born of laughter.

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Whether or not Tink was actually truly happy with the way things in her love life were currently playing out was a debatable question. Sure, she was having fun dating Smee - but it felt like it should have been fairly obvious to everyone he was hardly the boy she actually wanted to be with. If it were really up to her she’d be giving it another go, potentially even an actual serious try, with the middle Darling child. But that was completely off the table and she knew it, making running around with Oliver the next best thing. Or well, the third best thing - since she had originally wanted to do this with Dash, but that was just a technicality. “I’m happy enough,” she finally answers after a moment of hesitation, forcing her smile to remain bright so as not to worry her sister. That was a discussion they could have some other time - tonight was about having fun.

Hearing that the secret was kept for a couple years had him sit up, Nibs had figured that this had to have been a big secret and one that he really should be more awake to hear. Six years though, that long of a time was something else entirely, he couldn't even think of doing anything for six years. "Okay, that—okay." It took a couple more 'okays' to really process how much time this was kept from him, not even worried yet about the secret itself. There wasn't anger that she'd kept something from him for so long, just confusion. But regardless of what that secret could be, he just wanted to be there for Tink who thought now was the right time to share. "Six years is lowkey wild but we all keep secrets sometimes. Whatever it is, I'm sure it's not even that bad." He reassured her with a small smile and a hand on her shoulder, "Just tell me already, the suspense is literally killing me."

When Nibs sits up, she can’t help but let her hands come and cover her face to hide the embarrassment and borderline shame she feels for keeping this from him for so long. Logically she knows he’s not mad, that’s not who Nibs is, but she can’t help the small voices of guilt in her head that remind her how many opportunities she’s had over the past six years to come clean. Because while yeah, he’s technically right, they do all keep secrets sometimes, sure - that wasn’t them. Tink never kept anything from him, at least not for more than a few days at most. As his hand comes to rest on her shoulder, she takes a deep breath and just blurts it right out, figuring it best to simply rip the bandaid off. “I dated John,” she admits, eyes scrunching close so she doesn’t have to see his reaction as she continues to explain. “For like a year before he left the island. We didn’t tell anyone, literally nobody knew. But now Sam and Peri know, and Wendy just found out - so it’s going to start going around and I just… I needed you to hear it from me, not one of them.”

"Yeah, Vi told me what happened." A grin appeared at recalling her excuse, which Dash could agree was a valid reason to ditch him since he probably would've taken up the same opportunity if it were offered to him. Tink's request got a light chuckle out of him, only because he found it to be a funny request to be made after Halloween. He apologized for laughing before contemplating her question. "I don't know, Tink. I'm not sure if that would be a great idea." Maybe if Tink had asked on that holiday, his answer would be different but as it stood, it didn't sound quite appealing even if they did try harder this time around. "You know I love you but I don't know if we really work that well. After you ditched me that night—which I'm not angry about—it just made things kind of clear that I should probably stop letting myself get led on by my ex-wife." He held a slight smile to show he really didn't want anything to come across as harsh, and he would hope it would lessen the blow if he gave her an answer she didn't want to hear.

The fact that he didn’t seem upset over their last interaction having gone so south gave Tink a flash of hope, though it didn’t last long once he started laughing at the very mention of potentially starting things back up between them. It wasn’t a harsh or rude laugh, at least, which could be a good sign - but it also didn’t seem like he was going to be quite so easily brought on board with the idea. “It wouldn’t be leading you on,” she promises, a small frown growing on her lips as she starts to realize this most likely isn’t going to go her way. Not that she had really expected it to, in all honesty, but still - rejection of any kind wasn’t the greatest feeling in the world to face. “It’d be real this time. No outside influences, no Peter, nothing but you and me.” Which, as much as she refused to admit it, maybe wasn’t enough. Maybe he was right and despite the fun they have with each other, they just didn’t work out in the long run. And even now as she promises that there’d be no one else hovering in the background of her mind, she knows it's a lie. The whole reason for wanting to do this was sparked by another boy, not her feelings for the one sitting right in front of her - and that alone should probably be a sign this wasn’t really where either of them should be. Still, the blonde wasn’t one to give up so easily. “Just one more try?”

