Hey :) this is how I imagine Clary and Ash's reunion (after the events of TDA) in the fic I am currently writing.
It's Chapter 5 of "The new Shadowhunter Academy" (Ao3 link to the full fic is here but don't click or skip Chapter 4 if you are not in for Kitty sexy times).
Thanks to @amchara for providing beta work and to @blaidr for letting me bounce my ideas off him.
To give you context, Ash met Dru in Faerie and they exchanged their numbers. Clary seized the opportunity to obtain Ash's number from Dru and write him the following text message:
“Hey, Ash. Dru gave me your number and please don’t be angry with her, I am very strong headed and there was absolutely no way she could have refused. I am Clary. You may have heard of me. I am your late father’s sister. That’s right, your aunt. You can call me whatever you like. Emma told me what you did in Thule, how you saved her. How you saved everyone. That was very brave of you. In a way, both of us were faced with a very difficult choice and made the same. Doing what we thought was right. I would love to meet you and tell you about my mother – your grandmother – or just talk about anything. It can be things totally unrelated to the Shadow world. Hobbies, movies, books and games we like. You can pick the time and place. Neutral territory. Hope to see you soon. Clary.”
This is what happens following the text:
*****
Clary wrapped her oversized woolen coat tighter around herself, as she made her way through the crowded streets of Manhattan. The route was familiar. She took it almost every week to meet up with her parabatai and have what they called their “mundane hour”. They talked about everything, from Clary’s art to the latest TV shows they had binge watched. No topic was off the table, save for anything related to Shadowhunter duties, and the Shadow world in general. As co-head of the New York Institute and since recently, artist owning her own gallery, her weeks were very busy so she looked forward to those rare and precious moments when she could escape with Simon. Her heart rate seemed to accelerate with each of her steps, and it didn’t help that she also had the strange feeling she was being observed. When she reached her destination, she took a deep breath and opened the double glass doors leading her inside the coffee shop. She and Simon had their regular routine there, and her gaze went automatically to their usual spot, near the large windows.
A broad-shouldered jock with a baseball jacket was already sitting there, speaking loudly to his cheerleader girlfriend. Two of his friends were standing next to him, mock punching his muscular arms. It made her realize that Ash probably never had this. High school friends and romance. Ash. She was still struggling to figure out why he had asked her to meet up at this place, at the exact time she usually got there with Simon. Was it him being considerate, a clumsy way to make her feel comfortable in familiar surroundings? Or was it a warning? I know your habits, and precisely where you take your coffee, when and with whom.
Her gaze swept over the crowded room - her heart seemed to have moved up her throat, the frantic pulse almost choking her - and zeroed on a tall, white blond haired boy ordering coffee at the counter, standing with his back to Clary. She sucked in a breath. Ash. He was fully clothed in black - Dru had told her that was his usual style - and huge headphones were covering his ears. She slowly and cautiously approached him and when she was close enough, put a tentative hand on his elbow. “Ash,” she whispered. The boy glanced over his shoulder, his blue eyes quizzical and… it was not Ash.
She mumbled an apology.
“Clary,” said a voice coming from behind, and she froze. It was not a boy’s but a man’s voice, the sound beautiful and ethereal. She just stood there for a few seconds before she slowly turned.
What had she expected? Merely a taller version of the young boy with pointy ears and a sour expression that she had met three years before, dressed in the same refined velvet clothing threaded with gold that identified him as fey royalty?
If so, she had clearly been mistaken.
She blinked a few times to make sure her mind wasn’t playing tricks. He was tall, as she had anticipated (Sebastian had been after all). At least two heads taller than her and probably taller than Jace. But he was also very different from the Ash of her memories, from the sketches she had drawn of him after they had crossed paths. He had amazingly grown into his features, his face now the best combination of the Seelie Queen and Sebastian’s. As if he had picked the most alluring colours of the palette. And the result was… Stunning. Clary’s hand twitched, aching for a pencil.
He was not dressed in black, but in plain blue jeans and he had stuffed his hands in a very elegant, long pale gray cashmere coat. His white blond hair and pointy ears were concealed under a deep green beanie, the same colour as the scarf around his neck.
He arched a silvery eyebrow at Clary, his expression bemused, and she realized she was staring.
“Clary, seriously?” he said, his gently scolding tone at odds with his enchanting voice. “This guy isn't even half as good looking as me." He glanced pointedly at the patron in question, who was gaping at him, and shrugged. "No offense, dude,” Ash added as an afterthought.
He turned his attention to the barista. She was beautiful, dark skinned with long braided hair and pouty lips. “Hello, gorgeous. We’ll have a double espresso with oat milk and a dash of cinnamon for the lady and a plain black coffee for me.”
Clary stifled a gasp and tried to hide her discomfort. He knew exactly how she took her coffee, and she didn’t know how she felt about this.
The pretty barista nodded eagerly, her cheeks red and her big dark eyes dreamy as she stared at Ash. “Why don’t you… Go sit at your table and I’ll bring you your beverages when they are ready?” the girl offered enthusiastically. The long line of patrons that had formed behind Clary and Ash would probably disagree but she didn’t seem to care.
“That would be lovely,” Ash said in his euphonious voice. “And so are you.” He winked at her, and Clary wondered if she would need to catch her while she swooned. He paid before Clary even had a chance to reach for her purse.
“Come,” he said in a commanding tone, as he made his way to Clary and Simon's usual table. This was unnerving.
The jock seated there paused in the middle of his conversation with his girlfriend when he saw Ash stand casually next to him. Clary braced herself for a heated exchange, but she should have known better.
“You want to sit somewhere else,” Ash said evenly, one hand inside the pocket of his designer coat and the other stretched out in front of him as he studied his fingernails.
“I want to sit somewhere else,” the jock repeated in a monotonous voice, his gaze blank. He stood, as if in a trance, and his girlfriend and friends followed him, puzzled, to an empty table at the far end of the room.
Ash drew a chair for Clary and she sat. He did the same, opposite her. He pulled off his beanie, and shook his silvery hair, like a crown of liquid white gold. He wasn’t dressed for the part but he had never looked more like a prince.
“Ash… please don’t do that.”
“Do what?”
“Your mind tricks.”
He cocked his head and observed her, his face unreadable, for what seemed like an endless minute.
“You’ve been my aunt for what? Five minutes? And you’re already trying to boss me around?”
“I am not trying to boss you around, Ash. Simply asking you not to abuse your powers.”
A shadow flickered across his green eyes.
“I’ll let you in on a secret, Clary. I spend much more time and energy holding back than using my powers. If I did let go, trust me, you would know.”
Clary opened her mouth to reply but was cut short as the barista popped in front of them and placed the mugs on the table. She slid a paper napkin to Ash, her phone number scribbled on it. Clary tried not to roll her eyes, as Ash flashed his dazzling smile at the girl, who almost tripped on her own feet as she returned to the counter.
Clary lifted her cup to her lips and paused, as she caught sight of the cinnamon powder floating on the surface. She put it down.
“What about this?" She pointed at her coffee mug and waved around them. “ What is it, if not a show of power? What are you trying to tell me? That you know everything about me? That you’ve been spying on me?”
Ash pulled on a fake shocked expression, mouth open and green eyes wide in mock innocence. “Spying on you? What are you talking about?”
“Come on, Ash. The evidence is right here.” She lifted her cup abruptly, and hot liquid splashed out of it. “You know exactly how I like it. When I take it, where I take it.”
Ash’s mouth twitched. “Where did you pick up these lines? From the script of some lame X-rated movie?”
“Adult movies have storylines?” Clary asked, arching her eyebrows.
“Of course they do. Where do you think the Grimm Brothers took their inspiration from?”
He grabbed the paper napkin and started mopping the coffee she had spilled on the table. The blue ink faded and the barista’s phone number vanished.
“You lost that girl’s number,” Clary noted.
Ash shrugged. “I have a girlfriend now.”
Right. Drusilla Blackthorn. From the moment she had met her, Clary had known that the smart and quiet turquoise-eyed girl would someday turn heads.
Clary knew that Dru hadn’t really confirmed their relationship status yet, but it was neither the time nor place to broach the subject with Ash. She was, after all, on a mission to win over her nephew and had not been doing a very good job so far.
A young lanky boy with pink hair and piercings covering his skin walked by and dropped a glossy flyer of the upcoming Mortal Instruments concert on the table between them. Clary hid a smile. It reminded her...
“I have something for you.” She said as she fumbled inside her bag and took out the drawing she had made of Jocelyn, Luke and herself, in front of Luke’s upstate farm (before it was turned into the new Shadowhunter Academy) and laid it on the table.
Ash looked at it hesitantly, like a kid who really wanted to grab the candy but was afraid there was a mouse trap under it. He hunched his shoulders forward and clasped his hands under the table, as if to keep himself from temptation.
“I recognize your art. I like it. I also appreciate Julian Blackthorn’s but I may not be as objective where… one of the subjects of his drawings is concerned.”
“You’ve seen my art?”
He leaned back on his chair, crossing his long arms behind his head. Somehow, he managed to make it look graceful.
“Which Shadowhunter hasn’t? I noticed that you often drew Jace with angel wings.”
“Yes. That’s how he used to appear to me. In recurring dreams.”
“Was it?”
“Was it what?”
“Jace. In your dreams.”
“Who else would it be?”
“Someone who looks like him, but who actually has wings.”
“You mean Kit.”
Ash shrugged. “It would make more sense.” His gaze flickered back to the drawing, which still lay on the table, untouched. “You look a lot like your mom.”
“So do you”, Clary blurted before she could take it back.
Ash shot her an unfathomable look.
“How is she?” She asked.
“You mean, the Seelie Queen? You tell me. You must see her more often than I do.”
“Well, not really. I am not that involved in politics, even though Alec is Consul. Julian Blackthorn is the one who deals with her most of the time. She appears to have... a fondness for him.”
“Who doesn’t?”
Clary’s mouth quirked up.
“I am glad you are getting along with the Blackthorns. They are such an incredibly strong and talented family.”
“They are.” He turned his face away, but not before she could see the expression of longing plain on his delicate features.
She swallowed. She was painfully reminded that Ash never had a shot at a happy family. Born of a political union, and dragged here and there, though interdimensional portals, by people more interested in his powers than anything else he had to offer as a person. And judging by how Dru talked about Ash, he had a lot to offer.
“I imagine it must have been awful living in Thule… But what you did for Emma and Julian back there... if it hadn’t been for you…”
“I don’t want to talk about Thule,” he interrupted her. “Can I borrow this?” He asked, his long fingers brushing the Mortal Instruments concert flyer.
“Sure.”
She watched as he started folding the paper, realizing with a jolt of surprise that he was making an origami and wondering what shape would come out of it. It was odd seeing him doing such an innocuous thing, as if he was not a faerie prince with a heavy heritage and a giant target on his back, but an ordinary boy. She remembered what Emma had told her of her encounter with Ash in a nightclub in Thule. The way he had shown no interest, playing a video game in a corner of the room, while Sebastian was committing atrocities. Had he really been as indifferent as he looked?
“Ash, we don’t need to talk about Thule if you don’t want to, but if I can help you… If there is anything I can do-”
“Why?” He looked up sharply. “Are you able to create a rune that could undo the things I saw?” His tone was even, but his delicate fingers had started slightly shaking and he suddenly dropped the paper - his work unfinished - to fold his hands under the table to hide it. From that moment, she knew.
“No…” Clary said, drawing the word out. “But trust me, coming from someone whose memory has been tampered with... it’s not a solution.”
“I said undo. Not forget.” He snapped. “I am not such a coward that I would choose blissful ignorance over knowledge.”
