could we be something extraordinary?

as zed goes back to scrubbing at the paint, he wonders how much longer it's going to take them to get this cleaned up. he never realized how much of a mess this actually makes, he's moved on to wyatt's marks now - scrubbing at the wolf head. somehow though this doesn't discourage the fact that he still wants to get the other two and re-christen this area after this. after all who would he be if he didn't? he refuses to let auradon turn him soft. just because addison is sweet and bright and good in all the ways they've never been - doesn't mean he has to be. right? opposites attract or something like that ...

" besides, " she pauses, stands back, appraises how far they've gotten and how far is still left to go. " wishing stars don't just fix everything. there are lessons our heroes have to learn, or consequences to face, and we can't take that away from them by magicking all of the problems away. " the thought dawns on her slowly, bringing with it a smug expression. " do you think this is a lesson for someone else to be learning ? or your consequence for trying to sweet talk someone with a job to do ? "

i ordered this couch, but it popped, and now my kitchen is all wet and covered with wet stuff.

i need you. i need to care for you. it is the reason for my existence.

do you want to go on a date?

can you tell me how the book made you angry?

your life is about to change. hope you're ready.

let's go on a date right now.

trust me, this is going to go super well.

if everyone were friends, the world would be an awful lot safer in my opinion.

i've seen the complications of love. i've lived through the jealous quarrels of hate.

the true bond is one between two friends with none of the intricacies of romantic tension.

i like it much better up here where i can see your face.

hey there, stranger.

we've been sleeping together so many years, it would be a little weird if you didn't know me, don't you think?

it's a shame for someone as cute as you to be alone for so long, isn't it?

will you be bringing someone back here anytime soon?

i do hope you'll come talk to me. it'd be nice to finally get to know each other.

you've caught me at a strange time.

that's okay. i like being naked.

why are you here? what are you doing?

please, please... i'm not ready. not like this.

i've dreamed of this, of meeting you, finally... and now the moment is here, i... i just can't. not yet.

honestly, that's a objectively terrible password.

i get chills just thinking about it.

i would love to answer that for you, but the knowledge would no doubt drive you to madness.

can i be honest about something?

it's just that... before today, i had all these needs, but i couldn't articulate them to anyone.

you're quite the looker, aren't you?

i have had enough attention on me, thank you very much.

i can't say i'm looking for anything too serious right now.

i just want to see you live a little, that's all! stop watching life pass you by! enjoy yourself! kiss someone! kiss many someones!

my senses are heightened when i'm in a mood.

the physical connection between him and me... it is like nothing i have known before or since.

thank you, sincerely, for listening.

you're serious? you're not fucking with me?

do you, like me, enjoy celebrating at the altar of your own glorious form?

i knew i could count on you.

are you as excited as i am?

you are radiant.

i was thinking we could visit some very naughty websites together.

honestly, you're being super disrespectful.

we'll have to work on that enthusiasm.

get out. i've got work to do.

what brings you to the call of night?

i have been waiting in the abyss in search of a companion.

you? i always thought of you as a companion, someone who followed me around and gave me advice. cute, but expendable.

do you enjoy coming here?

i assume you brought your tools and knowledge and... probably a snack of some sort?

i am beside myself with happiness.

what can i do for you?

today was supposed to be my day off.

how much do you think about me?

for you, there is almost nothing i wouldn't do to help you relax.

to know that i'm giving you precisely the thing you want at that moment... oh, it fulfills me. it makes me whole.

as soon as i fulfill your command, your desire, i become the one with the power.

sometimes i cannot resist playing your sensation. just a bit. i am a craftsman and you are my clay.

now i have truly said too much.

i'd be lying if i said i wasn't just a little bit sweet on you.

the place to be - zombies cast

good luck, babe! - chappell roan

truthfully, zed doesn't at all care that the gift is late. he really ultimately doesn't care too much about the material items when it comes to his birthday, the squeezed in, very long, phone call had been enough for him. even if he may have preferred a little more actual time spent together in person, it's what they had had time for in the moment. and that was fine. really. he knows they'll get their time soon enough.

it's a little too much excitement. before he can go to unwrap it, she launches into her explanation. " buddy davis was the highest-scoring fullback in the history of mountain college. they literally called him 'the beast'. he was human, but he definitely fought like a zombie on the field ! my dad actually found it being auctioned off online, so i've been holding onto it for a while. it was supposed to be a christmas present, but i couldn't wait that long. "

"yeouch, addi, damn. tell me how you really feel ..." zed gives her a look of mock offense, hand going to cover his heart - feigning as though she just shot him. of course he's not really actually upset. of course he knows she doesn't actually mean it. this isn't anything new for them, it's a true testament to their decades long friendship that they can do this. exchange playful little blows like this to each other without actually hurting the other's feelings. "and well, wait now - when you say it like that it sounds bad ..." he frowns, and okay maybe it didn't sound great in the first place but ... still.

she has a point though when she brings up that time in fifth grade, he remembers it so vividly. his father had been so, so, insistent that - no, he could not go to addison's house. she was contagious and he needed to go to school ... but well, he simply wouldn't take no for an answer and refused to go to school without her ... so really it was the parents to blame for him sneaking off the bus and to addison's house. only getting caught when missy and dale heard them giggling together around lunchtime.

