Summer has always been a favorite setting of romance novelists, rom-coms, and fanartists alike, and for good reason: longer, hotter days, vacations, no school... Summer really is the greatest! So we’re celebrating with seven new prompts just before the official start of summer.
The challenge runs June 1-7, with a makeup period from June 8-14.
Here is the prompt list:
Monday, June 1: Bathing Suit
Tuesday, June 2: Camp
Wednesday, June 3: Ice Cream
Thursday, June 4: Heat
Friday, June 5: Tan
Saturday, June 6: Watermelon
Sunday, June 7: Swim
The Rules, Huntie
Submissions open immediately after the prompt reveal and close at 10:59 p.m. CST the day the prompt posts. If you’re super close to finishing, send me a message and we’ll work something out.
During the makeup period, any prompts are accepted on any day.
Stories/art will be posted in the order in which they are received.
Feel free to share your work on Ao3 or AQ, but please link back to the blog when you do so, and if you don’t plan to submit your work to the blog, at least drop a link to let me know were you’ve posted it so I can provide a link for archival reasons.
How does it work?
Use the submit page to submit your post. Format your post using the AQ Guidelines. (It makes it easy on me and Veronica when we’re reblogging things, and everyone’s pretty familiar with them by now.)
One submission per person per prompt per medium per day.
Feel free to complete all of the prompts, pick a few of your favorites, or just do one that really speaks to you. There is absolutely no pressure. I want this to be a fun, relaxed environment that celebrates the RPDR fan culture and some of the incredible talent we have in the fandom.
Remember that all ships, all genres, and all ratings are accepted. If you write it, we want to read it! I would love to see more ships represented this round!
Please feel free to message me here or at my main blog @janssports if you have any other questions.
Like, reblog, and share this post to spread the word. Let me know if you’re planning on participating. And mostly, happy writing!
a/n: in which Raven reigns in her love for chaos just a little, Raja is slowly convinced that this is a good idea, and Manila just really wants some sex.
basically a conversation occurs, followed by some mild smut.
thanks for reading <3
PART 2
Raven paid for their drinks, because she’s a kind and generous person.
They picked out a little table in a quieter part of the club. The atmosphere was much less tense than in the bathroom, but there was still lingering uncertainty. She’d noticed Raja and Manila having a quiet discussion while Raven bought the drinks, and she didn’t eavesdrop, maintaining her stare at the bartender.
“I love that you’re so ready to throw down for Manila here,” commented Raven, looking Raja right in the eye, “You were definitely gonna fight me, weren’t you?”
Raja huffed a little, and her eyebrows came together, deciding if it was an insult or not. Raven hadn’t meant it that way. But there was something kind of hot about the woman getting all riled up.
Raven bet there were other ways to rile her up.
“Well, yeah, I was,” stated Raja, raising her eyebrows, “Still might.”
“I think we can find some other, more creative outlets for that feeling,” said Raven, grinning.
Raja face broke into a half-smile, and she laughed, “Only if you’re lucky.”
Manila was watching this interaction, biting her lip, and Raven could tell the young woman was intrigued by the dynamic. Raven turned to her assertively. Time for some upfront and direct communication, they’re all adults after all.
“So is this something you two do regularly? Make enemies at the club only to have it evolve into… this?”
Manila laughed, “I mean not, like, regularly, but it’s happened before. We have an open relationship, with some boundaries obviously.” She put her hand on Raja’s knee.
“I understand that.”
“How about you?”
“Oh I regularly try to seduce other people’s girlfriends in club bathrooms.”
They both laughed and Raven was pleased that she was charming them. They both seemed pretty cool, after the initial drama. Of course, Raven enjoyed the thrill of the chase with anyone she met, but in all honesty if she were to actually take somebody home she preferred when things were straightforward and directly communicated. The drama of trying to seduce somebody else’s partner to evoke a reaction was fun too, but exactly that: drama.
“But yes, I have, only it’s been a while.”
They both looked intrigued now. Manila was sipping her drink, eyes heavy-lidded and Raja was watching her carefully, angular face tilted to one side. Her arm lazily draped over Manila’s shoulders.
Raven thought she could have a pretty good time between the two of them.
Perhaps literally.
“So, anyway,” she said, “What do you two do for fun?”
They talked for a little while longer as they finished their drinks. Raven learned some background knowledge about the couple, and shared some of her own as well. She mainly discussed work, and how dangerous it was for cyclists in this city, though she did talk about her dog a fair bit. Manila was bubbly and hilarious, a fast talker. Raja was cooler, quick witted and employed some pretty dark humour. Raven could respect that. In fact, Raven found their conversation flowed easily, and she relaxed, her earlier machinations no longer needed.
Manila migrated over to Raven’s side of the table as they talked, leaning in close. Raja watched them from her side, eyes flicking between them. Despite her earlier upset, Raja was now clearly on board with the plan.
“So, shall we?” suggested Raven.
“I’ll call an uber,” said Raja, taking her phone out, “Is our place okay?”
Raven felt a little tingle of excitement, “Yes, better in fact. I have roommates.”
“Great.”
Manila’s hand traced Raven’s thigh, “This is going to be such a good time.”
“You bet.”
-
Raja sat in the front of the uber, chatting easily with the driver while Raven and Manila were in the back. Manila had her entire body angled towards Raven, one hand slipping up the inside of the her thigh and the other over her shoulders, playing with her hair. Raven was getting a bit hot and bothered, anticipating the hopefully insanely hot sex that awaited her at the couple’s apartment.
Not to mention Manila was whispering into her ear in increasingly explicit detail exactly how she wanted to get fucked. Now, Raven was very into that and she was getting quite turned on but the fact of the matter was they were still in the damn uber. Raven was grateful for Raja’s casual presence in the front of the car, distracting the driver from Manila’s increasingly inappropriate antics.
Manila’s fingers just brushed the already damp underwear between Raven’s legs and her breath hitched. She’d love to take Manila and fuck her right now in this car, but that seriously could not happen without a public indecency charge. Instead, she grasped the smaller woman’s wrist and held it back. Manila looked at Raven with a smirk and a raised eyebrow. Manila had taken her reaction as a challenge. Interesting.
“You can’t wait ten minutes til we get to your apartment?” Raven whispered into her ear, teasing.
“No, I can’t,” Manila whispered back, with a slight whine in her voice that sent an electric shock of desire right between Raven’s legs, “I wanna touch you right now.”
Jesus Christ. This woman was going to be the death of her. If Raven didn’t explode from desire in the back of this god damn uber-
“We’re here,” said Raja, unbuckling her seatbelt.
Exhaling in relief, Raven let go of Manila and practically leapt out of the car, stumbling a little in her heels. Manila followed her. Raven looked up at the building in front of them. It looked pretty nice, an older warehouse-type brick building with big windows. And then Raja casually slung an arm around her shoulders, and led her towards the entrance. Manila walked beside her.
A quick elevator-ride later and they were in front of the door, Raja’s noisy key chain jangling as she turned the lock. Manila was at it again, pressed up against Raven’s side, and gently kissing her neck.
Raven tapped her foot impatiently.
The door opened and Raja entered first. Inside, Raven immediately kicked off her heels and pushed Manila against the wall, kissing her aggressively. Manila responded in kind, arms around Raven’s neck, hands in her hair. Her lips and mouth felt so good, exactly what Raven had wanted since she’d seen her on the dance floor earlier. She pushed her tongue in Manila’s mouth, tasting her.
Manila turned her face to the side, breaking the kiss, breathless.
“I need to take my shoes off, give me a sec.”
“Oh, now you’re the one that needs a second,” teased Raven, still pressed against her, planting a kiss on her jaw.
