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incognit0slut · 3 months

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Right Kind of Wrong (19)

She never thought she’d be involved in a murder investigation and encounter her one-night-stand again, the awkward guy who isn’t exactly that good in bed—Or is he? Offended by the sentiment, Spencer is determined to prove her wrong… But as he gets tangled with the beautiful stranger, he realizes there is more to her than what meets the eye.

Part Summary: Spencer finally takes her out on a date. Part Warning: 18+ explicit content (Public fingering) A/n: I did not forget this series, I've just been distracted I'm sorry!! I also apologize if there are any inaccuracies in some random facts, I am not as smart as him, I can only do a quick research from Google.

Other parts: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18

"SO, HOW DO I LOOK?"

She spun in front of the mirror, showing off the dress she had picked out that afternoon on an impromptu shopping spree. The garment had looked stunning on the store mannequin, and now, in the soft glow of her bedroom, it was more appealing.

The spaghetti straps delicately framed her shoulders, and the lavender fabric accentuated her curves. The bottom of the dress, hovering just below her knees, gave a playful vibe with a teasing slit inching up her right thigh. And the neckline, with its very low plunge, offered a glimpse of her cleavage she couldn't help but wonder whether it was showing too much skin.

"Like you want to get laid," a playful voice called.

Her laughter echoed through the room as she turned to face her phone and realized the dress was hugging her ass quite snugly. "It's too much, isn't it?"

"Not at all," Sandy's voice echoed through the phone again. She glanced at the screen, seeing her friend's smiling face. "You look gorgeous."

She grinned, the reassurance from Sandy making her feel more at ease. "You think so?"

"Absolutely."

She reached for a sparkling necklace and dangling earrings, holding them to the camera. "Necklace or earrings?"

"Hmm." Sandy squinted at the screen, studying the options through the video call. "Go with the earrings. They'll add a touch of glamour without stealing the spotlight from the dress."

She nodded in agreement. "Earrings it is, then."

As she carefully slipped herself into the accessories, Sandy couldn't help but muse her thoughts. "I don't think I've ever seen you wear purple."

She cleared her throat awkwardly. "What do you mean? I've worn this color before."

"Your wardrobe either consists of black or gray. You had to go out shopping to buy this dress."

She laughed nervously, caught in the act of her predictable wardrobe choices. "Alright, fine." She pursed her lips together before letting out a sigh. "I may or may not have asked his friend what his favorite color is."

"You sly fox," Sandy laughed with a huge grin. "So you do want to get laid."

She blushed, adjusting the earrings. "I mean, if the occasion arises..."

"You've got this all planned out, huh?"

"Well, not exactly, more like... strategically considered?" She tilted her head and observed herself in the mirror again. "Does it make me look desperate?"

"Of course not," Sandy reassured. "It just shows you're putting in effort. Besides, confidence is attractive. You look hot."

She blushed at the compliment, but before she could respond, the distant hum of an engine reached her ears. Her eyes widened, and instinctively, she moved towards the window and noticed a car pulling into her driveway. It wasn't the usual sleek, black government vehicle; instead, the car looked like it had seen better days, although it held a vintage charm that caught her by surprise.

Then reality finally kicked in—he was here for a date, not because of his job. They were actually going out for a nice dinner he had prepared.

She suddenly felt sick.

"Sandy, he's here," she whispered, her voice betraying a touch of panic.

Somehow Sandy still managed to hear her voice from across the room. "You'll be fine! It's not like you haven't spent time with him before."

"Not when my life wasn't on the line." She was met with silence and walked over to her phone, picking it up to find Sandy's disapproving glare. She sheepishly smiled towards the screen. "Too soon?"

Sandy shook her head with a sigh. "Only you would joke about your near-death experience."

"Spencer told me it's a coping mechanism."

"You've joked about it to him as well?"

She nodded. "He's not a fan either." The sound of the doorbell ringing brought her back to the present. "I need to go."

"Wait!" Sandy's urgent voice echoed through the phone again. She watched as her friend's expression softened. "How are you feeling today?"

A warm smile graced her lips, moved by Sandy's ongoing concern. Ever since they reunited at the hospital, Sandy couldn't stop apologizing for what had happened, even when it wasn't her fault to begin with. Her friend consistently checked in on her well-being.

"I'm actually feeling pretty good. Nervous, but good."

Sandy nodded, her smile carrying reassurance. "Good. Now, go enjoy your date."

She reciprocated the sentiment with a blow of a kiss towards the camera. "I'll call you later," she promised before ending the call. Taking a deep breath, she composed herself, slipping her phone into her purse as she descended the stairs.

Spencer was waiting at the door when she opened it, all cleaned up and undeniably handsome. His well-fitted suit accentuated his strong shoulders, and the crisp white shirt beneath complemented the subtle purple tie he wore. The fabric of the suit, in a rich charcoal shade, seemed to bring out the warmth in his hazel eyes.

A nervous smile played on his lips, only enhancing his charm and giving him an endearing quality that made her heart skip a beat. His eyes, however, spoke volumes as they assessed her, taking in the way her dress hugged her curves. Spencer couldn't help but be mesmerized by the sight before him.

He was so mesmerized that without thinking, he stepped forward and wrapped an arm around her waist, catching her by surprise. In an instant, he leaned down, his lips meeting hers in an unexpected yet tender kiss. The warmth of the moment enveloped them, and for a brief instant, her worries seemed to fade away.

Her initial surprise transformed into a soft smile as she reciprocated the kiss, savoring the way lips moved against hers, and when he finally pulled away, he looked into her eyes with a mixture of admiration and affection.

"I couldn't resist," he admitted, his nervous smile now replaced by one of genuine warmth.

She couldn't help but smile, feeling a flutter of excitement in her chest. "I'm certainly not complaining."

As they exchanged smiles, she noticed a smudge of her lipstick on his lips. She burst into laughter, breaking the moment with a lighthearted touch.

"You've got a little something right here," she teased, reaching up to gently wipe off the lipstick with her thumb.

He simply gazed into her eyes with a sincere smile. "You look beautiful."

Blushing at the compliment, she smiled appreciatively. "Why thank you. You don't look too bad yourself," she replied with a playful glint in her eyes.

"Come on," Spencer urged, gently tugging her arm, and she willingly followed him after locking her door.

As they walked down her driveway, she felt Spencer's hand on her lower back, a gesture that added an extra layer of comfort to their connection. Unable to contain her surprise, she couldn't help but comment on the unexpected sight of his vehicle.

"I never pictured you as someone who owned a car," she commented, her tone teasing but filled with curiosity.

Spencer chuckled, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "It may not be as sleek as the government vehicle, but it gets the job done."

She laughed, finding his revelation endearing. "Well, I'm impressed. It suits you." Her eyes scanned the vintage-looking car. "It reminds me of you actually."

"What? Old and worn out?"

She shook her head, smiling. "No, not at all. I meant classic, with a certain charm."

His smile widened at her response. "I'll take that as a compliment."

Spencer graciously opened the car door for her, and she beamed appreciatively, slipping into the vintage car's comfortable interior. The soft glow of the dashboard highlighted the nostalgia-infused details of the vehicle, making it clear that Spencer had a penchant for classic styles beyond his usual government responsibilities.

As he closed her door, he circled to the driver's side, sliding behind the wheel. The engine hummed softly and as she watched him, she felt a certain warmth traveling through her body.

In the soft glow of the car's interior, she couldn't help but notice how attractive he looked. His features were highlighted by the dashboard lights, casting a subtle yet captivating glow. Before he could pull away from the driveway, a spontaneous impulse surged within her.

"Wait," she said, her voice breaking the quiet ambiance of the car. Without overthinking, she reached over and gently grabbed Spencer's arm, tugging him back for a moment.

He looked at her with concern. "What's wrong?"

She smiled, feeling a surge of boldness, and leaned over to him. She closed the distance between them, her lips meeting his in a more passionate kiss than before.

He responded with a mixture of surprise, yet his hand gently found its way to the back of her neck, deepening the kiss. His lips moved in sync with hers, and when she softly sighed in contentment, he pushed his tongue inside her mouth, tasting her ever so slightly as his other hand found its place on her thigh.

But when his hand inched under her dress, she laughed and gently pulled away. "I don't think we'll be eating anything if we continue this."

He looked at her sheepishly. "Right," he murmured, readjusting himself in the driver's seat. "Sorry."

With a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, she settled back into her seat, fastening her seatbelt. "So, where are you taking me, Handsome?"

His lips curved into a smile as he finally pulled away from her driveway. "It's a surprise," he said. "You'll see."

It wasn't really a surprise. Spencer had already mentioned wanting to visit this place and the big sign saying 'PLANETARIUM' at the entrance was already a dead giveaway.

However, the unusual quietness that enveloped the space caught her off guard. With only a handful of staff present, the vastness of the empty lobby echoed the click of her heels.

The atmosphere shifted when he gently urged her to close her eyes. Suspicion mixed with curiosity, she couldn't resist teasing him as she followed his instructions. "What do you not want me to see? I already know where we are."

A secure arm wrapped around her waist as Spencer guided her through the darkness. She could sense a grin in his voice as he replied, "Sure, but the location isn't exactly the surprise."

"What is then?" She asked. The echo of their footsteps persisted, creating a rhythm in the quiet space of the planetarium.

"The experience," he simply answered. "Keep your eyes closed a bit longer, we're almost there."

"This is kind of making me nervous," she admitted. "You're not going to kidnap and murder me secretly, are you?"

His steps faltered briefly before she let out a sigh, urging him to continue moving. "Sorry, that sounded way better in my head."

There was a heavy silence before he replied, "We should do something about you joking on that matter."

"It's called dark humor."

He softly hummed. "There's actually a psychological explanation for dark humor as a coping mechanism. It's a way for people to navigate and make light of challenging situations."

"You've mentioned this before."

"I know," he confirmed. "I just want to remind you that every time you think you're being morbidly funny you're using a well-established psychological defense mechanism."

"And what do I have to do with that information?"

"Well, for starters, you can appreciate your brain's attempt to keep things light." He gently squeezed her hip. "But maybe try to cut yourself some slack for the occasional dark joke."

She couldn't help but smile, even with her eyes still closed. The subtle squeeze on her hip added a reassuring warmth to his words. "I still don't get why your boss wants me to see the therapist you guys provided when I already have you."

Spencer chuckled and pulled her closer. "Because one, I'm not a licensed therapist. And two, my therapeutic techniques might involve a bit too much intimacy for the average counseling session."

She laughed. "You mean sex?"

"Sexual intercourse," he corrected, still not wanting to say the word, which she nudged her elbow into his side in response.

As their footsteps finally ceased, Spencer gently urged her to open her eyes. When she complied, her eyes widened in astonishment at the breathtaking sight before her—a vast array of galaxies projected onto the ceiling of the planetarium. The cosmic display painted the dark expanse with hues of celestial beauty, leaving her momentarily awestruck.

Yet, what surprised her even more was the scene at the center of the room. A table setting, elegantly arranged, caught her eye. The table was adorned with flickering candles, casting a soft glow on the carefully arranged dishes and the gleam of polished silverware.

She stood in awe. "Spencer, this is... incredible." Her eyes swept over to him. "You did all this?"

"Well, technically the staff prepared this." He guided her further into the room. "But I pulled some strings."

"Some strings? I think you pulled all the strings." She threw him a grateful smile as he pulled her chair, urging her to sit down. "This must cost a fortune."

"Don't worry about that," he assured her, settling in the seat opposite her. "I just want you to enjoy the night."

As she took her seat, the soft glow of candlelight accentuated the contours of his face. She felt a flutter in her chest, realizing she was falling even harder for him. It wasn't just the fancy setup; it was the thought behind it that got to her.

Fate truly had a peculiar way of guiding her to this present, bringing Spencer into her life. It was a bit surreal knowing that the worst things she'd been through somehow brought her to a moment like this.

Maybe, she pondered, there's a silver lining, a reminder that good things can sneak up when you least expect them. And now it was worth focusing on those good things.

So she savored his company, the easy flow of their conversation, the delicious meal he had prepared, and the soft music playing through the stereo. She also enjoyed being close to him moments later when they finished their dinner. The warmth of his presence felt comforting as they lounged in the viewing seats, gazing up at the scene above.

"Do you see the seven bright stars forming a distinct pattern?" he asked, gesturing toward a shimmering formation.

She followed his guidance and nodded. "They look like a tiny ladle or a dipper."

He smiled, appreciating her observation. "That's the Ursa Minor, also known as the Little Dipper. And the North Star, Polaris, is at the end of its handle."

"The North Star?" She repeated.

"It's a crucial navigational star. Sailors and travelers have used it for centuries to find their way. It remains relatively fixed in the northern sky, making it a reliable reference point."

"Hmm," she hummed. She then pointed to another set of stars. "What about that one?"

He followed her gaze and smiled.

"That's the Orion constellation," he said. "It's one of the most recognizable and has a lot of myths around it. In some cultures, it's a hunter chasing various prey across the sky."

"And what's the story behind that?"

He leaned in closer to her. "Well, in Greek mythology, Orion was a mighty hunter who fell in love with the Pleiades. However, fate had different plans, and he ended up among the stars, forever pursuing them."

Her gaze remained fixed on the celestial display, captivated by the tales woven into the stars. "So, he's like a romantic?"

Spencer chuckled. "In a way, yes. Myths often carry themes of love, tragedy, and destiny."

"Like human nature."

He nodded in agreement. "Like human nature."

There was a moment of silence before she turned to him. "How do you even know all of this?"

"We often travel outside the city and the skies are pretty clear in remote areas. Sometimes you can see a few constellations."

She raised an eyebrow. "You're telling me you're a secret astronomy enthusiast while solving crimes?"

A bashful smile played on his lips. "When I have the time," he admitted. "There's something fascinating about the stars. They offer a sense of perspective."

She smiled. "It's nice to know even a man of logic and facts finds magic in the sky."

His gaze softened. "Magic has its place in the world, even for a man of logic." He suddenly reached out to the back of her ear and retrieved a dollar bill out of thin air. "See? Magic."

She couldn't help but laugh as she took the bill from him and examined it, tracing the edges. "I remember you doing this trick the first time we met."

He leaned back, a contemplative look in his eyes. "It feels like a lifetime ago, doesn't it?"

"Considering everything that happened since then, yes," she replied. "You know, I never asked why you were at that bar in the first place."

A subtle blush painted on his cheeks. "I was... enjoying a drink." When she gave him a deadpanned look, he raised his eyebrows. "What? Do I not seem like the type to be hanging out alone at a bar?"

"You stood out like a sore thumb." She gave him back the dollar bill. "I remember you barely touching your beer."

Spencer sighed, taking the money and placing it back in his pocket. "I was supposed to hang out with the team, but they ditched me."

She arched an eyebrow. "They ditched you? Why?"

He shrugged. "Apparently something important came up."

"So they left you hanging at a bar?" When he nodded, she tilted her head in mock sympathy. "Well, it certainly worked in my favor."

He watched her, the flickering memory of that night flashing before him. The first time he kissed her, the taste of her lips, the sensation of holding her naked in his arms. Then his eyes raked down her collarbone, pausing slightly at the swell of her breasts before looking back up to meet her gaze.

"It worked in my favor too."

She noticed his gaze lingering, a subtle heat spreading across her cheeks. The air suddenly shifted as he leaned closer, creating an intimate space between them. There was a magnetic pull, and she felt her breath catch in anticipation. He gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers lightly grazing her skin.

"Tell me what you remember that night," he said, a low timbre in his voice.

She felt the warmth of his breath against her ear and she met his gaze with a flush coloring her cheeks. "I remember seeing you sitting alone at the bar."

His reply, a mere whisper, reverberated dangerously low. "What else?"

"You came up to me and did that magic trick." A faint smile played on her lips as she reminisced. "I was amused, and we sat together."

His eyes lingered on her mouth. A subtle tension lingered in the air, each exchange building upon the last. "And then what happened?"

"We talked," she breathed, the word lingering in the air like a shared secret as he leaned closer. "We laughed." She felt his breath brushing against her lips.

"Then you kissed me," she confessed, and in the heartbeat that followed, he leaned in, his lips meeting hers gently. She let herself sink into his touch as he held her face, keeping her in place while he continued to taste her all over again.

