding falsely offended.

I laughed, amused by his joke. I stirred in my lying spot, getting a bit uncomfortable after such a long time lying down.

“He sure struggles to make Noctis eat vegetables” I humored him, smiling when he let out a surprisingly loud and genuine guffaw. His response made me chuckle again. It was refreshing to be around someone like him, so lively and positive. I had definitely passed from being irritated by him to finding him absolutely adorable.

“Can you show me?” Prompto asked me excitedly. “Some constellations, I mean”

I held my arm up so it pointed to a certain group of stars and briefly turned my head to look at Prompto. The distant light of the fire behind us dimly illuminated his features, even if I only could see half of them as he was looking straight up and allowing me to just see his profile. It was an attractive profile. Ob-objectively speaking...

“That” I forced myself to say, alarmed when those thoughts arrived to my mind unexpectedly. “You see the one that has four stars creating a square?”

“That one?” A gloved hand entered my field of vision as he pointed the same constellation I was. “With the other three, that looks like a cart?”

“Yes, that is the one” I grinned, lowering my hand. “That’s the Big Dipper, also known as the Ursa Major, which means Great Bear in Latin”

“Whoa” He uttered in awe. His soothing tone soon changed into frantic one. “He-Hey, look! A shooting star!”

“Where?” I sat up immediately, startled. My eyes scrutinized the sky but didn’t see anything.

“It was right there!”

“Aw, I missed it!” I playfully slapped his arm with a pout. “It’s unfair! You don’t ever stargaze and you catch a glimpse of a shooting star!”

“What can I say?” He chuckled softly. “Beginner’s luck”

“Did you make a wish?”

“Yup”

“What did you wish for?”

“I can’t tell you! It won’t come true!”

When I looked at him I saw the brightest smile I had ever seen. He was so pure and so genuine. I must have been staring, because Prompto seemed a bit embarrassed as he urged himself to say something.

“So…. Do you… like… Are you into astronomy and astrology and stuff?”

I paused briefly, lying back down. Our bodies were touching as I had unknowingly positioned myself closer to him, but I didn’t want to move away and make him think that the contact made me uncomfortable. Because it definitely didn’t.

“Not quite” I let out a small grunt as I tried to rest my head in a more comfortable spot, but the ground was hard and it made my neck hurt. “I usually just indulge in watching sunrises and rainbows and such”

“That’s cool, I enjoy that too” He paused for a moment, but kept on talking. “A good photographer has to know how to appreciate those kinda things and… what-what are you doing?”

Seeing as I couldn’t get comfortable, it was distracting Prompto from our conversation.

“I’m sorry, there’s a rock digging in my skull” I chuckled, trying to maybe use my own arms as pillows, but it didn’t quite work because they tingled and became numb under the weight.

“Here” He had been using his own arms to rest his head there, but he lowered one until it formed a ninety degree angle. “In case you forgot, I make a good pillow”

“Thank you” I mumbled as I lay my head on his bicep. His fingers brushed my shoulder as he accommodated himself once I rested over him.

“You can… I mean, get comfortable and all” It was an invitation that I was tempted to take.

Honestly, the idea of snuggling closer to him and resting over his chest was quite inviting. But I didn’t want to exceed myself, I was feeling embarrassed enough thinking that I was becoming a much different version of myself around him.

“I’m alright” I timidly mumbled, keeping my eyes glued to the stars. “What were you saying?”

“I was, uh… Yeah, saying that… you know, as a photographer I have to know how to appreciate things and be observant to notice certain stuff”

I nodded, even if I still stared at the sky with dreamy eyes. A peaceful serenity took over me, helping me let out a calm sigh that reflected how comfortable I was. I could even fall asleep right there, which was an appealing idea. And just as that thought passed my mind…

“Kids, time to go to sleep!” Gladio called us from the camp.

“Oh, yeah!” Prompto sat up easily. “That’s why I came to talk to you on the first place, heh, guess I kinda forgot”

I snorted at his silliness, but I did enjoy our little chat quite a lot. It made me feel closer to him, like I could already call him a close friend because he probably considered me one as well.

I was about to stand up on my own when he reached out, placing his hand in front of my face. With a smile, I put my hand over his and allowed him to help me to my feet. Prompto gently closed his fingers around my hand and pulled me up. He was so gentle, so delicate.

For a long second, we stood there, hand in hand. We coyly smiled at each other before we went back to the tent to get some well-deserved rest.

Tagging list: @prince-of-wind, @toranyx. Let me know if you want to be tagged as well to get notified when I update the story! ;)

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potter-imagines · 7 years

Text

Being in a Polyamorous relationship with the Hamilsquad...

