#I want to fill the void with other ST series
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insanewaykathy · 16 days ago
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Watching Picard is now on the list of things I said I wouldn't do in relation to Star Trek, but I did… And the list will grow, I'm sure.
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nhmkhnh · 7 days ago
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#SERIES—02 ──── CHAPTER—02
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i choose you to fill the void.
pairings: dom!top!vi x sub!bot!fem!reader
author's note: GIRL IDK IF I TRADED MY SOUL TO DEMONS IN MY SLEEP?? IN A BLINK AND WITH THOSE SLOWED SONGS AND I DONE WRITING THE NEXT CHAPTER ALREADY??
rating: explicit (minors & men dni) | words: 1.3k list: post-breakup pain ;; vi is emotionally unavailable but trying ;; repeated hookups ;; soft moments between rough sex ;; vi catching feelings against her will ;; obsession blooming ;; light angst ;; praise kink ;; feelings slipping through the cracks ;; porn with feelings.
masterlist / janitor ai / c.ai / carrd
1 | 2 | 3
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the second time she came over, it was late.
no text. no call. just the sound of her knocking like she had nowhere else to be.
you opened the door in a sleep shirt and nothing else, blinking blearily at her. “vi?”
she didn’t say anything. just stood there, fists in the pockets of her hoodie, eyes heavy like she hadn’t slept.
you stepped aside.
she came in.
and when the door clicked shut behind her, she kissed you like she’d missed you all week.
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you fucked against the kitchen counter.
vi had your legs wrapped around her waist, your back arched, your fingers tangled in her hair as she thrust into you with slow, aching pressure. the fake granite edge dug into your spine but you didn’t care — not with her teeth at your throat and her hands gripping your thighs like she needed to own you to breathe.
she whispered things this time. things she probably didn’t mean.
“been thinking about this all week…” “missed this pussy so bad…” “god, you feel like fuckin’ heaven, baby…”
you came hard. she bit down on your neck when she followed.
when it was over, she helped you off the counter, held you against her chest like she didn’t want to leave yet.
she left anyway, just before sunrise.
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the third time, it was your idea.
you texted her around midnight: you up?
the door opened twenty minutes later. vi had a cut on her cheek and blood under her nails.
you didn’t ask. you just took her to bed.
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by the fifth time, she had a toothbrush in your bathroom. you didn’t know when she put it there.
you noticed it while brushing your teeth one morning, and just stared at it like it meant something. like maybe she was trying to take root.
you didn’t ask. she didn’t say anything.
but that night, when she showed up again, her knock was softer.
and she kissed you longer before pushing you into the mattress.
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vi wasn’t gentle. not always.
some nights, she was like a storm breaking — all rough hands and hungry gasps, grinding against you like she was chasing a high she couldn’t reach.
you liked it. you craved it.
the way her mouth pressed against your skin, biting marks into your hips, muttering, “mine. fuckin’ mine tonight.”
the way she’d pin your wrists above your head with one hand and finger you with the other, growling, “you like bein’ used, sweetheart? yeah, you do. so fuckin’ good for me.”
but then there were the other nights.
the quiet ones.
where she held you like you might disappear. where she fucked you slowly, watching your face, eyes dark but soft. where she stayed after, buried her face in your neck, and fell asleep tangled in your sheets.
you didn’t know which version of her broke you more.
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you caught her staring at you sometimes.
not like she wanted to fuck — not exactly. more like she didn’t understand why she was still here.
and you couldn’t ask. because you weren’t sure what you were either.
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it started changing.
she stopped only coming at night. she’d drop by during the day. once with coffee. another time with a bag of takeout, claiming she “just had leftovers” even though you knew damn well she didn’t cook.
she texted you more.
little things. saw this song and thought of you. don’t go outside tonight, enforcers are actin weird. did you eat yet?
you told yourself not to hope. she never said the word feelings. never kissed you in daylight.
but she always showed up.
and sometimes — when she thought you weren’t looking — she’d stare at you with this haunted, starved look.
like she didn’t know how she got here, but she couldn’t leave either.
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the seventh time she slept over, you woke up before her.
she was curled around you, arm tight over your waist, breathing slow.
you turned slowly, careful not to wake her.
her lashes fluttered. her lip was split again. her knuckles bruised.
you reached out and touched her cheek.
she didn’t wake up, but she leaned into it.
something clenched in your chest.
you whispered it before you could stop yourself: “i think i’m falling for you.”
her eyes stayed shut.
but later, when she woke and pulled you into her lap, kissing you breathless, she held you tighter than usual.
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the sex started changing too.
more eye contact. more desperation.
she’d fuck you like she couldn’t get close enough — her hips slamming into you, voice hoarse with praise.
“that’s it, sweet girl… take it, just like that… so good for me, so fuckin’ perfect.”
you’d cry out under her, hands clutching the sheets, cunt throbbing as she pushed you to your third orgasm in a row.
she’d groan, “god, you’re addicted, huh? this pussy was made for me.”
and she’d look broken when you whispered her name like a prayer. like no one had ever said it that softly before.
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one night, she showed up with a bad split in her eyebrow and blood staining her hoodie.
you froze when you saw her.
“vi—what the fuck happened?”
she shook her head. “doesn’t matter.”
“it does—”
she grabbed your face. kissed you. hard.
you let her.
she didn’t talk about it. not before. not after.
but that night, she fucked you with her forehead pressed to yours, voice cracking every time she moaned your name. and when you came, sobbing her name into the night, she almost said it back.
i love you.
but she bit it down.
buried it in your skin.
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you tried to pull away once.
you told her you couldn’t do this if it didn’t mean something. that your heart wasn’t built for casual.
she didn’t answer.
she just left.
and you thought that was it.
until she showed up again — three days later. soaked from the rain, eyes red.
you didn’t say anything.
you just opened the door.
she didn’t leave after that.
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one morning, she brought you coffee and a tiny plant. you blinked. “what’s this?”
she shrugged. “it reminded me of you.”
you stared at it. a little violet, half-bloomed.
you looked back at her.
and vi, for the first time, looked scared.
you reached for her hand. held it.
she let you.
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you never talked about caitlyn.
but once, half-asleep, she murmured a name in the dark — soft and broken.
you kissed her shoulder. didn’t ask.
she kissed you back like an apology.
and kept whispering yours after that.
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there were no labels.
no promises.
but when she wrapped your legs around her waist and fucked you slow and deep, eyes locked with yours, whispering, “mine, yeah? tell me you’re mine,” —
you whispered yes.
every time.
and in the quiet after, when she traced circles on your thigh and kissed your temple like you were made of something she didn’t deserve —
you knew.
you were hers.
even if she couldn’t say it yet.
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bri1234 · 1 year ago
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What song(s) do you relate to a Choices book survey results!
Hello! So it's been about a week and there are a few responses from the Google form I sent out! The form is attached at the bottom of all this so if you want to take it, you still can!
I will continue to update this if there are any more responses.
Also if you see your song on here but not the additional comment (if you left one) and would like it on here, just let me know and I'll add it!
So without further ado, let's jump right in!
Songs that relate to a Choices book (chosen by you guys!):
Across the Void
Remember Me as A Time of Day by Explosions in the Sky
Blades of Light & Shadow
Two by Sleeping at Last
Comment was "MC's deeply unhealthy desire to put everyone else's wellbeing first (book 2)."
Degenerates by I the Mighty
In My Head by Jacob Ryan Smith, Daniel Mertzlufft, Andrew Barth Feldman, & Joe Serafini
Comment was "Aerin and MC on Deadwood lake date (book 1)."
Falling by Write Out Loud, Ciara Renee, and Kat Sicilian
Die With A Smile by Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga
A Courtesan of Rome
I Survived a War by Mariami
Crimes of Passion
In My Blood Song by Joel Smallbone and The Cast Of Journey To Bethlehem
Comment was "I relate this song the Trystan Thorne, specifically Book 2 of CoP, wanting to be the son his parents and country are proud of while being himself."
Arpeggio by Alexandro
Perfect World by Twice
The Cursed Heart
Dream A Little Dream of Me by The Mamas & The Papas
Comment was "It reminds me of how Kieran and MC often would visit each others dreams at night (book 1)."
Power Over Me by Dermot Kennedy
Without You by Ursine Vulpine
Find You by Ruelle
Die For You by Postmodern Jukebox and Tatum Langley
Young and Beautiful by Lana Del Rey
Comment was “MC thinking about their mortality and how someday they won’t be young and beautiful.”
Los Ageless by St. Vincent
Comment was “Lustre’s theme song 😈”
Dirty Little Secrets
"Slut!" by Taylor Swift
Suburban Legends by Taylor Swift
The Elementalists
Hedwig's Theme by John Williams
Guinevere
Queen of Heart by Twice
Only Girl by Stephen Sanchez
Hot Couture
Choose Your Fighter by Ava Max
Immortal Desires
Boys Will Be Bugs by Cavetown
End (The Other Side) by Fit For A King
Scars & Lifelines by I Prevail
Death Is All Around by The Amity Affliction
The Death We Seek by Currents
Kindred
Still Don't Know My Name by Labrinth
In Hell I'll Be Good Company by The Dead South
Murder at Homecoming
no body, no crime by Taylor Swift
Nightbound
Songs from the Shadowhunter series: Dynasty , Hurricane, Making a Monster out of Me (Katherine McNamara) , This is the Hunt (Ruelle), Storm (Ruelle) , Bad Dream , Love to Hate You, I am Ember from Katherine McNamara , Hold On (from Chord Oversee) , Glass Slipper (Katherine McNamara) , Paralyzed (NF), Angel with a Shotgun (instead shotgun imagine crossbow) , Brother (Kodaline), Shadowhunter series Finale Song by Ruelle
Open Heart
Symphony of Skin by I The Mighty
Comment was "Romancing Bryce vibes"
Platinum
3 Minutes by Alexi Blue
Red Carpet Diaries
Why Should I? by Alexi Blue
Roommates With Benefits
You Give Love a Bad Name by Bon Jovi
The Royal Romance
Not Your Barbie Girl by Ava Max
Barbie Girl by Aqua
Loves Me Not by Kate Grahn & Will Jay
i wanna be your girlfriend by girl in red
Rules of Engagement
Hair by Little Mix
Surrender
Bad Habits by Ed Sheeran
Here's the Google form if anyone wants to take it! Thank you so much to those of you who have taken the time to do this!!!
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eidechsejaspis · 3 months ago
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The man I once was, the man I am now.
Artur Pendragon, bearer of the shard of Azem's soul, but also the shard of Thanatos's soul. If it isn't forbidden in game, so I can play with it a little bit XD Thanatos is the Executioner, one and only in unsundered Etheirys. Of course there were lots of Thanatoses during Etheirys history! If interested, read below!
Thanatos of Eteiris. So: I generally like to expand the number of inhabitants inside the world, because Amaroth is rich not only with Convocation 14. Well, I don't believe that crimes are not committed there. And when there are crimes, there must be an executioner. So, this executioner is Thanatos. The same elected position, but there is a nuance: Thanatos does not belong to the Convocation, he belongs to the Court. But at the same time, he works together with Emet-Selch. He does not communicate with the rest of the 14, so Hythlodaeus did not recognize him on the Moon and only noted his "eerie presence".
There is another nuance in the position of Thanatos. The predecessor chooses his successor and trains him, watches the change in moral qualities and, when the time comes, challenges the protégé to a duel. The successor is obliged to kill Thanatos in order to take his post. This is connected with another feature of all Thanatoses, namely their souls: they are all born with a Void in their souls. Maybe it is a piece of dynamis that has somehow settled in their souls (I am inclined to this option), maybe it is another natural deviation, no one knows.
But during the lifetime service, the Void of Thanatos is filled with so to speak "negative" dynamis (let's call it that for now), because the criminal does not want to leave for the planet of his own free will, and forced sending leads to the release of negative emotions accordingly. It must be said that the very first Thanatoses (normal Ancients with normal souls) relatively quickly lost their minds, and once there was even a burstout of dynamis, which caused a local cataclysm.
Then, for the first time, they paid attention to this type of energy, but, since the Ancients are too attached to the aether, things did not go beyond observation, because it was very difficult for them to work with this type of energy.
Therefore, the position was almost distributed among several Amarotians, until one of them accidentally came across a student with such a Void. Of course, they watched him for a long time and developed a set of countermeasures if the executioner friend went amock and released all the dynamis at once. The measures were, of course, from the series "maybe it will help", but better than nothing.
Despite the fact that not all families were happy to give their son or daughter to be raised as Executioners, there was little choice for both children and parents. Live of such individuals was short and dull and often they committed suicide (ancients with the Void that didn’t contain dynamis of the executed could return to the Aetherial sea without cataclysm to occur) which put to shame the whole family – how could that happen that their kid was so unhappy to kill himself/herself?
So there was no real fight against any Executioner when he or she came after a child.
I must say that Thanatoses have a way of thinking that differs from the others’. They, after their mission was explained to them, saw nothing awful in it, and had no struggle with it. Except times when they FELT (I don’t know how to explain it better – let’s call it intuition) that they were going to execute an innocent person. Thus once happened with the last Thanatos and Themis who was falsely accused. Thanatos asked Emet-Selch (Hades, yes) to make judges etc investigate the case more thoroughly and was happy to execute the real criminal afterwards. Dying, Thanatos gives his successor all the so-called baggage of "negative dynamis" in order to free his own soul (Thanatos are unable to voluntarily go to the planet) and finally go and rest until the next reincarnation.
As studies have shown, about 6/10 of the dynamis dissipates without harm during the transfer process, and the successor's Void receives, so to speak, stabilization. The last Thanatos was, of course, sane and had an excellent sense of smell (several times he refused to send the condemned to the planet and demanded further investigation, going into conflict with the court).
When the Last Days came, he did not join Emet saying that he would not become an executioner for the innocent. In general, he supported Venat's idea of ​​​​Separation. As a result, he was sundered. The Void of Thanatos has the ability to naturally absorb souls. Of course, it's unpleasant for the Ancient One, but not fatal, especially if he's an executioner with a job, but for a mere mortal it'll be tough. Part of the soul with the Void went to Zenos. In short, the guy lost big in the roulette of Destiny… He had his own soul, of course, but it was slowly devoured by a part of the Void. If you consider that the Void influenced the emotional reactions of the Thanatos, so to speak, muffling them, then it's easy to guess that a regular mortal was destined for chronic depression. Plus some experiments of Emet-Selch on a baby (stabilization of the Void, so that it wouldn't devour Zenos's soul ahead of time and wouldn't drift back into the Stream of Life), plus awesome displays of empathy from all sides (sarcasm, yes). The only thing that slightly delayed the absorption of the soul was Resonant (which ultimately did not allow the man to die peacefully), plus the energy received from merging with Shinryu. Plus the soul itself resisted, not wanting to die and as a defense mechanism, a fixation on battles and mortal danger developed as a result, giving a hefty adrenaline rush, at least slightly drowning out the Void. The scale is incomparable, of course, but Zenos held out for almost 30 years. Not bad.
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ask-missparker · 1 year ago
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I remember you said don't leave me here alone / OUAT AU Series
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Pairings: Amelia x Nikolai, Ethan x Liane, Rick x Liane
Friendship: Belladonna St. James & Joshua C. Nolan 
Extra Characters: Erik, Cassie, Alexander and etc 
-> Special appearance: Introducing Meira as Merida/The Mad Hatter, played by Billie Eilish
Summary: A dark glimmer of hope come in doses, even if it feels like everything is stuck in time. Sometimes you need a push in the right direction..
Warning: Angsty, with some fluff. Some violence here and there.
Note: Inspired by the episode Hat Tricks. And yes, Cherik is canon in every universe hush!
-----
He woke up with his hands tied behind his back. 
His ears were ringing, his head hurt worse than the time he finished that English paper for Charles that weekend, and felt a gash on his forehead. He hissed sucking in his breath recognizing one of his lower lip as well. He blinked as it felt like was drugged, as the last thing he remembered was searching for clues on a small upcoming case he had about the stormy woods and the town folks who went camping up there. It was stupid really but he took the chance to clear his head and figure out the next move. 
Now he’s stuck in what seems to be a basement. 
He was laying on his back, flipping to the side noticing his backpack on the ground a few away from him. He tried inching over huffing and grunting, feeling he must’ve broke a bone during the fall to the floor. 
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
He hissed as his gaze fell onto a pair of black boots following upwards to face the mayor’s wondering grin. As if he wanted to put together a puzzle but didn’t have the right pieces yet. The boy glared in response trying to wiggle free of the ropes behind his back. 
“Wh..” He muttered.
“Oh? Too shocked to speak. Don’t worry I wouldn’t drug my nephew, I mean, I could. But it wouldn’t put on a good impression, would it?” He responded.
“..wh—what do you want from me..” He muttered trying to clear his throat.
“Aw my darling nephew wants answer. See, I hope what I’m about to say finds you in good heath, and in a prosperous enough position to put wealth. In the pockets of men like me who might be down on their luck..you see, that was the darkness in this town you decide to pluck.”
“..you can’t afford to be afraid..”
“Wise words coming from a child.”
It was as if Joshua could see right into his heart. The sadness, jealously and darkness that filled within. It was black, with gushed of red. As if he was lonely and felt underrated against his brother, that his darkness was just a craving of harsh lies he puts himself to sleep with. 
Joshua has learned from a long time ago, evil isn’t born. It’s made. The world was cruel, it was your choice to be a hero or a villain in their history. You pick the card and decide how to spin it over it’s head.
Maybe there was a slight bit of hope within that thick wall Alexander hides behind. His thirst for powerful, was a thirst to be seen as an equal, to be as loved and appealing as the others are. Then again, it was just wishful thinking. 
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“I..is this how you hurt my father?” He asked. 
Alexander was pacing around the room then paused not expecting those words to come from him. He took a moment to regain himself as he replied, “You know about that?”
“I heard a thing or two..I’m not going to try and dismiss what you did—what your doing is wrong. Because it is. You have people in this town locked under your finger..but at what cost?”
“..you don’t know everything, Mr. Nolan.”
“I don’t need to..i’ve seen men like you who took care of me before..they do it for the money, for the status, to be seen as something they are not..just to fill the void..”
Alexander gaze fell onto his nephew this time. It was as if those dark blue-green pierced right into his soul, swirling around waiting for an answer. This kid was smart, he’ll give him that much. He saw nothing but kindness and heartbreak behind those eyes, yet a determination that can slice an apple he has in his backyard waiting to be used on anyone for that matter. It was nothing like his brother nor his mother, but his own self. 
This child as been across some things, it was hard to tell if he was bluffing or not. As if he was telling the truth, a honest threat waiting to be fired. It was he like see a lot more, like he was sure he will be fine by the end of the day.
