#[ careful. he even overheard that joe-joe ]

[heartxshaped-bruises]

Joe-Joe, what was worse, waking up in a morgue or a cemetery after coming back? Why?

                                                        ✧･ﾟ  𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐃.

[nausicaamusiclover20]

Hi Nausicaa)) I was rewatching Freddie’s memorial concert and had a crazy idea. It’s pretty weird but I hope you will consider making a story? Also it’s super long I’m so sorry 😢

Reader is an Amy Winehouse-style (I love her so much she’s definitely my favorite female singer) singer and her debut album was really liked by Freddie and they even had a collaboration, and after that her career skyrocketed and she’s gotten many Grammy’s etc despite being quite young. So she’s invited to be a part of the line up for the show and has to sing “who wants to live forever” and James is supposed to play rhythm guitar for that. And cause she’s much more mainstream, he initially doesn’t really like her but of course does his part, cause he doesn’t want to cause a scene. At rehearsal, everyone is in awe of her as she’s got a great sense of humor, self irony, etc. - except for James. And when Slash or Joe Elliot joke that they are jealous of him cause he’s gonna perform with her, he just brushes it off saying that she’s just another “overrated singer for sad chicks” and then tells Lars that she probably slept with a producer to get a record deal. Unfortunately, she accidentally overheard all of that but she doesn’t tell anyone cause she’s doesn’t want to ruin such an important day. And she even listened to Metallica’s stuff ( even developed a crush on James) and wanted to talk with him but not anymore.

Next day, at the concert the performance is a total success, everyone is super happy. And when hearing her sing in front of a huge crowd James realizes how great her voice is and what a great performer she is. So he tries to ask her out after the show is over, but since she overheard him saying rather unpleasant things about her a day before she thinks that he’s trying to humiliate or prank her and tells him that she actually liked him. But since he thinks she’s got no talent and slept with people to get where she is now, reader wants nothing to do with James.

And I was thinking - maybe Brian from Queen notices his distress and James doesn’t go into details but tells him he screwed up. So Brian actually goes and asks the reader to hear James out, and she agrees, out of respect for Brian. James, really bad with emotions, apologizes and next day they have breakfast together?

If you don’t like the idea, can you please just post the ask saying that you are not interested? I feel bad throwing such a huge request at you but I’ve read your stories and if anyone can turn my vague idea in a story - that can only be you. Thank you ❤️

First of all, I thank you so much for your trust, it means a lot to me what you’ve said. I hope you like it❤

Behind the appearances

The rehearsal space buzzed with energy. I’d spent the last few days trying to calm my nerves about performing alongside rock legends at the Queen tribute concert. My career had skyrocketed in the past few years, and though I’d won Grammys and collaborated with icons, this felt like a different league entirely. It wasn’t just my admiration for Freddie and the band—this was my chance to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the greats.

But not everyone seemed thrilled about it.

James Hetfield, the rhythm guitarist for my performance of “Who Wants to Live Forever,” was distant. I’d caught him rolling his eyes a few times during rehearsals, his whole demeanor screaming that he wanted to be anywhere but here.

It stung more than I cared to admit. I’d grown up listening to Metallica, and James was one of the reasons I started writing music in the first place. To share a stage with him was supposed to be a dream come true, but he seemed intent on treating me like I didn’t belong.

Still, I pushed those thoughts aside and threw myself into the music. I wasn’t going to let one grumpy guitarist ruin this experience.

During a break, Slash sauntered over, grinning as he plucked at his guitar. "You know, James, some of us are jealous of you. Not everyone gets to play with her."

Joe Elliot chimed in, slapping James on the back. "Yeah, lucky bastard. She’s got the voice, the charm, and she’s easy on the eyes too."

I laughed awkwardly, feeling my cheeks heat. James, however, just shrugged them off, muttering, "She’s just another singer." His tone was dismissive, and the guys exchanged a look, clearly amused by his gruffness.

“Well, don’t let that stick up your ass ruin your day,” Slash teased, earning a chuckle from Joe.

James rolled his eyes and walked off, leaving me standing there with a mix of embarrassment and irritation. Was he always like this, or had I done something to annoy him without realizing it?

The sinking feeling in my stomach grew worse when I heard him talking to Lars. I’d only gone backstage to grab my water bottle, but their conversation was hard to miss.

Lars nudged him with a knowing smirk. "What do you think of Y/N?"

James scoffed. "She’s just another overrated singer for sad chicks," he said dismissively.

Lars chuckled, though it sounded uncomfortable. “Come on, man. She’s good.”

“Yeah? Bet she slept with some producer to get that record deal,” James replied, his tone dripping with scorn.

I froze. My hands clenched around the bottle as his words settled like lead in my chest. I’d worked so damn hard to get here, poured my heart and soul into my music, and that was what he thought of me?

Part of me wanted to confront him, to demand why he’d say something so cruel, but another part knew it wasn’t worth it. This was one of the biggest nights of my career. I wasn’t about to let James Hetfield ruin it.

The next evening, the concert hall was packed. The energy from the crowd was electric, and I could feel their anticipation as I walked onto the stage. When the opening notes of “Who Wants to Live Forever” echoed through the venue, I poured every ounce of emotion into the song. Freddie deserved nothing less, and neither did the audience.

The lights bathed the stage in a soft glow, and as I sang, I let my voice rise and fall with the haunting melody. The orchestra swelled behind me, their notes blending seamlessly with James’s steady rhythm guitar. For a moment, it felt like the entire world had stopped to listen. The audience’s silence was palpable, a testament to the power of the song.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw James watching me as he played. His expression was unreadable, but for once, it wasn’t cold or dismissive. Not that it mattered. I’d given up trying to impress him.

The performance ended with thunderous applause, and backstage, everyone was celebrating. Slash gave me a high five, Joe hugged me, and even Brian May told me I’d done Freddie proud. It should’ve been the perfect night.

But then James approached me.

“Hey,” he said, his voice quieter than I expected.

I turned, my smile faltering. “What do you want?”

He scratched the back of his neck, looking uncharacteristically unsure of himself. “I just… I wanted to say you were amazing out there. I didn’t realize how talented you are.”

I blinked, my heart twisting. Was he serious? After everything he’d said?

“You didn’t realize?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended. “That’s funny, because yesterday you made it pretty clear what you think of me. Or did you forget saying I’m an overrated singer who slept with a producer to get here?”

His face paled. “You heard that?”

“Yeah, I did. And for the record, I never slept with any producer, everything I got it’s only because of my hard work.  I wanted to talk to you, because you’ve always been one of my favorite singers. I also wanted to talk to you,  to get to know you. But now?” I shook my head, swallowing the lump in my throat. “I want nothing to do with you.”

I walked away before he could respond.

I thought that was the end of it, but later that night, Brian May found me sitting alone in one of the dressing rooms. He gave me a kind smile, pulling up a chair.

“You were phenomenal tonight,” he said.

“Thank you,” I replied softly.

He hesitated before continuing. “I spoke to James. He’s… well, he’s realized he made a mess of things. He wouldn’t tell me exactly what happened, but he’s clearly beating himself up over it.”

“Good,” I said flatly, though my heart wasn’t in it.

Brian chuckled. “I don’t blame you for being upset. But James isn’t the best with words, and he’s not used to admitting when he’s wrong. He asked me to see if you’d give him a chance to explain.”

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “I don’t know, Brian. He really hurt me.”

“I know,” he said gently. “But sometimes, people surprise you. At least hear him out. If you don’t like what he has to say, you never have to speak to him again.”

The next day, I met James in the hotel cafe. He looked nervous, which was oddly comforting. At least I wasn’t the only one feeling awkward.

“Thanks for coming,” he said as I sat down.

“Brian insisted,” I replied, crossing my arms. “So talk.”

He nodded, taking a deep breath. “I’m sorry for what I said. It was unfair and cruel, and you didn’t deserve that. The truth is, I was… jealous. You’ve accomplished so much so quickly, and I let my insecurities get the better of me. Instead of respecting you for your talent, I tried to tear you down. I’m really, really sorry.”

His honesty caught me off guard. I studied him, trying to gauge if he was being sincere. He looked genuinely remorseful, his eyes meeting mine without hesitation.

“Okay,” I said finally. “I’ll accept your apology. But if you ever talk about me like that again, we’re done. Got it?”

He nodded quickly. “Got it.”

We ended up staying for breakfast, and as the conversation shifted to music and life on the road, I saw a different side of James. He was funny, self-deprecating, and surprisingly kind. I couldn’t resist slipping in a bit of my usual humor.

“So, Mr. Hetfield,” I teased, “is that your version of a heartfelt apology? Because I’d give it a solid six out of ten. Room for improvement.”

He smirked, his confidence creeping back. “Six out of ten? I’ll have to work harder next time. But you’ve got to admit, I made you laugh.”

“A little,” I said, holding up my fingers to show a small gap. “Don’t let it go to your head.”

We talked about everything—music, touring, even the weirdest fan encounters we’d had. James opened up about the challenges of staying grounded in the music industry, and I shared my own stories of navigating sudden fame. It felt easy, natural, and for the first time since the rehearsals started, I genuinely enjoyed his company.

As we finished our coffee, I hesitated, then leaned over to give him a quick kiss on the cheek. “Thanks for breakfast,” I said softly.

He blinked, clearly startled, and I couldn’t help but laugh at the faint pink tint rising to his cheeks. “Can we meet again?” he asked, his voice more tentative than I expected. “I really enjoyed spending time with you. You’re… an interesting girl.”

It was my turn to blush. I ducked my head, feeling my cheeks heat. “Sure,” I said, smiling. “I’d love to. I had a great time too.”

As we stood to leave, he held the door open for me, and I couldn’t help but think that maybe—just maybe—this was the start of something new.

[starlit-crossing]

A Ghost of Yourself Chapter 1

Chapter 1 - A Feeling of Dread

Welcome and enjoy! All characters are of course owned by their original intellectual properties and this story is in no way canon.

- -      -

Danny wasn't sure what to think when his parents said they would be collaborating with the Guys in White for a contract. He knew nothing good would come from it. Jazz had even voiced her concerns, citing the times the GIW had tried to steal their work. His parents just brushed off their worries, stating the project was research focused rather than weaponry. It relieved some of Danny's worries, but he couldn't shake this nagging feeling.