“Come on…” whined Manila, and again the whine sent a shot of heat directly between Raven’s legs. Very soon, she was going to have Manila whining and begging for it.
Raven stepped back, letting Manila bend down and untie her shoes. Raven walked from the entryway into the open-concept apartment. It was nice, a decent sized living room with large windows that let in the orange light of the city night. Raja was leaning against the kitchen island, drinking a glass of water.
“Ooh, good idea,” commented Raven, moving around the other woman towards the sink. She paused, she had no idea where the glasses were.
“Here,” said Raja, and she leaned over Raven, opening the cupboard just above her. Raven glanced over her shoulder. Raja was close to her, and the energy between them was suddenly electric. Raven exhaled slowly through her nose. Raja angled her body, pressing gently against Raven’s ass and back, reaching over her shoulder into the cupboard to take out a glass.
“Thanks,” Raven breathed. The older woman had a quiet confidence about her that was almost intimidating, especially next to Manila’s goofy and blatant way of expressing desire.
“You’re welcome,” murmured Raja, and reached around Raven with both arms, turning the tap with her right hand, letting the glass in her left slowly fill up with water. She was now fully pressed against Raven’s back, and the edge of the counter stuck into Raven’s stomach. Raja put her chin on Raven’s shoulder and Raven could feel her breath against her cheek.
And then the glass was full and Raja pulled back, turning quickly so she was now leaning back against the counter next to Raven. A small smile played on her lips. She offered Raven the glass of water, and Raven took it, quietly taking a deep drink. If she’d been thirsty before, she was definitely thirsty now.
They maintained eye contact as Raven drained the glass. Raja ever so subtly licked her lips. Should she move in and kiss her, wondered Raven, perhaps Raja liked being in charge like this. The curiosity was driving her wild.
Then Manila careened into her side, giggling, and Raven gasped, almost dropping the glass. But she didn’t, and carefully put it down, while Manila hugged her around her waist and kissed her neck. Raja watched the entire thing with a raised eyebrow. Raven smiled and rolled her eyes at Raja, Manila clinging to her back like a limpet.
Then she had an idea.
She turned and lifted Manila off her feet. Manila shrieked a laugh and wrapped her legs around Raven’s hips, arms around Raven’s neck. Raven held her comfortably, gripping Manila’s gorgeous yellow-clad ass. Raven regularly worked out and enjoyed the challenge of weight-lifting, she was a lot stronger than she looked.
“Nice,” said Raja, and Raven merely flipped her hair and made for the door that she guessed to be the bedroom. Manila bounced against her, clearly enjoying being carried, and Raja followed them. Luckily Raven had guessed right and the door she kicked open was their bedroom. The dark room was large, the same high ceiling as in the rest of the apartment. It was a bit messy, there was a big bed against one wall, pale blue sheets and a duvet messily pulled across it. Raven made right for it.
She dumped Manila onto the bed, and she bounced, giggling hysterically, legs in the air. Immediately, Raven was on all four over top of her, kissing her aggressively. Manila responded enthusiastically, and wrapped her legs around Raven’s waist again, wriggling her pelvis against her.
Raja moved slowly around them, tidying the general vicinity of the bed. She turned on the bedside light, bathing the room in an orange-red glow.
Raven was quite busy making out with Manila. Manila was grinding against her and Raven needed to get some of their clothes off, now. She began to work the clasps on the back of Manila’s top, but they were hard to reach and… why were there so many of them?
Frustrated, Raven murmured into Manila’s ear, “Can you turn over?”
And Raven was very excited to hear Manila’s breath hitch and have her immediately obey, rolling onto her stomach. Raven undid the clasps of her top, easing it off, admiring the smooth expanse of Manila’s back. Manila turned her head, glancing back at Raven out of one eye. Raven gave her a smile, and reached underneath her, working on the button and zipper of her bright yellow jeans.
She pulled the jeans down, exposing Manila’s perfect, perfect ass. It was partially covered in lacy black underwear. Manila was arching her back a little, showing herself off. Raven sent a brief glance towards the ceiling, thanking whatever deity was watching over her for this moment. And then she bent down, planted a leisurely kiss on the exposed part of Manila’s cheek, and then bit it.
Manila yelped and Raven laughed, pulling Manila’s jeans down her legs and off. Raja made a noise, and Raven remembered that she was there, watching, standing by the edge of the bed.
“She likes biting,” commented Raja, shifting her hips, an intense look on her face.
“It’s true,” groaned Manila, still face down in the duvet.
“Alright then,” nodded Raven.
Manila sat up, naked except for her underwear and looked at Raven lazily, anticipating whatever was going to come next. Raja didn’t move, just stood by the bed, right hand in the elbow crook of her left arm. Raven took off her own dress, letting the couple watch her. She eased it off her shoulders and pulled it down to her waist, then down her legs and off. This was slightly uncomfortable to do while sitting, but she figured by Raja’s slightly glazed expression that she still managed to look hot. Manila was taking off her own underwear, now completely nude, still watching Raven.
Raven reached back and undid her bra, letting her soft breasts out of their prison. She was more well-endowed in the chest department than Manila, and significantly moreso than Raja.
Raja’s eyes were now dark with desire as she stared openly at Raven’s naked chest. Manila shifted towards her, going in for another kiss, but suddenly Raja moved onto the bed and put hand on her shoulder. Manila paused, glancing to Raja, who moved up to Raven and kissed her first.
“Aw c'mon, I was gonna do that…” whined Manila.
Raja tasted like water, and breath mints and something else Raven couldn’t place. Raja climbed on top of her and pushed her down onto her back. Raven ran her hands over Raja’s braids, kissing her eagerly. There was an intense energy between them, like the first cracks of lightning across the sky before a massive thunderstorm. Raja was still entirely clothed, and Raven had to do something about that. She reached to Raja’s waist, trying to untuck her shirt, or feel for a zipper or button.
Ignoring her efforts entirely, Raja went for Raven’s chest, licking and sucking her nipples, cupping the opposite breast with her hand.
Raja has a thing for tits then, thought Raven, that’s fun. She was getting pretty hot and bothered from the attention, starring to desperately need some friction between her legs.
“Raja, take your clothes off already!” ordered Manila from next to them. Raven hadn’t noticed, but Manila had crept up next to them, and had put her hand down the front of Raja’s pants, stroking gently between her legs.
“Yeah Raja, get naked,” teased Raven from underneath her.
Raja paused in her thorough enjoyment of Raven’s chest and huffed, irritated, “Fine, fine.”
She got up off the bed and stripped quickly and efficiently, “Happy now?”
“Sooooo happy, baby,” sighed Manila, flopping back onto a pillow, her dark hair spreading out like a halo, “Now are you two gonna fuck me, or what?”
Raja and Raven shared a look, and grinned.
After a quick discussion of what was on and off limits for their respective bodies, things got truly heated.
break up with ur girlfriend (ravjila) (1/3) - dartmouth420
A/N: part 1: lesbian au in which Raven is a chaotic dumbass who’s a bit manipulative, and the night turns out differently than she expected.
featuring Jujubee’s unsolicited opinion via text message
this fic is high-key based on the ariana grande song with the same title. first time submitting, long time admirer. general shoutout to all the rajila/ravja/ravjila writers, y'all are absolute gems.
ps: raven’s moral compass is a bit crooked in this fic, so please take that in stride.
PART 1
Raven knew she looked good.
Her long blonde hair was sleek and her eyeliner was perfect, her layers of makeup accentuating her eyes and cheekbones. Her tight black dress showed off her curves and her new heels made her legs look hot as hell. Not to mention, she was on the prowl. Smiling to herself, she sucked on the straw of her second drink, eyeing the club-goers analytically. The music pumped through the speakers.
