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jerzwriter · 5 months

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A Sparkling Holiday

It's their first Christmas together, and Trystan and Carolina are bringing in traditions from their past, and starting some new ones of their own.

Book: Crimes of Passion (post Book 2) Pairing: Trystan Thorne x F!MC (Carolina Rose) Rating: Teen Words: 945 A/N: Participating in @choicesficwriterscreations Holidays 2023, @choicesholidays it sort of fits "But it's tradition..." @choicesdecember2023 Christmas Thank you for the prompt @inlocusmads. I just loved writing this! I hope you enjoy it, too!

Full Masterlist | CoP Masterlist | Holiday Fics Masterlist

With the workday behind her, Carolina sat back on her couch with a cup of coquito in hand and numerous cardboard boxes surrounding her. Her sweater was covered with bits of silver tinsel, and her smile radiated just as brightly with each ornament she removed. Christmastime. She had a love/hate relationship with the season ever since her father was killed. But she promised that she’d focus on the positive long ago. Not only would he have wanted that, but despite her sometimes hardened exterior, there was light inside of Carolina Rose that fought to shine no matter what life threw her way. If asked, she’d deny its existence, but those who knew her best saw it as clear as day... and one of those people just entered the room.

Having Trystan in her life made finding the magic in the holiday season much easier. A year ago, she would have chastised herself for the stupid grin she wore as she watched him placing his box of decorations beside her. They decided to let the pros decorate his big, fancy apartment, but Carolina’s place was another story. They'd decorate it together, with items from each of their pasts and a few new things they had chosen.

“What have you got there?” Trystan smiled as he sat next to her.

“It’s a Teddy bear that doubles as a Christmas tree ornament. I bought it for my father at the school bazaar when I was in third grade.”

Trystan took the weathered pale blue bear with a loose button eye from her hands and looked it over carefully.

“I know he’s seen better days,” Carolina apologized. “But he means so much to me.”

Trystan tugged at the string on the button, pulling the eye back into place.

“If you can get me a needle, I’d be happy to fix it. Not that he needs fixing. He's perfect as is.”

“He is?” she queried skeptically.

“Of course! Things that are loved are always beautiful. Take you, for example; you’re simply exquisite... because you’re so loved.”

She threw her arms around his neck with a boisterous laugh. “Trystan Thorne! Are you saying I’m beautiful because you love me?”

“Was my name mentioned anywhere in that sentence? While I love you immensely, you were already well-loved when I came into your life. I can’t take full credit.”

She ran her hand through his hair, mindlessly twirling a long lock around her finger. “And what about you? Are you this gorgeous due to how much I love you?”

“Of course,” he teased. “I was a hideous beast until you came into my life.”

“Not quite,” she grinned. Leaning forward, she took his lips into a soft, lingering kiss, and when she broke free, she decided she must have another. Trystan was too happy to oblige, but she pulled away with a smile when he went in for a third.

“That’s enough, your highness! If we keep this up, there won’t be any decorating this evening... and I, for one, am quite anxious to see what you’ve brought.”

“Well, nothing will compare to this adorable little bear....”

“That goes without saying,” she teased, “but what do you have in your box of Drakovian Christmas magic? Barbed wire? A venomous snake or two?”

“You peeked!” He clutched his chest in mock horror.

“Nope. It’s just a given!”

If Carolina had any thoughts she could be wrong, they were dismissed when Trystan opened his macabre assortment. She was speechless but gasped at one item in particular.

“Is that...please tell me that’s not a skull!”

“It’s not a skull,” he deadpaned. “At least not a real one, just a quality replica. Using the real thing was banned in the early 20th Century.”

“What? Why do you have a skull amongst your Christmas decorations?”

“Because it is a decoration. Every home in Drakovia has one.”

The look of horror in her eyes told him further explanation was necessary.

“It’s a replica of one of my ancestor’s skulls. King Yorick.”

“Please tell me that’s a joke... you did not have a King Yorkick!”

“Nah,” Trystan laughed. “It was King Vyacheslav. I just nicknamed him Yorick because... you know... Hamlet.”

“Yes. I may not have had the best education, but we did cover Hamlet. But why does his skull adorn every Christmas tree in Drakovia?”

“Because unlike most of our monarchs, he was known for his kindness and good deeds. At the holidays, he ensured every child in the kingdom had a gift under their tree.”

“And to commemorate his kindhearted nature... you put a replica of his skull on your trees each year.”

“Precisely.”

She shook her head with a sigh. “Trystan, I will never understand your people.”

“That’s all right,” he agreed. “Neither will I.”

They sifted through the box, through the black feathers, miniature swords, and a few items Carolina was afraid to ask about, and then Trysten suddenly shut the lid.

“What are you doing?” She asked.

“Putting this away. We can start a new tradition... using my childhood Christmas decorations for Halloween. I much prefer the items we purchased this year.”

He pulled two ornaments out of a paper shopping bag. “See! Barbie and Ken, in all their pink majesty. This is more fitting for our tree!”

“I have to agree with you there,” she nodded. “And they’ll make great playmates for my little bear!”

They removed all the new ornaments one by one... each more sparkly and glittery than the last... then they took out one last thing... their bright, golden star purchased on a walk through the Union Square Holiday Market.

“Do you want to put it on, or shall I?” Trystan asked.

“New tradition. I say we always do it together."

"I can agree to that," he said, holding her hand as she rose on her tiptoes to place the star on the tallest branch of the tree.

Carolina stood before the tree, her face aglow with childlike wonder.

"It's beautiful," she cooed.

Trystan reached out, brushed his hand along her chin, and turned her face toward him. "It is," he smiled. "Absolutely beautiful."

~~~~

That got much more schmaltzy and gooey than I anticipated, but they deserve it! (And I deserve the coquito! lol)

Thank you for reading!

Tagging separately.

#choices fanfic #crimes of passion #trystan thorne #trystan thorne x f!mc #choices stories you play #playchoices #playchoices fanfic #holiday fics #holiday fanfic #crimes of passion fanfic #crimes of passion choices

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iknowyuu · 1 year

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little meow

// reader's guardians adopt a hybrid to keep them company.

hybrid! sieun x gender neutral! reader

↝ wc: 1.2k

note: Slowly trying to ease back into this, please be patient with me. <333 I’m working through all your requests slowly but surely, please know I’m NOT ignoring you !! 🫶🏾

content: cat hybrid! sieun obv, forehead kisses, alluding to animal abuse

REBLOGS >>>> LIKES

♡

being the golden child (and the only child) of your family meant that not only did you get perfect grades and never stirred up trouble, it also meant you had no social life.

so, when your guardians first brought up the idea of getting a hybrid to keep you company, it was a hard no for you. why would you want to surround yourself with even more bothersome responsibilities? your perfect marks were hard to keep up with as they were, you couldn’t imagine trying to not only feed and bathe another being, but to clean up after it as well? yeah okay. don’t kid yourself.

but the more you thought about it, you began to realize that your final years before college we’re wasting away without a single friend that you could comfortably call to hang out with anytime. a friend you could text at two in the morning and have respond not soon after, a friend you could go out and have a feast with without feeling judged.

so after a bit of pestering from your guardian, you finally agreed to having a hybrid that would reside with you in the home. finally, someone to keep you company during the late, late hours of the night.

of course, like nothing ever was, it was not what you expected.

the little kitty was around your age, around a year older, however he was just as, if not more socially inept than you. you also had no reason to call him a kitty due to his age in comparison to yours, but he most definitely reminded you of one- with those big eyes of his.

he would avoid you at any cost ever since your guardians dropped him of and left for work. when you studied, he would make sure to not disturb you, even when he was terribly hungry, he would curl up in a corner of the house and leave you to find him hours later. when you asked him if he wanted to take a walk, he hesitated for a long while, before finally agreeing. you know cats don’t usually go for walks, but you thought some fresh air would be nice.

he not only avoided walking beside you, but walked so far behind that nobody would’ve thought you were on the walk together.

two weeks of this behavior went by without you thinking too much about it, simply brushing it off as him being shy with new people. however, after four weeks, you became concerned- not only bringing up questions about his past but also being saddened by the fact that the one who was supposed to keep you company was avoiding you like the plague. that's what led you to the situation you were in now.

sitting across from the cat boy on the couch and watching tv, you had your arms crossed. you could already see in peripheral the way he was analyzing your body language, his tail laying stiff, ears standing straight up on his head.

"do you have anything specific you wanna watch?" you looked at him, before turning you attention back to the televison.

"..." no response.

you sighed before putting the remote on the couch and turning your whole body to fully face him. "sieun.." you frowned, "what's wrong? it's been a while since you've been here but you still seem really scared.. is it.. something i did? something my guardians did?" you pouted before continuing, "please tell me. i want to help you. i want you to be as comfortable as possible. i can't make that happen if you don't tell me how."

he stared at you for several seconds, his ears slowly relaxing down. for the first time, he spoke a full sentence to you. "...sorry.. it's nothing you did."

even though it wasn't much, you nodded and smiled to yourself at his response. better than nothing!

after that talk with him (if you could even call it that) things got better, little by little. he’d do more than just let out polite ‘thank you’s and lay gentle knocks on your closed door when he was thirsty. after a little bit of encouraging, he eventually got the courage to ask you for a specific play toy and not just deal with what he was given (wow! what a feat!).

a few months went by of him opening up more and more, and that all led to the now- the two of you sitting side by side on a particularly cold night, sharing ramen straight from the pot.

“this movie is kinda boring..” you sighed. sieun nodded in response, his tail curling up and out from under the blanket. “do you wanna change it?” he asked you.

“yeah..” you picked up the remote and switched the television to youtube, scrolling through the menu of your recommendations (a lot of the videos coming from sieun’s watches as well).

“what about this?” you settled on a true crime video, a deep analysis on an interrogation. several seconds passed before he responded, “okay.”

as the video played, you didn't notice how... certain words would make him tense, or even flinch; it didn't take long for you to hear the soft sniffles coming from him.

"sieun?" you picked up the remote and paused the video, "what's wrong?"

"it.. it just.." his face remained scrunched up, globs of tears spilling from his eyes, using the back of his hand to wipe them away. "...reminds me of.." he doesn't finish his sentence, but you don't need him to. you know what he's gonna say; it reminds him of his previous owner.

you're speechless. your heart breaks for the tears he's shed.

"s-sieun.." you frown, placing a hand on his back. "i didn't know.." you rub his back in circles, watching as he tries to calm himself. scooting closer to him, you slowly and gently wrap your arm around his shoulder, only to be startled at the way he completely turns his body to face you, wrapping his arms around your torso and burying his face into the crook of your neck.

his long tail comes around to wrap around you, his fluffy ears in direct contact with your face. you place a hand on one of his ears gently petting him.

as the minutes pass, he calms down. finally you speak up, "i promise nothing like that will ever happen while you're here. we love you- i love you. so much, okay sieun?" he nods as you scratch behind his ear, his shivers of pleasure radiating through your body. "don't be scared, hm?" you gently lift his face by his cheek and place a soft kiss on his forehead. his breathing hitched as he took another deep breath. "is it okay if we stay like this?" you asked. he nodded.

soon enough, his uneven breathing went from irregular to slow and calm, his eyes closed, chest steadily rising and falling. he's shifted his spot on the couch to lay completely up against you in between your legs- his chest directly against yours, his arms wrapped around your neck, face resting in the crook. his quietness took it's effect on you, your eyes getting droopy with every minute that passed. his tail was relaxed on the couch, his ears twitching every now and then. you occasionally patted his head, or scratched behind his ear, giggling at the way his ear would twitch.

"it'll be okay." you whispered against his hair, closing your eyes and finally letting sleep take you.

♡

taglist (send an ask/comment to be added or removed!): @brxght-world @karyuliee @kkaesslovr @qtaisuu @midnightgyu @neteyams-wife @insomngyu @raybeomgyuu @woonierkiz @venus-fly-trap105

#weak hero class one x reader #weak hero class 1 x reader #weak hero class 1 fic #weak hero class one #sieun x reader #sieun yeon x reader #sieun yeon imagines #kikisficz

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giggly-squiggily · 1 year

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A Series Of Deductions (Moriarty The Patriot)

Welp, here it is folks. I'm officially a William/Sherlock shipper! (is anyone surprised?)

Heyo everyone! I've been making good strides with Moriarty lately- both with the manga and anime- so much so that I've finally got the inspiration to finish this fic! Credit to a lovely friend of mine here that helped me bring this fic to life! I hope y'all like it as much as I did writing it!

CW: Drinking

Summary: Through a series of accidental turned intentional events, William finds himself in quite the peculiar situation

It wasn’t uncommon to find William James Moriarty among the common folk.

Despite being an aristocrat with the privilege to spend his time at the finest gentleman clubs, the young professor made it a point to frequent the smaller pubs and shops around town.

Some would say they were simply convenience- most were walking distance from the university, perfect for a drink after those late nights grading.

Others said he enjoyed the people- anywhere you looked he was chatting up the locals, sharing advice for their various problems and learning little bouts of gossip around town.

Both statements were true, along with other factors.

“Ah, late today, Professor? And here I was starting to think you’ve grown bored of our evening meetings.” Sherlock grinned around a cigarette as William sat beside him, a tad breathless from the run. “Winded too. That excited to see me?”

“Oh hush…I hadn’t intended it, but it seemed sleep got the better of me.” William confessed, a small blush staining his cheeks as he ordered his usual from the bartender. He needed to sleep more; how unprofessional would it be if one of his students found him passed out at his desk, ink staining his cheek?

Not to mention the dream he had while sleeping…a certain long haired detective invading his dreams like a virus.

“Pfft, you, sleeping at your desk? Oh man, I wish I was there!” Sherlock laughed like a child, slapping a hand on the bar as he threw his head back in mirth. “Remind me to swing by the classroom one of these evenings- I just might catch you. Do you talk in your sleep? What secrets would you share, I wonder…”

“You’re dreaming yourself now, Mr. Holmes.” William shook his head with a small laugh, taking his drink. He was grateful for the large glass; he hoped it hid his mortification at the thought of Sherlock finding him in such a state. “Though if you’re interested in sitting in one of my lectures, you’re free to do so. I’ll be sure to adjust the lecture plan so you can keep up. Does basic addition sound good?”

“Cheeky, aren’t ya?” Sherlock huffed, reaching out without thinking. His finger jabbed William’s side, twisting some upon contact. “And after being late! I’d outta-”

“Heeh!”

Both men froze, Sherlock’s eyes wide in surprise as William’s face flushed a pretty shade of red.

“What was-”

“Nothing.”

“Certainly you’re not-”

“You’re imagining things.”

“Professor…” Sherlock started to grin once more, eyes dancing. “Don’t tell me, you’re ticklish aren’t you?”

William stared him down, debating on how he’d go about this. Denying it would only prompt further investigation, while admitting to it…well, that’d also lead to investigation.

My, he was- to put it in the most Moran-esque way possible- screwed.

His options limited, he finished his drink, slipping his pay plus a tip to the bartender as he smiled at the detective. Leaning against the bar casually, he told him only one thing.

“Catch me, if you can, Mr. Holmes.”

Sherlock’s shocked expression was a blur as he bolted from his seat, evading tables and flying out the door before anyone could react. Behind him was wind as he ran, a laugh breaking free from his voice as he heard Sherlock yell something inaudible after him. He felt like a child at that moment, running away like how he ran from Jack with his brothers when lessons proved to be slow. It was exhilarating.

It was only when he got halfway home did he realize he completely forgot about his schoolbag.

