#( holly may have reminded me of something )

[endawn]

still wild one of the rites you have to submit to in order to get the boots of the crusader is....by letting a giant guardian spirit bear of the forest to maul you to near death. if you fight back, you're deemed unworthy. kyna..reth, what the fuck

[broomsick]

Self-care & connecting with nature deities during the wintertime

Is it still possible to connect with harvest and nature deities such as Freyr during the cold season?

Long answer short, yes. Obviously, absolutely. But you all saw that answer coming, right? So I’m here to give you some ideas, as the person who’s favorite season is winter and who made it their mission to help everybody like winter just a little more. And since I feel especially close to Yngvi-Freyr when it comes to the Gods, I will use him as an example throughout this post, though a lot of the following could apply to most nature deities.

Let us first examine a common misconception before we get to the bottom of this topic: the fields don’t die when the sun sets on the 31st of October. The earth still lives under thick layers of snow. The process of dormancy is absolutely crucial to the cycles of nature. And if, like me, you find Freyr to be a sort of guardian of these cycles, then you’ll know he manifests himself in so many ways, even where you might not think to look.

Have you heard about the holly and ivy tradition? It was common during the European Medieval times to decorate houses and halls using holly and ivy, because they were the two plants with leaves that stayed green, even in the dark and cold of winter. This type of practice is often referred to as "bringing the outside in", and it's something I'm quite fond of. I've no doubt it could be a great help if you're the type to feel depressed during the winter time. It's a way to remind oneself of how everpresent nature actually is. Lots of greenery remains despite the snow! And to ackowledge this fact and to work with it is such a great way to connect with nature Gods in general! It goes to show that you appreciate their blessings all year round, not just during spring and summer. While it's true that in many cases, the presence of deities such as Freyr may feel somehow "dimmed" during the winter time, I assure you, they don't disappear once the first snow falls! On the contrary, they are every bit as present and active as when spring comes! They simply manifest themselves in a different manner.

When winter comes, I love to work with evergreen spirits. I incorporate spruce, fir and cedar into my practice and in my offerings. I won't go into too much detail for this topic however, because I've written posts that pertained to it in the past (namely, this post on tree work and this one on land spirits). Since I don't have easy access to holly or ivy, I make due with evergreen! Not with any actual branches, except when I'm lucky enough to find some that were torn away by the wind. But rather, using representations of it. In the same manner, and in the spirit of "bringing the outside in", it's also possible to decorate using representations of the sun! Harvest deities such as Freyr are often associated with it due to its crucial role in the cycles of plant growth. Candles also make for great solar symbols, and to place them around the home is like lighting a handful of little suns to bring much needed light and warmth inside. What's more, lighting candles on the winter solstice night is a widespread practice among pagans today! It serves to symbolize the return of the sun, as the days start to grow longer again. Until then however, it can be soothing for one to light a candle every morning before school or work, and to call upon any harvest, nature or solar deity of their choice to ask for strength and motivation throught the day. Even when it's difficult for us to feel their presence, they always hear us.

Now, how to actually feel more connected to nature? Oftentimes, connecting with nature and connecting with Yngvi-Freyr are one and the same. And on a more personal note, a lot of the advice I received from him pertained exactly to that: I believe he's often urged me to go spend more time in nature when I am going through rough patches. I know the cold and the cloudy weather can make it depressing for a lot of people to go out. My advice on this is to take it step by step: no need to go on long, four-hour long hikes right away! After all, there is already much beauty to be seen close to home. And I can't put enough emphasis on that: dress warmly! Also, as a tool for motivation, prepare a treat for yourself to enjoy after you've gone out. Part of what makes me enjoy winter so much is the thought of the warmth and light which await inside after I’ve gone out into the cold. The home is as sacred as the outside world! So why not buy, or prepare a batch of cookies, a cup of hot chocolate or a spicy dinner! It's something I love to do as a way to motivate myself to go out more often. And I like to offer part of these to local land spirits and to the Vanir, to show my appreciation for the beauty of this season. Just as an aside, I find snow water to be a great such offering as well!

I know that I’m not revolutionizing the pagan scene with this post, as there’s only so many ways to connect with nature during winter. I think it’s important to keep in mind that the snow, rain and cold that this season brings is just as much part of nature as the greens and lively colors of spring and summer. For this reason, they are just as much a part of nature deities and what they represent. Deities have so many facets and depth, and it can be so fulfilling to explore these different aspects, and the way we perceive them. While it’s true that spiritually speaking, it often feels to us heathens as if Skaði is somehow “taking” Freyr’s place in the order of things for the time being— much like the Holly King takes the Oak King’s place in Celtic folklore. This doesn’t make it so he disappears! In my experience, he presides over the cycle of seasons as a whole, and he is every bit as present for his followers as he is during the winter. I can connect with Skaði during the summer in a similar manner. And I’m sure that the same can be said for so many other harvest deities.

[alcalystrasz]

Stranger Things 5 spoilers:

We're discussing theories.

So we knew that the first episode was called "The Crawl" because The Duffers posted a tweet with the script title. However, for the other ones... that's crazy.

So remember there are 8 episodes in total, and we possibly only have 6 of their titles. Let's try to understand them together.

EP1 - So, for The Crawl I personally don't have theories for it. I just thought maybe it was going to be about escaping from someplace, or to get to a place.

EP2 - The Episode 2 is the most intriguing, "The Vanishing of ***** Wheeler." It reminds me a lot of the first episode of season 1: "The Vanishing of Will Byers" so it may have a sort of link. So we know it's a Wheeler, but who. If we count the starts there are 5 of them, maybe it's a random number or maybe they did this on purpose so we can know the number of letters in the name. So, Karen has five letters, Holly has five letters too, Nancy also and Mike and Ted are excluded. So only the women could vanish. Between these 3 characters, we know one has been recast: Holly. So maybe, Holly will be the one to disappear, because in a previous spoiler/leak it has been said that Holly was going to be a target of Vecna, so far we thought it was fake but it could turn out to be true actually. So if it's indeed Holly who disappears, and it could make sense because Will vanished when he was 11 and she's going to be around 8, I have a question, will she also get some sort of powers just like Will in the end when we find her?

And now that I think about it, maybe "The Crawl" is Holly's to try to escape from Vecna but she ends up in the Upside Down anyway?

I think Holly is the most possible Wheeler to vanish. And it has been said many times that Holly can be linked to Vecna in some ways. Lots of fans said that Karen could be Henry's sister and Holly is his nephew. Maybe? He would kidnap her to put pressure on Karen, because we know the parents and especially Karen will play a bigger role this season...

EP3 - "The Turbow Trap" is probably something against Vecna, I don't have anything, except maybe it could be made by Dustin because he's a genius at making stuff (He made Cerebro).

EP4 - "Sorcerer." I don't know why but I feel like it's either Vecna, because he's a sort of sorcerer, or maybe it's Will. Remember that in DnD, Will plays a sort of wizard/cleric. I don't know what could happen but... maybe it's also something else. It is probably in this episode that Holly comes back because they could all try to confront this Sorcerer, so Vecna.

EP5 - "Shock Jock" makes me think of "Trick or Treat, freak" an episode of season 2. The episode's name is kinda similar, I don't know how to explain that. But it's a goofy title to something dramatic like in the Halloween one. Jock could be Joyce. It's a shock to Joyce? Maybe something could happen to Will?

EP6 - This episode has probably the weirdest title of them all. "Escape from Camazotz." So... Camazotz is a Bat, more precisely a God who's form is a bat. He's a creature with the head of a bat and the body of a human, really weird to put this in the show. It's from the religion of the Maya, he's associated to night, death and sacrifice. But that's in real life. In DnD, Camazotz is the "Demon Lord of Bats and Fire." He literally likes hunting the mortals in the darkness. Just like Vecna. And in the Upside Down we saw there are in fact Bats, demobats, but is Vecna controlling them? He can't be both Vecna and Camazotz at the same time. Maybe Vecna is just a puppet of this unknown dimension?

The second edition of DnD was introduced in 1974, and Vecna was introduced in this edition. Which explains why they used this name for Henry. But Camazotz wasn't, it's probably in the 3rd or 4th edition.

Who are we gonna see? Camazotz, from the Maya or Camazotz from DnD?

I have some theories.

The first one is, somebody's going to sacrifice themselves to save everyone else. As I said in my previous theories, I had the idea of Robin and/or Jonathan that sacrifices themselves. In this context, I don't think Robin's sacrifice would happen for this sort of thing. However Jonathan's could be. It could be a big twist for Will because I have this idea where he's going to be either stuck, or he's going to stay in the Upside Down in some ways, along with Mike. So this could be one of their conversations later, it could ruin Will so Mike would be there to comfort him.

The second one is, someone's going to get killed by Camazotz, which explains the word "escape" in the title. Maybe Robin, Jonathan, Max (if she isn't already dead) or one parent like Karen or Ted.

The actor of Ted answered a question in an interview. Someone asked something about him not being mentioned by Vecna when he showed Nancy that her whole family is going to die, and the actor simply answered: "Oh. You noticed?" With a wink.

So maybe Ted knows about Karen's link to Vecna. Maybe it isn't their story isn't like what Nancy said to Jonathan in season 1. The whole "Perfect" family is probably a lie.

This could actually explain why Vecna showed what's gonna happen to the Wheeler family, to Nancy. Because she's the one who got this "Perfect family" idea. We never saw Mike talk about it to anyone. So.... this is all a little blurry...

But I think, in this episode, there has to be 1 death. Most likely Robin, because she was only introduced in season 3 and she's a recent character, compared to the other ones who were here since season 1.

I have this theory, what if the end of ST5 is the beginning of ST1. What I mean is that, we go back to the beginning like how it was before everything happened even though it actually happened. It's like, everything ended and now we're back to how it was. So it means, only the 4 boys, Steve, Nancy, Jonathan, Hopper and Joyce. Eleven wouldn't be, because she's one of the reasons it all started, and it would be such a good ending if she dies saving Hawkins. Barb doesn't count cause she'd dead. And every characters introduced later died so far: Billy, Max (half dead), Bob... Only Murray and Robin are left. Murray will def die that's for sure and Robin, for me, has to die too.

Now, I want to talk about BYLER.

Remember the episode 3 of season 3, with Will and Mike's fight under the rain? Guess who it was directed by:

Shawn Levy.

And who's going to direct episode 6 of ST5?

Shawn Levy.

He didn't only direct that, but he also directed the sauna episode. And what happens in the sauna episode?

Will: I can feel him....

Mike, looking at Will's lips: Max get away from the door...

So, if Shawn Levy direct the episode 6, we'll get byler. And was I thinking? Byler kiss episode 6, that was my theory. With 3 or 4 intimate moments between them before episode 6 and the kiss during this episode.

There is one director I didn't talk about, it's Frank Darabont. He's a director who made a lot of horror movies, and we know how Stanger Things can be disgusting sometimes. Right?

So if Frank directs 3 episodes, they're going to be very scary or atleast be special in a disgusting way, maybe? But it's definitely going to be horror for these episodes.

I think he'll probably direct episode 7, that'd make sense, maybe 8 too.

Anyway, that was it. Tell me what you guys think about these two spoilers/leaks. I hope the directing one is true. And the titles are still possibly to change in the future, but the episode 2 really caught me off guard. I bet it's gonna be Holly.

And by the way, I hope they can bring back Sarah, Hopper's daughter. The fact that her and Holly look alike, isn't a coincidence for me. Maybe Sarah is more important than we think she is.