There were so many fucking hot women here, but Raven could be quite selective. It was a Friday, so even if she didn’t meet anyone tonight she’d go out again tomorrow. Either way, she was gonna get laid this weekend.
Raven walked into the next room, where there was a wider dance floor. The ceilings in there were higher, blue light glancing over the partygoers. Raven noticed some people she knew and gave them a wave. She moved through the crowd like a shark, looking over each person.
And then she saw her. The straw fell from Raven’s mouth.
The woman was insanely cute, curly black hair, pale skin, a thin leather band around her neck. She wore tight yellow high-waisted jeans (a bold choice for the club Raven had to admit, intrigued) and a black lingerie-style top. The young woman danced like she was having fun, not like she was trying to be looked at. That made looking at her all the more satisfying, in Raven’s opinion.
Raven grinned. The woman was exactly her type. She couldn’t wait to take her home. If the woman was into her, anyway. But the entire seduction process stretched before Raven, and she basked in the anticipation.
The song changed to a bass-heavy hip-hop beat and Raven started to move towards the other woman. The other woman rolled her hips back and forth, lifting her hands over head. Raven licked her lips, just steps from her.
And then a pair of brown tattooed arms wrapped around the curly-haired woman’s waist. Raven paused. The woman Raven had been watching leaned back into the other, smiling, eyes closed. They swayed together and Raven took a good look at the second woman. She was tall, with light-brown skin and some pretty hot arm tattoos. She was dressed in a backless top, exaggeratedly deep cut showing off her flat chest, with long black pants with a masculine cut. Her black and grey hair was in tight braids close to her head. She whispered in the younger woman’s ear and kissed the side of her face. Then she glanced around, eyeing up the other people who were too close to her girlfriend.
Raven cocked her head to one side and raised an eyebrow. A spike of jealousy shot through her. Hmm. The young woman’s girlfriend seemed a touch possessive. But when it came to possessive partners, there was something so fun about trying to seduce the person they so jealousy guarded. Also, half the time it meant the relationship was unstable and on it’s way out. Raven could definitely help this one die a natural death.
Then she spun on her heel and retreated.
But it wasn’t truly a retreat, she merely had to plan around this new information.
Raven knew she had a reputation as a bit of a womanizer, if there was a lesbian term for that. Maybe she was just a bitch, but whatever. It satisfied her to mess with people a little bit. She never went out of her way to be truly cruel. She leaned against the wall of the club and pulled out her phone.
gonna ruin someones relationship tonight she texted to her best friend Juju. The only reason Juju wasn’t at the club with her, getting wasted and yelling at guys was because she was away at some conference for her job.
BITCH Juju immediately messaged back. is she hot tho
obviously… Raven let out a small chuckle, looking down at her phone screen.
girl…
she’s a cutie, just gotta get around her older girlfriend get ready for drama
bitch ur gonna die lol. text me later?
you’ll hear all about it ;)
Raven shut her phone and put it in her bra, then sipped her drink. She noticed another girl approach her, pretty with her hair dyed green, but Raven gave her a disinterested look and the girl changed direction. It was easy to keep an eye on the curly-haired woman on the dance floor, her bright yellow jeans easily visible among the mainly black-clad clubgoers.
Fuck, she was hot.
There was a good song playing, so Raven drained her drink and briefly joined the dance floor, moving her hips sensually and earning some appreciative looks. While she danced she thought about the situation. It was most likely the curly-haired woman would be by herself at some point, perhaps at the bar ordering a drink. Or briefly alone on the dance floor, if the possessive girlfriend was in charge of what they drank. That would be her opportunity. And then Raven realized she had to pee.
Mildly annoyed, she made her way towards the bathroom. It was fairly crowded but surprisingly clean. There was some blonde girl crying at the sink, two of her friends trying to comfort her and another woman stumbling out of a stall, laughing. Raven quickly entered a stall and shut the door, hiking her dress up and sitting down. Dizzy, she blinked. The alcohol was starting to get to her but maybe it was a good idea to be a little buzzed, if it was going to give her the confidence to hit on the mystery woman.
There was whispering in the next stall, followed by giggling and a quick, “So the E-”.
Some fool was doing party drugs in the bathroom. Raven wondered if they might share.
She finished and stepped out of the stall.
The hot woman from the dance floor was bent over the counter, fixing her lipstick in the mirror. Her round ass covered in those bright yellow jeans was right in front of Raven. Raven wanted to bite it.
Instead she smiled, delicately touched her chest and took advantage of her glorious luck. The other sinks were occupied, one by the still-crying blonde and the other by someone actually washing their hands. She circled the curly-haired woman, coming to her side by the counter-top.
The other woman noticed her in the mirror, “Oh sorry, did you need the sink?” She shuffled a little to the side.
“I did, thanks,” Raven bent close to her and washed her hands thoroughly. Club bathrooms were nasty. The crying girl next to them had mascquera all over her face, poor thing, and she and her crew filed out of the bathroom. Raven eyed the curly-haired women next to her in the mirror. Up close she was pretty, with high round cheekbones and expressive eyebrows. Raven straightened and went over to dry her hands. She watched the other woman continue with her makeup and noticed her glance over, looking Raven up and down.
Excellent.
“So what’s your name? I’m Raven,” said Raven, moving back towards the big mirror to touch up her own makeup. Not that it needed it, she looked flawless. She leaned over the counter, smoothing down one eyebrow and watching the other woman in the mirror, perhaps a little closer to her than necessary.
“Woah, that’s such a cool name,” the other woman breathed and straightened, stumbling a little, and gave Raven a big open smile, “I’m Manila.”
The woman had obviously had a couple drinks, and was into her. Even better.
“You’ve got a pretty cool name yourself,” said Raven, touching her arm in acknowledgement, “Love your jeans by the way.” She let her eyes run up and down the woman’s - no, Manila’s, legs.
“Aw thanks,” she said, then she raised her foot up onto the counter, running her hand down her leg like a car salesman, said announced, “I got these babies at Target, can you believe it?” Then she threw her head back and laughed at her own joke.
Holy shit. Raven giggled, covering her mouth. Raven was going to make Manila throw her head back like that again, ideally with Raven’s tongue in her pussy.
“I really can’t believe that,” replied Raven, taking a step towards Manila as she lowered her leg off the counter, “Doubt I’d find anything like you at Target.” She moved behind Manila, who turned to follow her. Then Raven stepped forward, very close to Manila, who’s breath hitched.
Manila stepped back, her hips now back against the counter, “I mean I’m very pro-Target, just don’t wear red in there, you’ll never get out.”
“I certainly won’t risk it. Are you here alone, or…?” Raven purred, raising her chin.
“Oh uh,” said Manila, staring into Raven’s eyes.
“You wanna come dance with me?” Raven leaned forward, resting her hands on the counter, trapping Manila. She was taller than the other woman, perhaps not as much without her heels, but it made her feel powerful. But, Manila clearly didn’t mind tall women. Raven hadn’t forgotten her girlfriend.
“Well, I have a girlfriend,” said Manila, eyes wide. But she wasn’t leaning back, away from Raven, or trying to move. In fact, she brushed Raven’s arm with the tips of her fingers, cocked her head to one side and gave Raven a calculating look, “But…”
“You should break up with your girlfriend,” breathed Raven into her ear, her body tingling, “I’m bored-”
The door slammed open, ricocheting off the wall.
“Manila! I found the- fuck!”
Raven straightened up, a shark-like grin on her face.
“Oh fuck, Raja-” started Manila, taking a step towards the other woman.
“Who’s this?” the tall woman, Raja, motioned at Raven angrily.
“Hi, I’m Raven,” said Raven, offering her a little wave. She didn’t stop smiling. The real drama was starting.
