#/nope they've never talked so we can just make them strangers and new friends | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

streetlight11 · 3 years

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Ghost Of You

Summary: The fraternal twins were transfer students who happened to join his class. He and his best friend ends up getting close to the twins and they fell for them romantically. One day, the twins came to school with cuts and bruises, making the best friends worry. What happens when the two friends came to pay the twins a visit at their apartment after they were absent for two days, only to receive the most shocking news they've ever heard?

Theme: college au, strangers to lovers

Genre: slight fluff, mild horror [not really], sad

Warning: mentions of death at the end

WC: 2.3k

Pairing: Ju Haknyeon x Fem!Reader

a/n: Hello guys! Here's a little sad little fic for you. I realised I wrote alot of 'as' in this fic💀 Apologies for that, this has been in my google drive since a while back so my writing might not be so good but I tried :')

College life was definitely a challenge as it was a higher level of qualification and many students tend to struggle at first. But it wasn’t the case for Leena and Haknyeon. They were very smart kids who never failed to help each other in their weaker subjects. They have been close friends since high school but never once have they seen each other in a romantic light.

But there were times where their bickering would be similar to those of a couple’s fight and people would often mistake them for one.

Haknyeon is very protective over Leena as he would sometimes baby her even though she wasn’t his biological sister. So when they managed to enter the same college, he felt accomplished as they chose the same course.

Their first few months of school was hectic as the module’s content is pretty heavy and dry but they persevered through it together. They were 7 months in with school when their lecturer entered the class one day only to announce a new arrival of two transfer students.

“Listen up everyone. Starting from today onwards, we have two new students joining us. I hope you will all welcome them warmly and guide them through the lessons in case they can’t keep up.” With that being said, he turned to the door and called for them to come in. Only for two individuals to walk in. One was a male and the other was a female. But what sticks out about them is their resemblance with each other.

“Good morning all. I’m Juyeon.” The male said.

“And I’m Y/N.” The female said.

“We hope you welcome us with open arms.” Juyeon continued.

The class cheered for them as the lecturer told the two new students to sit at the empty table at the very back of the room. Leena couldn’t tear her eyes off Juyeon as Haknyeon had to practically nudge her side to bring her back to reality.

“Yah, stop staring so much, you can practically burn a hole through his head.” Haknyeon said.

Leena scoffed as she turned back to Juyeon, only to see him ruffling Y/N’s hair. “Do you think they’re a couple?” She asked sadly.

“Couple? I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re twins. They literally look like each other.” Haknyeon said as he leaned forward to get a good look at the two new students. Y/N was smiling as she happened to glance around the room, only to lock eyes with Haknyeon. He flinched as he awkwardly pulled back to avoid her gaze, making her giggle in her seat.

“What’s wrong with you, weirdo?” Juyeon whispered as a smile threatened to form on his lips.

“Nothing you should care about.” She smiled as she stuck her tongue out, making him wrap his arms around her neck, bringing her into a quick headlock. After class ended, some of the students came up to Y/N and Juyeon, only to ask the same question Leena asked a few hours ago.

“Are you guys together?”

“How long have you guys dated?”

“Are you dating each other?”

With that, Juyeon and Y/N couldn’t help but laugh as the rest of them got confused. “It would be incest if we dated each other.” Y/N said.

“She’s my twin sister.” Juyeon said.

A series of gasps were heard as Haknyeon raised his brows tauntingly at Leena, knowing his guess was correct. “See? Told you.” He smirked. Leena huffed as she turned to where the twins were seated, only to see his eyes turn into two crescent moons as the corner of his lips curved upwards into a smile.

A few days passed, Leena and Haknyeon didn't really get the chance to properly talk to the twins. They were just seated at one of the tables during lunch when Juyeon spoke up, “Are these seats taken?” Leena looked up only to see Juyeon glancing between Haknyeon and her.

“Nope. Go ahead.” Haknyeon said as he flashed them a wide smile.

They watched as Juyeon took a seat beside Haknyeon while Y/N took a seat beside Leena. The four of them ended up getting to know each other more as they found out that Y/N and Juyeon moved from Jeju to Seoul. Weeks become months, and they grew quite close to each other.

However, it was pretty obvious that Juyeon had started to like Leena and vice versa. Haknyeon also began to fall for Y/N and so did she. It was a rainy evening and Y/N promised to come over and help Haknyeon with his Chemistry assignment. Hence, the reason why she was standing there in front of his apartment door, soaking wet.

“I thought you were going to drive here?” He asked as he let her in, telling her to stay put as he went to get for her a clean towel.

“I wanted to but I forgot to get gas. So Juyeon had to call the tow truck.” She said. Haknyeon came back with a towel and clean clothes for her to change into. She came back out wearing his oversized shirt and ankle high socks to keep her warm. She looked so cozy as he almost wished he could cuddle and kiss her right then and there.

They were just seated on the floor in front of his couch with their laptops on the coffee table, when she asked him if he needed a break. In which he said yes. He was just resting his head on the table, mumbling the chemical equation at the top of his head when he felt her play with his hair. He looked up to see her seated on his couch as she rested her hand at the back of his neck.

