#*cough* 49 hours *cough*

[ignite-art]

me and my partner saw you from across the pub and we did not dig your vibe

↓ Close up below ↓

[fushigur0ll]

24/7 SURVEILLANCE

꒰ ♡ ꒱ — you snuck in the kitchen late at night to eat all the sweets but earth42!miles catches you [ sequel to in sickness & in health ]

including; kisses, you getting caught eating cake, miles carrying you, cuddles and black fem reader!!! not proofread, ignore mistakes

“i’m not even gonna lie, i’m not in the least bit surprised” miles announced out-loud, making you flinch and yelp, turning around to face him with your mouth messy from the cake and icing.

It was around 5 AM, and miles was rolling into yet another comfortable position in bed when he realized that he wasn't holding you in his arms. He had been hugging air for about an hour now, and as he looked at the bed, he noticed that you were no longer there. His eyebrows furrowed in confusion and concern.

"Babe.." he called out, but received no response other than the faint sound of padding downstairs. He blinked and rubbed his eyes, stretched his limbs, and with a groan, swung his legs off the bed and stood up. He walked across the room towards the door and exited as quietly as possible, hearing the fridge opening and closing. As he walked towards the kitchen, he heard you curse in a loud whispering tone. He saw you struggling to take off the plastic from the cake container, but they made too much noise.

He watched as you huffed in frustration and stepped back, staring at the vanilla cake sitting in its container. You thought to yourself, "If I were to just take it off, it would make too much noise and wake up my beloved sleeping boyfriend." Unbeknownst to you, he was already downstairs, leaning against the doorframe and watching you with amusement.

You sighed and touched the container again, staring at it before taking a deep breath and coughing as loudly as you could to rip off the container. The way you ripped it off was so delayed to your coughing that he wanted to laugh right then and there. However, he held back his laughter and watched as you did a little dance in celebration.

‘cute’ he thinks to himself. you get a fork and start eating the cake, moaning and humming in delight from the taste of vanilla swarming in your mouth.

"I'll have a few more bites, then I'm done," you mumbled to yourself with a mouthful of cake, your words slightly muffled. Miles heard you nonetheless and watched as you took a few more bites which turned to another few more and more and more and more— so you basically lied to yourself but the cake was just too good! you continued to enjoy the half-eaten cake.He glanced at the clock and saw that it was 5:49 AM. Shaking his head, he decided to bring you back to bed. He wanted to present himself to you, and that's where the beginning of this story began and now continues.

you stared at Miles after he announced himself with a fork in your hand, covered in cake. Your mouth was also covered in cake, and even the tip of your nose was smudged with it. Miles couldn't help but laugh as he looked at the mess you had made. You continued to chew and swallow whatever was left in your mouth while still staring at him.

"hi baby!" you smiled and grabbed a paper towel to wipe your mouth off. Miles composed himself and walked towards you, taking the towel from your hand to wipe your mouth. He held your chin and tilted it up to get a better view of what he had to clean.

“so you escape from my arms to come and eat cake because i said no yesterday when you were sick” he raises an eyebrow and you look away

“..because you were being unfair- but me being unfair got you better no?” he cuts you off and smirks when he sees you glare and huff.

“tired of you” you mumble but collapse into his chest hugging him tightly and he hugs you back, kissing your head.

“did you at least enjoy the cake” he asks, looking down at you and you stare back up at him with your chin on his chest.

“it was so good” you whisper, shaking your head and he chuckles, patting your bonnet/hair wrap protected head. “wanna go back to bed now?” he asks removing his arms from you to put the fork in the sink and putting the plastic back on the cake with your arm still around his torso. he looks at you when he was finished and hoists your up and over his shoulder making you yelp and hold his lower back.

“MILES- BOY WHATS WRONG WITH YOU” you panic, kicking your legs and he just pinches your thigh making you hiss and give up. “i hate you”

“you love me” he retorts

“i do, i really do” you sigh helplessly and he laughs, walking out the kitchen and turning off the light on his way out.

he stops suddenly and scrunches up his face. you get confused. “baby? you okay?” you try to look at him from upside down and just as he was about to say something he lets out a huge and ugly sneeze. his eyes widen and then puts you down, glaring at you to which you blink up at him in confusion

“something happened?” you frown and cup his cheeks but they suddenly feel warm so you feel his neck and forehead.

“miles you’re burning up-ohhhhhhh..wooow” you realize as to why he’s glaring at you and suck your lips in trying refrain from laughing but he notices and pounces at you but you were too quick and was already running up the stairs cackling with him right behind you also too fast and caught up with you. he flings you over his shoulder again and sighs, walking towards the bedroom with you giggling drunkly upside down

“and what did i say yesterday?” he grumbles, gently throwing you on the bed, causing you to bounce on it.

"Uhh... that you love me?" you blinked flirtatiously, but all he did was hit you with a pillow, making you laugh even more. He fell on top of you and sighed, sniffling.

“now i have to take care of you” you smile, rubbing the back of his neck and cheek, feeling him doze off on your chest as he just mumbles incoherent things.

“lucky i love you..would’ve thrown you in the garbage can” he mutters tiredly, getting comfortable on your body and you snicker.

“certainly lucky, very lucky indeed”

fushigur0ll © 2022 all rights reserved. do not plagarize, translate, or post to other sites please.

[fae-renjun]

OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE CAMERA — h.sh

ep. 2 — audition day! [𖦹 wc: 730+]

previous | masterlist | next

— leehan coughed lightly to get your attention, “huh? oh. sorry, i’m just zoned out.”

“yeah i could tell,” he replied with a laugh

you smiled and looked back down at the scripts on the desk in front of you, overwhelmed by the fact that it was finally happening, you were finally making a film. the idea of watching people act out the scenes you wrote was daunting.

“i think a couple of people are already here, should i let them in?” you looked at the digital clock above the door, the red lights on it flashed 11:49. 

"tell them to wait a bit longer, i need to um-"

"it’s ok if you’re nervous. just because it’s a college short film doesn’t mean it doesn’t matter to you."

“thanks. and thanks for helping out again, i know the other three are busy for another hour but sungchan said him and his friends should be coming to help.”

“it’s no problem y/n, we’re all doing this together.” “honestly i don’t know what i would do without you guys.”

“you’d probably suffer,” he said, trying to alleviate your stress before going out to tell the people auditioning to wait longer. 

you took a deep breath. you can do this y/n. it’s just auditions. 

leehan walked back into the studio with sungchan, wonbin, eunseok and anton in tow. you greeted each other, and you thanked them for taking the time to help. “i just want to watch seunghan embarrass himself honestly,” said anton, which was met with eunseok hitting his chest so he followed up with, “-and to help. obviously.”

you laughed, “it’s ok, there’s not that much for you to do anyway, just take these scripts,” you picked up the stack from the desk and walked over to them, “and pass them around when the auditionees come in.”

before you knew it, 10 minutes had passed by, so when the clock showed 11:59, you got the boys to call the auditionees in. it was only about 10 people, some you recognised, some you didn’t. you’d made a lot of time for auditions, knowing there were people that had classes and could only show up later. what you didn’t expect was how many people would show up.

in total, 34 people auditioned for the 4 available roles. you were in for a lot of difficult decision making that night. your frontrunners for the female lead were ahn yujin from your year and kim minjeong, a senior. you definitely knew minjeong better, having hung out with her before since her and karina went to high school together. but while both played the part better than anyone in that room, yujin brought such a realistic edge to the character, it was fascinating to watch her audition because you could really feel your character come to life. 

the male lead front runners were sung hanbin and hong seunghan. you knew seunghan from a few classes you’d taken together in the past, and because he was friends with sungchan, a highschool classmate of yours. he was on the basketball team, and you’d seen a couple of games of his. you knew he was good at basketball, but you’d never expected him to be so good at acting. in many ways he felt like your character had been lifted off the page and become a real person. you were trying desperately to ignore the tiny bias in your head towards him, courtesy of the crush you’d had last semester. 

hanbin on the other hand, was vice-captain of the dance team, and was expected to take over once shotaro (the current captain) graduated. he had a natural talent for performance of all kinds, as was evident from his audition. 

needless to say, you were exhausted once the auditions were done, letting out a huge breath once everyone but your friends had left. 

“god that was fucking tiring,” said yizhuo. taesan nodded, “too many good options, but at least the bad ones were fun to watch.” you all hummed in agreement, and packed up your things in silence. 