Raja glared at her. Raven eyed her right back. Raja was tall and lithe, muscular and quite androgynous but for her long hair. She had an angular face with minimal makeup and big brown eyes that were currently narrowed at Raven.
“The fuck are the you doing with my girlfriend?” she snapped.
“Oh, is this your girlfriend?” replied Raven sarcastically.
“What do you think, blondie?”
“Raja-” Manila moved in front of her, putting an arm around Raja’s waist and turning her away from Raven.
“If you’re going to do stuff like this, we talk about it first,” said Raja, voice quiet and low.
Oh. Well, that was interesting. Raven shifted her hips and mentally adjusted her plan.
“I’m sorry, baby,” said Manila, running her hand over Raja’s bicep. “I know this is supposed to be your night.”
“Right, yeah, it was.”
Raven cocked her head to one side.
“What are you still looking at?” snapped Raja.
“Oh, nothing,” replied Raven casually, looking down at her nails. The paint was beautiful, not even chipped. Of course, she only kept them long on two out of four fingers, and she angled her hand, making sure they both noticed, “Just your girlfriend is really hot, that’s all."
Manila laughed and quickly turned it into a cough.
"Bitch, I swear to god-” Raja took a menacing step towards Raven.
Raven held her ground, and looked Raja right in the eyes, “You’re not bad yourself, when you’re not yelling.”
Raja’s mouth dropped open, shocked. Manila began giggle, looking between them. The giggling turned into a truth laugh, and she threw back her head again, hair bouncing.
Raven’s face broke, and she smiled as well. She raised her eyebrows at Raja and winked.
“I mean-” Raja looked between them, but her angry expression was cracking, “I- fuck.” She brought her hand to her temple, a smile playing around her mouth. She shook her head at Raven.
“Why don’t we all get a drink and talk about it?” suggested Raven, taking a step forward and giving Raja a warm smile.
Manila leaned into Raja, hugging her waist, “C'mon, let’s get a drink.”
They all left the bathroom, and as Raven stepped out, last, she heard one of the party-drug women still hidden in the stall whisper-shout, “No fucking way, she really turned it around like that?!”
Raven smirked, and let the door swing shut behind her.
a/n: part 3: in which Raven makes an ethically questionable decision, Raja really doesn’t like mornings, absolutely nothing will crush Manila’s positive attitude, and Jujubee throws a curve ball
basically ye olde morning after weirdness
thanks for reading :)
Raven awoke tired and a little hungover in bed with Manila and Raja. She raised her head and sighed, then noticed the tall glass of water on the bedside table. She loosely remembered Raja padding out of the room just as Raven was drifting off (thoroughly fucked out and happy) and placing something on the bedside table. That was kind of her, especially considering the circumstances in which they’d met. Raven raised the glass and took a big drink, appreciative.
Raven sat on the edge of the bed quietly, not wanting to wake them. Maybe she’d go and make coffee or something. Or maybe she should just leave. Raven glanced over her shoulder. A perfect ray of sunlight was hitting the bed where Manila and Raja were still curled up, asleep, and whole thing was aesthetically glorious.
Raven wondered if what was about to do was ethical. But then she shrugged, and raised her phone. Also, she really liked them, and might be interested in seeing them again, so she held no malicious intent.
The photo she took was from a strong angle, consisting of the corner of her face, one eye visible, eyebrow raised, blonde hair smooth close to her head. Behind her was the bed, and Raja and Manila curled up, still asleep. Raja was deep in the covers, only one closed eye, her forehead and a streak her long grey hair visible. Manila was next to Raja, lying on her back fast asleep with her mouth open, the cover pulled up to her chin.
She hit send.
BITCH replied Juju, quickly, with about eighteen emojis, you fucked them both???
you bet replied Raven, smug.
Wait a sec, Juju replied. Then the second text came in.
ohhhhhh YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE IT
what?? Raven looked down at her phone, concerned.
BITCH THE GIRL ON THE LEFT IS MY SECOND COUSIN
The blood drained from Raven’s face, and she looked back at Manila, who was… well, a young woman who’s last name she hadn’t asked for and who’s social media who hadn’t checked out. But in a big, multicultural city like this who would’ve expected her to be related to Raven’s best friend?
fuckkkk
Juju sent her a text containing twenty laugh-crying emojis and one devil, followed by a vomit-face.
uhhhh, don’t be grossed out but she’s hot, replied Raven, who was finding the situation as distressing as it was funny. This new factoid raised the stakes, seeing this couple was no longer an entirely anonymous entity.
She mildly regretted sending the photo. Maybe it was an invasion of privacy.
BITCH DON’T TELL ME THAT ABOUT MY COUSIN
idk if anyone knows she’s gay tbh that whole side of the family is pretty religious
i didn’t know lol
oh shit I’m sorry… was just trying to brag to u about my conquest haha
why are u like this it’s fucked up lol
idk lol
thanks for telling me
but like
i might wanna see her again?
maybe both of them ;) ??? typed out Raven, hitting send with some mild guilt. She’d definitely need to sit down and think about this later. After she had some caffeine.
o really?
yeah…
aw <3
Raven smiled at the phone. She really loved Juju, they’d been best friends since college, and truly shared everything.
can’t wait to be ur in-law, teased Juju,
imma bring u really cheap wedding gifts
ur getting an off-brand slow cooker
BITCH!
anyway g2g <3 <3
hmu later <3
Raven got up and walked to the bathroom. She quickly rinsed her face and mouth. She put the unexpected information from Juju about Manila aside for now, and decided not address it. This really wasn’t the time or the place. Then she padded over to the kitchen. It was a bit cluttered, clearly well-used and loved.
There was an espresso machine on the counter, and Raven grinned. She knew how to work one of those, having done the time in her early twenties as a barista. While the water heated, Raven looked at the pictures on the fridge. There were kitschy magnets from a few places around the world, ‘Paris, je t'aime!’, and several photos, including two goofy school pictures of Raja and Manila respectively. Manila glared at the camera, about thirteen and deep in an emo phase, judging by her racoon-like eyeliner, back-combed hair and striped long-sleeved shirt. Raja’s picture was more innocent, a goofy-looking androgynous nine-year old with a big smile, round face and black hair sticking up awkwardly.
Raven snorted a laugh. She appreciated this couple’s sense of humour, displaying silly pictures on their fridge.
She sighed. She shared her apartment somewhat resentfully with two room mates. It wasn’t an ideal situation but it was cheap and because of that she’d been able to put aside some savings. If only Tyra would do the dishes every once in a while. Not to mention she was pretty sure Nicole had a crush on her, and she had to figure out how to let the other girl down easy. In fact, Nicole was probably taking her dog for a walk right now. Raven winced and sighed. Whatever, these were problems for Future Raven. Hopefully she’d find a better job soon, and move on.
The espresso machine was gurgling, so Raven moved over and dealt with it.
A few minutes later she snuck back into the bedroom with three cups of espresso. She was a little nervous, this wasn’t something she’d normally do. She was more of a leave immediately after sex or quickly in the morning kind of lover. But this felt like the right thing.
She put the coffee on the bedside table and sat on the bed, heart suddenly beating quickly.
The movement of Raven sitting back down on the bed disrupted Manila, who blinked her eyes open and yawned, stretching. The movement then woke Raja, who groaned and buried her face deeper into the pillow, disappearing under the duvet. Manila blinked and smiled sleepily at Raven.
“Good morning… oh! You made coffee!” said Manila, and she threw the covers off and made for the bedside table where Raven had put the little cups, “Oh my god, is that espresso?”
“Did somebody say espresso?” muttered Raja from deep in the blankets.
“Yeah, I made some,” said Raven, gently.