"touché, i still maintain getting the flu afterwards myself was totally worth it. so was almost breaking my leg climbing the tree up to your bedroom window ..." not that that stopped him from doing it the thousands of times he did afterwards once they both realized that was an option. "but y'know ... i'm not eleven year old zed anymore. maybe i've learned to live without you." but he knows that's a lie just as much as she does, the two of them have never been able to live on separate planes from each other and that's certainly not going to start now. he raises a brow as she stands, watches for a second as she goes off to get another drink - and gives it a few moments before following after her.

in the same way, she hopes it stings when she gets up to leave. maybe he's learned to live without her, and maybe she's plenty self-sufficient too. not some kid who hid under the bleachers during her first cheer practice in middle school when she showed up with braces until zed coaxed her out, or who had foregone finding a date to her freshman year homecoming dance because it 'just didn't feel right' to go with anyone else. she's hardly an adult, but she's more adult than that.

to emphasize the point, she pours with a heavy hand into the empty cup. she made every cheer team, won every championship, led every practice her senior year, without him. she got into this college without his help. a world without zed in it would hurt, but it wouldn't stop spinning. she thinks. she lingers on it, and tries with drunken conviction to believe it.

a collection of quotes, phrases, and sayings for when your muse needs a little TLC. change & alter as needed.

THE HURT:

“Nah, it’s not that bad. I’ve had worse.”

“I don’t think I can walk that far… or at all.”

“I’m fine. I don’t need your help.”

“Will you stay with me? Just until I fall asleep?”

“I’m sorry, I’m just—I’m just really tired.”

“I don’t need a break. I’m okay.”

“It was my fault. It was all my fault.”

“I think I need help.”

“So, I don’t think I’m dying, or anything, and it’s probably not that serious, but… I’m kinda bleeding. A lot.”

“Is the room spinning right now, or is that just me?”

“No, I’m okay, I just… I hit my head. Really hard. I’ll be okay, just give me a second.”

“I’m not sick! I’m fine!”

“No, I don’t think any of my bones are broken, or anything like that. Just bad bruises.”

“Yeah, but you should see the other guy.”

“I’m fine. This just happens sometimes. It’s normal for me.”

“I’ve got a headache.”

“Seriously, though, I’m fine! Stop making such a big deal out of it!”

“I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time. I don’t need your help, and I definitely don’t need your pity. Fuck off.”

“Please tell me I don’t look as bad as I feel.”

“I think I’m running a fever.”

“So, what’s the prognosis, Doc? Am I gonna live?”

“Stop fussing over me! I’m not a baby!”

“Can I stay with you tonight? I just… really don’t want to be alone right now.”

“No, I-I’m okay. It was just a nightmare. Go back to sleep.”

“I… can’t actually remember the last time I had something to eat.”

“You shouldn’t be here. You’ll get sick, too.”

THE COMFORT:

“Honey, have you been crying? What is it? What’s wrong?”

“I think you’d better take a break.”

“It’s not your fault, sweetheart. You did everything you could.”

“You don’t have to go through this alone. I’m right here for you if you’ll just let me in.”

“There’s nothing wrong with you. There is absolutely nothing wrong with you. Don’t ever let yourself believe that there is.”

“You really don’t realize just how many people love you, do you?”

“If you’re not going to take care of yourself, at least let me do it for you!”

“I’m sorry. I know it hurts.”

“You’re not alone, baby. You never have been.”

“Let’s get you some food.”

“You’re dead on your feet, poor thing. Come on, you need some sleep.”

“Stay where you are. I’m coming to get you.”

“Tell me where it hurts.”

“How many times have I told you to be more careful?!”

“It’s okay. It’s okay. I’m right here, okay? I’m not gonna leave you. I’m never gonna leave you.”

“Oh, honey, you’re safe now. I promise. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”

“Go ahead and take a shower. I’ll fix you something to eat.”

“What happened to you, baby?”

“I’ll kill that bastard. I’ll kill him for what he did to you.”

“You look like shit, man.”

“Whoa, whoa, take it easy! You got pretty banged up back there, and you don’t want to go making yourself worse.”

“I’m not trying to baby you. It’s called taking care of my friends.”