He caught himself, blinking, then clenched his jaw and looked away. As if he was ashamed he had allowed himself to show any emotion at all. But Clary had managed to catch a glimpse of what lay underneath the mask and wanted nothing more than to see the rest of it.
“I don’t think you are a coward,” she said.
He looked over at her, a silver eyebrow raised. “I let it all happen, didn’t I? I didn’t lift a finger.”
“Because you couldn’t. Sebastian would have killed you. And you, Ash, are just like me. A survivor.”
He snorted and crossed his arms in front of him, leaning back on his chair. He had stretched out his long legs and Clary realized that he was tapping a foot nervously next to hers.
“Wrong. I could have. I chose not to. Because I am selfish. I don’t care about other people’s fate.”
His face split into a lazy, wicked grin. Clary could see Sebastian’s influence in his leer, but she wouldn't let it deceive her. Just as she wasn't fooled by his laid-back demeanor.
“I think it’s the opposite, actually. I think it’s because you care too much. It’s not death you are afraid of. The thing is, you have such a tender heart, you need to protect it from an affliction far greater than any physical pain you could endure. So you’d rather lie to yourself and pretend you feel nothing.”
From the long conversations she had with Tessa about her ancestors, Clary knew of a Fairchild boy who had been too compassionate for his own good. And he had been surrounded by loyal friends and loving parents, even though he had shut himself, putting on a facade while burying his grief in alcohol. Ash never had that kind of support. Throughout his life, he was left to figure things out on his own. If he was as empathetic as Clary thought he was, Ash probably had no other choice but to deal with his sensitivity alone. It was a miracle he had turned out the way he did.
“You have a lot of imagination,” he said after a moment. The ghost of a smile was still playing on his lips but something had passed across his eyes. “Then again, you are an artist. You seek beauty in the ugly. You find colors on a blank page. I admire your faith, but in this case, there is nothing to see.”
Clary jutted her chin stubbornly and they held each other’s gaze - his green eyes glittering in amusement and hers dead serious - in a staring contest.
“Still,” he said when he finally broke, first. “I shouldn’t have lashed out at you. I am sorry.”
Clary softened. “Don’t be. I am glad you are finally showing your true self. You don’t need to wear your mask around me, Ash.”
He chuckled. “Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.”
“It’s funny that you would quote Oscar Wilde.”
“And why is that?”
She shrugged. “Just another thing you share in common with a Fairchild I heard stories about.”
“Clary,” he said in a gently reproving tone. Her name sounded like a caress in his melodious voice. “Are you being purposefully cryptic to arouse my curiosity?”
She moved closer, so she was sitting at the edge of her chair, and leaned forward, hands folded over the table.
“If you show me yours, I’ll show you mine,” she whispered. “Let me in. Shed all pretense.”
“I can’t promise you that,” he whispered back in confidence, leaning closer still so that their faces were inches from each other. “It’s like fabric that burns and melts into skin. If you peel it off, the skin goes with it.” He grimaced, reclining on his chair. “It won’t be a pretty sight. I don’t think even my level of hotness could sustain it.”
“Ash…” Clary said, sensing that she finally had an opening to say what she had been brooding over ever since she had learnt of Ash’s return from that forsaken land. “I wanted to tell you… I am sorry.”
Ash’s green eyes widened.
“Sorry for what?”
“I should have looked for you. I should not have given up on you.”
Ash’s jaw clenched and he looked away. “Don’t,” he said through gritted teeth. “You don’t owe me anything.”
“I do. Seb-...Ash, we...”
“What did you just call me?” He snarled. His eyes snapped back to her, suddenly cold as ice.
“Sorry, Ash. What I meant to say is… we are family."
“I already have a family.”
“I know that you care about Janus…”
“I don’t want to talk about him,” he cut her off.
“And we don’t need to. I just wanted you to know… I understand that he’s been like a father to you, and I don’t plan on moving against him, unless he strikes first or makes it impossible for me to overlook his actions.”
“Because of me?”
“Of course, because of you.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Ash… You are my nephew, my blood. You may not feel the same way about me, but that’s how I feel about you. I want you to know that, if things go wrong, for any reason, you can always turn to me. My home is your home.”
“What you are actually telling me is, Ash, if I kill the one person who has ever really cared about you - and it might definitely come to that - you can always grab my hand, still sticky and warm from his blood. Well, how nice of you. To quote Oscar Wilde again, true friends stab you in the front.”
“That’s not what I am-”
“Clary,” Ash interrupted as he stood. “Do not make me choose between you and him. Because…” Looking down at her, he swallowed hard, as if the words pained him. “Because you will lose.”
She knew exactly what he was telling her. Because they were the same in that way. Ruthless, even with their own blood, when it came to protecting their loved ones. If I had to choose between killing him and you, I would not hesitate. I would end you. Yet, despite his cold statement, despite his sharp and resolved tone, his eyes seemed to carry a deep regret.
“Ash, I understand what you're saying and I swear I am not trying to make you pick a side”, Clary said, suddenly desperate, as she mirrored him and stood. “Please don’t go. I am sorry I brought it up. We will stop talking about him. Starting now.”
“This was a bad idea. Never try to contact me again.” He drew his green beanie from the pocket of his coat and put it back on. He turned and strode toward the exit. She grabbed the family drawing that still lay on the table, stuffed it in her bag and followed him, half-running, as he was quickly losing here with his long legs.
“Ash! Please. Give me another chance. I am so sorry.”
He paused right outside the coffee shop, closed his eyes and sighed. “Don’t be. It didn’t change what I had planned to tell you anyway. I don’t want to know anything about you or your mother. I don’t want to have anything to do with either of you.”
“I don’t think that’s true,” she said, and he whipped his head around to look at her in surprise. “I know you were under house arrest. You probably had to break out of whichever place they were holding you in to come here. You wouldn’t have done that unless you wanted something. Something from me. Tell me, Ash. Tell me what it is.”
He turned his face away so she could not see his expression. A full minute passed and she had almost given up on receiving an answer, when he finally spoke.
“My fa… Sebastian. How different do you think he would have been if not for the demon blood?”
“Oh. Ash.” she whispered. She brought her knuckle against her sternum instinctively, as if to cover the gaping whole in her chest. “I saw him, you know. The brother I should have had. The father that should have raised you. If only for a few minutes.” She paused to bite back tears. “In those few minutes, he told us how to get rid of the Endarkened and said he was sorry. It’s not much to go for, but… that’s not all. I have recurring dreams of the green eyed boy that was robbed from us. And I know in my heart he would have been the best brother a sister could ever dream of.”
He was still looking away and she could see the sharp line, the stubborn set of his jaw. She wanted to hug him, to tell him she would not fail him again. That they could mourn her brother, his father, together. That he didn’t need to bear the anger at everything that was wasted alone.
He finally turned to look at her. A tear had escaped to run freely down his cheek. He had completely shed off his mask, and what Clary saw was like a stab in her gut. She shivered. Wordlessly, he reached for his deep green scarf and tied it gingerly around her neck. The way Sebastian had when they had walked down the streets of Paris. Ash looked nothing like her brother had then. His green eyes held an infinite sadness that spoke of a grief deeper, older than the short years of his life.
“It doesn’t change anything.” He said - she hadn’t imagined his beautiful voice could sound so hollow - and turned to leave.
“Ash, wait.” She grabbed him by the elbow and he froze. His eyes widened as his gaze zeroed on the fingers covering his coat, as if he couldn’t quite believe what he was seeing. She realized she had never touched him before.
“Clary, what do you want from me?” He asked in a tired voice.
“I just want to get to know you.”
“Trust me, you don’t. I am not the brother who was stolen from you. I cannot replace him. If anything, I am just like Sebastian was before me... my father’s broken toy. There is no way to fix me.”
“I don’t believe it for a second,” she said, almost frantic. “And I don’t want to find my brother's replacement, I want to get to know you! Ash. The real Ash.”
“I already told you. That’s not happening. Don’t ever try to contact me again. I am serious.”
“So that’s it?” She tried not to sound too whiny but panic was eating away at her stomach and she thought she would throw up. “You went through all this trouble spying on me, learning how I take my coffee to simply disappear from my life from one moment to the next?”
He gazed at her for a moment, his expression unfathomable. It seemed like an eternity before he finally spoke.
“I was not spying on you, Clary. I was merely following your stalker.”
“What? You were… protecting me?”
“Take care of yourself, Clary.”
He said as he stepped away from her and vanished into the crowd.
****
Clary threw herself in Jace’s arms as soon as he opened the door to their bedroom at the New York Institute. He froze, then started stroking her hair in a soothing gesture.
“Clary, what happened? Is everything okay?”
“No,” she said, her voice muffled against his chest.
“Tell me, Clary. What is it?”
She pulled away and wiped tears with the back of her hand. Jace’s face was a mask of shock. Clary couldn’t blame him. She almost never cried.
“I messed up.”
“What did you mess up?”
She walked to the bed and sat on the mattress. She took a deep breath, bracing herself for his reaction. “Ash. I met up with him earlier today.”
Jace tensed and his hands clenched into fists. “WHAT- Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because you would have insisted on coming.”
“Damn right, I would have. And I would have been right, too. Look at you, you look miserable.”
“It’s my fault,” she said in a small voice. “I pushed him too far.”
Jace sighed and came to sit next to her, putting a comforting arm around her shoulder. “I am sure you did nothing wrong, Clary.”
“I thought- When I showed him the drawing… the way he looked at it, Jace. He is not indifferent. He cares.”
“What drawing?”
“The one I made of the family,” she said absently, as she grabbed her bag and started fumbling inside.
She sucked in a sharp breath. The drawing wasn’t there. Peeking out in its stead, and folded out of the flyer of the Mortal Instruments concert, were origami faerie wings. The Fairchild family symbol.
Cold, nimble fingers strung the thread in and out of your skin. When he had reached for the numbing substance, you had declined. The less money this costs, the better. You had said, covering up the true reason you said no. You, like your sister, got hurt a lot. But you didn’t mind, because being hurt reassured you that buried underneath everyone elses’ pain, yours was still there. You look away from the wound and watch Dr. Cullen work, his hands moving faster and more elegantly than any doctor you’ve ever had stitching you up before.
“So, how are you liking Forks?” He asks. Knowing that you’d be asked this same question a million more times in the upcoming weeks, you answered honestly, but didn’t go into too much detail.
“It’s nice. Quiet. I like the rain.” You say. He looks up at you, quirking a perfectly groomed eyebrow.
“And you’re positive that you and Bella are related?” He gives a small smirk. You chuckle dryly.
“I was going to ask you how you knew my sister, but knowing her she’s probably been in here a few times already.” You say, flinching as the needle pokes into your skin again. He doesn’t answer as quickly as he had been, making you glance at his face. He seemed to be contemplating something, or angry with himself that he had revealed some sacred information.
“Bella and my son, Edward, are courting.” He answers. Courting? Okay, grandpa. You make a face.
“But you look so young.” He smiles at your response, as if there’s some sort of inside joke you were missing out on. The man looks no older than 30. Definitely not old enough to have a 17 year old.
“My wife and I adopted him, along with our other children.” He answers. Instantly, hundreds of questions bombard your brain. Not only was this guy a damn good doctor, he also adopted teenagers? What a guy.
“How many kids do you guys have?” You ask. “If you don’t mind me asking.”
“Five.” He says nonchalantly. Your jaw drops at his answer. Renee had her hands full with just you over the last six months, but five kids? Your mom would combust.
“Wow.” You say, deciding that you wouldn’t interrogate the poor man any longer. He chuckles, pulling the thread up and cutting it with some scissors.
“I’ve always admired Esme for her patience.” He says.
“Esme.” You repeat. The name dances around on your tongue, familiarity teasing your tastebuds. He looks at you, probably wondering why you had repeated his wife’s name. You clear your throat, snapping yourself out of a daze. “Such a beautiful name.”