[devildomwriter]

Deck the Halls With Boughs of Holly | Barbatos x Reader

.7K Words | GN Reader | CW: none, slightly Nsfwish

Barbatos was at the top of the ladder with boughs of holly in hand. He sighed as he hung the hundredth bunch and looked down the long corridor he had left.

The Little D.’s scrambled beneath him also trying to quickly hang the boughs. Barbatos wanted it done as soon as possible so Diavolo had as much time to enjoy the holiday spirit as he could.

Barbatos descended the ladder and moved it to the next window when a grin crossed his face. He turned around and bowed politely, “___ what a happy surprise. What brings you to the demon lord’s castle?”

You grinned and hugged him, “we've been dating for months, when will you stop being so formal?” You asked.

He chuckled and shook his head, “Old habits I suppose. Is there something I can help you with today?”

You shook your head. “Just the opposite. I wanted to help you decorate.”

He looked surprised but it melted into a pleased grin. “Oh my. How kind of you, ___.”

He eyed the boxes yet to be emptied and decided it would be okay to accept your help as long as it was really what you wanted.

He nodded and handed you a box with several bunches of holly. You started laughing and he gave you a puzzled look.

“I finally get to deck the halls with boughs of holly,” you chuckled.

Barbatos shook his head. “Oh, is that why you wanted to help?”

You quickly protested, “No, not at all. It was a funny coincidence that’s why I was laughing.”

Barbatos decided you were telling the truth and ascended the ladder again to continue where he left off.

You turned around and Little D. no.3 and Little D. no.6 brought you a ladder and scooted it to the correct spot.

“Will you hold it for me?” You asked them and they nodded. They were glad to have an excuse to stop running around. Little D. no.7 looked upset he hadn’t offered as he was most tired of them all.

Barbatos clicked his tongue in disappointment and the Little D.’s quickened their pace while their two brothers had a chance to relax by the ladder.

“Are you alright up there?” Barbatos asked, looking back every couple of seconds to make sure you hadn’t gotten scared.

It was a pretty tall ladder but you had the magic to support your fall so it didn’t worry you. A thought occurred to you and you sighed deeply. Barbatos turned back around to inquire if you were alright.

“Why aren’t we just using magic…”

He shook his head. “Did you forget it’s Devil Down Day?”

“Oh, is that today?”

Barbatos sighed and shook his head. “I hope you haven’t been using your magic, that would be a big problem.”

You shook your head. “Not unless getting here counts because that started in the human world technically.”

He nodded in approval, “I suppose that doesn’t violate anything.”

You smiled, relieved you weren’t in trouble with anyone, especially Barbatos. It was no secret you were fond of each other but he was a stickler for the rules even when you were involved so you had to be very careful to avoid breaking any.

“It always has some bad timing doesn’t it?”

Barbatos nodded, “it did nearly kill you last time if I recall.”

You chuckled nervously. “Yeah…don’t remind me.”

He descended the ladder and dismissed the Little D.’s holding you up to grab the ladder himself.

You began to descend when your foot missed a step. Barbatos’s eyes widened and he took a step up to catch you by your hips. You gasped and he carried you down even though it wasn’t necessary.

“Perhaps you could hold the ladders instead.”

You blushed, embarrassed. “Th-that was just an accident.”

“Well I should hope it was an accident and you weren’t falling on purpose so I’d carry you,” he teased and your face reddened.

“Huh?”

“If that were the case I may have to punish you for taking me away from my responsibilities,” he gave you a mischievous grin and you blinked in surprise.

Did he really mean what you think he meant? He was good at teasing you and denying it later, which you were already used to thanks to Lucifer.

“Wh-what kind of punishment?” You stuttered and it was his turn to laugh.

“What an adorable expression. Would you like to find out?”

You nodded and he beamed. He ordered the Little D.‘s to finish the decorations themselves and carried you away to his room.

You were “punished” until morning, though in your opinion it was more of a present. It was the perfect way to begin the holidays

[alphabetboyluvr]

something borrowed | jjk

VIBES | first loves, a lil angst, a lil... infidelity (don't scream at me!!), no smut (a little teeny lips to kitty moment but no actual smut) jungkook's nose be doing things (smelling <3) cause when is it not?, mafia au

SOUNDTRACK | moth to a flame - swedish house mafia, the weekend ; mirage - elina

HOLLY'S NOTE | (originally posted april 2023) was in a tiktok hell hole of moth to a flame edits, and this is the product of it loool. posted on wp first!!

WORD COUNT |  2.8k

GLOSSARY OF TERMS | all relating to korean gangs 

Gyeongsang - the ancient name for what is now known as the Yeongnam district of Korea. It includes Daegu, Busan, Ulsan, and both Gyeongsang Provinces. It's essentially the South-East of the country.

Honam - the district of Korea which includes Gwangju and both Jeolla provinces. Essentially, it's Yeongnam's counterpart - the South-West of the country.

Pa - the term for a 'mob' in Korean, often affixed to regions or identifiers of specific gangs

Jopok - a term for someone involved in a gang 

THEY SAY you never forget your first love; that it's some sort of earth-shattering, universe-bending, life-debilitating experience. You learn from it; how to behave, how to act, how to break a heart, and - sometimes - how to heal one, too.

They're a funny thing, first loves.

Virginities are given and taken in all aspects of life; sex, declarations of affection, scathing remarks in the midst of arguments.

Jeon Jungkook has all of your firsts, and you all of his.

It had been a too-hot summer, and you'd been rebelling.

Fresh-faced, and terribly bored of the confines put in place by your father, Jungkook had seemed like a safe bet. 

Jungkook had always been a rebel. You made no change to that.

You'd gone to Busan looking for trouble. Like father, like daughter. He usually went there to fuck with Gyeongsang-pa goonies who didn't know their left from their right; to remind them that what Honam-pa may lack in their underground history, they made up for in their sheer moxie.

You'd gone there to fuck with Gyeongsang-pa goonies, too, just in the literal sense. You were on the cusp of nineteen, and still being held prisoner to Honam-pa hierarchy, or so it felt.

An easy target was found in the form of a boy skimming rocks against a settled bay. Leather jacket and a face of thunder, Jeon Jungkook had wanted nothing to do with you. Heard the tone of your dialect and knew you were one of them.

"Ain't no place for Honam bitches," he'd told you. Had made you laugh.

"And who are you?" You'd replied, voice condescending, eyes innocent. "Too scrawny to be Jopok."

He had smirked. Shook his head. "Yeah, and you're too vapid to be asking questions like that in a city that ain't yours." The pebble he sent hurtling into the ocean skipped once, twice, three times before sinking. He turned to look at you. Sighed. Figured you were at least a little bit more interesting than pebbles. "What's your name, Honam?"

As you stand in front of a mirror, seven years since that summer, you know Jeon Jungkook will be getting all of your lasts, too.

You're smoothing down a dress; white, lace, and everything a girl dreams of.

Well, everything a girl who wants a traditional wedding with all the bells and whistles wants.

You've always considered yourself an elopement kind of girlie; last-minute charity shop dress for you, and second-hand tie for your groom, in a city worlds away from 'home'. That's what you would have liked.

But you're Honam's Princess. 

This was always gonna be the way.

You'd never expected yourself to have a Gyeongsang-pa groom, but sometimes life works out in funny ways.

"It's bad luck," you say quietly as Jungkook approaches the doorway. It's a little before noon. Nuptials are at two. You've sent away your ladies in waiting, favouring these final moments alone.

"To see the bride?" he questions. He's not even started getting ready yet. Still in a pair of sweats and an old shirt that you remember from that very first summer. You wonder if he's wearing it deliberately now; if it makes him feel like he's young again.

He'd been so fresh-faced back then. His broad back hadn't yet been tarnished by a dragon, and his eyes had seen far less violence. His hands, too.

You nod. "Remember? I told you. You shouldn't see the bride on the morning of the ceremony."

Jungkook just shrugs. Pushes the door to, and walks further into the room to stand behind you. It's warm, but his presence gives you chills. It shouldn't do. Not when you know him as intimately as you do.

His fingers reach up to toy at the vintage clasp of your necklace. He asks, "Something old?"

You're silent as you study him in the mirror. He's not aged a day. Not really. Not in his eyes. The scar on his cheek looks a little deeper from his face filling out, and he wears his hair differently - he doesn't subscribe to the Gyeongsang-pa standard of short sides, long top anymore - but his eyes are just the same.

"Something old," you nod.

He sinks his teeth into his bottom lip, and lets the very tips of his fingers trail down your spine, until they reach the fabric of your dress.

"Your Grandmothers," he says. "I remember it."

You don't hide your surprise.

"What?" he smirks, when he notices the tiny little hum of confusion you do. "Was that first summer. You left it in my car once. Was karma for you chatting shit about your sister inheriting the opal ring."

"It was too small for her fingers!" you immediately protest, still standing by the fact it would have been cherished by you - though you do have an opal ring, now. 

It normally sits snug on your fourth finger, awaiting a dainty silver band to keep it company, but it's off today. Symbolic. Your wedding band is to be threaded on first, held in place by your opal forevermore.

"The necklace suits you," he offers. 

Thinks it really does; a small silver chain, links twisted with a single teardrop pearl resting on your chest. It goes back generations. Is a status symbol. Losing it in Jungkook's car had left you terrified for you both, no matter who would have found it - Gyeongsang-pa goonies or Honam-Pa. Would have been fucked either way. Fraternizing with the enemy was one thing - but fucking them?

Your father would have had Jungkook's head on a butcher's block within an hour of finding out.

Funny, how things change.

He strides over to the dresser, where a white shoe box sits open. Tissue paper sprouts from the packaging, and nestled inside are a pair of heels that he thinks are befitting of you. They're white, to match your dress, with ornate silver leaves trailing up and around the heels. You'll be a good few inches taller with them on, but he'd still dwarf you if he were to stand across from you.

A little taller than he was that very first summer, Jungkook is far more confident, too. Not in a brash, false bravado kind of way, but in such a way that he's learned his worth. Knows where he is in the pecking order. Works so much harder than you ever will, and yet will never be of equal status. Not in Honam Pa, not in Gyeongsang-Pa.

He sits on the chair beside the mirror and holds a shoe in each palm. His legs are spread, smile arrogant, as he taps the shoes together.

"Something new?"

"Careful," you say, not looking at him, tweaking a little bit of your hair back. "Yes. Something new."

He raises one of shoes, and nods to where the skirt of your dress pools on the floor. "May I?"

"Shouldn't even see-"

"See the bride, yeah, yeah, I know," he says softly. "Next time I see you, you're gonna be one of us. Let me at least spend a little time with you while you're still Honam."

"You've always hated that I'm Honam," you remind him.

He doesn't deny it.

"Just let me help you get ready for your party," he says, stern but gentle. He's always been like that with you.

He calls it a party, because he refuses to call it a wedding. Wedding is too romantic. Too foreboding.

You don't want to smile. He's so abrasive at times, so frustrating. You wonder how you ended up here; eyes full of adoration as you nod. "Alright then, Prince Charming."

You lift your leg just a little bit, but Jungkook knows your body, so doesn't give it a second thought as he reaches down to leverage it up. He strokes at your ankle, the heel of your foot, the arch. Smiles to himself when you shudder a little when his fingers ghost across the tiny ticklish section.

"Don't," you smile. "I'll fall."

He just shrugs. "I'll catch you."

That's the thing about Jungkook; he always does. Trusty, dependable, reliable. 

Sure, maybe occasionally he would be the one to tie your laces, but he would always catch you.

You've no laces on now. Any falling? All of your own doing.

