✧ a hundred stories to tell // one-shot challenge

[Ranger of the North]

Oh, poor guy... That was probably the right thing for Landon to advise, though. I hope o.o

[blackbird.]

Oh, poor guy... That was probably the right thing for Landon to advise, though. I hope o.o

i felt so bad for my hannes while writing it!
but i think landon's argument is logical. as they say, the landon logic is infalliable!
honestly if i were landon i'd give the same advice. it's just too toxic otherwise.
and the sad part is that it's no one's fault. and it can't be fixed.
social constructs are the way they are and sometimes they just can't be changed.

[blackbird.]

"ｓｅｒｉｏｕｓｌｙ， ｗｈｏ ａｔｅ ｍｙ ｐｏｐｔａｒｔ？！"
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ft. flatmate bromance // characters: thomas, samuel, jae sung, carlos // words: 908


"I'm going in!" A voice with a heavy Korean accent pierced through the apartment.

"Alright, Jae Sung. I'll go in by the other entrance," came the response from Carlos, whose Greek accent contrasted Jae Sung's immensely. "Sam, back me up here."

"Roger that. I'm on it." The Australian young man maneuvered his thumbs around, controlling the player on the screen.

Jae Sung peeled his eyes from the screen to glance at his two comrades. "Ready? Three, two-"

"Stop!" A new voice cried out as Thomas stood in front of the television screen, blocking the view of all three of his flatmates.

"Move out of the way, Tommy!" Samuel said, trying to see past him.

"Not a chance! I've been trying to get your attention for the past five minutes and this is what I've resorted to because I have a very important question to ask." Thomas huffed and folded his arms. "Who ate my poptart?"

Carlos groaned. "You interrupted our game to ask that?"

"What's a poptart?" Jae Sung piped up.

Thomas, the only native to their home of Brooklyn, looked at him skeptically. "You sure you don't know what a poptart is? The square pastry thing that tastes like heaven?"

"They don't sell those in Australia either," Samuel offered.

"Maybe you ate it and then forgot," Carlos suggested. "Either way, we didn't take it, so move out of the way."

"I didn't forget," Thomas insisted, remaining at his spot, much to the dismay of his other three flatmates. "I put it aside specially for today so I could eat it while you three are gaming, and so I'm pretty sure I didn't accidentally eat it before."

"Hold up just a moment. You put aside a poptart just for gaming day?" Samuel asked, incredulous.

"Duh," Thomas rolled his eyes, as if it were so obvious. "What else am I supposed to do while the three of you stay glued to the screen?"

"Why don't you go out?" Jae Sung pointed out the window.

"I'd rather not get drenched, thanks." Sarcasm laced his words.

"Wait, it's raining?" said Carlos, seemingly very surprised by this new information.

Thomas rolled his eyes once again. "You guys are too oblivious."

"Why don't you join us?" Samuel asked, pointing to the spare controller. "A fourth player would really help us when we take on the boss."

Thomas eyed the controller for a second, seriously considering the suggestion. "I thought you guys didn't like it when I joined you for gaming," he said testily.

"We always invite you to play with us!" Samuel objected.

"But you always say no," Jae Sung added. "So we stopped asking."

Thomas furrowed his brows, thinking. "I don't know..."

"Tom, just take the damn thing and join us already!" Carlos grabbed the controller and practically threw it at Thomas, who fumbled trying to catch it.

"Alright...only if you guys are sure about this." Thomas took a seat on the ground, fingers trying out the sensation of holding a video game controller.

Samuel turned to face him. "Hold up, so all these months you haven't joined us because you were scared that you sucked at gaming?" Thomas shrugged. "Okay, listen. From now on every gaming day you're joining us. No objections."

"Are you sure? I mean, I wouldn't want you guys to hate me or anything just because I-" Thomas was interrupted by a chorus of groans. "What?"

"That's stupid!" Carlos exclaimed.

"So dumb." Jae Sung nodded in agreement.

Thomas frowned. "Why's it stupid?"

"Because it's a stupid reason to hate someone for," Samuel explained.

"Besides, we have a lot of other things to hate you for," Carlos teased, breaking out into a smile.

Thomas rolled his eyes. "Gee, thanks."

