I'm not a bad girl but I do bad things with you

All gifs used for rping by bcnoist, anxhaustedgifs, hannahrph

[charliebeaumonts]

Charlie nodded. “Yeah it sounded bad. Like the entire house is just gone.” She was glad they both agreed arson was too far. “Me too. Fire is scary. But the whole thing is weird. Cause did you hear about that where’s Noah? thing? And then his house burns down? Makes you wonder.”

Oh. Why did that make her feel kind of emotional? She pressed her lips together, letting that process for a second. “He sounds like a good person,” Charlie said, wondering if her brother had counted her out yet or not. Things were so weird and messy but she missed him, did he miss her too?

“Okay, no pressure,” Charlie laughed, eyes roving over Yuli’s face while she tried to think of something to ask her. There were so many things she wanted to know. All of it. Everything. But right now she was struggling to convert even one into a question.

“What’s something you’ll be glad to never have to do again? Is that a dumb thing to ask? We’re just warming up, it’ll get better I promise.”

[yulianacouperus]

Yuli tilted her head as she considered the situation. It didn't sound like Nora either. But kids were shitheads and where was the line between vandalism and something more sinister. "Do you think someone was using the note to frame people? Or like are we looking at some rogue arsonist that is happy laws aren't as easily enforced anymore?" It was difficult for them to throw too many stones given what they did to Murray.

"He is," she smiled briefly, "He's not always easy to understand, but I promise that he doesn't hate you. The whole learning how to govern an entire town when you couldn't even win student body president thing is getting to him." She wasn't sure how much Charlie had known about Dante before the bus trip. He certainly wasn't Finn though, so Yuli was happy to walk her through a different type of sibling-esque relationship.

Yuli shook her head, "Not dumb at all princess." The question wasn't an easy one for her to answer. In this new world that they were in, the answer would be not disappoint her parents. Thinking about her parents made her want to cry and she wasn't ready to do that in front of Charlie. "I guess I'm looking forward to the day when I'm rich enough to not do the dishes. I hate it so much and it's a nightly thing, ya know? It never ends. What about you?"

[charliebeaumonts]

Charlie chewed on her bottom lip, wondering if she should say anything to Yuli about what she knew. Or what she assumed was going on because of what she knew. She wanted to keep what Heli shared a secret, that was said to her in triplet confidentiality. But she cared about Yuli, she felt like she should tell her something. Would Dante be mad if she did? “Maybe it’s about Noah?” she said, somehow finding a safer middle ground. “I heard his house got set on fire last night while we were at the rink.” There, that was good right?

“Oh,” Charlie said, letting herself smile a little. She felt silly now. She’d really thought he didn’t like… approve of her or something. She thought that’s why Yuli ran off at the dinner party. “I thought he didn’t want me to be your… um… friend.” The word choice was on purpose, maybe she could get Yuli to bring up their relationship definition herself. That would be easier than having to ask. “But that’s good to know. Thank you for telling me.”

The only thing Charlie had ever used dominoes for was to make a really complicated dominoes chain on the floor with Finn. They’d watch them all fall after spending hours painstakingly placing each one. The thought made her miss him. He always did fun stuff like that for her.

A slow blush spread across Charlie’s cheeks. “Me too. I saw you in that empty pet store and something just clicked.” It felt bigger than them, like it was meant to be. “Why don’t we continue that question game we played at the wake?” Charlie’s eyes kept flicking down to Yuli’s hand between them on the couch. “I feel like we didn’t get very far before we got interrupted.”

[yulianacouperus]

"Really?" Yuli's eyes widened. She knew there had been a fire, but Dante had been very withholding on details. She could guess why now. "I wonder who did it? I love vandalism, but I wouldn't go that far. Too risky."

She shook her head slowly. "He knows that things in your family are... complicated. The thing about Dante that's great is that even when you've counted yourself out, he still hasn't." He had been there for her in more ways than she could count, even if she didn't always want or appreciate it. "He hasn't counted you out yet."

The mention of the pet store made her heart clench. She still hadn't found Artemis. Every morning, she woke up expecting to hear her loud ass. She hated the quiet. And Artemis wasn't fit for the wild anymore. Who was feeding her?

"Yeah, that's cool." She met Charlie's gaze, noting the blush on her cheek. It pulled her back to the moment. She may not have her bird, but she had Charlie. That counted. "You can go first."

