Dream a little dream

he wondered why his aunt felt the need to move to another small town. why couldn't she had moved to a city? granted, it did make the shock of moving across the country a little more bearable. it wasn't much different from his small town in australia. though, the boredom was setting in. it had been hard to make friends. sure, he joined the hellfire club but, naturally, they were all the outcasts. not to mention, he often argued with eddie. he was used to being the dungeon master so it was hard for him to be on the outside. "freebies, huh?" he'll raise an eyebrow, small smile appearing on his features. maybe he's got a new friend in lily. he can't help but feel a familiar tightness in his chest. excitement. "yeah, i think he works there. don't really know what he does, though. he's pretty tight lipped. says he can't talk about it," a soft hum leaves him, giving a lazy shrug of his shoulders. he didn't really get along with the guy so he never really tried to get in his business. he can't help but scoff, pointing at himself. "me? go to lover's lake? don't you have to have a lover for that?"

#☆ ⸻ in character #☆ ⸻ main #coastercrushed #☆ ⸻ queue

☆ ⸻ Part of her had hoped that Mapplethorpe could shed some light on what they were working on at the lab, but, as she'd figured long before he opened his mouth, he didn't have a clue either. Seemed a lot of folk that worked there had probably signed NDA's that ensured they'd be long dead before any of them lost their effect. Not that she was that interested, not really. Of course she was curious, but the mystery was much more interesting than any boring truth. ❝ Heck yeah, freebies! All my friends get them! ❞ And by 'all' she meant two people, well, now three if she included Mapplethorpe. ❝ So many people go to Lover's lake and don't have a lover. I've been there a few times myself and I have never once had a boyfriend or someone I was kinda dating. ❞ Story of her life, but Lily was hoping that college would change that for her. ❝ We should go sometime? I've been a couple of times and it gets pretty rowdy, but there's booze and music and we can hang out and make fun of the rich kids that can't hold their liquor? ❞

❛ Yeeeah... ❜ he blubbers, head tossed back like a sobbing baby, ❛ I want some crazy-sick development. I wanna be centre-stage! I wanna evolve so that I can be a likable character in the eyes of the fans! ❜

#☆ ⸻ in character #☆ ⸻ main #painmon #☆ ⸻ queue

☆ ⸻ ❝ That's pretty ambitious, babe! I like it! ❞ And the ear-to-ear smile is more than enough evidence of that, however, there is a pesky 'but' that looms in the air between them. ❝ Now we just gotta figure out how to achieve it... Hmmm, usually involves an adventure, a little bit of spontaneity. So... how about we pack a bag and hit the road? No destination in mind, just pick a direction and Thelma and Louise this shit! ❞

mapplethorpe knew how that was. asphodels heights had been the same way to felicity landis whenever she was a young mother, trying to raise her little family. of course, she didn't know that rhett landis was going to leave her high and dry whenever their bouncing baby was only four years old. mapplethorpe always thought it was his fault. his mother always assured him it wasn't. even though mapplethorpe was quite the handful. he always would be. but hawkins reminded him of asphodels heights. though, hawkins actually had snow in the winter. he had never experienced snow before until he moved here. "oh, yeah! i've seen the sweet exchange while riding my skateboard through out town," you know, trying to find some inkling of excitement. so far, he's only found solace in the movie theater and taking the bus to the starcourt mall. "ah, my mom got stuck in asphodels heights. i guess she doesn't want me to be the same so she sent me to live with my aunt. she's married to some hot shot scientist. has duel citizenship or whatever." words are mumbled near the end, eyes shifting away slightly. "yeah, i figured. just hoped maybe you knew of something cool i haven't discovered on my own yet," which wasn't a lot.

#☆ ⸻ in character #☆ ⸻ main #coastercrushed #//sorry for the wait!

☆ ⸻ It wasn't easy trying to find stuff to do in the town America forgot, and it sucked that Mapplethorpe had moved here. She figured he'd seen shows on TV and thought that everywhere in the country was an exciting place to live. His disappointment must have been monumental when he rocked up here. ❝ You have? You should totally pop in some time, I'll sneak you some freebies! ❞ Because that's where she was when she wasn't in school. Lily loved her parents dearly, but they were pretty wishy-washy when it came to being actual adults. The fact they'd actually managed to open their own business was something that still made her head spin, mainly because if she'd been the one dealing with them at the bank? Yeah, she would have refused them that business loan in a heart beat. ❝ You know, there's a few science types in town, I think they all work at HNL or something? Is that where your uncle works? ❞ Not that she had any idea what they did down there, no one really did. But, HNL didn't interfere with the town, so the town didn't interfere with HNL, it was like some sort of unspoken accord. ❝ Well, there's the mall, and there's also the arcade, but generally? Kids our age tend to make our own fun. You been to skull rock yet? Or lover's lake? ❞

The world feels like it's moving in slow motion. As Lily returns to his side, the only thing he can focus on is the smell of blood and rot; it lingers on her clothes like an omen, sinks into the air between them as she closes in and cups his face. It should be a comfort— a blessing, really— but there's no joy to be found.