~~~

“William, we have a visitor.” Louis’ expression was grim, as if he encountered a rather large spider while tidying up the manor. “Or I should say, you have a visitor. I have a pest.”

“Ah, so Mr. Holmes learned of our address?” William struggled to fight down the laugh in his voice at his brother’s dismay. “I believe I know what business he has with me. I’ll meet him at the door, no need to set anything out.”

“If you’re worried I’d poison him, you shouldn’t. Imagine the mess that’d leave.” Louis tsked, shaking his head in disgust. “We’d never remove the stains.”

“Glad to know you're prioritizing the estate, brother.” William smiled as he stood, making his way towards the door. “We’d never survive without you.”

“Oh, I’m sure you’d find a way.” Louis waved him off, hiding the flattered smile on his lips with a turn of his face. “Go now before he decides to scale the windows.”

When William arrived, Sherlock was standing alone at the door, William’s schoolbag in hand. “Morning, Professor.” He greeted with an easy grin, nodding at the man’s dressing robe. “Seems you’ve slept in today.”

“Oh this old thing? I prefer staying comfortable for as long as possible, that’s all. No need to dress up for grading.” William eyed his schoolbag curiously; there were no indications someone tried to pry it open, and everything seemed as intact as it was the other day. “You brought my bag?”

“Yeah, couldn’t just leave it there after you took off like a bat out of hell.” There was no resentment or anger in his voice. Sherlock sounded far too amused by the whole ordeal as he held up the bag, wiggling it some. “Come now, take it.”

“I really should apologize, Mr. Holmes. That was rather unsightly of me.” William shook his head as he walked over, taking the bag in question. “Not to mention rude. I’ll avoid leaving so abruptly in our future meetings.”

“Future meetings? You still want to meet up?” Sherlock sounded surprised. William couldn’t tell you why that oddly hurt.

“Apologies, I shouldn’t assume.” William smiled tightly as he stepped back, bag in hand. “Thank you for bringing this to me, Mr. Holmes. I’ll take my leave now-”

“Hold on, hold on! You’re as quick with your assumptions as you are with those feet.” Sherlock waved off his goodbye, making the blonde pause. “I’d still like to meet with you, evenings have never felt more fun, you know? Given Watson’s constant nagging of my habits and Miss Hudson going on about the rent or my latest experiment-which I’ll have you know went completely…” The detective cleared his throat when he realized he was rambling. “Point standing; I’d like to continue these evening meetings together…if you’ll have me.”

“My, bashful aren’t we?” William chuckled, even as that last bit of phrasing made something in his chest unravel. “Of course, Mr. Holmes. I’d like that.”

They stood in the hall for a moment more, quiet as they both looked for something to say. This was feeling less and less like a short meeting between men and more like two children declaring their love. William grasped at something to say, but came up blank. Instead, an idea he’d been nursing came to light.

“Well, I should be off then? Same spot at the bar as always, ol’ chap?” Sherlock nodded, turning to the door and heading out.

“Mr.Holmes, before you go. Answer me this?” William called out to him, making Sherlock turn. “Yesterday you inquired about my own sensitivities. I wanted to ask..are you perhaps ticklish?”

It was brief, but a flash of panic Sherlock’s eyes before melting back into a thoughtful expression. That was all William needed to confirm his suspicions. “Am I now? Well, Professor.” Sherlock grinned as he made his way out the door, eyes dancing. “You’ll just have to find out for yourself, won’t you?”

With that, the door clicked shut, leaving William standing there a tad breathless.

“Evenings with Sherlock Holmes?” Moran’s voice cut through his surprise, making him turn. “So that’s where you’ve been?”

“I’d give it a month.” Bonde nodded beside him, something knowing in their expression.

“Half of that, given how direct William is.” Moran shared a grin with his companion.

“If you two are so eager to snoop, might I inquire about your mission details?” William asked cooly, taking small satisfaction in the way they squirmed. “I take it you two haven’t actually gotten to it yet, have you?”

“Heading out now, Will!” Moran reassured, moving past the blonde with Bonde on his heels. “When you hear from us again, we’ll have information for days!”

“Yes. Oh, and William.” Bonde turned one last glance at him as they passed, eyes glittering. “He’s rather fond of brandy. Takes any immediate worries right off his mind. He’d be more focused on…important things.” They winked just as Moran dragged them out the door, leaving a wide eyed William standing by once again, this time his cheeks a tad pink.

~~~

It wasn’t long before the whole tickling thing became part of their evenings together.

Occasionally, without much warning, Sherlock would find ways to poke and prod William’s side whenever they sat at the bar together. It was never longlasting- short little jabs that briefly shocked him back to reality if he started to space out or grew lost in thought. The detective would giggle like a child whenever he did it, the soft sound unfairly charming.

Of course, William wasn’t the type to take such jabs without a fight. It hadn’t taken long before he started returning the favor, sneaking little prods and pokes into Sherlock’s ribs whenever he walked by towards his seat or on his way out. It never failed to get quite the reaction from him- Sherlock would all but fly out of his seat, cheeks dusting a bright pink before his glare melted away into something William couldn’t quite describe.

Their silly game didn’t remain at the bar. In cases they ended up taking together by chance or the impromptu meetup on trains or parties, they had found ways to subtly jab at each other. Never during important times of course, but rather during the quiet hours when stress was lingering. The blonde would be lying if he said he didn’t find the little pokes reminding him of Sherlock’s presence comforting. It was a nice way to step out of the Lord of Crimes mindset and into his own. Into “Liam” as Sherlock would put it.

Accidental meetings turned into more commonplace like the bar, and before long it wasn’t unlikely to see London’s most prominent detective side by side with the bewitching Mathematician; the two of them laughing about whatever as they wandered home, Sherlock pink from alcohol and William all but dragging him back to his home. If rumors existed regarding the details of their relationship, William didn’t know. He preferred not to think about that. It was bad enough his fellow crime consultants were wagging brows at him and tossing out offhanded advice regarding Holmes (and of course- Louis scowling at the name); the idea of the whole town whispering about it…

“Oi, you’ve gone quiet, Professor.” A poke to the ribs brought William right back to the dark streets of London, the smell of cigarettes and cologne floating beside him. “Tell me- what’s on your mind, ol chap?”

“You’re rather drunk, are you?” William asked with a laugh, steadying a swaying Sherlock with one hand. “I told you not to down that last Brandy.”

“Sorry, love. I’ll be sure to listen to the Misses next time.” Sherlock grinned, yelping on a laugh when the blonde shoved him. “Wow, you’re strong, Liam!”

“No, you’re just out of it.” He scanned the streets, creating a mental map in his mind. Without a carriage, the walk to Bakers’ street would take all night. Not to mention the earful they’d both get from Miss Hudson. Deciding to risk the wrath of his brother, William took Sherlock’s arm in his, pulling him along towards home. “Let’s go. You can sleep on the couch tonight.”

“The couch? Oo, I really pissed off the Misses tonight, huh?” Sherlock’s tipsy laugh filled the empty streets as they carried on.

~~~

“Huh. Nice place you’ve got.” Miraculously- Sherlock seemed to sober up almost immediately upon arriving at the Moriarty Estate. Lying across the offered couch, he snuggled in more with a content hum as William brought water and bread. “No surprise a nobleman such as yourself would be living in something so tasteful. Not a single foul odor in the air.”

“Thank you. My brother- along with our housemates- we take care of the place well.” William gestured for him to sit up, offering the water first. “I’d say drink this, but from what I’m seeing, you’re rather oriented.”

“Heh, don’t be fooled by a man’s cover, Liam. I’m definitely buzzed.” Sherlock took the glass, gulping down the contents with a single swig. The bread came and went nearly as fast. “Thank you- That should keep me going a while longer.”

“Right…I’ll bring you a sleep robe and a blanket.” William nodded, turning to go. “Stay put-” Arms suddenly came around him, pulling him back into a broad chest. “Whoa-Mr. Holmes, what are you doing?”

“Liam, I’ve told you. Call me Sherlock.” The brunette grinned in his ear, sending shivers down the blonde’s spine. “Why rush off to bed? You and I’ve got unfinished business.”

Dear lord he couldn’t mean-

“While I’m flattered by the offer, I’d rather we not do it here in the main room.” William started to gently undo the arms around him, a tad irritated when they didn’t budge. “Poor Fred- he tends to get rather hungry at this hour. I’d hate for him to witness something unsightly.”

“Oh I’m sure he’d witnessed this before. Unless you mean to tell me your companions never saw you so…vulnerable?” Sherlock teased, the hand around his waist moving to lie flat against his stomach, fingers poised. Only then William understood what he was intending.

“My word, you’re truly a boar, you know that, Mr. Holmes?” He shook his head with an embarrassed laugh, mentally scolding himself for thinking…why had he been thinking that? “I’m starting to understand now what he meant-” The fingers against his stomach curled, pressing inward and sending a sharp bolt of ticklish electricity up his core.

“I’ll have to ask who “he” is later. For now, our business.” Sherlock carried on clawing gently, deeply satisfied at the way William pressed his mouth flat, squirming in his arms. “You said, if I recall, “Catch me if you can, Mr. Holmes.” Now I have. Come on Liam, we both know you’re ticklish. Why bother hiding it?”