[charliebeaumonts]

“Really?” Charlie asked, gingerly stepping through the doorway. She looked around, wondering how much of this space was Dante and if there were parts that were Yuli too. It felt nice in here though. Homey. When she didn’t see Dante hidden anywhere she let her shoulders relax. She wouldn’t be kicked out yet, that was good.

Charlie sat down on the couch with Yuli and immediately felt like she was too far away. Was it silly of her to feel like that? “That’s okay, I don’t want to do anything to make Dante not like me more.” She wasn’t sure what his problem was with her, but his disapproval had felt strong at the dinner party the other night.

“Maybe we should play a game or something?” she suggested. When the question she wanted to ask Yuli came to the forefront of her mind, her stomach exploded in a riot of butterflies. She wasn’t ready right now. What if she said no? She’d have to leave and she only just got here. Charlie didn’t want the best part of her day to be over too fast. “There’s so much I want to learn about you.”

[yulianacouperus]

"Really," Yuli repeated. "Building a government takes a lot of work and there's something else going on now. I don't really know what, but he's more stressed than usual." Yuli wasn't sure that the lines in his forehead would ever relax at this rate, but she did what she could. It wasn't anything earth shattering but she had too much time on her hands and he had none.

"That's just his face," she smiled at Charlie, leaving her hand near the middle of the couch so the other girl could grab it if she wanted. "He doesn't hate you, he just doesn't know you. Given his history, he doesn't always trust people easily, but he's kind. He just has a resting scowl."

Games. Did Dante have a lot of games? She had no idea. "We can look through the living room. There's at least a dominoes set somewhere. I know that." Living in a new house came with a lot of questions and she hadn't had much time to ask them. "I feel the same. I can't believe we didn't really know each other before all this. It feels like we just met and also we've known each other forever."

[charliebeaumonts]

Charlie liked to borrow things from the people around her. Not physical things. Things that they said, mannerisms, traits. She took them and tried them on to see if they fit her. Heli’s ability to bounce back from anything. Bronte’s bravery when she was scared. Yuli’s cool as a cucumber energy. Finn’s confidence. Trip’s heh after anything naughty. Amara’s ability to escape her head. Tony’s dependability. Frankie’s good vibes only.

She wanted to do that now. She felt like she needed to wear one of their masks so she could be normal. Her insides felt all twisted up and wrong and she just wanted to be happy! But how could she be happy when dead bodies were gone, Heli was the saddest she’d ever seen her, Bronte was scared for Drew, and she didn’t even know if Yuli was her girlfriend?

Charlie would try anyway though. Because she didn’t know how else she was going to get through things. She didn’t feel like she was enough by herself. She would borrow Heli’s resilience, put a smile on her face and made sure her eyes were included. She would be brave like Bron and ask the question that kept running through her mind on an endless loop.

She walkie-talkie’d the one person who made her feel like maybe things could be okay in spite of it all and asked her to go for a walk. Charlie showed up at Dante’s house, hoping he wasn’t here for another bad conversation. The last one sucked. She let out a relieved sigh when Yuli and only Yuli stepped through the door. “Hi Flynn,” she breathed. “I’m really glad to see you.”

@yulianacouperus

[yulianacouperus]

Yuli had been in a daze for most of the day. The night before had been so strange. What was supposed to be a fun event had turned into a nightmare, like something her parents had been worried about. She hadn't wanted to think about her parents, so she'd had a little bit to drink. Unfortunately, her tolerance had plummeted in the last few months, leaving her with horrible cotton mouth and a headache.

The only thing she'd had to look forward to all day was seeing Charlie. They didn't get enough time together last night. Not that Yuli had been great company then. But she'd pulled herself together and kicked Nuala out for a bit. Dante had his hands full with a series of problems that she wanted nothing to do with, so she hadn't asked any questions about it.

Before letting Charlie in, Yuli checked her hair one more time. "Not bad." She swung the door opened and smiled at Charlie, blushing a little at the nickname. "Evening, princess. We have the house to ourselves for a little while."

She ushered Charlie over to the couch and plopped down on it, suddenly nervous. They had been alone in other spaces before, but Dante was a more serious guardian. She didn't know how comfortable he'd be with unsupervised visits. Good thing he was very busy with their crumbling society.

