#Does this make sense to you guys? I swear I wasn't high when I wrote this

[ask-casino-cups-swap-au]

Explanation of Hell's Economy

Okaaay, so it looks like it’s my turn to give a big explanation. Haha

Well…

How does the economy work in Hell?

To answer that, we first need to clarify how souls end up in Hell. There are only two ways: naturally, or by making a deal with a demon.

Once a person dies and somehow ends up in Hell, that soul has to embark on a journey along a river that flows through almost every part of Hell. I’m drawing from Greek mythology here. In this scenario, Azrael is the one who guides these souls to the river and leads them to a certain point; from there, the souls travel alone, carried by the river’s current.

Another point I need to clarify is that before the fallen angels went to Hell, they were sent to Earth as part of their punishment to protect God’s creation. But since that went horribly wrong, they were sent to Hell. Again, I’m drawing from Greek culture here; at least in my alternate universe, Hell was originally a pretty cold and desolate place because that’s what was commonly associated with death, darkness, and all that. This changed after the demons arrived, followed by the souls of mortals. In fact, the river of mortal souls is what sustains Hell’s energy and makes it a rather hot place—at least most of it—with exceptions in certain parts of Hell where the river doesn’t flow. Before that, demons had to use their own magic to maintain a stable temperature since not all of them could tolerate the cold, unlike the creatures that were already native to Hell.

Anyway, at the end of the journey, the souls fall into various pits scattered across Hell. They fall deeper and deeper based on their sins. I like to think that only the souls fall through these “rings,” while the demons actually live on just one surface. Then, as much energy as possible is extracted from these souls through “tortures” or at least punishments in the astral plane, carried out by demons chosen by the second triad of angels. This is part of the penalty for the fallen angels, where they are forced to torture these souls, and the energy from the souls is distributed evenly among all sides. (I hope this explains why many demons aren’t quite right in the head and why many turned into psychopaths, sadists, or unrecognizable monsters.)

And well, it was only a matter of time before they realized they could acquire souls without interference from Heaven, as long as they followed certain guidelines. Let’s just say that through trial and error, they figured out what they could and couldn’t do. And by trial and error, I mean that if one of the demons did something they shouldn’t have, it could lead to an armed conflict with angels or punishments for that demon in some very unpleasant ways. That’s how they discovered some loopholes they could exploit, and some of the rules they established were:

- The mortal must be willing, without hesitation or fear, to give their soul to the demon.

- The transaction must be conducted through a bond with the demon.

- The demon has full control over the person’s body, soul, and will once the deal is made.

- It’s forbidden to interfere in the life or death of a mortal unless you own their soul (whether by saving or killing a mortal).

- You can only have control and influence over mortals who were nearby at the time of making the deal (whether they’re family, friends, acquaintances, or strangers).

- If not, you can’t take the life of one of them as revenge or to fulfill a deal.

Among many other rules. Only certain demons were able to acquire souls and strictly follow all these rules. Additionally, projecting themselves into the mortal realm was complicated, as demons can’t physically be on Earth; only the most powerful ones could obtain souls for themselves. It’s much easier now due to the breach between Hell and Earth, which only exists in Inkwell , where demons can now be physically present in the mortal world as long as they don’t leave the islands.

So, these soul exchanges are mostly used by high-ranking demons for territorial and commercial relationships. Since not all demons and creatures living there can afford to have many souls, there are other forms of payment, primarily with precious stones (gold, amber, jade, emeralds).

Gold and amber are of lesser value and more common, with amber typically found along the banks of the river of souls, while jade and emeralds are much more valuable and are found in Hell due to the high temperatures that aid their formation in rocks, but they’re not as common.

Of course, if you try to pay a demon with gems from the mortal realm, you’ll probably get a nasty look in return, since they’re not the same as those that originate in Hell.

(Demons also use these gems a lot in rituals and magic.)

Explicación de la economía del infierno

Okeeey, entonces me tocará a mí dar una gran explicación. Hahaha

Bueno…

¿Cómo funciona la economía en el infierno?

Para poder responder a esta duda, primero hay que aclarar cómo llegan las almas al infierno. Hay solo dos formas: de manera natural o por hacer un trato con un demonio.

Una vez que una persona muere y casualmente termina en el infierno, esa alma tendrá que recorrer un viaje por un río que pasa por casi todas las partes del infierno. Tomo como referencia la mitología griega en esto. En este caso, Azrael es quien lleva estas almas al río y las conduce hasta cierto punto; luego las almas viajan solas por la corriente del río.

Otra aclaración que debo hacer aquí es que los ángeles caídos, antes de ir al infierno, fueron a la Tierra para cumplir con su castigo protegiendo la creación de Dios. Pero como esto salió muy mal, los mandaron al infierno. También tomo como referencia la cultura griega; al menos en mi universo alterno, el infierno originalmente era un lugar bastante frío y desolado porque eso es lo que comúnmente se asociaba a la muerte, oscuridad y todo lo malo. Esto cambió después de que llegaran los demonios y luego las almas de mortales. De hecho, el río de almas de mortales es lo que mantiene la energía del infierno y hace que sea un lugar bastante caliente, al menos en su mayoría, con excepciones de ciertas partes del infierno donde el río de almas no pasa. Antes de eso, los demonios tenían que usar su propia magia para mantener una temperatura estable para ellos, ya que no todos los demonios eran capaces de tolerar las bajas temperaturas, a diferencia de las criaturas que ya eran originarias del infierno.

En fin, al terminar el viaje, las almas caen en diferentes pozos de tierra que se encuentran en varias partes del infierno. Estas caen más y más profundo según sus pecados. Me gusta pensar que solo las almas caen por estos “anillos”, mientras que los demonios sí viven en solo una superficie. Luego, a estas almas se les extrae lo que más se pueda de su energía mediante “torturas” o, al menos, castigos en el plano astral que realizan demonios escogidos por la segunda triada de ángeles. Esto es parte de la penalización que tienen los ángeles caídos, donde eran obligados a torturar a esas almas ,siendo repartida la energía de las almas equitativamente entre cada lado.(Espero que eso explique por qué muchos demonios no están bien de sus facultades mentales y por qué muchos se volvieron psicópatas, sádicos o monstruos irreconocibles.)

Y bueno, fue cuestión de tiempo para que se dieran cuenta de que podían adquirir almas sin interferencia del cielo, siempre y cuando cumplieran con ciertas pautas. Digamos que, por prueba y error, se dieron cuenta de qué cosas podían o no hacer. Y con prueba y error me refiero a que si uno de los demonios hacía algo que no debía, podría ocasionar un conflicto armado con ángeles o que lo castigaran solo a él de maneras no muy agradables. Así descubrieron algunos vacíos que podían utilizar, y algunas normas que establecieron fueron estas:

- El mortal tiene que estar dispuesto, sin dudar ni temer, a dar su alma al demonio.

- El intermediario tiene que hacerse por medio de un vínculo con el demonio.

- El demonio tiene la disponibilidad del cuerpo, alma y voluntad de la persona una vez hecho el trato.

- Está prohibido entrometerse en la vida o muerte de un mortal si no eres dueño de su alma (sea salvar a un mortal o matarlo).

- Solo se puede tener control e influencia sobre los mortales que estuvieron cerca en el momento de hacer el trato (sea familia, amigos, conocidos o extraños).

- De no ser así, no se puede cobrar la vida de uno de ellos como venganza o para cumplir un trato.

Entre muchas otras normas. Solo ciertos demonios eran capaces de conseguir almas y seguir todas estas reglas rigurosamente. Además de lo complicado que era proyectarse en el reino mortal, ya que los demonios no pueden estar físicamente en la Tierra, solo los más poderosos eran capaces de conseguir almas para sí mismos. Ahora es mucho más fácil debido a la brecha que existe entre el infierno y la Tierra, que solo existe en las Islas Inkwell, donde ahora los demonios pueden estar presencialmente en el mundo mortal mientras no salgan de las islas.

Así que estos intercambios de almas son más utilizados por demonios de alto rango social para relaciones territoriales y comerciales. Como no todos los demonios y criaturas que viven ahí pueden costearse tener muchas almas, hay otras formas de pago, principalmente con piedras preciosas (oro, ámbar, jade, esmeraldas).

El oro y el ámbar son de menor valor y más comunes, el ámbar siendo encontrado normalmente en las orillas del río de almas, mientras que el jade y la esmeralda tienen mucho más valor y se encuentran en el infierno debido a las altas temperaturas que ayudan a su formación en rocas, pero no son tan comunes.

Claro que si intentas pagarle a un demonio con gemas del reino mortal probablemente te devuelva una mala mirada, ya que no son iguales a las que son originarias del infierno.

(También los demonios utilizan mucho las gemas para rituales y magia.)

[sapphic-coded]

I Swear That I Don't Have A Gun

You grew up in Ohio with your father, brother, and sister. Your family was small and strange. Because of that, you were picked on relentlessly at school. Until another weird kid showed up. Her family moved in across the street from you. It wasn't long until the two of you became friends. Your friendship became the light in your life. Until it ended suddenly. Rumors followed your friend's disappearance. Russian spies. You didn't see her again until you crossed paths at work.

Series Masterlist

Natasha Romanoff x fem Reader

Warnings: Imaginary violence. Reader is a messed up assassin and doesn't like recon jobs. Expensive alcohol. Minors DNI.

Word Count: 4.3k

Author's Note: I'm back from vacation and I caught covid. I wrote this whole chapter while I was stuck in quarantine so I apologize if anything doesn't make sense. Thank you again for the endless love you have shown this series. It's really fun to write and I'm glad you guys enjoy reading it.

Taglist: @natsxwife @iliketozoneout @newawakening9 @natasha-1million @ilovemcuff @beholdagaywriter

Chapter Four: Between Fact And Fiction, Which One Of Us Changed?

Mount Vernon, Ohio – 1992

The bark was rough against your hands as your foot found purchase against a sturdy gnarl. You reached for the thick branch above and dug your fingers into the familiar wood. It took hardly a minute to pull yourself up onto the branch. Your movement was fluid. Practiced. You have climbed this tree more times than you can count. You settled onto the thick branch, and it held your weight with ease. The branch you sat on was nearly as high as the roof of your house. It afforded you the best view of your small neighborhood. 

You looked down and found Nat confidently scaling up the tree. The moment she was close enough, you leaned down and offered your hand. Her hand wrapped around yours and you helped pull her up onto the branch with you. Your legs swung lazily as she sat down next to you. The sun had already begun its descent towards the treeline, and you felt nothing but raw excitement for the approaching weekend. Your father was wrapped up in communications with his past self and had made it clear that he was not to be bothered. Which left a whole weekend free to do whatever you wanted. No hunting trips. No extracurricular activities. Just two whole days of sweet freedom. 

Nat swung her backpack around, pulled out something, and then leaned her bag against the trunk of the tree. She held out something in a long, thin shiny packaging towards you. Your eyes widened, and your smile grew at what was unmistakably a delicious fruit roll-up. You took it and immediately tore open the wrapper. You ripped off a bite with your teeth and chewed on the sweet snack happily. 

“Your parents are way cooler than my father,” you said before you ripped off another bite with your teeth. 

Nat smiled and shook her head as she opened up the wrapper. “My mom says this stuff will rot your teeth. Ashley had a bunch of these with her at school today. I traded a yoo-hoo for these.”

You didn’t know who Ashley was. Her face in your mind was a blend of every other face you passed in the hallways. 

