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darlingpetao3 · 3 years

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Thank You For Ruining My Life: An Homage to Tom Cavanagh

“You’ve ruined all my future expectations of men.”

The costume-clad woman had the courage of steel to say this to the then 53-year-old actor, Tom Cavanagh of The Flash, in front of a ballroom filled with a couple hundred people. This brave utterance was spoken during the 2016 Fan Expo Vancouver convention during a Flash question and answer period with actors Tom Cavanagh and Candice Patton. In its third season, the show was undoubtedly still hitting its stride in popularity, and the room was packed to hear these two speak.

The brave woman whose turn it was at the microphone was referring to Tom’s role as Ed Stevens on the NBC 2000 hit, Ed. I had not known of this show previously, but having now heard such a proclamation intrigued me. “You’ve ruined all my future expectations of men.” That was a tempting notion, and as I continued to listen to this disarmingly charming and wittingly funny man steal the stage, Tom intrigued me even more. I’d watched him play three different versions of Harrison Wells on The Flash since the show’s premiere date, yet I hadn’t truly noticed him in a “life-ruining” way before.

Little did I know that Tom Cavanagh would not only eventually ruin my expectations for men as well, but he would change my life in other ways, too.

After the Q&A, I had this urge to buy a S.T.A.R. Labs T-shirt from one of the vendors at the convention. In my head, I thought I would purchase something so that I could have an excuse to talk to Mr. Cavanagh at his signing booth. Again, he intrigued me, and I wanted to experience more of his incredibly likeable personality. So, I dragged my friend with me to wait for what was maybe ten minutes in a queue. Shortly, I was paying the assistant for my autograph I would soon acquire. They wrote my name on a sticky note so that Tom would know how to sign a personalized message to me. And then, it was my turn.

His eyes sparkled when he turned his attention to me. I instantly had a feeling this was just the way he was naturally. Oh yeah, and I swear to God I’d never seen eyes that blue in my entire life. It genuinely stunned me.

“Hi!” he greeted me.

“Hi!” I responded, equally as thrilled. Tom admired the T-shirt I had brought and took note of my name on the piece of paper. I remember us joking together about the extremely lax security in and around S.T.A.R. Labs on the show, which prompted his message to me on the heather-grey cotton. He wrote my name, [followed by a heart!] and a very welcoming, ‘Come on by, just walk right in!’

I had official clearance from Harrison Wells himself.

I thanked him very much, leaving with my treasure folded over my arms. My friend and I walked towards the hall’s exit, and I couldn’t shake this feeling inside me. It felt strange—I couldn’t name it for the life of me. It felt like an odd fluttering with a simultaneous yet contradictory slightness of breath. My head was confused and would continue to be so for the rest of that weekend.

As I waited at my gate in the airport on that Sunday evening to head home, all I knew was that the moments at the con featuring Tom were the highlights of the weekend for me.

And that I was going to begin watching more of the other films and television shows he’d been in. What was the show the brave cosplaying woman had said ruined her expectations of men? Oh yeah, Ed.

Maybe I’ll start there…

***

Feliz Navidad, Feliz Navidad…

In my house, it’s never really Christmastime until Michael Bublé croons through the speakers of the wooden stereo system in the living room. It felt especially festive as it was now Christmas Eve—a month and some change since the con. It was late, possibly ten o’clock. I was lying on the floor in front of the Christmas tree with my trusty laptop, a word document open. I was writing three holiday-song short stories featuring the new muse in my life, Harrison Wells. I wanted to be able to post them the next day, so my fingers were taptaptapping away.

I had written a handful of things before 2017, most of which had been Marvel-related, under my second, ‘rebirth’ pen name online. I was a little fish among all the grand and fabulous writers on Archive of Our Own, and in many ways, I still feel like that little fish. I was only just learning and feeling out the psyche of the Wells characters. Each one is so different. In my rewatch of the previous seasons of The Flash, I’d taken diligent notes, and as I’d later learn with each following rewatch, I would know them all—what they think, how they talk and behave—like the back of my hand. It was fun to suss out these guys, and I found that I was growing to love the act of writing even more.

One month later, in January, I would post all the stories I’d written thus far on Tumblr. I’d just created an account and, who knows? Maybe I’d get a wider range of readers on here, too.

Might as well give it a shot, right?

***

Wild horses couldn’t keep me from attending Fan Expo Vancouver 2017, especially when the big news dropped. Not only would Tom Cavanagh be attending again, but so would Carlos Valdes, Danielle Panabaker, Candice Patton, and the convention-elusive star of the show himself, Grant Gustin.

Before the moderator for the Flash cast’s Q&A panel could utter the final thanks to the actors at the end of the session, I bounded from my seat and sped down to the photo op booth where the cast would be taking “Team Up” photos with fans. ‘Sped down’ has to be the most appropriate couple of words because I indeed felt like a true Speedster dressed head to toe as the small screen’s adaptation of Jesse Quick, the angsty and brilliant daughter to Harrison Wells turned superhero.

After waiting in a queue that felt like ages, I was next to stand with Team Flash. As I took a step forward, all of the actors’ and actresses’ eyes—the people I spend time with every Tuesday evening—were on me. I heard a familiar voice approve of my costume. It was Danielle.

“Tremendous.”

Grant even joked that he thought for a second Violett Beane, the actress who plays Jesse Quick, had shown up to surprise them. “I was like, what’s Violett doing here?” he said.

I stood in the back row, happily sandwiched between Tom and Carlos. I dared to let my hands rest on their backs, and I couldn’t contain my joy. Shortly after, when I received my near-instant physical photograph of the moment, I saw Tom had pointed at me. In my mind, it felt as if in his gesture, he meant, hey, look at this cool person. Haha. I couldn’t be further from it.

I would go on to further be uncool in public as I later found myself virtually shaking and almost hyperventilating in line for a one-on-one photo op with Tom. The guy dressed as Kid Flash behind me gave me a few encouragements of the “it’ll be okay” variety. As my turn finally arrived, the lovely man of the hour greeted me with a bright smile in recognition of my Reverse Flash T-shirt (I had done a quick change before this photo op because I had worn a Flash T-shirt for a photo with Grant).

“Great shirt!”

The internet comes up with many hilarious and fitting words, but none such so than the term “Cavanarms.” One of the said Cavanarms found its way around my shoulder in such a casual way. My hand rested on his back, and I have told anyone who will listen about how soft his sweater was. What was approximately a five-second interaction will stay with me forever. And to this day, I will always regret how I’m standing beside him in the picture—there’s a distinguishable gap between us. I could have been closer—should have been!—but I like to use the fact that I felt as if I’d combust into flames if I were any closer to the man.

Maybe I’d have another chance to combust later again that day because, believe it or not, this fan hadn’t had enough of seeing Mr. Cavanagh in person. And since he was appearing at the con for this day only, there was no way I was going to squander any opportunities. Besides, there was still one final thing left on my convention docket: the autograph. In my mind, going to get his autograph was an excuse to get to talk to him and simply be in his presence for longer than five seconds. Here, take my money. I’m a sucker, and I’m proud of it. I saved all year for this kind of thing, and Fan Expo has always been my ultimate nerdy Treat Yoself Day.

Plus, this year I came equipped with a question for Tom (something for which I may have prepared a little too far in advance).

“Which of your characters would win in a lawyering battle: Ed or Miles?”

Miles was Tom’s latest character from his newly released project Darrow & Darrow, a fellow lawyer as Ed Stevens (remember, the man who ruins women’s expectations of men?), whom he portrayed almost two decades prior. What I loved about Tom when I got to ask him this was that he was silent for a moment following the question. He was genuinely putting thought into my question. As he pondered, Tom continued to autograph the photo of us together taken mere hours ago.

“Ed. He would wipe the floor with that other guy. Like, Miles is great, but Ed has a rapier-sharp mind, you know?”

I wholeheartedly agreed with his answer and felt relieved inside for some reason. We thanked each other (as politely as two Canadians can) before I left him to pay attention to the next lucky soul in line. I made the mistake of casting my eyes downward at the signed photo.

Tom had signed two little hearts over the I’s in my name. He really needed to stop adding hearts to my things, or I was just going to melt to the floor. In fact, I started to make these strange noises as I tried not to completely maul everyone in front of me while exiting. My friend ushered me as fast as physically possible on our way out of the main hall. One man took one look at me and asked, “Are you okay?”

No.

“Yep!”

The second I made it out of the herd, I broke out into open space. First came the minor hyperventilating. Then came the squealing followed by laughter. Top it off with various fangirlish comments of, “He’s so beautiful!”, “His eyes are so blue!” and “I love him!” and I was probably quite the sight to see (but at a convention, that’s considered normal!). My friend smiled on as she let me express everything that I had to keep inside until I had the right time to expel my emotions. I was on cloud nine. Ten, if at all possible.

The next day would be the con’s final day, which I would attend alone. My friend needed to catch the ferry in order to prepare for her courses the day after. I did a scan of the convention hall one final time in case there was something I missed purchasing. Afterwards, I sat on the cold hard flooring of the convention centre hallway for a bit of a break. I was wiped out. With my phone in hand, I smiled at the messages from this one Tumblr blogger who had been following my posted adventures at the con. I had seen and replied to many of her comments on my stories I’d written thus far, and I enjoyed her matching enthusiasm for Tom and The Flash in general. I felt her to be a kindred spirit. I had no idea then that I was chatting with one of my future best friends, L.

***

I spotted her.

She was wearing an identical shirt to the one I had on—a light grey T-shirt with a sequinned Spider-Man mask in the corner, which around it read, We met on the Web. A giddy me couldn’t wait for the short escalator ride to end. Her back was to me and facing the baggage claim, so here was my chance to surprise her instead.

I towered over my friend, E, and donned a low, authoritative voice.

“Excuse me, Miss, can you come with me?”

She squealed a greeting to me and I returned it as we hugged for the very first time after two and a half years of online friendship. We would still have about two hours to kill until our mutual Tumblr best friend, L, touched down at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport from across the Pond.

Something I noticed was that E and I carried on talking during our wait like it was second nature, that we hung out like this all the time. Whereas when I met L in person for the first time the year previously, our first meeting was that of quiet, delighted shock, unknowing how to react to one another’s physical presence. It almost felt like a fantasy. The closest thing we’d ever gotten to this was visiting over video chats! I’m not sure what each of these different reactions in these separate meetings meant, but what I do know is that I’ve never had such strong female friendships such as these—so full of uplifting support and love for one another. They are the greatest ladies I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.

And as a searching L eventually turned the corner to meet us in the Arrivals terminal, I caught sight of her Tom & Grant bandana tied around the handle to her carry-on bag. It was an item she had received in return for helping fund the short film produced in 2018 (I’d bought the ringtone). Seeing the accessory jolted me to remember that the former of the titular short was the reason for this long-awaited get-together holiday in the Windy City in the first place. Tom Cavanagh, unbeknownst to him, had just officially united three online friends, each from a different country, to spend six full days of in-person bonding and a whole lot of fun.

***

I should have been shelving books.

I should have been doing a lot of library-related tasks, but my head was elsewhere. Anywhere other than the small-town public library where I work. Instead, I sat on the carpeted floor of the Junior/Young Adult section with my phone in hand and a dreadful article title staring back at me.

“The Flash: Carlos Valdes and Tom Cavanagh to Exit after 7 Seasons.”

My world felt like it was falling apart.

Tom was leaving? There had been rumours and wonderings spreading around the fandom regarding whether he was leaving the show. With a storyline ending with a monumental sacrifice and a time-travelling man saying his farewells, it all seemed to point to the fact. I should have known… I could have rivalled Supergirl as being the Paragon of Hope after all the optimism I doled out to my followers and friends who would come to me worried Tom would exit the show. I would always give reasons to deny such a thing could happen, claiming that I’d believe when I saw it.

Well, there it was, and I definitely saw it.

One could feel the ripple effect over the internet of the shards of broken and riled-up hearts around the world.

Tom’s exit was on his terms, having not felt challenged by his character’s plotlines, as mentioned in a recent Entertainment Weekly article. As a viewer—and I am a viewer (Mike and Tom Eat Snacks, anyone?), it has been increasingly difficult to look past the missed shots made by story editors and showrunner, so understandably, the actor would want to seek something more exciting and meatier. That said, Tom has always shone on-screen and taken what he’s been given in stride. He turns unearthed material into diamonds and indeed shines on screen. Steals it, even! Tom easily makes the episodes he’s in better, and when he’s missing, you feel the loss. The few episodes of Season 7 without him only give us a tiny hint at how the show will be without him going forward. It much resembles when you might bring out your favourite jigsaw puzzle, only to find that the one piece you need to complete it isn’t there.

***

On a personal note, as I write this, I am roughly 20 followers away from reaching a milestone of 2,000. I have written well over 200 stories for The Flash alone (whether they be short or long, one-shots or chaptered), and goodness knows how many words I’ve generated altogether over the course of these many years with inspiration from the show and my favourite character. I’ve written and co-written novel-length stories, one monumental Wellsian story of which was done alongside L and E (almost solely done through alternating text messaging in the app, Line) that reached over 108,000 words and consisted of 42 chapters. And when I’m not writing for my blog, I’m also working on trying to accomplish my dream of becoming a published author. Just as I thought before I launched my Tumblr blog, I think again now: Might as well give it a shot, right?

***

I have watched virtually everything Tom has been in that I could get my hands on, both physically and electronically. Sure, a few titles are out of my reach and probably lost to the very early 90's forever, but from what I've seen through Tom's filmography is enough to know that he can do anything. He can play the romantic leading man that will make you fall head over heels for him or a deranged killer that will have you genuinely scared of him. That is talent. Tom always brings something new to the table from each role to the next, and (when he's not playing those psycho killers) you can't help but admire his craft.

Not only is his acting stellar, but from what we as fans have gathered on the man, Tom has got to be one of the kindest men in the business. His humour and sheer ridiculousness could get anyone through a tough time (we’ve seen plenty of bloopers and behind-the-scenes videos to prove this!). He has clearly bottled and stored an endless supply of Fountain of Youth™ and each year continues to wow us with his handsomeness. Tom is charming, dedicated, and yes, arguably holds the world record for Bluest Eyes.

In my eyes, Tom Cavanagh gave me the two best friends I could have ever asked for, as well as plenty more lovely friends I’ve continued to make online. (One day, I hope to meet him again so that I can tell him in person how because of him, I’ve met such very important people in my life). Through Tom, I have truly found my passion for writing, and in doing so, segued me to dare to dream of becoming a published novelist. I wholeheartedly believe all of this would not have happened if it weren’t for those first series of events that led me to meet Tom and love and admire him immensely. He is indisputable proof that there are indeed men like him out there. Indeed, he did ruin all of my future expectations of men. He ruined my life in the absolute best way and I am eternally grateful.

I am very much looking forward to what Tom will do next. I think it’s rather needless to say that I will follow him in his career, as he has gained a devoted fan for life. He represents so much to me and so much of it I have gained since meeting him that fateful day, when I thought to myself, Maybe I should buy this T-shirt and get this guy to sign it. Wherever Tom goes in life, I’ll be here to cheer him on.

I have a pretty good feeling plenty of others will, too.

#i don't exactly want to tag this with his name #but this is a personal essay of sorts regarding tom cavanagh's effect on my life #if you decide to read I hope you enjoy it!

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katherinadeluca · 2 years

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III- P U B L I C N I C E T I E S

*★,°*:.☆:*.°★* 。*★,°*:.☆:*.°★* 。*★,°*:.☆:*.°★* 。

TW: Adult Dialogue, Mentions of Substance, Sexual References, Mature Themes

*★,°*:.☆:*.°★* 。*★,°*:.☆:*.°★* 。*★,°*:.☆:*.°★* 。

"Seriously Aiden, shut the fuck up." Cassy groans, scowling at her timetable.

"What?! I have not more then two classes with the two of you on Tuesdays! You really think I can go the entire day with Rosalind Vane trying to snog me all the time."

"She really needs to sort out her priorities. Doesn't she." Gloria pitched in as she sips the remainder of her tea.

"That she does."

"Right, as I was saying-"

"Aiden, seriously. If you don't shut the fuck up, I'm going to impale your skull with a fucking butter knife-"

"Drugs," Aiden tuts, shaking his head in mock disappointment, "they'll make you say things you don't mean."

Eight in the fucking morning and this lot has already burnt one.

"You better run, Griffiths," Cass warns, casting a threatening gaze upon the boy.

The rest of it is drowned in a periodically clangorous ding-ding-ding resonating from the bell tower, causing Gloria to withdraw from the Great Hall in a successful attempt to eschew from her best company that was now engaging in spice-intoxicated banter.

As the Slytherin turns the corner to another corridor her body abruptly collides with an indurated façade, sending half her books to the floor.

Did I turn too early and walk into a fucking wall? Again?

"Apologies."

Never mind that. Not a wall. Walls don't apologize.

She scrambles for her scattered belongings. Profuse apologies spill from her lips and onto the concrete below as a result of her lowered visage. "Oh my devil, I am so very sorry. I wasn't looki- Oh." her gaze casted upwards only to find a certain platinum blonde. It would have been a casual mistake if it weren't for him towering above her with her practically on her knees, face-to-face with his belt buckle as she looked at him with a kind of subtle trance.

Great. Just fucking great. Is this my bad karma finally coming back around? Unlikely. I don't think bad karma looks like Draco Malfoy.