“That’s nice, you’re so sweet!” enthused Manila, kissing Raven on the cheek. Manila was shockingly perky, having been awake for less than one minute, “And I thought you were all mean and sexy last night…”
“She’s great. Keep your voice down,” muttered Raja.
Raven stifled a laugh, and sipped her own coffee. Manila crawled off the bed and threw on a robe, before sitting next to Raven and drinking her coffee in silence. Eventually, a long brown arm stuck out of the pile of covers that contained Raja, and Manila carefully put the cup of espresso into her hand. The arm retreated into the pile of covers almost cartoonishly. The only evidence of Raja’s existence was a small slurp and a happy sigh.
“I had a really nice time with you two, last night,” whispered Raven, putting a hand on Manila’s thigh.
“Aw thanks! I did too, and Raja as well,” replied Manila, quietly.
“Lovely, so… I can leave whenever, if you’ve got something you’re doing today-”
“Oh, don’t worry about it,” replied Manila, smiling so that the edges of her eyes crinkled happily, “Neither of us have plans, you can hang out for breakfast, whatever suits you.”
“Right, well,” replied Raven, her heart glowing a little upon hearing she was welcome to stay, “I really need to shower.”
“Mmm, I think I’ll join you,” said Manila, putting down her cup down. They both glanced back at the pile of blankets and pillows that contained Raja somewhere deep within it.
“Yeah, she won’t be really awake for a while.”
-
Of course, Raven ended up on her knees in the shower eating Manila out against the wall. A truly good start to the day, Raven mused to herself as Manila squirmed and gasped, throwing her head back with pleasure. What could be better?
When they were finally done, they found Raja in the kitchen, starting to cook. The older woman had put her hair up on top of her head in a messy bun, wore dark-rimmed glasses and an elaborately patterned silk robe.
“Your glasses are too cute,” said Raven, as she towelled her hair dry. She was wearing a borrowed bathrobe, one of an apparently infinite supply, “Anything I can help with?”
“No, just sit there and look pretty,” replied Raja, with an affectionate smile.
“That’ll be easy.”
Breakfast was insanely good. It was better than any breakfast Raven had had in a long time, and she’d certainly worked up an appetite. Raja could really cook. They hung around the table for a while, chatting away about plans for the weekend and this and that. Eventually Raven changed, slipping her dress from last night back on, feeling a bit weird next to the other two, who were wearing relaxed weekend clothes. It was time to retreat to her own apartment and chill out.
“I think I’ll call an uber,” said Raven to Raja. Manila was checking her phone, and Raja was putting dishes in the sink.
“I can give you a ride,” said Raja, shrugging.
“You sure?”
“Yeah, it’s no problem.”
“Okay, thanks,” said Raven. She supposed it’d be worth it to save the eight dollars on the ride.
“Manila, you want to come?” asked Raja, half-turning towards the other woman.
“Ah, no, sorry I have to make a call in a few minutes,” said Manila, giving Raven an apologetic smile.
Manila then engaged in a drawn out goodbye with Raven, leaving her with lingering kisses and an exchange of numbers. Raja watched from the door, lacing up her shoes, and raised a single eyebrow. Then Raven got her little purse and left with Raja. Her high-heeled club shoes clicked along the floor of the hallway.
In the carpark under the building, they approached an ugly 90’s style green car.
“Wow, this thing is ancient,” joked Raven, sitting down on the worn passenger seat. But unlike Juju’s car that seemed to be always covered in empty takeout containers and random garbage, Raja’s was meticulously clean. Raven didn’t have a car, but everything she did was comfortably within either cycling or public transit distance, and for anything that wasn’t Juju would drive her.
“Yeah, so everyone tells me,” chuckled Raja, shifting into gear, “But it’s reliable, hasn’t died yet. I made it through Hurricane Katrina in this thing.”
“You can drive stick?” asked Raven, curious, “Also… what?”
“Yep,” replied Raja, winking, “And I’ll tell you that story sometime if you’re lucky.”
“Hmm.” Raven was impressed and she eyed Raja’s tattooed hand on the gearshift as she confidently manoeuvred the car out of the parkade into the street. The bright sun burst through the windshield, and reflected off of Raja’s white Tshirt.
“So,” said Raven as they drove, after she’d given Raja her address. She felt a bit exposed, without any makeup on and her hair still slightly damp from the shower.
“So,” replied Raja, smirking a little at Raven’s uncharacteristic hesitance, “Manila gave you her number, right?”
Raven nodded, and then she had no idea why she said it, but suddenly it was out of her mouth, “It turns out I distantly know her.”
“Oh yeah? From where?”
“She’s my friend Juju’s second cousin.”
Raja stiffened at the mention, shifting the clutch and accelerating through the green light, “You know her family?”
“No. She just happens to be related to her. Juju’s my best friend,” replied Raven, inwardly cursing. Why had she even mentioned it?
“How did you find out?”
“Checked out her instagram this morning, realized the connection,” Raven lied quickly, guilt flaring in her stomach.
“Right. Well. Manila’s family is pretty religious,” said Raja matter-of-factly, but Raven could see lingering resentment in her expression, “Let’s just say they don’t approve of us and leave it at that. Maybe don’t mention this to your friend.”
“Of course not.”
“Good.”
Raven wondered if she could have handled that better. But then again, family was complicated.
They pulled up at Raven’s soon after that. Raven was having a hard time getting a read on Raja, so she decided to say exactly how she felt and Raja could interpret it however she so desired. They’d been quiet for the last few minutes of the drive. It was a beautiful day, thought Raven, looking out the window at the bright blue sky.
“Well, I had a great time with you two last night and I hope you stay in touch, I’d love to see you again,” said Raven, with a warm smile as she opened the door to get out.
“I had a good time as well,” said Raja, with a half-smile, “I, ah, just felt a bit weird with you bringing up Manila’s family. I’m basically suspicious of anyone who knows them since they’ve been so shitty to us over the years. But yeah, I like you too. Until next time.”
And then Raja leaned in and kissed Raven intently. Raven raised her eyebrows, surprised. And then Raja pulled back and gave her an absolutely filthy grin, and when Raven left the car she waved. Raven waved back and saw in Raja the same goofy energy as she’d seen in the childhood photo on her fridge. It was a bit of a shock after her cool exterior, but charming.
Hmmm. It seemed the night before had worked out in the best way possible. Raven opened the front door to her building and nodded pleasantly to her elderly neighbour, who looked her up and down disapprovingly.
Raven walked up the two flights of stairs towards her apartment, feeling thoroughly satisfied. She had work on Monday and a bunch of laundry and groceries and chores to do before then. Also, Juju would be back Sunday afternoon and she was looking to reuniting with her best friend after their brief time apart.
There was much to discuss.
-
The following morning she received a text.
You doing anything next weekend? :P
Raven raised an eyebrow and replied, new phone who dis
It’s Manila!!! Omg you’re the worst lol
that’s what they all say
hmmmmm i think i’m available friday ;)
Yay!! We’ll be in touch, Manila sent a quick photo of herself and Raja, a selfie in Raja’s car. Manila was sticking her tongue out at the camera and Raja was looking at something out of frame, light reflecting off her glasses. There were bags full of groceries behind them in the back seat.
Raven smiled down at her phone like a love-struck fool.
And So This is Christmas, I Hope You Had Fun (Ravjila) - Sammy Indigo
A/N: Part 2 of the Ravjila Christmas fic from a week or so ago. I do hope everyone is having a safe December, and if you’re in an area with some severe weather, be careful.