“You said your Dad had company?” Nat asked as she ripped off a piece of her fruit roll-up. 

You followed her gaze to your driveway that was largely empty except for your father’s station wagon. “He does. It’s one of his past selves. He doesn’t know when. They keep changing their story.” As you took another bite, the front door of your house opened and your brother and sister walked out. Your brother was dressed in one of his nicer black suits while your sister wore a black slip dress over a brown and black striped T-shirt. As they made their way down the driveway, another car turned onto the street and pulled up in front of your house. You didn’t recognize any of the other teens in the car, but they all looked to be either around your brother’s age or older. 

You chewed on your snack as you watched your siblings climb into the car and drive off. You had no idea if your brother ever worked up the courage to ask Sadie to the dance. Ever since you met Nat, most of your free time has been spent hanging out with your friend. Not that your siblings seemed to mind. In fact, they both seemed to like Nat when they crossed paths with you two the other day. 

“My Dad wants to pull out our grill one last time for the season,” Nat said as she ripped off another piece of her fruit roll-up. “You should come by tomorrow. My parents want to meet you.” 

You looked over at Nat. You knew exactly what your father would say if you asked him if you could go. He wouldn’t just say no. He’d find a way to make sure that such an opportunity would never come your way again. He tolerated your newfound friendship with Nat because it made you look normal. It kept up appearances. But going any deeper than that could turn a stroke of luck into a potential problem. 

You knew all of this, yet you didn’t feel fear as you settled on your answer. Your father would find out. It was pointless to hide anything from him. But whatever punishment he would dish out felt shallow. Your thoughts were anchored on Nat, and how nice it felt to be around her. She offered no judgment whenever you mentioned your family. She could have left you once the other kids told her how weird you were. But she stayed by your side. 

So you said, “Okay.” And all you could think about was spending your free weekend with your friend.

Stockholm – 2010

As the car pulls to a stop, your father hands you a folded piece of pale, yellow scrap paper. 

“Call your brother,” he says as you unfold the piece of paper. Scratched in quick strokes of black ink is a phone number. “He wants to talk to you.” 

You fold the piece of scrap paper in half and look over at your father. He is dressed in a black tuxedo suit with matching polished black shoes. His black hair is combed back from his face and in the dim light of the car, it is nearly impossible to see the faint white streaks peppered throughout. The smell of his cologne hangs heavy between you two. 

“Why?” you ask. 

“He did not wish to discuss his reasoning with me,” your father replies. “He insisted on talking with you.”

You shrug and sit back in the cushioned leather seat. “Then I’ll call him later.”

“No,” your father’s reply is calculated and sharp. You imagine him standing above you and barking orders in that same tone of voice. Go. Fight. Run. Kill. “You will call him now. This is a very important night. We cannot afford another mistake like Amsterdam.”

You roll your eyes. “When will you stop with that? I did the job.” 

“I will stop when you stop distracting yourself with that spy,” your father snaps. 

You shift around in your seat so you can face your father fully. “First, you have no proof that she was ever a Russian spy.”

“I have mountains of evidence, Y/N,” your father is quick to argue. “You just won’t listen.”

“Second,” you continue as if your father didn’t say anything, “she is not a distraction. Every job you have given me since Amsterdam I have completed. Even the ones that draw her out.”

Your father shifts around in his seat to face you fully as well. He points his finger at you. “That is it. Right there. You have just admitted it. You are drawing her out.” 

“I am not.”

“She is a distraction,” your father presses. “What do you think will happen once she has you right where she wants you?”

You laugh and roll your eyes again. “It’s not like that. We are just talking.” 

“She is your enemy, Y/N.” 

You shift back into your seat and stare ahead at the tinted window partition that separates the front of the car from the back. You fold your arms in front of your chest as you bite back the same old retort. It has been a little over a month since Amsterdam, and just about three weeks since London. You’ve done three more jobs since, and she hasn’t shown up at a single one. The disappointment you’ve been carrying around is crushing. You thought she was starting to get close. You thought she had finally picked up your trail. But you were wrong, and you hated the growing silence between the two of you. 

You hear your father shift back into his seat next to you. You don’t know how else to explain to your father that your conversations with her are not distractions. You have argued your point so many times, but he doesn’t listen. But if the past three jobs were anything to go by, he won’t have to worry about her for much longer. If she lost your trail, then only luck would put her back in front of you. You can feel your frustration beginning to resurface. There was still so much left unsaid. You were hoping for at least one more conversation. 

“Call your brother so we can carry on with our night,” your father says. 

You unbuckle your seatbelt and open the car door. You step out onto a quiet sidewalk lit by the white glow of the streetlamp. The black Lexus you and your father have been riding in idles as you shut the door behind you. You make your way over to the payphone and dial the number written on the piece of scrap paper. As you wait for an answer, your hand dips into the pocket of your navy blue suit jacket. Your father had instructed you to dress up for tonight, so you had selected one of your favorite suits. Your suit jacket remains unbuttoned and reveals the white satin blouse beneath that scoops down towards your breasts. Your matching navy blue trousers run down the lengths of your legs and end at your black oxford shoes. 

“Hello?” your brother’s voice speaks through the receiver. 

You turn your back to the idling Lexus. “Hi.” You can hear your brother’s sigh.

“Y/N,” he says. “It’s good to hear from you. How have you been?” 

You shrug despite the fact that your brother cannot see it. You look down and kick a small pebble further down the sidewalk. “Fine. Work keeps me busy. You?” 

“Same,” your brother replies. “Long hours. Little sleep. Living off the vending machines whenever I’m not home.” 

“That sounds terrible,” you say. 

“It’s better than working for Dad,” your brother says.

You look over your shoulder towards the black Lexus for a moment. “Yeah…well…you do what you’re good at, and I do what I’m good at.” 

“Y/N–”

“Why did you want to talk?” you cut in. 

Your brother lets out another sigh. “I had a visitor last night.”

You look back down towards the sidewalk and spot another tiny pebble. You kick that one further down the sidewalk. 

“Your friend from Ohio.”

Your gaze snaps up and lands on the phone. Your grip on the receiver tightens as your heart starts to beat faster. 

“I’m pretty sure you know who I’m talking about since she mentioned running into you earlier,” your brother says. 

“She found you?” It’s the only question you can think of. Your mind is racing so fast. 

“I’m not that hard to find,” your brother replies. “It’s you she’s trying to find.”

Your free hand comes up and you press the palm of your hand against your forehead. You can’t fight back the smile that curls your lips. She’s trying to find you. And she’s closer now. It won’t be just luck that drops her back into your life. Just a matter of time. You can hardly wait. 

“She knows about your work,” your brother says. 

Your smile grows as you close your eyes. “What did she say?”

“That you’re really good,” he answers. 

You wonder how much she knows. Does she only know about your jobs in Amsterdam and London? “High praise from the dearly departed.” 

“Yeah, I…I’m sorry,” he replies. “I was just as confused about what happened. I just saw Dad twisting it into another one of his crazy theories and I…” 

Suddenly you’re back in Ohio standing in your front yard. The house across the street that once radiated an irresistible warmth stands cold and empty. Trapped in your small body, you feel numb. You don’t understand. 

“...I didn’t want him to hurt you more,” your brother’s words lead you back to the payphone. You open your eyes. “So I told you what I thought would give you the most closure.”

You run your fingers down the length of the phone cord. There’s something you want to say to your brother that has nothing to do with friends coming back from an assumed death. But you don’t know how to say it. So you stand there in silence.  

“We need to meet. All three of us.”

You blink and your brow furrows. “Why?”

“Because whatever Dad has you doing is more than just contract work,” he replies. “Your friend seems to think that your past jobs are all connected to something bigger. And knowing Dad, she wouldn’t be wrong.” 

You glance back at the black Lexus. “What else did she say?” 

“That she’s going to find you.” 

You wonder what she was wearing when she spoke with your brother. 

“Y/N, this is serious.”

You shake your head. “Fine. I’ll call you when I’m back at my place.” You say your goodbyes and hang up the phone. You tuck your brother’s phone number into your pocket and return to the car. The moment you settle back into your seat and shut the door, the car starts moving. 

The drive to your destination is not long. In less than an hour the car rolls up the driveway of a large luxurious mansion. The night air is cool when you step out of the car. The mansion’s large glass windows shine from the lights within. The quiet of the surrounding trees and gardens scattered throughout the estate reminds you of the peaceful quiet of your little cabin tucked far away. 

Your father’s orders are simple and straightforward. You are attending a party hosted by your father’s very important clients. Dine. Drink. Have fun. Don’t do anything else unless he tells you. You don’t argue. While you don’t care about these clients, you don’t mind entertaining yourself on their dime. 

The mansion is warm and bright when you enter. The sound of jazz music mixes with the lively hum of voices as you take in the sight of so many people all dressed in their finest suits and gowns. You don’t recognize any of them. Perhaps you should. These are all important people. People with some sliver of power. Certainly these people are probably CEOs or politicians or other important leaders. You wonder, as you casually walk further into the mansion, whether or not you’ve killed for these people before. 

The thought amuses you so much that you decide to make up stories for each stranger you pass. You had long left your father to mingle with his clients as you passed by two happy couples laughing at some joke. Your own lips lift into a smile despite not knowing what exactly they were laughing about. You just imagine shoving their old lovers, flames of passion long since burned out, off the roof of a mansion. Both couples looked like they owned mansions like this one. You imagine standing on the roof’s edge and looking down. You struggle to decide how strangely their bodies would break upon landing. It’s a hole in your imagination, but you are certain about the ring of blood that would surround the bodies. 

You swipe a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. You take a sip as you enter a much larger room. Off in the corner, a live jazz band is playing while more rich strangers mingle amongst each other. You spot a group of six gentlemen standing underneath a large abstract painting. As they talk, you imagine crushing the head of their rival beneath the sole of your boot. The rival’s scream would be terribly short lived and replaced with the crunch of breaking bone. You finish off your champagne and exchange your empty glass for another when another waiter passes. You also snatch up a fancy looking appetizer that tastes of a lovely blend of cheeses. 

You sip on your second glass of champagne as you wander around the crowded room. Your fantasies about these strangers fuels you. Barely an hour passes and you have imagined killing so many people. You can’t decide which fantasy is your favorite. You are torn between running over a sheriff with a tank or smothering an ex-lover in their bed. Both fantasies have an alluring thrill to them. You are starting to lean more towards the tank when one of the waiters stops next to you with a silver tray full of more drinks.   

“Would you like a new drink?” 

You abandon your fantasies the moment her voice reaches your ear. You look to your right. Standing next to you is Nat. She is dressed like all the other waiters roaming the busy rooms. Her white collared, button up shirt is nicely pressed and barren of a single blemish. The black vest she wears over her shirt is also without a single wrinkle. Black trousers cover the legs you remember straddling you back in Amsterdam. Her red hair is pulled back into another intricate braid that you are starting to adore. 

You look down at the empty champagne glass in your hand. The light chattering of all the other guests does not falter. The band continues to play. You feel the same rush from London warming every inch of you. Your earlier worries suddenly seem so humorous. You thought you had run too far ahead. You thought you knew what to do after hanging up the phone with your brother. Slow down. Give her time to catch up. 

But she has already caught up to you. 

And you can hardly contain your happiness. 

Your smile returns when your gaze lifts to meet her stare. “I’d love one.” You set your empty champagne glass onto the silver tray she is holding, and grab a fresh one. 