"Listen, there are a lot of reasons we could all hate each other but don't." Samuel pointed out. "And being bad at gaming isn't really a doozie. I mean, you guys could hate me for insisting we always eat Australian beef even though it's ten times the price of American beef. But you don't!"

"Who says we don't?" Carlos joked.

Jae Sung promptly thumped the back of the Greek's head before adding to Samuel's statement. "He's right! You guys don't hate me for always comparing grades." He laughed. "Or my Korean accent!"

The quartet chuckled slightly as Carlos then cleared his throat. "And I guess you guys could have kicked me out after my parents visited and forced us all to clean the apartment. But you didn't." They all nodded, humming in agreement.

"See Tommy? No one's gonna hate you just because you suck at gaming," Samuel concluded, turning back to the Brooklyn native.

Thomas laughed. "I guess so."

"Now can we continue?" Carlos said, pointing to the screen. A chorus of agreeing voices came in reply.

Thomas smiled to himself, enjoying the feeling of joining in with the other three, feeling like he belonged. It was ironic, in a way. He was the native in the country, but the outcast in the apartment on gaming day. But it didn't matter. No one cares that they all came from different cultures, different economic backgrounds, different countries. They were still friends in the end, and that was what he loved about that small apartment of theirs. And it was a little weird at first, but he was glad they managed to talk it out, instead of him finding a fleeting feeling of satisfaction by eating a sugary biscuit.

Wait a minute... "Seriously, who ate my poptart?"

[ note: embrace diversity!

[Ranger of the North]

Hahaha I love how he just completely ruined the moment XD XD

[blackbird.]

"ｉ ｈａｖｅｎ＇ｔ ｅａｔｅｎ ｉｎ ｔｈｒｅｅ ｄａｙｓ！"
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societal pressure can really suck // characters: hua linh mai, piper jones // words: 1383


Piper was panting by the time she reached Linh Mai's door. But it was a good thing. Her heart rate was up, as was her breathing rate, and she felt so energized. She hopped a few times, getting the momentum going. "Mai, I'm here! Are you ready to go?"

From inside the apartment, Piper heard a muttering of curses. Piper smiled to herself. It looked like Mai had forgotten about their weekly runs together. Again. Then a voice rang out. "Sorry, Piper, I don't think I can go today."

"It's okay if you forgot! Go get ready and I'll wait for you," Piper replied, but felt like something wasn't right. They never had conversations through Mai's closed apartment door.

"That's alright, you go ahead without me. I'm, uh...I'm not feeling well."

Piper frowned. "Are you alright? Let me see if I can help. Open the door." Piper thumped a few more times on the door, as if to remind Mai that she was still there.

"Uh, that's alright, I can handle myself."

Piper knocked again. "Open the damned door, Mai!"

There was a pause. Then a deep and loud sigh. Then a shuffle of footsteps towards the door. "Hi, Piper," Mai greeted, opening the door.

Piper stared at Mai. "You look like, well..." She was dressed in a baggy T-shirt, her long and stringy hair fell limp over her face and her skin was unusually pale.

"I know." Mai sighed. "You should go ahead with the run. I'll join you next week." She began closing the door, but Piper pushed it open and let herself in.

"If you're sick, then I should help," Piper declared. She dumped her stuff down on the ground.

"Piper, I really think that you should just go ahead without me..." Mai crumpled onto the couch.

Piper brushed it off. "Yeah, as if that's going to happen. So, what symptoms do you have? Are you running a fever?"

Mai shook her head. "I'm not, but really, you should go."

"Why? It's not contagious, is it?" Piper looked around at the mess in Mai's usually clean and orderly house.

"No, but-"

"Then I'm staying. And honestly, I would have stayed even if it were contagious." Piper sat herself down on a seat. "Have you been sleeping alright?"

"Well, I guess, but-"

"What about hydration? You have to keep hydrated at all times, especially if you're not feeling well."

Mai nodded. "I'm drinking enough water."

"What about food? Nutrition is really important, you know," Piper said in matter-of-fact tone. "You know, I was just in health ed the other day, and-"

"Piper, I don't think..." Mai tried to interrupt, but it's no easy task interrupting Piper Jones.

"My teacher said nutrition is so important, and you have to eat the right food. Like for protein, you got to have eggs and meat and if you're vegan then it's beancurd. And-"

"I think you should stop..."

