#I've started going to the nearby park to walk on the trails

[ahyperactivehero]

Please please please a drabble I've been in a constant state of panic. Maybe a fluff fic of Edwin and Charles at an amusement park or carnival? ❤️

sorry this leaned somewhere between fluff and... sad? not really, but there is a touch of it, which i feel like sort of fits with the day everyone has had.

much love to you, @edwinspaynes and thank you for the prompt <3 <3 <3

(i took drabble prompts during election night and am currently getting them out. everyone, please stay safe my loves <3)

Drabble 3

May, 1990

Charles hadn’t realized how much his enjoyment of carnivals or amusement parks depended on the types of foods he could eat until he couldn’t enjoy them.

He’d practically begged Edwin to come with him, but now that he was here, he wasn’t sure what to do. He couldn’t play any of the games– the person manning the booth couldn’t see him. He couldn’t eat any of the food– it would pass right through him and it’s not like he could taste it anyways.

So what was there left to do? He eyed all of the rides nearby, but quickly ruled them out one by one. He might have convinced Edwin to come with him, but he couldn’t picture him on any of the rides.

He sighed and kicked at the dirt. He didn’t even know why he was making a big deal about any of this. It’s not like it really mattered. Not when he was alive and certainly not now that he was dead.

“Do you–” Edwin started and then trailed off. “Is there a ride you would like to go on?” He looked around, his eyes landing on a group of teens walking by and followed them as they passed through them. He did that sometimes, his attention getting caught on something and just running away until something brought it back.

“Nah, mate,” he said with a forced smile he hoped Edwin couldn’t see through. “S’not really that important.”

Edwin furrowed his brows, that very distinct line appearing between them. “But you were excited?” he said, his voice tipping into a question.

“Not really,” Charles lied. “Just thought it might be cool to check out.”

That same confused look stayed on Edwin’s face. “But I–” he cut himself off and fixed his bowtie, which was already very much in place. “Very well.”

He smiled again and bumped his shoulder, completely content to head to the Hall of Mirrors and leave. Edwin, it seemed, had other plans.

“If you did want to ride something, however, need I remind you that any and all rides are open to us,” he said, waving his hands in a way that gestured to the rides around them. “It is not like ghosts need wait.”

“Wouldn’t wanna make you do anything you don’t wanna do,” he said with a shake of his head.

That line only seemed to deepen. “What makes you think that?” he asked. “Besides, aren’t we here because…”

Charles frowned and tilted his head. “Here ‘cause what?” 

Edwin cleared his throat. “Well, it is your birthday, is it not?”

Blood that no longer existed seemed to freeze in him as he stared at Edwin. “What?” he asked, his throat locking up.

Thin, nimble fingers darted up and down Edwin’s coat before settling into fists against each other. Nervous, flighty energy rolled off of him in waves, nearly strong enough to make Charles sick.

“Perhaps I was mistaken,” Edwin said. “I– well, I just thought.”

Charles thought back to the last time he had looked at a calendar. It was hard to keep track of what day it was when you never needed to sleep. Or had any sort of usual schedule. Or real purpose in this afterlife.

Not that he didn’t think hanging out with Edwin was brills, because it was. And he definitely rather be doing absolutely fuck-all with him than moving on, but that didn’t mean some things weren’t hard.

“No,” he said after calculating it in his head. “You were right.” 

This would be the first birthday since his death. The first one that he’d celebrate without a word from his mum or dad. Not that he was exactly keen to hear from his dad, but it was the principle of the thing, wasn’t it?

“So,” Edwin said, looking over to one of the spinning rides. “Do you want to ride?”

“Nah,” he said again. He turned away, already planning his route back to the closest mirror when Edwin piped up.

“What if I did?” he asked.

He nearly tipped over from stopping so fast. Charles turned, looking at Edwin with unchecked disbelief on his face. “You wanna ride?” he asked, unable to stop himself from looking Edwin up and down. Had anyone ever rode an amusement park ride with a bowtie on before?

That strange, calculating look came over Edwin’s face. The same one he got when something had especially sparked his interest. Last week it had been one of Charles’s favorite songs; even though Edwin had claimed to dislike it because it was just ‘noise.’

That hadn’t stopped him from catching Edwin humming it under his breath later that afternoon.

“I must admit I am rather interested in them,” he said, glancing at Charles from the corner of his eye. “It seems as though everyone is enjoying them, but I find myself unable to understand why.”

Ah, so that was it. Edwin always did love a question.

“Bit of fun, innit?” Charles said. “Kinda like riding a horse or a bike or skateboard.”

Edwin nodded. “I do like horses, although I fear I am not sure what a skateboard is.”

Right. Should have guessed that.

“So you really wanna go?” Charles asked. Even he could hear how desperate he was for Edwin to say yes.

Because Edwin would say yes, if Charles asked. That was something he’d found out rather quickly about the boy. No matter what it was, he almost always agreed to try something, even if he was sure he’d hate it. How long he was committed to trying tended to depend on the action.

But Charles didn’t want to have to ask. He knew it wasn’t fair, but he wanted someone who wanted to willingly do what he wanted to do, even if that was as simple as riding the whirling ride in front of them.

“I wouldn’t have said so if I didn’t want to,” Edwin said, and Charles was sure that was the case.

“Right!” Charles said. He clapped his hands together and shuffled Edwin towards the ride. “Let’s go then!”

Thankfully there seemed to be one empty as they approached. Otherwise, Charles shuddered, they might have had to sit in a seat where someone else was sitting. Which was fine, but definitely not the best experience– for ghosts or living people. He didn’t think he’d ever get used to people being able to walk through him.

“So, you hold on right here,” Charles said, pulling the bar down across both of their laps. “And then you lean right or left and it helps spin you faster.”

Edwin’s lip jutted out in thought. “And we want that?” he asked.

“Yeah we want that!” Charles said, feeling more and more pumped. “It’s what makes it fun.”

Edwin nodded, agreeing to try it.

Once the ride started it quickly became obvious that they wouldn’t need to lean. Since there was supposed to be no one inside, the ride moved crazily– around and around until Charles was sure he’d be sick. 

“Ghosts cannot get sick,” Edwin said, as they climbed off the ride. His green tinged face spoke otherwise.

“Anything else you wanna try?” Charles asked, glancing at the other rides.

Edwin did the same. “I picked this one. You pick the next,” he said. 

And Charles didn’t point out that actually Charles had picked that ride. It didn’t seem to be worth mentioning. 

He picked three more rides, each one turning their stomachs more and more until Edwin finally waved off. “I think I need to sit,” he said, all but collapsing onto a bench outside one of the lines. 

Charles nodded and sat next to him. Who knew vertigo could affect ghosts?

“Gotta be like a rule book somewhere to this all, right?” Charles asked, seemingly out of the blue.

Edwin pulled his head up from between his knees to look at him. “Amusement park rides?” he asked.

“Ghost rules, I mean,” he said. “Like, who knew we could get sick?”

“We cannot,” Edwin said, although his head was back between his legs, so who really knew what was true anymore.

“Just saying. Seems like it would be useful,” he said.

Edwin bobbed his head slightly. “Maybe you should write it,” he said.

Charles laughed, far more loud and boisterous than he had intended. “Me? Write a book? Oh that’s rich.”

Edwin looked at him. “I don’t see why not. You’re intelligent, you love to question me when I tell you something about ‘ghosts rules’ as you so call them. I think you’d be perfect for it.”

That was just ridiculous. “If anyone should, it’s you, mate. I’ve seen the way you read, and you’re always writing in that notebook of yours. You’re already halfway to writing the book!”

A small, genuine smile touched Edwin’s lips. It was rare for Charles to see, something that he could usually only coax out of him at the most unexpected moments. He’d love to know how to get more of them, how to be the one to always make him smile, but he’d settle for what he had gotten so far.