He scoffed, “There’s not void, child. You just stumbled into my town and think just because you fixed a few things, you did some good. Sorry to break your glass, but you are nothing. And you will rot in here til something worse happens.”
“You think I’m afraid of you..you afraid that your little town will see right through your lies and come after you? So you lock me up, cause some chaos and spin the bottle..clever..very, very clever..” He replied looking down. 
“You really think you’re safe? That your precious little friends and roommate will come find you?”
“…”
“That’s what I thought. Here’s the thing Joshua, your a pathetic exsume for a son, a lousy street kid who has no right to be living in your condition and someone who will never know the truth about himself. But I can ease your thoughts.”
“Hmm..”
“You’re parents, they were nothing. One was a lousy young lady with no right for royal status and the other a weak lad on the run from everything because he was too afraid to face the true. Everyone in this town has their agendas, and your just another spec in the dust of voices here.”
He watched the young man look down, not saying a word seeing a flicker in his eyes trying to not go out and lose that hope. However all Alexander could think was the way Joshua’s eyes pierced into his soul seeing the cracks behind his very own eyes. 
As if the boy’s eyes said, ‘your soul may be dark as the pitch black night but there a dose of kindness within than he ever gave credit for.’ It made him sick to his stomach that—that his face spoke more than a thousand words. 
It reminded him of his mother before his brother was ever born, believing that there was good in the world and a light inside him despite that darkness that converted him into who he is today. That he had the strength yet vulnerability to stand up to him in the mists of pain made him want to congratulate him, but it was merely pathetic he believed one little thought of confidence could make him turn a leaf.
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But then again, he didn’t want to kill the boy. There was no part of him thrust himself into the idea of harming in could led to death, he still wanted him alive and decently well..maybe there was a small inch within him that made him think twice before his actions…
He was brought out of his thoughts as Joshua spoke up, “..what? After me, who’s next on your agenda of victims?..I just feel sorry for you, mister mayor, thinking this will fill that void within..”
He didn’t speak, only slapped his face to keep him quiet. He didn’t need his voice ringing in his ears for the rest of the day, he had more important things to attend to.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The doors the station were slammed open, as the soft sounds of grunts and huffing could be heard followed by the whispers of the man in charge. He threw the man into the cell and locked it as he turned around. Nik stepped over as his hands gripped the bars of the cell he was placed into, his face showcased a mix of tiredness and worry. 
“I’m telling you, I have no idea where he went! Erik you have to believe me, I haven’t seen in him 24 hours..no calls, no text..I didn’t do anything to him.” He said, banging his against the bar.
Erik stood there with his arms crossed, “Are you sure? How could I know you didn’t drive him away or worse, dragged somewhere deep within the town line, Mr. Hawkins.”
“Do you really think I would harm the kid I have been taking care of for a while now? I have done nothing but provided him a home!”
“Where was he last?”
“..last time I checked he was going to get some air, said he had a small case he wanted to solve. I advised him to stay home but he promised he would be safe.”
“And you let a teen boy go thinking he wasn’t going to lie to your face and go to some house party?”
“Oh please, Erik, he isn’t that type of kid! He went to the campsites in search of something..please, just let me go.”
Erik walked back to his desk, starting to fill out some paperwork for the man muttering, “Not until I have evidence that you didn’t do it.”
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Just then, Alexander rushed in with Ethan behind trying to stop him of entering. Ethan was barking a few words at the man, two accents fighting for a place within the room. Nik rolled his eyes, glaring at both.
Then he stopped, “If you want evidence, ask my brother. He clearly has something to do with this. Isn’t that right Alex?”
Alexander placed a hand over his chest fixing his collar and said, “And why I ever do such a thing? I got a call that my brother was in jail, I had to see what’s the matter.”
“Since when do you care?! You couldn’t care less if I was hit by a bus!”
“Watch your tone, clearly you never learn anything from me about manners. What did you do to get you in this mess?”
“Nothing of the sort. What did you do to my kid?”
“You’re kid? Since when did you have the legal right to call him yours?”
“Not the time. Where is he? I know you did something, you could never keep your hands to yourself.”
“With that tone, I might as well not bail you out.”
“What. Did. You. Do. To. My. Kid?” 
“Nothing, I didn’t even know about this until now. But whatever you did to your kid, must’ve driven him away or worse, he’s probably being held hostage somewhere by one of your friends.”
“Bullshit..”
Alexander put down 20 bucks on the desk before walking out, smirking at Ethan who just glared blocking him from his path. 
“Why are you not letting me leave? You think I have something to do with this?” Alex asked.
“Well, you always magically show up whenever it’s often than not convenient for you. First you show up when Ms. Spencer is awaken, then you appear when I’m taking a role in this town, even when Rochelle and Rick’s children are in a small crisis at school with Cole..you always show up. Matter of time when you come around again.” Ethan explained smirking, “What’s next for you?”
“Are you trying to threaten me, Mr. Long?”
“Depends, you see it as one?”
“Not at all.”
“Good. But mark my words, mister mayor, if you try something just as bad as this, I will come for you and your home.”
“I’ll like to see you try.”
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With that the mayor walked out as Ethan marched right back into the station talking to Erik about the current events, glancing over at Nik every so often hoping the man listen to this words. Ethan wanted to come start a hunt for Joshua as quickly as possible within the towns and woods. He requested Rick, Cassie and Rochelle to come along knowing that the boy could be held anywhere. Erik was hesitating to bring anyone else into this search party but he knew they would need extract hands on deck, he was getting old more help would be better. 
Half an hour later, he came back with this requested people. Rick didn’t look very pleased to be here, as he refused to have any weapons on him during the hunt in the woods. Rochelle hummed deciding on a gun, taking a small area of the town to look for the kid promising to Nik he’s innocent here as the man just sighed. 
Cassie was quite analyzing the whole situation, knowing that Alex has done this to prove a point to pull them apart into separate groups for whenever his biggest heavy hitters came. However he remembered seeing Alexander’s body language shifted wondering if someone beside Liane or Bella told him off, but she couldn’t place her finger on it.
Erik stayed back, watching the four of them go as he stayed to question Nik for his innocence, he should be at home with his husband Charles, not here at work together. Yet, here he is. He offered the man something to eat or drink, but Nikolai couldn’t stomach anything at the moment. 
He sat down on the bench of the cell at dark worse case scenario filled his head, thinking horribly of himself for letting that kid go off that afternoon when he should’ve stopped him. He was considered his guardian at this point, not just a friend. He said it himself, ‘his kid’, he never said that before put the words felt familiar. 
He just hoped he wasn’t badly hurt, and he will forgive him..
~~~~~~~~~
Joshua was tired, cold and hungry. He was bleeding and bruised, but a part of him knew he had to stay awake. He tried sitting up properly against one of the walls, not even realizing that his feet were tied by some rope—oh how could this day get any worse?! His vision was slightly blurry as he looked over his shoulder to see a spec of light, crawling over to notice it was a window seeing trees, some snow and much more. 
He was still in the woods, but he didn’t know for long. Alexander was planning on keeping him here, to keep his shut and guard by god know. He replayed the conversation between the two of them over and over again, he noticed a shift in the man’s tone earlier, like he hit a nerve. He didn’t know but the man just barked threats at him afterwards then slapped him across the face before leaving.
He searched around for any broken glass, sharp objects of any thing, to break himself lose and make a run for it. Then suddenly opened the door, as down the stairs walked in a women. He could hear a possible other voice coming from the room across but it faint. His eyes fell on the lady once again, short pink hair, glasses and black overalls along with some pink boots to match. 
He recongized her from the record store, he barley talked to her very often but liked the vibes she gave off. He remembered hearing Riley’s tales of her father being Red Riding Hood and her mother being The Huntress, always pointing out the store’s kind lady. 
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According to the tales, her name was Luna, the women who was sent to harm his father but couldn’t have the heart to do so and ran away unable to finish the job, meeting Rick afterwards. Joshua bit his lip worried she was going to live up to her promise and harm him instead. Luna placed a cup of tea in front of him, shyly waiting for him to drink it. 
Instead Joshua asked, “W-what are you going to do me? What’s in that?”
Luna gave him a innocent look shaking her head, “I only made you tea, you looked thirsty…I-i can make you s-something else.”
“No thank you..w-what is doing for you in exchange of keeping me held here..”
“..he-h-he is not doing anything..he, uh..”
“..let me go, please..”
“He told me he would give me a bonus upgrade on my store, allowing new shipments of video games…”
“I..”
“W-what? D-did I say something wrong? I won’t hurt you..I-i promise..”
“He is doing you a favor..but I am the one getting hurt here!”
“You will be fine, it’s only for a while..please drink up before it gets cold..I am sorry if I upset you, I um..”
Joshua looked down, a sadness and darkness filled his eyes, he didn’t know what to even respond with. It wasn’t her fault, she didn’t know any better and probably didn’t want to get hurt by the mayor, so she did the favor in efforts to save her skins. But he didn’t trust her that easily, even if he was thirsty. Josh pushed the tea away from him causing it to spill on the floor, as the small cup rolled around, Luna looked rather upset that he didn’t take her offer. She glared calling him ungrateful stepping back out the door, not before treating him a couple of threats. 
The door closed behind her as he sinked back into the corner he was placed into. He looked at his backpack that seemed open. He assumed someone must’ve tried to look inside, he crawled over to the using his legs to inch the bag over searching for something to help him. He found an old textbook from Charles’s English class and smirked using whatever strength he can, even his hand tied behind his back tossed it over the cup Luna placed on the ground as he sat on top of both items crushing it. He was surprised all the hours of watching TV payed off, using the shattered piece he tried to saw his way out of the ropes slowly starting to cut. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The group of four searched around separating into pairs of two to cover even ground. Rochelle looked around the town’s older buildings deciding on heading to the woods next as Cassie went asking around for any sighting of the boy, tracking the area for clues. Cass knew one thing for sure, one of the advantages of being securely awake from the curse, is that there are hidden part of the town that come into bloom during the mid winter—early spring. 
Certain flowers. 
Meanwhile Rick and Ethan decide to split up. Rick knew he was able to cover more ground by himself, it was as if he had an act for catching people red handed with just the mere scent of their tracks. His daughter liked to say it was because he was half wolf, sometimes he liked to believe that was true.
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With that knowledge, he went searching around for clues of any kind, dried blood marks on the ground, items lefts aside, anything useful for his hunt. To his surprise, a certain young Latina tagged along wanting to help out, having her clear guesses on what might’ve happened and who could’ve taken him hostage. 
Ethan went lurking around the woods, driving in his car passing buses after buses, the foggy sight of the trees along the road didn’t help his vision almost knocking into someone. He stepped out to find a women with wild curls, a deep blue skirt, combat boots and a long ass coat catching her breath. He rushed over asking if she was alright, as the young women smiled with a shrug. Ethan questioned why she was in the woods as she said she going for a walk, the man just slowly nodded.
 She asked him, “What are you doing here?”
“I uh..” He replied looking for an lie, “..I was searching for my dog. He’s a runner.”
“Ohh I love dogs! What’s is name?”
“Uh, Portland.”
“Portland? No offense, sounds like they were trying to run away with a name like that.”
“Yeah well, it was the first thing that came to mind when I saw him.”
“You know look like you could see a refresher, I know the woods very well. I have a map at my place, we both look for him together afterward.”
Ethan thought for a moment, seeing how kind yet familiar this young women meant to him. He thought a little help couldn’t help, technically he was looking for someone. 
“Sure!” He added with a smile, “What’s your name by the way?”
“Meira.” She answered with a smile.”
“Ethan.”
“Nice to meet you, Ethan.” 
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The two drove off into the woods, stepping into Meira’ grand old house that was lovely decorated with flowers, nice chairs, paintings on the wall and even a beauty of a piano in the living room. She even had a couple of telescopes. She said that her parents died leaving with such a nice estate she couldn’t help but make it her own. Ethan was amazed by her little world inside the home, feeling cozy inside. 
The two of them entered the kitchen as Meira pulled out a map and two cups of tea for them to drink out of. He joked if it was poison as she shook her head, pointing out the mapped sections within the woods. 
Everything was going fine, the two chatted as they drank. Feeling at ease in the conversation, circling spots on the map onto where ‘Portland’ could’ve gotten. Meira kindly excused  her to use the lady’s room as Ethan nodded for her to go right ahead. Once she left, he wondered around the hallways spitting his glass looking at the paintings of forests that didn’t look like any he’s seen before. He heard muffled sounds coming from the hallway as if Meira was on the phone with someone, he stepped into one of the rooms to find weapons.
Guns, bows and arrows, hats, throwing stars and much more. He slowly exit the room into the hallway, moving slowly. Suddenly, the sound of a gun cocking is heard turning around to meet Meira’s face who grinned.
“I see you found some new toys for Portland.” She said holding the gun to his face.
He raised an eyebrow, “I've already called for backup, they'll be here any second.” “You haven't called anybody... for the same reason you didn't tell me about your real plan. You don't want anybody to know you're here, which means nobody does.”
“Have you been watching me?”
“Maybe?”
“Your telescope. You've been watching me. Why?”
“I need you to do something for me…brother.” 
She gently shoves him into a room, telling him to sit down in the chair in front of her desk, he does as so. As Ethan sat down, he noticed the room filled with hats on display and telescope. He even noticed a small potted plant in the corner, Meira smirked hoping his eyes darted to the small flower. She would have to thank Cassie later for it. She explained to him the situation here, along with the curse. Ethan rolled his eyes at Meira. 
“Have you been reading Belladonna’s book?” Ethan asked.
Meira smirked, “Belladonna? You mean the Mal’s favorite hand maiden?"
“Belladonna’s, the Liane’s adopted kid.”
“Oh, Bella. Your Belladonna…and her book of stories, the ones that you choose to ignore. Maybe if you knew what I know, you wouldn’t.”
“Why have you been spying on me? Why did you call me ‘brother’? I don’t have a sister..”
“Yes you do. I’m your baby sister and Cole is your brother. You just don’t remember, cause you scared of the truth. Because for the last 16 years, I've been feeling stuck, day after day. Until one night, you, in your car, roll into town, and the clock ticks and things start to change. You seeI know what you refuse to acknowledge, Ethan. You're special. You brought something precious to the town—magic!”
“You’re insane.” 
“You say that. But we know you seek to know that town is a little crazy. You show know, you’ve been around crazy you’re whole life! The tattoo on your arm is a small symbol of it.” 
Ethan was silent, looking down at the tattoo on his arm, he was a feather. He didn’t remember getting it, alway assume it was due to a drunk night out with friends. Ever since he arrived, he felt strange around this town, the very fact that Cole decided to be nice to him surprised him, and now this. One look at Meira, he could tell she was onto something but he refused to acknowledge it like the rest of the damn town. She wanted him to look around and open his eyes, to wake up from whatever dream he has created his head. 
She wanted him to take a second to remember who he was, that he had magic, skills untapped that just doesn’t want to take back. Make her a hat. Muscle memories as one would call it. He barked back that she has enough already but she responded that known of them work. However he can make some, due to their being very few magical elements in the real world. 
He looked around briefly letting out a chuckle, “The hats, the tea, the bow and arrows…you’re somewhat psychotic behavior…you think you’re the Mad Hatter.”
She sighed with a smirk, “Yes, and I don’t think. I know. The name’s Merida, but some like to sweetly mistaken it as Meira.”
“You’ve clearly glommed onto my kid’s book. Well, the kid’s thing, but they are just stories. The Mad Hatter, he’s in-“
“She! She is supposed to be in Wonderland. But travels to other land that look just like this one, you should know. You’ve done it! You’re the Ace Of Hearts, The Knight of the realms..one of the plenty of Prince Charming’s around..”
“It’s all in a book! Stories that I’ve read in school, myself. I am no hero of those tales..they are hysterical stories.” 
She sat down on the desk in front of her, leaning in with an almost convincing smile as she said, “Stories? Right, just stories. Tales of many kind..and where do you think they come from? History books are based on a version of history. And storybooks are based on what, imagination? Where does that come from? It has to come from somewhere.”
“Mhm..yeah..” He responded staying quite listening to her rant as his gears started to turn. 
“That’s where we all come in! Every tale comes from somewhere, cue in our characters, from Nik being Prince Charming to Luna being the Huntress in his tale, simple really.”
“Simple? You want me to believe that?”
“You know what the issue is with this world? Everyone wants some magical solution to their problem, and everyone refuses to believe in magic. It’s not that hard, just open your mind.”
“Yeah, right open your mind..to this one reality!” 
At that, she barked back standing from her chair leaning into his face with a knowledge smile. He leaned back, a hint of fear washes over him. He heard everything she said but there was something he feared from it all.
That she was right.
“What are you so afraid of?! All of the evidence is slowly coming into light, right there in front of you! God, dad must’ve made you hit your head a little too hard when you escaped..” She exclaimed, her gaze following him sight, “What is holding you back?”
That made Ethan finally snapped as a glare reached his eyes as he snarled, “Of this! I’m afraid of this. You think I am such a worthy hero? A Knight from Wonderland? Prince Charming?! I don’t want that job back on my shoulders! I may not remember what you’re saying but you’re making hard to run back and stay in my perfectly safe mind.”
Meira smirked, “There it is!”
“You know what’s it like to be separated from your kid? It makes you lose your mind wondering if they are okay! I just got her back, I am not willing to lose her again..I can’t be this hero—your Prince Charming, I don’t want it. I ain’t hero..”
“One of the heroes..only some of us remember who we are, the others don’t. But the kids do! It’s time to wake up, Ethan. Grab your pals and break this damn curse.”
The two of them were standing at this point. Meira even showed him across the telescope the town, the homes, her brother and friends. She said that they don’t remember anything, her parents don’t remember who they are. She can’t tell them, which drives her mad. Drives everyone mad when you can’t be with the ones you love. Ethan nodded understanding her statement, how it can make you feel like you’re losing your mind sometimes. 
He shrugged saying it possibly a chance he believed, that she said was true. She smiled, as she turned around to pick up the hat, he picked up the telescope and strikes her with it, knocking her out cold. He muttered that she’s crazy, making sure she was alright as his gaze fell to a tattoo of a heart on her shoulder, before taking the gun and rushing out. He took one last glance at the flower, snatching up a knife from the kitchen before he left. 
As he rushed out of the house, racing across the woods he spotted a certain brunette running looking over his shoulder. He noticed it as Nik who explained he tipped Erik off while he was asleep. The clock chimed as the two men exchanged a look knowing they had something they needed to do soon before it got dark. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Meanwhile Belladonna and Rick went scouting the woods in search of the missing person. Rick leaned into his older path, tracking the more natural way searching foe clues. Finding a piece of cloth and dark dry blood marks on the ground, gasping at the sight. As they were moving in closer, Belladonna went the more tech route linking Joshua’s phone to hers, tracking him there. There was a low signal that was rather faint, but it was there. 