"For calcium it's milk and cheese. And it's great because you love cheese, so that's-"

"Piper, stop!" Mai exclaimed loudly, successfully interrupting her. "I haven't eaten in three days!"

Piper was stunned for a moment, before a disapproving frown appeared on her face. "Why haven't you eaten?"

Mai groaned, collapsing in her couch. "Over there." She pointed to the table by the door to the kitchen. Piper stood up to take a look, curious. "It's this diet plan that I'm on."

"Diet plan?" Piper cried in both anger and disbelief. She glanced down at the piece of paper on the table and sure enough, there was a plan for a completely liquid diet. "I can't believe this!"

"It wasn't my idea," Mai said quickly, recognising the glint in her eyes as anger.

"I don't care if it was your idea or not, you shouldn't be on this thing! Mai, you are already bordering underweight and you're going on a diet? What are you thinking?"

"It's my parents!" Mai protested. "My dad has a huge business event at their house next week and he bought me this dress but it's too small so my mum put me on a diet." She exhaled deeply and leaned back on the couch, thoroughly exhausted.

"Why don't they just get you a new dress? Or get it exchanged? You don't have to go on a diet!"

"The dress isn't the point, Piper. They want me to be skinnier." She sighed. "Can we just stop talking about this?"

But Piper wouldn't give up. "So you just obeyed them without thinking? Mai, this is so unhealthy! Not to mention, it propagates the idea that women shouldn't be happy with their weight and that they have to fit this mold that the media created! It's wrong!"

"Do you honestly expect me to disobey my parents?" Mai asked weakly.

"If it means that you'll stop conforming to stupid media and societal rules, then yes, you really should!"

Mai groaned. "I can't."

"Why not?" Piper demanded, hands on her hips.

"You don't understand, Piper," Mai began, a frown on her face. "People in my culture don't just go against our parents so easily. It brings dishonour to the family."

"All these rules for honour?" Piper scoffed.

Mai's frown deepened. "Piper, you don't understand my culture. To us, family image and honour is the biggest deal there is. People die for honour! You know, I once had a classmate who ran away from home, and rather than tell the truth, her family told everyone she was dead. And when she tried to come back, they wouldn't let her, and she had to live on her own. She was fourteen! And it wasn't that her family didn't care about her. It killed them to disown her like that, but she had dishonoured them, and that was the consequence."

"That's so stupid! Honour isn't even a real construct. But you know what is? Mass media. Low self-esteem. Body image. You're going to ignore all that for honour?"

Mai threw her hands up in the air in surrender. "You know what? Forget it! Let's just stop talking about this."

But Piper was adamant. "Mai, I'm not letting you continue this stupid diet! You're my friend, and this goes against-"

"Yes, Piper!" Mai snapped suddenly, her voice rising in volume. "I'm your friend, not your pawn for social justice!"

There was a long pause. Everything was silent.

Piper stared at Mai, an unreadable expression on her face. There was hurt, and indigence, and anger, and guilt. The fight against body negativity was a real one, and Piper had such a strong conviction against it, but maybe Mai was right. Maybe she had forgotten about her best friend in the process. "Wow," Piper's voice was no more than a whisper.

Mai looked away. She'd made a mistake. "Look, Piper...I'm sorry, okay? I didn't mean any of it. I'm just really tired and hungry...I shouldn't have said that."

Piper nodded solemnly, remaining silent for a while, as Mai looked at her with guilty eyes. It would have been better if Piper began yelling at her. At least she would know what her friend was thinking. "This thing lasts for a week. And you're only on your fourth day."

Mai nodded, unsure of where the conversation was heading.

"You're going to need help if you want to make it through the week. There's no way you'll manage doing chores and keeping up with homework if you're this low on energy." Piper began moving around the apartment easily, already very familiar with it.

"Piper, you don't have to help me."

"Like heck I don't. You're my friend, and I'm not gonna let you do this on your own."

Mai just stared at her. What kind of benevolent monk was she in her previous life to deserve a friend like Piper? Maybe it was the tiredness, or the lack of energy, but she couldn't help it. She couldn't help the tears of gratitude which began to form. "Hey, Piper?" her voice was small. "Can I have a hug?"

Piper smiled, walked over, and hugged her. "I'm sorry too. I should've been more understanding."

They pulled apart a moment later. "Let's hang out after my dad's stupid event, okay? Let's go to a buffet or something," Mai suggested with a laugh.