“I think I have a different career in mind,” he said. 

This was the first Charles had heard of this. Who had ever heard of a ghost with a career before?

“What is it, mate? Gonna be a full time scarer at a haunted house?” he asked, elbowing him.

That smile again. “No,” he said. “I’m thinking about being a detective.”

Well, Charles thought, that was probably the best idea either one of them had had yet.

[kry3talline]

🌆Downtown Miami Diet~🌆 Inspiration: @h0neysugarfree Basic Principles/Guidelines: Oh, the way the fiery hues of the sunlit sky seamlessly blend to create a breathtaking tapestry, mirrored by the gentle lull of crystalline waves, all set against the twinkling city skyline—Miami! What’s not to love? One of the most stunning coastal cities on Earth, brimming with tourist attractions, retail outlets, natural beauty, and more! And with its vast, sprawling landscape, it’s practically begging you to get your steps in! -You are yet another onlooker bewitched by the magic of the city,captivated by its allure; currently staying in a luxurious suite on South Beach, you have all you need to fully transform yourself and immerse yourself in this amazing city, purging and beautifying your body and soul.

Diet Rules: -Walk, walk, WALK! After all, the beach walk is right there, a vast, enticing trail, brimming with the prospects of a brisk walk or jog! Try to walk around 1-5 miles at sunrise and sunset, and any desired time in between; perhaps if you're tired, your legs burning after a good sesh, you can take the trolley back to the hotel! If the strip isn't for you, you can always traverse and explore the nearby neighborhoods, or perhaps take an Uber into the city and walk the parks. Regardless, aim for an 8k step minimum. -Hydration is key; after all, spending so much time in the sun is exhausting! Replenish your body and ward off pesky hunger pains. Matcha is a good substitute, but I don't recommend it after one PM! -Prioritize rest; sleep revitalizes your body and skin, whilst lowering levels of the hunger hormone and increasing the fullness hormone. Furthermore, you burn more calories! Eat Plenty of seafood! After all, you're quite literally near the ocean! If that's not up your alley, alright. Try to keep your breakfasts light (cottage cheese/yogurt with fruit) and your lunches filling yet lean , especially if you're eating out (depending on where, you can sue this to your advantage; just dont do it TOO much!). As for dinner, either try to skip it or eat some yogurt with fruit and perhaps a bit of nuts? After all, you're going to sleep soon afterward anyway! -Aim for a calorie limit of 700-1200 cals a day!

Note(s)- -None of the photos used above belong to me in any way,shape,or form! -I've been seeing 'theme' diets trending all over 3dblr lately; I was bored, and decided 'well,why not?' Sorry if it sucks, haha- -This is actually based on my Miami trip from spring break earlier this year; my family has been going every year since 2022! I'm not sure why, but this March, when we got there, I got ON THE GRIND! I lost SO much weight, and I included some of the tips that helped me. This isn't an extreme diet or anything, and isn't focused on restriction (at least from my perspective; I didn't really restrict. the main thing was I didn't eat dinner and walked a lot lol-) I lowkey should start this diet, because past me must've been doing something right lol. -Good night angels!

[anaoyuo]

Play With The Stars || deleted scenes

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Gojo Satoru x f!reader

notes: You’re looking at the first scene that didn’t make it into the story and got lost in my files. I wrote the draft at the beginning of adg, unsure where it would fit, but I thought I’d just use it later. Spoiler: it never happened. It was meant for the middle of the story. Unfortunately, we were busy with angst, so I wrapped it up quickly and tada here it is!

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The glass doors slid open and you were immediately hit by the terribly hot, muggy summer air. After spending the entire day in the nicely air-conditioned office, you hadn't even noticed how intense the heat had gotten outside.

The sudden growl of a motor snapped you and other nearby pedestrians out of your thoughts. There, parked at the curb, was a man who played with the loud engine of his motorcycle, spewing out the exhaust for no reason other than to show off. What an idiot. 

You rolled your eyes and were about to turn away, but as you looked closer, you quickly realized you knew that idiot. 

The man took off his helmet and ran a hand through his snowy white hair that lay a little damp and flat against his forehead.

Your brows furrowed in surprise as you approached him. "Satoru?"

"Hello, babes." Gojo grinned at you, wide and toothy. His cheeks dusted with a faint hint of pink, the heat having made them flush.

"What are you doing here?"

"Just thought I'd drop by to sweeten your day," he replied, letting go of the handlebars to lean back. 

Your gaze drifted downward to the intimidating machine. It suited him well, a glossy black frame with a few blue details here and there, most likely customized. 

"I didn't know you could ride one of these," you said, nodding toward the bike.

Gojo let out a dramatic gasp. "How rude of you to think there's something I can't do."

You smiled, keeping your lips tight and eyes dull. "Oh, forgive my ignorance. I totally forgot how amazing you are."

"Exactly." He slid off his bike and unhooked the second helmet from his seat, holding it out to you. "Here. Put it on."

"I'll pass."

His entire expression plummeted faster than a rock in water.

Had he just been rejected? Him? The great Gojo Satoru?

He huffed, as if he was just beginning to really process your response. "Wait, what do you mean? You can't pass. I'm already here."

"I've never ridden a bike before, and this thing doesn't look like it's made for slow, friendly rides," you explained while casting a wary glance at the motorcycle.

"I can make it slow and friendly." 

You frowned, unconvinced. "Oh, really?"

"Well, if you're gonna beg for it, I might, yeah," he said, a smirk curving his lips upward. 

Without saying another word, you turned around and started striding away. 

"Where you going?" Gojo's voice trailed after you.

"Taking the bus," you called back over your shoulder.

"Aw, come on. I'll be careful!" 

As you walked, Gojo hurried to catch up, reaching out to grab your arm and halt you.

"I'm literally wearing a skirt, Satoru," you protested, trying to reason with him. A futile attempt, always useless. 

"Yeah, so? You have a nice ass, just arch your back and give the cars behind us something exciting to look at."

You sighed deeply, feeling the will to argue back drain out of you in a single breath.

"Seriously, babe, you're so boring sometimes. I'm here to offer you a fun ride, and what do you do? You choose the bus! The bus, of all things! Do you know how lame that is? Sitting there, waiting for it to lurch forward every few minutes. You might as well be watching paint dry!"

While you tried to tune him out, it was not working. You really, really hoped that if you just ignored him long enough, he would eventually tire himself out and shut up, but no. Gojo rambled on and on and on with no sign of stopping anytime soon. 

"...it's like, turning down free candy. Who even does that? Oh, wait, you do! And what about sorting your socks by color? Probably your idea of a crazy Friday night, huh? Or maybe alphabetizing your spice rack is more your idea of a good time. Am I right? Or using coasters—"

Your patience snapped as you cut in. 

"You will drive slow, Satoru."

Gojo stared at your finger that poked his chest. He squeezed his eyes shut and threw his head back. "Fuck, you're so sexy when you give me commands," he groaned.  

"Satoru," you warned again. "You will drive slowly."

"Yes, ma'am." Gojo saluted in front of you. 

You straddled the bike behind him, pressing a little closer than necessary, chest flushed against his broad back.

After he revved the engine to life, Gojo leaned into you, his gloved hands finding their way to your naked thighs to tease you with some strokes and squeezes.

"Nervous, babe?"

"Yes."

Gojo grabbed your wrist, guiding your arm away from his waist to rest against his chest, right above where his heart pulsed, holding your hand there. 

"Don't worry. I promise you that after we get home, you'll want to ride my bike every single day."

You heaved a sigh that faded into a chuckle. "Definitely not."

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—In memory of the bastard I dated in 2020 Full series: ao3

[montammil]

Forever Be Mine

Wrote this like a month ago and never posted it, but I've been hyperfixated on romantic/intimate whumpers, and decided to post lol.