“It-It’s not a mahhahtter of thahaht!” William grunted, grabbing the wrist around his middle as Sherlock started tracing circles with his fingers. “Everyone’s asleheheep! Yoohohu’ll wake thehem up!”

“I won’t- I’m barely speaking over a whisper. You on the other hand.” At this, Sherlock brought his free hand up, gently squeezing against the spot on William’s waist he knew was ticklish. “Are rather loud when giggly. Try not to make too much noise now, dear Liam.”

“Yoohohohu scohoohoundral!” William swore, one hand pressed over his mouth to muffle the noise as his other batted at Sherlock’s. Squirming against his lap, he felt like a child again- Jack gathering him up when he refused to take a break and tickling him until he gave in. It was both comforting and embarrassing- he was so incredibly thankful said man wasn’t up right now. Who knows what little secrets Jack would let slip had he seen such a sight? “Shehhherlock, doohohohn’t!”

“Don’t what, Liam? Don’t stop tickling you? I suppose that’s what you want me to do, right?” Sherlock laughed softly against his back, hands carrying on their playful assault. “You know how I know this? Deduction. If you really wanted me to stop tickling you, you’d tell me so outright. Instead, you’re barely fighting me off. You and I both know I’m barely holding on to you. All you need to do is stand up, and it’ll be all over.

“But you won’t. You won’t because you're enjoying this. I can feel it, Liam. You’re far too relaxed to be someone who despises tickling, and you’ve even given me more spots to try.” Sherlock ran his hand up his side, giving William’s ribs a proper tap and earning a muffled squeak. “The out remains though. If at any point you grow uncomfortable, just say the word and I’ll retract my hands immediately.”

“Hohohohohohw thohoohoorough of yohoohohou wihihihth yohoohohur deheheheductions!” William gave up on trying to cover his mouth, both hands grabbing Sherlocks wrists as they wormed up and down his ribs, leaving little tickly presses at each pass. Soft giggles and squeaks whispered around the room, somehow still quiet enough not to alert anyone. “Hoohoohohohwehehehhver, yohohohohou fahhahahailed to fahahhahctor in soohoohohmething!” “Have I now? What would that be?” Sherlock asked with a grin.

“Yohooohohou’ve fohohohohoorgohohohohotten abohohohohut your ohohohohown wehhehehaknehehehehhess!” With that, he shot a hand down to Sherlock’s leg, squeezing only once.

“AH!” Sherlock squawked, slapping a hand over his mouth just as William slapped his own on top, creating a double layer of flesh. They looked around, waiting for a sound. When nothing came, they met eyes, William raising a finger to his lips.

Sherlock puffed against the hands, eyes squinting as he shook with laughter. William barely fought down his own mirth, ducking his head against his arm as Sherlock’s muffled giggles tickled his ears. “Whahat are wehehee, chihildren?” William gasped out as Sherlock howled in their hands, slapping his leg. This only made William laugh harder, covering his face with his free hand. “Stoohhop, stop- we’ll wake the hohohuse!”

“The house is already awake.” A new voice made them jump, twisting around to find a sour faced Louis glaring. His hair was a mess, and he wasn’t wearing his glasses, but it didn’t take long before an assumption crossed his face, turning his glare into a look of shock. “S-Sherlock Holmes?”

“Well, would you look at the time; I better head home now!” Said detective stood, nodding at the brothers politely. “Thank you so much for having me tonight, Liam. Louie.” The nickname earned him a scary look. “Your brother has been the most gracious host, but alas- it’s time for me to part-”

“It’s 2 in the morning.” Louis cut him off, his tone like ice. “No carriages run this late.”

“I’ll find a way.” Sherlock grinned, growing increasingly nervous. Louis cut his eyes to William once before turning back to the detective, shaking his head.

“The spare room is down the hall and to the left. Make yourself comfortable.” Sherlock seemed frozen by the offer, eyes wide and mouth gaping like a fish. “Breakfast is served at 8. If you’re hungry, stick around. If not, be gone by then.” He gestured, sending a nodding Sherlock on his way. Once he was out of the room, Louis turned to his brother. “Will.”

“Louis-” He began.

“Quiet.” He cut him off, shutting his brother up. It was rare for Louis to take on such a tone with him. Usually he reserved it for Moran. “Listen. You are my brother, and I love and respect you with my entire being. You know that will never change.”

“Louis, I don’t understand-”

“I am not some closed minded fool, Will. I know there are many types of love out there, and I’m happy you’re finding yours.” Louis carried on, pointedly ignoring his brother. “That said, Sherlock Holmes? Of all the men you could fancy, why him?”

“What…What, no, Louis!” William flushed as red as his eyes, mortified. “You got it all wrong-”

“Told you.” Moran smirked up at a just as amazed Bonde by the door. “Half a month.”

“That was three quarters at least.” They argued. “I win by default.”

“No way-”

“Can someone tell me why Sherlock Holmes is in our bathtub? Albert asked, understanding in his eyes as he looked at William. “Ah. Nevermind.”

“Who ate the last bread roll? I was hungry.” Fred appeared, rubbing sleep from his eyes. “Louis, do we have any scones left from this morning?”

“I’ll make some.” Jack called from the kitchen, earning a chorus of voices ranging from “Oh that won’t be necessary, Jack!” to “Don’t let that old man cook, he’ll poison us all!”

William only held his face in his hands, suddenly very tired.

What a night.

Thanks for reading!

#MTP #william james moriarty #sherlock holmes #tickle #tickle fic #fluff #Sherliam #This was originally gonna be short #it got long #whoops!#They're in love #even if they won't acknowledge it #kjakrkjaerkjaejkr

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lolitastories · 5 months

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Helpless

Description: She worked as a lawyer in New York until she received a phone call from the man she owes her career to. She knew she would be back and what she was in for but what she didn’t know is that her life would change even more than she imagined.

PART 6

Chapter 5:

I walk down to the kitchen smelling breakfast, but there is no one home except Beth and I but I knew for a fact she was spending her time with Rip. “Good Morning” My heart stopped worrying thinking someone had broken in. “Monica made breakfast before leaving. Kayce motions at the eggs, bacon, biscuits and coffee in the island table.

“Thought you put on an apron and became a housewife” I wasn’t annoyed by him but it surely came out that way. “Aren’t you supposed to be out at camp?” I fill a cup of coffee and turn to lean against the island to look at him.

“You said we needed to talk,” He said calmly, taking a bite of his bacon.

“Kayce, it's nothing important to ride all the way up here. This conversation could have waited until you came back” He nods, going back to eating. “But since you are here and it seems Monica made food for a whole village I guess we can finish what we can and talk” I pull out a stool beside him. “So where do we start?” His whole body turns my direction

“I need to know the truth.” I look over. “If you are going to stay here and be part of this family like my dad wants, I want to know that I can trust you. I want to know that you are here and on our side, because I don’t want anyone else that I love to be put at risk” I could hear his voice crack a bit and he is no longer staring at me but at a distance.

“Okay” I whisper, putting my coffee down and turning towards him again. “If that's what it takes I understand. But all I ask is to hear my side of everything before you judge anything” He only nods. “When I was 16 I had an argument with my parents, mainly my mother. Maybe it was my fault and maybe there was a fix to things but at that time I was only 16. It sounds stupid to say that it was only because of a rumor that I ended up away from home but for me it was a ball of snow and that day was the push” I moved my eyes away knowing I would not be able to say anything by looking into his eyes. “ My family thrived on being perfect and better than anyone else. They didn’t believe in mistakes and I was the example of everything they stood for. I got good grades, I never missed school, I listened with respect and gave respect even when the person didn’t deserve it. I hated it but I did it because I knew it was important to them and for me they were the only thing that mattered. That day I came home and they were waiting for me. Before I could even open my mouth to speak I was met with a slap. My mother screamed at me saying how I was a horrible daughter. How I was a disappointment. They heard from a lady that I had allowed myself to sleep around with a guy. The guy telling everyone around town that I offered myself like some kind of prostitute to him and his friends. I tried to defend myself knowing the fact of the matter was that the rumor was true but I wasn’t the girl they were talking about. While she stood there not allowing me to speak she took her time to scream and physically abuse me. I told myself maybe this is it. This is my chance to get away from it all. To not only escape from the image but to break theirs. My father got in the way once I was on the floor limp. I grabbed what I could and rushed out the door. I walked and walked until I could no longer move. Getting here was days of hunger and days of asking for a ride.” I look over to him getting out of my stool to place the coffee cup in the sink. “Since then I haven’t been back home. I could have gone back and remedied everything but I won’t”

“Why?” I turn to see him stand next to me. “Why not go back and prove that it wasn’t you? Why go all those years without giving them a chance to change what happened” I turn off the water and look over to him again.

“There is nothing I can change about that now. They made their decision. They could have looked for me all those years but have I heard from them once? No.”

“Then you should be the one to go and talk to them” I shake my head starting to get frustrated.

“No. I could but I won’t. I won’t face those people who don’t care about me anymore”

“You don’t know that” He followed close behind as I walked towards the door.

“I don’t, and I also don’t want to find out.” I got to open the door but I stop once I hear his words

“Is this what you are going to do? You are just going to quit and not fight? You speak about having loyalty to us but the people you loved the most you won’t fight for?” I turn around pushing my finger in his chest.

“You don’t know me. All I asked of you was to listen and not judge. You don’t know the full story of everything I went through, that was just the top of the icing. You wanted to know how I got here, I told you! And like I said before, you can either be nice because you truly feel like it or show me who you really are but don’t try to be someone you are not with me.”After the discussion with Kayce I walked out the door only to realize what I was wearing wasn’t appropriate for the cold weather. But being the stupid person I was I just continued to walk down the road.

“You’re going to get sick!” I turn my head to see Rip leaning against the railing of his porch. “It's too early for you too, what's wrong?” I walk up sitting on the front steps.

“I told Kayce how I ended up here” I looked up waiting for him to say something but he only looked at the distance. “I told him to trust me but the only thing I got from him was judgement.” I feel him sit beside me and offer his cup. “I already had my coffee”

“It's not coffee” I smile while taking the cup. “I needed it this morning” I chuckle while finishing the rest of whatever alcohol was left.

“You and Beth seem to be geting along better” I look over and see a grin not wanting to smile.

“You can say that” I was about to intervene to get more details until I heard a horse come closer. “Why don’t you go inside to warm up? Beth is in there” I nod moving my eyes away from Kayce. I walked in grabbing a coat nearby because I was still cold.

“Do you have something to tell me?” I turn around to see Beth in the kitchen with only Rip's shirt on. I furrowed my brows not knowing what she meant. “Showing up to Rip's new home in little clothes?” mI shake my head with a laugh

“Shut up” I walk over setting the cup in the sink. “Had a little argument with your brother, walked out the house without thinking”

“And too stubborn to go back” All the Duttons make me roll my eyes, and I notice maybe it's just them? “I heard you and Rip talking. Why did you decide to tell him?” I shrug and take a seat.

“You know I hate hostility and that was all that he was giving me. People around here don’t trust easily and I wanted to get that out the way, instead I feel like I got more hatred” Beth sits down beside me

“It’s hard for him.Trust me that he has a good heart. A better heart than us Dutton” She sighs, taking in a deep breath. “He is too good for this place. I thought when Monica came into his life and he left he would be gone for good”

“I thought he liked this place?” She shakes her head.

“This is like a trap for him. He is only here because for him this is all he can give Tate.” I nod understanding just a little more about Kayce.

“Doesn’t mean he has to be an asshole and annoying” I whisper until I hear Beth start laughing.

“All you need to do is spend more time with him. Let him know you and you him” I look over seeing a grin on her face.

“Oh for fuck sake Beth, he just got divorce!” I whisper yell not knowing if he was still outside the door with Rip.

“What?! I didn’t say anything but what I will mention is that he has not gotten some in a while and I know you haven-”

“Okay” I stop her. I take out Rip’s coat. “I will leave before anything else is said” Beth follows me towards the door as I walk out.

“He can keep you warm at night!” I walked past Rip and Kayce toward the main house. I only shake my head at Beth’s comment. I would be lying if I said It didn’t cause a smile to appear on my face.