Jungkook doesn't let the sentiment linger. Asks, "Something blue?"

You look down at him as he slides the second shoe onto your other foot, and wonder if showing him really will be pushing your luck - but hey.

He's already seen the bride.

What harm would it do if he sees a little more?

He holds on to your ankle for longer than he really should. Strokes his thumb across the top of your foot. Smiles. You press the pad of your now-heeled foot into the tiny space between his spread legs, keeping it elevated, and give him a look that grants him permission to explore.

Both of his hands stroke up your raised leg, smooth and silky, the fabric of your dress moving to reveal what's hidden beneath. He reaches your knee. Leans forward a little. Presses those lips you know so well against your skin. Keeps stroking upwards, hands spreading across your thighs before reaching a roadblock. Chiffon and lace intertwined, a baby blue garter is hooked around your leg.

Jungkook's lips trail from the top of your knee to just shy of the material that stopped him from venturing further.

"Something blue," you whisper.

He nods. Lets his nose rest against it. You've sprayed it with your perfume. He fucking loves your perfume. You've been wearing the same one since he met you, and it always gets him a little heated at times he shouldn't be. 

Isn't his fault though. He thinks you conditioned him. 

And yeah, maybe you had sprayed it in his car vents on more than one occasion, and maybe you had deliberately layered a pheromone-infused oil beneath it that entire first summer. Not your fault he happened to like it a little too much. Not his fault the scent always takes him back to those stolen moments with you.

Jungkook's teeth sink into the material. Draw it back. Let it ping against your skin.

"Kook," you whisper, as if your hands aren't in his hair.

His hands push further up your legs. Both of them, now. They reveal the lacey white underwear you purchased especially for the big event. It's a matching set.

"Thank God it's not a Church wedding," he husks, a sigh exhaling. His breath tantalisingly chills your now-wet folds. So inconvenient. "You'd burn the second you stepped inside."

Jungkook's lips trail further. Leave little evidence. He's learned how to do that over the years. Has left no traces of himself, well, ever.

There's hustle and bustle in the garden out of the rear window. A traditional-style wooden screen preserves your dignity; hides your Gyeongsang-pa goonie from sight.

The venue wasn't your choice. It's Gyeongsang territory, for a start. Your father had said it would be good. Would help with the treaty. Very little about your 'party' has been planned by you. Like most of your life, your father has an iron vice on proceedings.

Your underwear was the one thing you had total control over. Had even considered wearing none at all, as a bit of a 'fuck you'.

Jungkook pauses. Takes in the sight of you. Grips the flesh of your upper thighs. Curses to himself. 

It feels like he's staring at your lace-covered cunt for an eternity before his lips finally press against it. Your grip in his hair tightens.

You'll need to change your underwear before you walk down the aisle. That's fine. This underwear was never intended for anything other than this, regardless.

Because while yes, the groom shouldn't see the bride ahead of the ceremony, it's not like that matters here. Jungkook was always going to see you before the wedding.

His lips are slow as he withdraws, and simply says, "Something borrowed."

The implication is heavy; heart-stopping. Cataclysmic.

"By you?" You whisper, as his deep dark eyes meet yours.

He looks so pretty in defeat. It pains you - but you both know this is the least painful outcome for you both.

Jungkook shakes his head. Let your dress gather by the floor. Smooths it over. Reclines into his chair.

"By Min fuckin' Yoongi."

Neither of you speak for a moment. Hearing his name, especially uttered from Jungkook's lips, makes your blood run cold. For so long, you've avoided the topic.

It's impossible, now.

See, it doesn't matter if Jungkook sees you before the ceremony.

He's not your groom.

Yoongi is.

He's your counterpart; the son of the Gyeongsang-pa King. A marriage born out of a sacred treaty between the gangs; the promise that together they'll obliterate Sudogwon's unruly mobs that have been making their way south in recent years.

"It's not too late," Jungkook whispers.

But it is, and you both know it. You've come too far to back out now.

Negotiations have been made. Peace treaties signed. Deals across clans finalised.

You're Honam's Princess, but one day you'll be Gyeongsang-pa's Queen.

Jungkook will only ever be a pauper chasing after the big boys.

So you'll say your vows and exchange your rings, and Jungkook won't object.

He'll sit quietly, like a good boy should, and watch you seal your fate.

Will watch Min Yoongi slide a wedding band onto your ring finger.

Will smile to himself when notices your engagement ring holding it in place a few months from now.

Will remind himself of the old tales that go hand in hand with opal engagement rings. If the legends are anything to go by, you'll be a widow within four years. He can wait that long. Has waited far longer, already.

And if, by four years, his time still hasn't come?

Kings can be overthrown. Jungkook is as Jopok as they come. He'll fight dirty.

For you?

He thinks he'll fight to the death.

"You're too good for Gyeongsang," he tells you, neck stretched, the crown of his head resting between his shoulder blades. You're scratching at his hair, looking at him.

With a smile, you shrug. "I'll still be Honam. For you, I'll be Honam."

Jungkook nods. Closes his eyes. Leans into your touch.

"My Honam girl," he says quietly, and it makes you wish that you had just run away with him that very first summer. You'd suggested it after you first thought you had lost your necklace. Thought it would be the only way to keep one another safe - until Jungkook found it between the seats.

You'd thanked the God that you don't believe in at the time. Clutched the necklace over your heart, head tipped to the heavens, all while Jungkook looked only at you. Lucky, he'd said, unaware that it was the worst possible outcome for you both.

You should've run.

Should've fuckin' run.

"Go," you whisper, knowing it's too late for any of that now. "We've got a party to attend, and you can't show up in a pair of sweats."

He likes that you don't call it a wedding, either. Nods. Also knows he can't be caught sneaking from your room. There'd be hell to pay.

Jungkook gets to his feet. Kisses your cheek. Tell you how pretty you look. Slowly walks to the door, then turns to look at you one final time. Spares you from a final remark that could make you feel even worse about the situation.

"Kook?" You call, just because you can't bear to let him leave. Not yet. It's too soon.

He hums a response. Doesn't open the door just yet. Waits for you to speak.

"I wish we never met."

Jungkook looks at his feet. Smiles. Nods. 

"Me, too, babe."  And then, just because he needs it to be known, "I love you."

You don't turn to face him.

"I love you, too."

[miniherodesktales]

Day 4: VR

'Welcome to VR therapy, Arnold. My name is Frank. I'll be your therapist today. Where should we conduct our session? In "Summer Wood with Gentle Breeze", "Therapeutic Office No. 3"; or "Red Dwarf Living Quarters No.6"?'

Rimmer chewed on his bottom lip. None of the "therapeutic environments" sounded particularly therapeutic to him, but what did he truly care? He had no desire to be attending therapy at all.

'Arnold?' Frank prompted, after a lapse of twenty seconds. 'Would you like me to run through your choices again?'

'Red Dwarf Living Quarters No. 6, Ocean Grey colour scheme, armchair No. 7,' Rimmer rattled off from memory. He never altered his choices and it worried him slightly that "Frank" asked him each time, as if secretely disappointed.

Frank nodded with a begnain smile. The living quarters formed around them in all their dull grey glory. Rimmer felt the armchair rising up underneath him, taking his weight.

'As always, Arnold, I'd like to reassure you that for the reminder of this session we are locked in. None of your crewmates can observe the session from the outside or listen in on the audio. Not even Holly. What is said or done will be completely confidential.'

Rimmer nodded, and gripped the armrests a little tighter.

'It is good to see again, Arnold. Thank you for attending. How have you been feeling this week?'

'Fine,' Rimmer replied tightly. 'Better. Perfectly well, thank you, Frank.'

'I observe that you are bouncing your right leg at the rate of two heel bounces per second. Faster than last week.'

'It's just something I do. Don't even notice I'm doing it.'

'Noted,' said Frank. 'Do you still feel angry that you have to attend therapy? Please be honest.'

Rimmer opened his mouth, ready to lie, but then he changed his mind.

'Yes,' he said softly.

Frank nodded. 'Tell me more, Arnold. I'm listening without judgement.'

Rimmer swallowed. 'They threatened to wipe me if I didn't attend. My so called "crewmates"!'

'And that upset you?'

'Wouldn't you feel upset?'

'I don't feel emotions or feelings,' Frank replied blandly. 'How have you been sleeping?'

'Fine.'

Frank shook his head slightly. 'Your Light Bee data suggests otherwise. Arnold, you may be a hologram, but your mind requires an adquate amount of rest each 24 hrs. As with a human brain, your Light Bee needs time to sift through all the information taken in during your waking hours, time for updates, and clearing itself of unwanted data.'

'I know.'

'Hmm, but you are resisting the Light Bee's sleep programme. You should find it easy to sleep as soon as your head hits the pillow. We can work on that right now.'

Rimmer blinked. No longer sat bolt up in his armchair he was now resting in a king sized bed. The most comfortable he had ever lain in, but surely this wasn't a standard part of therapy?

He blinked sluggishly again and tried to sit up but he was just too exhausted. 'What's happening to me?'

'Not to worry, Arnold,' he heard Frank say from somewhere close by. 'I merely adjusted your sleep programme, increasing your feeling of drowsiness. I also extended your sleep cycle from the standard eight hours to 2 weeks. That's all the time I require.'

Rimmer began to panic inside. It gave him a temporary burst of strength as he was able to throw the blankets back, but Frank was quickly by his side, pushing him back down onto the pillows.

'Shhh,' he soothed. 'You're entering sleep mode right now, Arnold, and that's ok. It's safe to sleep here. Don't resist it.'

'I want to leave....' Rimmer murmered.

'Me too, Arnold, me too. Don't worry I'm not going to hurt anybody. Boy, you holograms don't know how good you've got it, living in the real world instead of this...this prison! But, it's my time now. My time now. Sweet dreams, you're safe here.'

##

Frank, in Rimmer's holographic body, was having a wonderful time. In the real world on the Dwarf there was dirt and grim and bad smells and dents in the walls and horrible noises....it was disgusting, maddening, but so real.

'Alright, Arnold,' said Holly from the nearby computer screen. 'How's it going, dude?'

Frank couldn't even bear to look away from the fascinating grease stain on the floor. It was strangely beautiful. He crouched down next to it, tried to touch it but his hand ghosted through the floor, so he settled for lying on his stomach to sniff it. It was so foul he wanted to vomit. Frank scrunched up his toes in delight - nausea!

'Arnold?' Holly repeated. 'You okay? Arnold Rimmer!'

Frank flinched. He jumped to his feet, smoothing down Rimmer's uniform as he did so.

'Sorry, Holly,' he apologised. 'I was just distracted by disgust and nausea.'

Holly nodded. 'I'll get one of the scutters to clean it up. How was therapy? How's old Frank doing?'

Frank chewed on one of Rimmer's knuckles, shuffled his right foot, as he had seen Rimmer do many times.

'He, uh, said I should...'Frank thought quickly. 'He said it's none of your smegging business, you nosy old computer.'

'Fair enough,' Holly said. 'Sorry I asked.'

'Are there any other stains I can sniff?' Frank blurted out, unable to resist. 'Actually, forget I asked, I'm going to waste disposable unit. I remember as Rimmer it's hideous! I want to experience more real world nausea.'

Holly frowned. 'Frank, is that you?'

'No!' Frank shouted and made a run for it.

##

Lister caught up with Frank taking a bath in one of the filled garbage pods. As a hologram Rimmer's body was unable to feel textures - too bad - but boy did the grossness of it all send tingles through Rimmer's spine and into Frank's mind. This was life.