“I agree.” He says. Stepping away from the hospital bed, he grabs the clipboard to sign release papers. “Hopefully I won’t see you in here anytime soon.”
“I’m not promising anything. Thanks, Dr. Cullen.” You give him a small smile, and pull back the curtains.
-------------------------------------------
You hop onto the scratchy seats in Bella’s truck, giving her a small smile as a thanks. She doesn’t respond, just puts the vehicle in drive and pulls out of the hospital pick up zone. The cab is thick with awkward silence. You clear your throat, preparing yourself to speak to her.
“So I met Dr. Cullen. He said you’re dating his son, uh, what was his name?” Your eyebrows furrow, hard on concentrating. She makes a quick glance in your direction, fighting off a small smile on her face.
“Edward?” She asks, amused. Things seem to be going well for the first time you two had talked without a fight breaking out.
“Psh, Edward Shmedward.” You say, throwing your hand forward as if dismissing something. She blows air out of her nose, the closest thing to a laugh you were sure you’d be able to get out of her. “Yeah, him. His dad looks like a freakin’ god. Like, some mystical shit is going on here.”
“You should see the rest of his kids.” She adds. After that, you can feel she’s over the conversation already. You don’t mind, of course. It’s better to stop before your luck runs out anyway. After a short drive, she pulls into the driveway. You unbuckle your seatbelt, but she doesn’t move to unbuckle hers.
“Aren’t you coming?” You ask, sitting with your feet dangling out of the tall truck.
She sighs. “I’m going to Edward’s.” And with that you nod and hop out, closing the door behind you. You could use this to your advantage, you’d be able to unpack without an angsty Bella hovering over your shoulder. You approach the front door, kicking the doormat out of the way to pluck the key off of the cold concrete.
Opening the front door, you call out. “Ch- Dad?” Knowing it’d fall on deaf ears, you sigh. Charlie was almost never home, and Bella didn’t seem to mind, but you actually missed your dad. You two used to watch every baseball game together, he used to coach your T-Ball little league. You never knew him as Chief Swan, just dad. After you and Bella got older, Bella got more and more reluctant to return to rainy Forks. Your mom refused to let you board a plane by yourself, so you gave up and just stopped. You would have returned to your dad when Bella did, if there wasn’t something holding you back in Phoenix. What that was, you have no clue. Just a sense of dread settling in the pit of your stomach. But all of that was in the past now. It was time to start over, and you looked forward to being able to breathe again. You just wanted to breathe.
Sun spills into the quiet room that Bella resides, warmth filling the air like a thick fog. It was a rare occurrence, one that you knew most people were outside taking advantage of. You walk over to the window sill, your hand reaching to unlatch the locks on the paint-peeled wood. As fresh air fills the room, you glance at Bella’s dresser- that she now has to share with you. You unzip your suitcase, knowing that there wasn’t much inside of it. The contents being mostly underwear, socks, bras, and leggings. A mostly squeezed out tube of toothpaste laid neatly on top of the chaos, somehow unfazed by the rough plane ride it had endured. You grab your toiletries, walking to the bathroom to place them in the small spot Charlie had cleared out. Returning to the bedroom, you place your pillow and stuffed animal on the twin bed Charlie had managed to fit in the small space. There was barely any room to walk around on the floor anymore, it was just a bed, a dresser, and another bed. A small desk too.
The sun begins to set as you finally get settled. You had typed out a short email to your mom, started unthawing chicken breasts for dinner, and done a small load of laundry. Now you sat reclining on the couch, watching whichever MLB game was playing tonight. A few minutes before your dad got home, Bella walked through the door.
“Hey.” You greet. She ignores you, walking into the kitchen. You turn down the volume on the TV.
“Is this for dinner tonight?” Bella calls out.
“Yeah, I found a cool recipe in a magazine at the hospital.” You answer. She snorts, clearly finding something you said amusing.
“Charlie told me he’s gonna be out late tonight. Told us not to wait up.” She says. Sadness pinches at your heart.
“Oh.” You stand and put the chicken back in the refrigerator.
“Don’t take it personal, he does this a lot.” She reassures. You nod, giving her a small smile. Sitting back down on the couch, this time with a box of cereal in hand, you return the volume to its prior setting and lose yourself in the world of baseball. Sometime after the clock read 9:30 PM, your eyes began to droop, and you found yourself nodding off. Soon, you succumbed to the dark warmth calling your name.
(Y/N) clutched her sides, her laugh echoing around the empty baseball park as she watched Ethan imitate the baseball dance from High School Musical 2. “Hey bat-a bat-a swing!” He sang very off key, as the rest of the boys finished getting into their jerseys.
After years of playing baseball together, they had decided to pitch together and get a jersey made. (Y/N) almost cried the day they handed her one, personalised with the month of her birthday as the number and her nickname stitched onto the back. It was white, with black stripes running diagonal down it, New York was in bold on the front. Why? She had no idea.
Practicing swinging the bat in her hands, her eyes caught the naked back of her best friend. His muscles rippled as he dug through his bag. She almost whined when he produced a jersey almost identical to hers shrugging it onto his shoulder. “Hey!” Ethan caught her attention, making her snap her head in his direction just as he reared back his arm, tossing the ball at her.
The echoing sound of a bat hitting a ball made Grayson turn his head, his sight setting on (Y/N). She has her hair in two long braids, the jersey stopped perfectly on her waist making her ass look even more round in the tight black baseball pants she was wearing. Clearing his throat Grayson turned back around, re arranging himself in his pants trying to shake the thought from his head to focus on the game.
He finished lacing up his shoes when someone dropped onto the bench next to him clearing their throat. He looked up, his eyes meeting Ethan’s making him raise an eyebrow as Ethan jutted his chin out to the field. Looking up Grayson frowned seeing James standing with his chest puffed out while he talked to (Y/N). James was tall, almost as tall as Grayson, dirty blonde hair with blue eyes. The rest of the guys were throwing James weird looks, some even glaring. (Y/N) was a baby sister to almost all the guys, expect Grayson clearly. And James was known for getting around. Grayson was about to stand when he noticed James trying to rest his hand on (Y/N)’s waist. He had to cover his mouth to stop a laugh from escaping as (Y/N) dipped her hips in the opposite direction, before practically running over to the rest of the team.
It was an unspoken rule in the house. (Y/N) was Grayson’s. Always has been, always will be. It was unspoken even between the two of them but they both knew there was feelings there and lately James had been trying to get closer to (Y/N).
Ethan stood up holding out a coin for her as they split into team, half the boys standing next to Ethan, the other half with Grayson. Of course the two competitive boys called being team captains. “Okay!” She giggled eyes flickering towards Grayson who was visibly pouting. “Tails, I go with Ethan, Heads, I go with Grayson.” Ethan braced his hands on his knees, jokingly staring hard at Grayson.
(Y/N) tossed the coin in the air, eyes watching as it flipped through the air, landing perfectly in her hand. She flipped it over onto the back of her hand, sighing dramatically as she peek at it. “Ugh, suppose you’ll do.” She teased, removing her hand showing off the coin on heads.
Grayson’s team cheered as one of the guys threw (Y/N) over his shoulder, spinning her around while they all got into position, someone turning on their speaker in the dug out letting their playlist flow through the park.
Ethan stepped up to the pitchers plate and (Y/N) took her place, being the first to bat. Grayson walked behind her, his hand grazing her hip, pressing his face into the side of her neck he pressed a soft kiss there. “You got this baby.” He whispered. Pulling away from her to take his place on the side, leaving (Y/N) with images in her head of him whispering other things to her, in totally different positions.
Shaking her head, (Y/N) adjusted her grip on the bat, smirking at Ethan as he rolled his shoulders back.
-
They were almost finished their game, currently tying. This was their final chance to win and (Y/N) was up to bat again. “You got this (Y/N/N)” Her teammates cheered as she grounded her feet. Her eyes caught sight of James sitting on his haunches out in the field, his glove fitted on his right hand, eyes staring straight back at her. Smirking (Y/N) licked her lips, eyes catching Ethan’s as he pulled at his pants before adjusting his grip on the ball.
The throw was quick, if you blinked you would have missed it. (Y/N) swung the bat with a hard swing, the sound of the ball hitting the bat cracked like thunder thought the park as Ethan’s jaw dropped, watching the ball fly fast and far through the air.
Dropping the bat (Y/N) broke into a sprint as her team started to cheer, Grayson cupped his hands around his mouth trying to shout as hard as he could. As (Y/N) ran across first base, she noticed James running at the far end of the field getting close to where the ball landed. Pushing herself harder (Y/N) had reached second base as James threw the ball to a closer team mate.
Her sneakers slammed against the third base plate as she ran the final stretch, she could hear someone chasing her in hope to get to the base before her being able to get her out but as (Y/N) pushed herself she threw herself over the final base, punching the air as she celebrated. Her lungs burned as she was lifted in the air by her team who were chanting her name making her laugh.
Grayson threw his arm over he shoulder as her feet hit the ground, smirking as he help his thumb and finger in an ‘L’ position towards Ethan and his team, his eyes unintentionally locking with James’ as he smirked.
-
Despite the sunny weather earlier in the day, it was now pouring rain as they sat around the games room of the Frat house, watching a movie on the projector Grayson had bought one day out of boredom. Ethan’s team had bought a mountain of pizza that they all happily indulged in, now all stuffed and into their third movie of the evening, (Y/N) couldn’t stop the yawn from escaping her lips.
She and Grayson had ended up cuddling on the couch, she had showered and changed into one of his t-shirts along with some spandex shorts she had left in his room after one of their many ‘sleep-overs’.
Grayson looked down at her, she was laying on his chest, the rest of her body between his legs as his fingers traced up and down her back. “Tired?” He whispered only getting a hum in response. “Okay.” He nudged her to stand up, taking her by the hand to lead her upstairs. She paused sticking her head back through the door of the game room. “Night guys.” She smiled as they all turned to smile back at her, some waving others shouting a good night.
She didn’t hesitate to fall onto Grayson’s bed when they got to his room making him laugh. His room was painted a plain white colour. One wall mostly covered in photos from the past years of their friendship. Grayson shut off the light, leaving the LED light strips on his wall on, casting a red glow in the room.
Climbing into the bed next to (Y/N) pressing himself up against her back, Grayson hummed happily as his arm tucked around her waist. He was just laying there enjoying her presence when her giggling cut through the silence.
He smiled lifting his head onto her shoulder to see her as she continued to giggle. “What cha’ laughing at?” He whispered, pressing his nose into the side of her neck. “Oh nothing-“ She turned on her back to face him. “Just something James said earlier.” Grayson frowned, his arms pushing him to sit up before he turned to stare at her. “What’d he say?” He asked in a sharp tone. Not exactly ecstatic that (Y/N) was thinking about James while she was in his arms. “That he bets he could fuck me better than you ever could.” She bit her lip, wide innocent eyes staring up into Grayson’s.
His jaw clenched as he leaned over her, his hands moving to press into the pillow at either side of her head. (Y/N) watched as his beautiful warm brown eyes darkened making her clench her thighs together. Grayson’s right hand moved cup (Y/N)’s jaw as he stared down at her. “Nobody could fuck you like I can.” He dropped his head down, lips pressing to (Y/N)’s in a firm but passion filled kiss. (Y/N)’s hands came up to the back of his neck, holding on for dear life as Grayson began to grind his hips down against hers, feeling an obvious bulge in his grey sweats.
Sitting up Grayson pulled his shirt over his head in a swift move, leaning back down to press kisses to (Y/N)’s neck as she gasped, fingers threading through his hair as she tugged gently pulling him away from her neck to look him in the eye.