"If its focused-on research how much harm could it cause?" Sam reassured as the collection of herself, Danny and Tucker settled in for movie night in Sam's home theater. The theater was in the basement, red curtains hanging by the large movie screen.  A few chairs and piles of pillows were strewn about for the group to chill on. There was even a popcorn and soda machine in the back of the room next to a few classic arcade games.

"Yeah, Danny, what if they finally find evidence to support your side? Y'know the fact ghosts are the same as people and there is good and bad." Tucker piped in as he plopped into the cushiony seat with a bounce, extra-large popcorn and soda in hand.

"I don't know, Tuck. They've found stuff like that before, and they always find a way to twist it to fit their view on ghosts." Danny rambled, running his hand through his hair. "I just hope they'll be careful around the GIW and maybe let some research spill at home so I can eavesdrop."

"You could always follow them." Sam suggested. She watched confused as the boys just stared at her.

"You think Danny should follow his parents into the base of a bunch of ghost hunters hired by the government to research and destroy anything undead?" Tucker asked. "Are you insane?"

"Sorry Sam I'm with Tucker on this one, I don't think I could get close without catching someone's attention, human or ghost." Danny sighed, "Let's just get the movie started, what's on the menu?"

"Femalien 2: Predator vs Prey, Terminatra 7: Back to the Present Again, or Nightmerica: Dreams of Terror." Sam listed off just as Danny felt a cold wisp of air leave his lips.

"FEAR ME! I AM THE BOX GHOST!" screamed the Box Ghost, the cry making its way in from outside.

"Raincheck you guys, boxy shouldn't take me too long." As a flash filled the room and Danny flew through the walls disappearing.

"Ten bucks says Skulker shows up before he can come back." Tucker bribed.

"You're on, we took out his suit last week. Meanwhile, Kitty and Johnny 13 have been fighting again." Sam accepted, starting up a movie knowing it would be done before he got back.

- -      -

The following weeks were surprisingly uneventful, a sign Danny took to heart. His parents had been extra careful not to leave out any notes or research in the house, not even in the lab. Refusing to give any hints as to what they were working on. Ghosts had been scarce, nothing except ectopuses and blob ghosts. The GIW agents had been the complete opposite, they were at an all-time high. You couldn't go more than ten minutes without spotting a white van. He was glad he didn't need to save anyone from those agents, but he had a really bad feeling that something was going to happen. School was his only time away from the ghost hunters it felt like.

"Calm down, Danny. So, you have had a few good weeks, you've caught up on homework and Lancer isn't on your back nearly as much." Sam soothed as they took a seat outside in the courtyard for lunch. The hustle and bustle of students drowning out any chance of being overheard.

"Yea, dude even Dash has been picking on you less. Though that could be due to the championship coming up." Tucker added his mouth full of sloppy joe. The bully in question was across the court passing a football with his teammates, Paulina and her socialites sitting on the table watching them. Dash caught Danny's gaze and gave him a smirk dragging his finger across his neck.

"Don't remind me, I still remember last year when we lost. Dash was bully all nerds on sight that week." Danny grimaced as he ate. "But my parents have been really excited this week. Apparently, something big is coming." As if speaking it into the universe the Fenton GAV made its way barreling down the street, some white vans in tow.

"Spoke too soon, dude." Tucker whispered as they watched the GAV dodge and swerve to miss any pedestrians. The vehicle finally came to a stop on the grass with Drs. Fenton and the GIW rushing out to follow a gadget in Jack's hands.

"He's here somewhere, I just know it! Come out ghost scum!" Jack exclaimed barreling straight to Danny. The whole group of hunters stared at the young boy and his friends. "Aww. It didn't work, Maddie. It’s still stuck on Danny-boy." Now that they were closer Danny was able to see the Fenton Finder in his father's hands. It looked like it had been upgraded, it was bigger with handles on the sides and no voice stating where the ghost was. The screen showed simple faces on the screen next to the GPS. The current emoji was a shocked face as the map was pointing and beeping at him.

"That can't be possible, we tested it on other simple ghosts. The upgrade to the Fenton Finder was supposed to show and locate the emotions the ghosts project in order to fool and feed on the humans around them. Even that simple ghost with the boxes was able to show signs of disappointment as he failed to scare his victims." Maddie explained, grabbing the device. With it in hand she fiddled with the settings of the device, swapping it between ghosts till it landed back on the name Phantom. "We had tested this last week; Phantom's emotions reflected his actions time and time again in a hostile environment."

"Well, there's no ghost here, probably still has a few bugs, right?" Sam offered, trying to distract them and keep the focus off Danny. Danny's mind raced with the implications of what was happening. Of course, his parents would find out that ghosts tend to be more emotional than humans and would twist the fact to fit their biased theory that all ghosts were evil. It’s not like ghosts were moody on purpose, when your entire being is based on your mental state emotions tend to play an important part. Not only with obsessions but when interacting with each other, being able to read the emotions of the ghosts you interreacted with was as important as social cues and body language with humans.

Sure, you could go without them and function as fine as anyone else, but they were still a great help with communicating if you were good at understanding them. With this they'd be able to tune into any ghost no matter the distance and translate it into coordinates. Not even the ghost zone would be completely safe as they could probably filter through the other emotions using the ectosignature of a previously known ghost. Danny's breath started to pick up, he could feel himself spiraling as he started to think about what that would mean for him in the hands of the GIW. They would never stop looking for him, they would be able to find him anywhere in the country.

"Look Mads, the ghost kid has to be near the emotion changed again." Jack exclaimed, jumping with excitement.

"I see that Jack and it would make sense with the transition of shock to confusion to panic. Though he's nowhere to be seen, Agent O do you have confirmation that Phantom isn't in the area?" Maddie turned, addressing the agents that had been standing by waiting for orders.

"Affirmative, there are no spectral entities in the viscidity on any energy spectrum. Could it be possible that the spectral entity is hiding among the student body? You said yourself that your device is focused on your son and that it’s a common occurrence. Could the ghost have caught wind of your contract with our organization and tried to find out more by hiding amongst your family?" Agent O suggested, eyeing Danny closely, the color draining from his face.

"That's preposterous, our family has ways of protecting ourselves!" Jack boasted, his voice carrying across the schoolyard. "Besides Danny knows not to trust any stinking ghost scum."

"Jack, honey..." Maddie called, eyes glued to the screen. "The emotion just turned to scared." Danny felt like all eyes were on him, going straight through him to his core. It felt like no one was looking at Fenton anymore, no matter where he looked, they all stared at him like they saw a ghost; like they only saw Phantom. Danny even had to look at himself to make sure he was still human. No gloved hands and red sneakers, he was definitely human still. Danny looked at Tucker and Sam, his best friends, looked at him with matching expressions. They both looked as shocked as he felt; they all knew they couldn't do anything, not with the GIW and student body all around them.

With everyone's attention on him, he could only think of his sister who wasn't even at school. She was shadowing a therapist and had a college interview later that day. She probably wouldn't hear anything till late that night. It's not like they weren't prepared for it, for Danny to have to disappear without a trace or a goodbye. So long as they were unable to control the narrative, Danny would have to disappear. Danny knew they always thought it would be into the ghost zone, he had allies in there. People he knew would keep him hidden if anyone came looking; that Sam and Tucker would be able to sneak in if need be. They could still see him, bring him homework and food. This, however, meant goodbye and he didn't know for how long.

"Danny," his mom smiled at him with worry filled eyes. He searched them for something, anything that showed she wasn't about to drag him home and put the specter deflector on him just to make sure no ghost was using him as a meat puppet. Her arms reached out to him, as the GIW surrounded their table ready for action. "You have nothing to worry about, sweetie. We're just going to head home."

"Yea, Danny. We'll help ya out, run a few tests and make sure you don't have any evil spook haunting you." His dad tagged on, wrapping an arm around his wife's shoulder. Of course they'd want to fix this, to fix the ghost within him. One test would reveal the truth, and everyone would know his secret. Then it would be more tests, biopsies, trying to cure him of his powers. That was if they still loved him after learning the truth. The thoughts surrounding the lab became darker in his mind, nightmares he dared not to tell anyone becoming fresh in his mind.

"I'm sorry, mom. Dad. Goodbye." Danny disappearing from everyone's sight as he turned invisible and flew off towards his house. His parents’ cries fading into the distance, a mix of worry and anger as the ghost boy stole their son. Tears stung his eyes as he flew across the sky, Sam and Tucker would know what to do. They would stall for him, as long as they could. The road raced past him, he went through cars and buildings not bothering to fly high in the sky. The less time he wasted the better. As he floated into his room, he had to take a moment. The reality of it all crashing into him, he felt another wave of stress come over him.

Choking on sobs he fell to his bed, clinging to the sheets. He had to calm down, he didn't have time to cry or pity himself, his parents were probably still tracking him. Which meant the GIW were still following behind, his parents he could one day convince, could one day explain how it all happened. The GIW wouldn't stop though, so long as they were getting paid and had the government's support he would have to run. He ran to his closet wiping away snot as he phased his emergency supplies from the wall. Extra clothes, a burner phone, and couple hundred dollars thanks to Sam's allowance all stowed away in a backpack. An extra belt with a Fenton thermos, ghost rays, and a pair of Fenton phones for any specters along the way. Finally, five letters addressed to Sam, Tucker, Jazz, Valerie, and his parents.

Sam and Tucker didn't know about these, he didn't know if he would ever need them but knowing his friends would drop everything to follow him, he needed to make sure Amity would be safe. Sam and Tucker's letters were a warning to not follow him, to stay and protect Amity at all costs, even revealing him to Valerie to gain her help if necessary. He couldn't trust his parents or the GIW to not torture any ghost that came into their hands. For Jazz, it was a letter to not look for him and to keep an eye on his parents. If anything changed with his parents, she would be the first to know. He needed her to be the fly on the wall, to make sure he still had parents at the end of it all. If there was ever an end to the running, he thought another wave of sorrow hitting him.