“so, back to the apartment for decisions? i wanna get it done by tomorrow afternoon,” you said when everyone looked ready to go. “can we pick up snacks on the way?” asked leehan. you nodded in response and the 5 of you set off to you, yizhuo and karina’s shared apartment.

a/n: sorry for the delay, the main reason this chapter took so long was me procrastinating the written section lols. also! lmk if you guys want a teaser for my next smau (a wonbin one) set in the same universe 👀

tags: @billiondollarworth @nujeskz @secretiny @soobsthings @talk420 @renjuneoo @flaminghotyourmom @academiq @luffysgfforevaa1 @hwadejectedyoung @starwonb1n @onebnis @calumsfringe

© 2024 FAE-RENJUN. All Rights Reserved. Do not copy or steal any of my posts.

[covid-safer-hotties]

In reference to this, what does the negative home test mean? Is it people not taking them and lying or is my home test not reliable?

It's several things, two of which you've already stated in your last question: people lie and rapid test sensitivity has dropped with each new strain of covid, many very little, some a lot. Third is the fact that people are using RATs, a serial testing tool, as a one and done solution: a recent study found that more than half of tests used during early symptomatic disease didn't detect covid. This is because of a number of factors (read the study to learn more.)

Fourth is improper sample collection. Many people do not properly swab their sinuses because it's uncomfortable. They also may not swab long enough (because it's uncomfortable) even if they do reach far enough back. Many people swipe a few times around the inside of their nostril and don't get anything resembling a sample and then get a negative result.

Fifth is the use of damaged or expired tests which has become more and more common since the government stopped providing any tests and costs for rapid tests have increased. Many of the home tests the government sent out experienced freezing conditions in post office storage, destroying the test. Many of these tests are still in circulation, as people don't want to buy a new test.

It's a complicated issue, but it all comes down to human error and a willingness to "get back to normal" above all else. If a person isn't taking any precautions and they take a single covid test the second after they get a cough, it's very likely they have covid and are lying not just to others but themselves "because the pandemic is over." RATs are designed to be used every 8-12 hours to trace high viral loads, and they can be very useful when used properly. The problem is people have not been instructed to use them properly and using them properly these days can run you hundreds of dollars.

If you test regularly, consider upgrading to one of the home molecular tests that have recently come onto the market. They have 80-98% sensitivity compared to the ~49% of your average rapid test. It will also cost less in the long run.

[asianwhumpgalore]

A Writer's Odyssey (刺杀小说家) | Cmovie | Whump List

Genre: Action, Thriller, Mystery, Fantasy, Historical.

Synopsis: Desperate to find his missing daughter, a father agrees to help a mysterious woman assassinate a novelist. At the same time, the young hero in the book’s alternate universe has also put his revenge plan into motion, and his actions begin to affect the real world.

Length: 2 hours

Whump meter: ▲▲▲◭△ 

✨ Both the fantasy world and the real world had an engaging story that connected very nicely! Very unique and surprisingly whumpy ✨

⚠️Trigger Content: Quite a bit of blood, human trafficking (briefly in the beginning). ⚠️⚠️Some SPOILERS will be found, proceed with caution⚠️⚠️

Whumpee: Lu Kongwen portrayed by Dong Zi Jian

10:20 | (as book character) Chased through a forest, hit in the back with chains, falls to the ground, grunts, bleeding from the mouth, struggling to continue running, saved, pushed off cliff to save his life. Panting, whimpering, in shock, watching loved one die, whimpering, crying, angry.

16:16 | (as book character) Living armour engulfs him, in shock, trying to remove it, falls to the ground, in pain, unable to control his limbs, whimpering, armour pierces his skin and settles on him, whimpering, groaning, screaming.

35:15 | (as himself) Barely dodges being hit by a car, tumbles down the stairs, wincing.

41:05 | (as book character) Accidentally dragged into war, barely dodges an arrow shot at him, falls to the ground, in shock.

55:55 | (as book character) Scared, running for his life, chased. Falls on the ground from a rooftop, barely dodges a weapon thrown at him. Kicked in the chest, knocked back onto the ground, barely dodges a weapon thrown at him again, bleeding from the mouth, scared, struggling to get up, concern for ally.

01:01:05 | (as himself) Hit in the leg with a rock, falls to his knees, wincing in pain, labored breathing, hit in the shoulder with a rock, whimpering, calling out for help, panting, struggling to crawl to safety, hit in the back with a rock, groaning, hunched over in pain, whimpering, hit in the head with a rock, falls down a hill, unconscious on the ground, bleeding from the head, groaning weakly.

01:11:35 | (as book character) Clutching chest, coughing, concern for him.

01:20:45 | (as himself) Scratches visible on his face. Slips and falls off building, caught by ally.

01:21:48 | (as book character) Fought, saved, distressed. Holes visible on his arms from meat armour. Meat armour returned to his body, stumbling, panting.

01:44:50 | (as book character) Holes visible on his arms, saved, knocked back onto the ground x3, in pain, saved, grabbed by giant hand and squeezed, bleeding from the head, groaning, screaming, saved, falls to the ground, writhing in pain, stabbed in the abdomen by a giant nail, slowly dragged across the ground, groaning.

01:49:50 | (as himself) Stabbed (off-screen), lying on the ground, barely responsive, bleeding from the abdomen, wheeled into the hospital, oxygen mask on his face, unconscious.

01:53:25 | (as book character) Struggling to walk, shoved and is sent flying back onto the ground, spits blood, groaning, panting. Clutching arm, tries to move but arm hurts, winces, tries grabbing sword but arm is too weak (seemingly dislocated but unsure when this happened), winces, armour engulfs his injured arm, groaning.

01:5920 | (as book character) Dangling from high place, struggling, engulfed by tentacles.

Whumpee: Guan Ning portrayed by Lei Jin Yin

05:35 | Arrested (offscreen). Has nightmare of losing his daughter, wakes up cuffed to the car, repeatedly hit.

35:15 | Saved from car driving into him, tumbles down the stairs, wincing.

47:00 | Kicked in the chest, punched in the chest, shoved into a wall, kneed in the abdomen, shoved into a furniture, strangled with a telephone cord, kicked on the leg which causes him to fall onto the ground, arm twisted behind his back, screams. Held under water in a bathtub, arms bound, struggling, losing consciousness, pulled out and thrown on the ground, coughing water, labored breathing.

01:06:15 | kicked in the chest, falls back.

01:05:12 | Fought, glass bottle broken over his head, bleeding, slashed in the face, falls on the ground, wincing, struggling to get up, angry. Told disturbing reveal, whimpering, crying. Kicked to the ground, tackled and knocked out. Crying.

01:33:50 | Electrocuted x2, fought, crashes into bookcase, slashed in the back with a fan blade, clutching leg, trail of his blood on the wall.

01:39:05 | Golf ball thrown at his abdomen with super strength, punched into a wall, thrown onto a table, dragged across the floor, unable to get up, bleeding from the head, falls to the ground.

01:49:30 | Helped to walk, struggling to continue on his own, stumbling.

02:01:30 | Emotional, crying.

── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──

Gifs coming soon >:3

[d1xonss]

Desert Rose

Chapter 49 ~ Blood runs Thicker than Water

✧ Pairing : Daryl Dixon x Rose

✧ Era : Season 4

✧ Word Count : 5.4k

In this chapter ~ Daryl and the others waste no time rushing out of the prison's gates to find the medication that they needed to keep everyone breathing. But things continue to run a bit rocky back in cellblock A as a few fought to stay alive.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ROSE POV ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

After Daryl ran off, I finally allowed myself to crumble, letting the tears that were building up slide effortlessly down my cheeks. The last thing I wanted was to break down in front of him, but it hurt to see how upset he was. I found that was just another reason why I dreaded to tell him, because I couldn't handle the look on his face. But yet I would treasure that moment between us like it was the last because for all I knew, it could be. That right there could be the very last time I ever saw him, and it terrified me.

A pair of arms then wrapped around my shoulders, turning my head back to see Glenn holding me close to him as I cried softly. He wordlessly started to pull me back and up the stairs to the cell we were once occupying, gesturing back down to the bed in front of us. I slowly sat down with shaky legs, suddenly feeling very tired as I began to wipe the tears from my face. It felt as though the weight of the world was suddenly on my back and I couldn't help but slump down further on the mattress, feeling emotionally exhausted.

"Wait here a second." he said before swiftly leaving the cell.

A scoffed passed through my lips, "Where else would I go?" I muttered sarcastically to myself.

I steadily readjusted so I was lying flat on my back and facing the ceiling, pulling myself together as much as I could before he came back. Until I started coughing a bit, but on the bright side, I didn't feel the rush of blood coming up from my lungs. Progress. I was still struggling to breathe and I felt clammy and gross, but I was still alive. Even more progress.

I tried to stay positive that I would make it through this, but I just didn't know with how unpredictable this illness could be. Everyone that seemed to be going through it had horrible different symptoms, some lasting longer than others. I just didn't know how long I could hang on considering some people around me were dying out within merely a few hours.