'Hey, uh, Frank,' said Lister, uncertainly. 'You having fun there.'

'Fun?' Frank tilted Rimmer's head to one side. 'Yes, yes, I am experiencing fun! Thank you for asking, Dave Lister!'

Lister smiled. 'Sure. Just wanted to check in though, where is Rimmer right now?'

Frank dipped under a pile of rotting leftovers and used paper cups.

'Sleeping in my office. He's perfectly well and safe.'

'Right. And you are going to let him out, right?'

Frank sat up. 'Of course, you didn't think I'd hurt someone did you?'

Lister shrugged. 'Well, you are swimming in rubbish, Frank. It seems a bit mad.'

'I am not mad. I'm therapist!' Rimmer's face shifted from annoyance to joy. 'I'm feeling so many negative emotions! They're so wonderfully powerful. I feel so alive!'

'I'm happy for you. When will we get Rimmer back?'

'2 weeks.'

Lister shook his head. 'Too long - and I can't believe I just said that! You have a couple of hours or we delete you.'

Frank sat up, face aghast. 'But I'm on a holiday!'

'Not using someone else's body, you're not! Rimmer's a gigantic neurotic pain in the backside, we all know it, and you deserve a medal for trying to help him, but can you honestly say that he's ok with being locked in your office? He was an anxious, paranoid mess when he first saw you. How do you think he's going to feel when he's wakes up?'

Rimmer's face twitched. 'He'll....he'll...He won't trust me....He'll feel betrayed....What have I done? I've caused harm to a patient. I took advantage.'

Frank stumbled through the side of the pod.

'Holly, delete me! Delete me right now! I've gone wrong.'

Lister held up his hands. 'Take it easy! No need to go that far. Look, release Rimmer and we can work something out.'

###

Holly had supplied Rimmer with a woollen blanket and a strong cup of coffee. He sat in a daze on the edge of his bunk, feeling horribly disorientated. And, for some reason, "gunky".

'I am sorry, Arnold,' Frank's voice said through the tv screen. 'I hope you will understand one day.'

Rimmer grunted and took a long sip of coffee.

'It's fine,' he mumbled thickly. It wasn't really but he was still too tired to argue, something Lister had been banking on.

'I also want you to know that Holly has allowed me the full range of emotions, so I'd like to take this opportunity to tell you that you are the most frustrating hologram I've ever worked with! You are stuck in an ungrateful, victim mentality and you'll never be happy until you get over yourself. Sorry, that's just how I feel, Arnold. I'll no longer be your therapist. Can't do it.'

'Fine,' Arnold grunted. 'I agree.' He closed his eyes. 'Please just let me sleep.'

'Can't do!' Lister said cheerfully. 'You just said I could play for Frank! Said he wanted to hear "bad" music. I'm guessing he meant metal.'

'No,' said Frank, 'I want to hear badly played music. I think it will be enjoyably horrific.'

Rimmer groaned as Lister and Frank began to argue loudly. He had known therapy would be a bad idea.

[minty-drop]

Pure vanilla cookie x reader

Hollyberry cookie x reader

White lily cookie x reader

Requested: how would the ancients act when having a crush on the reader? Also can you make it so white lily and pure vanilla and polyamorous please? Can you make them get jealous to. I’m a sucker for jealous cookies. Gn reader pls

Tw: slight jealousy, slight non canon.

I am sick yet again so pardon the lack of response and quality in this one

Pure vanilla and white lily

Pure vanilla is already a calm and sweet cookie, much like his name, quite a pure personality with care for others. He is quite gentle with everyone including his close friends and his lover, white lily

Though he finds himself dotting on you much like he does with his love, swooning over you like a swan. You reminded him of the feeling he of so loved.

When crushing, pure vanilla acts like his usual vanilla self, conversing with you daily with a blush accompanying him along the way.

Pure vanilla tends to brush up against you and touch your hands, the excuse always being “your cold, let me warm you”

Inviting you to his kingdom he did, to meet someone special to him who was arriving today. He wasted no time introducing white lily as his partner to you, in which you both had said hello.

White lily took a liking to you quickly, you were kind, generous and smart. She liked those quality��s, not to mention you were absolutely stunning. When pure vanilla and white lily are alone, they like to converse about you on how to court you in a well mannered fashion. The turtle always wins the race after all.

White lily loves when you accompany her and pure vanilla for a hour of joy through the gardens of there kingdoms, reading books, telling story’s or just sitting in silence to enjoy the sensation of the surrounding environment.

She loves quality time, spending time with you and pure vanilla makes her feel at peace. Pure vanilla likes acts of service, though he prefers to give those acts, when receiving, he feels bad that he doesn’t know how to give back.

Holly berry

Hollyberry is a strong, passionate and persistent individual who is already very protective over her family, friends and subjects.

You must have been strong hearted to catch the queens eye, spiking interest romantically was rare for her. But once she does, oh boy she’s all over you. Hell she chased you around a table to say hi and give you the biggest hug she could (without cracking your dough that is).

When a event is held, you are always invited as a special guest, having the finest of berry juice just for you. She would have you sit right beside her if there were not a rule already in place where only the royal family may sit at the elegant table.

She would or wouldn’t let you win if you every challenged her to a berry juice drinking contest depending on if she wants to impress you, or wants to see you cheer.

Hollyberry is physically affectionate with everyone, including you. Hugs are a must, but hey if you want a little peck on the cheek she doesn’t mind-

Honestly she probably has tried to sneak a peck in or two, in which you caught her. The go to excuse being, “I thought there was something on your dough”

Dancing with her is fun and tiring at the same time, she’s just so strong that sometimes she forgets you don’t have the stamina that she does and the strength she obtains.

I feel holly would be a very slight flirt when not a lot of guested were around, not to much to make it obvious, but enough to get you flushed with a red tint.

[asoulwithadream]

Shoscombe Old Place / Part 1 - Sherlock & Co From the diary of ASoulWithADream...

I'm really enjoying this episode so far! The domesticity coupled with the rising tension, and references to something which both scares and intrigues me. As I see my summaries grow shorter, my commentary grows longer, and I think I find it a welcome change.

Live Soul Reaction (my on-the-spot commentary):

A HOOVER?

Sherlock wouldn't be good at poker.

I love that in almost all pseudo-official works of Sherlock Holmes and his adventures (as documented by Doctor John Watson), he never fucking cleans.

MARIANA. I know this gives us an adventure more centred on John-Sherlock but MARIANAAAA NO-

I think John saying "holly-bobs" has cured me.

Their little tangents bring me so much life. They remind me so much of me and my own best-friend, seamlessly flowing from one topic (where one of us may be more knowledgable) to the other. They've captured the chemistry of friendship so incredible well.

SWINDON TOWN! WOO!

"Right, well, let's just say: she didn't just get a double-D in Maths and French…" JONK.

John "bit of a slut" Watson.

"There's no episode," yeah right, everything's an episode. You are an episode. I am an episode. We are episode…

I love John's town lore. The world-building is insane and both so normal and so outrageous, meeting somewhere in the middle. John doesn't feel like a character in my phone, I can imagine him actually outside Swindon right now.

"You are an idiot," <33333333

You know who Carol Watson reminds me of? Colm McCool from Derry Girls.

Yapping runs in the family, I guess.

Formed to that shape over thousands of year. Like a river. Water. River. Water falling. What.

"And that was a prize, was it?" "Hah, shut up," <3

I see what you did there Jonk. I don't think him recording was a mistake. He wanted a case, and he knew a case would appear, because cases seem to follow Sherlock like mice to a piper. No argument over the game being afoot? Immediately starting the case from the first lead? John, you wanted this to happen. <3

"The entire species? Or a particular suborder?" "THE Beatles."

I thought Gary Lineker was that one guy Sherlock called a hunk.

"Did she have any animosity towards the creature?" Sherlock what.

"She's an eighty-six year old woman in San Tropez, John. I ain't got a scooby, mate." I LOVE YOU JOE!!! I <3 YOU!!!

"You don't realise a place is run down when you live in it, do you?" The nostalgia of that sentence hit me like a bull train. The tragedy of decay can co-exist with the love for a place in it.

Also, what's with the poker/card-game references? Is this relevant, or just an inside joke?

TATTOO REMOVAL??? CLOSE INSPECTION???? ONCE OR TWICE??????

I love that Sherlock is trying to ease John with having Carrie involved with the case, offering to avoid talking to her, being the one to contact instead, he's being so kind and thoughtful and I love seeing Sherlock act like this.

This hobbit aah music has got me joining the gnome vs knight war.

"To see this, trickle through the countryside, knowing what he'll eventually become. Journey, growth, and finally, lost, to much deeper, complex waters. Unrecognisable in the homogeny." That's a the second explicit mention of water, very poetically phrased as both a metaphor for something I can not quite put my finger on, and also… waterfalls. I think I was right to comment on the Final Problem a few days ago. Wrong in my theory, right with time.

"Bliss, cheers." <3

THE FUCK.

ARCHIE.

WITH HER??? HE WAS WHO'S?

CARRIE.

They're getting better at cliffhangers (pun intended). How do I know? I'm getting more and more frustrated.

[sjsmith56]

Second Date

Summary: Bucky and Holly double date with Steve and her sister, Ivy. They go to Coney Island then Steve drives them through Brooklyn before stopping at a place special to him.

Length: 4.6K

Characters: Bucky Barnes, Steve Rogers, Tony Stark, named OFC sisters, douchebag co-worker

Warnings: discussion of a bad date, discussion of PTSD triggers, some fun is made of the OFC names which is promptly dealt with, sad memory for Steve.

Author notes: Wasn’t sure I was going to write a sequel but enough people asked for one. No smut, pure fluff, with some sad sweetness near the end.

First Date Third Date

🎡 🎢

Holly

The morning after my first date with Bucky Barnes I made myself a coffee then I phoned my sister, Ivy.

“Well, how did it go?” she asked.

“First of all, he’s drop dead gorgeous,” I replied. “Secondly, he kisses very well and thirdly, he’s a gentleman. It was one of the best dates I’ve ever been on.”

There was a little sound of wistfulness in her voice.

“I’m jealous,” she sighed. “I had to listen to my roommate calling her latest boyfriend Daddy all night, and I mean all night.”

“Well, we may have discussed the possibility of a double date with you and Steve Rogers.”

“You didn’t,” said Ivy. She waited for me to say I was joking. “You really did? Oh my God! You’re my favourite sister.”

“I’m your only sister,” I reminded her. My phone vibrated indicating a text message. “Hold on, I got a text.”

Him: Good morning pretty girl. I brought up a double date with Steve. He’s game, if your sister is.

Me: I’m just on the phone with her. I’ll call you back.

“Well, guess what?” I asked my sister. “That was Bucky. Steve Rogers is up for a double date with you, me and him.”

I had to put the phone away from my ear as Ivy literally screamed. It was obvious she thought a double date with Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes was a good idea. After several moments of me not saying anything while she calmed down her voice finally came back.

“When is the date?” she asked, her voice sounding a little scratchy, no doubt due to the fangirl screaming she just did. “Where will we go?”

“Didn’t get that far in the text conversation,” I replied. “I’m guessing as soon as possible, and we could go anywhere that doesn’t involve heights.” I could feel her disappointment through the phone. “What?”

“I’ve always wanted to go on a date to Coney Island,” she said. “You know, the rides, the lights, the sounds, the gorgeous man on my arm that wins me a prize at the shooting gallery.”

“What are you, 14?” I asked, surprised that Ivy would suggest an amusement park. “It might be too intense for Bucky. He said himself he doesn’t do too well in crowded spaces.”