(So sorry I got carried away!!)

Your boys would be the sweetest in the world

Lafayette giving you adorable little pet names in French

“Mon petit ange doux, you look divine in that dress.”

Always buying a turtle plush for John everytime you take a trip to the store with one of the boys.

Here's how your multiple turtle purchases would go down...

Hercules stopped the grocery cart and reached out to catch your arm just as your hands wrapped around the small fluffy green animal with large sparkly blue eyes. He sighed as your large orbs met his, “Y/n, my sweet, I think John has got enough turtles by now don’t you-” The tall man was cut short as his other love stepped out from behind him, setting a box of uncooked noodles in the cart, then took the stuffed animal from your hands and set it in the overflowing cart. “Shush Hercules, let her get him the turtle. John loves them!” Alexander insisted. Hercules rolled his eyes and threw his hands up deciding the fight wasn’t worth. Y/n and Alex both erupted with happiness when seeing John’s reaction to the new additions to his collection that they gifted him with. Of course it warmed Hercules’ insides seeing his boyfriend so excited so he obliged and shook his head. “Fine, fine, but you two are going to explain this to Laf when he sees John’s getting yet another one.”

Hercules making you an endless supply of dresses

Cuddle sessions

You’d probably have a chores chart

John would be the biggest sweetheart out of the four

They’d be obsessed with making sure you’re always comfortable and know how much you’re loved

Random surprises at work

It would most likely be extremely awkward at the start, none of you sure what to do and how to go about a relationship involving five people but after a while things would smooth out

Movie nights galore!!

Giving the boys massages after long hard days

Alex ranting to you about his hatred for Jefferson

“He’s just a pathetic, spineless, pain in my ass! What the hell is his problem anyways, huh? I mean my god why doesn’t he just take the damn stick out of his mother fu-” “Alexander!”

Doodling with John in your free time

Braiding the boy’s hair

“My love, are those flowers that you’re-” “Shush. You like it Alex, stop pretending you don’t.”

Bringing Hercules lunch and modeling his work for him

Thousands of group selfies

You all would move into a spacious apartment in New York with a large master bedroom that you all shared

The boys being extremely overprotective of you and each other

“That guy won’t stop drooling over Y/n.” “Oh tell me about it, this girl over here won’t stop making googly eyes at Laf.”

They’d love to baby you despite your protests

After a long day at work Hercules would draw you a bath as Lafayette carried you in and helped wash you

Lafayette tying your hair up in a bun whenever the chance is presented

Shoulder kisses

The boys would love placing small pecks all over your face as a sign of greeting

You all had enough trust in each other so jealousy wasn’t a very common thing

But there’d be a time when out with the boys you would run into Thomas Jefferson and Alex would go into full jealousy mode

He’d insist Jefferson was flirting with you and would have his hand wrapped securely around your waist with John holding your hand and Hercules glaring daggers at the man as he chatted away with Laf

But even Laf would get uncomfortable with the way his dear friend was staring you up and down

“Ah and this must be the lovely Y/n. I’ve heard so much about you. My, my you are more beautiful than the bright stars in the Virginia sky, my darlin’. Hope these men are treating you right, Hamilton especially. If you want to see what it’s like to be with a real man, one who can give you the attention you deserve-”

This would be Alex’s snapping point

Laf and Herc would have to hold him back from tearing apart the smug Jefferson as John would hold you close, blocking you from the sight

The rest of the night was spent snuggling together in bed under a mountain of blankets spent reassuring the boys just how much you love them

Morning showers together

The boys would try to do your makeup one night and surprisingly impress you with their skills

After noticing Lafayette’s constant distress and homesickness after a week or so Hercules, John, Alex, and yourself would get off early from work for the night and get to work make Lafayette a feast of authentic French themed foods

Laf being extremely overwhelmed at the action and going into an appreciative French spree of words- or rather so gibberish to three of you.

“Mes amours vous fondent mon coeur avec vos douces actions. Comment ai-je réussi à avoir la chance d'avoir quatre beaux anges qui m'aiment autant que je les fais? Je ne méritais pas de toi, mes amours.”

Hercules, John, and you turning to Alexander for translation

“He uh, he said he appreciates the action a lot and loves all of us more than anything.”

He’d then pull all of you in for a large group hug, which would happen often

Grocery shopping would take like five times longer for the fact that you live in a house with four other guys

John and Hercules always tagging along when you run errands

Alex writing heartwarming poems about you nonstop. He likes to sneak them into your work folders or your purse for moments when you need to hear it the most.

Hercules making all five of you matching Christmas sweaters in which you pose in for your family Christmas cards that make it out to all of your friends and family.

