Human
Written by Megs.
35 posts.
18 years old.
ladies man.
I am Male.
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Post by Elliot Munson on Sept 21, 2022 15:53:25 GMT
Elliot knew better. He did. He promises. But he couldn’t stop himself from leaning forward another inch, eyes tracing the concentrated lines above her brows as she put her whole heart and mind into picking out the lie from his overload of information. He was impressed with himself, and he knew Freddy would have been too if he’d seen it—especially with the stumped face Jade was pulling. She was fascinating, truly. He had laughed softly at her exclamation, playfully shaking his head as she began to speak her assessments aloud. It would have been clever for him to swap which arm the scar was on, and if he had gone the simple route and only given short sentences, then maybe he would have done that—but that felt like a cheap tactic given how much he’d said. No, one of them was a complete lie and he enjoyed watching her work her way through it. His shoulders lifted in a shrug at her accusation about his story regarding the forest, not giving her anything more than a dazzling smile. And then she came to her conclusion and Eli couldn’t stop his lips from parting in a soft shape of shock as he leaned back off his knees so he was upright once more.
She was wrong. That wasn’t the lie, but she was dead on with his character—with his whole damn personality. It amazed him that in just the few hours they’d known each other she was able to come to that conclusion. Maybe it was because she moved around so much that she had learned to read people so well. She’d mentioned during their talk in class that her family had moved here last year and that they had done quite a bit of shuffling around the states before that even. Still, it was an impeccable guess, and he was at a loss for words. He chuckled softly as he shook his head once more. How did he go about this? Her warning hung heavy on his heart and his lips twisted into a wry kind of smile as he pressed his hand to his chest.
“Jade, honey,” the pet name rolled off his tongue without thought, using it as a comforting tactic—something to soften the blow, “If I could change my reality, I would, because your guess was fucking phenomenal.” His smile became more genuine then, a brighter, happier looking tilt to his mouth as he leaned forward again. “You’re spot on with your reasoning and that’s kind of scary impressive,” he laughed, his honey-auburn gaze settled onto her soft blues, “I mean, you’re kind of right in a way. Like a month before that happened, Freddy had walked into a spider’s web and this giant ass spider was crawling up his arm. I’m trying to get the fucker off and he’s just shaking his arm like crazy, and it ends up biting him before I was able to swat it away. He spent the next week waiting to turn into Spider-Man, I swear to God. Even now he’ll still do the finger things,” and Elliot does the hand motion, tilting his hand down with three fingers splayed out and pretending he’s shooting webs from his wrist for emphasis, “Like it’s suddenly going to happen. He’s so fucking goofy and I love him for it. Though, I do think that he did let that bee sting me as payback. I did fail him as a hero with the spider, so I can't be too mad. Fair’s fair.”
But now he had to let her down, and he really didn’t want to. He scrunched up his nose, fingers tightening their hold on one another as he clasped his hands together and finally relented and said in the kindest voice he could, “But you weren’t right. It’s actually the story about the dark. And to be fair it is a true story! Just not my true story. It happened to Sadie. I was supposed to go out with her to take pictures that day, but I had a family thing come up, so she’d went out alone. She had gone so far out that she’d gotten lost and couldn’t find her way out. She said that it was so dark, she could barely see in front of her, and she’d hidden in a tree. There were wolves howling and she still has nightmares about it. I, uh—we tend to have a lot of sleepovers because she has a hard time sleeping after them. It helps that she lives next door.” He laughed weakly, still ashamed of himself that he’d let his friend end up in that position. Jade was spot on with what she’d said. When he failed as a hero, the guilt ate him whole.
He rubbed nervously at his arm, eyes dropped to where their feet were only a few inches apart with all the scooting closer the both of them had done. “So I’m not scared of the dark, but Sadie is and it’s my fault. I should have been there to protect her,” he stopped himself from admitting that he was the one to find her. That next morning when she hadn’t come home, he’d rallied a group and headed into the woods. It was him who’d found her tucked inside the hollow tree and him who carried her home as she cried. Her parents had been out of town so she’d stayed with the Munson’s, curled into his side and waking fitfully for the nights that followed. It was such a good lie because that night haunted him regardless of the fact that he hadn’t lived it. “Which, I mean, is why you’re still kind of right,” he tried to lighten the mood, a huff of a laugh whistling through his nose as he looked back up at her, “You know, whole guilty hero thing.”
And this was heavy. He didn’t like it. Not when she had so blatantly expressed that she’d needed a break from the weight the day had settled upon her.
"But she's okay now and that's all that matters," he assured, happy to move on to something lighter. He paused for a moment before smirking, sitting straighter as he shimmied out of his jacket—muscles flexing and his sculpted arms on display as he shed the clothing, leaving him with just his black t-shirt on. “See,” there’s pride in his voice as he pushes his left arm closer to her, tracing the white line of the scar to show her that it had been the truth, “Left arm and everything. And you can ask Freddy about the bee. I’m sure his rendition is much more theatrical than mine.” He didn’t mention Sadie, knowing that he wouldn’t have to tell Jade not to approach her about it. She didn’t seem like the type to use that kind of information to hurt someone—if anything, she’d find a way to comfort her if they ever found themselves in a situation where Sadie’s fear was triggered. That’s why he’d told her. There was just something about her that made him trust her.
Elliot left his jacket off, taking his arm back and returning to his previous position—his hands behind him as he leaned back. “It's your turn. Cough them up. Two truths and a lie, Miss High-Five.”
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Supernatural
Written by Jasmin.
75 posts.
17 years old.
gaaaay.
I am Female.
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Post by Jamie King on Sept 25, 2022 19:22:46 GMT
There was an itch beneath Jamie’s skin. An itch with one singular goal. To kick Murphy’s ass in this game. A little healthy competition never hurt. Okay, sure, maybe it could hurt a little, especially if (and when) Murphy got pissy and flipped the table but that would just add to Jamie’s smugness. Like a fox who had riled its prey up enough that it did something rash, falling straight into her trap. If he acted out, that was a win on its own. Poor little werewolf boy, not in control of his temper yet. Yep, winning would be beyond satisfying especially after her unsuccessful argument with her mother earlier that evening.
Jamie’s eyes watched the droplets of water fly off of Murphy’s fingers, face twisting as he wiped them completely dry on his jacket. That face contorted even more, eyes narrowing and lips coming to a close when she’d been about to speak. Fan base. She kept her eyes away from the house, focusing on Murphy and the table in front of her in an attempt to ignore the hidden meaning in those words. Not that it was hidden. From his tone and the way something about him seemed ever so slightly shaken, Jamie could hazard a guess. But she’d never voice it. She’d never push it in fear he’d push back because of course he would. Their probing went both ways. So she stayed silent on that topic, the only sign that she’d really considered his words coming from the tightening and relaxing of her jaw a couple of times.
Her eyes rolled into the next second, that moment of rising tension in her body dissipating with the action. His defensive did nothing but amuse her, teasing her with the knowledge that he was most definitely hiding something and she’d grind him down until it spilled out because this felt different to their so-called fans, this was something else entirely. If Blake was involved... Jamie’s eyes locked onto the ball in her hand as she thought it through. Something pack related. But what, her mind ticked over the day and only one thing seemed abnormal. Ashton turning up after Blake and Murphy, and Jade not being in tow with him. “Little trouble in paradise is it...” Jamie murmured, reigning in the flicker of her aura at fish bitch.
Still, Jamie was only close to Murphy and Blake, it was not her place to start poking holes and asking questions about the pack. She knew about them as a courtesy, it was only fair that if they knew about her secret, she knew about theirs. With her cousins and mother’s family in the hunting business, Jamie felt that there was an underlying willingness and loyalty she had to show to Murphy’s pack so that they didn’t think she’d run and betray them at the first fall. So, when Murphy pushed her to start, she knew time for asking questions was over. He’d talk to her about his pack if and when he wanted to which translated to likely never.
Straightening up – ironic, really – Jamie lifted her forefinger and middle finger to her eyes before pointing them towards Murphy’s. “Game on, James,” she purred, blocking the thought of others coming to join them from her mind as she flicked the ball across the table, not even needing a little safety bounce as she heard the satisfying plop of the ball landing into the centre cup. “Bullseye,” she added, folding her arms across her chest in triumph. “I’d tell you to drink up but that won’t make a difference, so how about I pair you with,” Jamie tossed a look towards the approaching pair, as Sadie and Freddy stepped outside. “Sweet Sadie or maybe Freddy... either seem like a choice you’d despise,” Jamie whispered, a wicked look on her face as her hands fell to the sides of the table, gripping onto it and inadvertently making it more difficult for someone to stand right beside her. “Now, go on, miss your throw,” she teased, a smile inching across her face, teeth sparkling under the outdoor lights.
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Supernatural
Written by Megan.
71 posts.
18 years old.
no thanks.
I am Male.
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Post by James Murphy on Oct 9, 2022 23:46:24 GMT
Anger licked at the back of Murphy's clenched teeth, the bones creaking under the force of his bite—hidden behind his tightly pressed lips. There were very few people that he got angry for rather than angry at and Ashton was at the very top of that list. His claws nipped at the plastic edge of the beer pong table, faint lines crawling in their wake as he pulled his hands into fists. Jamie and him could joke. They could shoot the shit and fuck around with sarcastic, ill-veiled threats all night long, but she was not going to assume that she had any idea about what was going on or any right to speak about his alpha. Not in that manner. Not ever. "Shut the fuck up, Jamie," he hissed, voice pitched low and eyes dull—no hint of humor in those crystalline orbs. He'd used her name. He didn't think he'd ever done that before. This wasn't how he'd grown to be around her. This wasn't his normal pissy and bothered self, it was dark rage—it was a flicker of gold in his eyes and the taste of blood coating his tongue as his canines ripped the fleshy pink inside of his cheek. Murphy flared his nostrils, dropping his gaze to the cups beneath his chin as the splash of her bullseye sprinkled across his hands. He flexed his fingers, shaking his head and letting his shaggy hair fall back across his forehead as he composed himself.
Jamie hadn't meant anything by that. He knew that. She was nosy like him, desperate for a drop of gossip to fill her greedy little belly just like him. She wasn't out to hurt them. She didn't care. Not about Ashton. Jamie wanted a morsel of drama to busy her mind from her own troubles, but not this. She couldn't have this and she wouldn't get it from him. When Murphy looked back up, there was a softness to his bright eyes—an unspoken apology. The words would never grace his viper tongue, but he knew she'd read the slump of his shoulders and the quick dip of his head for what it was. He shouldn't have gotten so aggressive with her, but god damn it. Blake was at his throat needing guidance and Jensen kept trying to pull him to the side to figure out a game plan and he didn't want to deal with this right now. He knew his path. He knew what he was going to do. Ashton wanted him to keep his mouth shut and he was going to. Fuck Jade. Fuck Erin. He didn't care. As long as his pack was fine, he didn't care.