Minutes later, she pulls herself off the floor, only to realize that in an act of haste, their forms were closer then anticipated and their lips; inches apart, The position would have looked rather... intimate from a third perspective if it weren't for him clearing his throat and taking a step back.

"Miss Lightwood, you must perhaps appeal to your class." He says, straightening his black tie. "I highly doubt your professor appreciates tardiness." The subtle dominance in his husky voice caused her to fist the spines of her textbooks and her thighs to go unnervingly rigid.

He eases into the opposite direction in long, perfect strides. Leaving her standing there to think about the interaction. Her mind races. A flurry of question flood her brain.

What in the actual fuck just perspired?

*★,°*:.☆:*.°★* 。*★,°*:.☆:*.°★* 。*★,°*:.☆:*.°★* 。

Taking her seat in the last bench, she let out an unsteady breath in a desperate exertion to calm her racing heart that would most likely beat out of her ribcage. The hasty pace from the astronomy tower to the potions classroom would've been tiring enough but given the interaction with Draco prior to her Astronomy class along with the unnerving effect he had on her, the Slytherin was positively breathless and oxygen seemed to be a momentary luxury.

The slow, deep intakes of air would have aided if it weren't for the heavy door swinging open, resulting in the excited chatter to get instantaneously shot down and everyone's gaze to take a keen interest on the devilishly handsome man who had just happened to appear at the entrance of the dim classroom classroom.

Oh for fuck's sake. I'm swearing off sex for the rest of my life if my drunken lapses in judgment continue to come back as my fucking professors.

"I shall start the class by introducing myself. My name, is Draco Malfoy. You will be addressing me as Professor Malfoy." He said, loud enough for every single on of them to hear as he took to his desk in the front of the class, making the words 'Draught of the Living Dead' appear on the black board with a swish of his wand.

Dramatic little shit.

"The Draught of the Living Dead, a potion to put the drinker into an irreversible slumber. Exceptionally tricky to brew and disastrous should you get it wrong. Page 394, the instructions," he continues, "Anyone's potion less then an 'Exceeds Expectations' will have a month of detention with Filch." His voice; a steady baritone, sharp and condescending. A huge contrast to the deadly silence that hung thickly between each singularity of attenders.

The class was patently intimidated- impressed and entranced- but intimidated none the less. The man was subduing, no doubt in it. His aura clouded with hues of bruising purple and crepuscular viridian.

"Quit staring. We haven't got all day." He scolded which caused the entire class to scramble towards the potions cabinet, leaving Gloria sat in her seat with her hand raised.

"Yes, Miss Lightwood?" Professor addressed, his tone slightly softer but the strictness still prevalent none the less. He was now sitting in his chair, feet propped up on one another, in a casual cross. Vertebrae rested on the pillowy spine of the chair as he leaned against it, expertly maneuvering his wand between his slender digits- a fidgetive habit he has grown accustomed to.

"Sir, I don't have a copy of the text." She lets out, calmly.

"I haven't got a spare. Use mine." He replies, gesturing to the slightly worn copy of Advanced Potion Making that sat almost tauntingly on his desk.

Her legs slowly carry her up to the teacher's podium, his eyes not leaving hers for a second till her hands had touched the book. Gloria breathes a small sigh, gently picking up the item as though it were a delicate artifact. He watched her handle it with such care that his heart clenched. Her willowy fingers lightly trace the length of the books' spine.

Her warm sepia gaze lands upon him one again, scanning his beautiful visage and for a moment- just for a moment- she swore his eyes flickered to her lips which were nervously trapped between her teeth...

*★,°*:.☆:*.°★* 。*★,°*:.☆:*.°★* 。*★,°*:.☆:*.°★* 。

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missmonsters2 · 4 years

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Songs For You

Requester: @thatgirlwholikesgirls 💘

Pairing: Wanda Maximoff x fem!reader/OFC

Prompt: “I’m in love with you.”/“Are you finally confessing to me? Because I feel the same way.”

Note: The dream scenario haHA. Thanks for sending this in 💘

Warnings: heart palpitations.

Translation: Пойдем со мной, Ванда. Нам нужно поговорить - Come with me, Wanda. We need to talk.

Genre: Fluff

Count: 4627

⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶⊷⋆⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶⊷

It only takes 12 songs for you to fall in love with Wanda.

Of course, it's over the course of one year, but nonetheless, she becomes every song to you.

It starts on December 31, New Year's Eve. You're really on the cusp of New Year's as it's 11:45 PM.

You're stuck at the university, getting all the reports done on a tight deadline. You let your colleagues who are teaching the same course as you go on the count that they all have a family to celebrate with, and all that's waiting at home for you is your cat.

And not to diss your cat, but he doesn't even know what New Years is.

You call it a night, leaving just a couple more reports for when the holidays are over. It isn't until you're leaving your office that you see someone standing there and nearly have a fucking heart attack.

"WHAT THE FUC–" You nearly scream, ready to throw your bag at the person and call 911.

"WAIT, WAIT, WAIT—Pietro let me in!" The person exclaims while holding their hands out in front of them to both calm you down and also shield themselves if you did throw your bag at them.

You pause momentarily when you hear his name because Pietro is the professor for Business Entrepreneurship.

You're pretty good friends with him. He would say you're kind of too quiet and a smidge prickly, but he was lighthearted with you. He jokes around all the time that the two of you are bound to start dating, and you're just playing the long game. He's relatively pretty harmless in his advances. He likes to joke and laugh, and you find that's easy to be around.

The girl standing there stands straight, clearing her throat when she realizes you're not going to attack her.

She says your name and asks if you're her.

"Yeah, that's me…" You nod, unsure.

And then she bursts into song.

You're mortified that she's singing Fireworks by Katy Perry while you can see fireworks being shot in the sky in the distance as it hits midnight.

When she finishes, she smiles tentatively at you.

"Happy New Year's," she hands you a card.

"…Thanks," You say dumbly,

"Happy New Year's to you too…?"

"Wanda," she introduces herself and then gives you an awkward wave before leaving.

You're not sure what the hell just happened, but you look down at the card and open it.

Happy New Year's! - Pietro

You roll your eyes and send him a text as you leave the building, the girl was long gone.

You: Next time, maybe warn me because that girl almost went to jail because of you.

Pietro: Surprises are more fun!

⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶⊷⋆⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶⊷

The next time you're at work, you punch Pietro in the arm while he laughs.

You tell him how that girl was very close to getting a concussion and going to jail.

But he just laughs out, "It wouldn't be her first time."

Then you find out that is his twin sister.

The incident is long forgotten with school getting busy, and the students are buzzing around for the reading week break before their midterms.

It isn't until Valentine's day when you're sitting out in the university park on the grass, enjoying the sun and slight breeze that Wanda shows up again.

Only now it's even worse because there are many students out here as well studying.

She's standing in front of you, in a cupid's costume you would say is a little inappropriate, but fuck, she's got excellent legs.

"Please don't," you whisper in horror, but Wanda merely smiles apologetically because she can see Pietro standing in the far distance for this performance.

And then she's belting out Stereo Hearts by Gym Class Heroes, and honestly, you can't even control your face to stop the grimace that comes.

But you admit, you're impressed by Wanda's rapping.

You try not to flush red as every student in the vicinity has their eye on you.

When Wanda finishes, she's about you hand you a card when you grasp her hand and pull her down until she's eye level with you.

"Is this going to be a regular occurrence?" You ask her, the smell of cinnamon and oranges invading your senses pleasantly.

Wanda smirks, and you're not sure if anyone should look that good smirking.

"Well, perhaps you should ask my brother as he's got 10 more songs lined up for you," Her eyes travel past you, and you turn to see what she's looking at.

Pietro is standing in the distance, waving his arms enthusiastically, and you sigh.

You turn back and see Wanda's big, green eyes staring back at you, and you're not sure if it's because you're not in a panicked state that you notice her accent a lot more.

You find it interesting as Pietro has started to lose his, but his sister's accent was still strong (and sexy).

You take the card in her hand, and let go of her hand as you realized you're still holding it.

"I'm assuming the next one is St. Patrick's Day?" You softly quirk your lip up.

Wanda merely smiles, giving you an answer without saying anything.

"Right," you tap the grass with the card twice, and Wanda gets up with a small wave to you and her brother before leaving campus.

You turn back to Pietro, who is giving you a goofy smile, and you shake your head at him.

⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶⊷⋆⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶⊷

March comes quicker than you'd like. It's been pretty hectic with papers and projects due, you hardly have time to think about the impending song-o-gram.

You do try to tell Pietro to stop and maybe save money, but he boasts about how he has a family discount.

Then you begin to wonder why Wanda has such an odd job in the first place.

Also, how does she know where you'll be?

Does Pietro just share your location with Wanda?

You do debate hiding from Wanda so she can't sing. Although you have no qualms in admitting her voice is beautiful, the songs Pietro picks are just not resonating with you.

But it's St. Patrick's Day, and you're planning to let your students go early so they can go have their fun after their latest project.

"Okay," you turn to your class with a smile, "I suppose you can all--"

There's a knock on the door.

Your brows furrow as one of your students opens the door.

And there she is again.

In all her green glory (and a cute leprechaun hat).

The students all turn their heads to look at you.

And you know it looks strange.

"Class...dismissed."

Your students groan as they want to stay and watch the debacle because it's well known now how you've been getting song-o-grams.

Luckily, no one knows who the sender is.

Your students shuffle out the door, some give lingering looks to Wanda.

When it's finally just the two of you in the room, you lean against your desk with your arm crossed.

"Do you always put this much effort into your song requests?" You look again with her black tights with fishnet tights over those and a little green dress.

"It definitely costs extra, and my brother aims to please," Wanda adjusts her hat.

You chuckle because Pietro is an overachiever.

"Alright," you sit fully on your desk, "want to make a side deal with me?"

Wanda looks at you curiously.

"Can we skip the song?" You plead.

"You don't like my singing?" Wanda pouts, and you immediately panic.

"No!" You exclaim, but huff when you see Wanda giving you a teasing smile.

"I just," you breathe, "the singing brings a lot of attention. Not entirely what I'm comfortable with being new to the school."

Wanda nods.

"Well," she smiles, "I'm open to negotiations in place of a song."

"What can we barter?"

"I won't say no to coffee," Wanda says, and you laugh.

"Coffee I can do. Any particular place you like?" You get off the desk.

"I like the coffee shop across the university," Wanda opens the door, and the two of you exit together.

You kind of like the fact that Wanda is unbothered about the fact that people stare at her.

Buying Wanda coffee is a pleasant affair. Instead of suffering through a song, you get to know her instead.

Apparently, the song-o-gram gig is just a part-time day job as at night, Wanda actually owns a bar near the university.

"I mean, you clearly don't need to do this, so why?" You ask her.

"Keeps me busy during the day," Wanda shrugs.

You have a fleeting thought on how to tell Wanda other ways she can keep herself busy, but she seems to enjoy herself, so you keep strolling along.

"You have to admit, though," you grin as you stop and turn toward's her, "This is way better than singing, isn't it?"

"You're starting to sound like a music hater," she grins back.

"Not at all, but I will pass on...what did you say it was again Pietro picked?"

"Buy U A Drank by T-Pain," Wanda smirks, and you sigh, smiling back at her.

"Yeah, back to my point, I'll pass."

The coffee outing ends with Wanda giving you another card, but you're left with the sound of her laughter stuck in your head.

⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶⊷⋆⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶⊷

Coffee becomes a regular thing for you, and not just on the days Wanda is sent to sing to you.

You find yourself bumping into her often at 2 PM on Mondays and Wednesdays, and 10 AM on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The arrangement works out better than anything. Instead of songs, Wanda tells you stories about song-o-grams that she has to do. Many of them being way weirder than her showing up at midnight in your empty office on New Year's.

Still, she will let you know what song she was supposed to sing and laughs when you crinkle your nose.

The next time Wanda comes in with a Canadian flag costume and patriotically sings Baby by Justin Bieber.

"What does that even have to do with Canada day?" You grumble.

"He's Canadian," Wanda shrugs.

You're barely half-listening as you text Pietro.

You: Bieber...really?

Pietro: We're all Beliebers, don't lie.

"What happened to our arrangement?" You lick your lips.

"Pietro wanted video proof I sang you a Bieber song," Wanda waves her phone lightly in her hand to show you.

You sigh, "You owe me coffee for subjecting me to that."

"Hey, just doing my job, but I will still so kindly buy you coffee," Wanda smiles as the two of you make your way to the coffee shop.

You notice a lot of people giving Wanda weird looks, but in their defense, she's wearing a Canadian flag.

You take off your blazer and place it around her shoulders. She pauses, holding the blazer as she looks at you.

"Maybe waving the Canadian flag around when it's almost July 4th isn't such a great idea," you quirk your lip at her, causing her to slowly smile back.

⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶⊷⋆⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶⊷

You see Wanda sooner than you think you would because now it's July 4th, and Wanda has come to drag you out to the beach.

"It'll be a fun party with food. You need food," Wanda tries to bribe you. School's been out for a while, but you got your next semester lined up already, so you've been focusing on making lesson plans and what projects and assignments there will be.

You just want to finish it as soon as possible, so you don't have to worry about it later, and if the result of that is that you can spend more time with Wanda, you weren't complaining.

So, somehow you made it to the beach in your zombie induced haze. You'll give it to Wanda that the sun does feel nice along with the mist from the ocean.

You see, Pietro in the distance playing frisbee with his friends that you've yet to meet. The smell of barbeque hits your nose, and you can't even stop the growl that comes out of your stomach.

"Shut up," you say to Wanda when you catch her smirk.

Wanda's got your beachwear ready somehow (you don't even want to know how she knew your chest size), but you still opt to keep your dress shirt on, unbuttoned, and all.

You get introduced to Clint, Natasha, Steve, Bruce, Thor, Tony, Pepper, god the list went on, you can't even keep track.

At least not with your brain feeling like mush.

You inhale the burgers Steve grilled, getting a little bit of everything on your plate, a little more than you would typically eat, but you notice that Wanda has a habit of taking food off your plate.

"Want to go in the water?" Wanda asks as she slides next to you on the towel under the umbrella.

"Can I take a 30-minute nap?" You sleepily ask, but you're already lying on your back, someone's sunhat on your face.

You're not sure if you're already asleep, and dreaming, but you feel a feather-light brush through your hair.

"We can do whatever you want," you hear, a melody that travels through your dreams.

⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶⊷⋆⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶⊷

True to your word, you do wake up roughly 30-minutes later and find that Wanda is still sitting beside you book in hand.

The slight movement draws her attention.

"Awake?" She turns back to her book to finish the page.

You make a noise that barely sounds human.

"What are you reading?" You rasp.

"I was reading The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe," Wanda slides a receipt slip in as a bookmark before she closes it. She hands you some water, which you gratefully take as you sit up.

The cold liquid rejuvenates your throat, and you feel a little more awake.

"Classic, I loved that book," you grin as you throw the water bottle to the side.

You look around to see Pietro and his friends playing volleyball, and you stretch, looking back to Wanda to see she's smiling lightly at you.

"So?" You start to get up, holding your hand out to her, "Want to go play in the water?"

You grimace a little because you sound like a 5-year-old asking your crush to go play with you, but Wanda just laughs and grabs your hand.

Wanda is an excellent swimmer, and she's mischievous as hell because she'll splash water at you, and also swim underneath to grab your leg and scare you.

The day passing by incredibly fast, the evening coming with another round of barbeque and roasted marshmallows over a bonfire.

"Wanda," you call as you're sitting next to her.

She seems like she's really focused,

"Hm?" She hums.

"Your marshmallow is burning and on fire," you say, looking at her treat that has become a black crisp.

You're sure if she peels off the layer, it'll be fine, but...

Wanda sighs, throwing the treat in the garbage.

"Marshmallows suck, they aren't even that good anyway..." she mumbles, and you can't help but chuckle.

You hand over your roasting stick with a perfectly roasted marshmallow on it, a little dark chocolate drizzled on it.

"They're delicious, and you know it," you tease, beginning to roast another one.

Honestly, it doesn't even occur to you that you're roasting double the marshmallows and only eating a third of it.

But this whole day, it never even crossed your mind that you hate sharing food, and you've been doing that all day with Wanda.

After that, everyone settles on their own blanket, you sharing with Wanda on one side, and Pietro on the other as you wait for the fireworks.

"No song today?" You turn to Pietro with a smirk, "That's disappointing."

He laughs as he shakes his head, "A little eager for my love songs, huh? Well, don't worry. There's actually something planned."

You whip your head back around to Wanda, who's whistling.

"What's the song?" You demand the two of them.

"A classic, baby!" Pietro hoots. "Firework by Katy Perry!"

Your brows furrow.

"Pietro, you already did that one in January," you recall.

Pietro squints before groaning as he looks over you to his sister.

"Wanda! Why didn't you tell me?" He accuses her as she shrugs.

"That costs extra," she merely says, and you can't help but laugh.

"Well, I paid for a goddamn song, so sing something else!" Pietro huffs, while Wanda smirks at him.

"She's not even going to hear it over the fireworks, Pietro," Wanda points out.

"Sing louder than the fireworks, duh," Pietro says like it's the most obvious thing in the world.

Wanda rolls her eyes but doesn't say anything as the fireworks show begins.

"Any requests?" Wanda says in her your ear, her breath causing you to shiver.

You turn your head, your lips are shockingly close to hers. "Why don't you sing something you'd think I'd enjoy?"