He swallowed the hurt and pushed himself to keep grabbing what he needed. Valerie and his parents were the only letters not mentioning his secret. Valerie's was from Phantom explaining he would be gone, and he didn't know for how long. She would probably be thrilled at the thought of Phantom going away, but if she saw anything that had happened today, she might try and follow him too.  He knows she cares about Fenton and would probably want him safe but if anyone could protect Amity while he was gone it was her. If she needed any help handling the ghosts she could call the number provided. It went straight to Sam and Tucker's burner phone. Only one for the two of them in case either of them had to hide it for the other.

 For his parents, it simply stated that he was sorry and that could explain everything if they ever became open to the truth about ghosts. He did not explain what the truth was or how he would know that they were ready. That was for Jazz to tell him with a single message, she held the final burner phone the group of them had. They would be confused, not sure why phantom would kidnap their kid. Their hatred would grow much to his displeasure, but maybe one day they would give up on hate. They would find him and just ask why, and he could finally let them know the whole truth about him.

As Danny left the letter for his parents on the kitchen table he heard the stomping of feet, the whine of ecto-guns and slamming of doors as his father led the charge into the house. He was gone before they even reached his room. Leaving with what letters he had left to deliver and flying away as quickly as he could. He stopped at Tucker's house first, then Sam's, Valerie's and then flew as high as he could into the sky. He looked down at Amity Park, his home, his entire life, and afterlife.

It always looked so peaceful from up above the clouds, he watched the GAV ram its way through the city. It was good to know there was a slight delay on the GPS, the emotions were able to update in real time but could only follow his trail not his exact location. They had moved on from Tucker's neighborhood and onto Sam's. He took one final breath and tried to steel his nerves. If they were searching for him with emotion, then he would just have to have no emotion. He wouldn't be able to think of home, his friends, his family, or he would start to miss them, an emotion.

He couldn't think about how close the GIW were to him, or he'd become anxious, scared or even angry that they had forced him to flee. He had to stay calm and focused on running, to where he had no clue. If he headed west there was a chance of running into Vlad and he didn't need all the emotional baggage that would come with that. So that just left heading to the East coast and hopefully out of the country. He'd have to stop using his powers at some point to make sure he was untraceable.

"Goodbye, Amity. Hello worst road trip ever." he spoke softly flying off into the night.

- -      -

Hello! Author here, I hope you enjoyed the first chapter! It’s intended to be sort of a prologue and set up the rest of the story. This is a crossover, but I wanted to get some establishing chapters in focusing on Danny and why he is running. I am still very rusty when it comes to writing so feel free to recommend any fixes and critiques. Let me know if I miss any typos!

The goal is to try and update weekly on Fridays or Sundays, so if I don’t post on Friday that probably means it will go up the following Sunday. Thank you to those coming over from Tumblr, loved the hype for another Dannymay fanfic! I’ll be trying to get more stuff posted there!

Let me know what you think through the comments, even if it’s just a simple one word so I can know you’re enjoying the story! See you next week, byee!

Master post - Chapter 1 Prev. <<< Next >>>

[callahanisms]

ghostface! art donaldson. but also what about ghostface! tashi duncan?

tashi duncan, who's your number one fan. who knows what's best for you. who is always by your side as you go through another turbulent and public breakup.

she's your costar, your rock. you guys came up together. you guys starred in a disney channel sitcom. since then, you've been each other's most valiant supporters. you wouldn't be without tashi duncan.

you guys are frequent collaborators. you got to be a supporting actor in her directorial debut. and she's taken a back seat from acting. the cameras are "too invasive" as she puts it.

tashi knows you're popular. so popular. you've dealt with one too many stalker cases. that's okay. because tashi will take care of you. she'll make sure no one hurts you again.

a little blood never hurt anyone. and she's flawless when doing it too. never leaves a trace. cleans up well. creates whole narratives for why these people disappeared. she goes full joe goldberg when she has the time. note the when.

you're blissfully unaware of the mess, of the way tashi's hands are stained with blood. that's okay. she likes to keep you in the dark, content and mentally well. you look so cute all cuddled up in her bed after an exhausting afterparty at the critics choice awards.

and then you started seeing someone. he's a producer. he's not that significant. this is his first big project, working with you and tashi duncan. but she can't help the way jealousy flares up in her body seeing you two together. he was so in love with you that it was disgusting.

tashi always butted heads with him. it created a hostile environment on set. but she was smart. she played it cool, while your boyfriend took the bait and would react. and soon enough, he was kicked off the project.

your boyfriend noticed the way you and tashi were close. unbearably so. it felt like there was three people in the relationship and he was third wheeling. he overheard the way tashi called you "babe" and "baby," the way she caresses your face, how her touch lingers on you a little longer, how you always wear the perfumes/colognes she picked out for you. you were her little doll and he was having none of it.

which is why she had to get rid of him.

it was a spur of the moment decision. she lost her cool. and messily cleaned everything up, even staging a terribly dry break up text.

you came running into her arms the next day. and she holds you, soothing you as she orders uber eats and opens netflix. "it's okay baby. he didn't deserve you anyways."

"why does this always happen to me?"

"because they don't see your value. they don't see you like i do. and they will never appreciate you or care for you like i do."

[sweetbottletops]

Who allowed them to grow up?! Now they're going to have to deal with what? Communication issues AND bills?

Go on, go on, just walk away Go on, go on, your choice is made Go on, go on, and disappear Go on, go on away from here... The Cure - In Between Days

ch 107

When serious work needs to be done in the shop the significant others get invited. Not sure if Joe knows something is up, but it's nice to see Aya-chan is automatically included along with Kanna. It's going to take a village at this rate.

So this has been stressing Mitsuki out too, huh. Is that going to be about their relationship, Prom, Hime's house invite? The list is growing.

"Ah...for now, I guess I'll just help out at the store. Why?"

So at that point she wasn't hatching her own plan to invite Aya after all? Maybe she didn't know about Prom at this point.

It is nice to see Hime-chan was being really official with her invitation. Business card and everything. And it's actually nice her dad is just inviting her to a curated event instead of like corning her himself. She can network on her own timeline perhaps.

If Mitsuki had green eyed interest at the time....

...Aya is absolutely irradiated.

It doesn't seem like Aya had overheard all the details about the hallway invitation back then. Just that she didn't get to Mitsuki first for the 25th. I don't think she'd be this good at faking surprise.

Meanwhile Kanna has been quietly starring in her own romcom this whole time. Agu, please write them an omake when everything is is said and done.

It's interesting that Mitsuki is the one who brings up Prom and acting upset to miss it. Maybe you should have asked her to Prom yourself, silly.

I wonder if she's already decided Aya's the one so she skipped a few mental steps (that Aya needs) to make that clear they are a forever pair. Even if Aya backed out of asking there was no reason Mitsuki couldn't have just asked herself.

Joe recognized Aloud Records immediately. Must be big time then.

"But, it's on the 25th..." OMG MITSUKI. Did she really think it went without saying that they'd just be going to Prom? Without ever asking Aya?

"Who cares?! What Prom." Yup. Aya has killed her emotions dead already.

She is not going to do anything to impose on Mitsuki. She was really close to it last chapter, but from her POV she already missed her last chance. Now she's just going to be a cheerful supporter. Nobody can take being her first fan away from her. And good fans don't get in the way of the rise of their oshi.

Liar. She spared no thought to her family when she saw that Prom poster. She's going to go home that night and have a private meltdown. It's in her schedule at this point.

Look at Aya go! Best fan anyone could ever want. Not over compensating at all. Everything is FINE. Just like with their failed game of catch.

Dang, they are looking older in the face now.

"I guess this means we made up..." - Mitsuki Koga

No, it means she's given up on her romantic feelings in order to at least have this much.

And spare a thought for Narita. He'll possibly fail his tests because he spent his time setting up a Prom for these two idiots. Neither of which will be attending as it stands now. A true Olympian of yuri enjoyers.

Since I missed their faces and need the pick-me-up here's some Joe/Kanna (Joanna? JoKa?). At least things seem to be turning around for Joe a bit.

[joeys-babe]

Joey B Imagines: She’s Electric

————————————————————————-

Summary: Tee’s nosiness comes in handy.

(Part three to - part 1, part 2)

Warnings: None

Pairing: Joe Burrow x *athletic trainer* reader

Imagine Universe: Misc.

————————————————————————-

September 12, 2022 - *Continuation of last part*

“They were talking about me?” - Joe

“Yeah…” - Tee

Tee looked around before sitting down at the table and leaning in close.

“Well? What were they saying?” - Joe

“Joe… did you guys hook up?” - Tee

“Yeah…” - Joe

“Oh. Okay, that makes more sense, but Nick asked her if she'd told you yet. I don't know what, but she was supposed to tell you something. She said no and that after you guys hooked up, she panicked. Told you that it was just a one-night stand.” - Tee

All at once, all of the guys looked at me with the same look on their faces.

“That means she wanted more then.” - Joe

“Seems like it, but I think you might've lost your chance.” - Tee

“Why'd you say that?” - Sam

“She put her two weeks in. She told Nick this was the last team she was working for. And get this… the only player she slept with was the guy from the Niners. The ones from other teams were all made-up rumors, which is why she kept leaving teams.” - Tee

“How'd that come up?” - Sam

“That's why she freaked out and didn't tell Joe she liked him. y/n told Nick that she didn't want him to have to be connected to her name.” - Tee

Without saying a word, I jumped up from the table and started toward the trainer’s offices.

I barged into y/n’s office to find only Nick.

“Where is she?!” - Joe

“Who? y/n-.” - Nick

“Yes, y/n. Where is she?” - Joe

“She left… why?” - Nick

“I need to tell her.” - Joe

Nick cocked his head to the side, a confused look on his face.

“Tell her what?” - Nick

“That I want her. All of her. I don't care about the rumors that are connected to her name. Tee overheard your conversation, and I can't let her get away without her knowing how I seriously feel.” - Joe

I noticed a small smile forming on Nick’s face as I spoke, and he nodded when I was done.

“Tell me how you ‘seriously feel’, son.” - Nick

“Her smile, man, it's like a burst of sunshine that can light up even the gloomiest of days. Every time she walks into a room, my heart starts racing like crazy, and I can't help but get lost in her presence. She's got this amazing sense of humor that always has me cracking up, and her laugh is so infectious. She's not just a pretty face - she's super smart and talented too. I could spend hours talking to her about anything and everything. I just… she's electric.” - Joe

Cutting my answer short when I realized I was ranting, Nick chuckled and leaned back in his chair.