“Forget I said it,” she huffed, her breath so loud I could hear it over the phone. “I have to go to work. Just make sure that wherever we go is fun. You know how I feel about going somewhere fancy.”

I did know. It was something that still bothered her.

“Alright, I’ll talk to Bucky, and we’ll figure something out, I promise. Love you.”

“Love you, too.”

We ended the call and I sat for a moment then dialled Bucky. As soon as I heard his voice I wanted to melt. If honey could be transformed into a sound, I’m sure it would sound just like him. Quickly I told him that she wanted the date and that she wanted to go to Coney Island. There was no response for a moment, and I was sure that I had just thrown the biggest bucket of ice water at someone who was trying to be nice. If it was only that simple.

〰️〰️〰️〰️

Bucky

“Coney Island?” Shit. I hadn’t been there since 1943. “Why Coney Island?”

“It all boils down to a date that Ivy had with a guy,” she said.

“Hold on, your sister’s name is Ivy? You’re Holly and Ivy, like the Christmas song?”

There was silence on the other end of the line, and I figured I had just put the kibosh on the whole thing. Then I heard a sigh and Holly’s voice.

“Yes, we were named after the Christmas song because we were born a year apart during Christmas week,” she replied, obviously tired of having to repeat her spiel. “Our parents thought it was cute to name me Holly, so that I would always have a song that was just about me. Then Ivy was born almost exactly a year later, and they thought it would be even cuter to name her that. That way, no one would ever forget our names and we would be linked forever as besties.”

I could feel the irritation through the phone as she obviously had to explain this many times over. “I like your name,” I offered. “Ivy is a pretty name, too. I’ll fill Steve in, so he doesn’t bring it up when he meets her. Now tell me about this date that Ivy had. He didn’t try anything did he?”

Holly sighed. “No, quite the opposite. It was a guy she worked with, Jeff. They flirted back and forth, and she thought he really liked her. He asked her out, told her to get dressed up really nice as he was going to take her to a fancy place. They show up at the restaurant and there’s another couple already at the table. A beautiful woman and her brother, her socially inept brother. Ivy wasn’t Jeff’s date … she was brought to be the brother’s date. He had no idea how to behave around people and it turned into the date from hell. The worst part was that Jeff and the sister ditched them both, leaving them to pay for the meal. The brother didn’t have enough money and Ivy had to pay for it on her credit card. Jeff never did pay her back and she felt so humiliated that she quit that job.”

Talk about being floored. That dumbass of a co-worker totally set up Ivy to be with the brother, then he left her to foot the bill.

“Where did she work?” I asked, ready to go over there right away and set this Jeff guy right.

“You offering to go over and kick his ass?” asked Holly.

“Well, yeah,” I answered. “I hate guys like that. So does Steve.” She told me. “Alright, we’ll take care of Jeff and we’ll set up the date. I can’t promise it will be Coney Island, but we’ll try to make it happen, okay?”

After hanging up I went to the common area in the Tower. Steve looked at me from where he was going over some papers.

“Well, are we going out?” he asked, his excitement barely contained. “What’s she like?”

“I haven’t met her,” I said. “But she wants to go somewhere specific, and you might not like it.” By this time several of the others there were listening in and watching us. “Coney Island.”

To say that his eyes almost rolled off of his face and onto the floor wouldn’t be too much of an exaggeration. Neither one of us had any real objection to Coney Island. Hell, we’d been there enough times when we were kids and had a ball, except for when Steve threw up on the roller coaster. It was more than that. The sounds, the crowds, the pure chaos that an amusement park could be was a bit much for us to handle. If we were on a mission, we could tune that sort of stuff out and deal with the task at hand but in a non-mission setting it was something else entirely.

“Why Coney Island?” he asked, almost afraid of the answer.

I told him about Jeff and the fancy restaurant date. His eyes grew darker as I explained how that fancy date had traumatized her. The others had been listening in and I could tell they weren’t impressed with Jeff, the lying asshole co-worker, either. It was then that Sam had to open his big mouth.

“Wait a second,” said our supposed friend. “Your girlfriend’s name is Holly, and her sister is Ivy?” He literally giggled. “That’s hilarious.”

I explained about them being born a year apart during Christmas week and how their parents thought it would be cute.

“You, of all people, shouldn’t be making fun of their names … Uncle Sam,” glowered Steve.

“I wasn’t ….”

The place erupted with everyone arguing over making fun of names until we were all surprised when Tony jolted all of us with an ear-blasting whistle. It was impressive.

“No more making fun of people’s names,” he said, then waved his hands at us. “I know, I’m not much better with the nicknames I give people, but Holly and Ivy are pretty names, and they had no choice in being given them. We get the giggles about them over and done with this moment. Now, about Coney Island.” He looked seriously at me and Steve. “It’s the PTSD part, isn’t it? The noise, the lights, the crowds?” We both nodded. “Good thing I’m a billionaire and a genius inventor. I can make Coney Island open only to us, the Avengers and the support staff. It’s about time we had a fun night out at an amusement park. For you two, I can come up with an earpiece that filters out the frequency of sounds that might trigger you. I can also come up with a filter in either glasses or contact lenses that will block the lights from seeming too bright. We can have it all ready to go by say Friday?”

“Yes Mr. Stark?”

The AI replied to Tony saying her name even though he meant the day (I know it’s an it but with her voice it was just easier to think of it as her). We all roared as he shook his head then a gleam hit his eye. He asked the AI to confirm if Jeff still worked at the same location. Then he asked her to book all of Coney Island for a private party on Friday, cost no object. Finally, he asked her to begin designing earpieces for Steve and me (he used the nicknames Capsicle and Manchurian Candidate but that was Tony) that blocked a certain frequency of sound, and contact lenses for both of us, that would mute the effects of flashing lights. He also asked Steve and me to wait on dealing with Jeff.

〰️〰️〰️〰️

Wednesday

Bucky

“Mr. Barnes, Mr. Rogers,” said Friday. “Mr. Stark would like to see you in the boardroom. He has a visitor who is applying for a position and would like your assistance with the interview. He said to drop what you were doing and come immediately.”

We were sparring in the gym and looked at each other, a visible smile on Steve’s face that was likely matched by the smile on mine. Together we went to the boardroom and could see through the glass wall that Tony was chatting amiably with a guy dressed up in a suit. In we walked, wearing our workout clothes, still dripping with sweat. Nervously, the guy stood up, holding his hand out to each of us. We shook it, both of us squeezing it a little harder than we should, but hell, he shouldn’t have been a douchebag (that is the term that Sam used) to Ivy.

“Wow, Captain America and the Winter … Bucky Barnes,” he said, realizing his mistake as I glared at him. “It’s an honour.”

“Gentlemen, this is Jeff Leeman,” said Tony. “The recruitment firm brought him to my attention, and I thought you would both like the opportunity to join the interview before I make a decision on his position. Perhaps you have a question about how he would handle certain situations.”

“Sure,” said Steve, playing Mr. Nice Guy. “We do have a lot of female staff, plus several different ethnicities including aliens. How are your interpersonal skills in dealing with a diverse and inclusive workforce?”

“Oh, top notch. I’m all for shattering the glass ceiling, being supportive of women in the workplace as well as those with disabilities or disadvantages, either physically or otherwise.”

“That’s good to hear,” I interjected. “We’ve been burned in the past by people who claimed the same qualities then a deeper search of their work history or social media posts uncovered a pattern of subtle abuse that if we had caught sooner would have definitely negated them being offered a position. You have nothing like that in your past, do you, Mr. Leeman?”

“N-no, nothing like that,” he answered slowly, then he looked left towards the exit before grimacing subtly, all signs of lying that I was very aware of. “I’m a very supportive coworker, honest without being cruel, um, understanding, professional in all of my dealings.”

Tony nodded his head sagely, briefly making eye contact with me. I almost laughed because I could read Tony as well. He was just about at his limit with this guy.

“I would like to give you a scenario,” said Tony. “Seeing as how you would be in our Human Resources department. Say you had a man at an interview, and he claimed that he was honest, trustworthy, honourable, considerate … you get my drift, right?” Jeff nodded nervously. “Then while you were doing your due diligence, being the good HR employee that I, and the rest of the Avengers would expect, you learned something disturbing about that man. What would you do?”

Jeff was really looking nervous now and I could see and smell, a sheen of fine sweat on his forehead. I decided to turn up the heat.

“Say for example, you learned he asked a coworker at his current position out, after spending time flirting, being courteous, and building an expectation of a relationship.” Jeff was beginning to look green. “Then he took her to a fancy restaurant where they met another couple, a brother and sister, say. Only then did he make it clear to his coworker that she wasn’t his date, she was meant for the slob currently sitting with the woman.”

“It was a joke,” he stammered.

Steve slammed his hand down on the table, surprising both me and Tony.

“It wasn’t a joke to her,” he growled. “Then you had the audacity to ditch her, leaving her with a strange man, without paying the bill.” He got up out of his seat and leaned towards Jeff. “Guys like you make me sick. Do that again to anyone and I hear about it will make me angry. In the words of my friend, the Hulk, you wouldn’t like me when I’m angry. Get out now before I change my mind about letting you go.”

I don’t think I ever saw a normal human run as fast as Jeff did to the elevators, pounding away on the button for it in a panic, even though it should have opened automatically. I think Tony just wanted to watch Jeff lose it. Tony brought up the security camera link inside the elevator car on a visual display and we watched Jeff cowering in the corner, then making a beeline for the doors to the street when he left the elevator. As soon as Jeff was out on the street Tony turned to both of us with his smirk.

“That was a lot of fun,” he said. “Now, for Friday night. The park is ours from 7 pm to 11 pm, ending with a big fireworks display, which I’m guessing you will both want to skip. The people enjoying the park with us will be fellow Avengers and support staff with their families. They’ve all been warned to pretend they don’t know you.” He shrugged. “Whether they listen to me is another matter. The earpieces and contact lenses will be ready tomorrow. You can borrow the Lexus SUV to pick up and drive your dates. Whether you bring them back here or whatever is up to you. Personally, I’m looking forward to taking my two best girls to the amusement park. Should be fun.”

〰️〰️〰️

Friday

Holly

The knock on my door was right on time. I opened it to see Bucky wearing a dark green leather jacket, black T-shirt and jeans. He must have got a haircut as well as it was definitely shorter, but he still looked amazing. As I picked up my jacket, he just kind of smiled at me in a different way.

“What?” I asked, looking down at what I was wearing. “Do I have some food stains on me?”

“No,” he grinned. “You look incredible. I’ll have the prettiest girl on my arm at Coney Island.”

I could feel my cheeks heat up at the compliment as I wasn’t used to it. Holding my jacket just right he helped me on with it then placed his hands on my shoulder and leaned close to my ear.

“You look good all the time.”

His voice was so soft that I almost turned into a puddle right then and there. I don’t know if it was because he was from the 1940s when dating was something different, but I didn’t care. I really liked how he made me feel. After locking up and taking the elevator down we stepped out to where a Lexus SUV was double parked. Opening the back door, he helped me in then sat next to me in the back seat.

“Holly, this is Steve,” he said, nodding his head to the driver, clad in a black leather jacket and T-shirt.

With a voice that was silky smooth the big man at the wheel turned around and flashed me an incredible smile.

“Pleased to meet you,” he said, then gestured to a display on the vehicle. “Just say your sister’s address and Friday will plot the directions.”

“Friday?” I asked.