Wanda smiles because over the time she's gotten to know you, she knows exactly your taste, even your guilty pleasure songs.

And with everyone too busy watching the firework show, Wanda leans closer, her breath on the shell of your ear.

"🎶It's a beautiful night, we're looking for something dumb to do. Hey baby, I think I wanna marry you. Is it the look in your eyes, or is it this dancing juice. Who cares baby, I think I wanna marry you 🎶"

⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶⊷⋆⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶⊷

You think something has changed since Independence Day.

Looking has turned to gazing.

Walking side by side has turned into brushing pinkies.

Hanging out during the day has turned to hanging out at night at Wanda's bar as well.

And no longer singing Pietro's songs has turned to Wanda singing songs she thinks you'd enjoy.

It's a wonderful end of Friday at 2AM, the bar has closed as you walk out with Wanda. It was Karaoke night, so Wanda's leaving with an ukulele, still strumming tunes on it as you walk her home.

"I forgot I owe you a song today," Wanda tunes the ukulele as you reach her place. The two of you take a seat on the steps of her door, huddling close to keep from the autumn breeze.

"Wait, what was the song supposed to be?" You ask with a smile.

"Sucker by the Jonas Brothers," she answers as she finishes her tuning.

You hum. It wasn't an awful choice, and you would listen to it if it came on the radio.

Wanda turns to you, her lips in that smirk that seems to make your heart skip a beat involuntarily.

She's strumming on the ukulele, and you recognize the tune to be Kiss Me by The Sixpence None The Richer.

It's something you can't explain. Your stomach is doing flips like it belongs in the acrobatics, and Wanda is looking at you while she sings it.

Her eyes are soft, and you think she's getting closer only to realize it's you leaning in.

And when the song comes to an end, and Wanda isn't backing away, you lean all the way over, capturing her lips in a soft kiss.

Her lips are warm and taste a little like rum from the bar, but God, she tastes wonderful.

She tastes like the best love song there is, a song that doesn't exist yet but has certainly made it to your heart.

And when you pull back, Wanda smiles.

“I’m in love with you,” you breathe.

"Are you finally confessing to me?" Wanda puts her arm around the back of your neck to pull you in for another kiss, “Because I feel the same way.”

⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶⊷⋆⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶⊷

Do you ever think about how when you have a crush on someone, the world just seems a little brighter, the songs on the radio sound a little sweeter, even your coffee taste a little better?

Even though school has started again, you've been flying on cloud 9 with the amount of time you've spent with Wanda.

Kissing has become one of your favorite pastimes.

Even the way Wanda moans when you kiss her throat sounds like a song.

It's Halloween, and everything has been progressing perfectly.

"We should tell, Pietro, we can't put it off anymore," you tell Wanda as you help her zip up her costume.

There's a party being hosted at Tony's, and you're getting just a little tired of sneaking around.

Well, you were also really reluctant to tell Pietro you've fallen for his twin sister, but it's not like feelings can be controlled.

Wanda sighs, "I know. We'll find a time to tell him."

You leave it at that because you know Wanda is more stressed about it than anyone, feeling like she's betrayed him.

You have to admit, Tony throws a party like no one else. The entire house is decked out Halloween themed style.

There's even a cauldron that has mist coming out of it.

It's incredibly crowded, but you spot Pietro and his group of friends in the kitchen doing shots together.

"Ah, you made it!" Pietro shouts as he pulls you in for a hug, lifting you off the ground and spinning around.

"You drunk?" You ask him with a laugh and brow raised.

"Oh, it's going to take a hell of a lot more than this to get me drunk. This isn't even real vodka," he says, and Tony huffs.

"You idiots drank all the real vodka before the party started," Tony is in some kind of red and yellow metal suit for a costume.

"I even have a song prepared for you today," Pietro grins, and you laugh.

"No days off for your sister, huh? You're a real slave driver," you tease, and he laughs.

"Don't pity her too hard, I'm singing it too," Pietro says proudly with his chest puffed.

"No," you whisper in shock, but Pietro just laughs while Wanda sighs.

True to his words, there's a stage set up in the main room, lights starting as someone comes up to introduce the group.

"Is it a good song, at least?" You ask Wanda, who looks unhappy, she has to go up there.

"Depends," Wanda shifts from one heel to another as she gets ready to go up on stage, "Do you like 2009 Lady Gaga?"

You don't even get a chance to say, "Oh No," as Wanda is already on the stage.

Pietro points at you in the crowd, mouthing, "For you," with a wink, as you shake your head.

The music comes on, and you recognize it as Monster by Lady Gaga.

You're definitely not sure if this is a song siblings should sing together, although it's not as bad with backup dancers there as well.

When the song finishes, you merely shake your head, clapping along with everyone else.

"You're an absolute dumbass," you tell Pietro, who just laughs.

The rest of the night goes on with drinking, games, and dancing.

There are people apple bobbing, and there's candy everywhere.

It isn't until Wanda is pulling you upstairs, pulling you into the washroom as she shuts the door, that she wraps her arm around you.

"Overwhelming, isn't it?" She asks, and you love that she just knows.

You're leaning against the sink, body humming with Wanda's lip pressed against your collarbone.

You can hear the music thumping through the washroom walls and door, and you can't help but tap the beat against Wanda's spine.

"🎶Here we go again," Wanda huskily sings as she brushes her lips against your skin, trailing upwards until she's at your lips, "I kinda wanna be more than friends, so take it easy on me, I'm afraid you're never satisfied 🎶"

She never gets to finish the song as your leap your head forward, kissing her roughly as you grab onto her hips to pull her closer to you, your leg between her thighs.

"What the hell!"

The voice interrupts the two of you as you see Pietro has stumbled in, looking shocked, and a little red in the face.

"What's going on here?" He looks between the two of you as you separate, the guilt seeping into the two of you.

Of all the ways you wanted Pietro to find out, this was not one of them.

"So...I'm kind of in love with and dating your sister," you tell Pietro since there's really no other way to break the news to him now.

"Are you serious?" Pietro says, and you feel awful because this is the most serious you've ever seen him.

He looks at Wanda.

"Are you telling me that I've been spending money and paying my sister to serenade you for me, but you fell in love with her?" He's glaring at his sister, and she frowns.

"Пойдем со мной, Ванда. Нам нужно поговорить," Pietro says in Russian that you can't understand.

Wanda sighs, nodding, but she turns to you first, squeezing your hand.

"I'll be back, meet me downstairs," she tells you. You want to protest because it wasn't just Wanda that hurt Pietro, but you hold your tongue.

You pass by Pietro, staring at him a second longer before you make it out and back downstairs. It's a little too hard to be in the mood to dance while you're waiting for Wanda.

It's probably a good half hour before Wanda comes back. She doesn't look distraught, so it must've been okay.

You look at her questioningly, but she merely nods and smiles.

At the end of the night, Wanda has way too many drinks, and you're holding her up as you wait for a cab.

"Hey."

You half turn to see who's there when you see Pietro.

"Hey," you say softly.

You see him staring at Wanda, and you tilt your head.

"We cool?" You ask.

It takes an extra second for Pietro to respond, but he eventually nods.

"I'm a little wounded. I was pretty convinced we were going to be like a 1985 romance movie, but yeah, we're cool. I'm totally getting Wanda to refund me, though," he smiles.

"Stingy," you snicker.

And when he's got that goofy smile on his face, you know it's all going to be okay.

⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶⊷⋆⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶⊷

The rest of the year passes by with a blur. You happily tell Wanda and Pietro that you got a permanent role with the university, and get one last song-o-gram from them.

After that, Wanda quits the part-time job of singing songs to people and gets a part-time job at the coffee shop that the two of you like.

"I need to keep busy," Wanda tells you when you question why she needs another part-time job after the song-o-gram.

"It's either that, or I'll sit in on your lectures," she gives you a sly smirk.

And you're tempted for a moment.

It's December 31st, 11:59 PM, and the two of you are sitting in your office, and it feels like the first time you met Wanda.

"Sing me a song?" You ask her as she sits in your lap.

"Hm," she hums, "Maybe I should sing you Fireworks by Katy Perry again. You'd like that, wouldn't you?"

She's teasing, but you can't help but smile.

"If you're singing it, any song in the world is wonderful."

Wanda looks at you for a moment, licking her lips.

"Hm," she hums, "I got a different song in mind."

You tilt your head, but Wanda swoops down, biting on your earlobe, eliciting the exact response she wanted from you.

"🎶'Cause I'm having night visions of you and me on the edge of my bed...🎶" she sings in your ear, and your eyes flutter shut.

Truly, Wanda can sing anything as long as they're songs for you.

#mm: my fics #wanda maximoff x reader #wanda maximoff x you #wanda maximoff x OFC #wanda maximoff imagine #scarlet witch x reader #scarlet witch imagine #avengers imagine #avengers au #avengers reader insert #marvel reader insert #Marvel imagine #modern avengers au #genre: fluff

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victoriareyloficlists · 3 years

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19 February 2021 Additions to Reylo Fluff

These fics have been added to the Fluff lists located in the following lists:

Fluff Part 1 Titles A-G

Fluff Part 2 Titles H-M

Fluff Part 3 Titles N-S

Fluff Part 4 Titlez T-Z

Peacock by AttackoftheDarkCurses (AO3 2019 Rated E Complete, 22 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Thanks to a series of misunderstandings, failed attempts at flirting, and loud Katy Perry music, Ben grows to hate his new neighbor. Proposing to her wasn't the best solution to his problems.) Prank Wars by Hellyjellybean (AO3 2020 Rated E Complete, 5 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: An office AU where Ben and Rey are office rivals pranking each other, & she sends him a glitter bomb.) Go And Catch A Falling Star Chapter 52 by Ayearandaday (AO3 2021 Rated M Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: The mysterious disappearance of a Good Boy Sweater.) Chef's kiss by BSib (AO3 2019 Rated M Complete, 6 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Ben wants to learn how to cook and he feeds Rey all the leftovers. She doesn't realize he is in love with her and after learning about her upbringing he tries to ensure there won't be a day when she is hungry.) Of Coffee, Corgis, and Cats by starspangledbisexual (AO3 2021 Rated G Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey would do anything for Finn- and by extension, Finn's boyfriend Poe and his adorable corgi, BeeBee. That includes covering Finn's shift when BeeBee goes missing. Throw a handsome customer, some convenient coincidences, and a very surly cat into the mix, and Rey's Tuesday afternoon turns out to be a lot more interesting than she thought it would be.) Go And Catch A Falling Star Chapter 54 by Ayearandaday (AO3 2021 Rated T Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey has an perfect boyfriend, too bad he's fictional.) Go And Catch A Falling Star Chapter 55 by Ayearandaday (AO3 2021 Rated T Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Ben shares with Rey the thing that cheers him up.) My Boss Needs to Get Laid! by Hellyjellybean (AO3 2021 Rated M Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rose and Hux are PAs for the worst workaholics ever Rey and Ben. They decide to set thier bosses up by sending then on the same business conference, 'accidentally' booking one honeymoon suite in spa-resort, one bed and all.) Snacks by LadySkywalker77 (AO3 2021 Rated T Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Based on a prompt by @reylo_Prompts "They’re at a black tie party hosted by a Resistance patron and the food is meh. Rey beckons Ben to a corner where she offers him snacks she's brought in her dress's pockets. This is it, the moment he knows he’s in love with Rey.") But I Do by SpaceWaffleHouseTM (AO3 2019 Rated E Complete, 8 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey and Ben get married at the same venue at the same time. When both are left at the altar, they decide to flip life off and marry each other.) To Have and to Hold by bunilicious (AO3 2018 Rated E Complete, 5 Chapters, Medieval AU, Quick Synopsis: “Your husband is gravely injured, my lady.” The envoy’s words should have pleased Lady Rey. After all, her husband was one of the dreaded Norman barons who invaded her beloved country and claimed the lands in the name of the bastard who now called himself king. Ben Solo had stormed her uncle’s keep, killed all the men who opposed their new conquerors, and claimed the stronghold for his own. He took the keep, he took the surrounding lands and, at the new king’s orders, took Rey to wife. Rey should have hated him. But, in the six months following their hasty and undesirable marriage, Rey found that hatred for her new husband was the furthest emotion from her heart and mind.) Nonsense & Nuptials by thehobbem (AO3 2021 Rated T Complete, 2 Chapters, Regency AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey is the ward of Leia and Admiral Han Solo. She lives alongside Ben Solo who is the victim of her repeated attempts at matchmaking. But her scheming reveals more about her own feelings and fears that she's missed out on something very important.) forever valentine by bellestar (AO3 2021 Rated G Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Ben makes a confession in his wedding speech. He knew he was going to marry Rey when he and Rey were 4 years old and she gave him a Valentine she made and colored herself. And 21 years later, he still has that Valentine.) Stone Hollow by violethoure666 (AO3 2018 Rated E Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Ben and Rey have been tasked with convincing a very grumpy old man to let them use his private road for a bus route. They’re stuck in the middle of nowhere and there’s only one room at the inn *smirk emoji*) A Heavenly Holiday by ElleRen31 (AO3 2018 Rated T Complete, 4 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Ben Solo needs to find Christmas gifts for his family. At a local department store, he finds more than he bargains for.) Let It Be Me by elemie89 (AO3 2018 Rated E Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Ben Solo has found the perfect Christmas tree. Only problem is, someone else thinks it’s a perfect tree too.) If the Fates Allow by dawninthemtn (AO3 2018 Rated T Complete, 6 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Leia Organa is the most successful matchmaker in the world and renowned creator of irresistible.com, where she built an algorithm so airtight her corporate headquarters is wallpapered with wedding announcements. To her chagrin, the only person she’s never been able to set up is her own son, Ben. But she has an employee named Rey that she has decided is Ben’s perfect match, so she hatches a plan to set them up. Unbeknownst to his mother, Ben has set up an anonymous profile on irresistible.com and has been writing his match Rey for months.) smothered, covered, chunked by SecretReyloTrash (BadOldWest) (AO3 2018 Rated T Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Ben is a painfully shy college student. Rey is the fellow insomniac next door. He finally gets to see where she goes in the middle of the night when he hears her leave the dorm.) Homecoming by ItsALilah (AO3 2018 Rated E Complete, 2 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: After disaster rips through his hometown, Ben Solo finally comes home to surprise his parents at their annual Christmas Eve party. And if he's hoping to run into Rey, the girl he's secretly been pining for since high school, that would be... cool. Although he'll never make a move, not while her over-protective older brother - and Ben's best friend - is around. But when Ben makes it home, not only does he find himself reconnecting with his friends and family, but fate itself seems to be pushing him and Rey together (thanks to a ridiculous amount of mistletoe).) Keep On Giving by MaryMonster (AO3 2018 Rated E Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey is eagerly awaiting the delivery of her Christmas present, a luxury vibrator. There’s only one problem – it was accidentally delivered to her neighbor, Ben Solo. A cozy Christmas Reylo fic full of fluff and smut.) Merry Christmas, I'm Yours by captain_staryeyed (AO3 2018 Rated T Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: After finding out that Rey has nowhere to go for Christmas, Ben invites her to spend Christmas at his parents’ house. During the time spent together, they are forced to confront their growing feelings toward each other.) All I Want for Christmas (Is Smut) by MizuPhoenix (AO3 2018 Rated E Complete, 2 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: All Ben Solo wanted for Christmas was to lose his V-Card. Only, the reason he was still thirty years old and hadn't lost it yet was all due to one Rey Jackson. His very best friend. Rey wanted quite a lot of things for Christmas this year. All of them involving her first friend (and love of her life) Ben Solo.With meddling friends trying to bring the oblivious pair some Christmas cheer, this was going to be a very Smutty Christmas.) Gelt by RebelRebel (AO3 2018 Rated G Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: "I only need a few minutes of your time," she continued, voice faltering slightly under his gaze. "To discuss my proposal for the purchase and refurbishment of the Plutt Orphanage in Brooklyn Heights– " In which Rey works with Kylo Ren, Advocacy Director of the Organa Foundation, to spread a little Chrismukkah cheer.) The Mistake of the Mailman by CadomirBane (AO3 2018 Rated G Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey's on-campus university address is 'Box 324 Mulberry St, The Bryant Center.' Ben Solo's address is '324 Mulberry St.' And she keeps getting this poor guy's mail.) That Is My Cat by LoveThemFiercely (AO3 2018 Rated G Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: "Excuse me but that 'stray cat' you're trying to 'adopt'? Is my pet.")

#reylo #reylo fanfic

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delilah-mcmuffin · 3 years

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The Year I Thought I Wasted

Part 3: Prompt Fest Works

These stories were all written for various writing fests. Some were prompted by others, some I came up with on my own.

Something Christmassy - It’s Christmas Eve. David and Patrick are settling in to watch Patrick’s favourite Christmas movie. David has opinions.

Written for the Reel Schitt’s Creek Prompt Fest for NeelyO.

Published: 2020-05-16 Words: 2,152 Chapters:1/1 Rated: T

Schittier Than Fiction - Patrick wakes one Tuesday morning to discover that his life is being narrated. That would be disquieting enough, but the voice in Patrick’s head seems to know more about him than even he does, especially when it comes to David Rose, the owner of the general but very specific store that Patrick is currently auditing for the Canada Revenue Agency.

A Stranger Than Fiction AU for the Reel Schitt’s Creek Prompt Fest for barelypink.