“Don’t stress yourself out.” She encouraged him.

Haknyeon sighed as he got up, only to join her on the couch. He rested his head against the couch cushion as he closed his eyes.

Y/N watched him peacefully before she leaned forward to type something on her laptop. Haknyeon opened his eyes when a strong floral scent tickled his nostrils, making him realise that it was coming from her. Never had he smelled someone this good, he almost wanted to bury his nose in it.

Just then, she turned to lock eyes with him, only for his lazy eyes to stare back at her innocently. “Should we call it a day?” She asked.

He knew he needed to study but he couldn’t help but feel like his brain could absorb so much before it exceeds its capacity. He simply nodded as his lips formed a pout, making her giggle. A few minutes after they turned off their laptops and was just barely cuddling on the couch, watching a romcom show, he turned to her to ask a very personal question.

“This might sound… a little absurd, in which I promise I’m not intentionally being rude… but are you, dating anyone at the moment?”

With that, she smiled as she shook her head, making him feel like a whole weight was being lifted off his shoulders. She giggled as she nudged his elbow to tease him as she spoke up.

“Why are you asking?” She said. He began to panic as he struggled to find the right words.

“If it’s hard for you to say it, maybe you can show me?” She said bravely, only for him to stare at her. She smiled at him as she sat there quietly, waiting to see his next move. She wasn’t sure what she would do if he actually doesn’t feel the same for her but for some reason, she had a feeling that the result might come out positive.

His breath was starting to feel heavy as he didn’t want her to get the wrong information. So without further ado, he leaned in only to kiss her on the lips.

She smiled into the kiss as her hands found itself cupping his face gently before moving her lips together with his. His arms slowly snaked around her waist as he pulled her on top of his lap. While this was happening, Juyeon went out with Leena on the same day as he brought her to go watch a movie and also play at the arcade.

Weeks turned to months as the two couples grew stronger bonds as time passed by. One day, both Y/N and Juyeon came to school with a few cuts and bruises on their faces and arms. Both Haknyeon and Leena got worried as they asked what caused the bruises. Juyeon simply told them that they accidentally fell while cycling, only for Leena to scold them and remind them to be more careful next time.

Both Y/N and Juyeon smiled as they nodded to Leena’s warning. A few months later, it was a friday evening and Haknyeon was on the phone with Leena, just discussing some stuff when he brought up a topic that has been lingering in his head for a while.

“Hey Leena, I know this might sound weird… but have you ever wondered why the twins have never once invited us over to their home ever since 4 months back?” Haknyeon spoke up.

Suddenly, the line fell quiet as Leena thought about what to answer.

“I noticed it. But I just thought that maybe they just don’t feel comfortable with having others around that often.” She said. They tried to drop the topic as they ended up talking about the upcoming movie that was coming out in the cinema.

A few days later, Y/N and Juyeon hadn't been coming to class for the past two days. Both Haknyeon and Leena tried to contact them but none of their text messages and calls went through.

“Should we go and visit? Maybe they’re sick or something?” Haknyeon suggested.

Leena nods as she told him they could stop by after class. Once they were there at the twins’ apartment building, they went up to the level, only to stop right in front of their doorstep. Haknyeon wanted to knock on the door when it creaked open slightly. He turned to Leena, only for him to frown.

He carefully pushed the door open further, that’s when he saw the interior of the house.

Everything was covered with white plastics. Every single furniture was covered, it resembled an empty home that was just waiting for someone to buy and own the place. “Did they move house?” He asked as he tried to turn the lights on but there was no electrical flow in the house.

“Maybe they did… but most of their stuff is still here.” She said.

They walked in deeper, using their phone flashlights as their source of light. Just then, Haknyeon noticed the plastic was slightly lifted, leaving a small part of the table in the tv room uncovered.

He walked over to it, only to see two picture frames.

The one on the left was a family photo. The other was a photo of Y/N and Juyeon standing side by side, with wide happy smiles on their faces. “Why didn’t we notice this before?” Haknyeon asked.

“Because this wasn’t here?” Leena said. With that, they went back out of the house and closed the door, only for an elderly lady living in the apartment next door to leave her home. So Haknyeon decided to ask her. “Excuse me, Ma’am. Sorry to bother you, but is there anybody living in this apartment by the names of Y/N and Juyeon?”

“Oh, yes yes. The twins… Oh they were so nice and lovely. They used to live here. Every evening, they would always help me with carrying my groceries.” With that, Leena and Haknyeon turned to each other with a frown as Leena decided to ask.

“What do you mean, used to live here? Did they recently move house?”

“Oh dear, no they didn’t. They both passed away 4 months ago in a tragic car crash. They were in a hit and run situation. The drunk driver collided with the passenger seat of his car. The poor sister died on the spot while her brother died during the ride to the hospital.” Leena and Haknyeon stood there in horror as they stared at the elderly woman, unable to process this information.