His lips fit perfectly and she kissed him back as eager, letting his tongue glide into her mouth so effortlessly. She held onto him, slightly pulling him closer as if he wasn’t close enough even when he was practically pressing his body against hers.

When he slowly pulled away, she suppressed a moan. "Like this?" He asked.

"Like that," she murmured, the taste of him lingering on her lips as they shared the space between breaths.

The warmth of his lips traveled down her jaw, leaving a trail of soft, lingering kisses that brushed over her skin. "What else do you remember?"

His lips trailed further down, and she shivered. "We..." Her voice wavered, breath hitching, as his hand slid down her arm before his fingertips began to faintly stroke her skin, grazing over the hem of her skirt. "W-We went back to your place."

"Go on," he urged the words hanging in the air. She felt his fingers glide over her inner thigh, stopping abruptly as he reached the middle.

"You..." She let out a small, shaky sigh as he dragged his fingers up, stopping just before the rough pads of his fingers brushed over her panties softly. "...you touched me."

He began carefully moving his middle and forefinger in a gentle circular motion, rubbing her teasingly through her damp panties before, without warning, they were pushed aside, the hot pads of his fingers finally making direct contact with her clit.

"Was it like this?"

Her hand wrapped around his forearm, trying to stop herself from moaning aloud, her eyes fluttering closed as he began to play with her clit, his fingers skillful as he rubbed in small circular motions, his eyes fixed on her. She looked over at him, her mouth going slack as she felt the sensation in the pit of her stomach.

She didn't seem like herself, and although she didn't mind public displays of affection, she wouldn't let it go beyond a kiss. She wasn't the kind of person to be intimate in public, but here she was, letting him touch her when any of the staff could walk in. Heck, she wasn't sure he was the type of person who would do something like this.

His fingers moved from her clit, dragging down her slit and collecting her arousal, briefly plunging them inside and curling upward, pressing firmly against her walls. She looked down to see his fingers gently pumping in and out of her cunt. Her legs were so wide from him that her knee was practically resting against his thigh.

"Tell me," he whispered, "Did I touch you like this?"

Her chest began to heave, her hips unconsciously bucking against his hand as he worked over her casually. "Yes," she breathed out.

Soft whimpers escaped her as she bit her bottom lip, trying desperately to be as quiet as she could manage. The fire in her stomach burned hotter with each expert glide of his slick fingers. Her legs opened wider and wider for him which seemed to please him judging by how fast his fingers began to pump into her cunt.

A strained whimper filled his ears the moment he circled her clit with his thumb, the added stimulation did nothing to help her sanity, and moans began to spill from her lips, mouth parting in pure bliss.

"Spence," she whined, voice so unsteady and breathless, she couldn't control her volume anymore, desperate moans mixing with the sounds of her wetness dripping between her thighs.

"That's it," he encouraged, speeding up his fingers. "Let go for me."

The pressure of his fingers was making her impending orgasm loom dangerously close as her back arched from her seat, hand gripping around his wrist. Her eyes flew over to him as she reached her peak, body shivering and writhing as she pushed her hips down against his fingers, feeling them slide from her pussy before circling her clit in rapid motions.

With a final gasp, she lost all control, her mind growing numb, feeling him wildly as wave after wave of pleasure pulsed through her entire body. She cried out silently, calling his name over and over until she grew too weak while she desperately clung to him.

When he finally pulled away, she felt her arousal dripping down her legs. She stared at him wide-eyed as he fixed her panties back in place before brushing her dress over her legs. When she kept looking at him in a daze, he softly laughed and leaned down, brushing his lips over her cheek.

"Are you okay?"

"I..." she was gasping for air, a hand-tossed over her chest. "Did that actually happen?"

He chuckled, his warm breath tickling her ear. His fingers gently traced the outline of her jaw as her face flushed—lips delicately swollen, eyes glazed with a mixture of desire and surprise. The aftermath of her climax painted her cheeks in a captivating shade.

"Come on," he said, extending a hand and gently pulling her up.

"Where are we going?" she asked, her voice still carrying the traces of her orgasm. His gaze met hers with an intensity that spoke volumes, revealing an unspoken hunger that mirrored her own desires. His intention was clear.

"We're going home."

>> NEXT PART

a/n: it did not occur to me the possibility of CCTV cameras in a planetarium lmao please excuse me. Also, the plan is to write one last part and an epilogue to wrap it all up.

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incorrectbatfam · 1 year

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How does the BatFam get revenge on Damian after those roasts

(previous post)

Stephanie: Whoops, almost mistook you for a tardigrade there. Get it? 'Cause they're microscopic.

Damian: Tardigrades are functionally immortal and can survive ecological extremes, so you just admitted to my evolutionary superiority.

[Attempt #1 - FAILED]

———————

Barbara: Robin, you missed the Riddler by a minute. Next time, don't spend so long looking through the GameStop window.

Damian: Batwoman's tracker says she was closer. Next time, do your job instead of wasting time on a comeback.

[Attempt #2 - FAILED]

———————

Tim: Quit leaving your pet stuff everywhere or you're gonna turn this place into a pigsty.

Damian: How dare you insult pigs?!

Damian: *grabs a knife*

[Attempt #3 - FAILED]

———————

Bruce: Damian, your tie is tangled like a hairball.

Damian: Says the man with his fly down.

[Attempt #4 - FAILED]

———————

Dick: You're too young to be watching this movie. It says it's rated PG.

Damian: Okay, Boomer.

[Attempt #5 - FAILED]

———————

Duke: We already got Red Hood and Red Robin. At least try to come up with something more original than Redbird.

Damian: It's better than being named after a glorified spotlight.

[Attempt #6 - FAILED]

———————

Jason: Damian, I found you in a movie.

Jason: *plays Gremlins*

Damian: *points to the ugliest character*

Damian: You really should have an IMDb page.

[Attempt #7 - FAILED]

———————

Cassandra: Your clothes are like a baby's.

Damian: At least I don't wear feet beans.

[Attempt #8 - FAILED]

———————

Selina: Weird, normally my cats like people. Oh well, there's a first for everything.

Damian: Have you noticed they only go to you when you have food?

[Attempt #9 - FAILED]

———————

Alfred: Remember, Master Damian, just because you can say it doesn't mean you should. Otherwise I would have many a word with you.

[Attempt #10 - SUCCESS]

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lividstar · 1 month

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𐔌᭥ᩙ༉ PALETTE OF DESTINY.

୨ genre ୧ fluff, highschool au

: you’re an aspiring artist who’d very much rather trip over a paintbrush than have people find out about your passion. but when rafayel, the school’s golden boy and president of the art club, stumbles upon your sketchbook on a fateful day by chance, things are destined to take a huge turn – and suddenly, your well-kept talent was no longer much of a secret.

˚₊·—̳͟͞͞♡ note ! my break is finally over !! so glad i managed to pull through (also they only allow 10 image insertions so i apologize for the lack of dividers haha)

in the chambers of linkon high, where bonds formed like constellations in the night sky, you and rafayel orbited in separate galaxies. rafayel, with his magnetic charm and sarcastic wit, loved to stand in the center of the spotlight. you, on the other hand, were the complete opposite. you found solace in the shadows, often keeping to yourself as you went through the days in silence. it was as if your paths were not destined to cross, given how your worlds were practically parallel to each other.

yet beneath rafayel’s facade, a longing for at least a few seconds to himself laid beneath the surface. as much as he pretended to like being the center of attention, even though he would never admit it – not even to himself, he wanted nothing but for those eyes to keep their gazes off of him. after all, having a lot of people like you despite not being remotely close to you only meant one thing – they either have the intention to use you for their own good, or are just keeping an eye on you with the eagerness to watch you trip on your tracks.

you’ve always been thankful for rafayel over hogging the spotlight all the time, which never failed to ensure your chances to be one step away from the crowd everyday.

yet unbeknownst to both you and the crowd that adored rafayel, he has had his eyes on you for a fairly long time now, although it’s not in the usual way you’d expect.

rafayel had always been jealous of how the only attention focusing on you was your own. he was curious about your whole being, because people at school either love him or loathe him, yet you stood on neither sides – which made him both intrigued and grateful. intrigued because he always wonders what you are up to because of how mysterious you were in his eyes, and grateful because at least there’s one person in linkon high who doesn’t really care about his presence.

it only made him want to know more about you, though.

as everyone formed their own groups inside the classroom to chatter and spend their free time to its fullest, thomas leaned over to rafayel, tilting his head at him. “you really have a knack for making every little thing in your life complicated, don’t you? why don't you just go talk to her?” he suggested, nodding towards you who sat at the back, lost in thought by the window.

rafayel shook his head in disagreement, his brows furrowing as he did so. “that’s way too typical- you know i refuse to do things the easy way. also, i don’t want to invade her space or make her uncomfortable.” he replied, glancing over you with a hint of curiosity.

thomas shrugged, understanding rafayel’s reasons. “well, you’re right.” rafayel crossed his arms as he leaned back, looking down on thomas as he sat on the boy’s table. “aren’t i always?” thomas only shook his head, already used to rafayel’s cocky behavior. “no, not really.”

he teased in a flat tone.

“so then, what’s your plan? don’t tell me you intend on following her on her way home after school later just so you could have a one on one moment with each other.” thomas crooked his eyebrow, seemingly skeptical of rafayel’s plans.

rafayel scoffed, rolling his eyes. “please, like i’d ever do something so cliché- and why are you looking at me as if it’s an idea i’d actually consider?”

“because it is.”

“you-” the sudden ringing of the school bells echoing through the halls cut rafayel off, as students left the classroom one by one with their lunchboxes at hand, headed for the cafeteria. thomas stood up from his seat, patting rafayel’s shoulder as he walked right past the boy sitting on his table. “good luck on your journey of befriending the person who’s very likely to actually be the one who hates you the most.”

“that’s not even-”

this was the second time rafayel had been cut off now. thomas had simply closed the door on him. groaning in annoyance, rafayel hopped off from thomas’s table as he walked towards the front door – the one thomas had just shut to cut him off. but just as he was about leave, rafayel heard a loud thud behind him, making him turn his head quickly.

whatever he was expecting to see, it certainly wasn’t your sketchbook lying on the floor while you were in a deep slumber with your head down on your table.

walking closer towards you with cautious steps, he crouched down, picking up your sketchbook with curiosity. he took his time to examine each and every sticker and doodle on the front cover, a small smile tugging on the corners of his lips as he found it cute.

as he flipped through every page, he found himself becoming more impressed with each sketch he laid his eyes on. he could tell you made sure each and every stroke of your artworks were given enough detail – they didn’t seem like something you made for fun to distract yourself from boring classes, no, rather, they seemed like something you actually put dedication to. you were undoubtedly a skilled artist who has had this hobby for a fairly long time. after all, it takes an expert to know one.

he eventually starts to wonder why you never publicly expressed this talent of yours. as far as his knowledge as the art club’s president led him, you’ve never joined any events related to art – you weren’t even part of the club, to begin with. but why?

something so beautiful should never have been hidden in the first place – at least that’s what he believes.

as he closed your sketchbook and carefully placed it back inside your bag, he found himself in a trance as he glanced at your sleeping expression. based on his observation, it didn’t seem far too different from how you looked when you were awake. you’ve always appeared to be calm, no matter what.

that was one of your traits he was unsure whether he admired or wanted to have as his own.

he decided to leave you to yourself shortly after, but it wasn’t until an idea suddenly came up in his mind. rafayel hurried over to his seat at the center front, rummaging through his bag as he ripped a page off his notebook, taking a pen out of his pocket. the sound of his pen scribbling on the paper softly echoed around the empty classroom as he wrote a note on it.

after carefully putting it inside your bag, he quickly left the room – not after taking a quick glance at you once more. as he searched through the halls to look for thomas, rafayel couldn’t help but wonder how you’d react after reading his little note.

—

“-which reminds me, i went to look for you at the cafeteria earlier, but i didn’t see you anywhere. were you at the rooftop again?” tara asked in curiosity.

“huh? oh... i think i fell asleep.” you pondered as you tried to recall the events before waking up to the sound of your classmates walking back inside the classroom one by one as they chatted loudly. “everyone was already going back to their assigned seats the moment i woke up, so i think that’s the case...”

“i’m not even surprised at this point... but, you know, i do wonder how you manage to fall asleep in your classroom- especially since rafayel’s one of your classmates. i bet it’s really loud there, huh?” she tilted her head.

“i’ve gotten used to it already at this point, i’m afraid...” you rubbed your nape as you chuckled sheepishly. “well, whatever helps you sleep at night. at least now i know where to look for you whenever i don’t see you around during break time- you’re either enjoying your own company at the rooftop, or sleeping in your classroom.” she smiled as she nodded while pointing a finger at you.

you chuckled softly, yet gave her a nod in return as well. “okay, then... take care, tara,” you smiled at her, waving farewell as you parted ways.

“bye-bye!”

you were already far deep into the night. your surroundings engulfed you with a deafening silence, as the dim glow of the moonlight passed through your bedroom window. you’ve been on a staring contest with your ceiling for approximately 10 minutes now, uncomfortably laying down on your back. this was exactly why you tried to avoid sleeping during the day as much as possible – you’d always end up having way too much energy to fall asleep.

groaning softly as you sat up, you reached for your bedside lamp as you switched it open, the empty space of the bed in front of you deflating as you placed your bag on it. rummaging through your items, you searched for your sketchbook, wanting to have something to do to distract yourself from the long night.

it was then that your hands stumbled upon a small crumpled piece of paper.

at first, you were confused – the paper was unfamiliar to you, so there was no way it was ripped off of something of your property. you unfolded it carefully, curious about what was written on it.

“the world deserves to witness how talented u are :)”

your eyes widened slightly in disbelief as you read the words written on the paper – this could only mean one thing.

someone had seen your artworks.

but how? and when? you tried to backtrack, and that was when you remembered that the last thing you saw before you fell asleep was your sketchbook. so then, now you were stuck wondering whether the note’s intention was to give a compliment or to make fun of you in a passive aggressive way.

opening your phone as you lightly squinted after being practically blinded with its blindness, you searched for tara’s number in your contacts, immediately dialing her number the moment you found it.

the soft glow of your bedside lamp illuminated the room as you sat up, your heart pounding with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

after a few rings, tara’s energetic voice filled the line. “hey, you! what’s up?” she greeted cheerfully. “how do you manage to remain enthusiastic even in the middle of the night...?” you pondered, a confused expression on your face.

“drinking iced coffee four times in a row in one sitting, maybe?” and with the tone she used, you weren’t even sure whether it was a lighthearted joke to uplift the atmosphere or if she actually meant it. nevertheless, you just let out a sigh.

“why the sudden late night call, though? can’t sleep?” tara asked from the other line. “well, if i called a few minutes earlier, i guess that would’ve been the case...” you trailed off, looking down at the note you held in your hand. “huh? what do you mean?”

“i was rummaging through my bag to look for my sketchbook earlier, and i stumbled upon something strange...” tara didn’t even let you finish, already exclaiming eagerly the moment you said the word “strange.”

“mysterious findings, you say? i’m all ears!”

you looked at the note once again, reading it aloud to tara. “i found this note. it says... ‘the world deserves to witness how talented u are :)’. i don’t know how, when, and where it got here, though.”

there was a brief silence on the other end of the line, followed by tara’s gasp of realization. “oh my, that sounds like something straight out of a shoujo manga! wait- maybe it’s a secret admirer!”

you awkwardly chuckled, quickly dismissing it as unlikely. “what? no, i doubt it, tara.. i don’t believe it’s possible.” you replied, your voice tinged with self-doubt.

