Sunset by Su linsong

Alex rubbed the scar with their thumb, hands gently holding Artemis's hips. They had noticed the scar and cursed themselves for missing one. Alex had committed to kissing every scar on Artemis's canvas but apparently one slipped from their attention. 

They continued to rub the scar lovingly before kissing Artemis's temple. They gave her a bright smile, shades covering sparkling brown eyes. Today Alex sported black boardshorts with a neon pink waistband and a bandeau black bikini top. The trail of stars along Alex's left side saw the light of day since forever. Some twinkled while some shot across only to settle back into their space.

"My adorable klutz. Never letting you touch sharp blades ever," they joked, pecking Artemis's cheek. They took hold of her slender hand, kissing its knuckles before Alex pushed reflective aviators out of their eyes. 

"Do you have a ride you want to do first?" Alex asked, staring at the expanse of the water park. It was large, huge. It would be an adventure to even get through all the rides once...

Head-Cannon Ideas: Ask Me something You'd like to know about My Muse, it can be anything; A Hobby, A Like or Dislike, What I think would happen in a future event..And I will Write a Headcannon about it..

"You may," they said, offering a cheek. 

"Hey! Um, are you doing the coffee run today?"

Alex pushed back their sunglasses, glancing up from a forming text.

"Yeah I was going to, just grabbing my girlfriend’s order. Do you… want anything?" they asked, giving Kevin a bright smile.

"Please. Um…nothing too complicated this time? Soy latte with an extra shot. See if they have toffee nut syrup. If not, caramel’s fine.” Kevin fussed over the pile of news reports in his arms, trying to maneuver them into a more convenient stack. “I’m going to be on air in like, five minutes? So if I’m working by the time you get back, just leave it on the desk.” He grinned. “And thank you.”

Alex quickly tapped out a note of Kevin's order, locking the phone and slipping it into their back pocket. "How 'bout I help you before I skedaddle?" Alex asked, taking some of the reports and straightening them out on their raised thigh. They patiently waited for Kevin to regain control of the wayward stack, knowing it would be easier with a smaller pile first. They handed the papers back. "I'll get it on time, no worries boss man. If you decide you need something else my number is..." And they listed out the digits, flashing a friendly wink before jogging down the hall.

The intern ran to the nearest coffee shop, lacking a car since it's a small town and everything's close together right? Alex fired off the orders, chewing on their lip worriedly. They spotted a cinnamon roll and purchased it for seemingly stressed host. Alex thanked the barista for the drinks, biting down on the wax paper bag housing the pastry. They grabbed the still hot coffees, pumping the toffee nut syrup twice. Alex capped the lid on before running out the door. 

Worn shoes beat against the pavement as Alex's legs pumped to arrive before Kevin's show. Some coffee spilled out and scalded skin, forcing Alex to stop and wave the zing away. Nevertheless, the intern kept breaks short. They burst into the station, not sparing a glance at co-workers. Alex was running full speed down the hall, spotting Kevin about to enter the booth. Heels were dug into the station carpet, Alex sliding comically past Kevin. Alex stopped a few feet away from destination, mentally cursing themselves for inaccuracy. They trotted over to Kevin, handing him the coffee. The bag was handed over to him too. 

"I know you didn't ask for it but I got you a small something. Don't worry about paying," they said quickly, squeezing the words out in one breath. Alex was obviously winded, trying very hard not to double over right before Kevin. 

Andrei Lukovnikov

/sticks middle fingers up at the sun/ 

for the smiling god

Ep. 2 — Glow Cloud.

"Hey! Um, are you doing the coffee run today?"

Alex pushed back their sunglasses, glancing up from a forming text.

"Yeah I was going to, just grabbing my girlfriend's order. Do you... want anything?" they asked, giving Kevin a bright smile.

She blushed as they brushed their fingers against her’s. She returned the favor, “She is a decent bed mate. I personally think Raring and I are a bit better, since we make our own heat.” She smiled.

And very quickly dipped her head and blushed violently. If her wings had been out, they would have been blushing as well, which was always an interesting image. “I didn’t-I mean…I just thought that if we dated, maybe you might be here during a morning or two, and I thought you might like it, so I bought it when I happened to see it.” She hoped that she hadn’t scared Alex at all, even if she had thought about it a few times while they had been gone.