Please send asks about them if interested, I've been trying to get motivated into writing again!

CW: Yandere whumper, kidnapping, drugging, alcohol, overall creepy behavior

...

Rowan never got out often, save for groceries and occasionally visiting the bar every other weekend. The most adventure he had in the past five years was going on a hiking trail every now and then, appreciating nature. It was a temporary relief to his chronic loneliness. He had only two friends, and even then they were just coworkers at the insurance firm.

He thought about getting a pet, but was too worried about having to leave an animal home alone all day. They were far too much commitment for him.

He wasn't exactly a fan of animals anyways, so maybe it was better that he didn't get one.

One night, he decided to drink his sorrows away at a new bar. It was downtown, a club more on the expensive side, but one of his coworkers suggested he check it out. He'd never been there before, but tonight felt like as good a night as any to go.

He dressed in a black dress shirt, slacks, and loafers. Sure, he may have not been the wealthiest man alive by far, but he did love an excuse to dress up.

If he were lucky, maybe he could leave with someone.

He didn't often hook up with people. In fact, he'd only had a few hookups in his life. But he was tired of going to bed alone.

Rowan parked his car on the street nearby and walked into the bar. It was fairly crowded, bustling with the noises of conversations. He ordered a glass of whiskey at the bar.

As he sat there, his eyes began to wander around the club. The interior was nice and classy, a good attempt at making it feel like an upscale place. A few tables were occupied with people, either eating or chatting.

Suddenly, everyone's voices died down and Rowan glanced to the stage to see the performance. The musicians were tuning their instruments, a few patrons of the bar clapped lightly in anticipation. And then the singer came onto the stage, dressed in a khaki suit and a silver tie.

The moment Rowan saw him, he felt his heart jump into his throat.

He had a history of growing obsessed at first sight with certain people, but each time he told himself that this one was the last. This was the person that would finally fill the emptiness. And every time it fell through.

Rowan's eyes were locked on the man. The lights reflected off of his hair and sparkled in his eyes, catching every subtle movement of his body. When he opened his mouth to sing, it felt like the whole world had stopped. Rowan wasn't sure if he'd ever heard someone with a voice so lovely.

His eyes followed the man as he strolled around the stage, watching the way he moved so gracefully.

His heart pounded in his chest, so loud that he almost felt deafened by it. Rowan found it difficult to breathe, completely entranced. It was as though everything else in the room had disappeared, and the man on the stage was all he could see.

God, he was perfect. His voice was deep and sultry, yet sweet and gentle. Rowan couldn't help but be completely taken away by him.

"Big thanks to Indigo for having us," the raven-haired man spoke. "We'll be back next week."

Rowan swallowed the last sip of whiskey in his glass as he watched him step off the stage and begin to walk towards the bar. The alcohol was starting to cloud his mind a bit. He forced himself to put down the glass before he made a fool of himself, if he wasn't already doing that by staring. He watched the singer order a drink from the bartender, who seemed to know him fairly well.

"The usual, Sawyer?" the bartender asked.

He smiled charmingly, "You know me so well."

Sawyer, his name is Sawyer. Rowan repeated the name in his head until it was etched into his mind.

He looked over the singer again, from his shining eyes to his smile, the dimples on his cheeks, the shape of his body. And his voice. Oh god, that voice. Rowan felt his heart flutter a bit as he imagined Sawyer murmuring his name in such a sweet tone.

Rowan remained silent, observing Sawyer as he sipped his drink. The singer didn't seem to notice Rowan was staring at him, or if he did, he didn't say anything. He felt a pang of sadness. Sawyer wasn't looking at him, wasn't speaking to him.

Just as he tried to speak, Sawyer stood up and went towards the back door of the bar. Rowan felt like a fool, watching him walk away like that. But something took over him and he followed after him.

It was snowing outside, the cold nipping at his skin. Rowan wished he'd brought a coat. He spotted Sawyer out on the sidewalk, his back turned to him.

The singer's breath came out in soft clouds, visible in the air. He pulled a pack of cigarettes and a lighter from his pocket. Rowan thought that maybe it'd be best if he didn't interrupt him, but his mouth betrayed him.

"Nice night," Rowan said.

Sawyer startled a bit at the sound of his voice and looked back at him. Rowan quickly panicked, but did his best to keep his composure.

"You were great in there," he added, smiling politely.

The singer's eyes went wide for a moment before relaxing into a smile. Rowan wondered if Sawyer even recognized him from inside, or if he'd already forgotten about him.

"Thank you," Sawyer replied, turning back around and lighting a cigarette.

He was so beautiful under the moonlight. The snow was falling, and it looked so peaceful. Rowan couldn't take his eyes off of him. Sawyer inhaled deeply from the cigarette and then breathed out the smoke into the air. Rowan watched the grey cloud leave his lips and disappear into the cold sky. Sawyer flicked the ashes onto the ground and then took another drag.

"Do you always smoke outside after a show?" Rowan asked, hoping to start a conversation.

Sawyer gave a lighthearted laugh, "No, I don't smoke often at all, actually. Been trying to quit."

"That's good, it's not very healthy for your lungs," Rowan pointed out.

"Yeah, it's a bad habit." Sawyer sighed. "But I've had a rough night."

He paused, taking the cigarette out of his mouth and blowing out more smoke. Rowan just stood there quietly, unsure of what to say next.

Sawyer looked back at him again, and Rowan noticed how tired his eyes looked. He wanted nothing more than to give Sawyer a hug. He wondered if he could smell the whiskey on his breath.

"I'm Rowan," he introduced.

"Sawyer," the singer replied, then tossed the cigarette butt in a nearby trash can. "Thank you again for coming to listen, Rowan. I'm gonna head out now, maybe I'll see you around again?"

Sawyer started to walk away and Rowan felt like the words were dying on his tongue. He was so close to being able to talk to him more.

...

It was easy to learn the nights Sawyer performed at Indigo. He worked there every Friday from 8:30 to 9:30 PM.

Rowan became a regular at the bar every Friday night, the same spot at the bar each time, where he had the perfect view of the stage. Sawyer's presence was like a drug to him. It wasn't enough to watch him from afar anymore, no matter how long he stared at him. He couldn't shake the obsession.

After the fourth week, Rowan followed him home. It was a little difficult to, given Sawyer took the bus, but he managed to look like he was casually going the same direction.

When Sawyer got off, Rowan followed, a baseball cap hiding half of his face. He tried to act casual as he watched Sawyer unlock the door, conveniently living on the first floor of his apartment complex.

Sawyer then slipped inside and shut the door behind him. Rowan lingered around the area a little longer, feeling a sense of emptiness and disappointment. He was so close to him, yet still so far away. His chest ached. He just wanted to be with him.

Rowan practiced writing love letters to him on days he wasn't at work. He filled pages upon pages of loose-leaf paper with words full of adoration, spilling his heart out onto the paper.

Each letter was just as lengthy as the last, his longing for Sawyer only growing with each passing day. He didn't realize how many pages he'd written until he started running out of space. Sawyer was his new addiction, one that consumed his entire being.

Watching Sawyer constantly, he learnt quite a few things about him.

Despite Sawyer's confident and suave exterior, he was incredibly timid on the inside. When he wasn't performing on stage, Sawyer didn't seem to socialize much with others. He preferred to stay in his apartment, sometimes leaving only to go grocery shopping or run some errands.

He was glad he didn't have many friends. It already enraged him enough that people would flock to Sawyer just to talk to him after his performances at Indigo. The idea of anyone else touching him made him see red.

Another thing Rowan noted was that Sawyer really was committed to the whole 1920's aesthetic. From the photos he'd managed to take from a distance, Sawyer's apartment was full of vintage antiques and other authentic decor pieces.

He particularly appreciated the floral wallpaper in his kitchen. His walls were thin enough that Rowan could hear a gramophone playing in the evenings when Sawyer would cook dinner.