It can’t be true. They met them everyday at school. They touched them, they hugged them, they held hands, and it all felt real. This must have been a prank. “Uhh, t-thank you ma’am. We’ll… We’ll be on our way.” Haknyeon excused himself as he quickly went back to his car along with Leena close beside him.

“No, no, no this can’t be right. We saw them everyday… We just saw them 3 days ago!” Leena frowned, her voice slowly rising in fear as her body trembled. Haknyeon reached over to hold her hands to calm her down.

Leena asked if she could stay over at his place, suddenly feeling afraid as she couldn’t trust herself if she was alone for the time being. Leena was just staring into space on Haknyeon’s couch when he came over to her quietly. The moment he sat down, he held his phone in front of her, only to see a news article that was posted online, 4 months ago.

With the headline being;

“Two college students who were believed to be fraternal twins, died in a fatal car crash in a hit and run accident.”

And in the beginning of the paragraph, it states the names of the victims. That’s when Leena couldn’t help but cover her mouth with her hand as she read Y/N and Juyeon’s exact names off the article.

“I can’t believe this…” She whispered as he pulled her into a hug. She cried as he forced his tears back, knowing they have to accept the fact that their friends, but also their lovers, had already left them and that they will never come back as a living human being.

~~~

#the boyz scenarios #the boyz haknyeon #the boyz juhaknyeon #the boyz haknyeon scenarios #the boyz haknyeon imagines #tbz juhaknyeon #tbz juhaknyeon scenarioss #tbz haknyeon scenarios #tbz haknyeon imagines

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ff15trashgoldenslumbers · 4 years

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If requests are open right now, could we get the Chocobros dealing with S/O's ex. Like they won't leave S/O alone no matter how many times they've told the ex that they have a lover now and they don't want to get back together. If requests are not open just ignore this entirely. Thank you and have a wonderful day.❤❤❤

Ohhhh the drama in me loves this! but the anger in me makes me wanna punch ex’s like this! All in all good fuel! Kinda slight NSFW with Gladio here, hope that’s okay…

~~~~~

Noctis

You shifted your head slightly, trying to hide your face. Granted being a Princess was still new to you in hundreds of ways but that didn’t make what was happening any stranger.

When you and Noctis became public in your last year of being in school you immediately were thrown into a completely different life than the one you grew up in. You had to quit your job, move twice, and learned that being online you had to become very vague about a lot of stuff.

Before Noctis, you dated this guy that was kinda of…well full of himself. He was always posting selfies and talked himself up as if he himself were a god. After requesting to be in at least one selfie with him on his page after dating for a while and then him getting pissed at you when you posted a picture of the two of you with some friends and him thinking it would make him lose his fanbase you realized that you just wasted a good two months of your life.

So off the idiot in foil armor went and in strolled your Prince on a White Chocobo. You couldn’t exactly post selfies with him, but Noctis always made certain that you were by his side in any tabloid, magazine, fashion shoot, anytime there was a couple opportunity he was certain to take it and show you off!

But it still didn’t excuse the fact that your annoying two-month ex was everywhere! All the damn time! Some gossip column was all over it when you gave the vague question about kissing a few frogs to get your prince and tried digging up your nonexistent love life before Noctis and found that mistake, and this asshole figured he’d ride on your coattails to boost himself.

Nearly every magazine for a year was all about your previous relationship with the guy: Prince Noctis’s New Girlfriend EX Spills All. There were so many false columns and info this guy was giving about you that Prompto last year gave you a red thread board of him trying to solve who this guy was actually talking about and the only idiot he came up with was aliens.

You still laugh at it whenever you have a bad day.

So to see this asshole now at this charity event for animals was just so annoying! He must have volunteered at the shelter when it broke news a few weeks ago that the royal family was going to help raise money. Gladiolus noticed him before you, and the big guy was itching to throw him out since the last time the guy tried to break into a ball.

“You want me to toss him?”

“Nah, just keep an eye on him.” You replied to the big guy, only to feel Noctis take your hand.

“You sure?”

You could only nod, the guy just talked a lot, and as long as Noctis thought you were cool, you didn’t give a damn what any tabloid said about you.

So while Noctis was talking with the charity people and getting everything ready for you all to leave, you had stepped away to take a few selfies with the volunteers of the event with some of the dogs, cats, and Chocobo’s they had brought out to do photoshoot earlier.

“Y/N.”

You turned, only to be greeted by your ex standing there, you could be civil for Noctis’s sake, “Hello.”

He chuckled softly, “That’s all you’ve got to say to me?”

You blinked, “Do I know you?”

“Oh, you don’t remember me?”

You smiled, “I’m afraid I don’t.”

“Princess Y/N, Are you ready?” Prompto called, he was at your side with the selfies so you weren’t left alone. The blonde leaning in to whisper in your ear, “You okay?”

“Yes, thank you Prompto.” You cooed, taking his arm as he moved you over to Noctis. You gasped as you felt something snag the sleeve of your dress, expecting it to be one of the Chocobo’s, but quickly found yourself in a whirlwind.