Truth is I do find him attractive. He needs to cut his hair but the rugged look he can surely pull off. I grew up in a town where cowboys or farmers weren’t a thing, mainly country clothes but they didnt get down and dirty with cattle or horses. Then moving to the city was a drastic change. I switched my converse to heels. I didn’t wear jeans anymore but pencil skirts and dresses. I didn’t tie my hair up or put on a cap anymore. Around me were suit wearing men all the time. A little wrinkle in your shirt made you unwealthy. Since the day I arrived I have been wearing my same wardrobe but included some leggings. On accusations that I wore pants they were business pants with blouses that weren’t considered country attire. So when I saw him in a plain brown jacket and jeans that seemed to be dragged through the dirt I found myself wanting to be closer to him. It was the rough hands and the rough not comb through hair. He looked presentable enough but always showed he was a worker. Can’t explain it but just know I didn’t mind him, that was until he opened his mouth. That made me wonder what I was thinking. Cowboys are rude and distateful. They can be sweet at times but they are mostly cussing out people or fighting. They have a short temper and have a look of hatred all the time. But when they smile it is like every red flag gets thrown out the window.

PART 6

#beth dutton #jamie dutton #john dutton #kayce dutton #kayce dutton smut #reader #tate dutton #y/n l/n #yellowstone #y/n

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yakumtsaki · 2 years

Photo

The first semester has finally ended and it was officially our worst one EVER with an incredible grade average of C+, congrats guys! The only person who managed to crack an A was June, not because she’s a knowledge aspiration but because I constantly made her study to keep her away from her nephews. As if that wasn’t bad enough, we now live in a world that includes be-girlfriended Sugar.

-WELL GOOD MORNING, SOPHITO. I WAS UP LATE MAKING OUT WITH A GIRL. WHO’S THE LOSER NOW?? -I never called you a loser! -You thought it! Everyone did! And now it is I that has a girlfriend and you who has NOTHING -I still have my disgusting torrid affair with Eliza!

Ya you tell him, Soph! Your life is great!

I mean, it could be better. But worry not, it’s time to start working on those billion first dates you want, it will cheer you right up.

We ask out Blonde Meatballs and everything is going great!

-That’s right babe, first prize pre-school physics winner, three years in a row! -Oh my! -I know right! Wait, do you hear that?? -What, that distant moaning? -I KNOW THAT SOUND GOTTA GO

Uhh, Sophito? Is what I think is happening actually happening??

-YOU BET YOUR ASS IT IS

Could it please not happen??

-NO!!!

Bro..

-FUCK YOU ELIZA YOU SAID YOU’D NEVER SLEEP WITH HIM AGAIN!!! -I NEVER SAID THAT, FREAKSHOW -YOU SAID IT WITH YOUR EYES!!!

Everything ok, Reg?

-I think I’m just gonna go give some financial advice on the internet.

-FUCK YOU, SLUTBAG, LIKE YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE ISN’T HOOKING UP WITH 50 PEOPLE. WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO, WAIT TILL YOU’VE FINISHED??? -WELL YES! GOD, YOU’RE STRONG -CROSSFIT, ASSHOLE. THERE’S MORE WHERE THAT CAME FROM

Alright then, I guess that’s it, everyone is mad, everyone hates each other, perfect. Sophito, I don’t know what madness suddenly overtook you, but why don’t we pick up our teeth from the floor and go continue our Meatballs date?

-I don’t want to! I’m very upset and betrayed! >:(

-Hey Soph, I think your gum is in my mouth? -Oh that’s a tooth, you can keep it.

As our date with Blonde Meatballs was such a smashing success, we seize the day and ask out Obvious Business Major right after. 2 down, 48 more to go! Fml.

I have literally never had a sim be as addicted to anything as Reginald is to giving financial advice on the internet, when I tell you guys this mofo will do this until he’s near death and I constantly have to monitor his vitals. No wonder Eliza is cheating on you!

-What’s Eliza? New start-up company?

It’s a new day and Stacy makes the grave mistake of coming over to see Julian.

-Oh so you’re the new pledge, and a romance sim to boot? Don’t even THINK of starting any affairs around here because that’s my thing, got it?? -What’s your damage, you crazy bitch?

Ya Stacy, that’s what I’ve been wondering as well. She had a great childhood with adoring parents, this is all her.

Speaking of damage, June is finally interested in someone she doesn’t share ancestors with and it’s Erik Swain! I married him in during an old Union run and he makes cute af kids so I’ve been saving him but anything to get June off her bullshit. Go talk to him!

So it turns out that Erik is super shy and trying to get him to warm up to June was legit nails-on-chalkboard annoying but we finally befriend him-

-AND HE TURNS US DOWN FOR A DATE DESPITE 2 BOLTS. ERIK SWAIN YOU DUMB BITCH. YOU CAN FORGET ABOUT ME MARRYING YOU IN THIS RUN

-Oh no, what a loss!

It is!!!! Now fuck off, June and I never wanna see you again!!!!

Why leave to passerby-fate what can also be achieved through cold hard cash?? We invite Lakshmi over and hope she doesn’t FUCK US OVER AS USUAL

-I won’t unless you pay me with frozen money a second time :)

I’M NOT HAVING THIS ARGUMENT LAKSHMI

We spend the max amount which we extremely cannot afford but I’m sure we’ll get our soulmate!

-Omg omg I can’t wait!

Omg omg me neither!

no.

way.

NO WAAAAAAAAAY. iVAN???

iVAN????????

iVAN?????????????????

-What? He’s the closest she can come to dating someone she’s related to without it actually being incest!

LAKSHMI I SWEAR TO GOD.

-Well we do have 3 bolts, can’t I at least go through with the date?

NO YOU CANNOT.

Second try, fml. We’re gonna have to sell our gorilla statue at this rate.

-Ok, I’m now gonna give you someone you can’t possibly object to..

-..because you don’t know him!

Who the fuck is this??? I’m not wasting June on some Apartment Life Benjamin Long nobody!!!!

-No refunds!

Ok Lakshmi, against my better judgment, I’m gonna shell out another 5k we don’t have for a third and final attempt.

-You won’t regret it!

DORIAN THE BALDING COP????

-Ok, you might regret it.

GET OUT OF HERE LAKSHMI, I DON’T KNOW WHY I KEEP TRUSTING YOU

-Hiiiii Erik hi, it’s me!!!!

#gen 3 #ts2

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the-last-f2p · 1 year

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Jackpot Sad girl Mafuyu x reader

Blue= You

Purple= Mafuyu

Purple & Blue= Whatever you person is

TW: Horrible parents, please tell me if theres anymore tw I need to put

Song: Jackpot Sad girl

Living in the standard deviation

My life is alright it could be worse.. My parents are alright it could be worse... My grades are alright... Everything is alright. Well actually theres something that isn't alright my friends they're above alright.

A liveless face a rotten soul

Mafuyu quite weird she seems so nice and perfect but when she's with me , Kanade , Mizuiki or Ena she's pretty blunt and sometimes pretty mean. But for some reason I like her a bit..

Hey look when you realize it

I clicked on 'untiltled' it had been about a week since we all found our ture feelings but I still felt uncomplete and more attracted to Mafuyu she just seemed like a fun person to hang around.

The days pass by just like that again

It's been days I think atleast I'm working on a song with Kanade that will make Mafuyu smile I haven't been to school for a while and I think I'm going Hikkiomori but I really wanna see Mafuyu's actuall smile.

Special talents and the desire for expression

"Yes finally lets go K!" I hit my screen to try and give a virtual high-5 to Kanade. My talent is my voice I've always been told that but I've only sung songs I thought would make others happy people here more do it for expression I admire that.

Mean nothing when you live a life without purpose

Mafuyu smiled at the song and I think I've grown closer to her. She told me that she wanted to be a nurse but her parents told her she should be a doctor. Thats sad. But it made me think how much I admire Mafuyu for her kind of knowing what her purpose is I'm just going with the flow hoping I'll be alright.

No way I don't want to

I told a bit about how I feel to my parents and they told me that it doesn't matter because if I'm not a lawyer I'm a dissapointment. I also told them about Mafuyu and said that I should stay away from her and the other band members.

But I don't want to

Regretfully continue living like this

I think I like Mafuyu yes I just realized this but it doesn't matter her mom hates me so a Tsukasa would have to say that he wasn't a star before we went out. It maybe a regret but Mafuyu doesn't like me that way...

Feelings that are difficult to except

I found out today that I like Y/N and I have hunch she may like me back but even if I ask her out what will mom say?? Its difficult to except but are these even my true feelings?

To shove them all in is what we call love

I couldn't focus today because of my 'feelings' for Y/N I even asked Miku and she said it was love its weird a lot of things are considered love even obsession so how can I know that Miku is right?

I'm a JACKPOT SAD GIRL

I should stop denying my feelings at this point its just sad. They put some much effort into everything they do for me and I obviously like them thats the sad part.

Without understanding anything

I got a note from someone to meet me on the roof I don't know if I should go or not what if they want to confess to me I should atleast show up.

I come up from all the stairs and there is the long haired purple girl Mafuyu Ashania she then proceeds to tell me this.

"I like you Y/N but I can't like you. If that makes sense." "Not really." I say

And end roll of dots and lines

"I like you but I can't like you because my mom doesn't like you." Of course Mafuyu's mom doesnt like me makes me wannna fight her.

"I understand I like you aswell Mafuyu. That's what this is for." I then kiss on the cheek on run away blushing I didn't think to look at Mafuyu but I had a feeling she was as well.

Paint my everyday life

She then ran away as I turned as red as Ena's brother's hair did she just do that and now I need pretend that I don't like her. Damn this is gonna be harder than I thought. Its just pretend though you've done it for this long Mafuyu.

There was value in keeping feelings hidden from everyone

I haven't told any of the band members about my crush well if it counts if she already knows I mean whats the point in keeping it a secret if Mafuyu knows I just won't say unless they bring up.

Because the awnser I was looking for

So I told Miku and all she said was

"Seems you've found your true feelings." If these are my true feelings I wonder if they're also Mafuyu's or was she just lying to make me happy. I have to ask her.

Just like the future was in my hand all along

You put a note in Mafuyu's locker telling her to come to the roof and just like you came.

"Mafuyu I have a question." "I had a feeling you put the note in my locker ask away." "Do you actually like me or were you messing with me?" Mafuyu walked up to you and then kissed you on the lips.

"Does that awnser you question?" ".... Yep. Do you wanna be my secret girlfriend Mafuyu?" "Yes." You kissed her once more and then walked down the stairs holding hands I think its safe to say Mafuyu's one more step closer to finding her feelings thanks to you.

Her Secret S/O Y/N L/N

#mafuyu #mafuyu asahina #asahina mafuyu #asahina #mafuyu x reader #mafuyu asahina x reader #asahina mafuyu x reader #asahina x reader #project sekai #pjsk x reader

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thesiaswritingblog · 6 months

Text

"Perfection"

thing i wrote for a school assignment :3 oc shit again, ,, i promise i'll write smth fandom related eventually

// TW: mentions of wanting to...die. that's it actually //

———

...Do you know, that once upon a time, there lived a girl?

A girl who strives to be successful in life, to the point where she tires herself so much?

A girl who just wants to finish school, to the point where she tries her best and overwork herself so that she can get the best grades possible?

A girl who is such a perfectionist, to the point where she cries over getting just a simple 80 in a test?

Do you know this girl's name?

...

Well.

Her name is Miaya.

———

The very first time I saw her, was when she was studying for her class' upcoming math test. She was very concentrated, it seems. I closely watched her, since she can't see me for some reason.

Through my observation, I noticed that she had a hard time getting some equations done, always finding the wrong answers instead. Her struggling amuses me in a sense. It's entertaining to see her panic upon finding out the answer she found was wrong.

Never the less, on that night, she could only finish two equations. I vividly remember hearing her mutter something along the lines of, "I'll finish the other ones tomorrow night."

After that, I blinked once, and then I opened my eyes to pitch black darkness. Nothing in sight, as if I'm in a dark void. I looked around, before spotting the same girl I saw that night; Miaya.

She was calling out for someone, she was shouting out things like, "Hello?!" or "Is anyone there?" It entertained me enough to the point where I simply giggled. That somehow caught the girl's attention, which makes me quite proud of myself.

"Who...who are you?!" Miaya asked me, fear is written all over her face as her legs shake. "Ahaha, I...do not have a name. But fear not, for I will not cause any harm to you." I replied to her, before adding, "Now, tell me...how did you get here? This is a realm all to myself, so I don't see any logical and human way for you to get here."

"U-uh...Well...I..don't know either. I just went to bed and fell asleep and suddenly I'm here now." Miaya explained to me, her two-colored eyes finally meeting my blue ones. "Ah, that means this is also a dream world. How did I not know that from the start?" I asked myself, putting a finger onto my chin as I thought hard about it.