Piper grinned. "Sounds like a plan."

[ note: understand culture before judging.

[blackbird.]

"ｉ ｗｏｕｌｄ ｎｅｖｅｒ ｓａｙ ｔｈａｔ ｔｏ ｙｏｕ．"
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strangers and friends // characters: hadley bennett, niko pirrip // words: 1158


Hadley Bennett read through his essay, forcing his tired eyes to focus on the tiny words he had written and his tired brain to make sense of them. He wasn't sure if made sense at all. But at least he was done.

With this essay constituting almost a quarter of his final grade, and considering the fact that he wasn't doing so great on his other class tests, this essay would either save his life or ruin it. Naturally, he was hoping for the former.

He glanced around at the library, and spotted a familiar head of messy black dreadlocks. Thank the heavens that the only other person in the library so happened to be in his course, and one of the smarter ones of the class.

Hadley guessed that Niko Pirrip had already handed in his essay. Not everyone was a major procrastinator like him, especially someone as competent and responsible as Niko. He drew in a breath and stood up, heading towards Niko's table.

"Uh, Niko?" Hadley asked hesitantly, essay in trembling hands.

Niko looked up at his classmate, a tired but expectant look on his face.

"You remember the essay we were supposed to do? The one, uh, due tomorrow?" Niko nodded. "Well, I really need to do well on this and I figured you might have already finished yours, so...I mean, if it isn't too much trouble, I was wondering if you could read it and write some notes about how to improve it?"

Niko looked at him, and Hadley could practically feel his judgement. Would he say no? Hadley hoped not. Niko nodded and extended his hand.

Hadley let out a light smile in relief as he placed his paper into Niko's hand. "Thanks, Niko. I really owe you for this." He took a seat opposite him.

Niko just nodded again and began reading, tapping his pencil on the table.

And there they were. In the very silent and empty library in the middle hours of the night.

Hadley glanced at his watch and stifled a yawn.

Niko noticed this and glanced at him from the corners of his eyes, an eyebrow raised. "You can go if you want to."

"No, no, it's fine," Hadley insisted, as he brought a hand to his mouth to cover a yawn. Hadley thought it wouldn't be fair to Niko to make him stay up while he went to bed.

Niko eyed him for a moment, thoughts indecipherable. Eventually he just shrugged to himself and continued reading Hadley's essay.

When Niko glanced up again, Hadley's head was in the desk, his eyelids shut and his mind stuck in dreamland.

Hadley awoke to a completely empty library, the sun's rays coming through the glass windows. The table he was seated at was completely empty, save for his essay, littered with annotations and markings. Niko had already gone.

He thought nothing of it, making edits to his essay based on Niko's (very helpful) comments. It was probably the best essay he'd ever written. He gleamed with pride when he walked up to his professor and handed it in.

Then his eyes scanned the lecture hall, looking for Niko. But he was nowhere to be found.

Hadley didn't seen him the entire day. He wasn't at class, and his dorm room was empty, his bed unslept in. When he asked around, Hadley was told that no one else had seen him either.

At first, Hadley wasn't too concerned. Niko was always someone who did his own thing. He did whatever he liked, often without telling anyone. But admittedly, Hadley had a feeling that something wasn't right.

A day dragged to a few days. And then a week. Niko was still missing.

Hadley spent his days trying to keep busy, speaking to friends, watching movies and going out to parties, even if he was never really the partying kind. He didn't know why he was so worried. It wasn't as if he and Niko were particularly close. They took the same course and they shared many modules together, but that was about it. They didn't have lunches together, they didn't text, they didn't even sit next to each other in the lecture halls.

But immediately after the one time Hadley asked him for help, and he disappeared. Hadley's overactive brain wouldn't believe it was a coincidence.

Niko was never known to be confrontational. Maybe that was his way of telling Hadley that he hadn't wanted to help him at all, that he would only do that one favour, and never again.

Hadley always liked silence. But Niko's absence, to him, was deafening.

And then suddenly, out of the blue, Niko was back. It was by chance that Hadley caught a glimpse of him, walking along the hallway of the dormitories at night.

"Niko!" he called out, charging forward to meet him. Niko turned around with a surprised look. "Hi!" Hadley breathed out with a grin.

"Uh, hey." Niko gave an amused smile at Hadley's enthusiastic greeting.