“Friends don’t fuck each other Gray.” She whispered, another gasp leaving her lips as Grayson rolled his hips against her again. “We’re more than friends and you fucking know it.” He grunted pressing another heart stopping kiss against her lips.
Summary: After things went south at the part, Mark apologizes and makes it up to with a date
Previous: Intro, Part 2
Disclaimer: I am by no means a professional (or even good) writer so sorry in advance for any grammar or spelling errors and mistakes. Also, I didn’t proof read it.
The weekend went by fast. I spent most of it hiding away in my dorm after what happened Friday night. I was still not only upset about he Mark situation, but even more confused then I was before the party. I’d finally come to terms with the fact that I had a minor crush on him, and talking to him that night only made me fall deeper down the rabbit hole. Then that girl showed up, and it felt like I got punched in the stomach.
I stood on Allie’s desk taping fairy lights along the top of the wall. “Maybe she was just some random girl who had a few too many,” Allie suggested.
I sighed. “I don’t know. She didn’t seem that drunk, and it seemed like she knew him pretty well.”
“Frat boys are nothing but trouble,” she said, frowning and shaking her head, her curly hair bouncing with the movement.
I sighed again. Thoughts of Friday night and Mark were swimming around in my head. I kept thinking about how his eyes would sparkle when he started talking about something he was passionate about, like his major or baseball. Or how he’d throw his head back when he laughed really hard. But then I kept thinking about how he’d held onto that girls waist, in a borderline protective manor. I needed to distract myself.
I taped up the last part of the lights and hopped down from her desk. “Wanna go to the cafe and get dinner?” I asked. Allie’s eyes lit up and she nodded. Food would surely take my mind off things.
We slipped on our shoes and grabbed our things. Then, just as we opened the door to leave, we met a familiar person outside our door. Mark Tuan. His eyes were wide and his hand was raised, ready to knock on the door. Allie raised an eyebrow at him. “Um, can we help you?” she asked, clearly confused.
Mark’s eye’s met mine as he let his hand fall. I looked down. “I’m actually here to talk to (y/n),” he answered nervously. “But, I can go. You guys seem kinda busy.”
Allie glanced at me. My eyes were trained on Mark’s sneakers, and I was nervously wringing my hands. Things seemed to click in her head. “Oh - um - no, we aren’t. We were just headed to dinner,” Allie responded. She turned to me, her voice more gentle when she spoke. “I’ll wait for you downstairs, okay?” I nodded. Allie glanced at Mark and I before heading down stairs.
Things were silent between Mark and I, the air between us thick with tension. I hadn’t even thought about what I was going to say to him. I didn’t even know if I wanted to confront him. What would I confront him about? Not telling me about that girl prior? Playing with my feelings? I’d only had one actual conversation with him, and he isn’t obligated to tell me anything. Making any accusations certainly wouldn’t make the situation any better either.
Finally Mark spoke up. “I’m really sorry about Friday.” I looked up at him, finally meeting his eyes. His looked tired and his hair was messy, but not in a relax or effortless fashion.
“It’s alright,” I hesitated, not totally convinced by my own words. By the look Mark gave me, I could tell he wasn’t either. I sighed. “Okay, so it’s not, and I’m actually really upset about even though it shouldn’t be. I barely know you so it’s not like it’s any of my business anyway.”
Mark smiled at me gently. “I want you to know me though,” he responded. “And I really want to know you.”
My cheeks heated up, making him smile wider. I couldn’t help the smile that started to creep onto my face. “Even during a serious conversation, you still manage to flirt,” I teased, hitting his shoulder playfully. Mark laughed. It was that same high-pitched, honey sweet laugh that I heard of Friday. I could feel the tension beginning to dissipate.
However, there was still one question that was keeping me from letting go and losing myself in all that was Mark Tuan. And It was absolutely none of my business. If he wanted to tell me, he’d tell me, and I knew i should respect that. But I couldn’t stop myself. “Who was that girl anyway?” I finally blurted out. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to, thought.”
Mark sighed, running a hand through his hair. Despite being ridiculously messy, it looked soft. It was hard to keep myself from reaching out to touch it. “No, you deserve to know. Her name is Summer. We dated last school year. It ended really weird. We were still talking before this semester started. Nothing serious, but still talking.”
I my spirits fell a little bit. “Ah, I see,” I replied, desperately trying to hide any disappointment.
“But then I saw you with Jackson, and I was immediately interested,” he said with a smile.
I couldn’t help but smile back. “Really? Why?”
Mark shoved his hands in his pockets and leaned down a bit so his eyes were level with mine. “Because you’re really pretty and I wanted to find out who you were,” he answered, his voice soft. It reminded me of silk. “Jackson mentioned you - a lot actually - but what he didn’t tell me was that you’re stunning, in every way possible.”
He left me speechless. My cheeks were warm again and my stomach was swirling. “Mark,” was the only thing I could respond with.
Mark stepped closer to me, a warm smile on his face. “Let me take you out sometime. Like I said, I want to know you. I want to know the things that make you nerd out and the little things that annoy you. I want to know how you think and understand the inner working of your mind,” he said, the silkiness still present in his voice.
My head was spinning. My heart was pounding. My stomach was no longer swirling, but doing back flips and cartwheels. Nobody had ever made me feel this way before. Nobody had ever wanted to know me like how I wanted to know them.
Finally, I responded. “I’d like that a lot.”
Mark grinned like a kid in a candy store. I couldn’t help the little laugh that escaped. “Great! How does tomorrow at seven sound?”
I pretended to think for a second, humming to myself. I tilted my head slightly, the smile on my face getting bigger. “That sound great.”
Mark and I exchanged phone numbers before he walked me downstairs to where Allie was waiting. “You look awfully happy,” Allie commented as soon as Mark left. “Spill.”
I laughed and shook my head. “I’ll tell you after we eat. I have to tell Jackson and Amanda, too, or else they might kill me.”
* * *
“Well, what’d he say?” Jackson asked impatiently. Him, Allie, and Amanda were all grinning at me.
I tried to hold back a smile of my own. “He asked me on a date,” I answered, childlike giddiness in my voice.
Amanda and Allie squealed. Jackson started bouncing on my bed next to me. “I never thought he’d do it!” he exclaimed.
“Why not?” Amanda questioned.
Jackson leaned back against my wall, a goofy grin still adorning his face. “I don’t know if you noticed but Mark is pretty shy. Dude barely talked when I first met him.”
“Are you sure you didn’t just talk so much that he couldn’t get a word in?” I snickered.
Jackson bumped my shoulder with his. “NO,” he retorted. We all laughed.
Amanda smiled dreamily. “I love this for you,” she gushed. “Ya know, I heard he’s the dream boy of the baseball team. Apparently, all the girls drool over him.”
Jackson rolled his eyes. “Dude, if only you knew. Girls will watch us practice just to see him,” he grumbled. “When’s the date?”
“Tomorrow,” I replied.
Jackson gasps, causing Allie, Amanda, and I to look at him in confusion. “What are we doing then? We need to pick out what you’re going to wear!”
I sighed. He was such a drama queen sometimes. “Jackson, it’s not until tomorrow night.”
He shook his head and pushed himself off my bed. “Nonsense, (y/n). You should always be prepared, especially if things go horribly.”
I rolled my eyes. “Thanks for boosting my confidence,” I muttered.
Amanda pointed at Jackson, nodding in agreement. “He’s not wrong thought. It’s important to be ready for anything. You never know when you may need to flex on a bitch.”
We all laughed again. Finally Allie spoke up. “I think it’d be fun. We could have a girls night and do face masks!”
Jackson made a noise of protest. “Hey, what about me?”
I laughed and climbed off my bed, pulling out my stash of face masks and miscellaneous skincare products. “Jackson, we’ve been over this before. You’re always included in girls night.” Jackson let out a pleased squeal, then proceeded to dig through my closet.
* * *
I stood in the mirror sending Jackson and Amanda pictures of my outfit for the evening. Somehow I knew they were going to demand to see it even though they’d already seen it last night. Jackson picked out jeans and a cute top for me, claiming Mark would more than likely take me someplace casual. And as always, he made sure I had a jacket. I used to take his all the time in high school until he started making me bring one everywhere, so it’d become a habit of his to make sure I had one.
I played with my hair in the mirror to distract myself from the anxiety that was building in my stomach while I waited for Mark. Jackson and Amanda were blowing up my phone with positive affirmations. They’d even gone as far as to create a whole group chat with the three of us just for this date.
Amanda: Make sure you take chapstick!! ;)
Jackson: H E Y
Jackson: Mark may be my homeboy and as much as I support this date, there will be NO KISSING, do you understand me young lady?
I snickered and typed back.
(y/n): Yes sir :P
Jackson: Oh, (y/n), don’t forget you’re jacket!!!
Mark had finally texted me to say that he was here. I grabbed my bag and jacket, saying bye to Allie as I headed for the door. Right as I was about to leave, Amanda sent me one last text in our private thread.
Amanda: Hey, I know Jackson’s just looking out for you, but don’t take the jacket. Trust me. Have fun, love bug! Text us the details after!!
I stared at her message for a second before shrugging and tossing my jacket on my bed. I didn’t quite know what she was getting at, but something told me to just trust her. With that, I headed downstairs to meet Mark at the entrance of my dorm building.
He was waiting by the door for me when I got down stairs, leaning against the wall scrolling through his phone with one hand in his pocket. I felt my stomach flutter. Mark had this cool boy vibe about him. His messy hair, dark shirt, and black denim jacket only added to it. There was something mysterious about it, and that only attracted me to him more.
He looked up as I approached him, a smile spreading across his face once his eyes met mine. He pushed himself off the wall, taking a step forward to meet me. “Hey,” he breathed.
“Hi,” I replied softly.
“You look really pretty,” Mark said shyly, the tips of his ear turning red.
I smiled, my cheeks flushed. “Thank you.”
“Ya know, it’s really cute when you blush at the things I say,” he chortled.
I rolled my eyes, trying to ignore the heat crawling up the back of my neck and darkening the tint on my face. “Oh, let’s just go already,” I replied, unable to keep the small smile off my face.
“Yes ma’am!” Mark grabbed my hand and lead me out the door to his car. His hands were warm and soft, which was odd since he played baseball. But hey, who says athletes aren’t allowed to moisturize. Plus, I liked the feeling of his hand in mine. It was comforting.
Mark opened the passenger door for me before hopping into the drivers seat and taking off to where it was we were going.
* * *
I looked around in awe. Colorful lights flashed all around and laughter filled the air. Children were running ahead of their parents, high school students were grinning eagerly as they waited in line for rides, and workers watched in boredom as people tried to win the nearly impossible games.
“I hope you like fairs,” Mark said as he rubbed the back of his neck shyly. “I didn’t think to ask before hand.”
I looked at him with a smile. “I’ve never actually been to a fair before.”
Mark’s shy demeanor was replaced with one of shock and excitement. “Wait, really?”
I nodded in response.
Mark grinned and grabbed my arm, pulling me towards the ticket booth. “Oh, this is going to be so much fun!” Mark decided that we were going to get the full access wristbands, insisting that I needed to get the full experience. “What do you wanna do first?” he asked, looking at me.
I looked around at the brightly lit rides and booths. There were so many. And they were all so intriguing in some way. It was overwhelming honestly. “I don’t really know, there’s so many,” I answered, then I looked up at Mark. The way the light reflected off his skin was pretty. It was like he was standing in a room lit by neon pink and electric blue.
Mark looked over at me. I felt my cheeks heat up, but I didn’t look away.. He’d caught me staring at him and there was no denying it. A large grin spread across his face. “(y/n), you’re supposed to be looking at what you wanna do, not me,” Mark teased. “Unless...”