"So...do you...seriously not have a name?" Miaya's voice managed to bring me back to reality. It was a rather calm and soothing voice, that is rather quiet, to the point where you can't even hear it unless the room is really quiet. But...it's nice to listen to.

"Hmm...no. I do not have a name, I'm afraid." I answered her question after a few seconds, crossing my arms as I glanced away from her. "Ah...well, um, if you want, I can come up with a name for you. I'm expecting to see you here whenever I fall asleep, hehe." Miaya spoke again. The thought of having a name is so weird.

I have always been so used to having no name at all, probably because I have always been alone here without anyone near me. The concept of names itself is just so odd to me. But thinking about it again, if I were to meet someone in this dark place, might as well have a name they'll call me.

I glanced back at the girl with peachy hair, before nodding. "Sure. I don't particularly mind." I responded. "Ah, alright! Hmm..." She starts thinking, before making an "Aha!" noise. I could've sworn, I saw a lightbulb light up above her. "I'll call you...Emina!" She happily said.

"Emina...not a bad name. I'll go with it." For the first time in awhile, I genuinely smiled. It's nice to have a friend around here, even if I have to see her only in this supposed dream realm.

———

The next night, I watched her study for her math test yet again. She was catching up on the equations she hasn't finished yet. Though, once again, she seems to be struggling a lot. I am no expert in math either, so if I tried to help, then my efforts would just be futile.

I could only silently watch as Miaya throws her pen across the room out of a fit of rage. "I have to get myself together...I have to get the perfect scores. I have to make mom proud. I have to graduate school. I have to chase that future I really want to have." I could hear her mutter. She also muttered to herself about how useless she is and how much of a failure she is.

However, one sentence managed to make me feel rather...alarmed.

"I just wanna die already."

Oh.

I am not going to let that happen.

———

Eventually, after a few nights, the day of the test came. I silently watched beside her, not even caring if the teacher randomly passed by and went through me somehow.

(I actually took so much offense in that, actually.)

For the first few minutes of the test, Miaya was doing fine. She managed to solve a few questions perfectly fine, even if on one instance, I overheard her mutter, "I'm just gonna leave the answer like that, even if I don't feel like it's right."

However, for the next minutes, she struggled a lot. She internally panicked, and I could feel it well enough to know that this test is probably her lifeline. Something about the fear in her eyes when she didn't know how to answer question number 7 says a lot to me.

It's as if I can feel her fear too.

Eventually, time's up, and the students have to hand out their test papers to the teacher. I could only watch as Miaya silently hands hers to the teacher. Even if it's not that obvious, there's so much fear and sadness in her eyes.

———

A few nights later, I waited for Miaya's arrival in the dark dream realm. It took her so long to come here. Isn't it supposed to be really late for her right now? My worry then rises up.

But then, Miaya appeared into the realm just in time. But what shocked me is that her face was soaked with tears. "...Miaya, what's wrong? Are...are you okay?" I asked worryingly as I ran to her and placed my hands on her shoulders, gripping them tightly, but not too tight. Miaya didn't answered me, however, and only cried even more instead.

I pulled her into a hug, rubbing her back to soothe her a little bit. After some time, she managed to calm down, and then we both pulled away. "Emina....I failed my math test." Miaya finally announced to me. Well, that was not too shocking. Considering how...uh, badly she did. "That was my guess, honestly. But it's okay, there's always next time." I told her.

"But what if there's no next time? What if I can't try again? What if I don't pass my upcoming tests and exams? What if—"

"Shh, enough. Don't overthink it too much, alright? Those thoughts will just ruin you more. Just stay here until you wake up tomorrow morning."

...

"You'll be safe with me, Miaya."

———

The following days, Miaya never came into the dream realm, which had me worried even more for her condition. Now, I was the one overthinking for some reason. That's not healthy for me.

I decided to get out of the dream realm and spy on the girl in question instead, and when I did, I was rather shocked to find her hunched over on her seat where she usually studies, trying her best to stay awake as she reads a science book. I glanced over to the clock on the wall.

It read 01:03 AM.

Woah, that's just a whole different day now.

If only I could whisper to her that she should stop overworking herself just for some stupid numbers on a piece of paper and rest up instead. She's such a stupid perfectionist. When will she realize that she needs to care for herself more too?

———

The next night, I finally found Miaya appearing in the dream realm beside me, already looking as exhausted as ever. I immediately jumped to interrogation mode.

"You didn't slept these past few nights, didn't you?" I asked her immediately, turning my head to look at her. Her hair was pretty messy, that's what I noted. "Huh? O-oh, yeah. I wanna try my best to pass the upcoming science test, after all." She answered, and to that, I frowned.

"Miaya, c'mon now. You can't keep losing sleep because of just some stupid numbers." I told her. Now that I think about it, I sound like a mother scolding her child over some bad thing they did. I don't know, though.

"But I have to get at least a 95, or else I'll probably just never see the light of day." Miaya argued back, and that maybe rather annoyed. Who does she think she is to just not sleep because of her grades? "But you deserve breaks too!" I exclaimed at her.

"But my grades are important! You'd never understand how a bunch of numbers means to me!"

"But these numbers are the reason why you're lacking any goddamn sleep! C'mon now, just give yourself a break for once!"

"NO! I'M NOT RESTING UNTIL I GET A GOOD GRADE FOR ONCE!"

"MIAYA! LISTEN TO ME, YOU IDIOT!"

Without even thinking, I gripped both of her shoulders tightly out of a fit of rage. I looked into her eyes, they were quivering out of fear. It has been awhile since she looked at me with so much fear. But honestly, that's not the deal here right now.

"YOU WILL GRADUATE FROM SCHOOL! YOU WILL PASS UPCOMING TESTS AND EXAMS! YOU CAN DO THIS! BUT PLEASE, DON'T OVERWORK YOURSELF LIKE THIS!" I yelled at her. I wanna at least slap some sense into that stupid idiotic brain of hers, since she won't seem to understand it herself.

"WHY ARE YOU SUCH A GODDAMN PERFECTIONIST?! NOBODY IN THIS WORLD IS A SUPER PERFECT INDIVIDUAL! ONLY GOD IS, IF YOU EVEN BELIEVE IN HIM!" After that last sentence, I fell silent. Miaya was also silent as she slowly calms down from my sudden outburst. After all, this isn't the Emina she came to know and love (platonically, at least).

"S-sorry. The wanting to be successful in life just kind of...got in my head." She said, her voice shaking as she looked away from me. After a few more seconds, I sighed. "No, it's fine. I'm also sorry, for yelling at you like that. I just had to slap some sense in you, y'know?" Miaya nodded, before looking back at me. "Yeah, I can understand that."

Even more seconds of silence came in between us. None of us spoke a word as I fidgeted with my fingers. "...Maybe you're right, Emina." Miaya's voice suddenly speaking caught my attention once more. "Huh? What do you mean?" I asked, even if I fully knew what she meant by that.

"I mean...what you said is right. No one in this world is perfect. Maybe I'm just too much of a perfectionist, hehe." The peachy haired girl answered me. At that moment, I chuckled. "You're so stupid."

"D-don't say that! You're gonna make me think I'm incapable of passing any test!"

"Haha, right, right. Sorry~"

We talked and joked around more, until the dark void gets even brighter all of a sudden. "Huh? What's happening?" Miaya asked, looking around the realm in an alarmed manner. "I...don't know." That was the last thing I could say to her before we got enveloped by the realm's bright light.

———

Miaya just got to class. She was previously talking to a friend of hers from a different class before the bell rang. Once she got there, she noticed something feels different.

At that moment, the teacher walked in, bringing in a new face into the classroom. "Good morning, students. Today, we have a new student. Now, you may introduce yourself." She said, before allowing the new student in question to introduce herself.

After seeing who the new student is, Miaya could only feel shock.

"Hello. My name is Emina. I'm new here, as you all can tell, so please, help me with anything I don't understand in. It's nice to meet you all."

Ah, wait, right, that's me.

Whoops.

For a moment, I glanced over to Miaya, before giving her a small smile, giving her a sign that I recognize her. Miaya was still a little shocked at first, before nodding at me, a smile also appearing on her face.

I guess our friendship extended to real life now, huh?

I just hope that Miaya isn't that much of a perfectionist anymore.

That would certainly be annoying.

#this is me self projecting onto miaya btw 😋😋😋😋😋#stupid writing from arthesia!#arthesias ocs #once was a perfectionist: miaya (oc)#once was a drifting soul: emina (oc)#writing #oc writing #original character #original characters #oc #ocs #one shot #oneshot #oc one shot #oc oneshot

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oceanparkmall · 9 months

Text

Mall Ghosts | Chapter 1

table of contents patreon wattpad

~ 2.2k words

The year was 2002.

I had just turned eighteen. My parents bought the newest iPod for my birthday instead of the cell phone that I had specifically asked for. So I dyed my afro electric teal in protest, but they didn’t care. My kid brother joked that my hair finally matched my name – Aqua.

None of my friends really got to see my so-called rebellious transformation because I lived two cities over and I didn’t have a car to drive yet.

I begged my mom to let me apply for a modeling gig at the shopping complex where half the senior class hung out, but she said that there was nothing wrong with the mall just off the highway near our house. Her argument was that it was closer to where we lived, on the way to her job, and just as good as the mall across town.

She was right up until the last point.

Ocean Park Mall was the site where someone managed to rob an entire store. Whoever it was never got caught. Somehow they pulled it off without tripping any alarms. An entire department just completely cleared out. How does that even happen?

The scandal was big enough to hit the local news. It was a miracle that the mall didn’t get shut down. Still, a whole bunch of businesses packed up and left. Only a handful were left standing.

Nowadays, it seemed like the only things Ocean Park was good for was escaping the summer heat or grabbing a bite to eat in the 2.5 out of 5 stars food court. Every now and then Ocean Park would hold special events. Things like pop idol meet and greets, book signings, niche culture conventions, and that runway show that my mom signed me up for.

“Aqua Simone Moore,” Mom huffed as she drove me to Ocean Park for my first fitting, “wipe that gloom-and-doom look off your face. You always look so unsatisfied and I cannot for the life of me figure out what is wrong with you.”

I didn’t answer. All I did was slump some more in my seat, which I knew she hated.

Mom narrowed her eyes at me – as if that would do anything – and finally sighed.

“Aqua, you know your father and I try to give you and your brothers everything that we can.”

But nothing that I ask for, I thought to myself. Just because she and Dad substituted one thing for something else didn’t mean I had to like it.

Not in a million years would I ever say this to her because that would get me in a world of trouble. Mom would go home and tell Dad and before I knew it, I would be listening to a thousand lectures about how I’m not grateful enough and how they don’t know how I got this way.

Nevermind that I made perfect grades, stayed out of trouble, and almost never asked to go anywhere cool – but who cares when I’m not grateful and looking content whenever they choose to give me alternatives to the things that actually mean a lot to me.

I could have explained to my mom for the umpteenth time why it was important for me to have a cell phone to start keeping up with my friends over the summer before we all went away to college the next year. Or that the reason that I needed to land gigs at Arrow Crest Mall was for similar reasons.

I wanted to be near my friends. I wanted to spend time with them before this part of our lives was all over and we were flung across the country to different campuses. It wasn’t too much to ask for, right?

Apparently it was.

“Thanks, Mom,” I said when she dropped me off. I tried to put on my best I-promise-that-I’m-one-hundred-percent-grateful smile right before she drove off.

From the outside, Ocean Park Mall looked like your average shopping complex. Not the kind of place where businesses came to get robbed. But the moment you walked inside, it became clear that Ocean Park was well on its way to becoming a dead mall.

I looked around and sighed.

The first thing I noticed was the outdated paint job from the eighties. My eyes scanned the giant palms that were thoughtfully arranged to give the space a comfortably populated feeling. I followed their trunks up to the vast atrium ceiling. I suspected that the pyramid design usually let in a lot of natural light, but today it was raining. It made the already lonely space feel more like an indoor graveyard.

I wandered over to one of the central fountains and took a seat on the ledge. The sound of rushing water did little to soothe my nerves.

If I had a cell phone right now, I could see if anyone was willing to meet up.

I grumbled the thought aloud, but the truth was, I wasn’t so sure if any of my friends would come all the way out here just to hang with me.

Judging from the conversations I had on my home landline last night, all of my friends had some excuse as to why they couldn’t make it this week.