“Are you enjoying yourself?” she asks. 

You take a sip of your third glass of champagne. “I am now that I have better company.” You gesture to the full glasses on the tray. “You should have some. It’s not very good, but it tastes expensive.” 

She turns slightly. “I’m working.” 

That’s hardly a surprise. If it’s not you working then it’s her. If she’s not working then you never see her. “When do you get off?” 

She doesn’t answer you, and you think you see a hint of a smile on her face, but another guest snatches away her attention before you can know for sure. You watch as she leaves and approaches the guest who called her over. The guest grabs two glasses of champagne before she walks off. You don’t follow. You stand there, sipping on your champagne, and watch. Every thought in your head is screaming for you to go after her. You still have so many questions. You still crave that blissful high you feel when it is just the two of you. You watch as she makes her way through the mingling guests. You finish your champagne the moment you see her disappear into another room. She shuts the door behind her and you can feel your palms start to sweat again. You know what this is. The invitation is blatantly clear. 

Your gaze sweeps around the gathered guests. You don’t see your father anywhere. Probably off talking to even more important clients. Perfect. You dump your glass onto the tray of another passing waiter as you cut through the crowd. Nobody else goes near the door as you get close. You turn and take one more look around at the busy party. Still no sign of your father. Just more strangers. You turn the doorknob, push open the door, and step into the room. 

This room is much smaller and not as brightly lit as the others. It looks to be some kind of entertaining room that only old wealth would have. In the middle of the room is a large wooden round table with eight dark brown leather armchairs surrounding it. Sitting on top of the table was the silver tray still full of drinks. Off on the right hand side of the room is an empty fireplace. To the left is a small bar where you find Nat. 

The door clicks shut behind you and muffles the noise of the party. You make your way to the table and settle into the armchair closest to the silver tray. “Are there any more of those fancy pigs in a blanket back there?” You grab a new glass off the tray and look over towards Nat. 

She turns around to face you. In her hands is a bottle of whiskey and two tumbler glasses. “No, but I think I found something better.” 

You smile as Nat sets the bottle and glasses down on the table. As she sits down in the armchair next to you, you reach forward and grab the bottle of whiskey. You examine the fancy label. “These people are always the same. They feed everyone the bad stuff and keep the good stuff for themselves.” You lift your champagne glass to your lips, tilt your head back, and finish the champagne in one greedy drink. You set the empty glass aside and reach for the two tumbler glasses. “I thought you were working.” 

“I am,” she replies. “I’m on break.” 

You open the bottle of whiskey. “Fun job?” 

She shrugs. “Recon.” 

You pour the whiskey into the two tumbler glasses. “I was never much of a fan of those jobs. Made the days feel long. I prefer keeping busy.” You set the whiskey bottle down before pushing one of the glasses towards Nat. She is watching you, and you love it. “But at least you have entertainment and good company. I spent my last recon job in a bunker.��� Your smile drops a little at the memory. 

Her head tilts a little to the side. “The Idaho job?” 

You are about to pick up your glass, but stop. Your gaze had dropped to the fancy amber liquid. You try to remember when you had taken that job. It felt like a lifetime ago, but it couldn’t have been that long after your eighteenth birthday. That’s when you found your ‘groove’. When you had finally beat out the last bit of you that flinched every time you pulled the trigger. Your smile returns when you meet her olive green eyes again. How far back did she dig? Your fingers curl around the glass. “Two weeks spent in a place that smelled like piss and sweat. It’s hard to maintain your cover when you want to gag every time one of them goes near you.” 

“But you did,” she says as you lift the glass to your lips and take a drink of the whiskey. The smooth nutty taste washes over your tongue. “I doubt Hickman would have kept his back to you if he didn’t trust you.” 

The whiskey burns pleasantly as it goes down your throat. “Someone has done their research.” The memories of the Idaho job are still fuzzy, but you remember the weight of the shotgun in your hands. You remember the satisfaction you felt seeing Hickman’s body jerk forward from the deafening blast. The smell of gunpowder. The pieces of his head sticking to his desk. You lean forward and rest your arms on the table as you take another sip of your whiskey. “What do you think?” 

She doesn’t answer right away. Your heart is beating against your chest as you wait. You don’t exactly know what you want to hear from her. You just hope that it isn’t disgust. You have tasted bitter disappointment so often these past few weeks. You can’t take much more of it. 

“I think you’re really good,” she says. 

As your heart soars, you see a kind of sadness in her eyes that you don’t understand. 

“You have a very specific skill set.” 

Your smile grows as you lean back into the armchair. You hold your glass of whiskey in your hand. Her gaze never wanders from yours, and you don’t see any telltale signs of fear. It’s so common among all the people you meet when they realize what you are. But she’s not afraid. She doesn’t even look angry. It fills you with so much hope. It’s almost perfect. You just don’t understand why she looks sad. 

“Thanks for the compliment, Nat,” you say before you finish your whiskey. “I’m so glad you’re not dead. I missed having someone normal to talk to.” You see a flash of a smile cross her face. “We still need to catch up when we’re not doing all of…” you raised your arm and gestured with your hand towards the door. “...this. When are you free next?” 

“If you come with me, we’ll have plenty of time to catch up tonight,” she replies. 

“Tempting,” you say. “But I have a prior commitment I can’t miss. A family thing.” You stand up and set your empty glass down on the table. “But I’ll reach out after.” You turn and start towards the door. When you reach the door, you reach for the doorknob but stop. You turn and find Nat still sitting at the table. “Next time let’s do coffee.”

Her smile returns. It’s small, but it fills you with so much warmth. “That would be nice.”

Your hand falls upon the doorknob and when the door cracks open, the noise of the party spills into the room. You step out and back into the mingling crowd of guests. You allow your feet to carry you across the room as your mind begins laying the foundation of your next meeting with Nat. You end up so lost in your thoughts that you don’t notice your father until he is walking up to you with the proudest smile you’ve ever seen on his face. 

His hand settles heavily on your shoulder. “We’re almost there, Y/N.”

[imthecleric]

Hey Max,

Last you heard, El and I started school. Is high school miserable in Hawkins. I don't care why it could be, but like its miserable here. Makes me miss you, and the guys.

I try to stick by El, but we don't have all the same classes, I know, I know, I'm a nerd. Can't change that now. Think I could fail a few to be placed in more with her? Its an idea I've been having. So she has a friendly face you know... and so I don't just shut away, I swear I am trying not to. But even here I must have a sign on me that I can't see that tells people to steer clear. At least in Hawkins I had a few things I could pinpoint as to why.

When you moved from California, did it feel like that at all? Like you were surrounded by people but were still alone? I don't think I ever asked you, and if anyone has knowledge of cross country moves its you. Lend me a hand?

I don't really do much. I'm not really in any clubs, not that many interest me anyways. I kind of just go to school, and go home. Sometimes I draw, is there anything you want me to draw, I'm short on material? Which is crazy we're in California, but I always had things to draw in Hawkins.

How are you? Really. I wont show this letter to anyone, I promise. So if you want to vent I'm here. I get it. I know you probably hate hearing that, I know I did. Because some people really just don't. I'd trade places with Billy if I could. And don't tell me that's bullshit, I can feel it in my bones your face is probably squinting getting angry on my behalf. Let me know if I'm right? I could be wrong, I can really only accurately guess Mike. I knew what I said when I told you all to Close the Gate.

I used to be able to accurately guess for Mike. How How is he? El doesn't share her letters, and he never responded to the few I wrote. I don't think he calls either, I mean I know its expensive. I just I just want to know how he is. I know the guys are playing DnD again, Dustin and Lucas told me, so if that's why he's not writing, let him know I'm not mad about that. I'm not mad at all. I get it, for us its comforting. I wanted to play all summer because of that reason.

Can you go to one of Lucas' games when he makes the team. I need an unbiased opinion of his skills. I don't want my compliments to be empty. Does that make sense?

Don't get to in your own head. Skateboard when you do. Trust me. It'll help.

-Will

p.s. For halloween a girl and her boyfriend came to school as Diana Prince and Steve Trevor. She wasn't dressed as Wonder Woman, but like she was Diana. I knew. It was obvious if you knew, you know what I mean.

@zoomingupthathill

[just-some-random-blogger]

Death By Bagel

NCT Culinary Student!Mark Lee x Fashion Design Student!Reader Summary: Mark makes a cake cause he's realized he can't lose you to some f-boy. Word Count: 3k+ Warnings: Fluff, childhood au, college au, slowish burn, slight cursing, reallllly fluffy, some broksi-dude action, typos sksksksks, etc.

R E Q U E S T my friend: mark lee, slow burn, friends to lovers

A/N: I wrote a fic that already had like 1k+ word then I LOST IT (i think i deleted it) thus this. It took me 10 years to write this msmsmkskskks. PLEASE TUMBLR IS MESSING WITH ME AND MIXED UP THE ORDER OF SOME OF THE DIALOGUE

“As a doctor, I don’t think you should be doing that,” Mark says, not even bothering to look at his patient seated rudely on the floor. Oop, he’s lying down now.

Mark huffs and looks up from the clay block he was molding on his tray, “YOU’RE SO UNPROFESSIONAL!”

Mark’s mother nearly spits out her coffee upon hearing the words of his five-year-old son. Her husband snorts, “He got that from you.”

The woman throws a look at the man and was supposed to give a snarky retort, up until the sound of the doorbell ringing. She grins from ear-to-ear and dashes to get the door.

When she comes back to the living room, she’s accompanies by another woman and a tiny version of her.

“Markie! Say hello to your Auntie!” Mark’s mom calls.

Mark from the carpeted floor looks up and blinks, examining the stranger-woman and its human-ling. Mark turns to his father who was sat on the couch and receives a nod of approval almost. Mark purses his lips and waves at the woman.

The woman waves back and then crouches down to the little girl, “Baby, say hello to Mark.”

Unwilling, she shakes her head.

“Aw come on, baby. Don’t be shy. Mark over there is a really sweet boy. I knew him when he was in his mommy’s tummy, just like Mark’s mom knew you when you were in mine. You’re the same age so you’ll get along just fine.”

With the unnecessary explanation that gave no justification to the scene whatsoever out of the way, the girl was fooled into peeping up, “Hi, Mark.”

“Hello,” Mark says, not particularly interested, as his patient was still in the midst of dying in his office. He turned to his stuffed toy called Mr. Lion and attempted to stand him up once more.

At this point, the girl makes her way to Mark.

“We’ll be back in two hours, honey. Keep an eye on the children,” Mrs. Lee tells his husband who had been occupied with TV the entire time.

“Yeah. I got this,” he smiles to his wife then goes back to watching.

The bumble bee clad figure sat down to Mark in blue and watched him play.

Mark ignored her for a few seconds, needing to assert all efforts on standing that dumb toy up. Once successful, Mark turns to her, “Do you play doctors?”

Mark was then met with the same lack on enthusiasm. She hums, “I like playing baker doctor.”

All at once, Mark gasps, “ME TOO!”

It was unbeknownst to the children it was oddly specific and the chance of this happening was pretty slim.

And in a blink of an eye, excited giggles erupt in the room, as if they had been having so much fun before this scene. It was here and there the two would become best friends to the very end.

... so I guess it means the reckoning is upon us.

“MARK LEE I SWEAR TO THE FU--” “WHAT! WHAT!?” Mark laughs.