Hadley shuffled around awkwardly, not really knowing what else to say. "So, uh, I never really got to thank you for helping me out with my essay." Niko just shrugged it off, but Hadley continued. "I think it's the best piece of assignment I've ever submitted, you know."

"Don't worry about it."

There was another awkward pause. "What, uh...what happened to you?" Niko gazed at him questioningly. "I haven't seen you in a week."

"Oh. I was...away."

"As in, out of school?" Hadley clarified, and Niko nodded. "Why?"

Niko coughed and looked away. "Just...reasons."

"Oh." Hadley let out a nervous chuckle. "I thought you were avoiding me or something."

"Why would you think that?" Niko sounded genuinely curious.

Hadley shrugged. "I don't know, I guess...I thought it wasn't a coincidence that you disappeared the day after I asked you for help. Maybe you were mad or upset with me or-" He stopped himself. "Nevermind, it's stupid."

"What's stupid?"

"I thought..." He hesitated, nervously biting his bottom lip. "I thought you'd say something like I'm not good enough to be your friend because my essay sucked and I'm not really smart or cool or something." Hadley forced a laugh. "It's stupid, I know."

Niko stared at him. Hadley looked around nervously at the walls, the ceiling, the ground. "Hadley." His eyes flitted back to Niko. Was he going to tell him that he was right? That he really was not good enough? "I would never say that to you."

Hadley smiled, a small but genuine smile. "Really?"

Niko nodded. "You're really insecure, you know that?"

A short laugh escaped Hadley's lips. "I know. Lots of people tell me that."

There was silence again.

Niko coughed. "If that's all..."

"Yeah, yeah...sorry for bothering you."

Niko waved his apology away. "Good night, Hadley."

Hadley smiled. "Yeah, 'night." And he watched as Niko turned his back and walked away, a warm sense of satisfaction and affirmation in his heart.

[ note: you are good enough!

[blackbird.]

"ｉ ｃａｎ＇ｔ ｌｏｓｅ ｙｏｕ！"
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spot the captain america quote // characters: daniel, demetria // words: 1115


Daniel sat on his couch, nervously wringing his hands together, staring at the ground while occasionally flicking his gaze back to the television screen. It was movie night, and it was Demetria's turn to choose a movie. If it were up to him, he would have chosen a thriller instead of a romance film. But that wasn't the reason for Daniel's rapid heart rate or his faraway thoughts.

"I can't take this anymore," Demetria declared, interrupting the female lead who was about to profess her undying love. She turned to face her brother. "Daniel, what's going on? You've been like this all evening."

Daniel froze in panic. Trust his sister to notice that something wasn't right. "I'm fine."

She gave him a pointed look. "No, you're not."

Daniel sighed. "Let's wait until the movie's over." He nodded to the television.

Demetria glanced at him suspiciously, but seemed satisfied for the moment as she settled back into her seat to watch the film. Daniel let out a small breath of relief, but he knew that the evening was far from over, but at least he had bought himself some time to figure out exactly what he was going to say.

Seconds passed. Minutes passed. And soon the credits were rolling.

"Daniel." The young man's head snapped up. "Is there something you want to tell me?" There was concern in her voice, but also a tinge of impatience.

Daniel sighed. He couldn't do it. He was never brave enough to face people. "I'm tired, I think I'll go to bed." He stood up and turned to go.

"You think you'll get any sleep in your current state?" Demetria jumped up from her seat and grabbed his arm quickly. "I know that look, Daniel. It was the same one Father had when he told us of Mother's death. I know you feel the need to tell me something, but I also know you don't want to." She let go of him and took a step back. "I don't mean to pressure you, but I can see that you're beating yourself up and that worries me. So if there's something you want to say, I'm here." With that, she sat back down in her seat.

Daniel didn't know if he should be grateful or frustrated for a sister like Demetria, someone who knew the exact words to make him feel guilty. He didn't know if she was being supportive or passive-aggressive. But he couldn't put it off forever. Letting out a frustrated groan, he sat back down. He took out a letter from his pocket and handed it to her. "Here. It's better if you read it yourself."

Demetria took the piece of paper from his hands, eyeing it suspiciously. If it put Daniel in such a mood, she didn't expect it to be good news. She unfolded it carefully before her eyes scanned through its contents.

