Wish upon a star (tag Lyssa) on At Home

Ness McLeod

July 31, 2020 4:22 AM

Wish upon a star (tag Lyssa) by Ness McLeod

This whole thing was every bit as awesome as Ness had been hoping. Lyssa’s ideas for Gary had managed to fuse with Ness’ and the seventh year was now sporting some wildly impractical armour (though to hold the chest padding in place, it needed an undertop, and there was also a long metallic skirt rather than the… basic metal leotard look that most fantasy women got dealt). This was topped off with a little pink wig, whose braid stuck up at a jaunty angle, and a large foam sword. Because a) something something ironic symbolism and b) swords were just cool.

Aleena the Awesome really was pretty awesome. Kir had interfered during make-up time, with the result that she actually had some very nicely blended eyeshadow, though with Ness as the appraiser this was somewhat a wasted effort.

However, it didn’t hold a candle to Lyssa. Lyssa was the Goblin King (Ness had double checked regal title and pronouns) and looked… Well, who didn’t want make out with David Bowie? Apparently, Lyssa thought the same, because when Ness had been unable to decide what to do, she had suggested a different era David Bowie. Like a couple costume. That meant they were a couple! Ness had sort of thought so. That was how it went - you went on a date, it wasn’t hideous, you were therefore a couple. It was still nice to have it confirmed out loud though, especially as they hadn’t actually kissed or anything on their date. Though, judging from Evelyn’s experience, kissing was not a mandatory part of couplehood. Or at least, not always an immediate one. It was nice to just be able to take up each other’s personal space and be tactile and sneak excuses to handhold whilst fiddling with each other’s cuffs and accessories.

Kir had muttered something about ‘Steal my identity, why don’t you?’ but had obligingly helped Transfigure Ness’ hair to a light orangey blond and altered a suit to fit. And now, prop cigarette in hand, the Thin White Duke was ready to step out alongside the Goblin King. Ziggy was the obvious go to for over the top, but when had Ness ever gone for obvious? And there was something fun about putting on a suit, seeing as the Aladren had gone a different direction for the ball.

It felt like they’d all had fun putting the looks together. Gary seemed to be being really friendly to Lyssa, which Ness was grateful for. Maybe he’d caught on that having Lyssa around was something to get used to?

Still, there could be too much of a good thing. Now they were at the show, and of course Ness stayed to support Kir and James - well, Charity and Crystal Balls, as they were for this evening - admiring as they did their numbers, but when the evening broke out into dancing, Ness tugged Lyssa away from the centre of the floor, to get a breath of fresh air outside the venue.

“It’s so awesome that you’re here,” the Thin White Ness grinned appreciatively. “I wasn’t sure if this counted as date number two or not, but… well, I got you something, just in case,” the Aladren reached into a waistcoat pocket (cos how awesome was it to have waistcoat pockets??) pulling out a little pin. It was a silver shooting star with a rainbow tail. Ness wasn’t sure how Lyssa felt about having a blatantly pride rainbow pin, but this seemed like it could be kind of covert if Lyssa wasn’t that kind of nailing colours to the mast kind of person. Though Ness suspected that she was, and that was awesome, but in that case this could be one of many rainbows that Lyssa ended up adorned with. The Aladren held it up but not quite out to Lyssa. “I think it’d look good here,” Ness touched the edge of the Goblin King’s shirt collar, “If I may?”

13 Ness McLeod Wish upon a star (tag Lyssa) 1419 1 5

Lyssa Fitzgerald

August 03, 2020 5:52 PM

Makes no difference who you are by Lyssa Fitzgerald

TW: Ingrained homophobia, queer hatred and self hatred.

Lyssa was enjoying herself, more for laughing at her brother than for anything else. He was dancing, and though he was athletic and coordinated on fields of sport, on the field of a dancefloor he appeared as if those skills had vanished. Lyssa was having fun. She felt, comfortable. As she herself danced to the music, Lyssa began to realize that she hadn’t actually been comfortable for a good number of years. At first, because she found out her brother was a wizard and she had to keep that secret, then she found out she was a wizard and was tired of people treating her different because her parents weren't wizards, then she figured out that she liked… well, she wasn’t sure about that, but she knew it wasn’t what was considered normal. She'd gathered that much. She wasn’t like Parker and Cleo.

Not that they weren’t lovely people and not that she wasn’t cheering them both on, but their relationship seemed so… closed. Like they weren’t open and they didn’t actually talk and trust each other fully. If she had thought boys were, pretty in some way maybe. Though Gary did look good in his warrior outfit. Kir had done some good makeup, and Lyssa was so excited to see Kir in full regalia as well. Maybe a guy like Kir could interest her, but then again, Kir was not normal either.

Thinking about the future and looking at her parents, she saw her mom doing most of the hard work. The work seemed that was taking care of the house in almost every way. Her dad would do things, if asked, but that wasn’t sharing of the labor. She wanted an actual partner. Not a spouse. No, Lyssa had realized that she was not in the normal. Not that she was abnormal. She was a gosh darn Wizard, and honestly, no one could show her what abnormal really was any more.