Most importantly, Rowan noticed Sawyer's soft spot for romance movies. In the early evenings, he would see some old black-and-white film playing on Sawyer's TV screen through his window.

If Sawyer wanted an old-fashioned romantic, Rowan would happily be that for him.

He decorated both his house and the lakehouse he inherited to fit Sawyer's style. It wasn't the most difficult task in the world, seeing as Rowan's own style was already pretty antique in nature.

It was a struggle to find an affordable gramophone, but it was worth it to imagine slow-dancing with Sawyer in the living room to old jazz tunes.

Cleaning out the basement was exhausting, but if everything went smoothly, he wouldn't have to even use it. Or at least, he really hoped he wouldn't have to. Rowan didn't want to frighten Sawyer, or hurt him at all, but if it was necessary, he was prepared.

Rowan's preparations were ready to be put into action, the ideal day carefully planned.

...

Sawyer plopped down on the stool, taking a swig of bourbon. Tonight was not going well. He was already upset from getting into a heated argument with his landlord about rent, and then his mother had called to tell him that his grandmother had passed away. And now, he was here, drinking his sorrows away alone at the bar.

He didn't usually drink, but god was he upset right now. And of course, his anxiety had been going through the roof lately. He hated it, how his body reacted to even the slightest of stressors.

His mind began to wander as he sipped at the bitter liquid, trying to ignore how the alcohol burned his throat.

Sawyer loved singing on stage, he really did. It was the highlight of his week, in fact. But when he was done and out of the spotlight, everyone seemed to forget about him.

People would compliment him on his voice after a show, sure, but as soon as he stepped off the stage, their attention was pulled away from him. They didn't seem to care about him otherwise. He didn't want their praise. He just wanted to feel like he was worth something.

"Is this seat taken?"

The crisp voice broke Sawyer from his thoughts and he looked up to see a man sitting next to him. He recognized him as the redhead he had spoken to a few times, and happened to be at every performance at Indigo for the past several weeks. Sawyer forgot his name, but he recognized him regardless.

"No, go ahead," Sawyer said.

"Can I buy you another drink?" he asked.

Sawyer laughed humorlessly, "Sure, why not."

Rowan ordered the both of them a few drinks and they sat together in silence for a bit.

The awkward tension in the air was thick, but Sawyer didn't mind it. He didn't feel like talking.

He stared at the other patrons at the bar, watching the way they moved about, their lighthearted laughter and conversations. He felt a pang of jealousy in his chest, wishing he could experience that level of joy in his life.

"Thanks for the drinks," Sawyer spoke after a while.

"No problem," Rowan replied. "It looks like you've had a rough night."

Sawyer couldn't help but chuckle again at his words. Was it that obvious? "Yeah, I guess so." After his third glass, his thoughts felt a bit hazy.

Normally it took more than that to get him drunk, but today seemed like an exception. His senses felt dulled, like they weren't even there in the first place.

He stood up. "I'mma head home. Thanks for the drinks."

As Sawyer left the bar, he didn't notice Rowan follow after him.

He wobbled as he walked down the street, feeling the effects of the alcohol already. He heard footsteps behind him and turned around to see the man from earlier following him. He wasn't sure if it was the alcohol or his anxiety, but he felt uneasy by his presence.

"Hey," Sawyer said. "Listen, thanks for the drinks and everything, but I'm not looking to hook up with anyone tonight."

Rowan stopped walking and just smiled at him. "That's not what I had in mind."

Something about his words sent a chill down Sawyer's spine. Maybe it was his tone, or maybe it was because the stranger's eyes seemed to darken. But Sawyer's gut told him that something wasn't right, so he just walked away without another word. His body felt heavy, sluggish. He began to regret having so much to drink tonight.

He continued walking down the street, keeping his pace brisk in case Rowan was following him. He thought he could hear the sounds of footsteps trailing behind him, but he wasn't sure if that was his paranoia getting to him or not.

A sudden wave of dizziness hit Sawyer and he stopped for a moment. He leaned against a lamp post to catch his breath.

No amount of alcohol ever made him feel this disoriented before. He looked down at the street beneath him, the pavement seemingly spinning. He groaned and closed his eyes, trying to make sense of where he was, how far he still had left to go.

When he opened his eyes again, he saw a shadowy figure in the corner of his vision. He whirled around, nearly losing his balance and falling over, if not for the lamp post he was still leaning against.

"You're not looking too good," the man said. He sounded anything but earnest.

"Fuck off," Sawyer retorted. "Seriously, just leave me alone."

He tried to walk away, but he stumbled and almost fell to the ground. The man grabbed him before he could and held him by the waist. Sawyer yelped and tried to push him away, but the world around him spun violently and his legs gave out beneath him. Sawyer could feel himself being dragged as the man supported him. He tried to speak, but no words came out of his mouth.

"Just relax," the man whispered in his ear. "I've got you."

Sawyer couldn't see where they were going, the world blurry in his vision and everything looking so distorted and nauseating. His body felt so heavy, like it was weighing him down into the earth's core.

The man continued to drag him along, until finally they stopped in front of a car. Sawyer's vision was blacking out at the edges. He heard the trunk pop open, and was gently tucked inside.

The last thing he remembered was lips pressing against his cheek before he blacked out.

Rowan was elated, absolutely ecstatic that tonight had gone so perfectly. He'd been careful not to drink too much at the bar, knowing that tonight would be an important one. He could hardly believe that he had Sawyer all to himself now.

The drive was nerve wracking. Every mile he drove, Rowan was worried that Sawyer would wake up and start screaming for help, or try to escape the trunk. But luckily, that never happened. Instead, the singer remained unconscious, still knocked out from the drugs Rowan had slipped into his drinks at the bar.

Just for this occasion, he decided to put the old lakehouse he inherited from his parents to use again.

It was a small, cozy little cottage, fully furnished and with its own bathroom. The property was a few hours outside of town and right next to a lake, so nobody would be able to hear Sawyer if he started screaming. It'd be nice to have a little getaway from the busy city.

Once he was sure Sawyer loved him and wouldn't run away, he'd move him back to his actual house. But for now, it'd be enough. He had been saving up vacation days, and most of the work he did was remote anyway.

Rowan unlocked the front door and carried Sawyer inside bridal style. He laid Sawyer down on the bed, then removed his clothes piece by piece and folded them neatly on the dresser.

He smoothed his fingers across Sawyer's bare skin, tracing the curve of his body. He was perfect in every way imaginable. He brushed a few strands of hair out of Sawyer's face.

He dressed him in sweatpants and a t-shirt. When Sawyer wasn't wearing his nice suit and tie, he was in extremely casual clothing. Rowan had gotten to know this part of him pretty well from the photos he'd managed to take from a distance over the months.

The shirt he put on him was a little oversized and hung loosely on Sawyer's body. It made him look adorable.

Rowan couldn't help himself and took a photo on his phone before returning to the living room, making sure to tie him up before doing so. He hated the thought of his beloved getting rope burn, but reminded himself this was only temporary.

No longer would he be lonely. And neither would Sawyer.

[moiravim]

Rainy Nights

Fem (gender fluid) Loki x GN Reader

Fluff

You worked in a small library in New York. Most of the books were used, but costed one to two dollars, so sales were great. Expecially during summer when everyone had time off to read.

You sit near the cash register, typing on your computer. You were currently writing a short story. Not that anyone would read it, but you had your dreams just like everyone else.

A familiar face walks up and you realize Loki is buying another book. She comes almost every day and you wonder if she actually reads all the books she buys.

"Hey, yn. It's nice seeing you again" she says as she smiles and hands you the book she's buying. "Hey Loki, it's nice to see you too. You know, with how fast you read these books it would be much cheaper to use a library..." You respond to her.