Work.

Babysitting.

No gas money.

They all seemed pretty legit, but I probably could have gotten one of them to say yes if I pushed hard enough.

But who wants to work that hard to convince their friends to want to go out their way? I felt like I was good enough to be worth the inconvenience. At least, I did before going into each of those conversations.

I wrapped my arms around my bare shoulders and did my best to not look as pitiful as I felt. After glancing around to make sure that no one was looking, I bowed my head and let my anxiety consume me.

There was a strong chance that I knew some of the kids that hung out at Ocean Park. Some of them probably even worked here. I used to attend the middle school in this area before my parents enrolled me in the charter school on the other side of town.

I hadn’t kept in touch with anyone since I left. I wasn’t the only one from that feeder school who didn’t opt to go to the nearest high school. From what I gathered, transfer kids like me were considered stuck up. As if I had a choice in where my parents decided to send me to school.

I prayed that no one recognized me. Maybe I would be lucky and no one from my old school would cross my path.

But that was very hopeful thinking.

“Aqua?”

My head lifted automatically without even realizing that my worst fear had already come to pass. I hadn’t even been here for five minutes before someone recognized me.

“Uh, yeah?” I said without thinking twice. The last thing I needed was someone thinking there was something wrong with me.

“Whoa, it really is you. Your hair was black in the headshots you sent, so I wasn’t sure.”

I stood up, realizing that I was talking to one of the designers. When it came to these small business boutiques, it was very important to get to know your designer as best as one could. This person had sort of shaggy, dirty blond hair with a natural redness to her cheeks and lips. When she smiled, I was hit with a wave of breath mints.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you wait,” I said, jutting out my hand to shake the designer’s. She was about four inches shorter than me. I wasn’t that tall for a model – only five feet, seven inches.

“Nice to meet you…” I said, shaking her hand sincerely but not knowing how to address her.

“It’s Elliot!” She said brightly. Then craned her neck a bit and added, “Wow. You have really great bone structure. Your pictures are awesome, but they don’t do you justice.”

I gave her a genuine thank you and couldn’t help but laugh a little.

“Everyone says that when they meet me.”

Elliot let go of my hand. “Well, it’s true! I’m excited to work with you. And don’t worry about being late. I’m totally early. You can come with me now if you don’t mind helping me open up?”

Most of the mall stores weren’t open yet and I wasn’t about to hang out in an empty food court, so I agreed to tag along. Plus, I already felt comfortable around Elliot. I was curious to learn more about her point of view as a designer.

As it turned out, she hadn’t had her store up for very long. She said that she was just starting out in the business and renting out a space in Ocean Park was the best decision financially.

“I mean, I know this place is supposed to be haunted or whatever. But I just don’t have that many options, you know what I mean?”

I was doing just fine listening to her until she said the word haunted.

Elliot must have seen the look on my face because she snorted and said, “C’mon, Aqua. Don’t tell me you haven’t heard the rumors? What with that store getting robbed and no one having a single clue who did it or how they even pulled it off? Everyone’s saying it was probably a ghost.”

Based on her tone, I’m guessing that no one actually believed this rumor. Not even her.

I did my best to laugh along with Elliot as I helped her unlock the padlock to the store and pull back the gates. While Elliot was lifting the metal curtain, I noticed someone coming around the corner.

This person wasn’t wearing shoes.

Or a shirt for that matter. Just a pair of dark denims.

I blinked, trying not to stare. But that was impossible.

A guy with dark shoulder-length hair walked past us. He was close enough to me that his shoulder swept some of my teal curls to the side. He seemed pretty damn confident for someone walking around shirtless inside a shopping mall, but there was a shadow hanging about him as well. As if he barely registered that he was walking so close to us.

“Morning, Sean,” Elliot said in a voice that suggested this wasn’t the first time this had happened.

The six-foot dark cloud of a boy had already passed by us, but he stopped sort of abruptly and looked over his shoulder.

His eyes scanned us once, lingering on me just a hair longer. As if he was trying to figure out who the hell I was.

“Uh, yeah. Good morning.” His brows came together in the faintest degree of frustration. “Um…”

“Elliot!” The shop owner chimed, clearly finding Sean’s spaced-out reaction quite endearing. Then she clapped me on the back and said, “And this is Aqua. She’s going to be working my looks in the runway show next month.”

Sean blinked a couple of times. I wondered if he had even heard of a fashion show before. That’s how clueless he looked.

“Right.” Sean’s eyes had finally cleared in understanding. “See you then, I guess. Um… Elliot.”

Elliot snapped her fingers and shot Sean a wink. “Yeah you will!”

The muscles in Sean’s face eased a bit. It wasn’t quite a smile, but it was something pretty close.

“And... Aqua.”

I don’t know if he did this purposely, but Sean turned slightly at the waist when he said my name so that his chest was facing me.

“See you around.”

He almost made it sound like a question.

I honestly can’t remember what I said. Probably just “yeah.” Nothing memorable, witty or cute, that was for sure.

When the guy had left, I asked, “Who was that and why did you make him talk to us?”

Elliot gave a heartfelt chuckle as she flicked on the lights to her shop.

“That was Sean Mori. Sorry, but I absolutely could not help myself. He’s hilarious and adorable and I had a sneaking suspicion that meeting you would get him to say something other than, ‘Uh hey.’”

For a second, Elliot embodied Sean’s particular flavor of spacey-hot-mess when she imitated him. Then the designer broke character and flashed me a sly grin. “Turns out I was right.”

I scoffed as I followed Elliot to the checkout counter and leaned on the corner while she set up the register.

“Please. He didn’t even smile. He was totally checked out with both of us.”

Elliot snickered and shook her head, but she didn’t try to prove me wrong.

“What is up with that guy anyway?” I said, thinking back to Sean’s lean muscle definition. He wasn’t a Greek god or anything, but… I liked what I saw. “I mean, who were we talking to just now?”

“Well, Aqua, if the rumors about this place are true,” Elliot closed the register and sighed, “then you just met our resident ghost buster.”

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agrislystory · 7 months

Text

Mistakes

Ashley awkwardly stood near the living room, listening to her her family spend time together without her, discussing Mark's newest scholarship. She'd always resented him for being the smart one, for being the favorite child. She was older but he was the favorite from the moment he was born.

Ashley had never felt like she fit in with her family, she'd even started dying her hair so she wouldn't even look like them either. Both of her parents were incredibly smart, at the top of their careers, alumni. They'd had her later in life, to ensure that they could provide the best life for their children. Mark took after them, always getting straight A's, he was even popular in school. Ashley, though, had never been particularly good at anything. She tried her best but realized years ago that she'd never be as smart or funny or charismatic as her baby brother.

Ashley sighed and retreated to her room, she couldn't deal with answering more questions from her parents about her grades.

Alone in her room, Ashley flopped on her bed, pulling her diary out from under the mattress.

"Dear diary,

I can't keep my secret for much longer. I'm such a disappointment to everyone around me, why do I even bother? I couldn't do this one thing right. I don't know how mom is going to react when I finally work up the nerve to tell her. I bet Mark will have a stupid, smug look on his face when he hears. I think I'm dreading that the most confirming that he really is the perfect child and I'm the fuck up. Of course he's right, he's always right. Just once I wish I could do something right."

Closing her diary, Ashley stood up and went over to her computer. Maybe Calvin is online to talk to, something to keep her mind off of everything.

A soft knock on the door interrupted Ashley's thoughts.

"Honey, dinner is ready." Ashley's mom stood in the doorway, unsure if she should enter. Jasmine knew her daughter valued her privacy and always tried to respect that.

"Okay, mom." Ashley stood up, heading to the door. At the table, Mark was going on and on about some project he was working on for school while their father listening intently. Ashley wasn't sure the last time dad had taken any interest in her and she felt a sudden pang of jealousy.

"So, Ashley, anything new and exciting going on with you?" Dad asked, turning to her.

Ashley slumped a little in her chair, "No, not really."

"Nothing at all?" Mom took another bite of her salmon and seemed to stare right into Ashley's soul. Did she know?

"Well, Mr. Wells told me about this new cooking program at school that I was maybe sort of thinking of joining." Ashley mumbled, picking at her food.

"Oh that's wonderful, sweetie! You always were such a good cook. I have no idea where you got that from, me and your dad ate ramen every day until you kids were born." Mom chuckled a little, looking over at dad, lost in memories probably.

The rest of the night was filled with Ashley's parents asking her all about the cooking program and she started to regret mentioning it at all.

__________________

On the bus home the next day, nausea hit Ashley like a ton of bricks. The moment she stepped off the bus, she booked it straight for the bathroom. As everything she'd ever eaten vacated her body, a voice came from the other side. Of course it was him.

"Are you okay, Ash?" Concern oozed from every word in a way that irritated Ashley to no end.

"I'm FINE, I ate something bad, leave me alone!" Ashley screamed at him, praying he'd go away and not tell mom.

Sitting back on her heels, it finally hit her all at once what this was her new reality and that she needed to at least tell Calvin, her long time boyfriend, and......the father of her baby. Her hands trembled as she pulled her phone from her pocket and dialed his number.

"Hey, um, could you come over? It's really important."

It was barely half an hour later that Calvin was standing in her room and Ashley debated on how to tell him. They're both only 15! And now she's pregnant! Their lives were ruined! Despair started to overwhelm her, but a soft touch from Calvin pulled her back down.

"Hey, what's going on, babe?" he asked. "You look really nervous."

Ashley took a deep breathe and just blurted it out, "I'm pregnant. There. I said it. I'm pregnant. Obviously it's yours."

Calvin stood there for a second, a dumbfounded look on his face. He wasn't sure how to respond. A baby? But he was only a sophmore in high school! How could they be having a baby?

"Calvin? Are you going to say anything?" Ashley fiddled with her shirt, waiting for him to say something, anything.

Abruptly Ashley was pulled into a tight embrace, Calvin nearly smothering her with his body.

"Don't worry, everything is going to be okay, babe." He pulled back to look her in the eye, "It's going to be okay," he repeated. Ashley started to cry and he pulled her in for another hug.

"Do your parents know?" he asked.

"No, I- I didn't want to tell them by myself." Ashley wiped her eyes. She didn't want to be alone to face her mother's wrath.

"We can tell them together." Calvin smiled, his nose crinkling in the cute little way that it does, and she felt better, more confident knowing that he'd be by her side.

A little while later, after talking it through with Calvin, they were finally ready to break the news to her parents.

Ashley gathered her parents in the living room, putting a smile on her face, and an arm around Calvin, the feeling of him next to her giving her the strength she needed to do this.

"Mom, dad. We have something to tell you. Please don't get too made, okay?" Ashley looked up at them nervously.

"Sweetheart? Is everything alright? What's this about?" her mom asked, worry in her voice.

"I, um. Well, I'm pregnant." Ashley leaned back, hoping to make herself feel smaller.

Her parents stood there for awhile, many different emotions flashing across their faces. Anger, sadness, shock, worry. Her mother's face settled on anger and her father's on worry.

"You're what?!" her mother shouted, and Ashley knew the onslaught was about to begin.

Ashley wasn't sure how long her parents argued but they weren't yelling at....her? They'd started arguing back and forth with each some time ago, yelling about how they could have let this happen, that she was only 15, didn't they teach her about sex ed? None of their anger was taken out on her, and that hurt Ashley more than she ever could have thought. She stood there helplessly while her parents fought, and she couldn't help but cry the entire time. Calvin stood by her side, but he hadn't said anything in a long time either.

Ashley had been prepared to listen to her parents shout at her for hours, but she wasn't prepared for the immense guilt and shame she was feeling now that they were fighting each other, and not her.

What felt like days later, they finally stopped.

"Calvin, you should go home," Jasmine looked at the teen boy, "we need figure this out."

Calvin, feeling awkward, gave a final look at Ashley, squeezed her hand, and silently slipped out of the house.

"Ashley, go to your room. Your father and I need to discuss what to do next." Ashley didn't question her mother, and just as silently as Calvin, went back to her room. She tried not to hear her parents continue whisper arguing from the next room.

Some time later, Mark came in to tell her dinner was ready.

Dinner was quiet that night. No one said anything, barely even looking up from their plates. The silence was too much for Ashley, and she couldn't stop the tears. No one said anything to her as she sobbed silently over her plate.