She was letting her mind slowly go blank. Forgetting these thoughts and more when she felt something tug her arm. She looked up to see the Thin White Ness themselves and smiled. They added a little something to the whole thing that even Bowie couldn't master if Lyssa was being honest with herself and the slight tightness in her chest. A tightness that wasn’t brought about by binding.

Ness was smiling back at Lyssa. They were saying words that were filtering in a bit and reaching into their pocket. Then Lyssa focused in on the star with rainbows. Lyssa wasn’t sure what she was, or if she was brave enough to wear something so beautiful, but she knew that Ness would help her if necessary. Lyssa could feel something stinging her eyes as Ness came closer.

What are you doing? You like this? You are interested in this… person? You can’t tell what gender they are. How gross are you that this is what you like someone like that. You know how difficult this will make your life? Nothing but pain and difficulty awaits you if you choose HER.

Not HER. They. That's how they want to be known. They have the bravery to be who they want to be. The world be damned. Lyssa thought back.

Lyssa could feel the heat from Ness’ hands as she moved up to her collar. She could smell Ness’ breath and wondered if they tasted the same. Then Ness asked something. They were asking permission, they were asking for consent. In that moment a voice reared in her head.

And why would someone like that want you? You’re bossy and mean. You aren’t athletic and slim like their other friends. You aren't smart like Gary. You are a trouble maker. Who would want a trouble maker? The voice changed in her head. Sometimes it was JR, sometimes it was her mom or dad, but usually it was just her. A meaner angrier her.

Lyssa nodded her head. She could feel the tears rolling down her cheeks as Ness started pinning her lapel.

Lyssa could feel something coming from Ness. Some energy that was quickly drowning out the voice in her head. Maybe it was the heat coming off their skin so close to her own. Maybe it was the sweetness in Ness’ breath and the anticipation in wanting to learn if their breath tasted that good. But Lyssa couldn’t hear the voice anymore. She couldn’t hear anything. The blood pumping in her ears deafened her and narrowed her focus. Lyssa could feel a tightness in her stomach and chest grow. All she could see were Ness’ lips.

Lyssa grabbed Ness’ hands as they were on her lapel. She could feel the warmth and power from Ness’ athleticism in their hands. The hands made her feel safe. Their hands spoke of great power, but a gentleness with that power. Lyssa leaned her face in, stopping mere inches from Ness' mouth.

She won't say yes, said the voice. If I never ask, you are right, and you win. Screw you., Lyssa thought back.

“May I?” she whispered, wetting her lips while looking straight into Ness' eyes.

41 Lyssa Fitzgerald Makes no difference who you are 1421 0 5

Ness McLeod

August 04, 2020 7:24 AM

It does and it doesn't by Ness McLeod

Okay. Pinning a badge on a lapel. That was totally fine. Ness knew how badges worked. You flicked the little safety catch thing round and then you slid out the pin. And apparently that was really difficult to do when your fingers were all shaky. Ness would swear it took about fifty million tries to release the pin, even if it was actually maybe just like three. Three was a lot when you were sixteen and awkward and trying to do something that was like… very motor skills 101 and would be pretty embarrassing to fail. Stupid natural ones, striking when a dex check really mattered.

Ness managed to slide the pin onto Lyssa’s lapel, fumbling it slightly (what the heck, hands?!) again to close it but it was done. Why had that been so nerve-wracking? The fumbling, whilst it may have made Ness feel awkward, had meant that the Aladren missed the tear that had slid down Lyssa’s cheek. Ness might have had some reservations about kissing someone who appeared to be crying about it. Consent was supposed to be enthusiastic and crying was like, the opposite of enthusiasm, unless they were happy tears. Ness was aware instead of Lyssa’s hands picking up where Ness’ were leaving off, in pulling them closer together. Which was also the answer to why this had been so nerve wracking. The answer was because it was close to Lyssa. It was all touchy and Ness knew exactly what the end goal was here. Ness’ goal was clarity and kisses. Lyssa had called this couple-dressing, so they were? Like, officially? And how did you kiss someone? With consent. Ness knew that much. But like…. The mechanics?? Evelyn was not a useful resource on this subject. Kir might have been but Ness didn’t really want to ask him. There were basic lip kisses and Ness was pretty sure that was easy but then like… there was squishy kissing too. It wasn’t like Ness hadn’t observed any of that in movies or like… when Kir and Zev thought they were being subtle and unobserved and they totally weren’t. But Ness also didn’t want to think about them right now cos that was weird and gross.

And being next to Lyssa kept turning Ness all mushy. Like, ‘my insides are marshmallow fluff, my fingers don’t work, and I fear my brain might be next’ kinda mushy and that was unfortunate because what if Lyssa wanted someone who was like… a functioning human. Ness totally was. Just not always when Lyssa was nearby.

May I?

’Yuh-huh-yes-you-may-what-is-a-normal-word-for-yes?’ ran through Ness brain.

“Please do,” Ness answered. Well. Of all the available options, that was a fricking ridiculous choice.

13 Ness McLeod It does and it doesn't 1419 0 5