One thing he liked about Jamie, though, was her knack for picking up his cues. She didn't press for answers, instead urging him to move forward and counter her move. He plucked the ball from the cup, shaking the droplets from it as he shot a glare at her before shifting it to where Sadie and Freddy were beaming at one another, making small talk as they trotted this way. Murphy raised his hand and threw the ball. It wasn't as graceful as Jamie's, his hand trembling with the temper he was fighting to keep in check, but it sank in her left-back most cup. Just barely successful. His lips twisted in a sour grin, a cocky little smirk as he purred, "I think I'll pick the freak. Sweet Sadie," the name was dripping with implication, "Seems more your speed, Squirtle."
At some point he feared he'd run out of water-based nicknames, but the more he thought on it, the easier they came. Possibilities were endless.
"Hey," speaking of, Murphy didn't turn his head towards Sadie's voice, instead giving her a long glower from the side of his eyes, "Wanna play doubles?" She didn't sprinkle any extra tidbits of exposition in the way he had been expecting, but that could be blamed on the sharp scent of anxiety rolling off of her. She was nervous. The wringing of her hands and the quick batting of her gaze across the three others would make that obvious to Jamie as well.
Before the redhead could speak and refuse, Murphy claimed Freddy as his partner. Pointing at the male, he took a side step to give the male as much space as possible, instructing, "You, here." The boy blinked owlishly in shock before all but rushing to Murphy's side. He tensed, cutting him a sharp glare and immediately regretting his decision as Freddy's heart rate spiked and arousal melted off of him. Fuck. Was making Jamie uncomfortable really worth his own discomfort? As he looked over towards where Sadie stood close to Jamie's side and started speaking low, he decided that yes. Yes it was.
"I don't think we've actually had the chance to talk, Murphy," Freddy said with a soft laugh, tilting his head in a totally, absolutely not cute way as he smiled and pushed his mullet away from his face, "I'm Freddy." He offered his hand. Murphy only looked at it with a frown before turning away from the boy.
"Don't cost me the game," he hissed, but Freddy didn't seem deterred, much to Murphy's chagrin.
"Gotcha. We'll slaughter them," he hummed, sidling up closer to Murphy and he sent a distressed look up at the man before frowning across at Jamie. At least she didn't seem to be fairing much better. "It's war, girls. Prepare for an utterly humiliating defeat," Freddy declared.
Murphy sighed. God fucking damn it.
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Human
Written by Megan.
15 posts.
18 years old.
lady lover.
I am Female.
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Post by Sadie Robbins on Oct 10, 2022 0:49:31 GMT
Sea-sick eyes watched Eli direct Jade down the hallway that led to his bedroom, and her stomach churned like a ship stuck in rocky waters. Sadie had half a mind to join them, her gaze resting on Freddy as he recited another story before cutting to the front door as if Ashton in all of his cowboy glory would burst inside the moment he sensed his lovely girlfriend was alone with Elliot again. The skin of her bottom lip was tender as she chewed on the thick of it, fingers drumming on her thighs as a wave of nerves suddenly struck her. She knew Eli wouldn't make a move on Jade, that's not what she feared. Eli could be quite domineering, though. If he felt challenged, he wouldn't back down. And while she liked the idea of Jade, she worried that her joking and Ashton's threat may have her best friend pulling on his shining armor to save her from something she may not need saving from.
"Let's go see if we can join them in beer pong," Sadie said suddenly, hopping to her feet and reaching out for Freddy—effectively interrupting his story and causing him to give her a careful once over. She smiled at him, nodding towards the door and he understood the silent message.
"I'll fill you in on the ending later," Freddy called to Steven and Gavin as they walked away, tangling his fingers with Sadie and giving her hand a soft squeeze. He dipped his head then, voice a stage whisper as he asked, "What's going on, Dede?"
She pursed her lips, walking them towards the sliding glass door but pausing just in front of the hallway. Glancing down it, she could see Elliot's door was open—with him sat on his bed and Jade at his desk, both speaking animatedly back and forth with a fair amount of distance between one another. Her shoulders sagged with relief, her smile coming easy then as she turned to look up at Freddy. "I just had this weird feeling, but I'm okay now."
Freddy's eyes followed to where she had been looking, studying the pair and nodding in understanding. "Eli isn't a homewrecker," he said soundly, so sure of himself.
"I know," Sadie was quick to defend, leading them outside with a tug on his hand, "I just worry about him getting himself into something he has no business putting his nose in. You know how he gets. With the way Ashton acted earlier, you know he's not going to drop it. And maybe I made a few jokes about him liking her that I shouldn't have, but like, they just met. Anyways," she shook her hands out, nerves getting the best of her as they rounded the corner and the angsty duo came into sight, "Eli will be fine, but are we going to be?" Was this even a good idea? The pair looked so brooding, hard glares thrown at one another and Murphy had a sickly sneer that had her truly concerned about her friend's taste in men.
"Oh hell yeah, Sadie Baby," Freddy grinned, and she found herself smiling back—his smiles could be so infectious, "It's just a game of beer pong. Worst they can say is no to us joining. It's not like we're professing our love." She laughed at that, stepping forward just enough to catch their attention.
"Hey," she said before she could psych herself out of asking, "Wanna play doubles?" Her hands wove together nervously, and it was such an odd feeling because she was always so confident in herself, but there was something about Jamie and Murphy that had her anxiety heightened. She really liked the girl, but couldn't make heads or tails about her sexuality and Murphy, well, everyone was scared of Murphy.
Except for Jamie and maybe Blake. And Ashton. Like three people in all of Beacon Hills could talk to him without the fear of dying.
As Murphy called Freddy over to his side, something that had the two sharing a baffled look before he skipped over to him, Sadie took a calming breath and tried to make space for herself next to Jamie.
"Guess it's you and me then, yeah?" Sadie said brightly, smiling down at the shorter girl as she pushed into her space—always popping other's bubbles, always unaware of that fact, "Girls do it better anyways." She was able to stop herself from winking, but not from shifting her chest across Jamie's arm as she reached for the ball that was in the furthest cup away. She shivered slightly at the contact, her patterned white button-up opened to display the black tank-top tucked into her high-waisted jeans. Her bralette was a thin, sheer pink strappy piece hidden behind her shirts, but did little to support her breasts—and she couldn't help but thank the lord that it was hot enough out that her nipples weren't frigid little diamond cutters as she pulled back. The motion had been fluid, the nerves of it all hidden only in the tremble of her hand—her eyes downcast and flirty as she batted her lashes.
Sadie couldn't help herself.
This is why Eli and Freddy were always getting their knuckles bloodied defending her. No subtly. A bull in a fucking china shop.
Sadie cut her eyes to Freddy then, arm raised to throw the ball as she challenged, "As if I'd let a man declare himself victor over me." She flicked the ping pong ball delicately into the cup in front of Murphy, the man frowning deeply as she beamed. "Drink up, fuckers," she cheered, knocking her elbow into Jamie's as she mused, "We're gonna rock their shit, babe."
Freddy downed his drink, his eyes catching Murphy's as the shorter boy traced a droplet of beer that dribbled down his chin and pooled in the hollow of his throat. Interesting. He'd heard rumors of Murphy sleeping with a few boys from their school, and even a few of him with girls, but it was hard to find truth in the words when no one could even approach the man but his chosen few. A smirk curled at the edges of Freddy's lip as he set his cup down and fished out the ball. He'd store that for later, knowing Murphy would be someone he'd have to whittle down.
The ball splashed in a cup after rattling on the edges, another near miss. Sadie shot Freddy a falsely heated look before tipping her cup back and downing the liquor inside. She used her thumb to carefully mop up the small spillage she had—the brilliant blue of her eyes sparkling in the low pitch of the porch and moon lights as she fluttered her lashes and settled her gaze upon Jamie as she sucked her thumb in between her plump pink lips. A tease, truly.
"Your turn, Jamie," she hummed, leaning back enough to give her room to work, but still close enough that the heat of her sweltered Sadie.
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Hunters
Written by Jasmin.
132 posts.
18 years old.
in looooove.
I am Female.
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Post by Jade Little on Oct 14, 2022 16:59:28 GMT
Before he’d even told her she was wrong, she knew she’d guessed incorrectly. Her heart was already sinking, eyes losing just a hint of their twinkle as he tried to tell her in the sweetest way that’s she’d fucked up.
He had a way with words, and with the way that smile rippled across his face, a mirroring beam crossed Jade’s face. She couldn’t be sad over getting a silly little game wrong, that was ridiculous. Besides, with someone as charismatic and open as Eli for company, being sad was a little tricky. The light praise from Eli settled onto her skin, a warm embrace from all the negative comments she’d thrown at herself that day. Someone new who didn’t know her and owed her nothing was complimenting her not because of how she looked, but because of how her brain worked and her ability to make sense of an overload of information. Her smile grew ever so before cracking into a laugh at the thought of poor Freddy thinking he would become Spiderman. That laugh only became louder, with Jade placing a hand over her mouth to try to smother the sound as Eli flicked his wrist in demonstration.
Jade settled her laughter as Eli finally revealed which story had actually happened. Jade stayed hushed, nodding a little as he spoke and casting her mind back to the girl who had been so joyous and bubbly the moment Jade stepped through Eli’s front door. If Sadie could be scared about something as normal and everyday as the dark but still be so warm and welcoming, surely Jade could hold onto her past hurt but love freely now. Just because it happened before, just because she held a deep-rooted fear of something breaking her heart again, that didn’t mean she had to act in that way. Ashton acting defensive and protective – and sure, like a bit, or massive, ass – was because he cared about her, nothing more. She just wanted him to turn up now, to throw her arms around his neck and forget about their stupid fight.
This story about Sadie was clearly a touchy one for Eli, from the way his laugh was entirely lacking in amusement, Jade’s shoulders softened, scooting forward ever so slightly with the innate urge to reach out and offer him some comfort creeping in. But she held back, hands resting easily on her lap. There was so much guilt over that night, over something that had happened years prior. Some things were just difficult to let go of. It was with that thought that Jade met Eli’s eyes, the weight of her day shining in her pupils before switching over, forcing a light smile onto her face. A smile that turned to a little ‘O’ of bewilderment as he tugged off his jacket before she clocked on to what he was going to show her. Leaning forward, Jade’s eyes traced the pattern of the scar up his arm, like a river cutting through a forest with small meanders.
“Where do I even start,” Jade mused, as she pulled back, one hand rubbing the side of her head. “First things first, you’ve broken my heart by not lying and saying I was right but I think I’ll survive. I’ll definitely be getting Freddy’s rendition of the story in case you missed out any critical details.” Jade said, a wry smile crossing her lips as she studied Eli’s position, the urge to push him over jumping into her head which she was quick to push away even if the burning desire to find a comeback nickname to ‘Miss High-Five’ was going to cook her from the inside out. “Okay,” Jade began, leaning back in her chair and racking her brain to pick the best stories she could. “When I was 12, I got my hands on a bow and arrow,” she paused for a second, knowing that she needed to add some context to that statement pronto, “I was obsessed with Katniss Everdeen for a while and my parents figured they’d get me over that fantasy by showing me how truly useless I’d be with a weapon. Erin and I went out into our yard, we were somewhere in the Midwest with so much land it was ridiculous, and we were going to try hit this tree except... I kind of missed,” Jade winced, laughing a little, “managed to fire it straight into the pond which I then dived into to retrieve much to Erin’s amusement.” Jade finished, smile broad at the memory.