"YOU ATE MY BAGEL! AGAIN!" I growl in a loud whisper, throwing the wrapper at him and his flat head before he could think to dodge it while he annoyingly laughs.

"I asked if I could have it though!" he says, fully knowing his sins.

I glared at him and say lowly, "I thought you were referring to my notes, bread for brains."

Mark snorts loud enough for our teacher to wake up from his nap. Once the class notices, we all pretend to be doing something productive and Mark plays it off with a cough.

"Mr. Lee." Mr. Kim says sternly, clicking his tongue, blinking his eyes rapidly.

Mark finishes coughing and turns to our seated professor, "Yes sir."

"Don't go to school if you're sick and going to cause a racket with your coughing."

Mark nods firmly and Mr. Kim closes his eyes again, mumbling, "page 65 is due tomorrow."

The entire class grumbles. Mark beside me scoffs and makes a face, "Yeah, yeah, Doyoung."

I turn to him and elbow his side.

"Whatever," Mark shakes his head, "professor bunny-teeth won't hear me."

Once class ended, we both get our things and head out for lunch. We walk to our canteen, fussing over assignments, deciding we should do it together later in our mutually free period.

I groan and narow your eyes at him as we have an argument over how he hasn't finished the essay for English, "That's not the point."

"Yo Mark!" a voice calls from afar. Mark and I turn, looking for the voice, and I spot the dimpled senior, Jung Jaehyun, in a table with the rest of his squad.

I nudge Mark and point at the pale guy seated by the corner.

Mark throws him a smile and waves. I follow closely behind him as he walks over to the table. "We're going to sit with them?" I say in some sort of gasp.

"Yeah." Mark replies simply, not bothering to turn to me, "they're cool."

I knit my brows at that and nod, "Yeah I know. But I'm not cute today."

Mark stops in his tracks and throws me a confused look, "what?"

"I didn't put any make-up on today, also I'm pretty sure there's a visible stain somewhere on my jacket, I just don't remember where."

Mark scrunches his face up again, even more confused. "What? How do you... forget a stai-- that's not the point. Why do you wanna look cute today?" He scoffs and continues lowly, "hardly as if you ever look cute."

I let out an annoyed groan and punch Mark's shoulder. "Like when you panicked when Seulgi came over and asked for notes."

Mark openes his mouth, "That is so not the same! Jaehyun's a fuck bo-"

"Just shut up already," I snap and shove him forward so he'd continue walking. "Let's not keep him waiting," I add and mumble, "also I know. Dong Sicheng however is very cute."

Mark chuckles, "he's dated every girl on the dance team."

"Okay, maybe not that cute."

"Ya, Mark," Jaehyun grins and greets the said person with a high-five and chest bump. He turns to me and speaks my name with a smile. I smile back politely and wave.

I'm about to sit next to Sicheng, but Mark shoves me and so I end up sitting on the other side of the bench table with Jaehyun. I turn to Jaehyun with a small, non-awkward smile and shoot Mark a glare. He seems unbothered though.

"So, you up for a round later?" Jaehyun asks Mark.

Mark talks over me, "you know it, dude."

Jaehyun flashes his dimple smile all the stupid girls fall for. I'm only half falling for it cause I'm only half stupid. He raises his brows, "you bought the dough, right?"

This makes me knit my brows.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I really did this time," Mark mumbles quickly. "It's my turn anyway."

Jaehyun gives an off look, "that's literally what you said last time bro."

"Yo, no for real. It's in my bag, if you wanna check."

Jaehyun shakes his head when Mark begins to scramble for it, "no, Lee, it's good. We wouldn't want you friend to get dirty."

Is it just me or do you feel slimey all of a sudden?

Jaehyun then gives me a somewhat, somehow sincere smile, "so. I hear you're in fashion design."

I give a soft chuckle, "yeah. That's me."

"I could tell from a mile away. Mark looks horrible next to your getup."

I look down at my sweater and ripped jeans. Mark exclaims in protest, "shut the hell up, Jae."

I give a soft smile at Jaehyun, "don't know where that comes from but thanks I guess."

Jaehyun chuckles, "I'm kidding," he eyes Mark, "I saw your Fashion Design pin on your bag when you sat down."

"Oooohhhh, haha, okay, that makes sense."

"Ya, Jeff," Sicheng calls for Jaehyun, "it's almost time."

Jaehyun turns to his friend and nods. He turns back to me and Mark, "well, it's nice to meet you. Mark won't put a sock in it even if I beg. See you around, fashionista."

He stands and slaps Mark's back, "see ya later, broski."

"Yeah, bruh," Mark replies.

Once it's just Mark and I, I snap at him and blurt out in a whisper yell, "YOU'RE ON BROSKI LEVEL WITH JUNG JAEHYUN?!"

Mark gives me a weird face, "bruh, I think he calls the principal broski, for real."

I smack Mark, making him whine, "you know what I'm talking about, Mark! And what, are you doing drugs?!?"

He shakes his head in confusion, "Wait, what!? Who the hell told you that?"

"Uhhhhh you were talking about dough and showing up later. Sounds like you owe him money for drugs, Mark."

"??? In what universe did we even mention drugs?? Does this," he slaps his face, "look like a face of a drug addict to you?"

"A gullible idiot maybe."

Mark's jaw drops, "oh wow, okay. I'm done with this conversation." He proceeds to stand attempt to walk away. I scoff, "not on my watch bitch."

Like the true idiot that he is, Mark begins to legit run away from me, like a criminal who stole my cookies. It's embarrassing that he, a man much taller than I, could not even outrun me. I suppose I should be grateful, but this just fortifies my thoughts of him being an idiot even more.

But okay... I wasn't actually expecting this... like... Mark and Jaehyun... like... actually baking bread after school with dough Mark premade at home. Also, uh, Jaehyun looks super cute in an apron that I'm having a mental breakdown. And what's new, so does Mark.

"I can't believe you thought I was a drug dealer," Jaehyun says in a soft pout as he rolls out dough on the marble counter of his friggin large kitchen in his friggin large house. Like dang, I knew he was rich, but he's like Rich™ Rich. Rich with a golden diamond encrusted Rolex watch rich that's in a glass display rich-- wtf.

Mark wheezes in his telltale high pitched laugh as he opens a pack of unsweetened chocolate pellets, "she thought dough was some sort of metaphor or something."

"Cute," they say at the same time. Mark turns to Jaehyun in slight surprise and Jaehyun turns to me. I roll my eyes, though I feel my neck burn. I avert my attention to the scene I was sketching on my pad, Jaehyun and Mark baking croissants. I clear my throat, "I'm just making use of the single braincell between us, cause if he doesn't die falling down the stairs, he's gonna pull some idiotic stuff like baking with Jung Jaehyun."

Oddly, it's Mark that reacts to that with a, "hey!"

Jaehyun rubs his chin on his shoulder, "I also can't believe you think so little of me.'

I break a sweat but decide to answer honestly, "... ... ... You have a reputation."

"Of being a fuck boy?"

Mark loudly transfers the chocolates into a metal bowl, making the two of us snap at him. Mark makes a face, "oh gosh, sorry."

Jaehyun sighs, "well. I admit I get around, but that's only because I get dumped every time."

I raise a brow.

Jaehyun purses his lips, "nah, let's not make this weird. The croissants will be flat."

"Dude," Mark turns to him, "that's literally only because you messed up the recipe."

Jaehyun grits his teeth, "no. It's because Kun's a little teacher's pet and sabotaged me so he could get the best grade."

"No, but like Kun is really nice, he helped me with the fold techinique."

Jaehyun scoffs, "He stole me vanilla extract, Mark. Who does that?!"

"No, listen, he's cool, like, for real--"

"No, you listen, he's a little shit and--"

The two begin to bicker like a married couple, and I begin to draw inspiration form the scene to design some random sketches of wedding dresses.

I look back to the two and still can't get over the fact that I learned Jaehyun was a culinary arts major with my best friend, and that I was currently in the Jung's boojie home because I thought Mark was buying drugs from him. Not what I was expecting at all my day to go like, but I'm not mad this is how it went.

"No, no, no, no," Jaehyun says. He turns to me and points, "let's just get an outside opinion. Babe, what's your favorite color?"

"BABE?!" Mark barks.

I take a moment to reply. I blink slowly, "uhh... pink?"

Jaehyun bites his lower lip and claps his flour covered hands, "Right. Pink croissants it is."

Mark shoots him a glare and turns to me, back to Jaehyun, "she has a name."

Jaehyun nods, "yeah, and she wants pink croissants."

Mark makes a face and Jaehyun examines it, chuckling under his breath. "Wah, you two are something, huh."

No one really responds.

We began to always eat lunch with Jaehyun and his friends. It's funny cause I realized Jaehyun, although I still firmly believed he was out to get nasty with every other girl he sees, he was actually just like Mark. A total loser with a love for cooking.

"Hey," Mark says with a snippy tone.

I give him a look and suddenly receive a paper bag to my face. Mark sits on his chair next to me, as per usual. I smell the thing before I realize what it is. It's a freshly baked bagel. I perk up and smile, "Aw, you baked me a bagel?"

Mark raises his upper lip, "no. Jaehyun did."

I knit my brows, "what? Why?"

Mark narrows his brows, "do you, like, like him?"

I give him a look. I take a bite of the bagel, making Mark look at me in disbelief. I answer, "You do know I only hang with him cause you do, right?"

"Then why'd you eat the bagel then?"

"Uh, a number of reasons. 1) it's a bagel, 2) free food, 3) I'm starving, 4) it smells amazingggg."

Mark does a face, "fair. I've been meaning to ask how he does his seasoning for a while now too." He releases a breath, "and anyway, I'm pretty sure he made a bagel cause I told him you liked them. Never talking about you to him anymore though."

I look at him, "why do you talk about me so much to him anyway?"

"Uh because you're amazing," Mark says instinctively.

I feel my heart skip at that. I coo and place my hands on my chest, "wait that's really sweet."

Mark looks at me. His face begin to shift, "too bad it's a lie- haha."

I give him a look and rebut, "jerk."

"Loser."

As quickly as I found out about Jaehyun being Mark's friend, that's about as quickly as I found out he didn't like hanging out with him anymore. It's kind of a shame I never got to go back to his boojie house.

There was this one encounter I had with Jaehyun though... which was a little weird, not gonna lie.

He was waiting for me outside my Tailoring class, smiling and waving when he saw me. I Reluctantly reciprocated and walked over to him.

He releases a breath, "I've been waiting for about 20 minutes for you. I didn't know when your class would end."

I raise my brows, "you could have asked?"

"Well I would need your number for that, and that would have ruined the surprise," he pulled out a brown paper bag, reminiscing the same one Mark chucked at my face.

"I made you two this time," he smiles.

I take a moment to reply, "you don't have to make me bagels, Jaehyun."

He grabs my hand, "yeah, but I want something out of ya," he places the bagels in my hand. He proceeds to lead us off and we begin to walk down the hall.

Truth be told, it's a little scary that his ulterior motive is up in the air. Jaehyun places his hands in his pockets, "I like your dress, by the way."

I smile, "thanks. I made it."

He smiles and nods, "right. That makes sense as to why it suits you well."

I can't help but blush at that, and simultaneously feel conscious when I realize a bunch of girls in my course are looking at me and Jaehyun as we strut down the hall.

"So, what did you want, Jaehyun?"

"Well, I clearly wanted to ask you out."

"..."

"..."

Jaehyun smiles and give a soft laugh, "is it so ground breaking?"