Static. The streak of red on her jeans. The world falling apart. Why is he trying so hard to survive this? He didn't want to survive this when the world was

Instead, Peter tries to focus on his breathing. With a nod of acknowledgement, his eyes fall closed, stumbling breath reigned in with slow, deliberate inhales through his nose. It'll be alright, he bargains with himself. You've just got to make it to camp.

"We can go," Peter assures, final controlled breath let out long and slow. He knows he won't make it if he never learns how to control his anxiety, but it doesn't feel possible after all he endured at the hands of the cult. In fact, he hasn't even filled Lily in on what happened on the fateful night that he'd disappeared. It may have been reported on in some fashion due to the brutality of the killings and the high profiles of both his parents— people talk when both a respected psychiatrist and an award-winning artist are victims of what looks like a grief-propelled murder-suicide— but he doubts the truth is out there. As long as people will buy the press version, he'll let them believe it.

Through the trees they weave, and by the time they reach camp, Peter's trembling is almost completely gone. Still... that run-in with the shambling corpse has left a sour taste in his mouth. Something doesn't feel quite right.

"You know the dead are in the woods now, right?" Peter asks as he approaches Ronnie, tugging the canned goods he'd scavenged from his bag and offering them to him. Their leader responds with a wide scan of the immediate area, followed by a wave of his hand.

With a hearty smile: "Leave that for us to deal with, Pete! That's the deal."

#☆ ⸻ in character #☆ ⸻ apocalypse au #painmon

☆ ⸻ It's not the world either of them thought they'd be walking into when they'd hit their twenties. They'd both had a few years after high school to try and build their lives, though what Peter had done after the incident with his parents was anyone's guess. Not like she was going to poke and prod at him about the details when the world around them had turned to shit and worse. It just didn't feel right, didn't feel like it was her place to ask him that sort of stuff, especially when people were still coming to terms with the fact that life wouldn't be as it was before, that all the memories they'd had, good and bad, were now just ghosts of something... just something more than this living rent free in their heads.

Lily knew she wasn't alone in the fact she laid awake at night, thinking of her life before. All the people she'd known, the places she'd been and wanted to go... it was all ashes now. A world wide graveyard.

❝ Okay, let's go. ❞ Her hands fall away from his face and she thinks to offer him her hand as an added level of comfort, that is until she see's that they're filthy, sticky with near black blood that was already starting to dry.

Better not. It'd just be gross.

Camp was bustling when they returned, the other groups of scavengers returning before it got too dark for them to navigate the trees they were using as cover for their camp. While Peter handed over their finds, she washed herself down with collected rainwater, scrubbing away the muck and the grime even though she knew the scent of death would linger.

❝ They've started herding... forming groups... I don't think they have a destination in mind but a herd can be bad news if we don't thin it quickly. ❞

They'd roll through their camp and destroy it if they did nothing.

thyme-in-a-bubble

#☆ ⸻ aesthetics #☆ ⸻ queue #[𝖰𝗎𝖾𝗎𝖾];; 𝖣𝗈 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗋 𝖿𝖾𝖾𝗅 𝗅𝗂𝗄𝖾 𝗒𝗈𝗎'𝗋𝖾 𝗅𝗈𝗌𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝗆𝗂𝗇𝖽?

plushdove

made with love ⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡

royalxclass

chaeeeri

waldshnep

Katherine McNamara

#☆ ⸻ images #☆ ⸻ queue #[𝖰𝗎𝖾𝗎𝖾];; 𝖣𝗈 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗋 𝖿𝖾𝖾𝗅 𝗅𝗂𝗄𝖾 𝗒𝗈𝗎'𝗋𝖾 𝗅𝗈𝗌𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝗆𝗂𝗇𝖽?