“what? hey, don’t sell yourself short!” tara chided gently. “you’re amazing, and it’s very likely someone out there clearly sees it- as they should! i mean, does the note not say it enough?”

you couldn’t help but smile at tara’s unwavering optimism, her words offering a glimmer of hope in the darkness of uncertainty. “my point still stands, but i appreciate it, really. but then again, you never know whether someone’s messing around with you or not in our school..”

tara remained silent for about a couple seconds. “now that you mentioned it... wait, what if the person who saw it was one of your gossip-obsessed classmates? what if they spill the beans until it reaches the art club?”

a pang of worry shot through you at tara’s theories, the thought of your private hobby becoming public knowledge leaving a bitter taste on your tongue. “i hadn't thought of that," you admitted worriedly. “i’d really hate for that to happen..."

tara’s tone softened, her concern evident in her voice. “let’s hope that’s not the case- i’d prefer for the mysterious person to be a secret admirer of yours and not the latter. and hey, even if it does get out, your talent deserves to be recognized, y’know?” she reassured you.

feeling a sense of relief wash over you, you thanked tara for her understanding before bidding her goodnight. as you settled back into bed, the warmth of tara’s friendship enveloped you, easing the uncertainty that had plagued your thoughts.

you felt the corners of your lips tilt upwards as you stifled a chuckle. you’ve always been grateful to have tara as your best friend, because her outgoing personality fits just right with your likeliness to remain self-reserved all the time. her loud presence had a perfect contrast to your quiet aura – which made everything between your friendship just go so well.

if you had a dollar for each time people would wonder how you two manage to tolerate each other’s presence, you’d be on a yacht right now – they’d always ask comments such as, “don’t you feel overwhelmed by tara’s enthusiasm?” or if not, they’d go like, “how does tara manage not to get bored by your consistent silence?” yet you two would only brush it off every single time.

you two were glad to have each other in your lives, and you wouldn’t have it any other way.

glancing at the small piece of paper on your hand once more, you let out a sigh as you put it back inside your bag, finally feeling exhaustion spread all over your body. you figured there was no longer a need for sketching the night away at this point, so you placed your bag away as you switched your bedside lamp off, wrapping yourself around your blanket as your eyes fluttered shut.

as much as you tried to deny it to yourself, you couldn’t help but feel curious as to who the mysterious person who put the note inside your bag was.

and you had a bad, bad feeling that it’ll turn out to be someone you’ll least expect.

“first of all, you’re really, really stupid. second of all, you’re very stupid. lastly- holy hell, you’re actually so stupid!” thomas’s frustration echoed through the empty classroom as he frantically searched through his bag, his fingers desperately seeking the familiar touch of his phone screen.

rafayel’s incredulous expression mirrored his disbelief. “wha- now it’s on me?!” he retorted, his hands instinctively moving to his chest in a defensive gesture. “i hate to be the bearer of bad news, mr. thomas, but when you indulge in utterly foolish activities, you’ll have to shoulder the consequences afterward. it’s very immature of you to pass it on to other people simply because admitting that you're dumb puts your ego in pain,” rafayel asserted, crossing his arms in a display of dominance.

thomas’s sarcastic tone cut through the air like a knife. “are you done talking now, shakespeare? do you finally have the time to lend me a hand?” he quipped, his eyes practically rolling in their sockets.

“why should i?” rafayel shot back, his patience wearing thin with each passing moment.

“because you were the one who left my bag open before we headed here! if it weren’t for you, my phone wouldn’t have—" thomas’s words were abruptly cut off by rafayel’s hand covering his mouth, muffling his protests.

“yeah, yeah, i’ll go look for it, or whatever. can you shut your mouth now?” rafayel rolled his eyes, wiping his hand on his uniform as he released thomas.

just as thomas was about to retaliate with a snarky remark, rafayel sauntered past him with a smug expression, heading toward the stairs. “that’s what you call payback, thomas," he called over his shoulder, winking as he waved him farewell.

“rafayel, you-!”

rafayel relished the cool morning breeze as it caressed his skin, the tranquil atmosphere of the rooftop offering a brief respite from his hectic schedule. “guess this wasn’t a bad idea after all, huh?” he mused to himself, settling onto the floor and allowing himself a moment of quiet reflection.

closing his eyes, he momentarily forgot his purpose for coming to the rooftop. however, his peaceful reverie was interrupted by a familiar voice calling his name – soft chuckles he had heard every once in a blue moon during class.

“rafayel...?”

opening his eyes, he was taken aback to see you standing before him. “oh- hey,” he greeted casually, attempting to maintain his usual air of confidence. which was strange – being laid-back usually came naturally to him.

yet, in your presence, it felt different, and he couldn’t quite pinpoint why.

“um... what brings you up here?” you asked, your tone curious yet cautious at the same time. rafayel chuckled softly before replying, “well, i could say the same for you. what’s your story?”

you hesitated for a moment, not used to being the center of attention- and neither were you expecting him to pass the question back to you. “well, i usually come up here during free time,” you explained, feeling a bit vulnerable sharing this with someone.

“oh? why’s that?” rafayel inquired, patting the floor beside him, inviting you to join him. you were a little hesitant at first, but rafayel’s easygoing demeanor put you at ease. “it’s nothing special... i just find it peaceful, away from the chaos of the school,” you explained, finally taking a seat beside him.

rafayel nodded, understanding. “i get that. sometimes you just need a quiet place to escape to.” you nodded in agreement to his words. “what about you...?” you asked, shooting the question back to him.

“well, you see,” rafayel launched into the backstory of his rooftop adventure, recounting the events that had transpired earlier. “ thomas and i had a little spat over his missing phone, and things got a tad heated,” rafayel explained, a hint of amusement in his voice. “he’s convinced i had a hand in its disappearance, but i swear i’m completely innocent.” he said in defense, holding his hands up.

“he didn’t seem like he was going to stop putting up a fight anytime sooner, though, so i just went along with his orders and told him i’ll go look for it- and you’re probably wondering what that has got to do with me going up here, but i figured it’d be easier to search for it from above, because, well, maybe he dropped it on the ground or something.” he shrugged.

listening to his animated storytelling, you found yourself drawn in by the humor of the situation. unable to contain it, a stifled laugh escaped your lips at a particularly amusing part of his story.

surprised by the genuine warmth of your laughter, rafayel couldn’t help but smile, his own laughter mingling with yours. realizing the significance of the moment, you quickly composed yourself, returning to your usual calm demeanor as if nothing had happened. “well...”

with the school bells signaling the start of the first period, your conversation with rafayel was cut short. as he stood up, he fixed his uniform, running his hands through his hair. “wanna walk to our class together? it’s not like we go to separate rooms, anyway.”

you were hesitant to accept his offer at first, but you figured there’d be no harm in agreeing anyway. you then found yourselves walking side by side down the hallway, headed to your shared classroom. the atmosphere was laced with a subtle awkwardness, and rafayel, always the entertainer, couldn’t resist breaking the silence.

“so, do you have any exciting plans for today?” he asked, a hint of curiosity in his tone. you glanced at him, “me? well... not really, just the usual routine,” you replied softly, appreciating the effort he made to fill the silence.

he chuckled. “routine, huh? well, maybe today will be different. who knows, maybe we’ll discover a hidden talent or stumble upon a secret club meeting.” rafayel gestured dramatically, creating an imaginary scenario with a playful smirk.

you couldn’t help but smile at his antics, the shared moment of lightheartedness making the walk to class a little more enjoyable.

just as the silence was starting to settle yet again, rafayel came up with yet another topic to discuss. “so, what do you think the chances are of mr. nero bringing up quadratic equations again today?”

you couldn’t help but become amused at his attempt to lighten the mood. “knowing mr. nero... i’d say the chances are pretty high, maybe? but, i don’t know... maybe he’ll surprise us and throw in some trigonometry instead.”

rafayel grinned, pleased with your response. “ah, the joys of high school math. it’s like a rollercoaster ride, isn’t it?” you nodded in agreement, grateful for the distraction from the usual quietness of your interactions with rafayel. as you reached the classroom door, rafayel gestured for you to enter first.

“after you,” he said with a smile. “i’ll catch up in a minute.” confused by his sudden change in routine, you hesitated for a moment before stepping into the classroom. once inside, you found your seat at the back of the room and settled in, glancing over your to the front door to see rafayel entering a few minutes later.

as he entered the classroom, all eyes naturally turned towards him, the usual attention that followed the school’s golden boy. however, what surprised you was the way his gaze briefly connected with yours, despite having everyone’s gaze focused on him. in that fleeting moment, there was a hint of something different in his smile, something that caught you off guard.

confusion clouded your thoughts as you watched him take his seat. was it just a simple gesture, or did it hold a deeper meaning? you couldn’t help but return his smile with a small one of your own, though uncertainty lingered in the air.

mr. nero began the lesson, and you pushed aside the thoughts about what just happened, focusing instead on the task at hand. but the memory of that moment stayed with you, a puzzle waiting to be solved in the back of your mind.

as rafayel settled into his seat, thomas leaned in, his voice barely above a whisper. “so, did you find it?” rafayel glanced at thomas with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. “find what?” thomas rolled his eyes. “my phone, genius. the one you conveniently lost.”

rafayel feigned innocence, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. “oh, that. well, let’s just say it’s still out there, waiting to be discovered.” thomas groaned, shaking his head in disbelief. “you’re impossible, you know that?” rafayel simply shrugged, his attention now focused on the front of the classroom.

meanwhile, thomas seized the opportunity to get his revenge, crumpling a piece of paper and taking aim at rafayel’s head. with a flick of his wrist, he let it fly, but to his dismay, it veered off course, heading straight for mr. nero instead.

as mr. nero’s stern voice filled the classroom, rafayel’s grin faltered, replaced by a mask of feigned innocence as he faced his wrath as the whole class erupted into a fit of laughter.

“rafayel, care to explain why there’s a projectile flying through my classroom?” mr. nero’s tone was sharp, his eyes narrowed in suspicion.

rafayel glanced sheepishly at thomas, who was struggling to contain his laughter. “wha- me? sir, i swear it wasn’t-”

“quit beating around the bush! is it really that difficult to act in an orderly manner?” mr. nero crossed his arms, a frustrated expression on his face.

“well, i just- it was an accident, sir. i assure you, i had no intention of disrupting the class.”

thomas couldn’t resist chiming in, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “yeah, right. because accidentally throwing things seems to be a common occurrence for mr. perfect over here.”

the class erupted into laughter once more, and rafayel felt a pang of irritation at thomas’s teasing. he was supposed to be annoyed, but as he glanced towards the back of the room and saw you stifling a laugh, he couldn’t help but soften. maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to take the blame just this once after all.

caught in the moment, rafayel played along with the situation, flashing a glare at thomas before turning back to face mr. nero. “sorry, sir. it won’t happen again.”

thomas leaned back in his seat, a smirk on his face. “nice aim, raf. maybe next time you’ll hit your target.”

“shut up.”

you and tara were supposed to go home together, but her girlfriend, jenna, the student council president, had a date planned for both of them after school, leaving you to head home alone. just as you were heading towards the gate, you noticed a phone lying on the floor. curiosity piqued, you picked it up and unlocked it, revealing a childhood photo of rafayel and thomas as the wallpaper. this must be the missing phone rafayel was referring to.

wondering where they might be, you remembered rafayel’s role as the president of the art club and headed towards the art room. pushing open the door, you found the room empty except for rafayel, his back turned to you as he focused on his painting.

“rafayel?” you called out suddenly, causing him to jump in surprise, accidentally smudging a stroke of red on his canvas.

as soon as he heard your voice, he didn’t need to see you to know it was you. still, he turned to face you, a faint smile gracing his lips.

“what brings you here?” he asked, genuine curiosity coloring his tone. you hesitated for a moment, feeling a bit nervous under his gaze. “um, i found this phone outside, and i thought it might belong to thomas. i was going to return it to him, but i couldn’t find him.”

rafayel nodded, understanding. “i see. well, i owe you my entire life- now i no longer have to worry about him nagging into my ear about his missing phone.”

before you could respond, your eyes fell on the smudged red stroke on rafayel’s painting, and you couldn’t help but point it out, apologizing profusely for potentially ruining his masterpiece.

“oh no- i’m so sorry, rafayel...! i didn’t mean to mess up your painting...” you apologized, feeling genuinely remorseful for your unintentional mistake.

rafayel examined the mark for a moment before dismissing your apology with a casual wave of his hand. “don’t worry about it,” he reassured you. “in fact, i think it adds something to the painting.”

perplexed, you questioned his reasoning, prompting rafayel to introduce you to the red string theory. as he explained the concept, you listened intently, captivated by the depth of his perspective on art.

“so, you see, the red string represents the invisible connections between people,” rafayel elaborated. “it’s said that those connected by the red string are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstances. even though it’s invisible, it binds us all together in unexpected ways.”

his explanation resonated with you, and you nodded in understanding, impressed by the philosophical depth of his interpretation. “that’s why i believe the stroke of red on my canvas adds more meaning to it,” rafayel concluded, his eyes gleaming with passion.

you were awestruck by his insight, realizing that his role as the club president was well-deserved. though you considered yourself an artist, rafayel’s level of understanding elevated your appreciation for the craft.

“actually,” rafayel began, a thoughtful expression crossing his face, “why don’t we add both our names to the painting?” your eyebrows furrowed in surprise. “both our names? but it’s your artwork. i don’t want to impose or take credit for something i didn’t create.”

rafayel chuckled softly, shaking his head. “it’s not about credit, it’s about meaning. your accidental contribution gave this painting a story- a connection. it wouldn’t be the same without it.” you considered his words, realizing the depth of his sentiment. “oh... alright, then.”

with a warm smile, rafayel handed you the marker, gesturing towards the bottom of the canvas. “go ahead, write your name next to mine. together, we’ll leave our mark on this piece.”

grateful for the opportunity to be a part of something meaningful, you carefully inscribed your name alongside his, feeling a sense of pride and camaraderie in the shared moment.

as mr. nero’s voice filled the classroom, announcing the upcoming event proposed by the art club, the room buzzed with excitement.

“attention, students! i’m pleased to announce that the art club has proposed an extraordinary event. it is a school-wide art exhibition centered around the theme of ‘strings of affection: capturing love’s melodies,’” mr. nero declared, his tone brimming with enthusiasm.

“this exhibition aims to delve into the complexities of love and its complex manifestations.” whispers and murmurs erupted among the students, excitement evident in the air.

“during the exhibition, each participating student will have the opportunity to display their artwork in the school gallery,” mr. nero continued, gesturing to a large poster board adorned with colorful flyers. “artworks can include paintings, drawings, sculptures, photography- anything that captures the essence of love.”

sitting at the back of the class, you found yourself lost in thought, your fingers fidgeting anxiously under the table. “the theme encourages exploration of various aspects of love, including romantic love, familial bonds, friendships, and self-love,” mr. nero elaborated, his voice carrying a note of significance. “we encourage each of you to delve deep into your hearts and minds to convey your unique interpretations of love through your artwork.”

the idea of participating in the art exhibition sparked a mix of excitement and apprehension within you. could you summon the courage to explore such a profound theme and share your interpretation of love with the entire school?

glancing around the room, you noticed people exchanging excited whispers with their friends, their eyes alight with anticipation, whereas the others were nodding to each other in silent agreement, perhaps contemplating their own interpretations of love for their submissions.

despite the lively chatter filling the room, you felt a sense of isolation, the weight of your decision resting solely on your shoulders. as mr. nero concluded his announcement and the chatter in the classroom continued, you found yourself lost in thought, pondering the depth of love and whether you were ready to explore it through your art.

as you sat there, wrestling with your decision about whether to join the art exhibition, the note you found in your bag earlier suddenly came to mind. pulling it out, you studied the words written on it, feeling a pang of uncertainty.

lost in your contemplation, you were startled when a paper plane soared through the air, landing neatly on your desk. with curious fingers, you unfolded it, revealing a short message scrawled across the paper.