It was a few days later that Ashley found herself at the park with Calvin, dreaming of a future they may never have. As she gazed up at him watching the stars, she asked "Do you think we'll be okay? Like, actually?" She laced her fingers between his as she spoke, just enjoying the cool air. Summer was finally at an end and the cool, crisp air of autumn was finally here.

"Yeah, I think we will be," Calvin finally replied, tightening his fingers around hers, "I'll get a job and we'll find a place just for us and the baby. Who cares what your parents say, we have each other."

"What about your parents?" she ask. She realized that she'd never met them before, even after all this time. He'd never even talked about them.

"I don't have any," a heavy sigh came from him as he spoke, this was clearly a difficult topic for him, "they died when I was a baby. I live in a foster home right now, but they don't really care about me. Hell, they don't even notice when I'm gone."

Sitting up, Ashley moved to cuddle closer to him, "Sorry, I didn't know."

"It's okay, I never talk about it." Calvin laughed for a moment before saying, "You know, maybe if I did have parents, we wouldn't be in this situation in the first place."

"I have parents and I'm still ended up this way," Ashley said, elbowing his gently in the side.

They sat there for awhile in silence, enjoying the cool breeze. At first, Ashley was content just to sit in the comfortable silence, but her thoughts soon turned to her situation and the tears started coming.

"Ashley, what's wrong?" Calvin asked. He put an arm around her in an attempt to comfort her.

"I can't do this! I can't raise a baby, I'm only 15!" she cried harder then, full on sobbing. Calvin attempted to console her, but she wouldn't stop crying.

"Calvin, my parents want me to get rid of the baby. I'm starting to think they're right. We aren't ready to be parents! I can't even remember to do my homework most of the time!"

Calvin held Ashley's hand, "We can do this, I know it. I want to have this baby with you, Ash, I want us to have the family I never did."

Ashley looked at Calvin, surprised he wanted the baby so much. It made sense, though, that he'd want to try to have his own family, if he'd never had one before.

"Do you really think we can raise a baby? My parents said they don't want me to have it. I don't know where we'd go if they kicked me out!"

As she was speaking, Ashley noticed a man approaching them. She'd seen him around town before, but couldn't remember his name.

"I couldn't help but overhear your conversation, and I thought maybe I could help? My name is Joe." The man offered his hand.

"Ashley, and this is Calvin. Sorry, I didn't think anyone else was here." How embarrassing, this random stranger heard everything they were saying this entire time.

Calvin turned to the man, "You want to help us? How?" A stranger offering the solution to their problems sounded too good to be true, but what other choice did they have?

"I got this old trailer I'm haven't used since I moved in with my girlfriend, and got no real need for it anymore. It saw some real hard times and I didn't want to get rid of it. So it's just been sitting there for years," Joe pointed in a direction leading away from town, were few people lived, "I'd be happy to give it to you, if you'd be willing to work for me."

"Work for you? Doing what?" Calvin asked.

"Odds 'n ends, mostly. Errands. I just need someone to do some annoying tasks I don't have much time for. It's not exciting work or nothin, but I'll pay enough to cover your bills." Joe seemed genuine about the offer, though Calvin still wasn't sure what the actual work would be. Maybe a sort of personal assistant? Maybe Joe owned some kind of business.

"Can we have some time to think about it?" Ashley asked. She didn't want to make any rash decisions, that's how she got in this situation in the first place.

"Of course! It's an open offer, here's my number," Joe handed her a card, "Call me any time. It could be tomorrow, next week, or a year from now. Unless I do decide to sell the place, anyway," Joe chuckled to himself, "But don't worry, I probably won't!" he added quickly.

A few days later, Ashley sat on her bed, looking around her bedroom. She'd lived her entire life in this house, in this bedroom. Memories flooded Ashley's mind, hitting her so hard that she almost changed her mind. Playing dolls in the corner with her mom, her dad helping her with her homework at the desk, her annoying brother barging in at all hours without knocking.

Ashley sighed, she had to do this. She wanted this baby, she wanted to be with Calvin. She didn't even think her parents would notice that she was gone, in fact, they'd probably be happy that she wasn't around to screw things up anymore.

There was a knock at her door, her parents walking into her room with stern looks on their faces.

"Ashley, we've booked a doctor's appointment for you, tomorrow morning. We're going to figure out what to do from there. They'll just run a few tests, check on the health of you and the baby." Ashley's mom put her hands on her hips and looked at her pointedly. Her dad didn't say anything, just looked at her with a disapproving look.

"What if I want to keep the baby?" Ashley asked. She already knew the answer.

"Like I said, we'll figure it out tomorrow, as a family." Ashley knew this meant that her parents would decide for her, and they'd decide to make her get rid of the baby. Ashley didn't want that. She knew what she had to do.

"Okay, mom." She decided to placate them, knowing that tomorrow morning, they'd open her door to find an empty bed.

"Goodnight, sweetie. We want you to know that we love you very much, and only want what's best for you." Her mom turned and gently shut the bedroom door. As soon as Ashley heard the click, she sprang up.

Ashley rummaged around her dresser to find the key she'd hidden there days ago. Finding it, she texted Calvin that she was ready to go, just give her a few hours for her parents to fall asleep.

Those few hours were agonizing for Ashley. She was convinced that her parents had already found out and would storm into her room at any second. But they never did, 3am rolled around without incident. Ashley listened for a moment, and hearing no sounds coming from anywhere in the house, she silently opened her door, tip toed through the living room, and walked out the front door.

Just outside, Pawson was there waiting for her.

"You are such a good boy, Pawson, I'm going to miss you so much." A few tears escaped as Ashley pet him, hugging him one last time. She'd grown up with him by her side and now she was leaving him without much fanfare. She didn't even know if she'd ever see him again.

Ashley stood up, telling herself that she had to go. She looked back at the house she'd grown up in, at the dog she'd loved her whole life, and put one foot in front of the other, leaving it all behind.

Joe dropped Ashley off at her new home and saw Calvin waiting for her near the door. She rushed out of the car and ran towards him before leaping into his arms.

This was the start of their new life together, away from her parents. 15, pregnant, and on their own, would they make it?

And what was this job Joe needed them to do?

#sims 2 #sims 2 gameplay #sims 2 storytelling #sims 2 stories

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againtodreaming · 7 months

Note

Hi dear :))

For the ask game:

Chamomile, camelia, orchid, ivy,

(Sorry not sorry you didn't set a limit-)

Hi Misfortune!!! Tysm for the ask <3 (and i will never set time limit on these things ;)) ALSO!!!! THE BIRD IS SO CUTE!!!! 😍💖 Back to another episode of "Mila tries and fails to answer questions in less than 10 sentences"

chamomile ⇢ what kind of things do you like receiving as gifts?

I mean, it depends? It's a case-by-case basis thing.…ok, I'm lost so let's go back to the words I wrote when I was trying to outline my answers to see if I can figure out how to elaborate the logic behind that.

[Meaning. Useful. Emotion.]

Like…well, that? Not sure how to explain it. Like my uncle last year gave me a hammock bc it was on sale and like, why would i even want a hammock 😭 Even if i did want it, there is no place to put it in my house!! I can’t even use it. It’s useless and minimum effort bc like, he knows I like to draw and write and read. Like, buy me office supplies at least! Those are cheap too and I will actually use them. He bought me the 6th book of a fantasy series when I was a kid and ok, idk why he only got me the 6th book of a series I had never heard of when I didn’t even have the 1st 5 books but at least I enjoyed reading it even if I was somewhat lost with the plot. And last year he bought me some cheap notebooks for Christmas I think which I did like bc I love notebooks and can always have more so it’s like. If u are not going to put some thought or effort into the gift and make it meaningful, like, at least give me smth I will actually use. If not it feels like such a waste since it will be just shoved somewhere in a closet never to be seen again. But another example, my aunt. She rarely buys me stuff bc money, but when she does they are things she likes that she thinks I will like which I love!! And even when she doesn’t buy me stuff, she makes really pretty illustrations for me. Or even my younger siblings!! There have been a lot of times they have given me handmade crafts (or drawings) they made and like, okay, most of them were not exactly what u would call pretty, but their intentions and the effort they put into it is what mattered!! Or a great-aunt who knitted a scarf for me. I haven’t seen her many times in my life so we don’t really know each other well, and I don’t care much for scarfs, but she didn’t have to give me anything but she wanted to and decided to make a scarf herself which I appreciate a lot plus I will probably need to use a scarf during winter, so you know, useful too.

orchid ⇢ what’s a song you consider to be perfect?

@irritable123 you also asked orchid:

None I think? I mean like…What is perfection?

Ended up going to the dictionary:

perfect (adjective): complete and correct in every way, of the best possible type or without fault

So like, perfection doesn't really exist? Bc like, are we judging it under whose parameters? It doesn't exist. It's all subjective. Unless maybe we add religion to the discussion but that's a whole other thing and I haven't had religion classes since primary school (it wasn't even a favorite class so I didn't really care for keeping the notebooks after the school year either) and that was only Catholicism, so not knowledgeable enough either to even try to debate that. So, back to the point, songs. Perfection has never entered my mind when judging anything but my own stuff and I know nothing about music (can't even remember how to read the music sheets and I know I knew that in primary school, like that's the most basic thing, we probably learned it in 2nd grade or smth) so I don't have enough (not even the basic) knowledge to even try to judge it on a technical standpoint either. If we are going to judge perfection using my own likes as parameters……..can't be done either. I just listen to whatever I'm in the mood for? I just add every new song I like to the same playlist I have since I was like 12 or 13 years old and favorites come and go. I do have more specific playlists in youtube but it's mostly categorized by the fandom of each AMV and a couple for WIPs and one that's like, comfort music. And I speed up almost all of them up every time I listen to them (reason why I prefer to listen in Youtube rather than Spotify but I'll accept Spotify when I need to use my phone for background music), so even if I did consider a song perfect, would it even count when I prefer to listen to it in the speed up version? 😅😂

camellia ⇢ what were you like when you were younger? do you think you’ve changed a lot?

....look. I can remember the most random details about my childhood, most emotions and summarizing strokes, but ask for specific memories and I'm lost (unless u are asking for a few negative ones or random snapshots). So like, trying to be accurate here but no idea how correct I am being aasdfghj

Okay I was always described as: shy, quiet, kind, and creative. Smart by adults. Which like…I mean, they always told me that I became really talkative after I knew someone for a while. I don’t know if i have become more talkative after all the moving countries plus growing up, or maybe it just feels like I’m more talkative bc most of my childhood friends were really extroverted and more talkative (they usually talked to other people for me…I was REALLY quiet with people I didn’t know, even if they were classmates) (just you know, shaking my head for yes or now and 1 sentence answers at the most) (i did talk a little more with some classmates after i got familiar with them and if i liked them) than me so maybe I just didn’t notice it?? And okay, social confidence has always been super low, but I was fine in general in other aspects. Then moving countries and like, confidence in every part of myself dropped below zero. I didn’t even feel capable of washing vegetables for a time (idk!! but in my brain i could surely find a way to mess it up and wash it wrong and then everyone would maybe get sick and and and yep i couldn’t) and I’ve been doing that since I was probably like 5 years old so like omg 😭🤦‍♀️💀 Then, this last year the confidence levels have started rising to more normal levels, wouldn’t say they are very high, but they are good enough to function. Somehow, definitely better with social situations than when I was 13 so that’s at least an improvement. I've become a lot worse in academic stuff, mostly bc depression and anxiety and at first the foreign language thing and well, the zero confidence for anything so I just haven’t been doing anything in fear I will mess up. Like, I’m sort of all or nothing with stuff 😅 Been doing well this school year so far but like, the classes have been easy so far so like yeah, we’ll see how it goes. I don’t know, I just used to be more active, present, useful, productive, I actually did the stuff I wanted when I was younger. But most things, it’s just…I mean, aside from being more mature and self-aware (from so much overthinking lol) I don’t think I’ve changed much? Same interests, same likes, same values, same personality. Things got added but that's it i think? It’s just how the way I act that has changed a bit but trying to get back into doing the stuff I used to so it’s like, the want is still there, it’s just my willpower that’s a work in progress ig? Not sure what more to add in this section so just stopping here 😂

ivy ⇢ what are your ‘tells’ for your emotions and moods? how can someone tell you’re happy, annoyed, upset or tired?