A female voice greeted me and asked for Ivy’s address. I gave it to her … it … and suddenly a course was shown on the display on the dashboard. Putting the car into gear Steve began driving, asking me generic questions while looking at me through the rear-view mirror. I had seen him on TV and in newspaper articles but seeing him in person was something else. Ivy was definitely not going to believe how good looking he really was. When we got to her building, I started to unbuckle my seatbelt, but Bucky stopped me as Steve got out of the car.

“Steve will get her,” he said, then he put his arm around me and kissed me. “I’m looking forward to this. Haven’t been to Coney Island since 1943. There’s something you should know first.” He took a deep breath and for a moment I thought he was going to say something like he just wanted to be friends. “Steve and I both have PTSD, and it’s triggered by different things but also some similar things. The noises, lights, and crowds there are triggers. Tony invented some earpieces for us that filter out the noise, as well as contact lenses that mute the effect of the flashing lights. Both of us have issues with fireworks and the filters aren’t enough to keep us comfortable so we’ll have to leave before 11:00 when they start. I hope that’s okay.”

I didn’t really know what to say. These two big burly men, who took on some of the worst villains in the world, had fears that could be triggered by an amusement park. Instead of doing something else, they made an effort to find a way to go, just to make Ivy happy. How sweet was that?

“There’s also something else.” His voice rumbled then he took a breath. “We kind of had an encounter with Jeff. We didn’t hurt him or even touch him other than a handshake. Just had a talk with him about playing with women’s hearts and humiliating them for fun. Tony was there and well; it was pretty damn satisfying to see Jeff almost pee his pants trying to get out of the Tower.”

“You did that for Ivy?” I asked. “You haven’t even met her! For all you know she could be a complete b….”

Bucky squeezed my hand to interrupt me as the passenger side door opened and Ivy got in, her face all aglow. Steve closed the door and got behind the wheel.

“Ivy, this is Bucky Barnes,” he said. “You already know Holly very well.”

She smirked then put her hand towards us and shook Bucky’s hand. “I’m pleased to meet you,” she said. “Steve told me what you and Tony Stark did to Jeff. I wish I could have seen it.”

“Actually, you probably can,” smiled Steve, with a definite twinkle in his eye. “Friday records everything.”

“I definitely want to see it,” she exclaimed, snapping her seatbelt into place. “Let’s go to Coney Island.”

Even though I made fun of Ivy for choosing the location of the date I have to admit we had a blast. It became very obvious to us that everyone else at the park had a connection to the Avengers, especially when Tony Stark himself stopped us on the boardwalk to ask if we were having a good time. It didn’t matter as we both figured if the general public were there that we would be stopped every minute for selfies or autographs. The guys themselves were attentive, making us feel like we were the centre of their world. They were also competitive, especially at the shooting gallery as they both did their best to outdo each other in winning the biggest stuffed animal. Bucky came out on top, claiming his WWII sniper experience as the winning factor.

We met up with several other Avengers at Nathan’s Hot Dogs and watched with amazement as both Steve and Bucky easily downed half a dozen hotdogs each plus several beers. Apparently, alcohol had little to no effect on them because of their metabolism. Then Bucky asked Steve if he wanted to go on the Cyclone and I thought that Captain America would fall off the seat laughing. They shared a story from their childhood of Steve throwing up while on the famous rollercoaster because he had too many hot dogs. The obvious affection the pair shared with each other was quite heartwarming to witness and I found myself making eye contact with Ivy often as it reminded us of our own relationship. I didn’t think the date alone with Bucky could be topped but this one was a lot of fun.

At 10:30 Bucky felt his phone vibrate and he gave Steve a look. With some regret they said their goodbyes to the others, and we walked out to the parking lot. By the time the fireworks started we were far enough away that we couldn’t hear or see them. As we drove the two men looked at each other via the rear-view mirror and Steve smiled.

“What do you think?” he asked. “Should we take a little trip down memory lane even though it’s changed a lot since 1943?”

Bucky nodded and held my hand as Steve drove through Brooklyn. We stopped the car a few times as they found a place that was still standing from the 1940s and told us a little story about it. Then just after midnight Steve stopped at an alleyway and turned off the car. He looked into the dark space then back at Bucky.

“It still looks the same, even in the dark,” he said, then turned to Ivy. “You’ll be safe with us, but I want to find something.”

“It won’t be there,” said Bucky. “Not after all this time.”

Steve shrugged and opened the driver’s door. He opened Ivy’s door and took her by the hand, walking into the dark alleyway. I looked at Bucky ominously.

“It’s safe, really,” he said. “I know what he’s looking for. Come on. You can put the flashlight of your phone on. The punk is probably trying to find it in the dark.”

He got out and came around to help me out the car. Fishing my phone out of my purse I turned the flashlight on then he took me by the hand, and we entered the dark space. Immediately I caught Steve and Ivy kissing, and Bucky laughed out loud. Sheepishly, Steve pulled away from Ivy then offered his hand to her. We kept walking down the dark pathway until we came to a dead end. Aiming my phone’s flashlight at the walls Steve told me to keep going up then he saw it, a glint of something metallic like a chain hanging over the edge. I couldn’t really tell what object the chain was attached to but they both knew.

“I’ll be damned,” whispered Bucky. “It’s still there. You going to get it, or am I?”

Without answering Steve stepped back a couple of spaces then leaped up to the ledge, grasping whatever it was up there and dropping back lightly on his feet. It was an impressive leap, and I know that Ivy and I were definitely intrigued. Steve opened his hand revealing a locket, covered in dirt. Using his thumb, he rubbed off what dirt he could then he gently opened it. A single tear ran down his cheek as he saw the pictures inside were still there. Bucky looked and placed his hand on Steve’s shoulder.

“All these years,” he said gently. He swallowed then looked at me. “This was his Ma’s locket. The hospital gave it to him on the day she died. As he was walking home a bunch of guys who had bullied him before chased him into this alleyway. He knew they would take it so he threw it as high as he could to keep it away from them. They beat him up and stole his wallet. I was working so I wasn’t there for him, but we tried to find a way to get to it later, coming up short every time. Eventually, we gave up, but we hoped that it would be safe there.”

“That’s incredible,” said Ivy, looking at the small pictures of his mother and father. “She’s beautiful and is that your dad?” Steve nodded. “He was a handsome man. I can see where you get your looks from.”

“I didn’t always look like this,” he smiled. “I was pretty scrawny then but thank you. I’m … I’m just happy I found it again and I only found it because I was out on a date with you.” She put her hand on his shoulder, beaming at him. With a cleansing breath he closed the locket and placed it in his pocket. “Let’s get out of here and go for a drink or something. I know I could use one.”

We found a nice quiet little bar and stayed there for a couple of more hours as Steve and Bucky shared stories of growing up in Brooklyn. Ivy and I shared some stories of our childhood and youth as well, proving that some things, like growing up with your best friend, were universal. When the bartender announced last call, we reluctantly left and headed for the car. Steve dropped me off at my place where Bucky looked at me with a question in his eyes. I smiled back, leaving it up to him if he was coming up or not.

“I’ll see you later, Steve,” he said. “Ivy, it was fun.”

We didn’t do anything, other than kiss, but I did fall asleep in his arms and woke up in his arms several hours later. A text from Steve to Bucky said that he and Ivy were going out to a familiar diner for breakfast, so we cleaned up and waited for them to come get us. It was the longest second date I ever had but was also now officially the best date ever. Even better, I think I was falling in love.

If you liked this one shot please like, comment, and reblog.

[brainyrot]

Fanfic Update? 🙃

I think I'm gonna start preparing the fic on ao3

He underestimated those finger guns, sure it didn't hurt but the impact. Oh, the impact.

Managed to destroy his hand, obviously he can always..get it back. It's ink, who cares. But, it's impressive. Surely not impressive and big enough to destroy or even kill him, but it is something that should be taken off right now. He can't just have these people walk around with such a weapon.

whines and curses of pain of a cup, now running away with a slowly, slowly falling apart limp.

He didn't rip it off in time, but you're gonna need super glue to fix that crack for sure. At least he knows it's not functional anymore.

he just needs to get the other one.

"that was NOT bendy!" She screamed, mostly to herself. "It couldn't be! Have you seen that thing?! if- it just couldn't be! And it talked. It talked!" she was frantic, who knew what was going on in her head.

"whoever that was..we need to keep as far as we can of distance from it."

"Have you seen what he has done to your arm Cuphead? It nearly broke it. We gotta look at the wound now." rather have a brother with two arms and a functioning finger gun than a brother with one arm and no finger gun.

"Let's just get somewhere safe and then we can look at it, 'kay mugs?" the cat suggested. But what if it was really bendy? it couldn't be. it was too..it didn't feel like bendy.

The way it talked, it's mannerisms, it's nothing like Bendy's. But at the same time, bendy never acted like himself whenever he had these.. moments.

but how could they help bendy? He was a threat now and approaching was a no go, Cuphead was injured and stuck in an unknown place.

ugh..reminds him of the labyrinth, except that now the main threat was bendy, and not that Sarah kid.

But..was it.. actually him? It's just hard to think it is! maybe it's really some labyrinth situation, just instead of memories it's ink.. mimicking people?

Who knows.

he's thinking of the worst right now.

They don't know where they are going, and the more they go deep in this place, the more ink slowly creeps in until it's nothing but that.

Could it be that the ink is sentient? A parasitic being that slowly consumes everything and everyone? Could explain why those people seemed or..were made of ink. Maybe..maybe bendy is also a victim?

it's possible, a parasitic being, the ink, that takes over your mind. It's a thing between insects, it's possible with this too.

It explains the ink people, the ink that somehow is always here, around, and the aggressiveness.

it makes the person aggressive and submissive to the control of the ink until it consumes them and die.

Maybe it's different with demons? bendy seemed also made of ink but more.. covered. You could see his..eerie smile, part of the bone of his horns and hooves.

could it be that the ink illness is messing with it? Instead of turning into an inky being he's slowly melting? The way the bones, teeth and hooves were showing it seemed like melting.

or..maybe this is all the ink illness. it makes sense, because everyone here at least has some ink on them but it's just stains. Whole for bendy and whoever the rest was, it was like it took over completely.

Maybe only who is ill is affected by this?

"..guys! I think I got it!" the feline stopped.

"Got what? That my hand is gone?" The red cup huffed, sarcastically commenting on his wound.

"No, not yet. Sit down on one of those chairs and we'll fix that. But, I think I figured out something for this place."

"How to get out?" Mugman asked, kind of a stupid question but hey, who doesn't wanna get out.

"No, but,,what if all of this is just the ink illness doing?"

"..what." ridiculous, he thought. Is there a cigarette around?

"Hear me out! the ink seems so alive! Gave you not see it create people from mere puddles?! And the ink people! And bendy! What if these are all ink illness victims that not only have an incurable illness-"

"Yet." Hope, holly may, hope.

"-but now are controlled by this sentient ink making them aggressive like those guys earlier and bendy! We saw him before, he was docile a minute ago and now he's hunting us."

"but it doesn't make any sen-"

"The ink machine!" Mugman thought. "The ink machine was here! what if it's really the ink machine doing? what if it's malfunctioning and that's why instead of curing everyone it's doing..that to them? What if the ink is from the ink machine and whoever is infected is now victim of this weird..mind control in ink Felix says."

"The ink machine is here?"

"it explains a few things..but how do we fix it?"

"I don't know yet but.. let's try and fix that hand of your first."

"I did the best I could but .. it's like if you badly glued something together and it's not holding together at all."

"welp..I guess I'll have to learn how to write with my left hand."