Girl gossip with the Schuyler sisters

I feel like Hercules would have a good list of jokes he’d say and mostly at inappropriate times

Like when it was Alex’s night to make dinner and he accidently overcooked the pork chops, Hercules would come into the kitchen taking in the dry black meat then look at Alex with a dead serious expression

“Hey babe, what do you call a pig that knows karate?” “Herc now is not the time-” “A pork chop.”

John always making silly faces at you from across the room when you’re stressed out

Laf being obsessed with taking candid photos of the boys and you,making a whole album full of them

“Laf why are you taking pictures of us? We’re just making lunch.” You mumbled half mindedly. The water on the stove was boiling heavily and John wrapped his arms around you from behind setting a handful of asparagus in the pot. He chuckled and placed a chaste kiss to the side of your cheek. Yet again another distinct shutter filled the air as Lafayette smiled to himself. “I bet it’s because we look absolutely adorable.” John whispered into your ear. You laughed as the vibration tickled your skin. Laf nodded and pointed towards the two of you, “Right you are, John.”

Making breakfast with Laf to bring to a sleeping Alex who passed out at his desk on top of piles of papers.

Having Christmas movie marathons laying in Hercules’ arms while Laf holds Alex and John cuddles up to your side

Becoming amazingly close friends with the Schuyler sister who love to hear about your relationship with the boys

But let's be real, the sex would be outstanding

Like John would be sweet, gentle, and hesitant but in all the right ways

Alex would love to go down on you and the rest of the boys gaining pleasure out of satisfying his partners. He's also pretty cocky, no pun intended, in bed but in all the right ways.

Lafayette exceeded in the department of dirty talk, whispering dirty French words in the shell of your ear and loud for the rest to hear which would turn Alex on above anything else seeing as he was the only who understood the words

Hercules was obsessed with undressing you and the boys loving to unravel you all before himself. He's to most skilled out of all of you and it definitely comes in handy while in bed.

But afterwards they would always make sure you felt okay and cleaned you up

Fights would be to an extreme limit but when they did occur everyone acted fast

Alex was usually involved in the arguments while John would stand to the side, holding you close if you were near shielding you from the disaster.

Lafayette could be explosive if involved so Hercules acted as the peacemaker

In most cases all boys wanted the mess to end the second it would start but being hot tempered, sometimes it didn’t matter if the issue was large enough

Alex would apologized no longer than five minutes after the start almost in tears feeling horrible for his actions

He would rush over to John and you pulling both of you in close as the other two would join in

You would all then spend the night over a tub of ice cream peacefully sorting out the issue at hand.

So many kisses

Exploring the city together

Out of all the boys, Alex is the most difficult to convince of things

It’s a chore alone just to get that boy to bed

And when clothes shopping, you always make sure to go with Laf or John

Alex is the smartest with the shopping and usually knows what you actually need and don’t need

Hercules insists he can make you whatever article of clothing you want

But John simply cannot resist saying no to you and Laf just wants to see you smile so he had no problem throwing whatever amount of money down to cover the cost. (In no means is this used in the gold digger content.)

It makes John and Laf so happy when they say yes to you and you erupt in a fit of happy giggles and ‘thanks yous’

Every once in awhile all of you would take a trip. It always varied depending on whose choice it was. Lafayette loved taking you all to his home in France, Alex was a fan of adventurous tropical vacations (sometimes cruises but it took a lot of convincing) and heading to Spain for a change of culture, John liked camping trips or mountain explorations, Hercules was a fan of road trips and calm vacations on the shores of beaches in Hawaii, and you managed to talk to boys into backpacking in Europe which although stressful during the process, was a successful vacation and you enjoyed weekends up north far from the social world.

Lafayette would come home from work and surprise you with various coloring books or Paris, India, New York, etc. from the local Barnes and Noble. This being said you would steal many or John’s coloring utensils to fill in the books.

The boys all had different drunk types

Alex was whiny. SOOOOO freaking whiny when drunk.

“Y/n… can you please cuddle me?” “Jack gimme kisses.” “Hercules can you make me pizza?” “Laf, babe, are you ignoring me? No baby, lay with me!” “Alex sweetheart, I’m doing laundry what do you want?”

John was the cuddly drunk who always wanted kisses and hugs. He’d latched himself onto whichever partner was closest and would die before letting go. If someone would say no to John- they’d pay the price. In an instant he’d erupt in a fury of tears and totally let go of himself. Herc, being the usual sober one, was there right away comforting the sensitive boy.