“gonna join? - R”

your gaze darted around the classroom, searching for the sender, until you locked eyes with rafayel, who was seated at the center front. heat rose to your cheeks as you quickly stuffed the crumpled note back into your pocket, pursing your lips. you redirected your attention to the unfolded paper plane, hoping to conceal your flustered reaction.

for a brief moment, rafayel’s eyes widened in surprise, a flicker of recognition crossing his features. it dawned on him that the note you hastily concealed was the same one he had written and placed in your bag the day he stumbled upon your sketchbook.

as you exchanged a smile with rafayel, a wave of warmth washed over you, mingled with a tinge of uncertainty about the mysterious note and the unexpected connection it represented.

rafayel couldn’t shake the desire to speak with you directly, to bridge the gap between them rather than relying on secretive notes. but with gour classmates constantly surrounding him, initiating a conversation without drawing attention to you was a challenge.

turning to his friend thomas, rafayel leaned in close, whispering urgently, “hey, can you do me a favor? tell her to meet me at the rooftop during breaktime.”

thomas raised an eyebrow, shooting rafayel a curious look. “what am i, your loyal butler or something? why don’t you just talk to her yourself?”

rafayel sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “i don’t want to make it seem like a big deal, you know? plus, it might be less suspicious if it’s coming from you.”

thomas groaned, shaking his head. “you’re hopeless- really hopeless. but since it appears i have no other choice, i’ll pass on the message. just don’t screw it up, yeah?”

as thomas approached you, confusion was etched on your face as you greeted him awkwardly. “oh- hey... what is it?”

he cracked a small grin, noticing your confusion. “hey there. that insufferable purple-haired guy at the front wanted me to let you know to meet him at the rooftop later during break time," he explained while gesturing towards rafayel, his tone friendly.

your eyes widened slightly at the unexpected message, and you stammered out a reply, “huh? oh, uh, okay. thanks for telling me.”

with a casual wave, thomas returned to rafayel, leaving you in contemplative silence. as your gaze lingered on their interaction, rafayel’s eyes remained fixed on you, adding a layer of intrigue to the message delivered through thomas.

perched on the rooftop, you found solace in the quiet surroundings, immersed in the act of sketching. the image of a sleeping cat with a delicate flower petal atop its head unfolded gracefully on the pages of your sketchbook, each stroke carefully crafted.

lost in your artistic reverie, you failed to sense rafayel's stealthy approach from behind. just as he was poised to startle you with a playful “boo,” your world shattered into chaos as you swung around in alarm, inadvertently smacking him in the face with your sketchbook.

the moment hung in the air, frozen in time, as rafayel recoiled in surprise, his hand instinctively rising to cradle his nose. wide-eyed and mortified, you stammered out an apology, “oh my gosh, rafayel! i-i’m so sorry! i didn’t mean to-”

caught off guard, rafayel playfully teased, “well, that's one way to say hello, isn’t it? didn’t know my face doubled as a notebook magnet.”

you blushed, flustered by the unexpected collision, “i really didn’t mean to hit you, rafayel. sorry...!”

his laughter echoed, resonating with an easygoing charm, “no harm done. i’ve endured worse for a good laugh. besides, it’s about time someone hit me with a notebook- adds a bit of excitement to my day.”

rafayel’s curiosity piqued as he pointed to your sketchbook, asking, “what’s that you’re writing?” you hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether to reveal your secret passion, but his playful curiosity was too infectious to resist. “oh, it’s just some sketches,” you replied softly, flipping through the pages to reveal the drawing of the cat you saw earlier.

rafayel leaned in, genuine curiosity evident in his eyes as he examined the drawing. “whoa... you drew this? that’s really good!”

you felt a rush of relief at his positive reaction, showing him the reference photo you took earlier. “yeah, i saw this cat on my way to school this morning and couldn’t resist sketching it."

his grin widened as he glanced between the drawing and the photo, barely even noticing any differences. “you’ve got some serious talent, you know that?”

feeling awkward at the unexpected compliment, you muttered a shy thank you, feeling a sense of warmth spreading in the midst of your quiet rooftop rendezvous.

“makes me wonder... why aren’t you part of the art club?” not expecting rafayel’s sudden question, you chuckled nervously. “well, you know, i’m just really busy with school and stuff.”

rafayel didn’t seem convinced. “is that really the reason?” he inquired softly, his tone genuine and caring. you hesitated, feeling reluctant. “actually, i’m just... i’m a bit self-conscious about my skills. i don’t really want anyone to find out about it.”

rafayel’s expression softened, understanding evident in his eyes. “may i?” he asked, reaching for your sketchbook. nodding silently, you watched as he flipped through every page, his eyes widening in genuine surprise and admiration. he lingered over each artwork, appreciating the detail and emotion captured in your sketches.

as he closed the sketchbook and placed it back on the ground, he uttered words that struck a sense of familiarity within you.

“the world deserves to witness how talented you are, you know?”

your heart skipped a beat at his words, a memory surfacing of the note you had found in your bag after that day you fell asleep in school. it said the exact same thing. before you could inquire further, rafayel stood up and reached out to you. confused yet intrigued, you took his hand, and without hesitation, he led you on a journey through the school, eventually arriving at the art room.

as you stood there, taking in the familiar sights of the art supplies and canvases, rafayel turned to you with a warm smile. “i thought maybe you could use a little encouragement to share your talent with the world,” he explained softly. you blinked in confusion. “what are we doing here?”

rafayel’s smile was gentle as he took your hand, placing a paintbrush in one and a palette in the other. he led you towards the largest canvas in the room. “what am i supposed to do...?” you inquired, tilting your head in puzzlement.

rafayel’s smile widened as he picked up a paintbrush and palette for himself. “do what you do best,” he replied. “huh?”

with a sense of determination, rafayel painted a bold black line down the center of the canvas, separating it into two distinct halves. “every five minutes, we’ll switch and continue each other’s paintings,” he explained, his voice calm yet full of purpose.

you nodded, intrigued by the challenge, and began your half of the canvas with soft, lighthearted portraits and delicate strokes. your colors were gentle and inviting, focusing on capturing the essence and aura of the subjects with a sense of warmth and innocence.

as the minutes passed, you and rafayel seamlessly switched, each adding your own touches to the other’s work. rafayel’s side of the canvas was a masterpiece of emotion and complexity, with mesmerizing details and layers of meaning poured into every stroke.

“you’re quite the artist, you know,” rafayel remarked as he added a flourish to your portrait, his tone praising. you blushed at the compliment, unsure how to respond.

somewhere in the middle of the exchange, rafayel not-so-accidentally brushed a small portion of paint onto your cheek. “oops, my hand slipped-”

and so did yours, it appears, as you left a mark of paint on his nose. you stifled a chuckle as you feigned innocence, “um, sorry,” you murmured, your voice soft yet sarcastic.

rafayel laughed, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “congrats- you’ve officially caught me off guard!” he teased, his tone lighthearted.

as the playful exchange continued, each stroke of paint serving as a reminder of your shared connection, you couldn’t help but feel a warmth spreading in your chest. it was as if, in this moment, you were shedding your inhibitions and embracing the joy of simply being yourself around rafayel.

and as the final touches were added and you both stepped back to admire the masterpiece you had created together, you couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. little did you know, as you looked at the painting, rafayel was looking at you with admiration in his eyes, captivated by the quiet strength and beauty he saw reflected in you.

"so, about that note...” you began tentatively, but rafayel cut you off with a nonchalant, “yeah, that was me,” accompanied by a shrug and a playful grin.

“you...?” surprise tinged your voice as you glanced at him, and rafayel nodded with a hint of mischief, pointing to himself.

“i mean, seriously though, you’re really talented. if you joined the club, you could totally be running the show instead of me,” rafayel suggested, his tone a blend of sincerity and teasing.

“i can’t tell if you’re trying to flatter me or if you’re trying to recruit a new member for your club...” you replied with a small chuckle, earning a grin from rafayel.

“oh, come on, i’ve already got a bunch of members, most of whom couldn’t care less about art. it’s a bit frustrating, to be honest- it’s like they’re not even there to appreciate the beauty of art in the first place,” rafayel lamented, rolling his eyes in mock exasperation.

“maybe they’re just there for you,” you offered, watching as rafayel nodded in acknowledgment, his expression thoughtful. “it’s not as glamorous as it seems, you know? being popular means you’re always in the spotlight, whether you like it or not. it’s exhausting,” rafayel admitted with a sigh, his frustration evident.

“so, that’s the price of popularity...” you mused, feeling a pang of sympathy for rafayel’s predicament.

“that’s why you caught my eye. you never seemed to crave that attention, and i found that refreshing.” rafayel confessed, his tone softening as he opened up to you. “i wanted to get to know someone who saw me for me, not just as who i’m made out to be.”

“huh?” you murmured, feeling a mix of confusion and curiosity at his words.

“i’ve always admired how you kept to yourself, not letting the whole popularity thing affect you. it made me want to know more about you,” rafayel explained, his gaze holding a hint of something deeper that intrigued you.

“so... what do you mean?” you asked, your curiosity piqued by rafayel’s candid confession. he sighed, running a hand through his hair as he considered his words. “y’know, it’s just... these days, it feels like everyone is so caught up in their social status, popularity, reputation, you name it. and despite never wanting to be, i’ve been pushed into the center of all that because of the way people are way too interested in my life,” he explained, his voice tinged with frustration.

“people like you, who are genuine and don’t use others as stepping stones to become popular, are rare.” rafayel continued, his gaze meeting yours with sincerity. “your presence feels like a breath of fresh air in a world where everyone is so focused on climbing the social ladder.”

oh. “i never expected someone to see me that way...” you admitted, your eyes meeting rafayel’s with a mixture of surprise and gratitude. his expression softened as he listened, his gaze filled with understanding. “i guess we both had our assumptions about each other,” he mused.

you nodded in agreement, a faint smile tugging at the corners of your lips. “the reason why i least expected you to be the one who put that note in my bag was because i always felt like we orbited in separate galaxies," you admitted, and rafayel listened carefully.

“it was as if you stood under the sun, whereas i found solace in the dark. i’ve always admired the way you easily socialized and blended in with the crowd, wishing it was something i could do, too.”

rafayel’s eyes widened slightly in surprise at your words, and you felt a rush of nerves at having laid bare your innermost thoughts to him. but as you saw the understanding and empathy in his gaze, you knew you had made the right decision in sharing your feelings with him.

“but now, knowing your perspective regarding your popularity, i feel like my perspective has just changed as a whole,” you added, your voice soft but earnest.

“maybe we’re not as different as we thought, huh?” he said, an amused expression on his face as he suddenly took your hand and held it within his gentle grasp.

“huh...? i...” to say you were at a loss for words and had no idea what to feel over the sudden gesture would be a huge understatement. it didn’t help that holding your hand seemed to be something casual to rafayel, either. “i guess...” you trailed off, looking down on the ground to avoid his gaze.

the familiar ringing of the school bells echoed across the walls of the empty art room yet again, cutting your conversation short – like it always did. yet this time, you were grateful for it. had it not interrupted both of you, you’d be a stammering mess by now.

rafayel let go of your hand, putting one of his hands in his pocket. “i’ll see your name somewhere at the art exhibit, then?” he tilted his head, sending you a wink before heading out, leaving you all by yourself as you looked at the large canvas in front of you once more.

perhaps grabbing an opportunity standing right in front of you wouldn’t be so bad, just this once.

—

it had been three nights. three nights of you frustratingly ripping pages off of your sketchbook simply because your ideas kept clashing with each other everytime you laid it out on the pieces of paper sprawled out in front of you. your artworks were merely a product of your own will – none of which were required for a specific occasion, at least not until now.

love.

how were you supposed to convey the meaning of a feeling you weren’t sure you have ever felt in your entire life? not even the romance books stacked up in your shelves could make up for an inspiration. within each tick of the clock, the day of the art exhibit kept inching closer, making you dread every passing second.

letting out a frustrated sigh as you laid your head down on your study table, you were no longer sure if you still wanted to participate in the event anymore. maybe you should’ve just shut down rafayel’s expectations of you partaking in the art exhibit while it was still early – hold on.

that was it. that was exactly it. if you needed to seek guidance from someone whose field of expertise is art, there was no longer a necessity for searching all over your surroundings – the answer was already right in front of you.

you weren’t sure when his contact number got on your phone, but you were grateful for it nonetheless – maybe he added it during your collaboration in the art room while your attention was focused on something else. dialing the number, you waited patiently for him to pick up as you bit the inside of your cheek.

“what up, buttercup?”

the unexpected lowering of the pitch of his voice, void of its usual sarcasm and sass, caught you off guard. it carried a hint of raspiness, a sign he might have been roused from sleep. and suddenly, regaining composure became a priority for you.

“oh- did i interrupt your sleep? i’m sorry, i’ll-” he was quick to cut you off from the other line, immediately brushing off your concern. “nah, don’t worry about it. what’s gotten you all up late in the night, though?” he asked curiously.

“um, well, you see,” you stammered, struggling to articulate your frustration. “regarding the art exhibit event you and your club launched... i just can’t seem to find the right way to express... love,” you confessed, your voice barely above a whisper.

rafayel’s curiosity piqued. “why’s that?” he inquired gently, sensing the weight behind your words. “i don’t know,” you admitted, feeling a pang of embarrassment. “it’s just... how do you convey a feeling you’ve never experienced?”

there was a brief silence on the other end of the line before rafayel spoke again, his voice softer than before. “you mean... you’ve never fallen in love before?” he asked, a hint of surprise evident in his tone.

reluctantly, you confirmed his assumption with a quiet nod, even though he couldn’t see you. rafayel let out a soft sigh, the sound conveying both understanding and reassurance.

truth be told, that was the last thing he had expected to hear from you – but then again, the world’s always full of surprises, isn’t it?

“hey, no shame in that, yeah? we’ll find a way for you,” he said gently. “meet me tomorrow morning at linkon tower?”

your heart fluttered at the prospect of his help, and you agreed eagerly, grateful for his support. “okay,” you replied, a sense of relief washing over you. “thank you, rafayel...”

“anything for you.”

—

as you stood waiting in front of linkon tower, the morning breeze tousling your hair, you couldn't help but feel a flutter of nerves in your stomach. the anticipation of meeting rafayel was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking, and you found yourself fidgeting with the strap of your bag as you scanned the area.

suddenly, you spotted rafayel running towards you,an apologetic expression on his face and two cups of coffee in his hands. “fashionably late, as always,” he quipped, his tone light as he caught his breath.

you couldn’t help but smile at his teasing remark, a mixture of relief and amusement washing over you. “i was starting to think you’d gotten lost in the crowd...”

rafayel chuckled, a twinkle in his eyes as he approached you. “nah, just had to battle my way through the caffeine-deprived masses,” he replied, holding out one of the cups of coffee to you. “one caramel latte, just how you like it- hopefully.”

you accepted the coffee with a grateful smile, feeling a warmth spreading through you at his thoughtfulness. “oh- for me? thank you...!” you said softly, taking a sip of the steaming beverage.

he flashed you a charming grin, the corners of his eyes crinkling with amusement. “no need to thank me at all. like i said last night- anything for you, right?”

blushing at his words, you couldn’t help but feel a need to change the topic. “so... what's the plan for today?” you asked, eager to find out what creative ideas Rafayel had in mind.

he shrugged casually, taking a sip of his own coffee. “well, i thought we could take a stroll around the park, soak in some inspiration from nature,” he suggested, his tone relaxed. “unless you have any other brilliant ideas up your sleeve?”

you shook your head with a shy smile, feeling grateful for the way he took the lead. “no, that sounds perfect,” you replied, falling into step beside him as you set off towards the nearby park. as you walked, the gentle chatter between you and rafayel filled the air, the warmth of the morning sun casting a golden glow over your skin.

while taking your time to admire your surroundings, your eyes then caught sight of a cat sitting on a bench. gasping in awe, you couldn’t help but to tug on the sleeve of his cardigan, immediately pointing to it- and the next thing you knew was he was practically holding onto you for dear life, looking at the creature with a horrified expression on his face.

you stifled a chuckle, not expecting the sudden action from rafayel out of all people. “rafayel, are you, perhaps... scared of cats?” you tilted your head, waiting for an answer. “scared? hah, please, like i’d ever- get it away from me!”

you held up the cat in front of him, laughing as you watched him hurriedly take a few steps back. he was about to completely turn his back to you in fear of getting scratched by the feline’s claws, but it wasn’t until he came to realization that this was the first time he has ever heard you laugh – all he’s ever heard from you were short giggles and stifled chuckles.

he admired you in awe without even realization dawning upon him that he was, staring at you as you kept inching the cat closer to him. “you do know it’s more afraid of us than we are of it, right?”

your voice pulled him out of the bottom of his thoughts, making him flinch slightly as he tried to play off the fact he just called you beautiful in his head.

he feigned offense, placing a hand over his heart in mock indignation. “oh, please, don’t underestimate the cunning behavior of these creatures,” he replied with a smirk. “they may look innocent, but behind those whiskers lie a mastermind plotting world domination.”

you couldn’t help but find his dramatic antis childish, yet couldn’t suppress your laughter. “alright, fine, i’ll handle this dangerous mission myself," you joked, putting the cat back down on the ground.

as you practically dragged Rafayel towards the ice cream parlor, his laughter echoed through the air. “woah, slow down! i didn’t know it was possible to love ice cream this much.” he remarked, amusement all over his eyes.

you flashed him a bright smile in return. “don’t we all?” you replied, unable to contain your excitement as you joined the line behind a group of eager kids. while waiting for your turn, the sweet aroma of freshly made ice cream filled the air, making your mouth almost water in anticipation. rafayel observed your enthusiasm with a fond smile, clearly amused by your excitement.

finally, it was your turn to order, and you wasted no time selecting a combination of three of your favorite flavors. as the server handed you your towering cone, you struggled to balance it in your hands, wanting not to let a single scoop go to waste.

rafayel chuckled at your efforts. “looks like you’ve got your hands full there,” he teased, buying the same flavors you had chosen. “i’ll have the same, just in case yours decides to take a tumble.”