"So, what kind of trouble should we get into tonight? We can't break anything here and I'm pretty sure Dante has marked the alcohol levels, so we'll have to make our own fun."

[charliebeaumonts]

Phase: Day Ten

yulianacouperus​:

“Fail. Epically.” Dante was already turning at least seventy years older without her constantly invading his space. She needed to pencil in more time for shenanigans with Nuala to help keep him young.

Yuli was quiet for a moment. It felt so silly to be this attached already but she couldn’t help it. “I do,” she whispered. There was something almost cosmic to it. Even if that also felt way too heavy to admit out loud.

“We should split everything down the middle,” Yuli cleared her throat, like it would get rid of all the emotion in her system, “My mom would never forgive me for being stingy with a guest.” There wasn’t a lot her mom was willing to forgive right now, but Yuli didn’t want to make it worse. She was only fighting them on the unreasonable issues, not manners. “And yes to snacks and more destruction. I’m definitely working up an appetite.”

“When she’s right, she’s right.” Charlie shrugged, giving Yuli a playful smirk. 

Charlie’s breath stuttered a little, she was wondering if Yuli felt the same kind of charge in the air that she did now. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she suddenly very badly wanted to remember what Yuli’s lips felt like again. Not that she could ever forget. 

Charlie blinked quickly, tucking that thought away for later. Right now it was enough that she was here, that Yuli hadn’t changed her mind about her. “Only if you’re sure. I really really don’t mind.” She felt a little sting of guilt, but she wanted Yuli to be happy and if this was what made her happy… 

She grinned, reaching for Yuli’s hand again. Charlie glanced down, her thumb swiping over the smooth skin there. She committed the feeling to memory, looking back up at her after probably a moment too long. “Let’s do it Flynn.”

(fin.)

[wewerechildrenwerenotnow]

So the brightest minds in New Ham are bickering about guinea pigs, the government can’t decide how long they should take to read things, and some people want to know where Noah is. Others want to know why the fuck they should care.

But hatchets can be buried, peaces made. Secrets forgotten, people disappeared. Nothing helps like a party.

It’d be a shame if something was to happen to it. 

So press play and go.

[wewerechildrenwerenotnow]

Murder on the dance floor, murder on the dance floor, murder in the dark on the dance floor I really hope there isn’t a murder on the dance floor. (continued from here and here)

Keep reading

[wewerechildrenwerenotnow]

So the brightest minds in New Ham are bickering about guinea pigs, the government can’t decide how long they should take to read things, and some people want to know where Noah is. Others want to know why the fuck they should care.

But hatchets can be buried, peaces made. Secrets forgotten, people disappeared. Nothing helps like a party.

It’d be a shame if something was to happen to it. 

So press play and go.

[wewerechildrenwerenotnow]

The party begins, but the fun doesn’t last long. Tell me. Where were you when the lights went out in New Ham? (continued from here, continues here)

Keep reading

[wewerechildrenwerenotnow]

So the brightest minds in New Ham are bickering about guinea pigs, the government can’t decide how long they should take to read things, and some people want to know where Noah is. Others want to know why the fuck they should care.

But hatchets can be buried, peaces made. Secrets forgotten, people disappeared. Nothing helps like a party.

It’d be a shame if something was to happen to it. 

So press play and go.

[wewerechildrenwerenotnow]

Jacks’ skate party is about to begin, and really we’re all shivering with anticipation. (continued here and here)

Keep reading

[yulianacouperus]

charliebeaumonts​:

Phase: Day Ten 

“Yup,” Charlie giggled. “We’re basically heroes. What would they do without us?” She loved this. Every single messy bit of it. 

“Me too,” she agreed. “I think maybe we met right when we needed to.” Charlie’s voice was quiet. Like if she said it too loud it would break it. “I mean. If you believe in stuff like that.” She didn’t even know if she did. But it felt true. 

“That’s really cute,” Charlie said. She felt a little bad to be taking any of Yuli’s favourite things away from her, she almost told her it was okay. But she wanted to know what she was talking about and share more things with her. “You’re the best. I don’t need a lot. I want you to have most of it.” Charlie remembered her own bag of food she’d left on the porch. “I actually brought some snacks for us.” She waved in the direction of the front door. “Should we eat and then kill that TV? Death by girls on stairs.” 