“For four summers, no matter where in the country we were or how busy my parents were, I went to science camp, highlights of course included dissecting frogs, making those paper mache volcanoes and my own scale model of the planets in our solar system. Believe it or not, going to science camp did not make me a super cool kid? Shocking, I know.” Jade drummed the fingers of her right hand against her chin, the action prompting her to think about her knee and her final story to tell.
“I have a scar on my right knee from when I was 16 and I tripped and fell onto the ground whilst attempting the hurdles, it was at a new school and I knew basically no one but got some help in the nurses office. Still, it left a faint scar which I keep tucked away,” Jade slowed down her rambling, looking across at Eli to check in with how he was coping with all these stories. “I feel like you’re better at telling stories than me but there you go, which do you think is a lie.” Jade ended, raising her eyebrows as she challenged him to guess.
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Human
Written by Megs.
35 posts.
18 years old.
ladies man.
I am Male.
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Post by Elliot Munson on Oct 28, 2022 20:50:42 GMT
It was a warming sight—Jade’s smile. It had Eli’s own softening, his lips smoothing at the corners as his head tilted just so. He admired the way her cheeks tinted a soft shade of pink as her laughter bubbled over. It was a brilliant, breathless sound that had his heart twisting and his body shifting ever closer. Not touching, he wouldn’t do that, but leaned in with interest. Jade had been so sad, so forlorn earlier. It made him feel like he’d done something right bringing her in here, that she was able to finally breathe after the day she’d had. It must have been a rough one. He wondered if something more than Ashton’s interruption earlier had happened. He didn’t ask. He wouldn’t pry. He’d worked so hard to bring that smile to her lips that he wouldn’t dare do a thing to jeopardize the peace she’d finally found, but he was curious. Jade was an enigma. She was something new and exciting and off limits. At that reminder, Eli straightened his posture—leaning back slowly to make the motion look natural and not like he’d caught himself doing something he shouldn’t have. He didn’t want to cause her more trouble. As intrigued as he was, he wouldn’t dare give Ashton another reason to cause a scene and hurt Jade again. (Had she been hurt? It had seemed like it. Maybe he was assuming, projecting—looking for a fight when there wasn’t one. That was likely. It was on par for who he was). He shook his head slightly at his thoughts, causing his hair to shift and resettle in a new messy (albeit still wildly handsome) arrangement.
Honey brown eyes watched her carefully work her way through what he’d revealed, analyzing how she swallowed down his lie (Sadie’s truth). It seemed to soothe her further, oddly enough. Eli couldn’t have predicted that it would have helped her, but he was glad it did—glad that she hadn’t poked fun at Sadie’s seemingly silly fear. Not that he thought Jade would. Her eyes had betrayed her for a mere moment, and he was lucky to have caught the raw emotion there before she choked down whatever truths of her own she was holding onto and studied his scar. Again, Eli didn’t comment. His task here was to help distract her, not poke and prod and investigate as he so deeply wanted to. What made Jade tick? What had her so on edge? So worried and sad and scared? Why had she chosen Ashton? Why had she moved here of all places? Who was she? He pulled his bottom lip in between his teeth—partly to hide his growing smile at what she was saying, but more so to keep his questions silent.
“I’m sorry,” he interjected, holding his palms out towards her in surrender, “But I didn’t want to lie. You still made a great guess!” He was trying to smooth over her teasing, but knew that she wasn’t truly upset. Or so he hoped. He laughed then, shaking his head more playfully as he pleaded, “God, please don’t. I was joking. He’s going to humiliate me.” His laughter was louder for a moment, hearing Freddy’s dynamic voice filtering around the poetic words of what had happened that day. His best friend would do his best to smear Elliot, to embarrass him silly in front of their new acquaintance. All in good fun and Eli actually wouldn’t mind if Jade did ask. He had to put up a small fight though to save face and hope that she’d reconsider so Elliot wouldn’t end up a blubbering, blushing mess with what Freddy was sure to say. Eli had left out key details that he knew Freddy would harp on with extremely vivid words.
He quieted down as she mulled over her truths and lie, giving her a chance to think before listening intently to her speak. He kept his eyes trained on her face, only occasionally dropping to her hands as he sought out some kind of tell. A twitch or a shifty look. Something. There was a brief pause in her story, but even then, it felt natural. Eli was stumped. He could see each of them happening, but something told him that the summer camp story was the lie. He rolled with that gut feeling.
“You got me,” he started, leaning forward to prop his chin on his hand—his elbow digging into his thigh as he thought over his choices one last time, “That’s fucking tough.” Okay, he just had to take the leap. She got it wrong so there was no pressure for him to get it right, but still—he wanted to. He pursed his lips and waited a few more beats before finally caving and guessing, “I feel like it’s wrong, but I think the summer camps are a lie. I don’t doubt that you were a super cool kid,” he shot her a wink, lips quirked up at the corner, “But with you moving as much as you say you did, I can’t imagine you stayed somewhere long enough to complete camp.” He tapped his fingers on his chin, debating before adding, “Though I also can’t see you with a bow. I can’t really see you handling any kind of weapon really,” too soft, too kind, too careful, “But I can see you diving in after a lost arrow.” He chuckled them, glancing down at her leg, despite it being covered, and adding, “And I think I caught a glimpse of the scar earlier at school,” (her skirt was so short, he couldn’t help his eyes tracing the length of her legs despite how bad he knew it was to do so), “So I’m going to say the camp.” He felt confident in his assumption, but knew that he could very well be wrong. She’d given just enough information to make each story believable and he was grasping at straws to find the deceit.
He frowned slightly at her dig at herself, sitting up straight and shaking his head, “You did great, don’t say that. I’m used to Freddy being dramatic and full of flair so it's easy for me to mimic. I liked what you had to say. It was great!” Smiling, he hoped that helped ease her self-conscious thoughts towards her tellings.
“So tell me. Right or Wrong?”
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Hunters
Written by Jasmin.
132 posts.
18 years old.
in looooove.
I am Female.
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Post by Jade Little on Nov 30, 2022 21:24:22 GMT
The vaguely baffled look on Eli’s face as Jade spun her stories and filled the small space between them with her words had her smiling on the inside. Being a good liar wasn’t a trait she aspired to have but being successfully convincing… well, that was a different matter.
Her lie wasn’t made out of malice. She hadn’t crafted it to be cunning and attempt to get the upper hand on the situation after already losing the first round. No, her lie was wishful thinking. An ideal life she would have liked for herself had her parents work been any different. Had her life been able more stable and routine and normal. Had she been anyone else other than the girl she’d grown up to be.
Still, a smug little look was passing across her delicate features as Eli admitted her options were tough to pick between. The look faded as he began to speak, her mouth dropping open as he guessed correctly and any chance of victory was lost. A laugh fell out from her as commented on her being a super cool kid. Jade had never once felt cool. Always either on the outside of a group looking in, invisible entirely or too in her own head to actually relax and be calm enough to soak it all up. She took that as a reminder to ease up, forcing her shoulders to sag and head to tilt to the side. She’d probably given too much away already in her reaction as he started to guess correctly but she couldn’t go back and change that now. She’d just have to roll with it. Like the tide or whatever.
His comments on her being able to deal with a weapon had her eyebrows creeping up a millimetre or so, such a minute gesture that he probably wouldn’t have clocked it. If he knew just how comfortable she could be with a weapon when she needed to be, well, his whole impression of her would do a 180. There was no doubt in Jade’s mind about that fact.
Her leg shifted on instinct, tucking further under the chair in a motion that had become more reflex than anything else. Her imperfections. Her flaws. Evidence of when she’d been hurt. In more ways than those that spilt ruby red pebbles of blood onto the floor. Even with the skin covered she felt exposed because inevitably when it was spotted, someone would ask questions and any answer she gave would lead back to Slots. Which seemed to be the only place her own mind wanted to go to today.
“You flatter me, Eli and break my heart again,” Jade responded, clapping her hands together gently. “Because, really sadly and gut-wrenchingly for me, you are right and I thought I’d pulled all those together in a very cryptic and believable way. It teaches me for telling people about my life so from here on out, I will be a woman of mystery to all new people to avoid losing this game again.” Flicking her hair out behind her Jade smiled, shaking her head at her own words. “Jade Little the chatterbox is over and that’s entirely your fault Eli because yes, you’re right, I did not go to science camp for four summers. I managed to go one year but then we moved and it was too much of a drive to go again and my parents wouldn’t let me fly by myself when I was only 12… so no more fun experiments for me.” Jade chanced a glance back into the hallway, having half forgotten the room of other people out there. Which Ashton still wasn’t part of. “But yes, I did dive in a pond and I do have a scar on my knee. Seems you saw right through me.” She added as she turned back to look at Eli.
“I should probably go let Blake know I haven’t vanished into thin air,” and see if he’d heard from Ashton at all. There was a growing nag of worry blooming inside of her. She just wanted to get past their earlier mishap. Being at odds with him felt completely unnatural. All she wanted was to be there when he walked through the door with his classic Texan charm.
If there was a look of disappointment on Eli’s face, Jade looked past it as she listened to him before they headed out of his room. Jade leading the way as they made their approach back into the living room.
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Human
Written by Megs.
35 posts.
18 years old.
ladies man.
I am Male.
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Post by Elliot Munson on Dec 4, 2022 6:06:33 GMT
It shouldn’t have, but Eli’s stomach knotted as Jade’s face gave away what her words seconds later confirmed. He’d guessed correctly. For some reason, he hadn’t anticipated that. Maybe because she hadn’t caught onto his lie, but regardless, he felt guilty that he’d been right. Breaking her heart again—the words stung, but he encouraged a smile to curl at the edges of his lips. He pushed past that odd feeling, not reading into why it bothered him so much because he knew. He let her down in some way, surely, by not keeping the playing field even—and he was quick to shoot down what she’d said. Shaking his head emphatically, he pointed his finger and insisted, “You’ll do no such thing, Ms. Little. I think you’re pretty incredible just the way you are. Chatterbox and high-fives and all. It’s charming. Leave the mystery for someone else.” Someone who had to be cryptic and odd to be engaging. Someone who couldn’t hold a candle to the light that Jade radiated. He knew she must have been joking, but even the idea that she would change had him worried. She was so enticing and entrancing as she was. She drew him in with a pretty little hook and had him dangling off her line. So different than anyone he’d come across in the last few years. Someone so entirely their own and he couldn’t fathom being the reason she dimmed her sparkle.