You recalled a cracking sound, quickly followed by being pushed behind Gladiolus, only to find your ex on the ground, Ignis, and Prompto holding him down. You were only able to piece it together a few moments after it happened and both yourself and Noctis were quickly escorted to the car by Gladiolus.

Apparently, everyone was so focused on Prompto decking the guy the hadn’t noticed Noctis was keeping an eye on the guy so when your ex grabbed you, Noctis had tossed a pen over towards your feet warping after it. Gladiolus jumped before the two of you, while Ignis and Prompto subdued the guy.

You honestly had to admit that you loved that Noctis was so protective of you and wanted to always do best by you, but the fact that your ex was still in the news was a little icing on the cake, but now instead of being labeled as the “Ex of the new Princess” he had a lovely new nickname of “Stalker.” or even better year, “Inmate.”

~~~~~

Prompto

When you both started dating Prompto had already known that he was going to take everything you had to offer. He just wished that your Ex wasn’t a part of it, he wouldn’t give you up for anything in the world, but your Ex he’d give that jerk up for a plate of stinky tofu.

From what you had told him, you had broken up with your Ex after quite a bit of time of him comparing you to other women. Time and again, why weren’t you thinner, why weren’t your boobs bigger, why don’t you were makeup more often, why don’t you dress better.

Prompto honestly didn’t see what the guys deal was, to him you were those most perfect of perfect! No one could compare to you, and it seems that your Ex realized it way too late. He had overheard from your friend’s hundreds of times that you seemed to glow so much more in a relationship with Prompto.

It was only when he saw it first hand that he realized just what a scumbag this asshole was.

It was date night, you had both decided to go hang out at the little carnival in the park the two of you would often jog through. You had left him holding your purse and a stuff Chocobo he had won you at a shooting game to head to the bathroom. He was waiting on a bench just outside the restrooms, messing around on his phone, waiting for you to come out.

When you appeared he stood to go get you, when he noticed a guy quickly approach you. The look across your face was one that he wasn’t familiar seeing on you but he immediately knew that it was of distress, so he quickly moved over to you.

“…come on Y/N, let’s just go somewhere and talk.”

“I’m here with my boyfriend.”

“I know that I’ll…”

Prompto had only heard a part of it, but that was more than enough, “There you are, figured you fell in.” He laughed, his arm going around your shoulders, as he pressed a kiss to your temple, turning those violet eyes to your ex. “Is this a friend of yours?”

The sneer on your ex’s face didn’t go unnoticed, the guy wouldn’t even look at Prompto, “Y/N, come on we can go somewhere private and…”

“Sorry buddy, date night,” Prompto called, as he handed you the stuff Chocobo, before turning you around. “You understand right.”

He didn’t even wait for a reply before whisking you away. Only when he made certain that you both weren’t being followed by the jerk he turned to you making sure that you were all right, but instead found you holding tightly to the plush.

Moving the both of you besides a candy apple stand, he turned to face you, “Y/N, are you okay, we can go home if you want.”

You shook your head, before turning to Prompto with a large smile, “You were so cool, Prompto.”

He honestly didn’t know if the apples or his face was redder.

~~~~~

Gladiolus

At least twice a month, you would get these annoying text messages. It was never during the day typically anytime from 9 at night to 6 in the morning. Most of the time it wasn’t too big a deal, they would start, and either you or Gladiolus was mute the phone or turn it off should neither of you have any duties for the evening.

The issue was they there were coming from an ex, an annoying ex! Despite the fact that you had been the one to break up with the asshole after finding him in bed with not one but two other people. Granted your break up was you grabbing the guy and tossing him out, you let the other two get dressed as they both seemed just as equally confused to see you. You then did a little therapy by selling all the clothes and items you had bought him and smashing the game station you had brought him that he left at your place with your battle axe.

Noctis claimed that he still had nightmares about it.

He tried stating you were a crazy bitch, and that you destroyed his stuff, but all receipts showed that you purchased them and they were in your home and were yours. You gave him back anything he left at your place in boxes he had bought, but seeing that he was jobless and mooching off of you that was enough to fill one box. But if you bought it with your hard-earned money, and it sat in your house, and you had no need for it, it was getting sold, tossed, or smashed.

So with 3 years gone, and a new love of your life that you’ve been sharing a bed and new home with for the last 2.5 years you had hoped all of this would be over. But nope like clockwork, you’d got these texts, even after changing your phone number 3 times and endless blocked numbers.

They started off angry, calling you every name under the sun, then to saying you should both talk it out, then the crying, then the pictures of him crying, or cuddling up to his new flavor of the month. Followed by texts of him reinstating time and time again that he was over you come the morning after. You never responded and after a bit, it became a running joke between yourself and Gladiolus.

The guy was too afraid of the both of you to ever try anything physical considering you both could destroy him with one hand alone, so he tried mental warfare which wasn’t his strong suit.

So when you went to open this month’s messages to stop getting the notifications from your phone you couldn’t stop the shriek of disgust.