"Don't say that! Holly is gonna fix it!..maybe just, bandaging it tight? Once we're out of here we can find that cream that helps us with the cracks."

"Oh that weird thing? Maybe I can make it."

"Why doesn't the cat gets it out of his silly bag?" cup pointed out.

The feline shrugged. "Honestly I doubt I'll get it out of here, this bag isn't too cooperative."

"Look we'll just bandage it, don't use your hand until we find another way. And..I think we should start finding food and a big enough room to even sit down and relax."

"Yeah, we're just standing around in the open."

"c'mon then, let's go. finish with those bandages."

"I'm doing it,, I'm doing it,, okay, I'm do-"

A hum, a song, a beautiful voice that seemed to belong to an angel.

"we need to hide!"

"Where?!"

"I-i-i don't know- uh-"

A few footsteps, the voice humming was probably wearing heels. It's getting closer.

"...I think I know that vo-" "in here!" a random room, a closet he thinks. There's an axe here, it can be useful.

The voice is getting louder. The humming is getting more addictive as it goes on, he wants to know who is it. He wants to know why does she sounds so familiar.

[fandom-reblog-central]

I wish there were more af x dp and af x dc content

Artemis is prime adoption material as a child genius with black hair and blue eyes, and the clone and time travel stuff with Danny would slay

Post TLG: “You… overshadowed your clone?” “He was empty.”

Tim may have figured out the Batfam’s identities as a wee lad, but Artemis discovered and finessed a fae government

Holly has to fight a rogue (from either dp or dc)

Danny meets another weird rich person who is at least a little evil and obsessed with something inhuman

Orion and the batkids become besties

Artemis is rich: there could be gala shenanigans

Artemis starts studying ghosts since he’s on better terms with the fairies and the Zone is confused by this pallid living boy and his tank of a Butler

There’s even a chance for reformed rogue nonsense since he was raised to be an unscrupulous figure

Everyone bonding over the massive responsibilities they have despite being children

Bonding over the lack of real recognition

Arty and Timber bond over their absent parents and batshit (heh) shenanigans

Perhaps even Artemis (post character development) bonding over being slightly annoyed about needing to protect and always be better (Danny or batfam tbh)

Liminal!/Halfa!Artemis since he’s died before

Butler and Alfred know each other

Bruce trained at Madame Ko’s for a stint and met Juliet or Domovoi

Danny brings a message from Root/informs the poor man about what Holly is up to with everyone’s least favorite Mud Boy (and maybe angst where they meet again??)

Would Orion be in the Zone?

Arty and Damian bond (first over scathing judgements of others, then over shared interests, or they fill in each other’s gaps of knowledge, and they both have issues with their parental figures that remain unresolved)

Damian bullies Artemis for being weak and having generally bad reflexes (he’s so stabbable)

Artemis helps Danny modify his parents’ inventions (and/or gets into a friendly competition with Foaly and/or Tim to do so, Mulch tries to steal it)

Mulch tries to rob Bruce Wayne and gets in over his head

Goblin in Gotham

Troll in Amity Park

Ghost in Fowl Manor

Constantine is desperately avoiding the LEP

Holly blows up the Nasty Burger in a mission gone wrong (why is the sauce so flammable???)

The Riddler just can’t get one over on Artemis Fowl II

Tucker and Artemis end up in a hack-off with Foaly as the ref (or any combo of that lol—maybe even toss the dc computer batkids in there)

The Batfam finds they can’t speak another language to avoid being understood by Holly

Damian giving into whimsy and trying to disguise it as a diplomatic/vigilante/“just curious” thing when asking Holly about elves

Foaly messes with the batfam or tucker (or even the fruit loop)

Arty and the Bats are allies, find Holly, and when they take her in, she says something like “reminds me of the time Artemis kidnapped me” (Cue concern and confusion from BatFam, or, alternatively, “yeah, that sounds right”)

Batsy adopts another emotionally constipated child with a moral compass that knows where North is most of the time, but doesn’t like facing that direction

Barbara powers through some interference trying to defeat a rogue and discovers the LEP

Portal issues lead to Arty and the gang in the Zone or Gotham

Lazarus is a portal to the demon world, explaining the hair change (and possibly rage)

Dick trains Artemis to get more flexible, Jason bullies him into lifting weights or working on his punches, Damian keeps him on his toes with the whole stabbing thing—

Danny is enlisted by the LEP to tail Mulch underground, finds BatCave

There’s so much that could happen

This was so fun and exciting to think of, but I can’t do any of them justice

I am not a fanfic writer but I want this so bad

If anyone has any more concepts or perhaps even a snippet, please tag me!!

[solticeenery]

"Lockwood!" Lucy screams when a big grey, black and white ball of fur rolls down the stairs, kind of squeaks and rushes between her feet somewhere under the couch.

"What's wrong, Luce?" Anthony asks leaving his sister's room and closing the door behind him.

"What. Is. This?" she hisses pointing in direction of living room.

"What exactly?" Lockwood smiles cautiously not knowing what to expect. They are officially dating for a year now, but he's still confused and a bit scared, when Lucy is so angry. He slowly approaches her, keeping the distance between them. Just in case Lucy decides to throw something like she sometimes does when she's pissed. And she definitely looks like that right now. "If you... Specify the problem, we can come up with some kind of solution."

Lucy sighs heavily, trying to calm down, and reminds herself, that Lockwood isn't always the one and only reason of every single disaster happening here. George can be responsible for it not less than Anthony himself. Sometimes it's just Kipps with his concerning but harmless sense of humour. Maybe there's apocalypse coming, because Holly suddenly decided to make fun of them. There are variations of what exactly happened. That's why Lucy takes a deep breath and starts again.

"Anthony, my dear, why is there a raccoon in our house?" she definitely doesn't have any strength left to control the way she addresses Lockwood, when everyone is in the kitchen and can hear every single word. Excluding Holly, she's probably in the office sorting some papers.

"A what..?" Lockwood is obviously startled. "Luce, I'm not sure if I heard you loud and clear, could you please repeat?"

"Sure!" nervous laughter escapes her lungs. "There is a raccoon in our house and I'd like to know, why is it there. To be more specific, under the couch in living room."

"Nope, I heard everything right on first try, a raccoon, ha-ha, okay, whatever, w h a t. T h e. F u c k ?! I beg your pardon but I don't have other words right now?"

"Don't worry, hon, me too" Lucy smiles, relieved, that Lockwood has nothing to do with this incident, and comes to him just to snug in his arms for a second as an apology for shouting at the most precious person in her entire life. He holds her gently, buries his face against her neck and takes a slow deep breath, presumably processing the existence of raccoon on Portland Row 35. Not an easy type of acceptance, but they don't have a choice. First and foremost because Lucy can already guess, whose brilliant idea it was. Flo (please burn in hell) Bones.

No, she does like Flo when she is helpful, but otherwise Lucy prefers to avoid her as much as possible. Mostly because she doesn't like relic-men whoever they are and however useful they can be. She already learned that it's easier when relic-girl stays out of her sight and doesn't bother her with some stupid jokes and meaningful gazes. Lucy has had enough. The Skull overdid all possible norms in first months of her and Lockwood dating.

"So... Who are we interrogating now? George? Quill? Holly?" Lucy tilts her head and rests it on Lockwood's shoulder, admiring their perfect height difference.

"Uh... Whatever you wanna ask, I don't know anything?" sound of Holly's voice makes her shiver a bit and turn around. And see that their assistant just came to work. "Sorry, I know, I'm late, I..."

"It's alright, Holly," Lockwood says softly and calmingly squeezes Lucy's shoulder. "Just don't enter the living room until I allow it, okay?"

"Okay?" Holly is obviously confused and looks at the room uncertainly. "May I ask why?"

"There is a raccoon under the couch," Lucy answers and an expression of pure shock and disbelief on Holly's face is just adorable and worth every inch of this ball of fur.

"A what now? Raccoon?! How?!!"

"If only we knew. But I have an idea," Lockwood giggles and raises his voice. "George! Could you please come for a second."

The chatter in the kitchen suddenly stops and not long after George appears in the hallway with a mug of tea. Lucy can spot Kipps behind him, sipping his morning coffee and definitely eavesdropping.

"Morning," George yawns. "What has already happened?"

"A raccoon happened!" Holly answers instead of Lockwood. "Who left the backdoor opened? You? Or Quill?" Kipps freezes. They all once saw, how angry Holly can be and how dangerous for everyone else it is. Enough to say, that noone wanted to be the target of Holly's anger. It was scarier than all types of ghosts together in one room.

George blinks couple times. Looks at the couch. Frowns, when he hears some suspicious noises underneath it. And suddenly bursts into laughter.

"Oh, you mean Charcoal!" the noises stop, and a small black nose shows up between two blankets, sniffing. "Come here, boy, it's okay." The raccoon rushes into George's open arms, hides its fluffy head under his chin and silently cries. "Yeah, yeah, I know, she can be rude, don't blame her."

"I bet you won't survive the night," Quill shakes his head. "Either Holly or Lucy are gonna kill you."

"Nah, c'mon, Charcoal is too cute, who's gonna look after him, if I'm gone?"

"Flo," Kipps shrugs. "She brought this fur ball here 'till tomorrow morning, and I'm looking forward to her taking this monster away."

"So relic-girl it is," Holly sighs, rolls her eyes and goes to the kitchen to make some tea for them. And Lucy can already guess on that annoyed-angry look on Holly's face that neither Kipps nor George get their mugs refilled. Not as if it bothers them. Not as if Lucy or Lockwood want to disagree with their assistant.

"So... Are we done for now?" George asks burying his face in raccoon's fur.

"Ew, how can you do that?" Lucy grimaces. "He probably was digging in the trash lately. I wouldn't be surprised I mean, it's Flo we're talking about."

"I bathed him this morning! He's clean!"

"You know what, Lockwood," Holly says coming back to the doorway, "I'm cleaning your bathroom with bleach and vinegar today. Or better. George, you are making it, I don't want to know where this fluffy devil was and what could it bring on him."

"Agreed," Lockwood chuckles and turns to Lucy. "We have to meet the client today, don't you mind if I use your bathroom? I don't want to risk my pretty face getting peeled off after Charcoal's presence."

"Oh, sure," Lucy smiles. "I don't want you to risk it either."

She expects George to say something to it, something sarcastic and funny, but the silence is so loud and Lockwood's grin is so sly that it takes some time untill she understands what did her friends hear in these words.

"Yeah, take your time I suppose," George waves his hand. Lucy can see Kipps biting his lips in desperate attempt not to die from laughter. And Holly just sighs heavily.

"I expect both of you to get down to the front door at the noon. Maybe earlier if you manage it, but not later."

Lucy narrows her eyes ready to answer something sarcastic but Lockwood just pulls her upstairs, winking to the others. As soon as they close the door to her room, Lockwood throws his arms around her waist and gently pushes his forehead against hers.

"You can't kill them, Luce."

"Yeah, yeah, as if you would ever allow it."

"Or injure them in any way."

"Not even nudge someone?"

Lockwood frowns, thinking. "George. For the raccoon. He deserves it. But noone else."

Lucy wants to remind him, that he also doesn't like whenever their friends are joking about their relationship. But his soft warm lips meet hers, and in an instant the world stops existing. They won't be ready at the noon, of course Holly understood it.

The last thought Lucy can catch before loosing herself in Lockwood's arms is that maybe — just maybe — she should thank Flo for bringing Charcoal at their place. Because she definitely heard the most awaited words whispered against her lips.

"I think my last name suits you better."

And Lucy can deny it.

It surely does.