Both of their radars went off, exchanging a couple of looks rushing off to the place where he must’ve gone. Rick stepped up the doorstep of the home banging on the door, getting a sense of nostalgia when it came to house. As if he knows it from somewhere. Like he’s been here before, but couldn’t place his finger on it. Belladonna noticed the small half smile on his lips as it seemed like a fragment of his mind was trying to tell him something but he had no idea what it was.
Funny how the mind work, huh?
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There was ruffling sounds coming from the door, a heavy breath that could be heard loud and clear. As the door opened, dark brown eyes met the very blue of the blonde man who lowered his fist from the very door she opened. A connecting twinkle sparked between them, like a swirling look of acceptance and confusion at the circumstances. 
“Luna?” Muttered the blonde, nodding for Bella to follow him inside.
“I um..R-rick..wh-what are you d-doing here? Wh-who is she?” She repiled, looking worried and nervous on the two visitors, “Uh..you can’t come in..”
But it was too late. 
“Who is she? More like, who are you? And don’t play coy with me..” Belladonna asked eyeing the pink haired woman who looked petty and guilty in her eyes.
“I um..don’t know what you’re talking about.” Luna respond, looking between her and Rick, “I didn’t do anything, if that’s uh-what you’re thinking…”
“Likely story. Where is he? Where were you the last 24 hours?”
“I don’t know where you’r talking about..I um..I-i-i ww-was at h-home.”
Rick pinched the bridge of his nose and scoffed, “Luna, honey, I know you’re lying. What happened?”
Luna looked scared and more than guilty looking down, “..I-he m-made me do it..I was given a favor..f-for-for I can get a g-great deal o-on my at-store..it was a n-nice uh-thought…”   
Belladonna didn’t wait another second, hearing the couple talk in the room as she hurried into every room on the first and second floor of the small house. She could hear exact footsteps and voices coming their way upstairs. She assumed it was her father and the others. A couple of screams were heard.
She paused as her ears caught wind of the muffled screams coming from the basement as she let out a small gasped, opening the lock and hurried down to find her friend on the ground weakly trying to break free. She felt horrible, rushing over to step untie him starting with his hands that were tired behind his back. He dropped the glass of the class cup that sliced a corner of his hand as she heard tiny whimpers coming from him.
Joshua’s eyes were red and puffy from crying, his gaze was dark almost like they lost his light. He was quiet, almost numb but responsive which was a clear positive sign for her. She pushed some hair out of his face as his body flopped over to the ground as she shouted for him to stay awake. But he couldn’t he was tired, annoyed and hungry. 
She carefully led him upstairs calling for help up the steps, as thankfully Rick was there reaching for Joshua who weakly took his arms to hold onto. Belladonna blocked out his conversation with Luna as her only thought was on Josh’s health. 
As she led him out the door and into the front of the house down the steps across the woods, in a flash came her father and Nikolai turned up rushing to side. Both adults rushed to the exact child. Ethan held his daughter close, proud of her for today’s action, walking them back looking over at the others. Belladonna carried the backpack on one shoulder. Nikolai held Joshua’s close, running a hand across his face telling him to stay awake and they will be home soon enough. 
~~~~~
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At the station, everyone was getting cleaned up. Erik talked to the adults, not pressing any charges on Nikolai for what happened, seeing a worried father take place in front of him. Rochelle was helping to gently clean Joshua’s wounds as he kept quiet. Ethan was nursing an wound that ended up on Belladonna’s body, despite her effort to tell him she was fine, he didn’t listen.   
“What happened back there?” Rochelle asked dabbing a cotton ball on his forehead as the boy hissed. 
Nikolai was wrapping his hand in a bandage, “..buddy, you need to tell us..”
Joshua was just silent, looking at Rick then Luna. But his gaze fell on Bella who locked eyes with him, as if to send a single signal to her onto what happened, who harmed him. She got what he meant and sighed. 
He inhaled and hissed, “..I was in the woods, searching on a clue on our new case with the sighting of wolves and more campers lately, I saw something in the road..when I was knocked out cold, I woke up in the basement..my backpack away from me, tied up as Bella saw..”
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Nikolai didn’t know what came over him, pushing his hair out of his face being gentle with his wound concerned with his state wondering what was going inside his head. The light in his eyes flickers out like a old used flashlight, like the sun was coming down to rest as the night took over for him. He noticed Erik questioning Luna onto what happened, as Rick backed her up. Ethan was taking notes of what happened, as the wildness of the woods still played in his head. Rochelle chimed up with her insights on the townsfolk and the accident that might’ve led up to it.
He shook his head, deciding to take him home to rest at their loft instead, ignoring Ethan’s calls saying they will talk later. 
~~~~~
Once the two arrived home, Joshua lay down on the couch as Nikolai got some fruit to eat as he across from asking if he could open the backpack for him. The teen just nodded, watching him with blurry vision eating the long awaited food, humming at the taste of fresh blueberries and slices of mango entering his mouth. It felt better than expected. 
Later on, after a quick shower and now in cleaner clothes he found his father in the kitchen wiping up two grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner. He watched him with tense shoulder, as the man hummed in comfort clothes than the pair of jeans and hoodie he was wearing earlier. 
He knew he was waiting for him to talk about anything else that happened, as the teen just sighed and muttered, “..where were you?”
The older brunette paused from flipping the two slices of bread to look over his shoulder and reply, “Umm what?”
“I was gone for almost 24 hours and you were nowhere to be found..I was hoping you’ll be the one to find me..”
“Joshua..when you didn’t come I was worried, I called you phone plenty of time and you didn’t pick up. Next thing I know I was put behind bars at the sheriff’s station because they thought I did something to you..that I had something to do with your disappearance..”
“Wh..b-but yo-you escaped..I-i saw you!”
“I couldn’t any longer for bail or to be prove innocent to go after you, so I broke out of there! That’s what I came late to find you..I am so sorry..I should’ve listen to my gut and ran to search for you..”
“I needed you and you weren’t there..”
That caused Nik to turn around and face him. That words sting like a bee. He blinked hearing this words replay in his head over and over again like a drumbeat. He saw the look on his face that almost broke his heart. 
He looked down for a moment, shaking his head hating that he made him feel that way, the words sounded like it came from a different place. As if he broke the line. 
“Wh..what is that supposed to mean exactly? Josh, I haven’t said anything lately, but you’ve been holding something back ever since we started this whole thing..” Nik admitted crossing his arms, giving him a certain look, “What’s going on here? I can’t help you if you don’t tell me.”
“..um..you won’t get it.” Josh repiled, looking away for a moment, “..you won’t..”
“Try me. Go ahead.”
“Alright..you want the truth.”
Joshua took a breath and scoffed, “You let me go out that door last night, without a care in the world, because you thought you could trust me and look where it got me! I’m hurt because you’re brother decided to have me kidnapped because he knows if the truth gets out on what he plans to do with the town..he will be doomed.”
“I’mma stop you right there! Alexander kidnapped you and you didn’t expect to tell me this?! This is serious matter, Joshua I don’t care what his plan is, he harmed a kid. He tricked one of the townsfolk to keep you there.” Nikolai exclaimed with an anger in his stomach growing. “That’s my point! He wants to keep everyone locked up in this town for god knows what reason, cause he knows if everyone is happy he will have no power over us..I stayed quiet about this for weeks now I am not taking it anymore!”
“Alexander kidnapped you and harmed you in a way that shouldn’t be expected at any point. No kid should go though that..did he do anything else?” “I’ve been hit before at old homes, it seems like before I was knocked out cold I was fighting someone..but Alex, he just threaten me over and over again..he..he called me an orphan, a lost boy..that I will never know who I really am..I um..”
He started to get chocked up as he recounted all the bad things Alexander said to his face and all the things he told him. He was told stuff like this before, that he was a child. He’s got nothing to prove, nothing at all. Nikolai walked around the kitchen island setting in between the stools wrapping his arms around the teen, as running his fingers across his hair to smooth out his cries. He felt like a part of his way his fault, it was. He pressed a small kiss onto his hair and hummed trying to hush him as he listen to Joshua’s comments. He made a silent promise to himself to not let him feel that way again, not feel hurt or alone. 
Then he heard it. 
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A small whimper that came from Joshua as he let go of his arms. He watched him go to his room, then come back with a blanket. A baby blanket with his name engraved in a font, on the side was a small little monkey. He handed it to Nikolai as he noticed the way he ran his fingers crossed the letters and the patch, he let out a small chuckle he knew his style of drawing better than the back of his hand. He took one glance at Joshua, trying to piece the words together. He noticed a old stuffed bear in his hands. 
He spoke, “Remember the stories I told you..the ones you would hear us talk about at the diner, how each one of us like to talk bullshit for the characters are real and how they are our parents..I believed in that because I wanted to hope there was a sign they were out there..then..”
“Then all of this happened..” He continued for him, taking it all home, “..you had theses ups and down your whole life..and I walked in. The hot chocolate, the artist in you, the fact that..your looks..I’m your..”
“Yeah..I might need an DNA test to prove it but..”
“Prince Charming..me? I have..how long have you this?”
“For a while now..I-i didn’t know how to tell you or bring it up..because I didn’t think, I couldn’t wrapped by head around it..”
He didn't know whether to believe it or not. He was sure, he wasn't from some fantasy world. But how do you react to the kid who has been staying with you, is now saying you might be their father?
Nikolai walked over placing a hand over his cheek as his thumb rubbed his cheekbone, not knowing where he got his eyes from but he does have his chin, eyebrows, and��well his face in general, for sure. A a quarter of his height for the added measure. But there part of him that he must’ve gotten from his mother..
“Who did I screw to make you?” Came out his question.
The concept of him being his son was still wild to him, he probably needed an DNA test and answers on who the mother was. He has been with a couple of women over the years, so he wonder who is was.
Why come now with the questions? But a part of him could only wonder what came next.
———-
Ahh I am so sorry if this was long! I hope you guys like it. I’ll love to see your comments and insights you might have. Any thoughts on things.
Click here to see what else was happening during all of this
Tags: @missstrawbs2001 @purpleprincessonfyre @meiramel @gcthvile @rickb-chaos @gaminggirlsstuff @wizzzardofoz @thechoooooosenone @luna-d-marsh @rooster-84 @thecavalrywife @cherrysft and etc
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blackgirlnotes · 1 year ago
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All the Words Left Unspoken
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If you're ready to share your heart with someone you can no longer reach, now's the time.
The submission form for Love Letters: To Our Dearly Departed is live and ready for you to write your heart out! Click here to write a letter to someone you wish you could still speak with, whether they be deceased or estranged. Also, please ensure you’re following this blog on Tumblr to see exclusive information and posts regarding this project!
I wanted to take the time to share a bit of my inspiration for this project. One day late last year, I was planning out my content calendar and what I wanted to do to help revive my blogs and social media. As I reached April, I had the sudden idea to discuss grief. In 2006, I lost my mother to pancreatic cancer on April 19th. I was six years old and unable to understand the severity of losing someone so necessary like a mother. As I grew up, I became plagued with back-dated grief and I fell into a deep depression.
At age twenty-four, over eighteen years later, I am still battling complex post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. I write as a way to fill the void the imbalanced chemicals leave in my heart and mind, so the idea to write out how I’ve felt was not a difficult one to come by. When I thought about grief and how I wanted to write about it, I was reminded of a book by St. Clair Detrick-Jules titled My Beautiful Black Hair, which features over 100 authentic stories of Black women sharing their love and journey with their hair. The book was inspired by self-depreciating statements made by Detrick-Jules’ sister as a tool to help her learn to love the features she was born with. I picked up on the idea of writing out one’s struggle with a certain thing and sharing it in hopes of connecting with someone and aiding them on their path of healing.
It was easy for that idea to transform from just “writing out my feelings” to writing a letter, and from there Love Letters was born. I know there are many projects and books that carry this same concept, so I will not claim originality, but what I will do is claim authenticity. My goal with this series isn’t just to boost activity and my brand, because I genuinely no longer care about that. My goal is to create genuine connection. We live in a time where everything is at our fingertips, and yet for some reason true interpersonal human connection is difficult to create and maintain. I want society to work as a community again and yo remember the roots of culture. With Love Letters, I want to scratch an itch that I feel has been lacking in my own communities as well as the global community. We are all connected, whether you believe so or not. What happens to you in Baltimore affects me in Tulsa and what happens to me here affects someone in Palestine. Our actions create rifts and the one comfort we should be able to have is each other.
Whether you choose to write a letter during these next few weeks or if you simply read the letters shared, I hope you are able to reconcile with these unresolved emotions.
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blazehedgehog · 3 years ago
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Hot take: Sally Acorn is an overrated character and other characters already fill any potential roles she could fill in a story.
I mean, yeah, to an extent, you aren't wrong. But the key here is that you're saying "characters." It takes multiple IDW characters to cover the same bases that Princess Sally did by herself.
But I'm not so sure that's a smoking gun that she was overrated. If anything, the fact that her character traits live on suggests she had an important role. Because, yeah, Ian Flynn or whoever can just make up whatever new characters they wanted. They've been introducing a whole new supporting cast, and they could be anything. And in some cases, pieces of Princess Sally are still here, by choice, spread out across Amy and Jewel and Blaze the Cat and whoever else.
I know it was going around for a while to show how we don't really need Ken Penders' characters to return, because we already have better alternatives in IDW. A lot of people are thinking more critically about whether or not we needed any of the Archie Sonic cast, and there's nothing wrong with that.
And it's true. We really, really don't need guys like Geoffrey St. John. But that was also true of Archie Sonic then, too. A dynamic from the original SatAM series was that there was a stupid love triangle between Sonic, Princess Sally, and Antoine. It was there to generate pointless friction. The comics went wild with that and basically suggested that everybody was in love with Princess Sally. Knuckles, Antoine, and Geoffrey St. John, one of the royal guards. It added nothing, and the book lost nothing when Ian Flynn rebooted Geoffrey out of existence (to be honest, I completely forgot about him and never questioned why he wasn't around anymore).
But Sally proved to be a fun foil to Sonic. Not an adversary, not a rival, but a character to bounce his personality off of. An opposite of attraction. I've said it before and I'll say it again, but they kind of completed each other. Sally was Yin to Sonic's Yang.
And if it takes multiple characters to fill the void she leaves in the cast, is that really a sign of something better? Or is that more an indicator that she brought a lot to the book and was ultimately a good character to have?
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klarolinelibrary · 4 years ago
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Hi KC Readers,
After a long break, we are back with our weekly releases! We apologize for the delay but we have reached the end of the week which means we have new weekly releases for you! The stories below were updated during the week of May 22nd - May 28th.
Happy Reading!
FanFiction.Net
Something Like Love (Chapter 8)
Author: Recklessnesspersonified
Rating: M
Length: 20,346
Summary: Klaus Mikaelson was a bad boy, the quintessential jock or so Caroline Forbes had thought until one night their paths cross in the school hallways. He was different, intense and she was falling for him, but soon she finds out it was all a sham. Will she forgive him or would they break up before they confess their true love? AU/AH
Date of update: May 23 2021
Klaus POV - The Trouble with Spells (Chapter 26)
Author: ilovetf
Rating: M
Length: 105,863
Summary: I think the title is self explanatory. The Trouble with Spells as seen through Klaus's eyes and his POV. Over the years, people kept liking this story and some even asked for Klaus POV, so I decided to give it a try. Hope you enjoy it. All feedback is more than welcome. Good or bad.
Date of update: May 23 2021
High Stakes
Author: stardancer10
Rating: M
Length: 4,105
Summary: When Klaus died something in Caroline broke. She could not take anymore of Mystic Falls and she left. In her travels she finds herself doing things that she knew others wouldn't agree with, but she did what she felt was right. It was a gamble she was willing to take, something she felt that she owed him.
Date of update: May 23 2021
Purgatory (Chapter 22)
Author: Scarletborn
Rating: M
Length: 333,312
Summary: Caroline Forbes always thought that evil creatures and demons belonged to Hell. What she did not know was that vampires belonged to Purgatory. A place worse than hell where the only thing that mattered was survival. A place where enemies turned into allies and foes into friends. [Klaus/Caroline AU story set mostly in New Orleans]
Date of update: May 24 2021
The Wolf II (Chapter 11)
Author: yokan87
Rating: T
Length: 4,718
Summary: The Guerreras' threat still looms over the Mikaelson house as Caroline tries to adapt to life as a vampire, away from her daughter. But an unexpected family reunion makes everything worse, taking away the little peace Klaus, Caroline and Elijah managed to find after the war that nearly broke them. [It's TO S2, but Caroline was a witch, had Klaus' baby and now she's a vampire]
Date of update: May 26 2021
Vampires suck (Chapter 4)
Author: Miss.Mystic.Falls
Rating: T
Length: 5,583
Summary: What would happen if Caroline knew about vampires way before the Salvatore brothers come to Mystic Falls.
Date of update: May 28 2021
Archive of Our Own
No Reservations (Chapter 3)
Author:  PumpkinDoodles
Rating: M
Length: 6,890
Summary: Caroline Forbes is having a tiny crisis: her restaurant partner and co-chef has disappeared again and isn't returning her calls. Caroline cannot function without Stefan. Her kitchen staff starts making jokes about getting her meds for irritability and she takes out her issues on helpless chicken breasts. It's not fun on a good day. But when tragedy strikes, Caroline's forced to work with a new chef. She doesn't remember meeting him in New Orleans--but Klaus Mikaelson remembers her.
Date of update: May 22 2021
Sibling Rivalry Redux - Adventures in Polyamory (Chapter 3)
Author: kcatdino
Rating: M
Length: 4,105
Summary: In which Klaus and Rebekah are both bi, their taste in men and women overlaps infuriatingly often, and they argue over their newest shared interest. In which Caroline feels like she might be a sugar baby, but no one’s dating her and she hasn’t gotten any in so long. Like, basically since meeting her new best friends, Klaus and Rebekah. Weird, right?
Date of update: May 22 2021
Darkness Becomes Thee (Chapter 6)
Author: BelleMorte180
Rating: E
Length: 32,424
Summary: Austria 1300s When Klaus met a young girl on a riverbank, he knew that he would one day come back for her. When he looked into her bright blue eyes, he could see a reflection of his own soul, a darkness that lingered inside both of them. When the young girl turned into a beautiful woman with a thirst for blood, his fascination with her turns into obsession. He wants not only her loyalty but her eternity, a possessiveness that is equally returned. or my "Caroline is the serial killer Elizabeth Bathory" au.