Daniel watched her with a nervous look, his leg shaking in anxiety and anticipation. He knew that she wouldn't react well. He just knew it. But it was his decision, and he would stand by it, even if his sister didn't agree.

With a cough, Demetria put the letter on the table, her lips in a straight line and an unreadable expression on her face. And she remained like that, chin resting on her palm, staring at the piece of paper as the silence grew longer.

"Demi...say something." Daniel hated it when she remained silent. He never knew what she was thinking.

Demetria sighed, letting both hands rest on her lap. "You knew I wouldn't approve. That was why you were so reluctant to tell me." It wasn't a question, but Daniel nodded anyway. "But that didn't stop you from making this decision."

"Demi, if you'd let me explain..." He swallowed thickly.

"Alright. Go on, then. Explain."

Daniel froze. He had a wonderful and eloquent speech planned, but in that moment, it all disappeared. "I just...I need to do something. To help."

"There are other ways to help," she said matter-of-factly. "How about in munitions? Or watching for incendiary bombs? You don't have to do this, Daniel. They have enough men on the front lines."

Daniel shook his head. "There are men laying down their lives. I have no right to do any less than them."

Demetria stared at him, frowning. She sighed. "No. I won't let you go."

"It's too late. That's why I enlisted before I told you...I knew you'd stop me."

"And for good reason!" Demetria snapped, before drawing a deep breath to calm herself. "You're the only one left. It's up to you to carry the family name. You will be the one to restore the family's wealth and power once this war is over. You are the future of our family."

Daniel scoffed. "Wealth and power. That's the thing that spared me from being called up to enlist. And yet, here we are."

"Daniel, please." Demetria gripped his shoulder. "Our family needs you. I need you."

"You'll be fine." She shook her head, but Daniel continued. "You were living just fine on your own before the war started, and once it ends you can go back to your old life. You never really needed me to prove to everyone that you can succeed, or to-"

"I can't lose you!" she interrupted with a cry filled with despair. Tears welled up in her eyes. "You're all I have left."

He pulled her close and nestled her against his chest. "Hey, I'll be alright. It takes more than a few Nazis to kill a Clarke."

Demetria broke away, her eyes watery. "Please don't talk of death. I can't even bear the thought of you crawling through the mud."

Daniel managed a small smile, wiping a tear rolling down her cheek. "Let's spend some time together, hmm? Just you and me. I need to say goodbye to London, anyway."

She nodded. "When do you have to go?"

"In a week."

Another nod.

There was a heavy silence.

Demetria sighed. "I think I'll retire for today. Good night, Daniel."

Daniel reached out to hug her one more time. "Good night." He watched her walk away with a sinking feeling. He was supposed to be doing something brave, so why was it bringing so much pain to the people he loved?

_._._._._.

Five months later, she received a letter in the mail.

She wasn't dumb. She knew what it meant. But when she read it, the pang of devastation came anyway. Regrets came like a flood, just like her tears. Her brother - her pure, noble and courageous brother - killed in action.

The war ended a week later.

...because isn't life just too cruel?

[ note: the price of bravery is sacrifice.

[Ranger of the North]

Oh man...

[blackbird.]

"Ｉ＇Ｍ ＢＡＴＭＡＮ." "Ｎｏ．．． ｎｏ ｙｏｕ ａｒｅ ｎｏｔ．"
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marvel or dc? // characters: thomas, montgomery, unnamed female // words: 987


Thomas was in a rush. He ran around the school grounds, eyes darting from face to face of every person he passed. He brushed past people as best he could, shouting "sorry" and "excuse me" whenever he accidentally knocked into someone.

By the time he found his target, he was out of breath and a thin layer of perspiration coated his skin. "Monty!" he called out, spotting a familiar head of his friend sitting on a bench. "Monty, Monty, Monty," Thomas cried, heading towards his friend.

Montgomery sighed deeply, recognising the voice even before he looked up. Only Thomas Meeker would come literally running to him whenever he had something important to say. He peeled his eyes away from the world of Dorian Gray and faced Thomas. "Yes, Tommy?" He tried to sound annoyed, but it came out more amused than anything else.

"Are you busy now?" Thomas asked between pants.