She just smiles at you. "I'd rather just keep the books.. it's nice having them, it's almost like a trophy" you smile and nod understandingly.

Loki is beautiful. You can't deny it. The only problem was that you were too shy to ask for her number or ask her on a date.

She starts to walk out when you stop her by stuttering out; "hey, Loki- um.. I was wondering if you'd want to maybe go on a- go to dinner with me."

She smiles as she turns around and responds "I'd love to. I've been waiting for you to ask me out". She giggles as you stare in shock.

At least it was nice knowing she felt the same as you did. She waves as she turns around and shouts "I'll meet you back here at 7!"

You stare as she walks out the door. You look at the time to see it's 5:30. You plan to close the store at 6 and get ready for the date.

As you get ready you think of where to take her. You probably should've planned this much earlier...

You remember a nice pasta place nearby which recently opened. It was in your price zone and had good reviews.

When she gets there you see her in a stunning black dress and look back down at your cheap (suit/dress).

She smiles at you and says; "I got you something". She hands you a green beaded bracelet and lifts wrist to show how she has a matching one.

You smile back as you put it on and thank her. You hook your arms as you guide her to the restaurant you picked out.

You get a table and sit in the booth across from her. "So... What do you do in your free time?" Loki asks you. "I write. I also enjoy reading... Obviously." You respond akwardly as she chuckles. You smile.

The waiter comes over and you both order. "What about you, what do you like to do? ...Other than reading." You ask her. "I like to paint." She states happily.

The room grows quiet when your food comes and you both start eating. You focus on the music in hopes to avoid the awkwardness. She seems so much more calm.

You wonder if she can tell your anxious. Your question is answered when she puts her hand on yours and asks you; "are you feeling okay?...you seem very nervous."

You nod. "Yes, I'm okay. I just get anxious... I'm sorry." She looks at you sadly. "don't apologize. That's not something you need to apologize for."

You both finish your food and pay. As you open the door you realize it's pouring rain. "Oh no... I'm so sorry-" she cuts you off by giggling and pulling you into the rain.

You take your jacket off and put it over the two of you as you run through the rain. Eventually the jacket was soaking wet and was no longer protecting you from the rain so you took it off, tying it around your waist.

You two stopped at a park, still soaking wet and ran through the beautiful nature trails. You stopped near a fountain and sit on the bench in front of it.

Even though your hair was a mess and her makeup was running down her face, this moment was still perfect. She leaned in and kissed you as you kissed back.

You got back up and the two of you playfully ran around the park before stopping at a small booth in the park.

You went up to the sad, wet man selling ice cream and bought two with a smile on your face. His face lit up as he handed you two ice creams.

The two of you started walking out of the park while eating your now wet and melting ice cream.

Nothing could change this happy moment. By the time you both finished your ice creams you just got back to the bookshop and went next door to your small apartment.

You gave her a towel and a change of dry clothes as you got dressed yourself. You made a bag of popcorn and put blankets on the couch, making it as cozy as possible.

When she got back you let her pick a movie as the two of you cuddled on the couch. "Let's do this again soon.." you say with a grin on your face. "How about Friday? I'll plan it this time." She responds playfully.

[sleepyfan-blog]

Capture

Author’s note: The first part of Sirass’ story. Next

Tagged: @egrets-not-regrets @the-pure-angel

Warnings: child kidnapping

Summary: Sirass as a child, helping his mom with her work before going out to play with his friends at a local park.

"Siri, how are you doing with the hole in Ms. Hespirax's dress?" Amama sked, a warm smile on her face as she looked over at where Sirass was carefully stitching a small patch of cloth to the hole that had torn open in one of their clients' favorite dresses.

"I'm about half-way done! I'm keeping the stitches small and even, just like you taught me!" He chirped in response, grinning proudly as he shows his mama his work. He'd been learning how to make and repair clothing as long as he could remember. His mother ran a small tailor's shop in Lochos. 

Mama paused her work on the very fancy dress that she'd been working on for weeks as she looked over his work. The smile on her face brightened and she ruffled his hair, messing up his curls "Good job, Sirass! Be sure to keep your stitches as small and even as you can, and to not snag extra cloth while repairing the damage."

Sirass nodded "Yes mama!" While his stitches weren't as neat and even as his mother's, the ten year old child was determined to help his mother as best as he could, and his repair of the dress was of good quality. He checked periodically to make sure he didn't accidentally sew one part of the dress to another, keeping one hand between the layers of fabric, which also helped to keep the patch in place as he sewed it into place.

Once he finished the last stitch and carefully tied off the extra thread with a knot and trimmed the trailing thread he walked over to where his mother was finishing up her own project and proudly showed it to her. "What do you think, mama? I've finished putting the patch in!"

Mama took the dress he'd been working on and carefully stressed the patch, running her fingers over the stitches. She gifted Sirass with another smile and a hair-ruffle "You did really well! Thank you for helping me patch up Ms. Hespirax's dress. You should go out and play with your friends - I can see them walking down the street to the nearby park. Please be sure to come home by sunset, alright?"

"Thanks mama! I will, mama!" Sirass promised with an eager grin as he ran out to go play with his friends. While there was something soothing about fixing up torn clothes, or helping his mama make new clothes, he very much liked running around and playing games with his friends a lot more. 

~

"Wait for me, Vasili, Sophia, Alfina, and Castian!" Sirass called out as he ran out the back door of his home, darting over to where the others were walking, waving at them excitedly.

His four very best friends slowed down, waving back energetically. Sophia spoke up first "Hi Siri! How are you today? I thought you were going to be doing stuff with your mama all day?"

"I finished the task that mama asked me to do early, so I'm able to play!" Sirass answered with a grin, bouncing a little on the balls of his feet. 

"That's great!" Vasili responds, a bright grin appearing on his face "My dad's been teaching me how to whittle! He says it's the first step on learning how to properly carve things into shape. I'm still not allowed near aby of the saws and bigger stuff he uses to make chairs and other stuff with. Says it's too dangerous."

" Considering your dad has lost three fingers, he probably knows what he's talking about." Alfina points out, poking Vasili in the side "My auntie's been showing me how to clean and bandage different kinds of wounds. I've been learning about burns for weeks. Fire can be really scary if you don't treat it with respect."

"Why would anyone mess around with fire, anyways?" Castian asks, his face scrunching up in confusion "I've only just started to be allowed nearby dad's forge, and none of my little siblings are allowed anywhere close. Dad says that you shouldn't be afraid of fire, but to respect it, like you would a guard dog. Don't taunt fire - or a guard dog - or you'll get burned or bitten."

"My aunt says it's because some people don't use the brains that they were born with. Or they drank too much wine." Alfina answered with a shrug. "Ooh, look! The flowers are blooming at the park! Last one there is a rotten egg!" with that playful taunt she broke out into a sprint, having given herself a head-start.

"HEY, THAT'S CHEATING!" Sirass shouted as he broke out into a run, the rest of his friends following suit. Usually when they played running games like this, the person starting did a brief count down, but ALfina really did enjoy winning however she could. 

Not that she did win the sprint to the park, despite her head start, as Sirass was the tallest of the five of them. Sure his feet were a little too big and he could be a little clumsy at times, but his long legs did give him an edge in running games like this.

He skidded to a halt as he reached the huge field of flowers - there were so many bright and vivid colors, and they smelled really nice! There were a few bumblebees sitting on a couple of the flowers, enjoying them too "Haha! I win!" Sirass called out, a victorious grin on his face.

Alfina pouted at him as she slowed down a little, having come in second place "Yeah yeah, you win again. It's not fair that you're so tall!"

"You gave yourself a head-start. You're just grumpy that I'm faster than you are." Sirass teased, sticking his tongue out at her a little.