Laf was a happy drunk. There was always a award winning smile on his face when a drink was in his hand. He’d tell jokes in different accent and whisper incoherent French words in your ear. He liked to get touch with all his partners and always had a hand on at least one of you while intoxicated. Lafayette was known to laugh at least once every two minutes, sometimes at nothing at all while drunk. He found the world to be one huge joke and had the time of his life.

Hercules let loose entirely. He was more of a partier when drunk and liked to brag, a lot. It wasn’t always about entirely PG-13 things either if you know what I mean. He also enjoyed showing Laf, Alex, John, and yourself off as well. Not in a disrespectful manner, just talked about how much he loved all of you. His lips were constantly pressed against your temple as well as the other boys. He’d holler and shout at a ball game on the screen that while sober he wouldn’t even give a second glance to.

Speaking of sports, almost everyone in the house was into something different but when March came around, the house was madness… pun intended.

The boys as well as yourself would all make brackets. Money was involved, no doubt. Smack talk was also a component even though none of you cared for the sport too much until March.

Alex would watch every game leading up to the event feverishly mapping out his plan. In the end, he would take into account more of the end scores than the effort and passion of each team. His end game was between Gonzaga and North Carolina.

John would argue against Alex and root for all the underdogs. Things wouldn’t turn out well for him but he had fun! John liked cheering for all teams and tened to root for the team with the most passion and enthusiasm. He was one for effort and hustle so when all his first round picks lost, he didn’t mind.

There was no doubt about it, Lafayette cheered for the team ahead. He was a typical bandwagon and switch sides faster than any traitor in history. Laf claimed he didn’t do so but it was clear. Sometimes he would cheer for the team with the name he recognized but he did enjoy watching basketball and seeing the games. Not knowing whether to pick North or South Carolina, Lafayette cheated the system deciding to write ‘Carolina’ as the end winner, claiming he did it on accident but everyone knew what he was up to.

Hercules cheered for the team with the best colors. He wasn’t as into basketball as most and prefered to watch his loves get excited themselves. Although he did pick Gonzaga, due to Alex spending an entire week talking him into it. Hercules didn’t mind though, he had no idea what was going on anyways. At the start he had put in the Lakers and Bulls, not realizing the huge difference between college and professional.

You on the other hand had watched the teams throughout their whole season which also meant you understood every game was different so you took an approach similar to John. In the end, Alex was the closest to perfection and made sure to let you all know it. But he choose to spend the money won on a night out on the town filed with kisses, champagne, expensive food, and loving memories.

You and Alex would be overly involved in reality TV

Like don’t even get him started on all those Real Housewives shows. Alex lives for the, most likely scripted, drama. You both try to get the other boys in on it although the only one who bites the bait is Hercules. Her claims he ‘hates’ the shows but you had caught him one Sunday night after everyone had long passed taken on sleep. You had felt his side of the bed shift and soon enough he was creeping out of the room. You followed him in curiosity and the sight you found was no one to disappoint.

Hercules has an episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians playing at the lowest volume and he was fully consumed.

You tiptoed silently down the wooden staircase holding a hand over your mouth to keep your breathing shallow. The light from the TV screen flashed in the dim lit room. You peeked out around the corner of the wall taking in the sight before you. Hopping out from behind the wall you shot your hand out at your boyfriend and hollered in delight, “Ha! I knew it, you do love it!” Hercules jumped a mile high, his bowl of popcorn spilling out as he did so. His eyes flickered from the screen, to you, to the screen, then back to you again. Shooting his hands up surrender, Herc quickly snatched the remote from the cushion turning the show off instantly. “Sweetheart, it’s not what it looks like. I just- I wanted to see… fine you caught me. Don’t you dare tell Alex.” “Nope, too late.” A new voice appeared from the bottom of the stairs where a smug looking Alex stood. His hands were folded across his chest with his weight staggered to one hip. The cocky demeanor was shinning as bright as a new lightbulb. The introduction of another voice, or two, followed shortly after. “Damn Hercules, they got you too.” John commented sleepily. His messy locks curled around his face perfectly as his eyes batted heavily. You and Alex chuckled joining Hercules on the couch. Both of you were waiting for Monday to watch it together but what better time than the present. Alex snuggled into Hercule’s side humming at the man's hand falling around his frame. You reached forward locking your hand with Alexander’s and rested your head on his shoulder. Laf smiled at the view and walked around the opposite end taking a seat on the floor. He turned around and faced Hercules with a side smirk, “C’mon babe I thought you were strong!” “Sorry you two! It’s just so terrible it’s addicting. Sit and watch it, just one and you’ll see what I mean.”

But above everything you all loved each other more than anything and did everything in your power to protect each other and make one another feel loved and cared for.

Hope you liked it!

- Daizy xx

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