And thank you for all the kind words you have been giving me this month. I read them all. All the love xxx
Latrice hadn’t bothered to chastise the three of them on Christmas morning, when she knocked on Manila and Raven’s bedroom door at eight am and opened it to both girls, plus Raja, all cuddled together in Raven’s single bed. Usually when she caught all three of them in the same room after an impromptu sleepover, she gave them a brief lecture about getting to bed early and the safety of knowing where each of them were through the night. However, this Christmas morning, the woman had wished them “Merry Christmas, Babies”, and told them to be downstairs in ten minutes for breakfast.
By the time Manila had managed to drag the other two out of bed, Willam and Danny were already throwing balled up pieces of wrapping paper at each other from across the long dining room table. A particularly aggressive throw from Danny, and a strategic duck from Willam resulted in the wadded up paper hitting Tatiana in the back of the head. She whipped around with a pout and a frown on her face.
“Hey!” She shouted. “Stop it.”
“Sorry!” Danny laughed. “Sorry, Tati.”
Tatiana glared at him. “That’s twice you’ve hit me, now.”
“Then move outta the way.” Willam teased.
Raven smacked him over the head as she walked past to Tatiana. She made an effort to soften the blow slightly. It was Christmas, after all.
“Happy Christmas, Ravie.” Tatiana beamed, holding up a little make up set that Raven suspected was from Claire’s. “Look.” Tatiana said. She leaned into Raven’s side. “It’s got highlighter, and mascara, and even glitters!” She grinned broadly. “I asked for make up, and I got it! This is awesome. Thank you!”
Raven tugged her ponytail, fondly. “Don’t thank me, I didn’t get it for you. Thank the random stranger who feels guilty enough about their life choices to make themselves feel better by spending money on foster kids.”
“Raven.” Latrice warned. “It’s Christmas.”
“Sorry.” Raven kissed Tatiana’s cheek. “That’s so cool. I’m glad you got what you wanted.”
“Thank you.”
“Hey, Rave!” Manila called from the other side of the room.
Raven kissed Tatiana’s head and patted her shoulder, leaving her to fawn over her present. She wormed her way through the excitable kids, picking up a paper ball from the table and throwing it back to Danny. He caught it and gave her a thumbs up.
“I’d like to keep my nose intact, this year.” He said, brushing long hair out of his eyes.
“We’ll see.” Raven said with a smirk. He flipped her the bird and she laughed.
As Raven approached them, Raja handed her a cookie, and Manila held up a mug in question.
“Coffee?” She asked. “Or Latrice is doing hot chocolate?”
“Chocolate.” Raven said, taking a bite of the cookie and settling into Raja’s side. “Since it’s Christmas.”
Latrice passed her a mug from behind. “Since it’s Christmas, darling.” She said. “Mini marshmallows but no cream for Raven.” She handed a second mug to Raja. “And cream and sprinkles for my Raja.”
“How do you remember that?” Raven asked. “There’s like fifteen of us.”
“I always remember all of my babies. Don’t matter how old they are.” Latrice said. She nodded to the kids running around the rest of the room. “Don’t think you aren’t special just because you’re one of many. You,” She squeezed Raven’s shoulder. “And you two,” She put a hand on Raja’s arm and Manila’s shoulder, “are special. Are loved. Don’t matter if you leave, don’t matter if you come back, don’t matter if you grow up and forget all about me.” Latrice looked at each of them in turn. “You’re loved by me. Always.”
Manila stepped around Raven to hug Latrice. “I could never forget you. You’re unforgettable.”
“Well, thank you, baby.”
Raja beamed. “And we love you.”
“Thank you.” Raven said. She sipped her hot chocolate. “And I’m sorry.”
“Sorry for what?” Latrice asked, baffled as she kept an arm around Manila. “You’ve only been up for twenty minutes. What could you have possibly done? Danny isn’t bleeding yet, is he?”
“No, not today.” Raven said. “I’m just sorry, in general.” She felt Raja take her hand. “I know I’m not the, um, easiest, kid to have around. I just, want to say sorry. I’m sorry I cause so many problems.”
“You don’t cause problems, Raven.”
“I do. And I know that I do.” She shrugged. “That’s why I’m here, right? Troublemaker.” She laughed at herself. “Sorry.”
Latrice shook her head. “You’re here, all of you, because of circumstances beyond your control.” She gave them a small sad smile. “If you take nothing else away from me when you leave, take this, each and every one of you is not at fault for the atrocities you have been forced to live through.”
Raven opened her mouth to argue but Latrice held up her hand.
“Nope, she said. I don’t want to hear it. You’re good kids, and if you make the correct choices you’re going to be good adults.”
Willam screamed, and they all looked over to see Danny holding some dripping slime over his face as he pinned him to the ground.
Latrice rolled her eyes. “Even those two.”
Raja giggled. “Danny’s gonna get another bloody nose this year, if he’s not careful.”
Willam kicked out, narrowly missing Danny’s face, laughing like a seal the whole time.
“Oh, Lord.” Latrice shook her head. “Listen, enjoy your day, babies, have fun, make memories.” She gave Manila a squeeze. “I gotta go break this up. Hey! Danny, you leave him. And Willam, stop acting like an ass!”
………………….
Christmas dinner in a group home wasn’t the formal affair Raven had experienced as a young child when they had spent much of the day in Church, then even more of the day visiting relatives whose names she didn’t know. In the group home, she, Raja, and Manila remained in their pyjamas all day, retreating to their room with plates piled high with buffet food, and each with a similar gift bag claiming to be ‘From Santa Claus’.
The gifts were trash, mostly, and Raven felt guilty for even thinking that when she knew somewhere a person had seen Raven’s request for ‘curling tongs’, and unable to purchase them for the provided budget of fifteen dollars, had gone with the next best thing; a set containing a hairbrush, some scrunchies, and some wired foam rollers. It wasn’t the worst gift, Raven supposed.
“Could have been worse.” Raja voiced, long legs stretched over Raven’s lap on the bed, and head resting on Manila’s shoulder. “I mean, I know I asked for jewellery making stuff, and I really meant like pliers, and hoops, and chains, but I don’t mind this.” She held up an almost completed woven bracelet and dangled it by Raven’s face. “A shit ton of embroidery floss and some beads? I can work with that.”
“Yeah.” Manila said. “I think we did good. I got a cool notebook and pens this year. Even came with some coloured pencils.”
“Better than a lunch box.” Raven smirked. “Although I don’t know why you insist on asking for school supplies every year.”
“Everything else is too vague.” She shrugged. “Plus, I like knowing I’ll have stuff for school for a while.”
“Mm.” Raja hummed. “Only thing worse than being the foster kid is being the foster kid who has to borrow pencils from the school.”
“Hey, ‘Nila?” Raven asked. “When I’m rich I’ll buy you all the school supplies you want. Erasers coming out of your fucking ass.”
Manila kicked her. “Shut up. Just ‘cause I like to be prepared.”
“Don’t tease her.” Raja said.
“Sorry. Love you.”
Manila blushed. “Love you, too. I told you Christmas was happy.”
“Yeah, you did.” Raven crawled over the bed until she was snuggled in between Raja and Manila.
Manila cuddled around her, wrapping an arm around her tummy and settling against her chest.
Raven stroked her hair. “Do you…?” She trailed off, closing her eyes. She felt Raja’s arm press into her side. “Do…” Raven exhaled. “Doesn’t matter.”
“No, what?” Raja murmured. “Tell us.”
She took a long breath in, allowing the familiar scent of Manila’s hair settle her. “I was just thinking.” Raven said. “I’m just being stupid. Christmas, you know?”
“Getting sentimental?”
“Not exactly.” Raven said. On feeling Raja’s fingers on her wrist, she opened her eyes.
Raja looked up at her and smiled. “For you.” She tied the finished bracelet around her wrist. “Too tight?”
“S’fine.”
Manila snuggled further into Raven’s chest. “I picked the colours.”