The silence of the night was lovely, and she could feel herself slowly relaxing to sleep. She smiled, as she thought of cuddling with Alex, of being able to do it most nights, and it was wonderful. “Living with you would be nice.” Her tempered instinct was to put her hand towards Alex, and let them take it if they wanted.

Alex hummed. "You think ahead," they mumbled, not meaning anything negative behind the statement. They took the hand slowly, fingers sliding along the palm before slipping between Artemis's fingers.

"Yeah, I guess. I've never shared a place with anyone so I could be a horrible roommate," Alex said, running a hand gently through their hair. It felt so good, light and styled exquisitely. Alex had felt better than they had in ages, with nicer clothing on their back and Artemis relaxing next to them. 

"I should go whip something for me to eat. You can go to sleep, I'll wash whatever I use in the morning," Alex said, sitting up and taking their hand back. They made their way to the door before looking at Artie over their shoulder.

"... Is there anything I should know about Upsal before I sleep with her?" Alex asked, smiling slightly. It still didn't quite reach their eyes but it was better than most times they'd forced a sickening smile on their face.

She looked down at her hands. “I-i-I bought it for you. When you were gone, I didn’t know what had happened, and I was basing my buying on possible futures, and so I found really nice hair stuff, because I wanted you to use it.” She looked up and smiled. “Your coif looks wonderful.”

She wanted to hold them close, cuddle with them, kiss them, but not yet. Not until they started it. Not until they were comfortable. She did put her hand towards them, since a hand squeeze might be comforting now.

"The couch is decent, just have to deal with possibly waking up with a massive snake on you. She doesn’t bite or constrict people who have my scent, or the apartment’s marking scent." She smiled, and was unsure what to say either.

Alex hummed. "I don't mind waking up with Upsal. I'm sure she's a wonderful bed mate," they said before shyly brushing their fingers against Artemis's.

"... You already bought a shampoo for me. Were you planning on having me move in?" they asked teasingly. They weren't opposed to the idea of living here but Artemis seemed to be pushing this rather quickly. Ah well, that was okay. Alex just wanted to go at their own pace, whether it be sluggish or faster than the speed of light. 

Alex ran out of possible things to converse about, lounging in the silence filled only with Raring's breathing and night creatures screaming for mates. 

She smiled down at them, worrying about darkness and other Eldritch parts. But, she smiled, and eased herself around, until she was feet first, and pushed out, pulled her wings in so as to not slap them in the face.

Alex caught her, and let her down gently. “My hero as always.” And deciding that they needed to, she kissed them on the cheek.

"So, now off to my place for recuperation and cuddles?" She hoped they understood the implicit "I want to cuddle with you", but it may have been hidden by words.

Alex just barely caught Artemis, their knees bending and actually wobbling under her weight. The intern internally cursed their knees for buckling, hoping it didn’t give Artemis the wrong impression. Alex was just hungry, and craving actual food. Fries sounded like a godsend right now.

They laughed as their cheek was kissed, rubbing their wrist nervously. “Well you know me… Just a huge dork with.. well with what should be good hair,” they murmured, running a hand subconsciously through the oily mess on their head. Alex needed a wash badly right now. Shampoo and body wash… The thought threw Alex to a happy place, dreaming of fresh scents and hot water soothing sore muscles.

"I’m sorry what? I was thinking of bubbles," they said as their brain caught up with Artemis’s words.

"Your place, yeah. I hope you don’t mind the intrusion," Alex said, opening the closet door. It was already into the night, Cecil’s sonorous voice waxing about tonight’s life threatening catastrophe. Alex walked past the booth and gave Cecil a wave through the glass. He didn’t miss a beat, broadcasting the news of their return.

"Intern Alex just walked past the booth. As you all know, Alex had been sucked into an alternate dimension and was presumed dead up until this point. Hello Alex! 

"… Listeners Alex does not look too well. Their hair, one of their prized possessions, is limp and greasy and they look like they haven’t eaten anything since they left. Oh look intern Artemis is following them! Hi Artemis!" Cecil waved to the woman before returning back to the broadcast. Alex ignored the words the best they could. 