He took a moment to really take in what she’d said, though, and he felt bad for her. It was clear that she had yearned for that sense of familiarity and normality, but he couldn’t tell if she resented the moving around or not. As hard as it must have been for her, Jade seemed to understand why it happened. He couldn’t see her hating her parents despite the strain it had put on herself. She was too kind, too soft.
His eyes shifted upwards as she stood, a curious glint to the honey-brown before they darkened with disappointment she didn’t catch. He understood, of course he did, but what he wouldn’t do for just a few more minutes. Jade was so intriguing, he felt like they were right on the precipice of something important for their developing friendship, but he didn’t stop her as she headed towards his door. Pushing himself off his bed, he followed behind her, flicking his light off and letting out a shallow laugh. “I’m sure he’d be more worried about that if you’d gone off with Freddy. He’s been getting into magic recently,” Eli chuckled, knowing that his eccentric friend would have definitely tried to lure Jade into some kind of trick of his if he’d gotten the chance, “If he asks you to pick a card, just politely decline. Trust me.”
Elliot didn’t get a chance to elaborate, his smile slipping as his eyes snapped upwards at the curt calling of his last name.
“Munson,” Ashton said smoothly, standing at the end of the hallway—having just rounded the corner and catching his girlfriend leaving Eli’s bedroom with him. After this morning, he feared how this would go. Jade had just started to smile again; he didn’t want for it to slip because he’d been greedy with her time.
But he didn’t have a chance to speak up. Ashton cleared his throat and steamrolled over whatever sputtering Elliot would have managed.
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Supernatural
Written by Megan.
299 posts.
18 years old.
two timin' hoe.
I am Male.
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Post by Ashton Pines on Dec 4, 2022 6:20:39 GMT
The pitter-patter of water splashing on the tile of his shower was deafening. His fingertips flexed against the cool wall, arms bearing the weight of him as he dipped his head under the icy spray. Washing the sins away, washing the scent of Erin’s perfume and the greed of her touches away. Disbelief and guilt flushed through his chest, eyes squeezed shut as his skin pebbled with goosebumps. How could he? How dare he? Ashton broke his one rule. He sought out Erin first. In the moment, it hadn’t meant anything, but now that the anger had dissipated and his body was lax, he couldn’t believe himself. Now he couldn’t pass the blame. Now he had to own up to his own actions. No more hiding the truth from himself. He fucked up. He fucked up bad. An irritable groan rumbled in his throat, eyes batting open as he started down at his feet. He blinked the water from his lashes, watching the droplets splash and splinter on the white tiles. Stupid. He was so fucking stupid. There was no coming back from this and they both knew it. Erin was going to exploit this moment to her advantage, tug on the desperation he had displayed upon seeking her out. This changed everything. It said all the words he’d held back. It warped his view on his perfect angel and her devilish twin. Today Erin was his saint and Jade was the horned demon twisting his gut.
“Fuck,” he growled, slamming his fist against the tile and frowning deeper when it cracked beneath the weight of his hand. God damnit. He glowered at the broken slate, ruby and garnet glittering in his irises as his thoughts swirled and stomach knotted. He couldn’t pretend anymore. He needed Erin. He needed Jade. He was in too fucking deep and he was drowning. Blindly, he reached down and turned the knob, cranking up the heat to soothe his worn muscles. It hadn’t been once. Not even just twice. After he’d taken her in the backseat of his jeep, he’d kept digging and pulling more of those sweet little moans from her in the privacy of his bedroom. When he’d left her sleeping form on his bed, the clock on his nightstand had flashed bold red letters letting him know it was just past eight. The party he was meant to be at had already started and he needed to get ready. He hadn’t anticipated how hard it would be to peel himself away from Erin’s hold. It wasn’t often they had the opportunity to fall asleep with one another. It was always a rushed quicky—desperate hands and needy kisses. He could never take his time, not the way he had today. She’d whimpered at the loss of his heat, curling tighter into his comforter and turning on her side. He had stood there for a moment, the chill of the room settling upon his naked skin as he studied her sleeping form. Erin was so soft like this. No tightness to her face, no crease to her brow. No rage or worry or fear. She just was, existing in a plane of nothing as her dreams swarmed and sweltered in her mind. Ashton reached out, carefully tucking a stray hair behind her ear. She’d shifted, the tickling of his gentleness causing her nose to scrunch up and hands to clench around the fabric she was holding onto, but she didn’t wake. His face was somber, sad as he stepped away from her and headed for the attached bathroom.
What was the point in denying it? This was love, right? Stupid, crazy, shitty love. Ashton hadn’t thought he would ever be capable of it, and yet, he’d fallen for two girls. Each had a piece of his heart in their palms, one holding on tenderly and the other squeezing with her nails dug in deep. That’s why he did this. That’s why he kept Erin a secret and refused to break up with Jade. He needed them both. He loved them both. In his own twisted, fucked up way, yeah. But he knew this was more than a crush or a fling or any other short term attachment. The words wouldn’t grace his lips, though. How could he? How could he tell either of them? There was no way he could tell both. Erin wouldn’t believe him and Jade would be shattered beyond repair once she found out the truth. Was it so wrong being in love with two people? Yeah. He knew it was, but c’mon. Give him a break. Wasn’t it better to love two than none at all?
He was selfish. He knew that. Calling Erin had been a mistake. His anger had overwhelmed his better judgment and now he had a mess in his chest and didn’t have the time to clean it up. He wouldn’t even know where to begin.
The water was scalding as it melted into his skin, searing his freckled shoulders and dripping down the slope of his back. It was so loud, the roar of the stream and the cacophony of thoughts. He hadn’t heard her wake, hadn’t heard the soft pats of her bare feet on his wood floors or the curtain chitter as it was pulled to the side. Ashton startled as her chilly hands pressed against his waist, tiptoeing until they knotted together just above the tawny tuft of hair that grew above his groin. “I can’t believe you got in without me,” she teased, but the heat in her words made it clear she was chuffed at waking up alone again. He sighed, dropping his hands from the wall and straightening up to lean back into her. His fingers moved atop hers, interlacing and squeezing gently. How on Earth had she become the one to calm him? Not four months ago was she the root of all of his problems, at his throat and threatening his life. Everything was shifting and he didn’t like it. Each day Jade felt like more and more of an ill fit while Erin slotted against him perfectly and he hated that. He hated that he was losing touch with Jade.
He didn’t know how to fix it—how did he get her back?
“Sorry, baby girl,” he murmured, voice deep and earthy, “You looked so damn pretty sleeping, didn’t want to wake you.” He didn’t have to see her to know she was blushing, her face pressed between his shoulder blades and her scent summery and sweet with pleasure. She huffed, trying to remain indifferent despite knowing there was no use in lying to him. “I’ve got to drop you off soon. The party’s already started and she’s waiting for me.” Erin stilled then, arms going lax but he held them in place with his grip on her hands. It was always this way when he reminded her of Jade, of his preference for her sister. It was easy to dismiss Erin as a secret, but he couldn’t ignore his girlfriend.
“Don’t pout, darling,” he chuckled, pulling her around to stand in front of him—her chest pressed tight to his, his hand tipping her chin back to search her eyes, “You’ve had me all day and I’ll see you soon enough. You know I’ve gotta do this.” Erin frowned, cutting her eyes to the side, but he jerked her chin gently to keep her gaze upon him. “Don’t be like that, E. You’ve made today a hell of a lot better for me, don’t ruin it.”
Her frown wobbled for a moment under the heat of his glare before tilting upwards into a shy smile. Ashton kissed her then, lips soft and gentle and easy at first but as her hands locked behind his neck and her body pushed harder against his, he couldn’t stop his palms from dropping to her thighs and hoisting her up. Shower sex was no simple feat, but he held her sturdy against the slippery tile and wedged himself deeper and deeper for the last time today.
Ashton watched as Erin flitted around his bedroom, trying to gather all of the things she’d scattered across the floor in their haste. She seemed flustered, walking with a bit of a limp from how many rounds they’d gone. He hadn’t held back in the beginning, forgetting his strength in his fit of anger. Bruises blossomed around her hips in the shape of his hands and hickeys scattered across her breasts and between her thighs—places easy enough to hide from Jade, not that she ever looked. So trusting and docile. His phone shuddered in his palm, dragging his attention back down to the device. Murphy had texted letting him know that he didn’t need a ride and that he was already there—asking him to bring wolfsbane to spike their drinks. He had some stocked in his trunk for times like this, but made a mental note to snag some before he headed into the party. He sent him a simple thumbs up emoji before locking his phone. Ashton’s lips pursed then, recalling the lost look in Blake’s eye when he’d asked him to drive Jade. He hadn’t felt it in that moment, still riding from his high and feeling justified in his actions, but now he felt empty and raw. He shouldn’t have involved Blake, not without explicitly talking to him about what was going on first. He knew his pack members, spare Sabrina, must know of his affair. There was no way they didn’t with the way they all lived on top of each other, but they never spoke about it. It wasn’t fair to have done that to his friend, to just throw him into the thick of it like that. Ashton wasn’t a fan of admitting he’d done anything wrong, but he would apologize to Blake before it was too late.
Erin’s fingers in his hair brought his attention back to her, a soft, private smile curling at the very edges of his lips as he looked up at her. She asked if he was ready, voice purposefully empty but her eyes betrayed her. He nodded, leading her out of the house after he was sure no one else was home. The drive was silent at first, his palm on her thigh and her eyes cast out at the blur of trees and roads in thought, but as they turned on to the main road into town, she cursed, “Fuck this, Ash.”
He looked at her, startled at her outburst and shifting his hand lower on her leg as he glanced her way. He didn’t have time to speak, for as she turned towards him, she insisted, “We are not going to end our day like this. If you’re going to leave me for her, at least look fucking happy doing it.” And Ashton didn’t have the words to say anything back. He blinked slowly at her, reaching blindly for the stereo and turning the volume up. He understood what she meant and, as he sang along to some new country song that he’d only just added to his playlist, he appreciated it. He had to be happy leaving her. He had to be happy seeing Jade. If he wasn’t, what was the point of all of this? Fucking pouting only cemented those unsaid words, it proved to Erin that he cared for her and it made sense that knowing that stung more when he still left her for her sister at the end of the day. So he serenaded her, Texan twang curled in his soft melodies—fingers flexing on her thigh and eyes bright when they’d slide her way. She was smiling, small and bashful, but she was. He was a few houses down when he parked and she hopped out, a hopeful look on her face as she waited for him to change his mind, but he only sighed. He felt shitty already, turning his head away as she lingered—waiting for a kiss, disappointed when he wouldn’t meet her eyes. There was a flush to her cheeks and a frown on her lips as she turned and wobbled her way to her house, and for a fleeting moment, he was worried he’d truly hurt her with how rough he’d been. He waited until she was walking up her drive before pulling away, eyes lingering on her as she spared him a hurt glance as he drove past.