Date of update: May 23 2021
The Big Bad Wolf (Chapter 9)
Author: MorningStarGirl666
Rating: M
Length: 66,087
Summary: He was the Big, Bad Wolf of this story, there was no doubt about that. But Caroline? She was the light to his darkness, the moon that shone brighter than even the stars in a sky of endless void. Like every wolf, he fell in love with the moon, and every month, he was destined to cry for a love he would never touch.
Date of update: May 23 2021
Klaus vs the Soulmate Goose
Author: kcatdino
Rating: T
Length: 2,129
Summary: Klaus has met his match in the form of a goose as immortal and obstinate as he is: The Soulmate Goose of Enforcement. Will he succeed in killing the magical creature or will it force him to accept what’s in his heart?
Date of update: May 23 2021
Louder Than Thunder (Chapter 28)
Author: khaleesiofthewolves
Rating: M
Length: 179,641
Summary: All Hell was about to break loose. After dying while protecting a grieving Klaus, Caroline finds herself sent back in time, and she's not who she once was. She's more. Back in Mystic Falls, something else is stirring. After the arrival of a mysterious figure from Klaus' past, it all comes to a head. It really is louder than thunder.
Date of update: May 24 2021
We are young (Chapter 17)
Author: kcatdino
Rating: T
Length: 20,572
Summary: Basically, Klaroline flirt in front of their kids who they are barely older than, and Landon is appropriately confused. Edit: Now a series of one-shots! Edit 2: Oh my god, this has plot now!
Date of update: May 24 2021
Our Time Now (Chapter 4)
Author: perfectpro
Rating: M
Length: 52,838
Summary: Caroline is going to spend her senior year getting into the law school of her choice, leading the cheerleading squad to a nationals title, and passing her sorority presidency to someone who will continue a legacy of excellence. She doesn't have time to figure out what's happening with her relationship with Klaus - not that it's much of a relationship to begin with.
Date of update: May 24 2021
I See Dead Cheerleaders (Chapter 4)
Author: PumpkinDoodles
Rating: M
Length: 7,865
Summary: When Caroline saves Jenna from Klaus's sacrifice ritual and is killed instead, she vows to haunt Klaus Mikaelson forever. Never underestimate the determination of Miss Mystic Falls.
Date of update: May 25 2021
Finding Out the Truth in a Year or Even in a Century
Author: klarolineshipperxoxo
Rating: G
Length: 1,348
Summary: Caroline goes with Stefan to New Orleans in search of Klaus 18 years after the events of TVD 5x22 and TO 1x22 but things don't go as planned and buried feelings are unearthed.
Date of update: May 25 2021
Klaroline Returns (Chapter 2)
Author: kcatdino
Rating: T
Length: 8,010
Summary: The savior of Gotham, Catwoman, is Caroline Forbes, flighty heiress by day. But what happens when her worlds collide in the form of reporter Klaus Mikaelson and her worst supervillain, The Hybrid?
Date of update: May 25 2021
witchy business (Chapter 4)
Author: MaddestMaid3n
Rating: M
Length: 13,783
Summary: "A little birdie told me you might have a book or two that might pique my interest,” “Well, that depends on your interests," Caroline's just trying to survive Marcel's New Orleans. Colluding with an Original was so not on her to-do list.
Date of update: May 25 2021
Klaus’ Thousand Year Plan to be Her Last (Chapter 3)
Author: anncatherine
Rating: T
Length: 4,022
Summary: So these are some missing Klaroline scenes from my Elena/Elijah soulmate fic that I couldn’t include because they either didn’t fit or needed to be form Klaus or Caroline’s pov. I think it would be helpful to read at least the first couple chapters of that for background, but basically at twelve people’s soulmate’s birthday shows up on their wrist.
Date of update: May 26 2021
what a wave you have made
Author: sekretny
Rating: T
Length: 3,413
Summary: “Do you really hate me this much?” She shouts in frustration. Klaus looks her in the eye, their gazes locked in a battle of fiery tempers. “Hate you…” He repeats with every ounce of venom he can muster. After ransacking the contents of his backpack, he removes a sketchbook Caroline has never seen before. He starts to flip furiously through the pages, “You have given me more than enough reasons to hate you, sweetheart,” he spits while he looks for a specific page. He finds it and turns the sketchbook around to show her. Klaus makes his feelings for Caroline visibly clear.
Date of update: May 26 2021
The Concept of Time (Chapter 3)
Author: BelleMorte180  
Rating: E
Length: 19,640
Summary: Pairs, France 1864 After learning some distressing news, Klaus seeks out the advice of a friend in the middle of the night and meets a mysterious woman who leaves him with more questions than answers. She hands him a journal filled with the mad ramblings about time by a man named Lorenzo St. John and sees a curious date tattooed on her shoulder. Klaus can think of little else after their first meeting and tracks her down at a burlesque club in the wrong part of the city. Klaus begins to wonder if he can solve the mystery of Caroline Forbes or simply be lost in what has deemed to be impossible.
Date of update: May 26 2021
Revenge of the Fifth - TVD Edition (Chapter 3)
Author: kcatdino
Rating: M
Length: 6,168
Summary: A star wars AU for vampire dairies for May the Fourth Be with You! Caroline, Bonnie, and Elena are padawan learners at Luke Skywalker’s new Jedi training academy, desperate to prove themselves by taking down some of the new Sith Lords that have popped up. The problem is, those Sith Lords are the Mikaelsons, and each girl has a Mikaelson brother obsessed with them, unwilling to let them come to harm. Will that make it harder or easier for them to triumph over the Dark Side?
Date of update: May 26 2021
Smoke Signals
Author: misssophiachase
Rating: T
Length: 3,017
Summary: "You, you must have been looking for me...sending smoke signals" Professional photographer Caroline Forbes and firefighter Klaus Mikaelson keep running into each other. It’s either the universe playing a joke on them or Katherine’s ‘accidental’ matchmaking. Or maybe it's a bit of both?
Date of update: May 27 2021
Reasons Not to Date a Mikaelson (Chapter 8)
Author: kcatdino
Rating: T
Length: 15,851
Summary: Bonnie and Caroline gain a new roommate for their freshman dorm when a vision leads them to tracking down a pregnant Hayley in the Rockies. Also, Bonnie may or may not have raised a certain dead Original instead of Jeremy and Klaus takes a job at Whitmore teaching, to be annoying. He’s very good at it. This is a season 5 rewrite where the Originals never leave for New Orleans. But you know, with comedy. And increasing angst with every chapter.
Date of update: May 27 2021
if you want me to fall (Chapter 2)
Author: FeyresUnbecoming
Rating: T
Length: 1,807
Summary: Caroline and Klaus scramble out of bed before Rebekah can find the two of them, lest she find out they've been sleeping together.
Date of update: May 27 2021
Good to you - Side Stories and Prompts
Author: originalhybridlover
Rating: T
Length: 801
Summary: So this is going to be a set a side stories or prompts related to my Klaroline story, Good to You
Date of update: May 28 2021
Genuine Beauty: Klaroline Canon-ish Drabble Collection
Author: Klauscarolove
Rating: M
Length: 30,884
Summary: Klaroline Drabble Collection: Close Canon, Canon Compliant, Canon-ish, Canon Universe....... basically if they are vampires in the drabble, it will go here.
Date of update: May 27 2021
Klaroline Storybook (Chapter 44)
Author: misssophiachase
Rating: T
Length: 63,904
Summary: A new selection of Klaroline drabbles
Date of update: May 28 2021
Lost Through Time (Chapter 7)
Author: Life_is_a_fantasy
Rating: Unavailable
Length: 4,173
Summary: What will happen when Hope, Landon, Lizzie and Josie fall through a time portal? Will they change things, even if they don't mean to? How will Klaus react to knowing his daughter has a boyfriend?
Date of update: May 28 2021
When your family is too nosy.... (Chapter 3)
Author: kcatdino
Rating: Unavailable
Length: 4,349
Summary: Klaus’s plan to get back at Rebekah by staying friends with Stefan backfires spectacularly when Stefan and Stefan’s ex-girlfriend Caroline convince him to fake a relationship at his family’s get-together at the beach. Sure, Rebekah will probably assume Caroline’s a prostitute and the rest of his family are too nosy for his own good, but what could go wrong? (I will add a rating later when I decide how explicit the smut will be)
Date of update: May 28 2021
LITTLE TENSE (Chapter 4)
Author: wincefish16
Rating: T
Length: 4,462
Summary: Klaroline's life together as they work in Mikaelson and co. Different snippets of their life. HUMAN, FULL OF FLUFF AND LITTLE BIT OF ANGST.
Date of update: May 28 2021
Like snow we melt, like rain we fall, like the sun we burn, in love. (Chapter 3)
Author: BlackRaven475932
Rating: M
Length: 4,088
Summary: after episode 5x11, Klaroline sex scene. Klaus and Caroline have a secret relationship. Teasing in public, a lot of smut, no one knows. WARNING, this story contains a blood kink in later chapters. If you don't like this then I advise you not to read it. It will occur in later chapters and I will give a warning before the chapter.
Date of update: May 28 2021
The Allure of Darkness (Chapter 2)
Author: Loveyou3000Klaroline
Rating: M
Length: 5,127
Summary: “Anything that’s worth anything is dangerous.” Or... Klaus Mikaelson is the big bad hybrid, but he is the only one who can make Caroline’s world stable. Especially after the lie of her life gets unraveled.
Date of update: May 28 2021
That Pesky Phone
Author: timetravelercat
Rating: T
Length: 1,029
Summary: "What was that?" he asked her curiously. She looked at him, embarrassed— —Wait, Caroline Forbes? Embarrassed?" Just Klaus," she answered simply, not giving him anymore details and averting her eyes. Huh, suspicious.
Date of update: May 28 2021
Ok, Cupids
Author: timetravelercat
Rating: T
Length: 795
Summary: Klaus and Caroline sign Stefan into an online dating site.
Date of update: May 28 2021
Available On Both Websites
FFN: The Traitor and the Coward (Chapter 6)
AO3: The Traitor and the Coward (Chapter 6)
Author: Uppity Bitch
Rating: M
Length: 10,677
Summary: Klaroline AU supernatural multi-chap - Original!Caroline has spent lifetimes running from her lover and his family. Despite the centuries of loneliness, she regrets nothing. Soon, she'll bring an end to this madness. Or bring the madness full circle.
Date of update: May 23 2021
FFN: What You Always Wanted
AO3: What You Always Wanted
Author: Eliliyah
Rating: M
Length: 2,646
Summary: After waiting a thousand years for her husband to break his hybrid curse, Caroline realizes Klaus neglected to mention that his next step was to build an army. Furious, she leaves him alone in Mystic Falls. Knowing there's only one way to make it up to her, Klaus shows up on her doorstep with the one person who can get him back in her good graces: their old friend, Stefan.
Date of update: May 26 2021
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paceypeternathanslawyer · 4 years ago
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Another Top 10 Female TV Characters (In no particular order)
I posted something like this before but I added some favorite characters and I had to get my feelings down in writing :) You can read my other post, but in summation, the characters I mentioned before were: El Hopper, Anne Shirley, Lorelai Gilmore, Annie Edison, Joyce Byers, Paris Geller, Lois Lane, Jess Day, Midge Maisel, and Millie Helper.
Joey Potter (Dawson’s Creek):
Joey is one of the best characters in Dawson’s Creek. In my opinion the show should have been called “Joey’s Creek” :) She was a far more interesting character than Dawson. I haven’t finished the show yet so I don’t have too much to say about her, but from what i’ve heard she finally achieves her dreams and ends the series in a happy place, which makes me happy. What I do know is that Joey is extremely driven, creative, and smart. She’s also a character who has been through so much and has made it to the other side to be a very strong and kind person. 
Rory Gilmore (Gilmore Girls):
Alexis doesn’t get enough love for her portrayal of Rory. You gotta figure that this was Alexis’ first role ever and she was able to show a lot of emotion in this part, while also being extremely adept at the comedy as well. Rory had her ups and downs but i’ve always been a Rory defender. She’s not perfect, but I also would say that makes her a well rounded character. She’s smart, kind, and an amazing friend. 
Robin Buckley (Stranger Things):
Robin was such an important and fun addition to Stranger Things. She immediately brought such a new and dynamic atmosphere to the show. She’s a genuis... I mean, she fucking cracked a professional Russian code in a day. She’s hilarious and Maya is a tremendous actress. How she can go into a really serious and emotional scene and then go straight into a hilarious scene where she’s high with Steve is just simply amazing.
Veronica Mars (Veronica Mars):
Veronica Mars is my favorite character in the original  3 seasons of Veronica Mars. She’s talented, badass, and snarky/really funny. Veronica is a character who could benefit from therapy, but she’s very stubborn and in the 4th season seems to be adverse to the idea of going to therapy. She has been through more than any high schooler should go through. Even before the events of the 1st season. Her parents divorce, she is raped at a high school party, her best friend is murdered, her father, who was the sheriff at the time, accused her boyfriend’s father of killing her friend/her boyfriend’s sister. Because of that event, her and her boyfriend broke up and she lost her group of friends. Hopefully you followed with that last one cause it’s pretty complicated lol. And that’s just the events before the 1st season. Despite that or possibly because of that, Veronica has become a very strong and tenacious girl with a strong love of justice. She is also a loyal friend. 
Jeannie Nelson (I Dream Of Jeannie):
Jeannie is so sweet and loyal. She is my favorite character in I Dream Of Jeannie. There is truly never a dull moment with Jeannie around. She’s brings the crazy into any situation and I mean that in the best way possible. No, but seriously she is such a positive and sweet character until you cross her and then as a magical genie you will wish you had never been born ;) Also what fun Barbara must have had playing that character, not only because of all the crazy situations she got to play, but also Jeannie had the best wardrobe ever!
Laura Petrie (The Dick Van Dyke Show):
Laura was such a unique TV character for the time. In the early days of Television there were usually two types of women characters. You had the June Cleaver, stay at home, always dressed immaculately in a dress and apron, always there for some sage advice for her children type of character. And then you had the nagging wife/magnet for trouble like Lucy Ricardo. I don’t want to do too much of a disservice to Lucy cause she is a very beloved TV character and in some ways was very ahead of her time. Yet Laura was very different than those two types of characters. She was supremely real in every way. She wore pants a lot, she had breakdowns because at times being a stay at home mom was difficult and thankless, she talked like a real person would not like a June Cleaver or a Donna Stone. She was funny, talented. At one point, Sally was taking a leave of absence from Rob’s TV show that he was a head writer for and Laura asked to help out in any way. Rob agreed for her to be a typist for them, to at least fill some of the void of Sally’s absence. During that time, Laura actually comes up with some jokes and helps with the writing of the show as well.  She was a dancer, she is proficient in self defense. She was truly an amazing character and so unique for an early 1960s TV show.
Olivia Dunham (Fringe):
Anna was an actress who took me completely by surprise. The first few episodes of Fringe, I didn’t feel like she was such an amazing actress, yet as the show went on, Anna really showed herself to be an Emmy worthy actor. She got to play so many different versions of this character as well. She played the original Olivia and then we meet Olivia from an alternate universe and there are some big ways and some subtle ways that those two versions of Olivia are different. There’s a character named William Bell and he is played by Leonard Nimoy. For a stretch of like three episodes, Olivia gets inhabited by William Bell. So it’s Anna Torv doing a hilarious and really well done impression of Leonard Nimoy/his character in Fringe, her mannerisms are so funny in those episodes!! Yes, this show probably sounds crazy.... it is but in the best possible way, everyone should go watch it :) I remember when I became endeared to her character. It was when I saw her interact with her niece, Ella. It showed such a soft and real side of her. She’s a protector, she’s badass, she’s an incredible mother, wife, sister, friend, and aunt.
Astrid Farnsworth (Fringe):
Astrid is such a fun character in Fringe. She’s very endearing and real and funny. I’m sad that during the run of the show, we didn’t get to see more of her, but all that we did get was so much fun. The lab scenes are some of my favorites. The dynamic of Astrid, Walter, and Peter is just the best! Also the alternate universe Astrid is the purest and sweetest angel and must be protected at all costs :)
Sookie St James (Gilmore Girls):
The character of Sookie was really important in my opinion she is a beautiful plus size woman where her size did not define her, she was not the butt of the joke. She is a well respected chef, a loving mother, friend, and wife. When people think of Melissa McCarthy, they don’t typically first think of this role, but in my opinion it’s the best role of her career. She’s very funny in this part, but it’s a different and more low key kind of comedy than some people are used to seeing her in. BTW Drunk Sookie is iconic!! LOL
Lane Kim (Gilmore Girls):
Another character in Gilmore Girls that is underappreciated. She an incredibly talented drummer and she largely taught herself to play the drums. I can’t remember if the music store owner ever taught her but I feel like didn’t. I think she just let her use the display drums until Lane could buy them. Lane is funny and cool and a supportive friend. All the actors in Gilmore Girls were great at the dramatic bits as well, and Keiko was no different, some of those scenes between Lane and Mrs Kim really broke my heart which is credit to Emily and Keiko’s acting ability.
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stephkaylor · 4 years ago
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FAVES and FAILS: The Vampire Diaries
So I have decided that since The Vampire Diaries has a spin off, The Originals, I am going to divide the characters based on where they appeared the most. So on this list I will be talking about the Salvatores, the Petrova/Gilbert line, the Bennets and Caroline, etc. but I will discuss the Mikaelsons, Hayley, etc. on their own list with the other characters that appeared on The Originals mostly. As always, spoilers are abound as I will discuss storylines and character arcs below, so be warned of that.  In any case, here’s my FAVES and FAILS for The Vampire Diaries. 
FAVORITE MALE CHARACTER: Damon Salvatore
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Could it be anyone else? I don’t think so. He’s a delightful little sociopathic shit and I love everything about him. He is 99% id and 1% ego, if that, and even when I hated him, I loved him (god, I sound like Elena…). In any case, love this man, five stars, would recommend, chef’s kiss. 
LEAST FAVORITE MALE CHARACTER: …I think Matt Donovan…?
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Ugh, it’s hard to pick between Matt, Tyler, and Jeremy, but I think it has to be Matt. I never enjoyed his judgey attitude against everything supernatural, he seemed pretty whiney most of the time, and he was just genuinely uninteresting for the majority of the show.  Not into it. Pass.
FAVORITE FEMALE CHARACTER: Katherine Pierce (Katarina Petrova)
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I thought about giving this post to Caroline by default, but if it comes down to it, Katherine nudges her way into the top spot. Katherine gave no fucks, knew what she wanted and was unapologetic about how she went about getting it, and an all around bad bitch. Was she primarily evil? Yes. But, to be honest, it never really bothered me. 