Sophia didn't slow down enough before reaching the two of them and accidentally crashed into Alfina, her feet having slipped on the muddy ground "Watch out! Augh!" She flailed her arms, trying to regain her balance as she fell backwards.

Vasili wailed "Wait, hang on, don't fall on me!" As he had been running right behind her and tried to dodge around her, only to slip on the muddy ground and started to fall as well.

Sirass lunged to try and help keep his friends from falling to the ground when he abruptly found himself dangling several feet off of the ground, with a huge, metal-covered h and having scruffed the back of his neck. He squirmed a little in confusion and looked up over his shoulder, freezing in fear as the red-eyed visor of one of The Tyrants' Enhanced Soldiers seemed to glare down at him.

The soldier demanded "How old are you, boy?" When Sirass didn't respond initially, the huge mountain of a man shook him a little "Answer me, boy. You'll get into trouble if you don't."

"I... I'm ten, sir. Th-thank you for catching me? Please put me and my friend down, sir. We... We haven't done anything wrong." There were more of the massive, metal-clad soldiers, and each of his friends were being held by one of them.

"We've been ordered to acquire new recruits by our primarch. You and the other two boys are being given the honor of becoming Aspirants for the Iron legion. If you survive the trials, you will be given the honor of becoming an Astartes. Resistance is futile. Put down the girls, they will tell whoever your guardians are of your glorious purpose." The giant soldier holding Vasili ordered. Alfina and Sophia were put down, "You may leave now, children."

Both Sophia and Alfina ran off without so much as a backward glance. 

Sirass squirmed a little in the Astartes' grip "I... Please sir. It's just me and my mama... I don't... I don't want to be taken away from her."

"You dare defy the will of the Tyrant of Olympia? Bold, boy, but such defiance will cost you dearly. If you're so concerned about your mother's fate, perhaps we should pay her a visit?" The Astartes holding Sirass threatened.

His heart shot up into his mouth and he shook his head. He didn't know what might happen if his mother met with these terrifying soldiers, but they were so big and scary and he didn't want her to get hurt because of him "N-No...I... I don't... I'll be good."

"Good." The Astartes rumbled.

 With that, Sirass' life as he knew it was over.

[mogwaipoet]

Trying to figure out how to geocache

I've been meaning to do this for ages, finally got an app installed on my phone and hooked up to a geocaching database. So far I've made three attempts:

The first time, we went to a park with some friends and headed down a trail and I pulled up the cache that looked close and vaguely in the right direction. After we got to within 400 meters, Winston (6yo) started complaining that he was tired, because it was right after daylight savings time so his body thought it was an hour later than the clock said. We explained to him that I was hunting a secret treasure and got to 200 meters and then we realized the trail was curving in the wrong direction, so we turned back.

The second time, I pulled up the app at work and I was like holy shit, there are a dozen caches within 300 meters of my office, and then I realized that nearly every one of them had a description like "the cache isn't really at this location! First you have to solve this tedious cipher and/or anagram and then you'll receive the real location several miles away" and I had to find the checkbox in the settings that said "I just want to walk to an interesting place on my lunch break." Then we walked to the one cache that was within reasonable walking distance and found an Altoids tin hidden under the cover that protects the screws holding a street lamp into its foundation. It was great. I got a little rubber unicorn out of the tin to give to Winston when I got home.

The third time, I went out for my evening constitutional and I decided to go a cache that was in a nearby dog park. The park was closed and it was full dark and walking around in the dark felt way too much like playing that Slenderman game. Not a new moon, but close. I eventually figured out that to get to the cache I'd have to scramble down a rocky incline to a creek bed underneath a bridge, in the dark, with one hand, the other hand holding my phone as a flashlight, and I decided to come back later.

The last one felt like a real adventure, both fun and shitty in the way that real adventures are, and if I had tried to actually do that climb it could've gone bad in a way that real adventures often do. If I'd had an oil lamp and a sword I would've had no choice but to brave the challenge.

[phoebe-delia]

"Fast Car" WIP Snip

I don't think I've had (a public) one at all this year so far!! This is a fic I started literally just now but I told yall I was gonna do one to "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman and I am pleased to say that I have the first scene!! And you can read it right here!! Yay!!

“You’re not serious.”

Harry shrugged, staring straight ahead and walking past where Draco had dramatically paused in the middle of the sidewalk. Harry slowed his pace, though, and nonchalantly sipped from his to-go cup of coffee. “I think it makes sense.”

Draco moved to catch up, their steps aligning once more. He scoffed, and his breath fogged in the frigid late autumn air. “How on earth—“

“We both want to—“ he briefly interrupted himself, glancing around to make sure no one in the open park was staring or listening in on their conversation. He was certain the Glamour was still holding up, but he could never be too careful in public. “We both want to leave,” he said, keeping his voice low. “It might as well be together. At least that way, we’ll know someone.”

“But we’re barely even friends,“ Draco nearly whispered. “How do you expect us to like each other for that long—let alone live together?”

Harry stopped walking, and Draco did too, letting Harry turn and face him directly. Draco’s eyes were wide and uncertain; he was shivering slightly, his body no longer warmed by their brisk walk. His cheeks had flushed in the cold, the color spreading to the tip of his nose, and Harry suppressed the sudden, potent urge to pull him into his arms and press his lips along the pinked skin. To warm him from the inside out.

“Well,” Harry said instead. “I think ‘barely friends’ is a little unfair. We’ve hung out.”

“Having a drunken heart-to-heart at Luna’s birthday party doesn’t really count, Potter.”

“That wasn’t the only time we’ve hung out just us two.”

“Since when?”

“Since now, arguably,” Harry said with a quick half smile.

Draco rolled his eyes. “Yes, I suppose you sending me an Owl to meet up and proposing this ridiculous idea does count as us ‘hanging out.’ But what about your friends? Your life? Your job?”

Harry waved a hand. “I’ll see them. It’s Muggle America, not Siberia. Besides, I’m tired of the Ministry. It’s…”he trailed off and sighed. “I need a change, and so do you.”

“Me?!”

“Yes, you. Your mother fucked off to Paris with a man half her age. Your father is rotting in Azkaban where he belongs. You’ve got to be getting lonely in that obnoxious Manor of yours.”

Draco scoffed. “You don’t know me—“

“Don’t I?”

Draco studied him in silence, a bit stunned, before shaking himself. “It’ll never work,” he said, finally.

Harry shrugged. He took another sip of his coffee and grimaced at the drink, now gone cold. He looked back at Draco, who was staring at him with a frown.

“Only one way to find out,” Harry said, tossing his cup in a nearby trash can. “Besides, I’ve got nothing better to do, do you?”

Draco stared for another long moment, and then he huffed a laugh and looked away, shaking his head, the beginning of a smile tugging at his lips.

[on-my-way-to-the-woods]

Went hiking this morning & made a poor decision to cut through the woods, my pants are coated with burrs. However, I did find 3 new oyster logs (they're too old, but I'll visit them next year) and a wild plum tree so I think it was worth it. I've started trying to do one bad decisions walk a week so I can get some of it out of my system & have more impulse control when hiking with F. The hikes I do are too rough for her anymore. Oh, there were also a bunch of black cherries everywhere, but most of the trees are too tall to reach. Enough low branches to reach a few for the hike.

Yesterday F & I took a paved trail at a nearby park and found reachable black cherries, blackberries, crabapples, and apples. We'll definitely be going back there soon. I have a strong urge to make something with the crabapples, but I'm not sure if I'll have the time or energy.