“What he do this time?” Gladiolus asked sitting on the couch beside you.

You turned the phone, showing Glaidolus a dick picture.

“Really? Just send him one back.” Gladiolus chuckled, only to notice that you were suddenly scrolling through your phone. “What are you doing?”

“I thought about yours but that’s for my eyes only.” You responded, before finding whatever it was you were looking before hitting send.

It was honestly nice to have your phone silent for the last few months.

~~~~~

Ignis

You receiving undying support from Ignis, it was one of the things that you adored so much about the man. There were a few things that he didn’t support you on, but that typically was for your own good, like when you wanted nine espresso shots in your ebony.

A wonderful welcome compared to your ex who thought a woman’s place was in the homestead and as he so delicately put it: Popping out babies, and only standing there to look pretty, to be seen and never heard. Not to mention he had often referred to you as his own personal Oracle, while he was the god you were to serve.

You weren’t even certain if you could call him an ex, considering that it was a pre-betrothal situation by your parents from years ago as a teenager and that after the third meeting with this asshole and a nice glass of wine tossed in his face you were determined to do all you could prove this man wrong. Pettiness was always a good motivator.

The only problem being, he was just elite enough to have a way into most of the royal invites, and being Ignis’s forever plus one and The Citadel’s head Historian you would often get put in lovely situations where you needed to be civil to this overgrown child again and again.

You couldn’t even count how many times he would try to act as if you were both an item, and would often try to joke around with Ignis about how the other must-have you under his boot and that he would take you off of Ignis’s hands should he get sick of you, knowing how much of a handful you were with these crazy ideas of yours.

Thing being, Ignis would have none of it!

If there was anyone who hated your ex more than you it was Ignis, and Ignis could be so much more petty than you.

So tonight when you found yourself, being trailed around the party by him, you attempted to put on a pleasant face and excuse yourself, but this asshole somehow found a way to keep finding you around the party. Attempting to talk his way back into your life and constantly bring up to anyone who would listen to him that you both were once betrothed.

As you were contemplating on either giving him a black eye or bruise rib, you were surprised to instead find Ignis had shoved his way between the two of you, a protective arm around your waist pulling you close.

“Kind Sir, I would say it was a pleasure to see you again, but we mustn’t tell lies. I’ve noticed something this evening…”

“What…”

“Do not interrupt me, as it make you appear, even more, the fool. I would appreciate it that you refine from speaking with or about Y/N for the rest of your meaningless existence, should you not, I will see it that not only yourself but also you family are stripped of any such titles that allow you to grease your way into any social standing, do I make myself clear?” Ignis inquired, he had mastered the look of a pleasant face, to everyone else in the room it must have looked like Ignis was simply have a pleasant conversation with the other man.

“I…”

“It is a yes or no question,” Ignis replied, that tight smile appearing even more so, those green eyes appearing to glow.

A slight nod of the head from the other man was the answer.

“Wonderful!” Ignis perked up an actual genuine smile appearing on his face. “Do have a pleasant evening.”

You allowed Ignis to whisk you away to the other side of the room, “Can…can you do that?” You had already known the answer but you just wanted to confirm.

“Of course, My Dear. Now I have been dying to dance with you all evening, shall we?”

Gods! You loved that man!

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freddieslater · 4 years

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Rowing the Rarepair Rowboat: Enzo St. John x Maria DeLuca | Michael Quinn x Maggie James

Glancing up at the flashing neon sign above, Enzo doubts himself. Those damn travellers were so cryptic before they decided to spontaneously combust. The only thing they left behind was a note to him.

Find her. Roswell, New Mexico. Wild Pony.

For years, the thought of finding Maggie once he was finally free--because he was sure he would be, someday, somehow--was one of the only things that kept him going through it all. To thank her. To see that she got the life she deserved; a life full of love and happiness. A human life.

But a bar? She wanted to help people. He takes another quick look at the note, but sure enough, the sign reads the same name beneath the flashing image of a cowboy riding a horse.

Stuffing the slip of paper back into his jacket pocket, he shuts his car door and walks across the gravel to the entrance. He pulls the door open and steps inside.

The room's lit with soft lights, almost dim, just enough to feel welcoming. Chatter from the locals fills the air, a chuckle here or there from the tables. The quiet clatter of a pool cue hitting a ball over to his left, followed by a triumphant cheer and some lighthearted arguing.

He immediately decides that it's preferable over the Grill. Though perhaps that's because he's still unfamiliar here. Make a few enemies, specifically out of the bartender, and then it'll probably feel the same.

Not moving from the doorway, his eyes dart all across the room. They sweep from left to right, to right to left, taking in every face. None belonging to an elderly lady.

Disappointment sweeps through him briefly. Probably for the best, he thinks as the loud-mouthed rednecks at the pool table spout some distasteful language.