The sight of a too familiar blonde had shown up in a room full of countless partygoers. John knew the odds of him running into Tink were a bit greater than he'd like but he thought they were working under the unspoken rule that they would stay away from each other. That's certainly how Tink had been operating so he functioned under that exact premise. There was no use in running away, if anything that would have angered her even more so his feet remain planted as she came closer. He acknowledged her with a polite smile but kept a distance between them. The corners of his mouth dropped pretty much as soon as she opened her mouth, she found such a way to make a happy feat for him sound like a jail sentence. "Marie is not going to attack you," John was quick to defend his girlfriend but even his very words sounded odd to him, they needed some adjusting. "Not unless you attack her first." That felt more accurate, to know Marie was protective over those she cared, it was a quality he adored. "But yes, I'm still with her. We celebrated our one month a few days ago," a small subconscious grin returned to his lips. "How are things with you and—I believe his name is Oliver, yes?" He cleared his throat out of the discomfort he felt when acknowledging that man, it was an odd pairing but he wouldn't bring that up when he was sure everyone else thought the same.

A mixture of a scoff and a snort escapes her lips at his claim that the other blonde wouldn’t attack her, something Tink found fairly hard to believe in all honesty - but she holds back from actually saying that aloud. Instead, she just rolls her eyes with a frown at the accusation that she would be the first to attack. It was perhaps a bit fair, considering her anger and jealousy issues, but she still hated anyone actually saying it. “I’m not going to attack her,” she promises, knowing she sounds defensive but not really caring to stop it. Her hands at her side balled into fists for a moment at the mention of their anniversary, but the fairy holds back on making any snide or snarky comments on it. Because she’s growing as a person, and she totally has self control. “Olver, yeah. But he also goes by Smee, as you might remember.” Stopping a passing by waiter with champagne flutes on his tray, she grabbed two and handed one over to John without really thinking on the action. In truth, she had simply needed a bit more alcohol to keep herself feeling afloat right now and figured it wouldn’t hurt for him to do the same - plus it was just the natural thing to do, when you were standing with someone and you got yourself a drink, it’d be rude to not offer the other person one as well. “He’s great, really. We’re actually also on our one month. Or a little over it, actually.” Which was kind of insane, really, but with all the holidays it hadn’t actually felt nearly that long, in truth.

Hatred for cutting one’s hand off was valid: Sharpay and Tink had both had their fair share of despising people for far less. “And he doesn’t hate the fact that you’re dating his guy, or whatever?” Good on him, for growth, if that was the case! But, men were sometimes even more petty than even the worst of women, and she couldn’t see the virtual sidekicks of mortal enemies getting together being something that could make the man happy. “Okay, well, then, good! You’re healing,” she pointed out excitedly, proud of her friend. It had taken years for Sharapy to even begin to think about getting over Troy, and, even then, had to write a whole album about how pissed she was that he wouldn’t date her.

“Who fucking knows. I mean, probably, but it’s not like he really gets any say in it? And he’s been kind of out of the picture ever since Peter left, anyway,” she explains with a small shrug, never having really given Hook’s opinion on this situation much thought in the slightest until now. Sharpay was right, it did seem weird that the man was seemingly so fine with this new development… But then again, Tink wasn’t even entirely sure how close the two men realistically were with each other. Sure, she knew Hook was Smee’s only real friend - but that didn’t mean the opposite was true. Maybe his boss simply didn’t give a fuck about the boy. It was a possibility, at least.

Dating did kind of fucking suck: she was right. Though, it was weird to hear that fact from someone who actively wanted to be his girlfriend. Tink had been the one to actually suggest that they date, not the other way around, the way he’d so often experienced the beginnings of potential relationships that had never amounted to anything. Oliver had honestly begun to think that it simply was never going to happen for him—there wasn’t going to be another girl who took an interest in some guy who worked at the docks and had his boss for a best friend. Still unconvinced Tink actually liked him, though, the results of this whim of an experiment remained to be seen.

“I didn’t jump right into the marriage - we’d been together a few months before we tied the knot,” she retorts, words almost defensive as if she really does have to explain herself to him. Which, maybe she did, considering the fact that he was indeed her official boyfriend as of right now - but still, it was a weird feeling. Normally she couldn’t care less what other people thought of her or her past relationships, but for some reason sitting next to Smee being questioned like this made her feel more self-conscious than she had in quite a long time. “And we only did the whole marriage thing to get gifts from our friends. Which didn’t really work out that well, since most of them are broke as shit - but it was fun for a while.” Until it wasn’t, when Tink started to realize her feelings for her husband went far deeper than she had ever meant for them to get.

