The Managerie

⋆｡‧˚ʚ💋ɞ˚‧｡⋆     𝐫𝐞𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝

𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬  -  send  ‘reverse’  for  the  sender  and  receiver  to  swap.  adjust  wording  as  needed!

[  recognition  ]  sender  stops  short  when  they  see  receiver,  like  the  world  needs  a  second  to  catch  up

[  double  take  ]  sender  walks  past  receiver  before  realizing,  then  turns  back  too  fast

[  breath  ]  sender  stares  at  receiver  in  disbelief,  forgetting  how  to  breathe

[  hesitant  ]  sender  takes  a  step  toward  receiver,  then  pauses,  unsure  if  they’re  allowed

[  voice  ]  sender  tries  to  speak  to  receiver  and  fails

[  hug  ]  sender  pulls  receiver  into  a  tentative  hug  that  tightens  like  it’s  been  waiting  years

[  forehead  ]  sender  rests  their  forehead  gently  against  receiver’s

[  laugh  ]  sender  laughs  mid-embrace,  tears  slipping  out  at  the  same  time

[  hands  ]  sender  cups  receiver’s  face  or  grips  their  arms  like  proof  this  is  real

[  silent  ]  sender  and  receiver  stand  together  without  speaking,  just  breathing  the  same  air

[  unsure  ]  sender  hovers  close,  unsure  whether  to  hug  again  or  step  back

[  scent  ]  sender  breathes  in  receiver  like  memory  made  real

[  tension  ]  sender  lets  out  a  soft,  incredulous  laugh  that  breaks  the  moment  open

[  touch  ]  sender  squeezes  receiver’s  hand

[  presence  ]  sender  stays  close  to  receiver,  finding  that  just  being  there  is  enough

𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞

❝  i  can’t  believe  it’s  really  you.  ❞

❝  i  thought  about  this  moment  more  times  than  i  can  count.  ❞

❝  you  look…  the  same.  a  little  different.  still  the  same,  though.  ❞

❝  i  didn’t  realize  how  much  i  missed  you  until  now.  ❞

❝  i  didn’t  know  it  would  feel  like  this.  ❞

❝  i  was  afraid  you  wouldn’t  be  here.  ❞

❝  i’ve  waited  a  long  time  for  this.  ❞

❝  i  don’t  know  what  to  say,  i  just—  ❞

❝  i  didn’t  think  i’d  ever  see  you  again.  ❞

❝  you’re  really  here.  ❞

❝  i  held  onto  the  idea  of  you.  ❞

❝  i  didn’t  know  how  much  i  needed  this.  ❞

❝  it  feels  like  coming  home.  ❞

❝  i  never  stopped  missing  you.  ❞

❝  i  thought  i’d  moved  on.  i  hadn’t.  ❞

❝  i  don’t  want  to  let  go  again.  ❞

❝  you’re  still  my  person.  ❞

❝  i  kept  hoping.  ❞

❝  i  don’t  care  how  long  it’s  been.  ❞

❝  seeing  you  makes  everything  else  fade.  ❞

❝  i’ve  carried  you  with  me  this  whole  time.  ❞

❝  i  didn’t  realize  how  much  space  you  left  behind.  ❞

❝  i  don’t  need  answers  right  now.  just  this.  ❞

“I'm not jealous! I just… It just bothers me that… Holy shit. I'm jealous.”

“Why do I even care? It's not my life!”

“Oh.” Oh.

“Fuck. That wasn't part of the plan.”

“I never meant to develop feelings, but… I think I did.”

“You're like a virus I can't get rid off, and I think lately the infection has reached my heart.”

“Oh, I'm an idiot.”

“You make me happy like no one else. I'm not sure what exactly that means yet, but… I know it means something.”

“I care, that's all. We're friends; friends care. That's all this is…”

“We're more than just friends, aren't we?”

“I think… Maybe, I knew all along, and was just too afraid to admit it to myself.”

“This was never just friendship.”

“I can't keep pretending anymore.”

“How much longer can I tell myself this isn't what it looks like to everyone else?”

“Ah, shit. That explains all the dreams.”

“How did you realize I had feelings for you before I did??”

James woke up to the sound of the small heater going off and his rabbits heat lamp turning off — he sat up confused and tried to look out his window seeing nothing but white and feeling the cold slowly start to creep in—

“Won’t they be asleep too?” He was young enough that the concept of a nightshift for any job besides his uncle’s hadn’t entered his head yet .

“That’s enough…” Dis pushed against Kas’ chest, taking a step away from him as she felt the first signs of lightheadedness from blood loss. Taking a moment to gather herself, she closed her eyes and leaned against a nearby tree as she took slow deliberate breaths.

She’d come out to the meet him at the rift where she first crossed into the Upside Down, always the preferred option for his feedings. Less frightening for her than getting hunted down and less tricky for him than sneaking through Hawkins.

Glowing eyes watched her as she got dressed with a different type of hunger one not so easily satisfied with the taste of her blood — when the Sky erupted with a flash and the low Rumbling boom that followed froze him in place.

For a minute he was someone else — for a minute he had a name and a meaning and a home and most of all— Fear .

☽  burying face in lover's chest when the sun hits their face

☽  sleepy mumbles that their lover asks them to repeat because they don't understand, until both break into giggles

☽  the scent of coffee steadily approaching as their lovers brings their mug to bed

☽  “ssh… go back to sleep.”

☽  seeing snow falling out the window and curling deeper into the blankets with a soft smile, looking forward to the snowball fight they will surely have

☽  groaning as their head hurts from a night out. make up is smeared on the pillow, lipstick on their partner, clubbing outfits still half on, and a bucket on their bedside in smart foresight

☽  staying in bed way longer than usual on their day off, with intertwined legs and arms

☽  waking to birds chirping and breakfast in bed. "this is some disney movie shit," they mumble as they eat freshly cut fruit

James woke up to the sound of the small heater going off and his rabbits heat lamp turning off — he sat up confused and tried to look out his window seeing nothing but white and feeling the cold slowly start to creep in—

“What th’ hell…?” He muttered, getting up and groping his way through the dark towards James’ room.