—

while you and rafayel were strolling along, you stumbled upon an old vendor selling flowers. the vendor greeted both of you warmly, a twinkle of nostalgia in his eyes. “one for your lovely lady, sir?” he asked, gesturing towards you with a knowing smile. yet before you could interject and clarify that you weren't a couple, rafayel was quick to respond, his voice charming. “i’ll have a bouquet, if you may,” he said with a playful wink, catching you off guard.

“huh? rafayel, you-” his actions caught you by surprise, making you stumble over your words. yet even if you wanted to clarify your relationship with rafayel to the old man, you found yourself not doing so, having a feeling that no matter how you tried to deny it, rafayel would eventually find a way to brush your reasonings off. and you weren’t even sure why he’d do such a thing- you just knew he would.

as the vendor handed rafayel a beautiful bouquet, he offered a nostalgic reflection. “ah young love. you two remind me of me and my wife during the days we were still young... I hope the best for both of you,” he said with heartfelt sincerity.

rafayel played along effortlessly, nodding in agreement. “i hope so too, sir.” he replied with a grin, accepting the bouquet with a flourish.

as you both walked away from the vendor, you couldn't help but be confused at the unexpected exchange. before you could question rafayel about his actions, he leaned into the playful act even further, bowing theatrically in front of you.

“for you, my lady.” he said with mock formality, offering you the bouquet with a mischievous hint in his eyes. you couldn’t suppress a laugh as you accepted the flowers. “well... while, thank you, kind sir,” you tried to reply with equal playfulness, making rafayel laugh in response.

—

inside the arcade, the bright lights and buzzing sounds of the games immediately filled the air, igniting a sense of excitement within you both. making your way to the claw machine, rafayel insisted on taking the first turn, his determination evident in the way he eagerly inserted coins and maneuvered the claw.

you watched with amusement while he focused intently on the task at hand, heavily concentrated as he attempted to win you a plushie. but despite his persistence, the claw came up empty-handed each time, much to his dismay.

as the claw machine swallowed another round of coins, rafayel’s competitive spirit seemed undeterred. “alright, watch closely,” he declared while positioning the claw with precision. you couldn't help but admire his persistence, even as the plushie continued to escape his grasp. “you’ve got this,” you encouraged him, unable to contain a smile at his unwavering focus.

but as the claw went down for yet another attempt, rafayel’s expression shifted from confidence to disbelief as it once again came up empty. “what?! how did i miss that?!” he exclaimed, his frustration evident as he shook his head in disbelief.

with each failed attempt, rafayel’s facade of confidence began to crack, replaced by exaggerated frustration and protests. “this machine is rigged, i’m telling you!” he exclaimed, throwing his hands up in exasperation. “it’s like it’s got a personal vendetta against me or something.”

you couldn’t help but giggle at his theatrics. “um, maybe you should let me have a go at it?” you suggested, feeling a rush of nervousness as rafayel turned to look at you. he raised an eyebrow challengingly, a playful glint in his eyes. “oh, you think you can do any better, huh?” he teased, already stepping aside to let you take your turn.

with a small smile, you approached the machine, trying to ignore the butterflies fluttering in your stomach. as you focused on the task at hand, you couldn't help but feel rafayel’s eyes on you, his presence both comforting and slightly unnerving at the same time. you maneuvered the claw into position, holding your breath as you watched it go down towards the plushie of your choice. and then, with a satisfying clink, the claw closed around the prize, lifting it triumphantly into the air.

you couldn’t contain your joy as you retrieved the plushie from the machine, holding it up for rafayel to see with a huge smile. “i did it!” you celebrated enthusiastically, feeling a warm flush spreading across your cheeks as rafayel grinned at you, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

“incredible!” rafayel exclaimed, his tone filled with mock astonishment. “i’ve officially been defeated by the claw machine champion.”

—

as the afternoon came to an end, while the sun painted the city in hues of gold, rafayel casually inquired, “so, where do you live?” your head tilted in puzzlement, not quite catching what he meant until he clarified, “i’m gonna walk you home.”

you felt your heart flutter, your cheeks warming at the unexpected offer. “oh, um, it’s not far from here...” you responded, a smile tugging at your lips. rafayel’s grin widened, his gaze softening as he gestured for you to lead the way. “lead the way then, my dear companion,” he teased, falling into step beside you as you started walking.

as you walked through the familiar streets, a comfortable silence enveloped you both. yet, it was rafayel who broke it, his voice carrying a playful lilt. “sooo, did you enjoy our little date today?” he asked, his tone light yet filled with genuine curiosity.

a small chuckle escaped your lips as you nodded, feeling a warmth spreading through you. “of course i did. thank you for spending the day with me, rafayel...” you replied, stealing a glance at him.

it seems as if the fact he called it a date completely went over your head – and could anyone blame you if you were just happy enough to spend the day with him that you no longer cared whether it was a friendly date or something else?

rafayel’s smile softened, his gaze lingering on you for a moment longer than usual. “anytime.” he said, his voice filled with sincerity. “we should definitely do this again sometime.”

you felt a flutter in your chest at his words, your heart skipping a beat as you nodded in agreement. “yeah... i’d like that.” you agreed softly, a shy smile creeping up your lips. the walk continued, each step bringing you closer to your destination.

—

you two stood in front of your apartment building, and as you bid farewell to each other, you waved at him with a close-eyed smile.

rafayel swore his heart had never raced faster than it did now.

just as you were about to walk away, he held you back by your wrist, halting your movements. “wait.” you took a step back. “rafayel...?” you tilted your head in confusion as you turned to face him. his hand was still holding onto your wrist, and as he stood there, holding your wrist gently, an unreadable emotion in his eyes. He cleared his throat, “i was going to wait until the art exhibit event was over to say this to you, but... screw that. i don’t think i can wait any longer.”

“what do you mean...?” you asked, not quite getting what he was implying.

“well,” he began, his voice no longer laced with his trademark sarcasm. “i’ve got a confession to make.” He paused, taking a deep breath as he gathered his thoughts, his gaze never leaving you. “from the moment i first saw you sleeping at the very back of the classroom while everyone was busy talking in separate groups, something inside me shifted. it was as if the universe intended to bring us together, to intertwine our lives in a way that i couldn't comprehend at the time.”

your heart skipped a beat at his words, curiosity mingling with anticipation as you waited for him to continue. “you see,“ rafayel went on, his tone softening ever so slightly. “i never knew why i felt so drawn to you that day even though i didn’t even know anything about you- there was just something about you that made stare at you a little longer than i was supposed to.” he paused, a smile playing at the corners of his lips as he recalled the countless times he had looked behind to see whether you were gazing out the window, writing down notes, or sleeping.

“you know, i’ve spent all this time trying to figure out why you just seemed to be so different from everyone else in my eyes. and maybe you’re wondering why- but that’s the thing. neither do i know.” you listened, captivated by the sincerity in his words, the layers of his personality laying bare before you.

“and then it hit me.”

rafayel continued, a warmth spreading through his chest as he spoke. “i’ve watched you, admired you, in ways that i can’t quite put into words- way before i even saw your sketchbook lying down on the ground.” rafayel confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. “getting to know you even further with each passing day from then on was the nail in the coffin, you know? as i got to know you better through time, i just- the next thing i knew was i wanted to have more excuses to spend time with you.” he ran his hands through his hair, a soft expression on his face as you listened with surprise.

“your kindness, your warmth, your quiet strength, the way you’re always trying to view every circumstance you come across in a positive light, the way you’re... you. they’ve captivated me in ways i never thought possible.” you listened, your heart racing with his words, the air heavy with the weight of the unspoken. he took a deep breath, his gaze never leaving you.

“i don’t even know when, how, and why i started feeling this way. all i knew the moment i first heard you chuckle quietly at the back of the class that one time thomas and i were arguing over which of our answers to the equation mr. nero wrote on the board- neither were correct, by the way- was that if it ever became louder, i wanted to be the reason behind it.”

“you’re making it so hard for me not to fall for you, and as i stand in front of you now, i’m proudly declaring that i’ll be admitting my defeat.”

as rafayel’s words hung in the air, you stood there in disbelief, finding it hard to make his words sink in. and then it all came crashing down on you. the overwhelming surge of happiness you felt when you were adding your own touches on his artwork that one day at the art room wasn’t just a feeling of being glad you were finally able to express your talent in a way that isn’t scribbling on your sketchbook – it was because the feeling of being comfortable with letting your guard down around someone who wasn’t tara was an unfamiliar yet great experience for you.

the reason why you always found yourself staring at him in class wasn’t because you were curious as to how popular people like him lived their lives; you weren’t curious about his lifestyle, but rather... you were curious about him as a person.

“rafayel,” you whispered, your voice barely audible above the rustle of the leaves. “i... i never knew... i never dared to hope...” but before you could finish, rafayel reached out, cupping your face in his hands, his touch gentle yet electrifying. “you don’t have to. just... let yourself loose, yeah?” rafayel’s gaze softens, his hand still gently holding yours as he waits patiently for you to gather your thoughts.

“it’s just... it’s a lot to take in.” you finally manage, your cheeks flushing with embarrassment as you admit your struggle to process his heartfelt confession. “but...” you pause, biting your lip nervously as you try to find the courage to voice the thoughts racing through your mind.

“but what?” rafayel prompts gently, his eyes filled with warmth and understanding. “it’s just... everything makes sense now,” you confess, your words tumbling out in a rush as you finally allow yourself to let out the thoughts you had buried deep inside.

“that day in the art room, when we were working on that huge canvas, i thought i was just happy to be able to express myself through art... but now i realize it was more than that. it was the feeling of being comfortable with someone other than tara, of letting my guard down and just... being myself without having to afraid of being judged.”

rafayel listened intently, his expression softening with each word you speak. “and in class, when i would find myself staring at you... i always thought it was just curiosity about how someone like you lived their life. but now i see it was something more. i was curious about you as a person, and whatever you were hiding beneath your usual personality, i just... i wanted to know all about it.”

“i don’t know when, how, or why it all started either, but... all i know right now is that... i want to be with you, rafayel.”

a blush crept across your cheeks as you finished speaking, your gaze dropping to the ground as you awaited rafayel’s response. but before you can look up, you feel his hand gently lifting your chin, his eyes meeting yours with a warmth that sent shivers down your spine. “you know...” he said softly, his voice filled with an emotion you couldn’t quite place. “i’m glad you feel that way. because... well, because I've been feeling the same way about you for a long time now- if that wasn’t obvious already.”

as the weight of your shared confessions hangs in the air, there’s a palpable tension between you and rafayel. slowly, almost hesitantly, he leans in closer, his breath mingling with yours as his lips hover just inches from yours.

your heart races in your chest, a nervous feeling fluttering spreading through your stomach as you anticipate what’s about to happen. and then, in a moment that feels both infinitely long and short at the same time, his lips finally meet yours.

it’s soft at first, a gentle brush of his lips against yours, sending a jolt of electricity coursing through your veins. but then, as the realization sinks in that this is your very first kiss, the sensation intensifies. his lips mold perfectly against yours, fitting together like two puzzle pieces finally finding their match. there’s a warmth that spreads from the point of contact, igniting a fire deep within you that you never knew existed.

as the kiss deepens, you find yourself melting into him, losing yourself in the sensation of his lips moving against yours. his hands find their way to your waist, pulling you closer until there’s barely any space left between you. time seems to stand still as you lose yourself in the moment, the world around you fading away until there’s nothing left but the two of you and the overwhelming rush of emotion coursing through your veins.

and then, as the kiss came to an end, you’re left breathless, your heart pounding in your chest as you finally pull away, your lips tingling with the memory of his touch.

“rafayel, i...” you mumble, cheeks ablaze with a crimson hue that refused to fade. he chuckled warmly, his hand ruffling your hair affectionately. “you’re too cute when you’re flustered, you know that?”

your response came out as a nervous stutter, your words stumbling over each other as you try to process the rush of emotions flooding through you. he gently pinches your cheeks, eliciting a short laugh from you. “hey now, none of that,” he playfully scolds, a playful sparkle swirling in his eyes. “unless you want me to die or something.”

you blush even deeper at his teasing, unable to find a clever retort. instead, you offer a sheepish smile, your heart fluttering at his words. as you bid farewell once more, the memory of his kiss still lingering on your lips, you turn to head inside the apartment building. but before you do, you steal one last glance back at rafayel, waving at him with a shy smile.

he returns the gesture, a soft smile gracing his features as he watches you disappear inside, leaving you with a fluttering heart and a head full of thoughts of him.

—

you lay on your bed, cheeks still flushed with the warmth of the kiss and your heart pounding with excitement. unable to contain your bubbling emotions, you bury your face in your pillow and let out a muffled squeal, the rush of adrenaline coursing through your veins.

just as you start to calm yourself down, your phone’s notification jingle breaks the silence, causing your heart to skip a beat. with trembling hands, you grab your phone and glance at the lockscreen, where a message from Rafayel awaits.

“looking forward to seeing ur art exhibit project ;)”

your cheeks flushed even deeper at his message, a smile tugging at the corners of your lips. you quickly unlock your phone and type a reply, fingers flying over the screen as you try to contain your excitement.

“i guess you weren't lying when you said i’d head home with a newfound inspiration... ～⁠(⁠つ⁠ˆ⁠Д⁠ˆ⁠)⁠つ⁠｡⁠☆”

on the other side of the screen, rafayel chuckled softly at your message, finding the kaomoji you sent along with it absolutely adorable. with a smile, he typed out his reply, reminiscing about the intimate moment you shared earlier before parting ways.

“see? that’s why it’s always the best choice to trust me in every possible situation.”

he replied, his message feigning smugness. you couldn’t help but giggle at his response, feeling a warm flutter in your chest at his playful demeanor.

“as much as i want to talk to you for longer, i still have to get my art exhibit project finished (⁠╥⁠﹏⁠╥⁠)”

rafayel’s lips curled into a small smile as he read your message.

“why not go to sleep now? we can always talk more tomorrow, yeah?”

and despite the simplicity of his suggestion, you couldn’t resist the urge to internally scream with excitement.

—

while they strolled through the venue, thomas couldn’t resist teasing rafayel about his frequent glances towards the entrance. with an amused smirk, he nudged rafayel, arching an eyebrow in curiosity.

“looking for someone, raf?” rafayel’s response was casual, though his eyes betrayed a hint of anticipation. “just curious if she’s made it here yet.” thomas followed rafayel’s line of sight, scanning the bustling crowd. “haven’t seen her around yet,” he responded. rafayel continued to scan the room, his gaze lingering on each passing figure in search of a familiar face.

meanwhile, as you hurried into the venue, tara spotted you and dashed over, enveloping you in a tight hug. “hey, where have you been? you’re late!” you chuckled sheepishly, “i may or may not have overslept...” tara only pinched your cheek, seemingly unsurprised by your response.