[existential-dread-in-the-am]

Hiking events & encounters

Day 1

-several friendly people returning to nearby parking area from a short hike

-group of 7 who I heard speaking at least 4 languages

-group of 12 who carried tents but not enough warm clothes and other cold weather hiking equipment to actually sleep in them, unfortunately

-raven sounds from ahead

Day 2

-moose encounter

-same group of 12 at lunch at a restaurant near the trail

-reindeer spotted on the other side of the river, two girls from the 12 who copied my use of a stick as walking and balance support were very excited

-many birds, one of them (blackbird?) joined me under my rain cover for shelter overnight (I slept in a hammock) and a robin tried to steal my breakfast oats

Day 3

-very short walk, leg injured, tired af, need a rest day

-mother and daughter with no hiking experience, very nice, we figured out how to use their travel sized...whatever it is used to cook food, together.

-swimmer lady (went swimming in the freezing cold river), long-distance runner trying hiking for the first time, extremely talkative and uses very colorful language and does not stop swearing for a second

-three runners who told me my one mistake was not bringing a guy to carry my stuff (said jokingly, functioned more as an acknowledgement than an insult)

-really nice couple from UK who gave me orange slices

-I heard woodpeckers and cranes along the way. And what's that one really weird large bird's name, the one that makes deep clicking sounds?

Day 4

-swimmer lady (seems to go swimming every night) is at the same camping sites as me again

-two women who gave me their extra food

-two couples where neither of the guys were good for anything. one took over my laundry station while I was getting more water and just threw my clothes away, the other put their muddy stuff on my sleeping spot (all the way in a corner!!) and kept putting either himself or his things in places where they were in everyone's way and people had climb over them. Absolutely no consideration for the other 7 people staying in the same space. Who raised these guys?

Day 5

-many nice people again along the way

-random guy who would roar periodically while running

-a very nice couple who escaped their kids to spend time together who gave me their marshmallows

-unusually warm day -> mosquitoes reappeared

Day 6

-passed through a crowded area. away quickly

-it started raining suddenly and then it rained all day

-swimmer lady again

-adventure guy who'd gone off the trails on purpose to take a 'short cut' that turned out to be a steep climb and finally arrived at the campsite using a compass

-guided tour of 3 women and the guide

-many others I didn't really get to meet

-two sisters, one of whom we managed to fit in to sleep in the same room with us (me, swimmer lady, adventure guy and her) while the other decided to set up a tent rather than wake up the three sleeping in the other one

Day 7

-swimmer lady wouldn't leave me alone

-I could hear ravens again the whole way

-people I met kept asking me how I feel about hiking alone

-finally reached the end point and met up with my parents and we went home

-an entire herd of reindeer needed to be avoided to reach the parking lot

-most beautiful sunset I've seen in ages

[fireolin]

Out walking (to rehabilitate my ankle), and two tourists with Nordic accents stopped me to ask where the entrance to my local National Park was, to find a particular trail. I felt so bad for them, because there's no such thing as one entrance to a park that spans multiple Sydney suburbs. They were nowhere near where they wanted to be, and I think they must have just seen an entry point and started walking, in the wrong direction, then come out near me.

So I told them about another walk nearby that would take them down to the water (with a cafe at the end, which meant civilisation, so they wouldn't end up hopelessly lost), but they weren't interested and wandered off. They're wearing singlets and shorts and carrying nothing but their phones, so they're going to get horribly burnt. But, I felt as though that was too much to explain when I think they were struggling to understand my Aussie accent.

If you ever visit Australia, please don't just go wandering into the bush for a walk, even if it's bush in the middle of a major city. You can wander all day and end up severely sunburnt if you're not at least minimally equipped. Please know where you're going, wear a hat, and bring water and sun protection, or you could end up really suffering.

Just because something is in the city doesn't make it safe, and distances in this country are huge. I've met other people who've asked me how long it will take to drive to somewhere that was in another state! They were thinking a couple of hours, not a couple of days.

[hinatastinygiant]

6 | Mr. Blue Sky

Pairing: Hinata x Fem!Reader

previous | next | greatest mixtape

Thursday morning you nearly jump out of bed. You and Hinata have planned to meet at the entrance of one of the National Parks nearby.

More than anything you could use a bit of fresh air so just as soon as you shower and grab a bit of food for breakfast, you head to your car to meet up with your date.

When you pull into the lot, you see Hinata looking down at his phone. His eyebrows are pulled in together like he's looking at something important. So when you step out of your car, you quietly walk over instead of interrupting.

As you draw near, Hinata looks up and turns off his phone. "Hey!" he beams as a giant grin grows across his lips. "Good morning, Y/N."

"Good morning," you smile back at him. You then pull him in for a hug before taking a step back. "Ready to go?"

"Yeah. Have you ever been here before?" he asks as the two of you start your journey.

"I've been to the park, but there's like trails and all that, too, right? I've never done anything like that before," you admit to him. "I think my brother has though."

"Shame on him for not showing you around," he teases. "This place is great. It's got marked trails for all kinds of levels. But maybe for today we should start with something not so steep?"

"Good idea," you nod. "It might be better to build up to it."

"'Kay, then let's try the red trail. It's a little long but it's pretty flat. I used to walk my dog this way before I had to give her to my parents 'cause, you know, traveling for work makes it hard to be a pet owner."

"Oh man, that sucks. I'm sorry you had to do that. I remember I had a pet once back in middle school. My mom loved our cat more than she loved me or my brother I think," you chuckle. "When she died my mom couldn't sleep for a week. My dad insisted we never get a pet again after that."

"That's harsh," he shakes his head. "Pets are like family. Sucks they don't live as long as we do."

"For sure. Maybe if we did get another pet my mom wouldn't be so bitchy all the time, though," you grin.

"She'd be too preoccupied with the pet instead of you," he chuckles. "Do you not get along with your mom?"

"Ah, she's just got this stupid idea in her head that my brother and I are her little puppets living the life she never lived. What's that saying again? Like helicopter parenting but worse..."

"Living vicariously through your child? Probably narcissism."

"Yes, that's it. God, if she's not narcissistic then I don't know what is," you shake your head.

"So you're saying you're nothing like your mom?" he then asks.

"Nothing at all," you reply.

"And what would you say that includes? Tell me a bit about yourself. I mean we only met last week," he shrugs.

"Uh, well, while I don't think I spend as much time in nature like you do judging by how much you know about this park, I do like being outside. It helps me clear my mind about shit."

"I do that, too," he nods. "And weed."

"Weed helps," you chuckle. "Man, I wish I had brought some with me after the night I had last night."

"Last night?" he asks as he stops walking and turns to face you. "What happened last night?"

"Oh, you know just the average family dinner that included my mom being a bitch and my dad acting like a toddler," you sigh, admitting the truth to him. Though it's a bit embarrassing to talk about how much you dislike your parents, for some reason, you can just tell he isn't passing judgment.

"In that case," he smiles as he reaches into his pocket, "I've got just what you need."

In his hand, he pulls out a small joint just like the ones Kotonoha always rolls.

"Oh shit, no way," you smile. "You're willing to share?"

"Yeah. And it's new, I promise. I was gonna have a smoke later on but I think it'd be more fun with someone to share."

The two of you then walk to the side of the path toward an old fallen down tree. You step over and sit down with your back to the path and the tree, your ass probably covered in dirt and leaves. Not that you really care when he's offering a free smoke.

Hinata sits down beside you and pulls out a lighter from the opposite pocket. He then hands you the joint, offering you the first hit.

As you place the rolled paper to your lips, Hinata lights the very edge. You then take an inhale in and hold for a moment before blowing the smoke out.

"That's strong," you cough out as you pass him the joint. You weren't expecting his stuff to be just as strong as Kotonoha's. It's like they've got the same dealer. But that wouldn't really be a huge coincidence if the dealer's got a good rep.

For awhile, the two of you sit and smoke until there's only a small nub left of the paper. Then, once it's gone, you continue to stay to talk and laugh about absolute nonsense until you hear the crack of a stick.

Your body jolts as you look around. Neither you nor Hinata have moved which means something else is around.

You turn around onto your knees and place your hands on the fallen tree, looking out onto the path.