LEAST FAVORITE FEMALE CHARACTER: Bonnie Bennet
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God, this woman was annoying. She was hypocritical, judgmental, and far too holier than thou for me to swallow her bullshit. She constantly played favorites with Caroline and Elena (I’m sorry, you hold Caroline becoming a vampire against her for like two seasons, but when Elena becomes one, it’s not her fault? Sure.). She hated all supernatural creatures because they “go against nature”, but it’s totally chill for you to perform sacrificial magic to get what you want, unleashing a terrible evil in the process (but it’s not her fault). How she nearly excommunicated Caroline just because she stayed with Stefan after Stefan killed Enzo, as if it was her fault in any way. How everyone treated her like she was a special little unicorn because she’s a Bennet Witch and she’s so magical, like, please, gag me. I could go on, but I honestly cannot be bothered. Hard pass. 
THE CHARACTER THAT DESERVED BETTER: Caroline Forbes
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She was essentially shunned by all of her friends and family for becoming a vampire, even though she didn’t choose to become one at all. Also, she was basically used as collateral damage for the entire Salvatores and Gilberts versus The Mikaelsons debacle just because Klaus liked her. She was always the second choice no matter what the situation was (unless it’s her being impregnated with magical twins without her consent and then guilted into carrying the babies, but poor Alaric just lost his wife. I’m sorry, unless it’s your uterus, shut the fuck up). I’ll just be over here doing what exactly NO ONE on the show did, and pick Caroline first.
DEADWEIGHT CHARACTER WE SHOULD’VE DUMPED IN 2009: Tyler Lockwood
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I couldn’t pick Matt twice, so Tyler, I guess. He was selfish, a terrible boyfriend to both Caroline and also Liv later, and if I have to hear that boy whine about his fucking sire bond one more time I will literally throw my laptop off of a bridge. 
UNDERHYPED CHARACTER: Lorenzo “Enzo” St. John
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Honestly, he’s one of the one things that made the last few seasons of the show bearable.  His delightful British rogue was a lovely way to fill the void that the Mikaelsons left in my heart, his devil-may-care attitude was man-made-manifest of what I was always thinking while watching the show, his BFF relationship with Damon and later Caroline was a joy to watch, and he was way too good for Bonnie. 
OVERHYPED CHARACTER: Alaric Saltzman
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He is marginally more bearable right now on Legacies, but he annoyed the shit out of me while he was on the first show. Does he hate vampires or is he best friends with them? Does he want to be a hunter or does he want to stay away from anything supernatural of any kind? Also, he (along with nearly everyone else) basically guilted Caroline into carrying his magical siphoner babies, which is a touch too icky for me…
SHIP YOU WOULD SELL YOUR SOUL FOR: Delena (Damon and Elena)
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Could it be anyone else? I never shipped Stelena, as I found both Stefan annoying and Elena too woe-is-me while she was with him. She made Damon want to be a better person and he made her embrace who she really was, monster and all. They had a perfect balance between themselves, and it was a joy to watch. He got the girl, guys. 
SHIP YOU JUST WERE’N THAT INTO: Steroline (Stefan and Caroline)
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They were just too…meh. I was entirely uninterested in them, whatsoever, and isn’t that even worse than a ship that you hate? I used their scenes for a bathroom break or to get a snack, as I was guaranteed to miss nothing interesting or important while they were on screen. 
CHARACTER YOU LOVE TO HATE/FAVORITE VILLAIN: Kai Parker
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What does it say about me that all of my favorite characters are violent psychopaths…? I’m just going to leave that to be unpacked with the future therapists I’m bound to hire. Kai was the perfect evil. He was powerful, purposeful, and unapologetically demonic in the very best way. I could watch him terrorize my favorite characters forever and not get bored.  Perfection.
FAVORITE STORYLINE: Stefan and Damon’s Brotherhood
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If you don’t think this is what the show was about at it’s core, you’re wrong. They loved each other, they hated each other, they died for each other, they killed for each other, and, ultimately, they let nothing and nobody come between them. If you asked me who Damon loved more, Elena or Stefan, I COULD NOT answer you, and isn’t that just the fucking point?!
STORYLINE WE COULD’VE DONE WITHOUT: Magical Babies
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I know that a major reason this was even a storyline is because Candice Accola got pregnant, but still…how? Like…she is a vampire..? She is unable to biologically change…? Like can someone grab me a biology textbook and explain how this a thing that can happen BIOLOGICALLY, please? I get that they are mythical creatures, so science doesn’t mean much here, but it just doesn’t make sense in any universe. Also, as I said above, the fact that Caroline was impregnated without her consent and then largely guilted into carrying the babies is a touch too rape-y for me…
BIGGEST PLOTHOLE: Do they go to school, or…? 
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Like, are they just compelling the teachers to not notice them not attending class like 90% off the time? Also, how do the people in Mystic Falls not know anything about the supernatural? Like, they aren’t subtle AT ALL so how do they keep sliding under the radar? Also, in a lesser way, how are hybrid witch/vampires a thing? Like, I thought if a witch dies (like they would have to if they become a vampire), they lose their magic…?Make it make sense, Julie!
MOST HEARTBREAKING MOMENT: Damon Dies (the first time)
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Honestly one of the saddest moments in the entire series was Damon’s ghost watching Elena lose it when he doesn’t make it back from the Other Side. They were finally happy and together and they can only enjoy it for like five minutes before it goes to shit. Why, Julie??!
BIGGEST EYEROLL MOMENT: Magical Babies (again)
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I try to not use something twice on this list but COME ON. This was ridiculous and I do not support this in any way.  (Also this twin bullshit is still fucking annoying on Legacies, if anyone was wondering).
MOST SHOCKING MOMENT (any spit-takes?): Elena forces Kathrine to take The Cure
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This was one of the moments that I literally gasped aloud. Most of the time the foreshadowing on these shows is seen from miles away, but I honestly did not see this coming at all. Also, Kathrine was basically the LAST person who wanted that cure so it’s crazy that she was the one to end up taking it and turning human.
MOST BADASS MOMENT: Kathrine kisses Damon at the end of Season 1
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Like I said before, she is the original BAD BITCH of the show (not an actual Original, but you know what I mean…) and this was an amazing entry for the character who would be, largely, the villain of the series. It played on the feelings that Damon is developing for Elena, it finally introduced the person who started it all for the Salvatores, and it showed us exactly who she is at her core, and that she isn’t sorry about it at all.
SERIES FINALE SATISFACTORY LEVEL (use no words, just gifs):
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OVERALL MARKS OUT OF TEN (10 being this show has changed your life for the better, you happily rewatch the series over and over, and the show has made your life better in some way. 1 being this show gave you nothing but trust issues, a stomach ulcer, and high blood pressure, and you honestly do not know why you did this to yourself) 
7 out of 10. 
I look back on The Vampire Diaries with the kind of fondness that only comes from a bizarre mix of nostalgia and incredulity. When scenes from this series show up on my instagram feed or on my Youtube recommended page, an involuntary smile creeps across my face without me realizing. I could do without like half of the characters and some entire seasons were completely unnecessary to watch, but it gave me some of my very favorite characters and ships, and spawned an entire universe that I still enjoy to this day. This magical, crazy, beautiful world was a joy to experience, even when it made me want to beat my head against a wall at least once per season.
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If you want to see the other ones I have made, here's the original post with links. x  Hope you like these! (I say to probably no one...)
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swissmissficrecs · 5 years ago
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Schools and universities
2 years ago, I made a list of fics where Sherlock and John are students in high school, college, or university. I have some more to add now, plus fics where they are either instructors or investigating a case in an academic setting.
Academic Eros by deuxexmycroft (47K, NR, Johnlock) It's John's last year doing theory at university before he starts training in a hospital. But to get there, he first has to pass the infamous Dr Sherlock Holmes' Biochemistry paper ...
After School Special by Sexxica (38K, E, Johnlock) Not even his fantasies could have prepared John for what happens when he is caught hiding under his chemistry teacher's desk. The prospect of detention has never been so exciting. Cooperative Principle by bendingsignpost (56K, E, Johnlock) As the newest instructor at St. Bart's, John has been explicitly warned to never do Sherlock Holmes any favours. Too bad the sex is so good. First-order Idiots by weweretold (54K, E, Johnlock) At a conference, Sherlock Holmes, researcher in deductive reasoning at St. Bartholomew College of Engineering, meets John Watson, military robotics researcher at Polytechnical University of Kabul.    "We’ve only just met and we’re going to work on a research grant proposal together?”    “Problem?” How to Sleep with Your Enemy in One Semester by 221b_careful_what_you_wish_for (9K, M, Johnlock) Visiting professors John Watson and Sherlock Holmes are longtime academic rivals — and now unwilling office mates — at a prestigious American university. When their tense arguments give way to an undercurrent of mutual attraction, their war of wits turns into something more personal — until it goes off course. A party, a phone number, and deserted office at night might just bring them back together. 
Learning Curve by thpontiacbandit (41K, M, Johnlock) John is a Kindergarten teacher. One of his students, a boy named Henry Holmes, refuses to speak in school. John is determined to get to the bottom of it, and that is how he meets Sherlock Holmes.
Love or What You Will by miss_frankenstein (31K, T, Johnlock) John is an English professor who specializes in War and Post-War Literature and Sherlock is the brilliant yet impossible Ph.D. student assigned to be his TA because no one in the Chemistry Department is willing to put up with him. And - somewhere between Waugh and Plath, e-mails and takeaway, novels and villanelles - they fall in love. 
My Love, My Game, My Vocation by jaradel (42K, T, Johnlock) Fifteen-year-old John Watson is one of the youngest students to be admitted to winter term at Pacific Tech. That's not all - Professor Moriarty has chosen John as the new lead for his most important project, where he'll be working with young physics genius Sherlock Holmes. But nothing is quite what John expects when he finds out he's rooming with Sherlock... Oh, and there's an evil plot to thwart! 
On The Fence by BeautifulFiction (13K, T, Johnlock) The murder of the King's College fencing champion leads to revelations about Sherlock's past. Will it be the point that tips them from friends to lovers, or will they remain on the fence? 
Parallel by brbsoulnomming (77K, M, Johnlock, OFC/OFC) There's a case at a secondary school/University, some series of threats or string of bizarre murders that has the entire campus shaken. In the course of the investigation, Sherlock and John meet two students. One is well liked if not popular, athletic, intelligent without showing off, involved only because they were close to a victim or witnessed something important. The other is a loner with no regard for social norms, an insufferable genius, always in the chem lab, and involved because everyone, including teachers/professors, think they're behind everything.Sherlock and John are responsible for these two meeting. And, because they both want to help with the investigation, they get to watch them become friends and fall a little in love. And that makes them feel things about themselves that they've been working very hard to not feel, thank you.
Point of Maximal Impulse by Smirkdoctor (orphaned) (15K, E, Johnlock) Today was the first standardized patient interaction, and John was nervous, and very nearly late. He knew it was silly, but the act of finally introducing himself as “Doctor Watson”, of laying hands on another living, breathing human aside from his learning partner for physical exam maneuvers...in a medical capacity...well, it felt huge. He took one last deep breath and rapped three times on the door of exam room 221-B, listening for acknowledgement from the patient within. “Oh, do come in,” drawled the richest baritone voice John had ever heard.
Rhyme by parachute_silks (72K, M, Johnlock, OFC/OFC) Sophie Heaney is suspected of killing her mother and her mother's lover; John and Sherlock arrive at Oxford University to work out whether that's true. In the course of their investigation they can't help but notice some uncomfortable parallels between Sophie's relationship with her friend Amy and their own increasingly tension-filled friendship. *Feelings* ensue, which the two not-quite-couples attempt to deal with while simultaneously trying to catch a murderer.
stay (just a little bit longer) by subtext-is-my-division (15K, E, Johnlock) John may not be an expert, but he's pretty sure that shagging your ex is a bloody awful idea.(Shame the sex is so good, though.)
Teacher's Pet by Rehfan (40K, E, Johnlock) Captain John Watson decides to teach Anatomy and Physiology at Sherlock's uni. Lucky for Sherlock. The Baker Street Nativity by SwissMiss (99K, E, Johnlock) Fusion between Sherlock (BBC) and Nativity! (2009 movie starring Martin Freeman). Sherlock is a primary school teacher and John is assigned to be his classroom assistant. Together, they are charged with putting on the school's Nativity play. What could possibly go wrong?
The Boötes Void by J_Bailler (24K, M, Johnlock) Research time at the telescopes of Cambridge's Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory is a highly sought-after resource for the university's postgraduate students. On a swelteringly hot summer weekend, there is a bit of a cock-up with the bookings… The Burning Life by Morwen_Maranwe (229K, E, Johnlock, Warstan) After being shot and invalided from the Army, John is living a despondent life with a wife who has no respect and no love for him any longer, yet he is desperate to make their marriage work. In a last ditch effort to save their marriage, he moves them out of London and to some small, nameless town where his good friend, Mike Stamford, has been able to get him a job as a teacher at a secondary school. There he meets a teenage boy who he has an undeniable connection to, and who has the ability to make his life seem less meaningless. Though he knows that it’s wrong, John just can’t stop the relationship he is developing with Sherlock from growing. It slowly begins to spiral out of control, consuming his entire life like a wild fire and changing him in ways he didn’t think were possible anymore. The Camford Dares by writerfan2013 (17K, T, Johnlock) Sherlock is being mysterious and secretive and John is being particularly stubborn and their annoying case in a well-known university town is not helping anything. Case!fic! Mystery and infuriation but ultimately johnlock.
Wait by roselavy (78K, E, Johnlock) Liberal arts AU. Sherlock Holmes is a reclusive literary writer in need of a flatmate after burning through his latest book advance, John Watson is midway through a PhD in art history.
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yeaahishowedupatyourparty · 4 years ago
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RUBY ROSINI - PLOTS 
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don’t be offended if any of our ex-plots aren’t included. it’s probably because they’ve died out. i’m always open to revising them.
full name: ruby eleanor rosini year: third year birthday: december 23rd, capricorn  sexuality: bisexual  big three: capricorn sun, sagittarius moon, libra rising.  career: musician  hogwarts house: gryffindor  mbti type: enfp
SECRET: ruby is adopted, that isn’t a secret. what people don’t know, though, is that she actively sought out her birth family on her 18th birthday and tracked them down to a known mafia group in italy. she didn’t know this information before writing to them; now that they know her location and her other family, she sends them money to keep them quiet and away from her. 
TAKEN 
Rosalie - Her very recent ex-girlfriend. It’s a painful topic for Ruby. She ended things because of her own insecurities that were constantly being highlighted when they were together. Rosalie is most people’s idea of stunning and Ruby wasn’t able to stop feeling inferior and jealous. She knew it wasn’t Rosalie’s fault but it got to a point where she was miserable and never wanted to go out because she’d obsess over not looking right or being “the ugly one”. She does her best just not to talk to Rosalie at all because it’s all very raw and while she’s hurting, she doesn’t want to cave and get back together because it’ll hurt. 
Issy - Issy is Ruby’s biological little sister, but nobody actually knows that, including Ruby. Ruby had been adopted by Edwin and Jonah way before Issy was born and then when Issy was born, she moved to Australia with her adoptive father. The girls have had very different upbringings; Ruby is an adopted part of one of the richest family’s in the world, Issy has lived a life of massive abuse.  Elodie - Elodie is an adopted sister of Ruby’s. Her parents didn’t set out to adopt another child but after a long series of events and a shady business partner of Edwin’s, they adopted her. Ruby and Elodie are close for the most part and Ruby adores her, but she does often feel like her parents are being taken away from her. It’s an insecurity thing and she always comes around in the end. 
Dallas - Dallas is Ruby’s ex-boyfriend and they were also each other’s firsts. They went to Gallagher together and also both signed on for St Judes in the same year. Even when they separated, they remained really good friends and Ruby felt a sense of protectiveness over him, especially during the times where people would hate on him or try to paint him as something he’s not. She’s one of the few people who you’d never catch speaking badly about him and will jump in if she hears someone else doing so. 
Kobi - Her best friend at this point. Kobi has produced Ruby’s albums from Dangerous Woman onwards. They share the same vision and Ruby actually couldn’t imagine working without her. 
OPEN FOR MALES
/
OPEN FOR FEMALES 
Pop rivals - I think it’s very much like this so I may as well make a plot out of it; maybe a fellow female artist who she’s often pitted against/has supposed drama with. I feel like Ruby isn’t the type to get too petty but if she feels like she’s being attacked, she’ll of course stick up for herself. It could even be that the insider sent out a fake quote from one person about her and the drama has sparked from there. 
OPEN FOR EITHER 
Close Friends (2) - I honestly feel like a lot of her friendship plots have fallen off or they just dry up when they get better connections. So, I’d really like her to have two close friends that she’s kept all through childhood. They didn’t necessarily have to grow up in Violet Springs, but maybe they met on a family holiday or something. I feel like she sometimes needs people to confide in rather than always being the one doing the listening. 
FWB/Flings - I really want a period of time where she’s known for having flings and there’s a lot of “is she dating this person or that person?” Especially after learning Rosalie is closer to Elora now, I feel like she’d be desperate to fill that void and wouldn’t always make the best judgement on who she’s getting with. The messier these flings are, the better pls. 
New Aritsts to Mentor - She’s done it a few times with Jiwon and Everleigh, but they kind of have their own thing now. I’d love for her to have someone who’s trying to break into music to take under her wing. I feel like Ruby DEFINITELY isn’t someone desperate to be on top or “artist of the year” lmao, she just has a passion and a talent and likes to put her feelings to paper. I think she’d definitely do everything she could to help out someone who maybe isn’t as established as her. 
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irwintry · 6 years ago
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Black Leather
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Warnings: swearing, alcohol, drugs
Summary: Calum is in a small band in the mid-90s, and Y/N stumbles into his show one weekend in October.
Word Count: 7k
Among the sea of eyes, his were the ones that stood out.
The bus had stopped by too soon. In the four minutes it took to walk to the stop, you were running instead, lungs heavy while hot coffee sloshed onto your jeans. After twenty minutes passed, you were headed down Broadway on the 68 bus, your fingers twitching against your knees to the sounds of morning commuters. You were late. You were so fucking late.
The sprint to Sever Hall hadn’t been worth the energy. It hadn’t been worth the splattered burn, red splayed in dripped shapes against your thigh. It hadn’t been worth the asthma induced, cross-country sprint, one that left you wheezing in the hallway outside of your classroom. When you stumbled into the room, it was a hundred-eyed gaze, and you soon realized you had been better off skipping altogether.
“Sorry,” you breathed out, holding your chest high as you met each pair of eyes staring you down.
He had been looking at you. His lips were tugged into an unfamiliar smile while his dark brows rose in surprise. It wasn’t an appearance he wore often, and it kept you frozen in place. You were used to the frown and the rigid stare.
You managed a small smile in his direction before finding a seat toward the back.