“What if I told you that you just did?” - Nick

“Did what…” - Joe

“You told y/n how you seriously feel.” - Nick

Confusion was the only word to describe how I was feeling. My expression matched Nick’s earlier one.

“Turn around, Joe.” - Nick

My stomach dropped, and I slowly turned on my heels to see y/n standing behind me in the doorway. She was slightly jaw-dropped.

“I forgot my water bottle�� had to come and grab it. Did you mean… everything?” - you

“Yes.” - Joe

After letting out a breath I didn't know I was holding in, Nick patted me on the back and left the room.

He shut the door behind him, and I looked down to my feet.

“Joe, I'm really scared.” - you

“About what?” - Joe searched your eyes with his own

“How I feel about you. I've never felt it about someone before. It's just that we've only known each other for a month, and there's so much you don't know about me. The rumors too, being with an NFL player after my ‘history’ is a bad look for me and my job.” - you

“We can get to know each other more before anything serious happens, but just know that I seriously care about you. I don't give a shit about the rumors because they're not true and don't define you. Also, you're crazy if you think I'm going to let your job get affected because of me.” - Joe

“So… what now?” - you

As our eyes met, a wave of emotions washed over us. The air crackled with anticipation, and time seemed to stand still.

With trembling voices, we confessed our feelings, poured our hearts out to each other, and said every word we'd been thinking since that one night. At once, all doubts and fears faded away, replaced by an overwhelming sense of joy and connection.

We took each other's hands, knowing that this was the start of something incredible.

At that moment, everything felt charged with an indescribable energy.

And so, hand in hand, we stepped into a future filled with endless possibilities, knowing that our love would always be electric, igniting our hearts with a love that would never fade.

————————————————————————-

A/N: Everlasting Love is defrosting.

Hope you enjoyed! 💕💕

[ctrl-alt-em]

I have a lot of Thoughts about Delacy.

On detail that stood out to me was that Delacy doesn’t have a proper holster for his gun Rooster. This whole time I pictured him having a simple but nice holster that stood out from the straw hat and worn overalls, something that showed he spent what little money he had on his gun or that he got it someone in his home life like his father. But no, it’s homemade from scrapes of leather. Delacy left home with only the clothes on his back, his gun, three crumbled dollars, and a holster he made himself and then got on a train for the first time in his life while not even knowing if he needed a ticket to ride. Delacy ran away.

And after it all and he got his $2000, his home life and parents weren’t something he was in a rush to get back to. The idea of the group going their separate ways was upsetting to him. While he would like his parents to know if he died, he didn’t leave home with the intention of earning money to provide for his family and then returning home. (I would like to note, despite having parents, Delacy doesn’t use a last name. He’s only ever just Delacy, whereas all the other members of the posse have full names.)

While he doesn’t want to go home to his biological family, Delacy still wants a family and to be cared for. He found that with the posse. In the first episode, Delacy intimidated the saloon owner into giving him a bottle of whiskey, which he then found out tasted awful. In multiple instances after that, he requested whiskey or implied he drank it. But when the group was at the saloon after the bounties were done, he doesn’t force himself to drink whiskey because he thinks it’s gross and feels like he can acknowledge it aloud. During their adventure at the World’s Fair, Delacy felt safe enough to act his age with Edie. He’s excited to meet his hero. He takes Edie’s word seriously at the hall of oddities and assumes she has all the answers. It didn’t occur to him that she might not have all the answers to his questions. In their forced duel, trigger-happy Delacy refused to harm Nate and instead of pulling his gun, he sat down like a kid. He trust that the real Nate wouldn’t hurt him and they’d only known each for, what? A week? At Dead Man’s Worth, Garnet didn’t think Delacy was the kid of kid you could hug, but after the duel Nate picks him up into a hug. When Delacy first met the others, he’s putting on a forced act, pretending to be what he thinks an adult is (or acting how an adult in his life actually is, a heavy drinker that solves problems with aggression perhaps), but by the end, he feels safe enough around them and shows much more of his true personality and age.

While he is a bit of a cold killer and hasn’t fully developed an understanding of death yet, he still believes in honesty (see threatening a sideshow barker about the hand), justice in a way (people shouldn’t be lied to in any way and the hand should be buried with its proper owner) and is rather genuine when he feels like he can be. He was starstruck meeting Billy Joe and delighted to just catch a glimpse of Buckthorn the horse. He likes cotton candy and a gun tricks. He liked that Billy Joe liked cotton candy too (at least as far as he overheard). He didn’t even hesitate signing a contract when Billie Joe asked and only changed his mind when Edie reminded him of Nate. He takes what everyone he trusts says at face value (to the point of being ready to shoot someone due to a metaphor).

Delacy is young, naive, a bit dense, and ready to shoot, but he is, at his core, a good kid who just needed adults in his life that will encourage him to find less violent solutions and to act on his kindness in productive ways. Garnet and Nate have helped him learning more about interacting with people. Edie acknowledges his young age but still takes him seriously and trusts him and in the end, she offers him a way to use his shooting skills to help people. She takes him as her monster-hunting apprentice. Even Silas, who barely interacted with Delacy, grew to like the kid enough he would acknowledge Humble Ned (a devious, spindly legged beast, no matter how humble he is) as good people for Delacy’s sake.

Delacy might have left the farm with the help-wanted ad seeking adventure and fortune, but I think he found something he needed a lot more.

[clarabowmp3]

I am not particularly on that anons side but I have to agree that Joe has no right to call what Travis does on his gfs tour as 'tacky and distasteful'.

To me, that is low and makes him look bitter and pathetic which is what a certain segment of the Swift fandom disliked about him. His comments were embarrassing, I'm sorry.

Joe was already excluded from the narrative and as you rightfully point out: the focus shifted to Matty so who cares what Taylor or Travis do? And its certainly none of his business. Besides, she's a global popstar putting on a show. Also, if he really thought he had privacy in a public changing room, he's much dumber than I thought.

I mean can we not give the man a break? Must he do his utmost best to keep conversations he has in public secret? Let’s say he was overheard while chatting with a friend at a cafe. Or maybe on a bus. Or maybe at a theatre. Would you say that it’s his fault for not whispering? Maybe he should learn sign language or Morse code. Because even then what if someone hears him whispering, or someone knows sign language etc etc like at which point do we say that he has taken sufficient precautions to ensure privacy? Can we not let him live his life fairly normally 😭😭😭

And I’m sorry but I rlly don’t like your last statement, it sounds a lot like victim-blaming. I think it would be too far-fetched to suggest that he wanted to be overheard on purpose (I’m sure he’s well aware this would not help his case), so why are you blaming him from something that was out of his control? It could also be that he has had similar conversations in similar settings that didn’t get overheard, or no one cared about it, so he probably wasn’t expecting this. Think about if it was taylor instead of him. Would ppl be calling her dumb or would they be clamouring about how privacy is dead etc?

I agree that a public changing room isn’t the most private place, but I feel like a lot of us overhear snippets of other people’s conversations over the day and we just forget about it. Granted, Joe isn’t just a random guy on the street so I get why there’s more interest in what he said but he still did nothing wrong.

my main point is anyone can do anything. literally. Even joe alwyn. For example (this is a topic for another day) taylor swift can release as many ttpd variants whenever she wants. She can rip matty to shreds across a 31-song album. Even before ttpd she wrote whatever she wanted about her exes. And that’s fine (mostly)!

Even if it wasn’t joes business (which it is as a recent ex), taylor/swifties have pretty much made it everyone’s business by how much they keep playing up and encouraging the public spectacle that their relationship has become. Think of it this way - some ppl find their displays adorable, some find it repulsive. Are you going to tell them to back off and that it’s not their business? Why is it the whole world’s business except Joe alwyn (are we putting him in timeout or smth 😭😭)? Taylor can do whatever she wants with Travis, Joe is allowed to feel however he wants about it. Taylor is also allowed to feel however she wants about Joe’s next partner etc.

Like I said in another ask, even though public attention has shifted to Matty, Joe is still a guy getting over a 6-year long relationship + the hate that has been piled on him by swifties + whatever hurt he must have felt from ttpd (if he did listen to it). I don’t think it’s fair to dictate up to which point and to which extent he can feel emotionally occupied with taylor.

Is he not allowed to talk about what he’s going through with a friend? In that same conversation he (allegedly) said “it’s been tough” which I don’t think makes sense if he was being bitter about Taylor. Bitter people want to seem like they have the upper hand and that they’re unaffected, so why would he say smth as vulnerable as that? please explain the leap from joes comments to him being bitter.

[next-autopsy]

A/N: Well, hi there! This one’s got a couple surprises about Birdie’s family. You’ll be learning more and more about them as the story goes on, so stay tuned folks!

Based on the actors portrayal/hbo show and written with no disrespect to the real life veterans. Also all images found on Pinterest.

TW: Swearing, mentions of assault (kinda) ..... I'm pretty sure that's it

Made of Glass

Chapter eleven: James, Tommy and Jr

“Yeah, I was there.” 

“What the hell! Why didn't you say anything?” 

“Cause Coldwell would probably try cut my tongue out or some shit.” Liebgott justified, “She's got this insane fixation on 'proving herself' in case you haven't noticed.” His matter-of-fact tone was starting to piss Johnny off. 

Martin had come back to his barracks and questioned Toye and Guarnere quietly to see if Birdie had shared any information with them. Some of the other guys had overheard and suddenly it was a group discussion. Pretty quickly Johnny caught on that Liebgott could only have the surprising number of details he did, if he was a witness to Birdies verbal assault, so his inquiry turned to Lieb's direction. 

“That's.... a good point, yeah. But you still should've told someone.” Guarnere spoke up, reluctantly admitting that: yes the girl most likely would have had a problem with someone stepping in and defending her honour, especially if it was Joseph Liebgott. That didn't mean he liked the outcome of the situation. 

“Why? It ain't my fuckin' business.” Liebgott glowered, his jaw clenched and his eyebrows knitted together. Joe wasn't the only guy there so why was he being called out so hard?  

Besides, he and Birdie didn't even like each other. He recalled trying to extend an olive branch and check on her wellbeing that day, but she snapped at him and basically spat in his face. The exact words running through his mind were 'Fuck off, Liebgott.' 