Published: 2020-05-20 Words: 16,235 Chapters: 1/1 Rated: T

It’s My (Christmas) Party and I’ll Panic if I Want To - It’s Christmas Eve and David wants nothing more than to spend the evening in Patrick’s room at Ray’s engaging in the kinds of activities that will get them on Santa’s Naughty List. But his dad has decided that he wants to throw a last minute Christmas party. And to top it all off, Patrick’s parents have shown up unexpectedly to surprise their son for the holidays. Oh, and in case that wasn’t enough, David discovers that Patrick has been keeping a pretty big secret.

Or: What happens when you take Merry Christmas, Johnny Rose and Meet the Parents and smoosh them together? Guess we’ll find out!

Written for Schitt’s Creek: Frozen Over (2020) for JustWaiting123.

Published: 2020-12-10 Words: 11,413 Chapters: 1/1 Rated: T

Follow this link to Part 2: One-Shot Fics

Follow this link to Part 1: Jukebox Prompt Fics

#life of a fanfic writer #sc fanfic #fanfiction #fic fest works #AO3 fanfic #ao3 #schitt’s creek #schitts creek #year end list 2020 #I did more than I thought I did #fic fests #david rose #patrick brewer #david x patrick

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bluelotuss · 4 years

Text

lean on me.

-> “It was the best Christmas present you could ever wish for – it was truly a miracle in December.”

Genre: xmas!au, university!au, classmates to lovers!au ; lots and lots of fluff™

Pairing: soft!seungmin x lonely!reader

Word count: 7.5K

Summary: Things take a turn for you when you decide to confess to your crush on the day of the first snow.

Warnings: fluff, heartwarming, a few swear words

Author’s Notes:

it’s finally Christmas !! go ahead and make yourself a warm cup of hot chocolate and grab a bunch of snacks… but no cheese, we already have plenty for you :))

I don’t think you’ll cry from this, so no need for tissues >______< (unless you’re sick… in that case i feel ya T^T) we tried rlly hard not to make it angst, we rlly did

I recommend this for cold/rainy days, so you can have something to read while you’re bored and all that.

*fun fact, we started this before bots, our last fic; it might be rlly similar bc of the group project aspect but yeh this was a last minute fic that we managed to pump out (blu)

^^YES “LAST MINUTE” INDEED i pulled an all-nighter for this bc being the clowns we are, we remembered about it on cHRISTMAS EVE AND WROTE IT IN A DAY. (struz)

OKAY SRY FOR THE LONG A/N

Happy reading! - blu n’ struz

@okayseungmin this is for you :’) the collab didn’t happen, but hoping you’re enjoying your christmas !!

tuesday.

“Isn’t it uncanny that out of all the colors, Tolstoy chose to make this vase red?! This is, my young swines, no coincidence! Not only does the color red represent war and bloodlust, but it’s also the same color as the flower of love, the rose, which symbolizes the bittersweet relationship between him and the republic…” “Hey, Heejin. You aren’t busy this week, right?” Leaning back in his seat, Mingyu set his pencil down on his notepad, which was brighter than his future.

“Nah,” Heejin didn’t look up from the anime girl she was sketching instead of taking notes, but her curious grin told him she was listening.

“Let’s go watch that new movie. Tomorrow at 5?” She smiled down at her paper. “I’ll be waiting.”

The holidays were nearing: the season of good tidings, gift-giving, and above all, love. All around the room, romance was budding; dates were planned, confessions were made… and there was you.

You’d never been on a date before.

You’d never been asked out, nor asked anyone out.

And you tell yourself you’d rather keep it that way, at least until you were done with school.

I’d be shooting myself in the foot if I got into a relationship now, anyways. If I don’t focus on studying, I won’t find a good job, then I’d be out on the streets begging. Where would my love get me then?

Resolutely, you willed your aching wrist and cramping fingers to endure the pain. Just a little while longer, the clock promised, just 15 more minutes to go. 15 minutes of Brandonbury could be 15 minutes of sleep or 15 minutes of Youtube, but you continued to scribble furiously.

There was a tap at your shoulder. You turned to see Yuqi’s face flushed tomato red. In her hand was a piece of notebook paper folded in the shape of a heart.

“Hey, y/n… could you please pass this to Shuhua? Ohmygosh I’m freaking out.”

You covered your irritation with a forced smile. “Sure, good luck.” You reached over to take the heart from her, but she wouldn’t let it go.

“Ugh, wait, I’m totally gonna get rejected. Should I give it or not?! Is a heart too much?! Should I be more inconspicuous?! I can’t do this! Y/n, what do I do?!” Yuqi grabbed your wrists and shook you hysterically.

Well, I don’t blame her for being nervous. The girl’s practically a goddess. Can’t help her there. You were at a loss for words, but luckily, you were saved by the bell.

Brring!

“Oh, dammit! Now it’s too late,” she wailed in distress and buried her face in her hands. Suddenly, she shot to her feet with determination blazing in her eyes.

“Screw it,” she muttered and walked straight up to Shuhua, bowed, and presented the paper heart.

“Shuhua…! W-would you please go with– ack. Uhm… would you please go out with me...?”

Shuhua glanced up, took the heart and looked over it, then shrugged. “Sure.”

Yuqi.exe has stopped working, you thought to yourself, seeing the girl gape in bewilderment. Must be nice to be in love. You whipped your backpack over your shoulder and cleared the hall.

–––––

It was a chilly December afternoon; the sun refused to show itself at all today.

Even though class was over, you had a day of melancholy awaiting you— no, even melancholic; it was downright depressing. Before you could retire to the sanctuary of your bed, you had to complete the notes from the earlier lecture and organize a study guide so you wouldn’t get your unintelligent ass kicked by semester finals. Unlike most universities, yours had finals after winter break.

You scanned your closet for the fluffiest winter wear you owned and piled on layer after layer, ran to the kitchen and quickly made yourself a strong cup of black coffee, making sure to snatch an unhealthy dose of the salted shortbread chocolate chip cookies you’d baked yesterday before crawling back into the warm embrace of your blankets.

Unzipping your backpack, you pulled out your notebook and your laptop, which you turned on as you criss-crossed your legs to warm your feet, which were still ice-cold despite the thick woolen socks you had on.

It was days like this that made you feel especially sad and lonely. Beyond the little balcony of your compact apartment, the streets were lined with Christmas decorations and people out and about, being merry. In stark contrast, the world inside was silent and monotone.

“December 14th,” you sighed, leaning back into your pillow. You were tired from making up lecture notes from the lesson, and you were more than ready for break to start. In addition to the suffocating ennui in your room, you felt so empty knowing that your big brother wouldn’t be back for Christmas.

Almost there, you thought. Only a couple more days, and you’d be out of Brandonbury’s loathsome literature class. So far in the year, the class was chill enough, nothing you couldn’t handle.

In fact, you were starting to wonder if the sophomores were pulling the freshies’ leg when they claimed his class was “hell.”

“Maybe they were talking about how tedious the class is. True, I’d rather blow my brains out than listen to him drone on about the color wheel of emotions.”

With a huff, you shut your laptop after you finished transferring your notes to a doc.

Time for a well-deserved break~ you thought, despite having really done nothing.

You reached for your phone and instinctively opened your chat with your best friend, Ryujin. Although she hadn’t taken that Myers-Briggs personality type test, you were sure she was an ESFJ-T. She would always help you sort out your life problems (though she was a little crazy on the inside too) – the most recent being one you’d been contemplating for the past year.

[you] jinnie

[ryujinnie💖] wassup

[you] can we talk

[you] well… remember how i told u i was gonna confess to joshua

[ryujinnie💖] uh huh… no way you’re not?!!

[you] this is going to hurt but i feel like i need to let go of this breath i’ve been holding before this year ends

[you] class ended alr, i’m waiting at home

[you] what do u want for dinner i can order chicken

[you] hello?

[ryujinnie💖] sis i’m driving call??

[you] its fine just keep your eyes on the road, you traffic hazard

[you] ttyl :pp

---------

You and Ryujin sat legs crossed, side by side on the carpet.

“Heater turned up?” she asked. “Check,” you replied, checking to make sure that it was on.

“Food?”

“Check,” you answered between bites of fried chicken.

“Netflix?”

“Eh… still browsing the catalog.” You clicked through show after show, occasionally pausing to watch previews.

“Just choose something,” Ryujin said, not looking up from her fries. “It’s not that hard.”

You were sure it wasn’t just you this time. Sure, you were pretty indecisive, but Netflix was really running out of good things to watch.

Your patience was wearing thin, and besides, you didn’t call Ryujin over to watch a movie. Giving up, you decided to just put on some Christmas music from YouTube.

Turning to the food, you found that a third of the chicken had vanished. You were about to nag her on her food hogging habits, but bit your tongue. You had more important things to talk about.

“Ryujin,” you started seriously.

“Mmmhf?” She looked up at you as she took a gargantuan bite out of her second drumstick.

“So… should I confess? People are asking people out left and right and everyone is going out with someone.”

“I say go ahead. I don’t wanna push you out of your comfort zone or anything, but if getting a definite answer is what you’re looking for, then just confess.”

“But what if I get rejected? His friends are so intimidating, and he probably has a long list of admirers already… I wouldn’t even make the waiting list! Have you seen the girls that talk to him?! Most are from business or fashion, and they all look like they just came back from a Vogue shoot.”

You flopped onto your back, not knowing how to deal with the conflicting concerns that were eating you up.

“Well, you never know, right? You know there’s always people out there whose lives seem like they’re straight out of some 3-star cliche romance drama.” Ryujin shrugged.

“And that’s not me.” You blew aside a strand of hair.

“Why do you have to be so difficult, y/n?! I’m not you, so I can’t help you unless you help yourself,” your best friend said, sipping her soft drink. “Now sit up and put on a movie.”

Groaning, you sat up and flipped your hair back.

“Hey, grab me a napkin.” Ryujin waggled her greasy fingers in your direction.

Sighing, you gave her the whole stack and grabbed a miserable french fry, soggy and cold. You nibbled it mindlessly, trying to sort out your thoughts.

“I doubt that Joshua dude is worth my bestie getting so depressed over,” Ryujin said, holding one chicken leg in each hand and brandishing them like they were swords. “Imma fight him if he rejects you. Don’t worry, I got your back.”

“Aw, what would I ever do without you?” You grinned, then attacked the food like a temerarious pterodactyl.

“That’s my girl.” Ryunjin chuckled proudly, then grabbed the remote to turn on a movie. “Let’s see... shall we watch a rom-com? No, let’s watch a horror movie! I heard this one was really good…”

Her words went through one ear and exited the other. In all honesty, you didn’t really have an appetite. Even your favorite food, fried chicken, looked bland to you when the only thing that was on your mind was how you were going to confess.

wednesday.

The anxiety made your stomach churn and your cheeks flush. You rubbed your hands together as if you were starting a fire as you nervously paced back and forth outside the dreaded café.

Mia’s Café: a warm little shop that perplexingly brought together over half the couples on campus despite its radically overpriced coffee.

Being the creeper (aw man) you were, you knew that Joshua, sometimes accompanied by his friends, came to this very shop at this time every day, and for this reason, you deliberately skipped Brandonbury’s class to come here.

You were in awe of your own rebelliousness. In all your 19 years, never had you ever done something so scandalous. From second grade up until today, you’d always had perfect attendance. (In first grade, you were declared a safety hazard to the school after contracting the stomach flu and projectile vomiting onto your teacher’s clothes.)

However, the confession had to be today. It was the day of the first snow. You wouldn’t call yourself superstitious, but you desperately wanted to believe that your love would come true on this magical day.

Whatever. Screw this, you thought. Not like I’m going to die or anything. Just go in and say it. It’s really simple. Why are you even freaking out?

Although you tried to boost your own confidence with a pep talk, it never worked because you knew all too well that it was much more complicated than that. While you suffered an internal crisis on deciding whether to enter the shop, Joshua already opened the door and was walking out with his friends.

You winced as he made eye contact with you, giving you a brief nod. He turned to leave, but a squeaky voice stopped him in his tracks.

“Hey, Joshua.” You managed to say. “C-can I ask you something?”

“Sure,” he smiled, then nodded at his friends. “You guys go ahead first.”

You waited as they filed out the door, heart hammering in your chest. There were a thousand butterflies in your stomach, and you were pretty sure they were poisonous.

“So, what were you gonna say?” he looked over expectantly, and you met his cool gaze.

Asdhfhdsfhk, sh*t!! How is it legal to be this hot?! You flushed, then cleared your throat. It’s fine. Just open your mouth and say something, you clown.

“Well… I was wondering– the thing is,” you stammered. What am I even saying?! Just say it how it is.

“The thing is…! I like you, Joshua. I like you a lot. I like the way you hold the door open for strangers, how you give everyone a chance to say what’s on their mind, and how you look when you ruffle your hand through your hair. If you’re not seeing anyone right now… would you please consider seeing me?”

You felt like a trademark SoundCloud rapper with how fast you were talking, but now you could breathe easy. There. I said it!

Joshua blinked as if he hadn’t completely processed what you’d say. Or… rather, he looked as if he wasn’t sure how to respond. You stared down at your shoes, crossing your fingers tightly.

“Uhm…” he started. You looked up immediately, but he wasn’t even looking at you. He had his fist to his mouth and was staring intently at the ground. To your horror, he continued with the dreaded word:

“Sorry…”

It’s over. Damn it.

Your face was flaming hot. In fact, it was the exact shade of the pickled radish that your mom made, a food you hated with a passion. It was totally expected, but you still felt like sh*t.

You tuned out the rest of his words, wallowing in your misery. He gave an apologetic smile before running out the door to catch up to his friends. Listlessly, you raised your hand to wave goodbye.

Of course he’d reject you! What were you expecting, y/n? At least he tried to let you down gently.

Heart pounding, you stormed into the café, and slumped into a chair, burying your face in your arms. You needed a moment to yourself. You sat back up and stared daggers at the table, mind racing with all sorts of what-if’s.

Maybe I should’ve given him something… I should’ve taken notes from Yuqi! It worked for her…

You were so preoccupied with your heartbreak that you failed to notice that you had just seated yourself across from Kim Seungmin. The two of you weren’t that familiar, but you recognized him as the outgoing kid with an A+ in Brandonbury and a lot of art major friends.

Seungmin had his headphones on and was listening to depressing anime soundtracks as he sketched people around the café. He’d seen your exchange with Joshua outside, and saw you walk in shortly after. He eyed you curiously, struggling to remember where he had seen you before. Although there were plenty of other open seats in the café, you chose to sit right in front of him.

Shrugging, he looked over you, then started to draw. Your face was an unnatural shade of red and your eyes were large, he noted. Your nose and lips were well defined too. His smooth pencil lead against the grainy paper made a calming sound, though you couldn’t hear it over the rest of the background noise. The café had an ambient vibe about it between the Christmas music, the sound of coffee being poured, and small talk from across the room.

Buzz.

Simultaneously, you and Seungmin reached for your phones. There were new messages in the group chat.

[jaemin] fml i just sat through my second Brandonbury class of the day 🤢

[renjun] imagine taking econ as a major AND literature as a minor and having bb teach both classes...yuck 🤮 couldn’t be me

[jaemin] shut up nerd

[heejin] you guys, bb ACTUALLY assigned a group project 💀 i thought he was joking

[Attachment: 171217.pdf]

[jaemin] i TOLD you gyus! his class is bad, and i mean BAD

[jaemin] ask changbin or haechan lol we’re not exaggerating

[yuqi] eye-

[jaemin] watch him post like an extra part to the project the day before

[jaemin] whatever who wants to hang w me and hyunjin at our dorm !! we invited the graphic design kids

[heejin] hot stuff but nope not bouta procrastinate

Both you and Seungmin nervously looked at the list of names, and then found your names at the bottom with tiny photos next to them:

Kim Seungmin and y/n: Analysis on William Faulkner

“Y/n…?” Seungmin wondered aloud, a little too loud.

You looked up from your phone to find your partner sitting just a few feet in front of you. “Seungmin? Is that you?”

He jumped out of his skin and hastily flipped to a different page in his notebook.

“Oh, y/n! What a coincidence! So… do you want to work on the project or…?”

“Um… yeah. Sorry. I-I’m not feeling that well today.” You mumbled an unconvincing excuse, and luckily, he didn’t press you.

“I’ll add your phone number and we can work on the project tomorrow. Same place, same time good?” “Alright. Mia’s at 10, then?”

“Yeah–” you started, but your voice broke. “Sorry.”

Your vision blurred as tears welled up in your eyes; you had to get out before you broke down in public. You fumbled with your belongings and rushed out the door without looking back.

–––––

For the rest of the day, you were disgustingly unproductive.

Upon your return to the apartment, you snatched the family-size box of Cocoa Puffs from the cupboard and flopped into the couch, then proceeded to watch crack videos and 2-star rom coms on your phone, swiping away Ryujin’s eager queries– until you remembered how fed up you were with love.

“Piss off, Viki. Screw you and your third-rate romance.” You put your phone down and went to you room to watch Netflix instead, but you just couldn’t find anything worth watching. With a groan, you threw the remote down and fell into your bed.

Curling up, your face in your knees, you cried yourself to sleep.

thursday.

When you opened your eyes, you found yourself tucked in tight, enveloped in the warmth of the blanket. For a serene five minutes, you found peace in the loving embrace of your bed, but suddenly remembered the cold reality from the traumatic events yesterday. You wished that you never woke up from last night’s dream.