"... Uh..."

He sniggers, "hey, you can say no. I mean I hope you don't but you can." Jaehyun leans in and raises his hands, "I won't like it, but a man should take rejection from a lady well."

I turn to him as he straightens up. I turn to the bagels he made me and bring it back to him. He laughs, "no, I made them for you really. It's not poisoned, in fact it's made with love."

I visibly react to that, which makes Jaehyun wheeze. I can't help but laugh back, "that was hella tacky."

"Worth a shot though," he says. "Good luck with Mark."

I look at him with silence and he chuckles, "ya, you can't fool me."

I'm about to retort but then Jaehyun gets called by one of the frats dudes I identify as Johnny Seo. Jaehyun does a curtsy and clicks his tongue, "see ya later babez."

"You know, I would have said yes if you didn't do stuff like that."

Jaehyun purses his lips, "no you wouldn't."

I shrug, "worth a shot though."

Jaehyun places a hand on his chest, dramatically calling, "Uh, rejection hurts, man."

Yeah, I never went to Jaehyun's boojie house ever again.

Silver lining though was Mark's dorm smelled equally as nice because of all the food he cooks, although it came with a whiff of axe body spray from his roommate, Lucas. It's cool though, he was almost never around for me to smell it in its whole intensity.

"Aite," Mark calls from his side of the dorm. I perk up from the two seater dining table they had and turn to Mark who was covering the cake he was making for his finals.

"Don't, like, peek, okay. I want you to see the cake all at once and give me your honest reaction to it. Please, like, all my lives kinda depend on it."

"How many lives do you have?"

"9, I'm pretty sure."

I stand from my seat, "not you faking your life as a cat, but get it I guess."

Mark raises a hand at me as I walk over, "can you not, I'm high-key panicking right now."

"Over what? You literally made a box of donuts for your midterms and it looked better than Misty Mreme! I'm sure your cake is hot."

"It was in the minifridge for a day. I mean it barely fit cause of all of Lucas' mountain dew."

I groan, "just show me it, Mark Lee!"

Mark whined and dashes over to me, grabbing my shoulders, "okay, but like, don't be mean about it. I swear, I might cry."

I give a sound and fake cough, "it's ugly."

Mark doesn't respond to that particular jab, "I'm serioussss. Please be kind, okay?"

I look at Mark's nervous face and give a soft pout, "Markie, please, not that I think it would be ugly, but I promise you don't have to be nervous about my reaction."

He isn't soothed by that, but he does release a sigh, "okay. So for context, Mr. Moon wanted the cake to be one or two tiers, but I went with one, cause there aint no way I'm going to the other side of the campus to freeze a two tiered cake. Then, the theme was something from your childhood, so, I, uh, thought this was fitting. The exam is 60 percent decoration, 40 percent taste by the way."

Mark gives me a hesitant look, but steps way for me to see it. I then see a heart shaped, medium sized cake in my favorite pastel pink color. By the top there's a little boy on the floor playing with a toy oven set and little girl in a bumble bee dress, holding a stethoscope. At the bottom of the cake, there were jelly letters spelling out, "I like you."

I cup my cheeks at the sight of it and feel my eyes start to well at the sentiment.

Wait... was this really happening?

Mark heaves in and out, "okay, so like when Jaehyun began to like hit on you, that sucked pretty hard because he's known for getting girls and I thought maybe he'd get you too and I got panicky. Anyway, I....... have liked you since we were kids... And... I know you probably don't feel the same way but I have to try, you know.... Yolo."

My feel my tears retract from what I hear. I rub my eyes. I turn to Mark and find his nervous face. "Did you just say yolo in your confession, Mark?"

He looks like he's about to throw up.

I can't help but chuckle and pout, "dude..."

I prolong the moment. Mark gets even more nervous as he repeats softly, "dude..."

"We could have dated in grade school all this time."

It takes a moment to register in his head.

Like, a really long moment.

I sigh, "Mark! I like you too, dummy."

He freezes and blinks. His face begins to burn. He breaks into a soft smile, "nice."

I break into a laugh.

"... Uh... So... Can I like... Kiss you?"

I snort and feel my own cheeks begin to burn, "I think you should refrigerate your cake first."

Mark snaps out of this trance, "oh shoot, you-" I give him a quick peck on the lips.

He is dumbfounded.

I feel butterflies go wild in my stomach.

"I'll wait over there for when you've fixed that."

Mark watches as I walk away, "yooo.... That's not fair though."

[rip-a-dip-dip-you-potato-chip]

what have I created?

idk if yall like this, but they just exist not i guess :/

ok the the first one is Royalty AU

first things first, when I say Royalty AU, I don't mean the classic shit we've all become accustomed to. Im talking about the good old Chinese royalty! And I want to emphasize that these guys will/should be dressed in century appropriate attire. As someone thats read a handful of 'marinette, princess of china' fics from the ML Fandom, I've noticed a common trend. Marinette wouldn't be in the culturally appropriate clothes, always ballgowns. Not that there's something wrong with it, its just most of if not all these fic are set in China, so I'd expect Chinese royalty to dress as THERE dress code calls for. And since this AU takes place far in the past like, it won't make sense for any of the characters to be in royal clothing that wasn't from there region. I'm not trying to white knight/gatekeeping. Im Guyanese not Chinese. But since JTTW and Monkie Kid take place in China, it's only right. In my opinion that it. You don't have to outright agree with me.

With out of the way, it's time for that good old AU crack

- Wukong is the king of the Flower Fruit kingdom(or a different one if you'd like, again I'm only familiar with what western culture has taught me, but I'll try my hardest) 

- he’s single but rumor has it he used to/still is dating the Vigilante/thief The Six Eared Macaque

- *chants ShadowPeach violently* 

- no one know whether it true or not

- On of his wanders around the kingdom he finds an abandoned baby in a basket. 

- and no shit sherlock it's fucking baby Xiaotian 

- I think we all know where this is going because i'm a simp for Monkey Dad & Monkie Son shenanigans

- Xiaotian becomes prince

Shit, ill be referring to Xiaotian as Mk from now on, I mentioned this before in a fic I wrote for lmk that Mk's a nickname for Xiaotian for some reason- wait i don't have to explain my self to you people!

- Sun loves his son

- MK is treated differently by staff and others because he's not blood related to the king

- no one mistreats MK per say, because there King loved his adopted son, but words are said behind his back

- Sometimes MK hears what’s said, and he feels as if he won't live up to his dad’s legacy.

- He meets Mei during a festival

- Mei is from a noble family, that wouldn't mind if they got a connection into the royal family.

- but it becomes hella clear to Mei’s family very fast that the two are just friends, and will always will be. but hey there daughter is bffs with the prince so that's a plus.       

_

- the Demon Bull Family is rules a kingdom as well, I dont/am not creative enough to think of a name I leave that to you.

- It's a common misconception that DBK is a tyrant, when he’s not. 

- most of the time...

- they have been at war with the Monkey King for some time now and settled for a peace agreement.

- that agreement being there sons to marry

- oooo original i know

- MK and Red Son are roughly the same age, Mk being 20 and RS 22

- RS is revolted/disgusted at the idea of being wed to the Monkey Kings child, even more so when he realizes MK is adopted,

- but, that all changes the second he meets MK while he meets him by accident when he gets kinda lost in the palace when he and his parents go to discuss the arrangements.

- the second he looks at MK, he's instantly in love. MK less so, he's nervous and honestly kinda bummed he's not marrying someone he loves but it's for the good of his ppl, and he'll do anything for them.

- RS isn't even aware that MK is Suns adopted son until MK walks him back to the meeting room.

"Oh There you are MK! I was about to have a servant go fetch you!" Sun Wukong says, gesturing for his boy to come sit with him.

"S-sorry for keeping you waiting I got caught up in my lessons with Mr. Tang" MK responds, sitting next to his father. Red Son looked gobsmacked. The beautiful young man he had bumped into, was the prince of this land? Damn, life truly blessed him. Or cursed him depending on how you looked at it.

- the two are left alone in a separate room for a while.

- And MK straight up tells RS why he's agreeing to this union.

"Look Red Son. I've dreamed about meeting my one true love for a while. And I would give almost anything for that dram to be real. But I wouldn't ever dare give up my people, for as there price they mean more to me. I'm doing this for them, no other reason" MK says, his back straight and hands folded neatly in his lap. The look in his eyes was a mix of sadness, but that was drowned out by loyalty and determination. It just made Red Son fall for him even harder. Clearing his throat Red spoke.

"I understand, for im doing this for the betterment of my people to. But I propose a wager"

"A wager?"

"Yes, if i can make you fall in love with me by years end, before our marriage, we can live together like in the fairy tales from far away. But if I fail, in a years time afterwards you will be permitted to find your own path in life" Red Son stated. MK took a moment to process what was happening.

"So, if you succeed in making me fall in love with you, before our marriage we can live happily ever after?" Red Son nodded in response, letting the younger continue.

"And if I shouldn't fall for you, in a years time after our union, im free to leave?" Red Son nodded once more.

"So, what do you say?"

...

"Deal"

In the end, your free to choose their fate, should Red Son win the hart of Mk? Will he fail? Or will he let him go, and let him travel the country, after all Mk's a free spirit and keeping him trapped in a big house is like keeping a cannery trapped in a cage only for its song, only for it to dul. Or will the unthinkable happen and will both boys find their freedom? together or appart? I don't know, because that's all up to you 😉

personally, I’m partial to where MK and Red Son both find freedom together. Like they straight up run away together to somewhere far away and just live out there lives together. 

this could also be genderbent thing as well. MK or Red as their respective counterparts. Again it doesn't have to be, but it’s whatever bro. im just spitting out the idea. 

Also, there is a main side plot that they fight the WBS throughout the year as well, along with other shenanigans you wanna throw in.

____

The second is a My Hero Academia/BNH/MHA AU

truth be told i'm not a big fan of MHA i think it to over hyped(this is also coming from the same person that’s a Fairy Tail fan lol), and the fandom i don't even know how to describe that mess, but I will admit not the whole of its toxic since every fandom has some toxic members, some even more so. 

I just sometimes find myself enjoying MHA AUs like the Fullmetal Alchemist, Danny Phantom, Evil!Deuk AU and several others. 

to make it clear I don't see this AU taking place the same time as the main plot of the actual Anime/Manga. This could be either like 6-10 years before or after the plot idk bro. But i’ll do this after the main story plot of MHA, so keep that in mind ya? another thing, the gang is still in China, the top hero school in the world just so happens to be in Japan, and it’s only ever mentioned by Sun wukong and other pro heros. So MK never attended AU. in short it’s only ever mention/ reference.  

_

- Mk was considered Quirkless as a kid. 

- he was just a late blumer, i swear  

- Mai’s Quirk is called Dragon. 

- it pretty much works the same way as it does in the show(duh)

- Tang’s got a knowledge Quirk, 

- my man can retain information and he’s basically an archive of information drawback being his personality lol 

- Piggsy is a Animal that gained a Quirk

- in cannon to my current knowledge, there are two other characters that can confirm animals can become sentient. the characters being Fumikage Tokoyami, & Nezu the principal at the school UA.  

- Sandy is just Conner Kent, aka he like superman but can't fly, or shoot lasers from his eyes. And blue.  

I have two scenarios for Macaque and Wukong  

*- The first one is that, Sun Wukong & Macaque are brothers. twins to be exact. 

- they where legit people, but have mutation quirks that made them too like monkeys. 