“You are such a boy,” I sighed, my cheeks darkening and a content smile on my face. Mark laughed. It became more melodic every time I heard it. “Anyway, why don’t you show me you’re favorite things to do?”
Mark nodded, his eyes twinkling with childlike delight. “Sure, but you’re going to think I’m lame or cheesy.” Mark grasped my hand in his for the second time tonight, making my heart flutter a bit.
I raised my eyebrow at him. “Mark Tuan? The most popular bachelor of the baseball team? Lame? He could never,” I teased.
Mark snorted. “Looks can be deceiving then, can’t they?” He shot back, his lips curling into a smirk.
I rolled my eyes at him. “You’re trouble, Tuan.”
This made Mark grin. “Glad you caught on,” he replied, leaning into me a bit as we walked.
I shook my head, but I was grinning, too. “Why would, I think you’re lame?” I questioned, finally changing the topic back to what we were talking about before.
Mark shrugged. “I don’t really care for most of the rides here. I’m not a thrill junkie like Jackson and a lot of the other guys on the team,” Mark said. “I like people watching and the games, even though they’re impossible.”
I smiled. “That’s so wholesome.”
Mark looked at me and smiled back. We stopped in front of a game booth. A metal milk can sat in the middle of a table. I looked up at the sign above us. It read ‘Milk Toss’ in big, bold letters. “This,” Mark began,” is my favorite game.”
I looked at him. He beamed with childlike delight. “Isn’t this game one of the hardest?” I asked.
Mark nodded. “Yeah. I’ve been playing this game since I was a little kid. I would get so frustrated because I couldn’t win. Then, I started playing baseball in middle school.” Mark stepped forwards, showing the man working the game his wristband. The man gave him a bored smile before handing Mark three softballs. Mark held a ball out to me with a gentle smile,” Do you want to try?”
I hesitated, eyeing both Mark and the ball before talking it. “Okay, but you can’t make fun of how uncoordinated I am.”
Mark chuckled. “I promise I won’t make fun of you.”
Focusing on the entrance of the the milk jog, I tossed the ball. My eyes followed the sphere as it went through the air and bounced off of the rim of the milk jug. “I told you,” I sighed.
Mark smiled, reaching over to squeeze my hand. “It’s okay, it’s not you’re coordination.” Mark reassured. He turned his attention towards the jug. He took a second to focus before effortlessly tossing the softball into the metal can.
“How’d you do that?” I asked.
Mark grinned. “It’s all in the wrist.” As he tossed the last ball, making it in the jug again, he explained. “Aim for the back of the back of the rim, and give the ball some back spin. It slows the momentum of the ball down, so instead of bouncing off the can, it slides in the hole.”
“Nice job, kid,” the worker congratulated. “Choose anything you’d like from the top rack.”
Mark looked at me with a smile. “Take your pick.”
I blushed, turning my attention to all the fluffy stuffed animals that lined the top of the booth. It was the big prizes. They ranged from colorful alpacas to Pokemon stuffed animals. Out of the corner of my eye, at the very end, a cow caught my eye. I pointed to it. “The cow is really cute,” I said shyly.
The worker grabbed it off the wall and handed it to me. “Enjoy!” He winking at Mark before turning his attention to the next players.Mark’s face heated up a bit, but he grinned nonetheless.
Mark slipped his hand comfortable back into mine. “C’mon, there’s more for you to see!” I giggled and followed as Mark pulled me along and continued to show me his favorite rides and games.
The moon was high in the sky and families had made their way home by the time we decided to make our way to the most iconic fair and date activity before heading home - the ferris wheel. Mark and I squeezed into the passenger car. The wheel started moving and a cool breeze blew through, making me shiver. It was finally starting to feel like fall outside. Mark seemed to notice. “Cold?” he asked.
I nodded. “Yeah, a bit.”
Mark took off his denim jacket, slipping it over my shoulder. So this is why Amanda didn’t want me to bring my jacket. I thanked him, pulling the jacket around me a bit tighter. It smelled like fresh linen and cologne.
As we got higher, I could see more of the fair below us. It looked even prettier from above. The lights twinkled and created a soft glow that cascaded over the entire area. “It looks so pretty from here,” I said softly.
“So do you.”
My cheeks heated up and I looked at Mark. He was looking at me, his brown eyes soft. They were easy to get lost in. The fair lights below created a soft aura around him, making him look almost angelic. I couldn’t help but smile a bit.
“Would you be upset if I kissed you?” he asked in a tranquil voice.
“I’d be upset if you didn’t,” I answered, my voice just as soft as his, afraid to shatter the air between us.
Mark leaned into me, wasting no time pressing his soft lips against mine. I let myself melt into him, euphoria surging through me. His hand ran up my arm to the back of my neck, pulling me closer to him. His mouth was warm against mine, but goosebumps still rose on my skin. Marked pulled away and I had to stop myself from whining. His forehead rested against mine, the previous rush of adrenaline making us smile like idiots. We stayed like this until our cart reached the bottom of the ferris wheel and it was time for us to exit.
Mark took my hand, guiding me out of the seat and towards the exit. “Let’s get you home or else Jackson will flip on me for keeping you out so late.”
“Oh, don’t bother. He’s going to flip once he finds out we kissed,” I snickered.
Mark threw his arm around my shoulder, pulling me into me. “Don’t remind me,” he groaned. Mark kissed the top of my head and nuzzled his nose into my hair. “Full disclosure, kissing you is most definitely worth getting chewed out later.”
* * *
Tag List: @mara-twins
Here’s part three! Thank you for all the patience, love, and support revolving around Catch! I really appreciate it! I probably won’t post part four next week, but something small instead since I have finals next week. Again, thank you! <3 Oh, and if you would like to be added to the tag list, feel free to ask :)
AN ~ a belated prompt fill @just-a-funny-little-brain and @schittposting, ft. shameless fluff, mutual pining, Mariah Carey, and a slightly warped UA timeline for S3 because i do what i want. enjoy!!
"You made me a Christmas playlist but it’s just Mariah Carey’s “All I want for Christmas is you”. I can’t tell if you’re hitting on me or if it’s a joke."
and
"I was putting up Christmas lights, and I literally fell into your arms"
from this OTP Advent prompt list
Read on AO3 (~2300 words). David x Patrick, David & Stevie
i’ll give it to someone special
When decorating, it was no secret that David Rose was an advocate of “if you want something done right, do it yourself.” This went double for the holiday season; with bright, clashing colour schemes in abundance, there was too much potential for a garish, tasteless disaster for him to allow an amateur to take over. He had a business and a reputation to maintain after all – plus, it was either this or the end-of-year budget review, so really, the jobs divided themselves.
At least, they did until the bell rung.
“Patrick!” David called, so that he wouldn’t have to be deterred from his process, not to mention make the inelegant descent from the stepladder in front of a member of the public. “Pat– oh, it’s just you.”
Stevie fixed him with a sardonic glare.
“And a happy Hanukkah to you too.”
David rolled his eyes, and made a point of turning his back to Stevie and continuing to thread out the fairy lights as she made her way further into the store. But he couldn’t quite turn all his attention back to the task at hand – especially not once she passed the counter behind him, and made a curious humming sound.
“What’s this?” she wondered, and David pretended he couldn’t hear the scandalous intrigue in her tone.
“Patrick and I exchanged some small gifts,” he explained matter-of-factly, “to celebrate our first holiday season together – as the store.”
“Uh huh.” Stevie was audibly unconvinced.
“Excuse you, Christmas is a busy time for retail,” David scolded, whipping around and rocking the step-ladder – damn, he’d forgotten it was missing a foot. But he pinched a nearby shelf, righted himself, cleared his throat and did his best to continue as if his blunder had never happened. “It’s important to keep up morale.”
Somehow, Stevie kept a straight face. “Morale.”
“Yes.”
“So, Patrick made you a mix tape… for morale?”
“… Yes.”
“Great! Let’s listen to it then, shall we? For your morale.”
Stevie’s eyes were fixed on David’s as she pulled the CD slowly from its case and slipped it into the side of David’s computer. David knew she was challenging him, but what could he do, object? She already knew he doth protest too much when it came to Patrick, but if he had any chance of coming out of this relationship – by which of course he meant this business relationship - without a broken heart, he couldn’t afford to stoke the fire. And apparently, there was no way he could so much as flinch on this infernal step ladder without shaking the whole damned thing and giving himself away, so though his heart clenched with a dizzyingly cruel hope that the mix tape might open with some kind of confession, he stood stock-still. Waited. Until those precious, familiar xylophone tones began to chime.
“I-I-I-I… don’t want a lot for Christmas…”
His heart almost buckled with relief. Stevie smiled slightly.
“The man’s got taste,” she praised. More sarcasm? David wasn’t sure.
“He’s learning,” he replied, and turned his back to her again to continue with the work she had so rudely interrupted. If he had to press his lips tight to keep from smiling, so be it.
-
“Patrick!” David called from the front room. “Pat-“
He cut himself off, falling to a mumble that was too muffled by the distance and the walls between them to make out. Whatever he had said was met with a flat, but equally muffled reply from what Patrick had long since learned was Stevie’s voice. Part of him wanted to pop out and say hi, but their Q4 turnover was hard to keep up with… and then, any hopes of getting up the courage to leave the back room fizzled when the first notes of All I Want for Christmas started playing.
Patrick took a deep breath, and tried not to think about David. Tried not to think about his hearteningly curious reception of the CD, or the way he had spent most of the morning checking that every Santa hat in the store was quirkily off-kilter by just the right amount, or how much Patrick longed to watch his shy and uptight business partner let loose and belt out some Mariah already.
No, he wasn’t thinking about that. They might not even be listening to his CD. Maybe they had just pulled up the song on Youtube or Spotify or something; surely, it was a Rose family staple after all.
Patrick, well, Patrick was just inputting the numbers. Into the spreadsheet. Putting that number… into that box… or- wait – was it that number? Was it that box? The data seemed to swim before his eyes as his heart began to race. The first rendition was ending and… yes, there it was, beginning again.
He got out of the chair and began to pace. His mind turned irretrievably to David. To the moment he had first realised he might have begun to like David. To the early mornings in his car letting the freezing air in to try and shock his system into figuring this damn thing out. To the hot flushes he got when he thought about wanting to kiss those pouting lips, or linger in a hug, or pull one of those damned sweaters over David’s head and lift up his shirt and –
And, well, he had to start somewhere, and for some ungodly reason the Spirit of Christmas had inspired him to pick here. With a plan that now that he thought about it, couldn’t have been any more impossibly vague if he’d tried. He could hear David and Stevie talking now under the music. Were they figuring it out? Were they wondering if it was a glitch? A mistake? At first, he’d thought being able to play this thing off as a joke would have been an advantage. Now, the thought that David might not understand – that he might have another… however long, to wait, before he got up the courage to reveal himself again in a more obvious way – if he were being honest, it was kind of killing him.
“Maybe I should just tell him,” he whispered to himself.
It didn’t sound that ridiculous out loud.
-
“Okay,” Stevie announced, when the song began for the third time. “I love ya, Mariah, but three times is too many.”
“My store, my rules,” David corrected.
“My finger on the play button,” Stevie pointed out, and pulled up a new playlist in the online search bar. The synthesiser intro of Wham’s 1984 pop classic Last Christmas started up and she smiled as David groaned out loud.
Then she peered at the track list of Patrick’s alleged ‘mix’ CD, scrolling all the way down, and noticed – “Hey, I think this whole thing is Mariah Carey.”
“Of course it is. Because she’s amazing, and Patrick is very attentive.”
“No, I mean, every single song on here is All I Want for Christmas. There’s like… fifteen of them. Look.”