Throwing the covers off, you stepped into the kitchen, where Ryujin was waiting with a warm plate of french toast. Oh my god, y/n. This is why you don’t give your only spare keys to your best friend.

She looked at you expectantly, but didn’t say anything. However, you could practically hear her:

“Spill.”

So you did. As always, her reactions were way over the top, but that’s what you loved about her. Every time you paused, she’d slip in some remark or comment about the punchableness of his face.

When you finished the story, you helped yourself to some french toast while Ryujin fantasized how she was going to repay the boy that broke her best friend’s heart.

“Thanks, Ryujin. I don’t know what I’d do without you,” you laughed.

She tackled you in a huge bear hug and put her hands on your shoulders.

“If anyone else breaks your heart, I’ll kick their ass,” she proclaimed.

“Maybe later,” you advised her. “You’d better go soon, it’s almost 9.”

“Oh, sh*t, you’re right. Though I wouldn’t mind missing Sander’s class. There’s nothing much to learn in psych anyways.”

“I gotta go to work on a project with a classmate soon anyways. Can you drive me?” You looked up at her with puppy eyes.

Ryujin pulled out her keys and jingled them. “Aight. Let’s go, so neither of us are late.”

Stacking the dirty dishes in the sink, the two of you exited your apartment hastily.

–––––

Seungmin yawned and rolled onto his side. The early morning sun filtered through his window curtains, and the fuzzy blue sweater he wore to sleep felt warm against his skin. College was amazing, especially the mornings. Contrary to his high school days, there was no need to get up early to hastily throw his homework together since he didn’t have class until the afternoon.

He rubbed his eyes and sat up, still half-asleep. He felt his way to the bathroom, then turned on the tap to wash his face and brush his teeth. He threw a hoodie on over his pajamas and sweatpants, then headed back to his room.

“Hmmm, what time could it be right now on this fine morning?” He said in a sing-songy voice, turning on his phone. To his horror, he realized he had missed his 8 am alarm, which was supposed to wake him up for the group project meeting he had with you.

Sh*t! He hated missing appointments with people, but above all, he hated making bad impressions on others. Is there still time…? He swiped away the 5 missed call notifications and heart sinking, went straight to your messages.

[you] hey seungmin, are you here yet? sry imight be a little late

[you] i’m at mia’s, where are you? [showing: delivered at 9:29]

[you] hello [showing: delivered at 10:01]

[you] ??? [showing: read now at 10:23]

–––––

[seungmin🎨] shhit

[seungmin🎨] i am os sryoyr

[you] ??

[seungmin🎨] i dint mena to wasyte ur time, im sry TT

[you] so are you coming or…??

It had been 5 minutes and he still hadn’t answered. You stared down at the phone screen in disbelief. Sorry my ass. He’s not coming, is he.

You took a deep breath and set the thought aside. Even though the sting of betrayal gnawed at the back of your mind, you had a day to finish this thing. No matter how you felt, you had to get things done. Should’ve known…

But honestly, it would be a lie if you said you expected him to ditch. It was quite a disappointment, really. Seungmin was never late to any classes, and didn’t seem like the type to go back on a meeting so last minute.

It’s fine, you tried to convince yourself. I work best alone anyways. I can do this.

Determination didn’t get you very far. After reading the instructions the fourth time over, you figured it’d be a good idea to whip up an agenda to keep on track. When you finished, you leaned back in satisfaction and looked over the deadlines you set for yourself. Your face crumpled.

Who am I kidding? you sniffled. How am I going to finish this all in a day?

“Screw you, Brandonbury, screw you, literature, screw you, project, screw you–”

Just then, the café door jingled open.

“Ah, I’m so sorry I’m late!”

Kim Seungmin stood in the doorway, hair disheveled and cheeks flushed. Seeing you, he flashed a sheepish smile. You gulped. You could never hate someone with a face like that.

He sat across from you and took out his laptop. Unlike yours, which had tacky stickers plastered all over it — some of which were so old their lamination was starting to peel off — you’d believe him if he said he bought his yesterday.

You felt your anger dissipate — this boy was the physical embodiment of perfection — but you couldn’t help but envy how well he had his life together.

You cleared your throat. “Well, first we should start by organizing our research-”

“Oh, I already finished that.” Seungmin said calmly, not looking up from his computer screen.

“Uhm, alright, next we need to prepare materials for the mind map-” You started again.

“Yeah. I brought them, they’re in the trunk right now.”

“Okay. Then that just leaves us with the research papers-”

“I finished mine already.” He looked up for a split second, then looked back down onto his screen. “You know what, I’ll just share the folder with you.”

As your partner busied away on the computer, you bit at your lip until you tasted blood.

He must think I’m such a crappy partner… ! All this time, while I was crying over my rejection, he was toiling away at this project. And I was mad he was late to our meeting…?

You buried your face in your arms. You thought you got over it, but the horrible feeling from yesterday was back again, creeping in the back of your throat. What’s wrong with you, y/n? Why are you such a piece of–

“Hey, y/n,” Seungmin interjected, and the grey fog faded away.

“Huh?” You looked up to find him resting his head on his arms, face just inches from yours.

“You look like you need a breather. C’mon, we can work on the project later.”

“But–”

Seungmin was already making his way out the door with your belongings. You followed him out the door.

He dumped your things in the front seat of his car, then made his way to the other side. You followed him hesitantly.

“What’re you standing around for? Come in. We’re going for a drive.”

“What do you mean, ‘we’re going for a drive’? What about the project?!” you stared at him in disbelief.

“The project can wait. After all, it’s the holidays! You shouldn’t be wasting it toiling over some wack assignment your wack professor assigned for no valid reason.”

Still, you hesitated. Can I… ?

“Come on. What are you waiting for? Get in, loser, we’re going shopping.” He patted the shotgun seat invitingly.

Yeah, whatever. Screw Brandonbury. It’s not like my week can get any worse, anyways.

You laughed, rolling your eyes at the dumb reference, and slid into the car.

“There you go,” Seungmin smiled. “It’s not a bad idea to loosen up every once in a while. So, how does it feel to be a rebel?”

“Exhilarating,” you answered, and the two of you drove away on the snowy road.

–––––

“No! Don’t you dare!” You wrestled the array of hangers away from Seungmin. “You can’t stop me,” Seungmin teased, slowly pulling out his credit card.

“I said no. You brought me here and stayed with me, not to mention, you did like, all of the project on your own.”

“Come on, it’ll be my Christmas present for you–” The smirk fell off his face as the realization hit him.

“Wait. The project!”

Seungmin scooped out his phone to look at the time: 8:45.

The mall was going to close soon, anyways (though you were rushing for a different reason). You raced towards the door, sneakers squeaking against the floor like the track star you were.

“Hurry up! You’re slower than my wifi!” you yelled over your shoulder, impatiently holding the door open. Seungmin dropped the pretty ruby necklace he was holding and followed you out the door.

–––––

“Let’s work at my place. Go straight, then take a left over there,” you ordered.

“Aye aye, captain.”

Between your shortcuts and Seungmin’s concise driving, you made it back to the apartment in record time. With no time to waste, the two of you burst through the door, seated yourselves on the couch, and got straight to work.

“Alright, I’ll start the mind map while you write your paper.” Seungmin procured a giant poster board and whipped out his art supplies, which he promptly spilled on the wooden floor.

“Dang, you’re really going all out with this,” you remarked, in awe of the amount of art supplies he had. “My paper’s gonna sound like I wrote it drunk and/or high at 3 am.”

“The 3 am part sounds about right, and I could go for a beer right now,” Seungmin answered.

“Sober or not, we better get to work. What time’s this due again?”

“10 am at Brandonbury’s hall, that damn bummy sack of potatoes. He said something about leaving a folder out.”

“Right.” You glanced at the clock; it was a quarter past 9. You cracked your neck and your back, then let out a huff of air. “10 hours and 45 minutes to get this done! Shouldn’t be too bad.”

“Haha… not too bad? Let’s see if you can say the same thing later.” Seungmin remarked, not looking up from drawing on the poster paper.

–––––

“I take it back, it’s bad,” you groaned. It was nearly midnight and you were on the conclusion of your research paper. Writer’s block was hitting hard, and after a few minutes of deep contemplation, you frustratedly deleted the sentence you had started.

“I was about to say, ‘damn this Faulkner guy’, but that’s uncalled for. On the other hand, Brandonbury…” Seungmin trailed off with a yawn.

“How’s the mind map going?” You sat beside him on the carpet and curiously looked over the result after 3 hours of hard work. Unfortunately, he’d squandered all that time designing the poster instead of actually putting information down.

“What do you think?”

“It’s very pretty… but what are you planning to write on it?”

“Well, the thing is,” Seungmin scratched his head sheepishly. “I haven’t… quite… figured that out yet…?”

“Seriously?! You’re impossible. Here, write my conclusion for me.” You handed your laptop over to him, then took a pencil and leaned over the poster. “I’ll handle the mind map.”

“Go ahead,” he sighed, cracked his back, and began to type.

As for this thing, you thought to yourself, where do I start…? Oh right! I have my notes organized on my laptop... oh well. I'll get it later.

In large, capital letters, you wrote “William Faulkner” in the center of the poster. To your irritation, it was ever so slightly off-center.

Screw it. I’ll leave the artsy stuff to Seungmin. Anyways, I have more important things to be thinking about right now.

Without hesitation, you continued on. Through the wee hours of the night, the room was silent except for the click clack of the keyboard and the scritch scratch of the pencil. And of course, the occasional chime of the grandfather clock that solemnly reminded the two of you that time was running out.

saturday.

“Be my partner next project, too.” Talking in your sleep (being half-awake was worse than being drunk), you buried your face into Seungmin’s fluffy blue sweater. Not breaking focus, he grinned without taking his eyes off the paper.

“And what makes you so sure I’ll want you?” he replied jokingly, but his words kind of stung.

“Mmmm...yeah, I don’t blame you.” You stroked the sweater with a bittersweet smile, pulling out a stray strand of hair.

Realizing how harsh that came out, he dropped his pen and turned to face you. “Hey, you know that’s not what I meant.”

You squinted through your sleepy eyes and set the sweater down, then crawled up next to him. You grabbed the nearest pen and started drawing on the poster.

“That’s why I’m gonna work hard to be a partner you’d want to have,” you said groggily.

With determination set on your face, you did your best to trace Seungmin’s sketches. Though it wasn’t as smooth as it could’ve been, it wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been, either.

Just as the clock struck 3, you and Seungmin set your pens down. The two of you had scrutinized all the little details until at last, you were satisfied with your work.

“I think… we’re done,” you said in shock. Your muscles ached, and your feet felt antsy after kneeling for so long,

“Yay,” Seungmin cheered wearily. “Now we’ve got 4 whole hours to ourselves.”

“We should get some sleep. But to be honest, there’s so much caffeine in me, I don’t think I can even go to sleep. Kind of. I don’t know, still kinda sleep though. Uh oh, I’m shaking. Is it possible to OD on caffeine?”

Seungmin eyed you with concern. “I… don’t think that’s good for you. You need help, child.”

“Okay, then.” You leaned into the sofa and looked sideways at him. “Can you help me?”

“Sure. What do you need help with?” Your personal therapist closed his eyes and waited for you to talk.

“Truth is, on Wednesday, the reason I flaked out was that I made my first confession… and I got my first rejection.” You hid your face in your hands.

“I just don’t get it. What did I do wrong? Was it something I said? Was it me–”

“You know any good pick-up lines?” Seungmin interrupted.

“Pick-up lines…?” you asked, perplexed.

“The secret to a successful relationship is an effective pick-up line,” he advised. “Give it your best shot.”

“Hmm… maybe something like… uh… ‘Was wondering if you had an extra heart, ‘cuz mine was just stolen.’”

“Mhm… that wasn’t bad,” he remarked, but looked unimpressed. “Try thinking cheesier, though.”

“Uh… how about, ‘Are you a magician? Because whenever I look at you, everyone else disappears.’”

“Better! You’re getting warmer. Try not to comment on looks too much, though. Focus more on what the person means to you and such.”

“Okay… I got it!” You sat up straight and snapped your fingers triumphantly. “‘They say Disneyland is the happiest place on Earth. Guess no one’s been standing next to you.’”

You looked to Seungmin earnestly, and he nodded in approval. “Well done, my disciple! Next time you ask someone out, don’t forget this foolproof secret technique!”

“Really…?” You doubted these cringeworthy lines would pick up anyone. “You’re telling me that if someone came up to you and told you they’d choose you over Mickey Mouse, you would get with them?”

“What can I say? Cheese is delicious. Especially those aged Italian blocks from those fancy looking shops.”

You elbowed him. “Stop. I don't speak rich…” You trailed off, yawning loudly. Your head was nodding and your eyelids were drooping, but you didn’t want the conversation to end.

“I think it’s time to go to sleep,” Seungmin suggested.

“No… not yet,” you mumbled sleepily. “Can we talk a little while longer?”

“Talk? About what?”

“I dunno… just…” your heavy head dropped onto his shoulder. “Oh! I’m so sorry.” At this point, you felt so tired that you could black out any second, and your head was so heavy that you physically couldn’t lift it up any more. To be honest, it feels kind of nice.

“Don’t worry.”

Seungmin smiled warmly. “A pillow would probably do a better job, but I’ll try my best. Just lean on me.”

A pillow is fluffy, but not nearly as warm, you thought to yourself drowsily. Sinking into him, you closed your eyes and fell into a world of peaceful darkness.

–––––

When you woke up, it was past 10 o’clock and Seungmin was gone. You reached your hand to your forehead to peel off a neon pink post-it neat where a neat note was scribbled.

“went to turn in proj. don’t worry about it and sleep in. when you wake up, let’s go back to the mall. after all, we didn’t end up buying anything that day, did we? i’ll be back before 11. - min ”

Why didn’t you wake me up?! You took the note angrily. We should’ve just turned it in together. Kim Seungmin, why do you have to be so damn nice?

With a sigh, you lifted your butt off the couch and went to the bathroom to freshen up. I’ll just grab him a coffee at Mia’s to thank him, you decided as you brushed your teeth. After washing your face, you sent him a quick text.

[you] meet me at mia’s, imma get some coffee

[you] whats your order

[seungmin🎨] thanks, just a hazel latte pls

You peeled off yesterday’s crusty clothes and put on your favorite oversized hoodie, and you were just about to head out the door when you noticed a familiar light blue sweater hung on your chair.

Upon further inspection, you found another post-it note with the same, typewriter-style handwriting on it.

“also, you drooled on my sweater. :(( please brush your teeth before we go out.”

Face flushed in embarrassment, you crumpled up the note. I take it back. Nice, my ass. Morning breath happens to everyone, you jerk! Not everyone brushes their teeth 6 times a day like you do. I’ll wash it later.

You left the rancid sweater where it was and flew out the door, racing down four flights of stairs and bounding outside to where your ride awaited you.

Ryujin, sharp as always, didn’t miss a beat. She was quick to detect that you were in a good mood. Too good of a mood for a girl who just got rejected. “Over Joshua so soon?” she teased as you took shotgun.

“H-huh?!” You knew she was straightforward, but you weren’t expecting her to be this blunt about it.

“Who’s the lucky guy? No way, you didn’t get laid, did you?! Oh my gosh, no!” she was bursting with excitement. Her hand was shaking as she started up the car.

“Ryujin, shush! He’s not– It’s not like that! He’s my partner for the Brandonbury thing, the one due today. We just screwed up and ended up doing it all last minute,” you explained, but for some strange reason, your heart was fluttering.

“Uh huh… so you’re telling me… you got a boy to stay the night with you– just the two of you– over a project?!” Ryujin was incredulous.

“Hey! If you put it that way–” you blushed. “Nothing happened, I swear!”

There was a pause as Ryujin studied you skeptically. “So… who is this guy, anyways?”

“Seungmin.” You said slowly, lowering your tone ever so slightly.

“Ohhhhh, Kim Seungmin. That makes more sense. He’s probably the only guy in our year that’d stay over at a girl’s place to work on a project.” She shook her head, clicking her tongue.

“Come to think of it, you guys suit each other. It’s like you guys were made for each other.”

You snapped up. “What do you mean by that?!”

“You’re both major blockheads,” she laughed.

“Hey!” you protested, but you couldn’t get her remark out of your mind. We suit each other…? If Ryujin thinks so, it’s gotta be true! She might’ve said it as a joke, but… do we really…?

“I’ll wait for you in here,” Ryujin said, leaning against her seat, crossing her legs, and pulling out her phone. You hadn’t even realized the car had already stopped in front of the coffee shop.

“Oh, right.” You clumsily climbed out of the car, trying to gather your thoughts, and strode into the café. Absentmindedly, you placed your order, not forgetting to thank the cashier. Shortly after, you picked up your coffee and headed back to the car.

However, an unexpected encounter with a familiar face stopped you in your tracks.

“Oh, y/n! There you are!”

“Joshua…” You mustered up a somewhat believably genuine smile, but on the inside, you cursed yourself.

… Sh*t, I forgot! It’s 10 am– Joshua o’clock.

“Listen, about the other day–” he started, but you decided you didn’t want to hear it.

You put a hand up to silence him. “I’m so sorry, I honestly don’t know what I was doing, but don’t worry about it.”

He blinked at you in bewilderment. “But–”

“No, no, it’s fine. Sorry for making things so weird. I’ve never confessed before,” you laughed, your hair falling over your eyes as you averted your gaze in embarrassment.