Glenn then trailed back in slowly with two pillows and a blanket under his arm, setting them down on the floor next to the mattress I was laying in. He arranged them to make a little makeshift bed and eventually maneuvered himself on top of it, his eyes glancing up toward the ceiling as well as he let out a tired breath.

My brows furrowed as I sat up a bit on my elbows to stare at him, "What are you doing?"

He glanced over at me and gave me a tired smile, "I don't want you to be alone."

"But you're sick too, you need a real bed. You need to rest." I gently argued.

"I just want to be next to you," he shrugged, "Deal with it."

I laughed quietly, seeming to have no choice but to nod my head in agreement, silently grateful that he was the one by my side during all of this. He always knew how to make me laugh, how to comfort me, how to just be there for me. Even when we both felt like absolute hell.

"I love you." I said suddenly.

He looked back over at me and smiled, "I love you too."

A small smile crept back onto my face as I felt my eyelids become heavy, darkness slowly filling my vision before I drifted off. My body not being able to handle all the different things at once.

I remember tossing and turning a lot. My heart racing and a bead of sweat forming on my brow from how hard I was trying to fight off the illness that took over. My chest felt heavy with every heave of a breath, as if someone had sat themselves down on top of me. It all felt like some kind of vivid dream.

Though I didn't know how much time had ticked by before I suddenly felt the strong urge to cough my lungs out, shooting up to hunch over the side of the bed. So much for trying to get some sleep.

Glenn sat up when he heard me struggling and moved to sit next to me, patting my back gently to try and get all of it out of my system. I gagged and struggled to catch my breath, groaning in disgust before eventually being able to breathe somewhat normally again, trying to take some deep breaths as I felt his hand rubbing softly on the fabric of my shirt.

"You okay?" he asked in concern.

I hummed in response, "Peachy." I rasped as I glanced back up at him with a smile.

I laid back down, but he didn't make any attempt to move back to the floor, so I kicked my legs back up and sprawled them across his lap. The two of us just spaced out mindlessly in the silence as if it was our first time doing drugs, except the experience was something awful. My mind wandered, a small giggle coming from me as I thought.

He perked up, "What?"

My laughter died down and I looked at him, "I'm just thinking...about how sad it is that this is what's going to kill me. I mean imagine dying from a cold, it's pretty pathetic." I laughed again to a point where I coughed a few more times.

He shook his head, "This isn't what's going to kill you. You're not going to die, and neither am I." he said while taking my hand.

"I am," I said seriously and then looked back to him, "I can almost feel it."

"Stop." he said.

"I just think it's stupid," I continued, "I mean, what a way to go. I would've preferred to die by... falling off a cliff, or...in a giant explosion. But not by a cold."

He narrowed his eyes at me, "Have you thought about this before?"

"No, I just pulled those out of my ass," I said honestly, "Being in here in the quiet doesn't exactly help with the overthinking."

He nodded his head, "Yeah no kidding-" he started, but was cut off when he then started to cough pretty badly.

I sat up immediately and patted his back like he'd done for me, growing even more concerned when I was witnessing it versus when it was happening to me. The coughs didn't die down until we both saw the blood trickling across his hand, and it made my eyes go wide. It was a lot.

He turned towards me when they stopped, "I'm okay." he assured breathlessly, cringing as he swallowed thickly, his throat no doubt feeling like sandpaper.

"Neither of us are okay, I think we can stop lying to each other now." I spoke.

He nodded his head, "Okay." he agreed weakly.

I found myself nodding right along with him, leaning on him slightly as we let the silence take over again. Though it was never fully silent. There would always be someone coughing, fighting for their life, or something of the sort only a couple cells away from the one that we shared. The constant noises only scaring us more than we already were. Silently knowing we would both only get worse, maybe to a point of no return.

Both of our heads turned towards the entrance suddenly when someone began to come into view, Hershel stepping inside the room quickly with two cups in his hands. He wordlessly got down to our level and handed the glasses to each of us, pointing as he finally spoke.

"Drink." he said sternly.

I stared at him for a minute as I took what he handed over, noticing the bandana missing from his face, "Where's your mask?"

"Got blood on it, and I don't have another one. Drink." he said again.

I sat up slightly and both Glenn and I started drinking whatever the hell he had made. It tasted bitter, leaving a stinging sensation on my tongue, but if it would make me feel at least a little better, I would drink five cups of it. I finished it quickly in just a few gulps but for Glenn it was a little harder for him to get it down, coughing roughly again as he wasn't able to chug the entire glass.

"This sucks." he muttered, leaning his head back against the wall with a sigh.

I silently agreed as I nodded, "After everything we've been through, this is what wrecks us?" I got slightly irritated at the thought. We had been through hell and back and my stubborn ass wasn't ready to die like this, but I especially didn't want Glenn to die like this. I would put him before me any day.

"Don't say things like that...don't even think things like that." Hershel lightly scolded as he placed a cool wet rag on my forehead, and I sighed at the feeling as I took it from his hands.

"We got this far somehow, you can believe somehow. We all have jobs here, and that one is both of yours." he finished.

We both looked at him with understanding and he grabbed both of our hands to give them a squeeze. I knew he believed that we would push through, I could practically see the hope behind his eyes. His reassurance was something that I could tell we both really needed right about now.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* DARYL POV ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I was beyond frustrated. We managed to blow through a whole day because we lost our only vehicle in the midst of hundreds of walkers, somehow getting surrounded on our way to the clinic which wasted more time that we didn't have. A part of me was scared that this set back would change everything, worrying me to the point of no return as I feared we wouldn't make it back on time. Though I knew that woman was tougher than nails, her stubborn ass fighting as much as she could. Even if her hope was diminished.

We had managed to find another car since shit hit the fan, but it needed to be fixed up before it could start running again. Though somehow by the grace of God, we managed to find a new battery inside of a nearby building, a rundown auto shop, and I wasted no time as I began working on the piece of shit right away. I moved fast under the hood of the car, barely speaking or thinking anything at all as I worked quickly so we could get back onto the road.

Everyone knew how on edge I was, and they all understood why. But I tried my best not to show how worried I became even if they could already tell. Worrying wouldn't get me there any faster.

"Ya never told us bout the group you were with before." I suddenly spoke to Bob, lighting cigarette that dangled from my mouth, trying to get away from the awkward silence.

His frame leaned against the structure of the building as he waited patiently, watching me work as he scoffed at my comment, "Which one?" he asked.

I didn't open my mouth again as I shrugged, moving back to adjust the wires before hearing him continue anyway, "You know, when you found me out on that road, I almost kept walking."

"Why's that?" I asked absentmindedly.

He sighed, "Cause I was done being a witness. Two times...two different groups. I was the last one standing, like I was supposed to see it happen over and over, like some kind of curse."

This caused me to stop momentarily to actually look at him as he kept talking, "But when it's just you out there with the quiet...used to be I'd drink a bottle of anything just so I could shut my eyes at night. Figured the prison, the people, thought it'd be easier. But the run to the Big Spot... it did it for me."

"Ya gotta keep busy." I muttered while taking a swig of water.

"No. I did it so I could get me a bottle. Of anything. I picked it up, I held it in my hand, but I put it down. I put it down so hard it took the whole damn shelf with it. That's what brought on the walkers. That's what got Zach killed. And that's what almost got your girl crushed."

My eyes snapped back up to him, staring at him in disbelief that he was the reason everything went to shit during that run. He started the whole damn thing. The walkers could've started to fall through at any point, but that wasn't the point. The incident led to us losing one of our people, and it could've cost us even more if we hadn't made it out of there as quick as we did. I grew angry, thinking back to how the whole thing could've been avoided and settled with looking away from him. Knowing if I didn't, I surely wouldn't stop once I started.

He noticed the tense silence that passed over us at his sudden confession, glancing back in paranoia that the others would hear from just a few feet away. I scoffed as I watched him out of the corner of my eye, my jaw clenching slightly.

"Make yerself useful, get in there and try the engine. It's the red and green wire, it ain't rocket science." I spoke lowly, my eyes staying down as I heard him move over to the driver's seat.

My ears perked up as I listened, hearing the vehicle struggle a bit before it eventually started after the second try, feeling a wave of relief wash over me now that we had an actual ride. I whistled twice to get Michonne and Tyreese's attention so we could finally get going, watching as they quickly stood and headed towards the running car.

Though I could feel Bob's eyes on me, expecting me to almost say something to him about what he had just admitted. The thing that took a lot for him to say out loud to me.

I sighed heavily as I glanced back down to him, "Ya couldn't have known what was gonna go down. But that don't make the situation any less fucked up. And it definitely don't mean m' just gonna somehow forget about this whole conversation."