Ignoring them, he finally moves, making his way up to the back of the bar. Maybe the travellers sent him here to find one of her relatives, perhaps her child. Though he has no idea if he'd even recognize Maggie now, never mind a descendant of hers.

But when he reaches the bar and seeks out someone who'll be able to give him something to ease his frustrations, he stops dead. Proven wrong, it would seem, because he instantly recognizes the woman behind the bar, caught in the middle of a playful conversation with a rather tipsy man on a stool.

Except it's impossible. Not a feature has changed. She looks as young as the day he compelled her to forget him and walk out without ever looking back. Those dark eyes, so soft yet filled with life like a blazing match. The curve of her lips, that smile that filled his mind to replace the darkness everytime he closed his eyes.

It isn't possible. The only way...

His heart drops. He can't even stomach the thought. Compelling Maggie was meant to protect her, to keep her as far away from his world as possible. Unless she found another vampire more willing to turn her without knowing.

No. He refuses to believe that. But the proof is right there, undeniable. A relative, he tells himself. A daughter with an uncanny resemblance to her mother.

She notices him at last, her eyes flicking over to him. Straightening up and abandoning ber conversation in the process, she shoots him a warm, friendly smile that makes his throat close up.

"All right there?" she asks with a slight chuckle, eyeing him. "You look lost. Or like you've seen a ghost. Neither one uncommon here, surprisingly."

Enzo doesn't know what to say. He realizes she doesn't recognize him. Nothing in her expression or her eyes tells him she has the faintest idea who he is. Of course not, he chides himself. Because she's not Maggie.

"New in town, I take it?" she continues on anyway, apparently unbothered by his lack of response. "I know all of the local's faces; I should, considering I've lived here my whole life."

Something comes loose in his chest. Her whole life. Maggie wasn't from Roswell. There's a sinking feeling inside of him that he can't ignore no matter how he tries.

"Your whole life?" he hears himself ask faintly, forcing an interested smile onto his face. "Must really like this town."

The woman shrugs. "It's my home. But" --she leans both hands on the bar, grinning at him now with that same spark in her eyes-- "with an accent like that, I can see I was right in saying it's not yours."

Enzo huffs out a chuckle and nods. "You caught me. I've visited before, though. Couple times, long time ago."

Her eyebrows furrow the tiniest bit and her head tilts in curiosity as she stares at him. He can see her trying to recall him.

"Weird," she says after a beat. "I feel like there's no way I would forget someone like you..."

She trails off somewhat pointedly, expecting an introduction. He opens his mouth to give it despite his better judgment, but she beats him to it, holding a hand up to stop him.

"Wait, hold on, I'm psychic. Let me take a shot at this."

Her eyes are wide and excited, and he can barely bring himself to be fazed by the claim of being psychic. There's a snort from down the bar from the man she'd been talking to.

She rolls her eyes but otherwise ignores him, her attention fixated on Enzo. Keeping their gazes locked, her eyes narrow. It's taking everything in him not to give anything away. If she's really psychic, somehow, then that won't be a problem.

"I think that... your name is... Michael." As soon as the name falls from her lips, there's a guffaw from her friend and she groans. "Oh, tell me I'm wrong."

But Enzo's heart has stopped again. Michael was the name he had on his file when she was working at Augustine. Dr. Whitmore had taken him from the Air Force, while he was still under his alias of Captain Michael Quinn. It's what Maggie knew him as him until he confessed his real name a few months before she left.

"Just can't get me off your mind, can you, DeLuca?" her friend says, evidently enjoying himself a great deal. He turns to Enzo. "I'm Michael, by the way. The person that the lovely Maria here claims to despise, and yet..."

He waves a hand as if providing all the evidence he needs to make his point. Maybe that's it, Enzo thinks, and his mind catches the name this Michael uses. Maria. Not Maggie. Similar but not the same. Maria DeLuca, by the sounds of it. Not James.

Maria scoffs and aims the towel in her hand at Michael, who merely laughs and dodges the blow of it.

"Ignore him," she tells Enzo, turning back to him.

He laughs it off as well. "That's okay. Maria, was it?"

She nods, her lips pressing together in a smile again. "That's right, mysterious stranger whose name is definitely not Michael. Sorry about that. Sometimes I'm right, sometimes I'm wrong. It happens."

Part of him is tempted to tell her she's not wrong. After all, he was Michael for over ten years. Who's to say that means it isn't still part of his identity?

"Well, it is my middle name, so not entirely wrong," he decides to say. "I'm Lorenzo. People usually just call me Enzo."

Maria's face lights up, her smile brightening. "Middle name is good enough for me. And it's nice to meet you, Enzo. So, what can I get for you?"

"Er, just a bourbon, please."

He hesitates, then takes a seat on one of the stools. His eyes stay glued to her as she pours him a bourbon. How is this even possible?

Doppelgangers exist. He knows that far too well from his brief time in Mystic Falls, but that was a curse. Maggie was never in the middle of some two-thousand-year-old love affair involving vengeful travellers. As far as he's aware.

Maria sets the glass down in front of him. He thanks her and slides the money over before taking a long drink. At this rate, he's going to need a lot more than one glass.

"So, Enzo," Maria says, and pain spikes through his heart at hearing that same voice say his name again after all these years. "What brings you to our lovely but ultimately boring little town? Is it the aliens?"