“Y/n, wait! I’m trying to say yes! Honestly, I don’t feel like I deserve someone as good as you, but if you’re willing to give me a shot–”

“And just who the hell do you think you are?” Ryujin interjected, stepping between you and Joshua, holding her arm over you like a shield.

“Damn right you don’t deserve her. Y/n, this guy wasn’t hassling you, was he?! Nobody touches my best friend and gets away with it!” She cracked her knuckles menacingly.

“No, I’m telling you, you’ve got it all wrong!” Joshua put his hands up to show he meant no harm, but Ryujin wasn’t taking it.

“So who the hell are you, anyways?” She crossed her arms and looked down at him.

“Ryujin… meet Joshua, and Joshua… meet Ryujin.” You figured if you mediated and introduced the two to each other, you would avoid a large-scale conflict, but little did you know that you had just signed Joshua’s death warrant. Oops.

“Joshua, huh…? So you’re the one that made my bestie cry. Get over here. I’m gonna whoop your ass.”

“Ryujin–” you started, but she wasn’t listening. Joshua took a step back as she pressed forward. His hands were up in a sign of surrender, but Ryujin was ready to paint the white flag red.

Oh God, you groaned to yourself. You knew that once she got started, there was no stopping her. You caught Joshua’s eye, mouthed a quick sorry, and dreadfully watched as Ryujin unleashed her wrath.

–––––

“Hey, is right now a bad time?” Seungmin came up beside you as your bestie verbally assaulted your first love. “You know her?”

“Nah, I was hoping you’d come. Let’s get out of here! I got your coffee,” you announced, holding up the warm drink to your face.

“Heck yeah! Nothing like a healthy dose of caffeine to get your day started right,” he cheered, opening the car door for you before getting in himself.

“So, to the mall, right? Can’t believe we spent all that time yesterday picking out those clothes and didn’t end up buying any of it,” he groaned.

“Guess you’re not well-trained in the noble art of window shopping.” You said, shrugging.

“Who needs to window shop when you’ve got a credit card?” he grinned, to which you rolled your eyes. What a douche.

The car ride ensued in an awkward silence, aside from the tick of the blinker and the classic Christmas songs on KOST 103.5, everyone’s go-to station this time of the year. Seungmin decided to break the uncomfortable atmosphere.

“If you don’t mind me asking, what was all that about earlier?” he probed, searching your face to check that it was a question safe to ask. You took a deep breath and spilled the tea.

“Joshua Hong, however you may know him, was my first venture in the mysterious realm of love…” you began, and Seungmin listened intently.

–––––

“Oh! Is that what you were asking about last night? Well, this morning, technically.” Seungmin said, eyes wandering his surroundings.

You and Seungmin were meandering aimlessly around the mall, checking around for good deals before dedicating to one store.

“What?”

“When you talked about how you got rejected and stuff,” he reminded you, sipping his hazelnut latte. “Then we got into pick-up lines. That was pretty funny.”

There was a strange feeling in your chest talking to Seungmin. “Do you really think they’d work?” you asked.

“Yeah, I’m telling you. Pick-up lines seal the deal.”

“I can’t tell if you’re kidding anymore.” You said, nudging his side.

“I’m not! If someone came up to me and delivered that type of line, they’d totally have my heart.”

You stopped in your tracks, a strange expression on your face.

“Y/n? What’s up?” Seungmin turned around, confused. “Are you okay?”

“If that’s true… then…” Omgomgomg, what the hell, y/n. You're crazy. You're totally crazy– You took a deep breath. “‘They say Disneyland is the happiest place on Earth.’” You looked him straight in the eye, holding his gaze.

“Kim Seungmin, will you be my Disneyland?”

No response. Seungmin just blinked at you. He was a statue, a very painfully cute statue, but you knew well that statues didn’t talk. Though the silence was unnerving and you were aware that your cheeks were unnaturally red, you didn’t drop your gaze.

He blinked once, then twice, and finally, opened his mouth. You braced yourself for the worst.

“I’m no Park,” he started slowly, “but if you’ll take a Kim, I’d be more than happy to be your amusement–” He covered his mouth with his fist.

“Ack, that was bad, let’s pretend that didn’t happen. What I was trying to say was… yes.” Embarrassment written all over his face, Seungmin flashed you a wide, lopsided grin, but it was the prettiest smile you’d ever seen.

You felt like you were flying. You ran up to his side with a new spring in your step, and the two of you continued to walk along as if nothing had happened.

Maybe to the rest of the passerby, you and Seungmin looked no different than from five minutes ago, but this time as you strolled along, you leaned onto his shoulder ever so slightly. But this time, you didn't need to ask for permission.

~ fin ~ ...or is it?? hehe stay tuned for more

UPDATE: part two !

✿ ✿ ✿

i drew a little smth for christmas...!!

- struz

257 notes · View notes

wewillwriteyou · 4 years

Text

Crazy Little Thing Called Love || Chapter 10

A few elements from the main plot: A fine line falls between fiction and reality: what starts as a musical slowly becomes a game-changer. Tables will turn and it will get clear as the sun that the only unstoppable power in life … is love.

Summary Chapter 10: Christmas is coming and some people go, others stay at the campus. But what if, as it always happens, plans will change last minute? And what if ‘these plans’ are none other than Ben’s plans?

Word count: 5.2K+

Warnings: Language here and there, but this chapter is mainly fluff / descriptions, so safe territory everyone

A/N: This chapter is indeed one of our favourites, folks! We loved writing it, so we do hope you’ll like as much as we do! 💛 xx

Tuesday, 24 December 2019

The Sorceress was right: he had leaped without looking. Leaped into something that was bigger than him and any of us mortals. Suddenly, a plan unravelled before his eyes. To fix everything. To make amends. This time he knew he couldn’t do it by himself. He needed help.

The alarm going off made him jump off the bed. He turned it off fast but not fast enough to prevent Rami from waking up.

“Sorry mate,” Ben apologised to his roommate as he pulled a suitcase from under his bed.

“It’s Christmas Eve – Rami mumbled, rolling on the other side of his bed – did you need to set a goddamn alarm today?”

“It’s almost twelve…” Ben observed, chuckling.

“Yeah, but still… Christmas Eve…” Rami complained, using his pillow to cover his ears.

“My dad’s picking me up in an hour – Ben shook his head chuckling and threw him a cushion – we’re going to Italy on the annual ski trip”

“Right, - Rami threw the pillow back and got up, stretching his spine – how did he convince Miss New Americana?”

Ben rolled his eyes, chuckling lightly. Miss New Americana was his dad’s fiancée and she was… not easy, to be nice. Something of a bitch, to be honest.

When his parents were still together, the Hardy’s would always go to Italy in the winter break and Ben only had happy memories of that time.

After Ben’s mom died just as he was starting college, he and his dad went on the ski trip on their own for a couple of years. And then he met Linda, a sparkling pink American who inexplicably made his dad happy but who was clearly more interested in his dad’s money than she was in his actual happiness.

That would have been the first year someone outside the family had joined their trip and Linda didn’t seem like the type of person who liked to… mess up her hairstyle with sky goggles.

“I suppose he’s gonna tell her we’re gonna go to Milan to go shopping and then listen to her complaints during the whole trip once she realises he lied to her” Ben answered, making Rami chuckle from the bathroom.

Rami closed the water and emerged from the bathroom with the towel around his neck, “Are you gonna survive with her there?”

“No Rami, - Ben stopped and pointed a finger at him – the question is: is she gonna survive with me there?”

Rami laughed, “Oh God, you’re gonna be your own first client, Mr lawyer…”

They were both laughing when Ben’s phone rang and his dad’s number appeared on the screen.

“Yeah dad, I’m almost ready, what time are you gonna be here?”

Rami got out of his pijama and went through his drawers to find a shirt, he could tell something had happened by Ben’s facial expression. He watched him slowly put the wool socks back on the bed, out of the suitcase, and sit on the mattress.

“You must be joking. Tell me you’re joking.” Ben harshly said on the phone and Rami mouthed him a ‘what’ but Ben just shook his head.

“Dad, you know she’s just playing you, right? Are you still falling for her crap?” Ben rubbed a hand on the back of his neck and let it fall on his side.

“I cannot believe you’re taking her side…”

Rami walked up to him and sat on his bed while buttoning up his shirt.

Ben was defeated. His dad was one of the best lawyers in the UK, after all. He let his head fall forward and hid his face in the palm of the hand that wasn’t holding the phone.

“Fine – he blurted out, interrupting his dad on the other side – Do whatever she says. I don’t care. I hope you two are gonna be happy.”

He was about to hang up when, “Oh, and I’m glad to hear I’m the only one of us to still give a shit about mom.”

Hitting the red button, he ended the call and threw the phone into the suitcase. He brought his hands to his face and rested his elbows on the knees, exhaling frustrated.

“I can’t believe her – he began – when he told her about the trip she flipped out and caused a scene in the middle of his Christmas dinner party and threatened to leave him and go back to her parents and my dad, being the dumbass that he is, told her they didn’t have to go if she didn’t want to…”

Ben exhaled tiredly, even if he’d just woken up.

“What a manipulative bitch… - Rami commented – I’m sorry, man”

Ben got up again and began unpacking, “Yeah, I know”

“You can come with me and my folks… I can try booking you a last-minute ticket to Egypt”

“Thanks, Rami, but I don’t think it’s possible… and in any case, I’d feel like an outsider with you and your family”

“You know my parents love you,” Rami patted on his shoulder before going to the wardrobe again to pick out his trousers.

Ben half smiled, “Thanks, man”

An effusive knock on the door interrupted them.

Rami opened the door and an impeccably dressed Lucy made her entrance.

“Happy Christmas Eve boys,” she kissed him on the cheek and went up to Ben to place a kiss on his lips.

She noticed Ben was unpacking and frowned, “Aren’t you supposed to be already packed? – she shot a look at Rami and he shook his head while looking down – What happened?”

Ben exhaled and threw his last T-shirt on the duvet, “Linda. That’s what happened…”

Lucy placed a hand on his back and brushed it soothingly, “I’m sorry, babe… you can always come at my parents’ if you want”

“Thanks, Luce, but I think I’m not in the mood…” Ben walked away to put his clothes back in his drawers, letting Lucy’s hand fall back to her side.

She furrowed her eyebrows, “So where ‘re you gonna go?”

Ben closed the wardrobe and put his hands in his pockets, “I think I’ll stay here…”

“Here? – Lucy shrieked – You wanna be alone at Christmas?”

Ben huffed, “I’m not gonna be alone, Luce. There’s a lot of people who don’t go home for Christmas and I know they’re throwing a small party tonight at the cafeteria… more like a Christmas dinner for the ones who cannot have one with their families and-”

“It’s because of her, isn’t it?” Lucy cut him off. Steam was already bowling up in her head and she had to force herself to listen to what he had to say instead of storming out of the room.

“What? No, Lucy I-”

“Don’t play dumb with me, Ben, I know you’re not telling me something and I plead you tell me before I walk out of that door or I won’t be coming back”

“Alex’s gonna be at her parents for the holidays… – Rami jumped in – She was telling Elizabeth the other day at rehearsal. She’s leaving tonight…”

Lucy moved her eyes from Rami to Ben, “That doesn’t answer my question, though”

She knew Ben better than she knew herself and he was hiding something. Since the beginning of the month, she had noticed that something was off with him. He talked less and missed a couple of rehearsals. He hung out more with his canoeing team than with the cast of the musical. And more importantly, he’d been avoiding physical contact as much as he could.

Lucy knew something had happened with Alex, she just knew.

Since that kiss on stage, she hadn’t believed a word he had told her. He swore it didn’t mean anything and he was just acting but she smelled the lie from miles away.

Lucy distinctly remembered Ben kissing her like that, with that passion… but it had stopped ages ago. And she had been fine with it because she had always been told that after the excitement of the beginning, it was normal to lose the spark in a relationship and ‘get used’ to the routine.

Seeing him having the same spark they had with another woman had nearly driven her crazy.

She refused to believe they were done. She couldn’t accept the idea she was losing him. Ben. They had been through so much together and she knew for sure her parents were already looking into wedding halls for when they’d graduate. They had not-so-discretely told her they needed to be together because ‘it was good to the families’ on countless occasions.

And even though all of the above was true, she still needed to know what had happened so she could dump his ass before he could do it with her. She refused to be the cheated loser who got dumped by Ben Hardy. God, my parents are gonna kill me, was the only thought that circled inside her head.

She struggled in keeping up her stone-cold bitch façade, but she felt like she was crumbling to pieces and she knew she couldn’t have held it much longer.

Ben almost involuntarily glanced at the dresser by the door and Lucy followed his gaze.

The picture of them at the first canoeing race he ever won was sitting in its frame, the glass completely shattered.

“What happened to that picture?” she asked, her voice squeaky.

“Crap,” Rami muttered under his breath and walked away from the couple, closing the bathroom door behind him.

Lucy stared at the broken glass, her mouth agape, “Did she do this?” her voice feeble.

Ben looked at his feet, running miles in his head to find a plausible answer that wouldn’t completely shatter their relationship.

“Fucking say something, Ben!” Lucy shouted.

“It was an accident! – Ben shouted back, still averting her eyes – Alex had come by and-”

“That’s all I needed,” Lucy cut him off and aimed to the door, but Ben blocked her arm.

“Let go of me,” she wriggled her arm away.

“I’m sorry, Lucy, I really am-”

“For what Ben, uh? For wrecking our first memory as boyfriend and girlfriend? For cheating on me? Or for me founding out about you two? Uh?”

Ben didn’t know what to say.

“You bastard,” Lucy’s voice broke as she completed those last words and while Ben stood there she opened the door.

She walked out, but before shutting the door behind her she turned one more time, “Rot in hell, Ben Hardy”.

With that said Lucy slammed shut the door on their relationship.

It was over.

Ben walked back to his bed and sat there staring at the floor.

“Jeez mate,” Rami emerged from the bathroom.

Ben looked up to him, “You heard everything I suppose…”. Rami nodded.

Ben scoffed, “What have I done, man?”

“Well, to be honest… a fucking mess” Rami sat in front of him and Ben emitted a bittersweet chuckle.

“Thanks… – Ben brushed a hand in his hair – What do I do now?”

Rami exhaled, “How much do you need me to be honest?”

Ben looked at him and realised Rami was probably the only person who knew him well enough to give him advice on this, “100%. Shoot.”

Rami nodded, “Listen, Ben, you’re my best mate and you choose complete honesty so I have to tell you… You acted like a dick.”

Ben sarcastically chuckled, “Well thanks, man, I needed that…”

“Let me talk…” Rami shushed him, “You acted like a dick with both Lucy and Alex. You cheated on Lucy, knowing all the shit you two had been through and you lied to her about the kiss with Alex on stage. You deluded Alex you two could be together without telling her that you still hadn’t talked to Lucy and you had no intention of doing it soon…”

Ben was staring at the floor, feeling all the horrible things he’d done stabbing his back like daggers.

“So now you have to do only one thing and you have two ways to do it… - Rami continued – You have to make things right with both of them and you can either choose to run after Lucy or go talk to Alex. Your choice.”

Ben finally looked up at him and saw a half-smile on Rami’s face, meaning that he’d support either of his choices. Like he had always done.

He smiled, “Thanks, Rami”. They both got up and Ben hugged him, suddenly knowing what to do.

He walked away from his friend, picked up his phone, jacket and keys and headed to the door.

“I’ll probably be gone by the time you’re back, – Rami said, making Ben turn to look at him – so don’t do anything stupid. And keep out of trouble.”

Ben smiled, “Merry Christmas, mate”

As he closed the door behind him he heard Rami shouting Merry Christmas asshole back to him. He chuckled to himself and let his feet walk him in the only direction he wanted to go.

***

“So you’re telling me you’ll spend New Year’s Eve here?”, Denise tucked her phone between her head and shoulder and picked up her books, then headed towards the library’s exit.

“Apparently so,” Gwilym was cheerier than she’d expected and it made her smile to herself.

“That’s cool… – she tried to keep a straight tone while dodging the people in the corridor and finally stepping outside the building – Well, let me know when you’re gonna be here. We could… grab a bite… and maybe wait for New Years in the main hall with the others…”

Gwilym smiled widely, “I would love that”

Denise was able to contain her joy only because of the books she was holding. She was actually jumping around inside her head.

As she proceeded on the sidewalk of the 9th dormitory, she noticed a familiar puff of blond hair waving at her from the distance.

“Listen, Gwil, I’ll call you back.” She hung up the phone and fished it not without some struggle in her pocket.

“Hi, Ben… What are you doing here?”

“Hey Denise, – he sounded nervous and after everything Alex had told her, she didn’t know how what to think of him – I was looking for Alex and I know she lives here, but I don’t know her room… Is there any chance you could tell me?”

Denise furrowed her eyebrows and narrowed her eyes, “And why should I tell you that?”

Ben was confused at first, but then he realised Alex had probably told her what had happened between them.

“Listen, Denise – he started, brushing his hair nervously – I need to speak to her as soon as possible. She hasn’t picked up my calls in weeks and, besides that, I need to do this in person… I wanna make things right, trust me. I’m here to make things right.”

Denise stared at him and he did look desperate. She knew Alex would have killed her, but she decided to trust her instinct, “The room is 986. Second floor, west end of the corridor.”

Ben let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding, “Thank you”.

He patted her on the shoulder and smiled, before climbing the steps to the building.