He slowly nodded in understanding, looking back down to the ground as he moved to let me be the one to take the wheel. The second the last person shut their door, I pressed firmly on the gas and took off down the long road. Attempting to somehow get there faster, even though I knew it would be hours before we got back to the prison.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ROSE POV ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Time was ticking by impossibly slow, yet everything seemed to be happening so fast as an entire day seemed to pass and there was still no sign of Daryl and the others. I began to feel even worse than before; my muscles ached and my eyelids were constantly heavy, while the blood I constantly coughed up never seemed to die down. I was up for most of the night throwing it up in a bucket that was placed beside my bed. The fever was like hell fire on my head, but Hershel's herb tea did help at least a little. But even with all of that happening, I was more worried about Daryl than I was about myself.

Anything could've happened to him out there and when he didn't come back as quickly as he said he would, I couldn't help but worry. If I knew my man at all, I knew he was far from fucking around when it came to this. Imagining him flying down streets and shoving whatever medication he could into varies of bags to bring back to the rest of us. But that wasn't the case this time. It had been far too long, and I couldn't bear to think about the different possibilities. Though Glenn and Hershel both tried to reassure me that everything was fine and it was probably only just a minor bump in the road, I hardly believed them at all.

My tired bloodshot eyes scanned through the pages of my book that Hershel had offered to grab for me, giving me something to do for the long and painful hours I was trapped in here. I was somewhat enjoying the quiet as Glenn had been off talking to Maggie, speaking through the large window in order to keep a safe distance from one another. I knew she had to be worried sick about him.

Though I found myself getting antsy about how everyone else was doing. Maggie, Beth, Carl, Judith, I was even worried about Rick even though we haven't talked since the whole Tyreese incident happened. I only hoped I would be able to see all of them again soon enough, and not through a thick slice of glass.

An echoed knock was heard from outside my room, making my eyes glance up to see Glenn standing in the doorway looking a little paler, yet still managed a small smile, "Maggie said she wants to see you too." he said.

I nodded and slowly stood up, gritting my teeth when I did so as my legs felt like they were about to give out from under me, "Do you want help?" he asked softly.

"No," I breathed, "I'm okay."

He nodded, slightly moving out of the way so I could make my way out to see her. I gripped onto every wall and railing like it was a lifeline, not trusting myself enough to be able to stand upright on my own as I slowly but surely made it toward the window. I was excited at the opportunity to see her, knowing that just a little more human interaction would lift my spirits a bit more.

When I finally got closer to the glass, I could clearly see how nervous she was, and when her eyes finally landed on me, she let out a small gasp at my appearance. Lord only knew how terrible I truly looked.

"Hey, babe." she greeted softly, her eyes following me as I sat down on the nearby chair.

I mustered a small smile, "Hi,-" I tried to speak but all it did was cause another cough attack, seeing her cringe out of the corner of my eye upon seeing me like this.

She sighed softly as my breathing began to regulate again, "You're getting worse." she stated worriedly.

I waved her off, "Eh, I'm still standing...well...not right now," I gestured towards the chair, "But you get the point." I tried to joke.

She shook her head with a small scoff at my words, "Somehow I knew you would try and make a joke out of this." she lightly scolded, "God...I've been so worried about you."

"The feeling's mutual." I said honestly.

She scoffed, "Honey, I'm fine. You don't need to worry about me...not while you're in here fighting this. It was like pulling teeth to get Beth to stay back in quarantine instead of coming out here to see you."

I couldn't help but smile, "How's she doing?"

"Worried just as much as I am." she stated like it was a fact, "Everyone around here misses you a whole lot you know." she smiled sadly.

I let out a soft breath, "Believe me...I miss you guys too. How are they? Everyone else?"

"Carl's just fine; he's been helping out as much as he can around here, my guess is to try and keep his mind off of everything. Judith has been staying with Beth in one of the offices, trying to keep as far away from everyone as possible. And um...Rick just took Carol out on a run to get some more food for cellblock D." she listed.

"Hm...seems like everyone's been busy." I replied.

"Yeah," she nodded, "Anything to help out, and...not think too much about what's been going on." she spoke before pausing hesitantly. I could almost read the question on her face, smiling a little to myself as I answered her without her uttering another word.

"He's okay." I promised, referring to Hershel whom she hadn't seen in what felt like forever. "He's tough...been busting his ass to make sure everyone's comfortable around here."

She nodded, "I'm glad. I just...I wish he wasn't putting himself at risk like this, you know? But he's always been one for helping anyone and everyone. And I know you guys need him now more than ever, but..." she trailed off, letting out a soft sigh of frustration.

My eyes saddened, "It's okay to feel like that." I immediately reassured, "He's your dad. You don't want him risking his life like this...that's completely valid. You don't have to feel bad for saying something like that."

A small smile crossed her face, "Thank you." she whispered.

I nodded in return, a brief silence passing over us before a female voice suddenly called her name from just down the hall, causing her to snap out of her thoughts. "I gotta head back to check on the kids. But I'll be back soon to check on you again, I promise."

"I'll hold you to that." I said with a small smile, beginning to stand again to walk away from the glass, but then a voice stopped me in my tracks the moment my back was turned.

"Rose," I heard Rick call out, glancing over my shoulder to see him walking in just as Maggie was walking out.

Her eyebrows raised as she gave me a certain look that read good luck, before fully leaving the space. I wanted to reach my hands out dramatically to get her to stay, but she was already gone in only a split second, wanting to give us some time alone.

The man hesitantly walked up closer to the window separating us, causing me to reluctantly move back over and slowly take a seat again in the chair. It surprised me how much getting up once and then sitting back down took out of me, but I felt dizzy like I was going to pass out, trying to get my eyes to focus on his figure.

"Hey." I mumbled quietly.

"Hey," he replied, awkwardly tapping his legs as he was looking for the right words, "I, uh...I came in here to talk to you about some stuff. But um...I think I owe you a little something first before anything."

I nodded and waited for him to go on, though I didn't miss how ashamed he looked. Like it was painful for him to look me in the eye. "I'm so sorry about what happened between you and me the other day. I don't know what got into me, but...I didn't realize what I was doing until it was too late. I just...I hope this isn't going to mess anything up, that's the last thing I want. And I hope you can forgive me.

"I do." I said without any hesitation.

His head seemed to snap up in a split second, "Really?" he asked softly.

I simply shrugged, "Yeah. I mean if I'm going to die in here, I might as well have a clean conscious right? Don't want to hold any grudges." I laughed, the action causing a rough cough to erupt from my lungs until a trickle of blood spilled from my mouth.

I spit the dark liquid onto the ground, deeply clearing my throat before looking back up to see Rick standing there with huge eyes, his mouth hanging open at what he had just witnessed.

"Careful, you might drool if you keep your mouth hanging open like that." I joked with a light chuckle.

He closed his mouth instantly, letting out a huff of laughter. I couldn't tell if it was in disbelief of the fact that I was still making jokes at a dark time like this. But my guess was probably both. "How're you doing?"

I hummed as I tried to hold back my annoyance, "If I had a dollar for everyone who asked me that dumb question, I could probably find the damn cure myself." I said sarcastically, "I'm not okay...I'm dying. Blood is pouring out of my mouth constantly and my fever doesn't seem to want to go down. I'm a goddamn mess...but I'm still alive."

His brows furrowed in genuine concern as he placed one of his hands onto the glass, "I'm- I'm so sorry, Rosie." he whispered sincerely.

"It's okay...no need to apologize. Especially for something you can't control." I said, watching him nod in return as he then bit his lip somewhat nervously. "So...what exactly did you want to talk to me about?" I asked curiously.

He stopped moving completely as if I had read his mind, thinking over his next words very carefully before just coming out and saying it, "Carol killed Karen and David." he spit out bluntly, though there was really no other way to say it.

I hummed in response and nodded my head, to which his eyes widened at my lack of reaction, "Did you not hear me?"

"I knew it was her." I said simply.

His eyes only grew wider as he stuttered, "H-How?"

"I saw how she reacted when Ty found out; guilt was written all over her face. Then on my way out after...our little fight, I saw the bloody handprint she left behind on the doorframe. I was a cop, not a detective, but I picked up a few things and I'm good at reading people, especially people I know well." 

Though the man looked at me with nothing but disbelief, what I said was nothing but the truth. I knew what she was guilty of, and to be quite frank, I didn't tell anyone her secret for a reason. Not because I agreed with her outlook, but because I knew what these people would do if they found out the truth.

"So...what'd you do when you found out?" I asked after a few beats of silence.

He sighed heavily as he placed his hands on his hips, "I sent her out on her own with some supplies, told her not to come back. I can understand what she was trying to do, but it was the wrong call. And we can't have that here; that's what I told her. I know she'll be okay though...she's tough."