Montgomery was tempted to say yes and get rid of Thomas, but one look at that enthusiastic face, eyes gleaming with child-like wonder, and he knew he didn't have the heart to refuse. "I was just reading some Oscar Wilde, but I guess he can wait." He gingerly placed a bookmark between the pages and closed his book. "What do you want?"

"I don't mean to make this a big deal, but..." He paused, obviously trying to make it a big deal despite his most recent statement. "I just had an epiphany."

Monty arched a brow. "Did you really?"

Thomas jumped into the seat next to him. "I did! It was so crazy. I was just sitting there in class, when suddenly it just came to me. I had to physically restrain myself from jumping up and shouting 'eureka!' like in the movies."

"So having epiphanies is what you do instead of actually paying attention." Monty let out a small laugh. "Do I want to hear what this ground-breaking revelation is?"

Thomas took that as invitation to begin his story, and so he began by clearing his throat loudly and dramatically. "So, remember how I was telling you that I play this game called Real Lives?"

"Oh, you mean that boring game that your flatmates introduced to you?"

Tommy's hand flew to his chest, as if he had somehow taken offense by this statement. "Firstly, it's not boring. It's incredibly entertaining and enriching and it teaches life skills. Secondly, it's not just a game. It's a way of living! And thirdly, yes, I mean that boring game that my flatmates introduced me to."

Monty barely stifled his amused laugh. "Riiight."

"So anyway, I was playing the game-" He interrupted himself. "Wait, let me tell you about my character. I'm really really rich even though I don't work and I live alone and I'm an orphan and I have this really old butler who goes around serving me things."

"Nice life," Monty commented dryly.

"I know, right? So anyway, last night I was playing the game, and you know how the game follows real time? So if I'm playing at nights, that means my character is nocturnal." He paused for a moment, waiting for Monty to catch on.

Monty shook his head, interpreting the silence as him beating around the bush again. "You know, it almost feels like you're about to get to the point."

"The point is..." he gave a dramatic pause. "I'M BATMAN."

"No...no, you are not." Monty gave him a pointed look.

"Aw, come on, tell me you see the similarity!"

Monty sighed. "If similarity means congruence...huh, what a world that would be."

"We would be celebrities," Tommy pointed out with a laugh.

"Or terrorists."

Tommy frowned in disapproval. "That's pessimistic."

"Or realistic."

Tommy rolled his eyes and jokingly shoved Morty.

Monty laughed. "Why do you even play that childish game?"

"It's not childish!"

"But it is!"

"And this is coming from the guy who spent the whole of reading week watching cartoons?" Thomas pointed out with a knowing smile, folding his arms.

Monty huffed indignantly. "Earth's Mightiest Heroes is not just a cartoon! Its characters are immensely complex and the plot is creative and has so much literary parallels with real life. It's a very accurate social commentary regarding today's society, you know."

"Monty, it's a kid's show."

"That's absurd! It's not!"

"Is too!"

"Is not! And at least it's Marvel, because everyone knows that Marvel is so much better than DC."

"That's not true!"

"It is!"

"Is not!"

"Is-"

"Uh, Montgomery Graff?" Both boys turned their heads to see a young lady standing next to them, a thin folder in her arms. She nervously readjusted the glasses which perched on the bridge of her nose. "I'm Professor Smith's new assistant..."

Monty pulled on the lapels of his jacket and straightened himself. "Of course. Is this regarding the internship I applied for?"

The young lady nodded and handed him the folder. "I was told to give this to you...it's the instructions for the internship."

Monty took the folder from her and nodded. "Right. Thank you."

She nodded and took her leave, the two boys watching her go.

As soon as she was out of earshot, Tommy burst out into laughter. Monty glared at him. "Something funny?"

"Dude, you just went from arguing about comic books to acting like some company big-shot!" Tommy explained between peals of laughter.

Monty tilted his head upwards a bit, but the traces of a smile tugged on the corners of his mouth. "I always try to behave in a manner appropriate of my age and status."

"Says the boy who still watches cartoons."

Monty shoved him playfully. "Don't you dare go around spreading that."

"Sometimes you're such a kid, you know that?"

"Only when I'm around you." There was a lightness in his voice, a joking tone.

The two friends met each other's gazes, and soon both of them were laughing like the children at heart they were.

[ note: "i'm not young enough to know everything"

[Woogwoo Wren]

Dude! These stories are amazing.
I will most certainly be following this thread.