“Fail. Epically.” Dante was already turning at least seventy years older without her constantly invading his space. She needed to pencil in more time for shenanigans with Nuala to help keep him young.

Yuli was quiet for a moment. It felt so silly to be this attached already but she couldn’t help it. “I do,” she whispered. There was something almost cosmic to it. Even if that also felt way too heavy to admit out loud.

“We should split everything down the middle,” Yuli cleared her throat, like it would get rid of all the emotion in her system, “My mom would never forgive me for being stingy with a guest.” There wasn’t a lot her mom was willing to forgive right now, but Yuli didn’t want to make it worse. She was only fighting them on the unreasonable issues, not manners. “And yes to snacks and more destruction. I’m definitely working up an appetite.”

[yulianacouperus]

charliebeaumonts​:

Phase: Day Ten 

Before this Charlie spent most of her time with her twins or at school. Or reading in her hammock. There was probably a lot in this town she knew nothing about. “I don’t know a lot either but I’m excited to go wandering with you.” They’d already had so much fun together. Being around Yuli was an adventure.

Charlie let Yuli’s words soothe her worry. She might be alone but she wouldn’t be lonely. Not when she had the best people in her life. “Thank you,” Charlie said, her voice small. “For saying that. And for being here. I’m just really glad I met you.” 

“Yay! I think you’ll like it,” Charlie told her. “Durian,” she repeated. “That’s pretty cool.” She shifted her weight to her other leg. “I’d love to try some of your favourites sometime. If you want to. I find cooking hard.” She wasn’t really sure how she was going to manage with that long term, maybe learning some basics would be a good idea. 

“I feel pretty confident in saying that we’ll make whatever we find fun. I mean, look what we did to good ole Murray’s house.” She looked around at the pulverized little gnome corpses. “We may have saved the whole town from evil today.” Not too bad for an afternoon of destruction.

Yuli took Charlie’s hand in hers and squeezed it. “Of course. You’re a really great person and I’m almost sad that we didn’t meet before.” She paused. “I do think this is better though.” If she hadn’t been looking for Artemis, she never would have found someone really worth meeting. Even if her bird was gone, it’d brought her something.

“My parents don’t let me in the kitchen. It’s their thing or whatever. They actually met in a restaurant. She thought he was just some dumb white guy and then he talked to the owners in bahasa Indonesia.” She laughed a little, remembering how much her father loved to tell this story. “That’s what we call the language. But I’m happy to share the leftovers and tins I do still have.”

[yulianacouperus]

charliebeaumonts​:

Phase: Day Ten

“I don’t think he would now that he has a choice,” Charlie said. Finn would always choose Tony’s house over theirs if he could. “But you’re right, there are better places.” She was more than happy to carve out her own space with Yuli until they were really ready to let others see in. 

Charlie had forgotten about the walkie talkies in her stressing. Knowing Yuli would be right on the other end made her feel immediately better. Charlie shook her head. “I don’t know, they’re both super in love with their boyfriends.” Charlie was happy for them, really. Just like she knew they were happy for her finding Yuli too. But there was that tiny bit of jealousy she couldn’t help when her favourite people had favourite people too. “But I’m glad we have the walkie talkies. That really does make me feel better.” 

Charlie nodded. “Mhm! It’s my favourite. We could see if we can get some, but I might have some at the house. If you wanna try it I could bring some for next time.”

“Sometimes new is unbeatable and there are a lot of little corners I just never explored. Too focused on New York and all of its possibilities instead.” Not to mention the fact that her mother hated the grocery store options in town so they spent a lot of time elsewhere when running errands.

Yuli’s breath froze at “love.” They weren’t anywhere near that stage now. She hadn’t thought about how awkward that might be. Nuala was perpetually single and she had no idea if Eli was even attracted to anyone. He was a perpetual mystery. “Well, you’ll have me to talk to and they seem like the kind of friends that would drop everything for you.” Although it was hard to imagine someone wouldn’t drop everything for Charlie. “So, I’m sure it won’t be too bad.”