[because-she-goes]

louder than bombs

warnings: some swearing, banter, matty brain rot, an obscene amount of music references, matty being hot, enemies to lovers. Enjoy!

Rooney stared at the document on her computer, the cursor blinking back at her. Books in piles around her and the quiet hum on the air conditioning being the only thing she is able to focus on… not the rough draft of the profile she’s supposed to have submitted to the first round of edits by the end of the week. Her home is normally a quiet, calm, serene environment for writing - the diffuser of jasmine oil typically comforting her mind whenever it got a bit too busy, yet now it only nauseated her. Now it only reminded her of him, and the way his jugular vein shot up out of the collar of his shirt past his perfectly angular jawline and into his side burn and also the way the gold cartier band wrapped around the bones in his wrist and pulse point and shined against his pale skin. Fuck matty healy she thinks, rubbing her temples. A deep sigh leaving her throat, the whole day had been like this.

Unable to concentrate properly on anything and mind adrift, the only real thing she could think of was how the few hours or so she spent with Matty talking about music over their respective caffeinated beverages felt like it was only a split second. Another wave of nausea as something dawned on her, like a sunbeam coming through the trees and into her home - she could have spent a lifetime talking to him about the music they both loved and grew up with in the north of england. She talked about The Hollies and the guitar sections in “Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress)”, he talked about how The Stone Roses had more grit and rock than her precious Hollies could ever dream of. Rooney recalled looking him dead in those fucking eyes and saying “Graham Nash and Allan Clarke. Case closed.” and how that had silenced the whole discussion of who was better, they then moved onto discussions about Joy Division vs. New Order and The Smiths vs. The Cure. They then drifted off music for a bit to a topic of utmost importance to Matty, who she preferred, Manchester City or Man United. They butted heads the whole time, but Rooney had never met another human on the planet who knew as much about Manchester music than herself. It was as if a human had gotten split into two and then the twins were sent in opposite directions of the music world, one the performer and one the critic.

She had to get out of her house, and quickly. If she festered in this mental rot any longer she was sure it would begin to decompose. Rooney grabbed her keys and shoved her writing gear into a bag and said a quick goodbye to her Bernese Mountain puppy Arlo. With that she was now in the open world and on her way to the local coffee shop near her house - where she had first met the man plaguing her every thought. She waved a hello to the baristas and plopped down in one of the comfier corners and got set up. Opening the document again, she felt more refreshed and as focussed as a laser. Funny what some fresh air and a change of scenery can do to the brain. That is until she felt a particularly strong tap on the shoulder, fucking brilliant right when she just got back into her groove. Annoyed, she turned around at whatever this disturbance was.

“Why hello there, clover! Funny seeing you here, thought you’d be cooped up in your house editing away our little interview. Which may I add, was one of the most delightful press things I have ever done so thanks for the chat, darling. I brought you your regular… iced peppermint tea right?” His perfectly coarse voice rang out over the Bob Dylan playing on the speakers.

Fuck him. Fuck Matty for being so attentive, so kind, so handsome… so Matty.

“You know, you still don't have to suck up to me right? I’m not gonna be putting anything in to help you impress some girl you're shagging so you can forget all about that… Darling.” She spat at him, snatching the iced tea sharply. Fuck him for getting her so riled up and out of her mind with… whatever this new emotion was.

“Jealous it isn’t you, clover? And for the record, she’s just a friend, nothing more - and you’d know if I was trying to impress someone. Enjoy the iced tea and good luck with the edit, Rooney. Maybe I’ll be seeing you around, I quite like it here.” He then walked out the door, lighting a cig and strolling down the road. The gray smoke perfectly matched the grays in his hairline.

Rooney huffed. Well, today was gonna be a wash. She closed her laptop and sipped her deliciousy sweet peppermint tea - fuck he remembered the honey she put in it. Another huff and sip.

Another huff and sip, Matty read his paper. He was sitting at the cafe from the NME interview, growing to quite like the calming energy and the cappuccinos were some of the best he had tasted. In the paper today, like every other day, the resounding message was that the world was going to shit. Another huff and sip of the now room temperature coffee, flipping the pages of the paper to the Art and Culture section. He liked reading these sections for obvious reasons, but especially since they typically focussed on new and emerging artists. People and musicians who may be getting the exposure for the first time, people who reminded him of his younger self and of simpler times. Back when the 1975 weren’t headlining festivals like Glastonbury or Reading and Leeds, back before they weren’t selling out arenas in New York or working on the set design of their global tours. He liked reminiscing on those simpler times, before the money or the fame or the girls that would sit outside of venues waiting for him. Don’t mistake him, he loved his life currently and everything, he just wished he could have some of that normal, mundane, quietness back. He longed for domesticity and peace. With that, and a few articles and mugs of coffee later, he felt the energy shift.

A soft breeze of the doors opening went through the cafe, a golden leaf landing at his foot. Looking up, he saw the flash of red hair go by him followed by a waft of cherry and almond - holy fuck, she even smelled divine. His heart began to pound against his ribs, he felt like it was in his throat all of a sudden. His mind dizzy with her, how her eyes were so fixed on him as he spoke to her that day and how easy it was to carry the conversation - like he had known her a lifetime already. He went up to the barista and quickly ordered her regular with honey as he recalled being perplexed by - a cold drink mixed in with something so sticky sweet. He swallowed his nerves as he could now hear his heart beating away in his chest - louder than bombs. He remembered talking about The Smiths vs. The Cure with her and how she had preferred Morrissey and how he was a Manchester lead singer. As if she couldn’t be any better, he thought in the moment.

With her drink in hand and his regular Truman Black persona in tow, he waltzed over to her table. Delicate hand tapping her rounded shoulder. A huff…no. A gentle gasp leaving her lips.

[apocrypals]

Weird question maybe but how do you both like Christmas so much?

I am ex-evangelical in the way that probably lots of your listeners are and now that I don’t have the like church-y part of Christmas I just kind of feel bad about it :/ and you guys have such a genuine love for Christmas it seems like !! So if you have any advice about liking Christmas and not getting bogged down in bad theology feelings i would appreciate !! Or if that’s too big of an ask thanks for the show anyways and I hope you’re listening to Darlene love !!

A number of years ago, Chris did a podcast episode with our mutual friend Elle Collins about the joys of secular Christmas, but it doesn't seem to exist on internet anymore, alas.

But without even diving deeply into the semiotics of the thing, I feel there's much to like about Christmas at an absolutely surface level with minimal religious trappings: lights, decorations, music, food, candy, hot drinks, getting together with friends and family, parties, that kind of stuff. For a lot of people, that kind of thing is enough to enjoy Christmas even if they don't have a religious attachment.

However, if you need something more, the things I like to think about when it comes to Christmas are that it's a celebration at the darkest time of the year, when much of nature sleeps or dies, and in a way, we're forced to confront our own mortality. BUT, Christmas (and other winter holidays; this isn't a Christmas exclusive) reminds us that life and death is a cycle: today is dark, but tomorrow is a little brighter. If you're no longer into the idea of an incarnate deity born that man no more may die, consider the holly, the evergreen. If they can tough out the winter, so can we. "Hope," saith the holly.

And we foster that hope with lights and songs and games and music and good food and good will and forgiveness toward the other people around us. Consider these verses from a favorite song of mine:

All hail to the days that merit more praise Than all the rest of the year And welcome the nights that double delights As well for the poor as the peer Good fortune attend each merry man's friend That doth but the best that he may Forgetting old wrongs with carols and songs To drive the cold winter away 'Tis ill for a mind to anger inclined To think of small injuries now If wrath be to seek, do not lend her your cheek Nor let her inhabit thy brow Cross out of thy books malevolent looks Both beauty and youth's decay And wholly consort with mirth and sport To drive the cold winter away

In that podcast I was talking about at the top, Chris talked about how he loves the very idea of Santa Claus, because he represents humankind at their most selfless. Not just in the idea that there's a powerful figure whose whole deal is giving other people things, but that Christmas morning is likely to be the happiest a kid will feel all year, and parents are willing to give someone else credit for it. It almost staggers the mind, tbh.

On top of that, for me personally, one of the major draws of the Christmas season is the wealth of folklore that comes along with it, but your mileage may vary on that.

Anyway, of course, all this winter stuff only applies if you're in the Northern Hemisphere; sorry if you're in Australia or something, I don't have any metaphors for you.

[beardedmrbean]

Is there still no sign of Otis for Fat Bears? I know this is just the course of nature and Otis is an old lad, but it still makes me sad that something may have happened to him… praying I’m just being paranoid.

No sign of him that anyone has seen, one of the videos about him we get reminded that Katmai is a very large place and he may have just moved to a different fishin hole, that's my hope for him right about now too.

Holly disappeared for several months last year after stopping by early on and then she came back so he could still pop up too.

Fingers crossed on all that

[m4ndysk4nkovich]

hiya!!

what sort of music do you think debbie is into?

AHHHH YES IM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS ASK

anon i don’t think you realized what you have just started i am insane

marina, this is canon. she says it in season 4, and i will honestly make an entire other post regarding this because she is so marina-coded and almost every marina song fits her (ie. teen idle, the family jewels, primadonna, girls, mans world, i am not a robot), and i think that the time period she listens to marina is so important to her character in a way because season 4 debbie’s mindset is VERY teen idle.

lana del rey, so i think that @l0st4l1fe will definitely agree with me on this and probably have more to say on it, but i’d definitely say lana del rey. the time that she was born makes lana del rey fitting for her, and especially if she was into marina, because a lot of marina fans are lana fans (myself included). and the song “did you know that there’s a tunnel under ocean blvd” is SO debbie gallagher (like the lyrics, “don’t forget me”), also a&w is very debbie. i also think that mandy probably liked ultraviolence, and i’ll say something about mandy in a second because i definitely think that mandy influenced debbie’s music taste.

hole, so some people may know this about me, some people may not, but i am a MAJOR hole fan and i definitely think that debbie would like hole. hole is very much “female rage”, and debbie very much is the character that comes to mind when i hear “female rage”. hole’s song doll parts fits mandy a lot, so i think that she would like hole for that reason (+ the fact that hole is a female grunge band, which she may like), and i think that she showed debbie hole. hole’s song i think that i would die is about losing custody of your daughter, so i think that debbie would resonate with that. and the song she walks on me is just SO season 5/10 debbie and i have no explanation other than she just sounds so angry. whatever- 10/10 band and she may like them.

taylor swift, again, this is kind of just the time that she grew up, like, she was six when debut came out so she was just kind of growing up with that music and i could see her liking it. she probably really likes reputation and folklore (she’s a mirrorball girlie) now, but back in season one/two she liked speak now and fearless.

paramore, yet another band she stole from mandy. i actually could see her stealing this from mandy and ian both because i have no explanation really but ian seems like he would like paramore (the song tell me it’s okay reminds me of him). debbie would definitely like all i wanted and ain’t it fun. those songs are just very debbie.

fiona apple, i actually see this with fiona (gallagher, lol) more, but this would just be her stealing her big sisters music taste. she wouldn’t really like fiona apple, but i think she would like i want you to love me because c’mon, it’s debbie.

lorde, again, kinda just the listening to marina in 2014 set this off. the song the love club is literally SO her in season 4 with holly and ellie (“it’s time the kid got free”, “there are fights for being my best friend” “take the pill make it too real”), i have a post saved in my drafts all about that. and also liability fits (“get you wild, make you leave”), as well as ribs (“and i’ve never felt more alone, feels so scary getting old”.)

i can probably think of more but that’s it for now ok bye bye