Ashton was at Eli’s in only a few minutes, parking his car on the road and tapping his thumbs against the center of his steering wheel for a moment. He couldn’t get upset. He had to be cool. He was too tired to fight anymore anyways and he had several apologies resting bitterly on his tongue. The boy hated to say it, but Erin’s insistence on enjoying their last moments together had lifted his spirits—it had been a good idea. He looked up at the house then, catching the shapes of the party goers through the shades, the emerald of his eyes darkened as he caught a feminine silhouette near a tall male. With the angle, he couldn’t tell if it was Jade—he couldn’t tell if it was Elliot or Blake, but pushed down the jealousy and forced himself to remain calm. He could be a good boy, a good boyfriend. He could. At least for the few hours they would be here. He pushed his hearing towards the house, but wasn’t able to make out individual conversations over the lull of music and the barrage of voices. He turned off his engine and pushed himself out of his car. Why was he stalling? He’s fucked Erin and then went out with Jade tens of times before. Today didn’t have to be different. He wouldn’t let it be.
His boots crunched the fresh fall of autumn leaves as he marched up the driveway, brown leather jacket secure around his shoulders and the vials of wolfsbane tucked deep in the right pocket. A black shirt and jeans hugged his muscular frame nicely—the golden amulet glittering on his chest. His mother had given it to him when he was eight after he’d seen it in a shop in an old native town in northern Texas. He can’t think of the last time he’d taken it off.
He let himself in, eyes searching for Jade as a small chorus of welcoming words echoed around him. He offered a charming smile and dip of his head to the voices, but didn’t grace them with a verbal response as he turned towards where he’d seen the shadowed figures when he’d been outside. It wasn’t Jade. Blake was talking to a pretty blonde girl who was propped up against the couch—around her hips was a jock’s arm as he made conversation with someone sitting beside him. Chrissy and Zach, he recalled. Blake dismissed the girl quickly as he caught sight of his alpha from the corner of his eye, smiling at the girl and giving her arm a quick squeeze before his face went paler and paler with each step he took towards Ashton.
“Where’s my girl?” Ashton whispered, trying to sound aloof, but there was frustration and accusation in his tone. He’d trusted Blake to keep her close, where was she?
Blake shifted from foot to foot, eyes downcast as he murmured, “Eli was just showing her around.” He couldn’t admit to how long Jade had been gone, he didn’t want Ashton getting more upset with him. Blake felt like a kicked puppy, a scolded child—and Ashton immediately felt awful.
Breathing in deeply, he reached out and cupped his beta’s shoulder—shaking it softly until Blake met his eyes. “Hey,” he said softly, “You’re fine. I’m sorry. I’ll go find her.” His friend blinked at him slowly, taken aback by this change of attitude, but smiled all the same.
“She’d been upset,” Blake offered, not wanting to betray her trust by relaying to Ashton what she’d confided in him, but he wanted to warn his alpha to be cautious, “We talked and she’s better now, I think, but just be easy on her.” And it felt odd of him to ask, to tiptoe and press all the same—ignoring the glaring elephant in the room—but Blake had to say it. He felt so shitty with knowing what Ashton was doing behind Jade's back and not telling her that he had to at least ask this of his friend.
Puffing out his chest, he dipped his head in a shallow nod and squeezed Blake’s shoulder. “Heard,” he said around a tight smile, trying to not be bothered that Jade had turned to Blake or that she was off somewhere with Eli, “I know I got a lot of making up to do. Just—thank you, Blake. I appreciate what you've done for me." Ashton would apologize better later. Blake deserved more than the meager one he’d given, but this would suffice for now. Blake seemed pleased and smiled at his alpha with glittering teeth. His beta fed off approval. He squeezed his shoulder one last time before following where Blake pointed to go find his girlfriend.
There was a heat in his chest, burning and grating, but he forced an easy smile to his lips as turned the corner of the hallway and caught sight of a flushed Jade and an antsy Eli. He'd caught their conversation, and it hadn't been anything to be suspicious about. It was so clear nothing had happened, but Ashton hated it. She shouldn't have been alone with him. He shouldn't have been with Erin so fucking late. What was he doing? What has he done?
"Munson," he forced his voice to remain cool, no threat or malice—just a hint of curiosity and maybe of warning. He didn't give the man a chance to defend himself, instead closing the distance and holding his hand out to him—only briefly meeting Jade's eyes before his own settled on the shorter male. The apprehension morphed into something more relaxed in the boy’s brown eyes as Ashton continued, “Thanks for keeping Jade good company and I’m sorry for how I was earlier.” The words were acidic on his tongue, but he knew he had a long night of apologies still ahead of him. “Don’t know what came over me, but I shouldn’t have been that way,” he finally really looked at Jade then, true regret in his eyes, but not for the reason he was saying, “And I shouldn’t have said what I said. I can be a real dog sometimes.” Oh, the irony.
“All good,” Eli brushed off, accepting the words at face value and knowing now wasn’t the time to dig into them, “Thanks for apologizing though.” He spared a look with Jade, gauging her reaction before he dismissed himself, “I’m going to grab another drink. You know where everything is, Ash. Make yourself at home.” With that, he begrudgingly departed and Ashton had to keep the frown off his face at what that could mean.
He turned to Jade instead, a sickly snake twirling around his guts and squeezing him tight—constricting tighter and tighter as he reached out to push a few stray hairs back behind her ear. “Hey, Princess,” he charmed, voice soft and private as he stepped closer. He took her hand in his, pressing a soft kiss to the back of it, but that was all the affection he gave—even here, hidden in the hallway away from prying eyes. If she asked, he would say it was because he knew the display he’d done earlier in front of Munson had upset her and he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable again—ever the attentive and doting boyfriend. He wouldn’t tell her the truth—that he saw Erin in the blue of her eyes and couldn’t bring himself to press his lips to hers just yet. Not while the taste of her sister still lingered on his tongue.
The snake wound tighter.
“I’m sorry about dipping earlier,” he started, squeezing her hand gently, “I was just in a mood and needed to sleep it off. I shouldn’t have been that way and I hope you can forgive me.” Maybe for this, but he knew that tonight might be the furthest her forgiveness stretches. He looked at her expectantly then, so much still resting on his tongue but he bit his lip to hold himself back. He had to give her the chance to answer. He had to keep up the rouse that he was actually a decent fucking guy.
Ashton was one hell of an actor, though, and for Jade he'd always put on one hell of a show.
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Hunters
Written by Jasmin.
132 posts.
18 years old.
in looooove.
I am Female.
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Post by Jade Little on Dec 4, 2022 20:55:36 GMT
Pretty incredible. Charming. The words were swirling through Jade’s head, so at odds with her own inner dialogue that they were throwing her off balance, feeling a little unsteady on her feet as she took those initial steps down the hallway.
Erin was always the mysterious one of the twins. Even if to Jade she’d been an open book, although, and Jade frowned ever so as the thought crossed her mind, it seemed harder and harder to get a good read on her sister lately. Then again, Jade couldn’t really blame her when Jade spent a lot of her time with her boyfriend who Erin did not get along with. Still, it was moments like today when Jade peered into her sister’s room and had absolutely no idea where she was or what she was up to that made her feel at odds with her. Like two puzzle pieces which weren’t clicking quite right. Where was her twin tonight? What was she up to? Had she… met someone but didn’t want to tell her? Was she getting herself into trouble? Lately, Jade had been so caught up in Ashton and her own anxieties that she’d been neglecting her sisterly responsibilities and care. The thought was like a weight in her gut. Something else to worry about on top of all the other concerns in her head. Maybe she should text her, give her a call, invite her to the party in case she was lonely. Jade’s arms wrapped across one another, hands holding her elbows as she forced herself to chuck a smile back at Eli and say, “I did want to be a magician’s assistant when I was six, so you know what, I may have to go along with what he asks if it means fulfilling my childhood dream.” The words were true, the upbeat tone was somewhat forced.
The moment was short. Ending suddenly as Jade’s head spun back, eyes landing on Ashton. The grip on her hands loosened, arms dropping as her eyes cast over her boyfriend quickly.
She had no idea what she was checking for. An injury to explain his delayed arrival? A bouquet of flowers to apologise with? Blake hovering behind him? But nothing seemed amiss. The fact of the that didn’t help to settle her worry over where’d he’d been, knowing that anything sour in his behaviour was due to how she’d reacted earlier. And this here now? Her leaving Eli’s bedroom with the boy only steps behind her and no one else within earshot. The realisation sank into her bones quickly, heavily, like a poisonous leach. She tried to play out her next steps smoothly, taking a quick step towards the wall closest to her and placing her hands in the front pockets of her jeans. A casual, unbothered pose. Even if, Jade, sweets, this is so fine and there’s literally nothing to worry about! You were just chatting with Eli, that was all so… just look less guilty would you. Try a smile, it won’t kill you.
Jade attempted to mirror the easy smile on Ashton’s face as she stood back and waited to see what would happen now. Silence was her best friend in this situation. Blurting out that nothing happened would just be adding fuel to the fire and would probably only make her and Eli feel uncomfortable and rile Ash up.
The handshake had Jade’s eyes widening marginally, averting her eyes for some reason and almost wishing that Murphy would turn up to distract them all from the unfolding situation by saying something completely unbased and inappropriate. The brief eye contact with Ashton had her heart beating loudly. A mixture of nerves, slight worry and apprehension rising to the surface but most of all, despite how all over the place she’d felt today, she was relieved he was here. Her heart was pounding out a rising rhythm of hi, hi, hi, I missed you, I forgive you, please forgive me, kiss me, be mine again, please, please, please.
His words only added to that growing chorus. A genuine smile crossing her lips now as she turned her head back to the two boys although her eyes only really paid attention to Ashton now. The smile eased into something softer, mouth gaping open a little at the apology and the regret in those eyes she’d spent hours gazing into over the year. Her brows pushed together, a line forming between her eyebrows. Dog. She wanted to giggle, to break some of the tension but this apology was for Eli, not her. She’d let him decide how to deal with the situation.
Jade broke her study of Ashton’s face to look back at Eli, giving him a reassuring nod of her that she was okay so he could be on his way. How could she not be? All seemed to be forgiven.
As Eli’s figure retreated and Jade was alone with Ashton, her heart rate started to rise again, the motion only increasing as he moved her away from her face. The brief warmth from his fingers had her skin humming to life, the vibration becoming more and more electric with his soft words and softer kisses. The purist, gentlest smile on her lips now as the worries she’d been clinging to throughout the day melted away with the sensation of his hips against her hand. So gentle. So intimate. All for her. No one was here to see this happen. This moment was for them. She’d choose it a thousand times over an elaborate date.
