Arc As Arc's's gaze met Chelsea's, his heart skipped a beat. A warm, thrumming sensation settled in the pit of his stomach, leaving him yearning for something he knew was out of reach. Just as he was lost in his eyes, a cheerful voice cut through the moment. "Hello there, Arc! Surprise seeing you here!" Arc groaned under his breath, recognizing the chipper tone all too well. "Good afternoon, Miss Sarah," Arc replied with a hint of dry sarcasm. Sarah appeared before him, radiant in a bright yellow sundress, her hair tied up in a relaxed, messy bun. Her warm smile and sparkling eyes exuded a cheerful energy, which didn't surprise Arc one bit - he'd grown accustomed to her sunny presence. "You never miss an opportunity to highlight my single status, do you?" He rolled his eyes, "You're well past the era of trying not to be single." With a delighted clap of her hands, Sarah exclaimed, "Ah hah, someone's developed a
Chelsea Chelsea watched River disappear into the distance, promising to reunite and take a group selfie once they found their friends. But as he trudged up the steps to the house, his mind lingered on the mysterious woman who'd dragged Arc away. Why had Arc seemed so complacent, almost familiar with her? The memory nagged at Chelsea, and his unease grew as he heard a loud, angry shout erupt from within the house. As Chelsea reached the top step, the shout grew louder, and he could make out words: "I don't care who has a say, just get that thing out of here!" The voice was unfamiliar, so the venom in it sent a shiver down Chelsea's spine. He hesitated, wondering if he should enter the house or wait for River's return. The promise of a selfie seemed trivial now, replaced by a sense of foreboding. But since Arc was inside, Chelsea didn't hesitate before pushing the door open. Another angry voice responded to the first, and Chelsea w
Chelsea The gathering was a vibrant mix of generations, with guests ranging from their 40s to 80 years young, all united in the eclectic atmosphere of their hosts' quirky residence. The spacious interior, adorned with whimsical decor and curious trinkets, provided the perfect backdrop for lively conversations and laughter. The sounds of jazz and swing music entangled in the air that was filled with laughter. Some of the attenders preferred to linger by the fireplace, sharing tales and gossip with their neighbors. Chelsea felt like a stranger as he passed through the crowd, the curious stares he received, crawling under his skin like maggots. "Don't mind those old geezers," Sarah said, her voice low and reassuring. "They don't take kindly to newcomers." Chelsea nodded, following her closely as she led him to the kitchen. The kitchen was a sprawling space with immaculate, polished cabinets and surfaces that gleamed in the soft ligh
Arc "Don't worry, dear. Sarah doesn't bite," Doris's soothing voice reassured him. She had led them to a quieter, more secluded corner with less music and fewer people. They all sat around a round table, large enough to accommodate them, but Arc remained standing. "I'd be down in the dumps if I were you, boy," Doris said with a chuckle. "Your lover boy is going to emerge from there, chafed." "He's not my lover boy," Arc snarled, swirling around to face Ethel with a warning growl. "He's not my lover boy," he repeated, his voice low and even. "Don't go pointing those fangs at me, boy, I ain't scared of you," Ethel shot back, her tone defiant. "Ethel, why don't you let the young man be?" Gertrude intervened, her voice calm and soothing. "We can't take you anywhere without you causing a scene... or a war," Doris added, her tone exasperated. "Ursula had started it," Ethel defended, her voice rising. "You should've lef
Chelsea "Archie, wait!" Chelsea pulled his hand forcefully out of Arc's grasp as they reached the bottom of the wooden steps. Arc paused, his back stiffened, shoulders squared, and fists clenched. "What the hell was that? That was so rude!" Chelsea yelled out, his voice echoing through the evening air. Arc's gruff reply came with a nod toward the darkening sky. "We should leave. It's getting late." The sun's descent was a slow goodbye, casting a warm orange glow over the landscape, but time seemed to have slipped away unnoticed. That wasn't a good enough reason for Arc to drag him off that way. "That's not..." Chelsea began, but Sarge's voice stopped him. He turned around to see Sarge jog down the steps and reach him in an instant. Sweat clung to his forehead, and he wiped it out with his hand, giving Chelsea a wide grin. Chelsea flashed his signature flirty smile. "You caught up with me." He reached out to rub Sarge's shou
Arc Arc departed the party with a mix of exasperation and relief, after standing in a stiff posture for a selfie with Chelsea and his eager fans. Today marked a first for him – his first appearance in a social gathering that he'd been invited to, let alone a party. And, astonishingly, someone had touched him without recoiling in disgust. Typically, people didn't dare spare him a second glance. Yet, a gentle hum stirred in his belly, leaving him perplexed. He couldn't quite pinpoint the sensation, but it was a pleasant, warm feeling that enveloped him. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but you seem to be in a good mood," Chelsea said, his voice laced with surprise. Arc turned to him, his eyes narrowing slightly as he adjusted his position to avoid hitting his head on the roof. His leg throbbed with a dull ache, but it was manageable. The discomfort did little to dampen the strange, fluttery sensation that had taken up residence in his s
Chelsea Lily smiled as she scrolled through Chelsea's phone, admiring the photos he'd taken with River and her friends, with Arc brooding in the background... "Brilliant pics, Chelsea. You did great." Chelsea beamed with pride, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "I do have a great knack for being awesome at everything." Lily rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Remind me to never compliment you again." They sat outside at a quaint cafe, surrounded by lush greenery and the gentle hum of conversation. The warm sun cast a cozy glow over the scene. Lily had highly recommended this spot, claiming they served the best mocha latte in town. Chelsea, however, was unimpressed. He took a sip of the drink, his face scrunching up in distaste. "Ugh, this is way too sweet," Chelsea said, pushing the cup away. "And the foam is overpowering." Lily laughed. "What's wrong with you? This is the best part!" "If you die of diabetes, I do
Arc "Just finished fixing the door," Brandon said, beaming with pride and held the door open, wider. "Sturdy now, isn't it?" Arc responded with a curt nod and began to walk past him. Brandon's grin faltered as he added, "You don't talk much. When I first saw you, I thought you were...you know, mute." He chuckled nervously and rubbed the back of his neck with his empty hand. "Not in a stupid way, just...not able to speak." Arc raised an eyebrow at the man, sceptical. He was certain Brandon hadn't thought him mute initially. He could still recall the remark Brandon had made when they first met. "I'm sure you had other thoughts about me," Arc said dryly. Brandon paused, as if collecting his thoughts, and scratched his head. "I don't think I..." He trailed off, then winced, his cheeks flushing with redness. "Yeah, I remember now. Look," Brandon sighed, "I'm sorry about what I said when you first arrived. I say stupid