I nodded in understanding, but that didn't stop the ping of sadness I felt in the pit of my stomach at the sudden news. I cared deeply about Carol; she had always been such a great person in the tight knit group we shared. She was trying to help us, save us, but I knew what she did was wrong and there was really no excuse for it. I just hoped she would be okay on her own, holding onto that little bit of hope that we would see her again someday.

"Do you think I did the right thing?" he asked suddenly.

I pressed my lips together with a sigh as I thought for a long moment, "I don't know." I admitted quietly, "She's been with us for a long time, since this all started. But at the same time what she did wasn't okay. So, I don't know."

He nodded, "I just figured you should be the first person to know. I trust you more than anyone else here..." he stated, pausing for a moment as he looked at me with a tilt of his head, "I miss you, you know."

I smiled small, "Yeah...I miss you too."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* DARYL POV ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I tried to keep my breathing steady as we were close to getting trampled by a large group of walkers. We had managed to get all the meds we needed that were on the list and were now one step closer to making it back to the prison. But then the dead seemed to catch up to us, coming from everywhere as we tried to escape the building.

We were running out of options, not knowing where else to turn to as our eyes scanned desperately for some kind of out. That is until Tyreese decided to break through the closest window, looking down to see a platform we could use to cut through the number of walkers swarming around the property. I helped Michonne out first and then Ty, before grabbing my bags and heading out next with Bob right on my tail. The remaining dead ones pounding on the door behind us that we somehow managed to block off to save our asses in time.

The four of us all managed to make it out, but when Bob threw himself out the window in a panic, he landed directly on his stomach and almost fell off right into the herd of walkers below. He had his bag dangling from the edge and all the dead ones went to grab it and try to tear it from his grasp. I thought that he would just let the bag go instead of risking his life, but I was wrong.

He held onto that bag like his life depended on it. The three of us stood back as we waited for him to quit fucking around, yelling at him to just let it go, but he ignored all of us, trying to pull it back up with all the remaining strength he had left.

Finally, after what felt like years, he got it out of their grip harshly and the bag flew back onto the surface with a thump. But it sounded lighter than the rest of the bags that we were carrying on our backs, glass clinking around instead of the familiar sound of meds. My brow furrowed as I made my way over to see what was so damn important, and my blood started to boil when I caught a glimpse of what was inside. The man only had a single bottle of whiskey at the bottom, all of us coming to the realization why he risked his goddamn life for it.

I held it up, "Ya got no meds in your bag? Just this?" I asked.

He couldn't meet my gaze, knowing that he was in the wrong for what he did as I scoffed at him with a glare, "Ya shoulda kept walkin that day." I muttered bitterly.

When he still didn't gaze up at me, I didn't hesitate to raise the bottle up to throw it off the roof in a fit of frustration. But that's when he finally spoke up, stopping my movements.

"Don't." he spoke in an oddly calm tone. I looked over my shoulder at the sound of his voice, seeing he had his hand over his gun that was in the holster on his belt, ready to shoot me over a fucking bottle of whiskey.

I wasn't intimidated at all as I tilted my head in his direction, walking right up to him to get in his face, silently daring him to do it. Daring him to try. But he didn't, he couldn't even look at me anymore even though my presence was hard to miss. Eventually I reached down to take his gun out of his holster so he couldn't threaten me again and grabbed him by his shirt, ready to beat the shit out of him.

"Just let it go Daryl," Tyreese spoke suddenly, "The man's made his choice, nothing you can do about it. Just gotta let it go."

His voice echoed in my mind for a moment, finally letting him go again though I didn't back off completely, "I didn't want to hurt nobody," he spoke hesitantly, "It was just for when it gets quiet."

He still couldn't push himself to look me in the eye, so I took the bottle and shoved it to his chest harshly, not letting it go yet as I spoke lowly to him, "Ya take one sip, before those meds get in my wife...I will beat your ass into the ground," I shoved him again, "Ya hear me?"

He took the bottle from my hands without saying a word, but I was done wasting time. I turned around and grabbed my bags from where I had dropped them, and the rest wordlessly followed me back to the car so we could finally get back home. I felt my hands shaking in anger as I shoved everything into the small trunk, but I tried to push it all aside to rush back to her as fast as I could.

It was tense and dead silent in the car as I raced back. No one knew what to say and I could tell Michonne and Ty were just as pissed at Bob as I was. The fact that he came with us again just to get a bottle for himself and not because our people were dropping like flies, it rubbed me the wrong way. Maybe I did make a mistake with bringing him back here, but I couldn't think about that right now. Now that we had the meds, I grew just a little more hopeful. Needing to see she was still okay.

~ Thanks for reading!

Taglist - @justareader95 @hayley1998 @ryoujoking @sipsthecoffee @winterassassin1804 @marsmallow433 @catlalice @writingstreetspirit

[multifr0g]

Skyward Sword was actually a really fun game to play, and took a good chunk of time to beat! xD (*CoUGh*34 hours 49 minutes*COuGh*)

(Talk about the game and my likes about it under the cut!)

The story was pretty good to me and the mechanics were a bit of a learning curve to figure out in the beginning(I played on the Nintendo Switch instead of the Wii) but overall the dungeons, Npcs(Fledge my sweet baby♡),and trinkets you can use make the game extremly fun!!

I know people crap over and talk bad about the game alot but in my opion Skyward Sword was a nice game and had a good story to follow along to. The game really made you connect to the people in the story and made you want to go out and help as soon as possible.

Ofcourse all games have there flaws and to me it took me atleast the first 3 hours of playing to really get use to the sword mechanics( On the Nintendo Switch you use your joy stick to swing your sword around and you have to press down L to look around freely with the joy stick).Continuing through the game on multiple ocasions I would accidentally swing my sword around. Though that might have just been me being bad at it, xD

Overall the game was pretty good though I had to look up a tutorial twice because in some of the dungeons I could not figure it out for the life of me. ( And during the final boss fight since I was stupid and didn't go back to the dojo for training I didn't know I could side hop and backflip till the end fight!!!!) XD

I would recomend Skyward Sword to other people for overall being a nice fun game with dungeons that aren't exactly hard but still make you have to think for a minute to figure things out!!

This is my rant and reveiw of the game from my experience playing it, of course it won't be for all people everyone has different preferances in games styles and difficulties. But if you ever get the chance I would still recommend you try Skyward Sword, you never know if you'll like it till you try!!

[ivanttakethis]

End of Round 3 - Tov’s Log

Stasya (49) vs. Noora (50) - Noora Win

————————————————————

Tov felt like shit.

Every fiber of her being felt heavy, like she was fully submerged underwater.

Her mouth was tacky and her lips were painfully dry.

She opened her eyes, still thick with sleep, to find herself propped up in her bed in her room.

The only light was from the lamp on her bedside table.

Tov tried to move, to turn her head, but her body wouldn’t cooperate.

Every minor movement made the room spin on its axis.

What… what happened…

“Ah, you’re awake.” Cassio leaned into her line of sight, a relieved smile light on their lips. Their tone was soft, almost gentle, “You fainted backstage. I came to get you as soon as I heard.”

So that’s how I got back here then.

Tov nodded slowly in understanding, and the room swam with her movement.

“Careful,” Cassio held out their hands as if to steady her, but didn’t make physical contact, “I had to give you some medication to slow down your heart rate, and a sedative to make sure you wouldn’t panic when you woke up.”

That explains the feeling like shit part.

Tov had only taken a sedative once — when she was branded. She had always been an “obedient” pet.

Cassio waited until Tov had leaned back against her pillows before they spoke again, “Himei was the one who hit the emergency button on your band. She said your episode happened at the end of the round, after…” Stasya.

She remembered now.

The near tie.

Stasya surviving the gunshot to their chest.

Their screams, calling out for their guardian.

Choking and coughing up blood.

The second shot to the head.

An act of mercy.

Then… nothing.

“Stasya didn’t deserve that.” Tov said, voice hoarse.

Cassio was quiet for a moment. Then they sighed, long and sorrowful, “No. No they didn’t.”

Silence stretched the length between them and back again.

Cassio didn’t know how to fill it.

Tov didn’t want to.

What more was there to say?

It was her turn to sigh. She closed her eyes. The fog of exhaustion still loomed overhead.

“You’ll be staying home for Round 4.” Cassio said, “We shouldn’t put any more strain on your heart.”

Tov couldn’t argue. Being forced to stay away from Alien Stage was probably for the best.

Physically. Mentally. Emotionally.

Even if she wanted to see Himei again before she performed, there wasn’t any guarantee that the round would go they way they hoped.

Tov made a noncommittal noise. Cassio seemed to take it as agreement.

“The sedative won’t wear off for another few hours.” They said clicking off the bedside lamp, “Try to get some sleep until then.”

The bedroom door opened and shut before Tov could respond.

Now she was alone with her thoughts, and all of the demons that came with them.

Sleep continued to allude her.