“I love it.” She drew her hand up to her face to inspect the intricate knots. “Thank you. Does that mean I get to pick ‘Nila’s colours?”
“Sure.” Raja said, and then smirked at Raven.
“Yellow.” they both said simultaneously, and burst into peals of laughter.
Rolling her eyes, Manila spoke. “Okay, okay. We get it, I like the colour yellow.”
Raven kissed her, still huffing out puffs of laughter. “Sorry.” She kissed her again, this time a little more reverently. “I’m sorry, ‘Nils.”
Manila waved her off. “Nah, you guys are right, I do like yellow. Reminds me of the sun.”
“You’re so cute.”
She blushed and ducked her face into Raven’s chest. “Snuggle me.” She said, muffled in Raven’s shirt.
The three of them, tired, full of food, warm, and happy, cuddled together in the tiny single bed. Raja’s long limbs encompassed the other two, and Raven pressed her lips to the back on Manila’s ear. The bass from the music downstairs was soothing rather than irritating, and even when Raven heard Willam’s obnoxious laughter in the hall, she couldn’t find it in herself to be mad.
“Life,” Raja said, “it’s not too shitty, is it?”
“Not here.” Manila answered quickly. “With you.”
“Do,” Raven began, again, “um, do you guys…?”
“Ask us.” Raja said. She rubbed circles into the warm skin under Raven’s pyjama top.
“Do you guys ever think about before?”
Neither of them even had to ask what ‘before’ was. For foster kids, or for the three of them, at least, the ‘before’ was all the same. Before someone took them away, Raven used to say. But Raja had always said before someone saved her. Raven preferred that. It was truer.
Manila squeezed Raven’s hand, fingers rubbing the woven bracelet on her wrist. “I don’t think about it as much.” She said. “I used to think about them all the time.” Of the three of them, Manila had been the oldest when she had been removed from her family. She was also the only one of them who still had both of her parents out there, alive, in the world, and knew where they were. “I thought about them, today, though.” She said, quietly. “I can’t imagine Christmas in prison is very nice.”
“They don’t deserve a nice Christmas.” Raja said.
Manila didn’t reply. Raven kissed her neck.
Raja took a long breath, calming her tone. “I take it you’ve been thinking about your family, Rave?”
“A bit.” She said. “Not much. Just…” Raven sighed. “Just wondering, I guess.”
“Yeah.”
Raven hadn’t seen her dad since she was removed from his care, her mother had never, as far as Raven was aware, been in the picture. But she had brothers and sisters, she knew she did, could remember faces and names, and yet had no way of knowing exactly how they were, where they were. She was seven the last time she had seen any of them. There could be more kids, now, for all she knew. Maybe they were being dragged around by her father to visit relatives that they didn’t know the names of. Raven shivered.
Raja cuddled her closer.
“Do you think about your mom?” Raven asked her.
“No.” Raja said, and the brutal honesty in her tone made Raven want to cry for her. “Sometimes I dream about her. But no. I don’t think about her. At least not on purpose.”
“Good.” Manila muttered. “I hate it when you have nightmares.”
“I’m not letting her ruin my future. Now when she ruined my past.” Raja paused, and then chuckled. “I sound like my therapist.”
“And mine.” Raven said.
“And mine.” Manila added.
The three of them began to laugh. Raven giggled into the back of Manila’s shirt, wiping the tears she hadn’t noticed on her cheeks into the fabric.
“I’m so fucking glad I have you both.” She said.
“Who else would have you?” Raja said and Manila kicked her. “I’m kidding.” She put a hand on Raven’s chin to pull her face to hers, kissing her gently. “Don’t you ever fucking dare leave us. Okay?”
“Okay.”
“Promise.” Manila said. “Please promise, Raven.”
“I promise.” She took a shuddering breath, and then coughed to cover it. “We got each other, ‘till the end, right?”
“Right.”
“Forever.” Manila said. “However long forever is.”
Raven grinned. “Here’s to another hundred Christmases with each other.”
Let's Hope it's a Good One Without Any Fear (Ravjila) - Sammy Indigo
A/N: Hello! Some Christmas(ish) Ravjila for your consideration- part one. :)
Group homes sucked year round.
The fact that it was the Holiday season made no real difference, except that it was maybe a little colder. And there were some horribly pathetic Christmas decorations strung across their common lounge ceiling that appeared somewhere in the second week of December and would, more than likely, be gone by the twenty-seventh of the month.
“I feel like this isn’t very inclusive.” Raven muttered, looking up at the Christmas décor. “I mean, what if I were Jewish.”
“You’re Mormon.” Raja said.
“No, my family was Mormon.” Raven commented. “I was abused.”
“I don’t think the two go hand in hand.”
“I never said that.” Raven said. She twisted one of the snakebite piercings in her chin. “But God never did anything to help me.”
Raja watched as one of the boys picked up a pencil from the table against the wall, and threw it up at some of the streamers. It briefly caught in the tinsel and then clattered down close to Raven’s head. She glowered at Willam and launched the pencil back at him like a dart. He ducked and it bounced off the wall behind him, rolling under one of the other couches.
“Hey!” He shouted. “Could’a fucking killed me, you psycho.”
Raven stood up, shoving Raja’s legs off her lap, and Willam’s eyes widened. She took a step forward and Willam shrank back.
“Leave him.” Raja said, lazily.
Raven didn’t move.
“Rave.” Raja said, reaching over from her position on the couch to touch her hand. “Raven, leave him.” She squeezed her hand.
Raven blinked, eyes still on Willam. “Go fuck yourself.” She said.
Willam crossed the room with a hard glare to Raven, but softly looked to Raja and smiled, eyes downcast, as he left the lounge. He shouted something unintelligible once he was in the hall. Someone shouted an obscenity back.
Raven sighed and threw herself onto the couch, sitting almost on top of Raja’s legs. “I don’t know why you defend him so much.” She said, looking at Raja. “He’s an asshole.”
“He’s not, really.” Raja ran a finger over Raven’s knuckles. “He’s just a kid. He just acts like an asshole sometimes.”
“He’s fifteen. That’s only a year younger than we are.”
“Yeah but in boy years, fifteen is like nine, so really, he’s only a baby.” Raja smiled cheekily. “In the grand scheme of things.”
“In the grand scheme of things, he’s a foster kid,” Raven argued, “and that ages you by at least an extra year for every year you’ve been an orphan. So he’s like at least sixteen.”
“Not all of us are orphans.” Manila said as she walked into the room. “Some of us aren’t so lucky.” She sat down next to Raven and leaned over to hand Raja a bottle of black nail polish. “Here. It’s not mine, though, so you need to remember to put it back in my school bag.”
“Who’s is it?”
“I got it off Carmen.”
“Who?” Raven asked.
“She’s in my math class on a Tuesday.”
Raven smiled. “You stole it off her?”
“No.” Manila said. She pushed her hair back from her face, a blond strand falling into her eyes. “She gave it to me. To borrow.” She looked poignantly at Raja. “So remember to put it back in my bag.”
“Thanks. I will.” Raja said. She waved the bottle of polish in front of Raven’s face, batting her eyelashes. “You gonna paint my nails for me?” She pouted.
Raven rolled her eyes but held out her hand and Raja passed her polish with a grin.
“Thank you!” She kissed her cheek. “And thanks for not actually murdering Willam. I know he can be annoying.”
“Understatement of the century.”
“But Raja’s right, anyway.” Manila said as the other two situated themselves better for Raven to have access to Raja’s nails. “Willam is just a kid. I don’t think he means to annoy you so much.”
Raven huffed. “Well he’s damn good at it for someone who isn’t even trying.” She frowned as she began applying the polish to Raja’s nails. She held her hand gently, resting it on her own thigh. “We all have our shit, but you don’t see me going around throwing stuff at people.”