“She's Easy.” The words drew an instant hush over the room, Johnny continued, “One of us, and we look out for our own.” 

That seemed to shut Joe up, the gnawing feeling of regret landed in his stomach. Instead of showing the emotion he just huffed and rolled his eyes, brushing off the unsettled feeling and returned to his cot, muttering 'Yeah, whatever.' 

Joe had heard Colonel Sink would have an open-door policy the next day for anyone with information and found himself considering dropping in to share the scene he had found Bernadette in those weeks ago. 

Maybe it would help catch the guys, but Joe didn't really care about that.  

This was a way for him to rectify his ill conscience, his inner monologue that had screamed at him to throw punches at the woman's would be attackers. It had burned with anger when he was notified about the hospitalisation and had been constantly reminding him that he could've said something and avoided this whole thing. 

And that's all he was concerned about. Clearing his mind. Easing his own conscience. That's it. Nothing else . 

Joe had spent the majority of the night pondering his options. He went over what happened in his mind multiple times and was certain he could name the four men and describe their looks in heavy detail. The event had playing in his mind quite a few times since it happened, he was sure he remembered their faces.

When the sun rose and the trumpet blew, Joseph was up, changed and out of the barracks in record time. 

His visit to Sink's office wasn't as daunting as he imagined it would be and the whole thing was over within five minutes. He had thought he might miss breakfast but to his surprise he arrived on time to join the mess hall queue. 

Easy company had some light exercises that morning and rejoiced when the cloudy weather earned them an afternoon inside the lecture hall. 

On her way to lunch, alongside Martin and Bull, Birdie was vibrating with excitement, Javi had let it slip to her that Easy would be treated to red sauce pasta as their midday meal, something Birdie hadn't had since before Toccoa. 

“Well, I prefer white sauce... like a creamy carbonara.” Martin told the girl who was bouncing on her heels as they walked. 

Before Bernadette could speak her witty retort, she was tackled by an unknown third party, letting out an 'oof' as her body hit the grass beneath her. 

Both Johnny and Bull leapt into action, going into a defensive stance and pulled the assailant off of the southern lady, simultaneously calling out 'Hey! Get off her!' and 'The fuck?' 

The brunette stranger being dragged off of the Easy company woman protested, as did Birdie, which fundamentally baffled her two protectors. 

A few men passing by stopped to watch the scene unfold, Toye and Guarnere jogged over to offer assistance and check on the lady. 

“Who the fuck-” Martin started, glaring at the stranger who had just knocked Birdie flat on her ass. 

“It's okay. Johnny, really.” She told him, smiling. Martin frowned at her in return. It wasn't okay, why was she smiling? 

“He's just attacked you!” 

“Attacked?!” The man yelled incredulously, attempting to pull away from the tight grip they had on his arms. 

“No,” She couldn't hold back her laugh, “No, he didn't. I know him. It's okay.” 

Johnny took in the younger man's appearance and noticed the olive-green uniform with the 82nd's red AA patch on his shoulder. This only confused him further, but he and Bull backed away from the guy regardless. 

Bernadette stepped towards him instantly and wrapped him in a bone crushing hug, which he returned with just as much passion. The four Easy men stood by and watched, trying to piece together what was happening, not one of them could come up with some sort of explanation. 

“I thought it was you, Birdie.” The 82nd trooper spoke into the crook of her neck; it muffled his voice but everyone present had heard his comment clearly and the emotion his words held. 

“What?” Even though she knew what had been said, she was disbelieving, like she needed him to say it again to really understand what he meant. 

“We heard about the hospitalisation.... I thought.... I thought it was you.” The pure hurt was evident in his voice and Martin was sure if he could see the man's face it would be covered in a heartbreaking look. 

“It wasn't.” She soothed him, their embrace growing longer by the second. Her hands had come up to hold his neck so she could pull her body away and look him in the eyes. “I'm okay.” Her words were solemn, the eye contact seem tender and the four men witnessing this touching occasion began to feel uncomfortable, as if they were intruding on an intimate moment. 

Guarnere cleared his throat, reminding the two cuddling soldiers they were in others company. It worked as the two loosened their grips on each other and backed up, but only by one step and neither let their arms drop from the other. 

An awkward pause ensued, each person sharing looks with a member of the group that was stopped in the middle of a grassy field. 

“Oh! Right.” Birdie broke the tension, “Guys... This is James. James.... The guys.” She pointed to each one of the men and individually introduced them to this James fellow, they each gave a nod as their name was spoken. 

“And that's Chlamydia.” Bill groaned, the shit eating grin on her face was mimicked by James and that's when it clicked for Johnny. They had the exact same hair colour, eerily similar eyes and the dimples that popped on their cheeks were identical. They had to be related. 

“James is my brother.” His suspicions were confirmed when Birdie spoke up once more. The boy/girl versions of each other shared a conniving look. 

“Chlamydia? Do I wanna know?” He asked, grinning at her. 

“If you ask real nice, he'll show you.” She winked at Bill, the grin switched from her brother's face to hers and his was replaced with a grimace. 

Bill sighed, exasperated, but knew there was nothing he could do to quell the woman's jokes. 

“Why didn't you tell us you got a brother in the 82nd?” Toye questioned, genuinely shocked he wasn't made aware of James' existence earlier. 

“You didn't tell them about me? I thought I was your favourite brother.” James feigned offence, playfully bumping the girl on her shoulder with a closed fist. 

“Favourite? How many brothers do you have?” Bull caught the implication and his curiosity about the mysterious girl got to him. 

“Three.” Bernadette spoke plainly, like it was trivial, shrugging her shoulders at the looks she received from her closest friends. Bill and Joe both dropped their jaws, this was new information for them and frankly they were a little shocked that she had never brought up her family before now. Especially considering one of her siblings was at Camp Toccoa. 

“Three? What the hell Birdie?” Bill reeled. 

“Are they all hiding somewhere round Toccoa?” Toye added. 

“Nah, just this one. Can't seem to get rid of him.” The siblings shared a look that held many unspoken words and emotions. There was more going on than they would admit, and Johnny was beyond intrigued as he observed the two. 

“Like you could.” It was thrown out like a bandage, aiming to soothe his sister. Johnny definitely picked up on some hidden meaning only the two siblings could decipher. 

“You twins or something?” Bull prodded; he couldn't shake the notion that these two standing in front of him were almost the same person. 

“Just about.” James began the sentence, 

“There's ten months ‘tween us.” And Birdie finished it. 

“And I'm older.” James had announced proudly, all the while Birdie mouthed the words she knew he was going to say with her eyes rolled like this was a repeated exchange. 

All four Easy company men felt chills, weirded out by the nearly twins ability to complete each other's thoughts. 

“Lunch will start without us.” Johnny prompted, looking at his watch. James turned to his sister with a concerned smile on his face, 

“I'll find you later, okay?” She answered him with a nod and hugged him once more before they parted and Birdie continued on to the mess hall, four men trailing behind her. 

“So where are the other two?” The group of five had sat at their vacant table and begun wolfing down the spaghetti when Johnny posed the question. 

“Other two?” She was playing dumb and both her and Johnny knew it. What was she hiding about her family? 

“Brothers.” 

“Oh. Well... Tommy's only ten, so he's back home in Mississippi.” She was avoiding and part of Johnny thought maybe he should leave it alone. 

“And the other one? He got a name?” Toye forced his way into their conversation, the whole table had been listening in, except Bill who was guarding his plate of food like a wild dog. 

“Victor... but we called him Junior. He was named after my Pa.” Birdie's voice was soft and quiet; Johnny had an inkling about her older brother's fate, so he stopped pushing her to talk about it. Toye was yet to pick up on the trajectory of the discussion and asked her more, 

“He older than you?” She hummed her affirmative reply, not really interested in continuing the idle chatter. Bernadette wished for a way to end the unavoidable questions about her familial relations and the answer to her predicament slammed open the mess hall door and stomped inside. 

Sobel yelled and the entire room jumped to their feet, leaving their unfinished plates of pasta on the table. 

“Orders changed. Get up! Lectures are cancelled. Easy company is running up Currahee. Move!” 

A/N: Ah so, Birdies mysterious family is slowly revealing itself, what do you think is up with her oldest brother: Victor Junior?

The next chapter might be a couple of days just fyi.

Love y’all xx

~ next-autopsy ~

Chapter twelve

[gvzelarchiveeee]

*   ayça   ayşin   turan    .    cis   woman    .    she/her    .    /    that’s    dila   öztekin    walking    into    cup   o'   joes     -    you    know    ,    the     32    year    old   divorce   attorney    known    for     getting   an   award    in 2022 for best lawyer  in   town   ?     having    lived    here    for    seventeen   years    ,    their    neighbors    know    them    to    be   hardworking     &   motivated     ,    but    their stubborn    &   very   outspoken     tendencies    shine    through    when    there    are    no    buses    in    the    city    .   － penned by dee. she/her. 26. gmt+1.

📎 : interactions , pinterest , wanted connections

hello   hello-iessss,   dee   here   !   &   i’m   super   excited   to   write   and   plot   with   you   all !   i   reaaally   love   brainstorming   and   coming   up   with   new   ideas.   probably   will   annoy   you   a   loooot   with   musing   posts   24/7   lmao   so   please   never   hesitate   to   message   me   for   plotting.   ( also   never   hesitate   to   ask   me   for   plotting   on   discord   too ! )   ♡   i   should   probably   also   mention   that   english   isn’t   my   first   language   so   please   forgive   me   if   i   make   any   grammar/spelling   mistakes !

⚠️   trigger   warning!   this   bio   contains   subjects   such   as:   cheating,   mention   of   bullies,   pregnancy,   fear   of   commitment

*   =   means   wanted   connection   !