She pressed her fingers around his, not wanting him to let go just yet. The absence of him today was only dawning on her now. How much she’d missed him. How much he’d still occupied most of her mind. Unconsciously worried and wondering when he would message her or walk through that front door. How it was only now, looking up into his eyes that her mind was starting to still. She’d woken up stressing and feeling as if she had to impress him and that he’d leave her if she did anything wrong. But here they were, a little argument later and completely fine. “No, no, it’s okay, my head’s been all over the place and so I’ve been acting off and I think that was just on my mind.” That aka Slots aka the ongoing trauma that she hadn’t dealt with from her previous relationship which she was so desperately trying to hide from the world because if she seemed like a girl with problems then she was a problem. And with Ashton as hounded after as he was by seemingly every other girl in school, she couldn’t slip up. She had to be perfect for him. She had to be the one to bend because otherwise this would all snap and she’d lose him completely.
She could deal with her past on her own time. In private moments in the middle of the night when her tears would be between her and the moon. When the hour she spent getting ready in front of the mirror could be seen as just her caring about what she looked like for her rather than the desire to seem flawless in the eyes of everyone else.
“I still don’t think you should have said that about Sadie, who, by the way, seems very sweet. Actually all of Eli’s friends seem lovely and I met Murphy’s mystery woman who, well, she’s not as nice but I suppose that’s why she’s friends with Murphy.” Jade pressed her lips together, prattling on as always. Unable to just stay focused on one thought and conversation. A distraction technique to appear overly friendly and likeable. But that wasn’t necessary for Ash and probably wasn’t what he wanted to hear whilst he was attempting to apologise. “But I missed you, Ash. I’m sorry for changing our plans to come here but I’m really glad you’re here now.” She wanted to forget everything about the day up until this moment. This, them, the two of them in the hallway was all she wanted to remember of the day. No matter how kind and warm Eli was. Ashton was the only one with a claim on her heart and until she’d laid on her eyes on him minutes ago, it hadn’t felt right. “You’re the only one I want to spend time with.” She finalised, taking her other hand out from her jean pocket and tugging at the edge of his leather jacket. “Are you okay now and can we forget today?” She asked, eyes cutting deep into his. She needed today to be written off the record otherwise she feared the downward spiral she’d go on once she was alone in her room again.
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Supernatural
Written by Megan.
299 posts.
18 years old.
two timin' hoe.
I am Male.
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Post by Ashton Pines on Dec 5, 2022 22:51:10 GMT
In this moment, more than any other, Ashton couldn’t remember why he had ever let Erin weasel her way in between him and Jade. Greed and selfish desires paled in comparison to the warmth that simmered deep in his gut at the soft bat of her lashes and the timid smile she shined his way as Elliot departed. As he stood there before her now, hand clasped in hers and viridian eyes scouring her face for a hint of realization, his stomach sank. He knew he fucked up. He knew what he did was unforgivable, but he didn’t know how to fix it. How could he just stop? How could he trust Erin to keep her lips sealed? She’d lose her sister, but Ashton knew Erin. He’d grown to understand what made her tick, what made her unravel. If he chose Jade, what would Erin do? What would she risk? He could see it now, the malice and the loathing burning in those diamond eyes—an ocean churning and roaring in those sparkling blues. Reckless depths. Ship-sinking waves. Erin would bring him down, one way or another. She’d long past lost care for her twin’s feelings. Every reminder of her sister had Erin turning her shoulder to him, pouting like a child before reeling him back in with a languid kiss. If it meant claiming Ashton as her own, would she? Would she out them knowing she’d lose Jade? He hated that he thought she was capable of that.
His lips separated from their thin frown then, shaping around another apology, but Jade beat him to the punch.
With each desperate word, each pass of blame, and each radiant flash of teeth that boa in his chest constricted—choking his heart and sinking its fangs in the meaty flesh of the beating organ. It was hard to hear what she was saying over the chittering chorus of “how could he? how dare he? why would he?” ringing in his ears. Ashton knew he stank of guilt. It was a harrowing, bitter scent that he was infinitely grateful Jade couldn’t sniff out. It was never like this before, never so glaringly obvious that he was the one in the wrong. He wishes now that he had scrubbed his skin harder in the shower, that he had rubbed himself raw—as if scalded pink skin could erase a damn thing he’d done to his poor girlfriend. She was too trusting. She’d made it too easy—no. No, that wasn’t fair. He couldn’t shovel excuses onto her. She was already shouldering enough displaced fault as it was. He had to fix this. He had to try.
He thanked his lucky stars that the turmoil he couldn’t hide from his handsome features could be seen as guilt over what he’d pulled in that classroom and not what he’d done after. He wonders if Jade would have grown suspicious without this convenient excuse. He wonders if she’d drop those damn blinders and piece together all of the inconsistencies between the web of lies he and Erin have been weaving.
And yet, a smile teased at the corners of his lips at her rambling. That’s his girl.
“I missed you too, Jadey Baby,” he whispered, fighting to keep his voice from shaking as the truth of that weighed upon him. Now that she was here, now that her hand was molded against his own and her little fingers tugged on his sleeve, he realized that he had. Erin had been a distraction today (not always—sometimes she was a want, a need—he couldn’t lie about that anymore) and he couldn’t reach into his hat of tricks and pull out a decent fucking lie to explain why he’d called her. Anger. That’s what it boiled down to. Jealousy. He’d been livid seeing Eli so close, jealous over the soft smile she’d shared with that fucker instead of him. It was wrong, so fucking wrong of Ashton of all people to get upset about. He was fucking her twin sister. He was the last person on Earth who had any right to be bothered about her just talking to some other guy. He knew she wouldn’t betray him. He knew it had been innocent on her end, and yet? He’d blown up. He’d been nasty. He said something so vile that even his own skin crawled and hadn’t settled just right—leaving him with an itch he couldn’t scratch but Erin could.
He was fucking despicable.
True regret flickered in his eyes as he used her hold on his jacket to pull her closer, shaking her hand free so he could tiptoe his fingers along her waist before settling his palm on the small of her back. Here, with just them, he savored the heat of her front pressed against his—her chin tilted upwards to catch his gaze, always captivated in him. Why would he risk losing such a girl for someone like Erin? He felt so crazy. With one of the sisters in front of him, it was so easy to curse the other. Just thirty minutes earlier he was claiming Erin was a better fit for him, but now? Now he couldn’t imagine anyone else slotting against him the way Jade did now.
He was fucking disgusting.
“I don’t want you apologizing, you hear me,” he purred, making his demand sound sweet and enticing—focusing on what he could fix now instead of dwelling on the hell he’d have to settle later, “Today is on me.” He stole his hand from hers, carefully moving it to cradle the soft curve of her jaw in the palm of his warm hand as he apologized, “I’m sorry, Jade. Really. I shouldn’t have said that. You’re right. Sadie is a sweet girl who’s never done any wrong by me and I should have never even considered that. And it’s fine that the plans changed. S’long as I have you by my side, I couldn't give a rat’s ass about what was going on around us. I just—I got so jealous when I saw you two earlier. And I know I had no reason to be, but it never really hit me before like it did today that other guys could try stealing you from me—that I could lose you. I just, I got mad. I shouldn’t have, but I—I’m sorry.” Sorry for more than he could admit to aloud. Sorry for hurting her in the most carnal way.
How could he? How could he? How could he?
She only wanted him. How could he be so stupid?
He took a deep breath, searching her eyes for something—anything—that told him that she had any fucking clue how truly awful he really was.
All he found was pure adoration. All he saw was love.
Fuck.
“I’m perfect, Princess. Promise,” he whispered again, just for her—why couldn’t he have always just been for only her, “But I don’t think we oughta forget about today.” And he wanted to. He wanted to erase his sins from his bloodied hands. He wanted to pretend he’d never called Erin, that he hadn’t broken that unspoken rule—that he hadn’t crossed that line. But he couldn’t. He had to remember. He had to face the dirty facts and repent. “I mean, I fucked up. I gotta learn, you know? I want to do better.” He needed to. He needed to find a way out of this grave he’s dug for their relationship.
“I will do better,” for her, he had to, "I mean, fuck, you told Blake about your day before me—I didn't even ask," and it dawned on him then, he was a shitty boyfriend. More than the cheating, he fucking sucked as a partner in general. He'd been more focused on his own feelings (which he was still was repressing, the anger of her and Eli walking out of the boy's room not forgotten—only choked down because there were more important matters and raging now was the exact opposite of what was needed) than hers. He'd lost sight of Jade. God, fuck. He really needed to find a way to get out of Erin's taloned grip.
“Come home with me tonight so I can make it up to you, yeah? You can tell me about what's got you bothered, and I won't say a word, darling. Just listen,” if he sounded liked he was pleading, he hoped she wouldn't tease him for it. How could he not? The deep, clawing need to fix this—to make amends—was driving him. "But for now, you think you can forgive me enough to finally kiss me? Then we can go fuck with Murphy and his little lady?" His grin was blinding. All Texan charm and sharp edges. He smoothed his thumb over her bottom lip, licking his own in anticipation. He could pretend. He could be a good boy. He’d find a way to let Erin go without losing Jade. He had to. He needed to.
Jade was it. He knew it. Erin was tempting and sinful and wrong. He feared the moment he was left alone with her again: Ashton would cave, wouldn’t he? He’d give in to those sapphire eyes. He’d lose sight of Jade all over again. A vicious cycle. His own unholy ouroboros.
He had to find a way out.
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Hunters
Written by Jasmin.
132 posts.
18 years old.
in looooove.
I am Female.
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Post by Jade Little on Dec 7, 2022 20:33:17 GMT
The shifts in his face had Jade’s heart stirring, wanting to ease out any negative feeling that passed across his handsome features. It spurred her words on, distract, entertain, don’t be the issue. The mantra ran through her head with each syllable that poured from her.
As his lips pulled upwards, her heart lifted, a flush of pink sketching its way across her cheeks like a late winter sunset gilding the horizon. The warmth of her cheeks only grew with his words. He’d missed her, too. Jade knew they’d needed the afternoon and evening apart to cool off, if they’d stuck around each other they’d have just gone around and around in circles. The pair didn’t tend to bicker but when they did it always felt like the same point was made about 100 hundred times before they got fed up and just decided to drop it. It was always something so stupid. So insignificant that on a number of occasions, Jade had broken the tension by giggling at the ridiculousness of it all.
Today had been different. It had felt too close to something real. To something threatening. They’d felt breakable. She’d felt breakable. Choosing to brush over and not looking into stuff didn’t work if your boyfriend did the opposite. So, she’d just have to try harder. Give him no reason to question her, what she was doing or who she was talking to. Whatever it took. The hole in her chest that had bloomed through the day was an aching reminder of how much she could lose if he walked away from her. She couldn’t do it. In Beacon Hills, she’d be lost without him.
As their bodies shifted closer, Jade looked up knowing it would only take a slight reach to close the distance between the two of them. It was here, this close to him as her empty hand eased its way around the back of his neck, that she settled within herself. Her worries and anxieties had controlled so much of her day and with every wave of discomfort they drowned her body in, she felt further and further away from herself. But here, now, with her body connected to his, she felt okay. Not perfect. Not without her issues. But she was happy with him there.