planespottersfoa380

mapplethorpe wasn't used to being found. people who found him usually wanted to immediately put them back. he wasn't good in social situations. his mom had pulled some strings to get him here in the states. his brother had duel citizenship and she thought getting mapplethorpe out of his environment would help him grow. he certainly didn't agree to it and got on the plane causing a god damn scene but he ended up in hawkins anyways. he had moved to one small minded town to another. sure, at first, people were interested in the australian but then they quickly lost interest whenever he turned out to be quite weird and also a bit of a dickhead. he'll simply shrug his shoulders at the mention of learning, deciding that it didn't necessarily deserve an answer. she wasn't wrong, but he certainly didn't want to talk about it. "moon child would be cool. at least people would immediately assume you have hippy parent's. my mom is just artsy. named me after a photographer." whose last name was mapplethorpe. though, he proudly wore the name. he enjoyed that it was out of the ordinary. "so, you've been in hawkins for awhile? what's there even to do around here? it's like the asphodels heights of america. except less things that can kill you,"

#☆ ⸻ in character #☆ ⸻ main #coastercrushed #☆ ⸻ queue

☆ ⸻ Hawkins wasn't exactly a great town. On paper it sounded great! Close-knit community, picturesque backdrop, this whole quaint, middle America vibe it had going on. An outsider reading about this place would absolutely love the idea of moving here, but the reality is so much different. Close-knit just meant that gossip was rife. Picturesque meant that after a little while you started feeling cute off from the rest of the world, and as for that middle America vibe? The modern world had just forgotten to tell them they needed to update and get with the program. ❝ Well, people already know my parents are the hippy type. You heard of the bakery in town? The Sweet Exchange? My folks own it, and before that they were sorta like a catering company, only for baked goods. Everyone knows my parents are... odd. ❞ Literally no one could sneeze in this town without someone else hearing about it. ❝ Oh, I was born here, it's my mom and dad that are outsiders as such. They settled here when mom found out she was having me and... I guess they kinda got stuck? As for what to do? Hate to break it to you, but not a lot. ❞

𖤐 ⸻ ❛ I actually was... ❜ Peter mumbles, though there's no trace of wanting to follow through with his initial plans in his tone; even less so when she declares that her classes are cancelled. ❛ Ah, how convenient... ❜ An arm coils around her middle, lips settling on the side of her neck and giving the hickey he'd left behind the night before an affectionate little kiss. ❛ I guess there's nothing I can do... I'll just have to stay here with you. ❜

#☆ ⸻ in character #☆ ⸻ main #☆ ⸻ new york arc #painmon #☆ ⸻ queue

☆ ⸻ She's starting to feel bad in spite of the fact that he's snuggled back against her. Lily loves mornings like these, mornings where they can lounge around in bed, kissing, cuddling, and just talking about everything and nothing all at once. But, he said he was going to be productive, and just because her own tutor had called in sick last minute doesn't mean she has a right to hinder his plans. ❝ How about this? We cuddle for a little while longer... then we get up and I'll join you in whatever productive plans you had for today? Sound good? ❞

wickedslip-deactivated20250309

In all honestly, time had just simply gotten away from Nausi. She immediately felt a twinge of guilt as each minute slipped by. Rosethorns had had its fair share of comings and goings throughout the morning that she thought she would have been able to put off for at least until the afternoon. But one thing came after another with this and that, and time had just escaped her the entirety of the morning. Being immersed in business practices, she had a feeling that Lily, if anyone, would understand where she was coming from. As Lily began to sigh, a pang of guilt escaped her, roiling from mid back that settled lower. As the breeze picked up slightly, the gusty gale caught her raven tresses and blew them Pocahontas style to her side.

❛ Honestly, that wouldn’t be dramatic at all. I feel like it has been a literal eternity since I awoke, and I feel so much anxiety over the fact that it’s taken me this long to get to you, ❜ Nausi confessed. Her shoulders drooped slightly, mentally exhausted from the influx of clientele wanting to reach their loved ones. The spirits were really moving today, as it were.

Her eyes had widened in vast surprise, but tried her best to stifle it down as best she could. Four in the morning was such a long time, and the guilt piled on more promptly than ever. ❛ That’s too long to wait on the account of me, Lil! I am so sorry that I couldn’t pull away sooner! ❜ There was something behind her eccentricity, behind the mere brushing off that she wondered about, and possibly was her empathy shining through. But she simply had to ask. ❛ Is everything alright? Not that anything appears to be off, but I just wanted to check in and make sure is all. ❜ She offered.