BIOGRAPHY :

NAME  :  dila  öztekin

MEANING  OF  NAME  :  dila  means  ‘heartfelt',  öztekin  means  ‘someone  unique’

NICKNAME(S)  :  di,  didi

DATE  OF  BIRTH  :  january  25  1991  (32)

PLACE  OF  BIRTH  :  istanbul  ,  turkey

PARENTS  :  bingül  güçlü  (  mother  ),  latif  öztekin  (  father  )

SIBLINGS  :  2  younger  siblings ˒  ﹏  öztekin  (30)  *  open ˒  ﹏  öztekin  (30)  *  open ˒  ﹏  öztekin  (30-32)  half  sibling  *  open  -  her  younger  siblings  don’t  know  about  their  half  sibling  just  yet,  dila  nor  their  mom  ever  told  them. (  siblings  fc  suggestions:  ilayda  alişan,  idris  nebi  taşkan,  cemre  baysel,  gülderen  güler,  half  sibling  fc  suggestions:  ipek  filiz  yazıcı,  afra  saraçoğlu,  neslihan  atagül,  deniz  can  aktaş,  emre  bey,  melisa  asli  pamuk,  özge  ozacar,  melisa  döngel,  hande  erçel,  bensu  soral,  rami  narin  /  any  fitting  fc  for  her  siblings  wc  is  fine !  )

LANGUAGES  :  turkish  &  english

OCCUPATION  :  divorce  attorney  @  güçlü  law  firm.  (güçlü  means  ‘strong’)

RELATIONSHIP  STATUS  :  complicated* (  +  )  positive  traits  :  hardworking,  motivated,  empathetic (  -  )  negative  traits  :  stubborn,  moody,  impatient,  very  outspoken

AGE 2 － 10 :

dila   was   2   when   her   twin-siblings   were   born.   she   had   a   hard   time   sharing   her   parents.

as   dila   got   older,   she   took   on   more   responsibility   for   her   siblings,   especially   during   her   parents'   arguments,   often   comforting   and   distracting   them   during   difficult   moments.

she   turned   eight   and   her   father   didn’t   show   up   to   her   birthday   party.   she   had   waited   and   refused   to   blow   the   candles   on   her   birthday   cake   until   he’d   show   up.   but   he   didn’t.   later   that   night,   when   her   mother   had   tucked   her   three   kids   in   bed,   she   overheard   her   father’s   voice   from   downstairs.   she   made   her   way   out   her   room   and   sat   on   the   stairs   as   she   listened   to   their   argument.   she   heard   it   all.   her   father   had   cheated   on   her   mother   and   he   had   another   child   with   another   woman.   happy   birthday,   dila.

after   overhearing   her   parents'   conversation,   di   assumed   an   even   more   significant   role   in   caring   for   her   siblings,   as   her   mother   distanced   herself   to   not   show   her   kids   how   upset   or   heartbroken   she   was.

AGE   11   －   20  :

her   mother's   law   firm   (which   was   a   law   firm   that   established   by   her   grandfather)   is   one   of   turkey's   best   law   firms,   but   her   mother   had   gotten   an   amazing   offer   to   grow   her   law   firm   even   more   and   she   took   the   opportunity.   so   the   four   of   them   moved   to   lakeview   when   dila   had   turned   just   15   and   the   twins   were   12   by   then.

dila's   high   school   experience   was   more   positive   than   she   had   expected,   with   amazing   grades   and   a   bunch   of   friends.

she   had   a   few   boyfriends   through   the   years   but   as   soon   as   the   subject   of   ‘future’   popped   up,   or   ‘meeting   parents’   she   usually   always   had   an   excuse   to   excuse   herself.   or   she’d   just   immediately   change   the   subject.   or   was   just   straight   up   honest   with   them   and   mention   that   she   didn’t   saw   a   future   with   them   just   yet   or   maybe   never   would.   it   was   painful,   but   the   cold   hard   truth,   right?

however,   at   the   age   of   twenty,   she   met   a   guy,   and   they   started   dating.   they   seemed   to   share   similar   interests,   which   made   dila   feel   more   comfortable   around   him.   they   went   out   at   night,   laughed   at   each   other's   jokes,   even   if   they   were   really   bad.   the   topic   of   'their   future'   didn't   really   come   up   in   their   conversations   until   she   turned   twenty-two,   and   he   asked   her   to   move   in   with   him.   she   was   a   bit   hesitant   about   the   idea.   but   on   the   other   hand,   she   liked   the   thought   of   gaining   a   bit   more   independence   without   her   mother   constantly   telling   her   what   to   do.   so,   she   agreed   to   move   in,   and   a   year   later,   she   graduated.

AGE   21   －   32  :

after   graduating   she   had   a   few   different   jobs;   tba.   until   she   started   working   at   her   mother's   law   firm.

at   the   age   of   twenty-four,   dila   began   working   at   her   mother's   law   firm.   however,   she   started   in   a   non-lawyer   role   because   she   lacked   experience.   she   just   did   some   paperwork   and   administrative   tasks   for   her   mother   until   she   gained   enough   experience   to   work   as   a   divorce   attorney.

everything   appeared   to   be   going   well   until   a   month   or   two   ago   when   dila   and   her   boyfriend   decided   to   part   ways.   things   weren't   really   working   out   as   they   did   before;   they   were   arguing   a   lot.   plus,   the   fact   that   dila   is   way   too   scared   of   'official'   commitment,   like,   getting   married,   added   to   the   strain.   dila   was   just   overwhelmed   with   her   emotions,   especially   because   she   had   many   cases   involving   divorces,   which   naturally   made   her   reflect   a   lot.   his   proposal   in   that   very   moment   to   her   didn't   make   the   situation   any   easier   for   her.   but   what   will   make   this   separation   between   the   two   even   more   difficult   is   the   fact   that   she   recently   found   out   she's   pregnant.

RANDOM FACTS  :

she’s �� very   outspoken   and   always   stands   with   her   own   argument   (never   get   into   an   argument   with   her   ksdjhfks)

when   she   was   in   high   school,   one   of   her   classmates   got   bullied   and   she   was   the   one   to   always   stand   up   for   her   classmate   and   they   have   been   best   friends   ever   since.*   most   people   from   their   school   would   be   scared   to   be   on   bad   terms   with   her   because   she   usually   always   had   something   to   say

she’s   really   hardworking,   she   probably   also   has   a   home   office.   if   she   isn’t   at   her   office   @   the   law   firm   she’s   probably   working   at   her   home   office.   even   if   it’s   2am

she   has   never   mentioned   to   her   siblings   that   they   have   another   sibling   out   there

LIKES / DISLIKES  :

likes:   taking   long   walks   in   the   park   /   wine   /   milkshakes   /   coffee   /   crime   tv   shows   or   movies   /   reading   books   /   sitting   on   her   balcony   and   watching   the   stars   for   hours   /   satin   dresses   /   fresh   flowers   on   her   desk   /   large   windows   /   big   cities   /   photography   /   being   creative   (usually   goes   to   random   workshops   in   her   free   time   to   take   her   mind   off)   /   organising   her   pantry   or   her   files

dislikes:   people   who   usually   lie,   even   if   it’s   white   lies   /   loud   and   noisy   people   /   snoring   /   chocolate   /   neon   colours   /   someone   speaking   for   her   /   weddings   /   romcoms   /   tea   /   when   someone   tells   her   what   to   do   /   when   someone   tries   to   convince   her   /   when   someone   tries   to   confront   her

if   you’re   interested   in   plotting   with   me,   hit   the   ♡   button   and   i’ll   come   and   bother   you!   or   you   can   always   send   me   a   message,   too.   i   also   am on   discord   so   if   you   feel   like   plotting   on   there   we   totally   can!

[thetrickster-blr-blog]

What If............................... The Joker Reformed? 

This is an Elseworld's idea I recently had after rereading "The Killing Joke". I'd always wondered what would've happened if The Joker did take up Batman's offer at the end of the story, and I eventually came up with a story in which Joker does agree to let Batman rehabilitate him. At first, Joker just spent the first few months in Arkham Asylum actually complying with the doctors and guards. But he eventually does escape, terrified of change and just wanting to do his old dance with Batman. Realizing he needs to keep a closer eye on him in order to make sure this does work, Batman secretly has Joker moved into Wayne Manor, confining him to a single room and forcing him to stick to a specific schedule. If he even deviates once from taking his medication, he's going right back to Arkham. Alfred hates this idea, but sticks by Bruce's side out of loyalty. When Barbara and Dick eventually hear about this, they initially think that Bruce has lost his mind and that Joker must be playing him. But Bruce does manage to at least talk them into leaving him alone. After a year goes by with no intrusions or deviations, Joker is allowed access to certain parts of the manor, such as the dining hall and living room. Alfred is always there to make sure nothing happens, watching Joker like a hawk and flinching at the most minor actions. Alfred utterly despises Joker, as aside from Joe Chill, he is the primary cause of Batman's suffering. He killed Jason Todd, crippled Barbara Gordon, and has dogged Batman to the ends of the earth in order to forever play his maniacal game of cat & mouse with him. However, Joker is 100% serious about reforming and just wants to be allowed to show that he can change. One night while Batman was out chasing after The Riddler, Riddler ended up getting the jump on Batman and knocked him unconscious, trapping him inside of a 100 acre mirror maze littered with dozens of laser beams that fire randomly every 20 seconds. What Alfred and the others were unaware of was that Joker knows Batman is Bruce Wayne, he just never cared. When Bruce radioed for Alfred to send in Nightwing, Joker overheard and snuck into the Batcave ahead of everyone. He then stole the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh costume, hotwired the Bat-cycle, and sped away. While Batman was running through the maze and dodging lasers, he ended up getting burned on his left arm and was trapped at a dead end. Before the lasers could finish him off, Joker came crashing through one of the mirrors and destroyed the laser beam with an explosive Batarang. He then tended to Batman's wound before grappling them up to Riddler's control room. The two then defeated the Riddler and duct-taped him to the signal for Commissioner Gordon. Impressed with Joker's heroic action, Batman eventually started to teach him how to be a vigilante. It turns out that Joker was more adept at this thing than he was even aware of. It'll still take a while for him to earn the trust of the rest of the Bat-family, but he's happy as Batman's new sidekick. Batman & The Joker: The New Dynamic Duo.