She picked up the laptop and carried it over to David, frowning. David glanced over her shoulder toward the back room. Could Patrick hear them? Did he know? Had he done this on purpose?
“Maybe it’s like, a mistake. The CD’s glitching or something,” Stevie suggested. “How up to date is your software?”
“Maybe he’s… making fun of me.” Something felt hollow in his chest at the thought.
“That doesn’t sound very Patrick-y,” Stevie pointed out. “Maybe… he likes you.”
“Oh, pfft.”
“I mean, come on, a mix tape?”
“Um, I don’t think so. We’ve been over this, remember? He’s a baseball-playing, denim-wearing, straight, guy, okay, and I’ve developed enough crushes on straight guys to know how this works.”
“Did… any of those straight guys give you a mix tape full of Mariah Carey singing about how much she wants you?”
He couldn’t even will up a scoff to retort to that, and Stevie raised a confident eyebrow.
“’cause, I mean,” she continued, “most of the uh, ‘baseball playing denim wearing straight’ guys I know don’t like Mariah Carey. Or at least, they wouldn’t be caught dead admitting to another human being that they know who she is.”
“That’s not-“ David blundered, “Music doesn’t- Patrick doesn’t-“
But he couldn’t get out of his head, how deliberate Patrick was. The man thought about everything, and when he wanted something, he went for it. Researched intensively, but went for it. David admired that about his business acumen, as well as for general personality-having purposes – it was one of the reasons they balanced each other out so well – but more than anything, that told him it wasn’t a mistake. Patrick liked music, and he liked genuine connection. He would have sat there all night if that’s what it took to put together a CD, Christmas-themed or otherwise. And if the CD was glitching, the track list wouldn’t show every song the same. And if it was a joke, Patrick probably would have got David to play it in front of him, maybe tried to make him sing along.
And if none of this meant anything, Patrick wouldn’t be standing in the doorway on his way from the storeroom, trying to look determined and yet shaking like a leaf.
“Da- David,” he managed at last. “Can I talk to you?”
“That’s my cue,” Stevie murmured, and pulled back to escape the conversation. In her haste, she caught herself in the string of lights that was currently knotted between David’s fingers, and pulled. He yelped and pivoted to try and keep up and she panicked as the step ladder began to fall under the rapid change of weight. All of a sudden it was too late to untangle and there was no way of helping David without sacrificing the laptop, not that she could think of fast enough anyway, so Stevie cowered out of the way and clenched her eyes shut and hoped it wouldn’t end in disaster.
It didn’t. At least, the crashing sound wasn’t quite as horrendous as she’d thought and wasn’t followed by the string of cursing she expected from the upturned David Rose. She cracked an eye open (maybe he was fine, but maybe he’d cracked his head on a display table, was she ready for that?) and found –
And found Patrick had rushed forward at the last minute, and David had all but face-planted straight into his arms. David’s feet were still not quite under him, and he gazed up at Patrick with big, wide eyes in bewildered, vulnerable admiration. Patrick, for his part, was looking down at David in a stunned sort of silence, with a blush so furious it was colouring his ears, and yet there was tenderness in his expression and his hand on David’s back was so gentle and soft, Stevie could hardly look. Did they even know she was still here?
“Uh… thuh… thanks,” David managed at last, once his tongue started working again. His heart hammered against Patrick’s chest, and Patrick’s was hammering back.
“No problem,” Patrick said, and there was more, so much more on the tip of his tongue. His lips struggled to form the words. I like you, I want to kiss you. I want you right now. It sounded so childish, so far short of capturing the overwhelming feelings that seized him. And maybe he would have gone another however long without saying anything at all, if it weren’t for the fact that David chose now of all moments to ask –
“Was there, um, something you wanted to tell me?”
He looked… hopeful? Patrick hardly dared hope back. But David was smiling. He knew.
And when Patrick took a chance and seized his jittering confidence with both hands and closed the distance between them, David kissed back with a yearning that had been screaming to break out of his chest since the moment they’d met. Patrick could hardly believe the energy of it. It felt… like fireworks. Like a moment suspended in time. Like everything he’d ever been told this moment was supposed to feel like.
Then David’s lips were suddenly falling away from his. He’d tried to move his arms, forgetting that his feet weren’t yet on solid ground, and now the string of curses fell from his lips as he tumbled to the ground, hit his elbow with a crack on the nearby table, and rolled onto his back.
“Mother…” he groaned.
And yet still, he was smiling.
Because Patrick had caught him. Patrick had kissed him.
Patrick.
David opened his eyes, and looked up at the poor man, who had blanched white as a sheet as his somehow-perfect moment had come crashing down around him.
“Um, so, I- I like you,” Patrick explained. “That’s what I wanted to say.”
“Yeah, no, I got that,” David agreed, reflecting on the breathlessness in his chest. He could do that again. A few dozen more times.
“Can I help you up?”
“Yeah. Yes. Let’s do that.”
David tried not to stare at Patrick’s shoulder as Patrick offered a hand, and lifted him to his feet. He didn’t try very hard, to be fair.
“Can I buy you dinner?” Patrick asked.
“I would like that.”
“Huh.” Patrick smiled. He was on a roll. The whole thing felt rather dizzying, but it was all so much easier than he’d expected. Although, he wasn’t exactly sure what to do next. Kiss David again? They were at work, and he hadn’t exactly recovered from the first time. But he couldn’t go back to the spreadsheets now. Sure, they were important, but they weren’t like this. He had way too much energy all of a sudden, and a craving to run up a mountain.
But a quiet clearing of a throat interrupted his grander plans. Both Patrick and David turned to the sound, to find Stevie standing gingerly amidst a tangle of fairy lights, which seemed to tie her every movement either to the stepladder, or to the two large bookshelves on either side of her.
“Uh, congratulations and all,” she said as meekly as possible, “but before you guys split, could you help me out?”
Florida - A Stealing Second Extra | Baseball!Shawn
Hello, angels!!! This is me finally getting around to posting some Stealing Second blurbs because Spring Training is coming up and I can’t contain the baseball excitement. This particular piece takes place around eight or so months after where they were at the end of the final part and it’s 1.4k words. It can also be read as a standalone piece if you haven’t read the series, but if you’d like to read it, it’s linked in my masterlist!
A pre-read study guide isn’t really needed other than to explain Spring Training a little bit! Basically, every spring right before a new season starts, the MLB teams divide between Arizona (my home sweet home) and Florida to begin practicing again. I explain it a little bit more in the blurb but, as always, if you have any questions please feel free to ask as well as send feedback!
February was always your favorite month growing up, but for a somewhat unconventional reason. It most certainly was not because of Valentine’s Day, or even due to the (very) slightly warmer weather. February was your favorite month because it brought the beginning of Spring Training games: a glorious five weeks of exhibition baseball that culminated in MLB’s Opening Day at the tail-end of March. Every year, the arrival of Spring Training meant your family’s annual trip to sunny Florida for a week of watching the Blue Jays play at Dunedin Stadium. Once the World Series ended in October you would be majorly looking forward to the day when pitchers and catchers first reported to their teams’ stadiums in Arizona and Florida, and the countdown to the first Spring Training game began from there.
It was funny how quickly things could change.
As you’d gotten older, the family baseball trip eventually stopped happening. And, now that you were with Shawn, Spring Training meant over a month without seeing him while the team was down in Florida; something you were beginning to have to face the reality of. Away series’ were hard enough; you had to completely immerse yourself in the work that came with your new Media Relations position with the Jays in order to distract yourself while he was gone. You’d gotten used to having your boyfriend of eight months all to yourself now that it was the off-season, and you would soon have to adjust to once again sharing him with baseball fans everywhere. You had no idea what you were in for when it came to five consecutive weeks without him.
The point of Spring Training was to obviously get established players from the thirty teams back into the swing of baseball, but it was the younger, lesser-known players that got the majority of the playing time, as a large facet of Spring Training was giving new guys the chance to try out for an official spot on their team’s roster. Shawn had gotten loads of playing time last year, but now that he’d spent a full season as the Blue Jays’ starting second baseman you knew he’d get considerably less time on the field this spring. He was going to be gone for five weeks, and you would hardly even get to see him play.
On a Friday night in the second-to-last week of January after a particularly stressful day at work, you found yourself curled into the side of the couch in your and Shawn’s shared apartment, a glass of wine in hand as a random made-for-TV movie played in the background. Shawn had gone for dinner with a few friends he used to play with back in high school, and he was going to be home any minute. To say you couldn’t wait would be an understatement.
As if he’d read your mind, you heard keys jingling in the lock of the front door. You craned your neck over the back of the sofa to see Shawn come in the door, kicking his shoes off to leave them in the foyer. “Hey, hon,” he called, shrugging off his coat as he made his way over to you. You set your wine glass down on the coffee table just before Shawn sat next to you, a curious white envelope in his hand.
You quirked an eyebrow, motioning towards it. “Whatcha got there?”
He grinned, causing your brow to furrow and a small, curious smile to cross your mouth. “I have a surprise for you,” he stated simply, handing the envelope over to you. You took it hesitantly, turning it over in your hands to see if there was anything written anywhere on it. “The surprise is inside the envelope, believe it or not,” he added sarcastically, and you rolled your eyes as you playfully nudged his arm with your shoulder.
You delicately tore back the envelope’s flap, revealing a piece of paper that had been folded up to fit inside. You began to straighten it out, looking up to quirk an eyebrow at Shawn who just sat there smiling back at you. You returned your focus to the paper in your hand, staring at it until you suddenly realized what it was: a flight confirmation. A flight confirmation to Florida during Spring Training. You snapped your widened eyes back up to Shawn.
“Shawn, I--,” you stuttered, almost speechless. “I don’t know what to say. This is amazing, I can’t believe you did this for me, and--” Wait. You suddenly froze as rational thoughts began to flood back into your mind, and you let out the excited breath you were holding.
Shawn narrowed his eyes at you, moving his hand to rest on your thigh. “Hey. What’s wrong?”
You sighed heavily. “There’s no way I can take time off of work this soon.” You swallowed hard, knowing full well you’d just crushed him, but the smirk that crossed his face caused your brow to furrow even more.
“See, I figured that, which is why I talked to your boss before I even bought the ticket. You’ve got exactly a week off.”
“W-what? You talked to Greg?”
He nodded, sporting a grin that evidenced how proud of himself he was for pulling it off. “His one condition was that you send in at least three team status reports to MLB.com, but I figured that wouldn’t really matter considering you’d be scorekeeping and taking down notes and stats anyways.”
You giggled, partly out of pure giddiness and partly because of how Shawn knew you like the back of his hand. “Exactly. So that’s a very small price to pay,” you responded, pressing your fingers to your mouth. “I can’t believe I’m going to Florida.”
“We’re going to Florida,” he repeated, a massive grin stretching across his face as you flung your arms around his neck, tackling him down in a hug as the two of you erupted into a fit of excited laughter.
“I’m just excited to finally see you in uniform again,” you teased, face still pressed into his neck.
“Yeah?” he laughed, pulling back to shoot you a smug smile.
You giggled. “You know I love you in your jersey.”
“I love you in my jersey,” Shawn replied, and you buried your face back into the crook of his neck as you felt heat rise to your cheeks. He chuckled, pressing a chaste kiss to your shoulder as his arms wrapped completely around your waist, anchoring you against him as though he were worried you’d float away.
You laid there for a while, chest to chest with Shawn’s back pressed against the couch, until you felt him suck in a breath. You propped yourself up on your forearms, looking down at him and silently prompting him to speak. “I forgot to mention something.”
You frowned, a quizzical expression coloring your features. “What did you forget?”