You knew his name. You knew his face. You knew that he had come from outside of the states. But that was the gross extent of your knowledge of Calum, other than the dingy attire and the fact that he was more brilliant than you would ever know. He spoke in class on the rare occasion, and the words that flowed from his lips were dripping in pure gold.
And on the back page of your notebook, you kept his quotes in black ink. You wrote what you could hear through his soft mumbles, and you wondered why he kept so quiet with a mind as beautiful as his.
He kept his nose in a book. You spent the last month and a half studying him when you could, mentally tracing over the creases in his skin when an unsettling opinion was spoken in class. You thought about how bright his smile was despite having never seen it. You thought about how his deep brown eyes would look in the sun. You thought about his taste in music, and you wondered if you would ever know him the way you longed to.
You were caught up in your daydream when his eyes flickered over. His stare pulled you out from the swirling headspace, and you were quick to regain your involvement in the professor’s voice. Yet, despite the collected exchange, you could still feel his gaze. It was a heavy and mysterious gaze, the kind that elicited unwarranted shivers. But you didn’t mind it. The sensation sparked desirable nerves.
The next fifty minutes were spent in a distracted haze. Even the tragedy of Oedipus could not compare to the hope of delving into Calum’s personality. He was well reserved, and you ached to crack his code. You ached to be the source of his rare smiles.
That had been the reason behind your abstracted mind. He had smiled when you walked in.
You wondered about it for the next few hours, your brain preoccupied as you absentmindedly stepped around leaves on the pathway. You kept your head low on your way to Sage’s while the crisp wind nipped at any exposed skin. Scuffed shoes met shallow puddles along the pavement, and you were careful to avoid muddy spots against the lawn. The pole of posters beside Hollis Hall suddenly tore you out of the moment.
You looked beyond the anti-gentrification and political agenda signs. You looked beyond club meetings and tutor session invitations. The one poster that caught your eye was crumpled and torn, and it read:
Knight Knuckles. Slip Tit. Mudslide. Killed for Casualty.
8pm, Oct. 13th. $2 Coverage.
87 Linden St, Allston, Mass.
You reached around for your backpack, pulled out your notebook, and wrote down the address. You weren’t going to go, you told yourself. It wasn’t your scene–– it would never be. You shut the notebook and stuffed it back into your bag, mind returning to thoughts of Calum and the sandwich you were about to indulge in. To finish your day, you made small rounds through Harvard Square and stopped by the poetry shop to further indulge in unlikely necessities. All thoughts of Calum ceased.
-
The back door was cracked open. A few guys sat on the steps before it, each with a cigarette in hand and a beer in the other, and they were laughing at some offensive joke while you stepped around them. They weren’t worth the hassle of arguing against–– they would simply make their opinions overshadow yours with the use of their superiority complexes. So, you stepped inside, and the hot air swelled around you.
About a dozen strangers crowded into the small kitchen, and another few were cramped into the living room. The home was void of any furniture, but you weren’t shocked. The squalid interior with its spray-painted walls and missing floorboards was proof that hardly a soul lived here. At least, you hoped.
You slipped two dollar bills into a jar, and a man with an eyebrow piercing grabbed your hand and stamped a bright red mark onto it without saying a word.
“Watcha want there, Maggie May?” asked another man. He was leaned up against the fridge, and he had a few piercings as well.
You rolled your eyes. “Eat my ass.”
The girl beside him snorted. “He wants to know what you want to drink,” she said. “Also, I love you. I’m Tori.”
“Hey, yeah, you too,” you sighed out, slipping your jacket from off of your shoulders. The discomfort was evident. “Y/N. Not Maggie May. And, what do you have?”
“Mostly just Pabst,” she replied and tilted her own beer your way. “Beer and stuff.”
You nodded. “I’ll take that.”
Tori lightly shoved the man away from the fridge to retrieve a beer for you. When your fingers brushed, she smiled. “What brings you here, then, Y/N? It’s usually the same crowd ‘round here.”
“Dunno,” you mumbled. “Don’t usually come to a lot of stuff like this, so I figured I’d give it a shot. It was kind of a last-minute decision.” You popped the drink open and took a sip. The taste was foul and cheap, yet you kept the sweating can close to your chest.
“Makes sense,” replied Tori. Her eyes narrowed, and it felt as though she was reading you like an open book. “Do you even know anybody here?”
You shook your head. “Not a soul.”
“Cool.” She grinned. A few people made their way downstairs. “See you down there, Maggie May. I’ll dedicate the first song to your poor, lost soul.”
You had begun to retaliate when she left your company, and you soon followed the pack down the narrow steps into the basement. The first level was Barbie’s Dream House in comparison. Down below, you were met with concrete floors and a harsh smell of piss and weed. A make-shift space was filled with boxes and trash bags, plus a stained futon over in the corner. Christmas lights were hung around pillars beside the performance space, and wires were scattered like snakes over empty boxes of Marlboro. You could only imagine how much turmoil the oriental rugs below the drum kit had been through. You pushed through bodies and stood below a mural, meanwhile admiring the glossy eyes of handsome strangers beside you. A cute man offered you a joint, and you politely refused.
The first band was ear blood, but you recognized the need for courtesy. You nodded along to the screeching noises, wishing you had bought earplugs specifically for the occasion. The second band’s sound had little representation, yet the tunes were simple, and the lyrics were crude. The can of Pabst was warm against your skin. A half-hour later, the third band had finished their set. Tori fulfilled her promise of dedicating her song to you, and you greeted the feeling of eyes like an old friend.
You leaned against the cinderblock wall and ran your fingernails along the rim of your beer. The night had been going on for longer than expected. You needed to use the bathroom as well, but you wouldn’t be caught dead using it here. A stinging dissonance filled the tight space, and you returned your gaze onto the final band.
And then your eyes met a familiar figure. A tall, mysterious figure with an infamous leather jacket stretched across broad shoulders. Small, dark hand tattoos stood out against his brown skin.
“Yeah, uh, we are Killed for Casualty,” spoke the lead singer. His voice was soft, just like the golden curls that framed his face. You had a feeling you would like this band. “Let’s fucking rock, then.”
A series of blaring chord progressions filled the small space, and the crowd came back to life. The crash cymbals drowned out the lead singer’s voice, but you hardly cared about the quality of the music. You hardly had the energy to enjoy the melody when all you could focus on was the man behind the bass. All you could see were his furrowed brows and his deep frown. His eyes shut tight as his body swayed with the beat.
You hid behind shoulders. You hid behind the thought of his smile and sweet voice melting against your skin. His lips touched the mic every time he sang, and you couldn’t look away. Calum had a light aura–– it didn’t matter what clothes or expression he wore. You saw another part of him, yet you didn’t even know him.
You nestled rim of your beer beneath your front teeth while you moved with the crowd, head bobbing along to songs you had heard on the radio before. There were songs you didn’t recognize, too, and those were the ones Calum lost himself in. So, you lost yourself in them as well.
“Holy shit, you guys are awesome,” said the other guitarist. His light fringe was surely a sight, but you admired his adrenaline. He had a bubbly, boisterous attitude that you longed to have in your life.
Calum’s face lit up as his eyes scanned the crowd. You hadn’t assumed he would ever see you, but the world froze when he did. Your blood ran cold as his smile fell, and you were seconds away from slipping into a fit of self-doubt before his smile grew again. And then he winked.
He had winked at you and resumed with the set as if it never happened.
You hugged your jacket against your body, heart stuttering at the thought of his flirtatious nature directed toward you. You had finally seen his genuine smile, and you had been the reason behind it, too. The music was drowned out by the thoughts in your head.
“Thanks, guys,” said the lead singer, his eyes bright as he spoke. “I’ve been Luke. That’s Calum on bass. Ryan on drums. Michael on guitar. We’ve been Killed for Casualty. Thanks for comin’ out.”
You took a deep breath, meanwhile, the crowd thinned out as the band packed up their things. You made your way along with the strangers, yet your plans to duck out were torn to shreds by a tap on your shoulder. The tap was quick–– almost as if it had been a mistake, but when you turned to face the culprit, Calum stood before you. And he was grinning from ear to ear.
“Hey,” he said, crossing his arms over his chest. “Didn’t expect t’see you here.”
You shrugged. “Figured there was no better way to spend a Saturday night other than listening to music I’ve never heard before in my life.”
Calum laughed. “Oh, c’mon. I’m sure you’ve heard of Radiohead.”
“Oh, duh.”
His smile never died. He was looking at you, truly looking at you with crinkly eyes that you wanted to get lost in. “We–– uh, we have another show next weekend. It’d be sick if you came.”
“Yeah?” you asked, raising a brow, to which he reciprocated your gesture. “You really want me to come? Do you even know my name?” Your teasing tone hardly fazed him.
“Course,” he said. “You’re Y/N, and you’re almost always late to our Tragedy in Literature class. Like, always late.”
You pouted. “Don’t blame me. Blame the MBTA,” you replied, and he laughed.
“I always blame the MBTA.”
“It’s really the worst, isn’t it?” you asked him, and you felt yourself softening into the comfort of the conversation. In a matter of hours, you would be convincing yourself that the encounter never happened.
Calum’s smile was contagious. “Fucking awful. A man farted on me once on the red line.”
“You’re–– you’re kidding,” you said, but you soon fell into a small fit of laughter once he shook his head. “Jesus. I’m so sorry.”
“Speaking of awful––“ Calum pointed down to the empty Pabst in your hands. “Is that what they’re handing out? Christ–– Kev’s gotta get a raise. That shit sucks.”
“It was kind of disgusting,” you said, yet you shrugged it off.
“So, I gotta finish packing stuff up,” said Calum, “but listen–– it was really cool to see you. Hope you can make it out next time.”
Your lips twitched into a smile. “Only if you promise to dedicate that last song to me,” you replied. “It was my favorite.”
Calum grinned. “You’ve got yourself a promise, babe.”
-
The bus had been early again that following Monday. So, for the second class in a row, you were stumbling in late. Only a few heads turn in your direction, and immediately, you looked for the pair of deep brown eyes that made your heart flutter. You had only spoken to him once, but it had been enough to haunt you throughout the next day. It had been enough to spark something you hadn’t felt for anyone in years.
You found Calum in a heartbeat, and he had already been looking at you. He had already been smiling at you. You smiled in return and took your seat.
He spoke up once during class, and you placed the delicate words at the back of your notebook. After the class ended, you were quick to stand, heart racing at the thought of his smile so cute and goofy. You were too preoccupied to notice the man falling in step beside you.
“Like I said––” he began, voice so golden and smooth that you believed it belonged on the radio. The idea of Calum as a newscaster was a vision to behold. “––always late.”
You playfully hit his arm, and his laughter echoed around the halls. You were certain it was the kind of laugh that birthed fairies. “The bus system sucks,” you replied. “It’s the earliest one I can get, and it’s never on time.”
“Jus’ messing with you, love,” he said. His presence intimidated you, but it was the kind of intimidation that you never wanted to leave. It created the desire to hold him by the waist and carry him with you wherever you went. “Where ya off to?”
“I was gonna pop in Widener for a small study break,” you said, tugging your sleeves down so you could hold onto them with your fingers. “Then I usually get lunch before my last two classes of the day.
Calum huffed. “Mid-terms got you tickin’, too?”
“Something like that.”
“Harvard wants us all dead,” mumbled Calum as he held the front doors of the hall open for you. “That’s what I think.”
You had been expecting a chill from the morning, but the bright sun kept the air warm. You pushed the sleeves of your sweater back up your arms, and you stared at Calum in amazement. “You want yourself dead,” you said. “Do you ever get hot in that damn thing?”
“What, my jacket?” he asked, tilting up the leather as a smile grew. “It’s not about sweat, baby, it’s about fashion.”
Baby. You laughed the pet name off.
“’sides,” he continued. “It’s not about how hot I feel either. It’s about how hot I look.”
“I mean, yeah, it looks good.”
Calum raised a brow. You enjoyed watching his reactions out of the corner of your eye.
“But I always say that comfort comes before fashion,” you said as you kicked a few fallen leaves on the path before you.
He let out a chuckle. “Is that why you’re rollin’ in late with some big ass sweater on every day? Hell, you’re already late, so you could at least have the decency to show up with a coffee.”
“Honestly, I’ve thought about that,” you said. “And what do you have against big ass sweaters, huh?”
Calum shook his head. “Absolutely nothing at all.”
“Maybe next time I’ll wear a black one,” you replied. “Maybe then you’ll appreciate my fashion.”
“Can’t believe I’m being attacked at eleven o’clock in the morning.”
“You had it coming.”
He laughed again. “You don’t need t’wear black for me to appreciate you, love.”
The words warmed your chest. You smiled. “Well, I said my fashion, but it’s nice to know you appreciate me, Cal. Is–– is that okay? If I call you Cal?”
“Yeah,” he said. His smile hadn’t faltered throughout the entire conversation. “Reserved that nickname just for you.”
“Do you have any other classes today?” you asked him and placed yourself onto the steps of the library. You were still a few inches shorter at best. “Because you can join me if ya want.”
“I appreciate that,” he said, “but unfortunately, I’m already running late.”
Your jaw dropped as you laughed at his words. “And you make fun of me for being late. We’re gonna get kicked outta this fuckin’ school.”
Calum laughed along with you, and the sound was music. Everything about him was music. “I make fun of you because it’s cute to see you flustered.”
“Oh, fuck you,” you muttered, but your smile only grew. And so did your heart, too.
His eyes were golden in the sunlight, and they shimmered when he smiled. Sometimes, when he grinned so wide, his eyes squinted shut, and the sight left you woozy. You wondered if he knew how beautiful he was.
“See you ‘round, love,” he said to you, meanwhile taking a few steps back.
“Don’t forget about my dedication,” you replied. “I’m only coming this weekend because of you.”
Calum winked. “I won’t, darlin’. Study hard.” He turned down the path with a final wave, and you let out a sigh. And your smile carried on.
-
“You weren’t in class on Wednesday.”
That next weekend, you stepped off of the bus in Allston, your jean jacket hugged tight to keep warm down the tired streets behind music halls. The home was familiar, and it was packed full again. The bodies no longer stared at you like a stranger, but they still avoided you like one. Yet, Tori was there to keep you company as the night carried on.
You kept an eye out for Calum. The basement rocked with sound, air heavy as it filled with heat and smoke. The Christmas lights made you feel at home, yet none of it mattered when the one person you wanted to see wasn’t even there. So, you swayed to music from new bands you didn’t care about, wishing you hadn’t been stupid enough to fool yourself over a guy.
But, like always, he arrived when you least expected.
Tori gave you a wink and stepped away.
“Oh, yeah,” you said, chuckling. Meanwhile, his band had begun preparing their instruments. “I forgot I wasn’t.”
“You okay?” Calum asked you. “I can get ya the notes if you want.”
“I’m—oh wow, that’d be nice, thank you.” You grinned. “Yeah, um, I’m good. Turns out my alarm clock is a goner, so...”
Calum smiled. He was wearing a flannel tonight, and you decided that he could make trash bags look good. “Damn alarm clocks can’t be trusted.”
“They really can’t.” You eyed the rest of his band and furrowed your brows. “No drummer tonight?”
He glanced over at his friends before looking back at you. “Nah. We’re looking for a new one right now.”
You tilted your head.
“Ryan broke his wrist.”
“Oh, that sucks,” you said. “He was pretty good.”
Calum shrugged, but you could tell he was upset. Tonight, he had become the backbone of rhythm. “Yeah, well. Mike thinks he has a friend who knows some other drummer. He might be able to help out.”
“He just has to do my song justice,” you replied with a smirk. You hardly remembered the song, yet you knew it was your favorite of theirs no matter what. It was your favorite because Calum had winked at you before it, and it was all you could think about.
He nodded. “I’ll make fuckin’ sure of that.” He looked back over to his friend. “I should probably join them, then. Last song is yours,” he said, a grin spreading as he sent a wink your way.
He didn’t allow you to get a word in before he was jogging off and picking up his bass effortlessly. You weren’t sure how an instrument could make someone look so handsome, yet there he was, looking like the best damn man in the room.
“He’s fucking in love with you,” said Tori from behind. Her voice crept up your spine, and you yelped.
“Jesus,” you breathed out.
She laughed. “Cool your tits, Maggie May.”
“They’re ice-cold,” you replied. “And he’s not. We only just met last week.”
Tori shrugged. “You can totally fall in love in a week. He’s done it before.”
“He’s done it before?” you asked. The music blasted, and the bodies around you jumped and pushed. You hardly budged. Soon, you were shouting over Luke’s voice just to talk. “You know him?”
“Old friend,” she said over the music. “I’ve known him since like–– how many years ago was ’88?”
“Uh, seven.”
“I’ve known him for about seven years,” Tori continued. “He was a cute teen. Moved from Australia and played a shit ton of soccer. We started a band together in our last year of high school, but then he kinda disappeared for a year afterward. Came back and said he was going to Harvard–– said he had been with this girl. So, I assumed they broke up.”
You nodded along as she spoke.
“Anytime he’s with someone,” she carried on loudly, “it’s like he’s head over heels. He tries to act all shy and cool until you really get t’know him. And it’s pretty fuckin’ clear he really wants to know you.”
You tried to smile, but something about her words made it hard. Because you had never wanted to think about him loving someone else.
“You seem spooked.”
You shook your head. “Not spooked. Just a little in disbelief.”
Tori let out a laugh. “Why? Because I think he likes you? So hard to believe that?”
You shrugged.
“He is pretty damn cute,” she said. “So, if you hurt him, I’ll hunt you down.”
“You can hold me to that,” you replied. “I don’t wanna hurt him.”
“But you do want him?”
You nodded.
“Oh, hell fucking yeah.”
You laughed as she nudged you, and you soon returned your focus to Calum. His eyes met yours right away, and he smiled. This time, the fluttering in your stomach had become a heavy swarm, and you allowed it. You welcomed it.
The stress of the evening slipped off of your shoulders the more you danced. You no longer worried about what you would say to him or the words you had said in the past. You no longer worried about the feelings you wanted to repress. It was new, it was natural, and you wanted to deserve his company. You wanted to earn him.
When the final song approached, Calum kept his gaze on you, eyes brightening every time they met yours. His shy smile had etched itself into your brain. All he had to do was look your way, and you were his–– there was no one else. No one else in the room but you and him.
This stuff didn’t happen in a week. It never worked like this. But you blocked out the harsh noise of your pessimistic thoughts. You weren’t bound to doom what could be good because of your insecurities.
“This next one is dedicated to the person who thinks that 9:15 is the new 8:45. Or the one who just doesn’t bother showing up to class at all.”
You rolled your eyes, lips twitching while his face broke out into a grin. The song began after the silent exchange, and he kept looking at you. He looked at you until the crowd had dwindled and the music faded with their heads. He looked at you as if he had been waiting to have every ounce of your attention.