The quiet in the hall settled around her, a twitch of nerves playing out in her hand as her fingers tightened around Ashton’s. Her gaze lowered from his, settling on a spot on his jacket. How could she not apologise? Then again… her conversation with Charlie swirled in her head. She’d put up with far worse with Slots but surely there’d been points where she could have spoken out and stood up for herself. She had never wanted to feel that weak and useless again. Lifting her lashes back up, Jade met his eye, fighting to keep her words inside. Words that word seamlessly smooth over and forgive him. He’d embarrassed her. He’d upset her. He’d ignored her all afternoon. This was the boy she was meant to trust the most but today… today he hadn’t trusted her. A frown tweaked at her eyebrows, a mark which sat there as her hand grew cold and it fell to her side. The presence of his hand on her face had her biting her lip, inner conflict growing with each beating press of her heart against her chest. She’d been the one to want to push today aside and Ashton was taking responsibility but… she couldn’t shake it.
Her chest felt like it could explode. What have I done, what did I do, why didn’t you trust me? Each question like a stab. Her eyes couldn’t focus on his anymore. His sweet words which would normally have her toes curling felt like a grating cut across her skin. A minute ago she’d felt settled, happy, content. Now she felt lost again. Marooned on an island of her own creation. Disconnected from the rest of the world by her own tears. Her own problems which she refused to truly convey to anyone who could help her. So stuck in her own image that she didn’t dare to reveal the nasty, twisted side of her even if that was all she fixated on in the mirror.
When the explanation kicked in, Jade stilled her fidgeting, save her hand slipping from its position on his neck, moving to rest loosely on his shoulder.
His words felt like an echo of her own.
A fear of losing one another. That she’d be the one to be stolen? The thought had a laugh falling out of her, short and shocked but at least that frown was fading.
She’d called him an idiot earlier and the title was becoming progressively more and more fitting. But it was endearing. A loving name for him as she finally looked back into his eyes. Finding comfort within those final words. He’d lashed out because he was worried about her, about them. Not because of her. The thought softened her once more, her hand by her side moving to fiddle with the necklace that hang from his neck with the utmost tenderness. Fingers around the golden metal, Jade smiled tentatively up at him. The whisper of his pet name for her had that earlier flush returning to her cheeks.
Jesus, Jade, if you don’t get a fucking grip you’re going to blow this. Calm your shit down and stop panicking. A quick thought to push the fog of her frantic back and forth aside.
She had to grip onto that thought with all self-imposed will when he suggested that they didn’t just forget about it all.
His words felt like a gift from the universe which she’d never have dared asked for. Do better.
Her fingers rubbed against his shoulder, a reassuring gesture as he painted himself as the bad guy. He wasn’t. They were both just scared and in over their heads. But this was fixable. So incredibly fixable. Or, Jade hoped that anyway.
Her fingers dropped from his amulet then, coaxing their way along his cheek. “It’s okay, you know me, can’t leave a car quiet so I had to talk to Blake about something,” her words felt strained, a residual effect from her inner turmoil. A little unsteady on her feet and in the way she spoke.
Her thumb stroked across his cheek, her head nodding before she even had time to process what he was saying. Of course she’d go back with him. There was nowhere else she’d rather be than curled into his side knowing it was just the two of them. “It’s a long story,” she murmured, the words coming out on their own accord. But she was tired of her island of endless self-loathing with no one to turn to. Maybe if her lonely island had one visitor, she’d figure out how to leave. Part of her wanted to just leave with him then. They could say a brief goodbye and be on their way. No one would stop them. Still, she’d caused all this trouble by wanting to be here. They’d have to stick around for a little while. “But it’s nothing you’ve done,” she clarified a beat later, stilling the movement of her thumb and her lips pulling upwards to match his smile. What she would do to empty her brain of memories of the past and just focus on the sweet boy in front of her. A lobotomy was, sadly, out of the question so with a bemused shake of her head, Jade reached up, at last closing the distance between them.
As her lips pressed against his, that tune from before started to play again in her head. I missed you, be mine, be mine, please, please, ple- Jade drowned out the thoughts, losing herself in Ashton for just a moment. The hand on his face moved to the smooth strands of his hair, worries ebbing from her mind. If there was a medicine to her woes, it was him.
It felt like it would only ever be him.
She cared about him more than she would vocalise. More than she would dare whisper to the night sky or whistle to a passing bird. For her, he was it. Her Texan prince. With each movement of their lips, she vowed to avoid days like today in future.
She’d have to tell him about Slots. It was the only way she could move forward with an unburdened heart and free her mind up to focus on the present than the past.
That conversation could come later. They were at a party after all.
Pulling away, Jade stayed silent for a moment, just studying Ash’s eyes, her own sparkling with want and realisation. He was all she wanted forevermore.
“Please, let’s go and sabotage Murphy’s date night,” she spoke, a giggle punctuating her sentence. She’d never purposefully ruin anything but it was always fun to tease when it came to Ashton’s friends. It was harmless and with someone like Murphy, it would be nearly impossible to ruin his night.
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Supernatural
Written by Jasmin.
75 posts.
17 years old.
gaaaay.
I am Female.
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Post by Jamie King on Dec 9, 2022 21:29:54 GMT
That tether on her mischief, her hidden cruelty and cunning lurched at the shift. The dark roiling waves within Murphy’s eyes. She’d stepped too far. His vicious tone confirmed as much. Anyone would have been able to pick up on it. She kept a firm grip on her internal leash. The two of them couldn’t go head to head, toe to toe. Not here. Not anywhere. Jamie hesitated, the realisation dawning on her that she didn’t want to argue with him in such a way not because she feared how truly violent and bloodthirsty it could get but because… her eyes met his, noting the silent sorry within them. But because he was someone she wanted to stick around in her life.
That didn’t mean she couldn’t wind him up. No, she would forever look for opportunities to do just that. Her expression turned sour, lips twisting to the side and brows lowering as he successfully landed the ball in one of her cups. “That’s beginners luck, Jacob,” after the Twilight character, of course.
Joking about Freddy and Sadie was all well and good when Jamie only considered how it would impact Murphy but… fuck, fuckity, fuck nuggets. She kept her posture calm and relaxed, eyes on the ball floating in the cup, silently praying that Sadie would, for some completely bizarre reason, see Murphy as the safer doubles partner.
Tearing her eyes away from the water before she accidentally caused the cup to explode in the pressure she was exerting on it as a mechanism of ignoring their new companions, Jamie just about clocked on to the nervousness in Sadie’s behaviour. No. There was half a thought to glance desperately at Murphy and claim him as her partner before she could be stuck with Sadie but she didn’t want to let Murphy know just how much the thought of being stood side by side with the other girl was wrecking her brain.
So she let the events play out, not even relishing in the fact that Murphy was partnered up with Freddy as the reality of her situation dawned on her. If the ground opened her up and dragged her by the ankles down to hell, she’d be grateful.
This was a nightmare situation.
Made worse by the fact that she absolutely could not let Murphy know how much she hated it. She shuffled over on reflex, not wanting her person bubble burst by an overly friendly Sadie. Too late. As Jamie’s arm brushed against Sadie’s front she sucked in a quick breath, gathering her hand around that mental leash once more. This, this was going to be impossible. Silently cursing Murphy with every word she knew her mother would disapprove of, Jamie took a step back, glancing up at the sky. A suitable alternative to being dragged to hell was an alien abduction, but, nope, no UFOs in sight. Shutting her eyes for a second and mentally scolding herself for not acting nonchalant, she returned her attention to the ball in Sadie’s hand.
Right, winning and beating Murphy’s ass was all that actually mattered here. Even if Sadie’s words had her internally cringing, casting a look down towards Murphy to see how he was faring with it all. No better, she hoped.
Still, a smile did grace her features when Sadie successfully landed her shot but that didn’t mean anything. Jamie would just put it down to gratitude that her beer pong partner wasn’t completely useless. Nothing else. Even if her heart jolted slightly this time as Sadie knocked their elbows together. Babe was a shock to the system and she braved a look up at the taller girl, allowing herself to take her in for just a few short seconds as Freddy picked up the ball.
If she’d been solely focused on the game she would have thrown off Freddy’s shot, an incessant need to win making her more than willing to cheat. A fact she knew Murphy knew. The emptiness and lack of drink in Jamie’s hands had her snapping to just as Sadie sucked on her own thumb. For a moment she was entranced before that all too familiar blaring siren sounded in her head. Straightening her back and pushing her shoulders down as she plucked the ball out easily. The flick of her wrist was subtle but she’d played enough times to know just how much speed and effort to give to land a perfect shot, her mind honed in on the cup she knew it would land in, paying just enough attention to it to maximise the splash it gave, splattering Murphy’s top with a comforting pitter patter. “Careful, Murphy, you’re in the splash zone.” She said, the first words she’d uttered since Freddy and Sadie arrived. Her tone was confident, unbothered, a girl completely in her element as long as she successfully ignored Sadie’s body just inches away from hers. Studying the cups remaining, Jamie’s tongue wedged against the inside of her cheek, mulling over the best strategy to go for.
Leaning back, Jamie kept her voice low even if she knew Murphy would be able to hear anyway. “Okay our strategy, anger the beast, he’ll get irrational and miss,” a flash of pearly white teeth, eyes flicking back toward the boys with that classic mischief sparkling out of them, “Freddy, well, I’m sure he’ll get distracted by Murphy’s outburst so you just have to keep your cool and we’ll win.” Smoothing out the strap of her dungarees, Jamie waited for Sadie’s response before she launched into action.
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Supernatural
Written by Megan.
299 posts.
18 years old.
two timin' hoe.
I am Male.
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Post by Ashton Pines on Dec 23, 2022 20:16:26 GMT
There was a moment—seconds ticking by one after the other after the other—that everything felt like it was slipping from his hold. His fingers had grown slimy, unable to keep his grip on Jade’s heart the way it had before. His claws itched in his nail beds, but he couldn’t let them out. He couldn’t pierce her heart. If she figured it out right now, if she put everything together and stepped from his grasp, Ashton knew he wasn’t in a position to reach back out for her. But that frown smoothed from her brow. She leaned into his touch and batted her lashes up at him. Her lips curved upwards as she let out a brilliant burst of a laugh and his worries settled. He wasn’t caught out yet, but it was that yet that had a crease between his eyebrows—his smile growing anxious (maybe even sad, but he’d never admit to that). A chorus of why why why echoed between his ears, his sight growing blurry as his eyes dropped down to where her delicate fingertips fiddled with the golden amulet his mother had gifted him. He’d growled at Erin when her curious fingers had reached out to explore the sharp horns and frowning face that hung from his neck. He couldn’t let her touch it, didn’t want her to poison the memory of his mother. Donna would grab Ashton by the ear if she was here. She’d yank and pull and bring him to his knees before Jade and make him explain because she would have known what he was up to.