“also- there’s that one painting over there that everyone’s been admiring for a while now, and the art style seemed very familiar to me... that one’s yours, right? please say it is!” tara’s eyes sparkled with excitement. with a shy smile, you nodded. “yeah, i finally decided to share my work...” tara squealed in delight, squeezing you even tighter as she practically squealed in your ear how proud she was of you.

as she guided you through the crowd to your painting, you couldn’t help but feel a rush of nerves. but when your eyes met rafayel’s across the room, a wave of warmth washed over you, calming your nerves. tara caught your eye contact with rafayel, turning to you with a puzzled expression. “do you two know each other?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.

you nodded shyly, a hint of a smile playing on your lips. tara’s expression shifted from confusion to surprise in an instant. “wait, don’t tell me... he’s the anonymous person behind that note you found in your bag, isn’t he?” she exclaimed, her eyes widening in realization.

with a knowing smile, you simply nodded, causing tara to gasp in disbelief. “oh my gosh! no way! are you sure you’re not living in a shoujo manga?” she teased, her excitement evident in her voice. but underneath her teasing, you could sense her genuine happiness for you.

meanwhile, thomas noticed rafayel’s gaze fixed on you and couldn’t resist nudging him with a smirk. “there’s your girl, go get her.” he teased, earning an eye-roll from rafayel.

as they both approached you and tara, the lingering memory of yesterday’s kiss remained fresh in your minds – and it was painfully obvious with the way you two were stumbling over your own words. thomas couldn’t contain his laughter. “look at rafayel all flustered...” he chuckled, thoroughly amused by his friend’s uncharacteristic behavior.

tara, on the other hand, was practically squealing with delight at the romantic encounter unfolding before her eyes. “they’re so cute together...!” she whispered to herself, barely able to contain her excitement.

sensing the need for some privacy, thomas grabbed rafayel’s attention, patting his shoulder. “i’ll go ahead and check the other artworks.” tara quickly followed suit, declaring her sudden need to visit the bathroom, leaving you and rafayel alone in front of your painting.

as the curious gazes of the surrounding students lingered on the two of you, rafayel turned to you with genuine interest. “so, are those lovers in each petal supposed to represent us?” he asked, his tone filled with curiosity as he pointed to a petal that had a painting of two people eating ice cream.

you nodded, feeling a rush of warmth at his question. “yeah... i painted each scene with us in mind.” you admitted, feeling a bit shy but also strangely exhilarated by his interest. rafayel’s eyes shone with appreciation as he examined the beautiful details of your artwork. “wow, you’re really...” he murmured, his voice filled with genuine admiration as he seemed to be out of words. “you have such an amazing talent, you know that?”

you couldn’t help but smile at his heartfelt comment, feeling a surge of confidence in your abilities. “you think so...?”

“know so.”

“i swear, one day my lighthearted jokes about you being the next president of the art club will come true to life. i wouldn’t even be surprised, you know?” he teased, flashing you a charming grin that made your heart skip a beat.

as you and rafayel left your painting behind to explore the other artworks, the eyes of the gathered students followed your every move. some watched in surprise, their eyebrows raised in curiosity as you were engaged in a conversation with rafayel. others couldn’t contain their excitement, their voices tinted with squeals of delight as they observed the unlikely dynamic between the two of you.

“oh my gosh, look at them! they’re so adorable together...” one girl whispered to her friend, nudging her with an elbow as she pointed discreetly at the two of you. “i know, right? who would’ve thought they’d make such a cute couple?” her friend replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“did you see the way he looked at her? it’s like she’s the only one in the room!” one of them remarked, her heart fluttering at the sight. “and she’s glowing! i’ve never seen someone look so beautiful before.” another girl added, a sense of joy evident in her tone as she observed your interaction with rafayel.

nearby, a group of boys exchanged knowing glances, their expressions filled with admiration for rafayel’s ability to break through your shell. “man, rafayel’s really got it going on with her.” one of them remarked, a hint of admiration in his voice as he watched you two interact.

“yeah, but look at her, she’s holding her own too. rafayel’s really lucky, isn’t he?” another boy added, nodding approvingly as he watched you converse with rafayel. "have you ever seen anyone as radiant as her?” one of them whispered, captivated by your presence.

“she’s like a living artwork herself.” another remarked, admiring the way you seemed to bring color and life to the atmosphere surrounding both you and rafayel.

“i heard she’s the one behind that stunning painting. makes sense, she’s got such a creative aura about her, doesn’t she?” a third boy commented, impressed by your artistic talents and the way you expressed yourself through your work.

as the crowd’s whispers of admiration reached your ears, rafayel couldn’t help but grin, turning to you with a proud gleam in his eyes. “you hear that?” he said softly, his voice filled with genuine admiration. “told you the world deserves to witness how talented you are.”

you felt a warm flush of gratitude spread through you at his words, grateful for his unwavering support. with a shy smile, you nodded, feeling a newfound sense of confidence blooming within you. “thank you, rafayel- for everything, really.” you whispered, feeling a surge of appreciation for the boy who had helped you break out of your shell and embrace your true potential.

and you’ll forever be grateful for having him in your life.

♡ , cupidswan.

#love : aerith 💌#love and deepspace #love and deepspace x reader #rafayel love and deepspace #rafayel x reader #rafayel #l&ds rafayel #rafayel fluff #lnd x reader #lnds #l&ds x reader #l&ds

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slayerkitty · 2 months

Text

The DFF Experience: A Dead Friend Forever Fandom Round Up (Part 2*)

(screencap by @blmpff)

Theories (Episode 11-12):

My Two Cents on White Being Non Pt 1 by @queenofhtesarcastic

My Two Cents on White Being Non Pt 2 by @queenofhtesarcastic

Wacky Theory Time by @hastalahamon

New Always Meant for Everyone to Die by @hastalahamon

Non is Alive by @moonsunpenguin

Fluke Uploaded the Video by @yellingaboutkp

Finale Theory 1 by @ppeonppeonhan

Who Will Survive vs Die in DFF @queenofhtesarcastic

Non is Still Alive by @queenofhtesarcastic

Non is Still Alive by @befuddledcinnamonroll

Meta:

Character Analysis (Episodes 1-9)

On Jin’s cowardice and bravery by @yellingaboutkp

On Por’s moment in the spotlight by @leconcombrerit

Phee and Jin as parallels in episode 7 by @raelle-writing

Por and other characters’ roles as leaders by @leconcombrerit

On Fluke by @fracturediron

On Non’s parents by @fracturediron

On Non as a "hidden character" by @flamevbirdv

Phi hasn’t told New he and Non broke up yet? by @respectthepetty

Something Something PhiJinNon by @bellamygate

On Non’s Mom and the Grief of Losing a Child by @theflagscene

Non and Walls by @heretherebedork

Core Five on Friendship: Non, Phee and Tan by @colourme-feral

Tan is the Devil by @lukaherehelp

What Tan Does/Doesn’t Know (Tan is Regina George) by @respectthepetty

PheeJin vs PheeNon Parallels by @colourme-feral

Tan vs Phi And How They're Coping by @nutcasewithaknife

PheeJin Window Sex and Non Sex Tape Parallel by @bellamygate

On Tan/New by @fracturediron

Tan/New Analysis by @fracturediron

Non’s Thoughts on PheeJin if Non is Still Alive by @vegasthehedgehog

PheeNon Were Not a Good Couple by @yellingaboutkp

Phee's Character is Confusing by @crysta1ized

The Good and Bad in DFF (Character Analysis) by @blramblingx2

Character Analysis (Episode 10)

The Red String of Fate: Phee's Relationships in DFF by @brifrischu

Phee's Reaction to Non and Keng Makes Perfect Sense for the Character by @the-pink-quill

Phee: Torn Between the Past and the Future by @raelle-writing

Jin and the Morality of Useless Goodness by @salamander89

Jin and The Video by @kerrikins

Who is White by @tbhimnoteasyonmyself

Phee as an Unreliable Narrator by @quicksrlver

Phee is Lying by @leconcombrerit

What the Fuck is up with Phee? by @tbhimnoteasyonmyself

Phee and Tan sitting in a tree P-L-O-T-T-I-N-G by @mikuni14 with contributions by @italianpersonwithashippersheart

Por Being a Static Character by @bubbipond

Jin is the Only Bitch Who Respected Non by @yellingaboutkp

*Thanks to the fandom being amazing and writing and creating like crazy, we had to add a Part 3! You can find it here. We also added a Part 4. It's here. In case you missed it, Part 1 is here.

#dead friend forever #dead friend forever the series #dff the series #thai bl #the dff experience #dff meta #dff art

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revacholian-girl-utena · 1 year

Text

This system does not require faith — only accordance.

Alt text: Screenshots from Revolutionary Girl Utena with overlaid text. 1: Dios on a white horse, standing up high on a broken bridge. Text: An innocence is infallible.

2: Dios and young Utena looking at young Anthy, suspended in the air on the swords of hate. Text: The decisions made by one are not decisions.

3: Anthy's silhouette against a pink background, pierced by many blades, hair flying. Text: They are inevitabilities —

4: Touga looking out the tower window at the stars. His shirt is open and he holds a potted cactus. Text: what would have happened anyway,

5: An apple with a slice cut out, pierced by many forks. Text: only accelerated.

6: B-ko the shadow girl in Prince costume, taking a heroic stance. Text: An Innocence is a continuous, compressed event, a sacred human being.

7: Akio, dressed as End of the World, holds Utena, dressed as a rose bride. Text: It is an honor and a glory to live when one is in office.

8: Closeup on young Utena and Dios's feet, standing at the edge of a sheer drop. Text: YOU — Is one in office now?

9: A dark, empty stage with a rose design on the lowered curtain. Text: No.

10: Young Utena standing alone under a spotlight. She is staring at the spot where young Anthy disappeared. There are cracks in the wall resembling the shape of the swords coming out of Anthy's body. Text: We are alone.

#revolutionary girl utena #disco elysium #shoujo kakumei utena #dios #akio #utena #anthy #touga #kanae #csa tw #for clarity in case this doesn’t read the way im intending for it to read #the comparison between akio and the innocentic system is the idea of like. why they’re called innocences to begin with #the idea that they are ‘’innocent’’ in that everything they do is 1) inevitable 2) a reflection of the will of the world and everyone in it #akio and the prince archetype both have echoes of that idea #the prince as someone who is infallible and sacred and a necessary part of the world #and akio as someone who uses that rhetoric of infallibility and of only being a reflection of the way the world works #to write off his heinous crimes a la the innocenses and their war crimes #and ‘’we are alone’’ is utena recognizing the death of the prince. she is alone. she has to do this herself #in sacred and terrible air miro says something like ‘’be at peace. i am innocent and so you all are as well’’#in the same breath as he launches a nuke #i feel part of utena’s arc is about rejecting the idea that something is acceptable just bc everyone else around her seems to accept it #bc the truth is more that her peers have resigned themselves to their fates… it’s not truly what they want. they just cant imagine smth else #and so rather than say ‘’i am innocent and so we all are innocent’’#she learns to say ‘’i am guilty of many things but i can change. and so can you. and so can the world’’

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jhpeg · 2 years

Text

thick thighs save lives

plus size reader has a shitty boyfriend. eddie is a sweet king who would happily die being crushed between her thighs. both eddie and reader are over 18.

part two!

part three!

word count: 5k (oops)

rating: nsfw 18+ because swearing, drug use, alcohol, oral sex f receiving, squirting, coming in pants. there is a physical altercation between reader and bf, eddie fighting etc i’m sorry idk how to tag these things

a/n: this is my first attempt at smut and my second fic ever so any feedback is so very appreciated! not beta’d so errors are all on me. could possibly do a part two if anyone is interested???

coming back to hawkins after graduation had never been in your master plan, you had vowed that once you hit the city limits that evening after saying goodbye to your parents, you would never look back. after enduring years of ridicule from your peers, your parents and as of lately, your own damn boyfriend about your appearance, you had convinced yourself that there wasn’t a single soul within the small town that could see beauty in any size above a 10.

despite your detailed plan to stay at least 5 miles away from hawkins at all times, you were currently breaking your own rules as you pulled into the driveway of your boyfriends parents house, barely able to get the car in park before he was out of the car and into the awaiting arms of his parents. the days leading up to this moment had involved a couple of screaming matches, nights on the couch while your boyfriend took the bed, awkward silences and a lot of tears. all of that in an attempt to convince cody that there was no reason you needed to join him at his parents 27th anniversary party. you had only been seeing him for 8 months, were they even at that stage yet? meeting parents, extended family? who had a party for an odd numbered anniversary, anyway?

jolted from your thoughts by cody banging loudly on the window, telling you to hurry up and get out of the car and meet his awaiting family, you inhaled a deep breath and checked yourself in the rear view mirror before putting on your sweetest smile and slipped into the character of the perfect girl, for their perfect son. the bags were fetched by your boyfriends two younger siblings as you were ushered inside and sat down on a couch in the living room next to your boyfriend, his parents sitting opposite the two of you. all you needed now was a spotlight on you and this would feel like an episode of criminal minds, yourself as the suspect. your crimes? not being good enough for their sweet, do nothing wrong, angel of a son.

after what felt like hours of questions about your past, present and future plans with cody, you were finally able to slip away to the guest bedroom to clean yourself up and get ready to meet some of your high school friends at the hide out bar, another place you had vowed to not get sucked into by hawkins but apparently their favourite band was playing. alcohol would help and hopefully some loud music would drown out the thoughts that were lingering in your mind from the exhausting afternoon you had experienced.

your boyfriend drove the two of you to the dive bar, promising you he would stay sober so you could have a good time with your friends. you were wearing a pair of acid wash jeans that had a few rips around the thighs and a loose fitting judas priest t-shirt. you had thought that your clothing choice wouldn’t have brought any ‘jokes’ from your boyfriend, as he liked to call them. you were mistaken when he reached over to grab your thigh, specifically where the jeans were ripped and he let out a short laugh to himself, “babe, you look like those pieces of meat wrapped with string!” he laughed harder after he had spoken, too busy enjoying his humour to see your jaw clenching tight. his attention was back on you when you slapped his hand away and got out the car as soon as he pulled into a parking space. “fucking asshole,” you muttered to yourself, counting your lucky stars that cody hasn’t heard you as he ran to catch up and put a possessive hand around your waist. “you know i’m just playing babe, i don’t care that you’re bigger than other girls.” you could have punched him right then and there.

the sound of ‘the hellion’, one of your favourite songs from judas priest in the distance was enough to switch your anger from joy. if the night was starting this way, it was surely only up from here. you met your friends in the doorway, taking part in the typical traditions of squealing ridiculously and hugging each other before making your way to the bar and ordering yourself a vodka cranberry, a coke for your boyfriend who stood next to you with his hand on your lower back. once you had your drink in hand, you turned your attention to the band that was playing, your eyes landing on a handmade banner that hung above the small stage, “corroded coffin,” you said to yourself, almost gasping aloud when you remembered where you had heard that name before.

your eyes scanned the four members of the band, landing on the guitarist and your cheeks flushed red. no fucking way was eddie munson still in hawkins, playing at the dive bar with five drunk men singing along sloppily to current song. you had been in the same grade as eddie but you hadn’t ever had the guts to speak to him, you simply admired from afar and reminded yourself that you were getting the hell out of dodge when graduation day hit. you remembered hearing that eddie hadn’t graduated, but you had put it down to small town gossip and even if it was true, why was it their business anyway? he clearly didn’t need brains when he had those skilled fingers currently playing ‘pain and pleasure’ another one of your favourite tunes. and that face, those big brown eyes and his long curls could get him anywhere he wanted, you were sure of it.

you didn’t miss the feel of your boyfriends hand on your back, too immersed in the band playing and enjoying the company of your old friends to see where he had gone. that being until the band finished up and you saw cody at the bar, standing close enough to a female that you didn’t recognise, close enough that to make your skin crawl. you stood like a deer in headlights before the anger took over, driving your feet forward quickly as you approached the two of them. when you were a few steps away from the two, you were grinding to a halt at the site of their lips colliding hungrily. “are you fucking kidding me?!” you yelled, happy to draw the attention to the situation, your fists clenched and your cheeks flaming hot. “you drag me back to this hell hole to kiss the first girl you see?!” you continued, grabbing the front of your boyfriends shirt and using your body to push him into the bar. “what the fuck is wrong with you, huh?”

eddie hadn’t expected anything interesting to happen, nothing ever did when his band played every friday at the hide out. the usual crowd were around, a few extra people that were celebrating the end of their week with a drink, but nothing rowdy. that being until eddie was setting his guitar down on the stand after wrapping up, the sudden yelling making him nearly jump out of his skin. “jesus, what the-“ he turned, eyes finding the source of the yelling. now it was his turn to look like a deer in headlights, seeing what seemed like a ghost for the first few seconds that it took for his brain to catch up with the situation. eddie knew her, had known her since middle school, watched her from afar in high school, always too scared off rejection to ever approach her.

to eddie it looked like the situation was heading south fast, the way she grabbed what he assumed was her boyfriend and shoved him into the bar, enough to send a couple of shot glasses to the floor. he willed himself to stay back, almost smirking at the sight of y/n manhandling him, it seemed to eddie like the jerk deserved it from what he had heard you yelling viciously at him. a few moments passed where eddie watched her holding him by his shirt, it looked like you were in control of the situation. the script seemed to flip suddenly and eddie saw red, running across the room rapidly when he saw the guy grab y/n by her throat, flipping their position and holding her shorter frame against the bar.

you hadn’t been prepared for the large hand around your throat, a sharp ache in your back as you were shoved into the bar painfully. “f-fuck off,” you gasped, pushing at his chest in an effort to get him off you. he snarled and leaned into you, his breath hot on your face and it stunk of alcohol as soon as it hit your nostrils. cody pushed you harder into the bar top, narrowing his dark eyes at you as his hand tightened on your throat, “worthless bitch,” he spat, ignoring the pleads from your friends to let you go. “you think you deserve me? i didn’t sign up to date a fat bitch.” the words hit like bricks, it was nothing you hadn’t said to yourself but when it came from someone who you thought you could trust, it stung in a different way. tears stung at your eyes and in a matter of seconds, you were dropping to the floor from your boyfriends grip being ripped away from you.

eddie snagged the back of your boyfriends shirt, yanking firmly and shoving him away from the bar top and more importantly, you. “touch her again, i fucking dare you,” eddie shouted, pushing him again until his back hit one of the round patron tables. eddie was seeing red, throwing punch after punch to his face until the bartender was present and pulling eddie away. luckily he had heard and seen what had happened and he knew eddie well, resulting in y/n’s boyfriend being forcefully removed. once eddie knew that the douchebag was gone, his eyes scanned for you rapidly. you were still on the ground, catching your breath as your friends fussed over you before helping you to your feet.