On the way past the break room Alex grabbed a spare hat lying around. After double checking it was void of scorpions and whatever else could spawn while they were gone, Alex pulled it onto their head to hide the grotesque hair.

"Let’s go," they said to Artemis, cheeks slightly red with embarrassment.

She smiled, as she watched Alex pull a hat on. So, trying to be sweet, she said, ”I like your hair, silly, even unkempt. Now, let’s get you back to my place for a decent bath and wash, and maybe some cuddles after the bubbles.” She smiled, and taking their hand, lead them out into the desert community they called home.

The sun was set, but she loved how the stars always looked when you walked under them. “Aren’t they beautiful? The stars?”

Alex squeezed Artemis’s hand in thanks. They walked with their eyes glued to the floor, the usual confident swagger gone from their stride. Alex only glanced up at the stars, mumbling something before rubbing the nape of their neck.

Suddenly the intern stopped walking, anchoring Artie where she was. Alex then looked up at the stars again, the bright lights reflecting in their eyes. They took in a deep breath and let it go slowly. Then, Alex turned to look at Artemis.

"… They don’t look as beautiful as you," Alex whispered, smiling sincerely. Typically all compliments were followed with a cocky smirk or a smile that kind of negated the beauty of the compliment. Now Alex just look beat. Beat and tired and far too burnt out to say anything aside from the truth.

The pair stared at each other for some time before Alex glanced at the sidewalk again.

"Let’s move on. I want to get clean…"

"And they don’t sparkle as much as your smile," she said a bit later. "They hold none of your passion or your light. Alex, you are my star. Or I want you to be my star. Nevermind." She said the last part quickly, knowing it was too much too soon.

She looked down as well, her eyes on the sidewalk, glad for once she knew the way home so well. “I’ll make sure you can do so.”

When they got to the apartment, after a walk where she had been rather quiet, she pointed towards the bathroom. “USe what you need,” before walking into her room, and whistling for Raring, who came and cuddled up next to her, to help her feel better.

Alex slid into the bathroom without another word. They filled the tub with steaming water, watching the smoke curl. It was like a happy stab through the guy. Alex quickly threw their clothes off and clambered into the tub. They turned the water off and added some bubble solution, hiding within said bubbles.

It had taken Alex an hour to feel clean again. Skin scare would take some time but for now, Alex felt warmer and so much more cleaner. A hefty amount I shampoo went into their hair, the grease and oils no match for the quality stuff Artie could afford. After they finished Alex wiped themself down and stared into the mirror. A quick blog update was fired off. They glanced at the comb before the hair dryer. Not the same kind of stuff Alex typically worked with but they had dealt with worse.

An hour and a half after that, Alex emerged with boxers depicting a moving starry landscape and a the black undershirt. They’d have to ask Artemis for clothes later. The intern walked to Artemis’s room and nudged the door open. Alex smiled weakly at their girlfriend, kind of ready to use that word.

"Hey," they croaked out. "… Do you have a sweater I could borrow?"

After the first hour, she uncurled and sat up. Raring licked her face and curled up next to her. She pulled out a book, some “sanctioned” bit of Night Vale history that she had found a week ago in her end table drawer. It was decently good, truly.

The following hour and a half were spent checking Tumblr and seeing if anything struck her fancy. Mostly, she wondered and worried about their datefriend, wanting to say the word, or one like it, but worried about how Alex would react.

When Alex walked in, she genuinely smiled, liking how they looked. “I have a drawer of them in the second dresser. I would recommend the purple one. It has stars on it, and should match the boxers. Plus, it is warm and cozy.”

Alex walked to the drawer deftly and pulled out the purple sweater. They tugged it in, careful not to ruin the immaculate coif on top of their head. It was styled and it gave Alex so much more self confidence. They felt good.

Alex tugged the sweater into place before suddenly pouncing onto the bed, bouncing once before coming to a stop at Artemis's side.

"... Hey Artie," they greeted, smile reaching closer to their eyes. Alex looked at the surprised Raring, smiling apologetically. "Sorry gal. Didn't mean to give you the spooksters." They pet Raring before looking at Artemis.