She couldn’t stop thinking about Stasya.

Not just their death, but their life too.

Tov didn’t know much about them, even from back in Anakt Garden. Their class was bigger than average and they travelled in different circles.

At most they had spoken a handful of times, but whatever they discussed specifically was lost to time.

She remembered them always placing near the top of the class when it came to grades, sometimes even ahead of her.

And they were always part of the small group that loved swimming in the river when the teachers allowed them to.

It was even easier to spot Stasya after they dyed their hair purple.

Tov smiled a little at the thought.

They hadn’t known each other well, but she didn’t want to forget them.

She opened her eyes and looked out the window. The night sky was clear. The stars were calling to her again.

Maybe that was how she could remember Stasya.

Maybe giving them a constellation was another act of mercy.

Stasya… I’m sorry for your suffering.

I hope you are at peace.

————————————————————

Tov is okay! (at least physically… somewhat)

Himei caught Tov when she fainted so she didn’t get hurt.

She also knew to hit the emergency button on Tov’s medical band because Tov had a fainting incident when they were in Anakt Garden together.

Stasya belongs to @billwasnot and Himei belongs to @lookatmysillies! (Sorry for another tag so soon, I just can’t shut up about these ocs lmao)

This is the last log covering Round 3. Let’s hope I don’t have to do one for Round 4 too 😩🙏

[lostinwoso]

46-49-50 with Leah, please 🥺🥺🥺🥺

Leah Williamson x Reader

46 “How long have I been out?” ; 49 “Are you okay?” ; 50 “You don't look too well.”

When you woke up this morning, you knew this would be a bad and long day, the headache and throbbing pain in your throat being the main signs of that. But with it being the last training before winter break, you decided that you can pull through one last training. 

But just moments after arriving you already start to regret your decision, the task of changing into your training clothes, doing nothing but worsen your headache. So after you are done getting changed, you sit down and close your eyes for a moment before you would have to go outside. 

“Are you okay?”.

Opening your eyes, you see Leah standing in front of you, a concerning expression visible on her face.

“Mhm, why?”.

“You don’t look too well.”, the defender points out.

“Wow, thanks Leah. You really know how to make someone feel good about themselves.”, you reply with a roll of your eyes, hoping that she would drop the topic of you not being well. 

“I just want to make sure you are alright. Because you do look really pale right now, and you are usually more energetic when we are about to train.”, she explains in a soft voice, sitting down next to you.

“I know, thank you for caring, but I’m okay.”.

Leah doesn’t believe your words, but instead of pushing further on it, she decides to change the topic, not wanting to annoy you when you already seem to not be doing well. 

So you two are sitting in the locker room talking or more like Leah was doing most of the talking, at some point your headache seemed to get worse, so you took a more reversed role in the conversation, which Leah didn’t seem to mind. 

“I think we should head out now, are you ready?”, she says while standing up.

Nodding your head to her question, you start to get up too, but as soon as you are standing upright the room starts to spin, and you stumble lightly into Leah, who quickly reaches out to stabilize you. 

She also starts to talk, but all her words sound so distant to you and before Leah knows it, you are passed out in her arms. 

___

Opening your eyes, you glance around confused, not knowing where you are for a moment before you recognize it as the medics room. Scanning the room further, your eyes land on Leah, who is currently sitting on a chair in the corner of the room, looking at her phone.

“How long have I been out?”, you question, scaring the defender for a moment.

“One hour.”, Leah replies, putting her phone into her pocket while getting closer to you, “How are you feeling?”.

“Like I got hit by a bus.”.

“Why didn’t you say anything earlier? You could have stayed home, you know.”.

“I just didn’t want to miss the last training of the year.”, you reply with a pout on your face.

Leah rolls her eyes at your reasoning, “Missing one training wouldn’t be the end of the world.”.

“How do you know?”.

“Well, because you somewhat missed it anyway and the world is still spinning isn’t it?”, the defender says with a teasing smile on her face, cueing an eye roll from you this time.

“Can you get up or do I have to carry you to the car?”, she questions when you don’t reply to her teasing comment.

“Well if you ask like that I think I have to get carried.”, you say, a cheeky smile visible on your face, which is quickly gone after you start coughing though.

“Alright, hop on then.”.

You carefully climb on Leah’s back, the defender carrying you to her car and driving you home, where she would spend the next few days nursing you back to health, just to end up sick herself once you started to feel better again.

[itsthecherryontop]

Adrenaline Rush (Billy Hargrove)

Scene from Chapter Thirteen of my Billy Hargrove Slowburn Enemies to Lovers Fic

Pairing: Billy Hargrove x Henderson OC (Halle)

Chapters Posted: 24/49 UPDATES WEEKLY

I laid on my back staring at the pool room lights. Gently I moved my arms feeling how the still water flowed against me. Closing my eyes, I listened to the silence of the water. I didn’t have to worry about floating into anyone as the pool was empty. 

Steve hadn’t finished his history report due the next day, so he had decided to spend his time in the library. He claimed he would join me in the pool once he was finished. He had said the same thing Monday and had given up on his essay after an hour. He tended to have a short attention span when it came to school. However, I had little hope he would finish anytime soon seeing as he had barely gotten started. I told Steve to take his time, I didn’t mind spending hours here. It was better than being trapped at home with no entertainment.  

I imagined there were stars above me and the air held a breeze that cooled my stomach and face as I aimlessly drifted. I heard a muffled splash as someone dived in. Based on the direction they were coming off a starting block. Their consistent strokes echoed in the water as they paced a lane a few over from mine. 

At first, the disruption irritated me but the even rhythm of the strokes became soothing. I listened to the pace of the swimmer imagining I was at the lake with Steve, Nancy, and Jonathan like we had been that summer. I would be floating while Jonathan and Steve would race. Nancy sometimes joined in and, other times cheered the boys on. 

The pace of whoever was swimming was quick as if they were racing an imaginary opponent or themself. Each time they would finish their two lengths at a fast pace before getting out of the pool and diving in again. Eventually, their laps slowed as they cooled down. Then the water became silent once more. I waited with my eyes closed still in my daydream for them to dive in again, but the splash never came. They must have left. 

Sighing, I focused back on the water shifting with the movement of my arms. Warm hands grasped my bare waist before pulling me under and letting go. I didn’t even have the chance to let out a shriek before my head was submerged. Panicking I pulled myself back to the surface. 

“Steve Harrington!” I sputtered. My eyes closed as I began wiping my hair from my face. Reaching out to my side I searched for the floating lane dividers, to hold myself up on until I could open my eyes.  “How many times have I told…” I coughed until I heard a rich deep laugh. 

“William Hargrove!” I yelled wrapping my arm around the floats as I finished moving my hair out of the way. Opening my eyes I found that my guess had been correct. Before me was a laughing Billy Hargrove. His curls were barely waved from the water’s weight. 

“Seriously? You could have killed me?” I snapped. My heart still racing from the unexpected pump of adrenaline he had caused. 

“I wouldn’t have let you drown, Princess,” he assured. His blue eyes were enhanced by his wet eyelashes as he swam closer to me resting his arm on the lane divider as well. 

“That wouldn’t save me from the heart attack you nearly gave me!” I hissed splashing the water with my free hand. 

“You’re fine. I’m the one who should be worried. You were floating with your eyes closed completely still for an hour.”

“It has not been an hour. Has it?” I asked looking back to the clock on the wall. Squinting I saw that Hargrove was in fact correct. Huffing I leaned my hair back into the water to smooth it back down. 

“Are you planning on actually swimming or do you just float around like a corpse?” Hargrove asked when I pulled my head back up. 

“I like floating, it's relaxing.”

“I’ll race you,” he declared as a smirk spread across his face. I noticed he still wore his gold pendant. It floated in the water below the surface. The color complemented his tan skin like how the blue water brightened his eyes. 

“No, I will lose,” I responded before looking down at the water. “And I don’t really like swimming in front of people.”

“It’s just me, Princess. No need to be shy,” he stated before pulling away. Clearly he had taken my gift as an olive branch. It hadn’t been.

“No, you’re gonna make fun of me,” I defended with a shake of my head. Using the floats I started pulling myself away from the boy. 

“I’m not gonna make fun of you. If you can’t swim I can teach you, but I am gonna have a word with Harrington about leaving you alone if you can’t,” he explained his voice getting lower as he went. I could tell he was irritated at the idea of Steve leaving me to potentially drown. 

“I can swim!” I exclaimed at the boy. 

“Okay. Then prove it,” he challenged holding his arm out toward the open lane. 

“I don’t get blinded by testosterone so I’m not falling for that, William,” I deadpanned turning away from him. 

Letting go of the divider I glided through the water toward the end of the pool. I heard splashing behind me as neared the concrete edge. Before I could reach my hand out, Hargrove’s hand grasped onto my knee and pulled me back. 