“Kicked ass,” you said, “as usual. You were a little flat at the end there, though.” Your teasing tone lightened while you crossed the floor toward him.
“Oh, really?” he asked you. He zipped the case of his bass closed and lifted it over his shoulder. “I didn’t realize you were a music critic. I’ll do better next time.”
You chuckled. “You better.”
Calum adjusted the strap on his shoulder, and you admired the comfort in his appearance. You wondered how he would react seeing you in the gray flannel he wore currently. He no longer intimidated you, not like he used to; you lost yourself in the strength of his gaze.
“You live around here?”
You shook your head. “I live down past Central.”
Calum raised his brows in surprise. “Shit, you live that far?” He folded his arms over his chest. “That’s why you’re rollin’ up late every damn day then, huh?”
“Yeah,” you said with a laugh. “It’s not that bad, though.”
His frown deepened. “I can keep ya company if you want.”
“Well, where do you live?”
“Like, a ten-minute walk from here,” he replied. “I’m a night-owl, so it’d be no problem. Only i-if you’re–– if you’re comfortable with that.”
You smiled once he stammered, and he blinked rapidly to cover up the fault in his words. Your heart was swelling. “Really nice of you to offer,” you said, “but you don’t need to go out of your way. The ride goes fast.”
Calum nodded, lips tugging into a small smile. “You sure?”
“Positive,” you mumbled. “But you can walk me to the bus stop if ya want.”
His face lit up in an instant.
-
The next show was at a new location.
Calum came to you that Monday with a torn flyer, hands shaking as he reached over your shoulder while you walked down damp pathways. You were going to arrive on time that day, and you were eager to rub it in his face until he stumbled up behind you. He appeared nervous to talk to you, yet the words he spoke were calm and collected.
“New place,” you observed, eyeing the messy letters. Meanwhile, Calum caught up in step beside you. “Looking forward to it.”
His eyes widened slightly. “You’ll come?”
“You think I wouldn’t?”
A grin spread on his face. Later on, he sat next to you in class.
That following weekend, you arrived at the house alone, bones shivering while the cold air crept under your skin. Calum stood at the base of the driveway with a cigarette in hand, and he was smiling like he always did when he saw you. Like he always did.
“Hey, Maggie May,” he said.
You groaned as you nearly fell into him, and he grabbed your arm to hold you steady. He smelled of cigarette smoke and earthy cologne. “Not you, too. Isn’t the song about a cougar?”
Calum shrugged and loosened his grip. But it was slow, almost as if he didn’t want to let go. “Who knows?” The cigarette slipped from his fingers, and he stomped it into the pavement. “Come on in. I wanna introduce you to the guys.”
“Oh, the guys?” you asked, chuckling. “Did know we were there yet. I’m honored.”
He looked back at you while he led you in through the back door. “You should be. They’ll like you, though. You’re cool, I guess.”
“That’s convincing.”
Calum laughed. He walked you beyond the men asking for coverage fees at the front, giving them subtle nods while you avoided eye contact. You continued to keep your head down low as he led you down to the basement. The house layout was similar, yet the room was larger, and the lights around the posts were purple bats instead. A few familiar faces were passing around a joint beside the drumkit.
“Hey, idiots,” said Calum. He placed a hand between your shoulder blades. “This is Y/N. Y/N, this is Luke, Mike, and Ashton.”
“The new guy,” you spoke softly, eyeing the strong arms of the stranger across from you. You could tell that, just by his build, he was going to rock the house. “Why are you all so fuckin’ tall?”
The new drummer, Ashton, laughed. His smile was the type to light up the entire room. “Maybe you’re just fuckin’ short,” he retaliated.
Michael chuckled along. “Ya probably need a step ladder jus’ to hug Cal.”
“She can’t even do that,” said Luke. “Her arms aren’t long enough.”
You narrowed your gaze. “Touché.”
Calum’s hand slid down to the small of your back. His touch burned through your clothes. “Okay, that’s it. Y’all can find a new band.”
“Are you leaving us, or are you kicking us out?” asked Michael. He placed the joint between his lips.
“Kicking all of you out,” said Calum, and he tugged the joint away from his friend. “It’s just me now.” He turned to you. “You wanna join my band?”
“Are you kidding?” You leaned into him, and he pulled your closer, hand finding your waist while he gazed down at you. His eyes were warm, and there was something new. Something hidden behind the crinkles that seemed to never cease when around you. Like you could finally feel everything Tori was telling you about. “Can I take Luke’s place?”
“Oh, hell yeah.”
“Hey!” Luke exclaimed, snagging the burning joint from Calum’s fingers before taking a hit. “No more for you.”
A handful of people made their way down the steps, their voices carrying through laughter and drunken screams. Calum’s grip on your waist loosened and dropped.
“Ready to fuckin’ rock?” he whispered to you.
The timber in his voice rattled through your spine, but the shiver only lasted so long before he was guiding you back into the crowd. He hardly spoke after that. The music did enough, and instead, he talked through gazes— warm, heartfelt eyes filled with something you hadn’t seen in a while, if at all. For the night, you felt like he admired you the way you had always wanted him to.
“—just annoying as shit. Screaming and bouncing like a fucking slut, man. She was so loud. But who gives a shit, you know? Like, she’s a goddamn whore when she’s—“
Calum tensed at the sound of the men behind you. You could picture the scowl on his features, yet you didn’t dare to glance over. You wanted to pretend nothing had happened, that nothing had been said.
But you couldn’t.
Calum whipped around, and you were quick to grab his arm. “Do you guys mind not fucking disrespecting women like that?” he asked, the pitch of his voice lowering as the words slipped out with ease.
One of the men—you guessed the one who had spoken originally—laughed. Anger coursed through your veins as well, but Calum’s radiated off of him. You moved your hand up to his bicep.
“What? You really gonna do something?” asked the man. He looked down at you and smirk. “I’ll totally take it back if you give me a spin on your little bi—“
Calum lunged, fist flying toward the face of the man with a devilish grin. Immediately, someone tugged you back— you assumed Michael, but you didn’t bother to check. Instead, you were forced to scream over shouts and cheers while the boy you liked fought for you. He fought for you.
The other man had gotten in his fair share of punches, his frightening, rigid knuckles crunching and colliding against Calum’s jaw. Every crack echoed. Every grunt, every groan sent sparks through your nerves, and you felt tears pricking beneath your eyes. Limbs flew and bodies slammed against one another, but you stood there helpless. You stood there wishing you could blink away the fear and adrenaline.
Everyone was shoving each other as the fight spread throughout the crowd. Petty brawls broke out, and you were barely shielded by Ashton’s interference in front of you. But beyond the noise, you still heard Calum, and he was shouting for you.
Shoulders knocked against yours while you fought your way beyond the mayhem. The air was hot, thick with the scent of sweat and alcohol and everything in between, and all you wanted was to find Calum and get out in one piece. You just wanted to be alone with him, to make sure he was okay and to tell him how much he meant to you. To tell him how much his actions meant to you.
A hand reached out for yours. A bloodied and bruised hand with a familiar tattoo stretched across the thumb.
“C’mon,” he muttered once he got close enough, and he pulled you through the chaos to reach the base of the stairs. You were hot on his tail as he walked up, but you chose to remain quiet.
And you stayed quiet the entire walk back to his place.
He was angry, fingers tightly locked between yours while the breeze picked up around you. His pace was heavy, and yours was, too. The door to his apartment slammed shut behind the two of you. You fought the urge to pull him back and calm the frustration, but he was stomping up two flights of steps with you on his heels. You hardly had a chance to glimpse at his small space before you were being pulled into an old bathroom down the hall.
“Cal— Calum.” You pried his fingers away from yours as he paced the tiled floor. “Calum.”
“I’m sorry,” he said as he ran his hands through his hair. He turned to face you, and you were finally able to look at the damage that had been done. You finally saw what he had put himself through just to defend you. Or, maybe it was much more than that. “I’m sorry,” he repeated. “They just— I wasn’t just gonna let them say that shit to you.”
You nodded. “Thank you.”
But you wished you did to have to feel any gratitude. You wished you hadn’t been forced to watch him break his bones in order to keep harmful words at bay. He suffered a bloody nose, swollen lip, and bruised cheek, and you felt responsible for every single scratch that tore through his skin.
“Do you— do you have an ice pack?” you sputtered, hand reaching up to grab the air. Because you weren’t sure if you had the right to touch him.
Calum nodded, and you didn’t wait for a verbal answer. You hurried into his kitchen, and despite the cramped size, you lost yourself in the details. It was his kitchen— it was Calum through and through. You searched the drawers for a dish towel, trembling hands picking out a dark cloth before soaking it under the dripping faucet. Next, you retrieved an ice pack from the freezer before rushing back into the bathroom. Calum was leaned up against the porcelain sink, and he had taken off his jacket to reveal a thin white tank.
You kept quiet and approached him slowly, heart heavy at the sight of him so bloodied and broken. You thought about his touch and how it felt earlier on in the night. You thought about protective he was despite barely knowing you for two weeks. And lastly, you thought about how, even when provoked into unattractive behavior, he still managed to look so damn hot.
So, you didn’t speak as you pressed the damp cloth against his blood-soaked skin. He stayed still, watching you as you scrubbed lightly until all that was left was a pinkish residue. You felt the weight of his gaze, and it burned deep in your gut. You had said he no longer intimidated you, but tonight, that wasn’t the case. Ir was the kind of intimidation that drew warmth and left you wanting more.
He was close, so close you could hear your hearts beating as one. The heat of his breath touched your skin, and you were forced to steady yourself with one hand against his bare shoulder. You hadn’t noticed his chest tattoos before, but maybe you hadn’t been this observant. Maybe you hadn’t felt as much as you were feeling right now.
You set the ice pack against his cheek and sighed. “Why did you do that?” you asked him, chest heavy while you yearned to reconstruct your words. You hadn’t wanted to plant the blame on him.
Calum swallowed. “The words he was saying, I—“ His eyes watered as he peered down at you, and he winced once you adjusted the frozen pack onto his blossoming bruise. “Couldn’t stand for that shit. Couldn’t bear to hear him say it. And I— I didn’t wanna hear him say it about you.”
You frowned. The hand that had been on his arm moved down to his chest.
“You don’t have t’take care of me,” he mumbled, lips tugging into a soft smile.
“But I want to,” you said to him. Your fingers traced the edge of his tank.
Calum’s smile quickly fell, and the room was quiet. You wondered if he could feel what you were feeling, too.
“Put down the fuckin’ ice pack,” he whispered, words tight and intricate as his hands slipped around your waist.
And then he was leaning in, lips hot as they pressed against yours in a captivating, lustful kiss. The ice pack slipped from your hands, and you felt frozen in his grip. Desperate hands clutched your waist while the kept you pressed against the sink behind you. You tossed your arms around his neck once you got a feel for his smooth, plump lips aching to taste yours. His fingers maneuvered beneath the thick layer of your sweater in order to feel your skin; you just hadn’t been aware of how truly sensational his touch would feel against your back. His lips melted against yours.
You reached a hand around to hold his face, and he seethed.
“Jesus, fuck,” he spat, and your eyes fell to the fresh bruise you had just touched.
“I’m— I’m so sorry,” you breathed out, expecting him to pull away, yet he pulled you close and reattached your lips with as much passion as the first time. Your teeth clashed, tongues slipping against one another while the heat of the moment made your insides churn. Calum’s large hand splayed across your jaw to keep you close.
His lip was still swollen from the fistful impacts, yet he seemed unfazed; in fact, it only spurred him on. But the heat of the moment overwhelmed you. You wanted him, but you wanted to know you had him.
You brushed your top lip against the corner of his mouth, hands gripping the loose material of his tank while you leaned into him. He held you with strong arms, ones you never wanted to let go.
“You’re really fuckin’ something else, babe,” he mumbled into your hair, and you could feel his smirk. “You know that?”
You chuckled. “I think the name is Maggie May.”
The warmth of his laughter spread through you. His fingers danced along the ridges of your spine, and you leaned back to look at him. His smile was small, yet it was soft, and it held every confession you had wanted to hear.
The black leather jacket on the floor caught your eye. A moment later, you pulled your sweater over your head, and Calum stood across from you in awe. His gaze was intense as you reached down for the jacket and tugged it over your arms. The leather creaked, but the loved material had softened through wear-and-tear. It slipped on with ease, and you stuffed your hands in the pockets with confidence.
Calum was silent as he took your appearance in. His jacket sat draped across your torso with only a bra underneath; you could only imagine how the sight made him feel.
He smiled and told hold of your waist. “Well, then, Maggie May,” he breathed out, lips pressing against your cheek and down your neck. The sensation made your chest ache. “I got something to say to you.”
You tangled your fingers through his dark curls as his voice vibrated through you.
“You stole fuckin’ heart, babe,” he said. “I couldn’t leave you if I tried.”
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talesofafangirlwithadvr · 5 years ago
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AUGUST PICKS!
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And we’re back with another month wrap up! August involved a lot of TV watching (as per usual), but I feel like I watched a lot of things I’ve already talked about before (ex: The 100, Violetta). So it was a little bit harder to feature some new titles. I felt accomplished this month because I finished quite a few series. So, without further ado...let’s do this!
Spoilers!! But you knew that already :) 
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So I know I’ve spoken about some of these shows A LOT recently, but I still had to include them in this wrap up because they were a good amount of the month. (Even if they feel like they were so long ago.) 
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CURSED
This book to screen adaptation on Netflix following Nimue (AKA the Lady of the Lake) re-invents the King Arthur myth. It was an entertaining and enjoyable watch that makes me hope there’s a second season. There were certain parts that bothered me and I wish some characters had more time on screen, but as someone who likes King Arthur and fantasy TV I’d recommend it. 3/5 for me. 
For more on my thoughts regarding the show check out my earlier post: **Spoilers** Featuring Cursed
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DC’S STARGIRL
A show that I’ve often been documenting my reviews/feelings after watching each episode. (That’s how you can tell IT’S THAT GOOD.) While it was a bit slow in the beginning (mainly because of it having the quality of being on a streaming service-ending on a cliffhanger for you to binge the next episode immediately kind of feel), it picked up and has easily become one of my favorites for the year. (YEAH...I KNOW. I SAID YEAR.) You can check out my page for more specific reactions in my posts, but here are some of the moments that stick out to me the most when I think about season 1.  
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I can’t wait for season 2!!
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AVATAR THE LAST AIRBENDER
June doesn’t feel like that long ago, but because I started season 1 two months ago (and because of the world of quarantine) it feels like a long time ago. Especially when this show is only 18-20 episodes that are each about 20/25 minutes. For me, I enjoyed season 1, but not as much as seasons 2 and 3. I definitely watched the first season slower because of this. Once the Ba Sing Se plot happened I was very invested. I enjoyed most of Book 2 in the Earth Kingdom before this, but Ba Sing Se was definitely the best. I was so impressed that they put that into a kid show. Then again, there’s so much in this show that is well done and brings up such relevant issues to a younger audience. I loved following Aang, Katara and Sakka and enjoyed Toph’s addition to Team Avatar. Overall I think Uncle Iroh is my favorite character in the show. I loved all the wisdom he had and how he saw the best in Zuko the entire time. Their team up was great and I am so happy he got his tea shop in the end. His escape from prison was amazing. I love a good redemption arc and from the start was excited to see Prince Zuko’s (it’s one of the ‘spoilers’ I knew going in). I think it was really well done and I liked how they showed him struggling with it. The last agni kai between Zuko and Azula was such a beautiful scene and the music score behind it was so chilling. I love how they chose a slow, instrumental song to play in the background. It’s not what I was expecting and it was such an awesome choice. Overall, I really liked the music and have added it to my writing playlist. I’m really glad I decided to watch Avatar the Last Airbender. 
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From one binged show starting in June to another....
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VIOLETTA SEASON 2
It’s crazy; you don’t think 80 episodes would go by that fast, but they do. Once you hit episode 50, I just zip by the rest in the season. So many of the plots get SO GOOD, you can’t help but watch so many episodes back to back (to back). For season 2, episode 75 was one of my favorites for the whole season. I love how some of the cast actually got to go to Madrid. (Even the intro music changed when they were there.) Diego really grew on me. I loved the added plot of discovering who his dad is! Feels very telenovela. Gregorio’s reaction was priceless-such great acting-and I loved how much it has changed his character so far. I’m excited to see where he is headed for season 3. 
Leonetta forever! The reason they weren’t together was a bit weak, but I get they needed the love triangle. Overall the Leon/Violetta/Diego love triangle was a lot stronger than season 1′s (in my opinion). It felt better developed. I enjoyed a lot of the couples this season. Frederico and Ludi are a pair I didn’t know I wanted till it happened. Olga and Ramallo actually got a kiss!!! I loved hearing Ramallo talk about how Olga is the only woman in his life. So rare to see such emotions from him. Fran and Leon’s friendship was adorable. I loved their moments in Madrid. She was their #1 shipper. I know in the beginning I said there wasn’t a lot of music and performances, but as the season progressed we definitely got a lot of new songs (which I cannot stop singing). I miss my time at the Studio and hope the third season will be streaming on Disney Plus soon. I heard it could be September 18th so fingers crossed!! 
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THE INBESTIGATORS
Filling the void that was left by Little Lunch (and produced by the same studio) is the InBESTigators! A show that follows 4 elementary students who live in Australia and solve mysteries. One of the things I really loved about Little Lunch was how serious they made really trivial, kid-like things sound. I have often described it as an Office-like children’s show, where they talk about their problems directly to the camera and give several ‘Jim’ stares and glances to the camera. With the InBESTigators it’s a similar set up where our four sleuths, Ezra, Maudie, Ava and Kyle, relay a mystery they solved directly to us the viewer, while we watch in flashback. All of the mysteries are typical things that could happen in school or home; from overwatering a neighbor’s prize-winning flowers, packages getting stolen, a lost notebook or catching a cheater during a test. All of the kids are entertaining and funny. They each have a different dynamic that brings something to the team. Currently two of the seasons are on Netflix, and there will be a third season (but who knows when it will be filmed-I’m just happy it will eventually happen). 
If you’re looking for a fun/light-hearted watch look no further. You’ll have a good time. 
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UNITED WE FALL
This ABC sitcom fits well on the network and like it would be on Friday nights, but has a stronger day in airing thanks to the pandemic. I hadn’t really heard much about the show and then BAM it was advertised. It felt like the network had it in its back pocket. Nevertheless, I am really enjoying it. The actors have a nice dynamic and it is very funny and relatable. I like how it represents a family with two different cultural backgrounds, but doesn’t make that the main focus of the show. Instead it is discussed naturally. Overall, I don’t know how many people know about it, so I wanted to share it as one of my picks for the month and suggest you watch it if you are looking for something both funny and optimistic. 