- the added powers were just a boues. 

- Sun and Mac are close growing up, like there brothers but also best friends.

- the draw back to there quirks could honestly be whatever you want bro idk, same with the others tbh. Personally I like to think Sun just has lack of motivation, and Macaque needs to draw on other people's energy.

- Sun is a hero, Monkey KIng and Mac is a villain Six Eared.

- Sun was always treated has the golden child in the family, Mac always resented that, but there shitty up bring didn’t stop the two from being good brothers to one another.

- soon tho the resentment became hatred when Sun was able to attend UA in Japan, while Mac didn't.

- Mac be angy 

- so he became a villain, and joined the Chinese branch of the LOV(league of villains)

- Sun doesn't know this till he finds out during the all out war during the main story. and by that time he’s a full on hero with is own agency(The Flower Fruit agency)    

- when the hero's ultimately win and Mac is arrested 

- This ultimately hurts Sun a lot, his brother was in jail now, arrested for his involvement and wrong doings, he knew nothing about this! this brother, his blood. A bad guy? why? he hadn't seen his brother since he left for UA, he hadn’t seen him when he came home, and started his agency. 

- this just puts Sun into a funk so he’s not as active as he used to be, and he starts thinking he might need a successor 

*- The second one is that they were two separate people that had similar quirks and both attended UA but Sun ended up in the hero corse. so 1A.

- Both Macaque and Sun have similar quirks, Sun’s is obviously more light based while Macaque’s is more shadow based(this applies to the first one as well)    

- Macaque was placed in class 1B, U.A.’s High's Heroics Department, I believe, you can correct me. 

- In cannon Class 1A and 1B both went to the training camp. I can see the teachers pinning Sun and Macaque against each other to hone their skills. 

- And because of that they become great friends    

- In fact when they graduate they both co-found there hero agency together in China and are a duo.

- But due to Monkey King’s popularity and Six Eared's association with shadows(people sometimes saying he has more of a villains quirk than a heros) the public see’s Macaque as Sun’s sidekick when thats far from the truth. 

- now it’s up to you whether you think that Wukong and Macaque would be in a relationship together, but knowing how cooked we all are, ShadowPeach is a thing here more than likely. 

- If you do or don’t support/ like the ShadowPeach aspect, the two would be living together regardless since its more cost efficient. 

- They my be heroes but living costs are expensive!   

- I would imagine there would have been a huge fight/argument between the two in privet of course, at there home.(or in there shared office if you want the extra angst of the other people they work with hearing them fight)   

- If the two are dating, then this would either lead to an out right breakup, or Macaque just up and leaving with Wukong thinking he’ll come back once he’s cooled off. But after a week, with no sign of his partner, or him answering texts or calls, not even coming into work. Wukong gets worried that something might have happened to him. so there wouldn't be a confirmation if they were still a thing or not. 

- But Wukong remains hopeful, despite the nagging at the back of his head, and gut telling him to go find Macaque, or atleast make a public statement, or even just tell another pro hero about it.   

- on the not so shippy side, Macaque and Wukong still have there argument, and much like the ShadowPeach esc side, Macaque up and leaves, and isn't seen for weeks. the only difference here is that when Wukong comes home one night to there flat, most if not all of Macaques stuff is gone. 

- where as if this was the ShadowPeach side, Macaque leaves all of his possession in the flat he and wukong share. for the simple reason being, he still loves him and wants to go back, but Macaque being Macaque can’t bring himself to do it, especially after seeing just how hurt Wukong looked when he yelled at him just before he left.  

- in other words, ANGST DIALED UP TO A 10 BABY  

- in either case, its a news report that confirms Wukong's suspicions that he desperately didn’t want to believe, and that is Macaque turning into a villain.

- much like if the two were brothers, Wukong just can’t take it and is no longer as active as he once was, and is thinking about, either A) Retirement  B) Saying, “Fuck Society, Be Gay Do Crime” and join Macaque as a villain himself, or C) find a successor, and a way to bring Macaque back to there side, but most importantly, back to him.    

- also extra points if you're after people's hearts and want to make them suffer;  - If there dating, Wukong curle’s up in the bed he and Macaque shared, holding/wearing something of great value to Macaque and just crying himself to sleep, where as Macaque is getting wasted on alcohol, as he stumbles out of the bar he’s in, he either see’s something that reminds him of Wukong or while he’s trying to put his wallet back into his pocket, a photo of them on their first date fall’s out. and Macaque just cries in a nearby alley way. And it’s there where he gets indoctrinated into the League.

       - If there just friends, macaque heads to the nearest forest and just levels it, where as Wukong just gets engrossed into his work, trying not to think about it. you could add you own spin on this, again i'm just spitballing.             

- NOW BACK TO MK! :D     

- Obviously MK is a huge Monkey King fan     

- at Twenty MK has come to terms he's quirkless (HE’S NOT)

-for ANGST reasons MKs fokes kicked him out at this realization at 13.

- he works at Piggsy's Noodle shop, and has been since he was 14.

- don't need a quirk to drive or cook!

- the boy lives a content life with his new family, till DBK happens :D

- DBK runs a Mafia(in conjunction with TLOV) and has been in jail for like 5 years thanks to Monkey King, PIF and RS brake him out one night when MK's out making a late night delivery since Piggsy had the bright idea to go 24/7 service!

- one thing leads to another and Mk somehow manifest what looks like the Monkey King's staff, but its not, it’s MKs powers, it just so happens to be the same power the Monkey King has. And it practically goes down the same way in the pilot. 

- but unlike the pilot Mk and Mei go straight to the FF Agency, after making a panicked call to Pigsy and Tang.

- one way or another Mk are lead into Wukongs office. Mei being forced to stay in the lobby.

- they have there convo, butterfly monkey squishing included.

- "And so, I want you do be my success-" BOOM 💥

- from there they rush downstairs and see that the lobby has been infiltrated by the DB fam, and you know fight.

- once the DB family seems like there down, PIF wisks them away. Much to Monkey King’s displeasure.

From there stuff kind plays out like cannon, the calabash ep is just a conjoint quirk the Demon bros have. As for EP9, ill have to script that one out myself lol. I'll get onto it as soon as my will to commit stabs me in the face. Till then have a dancing Kermit the frog.

Now if you'll excuse me, am about to Kermit a felony :D

(For legal reasons thats a joke)

Psst @writingamongther0ses its done

[sporadic-writer]

Welcome to the neighborhood

Warnings: swearing, mentions of drugs (just weed, I smoke responsibly sorry if reading about it bothers you), as always stop reading if you don't like it.

Note: idk which twin has the girlfriend, Sam or Harry. So let me know. Also, let me know who you guys want this to be about (Tom or Harrison). Another thing is that I wrote this before my country fully flushed itself down the shitter in chaos and injustice. So let’s all read this to escape a tad and for some metal rest. BLM!

The teaser I wrote to start is here

°•○•°○•°○•°○•°○•°

"Yeah mom.. no I'm fine! Really! Haha promise! They tested me and told me since it's negative then they will add me into the adjusted hours group. They said I can get at least 2 full days a week in rotating with the other keepers. I just gotta fill some paperwork out first." You walked around your back deck and tended to plants while speaking on the phone to your mom back home in Iowa.

"Y/N are you sure? You being in another country during all this makes me so nervous. It's so easy to get sick sometimes." You rolled your eyes at the dramatics.

"I'm set here! I still have a job, a place to live thanks to Renee's husband, and no coronavirus. I'd say I'm alright." Talking to your mom despite her worries did put s smile on your face. The sun was shining and the air was finally not cold as hell in England. You finally felt settled now that you had more time to move into your new home. Your mother kept talking and soon got called that dinner was ready. "Ok mom love you too. Tell dad I said hi!"

After hanging up you looked for the head you noticed peaking at you earlier while you talked. There was nothing, but you did hear the guys who lived next door talking about your cousin's husband as 'old pool guy' and wanting to use the hot tub. It made you laugh and you made a mental note to find them later and invite them since they wanted to hang out so badly.

You didn't know much about them other than it was just guys. They all seemed to know each other for a while and at least 2 of them were brothers. That is all you gathered from some occasional eavesdropping. Downside of social distancing starting right after moving into the cute little place given as a congrats at your first real job. You never saw everyone's faces to distinguish each guy. Your cousin’s husband had the place outside London and never really lived there anymore, and rather than sell it he gave it to you. Easier than finding a shitty apartment with way too high rent. Plus, Renee would not let you say no. So you didn't. Thanks Xander!

After finishing checking the water level on the pool and tub to round out the to do list, you were about to go inside to finish new employment paperwork when a soccer ball got sent over into your yard. It came from the boy's yard. No time like the present to break the ice you thought as walked to get said ball.

Smiling and laughing to yourself you heard exclamations happening among the group of men. You popped your head up by standing on your deck railing and they looked to you. They apologized over nothing and you thought it was sweet. Plus, it was nice to actually get a proper look at their faces. You still didn't really know their names, but at least now they were coming over around 8 for hot tub time and drinks.

TIME SKIP

"Thanks for letting us come over! Though, sorry for talking about your family and place without even properly meeting you." The man speaking, Tom as you learned, smiled as you handed him a drink.

You shook your head in protest. "Really it's fine. This is my cousin Xander's place. I just got a job at the London zoo and this was a congrats gift. Sorta to take out the struggle of finding a shitty apartment. Plus, I've been busy over there so that's why you have not seen me much. Still working out my schedule, plus a virus." While talking you lifted the cover off the hot tub. "Now, I believe there was a purpose to this visit?"

"Despite my brother's lack of tact before, that wasn't why we actually wanted to hang out with you. We wanted to meet you as well." Tom's smile made you do the same in return. You looked to the guys on your deck and chuckled.

"Then why did you come in swim trunks if that wasn't the objective?" You caught them and knew it based off the blush on Harry's face. "I'm teasing. It's totally fine. You guys get comfy, jet buttons are on the side, I'm gonna change and grab some more beers and such." You let them be as you changed into your suit in your room. You made sure you were all set and presentable. It was quick and you put your hair in a pony tail while walking to your fridge. Grabbing some bottles you made your way back to the group.

Passing them around you spoke, "Sorry if these suck. I'm still figuring out which beers here I like. I had American ones but finished those. So I don't know fully what does and doesn't suck."

They took their bottles and Tuwaine smiled at you. "There are English equivalents I can tell you. Now I gotta ask, and don't take offense. But why does it smell like perfume and weed out here Y/N?"

"Yeah I smelled that too! Thought it was the chemicals from the tub or something.." The man learned to be Harrison looked at the hot tub he sat in in reference. You blushed at being caught. Eyes went wide slightly as well. Then you mentally scolded yourself after turning and seeing your ash tray and formally lit joint on the deck table.

"Haha yeah you caught me. The perfume is Chanel, put that on before you came, and the pot is well.. pot! Smoked that before you came... Y'all aren't narcs are you? If you're chill I'll share." You didn't need things to go sour first time hanging out with neighbors. You needed friends your age here outside of work!

Tom laughed and smiled. "Relax darling, it's fine." He watched you let out a breath of relief. None of them were ones to judge someone on what they do casually in their free time. "Maybe another time on the sharing though, I'm set. Just tell us about yourself."