“Don’t make me regret this, Hardy” she shouted before he could enter and he turned to wave as if to say ‘promise’.

Ben eluded security and ran towards the stairs, jumping two steps at a time. He was so focused on arriving in time that he couldn’t think of anything to say to her face.

When he got to the door, he almost hesitated to knock.

Suck it up Hardy, he said to himself and rapidly knocked on the wooden surface, eagerly waiting for an answer.

“Who is it?” Elizabeth asked.

“It’s Ben,” he cleared his voice.

The door opened and Elizabeth emerged with only her head from behind it, a nervous smile on her face, “Hey Ben, what are you doing here?”

Ben looked her up and down and hesitated for a second, wondering who was she waiting for that made her so nervous.

“Uhm, I was looking for Alex… I need to talk to her urgently”

Elizabeth’s expression changed, “Oh, ehm… she left last night to go to her parents… I’m sorry”

“Oh,” he lowered his gaze as to think about a backup plan. He had not seen that coming. He looked up to Elizabeth again, “They live in town right? Do you know the address?”

“Wow, well Ben you’re asking me a lot…” Elizabeth inadvertently opened the door more and he took it as an invitation to walk inside.

He looked around and noticed that only one bed was undone, sign that at least one of the roommates had probably not slept there that night.

The girl closed the door with a scoff and he squared her up and down. She was wearing a large t-shirt that was most certainly not hers and that only barely covered her super short shorts.

Elizabeth scoffed again and crossed her arms on her chest, “Eyes up here, Hardy… - he recomposed himself but couldn’t hide a smirk. She was evidently waiting for someone – What you’re asking me is betraying a friend. A friend that clearly doesn’t want to hear from you… or she would have picked up at least one of your calls, wouldn’t she?”

Ben looked at his feet and brought a hand on the back of his neck, looking for a good excuse as to why Elizabeth should have trusted him.

When he was about to speak, the noise of water starting and stopping right after interrupted the silence.

Ben looked at the girl with a confused and way too amused face, “If Alex’s not here… who’s in there?”

He watched her gasping for words and then hiding her face behind her palms when the bathroom door opened.

Joe emerged from the door frame in pijama pants, with no t-shirt on and a towel around his neck. He widened his eyes as soon as he registered what was going on.

Ben’s eyes widened as well and he brought a hand to his mouth in disbelief. He darted his look between the two of them and a smirk gleamed on his lips, as he did the math: Joe’s pants and Elizabeth’s t-shirt were undoubtedly two pieces of a whole pijama.

“Oh shit,” was the only thing Joe could say.

“Oh my God… – Ben snickered – what the fuck’s going on here?”

Joe glanced at Elizabeth but she was still hiding behind her hands. She peeked from between her fingers and she could see the two boys staring at her. She let her hands fall and huffed.

“We are both staying here for Christmas and both roommate-less… - Liz hoped the phrase would complete itself, but when she saw Ben nodding in her direction, asking to continue, she rolled her eyes – Joe moved in here for the holidays”

Ben laughed out loud, earning a punch on the arm from the girl, “Cut it out, Hardy.”

She knew she should have been more worried about someone knowing that a guy was sleeping in the female dormitory, but when she caught Joe who had started breaking as well, she couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Fine, - she conceded recomposing herself – but you can’t tell anyone about this, okay?”

Ben tried pushing down the laughter and nodded forcefully, clearing his throat, “Don’t worry… Your little secret is safe with me…”. He winked at Elizabeth, unable to hide his wily smirk.

“There’s no secret – Joe blurted out, his face more nervous than he cared to admit – Nothing happened here…”

“Right, – Ben nodded condescendingly – and she’s wearing your tee because she doesn’t have any clothes?”

He raised an eyebrow and chuckled at the redness that was spreading on both their faces. They were so cute, both embarrassed and awkward every time he suggested there was something between them.

It was crystal clear to his eyes that there was something there and he smiled to himself, wishing he and Alex had taken things as slowly as they had. Because it was evident to him now that there had always been something else besides friendship between Joe and Elizabeth. All those stolen glances he had caught during rehearsal and the way Joe had reacted when he’d seen Elizabeth kissing Gwilym. It was not casual.

Only after a few seconds, he realised that whatever had happened in that room, they probably hadn’t talked about it yet.

“Listen, guys, - he started, - I’m not here to mess around… I have to talk to Alex. I screwed things up and I want to make them right, now that I have the chance. I need to make things right.”

Joe and Elizabeth shared a glance.

“Can you please help me? – Ben continued – I’ll keep your secret, I swear. Just please, will you help me?”

Elizabeth glanced at Joe again and he nodded as to say ‘it’s your call’.

She exhaled, “I’ll write it down for you – Ben let out a breath of relief, but Elizabeth continued – but you have to swear on everything you’ve got that you will not make me regret helping you.”

Ben forcefully nodded, “Sure, I swear. I do”

“And you have to shut your mouth about what you just saw,” Joe jumped in.

Again, Ben nodded and watched as Elizabeth picked up her phone and texted him the address.

“Thank you. For real,” he said to both of them.

Elizabeth half-smiled, “You’re welcome, Hardy. Now get out of here before I change my mind…”

“Merry Christmas, guys,” Ben said with a chuckle, before patting Joe on the shoulder and sprinting towards the door.

As it closed behind him, Joe turned to Elizabeth, “You know you sent Alex a ticking time bomb right?”

She sat down on the bed, thinking that Joe was probably right and that Alex would have killed her for what she’d done. But she also knew Ben and Alex were both secretive, big-headed people that lived in the fear of letting someone close.

Well, sometimes people like them needed a small push to take the leap.

Elizabeth chuckled to herself, “Yeah, that’s my Christmas present.”

***

“I told you, it’s not just another musical. It will be very important for my extra credits and, besides, I get to play the piano in front of the whole campus which is the closest I’ve ever gotten to a concert” Alex replied, shrugging her shoulders and placing the carrots on the cutting board.

“Thank you, dear,” her mom said and Alex smiled, kissing her on the temple. It was Christmas Eve’s afternoon, but Christmas dinner was already taking its form on the stove.

“Still find it useless, you could be studying other stuff instead of wasting your time playing a witch” her brother Jason commented.

“Oh, like economy? Like you, Jay? ‘m sorry to disappoint you, but my place will never be behind a computer typing on the board all day” Alex sassily replied, raising her left eyebrow.

“And where’s your place, Alex?” Jason used his smart-ass tone, that knew would have bothered his sister for days.

Alex inhaled sharply and walked towards the table where Jason was sat at. She put her hands on the marble surface and leaned down until her eyes were looking straight into his.

“In front of thousands of people, that cheer my name”

“Like mother like daughter – their father appeared in the kitchen, still wearing the gloves he had used to collect the firewood – she always used to say she would have sold theatres and would have danced for the Queen,” he proudly continued, hugging his wife from behind.

“And that’s exactly what I did. Apart from the exhibition in front of the Queen”, the woman chuckled, turning her head to place a brief kiss on her husband’s lips.

Alex looked at them and sincerely smiled, before turning in her brother’s direction.

“You see: a dancer, a conductor – she started, indicating their parents – a wanna-be musician – she went on indicating herself – and then there’s you, an accountant” she ended her sentence indicating Jason.

They all started to giggle.

“How many times will I have to hear this story?” Jason asked, defeated.

“Until mom and dad admit you’ve been adopted, there’s no other explanation to me” Alex joked, messing his hair up. He pushed her away and they cackled again.

“It would be weird to discover that at thirty years old, don’t you think so?”

“There’s always time for new discoveries. Am I wrong dad?” Alex said, walking closer to her mom and stealing a carrot to munch it.

“You’re absolutely right, my dear” the man answered, winking at his daughter and walking out of the kitchen to go and light the fire up inside the fireplace.

The two women started to laugh, while Jason rolled his eyes getting up to help his dad with the wood. Alex’s mom scrolled her head and kissed her daughter’s forehead.

“Let me help you,” Alex said, taking the knife from her hand.

All of a sudden, while the two men were struggling with the fire in the living room and Alex was cutting vegetables for her mother, the doorbell rang.

“George, are you expecting someone?” Alex’s mom shouted from the kitchen.

“No, Eveline, I’m not. Christ, why won’t it light up?” her husband answered in a rush, before starting to insult the wood that did not want to burn.

“I’ll go and see who’s it,” Alex promptly said, and her mother thanked her before going back to cook.

She cast a glance at the salon and could not contain a hushed chuckle that escaped her lips in seeing her dad so pissed kneeling in front of the fireplace and an even more pissed Jason standing behind him.

She scrolled her head and toddled towards the door.

Alex did not know whom she was expecting to find; maybe a family’s friend, or the postman, or even one of their relatives that had decided to surprise them. She was sure of only one thing: she surely would’ve not expected to find him.

“Ben! – her welcoming smile fading away from her lips in the exact moment she opened the door and saw him, standing there – how … what ar-”

“It’s over. Between me and Lucy, it’s over” he cut her off and let out in a rush.

He seemed out of breath as if he had run a marathon to get there in time. His coat was unbuttoned and his scarf was carelessly entangled around his neck, while the keys of his car were dangling from his index finger.

Alex opened her mouth and, looking behind her back, she took a step outside to have some ‘privacy’.

“Ben, I … that’s … I mean, I don’t think it’s the right time to have this conversation” Alex stuttered and had to cough halfway into the sentence to recompose her tone.

Her heart was jumping at the sight of him, but her brain was sending thousands of warning signs. She had to think about the way she had felt when she left his room that day, the way she had felt every other day at rehearsals when she had to pretend nothing had happened.

Ben slightly nodded and looked down to the ground for a brief instant, while a few snowflakes graciously fell on his blonde hair.

“It’s just, that… ‘ve missed you, Alex. And I know I screwed everything up, but … you know, when this morning Lucy walked out of my bedroom I felt I finally had a choice,”

He paused again, finding the strength to look into Alex’s eyes.

“And I choose you” he then confessed.

A long stripe of frozen breath flew out from the corner of his mouth and, while he was breathing, free from the burden he had carried on his chest, Alex, at those words, felt as if her lungs had stopped functioning.

“Ben – she started, unsure on what saying after – I think it’s better if we talk about all of this after the holidays” her tone was cold. Glacial.

Panic had taken over her body and her insecurities had immediately built a barrier to shield her, cutting Ben out once again.

“There’s my whole family inside, it’s not the right time for this. You understand that right?” she proceeded when she noticed Ben had not dared to speak a word yet.

“I understand – he echoed her, nodding – Merry Christmas, then” and saying that, he turned on his heels and walked towards his car.

Alex felt tears reaching her eyes and had to look up to push them away. When she decided to reserve one last gaze at Ben, she noticed he was struggling with the car’s ignition.

He punched the steering wheel and exited the car.

“It doesn't start-up,” he said, letting his arms fall loose by his sides.

“Are you joking?! – Alex shouted, feeling her heart pumping harder inside her chest; when he scrolled his head, she knew she didn’t have any choice – come inside” she surrendered.

Ben’s chin touched the ground as he tried, and failed, to hide the big smile that was now adorning his face. Alex opened the door for him and let him step inside first.

“I talk, you keep your mouth shut!” she threatened him and, as an answer, Ben pretended to zip his lips.

“Alex, who was at the … oh, hi” Jason appeared from the living room and grinned at the scene in front of his eyes. Soon, their parents too emerged from the salon and the kitchen and Alex felt as if she was under the spotlight.

“Ehm, this is Ben, a friend from college – she cleared her throat and felt her mouth go drier – his car broke down”

“Oh, that’s terrible!” Alex’s mom immediately commented.

“One of my friends is a mechanic! I’ll call him and tell him to come here and have a look” Alex’s dad, promptly suggested.

“No need to rush, sir. Really. No one is expecting me at home, so I’m in no hurry” Ben almost innocently replied in front of all that kindness, not thinking about how terrible his situation sounded from outside.

Alex had snapped her head in his direction, not sure she had heard correctly. When Ben met her worried gaze, he immediately said:

“Not a big deal, no need to be preoccupied. Everything is… fine”

“Don’t be ridiculous, no one should be alone on Christmas! You can stay here with us. Alex what do you think?” her mom kindly offered and Alex could not stop the redness that spread all over her cheeks.

Jason smirked when she saw her blushing.

Alex looked up at Ben, who shrugged his shoulder and she found herself sighing in defeat.

Her heart had won another match.

“You can stay. If you want”

On Ben’s lips crept a smile so big, that he thought he would have burst of happiness in a couple of seconds.

“I can’t even find the words to thank you right now,” he then said, diverting his eyes from Alex to her family.

“Oh don’t worry, dear. It’s a pleasure – Alex’s mum said walking closer to hug him – George, Jason, ask him if he needs help with the luggage and Alex, come in the kitchen and add one more seat for tonight’s dinner” she added, plucking Ben’s cheek.

“At your orders” Jason answered and took his coat. Once he was close enough, he elbowed Alex who reserved him an immediate middle finger.

Ben laughed under his breath and it was in that moment that Alex thought about one thing. She took him by the sleeve of the jacket and, as he was about to step out and guide Alex’s brother and dad to his car, she pulled him down and whispered:

“How did you know my address?”

Ben flushed and, nervously adjusting his scarf, he caressed the back of his neck and replied:

“That’s actually a pretty funny story”

Chapters: ⬸ previous | next ⤑

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Stay safe, folks! 💖

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newstfionline · 3 years

Text

Sunday, December 27, 2020

Millions of Americans lose jobless benefits as Trump refuses to sign aid bill (Reuters) Millions of Americans saw their jobless benefits expire on Saturday after U.S. President Donald Trump refused to sign into law a $2.3 trillion pandemic aid and spending package, protesting that it did not do enough to help everyday people. Trump stunned Republicans and Democrats alike when he said this week he was unhappy with the massive bill, which provides $892 billion in badly needed coronavirus relief, including extending special unemployment benefits expiring on Dec. 26, and $1.4 trillion for normal government spending. Without Trump’s signature, about 14 million people could lose those extra benefits, according to Labor Department data. A partial government shutdown will begin on Tuesday unless Congress can agree a stop-gap government funding bill before then.

Downtown Nashville explosion knocks some communications offline (AP) A recreational vehicle parked in the deserted streets of downtown Nashville exploded early Christmas morning, causing widespread communications outages that took down police emergency systems and grounded holiday travel at the city’s airport. Police were responding to a report of shots fired Friday when they encountered the RV blaring a recorded warning that a bomb would detonate in 15 minutes, Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake said. Police evacuated nearby buildings and called in the bomb squad. The RV exploded shortly afterward, Drake said. The blast sent black smoke and flames billowing from the heart of downtown Nashville’s tourist scene, an area packed with honky-tonks, restaurants and shops. Buildings shook and windows shattered streets away from the explosion near a building owned by AT&T that lies one block from the company’s office tower, a landmark in downtown. AT&T said the affected building is the central office of a telephone exchange, with network equipment in it. The blast interrupted service, but the company declined to say how widespread outages were.

Powerful mobile phone surveillance tool (The Intercept) UNTIL NOW, the Bartonville, Texas, company Hawk Analytics and its product CellHawk have largely escaped public scrutiny. CellHawk has been in wide use by law enforcement; the software is helping police departments, the FBI, and private investigators around the United States convert information collected by cellular providers into maps of people’s locations, movements, and relationships. Police records obtained by The Intercept reveal a troublingly powerful surveillance tool operated in obscurity, with scant oversight. CellHawk’s maker says it can process a year’s worth of cellphone records in 20 minutes, automating a process that used to require painstaking work by investigators, including hand-drawn paper plots. According to the company’s website, CellHawk uses GPS records in its “unique animation analysis tool,” which, according to company promotional materials, plots a target’s calls and locations over time. “Watch data come to life as it moves around town or the entire county,” the site states. The company has touted features that make CellHawk sound more like a tool for automated, continuous surveillance than for just processing the occasional spreadsheet from a cellular company. CellHawk’s website touts the ability to send email and text alerts “to surveillance teams” when a target moves, or enters or exits a particular “location or Geozone (e.g. your entire county border).”

In other white Christmas news, 74 pounds of cocaine found floating off the Florida Keys (Miami Herald) The Keys sheriff’s office came across some white stuff Christmas week. But it wasn’t the usual kind of snow. About 74 pounds of cocaine were spotted floating off the Lower Keys by a fisherman Wednesday afternoon. The packages were put in a Monroe County sheriff’s patrol boat and turned over to the U.S. Border Patrol. Lost shipments are trending in South Florida and the Keys. In August and September, almost 150 pounds of marijuana were found floating off the island chain or washed up on the shore. In July, more than 50 pounds of cocaine washed up near Grassy Key. Earlier that month, 29 bricks of cocaine came ashore in the Middle Keys city of Marathon, according to federal agents.

Brexit Deal Done, Britain Now Scrambles to See How It Will Work (NYT) For weary Brexit negotiators on both sides of the English Channel, a Christmas Eve trade agreement sealed 11 months of painstaking deliberations over Britain’s departure from the European Union, encompassing details as arcane as what species of fish could be caught by each side’s boats in British waters. But for many others—among them bankers, traders, truckers, architects and millions of migrants—Christmas was only the beginning, Day 1 of a high-stakes and unpredictable experiment in how to unstitch a tight web of commercial relations across Europe. The deal, far from closing the book on Britain’s tumultuous partnership with Europe, has opened a new one, beginning on its first pages with what analysts say will be the biggest overnight change in modern commercial relations. Britain’s services sector—encompassing not only London’s powerful financial industry, but also lawyers, architects, consultants and others—was largely left out of the 1,246-page deal, despite the sector accounting for 80 percent of British economic activity. Negotiators have not formally published the voluminous trade deal, though both sides have offered summaries, leaving analysts and ordinary citizens uncertain about some details even as lawmakers in Britain and Europe prepare to vote on it in a matter of days.