“I would love that.” This is what she’d been missing. The place seemed so boring when it was your only option. You had to work harder for the fun. But trying a new kind of ice cream could never be boring. “I can’t wait to know what it tastes like. I don’t have much to offer you in the way of exciting new fare. Indonesian food is similar to other Southeast Asian fare, we have coconut soups, curries, fish cooked in spices, fried rice. And some of the stuff we do have, like durian, is something you have to grow up eating or it tastes like...well, I don’t really get it but some people call it the garbage fruit.” Too her, it had the creaminess of a banana custard. But she’d eaten it since she was child.

[yulianacouperus]

charliebeaumonts​:

Phase: Day Ten 

Charlie smiled. She knew at the very least that she’d feel safe at the twins house. It had always made her feel that way but probably even more now. Especially if some people didn’t know where she’d be living. It’d be like being in witness protection or something. “We could always use my house to hang out alone if we need it,” she said. “I don’t know if we will though. I feel like we’ll have a lot more adventures in our future.” She smiled shyly. “Honestly I think I’m most worried about being alone at night. I’ve never done that before. I hope I can fall asleep.” 

“That sounds really good. I love rice,” Charlie said. “There’s a lot I don’t miss but I do miss my mom’s cooking. She didn’t do it much because she was so busy but it was my favourite. Have you ever tried mochi?” 

“If there’s a chance that Finn could be there...” Yuli trailed off. She really liked Charlie but it was obvious that Finn was a bit of a loose canon. Being around didn’t sound like the epitome of safety. “There’s lots of weird artisanal stores for us to get lost in.” That was a much better alternative.

“You won’t be alone. I’m a walkie talkie away.” She could have Dante figure something out if the change in location messed with the range. “And I doubt those two will leave you alone for long. They seem very attached.” She meant it as a compliment and she hoped it came out that way. Her own trauma tended to complicate these things.

Yuli tried to think if she’d had mochi before. It wasn’t something that came easy to her imagination but...” I think I’ve seen it at the store. It’s in the ice cream section, right?”

[yulianacouperus]

charliebeaumonts​:

Phase: Day Ten 

“It’s okay.” It wasn’t, not really. But she was trying to make it better.

Charlie laughed but it sounded odd, a weird mix of relief and leftover nerves. “Yeah. Me too,” she agreed. “It’s probably haunted.” The thought of being here at night made her want to get out of there right then and there, just in case. “I’m going to go stay at the twins house. Nobody’s living there right now which kind of sucks but I feel like that’s less sad than being in my house without Finn.” She didn’t want to be sad right now, so she made herself smile. Made herself feel it.

“Definitely. Me too. Informal stuff only until we decide we’re ready for it.” It felt nice to be able to decide that.

Yuli nodded her head. She wasn’t sure that she wouldn’t have nightmares after they left. Murray was not the kind of dude she ever wanted to meet. Especially after doing the right thing and vanquishing all the gnomes.

“I’m so sorry.” She reached for Charlie’s shoulder, rubbing it softly. “They seem like the kind of people to...” she swallowed, “get involved, so I think they can make it nice. I’d offer but I’ve already had to vandalize a house with it’s owner this week and I’m at my limit.” She hoped that wasn’t stepping too far. Yuli had approximately two friends and a set of parents. And one of her friends didn’t talk. She didn’t get the whole friends-sibling thing but if it made Charlie happy, that’s what counted.

She could at least hope that the twins wouldn’t try and throw their own dinner party. One of them had put that picnic together. “That’s a relief. I’m also not used to that kind of food.” Her family rarely ate out. If it wasn’t Indonesian, her mom  wasn’t interested. “Felt a bit too fancy for me anyways. Give me a nice thick gravy over rice and I’m a happy gal.”

[yulianacouperus]

charliebeaumonts​:

Phase: Day Ten

Charlie shook her head. “No. I don’t. I agree with you.”

“I hated all of it. And I do love Finn but I don’t want to be like that.” Charlie was still so confused about so much of it. It was hard to have the way she saw her brother change overnight like that. “Finn wanted me to go with him and live there too but I said no. I’m moving out of my house but I’m not going there.” There was a lot that she was struggling to fit in with now but her twins were two people she felt completely at home with no matter what. That meant something. 

“I didn’t know it was going to be like that. I’m really sorry that you were there for it. I really thought it was just going to be fun.” Now everything was a mess. Drew might be in danger. Heli and Bronte would both be really upset. And Charlie’s life was all topsy turvy. 