Wendy’s jaw could’ve hit the floor with how wide it’d just dropped in shock, still in disbelief that Smee was here, nevermind her friend’s boyfriend. If it hadn’t been for how badly she’d felt betrayed by Peter’s departure, and lack of goodbye, she would’ve considered it a slap in the face, some sort of way of getting back at him for not choosing her, after all. But, Wendy could hardly judge how the blonde was dealing with the betrayal and heartbreak of their shared crush leaving the island for good, even if that meant dating someone who was second to Peter’s mortal enemy.

If this conversation had taken place a few months ago, the blonde easily would have snapped by now at the way Wendy was reacting to her news. It was obvious the other girl was having to force herself to seem acceptive of this new relationship and maybe if Tink actually cared for her boyfriend even the slightest bit more than she actually did, there would be a problem with the lack of genuine support - but as it was, the fairy couldn’t find it in herself to really care. She had been prepared for the shock and confusion bringing Smee around the lost boys would cause, which made it easier to just keep her smile plastered on and nod her head along to every word. “He treats me well, yeah. And he won’t have any problem with the boys - I already warned him of that,” she promises, as if she actually really has any strong influence over the man.

~time skip to the new year~

Tink’s presence at the lost boys’ house, despite all of the actual residents being either asleep or out, wasn’t exactly a questionable occurrence. For all she didn’t technically live there or pay rent or anything along those lines - the place may as well be a part hers anyway. Or at least, that was how she viewed it. Which was why she felt so comfortable hanging out in the living room in the middle of the night with a bowl of ice cream while Nibs slept on. It was a brief moment of peace to herself that she wasn’t expecting to be interrupted, until suddenly it was by the youngest of the boys showing up, looking like he was on a textbook walk of shame.

Sharpay's excitement manifested in a squeal as her friend confirmed what she'd hoped would be true. It was even more so enticing that Tink had found someone who would uniquely piss Peter off, if he was even in touch to hear it. Both blondes knew that romantic revenge was so much sweeter than any other they could ask from the universe, the kind of karmic kiss that Sharpay valued more than most. Either way, the development was not one this blonde had seen coming, as much as she thought she knew her friend and her dating tendencies.

It was fair to be shocked by that piece of information being dropped so casually, but in Tink’s world hook losing his hand was so in the past that all she could do was roll her eyes at the question. “Yes, it was this huge ordeal and now he hates our guts, but whatever,” she answers, not caring enough to go into any more detail about that part of the story when she knew it was Smee and her new relationship with him that Sharpay really wanted to hear about. “Peter doesn’t know a damn thing. He’s left and he can fucking stay gone, as far as I’m concerned.” A lie and they both knew it, but whatever. This was how the fairy was going about her life and she would repeat that mantra enough times until she forces herself into truly believing it.

⋄⋄ 🐚 ⋄⋄

Everything the other blonde said was true, in a sense, but like fucking hell was Tink going to admit to it or act as if it were even close to accurate. “Oh, honey, that might be you - but I’m nothing like that,” she denies, though she doesn’t give any reasons or proof of the opposite. Instead she continues standing there with her smirk, or at least she does for a moment, until she’s shot backwards in a shove. The moment her feet stumble under her and she uses her flight to keep herself from falling flat on her ass, all good nature teasing is gone. Perhaps she should know better than to continue provoking Shelly when it was clear the girl was already quite livid… but it simply wasn’t in Tink to back down from any type of challenge, certainly not one from a bleached ass jealous bitch. “Oh, I will fuck him,” she agrees with a grin, floating back to her original spot in as if daring her to try again. “Tonight, in fact. Multiple times, hopefully. And you’ll be going home alone. Funny how that's worked out.” For all she wanted to swing right back, she knew better than to escalate it physically herself. The small group of onlookers would be her eye witnesses later to prove that she hadn’t been the one to start any of this, that each of the first hits had been made by Shelly instead.

Wendy knew this was bound to be an interesting night, to say the least. She wasn't sure how the peace was going to be kept, but it was going to have to be, for the name of Christmas itself: she was determined. The worst that could happen was Tink walking out again, which was exactly what had happened on Thanksgiving, except Wendy wasn't in charge of that party. It wasn't her house, but it was essentially her party, the one she had pulled together from the beginning and continued to ensure occurred every single year. It was paramount that it ended well, if not for their friendships, but for the posterity of the party itself.

At the way the other girl practically stumbled over her boyfriend's name, Tink simply just hummed in response as she moved to the fridge to grab one of the beers stowed away in there. The moment with her back to Wendy was helpful, allowing the blonde to gather herself and keep hold of her composure. Sure, she’d probably eventually tell her the truth - that this whole relationship was done more so to prove herself capable of dating someone than out of genuine feelings for the guy - but tonight wasn’t the time or place to discuss any of that. As far as everyone at this party was concerned, Smee was her boyfriend and she was perfectly content and happy in this new relationship.