He can't help but laugh at that. Once upon a time, it was in fact the aliens that brought him here.

"No, no, though I wouldn't mind seeing a few," he jokes, and is pleased when she laughs, too. He then sighs. "But I'm looking for someone. A woman I used to know. We... lost touch for a while."

Maria frowns. "Oh. Well, what's her name? Like I said, I know everyone in this town. If she's been here, I'll remember."

He stares at her for a moment. I'll remember. Something about the way she says it sends a shiver through him.

"Maggie James," he says before he can process he's doing it. "Her name's Maggie James."

For the briefest flicker of a moment after he says it, he admittedly expects recognition to flash across her face and for her to say that's her mother's name. Or an auntie. Someone in her family, something to explain this, because he can't think of a single logical explanation otherwise.

But her eyes stay blank and distant, still frowning. Then he notices that her frown has actually deepened. More thought than required for remembering a name of a stranger you met once or twice. And the blank look in her eyes is too blank, like they've glazed over, completely detached from reality.

Enzo's heartbeat quickens. Her expression twitches. It's a tiny movement, invisible to the human eye. But he catches it, and everything crashes down inside of him. It's the look of someone trying to unearth a memory buried beneath layers of compulsion. Just below the surface but forever unreachable.

Then she blinks, and it's as if she's thrust back into her body. She straightens up a little too quickly, her eyes wide and dazed. But alert. And lost.

"Nope," she says, and shakes her head, reverting back to her casual composure from before. "Sorry. Doesn't ring any bells."

He can hear the lie in her voice. Feel it from her. It did ring a bell, just one she couldn't quite hear. Muffled by his own doing. Or something else, he just wouldn't know what. It can't just be his compulsion. It doesn't explain why she'd still be this young, why she has a completely different identity and life. None of it makes sense.

"Don't worry about it," he tells her, plastering on another careful smile. "I'm sure I'll find her."

He doesn't know why, but it feels like the truth. Something tells him he won't have to look far. It's just more complicated now, is all. But when has he not loved a few complications here and there? They're what make things interesting.

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ineedahiddencorner · 4 years

Text

6.23.20

One thing that I was just reminded of in a dream:

Part of the reason why I don't feel completely myself, no matter how well I fix my algorithm?

No real dancing.

I've been swing dancing since I was 13. I don't know the official date of my swingiversary (unlike some folk) because I was dragged along. My sister's then-boyfriend's sister was a regular there and had gotten my sister involved. My sister had been trying to get me to come for weeks. In theory, I was down - she'd taught me the East Coast basic and two turns years before, but only the lead's footwork. (This was very quickly discovered at a volleyball teammate's swing birthday party, where the instructor asked for volunteers for a demonstration. I was so excited, and then did so terribly because I kept trying to start on my left foot.. it was a learning experience.)

I distinctly remember the day she got me to come. She was in the downstairs bathroom, door closed, and I was chatting with her from just outside. I don't remember any of our previous conversation, but just the following:

"Hey [my name]"

'Yeah?"

"Guess what day it is"

[I knew it was Thursday. There was a moment of silence.]

I can't remember the exact words of my reaction, but I'm certain I started fumbling around trying to make excuses for my completely open evening. Sequins just kept firmly saying, "Nope. It's Thursday, you're coming to [Lindy]."

Little did I know..

.. Just how TERRIBLY I'd do my first night!

Of course I jumped into the beginner Lindy lesson. This was when they still taught an actual lindy basic in that time, plus one move.

I don't remember the lesson or most of the evening. I only remember my first actual dance on the floor - the first one they played after lesson - where a kind gentleman asked me to dance and I could not get through a count of 8 without stopping. I may have once or twice in the whole song. We just stuck with lindy, no East Coast.. It did not go the greatest.

Part of it might be terrible memory (as previously found out this last week), but I don't remember being upset.

As mentioned, I don't know how the rest of the evening went, but evidently I kept going.

I don't have too many early memories - mostly things like wearing the red dress that was really a Latin dress but was the only dance-y dress I owned. Then wearing a different dress that I was.. hmm.. not old enough to fill, and one embarrassing dance related. With the addition of dresses came the one night that taught me to wear dance shorts. (I'm certain nothing actually happened, but that concern when you normally wear baggy shirts and jean shorts, and you feel the skirt lifting higher than you'd like? It changes you.)

My first most common outfit (though I can't remember how soon this was after I started) was my red latin dress, a red flower clip in the back, and my slightly-too-big red flats. (A.k.a. the ones I wore EVERYWHERE through ninth and tenth grade.)

Eventually [Haute] gave me my black and white, polka-dot diner dress. I still have that one, and wear it on occasion, but it's just getting old. (It started my Heart of Haute collection though, which was all I would wear for years.)

But that second common outfit was that diner dress, the red flower, and red flats.. clearly there was some easing that needed to happen. Somewhere around there I must've gotten into a single red lip color I had - but I only applied on the main lip area, no edges and most definitely no shape. Ah. Oh very grateful we've come a long way on that end.