Yuli breathed a sigh of relief. That was one mystery she didn’t have to think about anymore. Now, if she could get Nora out of that camp, everything would be gravy. 

“I’m sorry.” She knew what it was like for your family to betray you. “Do you have a safe place to stay. I’m sure he won’t come after you, he doesn’t seem the type, but some of these houses are creepy.” She gestured to the scattered remains of the gnomes. They weren’t all the same. “I’d have nightmares in this house.” 

She took the apology with grace, bowing in thanks. “The food was great.” That was the only win she could really think of. “I think I’ve had enough dinner parties to last me for awhile. Maybe we should try something more informal.” 

[yulianacouperus]

charliebeaumonts​:

Phase: Day Ten

“Okay,” Charlie said, unable to help her smile. “I really like our style of date.” Not that she’d actually been on any before meeting Yuli. But she knew they didn’t go like this a lot of the time. There was usually less breaking stuff.

“I’m glad you still feel that way,” she said. “After the dinner last night… I don’t know. I was worried you might not anymore.” Charlie pretended to be examining the gnome in her hand way too closely. “I know it was a lot. And not in a good way.”

“It keeps things interesting.” The right amount of danger for both of them. They couldn’t handle something more intense. Not without feeling like they were toddlers. Or that was how Yuli felt the night before. 

It was almost like Charlie could read her mind. “I can’t say I’ve had a family dinner like that one before, but I’ve had a very intense one.” The last few with her family came to mind. “I have to be honest. I don’t get why you’re wrapped up in that stuff.” Nora had drugs. Dante had feelings that wouldn’t die. Charlie was....too sweet for that world. “I know Finn’s your brother, but they’re talking about some really messed up shit. It doesn’t seem like the you I’ve had the chance to know.” Maybe she’d been different before. God, wouldn’t that be the worst? “I know they offer security to people who fall in line. And I know they mean a lot to you because you grew up together,” That was a guess but it felt true, “But do you personally agree with them?” 

[yulianacouperus]

charliebeaumonts​:

Phase: Day Ten

Charlie laughed. “I think you’re probably right.” 

Charlie picked up a gnome in each hand and sent them flying. It felt good watching them shatter like that. “So this is a date?” she asked, the tiniest bit nervous to hear the answer. Even if all signs pointed to yes. And Yuli sounded like she wanted to go on a date after this too. Sometimes Charlie wasn’t very good at reading things.

“Because I want it to be. If it is. If you want it to be.” 

“Well.” Yuli cleared her throat. She should have thought her words through a little better. She was just used to going off the cuff with Nora and Nuala. Dante was the only one that called her on things. 

Relief came in the next moment as Charlie clarified things. She didn’t want to say something first. This was one of those things where she wished she could ask her dad. He’d done a great job of wooing her mom. “Yeah, I think so. I like you, I don’t think that’s a secret. So, this can be a date. That’s cool.” 

[yulianacouperus]

charliebeaumonts​:

Phase: Day Ten

“He was like the most normal looking old white man you’ve ever seen.” Charlie frowned. “He didn’t look like he was actually a giant weirdo who collected gnomes like this.” Not the good kind of weirdo either. 

Charlie laughed delightedly as Yuli sent a whole shelf of them shattering on the floor. “Like Toy Story?” she asked, eyeing the others warily. “They all come to life when nobody is looking?” Somehow that felt scarier than being stuck alone in a town with only the kids from her school. 

Charlie picked up as many as she could carry in her arms and started throwing them at the walls. The sound they made was more satisfying than she could have imagined. “This is almost as fun as our game of bowling.”

“I don’t think there is such a thing as normal white men. They all look a little bit like trolls.” Even Yuli’s dad. “And most of them have some hidden creep factor.” She’d watched too much television to think anything other than that. 

Yuli shivered. The idea of them all running wild through the town wasn’t too far fetched given where they were. She wasn’t going to take any chances, no matter the outcome. Even if they were just ugly ceramic, they should be destroyed. It was still a crime against humanity. 

“Yeah it is,” They had a shared appetite for destruction. She threw her fair share at the floor, watching them break into thousands of pieces. Maybe she could scatter them on the Reed lawn like a mosaic of ashes. “I don’t know what we’re going to do for our next date.” If this was a date. She hoped it was.