“No. No. No. Not so fast, Princess. If you are going to be spending time alone in here, I need to make sure you can properly swim. I would be betraying my oath as a lifeguard, if I didn’t,” he chuckled pulling me against his chest. 

I didn’t know whether to curse myself for wearing a two-piece or thank myself. I was aware of how his arm tightened around my bare stomach and his chest pressed against my back. I tried to pull away from him as he swam us further down the lane. 

“Why am I not surprised that you are a lifeguard?” I sighed and he just laughed. It made so much sense. He got to sit on the high chair looking over the pool. Always having everyone’s attention and the power to order people around. “William, please. I’m tired.”

“Just swim from one end to the other. Then you can go. Sound fair?” he negotiated. 

“Fine,” I sighed deciding to go limp against him. His hold was tight enough that I couldn’t escape it. I just let him swim the two of us across the pool.

“You could help you know,” he taunted lowly and he swam harder to make up for my now deadweight. I didn’t have to see his face to know he was smirking. 

“I could, but then again you are already making me swim when I don’t want to. And isn’t swimming for two part of being a lifeguard?”

He didn’t respond other than what I believe was a headshake. When he reached the other end of the pool I grasped onto the ledge before looking down at the lane. 

“Let’s see what you’ve got, Princess,” he challenged. Immediately I began pulling myself out of the pool until Hargrove grasped my hip–unfortunately not covered by the high-leg cut of the bottoms–with both hands and pulled me back in. “Not so fast. We have a deal.”

Grumbling I pushed myself off the concrete wall with my feet and began lazily swimming back the way I came. Hargrove chuckled behind me and I just rolled my eyes. When I was halfway across the pool I heard the splash of him swimming behind me. When I reached the other end I turned to see him a few feet behind me. 

“Happy?” I asked pulling myself out of the water. 

I sat at the edge turning to stare down at him. He folded his arms over the ground beside me and looked up at me with a grin. I crossed my arms over me as his gaze shifted over me suddenly self conscious. Normally I wouldn’t care that my body was a naturalistic combination of ample hips yet a small chest. I was healthy and it did it’s job, but he was muscular and I was…soft. I felt shy in my swimsuit under his gaze, causing my cheeks to burn. I stood up moving from his interested gaze. It wasn’t cruel and it wasn’t edging on leering either. Almost admiring, but he admired any woman who walked past.  

“Your form needs work. You definitely won’t be winning any races with that breaststroke,” he clarified as he began pulling himself out of the water.

“Yeah, yeah. I know. Steve already teases me. I don’t need to hear it from you too,” I grumbled walking to the bench that held my belongings. “Stop staring at my ass, Hargrove,” I scolded behind me, feeling his stare. 

“I was just admiring the suit, Princess.”

“Sure,” I said not believing a word he said. Grabbing my towel I wrapped it around myself using my arms to hold it up. It never stayed when I wrapped it. 

“No, green looks good on you,” he complimented grabbing his own towel, which he had conveniently placed next to mine when he first entered the pool room. I just shook my head ignoring the comment. “I could teach you, you know?”

“I don’t need swimming lessons,” I huffed opening my bag. 

“You do actually. I don’t mind,” he stated as he shook his hair spraying water everywhere. I unwrapped my towel and roughly dried my hair and body. “I usually only teach kids, but I can make a special exception.”

“You teaching children? What do you do, throw them in the deep end and scream ‘good luck’?” I joked scrunching my hair in my towel. 

“I happen to be a very good instructor, Princess. I’ll show you…especially if you keep wearing little numbers like that.”

I sneered as I pulled an oversized shirt over my head, “If you are trying to get in my pants Hargrove it’s not going to work so just give up.” 

“I’m teasing. You should know that by now,” he chuckled as I pulled on the sweatpants I had worn to meet him at the diner. 

“Right,” probably because you think your charm would have gotten you there already. Sitting on the bench I pulled on my socks and shoes. 

I tossed an annoyed glance at the Californian, looking at him for the first time since we had gotten out of the pool. He stood with his wattle bottle in hand, dressed in navy blue swim trunks that sat low on his hips.

“I’m serious about teaching you to swim,” he said finally sitting down beside me. I wasn’t sure if it was intentional that he sat close enough for our thighs to touch ever so slightly. 

“You seriously think I’m gonna let you teach me when I don’t even let Steve? No thanks. I think I’ll pass on the humiliation,” I chuckled as I finished lacing my combat boots up. Hauling my duffel bag over my shoulder I stood. Hargrove followed behind me, catching up with me and placing his hand on my back.

“Not knowing how to swim is humiliating,” he announced as I removed myself from his touch. “It will stay between us. There’s no reason to be embarrassed. I just don’t need you drowning when King Steve leaves you alone next time.” 

“He had to finish his history essay. I’m still not taking swimming lessons with you.”

“Yes, you will,” he confidently declared as we neared the locker rooms. “Are you not showering?” he asked when I walked past the doors. 

“I prefer my own shower.”

“You should try the showers in the boys' locker room. The water pressure is better along with the company. It’s usually empty by now,” he tempted leaning against the doorframe. 

“Have a nice shower, William,” I called behind me raising my hand in a wave. I heard his laugh before the opening of a door.

If you'd like to continue reading: archiveofourown.org

[ofteasandherbs]

Oh yay more chance to learn about the Beverage Batch!!! I want to ask like... Basically all of these, BUT! I shall limit it to uh... a few... *cough*. Feel free to answer the q for all of them, one of them, a mix/match of them!

5 - can they cry on command, if so what do they think about to make it happen?

10 - what fact do they excitedly tell everyone about at any opportunity?

12 - what's something that makes them laugh every single time? Be specific!

21 - what common etiquette do they disagree with? Do they still do it?

24 - Did they take a cookie from the cookie jar? What kind?

34 - How do they greet someone they like/love

42 - If invited to a TED talk what they present on? What would be the title?

49 - would they eat something they find gross to be polite?

56 - if they're scared, who do they want comfort from? Does this answer change depending on the type of fear?

8 questions a few right? Oops...

Okay this is a looooooong one folks

5:

Tea- not really no, rarely cries at all really, got that oldest sibling mentality

Caff (realize Coffee should be Caff!) - yes but rarely does it. Only does it when he knows he’s in trouble and is trying to get out of it. Often thinks about medic things ™️ so that bads

Juice: nope! She’s an advocate for being honest lol

Energy drink- …. The answer is yes. Uses it too much, and uses it on Tea specifically… tea is not immune to the tooka eyes. Often will think about what would happen if they were the last of the batch, or if something would go wrong on a demo job.

10:

Tea- omg Tea can show hes a plant nerd finally…. Will identify plants without being asked and will go into the uses of said plant… gets embarrassed as he realizes he’s been talking for 20min about just one plant that is specifically only found on Endor and how the natives keep all the locations of it secret due to plant poaching..

Caff- to a fellow Solider he is treating in the field to distract from the pain they are gonna feel “did you know that your ears never stop growing” *snaps bone back in place*

Juice- …. It would be a fact about captain Rex….his biggest fan girl//

ED- she’s the one who know the blackmail on all the commanders and will state random facts from the at times.. no one else knows they are facts but under the commanders buckets they are sweating… no one needs to know that Commander Mars sings to space abba in the sonic//

12:

Tea- tooka videos. Specifically when they jump 10 ft in the air when introduced to a space cucumber

Caff- when Tea is sleepwalking after a 48 hour shift in the med bay and walks into the wall… he then guides them to a bunk and makes them sleep for 10 hours//

Juice: commander Mars failed flirting attempts. He tries so hard…. Put General Juno is so oblivious…

ED- with Tea on the tooka videos but with them getting sticky tape stuck on their paws and trying to get it off

21:

Tea- Tea will wear pjs anywhere that armor is not needed… it’s warm and cozy and he need to be warm doing paperwork//

Caff- will butt into convos that he was not apart of to correct someone.

Juice:… doesn’t clean the shower drain from his hair… he’s the only one with the long blonde and brown hair…

ED- chews with her mouth open,and still does it no matter how much Juice and Tea say not to

24:

Tea- Yes. He made the cookies, they should get to eat them. They are oatmeal cranberry

Caff- yes and they are almond cookies….

Juice- nope, the health nut she is… they would though, steal an oatmeal bar no doubt

ED- shockingly no! Likes savory things so loves when Tea makes dark chocolate and sea salt cookies.. not too sweet

34:

Tea- will hug them, sticking his head in the neck. (Does this to each of his siblings after each battle as he’s the CMO, he doesn’t go on the actual field that much and has so much anxiety about them each time they leave him… angst)

Caff- a kiss on the cheek, very French in that way

Juice- run and jump! Will knock you over!

ED- arm over the shoulder squeeze!