Manila met Raja’s eyes over Raven’s ducked head.
“Wasn’t that just what you did?” She asked.
Raven turned to glare at her. “That was different, ‘Nila. I was retaliating. And anyway, you weren’t even in the room to see it happen.”
“Yeah but Willam’s already telling Latrice about it in the hall so expect to get grounded.” Manila smirked. “Apparently you threw it at his eye unprovoked, and now he can’t see properly.”
“It didn’t even hit him.”
Raja snorted. “What a little dick.”
“I truly don’t know why you defend him so much, Raja, honestly, it kills me that you have this inexplicable soft spot for him.”
“We shared a home.” Raja said, watching as Raven reached her thumb. “That bonds you.”
“I’ve shared homes with plenty of kids I don’t even think about anymore. It doesn’t bond you.” Raven said. “You’re just too soft.”
Raja laughed. “I’m soft? Are we going to talk about your wittle baby sissy Tati?”
“Oh yeah,” Manila grinned, “talk about a kid who can do no wrong. She literally pushed Tyra down the stairs at school and you said it was an accident.”
The three of them dissolved into giggles. Manila slid off the couch and onto the floor, moving to sit by Raja’s hip and leaning her head against her leg. She tickled Raven’s knee until the other girl kicked her, affectionately.
“Okay.” Raja said, clearing her throat. “Let’s calm down. I wanna actually have my nails look nice.”
Raven rolled her eyes, smiling. “Who you trying to impress?”
“Oh, you know.” Raja smirked. “There’s a couple girls I’m thinking about inviting back to my room later. They appreciate pretty hands.”
Manila blushed and Raven barked out a laugh.
“Stop it.” Manila hissed. “That’s gross.”
“Not what you said last night.” Raven whispered.
Raja flicked her ear. “You’re blushing, ‘Nila.” She teased.
Manila brushed her away, but smiled. “Go back to your pretty hands, you slut.”
Raven began painting the other hand.
There was a graphic novel on the coffee table next to them. Manila took it down and began flicking through the pages, stopping every few minutes to take a photo of a particular page, which had caught her eye, on her phone. She wrapped an arm around one of Raven’s legs and gently drew patterns against her ankle.
“Tati and I lived in the same foster home for like a year.” Raven said, eventually. She looked up from Raja’s hands, all ten nails now black, and capped the polish. “We lived in the same room. Same bed. It was different.”
Raja blew on her hands. “I guess.” She shrugged. “But Willam and I were together for a while. Eight months or some shit. And we saw that girl-,”
“I know.” Raven cut her off. She swallowed. “Yeah, I know. I know. That sucks.”
“Yeah.” Raja said. “It fucked him up.”
“What about you?” Manila asked.
Raja touched her cheek, bringing her gaze up. She pinched it lightly. Manila leaned into her. “I was already fucked up.” Raja said. “I’d seen worse things before I was five. That was nothing.”
Manila frowned. “It was nothing? Seeing a girl trying to ki-,”
“Stop it.” Raven said, quickly. She took a deep breath. “Just, stop it, ‘Nila. Stop talking about it.”
Raja shrugged. “It’s okay. I don’t mind.”
“Well I do.” Raven pushed herself off the couch, pulling her leg out of Manila’s hold, and walked around to the other side of the coffee table. “I don’t want to hear about some selfish bitch who fucked you and Willam up for life.”
Raja laughed. “I was already fucked up.”
“Shut the fuck up, Raja.” Raven said, stony faced. “It’s not fair.”
Manila tucked herself against the couch. “Let’s talk about happy things.”
“Like what?” Raja asked. She turned sideways on the sofa, pulling up her legs and holding out her arm to Raven. “What’s happy?”
Raven shrugged. She glanced out the window. It was raining. Typical. “Vacations. Summer vacations.” She turned to Raja and Manila. “Vacations to Hawaii.”
“Bitch, you’ve never even left the state.” Manila teased. “What do you know about Hawaii?”
Raven glared at her as she walked back over to the couch and into Raja’s embrace. “Like you’re a world traveller.” She let Raja wrap an arm around her waist.
“You’re deluded.” Raven smiled. She kissed the top of Manila’s head and she giggled. “What’s happy, then? In your humble Filipino opinion.”
Manila looked up at her, glancing at the tinsel and streamers on the ceiling. She smiled. “Christmas.”
Raja and Raven groaned.
Raja shook her head. “Spoken like a true non-orphan.”
“Oh, forgive me for having parents who are just terrible, not dead.” She said.
Raven kissed her again and she smiled. Raja reached out to hold her hand.
“But seriously,” Raven said, quietly, “Christmas is terrible, Manila. It sucks. Come on, when was the last time you had a good Christmas?”
“Last year.”
“What?”
“Last year.” Manila repeated with a smile. “I had a great time.”
Raja squeezed her hand. “But why? We were all here.”
“And I accidentally punched Danny.”
“Right.” Manila said. “We had fun together. Even after you broke Danny’s nose.”
“Accidentally.”
Raja rolled her eyes. “Sure, Jan.”
“It was an accident! But even before then, the day was shitty. We didn’t do anything.”
“But we were together.”
“Didn’t you get a lunch box?” Raja asked. “A lunchbox for Christmas.”
Manila shrugged. “It was nice. I still have it.”
“It was a lunch box.” Raven scoffed. “Didn’t you ask for art supplies?”
She nodded. “Can’t be choosy, though. Not in here.” Manila shrugged again. “We cuddled in bed and told stories, remember?”
“Yeah,” Raja smiled, sadly, “I remember.”
“It was nice. I had a nice time. Raven?”
“It wasn’t too terrible, I guess.” Raven admitted. She ran a hand through Manila’s hair even as she leaned against Raja’s side. “When we get out of here, though, Christmas is going to be different.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah, ‘Nila.” Raven grinned. “I’m going to buy you guys so many presents. It’s gonna take all day for you to unwrap them.”
“Sounds happy.” Raja said.
“Oh yeah. I’m gonna buy you so much crap you don’t need.”
“Christmas socks.” Raja said. “I always wanted Christmas socks.”
Manila nodded her agreement, sitting on her knees, excitedly. “In a stocking! Socks in a stocking. And soap on a rope.”
“Soap on a rope?” Raven said. “The fucks that?”
“Soap that’s on a rope, I guess.” Manila giggled and Raja pulled her up to the couch by her hand. “I just always hear kids complaining that they got soap on a rope for Christmas in their stocking.” She climbed up on the seat next to Raja, curling up under her arm.
“My mom used to always give us an orange in our stocking.” Raja said. She smiled brightly, showing off all her teeth. “We used to just throw ‘em at each other. She would get so mad.” She laughed. “It was so fun.”
Raven perched on the sofa’s arm, reaching out over Raja to pull Manila closer. “I’ll buy you a thousand soaps on ropes.”
There was a thud, followed by an angry scream from upstairs. Raja looked up.
“I just want a quiet Christmas.” She said. “You know, a day where we can do whatever we want and not be disturbed by all the little shits here. I want a day where I can kiss you without being scared. I want to kiss you on the mouth in a place I know is my own.”
“That sounds happy.” Manila said. She pushed her nose into Raja’s shoulder. “Really happy.”
Raven held them both as close as she could. “Not long, now. “I’m eighteen in four hundred and seventy nine days.”
“Not that you’re counting.”
“And we don’t have to wait for you guys to turn eighteen. We can just go.” She sighed. “All leave together. Just pack up and go.”
“Go where?” Manila asked. “We don’t have any money.”
“Doesn’t matter.” Raven told her. “We’ll have each other.”