You could see him trying to bite back a smile, and you began to giggle lightly in nervous anticipation of what he was going to say. “So we don’t have a game one of the days you’re out there,” he began, and you hummed in understanding, waiting for him to continue. “So right after our game the day before, we’re gonna go to a little island just off the coast and we’ll be able to spend the entire next day there. I got us a room right on the water and everything.”
“Wait, are you serious?” you interrogated, feeling your eyes bulge in shock.
“One hundred percent,” Shawn replied matter-of-factly, his brown eyes never leaving yours.
You pressed your face into his chest, almost too surprised to speak. “I cannot believe you, Mendes,” you muttered against his shirt, and he laughed. “You’re the fucking best.”
“What was that?”
You picked your head up, resting your chin on your hands that were pressed flat against his torso. “I said you’re the best.”
He frowned, making a show of reaching his hand behind his ear and tilting his head towards you. “One more time?”
You scoffed lightly, pressing your cheek back against his shirt. “You heard me.”
“Heard what?”
“I hate you,” you retorted, biting back a smile as you absentmindedly reached a hand up to thread through his hair.
“But I thought I was the best?”
“Whatever, Mendes,” you giggled, lifting your head to press a kiss to the underside of his jaw and letting out a little hum of content.
It was suddenly only a matter of time until you’d be seeing your favorite team, in your favorite place, with your favorite boy, and you couldn’t be more excited. Finally.
Feedback makes me very happy!
If you want to be removed from the taglist for any extra pieces I post, that’s no prob at all!! Just message me so I know. For this first blurb, I’m gonna keep it the same except that I removed those users it wouldn’t let me tag:
Friends with: all of the Masked Singers, Rabbit (best friend?), Dog and the Dog brothers, Doll.
Appearance: Black guy, cyan-lavender hair, huge and soft dreadlocks ponytail, green eyes (only his right eye), enucleation & Evisceration (his left eye), left eye stitched in black thread, purple eye-shadow, thick eyebrows, abnormal giant hands (Acromegaly), sharp nails, missing front tooth, very Obese body.
Clothing style: Giant furry coats, sunglasses, gloves and gold accessories (main signature clothing), suits, hip-hop fashion clothing, a fusion of hip-hop and fancy suit clothing, gangster style, leather jackets and rock star theme style.
Facts about TJ:
•the friendliest, gentlest and childish monster you ever met.
•his coat is so huge and so furry. He can consume himself with his coat turning it like a huge furry ball or he even let people (who are skinny or almost fat) hide on his genormous coat.
•Yes he can hide something bigger then an average person. He also hide many huge weapon.
•Ever since he was born, he is actually born abnormal the more he grew older before it looks normal. But when he is delivered, he has a enucleation & Evisceration on his right eye and some abnormal conditions since birth.
•on age 13 his mother asked if he decided to wear a prosthetic eye or not. Even he imagine what it is look like with two eyes but he decided not to because he likes being unique.
•He had been isolated from outside the world all through childhood due to the bad environment of since those dark era's but has many friends in the neighborhood.
•He has issues including reckless behavior, anger issues, mood swings and it is rumored that he did some unknown illegality that can't be explain.
•in age 13 again. He develop some abnormal condition beside his missing eye. Those conditions are his enlarged hands known as acromegaly, sharp nails that can't be cut and overly obese like appearance.
•TJ needs to wear gloves because of how oily and sweaty his hands are. His mother made those large gloves for him.
•He is a victim of bullying through elementary to highschool. Bullied physically, verbally and blackmailed by a group of bullies after before and after Joen's accident and the fall of the Roger Family.
•Loves playing video games. Mostly horror, action, RPG, and other theme of games.
•his room is simple but has a theme of childhood mix in music studio, and pastal/neon lights.
•Monster started learning music and singing in age 10.
•Owns 3 cars, a mansion (which is a mansion disguise as a cave), a huge boat, and a room filled with alcohol collection.
•He use purple eye-shadow because it is his style and needed color on his face. Lea was the one taught him how to apply it.
•TJ is an old classmate to Joen since 4th grade.
•TJ is one of the witness from Joen's accident. At first he was terrified then avoided him because his mother told him but secfetly feels sympathies and concered after found out about Joshoa's abuse on Joen and his brothers.
•in age 18, he visited Rabbit's asylum just 1 whole week to meet him. The reason why he visit Joen on his 18 age is because this is the age old enough to enter the most secure asylum. And, he wanted to apologized to Joen and told his secret about his shame after T-Pain is now silent.
•so the two boys are both equally went to shame and TJ wishes to free Joen and his brothers out. Such a kind heart TJ!
•Rabbit is also a neighbor to him quite far from the Monster's house since Rabbit lives in a amusement park.
•Before the Masked Singer, when TJ and Joen meet again. TJ didn't recognized him or recognized that his appearance, behavior and attitude changed. Same goes to Joen who is also didn't recognized TJ.
•Bee and Peacock were like his new parents to Monster.
•all of the other masked singers (especially Rabbit) were like his siblings. Him being the youngest of the group.
•His hobbies were making mixtapes or music, playing various video games or games, partying, and sports like baseball and golf.
•TJ was involved with T-Pain about the golf accident. With his mentor being the most injured, Monster is injured less but only he had lost his front tooth.
•He is a alcoholic and a party monster.
•Everyone on the masked singers (minus Rabbit, Poodle and Alien) hide all of alcohol at all cost.
•On freetime, he will always called Rabbit to play video games or go to Bee on helping her clean. If not, he will go on dancing and singing himself in his room.
•A cutie looking like an angel above!
•He has a collection of golden accessories. Gold chains, gold necklace, gold knuckle brace ring and more. He is also obsessed of wearing sunglasses and hats thanks to his mentor T-Pain.
•Loves watching cartoons and childish things.
•a singer (Bebe: "not to everyone"? You just proven yourself to everyone! Ronnie: yeah! You sing wonderfully with or without your mentor's auto-tone), songwriter, producer, performer.
•He secretly let Joen on buying a drink at his "clubhouse" (a VIP party house).
•accourding to Joen, he feels intimidating that TJ is much more stronger then him. The only time that makes him more intimidating was when he has been carried above him. (Joen: *shivers*)
•The Deer, Hippo and Monster- the big boys trio.
•his has the angelic soul full voice, trained by T-Pain.
•TJ always push away from people and go on isolation. According to Lea, he might be insecure about what happen to T-Pain of the over use of auto-tone. Another theory from Linette is that he has anxiety attack, paranoid and depression.
•Joen knew TJ has depression. He told Joen after he kick off on Simi-finals.
•A fighter who fought his own demons. He didn't told Unicorn about his problem, but he went on psychotherapy and exercise a little.
Unicorn has already aware of Monster keeping more secrets inside of him.
•despite he is called a "Monster", don't let his own 'monster' get out from his cage inside. (Taquilla: or else, he will do something you wouldn't expect.... Joen: .... Yeah....)
•beside the Rabbit being his neighbor at the same town. Taquilla, Victoria, Hippo and Deer are also his neighbors too.
•TJ considered Joen his best friend. Joen only saw him as a simple friend and turn buddies together after the end of the Masked Singer.
TJ told Joen who his mentor is after the end of Simi-finals. Why attached to Joen? Is because he wanted to make up to him after TJ avoidance to him.
•with his unknown illegality, Monster did got arrested 6 times and tried to ran away from the cops. That is then he met Dog and his brothers.
•Monster knew about the whole criminality story of the Dog brothers but he actually talks to one of Nicol's brothers. He is still friends with Doberman Dog (Nicol).
•Monster met Doll when Rabbit introduce his long lost forgotten friend and Dog mentioning about her before. Doll kept thanking him to win the competition.
•his opinion on Doll, he likes her and he supported Rabbit that he has someone to watch him. He also adores when they are happily together smiling almost like they went back as kids again.
“i got a baseball bat beside my bed to fight off what’s inside my head.”
Museum date or aquarium date? I suppose aquarium.
Have you ever been a part of a protest or a march? No.
Do you play any video games? Yes.
Did you ever have an emo or scene phase? Yes.
Name a subject you know a lot about. Meerkats.
How would you describe your style? Too-Poor-To-Dress-Goth-So-Wears-Band-Merch-And-Graphic-Tees-Instead.
What’s something most people love that you hate? Coffee.
Who knows the most about you? Sara.
Applesauce or pudding? Pudding.
If you could create ANY mix-up or mythical animal and have it be brought to life, what would it be? I think I've mentioned a meerkat with butterfly wings before? Or bird wings?
Describe a moment that is a prominent memory, but didn’t have a strong impact on your life. Uhhhh there's a lot. One random one would be learning to ride my bike.
If there was one problem/issue you could wipe off the face of the earth, what would it be? Ohhhhhhhhhh god, there's so much. Maybe poverty?
Do you think everyone in our lives serves a purpose, or are some people just there? In the story of your own life, no, not everyone.
How do you feel about getting your picture taken? I hate it.
Most embarrassing poster you’ve ever owned? Never owned one I was embarrassed by.
When was the last time you were in a public setting and a stranger annoyed you? I'm not sure.
Strangest pet peeve? Probably how much I hate people going in/out the wrong door.
If you could make a guest appearance in ANY show, which one would you choose? Uhhhh Supernatural, maybe?
Who do you think is the most underrated comedian? I don't know enough comedians for this, nevermind less successful ones.
Do you always make eye contact with people when you’re speaking to them? No; this is something I'm super awkward about. I don't know how long "normal" eye contact is, so I think it's very easy to notice how, when talking to you, my eyes will suddenly wander.
Could you see yourself having a child with the last person you kissed? We physically can't. We both don't want kids, anyway.
Who is your favorite person to have random conversations with? SARA.
When you were small, did you ever ask where babies came from? If you did, do you remember what your parents told you? I think I did, but I don't remember.
What’s the nicest compliment you’ve ever been given? That I was/am "absolutely beautiful" and deserve "everything in the world."
Who did you have your first kiss with? How did you meet that person? Jason. We "met" via Facebook because I accepted his friend request because I thought he was a different Jason lmao. Apparently he saw me in the hall and knew he had to talk to me so somehow found out my name. Which. I still want to know how. I've come to find how creepy our origin story is lol.
Have you felt butterflies in your stomach today? No.
Did anyone/anything get on your nerves today? No.
Think of the person you fell the hardest for. What first attracted you? I don't know which I fell hardest for, honestly... because one was to an unhealthy degree, but my bond with Sara is healthy. I know I'm closer with her than I was Jason, but I guess by definition I still "fell hardest" for him? In that case, I thought he was really unique, even odd, which I appreciated.
Has anyone recently found out something you didn’t want them to know? I got to where I told my therapist about the RP hobby, per Mom's and Sara's recommendations. I'm trying to work towards not being so secretive and embarrassed by what I love, so I very slowly got it out to her as practice and as a trust exercise.
Is there something you currently want, that you can’t have? HA, there's a lot. A drawing tablet, for one.
Who was the last person to make you feel embarrassed or uncomfortable? LAAAAAAAAAAAAAWL. Probably the last person I had a social interaction with that wasn't my mother.
Think of the last film you watched. Who was your favorite character in it? Buddy (Elf).
What color is your couch? Tan.
What are you known for? Probably as the unsuccessful, antisocial, lazy 23-year-old that still depends on her mother.
Has anyone ever threatened you? Yes.
Have you ever been scammed? I don't think so?
Are you making sure you’re using your full potential? Boy, I try, but I know I don't.
If you have a partner, have you ever had to sleep in separate beds? If you don’t, how would you feel if a future partner wanted separate beds? We're long-distance so like. It'd be a bummer, but that's it; I understand wanting comfort, and even I know sleeping on your own is comfier. I'm just a cuddler and would sacrifice comfiness for the sake of physical closeness.
What is something you are skeptical about? People’s intentions. <<<<<< This.