But then again, he wouldn’t be here if she was alive.
A hint of fondness stretched across his lips as he watched her turn the amulet over. His mom would have loved Jade. She would have pulled the girl to her side as they sat on the couch and dove deep into her collection of polaroids—much to Ashton’s embarrassment. She would have fitted her with an apron and had her tut around the kitchen with her as she shared old stories and taught her even older recipes. She would have stood tall at her side, arms crossed over her chest and eyes stern as she defended the girl with a scolding to Ashton any time he made her so much as frown. Donna would have treated her like a daughter, would have welcomed her with open arms and a warm hug and a bright smile. His mom would have kept him from ever harming a hair on her pretty little head and from splintering her fragile heart. Ashton swallowed thickly then, batting his eyelashes quickly to flush the tears from the corners. He missed his mom, now more than ever. He didn’t like who he was becoming in her absence. Ashton had always been a bit of an asshole—rough around the edges and too big for his britches. Cocky and arrogant and overwhelming, yeah, but this? Looking down at Jade now, he felt vile. He felt like a monster. More than a werewolf, a fucking villain. He was such a piece of shit, and he couldn’t believe he hadn’t realized that until now (but he had, hadn’t he? Every time he thrusted deeper and deeper into his girlfriend’s sister, he knew how rancid and pathetic he really was—like hell if he was ever able to admit it to himself outside of that moment, though).
There was no denying it anymore. Ashton gulped, swallowing around the lump in his throat and blinking the dewiness out of his misty eyes. How could he be so fucking reckless? How could he be so fucking dumb? There had to be some way to fix this. Erin had to go.
But right now, he couldn’t think about that. He had time later to devise a plan. Jade needed him now, and he was so fucking thankful that the glittering tears in his eyes would be seen as relief and remorse and not soul-eating, gut–wrenching guilt.
It was just Ashton’s luck that it would play in his favor, that Jade would be so moved by the emotion carved deep into the furrowed lines above his brow and the crinkles at the corners of his lips that she wouldn’t even consider anything else. She was too good, too pure.
He was fucking filth.
As she spoke, he grew infinitely curious. He wanted to press. He needed to know. What had they talked about? Blake had seemed so grim, so serious—the antithesis of everything he knew his friend to be. What was said? It must have been about him, right? And yet, his beta had kept his lips sealed and didn’t whisper to Ashton the dirty little details his girlfriend had offered into his grabby hands. Blake hadn’t gossiped, hadn’t talked Ashton’s ear off the way he did every time he heard a juicy secret. It made the alpha’s stomach knot, hearing Blake’s warning loud in his head again. Something important, something so fucking vital had happened in that car and he hated not being privy to it. But he smiled. He forced the corners of his lips up and tilted his head cutely to the side as he nuzzled into her palm and listened to her because yeah, he knew her. He knew she would have been a little chatterbox and that Blake would have encouraged her rambling, but he hadn’t anticipated that the talk would have been so serious.
Ashton’s hiss of relief just barely had time to seethe over his lips before hers were pressed to his. Nothing he’s done. The words were a symphony, a melody of answered prayers. He was safe for now. She hadn’t talked about him (Jade wasn’t one to lie), but that left him curious (distressed), what had he missed that was bothering her so bad? What was nagging and tugging her soft, sweet heart? He’d find out. He had to. Maybe tonight, if he was a good and doting boyfriend, he’d be able to find the root of her troubles and work at soothing them. Maybe if he was able to do that, she’d become even more entangled and trusting and when he finally found a way to tell her his own dirty, sinful truths, she wouldn’t run. There had to be a way.
The kiss was entirely too chaste for his liking. He needed to devour her, to become one with her—to pull her so deeply into her chest that she’d never be able to leave. His tongue made one final swipe at her closed lips as she pulled away, eyes fluttering open just slightly—peering at her through his lashes, the green of his irises so dark and yearning. He didn’t want to be anywhere but here. He didn’t want her hands to leave his skin, couldn’t fathom the chills that would crawl over his skin as it searched for her warmth.
Her giggling awakened him, his shoulders going lax and mouth whispering his own chuckle in return. Murphy on a date, he could hardly comprehend the idea of it. The words should never have been strung together. He couldn’t wait to lay his eyes upon the pair and decide for himself what the situation between his friend and the fiery redhead was. He had never actually seen them together.
Maybe he wasn’t just a bad boyfriend, but a bad friend as well. When had he become such a shitty person?
He held in a sigh, shaking his head softly as he smirked down at his bubbly, lovely little lady. “That doesn’t sound like you at all,” he laughed, hands shifting to cradle her hips and squeeze them fondly, “Starting to think I’m a bad influence on you, darlin’.” And wasn’t that the damn truth.
“Let’s go get ‘em,” he urged, but couldn’t find it in him to move just yet. He studied her closer, searching those baby blues for something, anything that betrayed what she was showing upon her face. He found worry, the nerves darkening the soft azure, but he knew he could brighten them up once more. He leaned in then, capturing her lips in a searing, quick kiss—hands raising to cup her cheeks as he poured his heart and passion and love into her mouth. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, dragging the words across her cherry pink lips, eyes squeezed shut and forehead pressed to hers, “I promise, Jade, I’ll do better.” He couldn’t lose her. He wouldn’t.
Ashton doesn’t lose.
“Alright,” he said on an airy laugh, sounding nervous and unlike himself (a little embarrassed at his obvious desperation to fix things, but he thinks she’ll like that look on him—it’ll make her feel as special as she deserves to), “Now we can go.” He took her hand in his then, taking one step away but not going any further. He wanted to give her a chance to collect herself, give her a chance to make the calls for once.
She could lead the way and he’d follow.
He thinks she’s the only one that he would.
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Supernatural
Written by Megan.
71 posts.
18 years old.
no thanks.
I am Male.
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Post by James Murphy on Dec 28, 2022 22:22:37 GMT
What a peculiar reaction. Murphy cocked his head ever so slightly, very much looking like the curious (and very feral, not cute) dog he was as he studied the way that Jamie shifted away from Sadie and her heart rate picked up. He didn’t want to jump the gun just yet. There were still a lot of loose threads, still so many other things that this could mean. Jamie was one to protect her personal space. Murphy had never dared to come any closer than necessary, but he’d seen the way she’d tilt away from even her closer friends’ touch. She would shy away from Willow’s hugs and frown down at Lottie’s hand on her arm. Jamie didn’t like being touched and he couldn’t blame her, but this was different. Subtle, imperceptible to anyone else, but Murphy could smell the nerves rolling off of the redhead. He had more tests in mind to prove his theory, but it was hard to focus on tearing into Jamie’s secret corners when Freddy shifted closer to him—antsy as he shuffled from one foot to the other beside him, humming a Metallica song under his breath as he watched his friend blush across from them. Murphy’s attention shifted then, studying the taller man beside him from the corner of his eye. He frowned deeply, refusing to indulge himself in any provocative thoughts about him. He begrudgingly accepted that it must only be fair that he was tormented by temptation the same way Jamie was—whatever deity that reigned over them chuckling from their golden throne as they tested the two grouches. Thing was, Murphy didn’t care. He wasn’t hiding shit. His sexuality wasn’t a secret, it just wasn’t well known. Jamie, though. She was flustered and just barely keeping the blood from rushing to her cheeks. She was so deep in the closet, but Murphy saw through the little slats in the door. He could see her cowering on the floor, hiding behind flannel shirts and overalls. He didn’t know why it bothered him so much, why he cared about this. But fuck if he wasn’t invested.
Murphy cleared his throat, rolling his shoulders back and cracking his neck as he prepared for a long match. He didn’t cower when Freddy turned and caught his eye, didn’t let his mask slip as the boy shot him a beaming grin. He was handsome—warm eyes and rosy cheeks. He was too pure and soft for Murphy. The black clothes and wild hair were a charade, the kid was more of a puppy dog than Murphy was. Cheery and bright and so fucking eager to talk. Freddy’s lips parted then, just as the thought of his rambling entered Murphy’s brain, but he didn’t get a word out before the liquor in the cup closest to him was splashing onto Murphy’s shirt. Freddy winced, his smile finally dropping as he frowned and reached out to swipe the droplets off without a second thought. The shorter boy grabbed his wrist, stopping him just short of making contact—fingers searing where they curled snuggly around his arm.
How could he have let himself get so distracted? He’d been so focused on the sharp angle of Freddy’s jaw that he hadn’t clocked that Jamie was even gearing up to throw, let alone prepare himself for where she’d been aiming. Freddy’s cheeks were bright red, not fighting the hold as his heart beat loud—almost making it impossible for Murphy to hear what Jamie had said. Almost.
The stare he leveled upon Jamie was deadly—frost-bitten and serrated. His lips were pulled into a deep frown, nostrils flared and hands trembling. He was livid. He was embarrassed and didn’t know how to handle that so he channeled the feeling into rage. He dropped Freddy’s hand, refraining from tossing the limb away from him and instead just letting go of it. Freddy’s hand hovered for a moment before he tucked his wrist to his chest and raised his eyes to Sadie. Murphy hadn’t hurt him, somehow keeping his strength in check. Sadie and Freddy had a silent conversation, trading arched brows and flattened smiles before Jamie leaned in and began to whisper to her. Freddy couldn’t make out what was being said, but Murphy could.
He was vibrating with anger, not even bothering to drink up after her victorious throw and instead tossing the pong ball a little too roughly while Jamie was distracted. Murphy didn’t care to sink the ball, instead aiming for the rim of the cup closest to Jamie. His werewolf strength caused the sphere to bounce off of the lip of the solo cup and hit her hard just above her hip—not doing much damage, being a plastic ball and her being supernatural, but it would sting for sure (if only for a moment and he’d bask in those few glorious seconds of her discomfort). To his luck, the force of the throw caused the cup to tip over, spilling down the table and splashing onto her outfit. He grinned then, nasty and cruel—letting out a bark of a laugh at the chaos. It wasn’t a nice sound. "Talk about being in the splash zone, Ursula," he bit out, demoting her from pretty princess to fishy witch bitch.
He turned to Freddy, finally truly acknowledging him as he said, “They’re going to play dirty, so we’re gonna too.” He didn’t give the boy an option, didn’t phrase it like a question. Freddy knew he had no choice and like hell was he going to do anything to upset Murphy, so he nodded.
“Hell yeah,” he grinned, cracking his knuckles and pushing his shoulder playfully to Murphy’s. The werewolf rocked with the motion, frowning, but not in aggression. He didn’t like that he didn’t hate the contact. It had been so long since he’d been with anyone—male or female—and it wasn’t until now that he realized how pent up he was. Now wasn’t the time, though. They had a war to win. “Whatever it takes, right?” Freddy egged on, excited that Murphy was actually interacting with him.
The werewolf could feel the human easing beside him, the nerves and tension draining and he hated that. He wanted to be feared. He wanted to have control.
He wanted to crush Jamie.
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