“i’m fine, i’m okay,” you gasped out to reassure your friends, rubbing your throat where your ex-boyfriends hand had been a few moments ago. you smiled thankfully at the bartender who offered you some water, quickly chugging almost half the bottle. “what a fucking psycho,” you sighed, pinching the bridge of your nose. your mind was still reeling from what had happened in a matter of seconds, you scanned the room to see everyone in the bar staring at you. this was a literal nightmare. but soon your eyes landed on what was once a dream, now reality as eddie munson stood in front of you, looking out of breathe and in a trance.

you approach him slowly, forgetting your friends who stared at you in confusion. “eddie?” you stood in front of him, keeping some distance between the two of you. he nodded dumbly, amazed that this was the first time you had spoken a word to each other, of all times and places. “that’s me,” he said with an awkward laugh, bringing his stinging hand to the back of his neck. “you’re.. y/n?” he asked, hoping and praying to anyone listening that he had remembered your name correctly. your lips broke into a smile and you nodded, “yep, that’s me,” you said quietly, noticing his hand that looked red and already bruised go behind his neck. “oh, shit! let me.. uh.. let’s get some ice on that, yeah?” you figured this was a good start to thanking him for stepping in.

you figured eddie was a regular act at the bar with the way he walked around the counter as if he was at home. he grabbed a towel, bunching it around a handful of the ice to hold against his knuckles. you had stayed behind the bar, watching him make an ice pack for what you could only imagine was a very sore hand. you looked over your shoulder at your friends, then back to eddie. “hey eddie, i’ll be back in one second, okay?” you said to him, waiting to see him nod before you approached your friends. “guys, i’m gonna hang back and make sure eddie is okay. i should also buy him a drink, i’ll deal with cody later,” you said, ignoring their confused looks and brushing them off, “go, go! i’ll be fine, i’m a big girl,” you laughed, albeit a bit weakly. anything to get them off your back. they seemed hesitant but left you to it, making sure you promised to call if you needed a place to crash.

you went back to eddie who was now sitting on the bar stool with two beers in front of him, looking at you like a puppy whose owner had just arrived home. “hey!” you frowned at the beers, narrowing your eyes playfully at eddie, “i owe you a drink, not the other way around!” you huffed, taking the seat next to him and despite your protest, you downed a good portion of the cold beer. after a few minutes of comfortable silence, your fingers picked at the label on the beer bottle and your eyes looked anywhere but at eddie. “i- eddie, thank you. my boyfriend, well i guess ex boyfriend now.. he never.. he hasn’t done anything like that before,” the words came out stammered, your breath getting caught around the lump in your throat as tears began to spill down your cheeks.

eddie’s heart broke at the sight of you crying and he rushed to gather you up in a tight hug, knowing that’s what he would have wanted if the roles were reversed. he had imagined this moment many times, imagined what it would feel like to have your soft body wrapped up in his. he would sometimes indulge further, imagining his hands getting to map out every inch of skin before exploring the map with his mouth. “hey, hey,” he soothed softly, holding the back of your head as you cried into his shoulder. “you’re okay, you’re safe. he’s gone. i’ve got you,” he could feel you shaking, but you were allowing yourself to be enveloped by his arms and accept the safe space. eddie thought about his options and where the line was in this scenario, all he wanted was to make y/n feel better and take her mind off of the events that had happened. he cleared his throat, shifting so that he was looking into your eyes that seemed to look anywhere but his, “sweetheart, how about we get out of here? feel free to slap me but this place is a bore and i have weed in my van, if that’s your gig.”

you were nodding before eddie had even finished his sentence. you needed nothing more than to get out of there after what had happened and it wasn’t like you had plans anymore. “yeah, fuck yeah let’s get out of here,” you said with a quick nod, chugging back the rest of your beer and you definitely didn’t miss the smirk from eddie as he watched you. he did the same before grabbing ahold of your hand, lacing your fingers as he walked you to his van that was parked around the back of the bar.

you were tense for the short walk to his van, gripping eddie’s hand until he opened the passenger seat to his van for you, waiting for you to be seated comfortably before he shut the door and made his way to the drivers side. he tapped his fingers along the steering wheel for a moment, pursing his lips then turning to face you with the sweetest eyes you had ever seen. “would you be comfortable coming back to my place? i have some weed, alcohol and music?” he asked cautiously, worried he was teetering close to the line of things that were not appropriate to do with someone who had practically been mauled by their boyfriend.

you didn’t need the promise of weed, music or alcohol, being alone with eddie was all you could ever want. anything else was just a bonus. “i’d like that, eddie,” you looked at him, really looked at him and he looked even more beautiful than you had originally thought. the way he looked at you, like you were providing the air that was keeping him alive, the one holding up the moon and the stars. no one had looked at you like that before and even though this had been the shittiest night of your life, there seemed to be a way to turn it around and enjoy what would probably be a once in a lifetime moment. you smiled wider when eddie clapped his hands together at your response, his smile bright and he was quickly starting the van, making the short drive to the trailer park. neither of you spoke on the drive but the silence wasn’t tense or awkward, it was peaceful and you knew you were safe.

eddie unlocked the door, giving it a push with his foot when it got stuck then holding it open for you. you moved past him with a thankful smile, your eyes immediately caught by the walls that were lined with more mugs than you could have imagined would be in one room. eddie followed behind, simply watching you take in your new surroundings. he also didn’t mind taking in your body for the first time that night now that things were settled and they had left that part of the night behind. he couldn’t help his eyes fixating on your ass, who could blame him? he admired the way your thick thighs filled out the jeans, hugging your figure beautifully. “judas,” he mumbled, taking note of the t-shirt you were wearing. “you like judas priest?” he asked, stepping closer to you until he reached his hand to touch the faded pattern on the back of your shirt.

your breath hitched at the unexpected touch of eddie’s fingers on your back, feeling the heat of his fingertips through the only layer that stopped him from touching your bare skin. not that he wanted that, he was simply admiring a mutually loved band tee. “who doesn’t?” you teased, turning on your heel to face eddie and you gasped when you came near face to face with him, only a mere inch away from his lips. “s-sorry, i probably shouldn’t have chugged that beer,” you laughed, stepping back and diverting your gaze from eddie. you were only tipsy, but it was an easy excuse. “you said something about weed?” you asked, a hopeful smile on your lips and you found yourself laughing as eddie grabbed your hand and ran you down the hall to his bedroom.

“sorry about the mess, wasn’t plannin’ on having a pretty girl here tonight,” eddie said, frantically throwing the pile of clothes off his bed, straightening the covers as much as he could but you stopped him from doing much more when you sat on the bed. you smiled fondly, sitting yourself down in favour of getting off your feet and out of your boots, your feet were aching and you yearned for the softness of a bed. “it’s no problem, eds. sit with me?” you looked up at him, watching him frown and kick a couple more things aside before sitting down next to you on the bed with his back against the wall and his legs splayed out, his tin lunch box sitting on his lap. he had thankfully pre rolled some joints, he never had the energy after a show to roll. “here you go, sweetheart,” he smiled widely, holding out the joint to you in one hand with a lighter in the other hand.

one hour and two joints later, you were on cloud nine, the cloud in this scenario being eddie’s face. “fucking hell, eddie,” you moaned, gripping his hand that was on your hip, reeling at the sensation of his cold rings against your hand, knowing they were going to create indents in your hips soon. you couldn’t remember who went in for the kiss first but it had all been a blur of hurried tugging of clothes, a stubbed toe and a bra clasp stuck on eddie’s hair. all of those leading up to him begging you to sit on his face, his pleas mumbled out around your nipple as he sucked eagerly, “baby, please. please let me taste you, i want you on my face. please?” your first answer had been no, protesting that you were going to crush him, but you could only resist him for so long when his tongue was already proving to be just as talented as you had imagined. you had asked him three times if he was sure, hovering above his chest nervously and with the fourth time, he grabbed your hips and pulled you down until your pussy was flush against his lips.

eddie was sure he had died and gone to heaven the moment y/n finally gave in to her wants, her wet pussy colliding with his lips which drew a low moan from his lips. “princess, you taste so fucking good, my god,” he groaned, lapping eagerly at your clit, his eyes locked on yours. he brought the hand that wasn’t entwined in yours up to your mouth and you immediately parted your lips, sucking on two of his fingers eagerly while grinding slowly against his tongue. you moaned around his digits, chasing them as eddie pulled them from your mouth which made him chuckle. “you’re fucking beautiful,” he growled, bringing the soaked digits to your hole that was already more than wet enough to take him, he had simply wanted to see your mouth full and your spit on his fingers. you threw your head back when he plunged his fingers in, giving you no time to adjust as he was curling his fingers up and pressing in with slow, deep movements.

eddie was lapping at your clit, his moans sending vibrations through your body that rattled your bones and pulled a loud moan from your lips, “eddie, fuck- oh my god!” one of your hands found its way into eddie’s curls while the other was behind you on eddie’s chest, your fingers clutching at the soft hairs.

eddie’s eyes squinted open when he felt your fingers slink into his hair, almost like you knew it would make him weak. he considered keeping his thoughts to himself but he was feeling a little bit selfish, needing something to ease the ache of his hard dick that pressed into the denim of his jeans. “pull my hair, please?” he hadn’t intended to sound so needy, but having a literal goddess sitting on his face did things to a man, who could blame him?

you raised your eyebrow slightly at eddie’s request, never having encountered anything quite like him in your past sexual experiences but how could you deny those sweet eyes staring up at you? you couldn’t. “anything for you, eds,” your fingers curled tighter around his locks before tugging firmly which in turn brought his face closer against your wet heat that he continued to suck and lap at like his life depended on it, a deep groan coming from him as you pulled on his hair again, earning yourself another moan from the gorgeous boy below you. “you like that, don’t you?” the answer was already loud and clear, but you were really starting to enjoy this little game eddie had started.

eddie nodded rapidly, taking a quick moment to lean his head back and take a breathe after suffocating himself inside her sweet nectar. “fuck yeah baby, keep pulling, just like that,” he moaned, diving straight back into your clit with vigour while his fingers doubled in speed, filling the room with the wet noise of his fingers fucking you open. “come for me baby, i want you to come on my face, wanna taste you,” he thought he sounded pathetic and horny but you seemed to enjoy it if your high pitched moans were anything to go by.

there was a deep pressure building in your stomach, the constant force of eddie’s fingers inside of you and his lips locked around your clit brought you to the edge and you physically couldn’t stop your thighs from clenching around his head while you rode the incoming wave of ecstasy. you had anticipated that eddie would have stopped but he pushed further, deeper and faster inside you, making you near scream from the sheer force of him, “e-eddie! i can’t, i ca-“ the crashing force of please cut you off as something you had only ever seen in porn happen, too quickly for you to move away from eddie’s face, a quick gush of liquid streamed from your pussy and onto eddie’s awaiting tongue.

eddie’s eyes flew open wide when he felt the first splash on his tongue, followed by some more that he eagerly slurped up until you were wiggling away from him, feeling far too over sensitive for another touch. “holy hell, y/n. did you just squirt on me?” licking his lips, eddie gently helped you move onto the bed and lay down on your stomach while you caught your breathe, his hand resting on your back.

it felt like years before you could speak again, turning your head to rest your cheek on eddie’s pillow so you could look at him and you couldn’t help but blush wildly when you saw the wetness coating the lower half of his face. “i.. i guess?” shyness was starting to creep back now that the high was fading and you reached out to find something to cover yourself, not getting too far before eddie was sliding his arm around your waist and bringing your back against his chest, making you the little spoon. “where you off to, beautiful?” his soft voice trickled through your ear, making it easy to melt into his hold. “sorry, kind of a habit,” your words were barely above a whisper.

eddie hummed happily when you curled into his arms, feeling bold enough to slink his arm around your front and rest his hand on your tummy. “this okay?” he asked, smiling brighter when you nodded and hummed in approval. you leaned back into eddie, nudging your nose against his curls. “do you need.. i mean.. are you.. can i do anything for you?” you sighed at your awkwardness, cursing at yourself internally. eddie chucked and shook his head, pressing his lips against your ear. “i’m good, i blew my load when you squirted on me,” he answered simply with a shrug. “how about i clean us up and then we can sleep, if you want to stay?” he put on his best puppy eyes, even going as far as to pout at you.

your heart jumped happily in your chest when eddie asked if you wanted to stay, meaning you could live in this safe bubble for a while longer. “i’d love that eddie, thank you.” you smiled, sitting up and following him to the bathroom where he ran a wash cloth under warm water, bringing it between your legs and around your thighs until you were all cleaned up. he removed his jeans and sticky boxers, kicking them to the corner of the bathroom to address another time, preferably when he didn’t have the prettiest girl in his bed. he remained close to you, his hand on your back as you walked back to the bedroom and all but collapsed into the awaiting bed.

the thin sheet on eddie’s bed covered you while eddie locked up the trailer and switched the lights off, returning to you with a running start from the hallway and a leap of faith onto the bed which sent you both into a fit of giggles. the sheet now gone, your naked body was entwined with eddie’s as you settled into him, your head on his chest and one leg swung across his hip. “thank you, for.. well, everything,” you whispered, the darkness of the room making the words easier to speak into reality. eddie smile, pressing a soft kiss to the top of your head. “you’re welcome, princess. get some rest now, yeah? it’s been a long night,” he hummed, smoothing his fingers through your hair.

you dozed off in a matter of minutes, the events of the night catching up to you quickly now that all the adrenalin was gone. eddie waited for you to start snoring softly, telling him you were in a deep sleep before he allowed himself to let sleep take him, his eyes sliding shut but not before he gave one last squeeze to the beautiful woman in his arms.

fin

#eddie munson #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x y/n #eddie spaghetti #eddie munson x fem!reader #eddie munson smut #eddie munson fic

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a-light-seeking-dream · 2 years

Photo

Island Phang-Nga Bay, Thailand by Preeda Aengchuan

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thydungeongal · 9 months

Text

Anyway, for games like modern D&D and Fantasy AGE and similar games in that vein where most of the mechanical support is in providing a framework for action adventures with increasing mechanical complexity and narrative stakes the model of characters having like a 10-to-20 level arc which you can plan out ahead of time because your primary way of interfacing with the fiction is through features that you gain via leveling up and usually it pays to plan out which features you want in advance.