"Well offer stands and I will finish that in a bit full disclosure. But me, 22, recently employed keeper at the London zoo, umm I'm from Boise, Idaho, mom and dad are back there, very easy going, and a big fan of nature and having fun! I got my degree from University of Wisconsin and this is my first time being overseas, only been to Canada in regards to international travel. Any specific questions?" They all took in your short backstory as you climbed in with them in the tub; instantly relaxing in the hot water, eyes closing as you drank your beer. Harrison was quickly taking in the details of your face. A few ear piercings, long eyelashes coated in pretty mascara, nice jewelry on too. He got the sense you were chill and put together. Plus, you seemed to know how to have a good time regardless of the situation.

"Boyfriend?" Harry's question led to a glare from his brother and a small smile from you.

You shook your head no. "Nope, we ended things a little before I moved here. Mutual thing, he is working on his masters back home. Even if I stayed that would've ended things because it becomes your whole world really."

"You have your masters?" Tom noticed you shaking your head no and listened as you explained you took a job here instead.

"I need money more than another degree. So I'm here kickin' it in a hot tub with 5 fun Brits instead!" Your smile was contagious to the guys. Soon more drinks were had and stories were shared. They all really took a liking to you. “Now tell me about yourselves!”

°•○•°○•°○•°○•°○•°

I am gonna make this a series, length not decided. And for real let me know to have the main love interest be Tom or Harrison. I don’t care either way. 

As always, like and reblog! Feedback is appreciated as well!

Taglist: (message me to be added or removed, sorry if I forgot someone)

@jillanaholland @averyfosterthoughts

[sweethomelima]

Text || Samcedes

Mercy: Sam, hey its Mercedes

Mercy: Oh if this is the wrong number Sorry.

Sam: No, I told you I didn't change it

Mercy: No this isn't Sam, or no it is Sam because I didn't change it?

Sam: this is Sam

Sam: I didn't change my number

Sam: always been here.

Mercy: Well okay hi. Hope you had a good day today.

Mercy: First I wanted to thank you for not acting weird or anything last night. SJ had fun talking Marvel with you.

Sam: Yeah, you too!

Sam: I was kind of in my element there

Sam: I could've fielded DC too

Mercy: I am sure he would have given you a run for your money, he loves the Flash and Batman.

Mercy: So we are leaving tomorrow and I wanted to see if you had the papers, and if you wanted to see him again before we left.

Sam: I am an expert in Batman!

Sam: Already?

Mercy: Well he will be glad to hear that.

Mercy: Our lives are in L.A. Sam.

Sam: I have them

Sam: I didn't sign them yet

Sam: I'm still reading them

Mercy: Sam there is nothing there that would cause any issues. It's just a divorce.

Sam: My mom said never to sign something you haven't read

Mercy: Okay I understand that

Sam: Just gonna take me awhile.

Sam: idk how long

Mercy: Sam what do I have to do to get you to just sign them now?

Sam: I need to read them. I said that

Mercy: Sam I know if I leave here without them they will never get signed. Why are you holding on so tight to something that was over years ago? Its a divorce stating what's yours is yours and what's mines is mines, simple to the point.

Sam: I just said I wanna read them

Sam: that's it

Mercy: And you also said you don't know how long it will take you to read like 6 pages. I have to go, I can't be here for a long time.

Sam: we both know I'm not very smart

Mercy: That's a lie.

Mercy: You are smarter than you give yourself credit for.

Sam: Still can't read very well

Sam: so I can't tell you how long it'll be

Sam: I have to do other things too, like cleaning my apartment and go to the gym

Mercy: You can read just fine Sam and we both know that.

Mercy: Okay now I know you are playing games.

Sam: it does take me extra time. That's not a lie.

Mercy: I know that Sam, but cleaning your apartment? Really?

Sam: It's very dirty

Mercy: I bet it is

Mercy: I need you to work with me here(edited)

Sam: I am.

Sam: I'm going to read them! I already started!

Mercy: Fine.

Mercy: Soooo we didn't get to talk about you, how is your family?

Sam: Doing well, you know.

Sam: The kids are almost done with high school which makes me feel old but

Mercy: You are Sold

Sam: Don't remind meeeee

Mercy: How is your mom? I have been meaning to talk to her but I know she is might hate me.

Sam: For going to LA?

Sam: I don't think she does

Sam: she always said I should apologize for not going with you haha

Mercy: For leaving, for not telling her about SJ, even if you didn't believe it she would have.

Sam: Yeah, well. She doesn't know about him

Sam: Like I didn't

Mercy: You didn't tell her?

Sam: I've been a little busy trying to come to terms with it myself

Mercy: Maybe I should just go and let you mail it to me.

Sam: If that's your choice.

Mercy: Fine!

Sam: Great.

Sam: I'll send them

Sam: When do you need them?

Sam: I'll get them to you then.

Mercy: Monday

Sam: And when are you getting married?

Mercy: You don't get to know that.

Sam: Okay.

Sam: See, I'm trying to make sure I have them to you when you need them

Sam: I want to have time to think about it.

Mercy: What is there to think about Samuel?

Sam: A lot.

Sam: like maybe I should get to see SJ.

Sam: so maybe we need a custody thing.

Sam: I don't know

Mercy: SO NOW YOU WANT TO KNOW YOUR SON? AFTER YOU HAD 8 YEARS?

Sam: I JUST FOUND OUT

Sam: THIS SHIT YOU'RE PULLING ISN'T CUTE

Mercy: That stuff I'm pulling? I wrote you and told you that I was pregnant, that you should just swallow your damn pride and come to me, and you sent back divorce papers, so don't get me started on that one.

Sam: You sent ME divorce papers!

Sam: and no letter

Sam: Jesus Christ, is this what you think is fun now?

Sam: Fucking with some townie loser you used be with?

Mercy: Are you serious right now?

Mercy: Like I can't tell if you are playing with me right now.

Sam: I'm very serious. It's not funny.

Mercy: Then stop playing around and be serious. I got your papers, which is why I find it funny that you never signed it. I get you were bitter but to abandon your pregnant wife?

Mercy: I always thought you were better than that.

Sam: I didn't do ANY of that

Sam: I mean, the last part happened inadvertently but I didn't send anything! Or get anything other than some divorce papers which, yes, I did not sign.

Mercy: My manager handed me the papers they were addressed to me, sent from you.

Sam: if I sent them, don't you think I'd have signed them first

Mercy: Sometimes you are scatterbrained.

Sam: I think you sent me divorce papers when you found out you were pregnant because you didn't think I was ready or something

Sam: I was

Mercy: Wow, for the record Sam, I thought you would be an amazing father. Ima gonna go.

Sam: Great

Mercy: It was nice seeing you Sam, if you could tell your parents before tomorrow about YOUR SON that would be great since I will let him meet them before I leave Lima for good.

Sam: How am I supposed to explain an eight year old I JUST found out about and how the fuck I missed that?

Mercy: Figure it out. I had too.

Sam: You keep acting like I knew.

Sam: Like you don't know me well enough to know I could never not step in.

Mercy: I told you Sam, I put that on everything, I don't know what happened, if you blocked it out, if you are trying to justify not being here by saying I didn't but I know my truth.

Mercy: I may not have told the world I have a child, because by the time I got on the scene and really started making a name for myself he was 2 and I didn't want that life for him, so I never said anything to maintain some privacy in my life. But you, I told you.

Sam: You didn't.

Sam: This isn't funny.

Mercy: No its not funny not at all.

Mercy: You really didn't know? Not in all these years? Because I swear to you I sent you that letter telling you about him.

Sam: I didn't get a letter.

Sam: Just divorce papers.

Mercy: This makes no sense

Sam: Hey, were on the same page for once

Mercy: Sam I promise you I sent you the letter, and then I got divorce papers in return

Sam: and I didn't send them.

Sam: if there was a letter, I'd have been there

Sam: could have called

Mercy: Call the man who refused to pick up his life and move with me for my dream?

Mercy: I couldn't call you, it hurt too much

Sam: You could have come back when you weren't recording.

Sam: I have a life here, Mercy.

Mercy: Come back to a man who didn't want me.

Mercy: I know that Sam, but I had a future there.

Sam: I did want you

Sam: I've always wanted you

Mercy: I guess it doesn't matter now does it?

Sam: Yeah

Sam: Your whole story is fucking me up

Sam: I don't get how this became my fault?

Mercy: I asked you to come with me Sam, I told you I wanted us to be together, I gave you the ticket to come. You didn't.

Sam: I said the same thing, but you didn't like my way

Mercy: I was scared, scared if I stayed in Lima, even part time, that I would lose myself.

Sam: Yeah

Mercy: I am trying to be honest with you. I thought you would just come when you were ready

Sam: I'm not ready

Sam: I know you and probably everyone else from glee "outgrew" Lima

Sam: I still haven't.

Mercy: I know. It's why I had to move on Sam, and you had to find someone who wanted the same things you do. You deserved that.

Sam: I never wanted anyone else

Mercy: Sam I just

Mercy: Sam I want you to be happy

Sam: Yeah

Sam: I said I'll send them

Mercy: Send what?

Mercy: Oh I wasn't even thinking about thing right now

Sam: I'm just saying. You want to leave again and I'm not stopping you

Mercy: I know you aren't. You moved on too.

Sam: I didn't.

Mercy: You did. You can say you didn't but the truth is if you didn't move on we would still be together.

Sam: because I didn't go to LA?

Sam: Why was I the only one who had to give something up

Mercy: You weren't! I had to give up you! SJ had to give up a father! You aren't the only one who lost something Sam, I lost you.

Sam: yeah, I lost you and him too.

Mercy: You can have a relationship with him if you want.

Sam: And so will your fiancé

Mercy: He's not a bad guy.

Sam: Hey, I never said he was

Mercy: Just thought you should know

Sam: I don't care about him

Sam: [ five minutes later ] No, we both know that's a lie. I hate him

Mercy: Why do you hate him?

Sam: You'll know exactly why if you stop and think for a second

Mercy: Because of SJ

Sam: Not Just

Mercy: What do you want from me Sam?

Sam: Do I need to say it!

Mercy: Well I certainly don't know

Sam: You.

Mercy:-[Deleted] Sam don't do this.

Mercy:-[Deleted] I just got over you...

[five minutes later]

Mercy: I can stay for a few more days so you can spend time with SJ.

Sam: Yeah, maybe we can figure out how to tell my mom lol

Mercy: I'm gonna let you do that one

Sam: No help?

Mercy: Fine

Sam: I doubt she'll buy the truth

Sam: Which you apparently don't buy either.

Mercy: Why wouldn't I tell you?

Sam: I don't know!

Mercy: I don't wanna go back around in a circle like this.

Sam: I just wanted to know why you didn't tell me

Mercy: And I keep telling you that I did. I wrote you I felt if I called you I would break down and a letter was safer...

Sam: I didn't get a letter!

Sam: I don't know why you don't believe me

Mercy: I don't know why you don't believe me.

Sam: Because I only got the papers you sent me.

Mercy: The papers I sent back to you

Sam: Right because I sent you unsigned papers

Sam: I thought you agreed I wasn't dumb lol

Mercy: I don't know what to tell you.

Sam: Okay

Mercy: So where does that leave us Sam?

Sam: Not where I want to be

Mercy: when are you free?

Sam: i'm free now

Mercy: I was going to take SJ to the Zoo, you can come with us.

Sam: I'm always up for being with you

Sam: And SJ. Really hoping he'll like me lol

Mercy: SJ loves you he's still talking about you. Just so you know going to a Zoo or park with me is often... crazy I wanna say.

Sam: Good.