"That was a bath I needed. Thanks. I'm going to call the couch now," Alex said, looking at their fingers. Not ready to share a bed, no way. Not yet.

"You've got some quality hair product Artie. It's nice. Works better than the one I bought..." they murmured, already running out of things to chat about.

She smiled down at them, worrying about darkness and other Eldritch parts. But, she smiled, and eased herself around, until she was feet first, and pushed out, pulled her wings in so as to not slap them in the face.

Alex caught her, and let her down gently. “My hero as always.” And deciding that they needed to, she kissed them on the cheek.

"So, now off to my place for recuperation and cuddles?" She hoped they understood the implicit "I want to cuddle with you", but it may have been hidden by words.

Alex just barely caught Artemis, their knees bending and actually wobbling under her weight. The intern internally cursed their knees for buckling, hoping it didn’t give Artemis the wrong impression. Alex was just hungry, and craving actual food. Fries sounded like a godsend right now.

They laughed as their cheek was kissed, rubbing their wrist nervously. “Well you know me… Just a huge dork with.. well with what should be good hair,” they murmured, running a hand subconsciously through the oily mess on their head. Alex needed a wash badly right now. Shampoo and body wash… The thought threw Alex to a happy place, dreaming of fresh scents and hot water soothing sore muscles.

"I’m sorry what? I was thinking of bubbles," they said as their brain caught up with Artemis’s words.

"Your place, yeah. I hope you don’t mind the intrusion," Alex said, opening the closet door. It was already into the night, Cecil’s sonorous voice waxing about tonight’s life threatening catastrophe. Alex walked past the booth and gave Cecil a wave through the glass. He didn’t miss a beat, broadcasting the news of their return.

"Intern Alex just walked past the booth. As you all know, Alex had been sucked into an alternate dimension and was presumed dead up until this point. Hello Alex! 

"… Listeners Alex does not look too well. Their hair, one of their prized possessions, is limp and greasy and they look like they haven’t eaten anything since they left. Oh look intern Artemis is following them! Hi Artemis!" Cecil waved to the woman before returning back to the broadcast. Alex ignored the words the best they could. 

On the way past the break room Alex grabbed a spare hat lying around. After double checking it was void of scorpions and whatever else could spawn while they were gone, Alex pulled it onto their head to hide the grotesque hair.

"Let’s go," they said to Artemis, cheeks slightly red with embarrassment.

She smiled, as she watched Alex pull a hat on. So, trying to be sweet, she said, ”I like your hair, silly, even unkempt. Now, let’s get you back to my place for a decent bath and wash, and maybe some cuddles after the bubbles.” She smiled, and taking their hand, lead them out into the desert community they called home.

The sun was set, but she loved how the stars always looked when you walked under them. “Aren’t they beautiful? The stars?”

Alex squeezed Artemis’s hand in thanks. They walked with their eyes glued to the floor, the usual confident swagger gone from their stride. Alex only glanced up at the stars, mumbling something before rubbing the nape of their neck.

Suddenly the intern stopped walking, anchoring Artie where she was. Alex then looked up at the stars again, the bright lights reflecting in their eyes. They took in a deep breath and let it go slowly. Then, Alex turned to look at Artemis.

"… They don’t look as beautiful as you," Alex whispered, smiling sincerely. Typically all compliments were followed with a cocky smirk or a smile that kind of negated the beauty of the compliment. Now Alex just look beat. Beat and tired and far too burnt out to say anything aside from the truth.

The pair stared at each other for some time before Alex glanced at the sidewalk again.

"Let’s move on. I want to get clean…"

"And they don’t sparkle as much as your smile," she said a bit later. "They hold none of your passion or your light. Alex, you are my star. Or I want you to be my star. Nevermind." She said the last part quickly, knowing it was too much too soon.

She looked down as well, her eyes on the sidewalk, glad for once she knew the way home so well. “I’ll make sure you can do so.”

When they got to the apartment, after a walk where she had been rather quiet, she pointed towards the bathroom. “USe what you need,” before walking into her room, and whistling for Raring, who came and cuddled up next to her, to help her feel better.