Happy = this one is usually obvious (pretty sure at least, my sister says i'm usually easy to read; also, i don't really bother trying to hide my emotions except in some occasions). The more happy, the more energetic i get, the higher and faster i talk (although this one also happens when I'm annoyed), and I just get really...I don't energetic, I want to do stuff, have fun, more optimistic, laughing a lot, more social, affectionate

Annoyed. Depends on levels? As I said, higher and louder and faster I talk. I will either be complaining a LOT or staying really silent, with some trying to not be snarky comments with varying levels of success if someone directs any question to me or if the annoyance just gets too much (i usually try to retreat before that happens tho). Also, dramatic.

Upset..right, remember me saying that i don't really like to hide my emotions unless it seems necessary? It's this section (sometimes annoyance, like it, depends but mostly here bc I can complain a lot but a lot of it is mostly out of principle). Depends on the level and category of upset really, and how close someone is to the situation. And if it's useful to share. Like, if i think telling someone will help my problem, I will probably share but if not, I'll just keep quiet and deal with it myself. Or if it's too recent. A lot of stuff is old news by now even if they are still problems so sharing those is easier than new stuff that are still doing their obligatory rounds around my head. If I feel like it's...idk, justified or inconsequential for me to be upset I will be upset. Either complaining about anything minor that has suddenly become annoying bc of my mayor annoyance, or complaining about whatever thing i'm being forced to do, or silent or taking turns doing both and just with no wants for anything and just like, no energy for anything and wanting to be alone and not wanting to talk or do stuff or anything. If I'm hiding it...it's not actually hiding bc it's not like I'm actually making an effort to hide it but just like, no complaining and I will not make efforts to behave happily or anything but I will also not express that I'm upset? Like, you can ask me whatever and I will just lie and either deny feeling upset, downplay it, attribute it to whatever else or just shrug and shake my head in yes or no and try to escape the conversation. Like, just will be more quiet and subdued. I actually don't know how good I'm at lying bc I really dont like lying but also, the few times I have lied nobody has said anything about it so ig they believe it? Or are they just giving me the benefit of doubt??? Like no idea, I don't lie enough to have much data. Also, half the time I'm upset about smth I can be more passive aggressive but, unlike my sister who will be doing passive aggressive comments each time she seems me, I will be so passive about it that the only one who ends up knowing about it it's me which is both frustrating and relieving and embarrassing so...yep. I just don’t like fighting ig. Can't do silent treatment tho, my sister does it and it's like ugh. I hate it. Plus I don't like being upset, anger requires so much energy and feels awful and it's my least favorite emotion, and the sooner the conflict is over the better. Tend to fidget a lot with my rings or hair-ties or rocks (if i have them near) or strands of hair when anxious. Also, almost forgot to mention this part but if I'm upset about smth and the people I'm talking with are not related at all with the problem, I usually don't mind talking about it

Tired....i mean tired? Quiet, subdued, maybe complaining, no energy to want to do anything, stressed about all the stuff I have to do.

ps: no idea how obvious i am when i'm upset when i'm not trying to make it obvious. bc sometimes people notice and sometimes they don't?? even when i think i'm pretty obvious?? So like yeah, no idea

#mila habla #asks #sorry it's so late!!

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the--lonely--writer · 1 year

Text

Thea Queen: The Rise of The Heiress

Chapter - 01 [Betrayal]

"Yo, pretty kitty… Stop staring at your phone and give me a hand," A girl walked into the room and found her friend glued to the phone, "Thea, Barry will reply when he sees your message. You staring at the phone won't do a thing. Huh… Acting like a puppy."

And saying so, the girl snatched the phone from Thea's hand.

"Quit it, Stacy… Give me my phone back," Thea tried to take her phone back, but Stacy pushed a tray into Thea's arms instead.

"Take this and get back to work. Use that pretty face of yours to earn some extra cash," Stacy frowned, looking at Thea and said. If she had a face like her friend's, she would be a cash printing machine.

And it was indeed justified of Stacy to feel a bit jealous. Thea was one of the most, if not the most beautiful girl in their school. They were only in high school, and Thea was already a head taller than most her age. And if that was not enough, she was in the School’s ballerina troupe. But what really melted every boy's heart was her serene green eyes. One would hardly come across someone with such beautiful eyes.

Many boys flocked around her, trying all sorts of tricks to get her attention. To go on that one single date. But Thea knew that it was all nothing but a sham. She knew they were only after her looks and were not serious about her. And this was all because she was not born with a silver spoon in her mouth. Her family had neither the wealth nor the influence to help her. In fact, they could hardly get by.

But while others would have regretted it all along, Thea did not care about it much. After all, she already had the perfect boyfriend, Barry.

Thea and Barry have known each other since they were in diapers. Their families were already good friends. And by the time Thea and Barry were in middle school, they were already a thing. But Barry didn't want the rumours about them to circle everywhere in the school. Like Thea, he hated getting attention to himself, and Thea respected that. So apart from a selected few, no one knew about them.

Even so, it did not stop Thea from thinking about their future. And since they were not rich, the only way Thea could make their life comfortable was by getting a decent enough job. And for that, she had to go to college to study.

Thea knew that once she had a decent job, she could build her life on it. Everything would be smooth-sailing after that. But to go to college, she needed money. Which finally explained why Thea was at this high-end restaurant.

Usually, it's very hard for someone to get a part-time job at such an expensive restaurant, but thanks to her pretty face, the manager was more than happy to have her there. And along with Thea, Stacy, her school friend, also came sticking like a one plus one deal. But overall, everyone was happy in the end. Or were they?

How can there be happiness without sorrow? Working part-time had its disadvantages as well. One, Thea got very little time to study. After school and part-time, she was usually too tired to even lift a finger, let alone study. It would be no surprise if her grades slipped.

But what worried Thea was that she had no time for Barry. She could only see him during school, and since they were in different classes, there were times when she could not even talk to him for days. And that made Thea come to a decision.

Even though it would dent her savings a bit, Thea had to buy a nice expensive gift for Barry soon. After all, it was their anniversary soon. They would complete four years of being together. She had to make that day special for him. "You know na… The restaurant has been booked by this girl for the evening?" Stacy spoke, which brought Thea's head out of her thoughts, "We need to start preparing for that as well… So get your act together, will ya?"

"Do you know who it is?" Thea tried to pry. This was a grand gesture to make anyone envious.

"How would I know?" Stacy feigned ignorance and said, "It's not like I am the manager's favourite," and saying so, Stacy turned around to leave without giving Thea any chance of pestering her.

"Che… Liar," Thea clicked her tongue, not believing Stacy but still followed behind her.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"This should be enough," Stacy looked at Thea and said. They decorated the table with nicely fragrant flowers, dim lighting and everything else the customer had asked for. It was elegant but not too much to give away the surprise.

"Nicely done, guys… You have some good taste," While Thea and Stacy appreciated their work, the manager walked towards them.

"Manager!" Thea and Stacy greeted the manager and stepped away to give her way.

"Everything looks fine here," the manager nodded and turned towards two of her employees, "Now, after the guest arrives…"

"I know… I know… Thea will take care of the guests while I will be in the back, cleaning the toilets," Stacy spoke up and finished the manager's words.

"Ahh… Well, not today… Thea, I want you to switch places with Stacy today," the manager said to everyone's surprise.

"Huh… For real?" Stacy asked. She could not believe her ears.

"Yes," The manager nodded.

"Oh, Yes…" Stacy was so excited to hear the manager that she punched her fist into the air, "Sorry, bud… But the toilets will be in your care today,” Stacy said and hopped away from there to freshen up real quick.

As soon as Stacy left, the manager turned towards Thea. The manager had to explain the sudden change to Thea.

But when she saw nothing on Thea's face, she smiled. She had this slight anticipation that Thea might protest, but like always, Thea was fine with everything she wanted of her. The manager really liked Thea.

"It's not that you did anything wrong. In fact, it is quite the opposite," still, the manager decided to explain. And his words got Thea curious.

"… Actually, the girl who booked the restaurant wants to propose to her boyfriend," the manager said to which Thea nodded. She could guess the situation pretty much.

"… So she specifically asked that no pretty girl was anywhere near them. Unless, you know…" The manager paused as she looked around, checking if anyone was hearing, and then leaned forward, "The bot got other thoughts… You understand that, right?" The manager whispered.

'So now she was too beautiful to serve the guests?' It was hard to believe and equally amusing at the same time. But Thea had no qualms with that. Instead of getting jealous, Thea was kind of happy. Now she had more time to think about the gift she should buy for Barry.

"I understand," Thea agreed.

"That's my girl…" The manager patted Thea's back happily. The girl was a blessing to her.

"… I should get back to work as well. And right… Don't forget to take your paycheck from me later. I will add some extra for all the hard work," and giving Thea a meaningful smile, the manager walked away.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Ughh… This shit is tough," Thea sighed as she pulled off the rubber gloves and washed her hands. The toilets were not usually stinking. But they were not always a good sight. And now that she had experienced it first-hand, she felt sorry for her friend Stacy.

'Maybe I should try and switch with her sometimes. Every alternate day?' Thea thought and looked at the stalls, 'Umm… Maybe every two or three days…"

*Buzz… Buzz…

'He finally replied…' Thinking it might be Barry's message, Thea suddenly forgot about the dirty toilets and found herself smiling. But as soon as she looked at her phone, her smile faded. It was Stacy. She had sent her a link.

"What's this? School forum?" Thea, when opened the link, she was taken to the homepage of their school's forum. It was a students-only website, and one could find every gossip there. Thea was confused about why Stacy sent her the link, but it was short-lived as soon a video started playing on her screen. There was a girl in the frame in some restaurant. But for Thea, both the restaurant and the girl were no strangers.

The girl who booked the restaurant was someone she knew very well. They were not friends, but they were in the ballerina troupe together. So they could be called acquaintances. Well, the girl was in a class of her own. Rich, beautiful and the soloist of the school ballerina troupe. It made sense that she wanted to make a spectacle of her proposal. But a girl proposing, well that was a bold move.

"Well, Amanda is a lucky girl. But what are the chances of them coming here?" Thea smiled. She was happy for the girl. Though they hardly conversed, Thea knew how rich Amanda was. Whoever the boy was, he had totally hit a jackpot with Amanda.

And that got Thea to be curious about the boy. There were so many boys fawning over Amanda. So who got lucky? But the boy had his back towards the one holding the camera.

Other than the boy, what caught Thea's eye were the expensive dishes on the table. From Abalone, caviar and turkey to Sauvignon Blanc, the costliest wine in the restaurant. Well, Amanda was not losing any points for extravagance, at least. But Thea did feel a bit bad about losing the tip. With such extravagance, the tip would have been nice and hefty.

'Oh well… I will just let Stacy fill her pockets for today,' Thea consoled herself and turned her attention back to the live broadcast. There were people commenting as they watched the couple enjoy their date.

"Oh my god… I can't believe Amanda is going out with someone… I feel heartbroken."

"Who's the boy? I can't see his face… What's with all the suspense trying to hide him? C'mon, the one with the phone… Show us the boy's face…"

"Well, that's one lucky boy…"

"Which class is he from? He kinda looks familiar…"

Thea read the comments and smiled at the curious nature of the students. But indeed, the boy looked somewhat familiar. Well, not that Thea cared. She might have seen somewhere in the school.

"It's finally here…" While Thea read the comments, Amanda got on her knees and pulled out a bracelet in front of the boy.

"I know we haven't known each other for long… But will you give me a chance to know everything about you? Will you go out with me?" Amanda extended the bracelet towards the boy and asked.

"Aww… How romantic."

"I feel like crying."

"Indeed, Amanda's the best… I wish someone proposed to me like this."

Soon comments flowed into the chat. Thea also felt that she should at least congratulate them if they become a couple. And with that, Thea started writing her congratulatory message as everyone waited for the boy to reply.

"Say Yes…"

Soon, the broadcast was filled with comments. Not that the boy would know that, but everyone seems to be on Amanda's side.

"Yes…" Finally, the boy nodded his head and agreed. And as soon as he did, the one holding the camera moved around, slowly showing the face of the boy

"Congratulations on being a couple… Hope you guys stay together always…" Thea also sent the message. But just as she did, the smile on her face froze, and the phone slipped out of her hand. It was as if she had seen a ghost.

"This… can't be right…" Thea murmured. Her hands shivered as she thought of what she just saw. Hoping that it might just be a bad dream, Thea slowly looked down at her feet. There lay her phone with its screen cracked, but she could still see the dreadful sight in front of her.

"Barry?"

* * * * *

#short stories #storytelling #original story #fiction #tumblr #love #today on tumblr

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