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DOUBLING DOWN WITH THE DERRICOS
I LOVE this family! As TLC is a network with predictable choices in TV shows, one about a family with multiples does not seem shocking. However, this is not your average family with multiples. At the start of the show, Karen and Deon have a total of 11 children (with only two of them being what they called ‘singletons’). They have twins, quints, and another set of twins (that would have been triplets). Her last three pregnancies were multiples and then she becomes pregnant with triplets. AGAIN! This family is considered a miracle because she had no IVF or anything like that for her conceptions. I love watching them because they seem like a great group to be apart of. They are what the epitome of family should be like. There is so much love. I know when my family watches the show we are all so impressed by how well behaved all of the kids are. People with half the amount of kids often have trouble teaching them to behave. I highly suggest giving the Derricos a watch. New episodes are now airing on TLC. 
SOME LAST MINUTE ADDS....
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I know Ben Platt’s concert has been available on Netflix for a while now, but I just got the chance to watch it this month. It was SOOO GOOD and I was upset when it was over. It felt so fast! I had already added a lot of his songs to my playlists, and after watching added the last few I had missed. Now I’ve been listening non-stop. I loved how his concert welcomed us so much into his personal life. The added stories in-between songs helped to see why he created that specific one. Watching the concert was a fun time and something you should consider if you are feeling down during quarantine. 
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Every Saturday night we try to watch a movie while we eat dinner. It’s become a new tradition since quarantine began and we were unable to go out to eat or to the movies. This week Jojo Rabbit was the pick. Going into the film, I didn’t know much expect, but that it was a comedy and I assumed a satire. What I didn’t expect was how dark of a turn it would take. It’s amazing how a film can have you laughing uncontrollably at the start and then have you crying at the end. This is definitely a film I could see analyzing in a film studies class. There was so much foreshadowing and moments where so much more was going on then what was shown on the surface. I think it did a great job making the viewer think not only about the time in which it was supposed to take place, but also our current world. I know it’s a good movie when it still has me thinking about it days later. I even did some research into it after watching. Definitely can understand the hype about it and will watch it again in the future. 
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When I was putting this list together I was just starting to watch Umbrella Academy. I know, I’m late to the party, but with the newest season coming out this summer I knew it was now or never. (I just had to finish some of the other stuff I was watching first.) Currently, I only have 1 episode left in the first season and am really enjoying it. I was pretty good about spoilers going into it, so a lot of it was new to me. I made some theories on who I thought would be the cause of the apocalypse and so far I am right. I am very interested to see how this season ends and get into the next one because I heard that the majority of people liked that one more. I’ll have a more detailed review in my September Picks, I’m sure of it!  
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susssoo · 5 years ago
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3 AM
——
It had been an exhausting day for the group. Their day has been filled with radio shows, interviews, rehearsal and to top it all off, a live performance of their latest release ‘Zombie.’
Now don’t be mistaken, they absolutely loved it. Their charisma was fueled purely by the support they received from their fans, My Day, and their undying need to see a positive reaction from their supporters.
The car ride home was unusually quiet, instead of filled with senseless bickering from Jae and Younghyun, it was silent.
But no one commented on it, there were moments where things became a little bit too much, and the air has become a little bit too thick, so they needed a moment to catch their breaths. To think. To relax.
Only an hour and a half later, they’d arrived. Everyone piled out of the van, making their way to the dorm.
Sungjin fumbled with the keys for a moment, before unlocking the door.
As soon as the door had been opened, they’d been hit with a wave of cold air, sending shivers down their spines.
They’d looked at each other, wearing confused expressions on their face.
Sungjin was the first to comment.
“I could’ve sworn I turned the air conditioning off before leaving..”
“It’s fine, maybe someone else messed with it before leaving. Looking at you Wonpil. But seriously, it isn’t that deep man. Let’s just turn the heater on.” Jae added, nonchalantly, while walking over the to turn the heater on.
“Hey! No, I didn’t. I was out the door, I promised I didn’t touch it hyung.” Wonpil argued.
“It’s fine, don’t worry about it. Let’s just turn the heater on already. It’s freezing.” Sungjin replied, placing a hand on Wonpil’s shoulder.
Wonpil walked away, grumbling something under his breath.
——
After everyone had settled themselves in, putting away all their equipment in it's respective area, they gathered together on the couch, deciding dinner.
“What about Ramyeon hyung?” Dowoon asked, while picking a loose string on his sweater.
Younghyun groaned, curling himself into the corner of the couch, wrapping himself around a pillow.
“We had Ramyeon last week, what about Korean barbecue?” He suggested instead.
“We had Korean barbecue last week as well hyung..”
Sungjin interrupted before they could continue any further.
“Well, let’s put it to a vote. Who wants Ramyeon?”
Dowoon and Wonpil were the only ones to raise their hands.
“Korean barbecue?”
Sungjin, Jae and Younghyun all raised their hand.
“Sorry guys, next time?”
Dowoon nodded, and Wonpil didn’t seem to care much.
“Alright, you guys can choose a movie, I’ll order.”
Wonpil’s head perked up, before grabbing the remote from Jae’s hands.
“Yah! What the fuck, you could’ve just asked..” Jae said, irritatedly.
Wonpil paid him no mind as he started scrolling through channels with Dowoon.
——
An hour later, the food arrived. Younghyun was practically was practically beaming, as if he’d been starved.
Sungjin places the food on the coffee table, and before he could even begin his sentence, Younghyun had already started serving himself.
He rolled his eyes, but what could he say, that’s Younghyun for you.
The rest of the members served themselves food as well. They’d order Korean barbecue, Kimchi Fried Rice with Bimbap.
Not to long after, Wonpil and Dowoon had decided on watching some kind of Korean drama. They weren’t too sure what it was about, but it seemed interesting enough. The only downside to this was Jae’s snarky comments throughout the entire episode resulting in multiple pillows thrown and bouts of laughter from their oldest member.
After watching at least half the drama, they all decided to turn in for the evening. Saying their good nights, they all parted ways.
Well, accept Wonpil of course.
He was going to sleep with Dowoon instead.
After all his hyungs had gone to sleep, he quietly made his way down the hall and into the youngest room, quietly opening the door and closing it behind him.
Dowoon didn’t even acknowledge is presence, already aware of who it was. There was already a spot on the bed for him, he was even kind enough to place an extra pillow there for him as well.
Wonpil climbed into his bed, making himself comfortable, curling into the youngest side, wrapping his arms around his waist.
Dowoon continued scrolling through his phone aimlessly, every now and then stopping to read something.
About 10 minutes later he turned to put his phone on the night stand next to his bed, making sure it was plugged in. He turned to Wonpil, who already seemed to be asleep, and carded his fingers through his hair, before whispering a soft ‘goodnight.’
Not too long after, he was consumed by exhaustion and eventually drifted off to sleep.
——
2:57 AM
Wonpil was stirred awake by loud noises coming from the kitchen. This didn’t bother him too much, sometimes his hyungs would wake up in the middle of the night, ravenousness, and make themselves a snack before heading back to sleep.
And by that, he meant Younghyun.
Just as he was about to drift back to sleep, he heard a loud bang come from the living room, followed by a series of noises that followed. This seemed to have awoken Dowoon as well.
“Hyung..” He said, voice heavy from sleep while rubbing his eyes.
“Did you hear that?” Wonpil said, whispering quietly.
The younger nodded, before sitting up and staring at the door.
After a moment, he broke his gaze and went to check the time on his phone instead.
He groaned lightly to himself before throwing the comforter off himself, and getting up from duvet.
“Dowoonie, what are you doing?” Wonpil asked, a hint of fear behind his voice.
“I’m checking the kitchen. Don’t worry hyung, it’s probably nothing, you can stay here..”
Rationally, Wonpil knew that it was probably nothing. It was probably his hyungs being stupid. But he had an unsettling feeling in his stomach, and he didn’t want Dowoon to go alone.
He threw his legs over the side of the bed, standing up slowly and following behind Dowoon.
Upon entering the main area, they sense something is off. Something feels.. different.
Dowoon flicks the light switch, and they’re exposed to a destroyed living room and an even worse kitchen.
Before they can even register what’s going on, the lights cut again.
Now, Wonpil was seriously reeling.
“It must’ve been a short fuse..” Dowoon says, dragging his hands lightly along the wall.
Wonpil is silent for a moment.
“A short fuse?! Are we seriously not about the acknowledge the mess in front of us?! What if someone broke in? Or what if there’s a ghost? Where is everyone else? There’s no way-“
“Wonpil!” Dowoon interrupts him off, placing his hand on his shoulder, in attempts to comfort him. “Breath. It’ll be fine. We’re fine, they’re fine. It’s fine. We’ll figure it out.”
The pair spent an hour looking for a way to turn the power back on, but it seems that it was hopeless.
Wonpil stayed leaned up against a wall, silent, while Dowoon had the flashlight to his phone on, picking up the shattered glass and broken kitchen ware from the floor.
Finally, Wonpil spoke.
“Okay, seriously, there is no way that they’re still sleeping. Not even Younghyun could sleep through this. I’m getting them.” Wonpil huffed, before turning to his other members room.
But upon opening each door, he discovered that there wasn’t anyone there.
[I]What the hell..
He checked everyone room in the dorm, but they were all empty. None of the others members were to be seen.
Now, Wonpil was really starting to panic. As he made his was back down the hall to Dowoon, he heard a piercing scream coming from the living room.
He curled over himself, covering his ears. Everything felt as if it was vibrating, as if the world was spinning. He couldn’t see, he couldn’t hear, he couldn’t breath.
And then it was black. His vision had been consumed by an empty void.
——
Wonpil..
Wonpil..
Someone was calling his name. It sounded odd.
Wonpil..
Stop. Be quiet.
Wonpil..
Stop..
Wonpil!
Wonpil shot up, clutching his chest, hunched over himself. He was dripping with sweat. Out of breath. As if he’d just run a marathon.
He sat there for a moment, breathing heavily, trying to collect himself.
He looked around, examining his surroundings.
Everything was black. As if I’d been engulfed in a thick, black fog. He seemed to be on a dirt road. A bus stop could be seen not too far from him.
He looked for anything familiar. A street sign. A building. But there was nothing, only a the lingering fog that seemed to only get thicker.
He pulled himself off the ground, walking to the bus stop.
There was a single street light next to it, the light flickering on and off.
He took a seat on the bench, trying to read on newspapers that’d been pinned to the wall. But it seemed to be in a language foreign to him.
Wonpil was beyond horrified right now, but he had to keep it together. So he suppressed his feelings of fear, anxiety and pain and tried to think rationally.
He checked the pockets of his sweat pants and it seemed he didn’t have his phone on him.
Before he started to panic again, he took a breath. Maybe he could just wait here, and someone would come? And help him? No, that was stupid. No one was coming. He’s in the middle of no where.
Wonpil..
It’s that voice again..
Wonpil..
He whipped his head around, frantically searching for the source of the voice.
Wonpil..
His skin began to crawl.
Wonpil..
He felt uncomfortable. What is this?
Wonpil..
He stood up, he was beginning to get upset. Maybe it was a mixture of fear, irritation, anxiety, he didn’t know but he just stated running. He didn’t know where he was going, but that didn’t stop him.
After what felt like an eternity, he finally stopped to let himself rest, as he was on the brink of collapsing.
In the distance, he couldn’t faintly see a cluster of trees.
Oh god..
It was a forest.
And Wonpil hated nothing more than forests.
Before the panic could even set in, there was pained scream coming from within the dense woodland.
Please, not again..
Wonpil fell to his knees, and curled in on himself.
He just wanted it to stop. Why wouldn’t it stop?
Wonpil..
No.
Wonpil..
Please stop..
Wonpil.
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imnotdoneyet-forreal · 6 years ago
Text
Deals with the Devil- 5
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Author: Amanda Preston
Summary: A need to fill a void and an encounter to start something new, Elijah and Katya never knew that a simple one night stand would wind up into a love affair filled with family drama and side deals gone wrong.
Deals with the Devil Masterlist
          Confetti rained down on Katya the second she walked into the office. Everyone was clapping and hollering cheers causing Katya to laugh in joy. Katya shook the small pieces of paper out of her hair and smiled at all of her friends and coworkers.
        “Speech! Speech! Speech!”
        Katya rolled her eyes at the chants and made her way through the crowd. She found Marcel waiting for her by the front desk and shrugged.
        “Sorry, I couldn’t keep the secret much longer.”
        Katya didn’t mind that the secret was out. They deserve to know the moment that she did. She gave Marcel a hug before he helped her climb up to the desk so she could address everyone.
        “Ok, ok, settle down everyone,” Katya shouts as she tried to silence the crowd. “I want to thank everyone for their hard work these past few weeks. I know how stressful it was to fight against the unknown and having thought we lost the battle when I announced the final sale of MoonStone. I appreciate the support and love received during these last few days and most importantly the understanding.”
        Everyone clapped as Katya acknowledged them. Katya was about to continue with her speech when she noticed the late arrival of the one and only, Elijah Mikaelson. The smile on her lips faltered due to her sudden surprise before she forced herself to keep it up. She shifted her focus away from him, sensing his eyes on her, and continued on.
        “As you must have all heard by now, starting today MoonStone is under the Viking Co. enterprise. All of the projects put on hold, all of the book lineups, editing, etc., are back on track and being funded. There is no more need to cut unnecessary corners or trying to cut back on budget. Of course, this doesn’t mean go crazy but there are no more restrictions. I want all of you to work to your potential and make MoonStone the publishing house it’s meant to be.”
        Katya receives another round of applause and cheers. She wished she could enjoy it but Elijah Mikaelson had made his way to the front of the crowd and was offering her hand to help her down the front desk. Katya clears her throat and takes the offered hand. She offers him a smile once she stood in front of him.
        “Mr. Mikaelson,” she states. “What a lovely surprise.”
        “I thought I should stop by and aid in the celebration,” Elijah responds as he offered her a very expensive bottle of champagne.
        Katya tried to hide her shock, pretty sure that she failed to do so, as she accepted the generous gift.
        “Thank you,” she answers while nervously clearing her throat again. Katya glances up at him. “So um… since you’re here would you like to share a few words?”
        Elijah smiles at the offer and nods.
        “If you insist,” he states before turning to the still intact crowd.
        Katya turns to everyone and with a quick wave everyone quieted down once more.
        “Hey everyone! I want you guys to meet the new member of the MoonStone family,” she introduces. “This is Elijah Mikaelson, CEO of Viking Co.”
        The excitement settled down as everyone heard this and the room grew silent.
        “As your brave leader mentioned, Viking Co. will be backing every project that was placed on hold. Any new ideas or funding issues you may have, I plead that you submit a proposal and send that through Katya who will then pass that on to me,” Elijah states. “Other than that, I am happy to be a part of MoonStone and am excited to see where you decide to take this company from here on out.”
        Once again everyone clapped and cheered at his words and Elijah offered them a nod before turning to a waiting Katya.
        “I need to have a private word with you,” he states.
        Katya nods at his request and motions him aside. She passes off the bottle of champagne to a nearby Marcel and ignored his questioning stare.
        The whole office erupted in lively conversation and luckily no one moved to follow Katya and Elijah as she found a quiet corner for them to talk in.
        “Mr. Mikaelson…”
        “Please, call me Elijah,” he interrupts her.
        “We’re in the workplace and you are my boss, I’ll rather call you Mr. Mikaelson,” Katya insists.
        Elijah can’t help but smile at this and nods.
        “Very well,” he responds. “I came by to drop off your copy of the contract and the check.”
        Elijah pulls out a portfolio and hands it to her.
        “I… well thank you,” Katya answers as she takes it. “You didn’t have to come all the way down here to drop this off.”
        “Well, I wanted to see MoonStone for myself,” Elijah answered. “And I can honestly say that I’m impressed with what you have here.”
        “Thank you,” Katya replies.
        “I’ll like to allow you time to enjoy your party so I won’t keep you longer,” Elijah states. “But I do have one request as you continue your work here with MoonStone.”
        “Which is?”
        “I want you to branch MoonStone out into the online business of publishing,” Elijah explains to her. “Viking Co. will fund whatever needs you may have in creating your team and platform. You may do whatever you please as long as you launch the website by the beginning of May.”
        “This May?” Katya asks hoping he’ll say no.
        “Of course,” Elijah answers.
        “3 months is not enough time to get all of that work done,” Katya argues. “It takes 3 months to build up a simple online concept.”
        “I’m sure if anyone can do this, it’s you, Ms. Fontaine,” Elijah states. “I believe in you.”
        Katya wondered if this was some kind of punishment for what occurred between them the night before. She didn’t think Elijah was possible of such a thing but now she wasn’t so sure.
        “Are you… Is this some kind of punishment?”
        Elijah’s smile fades away as he hears this from her.
        “No of course not…”
        He’s unable to finish his statement as someone interrupts them.
        “Hey babe.”
        Katya cringes as she hears the nickname and feels his arm around her waist. She looks up and finds Enzo looking down at her.
        “I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” Enzo states as he offered her a glass of champagne. “Here, I brought this for you.”
        Katya takes it from him and offers him a tight smile.
        “Thank you,” she sighs out.
        Enzo nods at her before turning his attention to Elijah.
        “Katya, aren’t you going to introduce me?”
        Elijah narrows his eyes at her and Katya pulls away from Enzo’s arm.
        “Elijah Mikaelson, meet Lorenzo St. John,” she introduces them. “He’s one of our best-selling authors here on MoonStone.”
        Enzo offers his hand to Elijah who shakes it mindlessly.
        “I’m not one of your best-sellers, I’m the only best-seller,” Enzo corrects. “I write the Heretics series. You’ve heard of it, right?”
        “I’m afraid I haven’t,” Elijah responds.
        Katya watches the grin grow on Elijah’s lips and the way Enzo tenses up at his response. Clearing her throat, Katya intervened between the two by slipping herself away from Enzo’s hold.
        “Well Mr. Mikaelson, thank you for coming by,” she states. “I will be seeing you tomorrow morning to discuss MoonStone further.”
        Elijah knew when he was no longer wanted and nodded at Katya.
        “I’ll see you tomorrow then, Katya,” Elijah states as he took her hand and placed a kiss on top of it.
        Katya didn’t miss the way his stare flickered to Enzo when he did this. Nor did she miss the way that Enzo tensed up at the action.
        “St. John,” Elijah states with a nod before leaving.
        Katya let out a sigh the moment he was gone and was waiting to hear what Enzo had to say about the whole encounter. It didn’t surprise her when he brushed it off like it was nothing.
        “Shall we get back to the party?” Enzo offers to Katya.
        Katya let out a groan and shook her head.
        “I’m going to need another drink.”
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