Alex slid into the bathroom without another word. They filled the tub with steaming water, watching the smoke curl. It was like a happy stab through the guy. Alex quickly threw their clothes off and clambered into the tub. They turned the water off and added some bubble solution, hiding within said bubbles.

It had taken Alex an hour to feel clean again. Skin scare would take some time but for now, Alex felt warmer and so much more cleaner. A hefty amount I shampoo went into their hair, the grease and oils no match for the quality stuff Artie could afford. After they finished Alex wiped themself down and stared into the mirror. A quick blog update was fired off. They glanced at the comb before the hair dryer. Not the same kind of stuff Alex typically worked with but they had dealt with worse.

An hour and a half after that, Alex emerged with boxers depicting a moving starry landscape and a the black undershirt. They’d have to ask Artemis for clothes later. The intern walked to Artemis’s room and nudged the door open. Alex smiled weakly at their girlfriend, kind of ready to use that word.

"Hey," they croaked out. "… Do you have a sweater I could borrow?"

She smiled down at them, worrying about darkness and other Eldritch parts. But, she smiled, and eased herself around, until she was feet first, and pushed out, pulled her wings in so as to not slap them in the face.

Alex caught her, and let her down gently. “My hero as always.” And deciding that they needed to, she kissed them on the cheek.

"So, now off to my place for recuperation and cuddles?" She hoped they understood the implicit "I want to cuddle with you", but it may have been hidden by words.

Alex just barely caught Artemis, their knees bending and actually wobbling under her weight. The intern internally cursed their knees for buckling, hoping it didn’t give Artemis the wrong impression. Alex was just hungry, and craving actual food. Fries sounded like a godsend right now.

They laughed as their cheek was kissed, rubbing their wrist nervously. “Well you know me… Just a huge dork with.. well with what should be good hair,” they murmured, running a hand subconsciously through the oily mess on their head. Alex needed a wash badly right now. Shampoo and body wash… The thought threw Alex to a happy place, dreaming of fresh scents and hot water soothing sore muscles.

"I’m sorry what? I was thinking of bubbles," they said as their brain caught up with Artemis’s words.

"Your place, yeah. I hope you don’t mind the intrusion," Alex said, opening the closet door. It was already into the night, Cecil’s sonorous voice waxing about tonight’s life threatening catastrophe. Alex walked past the booth and gave Cecil a wave through the glass. He didn’t miss a beat, broadcasting the news of their return.

"Intern Alex just walked past the booth. As you all know, Alex had been sucked into an alternate dimension and was presumed dead up until this point. Hello Alex! 

"… Listeners Alex does not look too well. Their hair, one of their prized possessions, is limp and greasy and they look like they haven’t eaten anything since they left. Oh look intern Artemis is following them! Hi Artemis!" Cecil waved to the woman before returning back to the broadcast. Alex ignored the words the best they could. 

On the way past the break room Alex grabbed a spare hat lying around. After double checking it was void of scorpions and whatever else could spawn while they were gone, Alex pulled it onto their head to hide the grotesque hair.

"Let’s go," they said to Artemis, cheeks slightly red with embarrassment.

She smiled, as she watched Alex pull a hat on. So, trying to be sweet, she said, ”I like your hair, silly, even unkempt. Now, let’s get you back to my place for a decent bath and wash, and maybe some cuddles after the bubbles.” She smiled, and taking their hand, lead them out into the desert community they called home.

The sun was set, but she loved how the stars always looked when you walked under them. “Aren’t they beautiful? The stars?”

Alex squeezed Artemis's hand in thanks. They walked with their eyes glued to the floor, the usual confident swagger gone from their stride. Alex only glanced up at the stars, mumbling something before rubbing the nape of their neck.

Suddenly the intern stopped walking, anchoring Artie where she was. Alex then looked up at the stars again, the bright lights reflecting in their eyes. They took in a deep breath and let it go slowly. Then, Alex turned to look at Artemis.

"... They don't look as beautiful as you," Alex whispered, smiling sincerely. Typically all compliments were followed with a cocky smirk or a smile that kind of negated the beauty of the compliment. Now Alex just look beat. Beat and tired and far too burnt out to say anything aside from the truth.

The pair stared at each other for some time before Alex glanced at the sidewalk again.

"Let's move on. I want to get clean..."