Virus besets Belarus prisons filled with president’s critics (AP) A wave of COVID-19 has engulfed prisons in Belarus that are packed with people in custody for demonstrating against the nation’s authoritarian president, and some of the protesters who contracted the coronavirus while incarcerated accuse authorities of neglecting or even encouraging infections. Activists who spoke to The Associated Press after their release described massively overcrowded cells without proper ventilation or basic amenities and a lack of medical treatment. Kastus Lisetsky, 35, a musician who received a 15-day sentence for attending a protest, said that before he entered prison, he and three bandmates were held in a Minsk jail and had to sleep on the floor of a cell intended for only two people. All four have contracted the virus. Lisetsky must return to prison to serve the remaining seven days of his sentence after he’s discharged from the hospital. He accused the government of allowing the virus to run wild among those jailed for political reasons. “The guards say openly that they do it deliberately on orders,” Lisetsky said. More than 30,000 people have been detained for taking part in protests against the August reelection of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in a vote that opposition activists and some election workers say was rigged to give Lukashenko a sixth term.

Japan bans new entries of foreigners after virus variant arrives (Reuters) Japan on Saturday said it would temporarily ban non-resident foreign nationals from entering the country as it tightens its borders following the detection of a new, highly infectious variant of the coronavirus. The ban will take effect from Dec. 28 and will run through January, the government said in an emailed statement. Japanese citizens and foreign residents will be allowed to enter but must show proof of a negative coronavirus test 72 hours before departing for Japan and must quarantine for two weeks after arrival, the statement said.

As Virus Resurges in Africa, Doctors Fear the Worst Is Yet to Come (NYT) When the pandemic began, global public health officials raised grave concerns about the vulnerabilities of Africa. But its countries overall appeared to fare far better than those in Europe or the Americas, upending scientists’ expectations. Now, the coronavirus is on the rise again in swaths of the continent, posing a new, possibly deadlier threat. In South Africa, a crush of new cases that spread from Port Elizabeth is growing exponentially across the nation, with deaths mounting. Eight countries, including Nigeria, Uganda and Mali, recently recorded their highest daily case counts all year. “The second wave is here,” John N. Nkengasong, the head of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has declared. In South Africa, the continent’s leader by far in coronavirus cases and deaths, the growing devastation in its medical system has led to the rationing of care for older adults. Last week, officials announced that a new variant of the virus that may be associated with faster transmission has become dominant. With stricter control measures lifted and many people no longer seeing the virus as a threat, public health officials fear that Africa’s second wave could be far worse than its first.

Syria’s bread lines are so long that children have to skip school to wait in them (Washington Post) Every morning, Abu Mohammed and his two eldest sons wake up for dawn prayer in Damascus, then take turns heading to the bakery. They wait for at least three hours, barely making it to work or school on time, he said. Often, the boys miss their first few classes. Sometimes they miss the whole day. Abu Mohammed, who declined to give his full name for fear of harassment by the security services, is among a rapidly growing number of Syrians languishing in seemingly endless lines. The bread crisis is perhaps the most visible and painful manifestation of Syria’s economic meltdown. It has seen the amount of subsidized bread most families can buy reduced by half or even more. Subsidized prices have doubled since October. Outside major cities, the deprivation may be even worse. “The poor man living in the village no longer has gas; he has wood. He’s out of bread; he makes his own,” said a resident of the coastal city Tartous, interviewed over Facebook.

Our Digital Lives Drive a Brick-and-Mortar Boom in Data Centers (NYT) The shift to digital work and play from home, hastened by the pandemic, has wreaked havoc on commercial real estate. But experts say it has also generated one surprising bright spot for the industry: data centers. The growing reliance on cloud-based technology—and the big, blocky buildings that house its hardware—has created greater opportunities for developers and investors as businesses and consumers gobble up more data in a world that has become increasingly connected. “Our houses are connected, our cars are connected, our streetlights and parking meters are connected, and every single one of those connections is passing data back and forth,” said Sean O’Hara, president of the exchange-traded funds division at Pacer Financial, an investment advisory firm in Malvern, Pa. And companies that provide data storage are preparing for even greater demand as new technologies like 5G and artificial intelligence become more widely used.

The Secret to Longevity? 4-Minute Bursts of Intense Exercise May Help (NYT) If you increase your heart rate, will your life span follow? That possibility is at the heart of an ambitious new study of exercise and mortality. The study, one of the largest and longest-term experimental examinations to date of exercise and mortality, shows that older men and women who exercise in almost any fashion are relatively unlikely to die prematurely. But if some of that exercise is intense, the study also finds, the risk of early mortality declines even more, and the quality of people’s lives climbs. In essence, says Dorthe Stensvold, a researcher at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology who led the new study, intense training—which was part of the routines of both the interval and control groups—provided slightly better protection against premature death than moderate workouts alone.

#headlines #news

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cryptically-ambiguous · 5 years

Note

Do you have any laws for October?

Thank you for your query, anon. There are, of course, rules for October.

Mind you, October rules tend to have a bit of overlap with the general tips and laws for fall as a whole. Those that I've spoken about already can be found here, and here. This list will also not be covering Hallow's Eve, as that is a post in and of itself.

That being said, October-specific rules and tips are as follows:

A feather stuck upright in the earth is a gift

A feather upside down is a threat

If a pinecone hits you on the head, this is good luck (Provided that you are beneath a pinecone-bearing tree. Otherwise, it is a warning shot.)

Music coming from the earth is not an invitation

Mind your manners

Cats are harbingers

Carry a sprig of rosemary in your back pocket, behind your ear, or beneath your phonecase

Alternatively, carry a clove in your shoe

If you wish to be taken, stand over a puddle for the duration of a storm. Yell your terms to the clouds, and hope that they're accepted. Do not get your shoes wet.

In the event that you do not wish to be taken, don't do that.

Lock your bedroom window on Tuesdays

Bring your plants inside before the frost

If it does not snow where you are, bring them in anyways. They're lonely.

If it snowed already, do not trust the snow

Do not trust it.

Seashells are good luck this month. Hang them by your door

Get a pumpkin spiced latte. I've heard they're popular this season and you deserve nice things

That's not a rule, just a suggestion

Do not carry your wallet in your back pocket

Do not wear a blue backpack

Invest in a good mask

Understand that October is it's own time. It is not a month. It is not a season. It certainly is not a holiday. October is it's own, and it is ever changing. Do not expect consistency.

Find a deck of playing cards and carry them on your person

Do not follow the fox man. Do not listen to his song. If you see him, back away. Keep your eyes on his right hand, and back away slowly. Do not run. Do not look him in the eye. Do not follow his song. Back away.

Go stargazing before it gets too cold

I hope this was helpful to you in some way. As always, feel free to interpret these rules as general guidelines. Of course, that may come at the cost of your own safety but, well, when are any of us ever truly safe.

#cryptically ambiguous #laws #tips #october laws #asks #unreality

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sassysatsuma · 4 years

Text

Don’t Forget About Me - Ghost/Bones

"Hey, hey Without you there's holes in my soul Hey, hey Let the water in

Where ever you've gone? How, how, how? I just need to know That you won't forget about me Where ever you've gone? How, how, how?

I just need to know That you won't forget about me Lost through time and that's all I need So much love, then one day buried Hope you're safe, 'cause I lay you leaves Is there more than we can see? Answers for me"

Don't Forget About Me - CLOVES

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Cue a Satsuma desperately trying to stay relevant. I dunno man, something about the new Ghost reveal trailer thingy ma jig just got me dusting off the old word processor. As always, I fell into a trap of thinking about Ghost and Lara McCoy, because quite literally a decade on, I’m still writing about these lovesick fools.

I’m not sure what this is, but it was just one of those things where the picture in my head, the song and the words just knitted together and I bashed out 2000 hasty words like a woman possessed. It’s a weird mash up of Modern Warfare 2019 (we’re on the eve of new Ghost dropping), Caught in the System AU where Lara and Riley never stop being a thing and old school Modern Warfare 2. I’m just as confused as you are.

Dedicated as always to my muse and my love @smashinterrupted because she inspires me to write even when she doesn’t know about it. Also because she puts so much into the friendships and communities she cares about, which is just you know, all kinds of beautiful.

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On a painfully average Tuesday, Lara feels her heart beat again.

It's been a dismal February, grey and filled with thick welling clouds that by now seem perpetually hung in a snow white sky. The start of a new decade, although with January all but a memory the world's eagerness for a fresh start has faded. The new decade is more of an afterthought now, just another chance for likes and validation. The magazines might have dropped their “New Year, New You” bullshit for another year, but social media is still filled with ten year challenges and glow ups set amongst its usual materialistic fakery. For most, it's an annoyance, seeing selfie after selfie clog their feed. For the people who are struggling to move forwards, each fresh, light hearted post cuts as deep as the last.

Lara is a creature of habit although in truth she no longer remembers if she has been all along or if the army made her this way. Regardless, almost every afternoon she finds herself here, queuing in her local coffee shop for the biggest, most caffeinated beverage money can buy. It's her daily ritual, a blessed half hour of peace and quiet before she has to return to Sandhurst Military Academy and somehow teach the officers of tomorrow to be better than she ever was.

It's oddly mild for February, but the constant fine drizzle outside chases away any hopes for Spring. Inside the packed coffee shop it's sweltering, a humid, artificial warmth that has her shrugging off her khaki jacket and tying it around her waist. Anywhere else and she'd look quite the sight, dressed fully in her army fatigues, trousers tucked dutifully into her standard issue black boots. But here, she blends in. She prefers it in almost every way, her desire to stand up and be counted long since passed.

The barista doesn't even bother to ask for her order, greeting her with a soft smile that he reserves for polite regulars. Barely minutes later, her to go cup is clasped between her sweaty palms and she turns on her heel, bracing herself for another afternoon teaching at an institution she no longer truly believes in.

It's in that moment when her heart threatens to burst from her chest.

If she'd been alone, she would have been so sure that she was hallucinating, the face that greets her one she's spent the past 4 years so terrified that she'd forget. But they're flesh and blood as they stand in front of her, customers bustling around them in a way that tells her that this can't be anything but real.

Simon Riley, dressed in civvie clothes that still somehow manage to look so alien, even after all this time. His face is weathered, more scarred and a little older than the man she remembers. And yet the look in his eyes takes her back in an instant, brown irises that look at her as though she's all that matters.

He's a ghost in every sense. There hasn't been a moment in 4 years where she hasn't grieved for him.

Right now, it's all she can do to put her coffee down onto something solid before she drops it.

"Bones..." His voice his hoarse and he visibly swallows before her, nervous hands hanging idly by his sides. His dark hair is slicked down with rain, whilst bigger droplets pepper the exposed skin of his neck and arms. Despite the weather, he's only wearing a t shirt and jeans, the fabric betraying a body that is thicker with muscle than she remembers. There are what look to be deliberate scars littering his forearms and what little she can see of his biceps but she's not even sure she wants to know why they are there.

Lara quickly realises that she's been staring dumbfounded and silent. She swallows, her throat drier than it has any reason to be. There's a part of her that just wants to run forward and hold him, but it exposes a vulnerability she doesn't dare show. Instead her brow furrows, her voice stronger than she feels when she finally does speak.

"...How?"

Riley looks at her as though it's the hardest question in the world.

Maybe it is.

"Outside." The word comes out like an order, an echo of the man she met when she first joined the 141. It's unfair how she feels it like a kick to the stomach, memories she's fought to repress suddenly flooding her mind. She's sure that she doesn't let it show and yet somehow, Riley softens, barely. He cocks a head towards the door. "Please?"

Her feet decide for her, her coffee long since abandoned along with some confused teenagers.

Outside, she barely feels the rain, despite her jacket still hanging around her waist. She folds her arms, grasps her biceps in a way that somehow feels like the right thing to do, although not for a moment do her eyes leave Riley. She falls in step beside him as he leads her to the shelter of a nearby bus stop, her fingernails biting into her skin to fight the intense desire to reach out and touch him.

"I thought you were dead." It appears stating the obvious is the place where her mouth chooses to take over and begin.

"It was safer that way." Riley shrugs, although it's by no means as confident a gesture as he intends. "Price wasn't the only one to get his name dragged through the mud that day." There's another name missing from his admission, but Lara knows him well enough to know that he'd never want to give voice to MacTavish and the black mark they put against his name. Not even now, when the world knows the truth of it, a truth their Captain fought and ultimately died for. "I needed to disappear. No better way of doing that than dying."

'You could have told me,' Lara says to herself, though she knows better than to give the words voice. Her heart hates his decision, but her head understands. Would have likely done the same even when she would have had a family to mourn her. For Ghost, she was his only family. Instead, she leans back against the bus shelter, the sole of a boot propped against the shoddy plastic wall. "You still haven't told me how."

"I don't..." She can almost feel the crack in Riley's voice, but he swallows it back expertly. Instead he runs a hand through the wet tangle of dark brown hair atop his head, grimacing as he struggles to find the words. "I was... lucky." The word rolls off his tongue with an air of disgust. "Shepherd slotted Roach... right there in front of me. Shot me too but it didn't put me away the way he expected. I played dead in the dirt like a fucking possum, wondering if any of it was worth it. I don't know what made me finally crawl away. I came back for him, but by then... they'd taken care of him with all the others, Makarov's men, the lot. I threw my mask in the fire and figured it was better if everyone thought I was gone."

It's too much, the grim resignation in his voice, an almost monotone quality that fights to mask the emotion behind the words that leave his mouth. Lara can feel anger stirring in her gut, her heart panging with the same pain that had hit her that morning she'd woken up from surgery, away from the 141 and out of the fight. It's all too easy to picture, her eyes welling up with tears for the little brother she'd found in Roach. It crushed her the moment she found out they were all gone, but it's no easier now hearing it from Riley all over again.

He notices before she can try and look away, practised eyes reading her the exact same way they always have. It's another reminder of everything she's been missing, another stab at her gut that somehow isn't soothed by his presence beside her. Tears slip from her eyes and she swipes at them with frustrated hands, turning from him in a mix of shame and confusion.

His touch is a question. A hand reaches for her shoulder, a gentle squeeze of pressure that is more timid than anything they've ever shared. It feels like an unknown, like they're right back where they started except this time they are both fragments of the people they once were.

There's so much to say; her thoughts a chasing whirlwind that clouds her mind. She hasn't the words to even begin to express them. She wants to feel anger, wants to thrash and scream and punish him for every empty feeling she's had since he's been gone.

But she can't. Maybe one day she will, when the tempest in her mind has finally calmed and she can think clearly again. Now, the only tangible emotions she feels are the pain of losing everything and the complete and utter relief that he's found her again.

Her heart is his. Despite everything, that's the one thing that's never changed.

She spins around before her head can tell her no, arms wrapping around a neck they'd never dreamed to hold again. They're both off balance, stumbling backwards clumsily until Riley's back presses against the plastic wall. His hands fall to her hips, a familiar weight that threatens to choke her as she closes the distance between them.

The kiss is messy, a jumble between two people fighting to take as much of each other in as possible. Teeth and noses clash and they move clumsily against each other, hands gripping fearfully as though they could drift at any second. It's everything she's forgotten and nothing she remembers all at once.

She breaks away breathless, eyes closed as she rests her forehead against his. She can feel his heart hammering against her own, doesn't dare speak in case she ruins everything with the wrong words. Outside the shelter, the rain is falling heavier now, beating off the tarmac in a steady rhythm. She wishes that the white noise would swallow them both.

"I'm sorry." It's barely a whisper, but Riley's apology is there, brushing against her lips. It's enough to shake her from her thoughts, and she takes a cautious step from him, her eyes finally able to meet his. She reaches out, straightens his shirt were it lies crumpled against his skin.

"There's so much more we should say." Her hands move to his arms, tracing the foreign scars her fingertips find there as if to prove a point. He looks at her as though he doesn't even know where to start and she shakes her head, cutting him off before he even begins to try. "Are you staying?"

"... Do you want me to?"

"I never wanted you to leave." Her words are blunt, echoing the only thing she knows for sure right now. Her right hand traces his arm down to his wrist, before her fingers slip clumsily between his. The soft grip of her hand tries to convey everything she doesn't feel able to say. "Stay."

And she means it, wants it more than anything she's ever wanted before. There's so many questions, so many complications that she knows deep down it will never be easy, that they have countless hurdles laid out in front of them. She knows that talking will hurt, that memories and emotions she's buried deep will come back to haunt her as soon as he begins to answer her questions. She's under no illusions that this will be anything like a fairytale.

And yet despite that, she knows he's worth it. Knows that she's never for a second stopped loving him. Living without him was the cruellest of lessons; the hardest thing she’s ever had to do. Now that he's back she can't imagine ever wanting to feel that again. She won’t. She barely made it out alive the first time.

He's the type of ghost she never wants to stop haunting her.

#sass pretends to be a writer #caught in the system #cits #lara mccoy #simon riley #skeleton #ghost/bones #smashinterrupted #smash satsuma #call of duty #call of duty modern warfare 2 #call of duty modern warfare 2019

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