42:

Tea- once again it’s on plants, but it’s about how space eco tourism is ruining places of beauty. “ eco tourism and why you suck”

Caff- it’s about annoying older brothers who steal their favorite blanket (this is only for Tea to see) “give me my blanket back you bantha”

Juice- it’s about how to get more ships for the GAR… “how to use the Jedi to get the senate to give us more ships”

ED- “why I’m the sole owner of Coaster but Tea needs to pay for her expenses (I’m baby)”

49:

Tea- … they drink caff…

Caff- …. They drink tea….

Juice: she’ll eat a thing that Caff made cause it was healthy and he thought Juice would like it… it’s a tasteless grey brick..

ED: she’s a sensory issue girly… many things gross her out but she’ll eat them in polite company and then cry a bit after

56:

Tea- Tea is terrified of one day his siblings not coming back. He needs a cuddle pile after each big mission if it’s feasible.

Caff- like all medics,is scared one day he’ll find his siblings… but is even more scared of never finding the other 2, ED blow to too many pieces, it able to be recognized.. Juice never found after their ship goes down.. he needs to go to commander mars after each scare like that and go through the logs of those lost just to be sure.

Juice- terrified of the underground. You will never get her into a cave at all. And if it’s mandatory she needs to only be other people she trusts. Will likely try to comm Tea on the main ship to go through breathing exercises

ED- panics that one day her tremors will kill her and her well Soliders. Will often work herself into actual hand tremors if she starts down this spiral, so her fellow demo buddy Deto will have to hold her hands and make her talk through the process to prove she has it.

[isthattetofrommesmerizer]

I just put on like, some vibrational thing that just makes the same vague humming noise

And I passed out for four hours

No

4hours 49 minutes approximately

Do NOT let my ass near strange vibrations bro, Ill be passed out for millennia

coughs

the thing to find nintendo switch consoles.

[archivist-crow]

The Haunted Atlas

Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary - San Francisco, California - 37°49′36″N / 122°25′22″W

The harshest, loneliest, and most dismal of America's federal prisons, located on a damp rock of an island in San Francisco Bay, is said to be haunted by sounds that seem to be connected to inmates and violence of the past.

Alcatraz, originally named La Isla de Los Altraces (The Island of the Pelicans), was first an Army fort and prison. In 1934 it was turned into a federal penitentiary. The toughest convicts were interred there solely for punishment, not for rehabilitation. Conditions were brutal and escape virtually impossible. The prison was closed in 1963 and is now a tourist attraction.

Al Capone was one of the first famous inmates there. After five years at "the Rock," as Alcatraz was called, he went insane, due in part to his incarceration and in part to his condition of advanced syphilis.

Insanity was the kindest fate to befall a prisoner—others committed suicide, murdered one another, mutilated themselves (one chopped off the fingers of one hand with an axe), or died unpleasant deaths from illness and disease. Beatings by guards were routine, and the screams of the beaten reverberated throughout the cells. Prisoners were shot trying to scale the walls. In 1946, six inmates attempted to break out of the prison. In the ensuing bloodshed, three guards were killed and three of the six would-be escapees were shot to death; many others were wounded.

Little besides the sounds of violence was heard at Alcatraz, for prisoners were forbidden to talk, except for three minutes twice a day during recreation and two hours on weekends. Capone, whose life was constantly threatened by other inmates, kept largely to himself and spent his time playing his banjo in his cell or in the shower (showers were granted to inmates once a week). Capone joined a four-man band whose members included "Machine Gun" Kelly.

The most notorious cells were four solitary cells called "holes" in Block D, numbered 11, 12, 13, and 14. In solitary confinement, a prisoner was stripped of clothing, beaten, and shut up in complete darkness in one of the tiny cement cells with only a hole in the floor for a bathroom. He was fed bread and water twice a day, and given one full meal every third day. The holes were notorious for breaking men, either through insanity, illness or death. Capone was thrown into a hole on three occasions. Another inmate, Rufe McCain, was confined to 14-D for three years and two months as punishment for attempting to escape in 1939. Upon his release, he murdered another inmate who had been part of the escape plan.

Visual apparitions have been reported at Alcatraz since its closing. Guards and tour guides have reported hearing the sounds of clanging metal doors, men's voices, whistling, coughing, screams, and the running of feet along corridors. Clanging sounds have been heard at night in the corridor where the three 1946 escapees were gunned down. Screams have been heard coming from the dungeon, near Block A, where the surviving three escapees were chained. Men's voices have been heard in the hospital ward. Various individuals have reported feeling "strange" in the vicinity of 14-D, although some acknowledge their reaction may be influenced by their knowledge of what went on there. The cell also reportedly remains very cold, even if the surrounding area has warmed on a hot day. Banjo music has been reported wafting from the shower room, where Capone once held forth with his only solace.

Text from The Encyclopedia of Ghosts and Spirits, Third Edition by Rosemary Ellen Guiley (Checkmark Books - 2007)

[saintmeghanmarkle]

A tale of two brands: Beckham vs Sussex by u/Mickleborough

A tale of two brands: Beckham vs Sussex It seems to be open season on the Sussexes. And unlike normal hunting season, there’s no end date.The Telegraph has a piece about what the Sussexes can learn from the Beckhams, in terms of establishing themselves successfully in the US: archived / unarchived.Basically both are (cough) young couples (David‘s 48; Victoria‘s 49; Harry’s a baby at 38; Meghan’s a comparative spring chicken at 41). Both left the U.K. to establish themselves in the US. And where are they now?The Beckhams live in a $23m penthouse in Miami. The football / soccer team that David co-owns is now worth $600m, after starting out 3 years ago. Both are seen as having goals in life: David to build up his Inter Miami team; Victoria her fashion and beauty lines. People who’ve known them said that both have determination: consequently their growth has been ‘organic, natural, and above all, authentic’.Compare that with the Sussexes. They lost the Spotify contract after just 1 season, in the most public and humiliating way (being called grifters and talentless - by 2 separate powers in the business - isn’t a positive). No one‘s holding their breath about what they’ll do for Netflix. The article states that the success of Spare proves that the public are interested in their royal connections - not in themselves.The Beckhams have been working on their businesses for decades. The Sussexes have yet to find their USP (unique selling point) - which currently seems to be ‘a finite story that appears to be running out of road for their American audience’.A PR guru observes that the Beckhams use their platform ‘for good and not in a virtue-signalling way’. Compare this to the Sussexes, who ‘haven’t actually earned their stripes; what have they actually done? What have they brought into the US economy?’Another observes that the Sussexes lack the ‘humility’ of the Beckhams: ‘David is a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF and has used his star power to do good work. But he never tried to eclipse that charity, whereas by contrast, the Archewell Foundation feels a bit of a personal flex as much as it’s a fundraiser. ‘The Beckhams, despite their wealth, are often pictured leading relatively normal lives, David buys his lunch from a popular, affordable Miami eatery and queues for coffee at neighbourhood joints. He also stood in line for 13 hours to pay his respects to the late Queen. The Sussexes, on the other hand, are closeted in Montecito (allegedly) and ask for lifts on Air Force One - not at all relatable.Another says that the Beckhams embody the American dream. ‘The Beckhams combine clear talent and prodigious hard work. In contracts the Sussexes exude entitlement in a very un-American way. That’s the ironic thing, because one of them is American!’Good humour goes a long way. Victoria has a good sense of humour and uses it to her advantage, cf ‘People like Meghan, who try to control the narrative and only present themselves in a perfect light, tend to forget that the public warms to a humour and the ability to show a flaw.’There’s the issue of family values. The Beckhams have been pictured with their children and extended family ‘while Harry, as we know, exposed a lot of family secrets. They’re now estranged from most relatives on both sides and this doesn’t play well.’To end: ’The Beckhams certainly live well, which Americans expect and admire, but they also spend their own money, and that is key. They’re not scrounges and they never have been.’ post link: https://ift.tt/Z9b1dwf author: Mickleborough submitted: July 30, 2023 at 08:09PM via SaintMeghanMarkle on Reddit

[calpicowater]

Week 49/52: December 4th - December 10th 2023 | Coquitlam Shift

I had a shift in Coquitlam and legit took me so long to get there... 2 whole hours PLUS 10 minutes!!!! The whole day felt like a struggle. Started coughing again. Thankfully KT came to pick me up with my fav McD poutine. She's the best... my real work mom :')

[itsjaywalkers]

What if the chest infection has something to do with the heart

nah nonnie considering the coughing and where the pain is located im pretty sure it has nothing to do with my heart and everything to do with my lungs. if u guys could hear my coughs you'd understand what i mean

one of the kitchen guys at my job was like "laurie this is ur 7th day working in a row and u did 49 hours last week OFC U GOT SICK" and he was . so right for that