Is there a murder case you find absolutely fascinating? I'm sure there's some I've forgotten.
What is an unusual item somebody you know owns? Ummmm. OH HA Sara keeps the complete/"good" sheds of the snakes in her room.
What’s the oldest TV-show you like? When was it made? I Love Lucy, 1951.
If you have a job, do you prefer morning shifts or evening shifts? N/A, but I know I'd prefer morning.
Do you have a mug with your name/initials on it? No.
Have you ever designed your own mug? No.
Is there a game that you excel in? A number.
Have you ever been in a row boat? No.
What are you most confident about? Most insecure about? Ummm... probably photography, I guess? I'm most insecure about "odd" interests and hobbies.
When are you most likely to say something you don’t mean? When I'm angry.
When was the last time that you saw fire? I'm not sure. Probably while lighting a match to burn some incense.
Do you like wearing sunglasses? Why or why not? No. I don't like my vision being dimmed.
What do you think in general of girls with short hair? Rock it.
How about guys with long hair? Usually attractive to me.
Have you ever seen somebody get shot? No.
Would you ever try one of those DNA kits? Totally.
With films in languages you do not speak, do you prefer a dub or subtitles? It depends if the voiceovers are convincing or not. Generally, I like those because subtitles distract me.
Which cuisine do you like the least? That I've tried, Japanese.
Are there any foods you dislike because of the texture? YEAH. LOOOOOTS.
Do you let your pets sleep in your bed? Yes, except Bentley.
Who are your favorite songwriters? Otep Shamaya probs tops the list.
What are your favorite one-hit wonders? YO "My Own Worst Enemy" by Lit is a BOP.
Have you ever seen anybody naked by accident? Maybe?
Have you ever had a sexual fantasy about a celebrity? ... lol yes.
Have you ever changed your clothes in the car? Yeah.
About how quickly does your hair grow? UGH, fast. Because I have it short now, it's overgrown in like, two months. It looks awful where it is now, but I should be getting it cut this month.
Do you have to/choose to shave anything unusual? Fuck "have to." No one has to shave anything if they don't want to. But anyway, I suppose you can consider above my lip "unusual." Much to my annoyance, I have dark body hair so develop the dreaded "ladystache" if I leave it alone for too long.
Do you groom (wax, pluck, or thread) your eyebrows? No.
If you wear makeup, what are your preferred brands? N/A
Did your school have somewhere for girls to get emergency pads/tampons? Yes, but for a bit of change. Fucking stupid.
Did you have to take showers after gym before going to your next class? No.
Were you in any extracurricular activities or clubs in high school? I was in the art and honors club, but we didn't do after-school activities.
Have you ever picked up and kept a rock because it caught your eye? I think.
Have you ever laughed at a scene (TV/film) that wasn’t meant to be funny? Ha, I'm sure.
Have you seen any Hannibal movies other than The Silence of the Lambs? I haven't even seen that, but I want to. I know it's a classic and have heard great about it from horror fans.
Have you read any of the Hannibal novels? No.
Do you like any indie movies? Probably.
What part of a man’s body do you find most attractive? I'm suuuuch a sucker for prominent shoulder blades/moderately muscular backs.
What part of a woman’s body do you find most attractive? I'm weak for hips.
Do you think guys look good in makeup? YO most I see doing it fucking rock that shit. I deeply respect guys who embrace their more feminine traits.
Do you like using clay and/or peel-off masks for skincare? No.
Do you like bread crust on pizza or do you prefer it cut off? Mmmmm love it.
Have you ever driven while drunk/intoxicated? No, absolutely never would.
What’s the worst/hardest drug you’ve taken? N/A
What is the worst/hardest drug you’ve been offered, but declined to partake in? Nothing.
If you’ve ever tried drugs or alcohol, what was your reason for trying it? I was just curious about how it tasted and knew a bit wouldn't hurt me.
Do you think you could ever have an abortion if you expectantly turned pregnant? The only way that could currently happen is if I was raped, and I don't know what I'd do. I lean towards carrying it would probably be legit traumatizing to me so yes, but I suppose I'd have to be in that situation (knock the fuck on wood) to truly know.
What is the weirdest ailment a pet of yours/your family’s has sustained? Ummm. The weirdest... probably the intestine thing that killed Cato. I can't remember precisely, but I believe it was some type of infection that completely clogged him. Maybe even a disease.
If you were far from home and needed to sleep for the night, would you choose to rent a crappy hotel room for $60 or sleep in your car for free? In the car.
Is there a situation you caved into peer pressure and regretted it? Maybe?
Have you ever been in a relationship that was going great, and then suddenly something weird happened and you just KNEW it was going to be over soon? That happened with Jason. I had this odd feeling something was off for a little while. He was quieter and seemed somewhat depressed, which was totally unlike him. I even asked him quite a bit if something was wrong, but he always reassured me he was fine.
Which of the guys you’ve been interested in hurt you the most? lul we knooooow.
Do you know anyone who is engaged? Yes.
Do you know anybody who is pregnant? Yes. I'm going to one's baby shower next month!
What is your relationship status on Facebook? Taken.
Would you be able to name everyone you’ve kissed? Yeah.
Last person you watched a movie with? Sara, her dad, and I think her mom and one brother was with us?
Who has the power to break you? I honestly hope no one anymore, at least not entirely. But Sara comes the closest.
Favorite “little kid” movie? TLK.
What are you listening to? WoW's Grizzly Hills music. :')
Who do you feel most comfortable talking to about anything? Sara. Or Mom. It depends on the subject.
Do you find smoking unattractive? Very. I think it says something about how much you care for your health.
Have you ever just laid down outside and stared at the stars? Yup.
Has anyone ever asked you if you were bipolar? I don't believe so.
What was the last thing you looked up on Google? Types of rat cancer for that pet ailment question. We don't know with certainty, but that's likely what killed Tezzeret, brain or eye cancer or something like that.
Do you lose interest in someone quickly? If you do something stupid, ha, bye. I can lose interest very fast but also slowly.
Ever cried while you were on the phone with someone? Yes.
Does your password have to do with a boy/girl? No.
Have you ever made a boyfriend or girlfriend cry? Yes.
Think back to last year. Who did you like? Sara.
How did you meet the last male you called? He's my dad so like-
Ever been kissed on the leg? Maybe?
What was the last thing you ate? Ham, cheese, and mustard on wheat bread.
If you HAD to kiss someone right now, who would it be? Sara.
Who was the last person you rode in the car with? Mom.
Name some things you love about winter? NOT HOT AS FUCK, snow, frost, gingerbread, chocolate-covered peanuts, I can walk outside without worrying about ticks, my birthday, hot chocolate, looking at Christmas lights/decorations, nice tree designs, Christmas itself... I just love winter.
Last person to hear you cry? Probably Mom.
How do you feel about your relationship status? I love it. Only thing that could make me happier is if we weren't long-distance.
Is it possible to be JUST friends with someone you wanna be with? I dunno.
Have you ever been given roses? Yes.
Would you ever sky dive? I don't think so.
Where was the last place you fell asleep other than your own bed? Sara's bed.
If you dated someone that someone else liked, would you rub it in their face? Uh no, I'm an adult.
Have you received a text message that made you cry? Yes.
What do you think of your country’s education system? If you could change it, what would you do? WOULD YOU LIKE AN ESSAY????????????? I'd change a fucking load of things.
If you could move out of your home country permanently, would you? If so, where would you go? No.
Is there a celebrity that everyone else seems to love, but you find totally overrated? Why is it that you don’t like them? I'm not in a place to really answer this; I'm not knowledgeable of almost any celebs' lives.
Think back to the last time you got really angry. Do you think your anger was justified, or did you act in an over the top way? It was fucking justified.
If you could volunteer for any charity, which one would you choose? Do you think it’s more important to help humans, or are animal and environmental charities equally important? Probably one for the environment as far as volunteer work. We're absolutely annihilating our one and only home, and if we don't collectively get our shit together as a species, we're gone. I think both are equally important.
Do you have any allergies? If not, what do you think the worst thing to be allergic to would be? Pollen. I think the worst of the ones I know would be any deathly-allergic food, especially those that there are traces of in many foods.
What do you think of the term plus-sized in modeling? It is it empowering or demeaning? It's demeaning in its name. Just use "modeling" as the term. "Plus size" just makes it sound as if you're not a "perfect" model.
Do you prefer holidays where you relax, or actually do things? Mmm, depends on my mood, honestly.
Do you think you are ready to be on your own (have your own home, job, etc.)? No.
Do you think that after we die our spirit is still alive? Totally.
Do you sleep in a bra? I feel very sorry for anyone who does.
Has your ex ever gone out with someone close to you? No.
Can you suggest someone funny on YouTube? Personally find Game Grumps or Shane Dawson the funniest people on there.
Sprite or Mtn. Dew? I hate Sprite, so.
Has anyone close to you ever been suicidal? Yes.
What is the 10th picture in your phone/camera of? A picture of Roman as a kitten. :')
Are you friends with someone who’s autistic? My niece is, if she counts.
Has anyone ever walked in on you having sex? No.
Have you ever had a Bic Mac? No. I don't like lettuce on burgers.
What’s your favorite part about the holidays? Seeing how excited my niece and nephew are.
How old is your television? Idk exact years, but we had it before the divorce, so it's been a while.
Would you ever dye your hair an unnatural color? BITCH I always want my hair an unnatural color.
Have you ever been to the zoo before? Yes.
If you’re reading a book, what page are you currently on? N/A
How many online accounts do you have? Or have you lost count? I've definitely lost count.
Have you ever been to a convention? (comic, YouTube, etc.) A reptile one.
Have you ever done a first aid course? No.
Has anyone ever compared you to someone you don’t like? No, I don't think so.
Do elevators freak you out? Yes.
How do you find new music to listen to when you want it? YouTube recommendations or Spotify.
What is the biggest difference between you and your best friend? OUR FEELINGS TOWARDS MEDICATION. YOU NEED IT SOMETIMES BABE.
What is something most people are turned on by but you’re not? Penises in general. I'm still bi, but seeing a dick is just. Ugh they're just hideous to me okay.
Is there anything you wish you had done with a current/previous significant other? No. Well, I'm curious how actually deep sex would feel, so I guess I kinda wish Jason and I went that far, especially now that I'll probably never have actual intercourse again, but. Oh well.
What are the top three qualities that draw you to a new person? Charismatic, caring, and respectful.
What job would you be terrible at and what job would you be good at? Anything dealing with customers; exposing animals to healthy human contact.
Do you think that forgiveness is mandatory to move on from something? I think so, to fully move on.
Name three things you would buy if you had the money to buy them? A PS4, drawing tablet, totally new and better camera.
If you could have a video of one event in your life, what would the video be? Sara's reaction to seeing me in her room on her birthday. Her face was the most priceless thing ever.
What did you think was cool when you were younger? Light-up shoes lmao.
Who do you wish you could back into contact with and why did you stop in the first place? Megan. She lied about just about everything in her life for pity. When I finally called her out, she was so upset with herself that she like, fell off the face of the earth.
Have you ever had a dream of stabbing someone? No, but rather Dad trying to stab me.
What’s the most bizarre Horror movie you’ve ever seen? Idk off the top of my head.
Would you ever take a Lie Detector test for your significant other? No, but only because I find them as bullshit. Especially as someone with anxiety, I'd be so scared of something showing as a "lie" to remain calm. Plus, a question may just prompt a memory or thought in you that shows up on the test or whatever but isn't related to lying, stuff like that.
Ever had a forbidden love or lover? No.
Do you like canopy beds? YES. I WANT ONE.
If you could summon any animal to come to your rescue, what animal would it be and why? Ummm maybe a bear? They're tanks and super dangerous with their claws, teeth, and muscles.