❛ Ironically, I made a Starbies run before I came to visit you. I had a feeling a caffeine jolt was what the doctor ordered! ❜ she grinned and handed over the prophesized weapon of choice.

#☆ ⸻ in character #☆ ⸻ main #wickedslip #☆ ⸻ queue

☆ ⸻ It was a little after one in the afternoon when her friend came in. They'd talked about meeting for lunch over messenger the night previous, and though Lily had been looking forward to it, she also understood that Nausi had her own shop to run and that it wasn't always easy for either of them to get out and just take five. Still, she appreciated it all the same that she'd made the effort to be here.

Rounding the counter, Lily closed the shop door and flipped the sign, giving potential customers the heads up that at least for thirty minutes she was going to be trying to take a breather. On second thoughts, she then flipped the lock to stop them dead in their tracks. Some people saw an open door as an invitation to be demanding. ❝ It's fine, I mean, I was gonna be here until gone seven anyways and I figured you just got busy with the shop. ❞

Lily signals for her friend to follow her into the back, the kitchen area filled with breads that had been left out to cool and a plethora of mixing bowls filled with a variety of pastel shaded icing and cake mix. ❝ You are an actual life saver! I was genuinely trying to figure out if it was worth risking trying to get a thirty minute power nap, but knowing my luck? I'd likely just sleep the day away and lose a day of earnings. ❞ She takes the coffee from her friend before quickly taking a mouthful, humming softly in relief.

❝ —How are things at the store? ❞

wickedslip-deactivated20250309

When Lily had returned from closing up from the lunch rush, Nausi smiled hat her sweet friend. ❛ Well I am glad that you said that, because there was a new coffee place that opened up down the street, just on the other corner opposite of Rosethorns! Lesgo! ❜ She grinned and enveloped Lily’s arm with hers, as they looked as conjoined as infinitely possible. ❛ Do you know, I think your caffeine addiction might rival my own! ❜ she laughed throatily, cackling in spite of herself. She was happy to have this free time to spend with Lily, it felt like it had been far too long since the last time. The holidays always proved to be the busiest time of the year for Nausi, that was around the time the spirits seemed to be the busiest, and loved ones wanted to speak to the blessed dead. Not only that, but the store upfront also was in need of her assistance, and she hadn’t hired a shop attendant to help her on the business end.

❛ Why don’t you stay at my place this weekend? You can take the bubble bath we were chatting on the iMessages about earlier in my huge claw foot tub. Then we can get some movies from downtown and make a whole evening out of it. ❜ She smiled serenely. ❛ I promise the spirits won’t keep you up, they usually keep downstairs so that way I can at least get some normalcy in my own private quarters, ❜ she explained with forethought. ❛ I think you could use some time away since the bakery is doing so well! ❜

#☆ ⸻ in character #☆ ⸻ main #wickedslip #☆ ⸻ queue

☆ ⸻ Coffee had once been that thing she enjoyed with her breakfast before school, a little kick up the rear-end to get her going for the day, but since graduating and helping her folks out more at the bakery -though at this point she was more or less running it single-hand- it had fast become the life blood of everything she did. Without it, she would have fallen asleep on Peter more than once during their dates together. Not that they were dating, not like that, even though she wished they were.

C'est la vie!

❝ I'm pretty sure my blood is more espresso than it is actual blood right now! ❞ Lily joked as she linked arms with her friend, heaving a world weary sigh as they stepped out onto the street and something over than pastry filled her lungs. ❝ I enjoy it, though, the job I mean. I'd like to open my own place in the future. I love The Sweet Exchange, but it isn't mine, not really. ❞ Her folks were just in one of their flighty moods, they'd be back to work soon enough. Probably when the Holidays were over.

❝ As great as that sounds, I actually arranged to spend time with Peter on Friday, we're gonna watch movies and order take out at his place. Buuuut, I'm free Saturday and Sunday night! ❞ Honestly, spending a couple of nights anywhere but home sounded great right around now. ❝ I don't even care about the spirits, just lemme at that tub! ❞

♤ ⸻ ❛ Then I know that you're absolutely bullshitting. I look way better with something on. ❜ And yet his quip lacks that typical hint of self-loathing, his good-natured smile remaining steadfast as he walks back towards the bed and pulls the blanket back. ❛ And to think I was aiming to be productive today, ❜ Peter says as he wriggles his way beneath the blanket. Its soft fleece soothes just like always. ❛ Can't believe you'd sabotage me like this. ❜