[magxit]

I'm sorry, but Deuxmoi, the Daily Mail, ET and possibly People do not have the full story of what happened between Taylor and Joe. Deuxmoi, although they get some things right, is mostly based off gossip, and we all know how that goes. I think it's evident from the marriage rumors and the house purchase that the final nail happened fast and furiously. Idk if Joe pushed her to break up with him or if he just counted on being able to do his thing and come to a decision about what he could or couldn't do going forward believing she wouldn't leave him. And, even Deuxmoi, if you take her word, said the leak did not come from his team. His camp could mean a friend, but for a guy who hates headlines, I can't imagine he was behind the leak. It could have been someone who knows him through someone or overheard a conversation. Honestly, I don't think it matters who leaked it. The end was inevitable......Joe can't hang in Taylor's world and she couldn't continue to be asked to shut off such a huge part of herself and her career to keep him happy. They're both better off apart. Hopefully, they'll both find someone better suited for them. Well, hopefully Taylor will, I've never been a fan of Joe, so I don't really care what he does going forward.

.

[so-emo-i-fell-apart]

Hi I'm newish with FOB can you suggest some songs and maybe explain what's happening rn?

Hello Anon! Absolutely!

Right away a good place to start if you're overwhelmed is the Believers Never Die Volumes 1 and 2. Kinda a highlight reel, has all the popular songs. I'm the kind of person who likes to hear a band in order when I deep dive into them so Evening out with your girlfriend is also a good place to start, though many of us pretend this doesn't exist and to the best of my knowledge they don't play any of the songs live. If you prefer to skip then of course hop right into Take this to your grave. Ik you said SOME songs but I really love everything theres no such thing as a bad FOB song. If you're looking for what they might play at a concert I haven't been to a show where Dance Dance, Sugar, or Thnks Fr Th Mmrs haven't been played. And Every show I've been to has closed with Saturday.

Onto today's news. I'm sure you've already heard that a single dropped yesterday called "Love From The Other Side" Its wonderful. Album is coming out March 24th. the main news today is about Joe.

Quick rundown on the members Patrick is the singer and sometimes rhythm guitarist some times pianist whatever he's gotta do. Fun fact he originally played drums which is why we have the wonderful drum off video. Anyways he overheard Joe (who we will circle back to) talking in a book store and in true Patrick fashion jumped into the conversation. Joe invites him to play with him and Pete and thats where they get their start. Pete is the bassist, frontman, and screamer/some backing vocals he has written most of the songs and had been in a few bands previous which is how he knew Joe (and Andy but we'll get to that later), there's a lot of info on Pete but were just doing the basics so moving on. Joe is the lead guitar and does some backing vocals as well, as mentioned before Fall Out Boy basically only exists because of him. At the very beginning the three went through a couple of rhythm guitarists and drummers before Patrick took up rhythm guitar and enter Andy Hurley. Andy is from Milwaukee and knew Pete from shows he would travel to there. Andy is the drummer and all around cool dude.

Anyways back to the news about Joe. Last night he posted on both his personal instagram and the Fall Out Boy Instagram that he was going to be taking a break due to his mental health. Yes it's not ideal timing but anyone who has any sort of mental illness knows it goes downhill randomly and it doesn't care whats going on. I for one am thankful he has recognized that he needs this break instead of trying to push through this and only getting worse. There will be jokes here and there, because this is fob they are goofy nerds, but in general we are respecting Joe's decision and hoping for him to feel better. I'm not sure how far the other three are going to go without him. Like interviews and what not that they're already scheduled for probably will still happen as we saw with jimmy kimmel last night. As of right now as no tour is scheduled I think they will at least hold off until he's back for that but it's really up to Joe and the rest of the band for what will happen with all of this.

As always please be respectful of Joe while he's away.

Hope this helps anon!

[briamichellewrites]

19

Bria had an outline of Germany tattooed on her wrist, along with the words "Grafenwöhr, Bavaria.” She and the artist discussed how she was born in Bavaria and wanted to do something to honour her country. However, she wanted to be very careful not to choose something that would be perceived as racist. She came across designs online that were considered borderline anti-Semitic. The artist understood her desire to exercise caution. They worked together to create a design.

It looked really cool! It was not overly feminine. The boys knew she had wanted her tattoo for a long time. Was she going to add anything to it? Yes, she intended to eventually. How was the pain? It was not too bad. She had a low pain tolerance, but it was not as bad as she anticipated. Dave suggested that it was most likely due to the tattoo she had on her wrist.

It was in a less sensitive part of the body. That was probably correct. Joe was in a happier mood. He followed Mike and Brad's advice to be selfish. The night before, he looked up dogs for adoption. He also looked into what breeds were best for first-time pet parents. During a phone call with Henry, he suggested getting a Labrador Retriever. They were affectionate, dependable, easy to train, and full of energy. He offered to assist him in contacting the woman who had given him Scout.

He accepted his offer of assistance. They intended to do it the next time he had the day off. He overheard Chester giving Bria advice on how to take care of her tattoo. She paid close attention and absorbed the information. Her arm was a little sore when she woke up, so she took a couple of high-potency paracetamol. It was doing considerably better. It may take up to thirty days for it to fully heal.

Have her parents seen it yet? Not yet. She was eagerly anticipating their reactions. Even if they disagreed, they would respect the fact that it was her body and she had the right to do whatever she wanted with it. Plastic surgery, however, would be off limits for them. They would make every effort to persuade her not to do something she desired. She would never want to have plastic surgery. Her only consideration would be if it was absolutely necessary. What exactly did that mean?

"I am thinking I somehow broke my nose and needed reconstructive surgery to breathe. That type of thing."

Okay, fair enough. Yes, they could see that. Rob reiterated the word "reconstructive." Was not that the correct word? Yes, it was. He was just impressed that she knew it in English. They laughed. Her English was gradually improving. She was constantly learning new words.

"I have heard stories about people who refuse to learn English for fear of losing their native language. You must continually immerse yourself in your native language while also learning English. Some people lose their language until they return to their home country."

"What would happen if you lost your ability to speak German fluently?"

"I would most likely be sad. I would have to learn it all over again."

Rob listened intently to everything she said. They all noticed he was doing much better. Mike talked to him privately. He, like the other guys, confessed to having a crush on him. He never brought it up because he respected Anna. He was satisfied with having him as a friend and older brother figure. How was he doing? He was doing well.

He made a point of attending Saturday morning synagogue services with his family. It helped him cope with his anxiety from the previous week. He also read a book every night before falling asleep. Mike was overjoyed to hear that he was doing better. He was free to contact him at any time, even in the middle of the night. He thanked him. Finally, Mike had proof of Chester's claim that everyone had a crush on him. When he got home, he discussed it with Anna.

Nothing changed. He still considered them to be brothers. So why did he need confirmation? He did not know. Perhaps because he simply needed to hear it from them. Just so he knew he was not imagining things. She nodded and reminded him to invite Bria over for dinner the next evening. Oh yes! He had forgotten to do that!

"That is why you married me, to remind you," she joked.

"What would I do without you?" he joked back.

She laughed. He pulled out his phone and sent her a text. Anna wanted to ensure that she was okay after her breakup with Joe. She had not seen her in quite a while. Bria replied that she would be there! The following evening, she was standing in their kitchen, keeping them company while they prepared dinner. Anna was stunned by her new haircut! Oh, my God! She looked punk rock!

Bria responded by displaying rock horns. They laughed. She also revealed her new tattoo. How were things going for her? She was taking things day by day. It was difficult for her because she missed Joe. But she could not go back to him because they had split up. She was trying to concentrate on rehearsals. It was her first significant breakup. It would take some time to move forward. Mike thought she handled the situation better than Joe. She was of legal drinking age, but she only drank in social situations.

Her parents advised her to exercise caution when it came to drinking. Why? She was predisposed to heart disease due to her genetics. Her grandfather died of a first-time heart attack when she was younger.

"Is that your dad's father?" she enquired.

"Yes. He wanted to join the army, but he was turned down because he was discovered to have heart problems during his physical examination. It was one of the reasons my father decided to join the army."

They read his book. She applauded him for coming out! Bria thanked her. He was much happier than he had previously been. Was he involved in any romantic relationships? No, he planned to get back into it. He signed up for a website where men could find other men. Anna was overjoyed when she heard that! What about her mother? She was still with George. Were they thinking about getting engaged?

No, George was a lifelong bachelor. He swore that he would never marry again. After rehearsals on Friday, they planned to meet for dinner. He wanted to introduce her to some of his single friends.

"I told him I would meet them, but it means nothing."

"Tell Anna the word you used earlier," Mike instructed.

"I said a bunch of shit earlier."

They laughed.

"The word Rob was impressed, you knew it in English."

Reconstructive. He found it amusing that she knew that word. Mike explained the context of the conversation so that Anna could understand what they were saying. Ah, ok. She now had a better understanding. She would have to bring Scout over someday. He was rapidly growing. How old was he? He was older than a year, but still a puppy. Henry took him almost everywhere. Yes, they would love to have him and her father visit. She would tell him about it via text message.

@zoeykaytesmom @feelingsofaithless @alina-dixon

[deadcityhq]

**CHARACTER NAME:** jonathan byers

**CHARACTER FACECLAIM:** robert pattinson 

**CHARACTER AGE/DOB (if relevant/they’re not old af):** october 13th, 1992 | 32

**CHARACTER PRONOUNS/GENDER IDENTITY/SEXUALITY ETC:** he/him | cis man | bisexual

**CHARACTER FANDOM (if relevant):** stranger things

**OC OR CANON:** canon

**CHARACTER TYPE (for example: werewolf, shadowhunter, warlock, demon etc):** if someone tried to make him anything besides human he’d start blasting 

**HOW LONG HAVE THEY BEEN IN NEW YORK/WHY ARE THEY THERE ETC:** roughly a decade now, he came to the city to attend nyu and never left. 

**IMPORTANT CHARACTER INFORMATION TO NOTE AND SHARE (this could be important headcanons for initial plotting, mini bios etc, supporting docs):** 

Jonathan Byers has felt between; in flux for most of his life.

  There hasn’t been a time in his memory where he’s ever felt as if he fit in. Not with his peers at school, or with the greater population of Hawkins, Indiana.

  There had been a chance he might not grow up so starkly aware of his differences, but Lonnie had all but destroyed that opportunity. Even after his biological father was more notable for his absence than his presence, Jonathan could hear the stage whispers.

  𝘑𝘰𝘺𝘤𝘦, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘰𝘺 𝘴𝘪𝘵 𝘶𝘱 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦?

  𝘑𝘰𝘺𝘤𝘦, 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩. 𝘖𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦, 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴.

  𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘸𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯’ 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘵. 𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘔𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘳 𝘑𝘰𝘩𝘯𝘯𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘯?

  𝘑𝘰𝘺𝘤𝘦, 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥.

  There were a lot of things that Lonnie had done that had hurt him — making six-year-old Jonathan actually box him for his dinner or he wouldn’t eat was a notable example — but this overheard statement somehow became one that would drift from the back of Jonathan’s mind now and again.

  Jonathan couldn’t describe in words the feelings that rose over him like a wave of elation the first time he listened to 𝘈𝘭𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘯 𝘚𝘢𝘯𝘦 for the first time, to 𝘡𝘪𝘨𝘨𝘺 for the first time; laying back on his bed and holding up the album sleeve over his head.

  The music felt like it was coming from inside him, joyful, bright.

  Suddenly, being twelve didn’t feel so bad.

  Most of the music he found himself gravitating to was from across the Atlantic; bright energetic glam rock, or punk with its more immediate sound and dirtier guitar licks. He could close his eyes and dream of an entirely different life, where another accent rolled off his tongue and he could find himself shoulder to shoulder in a dark pub with Joe Strummer on stage.

  It was a fantasy he kept to himself, something that he felt a little guilty about; the creation of some secret life completely divorced from how he really lived. He had responsibilities, and people to care for. He had his mother; who worked too hard for too little money and respect, and his brother, who he always harbored the deepest need to protect. Jonathan couldn’t exactly afford to only be concerned with himself.

  But. If his fantasy developed over the years, grew and shifted so that maybe the endless night in some dingy pub was a date— with an ever-shifting boy that sometimes had broad shoulders, sometimes hooded eyes lined messily with black liner, sometimes freckles and hazel eyes —then his lips were certainly sealed.

  That was a part of Jonathan he kept entirely to himself. Slurs and casual jabs and threatening come-ons in the locker room had followed him since before puberty’s onset. Jonathan did what he always did with his anger: tamped it down like gunpowder in the barrel. He knew someday he’d need it to stay alive.

  His private solace was that the accusations were at best only half right…because Jonathan could also yearn for petite waists, long waving hair tossed over a shoulder, lips lined with pink curving into smiles, short pixie hair and angled eyebrows.

  Jonathan knew that he could make it through high school. The light at the end of the tunnel was NYU; a gigantic maze of a city that never slept, full of people that he knew were just like him. He wouldn’t be alone there. He would happily suffer for a few years. He could do it.

  But that didn’t mean that he was prepared for the events of November, 1983. He was wholly unprepared for Nancy Wheeler; the suburban honor roll valedictorian wannabe who happened to be a natural dead shot. By extension, this had brought none other than Steve Harrington into his orbit. The Steve Harrington that didn’t know how to not excel at a sport. Who was always present among the Important People at Hawkins High. Who had come back and used that nail-spiked bat with intentional easy precision.

  Suddenly; the hazy daydreams in the back of his head grew a lot more complicated.

  𝘞𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥?

  𝘞𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘦’𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯?

  He kept it all to himself. He could do this. He’d gotten good at building a brick wall between the most vulnerable parts of his emotions and the face he presented every day in Hawkins High. Showing your emotions got you hurt and put a target on your back, especially in a town like this. There was a small window through which showing them was acceptable for men; and even then it apparently wasn’t something that his father subscribed to, seeing as he left his mother and his sons behind. 

  Finding himself with Nancy Wheeler in his passenger seat, hot on the trail that leads to proving what happened to Barb is a diversion from his envisioned path that he never imagined for himself. Of course, they’d turned his house into a demogorgon deathtrap and burned his mother’s carpet. Of course, he’d looked at her desperate face pointing a gun at Steve Harrington (*Steve Harrington? King Steve, in his house?*) and saw a flame that matched one inside his own chest. Jonathan still managed to be surprised when she asked for his help. 

  But Jonathan Byers was good at helping, even as something complicated and desirous in a tender way he’s never experienced before bloomed inside of him, at learning more and more about the unstoppable force Nancy Wheeler can make herself. 

  ‘*Oh,*’ he thought, laying next to her on her bed when it’s all over; when his brother has control of his own mind again. A dutiful six inches stood between them, because assuming has never gotten Jonathan anywhere in life. His eyes stayed locked on her tired face, watching the curve of her smile as they talk, and talk. ‘Oh, I understand,’ he thought again, as the space between their lips disappeared. 

  He learned a lot about love from Nancy Wheeler, even as hell comes to Hawkins again that summer. Jonathan also started to understand that maybe, NYU and New York City, or even a college on the coast like Emerson aren’t waiting for him after graduation. That maybe, leaving his family isn’t a thing he’s entirely capable of forging ahead with and not having the weight of responsibility pressing down on the back of his neck. 

  To say nothing of the stark reality of the cost of going. His mother’s exhausted face as she found a smile for her sons after a long shift at the hardware store was always quick to flash in his mind. The guilt of the night he worked a double and Will was dragged into the Upside Down managed to grow roots in him while he wasn’t looking; made him stand in Will’s half-open doorway at midnight to make sure he can hear him turning over in bed. 

  Jonathan’s family managed to grow by one as they left for California with all the possessions they could pack, and in truth, he was glad El was coming with them. Even if privately he doubted the reality of a “brand new start” for himself, he knew Eleven deserved one. California was where Jonathan discovered more lessons about love, the sort that movies or music rarely spoke about… how love can make you lie. 

  With a smile on his face at first, because he hadn’t completely made up his mind and maybe, maybe his family could be fine. And then with more “um” and “uh” in his sentences, because seeing his brother and brand new sister struggle with school, struggle with what they’ve experienced… 

  Things going from another day in California to his brother, Mike Wheeler, and himself in the back of Argyle’s delivery van racing breakneck across the desert keeps him from thinking too hard about it for a while after that. That had always been the convenient thing about the end of the world; it kept you from needing to parse what’ll happen when things are back to normal. There were other people who needed him at the moment, that much was blindly obvious when he caught glimpses of his brother’s face and found him struggling to contain the delicate parts of himself, the film he’d selectively unspooled from his chest to hold to the light for a greater cause. 

  Jonathan didn’t realize his mind was made up until they pulled up in Hawkins, and something broke in his chest at the sight of her. Nancy Wheeler, a force of nature. He loved her so deeply, and he was going to have to tell her she was going to Emerson College by herself. Keeping Hawkins from cracking in half like an egg would have to happen first, but he knew he couldn’t keep lying with a smile now. It was only making it worse, and she deserved better. 

  After they sealed everything back up, it felt almost surreal to continue with school. To graduate. To fully become the adult he’d had to step into being far too young. It felt even more surreal, watching everyone move along with their lives. He almost needed his “gap year” as much as Will and El need someone to be a steadying force at home, after how all of this had left Joyce exhausted. In truth, they pushed him to go the college then, that they would be fine, but Jonathan needed the ground under his feet to feel normal for a little while before he felt convinced enough to leave, with both his brother and now-sister graduated from high school. 

  Somehow the rest of his life til recent has felt almost shockingly normal, even when working while earning his major in photography with a minor in journalism. He never wants to go back to what life was like in high school, with everything desperately falling apart, but maybe those years warped him a little and gave him a different sense of what a dire situation actually was, or even what normal was. Jonathan’s been working for a few different publications, avoiding NPR and later the Intercept because Nancy worked for both. It felt more polite that way. Typically he freelances for the Times, the Village Voice, and Vice news. He’s also had more than a few run ins with non-mortals and supernatural beings because he’s more likely to say yes to dicey situations for work, but he’s probably a little too matter of fact about them. 

**THREE AESTHETICS THAT REMIND YOU OF YOUR CHARACTER:** menthol cigarettes and smoke drifting in the sharp cold winter air, the smell of film developer while it sloshes in a shallow plastic bin, an extra size bottle of ibuprofen half gone. 

OOC INFORMATION: 

**MUN NAME/ALIAS:** jesse

**MUN AGE:** 31

**MUN TRIGGERS:** n/a 

[jdgo51]

MARCH 12, 2024

God Sees Us

Bob LaForge (New Jersey, USA)

"[Jesus] gave them strict orders that no one should know what had happened. Then he told them to give her something to eat." - Mark 5:43 (CEB)

"In Mark 5, Jesus exorcised a demon, healed a woman of her hemorrhage, and raised a little girl from the dead. I would have guessed that after all that, Jesus would have rubbed his hands together and called it a day. Or maybe he would have sat back among a crowd to recount all that he had done. That is what I would have done. But that was not Jesus’ way.

Jesus was more concerned about the risen girl’s needs. She was not a project to him; she was not a means to make himself look better. Jesus saw the young girl as a person with needs and fears. While everyone else was ecstatic and shocked, Jesus saw that the girl was hungry and told her mother and father to give her some food.

In God’s eyes we are not means to an end. We are not just one of many pieces in the puzzle. To God, each one of us is a person with our own needs and fears. God is interested in even the tiniest details of our lives. In every moment, remember that there is nothing too trivial to bring to God." Offer up to God every need, from the gigantic to the tiniest. He is authentically concerned about every need.

TODAY'S PRAYER

"Dear God, may we always remember that you are aware of our struggles every moment of our lives. As your people, we thank you for always caring about us." Amen.

Mark 5:35-43

"'35 While Jesus was still speaking with her, messengers came from the synagogue leader’s house, saying to Jairus, “Your daughter has died. Why bother the teacher any longer?” 36 But Jesus overheard their report and said to the synagogue leader, “Don’t be afraid; just keep trusting.” 37 He didn’t allow anyone to follow him except Peter, James, and John, James’ brother. 38 They came to the synagogue leader’s house, and he saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39 He went in and said to them, “What’s all this commotion and crying about? The child isn’t dead. She’s only sleeping.” 40 They laughed at him, but he threw them all out. Then, taking the child’s parents and his disciples with him, he went to the room where the child was. 41 Taking her hand, he said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Young woman, get up.” 42 Suddenly the young woman got up and began to walk around. She was 12 years old. They were shocked! 43 He gave them strict orders that no one should know what had happened. Then he told them to give her something to eat."' In the unbelief of the followers, Jesus had raised up the young girl. And He did so by moving away from the people, with chosen disciples, and called her to get up. He kept even this miracle a secret. We are so blessed! Joe