Sam: is it bad I want him to like me more than your fiancé?

Sam: Probably not. I'm his father.

Sam: You think I don't remember how you get?

Mercy: it's not bad Sam, SJ is your son of course you want him to like you

Mercy: He will like you just fine.

Mercy: I mean it's been years

Sam: Hopefully.

Sam: And maybe I'll have to come to LA and see him.

Sam: I remember everything about you

[Mercy:Deleted] So you will go to L.A. for th-

Mercy: yeah maybe.

Mercy: I will have the car pick you up unless you just wanna meet us there

Sam: Whatever works for you.

Mercy: You gonna be okay being driven around in a town car?

Sam: Unless you're gonna let me pick up you two in my old truck?

Mercy: Soooo if I tell you something you gotta keep it secret

Sam: Now I'm curious

Mercy: My driver is my bodyguard, under my contract I can't go anywhere without him.

Sam: Are you saying I'm not able to protect you?

Mercy: Not at all its just in my contract

Sam: Sneak off

Mercy: Yeah I get fined for that

Mercy: He won't bother us, you won't even know he's there

Sam: I don't know if I believe that but!

Mercy: But?!...

Sam: But I'm good

Mercy: You gotta be clear babe you coming with?

Sam: Babe?

Sam: I'll meet you there

Mercy: What? Why did you call me Babe?

Mercy: Okay

Sam: You called me babe and I was questioning it

Mercy: I did?

Mercy: Oh I did, I'm sorry

Sam: It's fine

Mercy: We will see you there.

Mercy: SJ wants me to wear my "Spidermom" because he is wearing his, if you want to wear Spiderman you can

Sam: I got you

[rainbowglittr]

Senior Year: Chapter 4

Chapter 4

The song in this chapter is

Count on me by Bruno Mars

**************************************************

I yawned as I stepped downstairs. I was still in my pajamas heading to the bathroom.

"Happy Birthday Jaleia!"

My mom and my older sister Reece was sitting at the kitchen table drinking coffee and eating pancakes and eggs. My other sister Karalyn, was at the stove making chocolate chip pancakes.

"Happy birthday!"

"Thank you." I said because having just woke up and smelling food I was still sort of confused.

"After you get dressed you can come down and get some birthday pancakes. Also remember, tonight we're going out for your birthday dinner."

"Okay. Thanks for everything." I said. I went to the bathroom and thirty minutes later I came downstairs-hair done, makeup done, everything did. I even had a birthday tiara, because lets be real I'm a QUEEN. Plus you only have one birthday a year, and, you only have one 17th birthday so might as well TURN UP! Just saying. But whatever. Soon after I had breakfast I got to open some presents-WHOOP WHOOP! So far I got a gift card to starbucks, Two birthday cards and a pair of jeans. Then I had to rush out to get to school on time. I grabbed my bookbag and my cupcakes and said good bye to my mom and my sisters. When I got outside Tyler was pulling up to my house. I walked up to the car before I could open the door he jumped out and ran to my side of the car. Tyler had gotten his license during the summer and occasionally my mom let my friends drive me to school. Not that often, like rarely but still a few times.

"Happy Birthday, your majesty." he said bowing as he opened the door.

"Shut up" I said as I got into his pathfinder. I had to squirm a little to get comfortable, because of all the stuff in my hands. I can't believe another year has gone by.

"Since it's your day and all I guess I can let you pick music this morning. Choose carefully this may never happen again!" Said Tyler.

"I know exactly what we're listening to." I said getting my phone out.

"Oh God!"

************************

"I swear the longest ride to school of my life!!!"

"You are such a drama queen!"

"You made me listen to One Direction for twenty minutes! That was painful!"

"Can you honestly say that you didn't see that coming? Honestly?"

Me and Tyler were in the cafeteria waiting for the rest of our friends to come down. He wouldn't shut up about how "torturous" the ride to school was because I made him listen to One Direction the whole ride to school. Pretty soon we spotted our friends and when they got to our table they shouted "happy birthday!!!"

"Why thank you! I have cupcakes for you!" I said pulling out of a container my beautiful cupcakes.

"We have something for you as well," Said Jesse reaching out of his bookbag, pulling out a cute and sparkly little gift bag.

"It's from all of us." said Kiara.

"Awwww, you guys are so sweet. Whatcha get me?" I said bouncing and down.

"Open and see." Said Tyler. I opened bag and the first thing I saw was tissue paper and a card, so I pulled the card out and started to read it:

Happy Birthday

To one of sweetest funniest awesomest girls ever.

We love you and we think you are the greatest.

You can always count on us!

Love...... and then everyone signed below.

"Awww come here guys. I can't even!!" I fake cried as I stood up to hug everyone. When I gave Jesse a hug he whispered into my ear, "I have a special performance for you."

I smiled and said "can't wait." I looked up and saw Tyler looking funny. I turned around and saw Mariah waking over to our table. Even though I'm in a great mood because of my birthday, didn't mean I want to deal with her.

"Happy Birthday Jaleia! You look gorgeous!" She said. Tyler started looking at me with a "well say something nice" look.

"Thank you, that's very nice of you." I say, if she's gonna be nice, I'll find it in my heart to be nice.

"I got you something for your birthday too." She said smiling and flipping her hair/weave, and handed me the pink bag.

"Thanks you really didn't have to." I said surprised.

"Well I just wanted to get you a little something, because I know we haven't gotten on the best in the past. I just wanted us to restart." She said smiling at me. She kinda did seem sincere. I was shocked. I still didn't completely trust her, but I couldn't be mean.

"Thanks, consider this a restart then, I guess." I said still really surprised. She gave me a hug which I awkwardly returned. She pressured me to open her gift immediately while she sat on Tyler's lap, beaming at me. Tyler looked happy, I guess that was me and Mariah's first conversation without insulting each other. I opened her gift and it was a sparkly silver charm bracelet. It was actually pretty. I put it on as Mariah squealed and bounced in Tyler's lap..

"It's honestly really pretty Mariah, thank you."

"Tyler helped pick it out because I didn't know what you liked." She replied giving him a kiss.

"Thanks to both of you then." I said. Me and Kiara exchanged surprised looks.

I finished opening the gifts from the first bag, there was a mini teddy bear, that had a locket necklace that had a group picture of us all on one side and an inscription on the other that said : "Count on me, and I'll be there" around it's neck.

I thanked everyone and gave everyone a hug all over again. I really did have the best friends on the planet. We all sat around eating my (amazingly delicious) cupcakes and talking about random stuff. Most of them involving me and Tyler's shenanigans, man did we have tons of stories! Jesse pulled out his guitar, which somehow I didn't even notice. He turned to me and said, "I wrote this with Kiara and Tyler's help for you and hopefully it will make the inscription make more sense. Here we go."

If you ever find yourself stuck in the middle of the sea,

I'll sail the world to find you

If you ever find yourself lost in the dark and you can't see,

I'll be the light to guide you

Find out what we're made of

When we are called to help our friends in need

You can count on me like 1 2 3

I'll be there

And I know when I need it I can count on you like 4 3 2

And you'll be there

Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah

Wooooh, Wooooh

yeah Yeah

If you toss and you turn and you just can't fall asleep

I'll sing a song

beside you

And if you ever forget how much you really mean to me

Everyday I will

remind you

Ohh

Find out what we're made of

When we are called to help our friends in need

You can count on me like 1 2 3

I'll be there

And I know when I need it I can count on you like 4 3 2

You'll be there

Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah

Wooooh, Wooooh

Yeah Yeah

You'll always have my shoulder when you cry

I'll never let go

Never say goodbye

You can count on me like 1 2 3

I'll be there

And I know when I need it I can count on you like 4 3 2

You'll be there

Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah

Wooooh, Wooooh

you can count on me cos' I can count on you

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't beaming with happiness by the end. His voice was so beautiful, it was smooth and sweet with just the right amount of emotion. It was absolutely AMAZING. We all clapped for him and I gave him another hug. He wished happy birthday again and I thanked him.

"It was absolutely beautiful, Jesse." I told him.

"Just like you."He said. The bell rang and I had to hurry to gather my things. Tyler stayed behind to help me.

"So did we do alright?" He asked.

"Perfect, best birthday I could ever ask for. Loved it."

"And Mariah?" He looked at me hopefully.

"Was very sweet and nice."

"So you don't hate her? No hard feelings?"

"None at all. Let's move it before your highness is royally late."

"Yes, your highness."

********************************************************************************************************

I stepped out finally free from school's  grasp. Me and Jesse walked side by side when suddenly I saw a familiar little face running towards us.

"Jesse!" she called. It was Jesse's 5 year old little sister, Diana. She looked like a mini jesse. They both had the same milk chocolate brown skin, light brown eyes, and beautiful smile.

"Hi Princess Diana." He said as he picked her up. Ever since Diana found out that there was a real princess named Diana she wanted everyone to call her that. She started to cough.

"You okay?" he asked and she nodded her head. "Be careful you're still kind of sick."

"Okay prince Jesse but I feel all better now!"

"How was your day beautiful? Where's mom?"

"Mommy waiting in the car but she said I could run to you. I went to mommy's office today and I had fun. I playeded with her paper clippers. I made bracelets and necklaces. I made one for you!" she smiled and handed him one. She was covered in paper clip bracelets and necklaces.

"Sounds like fun. This is so pretty I'm to put it on right now! Did you say hi and happy birthday to Jaleia?" he said. Diana's eyes lit up and she reached towards me with grabby hands. I took her for Jesse.

"LEELA! our birthday? You look like a princess you look pretty just like Jesse always says." She said excitedly as she eyed my crown and put her hands all over it. She couldn't properly pronounce my name silo she always called me Leela instead.

"Oh really? What else does Jesse say?" I asked while Jesse was putting something in his backpack.

"He says that you're very nice and that you're going to be-"

"Hey Diana let's not leave mom waiting too long in the car okay? Say by to Jaleia now." Jesse interrupted. His face was definitely red now.

"Bye Lila!" she said as Jesse took her from my arms and put her on the ground.

"Bye princess Diana Bye Jesse." I said. And waved.

"Bye Jaleia." Said Jesse. Just before they walked away I thought of something...

"Wait Diana! Since we are both princesses, would you like to wear my crown?" I asked her. She squealed and started jumping up and down.

"Jaleia you don't have to, and you do realize you'd never get that back?" Jesse said.

"I know but she likes it I'm not gonna need it again so it's okay. And if I ever do need it again I'll get my royal knights to pick it up."

"If you're sure..."

"Yup, Diana comes here so I can crown you properly." I said in a serious voice. She hurried over to me. I bent down on one knee, took off my crown and said "I hereby declare by the giving of this crown that Princess Diana is a true and very beautiful princess, from my head to yours, I give thee my crown." I said all ceremoniously. I put the crown on her head. She threw her arms around my neck and screamed "thank you thank you thank you!" she ran over to Jesse where he stood smiling. "See Brother I  real princess now."

"I see I see. Come on, we can't make mom wait much longer. I bet she is going to love your crown" he said as he winked at me. They walked away hand in hand. I laughed. Diana was so cute and he was honestly the best older brother ever.

*********************************************

It was eleven thirty when I got home from the birthday dinner I had with my family. It was really nice, we talked, we ate, we laughed and had a great time. My parents are divorced, so it was nice to have the family out as one again. When I finally laid down on my bed I smiled. I had a really amazing day, how many people can say they are as lucky as me? I can't even wait for the dance.