I would stand immediately left of the door, cause that's where our friend and Sequins would stand. That stuck even when Sequins stopped coming. (I don't remember why.. but our friend and her friend kept coming for a bit and then stopped too.)

I remember learning the subtle art of asking for/declining a dance even before partners asked - I thought it was the coolest, subtlest thing. I remember watching follows do swivels and admiring them. If I wasn't dancing, I was standing with my arms behind my back, leaning against the wood of that door-left area.

I learned to love dance so much.. in tenth grade my teacher (and mom of my dear friend Caesar - one should also note the class consisted of Rose, Caesar, and I) told us about a dream she had about me getting all the boys from dance. I was mortified, everyone laughed, and it's been a tease since.

Oddly enough, somewhere in there I had the first gentleman ask me out. We were great dance friends! Tried to get a dance with him each time - we got along so well. At one point he asked if I had a boyfriend. I laughingly replied some variation of no. He asked if he'd have a shot. I kindly (and genuinely!) explained that I was 14, but sincerely appreciated it and if I'd been older, absolutely! (I never got his age but knew he was older than me.) He was embarrassed, and I don't really remember seeing him much after.. I understand the embarrassment but still miss him. Alas.

(And there-related, I'm either impressed with him or myself - either he had a very kind eye or I looked relatively together at the time, cause let me just tell you, compared to today's get ups? Oh honey. Oh I was so not properly dressed. Pretty sure this was still when I'd slick my hair back into a tight ponytail.. oof nope not my best look.

That said, we all start somewhere, but dang..)

I definitely had regular partners through that time, though they've changed drastically! It wouldn't be for a couple years that I'd meet Kaiju, Respect-women-juice, and Steals - my longest running, in-and-out-of-dance friends! Let alone more recent friendships..

Oof the early days. Parents dropping me off and picking me up. Then me driving myself but having to be home by 11 for the first year of my license. The different parking lots - North, South, and finally the underground (and my SPOT. I miss my spot. And B. I hope she's doing okay.)

I miss Lindy so much. I relatively regularly attended from that point on. It was a key part of my week for almost half of my life. It's definitely shaped so many parts of my life - respect, communication, kindness, joy, confidence, self-respect.. and much more I know. Heck, even gender roles - I remember getting so excited about leading and talking to a non-dance person as I got better. They were confused as to why being ambidancetrous was a goal and thought it was odd for people to be swapping around the 'fundamental dynamic' of a guy leading and girl following. Meanwhile I was so excited about leading I forgot that was even a view.

(My feelings were captured in the in image below:)

I miss dance. I miss the feeling of a good swingout. Of hitting the break perfectly. Of a favorite song coming on and despeRATELY NEEDING TO FIND THAT PERSON. I miss seeing other dancers in public and getting all excited. I miss trying a dance with a stranger and having it go REALLY FREAKING WELL. I miss finding story songs with Sandman and playing all sorts of characters. I miss laughing when messing up. I miss messing up but playing it off. I miss playing off an entire song cause neither of us are feeling it so we both just act ridiculous. I miss switch dances. I miss getting more confident in my lead. I miss dancing outside Lindy and Peanut-Butter & Dance. I miss hugging my friends. And getting good dips. And everyone's "dance outfits." I miss the Sisters' elaborate themes. The regular FEAST of snacks. I miss Heroes sneaking me in. I miss helping afterwards and catching up with everyone. I miss the peppermints at Lindy and having to move my "spot" for my stuff when the corner would get crowded. I miss the friends I'd make in the ladies lounge. I miss dance shoes. And space. And Camp Hollywood.. frick I miss Camp Hollywood. Days of dancing. The whole mindset being different. (And I was even going to bring ACTUAL food this year! (Not that protein bars and bananas aren't great, but.. variety)

I miss the music. The go to songs. I miss the smells of each of my favorite dance places. I miss feeling like I'm "coming home" every time.. And even if I have very low energy, still having a lovely night talking away to someone.

Especially Lindy. It did feel like home. I knew so many folks there. It was a wonderful home outside school, outside Old Street/New Street. It was my own space where I'd created myself. (Not in a facade way - quite the opposite. Where I'd built myself and my adult identity up from the roots.) It was my space. Not in an owning way, but in an independence way. Before I attended professional mixers and conferences, before I started at Engineering School, before I'd really had full on interviews - I was already my own person, forged by way of jazz music and incredible dancers.

That last part of the sentence is still off. Mostly cause it reduces dance to two things. But eh.

Of course as an adult there's so much more to learn about dance. Now is the perfect time to catch up on my swing history. It's changed over the years and I want to know that change. It's meant more than just light-hearted movements, and I want to catch up.

It's not stagnant. There's much more to know.

I've ignored dance due to "new physics" and therefore subconsciously not letting myself connect with that part of me. But there are other pieces I can learn without actually dancing.

Now is the perfect time for that.

#dance #i miss it #express #indirect

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