But there is something to be said about features that you gain through gameplay and that are entirely emergent.

D&D 3e flirted with this: some prestige classes had prerequisites which were grounded entirely in the fiction, like having a certain type of experience or membership in an organization. In optimization circles these prestige classes were either not considered at all (because character optimization could never account for the uncertainty of a character meeting those prerequisites) or these prerequisites were considered fluff (if a player wanted to play a certain Prestige Class it was considered good form for the DM to allow them to meet those purely fictional prerequisites).

Some games have systems which reinforce advancement through doing instead of planning an arc ahead of time. Chaosium's Basic Roleplaying is built around characters getting checks on the various skills they try to utilize in their adventures, each check translating to a chance to increase that skill during downtime. The lower your skill is the higher your chance to increase it.

Rolemaster technically has this through its damage and healing rules. Your character can get dismembered which will then either require a visit to someone who can regenerate that limb or someone who can make you a magical prosthetic. The latter also potentially requires constant visits to get them to cast the spell which reanimates your limb.

Obviously the reason why modern D&D shies away from these types of permanent changes through fiction is that it is unpredictable and runs counter to the idea of relatively balanced challenges of increasing difficulty and mechanical complexity. There are some elements that still do maintain this though: you can get bitten by a werewolf and get infected by werewolfitis, and that has potentially permanent mechanical effects on your character.

I think there's an amount of tension in there, but that's not to say that a classes and levels and challenge ratings type of game has no room for organic growth emerging from the fiction, but it's ultimately more challenging to balance than a pure set of mechanical options from a menu.

Now if a set of increasingly mechanically complex challenges isn't the goal, then you can throw game balance out of the window for the most part. Then your main concern should be in balancing player spotlight time and narrative agency.

#long post

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randomfoggytiger · 25 days

Text

Collector's Edition: Cars and Conversations (Part II)

Here we go again!

Loose chronological order below~

@o6666666’s (Ao3)

2 6 17 msr

In the rearview mirror she saw a forehead meant for a bullet. There was a full moon.

“Hi,” Scully whispered, like Melissa could hear her. “I’m so sorry.”

Post Paper Clip Scully drives to Mulder's apartment, unable to bear the loss of her sister alone.

like imagine scully pulling up in that fat car...

like imagine scully pulling up in that fat car they were driving, tires kicking dust everywhere, she thinks this is the address, this is where the intel said to go, this must be it but suddenly she’s nervous, she hasn’t seen mulder in so long, he must Know but what can she say to him....

AU-- S9 Scully drives out to New Mexico where she reunites with Mulder... and Will.

@sarie-fairy/Sarie_Fairy's

Since

“How ya doin’?” he coaxed, gently.

“I just, I’m having trouble believing that she’s truly gone.” She focused beyond the window and took a steadying breath. “That I won’t get to feel how Missy loves me. Not ever again. How she sees me...."

Post Paper Clip Scully and Mulder have a sister and father dead.

Eos

He got a speeding ticket on the I-95 getting to her; couldn’t wait around in an airport. Crazed, his neurons firing too slow for the terror in his heart compelling him forward, to catch up. Several near misses on his journey, though he somehow made it to the hospital before she was out of surgery—beating her mother, who flew.

AU-- Tithonus Mulder drives the entire way, walks in, and drops the love bomb.

COLLECTION - One Shots - Chapter 10

She had been there less than two minutes and the passenger door opened. Time slowed down as a dark clothed figure began to lower down into the seat beside her. It only occurred to her then, with William slumbering in the back, that it could be a trap. She couldn’t see his face. She put her hand to the glove box, ready to reach for her gun, and then … a familiar voice.

“Hi, Scully.”

AU-- "Dearest Dana" was a code for Scully and William to hit the road.

@silhouetteofacedar/SilhouetteOfACedar's

When We Drive, Ch. 2: Early Flights, Used Tissues, and a Swan (Ao3)

Mulder pauses with his key in the ignition. “If - when- this happens again,” he stammers, “You… you don’t have to hide it from me. I hope you know that.”

Pre-DPO Scully cries after hearing Melissa's favorite song.

@p34chi's 22 and 27 together from the prompt list perhaps 👀

“Hey, Scully,” Mulder said, turning the radio down. “You ever play an instrument?”

Scully’s head lulled against the headrest of the passenger seat as she turned her attention to her partner. She was quietly humming along to the radio before he cut her performance short, and had been gazing out upon the forest beside them, marvelling at the stillness of the trees and admiring the occasional wildlife that would step out into their moonlit spotlight.

Mulder and Scully share childhood memories, puns, and a blanket.

@mappingthexfiles/Apostrophic's The Patron Saint of Doomed Stakeouts

Mulder was twanging the tab on his empty soda, the can propped on his knees. He shifted uncomfortably.

“You can’t pee in that thing,” Scully said, knowing where this was headed.

“Define can’t,” Mulder said.

“Not in this car, you can’t.”

Mulder and Scully spend Valentine's Day on a beautifully snarky stakeout.

@amazalina's msr headcanons : Scully and long car rides

He’s always the one who drives, and she’d like to be better at pretending she doesn’t like it. It feels too safe for her not to. It’s not that he drives any better than she does. It just feels good to be driven across the country through strange places, to dangerous situations, by the one person she trusts the most. Tucked in the passenger seat, she’s completely safe to watch him as he looks straight ahead. She observes him, notices his thoughts go through his mind.

@nowwhateinstein's (Ao3) The Absence of Light

Scully awoke to a hand on her shoulder and Mulder’s voice speaking softly into her ear. “Hey, Scully, wake up.”

She sat up. “Mulder, where are we?”

“Just outside Harrisonburg, off of I-81. A slight detour.”

Mulder stops their car so he and Scully can watch the early-evening fireflies.

@skylandmountain1013/SkylandMountain1013's

42 msr, go!/Prompt- I swear it was an accident

“Mulder..”

“I swear it was an accident,” he offers.

“An accident?” She rubs her temples to keep her voice from getting too shrill- the shrill he sometimes makes fun of when they’re arguing reincarnation, flesh eating parasites, or when he insists on ordering 2 desserts off the Chinese Star take out menu.

Mulder and Scully weather the heat after their car breaks down.

@syntax6’s (Gossamer, FFN, Omni)

20 Chapter 3: Three

They have a combined forty-three years of schooling between them, but there is little they can do in the face of a smoking black engine. Scully is half tempted to pull out her gun and shoot it, just for the satisfaction.

After the rental breaks down, Scully insists she and Mulder walk around until they find a signal.

20 Chapter 6: Six

He does not slow down. Neither does he answer her for a long moment. "Patrick Crump," he says finally, and she waits for him to continue. He maneuvers neatly around a slower car in front of them. "I can't shake that feeling. I feel that same desperation, Scully; I understand his intense need to keep moving in the face of inevitable doom."

She frowns and reaches for his head. "You have pressure in your ears?"

He ducks her touch. "Not there," he says. "Here." He touches his chest, and then looks quickly at her to see her reaction.

Post Drive Scully helps Mulder to realign his thinking.

@gaycrouton/OnlyTheInevitable's In the Dark of the Night

They walked as fast as they could towards the car, and, upon reaching it, she dug into his pockets until she found the keys. She unlocked it as quickly as she could before easing Mulder into the passenger seat. With the overhead yellow glow of the car lights, she could assess just how bad the damage was. His entire torso was stained crimson and his pale skin was covered in a sheen of sweat.

S3 Scully drives like mad to get her heroic but injured partner help.

@lotsoforangesoutside/@lotzzoforangezoutside‘s (Ao3)

A Waste of a Nose

Staring at him, she finds that Mulder no longer look as confident as he did earlier.

“I… so I called Hertz.” He begins, “it’s called Blackberry Clove. It’s the air freshener they used. I… I got a kick out of it. My favorite perfume is an air freshener. I just… wanna to share that.”

Post Syzygy Scully wonders what her father would have thought of Mulder.

Impromptu

“Hey Scully,” he says from the passenger seat, with the back of his head resting on the headrest and chair reclined.

That’s his sixth hey Scully since they’ve left Tallahassee. Mulder has refused the EMT’s advice to visit the Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, claiming that he’s got his personal doctor traveling with him.

Post Detour Mulder wants to see America from the backseat with Scully.

Fireworks

“No talking later, Mulder.”

Out of the blue, she announces.

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t want to be shouting back and forth. My throat’s been…hurting a little since this morning.” She rubs her eyes with one hand, looking like a child getting out of bed, “I might be coming down with somethin’.”

He bites his tongue so he won’t say, how come you didn’t say anything to me?

AU-- Post FTF Mulder drives Scully to see fireworks.

The Straightest Road in Texas

There is so, so much more to life, he now knows. And it’s right next to him, riding in this car, laughing at his memories. Well, laughing with him at his memories.

They have taken a lot of casualties last summer, but like the hero in the movies, he walks away with the girl.

Dating-- Mulder and Scully bond over a car guessing game.

ㄌ

He continues to drive, it’s so hot today that the asphalt could melt. There’s nearly no pedestrians around, and the sun is blaring so brightly that looking at it makes him dizzy.

Dating-- Mulder distracts Scully from fuming over the heat.

Barnes Corners

“Does a sailor’s daughter want to live at the same place as the fisherman’s daughter?” He keeps asking.

“That depends on which daughter you ask.” Scully admits that she has been thinking about Missy tonight as well. Both Pendrell and Max remind her of Charlie, who she hasn’t seen for a while....

“I’m asking the one that’s sitting in the car with me.” Mulder simply replies. “Would you like to live close to the water?”

Post Max Mulder fishes for future plans from Scully.

A Mother’s Choice

Scully did not put her baby down for the next five day. She felt like even William thought he had enough cuddling, as he began to look at her with slight concern, something so identical to his daddy when he worried.

“How ‘bout a trip, buddy?” She said to her baby, wondering how much an eleven-month-old could understand, and how crazy it was to travel with a baby, one who still needed his bottle at night, goes through diapers like they were bathroom tissues, and wouldn’t sleep unless she sang him a lullaby.

AU-- S9 Scully regrets the adoption; and TLG help her put her life back together.

The Old Man’s Choice

He went with the raspy-voice old man without telling anyone. He was a smart boy and knew he wasn’t supposed to talk to strangers, let alone getting into a car with him, but something told him that this old man, grandpa or not, really knew his birth parents.

AU-- S9 CSM takes William from his adopted family and hands him over to Mulder.

vanessadingle's Like A Switch Has Been Flicked Somewhere - Chapter 1

“Scully I always give you a ride, my cars right here see? A taxi will take a while to come, I can’t leave you standing here by yourself it’s getting late”

“I can look after myself Mulder, I’m a grown woman”

“And that’s why as a gentleman I have to offer you a ride. Get in, don’t be difficult, lemme make it up to you”

He was overly polite and it bothered her, but she could see he was remorseful even if he didn’t fully understand why he’d irritated her and she couldn’t turn him down no matter how hard she tried.

Post Syzygy Scully fumes to the airport, on the plane, and while Mulder drives her home.

Amy Schatz’s Syzygy, Once Removed...

"What's wrong, Scully?"

She didn't answer for a few seconds, as she slowed the car down even more. "I don't know. I'm shaking all over."

AU-- Syzygy Scully and Mulder's feud ends with their fear over her health and past abduction.

@atths–twice/ATTHS_TWICE’s (Alt. Ao3, FFN)

A Quiet Love - Chapter 11

They drove home in silence, though he could hear the questions she was not asking. Not having the right words, he stayed silent, his fingers gripping the steering wheel.

Dropping her off, he only nodded when she said goodbye.

Post Pusher Mulder drops Scully home, breaks down in his car, and drives back.

Without an Umbrella

“Scully, we are on a highway where a car has not driven past us for at least 15 minutes. Neither of our cell phones are working, it’s pouring rain outside, and we are at least a mile away from the motel. Please tell me how lightening the mood would make any of this any better?”

She stared at him, her eyes now as angry as his appeared.

Mulder stews over Kersh's case until Scully gets out, stands in the rain, and definitively changes his mood.

Shared Treasures

“I’m gonna need an explanation,” she said and he nodded.

“So the doll wasn’t the only thing I found.”

“Obviously,” she laughed as he looked at the car in his hand.

Post Empedocles Scully teases Mulder with the pizza man while he vroom-vrooms a little car over their soon-to-be baby.

A Patchwork Heart

He filled the silence in the car, chatting about everything. It was very different from any other man she had traveled with in the past. Jack usually had a topic planned ahead of time, thus the car ride was spent wisely, as he used to say. Ethan liked listening to classical music and for the short time they were together, she heard more Bach and Beethoven than she ever wanted to hear again.

But Mulder, though not her boyfriend, thus not an entirely accurate comparison, loved to discuss anything and everything.

Post Revival Scully ruminates over past driving excursions.

30xf's Wetwired

Once Dana is in the passenger seat, Mrs. Scully grasps my forearm and assures me, "I'll call you when we know something." It was only a momentary touch, but it somehow makes me feel completely at ease. All at once I understand without a doubt where Scully gets all her strength from.

Wetwired Mulder reassures Scully.

Macspooky's

Home from the Hospital

She smiled when she saw him. It lit her tired looking face.

"I'm free. Let's go." Dana picked up her small bag and they headed for his car. The ride to her home was silent. When they pulled up in front of her building, she turned to look at him.

"Would you come in for a little while, Mulder? I'll make you some of my gourmet coffee, and I know my mother left one of her chocolate cakes."

Post Wetwired Scully wants Mulder to drive her home.

The Reprimand

Dana felt herself being moved or thought she did. Her face was no longer pressed against glass but rather against a familiar and comforting warmth. She felt something brush the top of her head, gentle lips. The words "I'm sorry," were whispered quietly. She was somewhere half between being awake and asleep in a twighlight world of incredibly pleasant dreams. It didn't feel like a dream though. The words were so distinct and the touch so real.

Post Paper Hearts Scully gets flak from all sides after Mulder's foolhardy decision.

A Long Drive Home from Rhode Island

She might know he needed sleep, but she would never convince Fox Mulder.

"Not a word, Mulder," she warned. "I'm tired, but you are exhausted. I'm driving."

Talitha Cumi Scully drives Mulder while Tena is being transferred.

Breaking the News

As much as he didn't like the idea of the older woman driving alone to Pennsylvania, he could see by the set of her mouth that she was determined. He had learned about that expression from her daughter. Unlike his mother, Maggie Scully was capable and sensible. And, though he hated to admit it, Margaret was right.

Memento Mori Mulder tells Maggie in person.

Anonymous's (mulderscreek, annex-files) Lament

He held his throbbing ankle off the ground. All that driving hadn't been good for it. Scully would kill him if he couldn't walk tomorrow. He closed the car door and limped rather slowly towards the house. He looked at it with trepidation but the house failed to loom menacingly. It was as pleasant as could be, not the malicious building it should have been.

Post Herrenvolk Mulder and his mother surprise each other at the summer house, then spend the rest of his birthday bonding.

@scullydubois/scully_dubois's

Bridge - Chapter 1

…As their rental car rumbles along toward the airport, Mulder keeps himself awake at the wheel by trying to read his partner’s mind. Stubborn skeptic that she is, he figures he’d need cold hard proof to convince her. And what better way to harmlessly yet accurately read someone’s mind than with a game of I Spy?

AU-- Post Unruhe Mulder admits he heard Scully's German and pleas, somehow, in his mind.

story_monger's Searching Souls - Chapter 1

Scully takes a deep inhale. “You know you shouldn’t have said that Cancer Man was the Gestapo officer,” she says.

Mulder shifts; she can feel him looking at her. He probably has that slightly resigned, slightly defiant expression that always rings with a touch of kicked puppy. Scully hates that expression; it makes her feel like the bad guy.

Post TFWID Mulder convinces Scully to believe his theory, even if only for one night.

EPurSeMouve's Joining You

Reach him, make contact, get him back...

"Mulder, Samantha *is* the X-Files. Nothing else matters, right?" She hated saying it, hated the rainy-night memory that flashed through her mind, full of innocence and closeness.

He took his eyes off the road for a few dangerous seconds, met hers. "Not anymore," was his oh-so-quiet reply.

S4 Mulder tries to run off on a possible suicide quest-- Scully, however, won't let him go alone.

Thanks for reading~

Enjoy!