It felt like he was in enemy territory, setting foot in the lost boys' home. Oliver had never even attempted to picture himself here, but when his new girlfriend insisted that the two show up together, as a couple, he was hardly in a place to say no. It seemed she wanted to make a statement, how insistent she'd been that he come with her, but Smee had yet to figure out why. He knew they were going to get stares, dirty ones, and maybe he'd even be approached angrily by one of the boys, but it was nothing he couldn't handle. So, he showed up happily, played the part of a doting boyfriend while also attempting to remain aloof as he felt pairs of eyes on them.

His answer confirming he’s never actually dated anyone before isn’t a surprise, not by a long shot considering, like she had said, he gave off some level of virginal man vibes. Not that there seemed to be anything really wrong with him, from what Tink could tell at least, but his lack of a wide friend group was the first sign that had made her come to the conclusion that he’s probably never dated before in his life. “That’s kinda shit, actually,” she found herself saying without really thinking, a small frown forming on her lips at the thought of how many people she’s just never bothered sticking around for or starting anything serious with. “But I get it too. Dating kind of fucking sucks.” Probably not something you're supposed to say to the guy you’re currently going out with - but it’s something she’s sure Smee will understand.

⋄⋄ 🐚 ⋄⋄

Of course there was possibility that this friendship and now actual relationship she’d found with Smee was all just a big ploy from his boss to get information out of her, Tink was smart enough to know that was entirely possible - but she wasn’t going to let that stop her from continuing on. Nor was she bothered by Shelly pointing it out as if it were a sure fire thing. “Who said I trusted him?” she questions back, raising an eyebrow. “I don’t give a fuck what Peter would say. I don’t know if you haven’t noticed, but he’s not fucking here.” And maybe that had been part of why she had chosen Smee to be her test boyfriend, knowing how much it would upset the boy that had done so much to hurt her lately - but that hardly mattered at this point. They were dating, whatever reasoning either of them had behind the decision was irrelevant. No, Tink actually didn’t know that Shelly had supposedly done things to Oliver that she hadn’t - she hadn’t known the other blonde even knew the boy until this very moment - but for once the fairy doesn’t find herself getting jealous at all over hearing another girl talk about her guy like that. Mostly because she genuinely didn’t care who or what Smee had done before dating her. Her heart wasn’t in this relationship the way it had been with any other guy she’d dated or liked before. Which made it so easy to simply smirk and shake her head at Shelly’s words. “And yet, I’m the one he’s dating, not you. So really, who’s second best here? ‘Cause I don’t feel like it’s me.”

who: @imatinker where: lottie's nye party

Of all the people that would approach her throughout the night to question her new piece of arm candy, the last one she ever would have expected to be so obviously upset about it was Shelly. And it was clear from the heat behind each word she shot Tink’s way that the other girl was indeed extremely upset. Why that was though, the fairy had no idea. As far as she had been aware, Smee was single as a guy could be - so it’s not like she was encroaching on someone else’s man, or at least it shouldn’t be. But the undertone of jealousy was something that she knew all too well and could recognize anywhere, instantly. Perhaps the best way to approach this would have been a simple explanation or heart to heart between the two girls, but… well, Tink’s never been one to really go about anything the way she’s probably supposed to. So instead she finds a smirk growing on her lips as she raises a shoulder in a halfhearted shrug. “Since we started dating, I guess,” she responds, knowing that it’s not exactly the truest of answers but certainly one that’ll likely push the other girl a bit closer to the obvious edge she was perched on. “And maybe I have, but I guess that’s something he likes about me. Since you know, he actually made it official. Which… I’m guessing he never did with you, huh?” It’s a wild shot, assuming that Shelly had tried to pursue something with the man herself and failed - but it’s the closest guess Tink can make without having anything more than just the clues she’d been given right now.

~time skip to new year's eve~

When she showed up with Smee on her arm first at Christmas and now at the island wide New Years Eve party, Tink had known there were going to be questions. In particular from those she had kept in the dark of her newfound relationship status - be it intentional or simply forgetting to update them, like was the case for the blonde that had dragged her off to the side and instantly demanded to know about the man. In hindsight, she should have known better than to let Sharpay slip through the cracks like this. Really, the other girl should have been the first person she informed of the plan - given how easily she would understand, or at least Tink hoped that was the way it was going to go.