#☆ ⸻ in character #☆ ⸻ new york arc #painmon #☆ ⸻ queue

☆ ⸻ He's gotten better at accepting her compliments about his appearance, sure, it comes with a joke and a soft rebuttal, but he doesn't withdraw completely in on himself like he used to. ❝ As if I would ever bullshit you on how hot you are, babe.~ ❞ She wouldn't. Lying to him doesn't serve anyone any sort of good. ❝ Were you? Were you really? Because I just found out my classes are cancelled today and I was kinda hoping you'd like to spend it with me? ❞ Her arms are already stretched out towards him, pulling him close to her once he's snuggled back under the blankets. ❝ I mean, I can always leave you to do your productive stuff... just wander around the apartment... on my own... missing you terribly... ❞

𖤐 ⸻ He isn't as oblivious as he may seem. While Peter had failed to recognise her flirting for what it was, what he doesn't miss is her attempt to divert focus from the thick tension between them. While he doesn't often choose to show himself a semblance of grace, he does this time.

If only because he can't deal with the consequences of his weakness any other way.

❛ Well, I trust you enough to know you wouldn't do that to me. I, uh, think. ❜ He offers her a smile that's somewhere between wry and bashful before deciding he needs a reprieve after all. He grants himself one in the form of thumbing over his shoulder in the vague direction of the kitchen. ❛ I'm gonna go grab plates and stuff. You can pick whatever movie you want, really. I won't mind. ❜

The trip to the kitchen may be brief, but it's the space he needs; a moment of quiet so that he can attempt to compose himself. He doesn't feel bad. On the contrary, his heart won't stop racing, excitement unfurling in his stomach like a lazy serpent. As he busies himself collecting cutlery from the drawer, he attempts to stop thinking about the feel of her lips on his; the taste of her still lingering on his tongue if he focuses enough. If they're to continue like normal, he should probably try to think about her the way he's been forcing himself to for the past few years. Smothering his attraction to her is really the only way to proceed that doesn't result in him making even more mistakes.

❛ Here, ❜ Peter says upon re-entering the room, handing her a plate along with a knife and fork. He's also brought lemonade and apple juice with him. ❛ What'd you end up going with? Or are you still choosing? ❜

#☆ ⸻ in character #☆ ⸻ main #painmon #☆ ⸻ queue

☆ ⸻ How do either of them go back to the way things were before that kiss? Is it even possible? If he tells her he thinks it is for the best that they keep their distance, that they remain just friends, she'll do her best to honour that request for him. Sure, it'll suck and hurt like hell, but if it means he can focus on getting better and making a start on looking forward instead of back? She'll do it, no matter what it costs her.

Still, Lily is already finding the thought of doing all of that hard. If thinking it is hard, how will doing it feel?

For several moments, that feel like they've stretched into an hour, she stares blankly ahead, her emotions flitting between being elated and so very much in love, to feel crushed and like she could cry at any given moment. It wasn't a mistake, she knows that it wasn't a mistake and no amount of telling her that it was will ever make her think otherwise. And yet it feels so bittersweet.

Star-crossed lovers... who would have thought it could be her?

❝ Oh, thanks. ❞ She sounded distant, but only because she hadn't been quite ready to come back to reality just yet, the reality in which she's not sure how to navigate the situation going forward. The last thing she wants to do is upset him. ❝ Still choosing. Can't decide between watching a comedy or something a little more serious... what kind of mood are you in ba— Peter. ❞ Lily had been so close to calling him 'babe'. The term of endearment coming so naturally to her. In a bid to cover up her near slip, she started pouring them both a drink and setting out the food for them to plate up.

❝ Or we could do an action movie? I don't mind. ❞

mapplethorpe wished he had a skill like this. maybe it would be easier to make friends. you'd think since he was a foreign exchange student from australia that he'd be more popular but that was far from the case. well, that is until people figured out how he actually was. apparently, people don't like how obnoxious and loud he is in class. people don't seem to like that he's involved in the hellfire club, either. apparently he worships the devil now? that's news to him. though, it's nice to have a normal conversation with someone outside of hellfire. not to mention, she's easy on the eyes. she has a pretty smile. "you say you'd show me sometime but whenever you realize i never retain information, you'd take that back," a soft hum. "---...my name's mapplethorpe. yeah, i know. weird. you can call me mape. nice to meet you, lily. thanks again for the snacks," he did have the munchies.