"What is it?" Hinata asks as he crawls into the same position as you.

"Dunno. I didn't see anything. What do you think it is?"

"Dunno. I didn't see anything," he repeats.

Just then you hear leaves rustling from behind you. Once more you turn around and see a deer rush straight past the two of you. Your heart nearly beats out of your chest until your brain slowly processes what you just saw.

"Shit. That scared the fuck out of me," you sigh.

"Me, too," Hinata nods, gripping the front of his shirt. "Fuck."

The two of you look at each other in a scared shock for a moment before completely breaking down in a fit of laughs. You laugh so hard that tears begin to stream down your face. You're not just crying. You're absolutely sobbing.

When Hinata notices, he still can't stop himself from laughing, but instead wraps his arms around you and holds you close.

"I'm sorry," he repeats, trying to apologize for laughing while attempting to calm you down. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," you sob into his chest. "I'm alright."

Once you've calmed down, Hinata lets you go. You quickly wipe the tears away from your eyes and take a deep breath. "I think we should keep walking," you whisper to him. "I don't think I can handle another jump scare."

"Good idea," he nods. "We're still only at the start of the trail. You think you can walk the rest of the way?"

"Yeah," you respond as you stand on your two feet. "I think so."

"Maybe it'll help if you let me hold your hand," he smiles, reaching out his hand to you.

"Only if you promise not to let go."

"On my honor."

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[andswarwrites]

Day 9

Yesterday I wrote about our experience with the pandemic and schooling, but now I have another "pandemic tale" to tell.  While everyone was sharing stories about how the pandemic made them gain weight, S- and I took ourselves in hand and conquered obesity.  I mean, we gained some of the weight back, and losing it a second time is proving difficult, but I no longer have high blood pressure, and both of us still fit in our clothes, so we're doing okay.

Weight gain can be so gradual, it creeps up on you.  S- was always on the portly side, and we're both tall, and I would classify myself as "curvy", so when the pandemic first hit, we'd go for a run around the block every day, and eat whatever we wanted.  It wasn't until we visited my parents in the summer of 2020 that we experienced a shock.  My mom borrowed a scale from a friend and had the two of us weigh ourselves.  That was tough love, huh?  S- was around 300 lb, and I was only forty pounds lighter.

It was summer, so both of us began getting out for walks every single day.  S- would walk to and from work on sunny days, and that gave him 5 km, and I would walk over to see him at lunchtime and we would walk around the campus together, then I'd walk home, getting my own 5 km.  Just walking every day makes a big difference.  And we cut sugar, salt, processed food and alcohol.  Since we lost the weight (S- lost close to a hundred pounds, and I lost eighty-five) we have adjusted the diet.

For breakfast we lean towards fruit, oatmeal, the occasional slice of whole grain toast; for lunches we tend to make stews, wraps and sandwiches.  And for supper I have been making a lot of soups and salads.  We're not vegetarian, but I feel like we buy more cheese than we do any other animal product.  Now, tell me if this makes sense: I don't think full on deprivation is the way to go when you're losing weight.  You need habits that are sustainable.  So exercise and how you eat cannot be temporary, with a set goal in mind.

I do lose weight with the current diet we're having. However, the scale shows me some pretty discouraging fluctuations.  All winter I worked out, but this spring I hit a wall.  On the other hand, the days are now longer, the warmer weather is approaching, and I'm planning to go for a walk with a friend tomorrow.  There's a nearby park that helps you get away from the city for about an hour, in wooded trails.  It'll be muddy this time of year, but I've got good boots. 

Every time I achieve a goal, it is by taking one day at a time, and celebrating small victories.  For example, this year, I just passed the 100K mark in my daily writing.  I only started one story so far this year, the rest of my writing has been journalling.  I've been getting ideas for fiction, and my new main character has been taking shape.  I'm in no hurry to write a new novel.  It would be nice if I could write one in November, like old times, but I've still got a lot of editing to do.  So we'll see.

I have a confession to make: my self esteem is not quantified by a number: the amount in my bank account, the weight I see in the morning when I step on the bathroom scale, my age, the scores I get on tests.  They're all numbers, they don't fulfill me.  You know what fulfills me?  Life.  If we have enough money for the basic necessities, some fun splurges here and there, and enough set aside for emergencies, we're good.  My goal in watching my weight is mainly to make sure I remain healthy.  But if I'm eating well, working out as much as I can, and staying active, what more can I do?  Certainly not starve myself.

And as for my age: I used to think youth ended once your thirties ended.  Well I am halfway through my thirties, and I've got a new approach: I'm going to just enjoy each passing year, and mature as gracefully as I can.  And as for test scores: I know I am intelligent.  I don't need to define my intelligence by how many dates and facts I can retain.  I enjoyed school, but it has its place.  Can you learn?  Can you teach?  You're set.  Because if you can learn, you'll be able to grow as a person, and if you can teach, you can share your personal growth with those around you. 

I rambled again, didn't I?  I tend to do that, because a lot of topics are all interconnected in my head.  And that is what I'm going to talk about for the next four days, starting tomorrow: my head.  Starting with how I really feel about being called "weird" and "crazy".  But that's tomorrow's ramblings, not today's.  I forgot to mention: N- has an appetite that can be downright scary.  I had to start feeding her solid food at four months, and one of the only dishes that would fill her was green peas, avocado and egg.  That was her absolute favorite.

Now that N- is entering the teen years, I worry about her, because she can just consume food.  I remember hunger at that age, and between meals I had to satisfy myself with an apple.  And I lived.  I've been working on helping N- to savor and enjoy her food; my sister told N- to chew until she has tasted every flavor.  I think that is really good advice.  We should also be mentally present when we eat.  I prefer meals where we eat as a family, at the table, enjoying one another as much as we enjoy the food on our plates.

[duskwoodgirl4life]

⚠️Trigger warning contains sexual content ⚠️

Chapter 7

MC and Jake had been working hard the past couple months on a big project that their boss trusted them with. Once they had finished everything they both had a couple of weeks off work. Jake had decided to plan something special for MC; he had booked a ski lodge for a week. Jake had everything set up at the lodge; he wants it as romantic as possible for his girl. Once he had booked everything he turned off his laptop and went to see where MC was. When he came out of the office she was sitting by the window drawing on one of her big sketch pads.

Jake smiled and walked over to her, kissing her softly on the cheek, "hi baby, I've got something special to tell you" MC looked up at Jake who had excitement in his eyes "what is it Jake? MC looked at Jake with such in her eyes. "I've booked us a romantic ski lodge for the week" MC's eyes lit up at what Jake had told her she put her pad down and wrapped her arms around him. "Awh Jake..I love you so much baby" MC had tears in her eyes. They weren't sad tears but tears of happiness and joy.

MC pulled away slightly from Jake to look into his ocean blue eyes, "when do you leave baby?" Jake looked into MCs hazel eyes and a warm smile spread across his face "I know it's short notice but we leave tomorrow" Jake had a hint of sadness in his voice when he said they would be leaving tomorrow. "Hey baby, don't be upset I love this side of you so much plus I have you to keep me warm" MC kissed Jake softly on the lips. "Come on baby let's go fuck, erm I mean pack" a mischievous grin spread across Jake's face at what MC had said. "I definitely love the first option, let's do that first" MC couldn't help but giggle. Jake took her by the hand leading her into the bedroom.

The next day MC and Jake were all ready to head up to the ski lodge, MC was so excited she couldn't wait to get there. "This week is going to be the best thank you so much baby" Jake turned to MC and smiled. "Anything for my special girl" has Jake driving down the street MC was taking pictures of all the different types of scenery. "Look Jake, look how pretty the trees and flowers look" Jake looked over and a big smile spread across his face. "It's so beautiful baby, but not as beautiful as you" MC felt her cheeks starting to heat up even now Jake still made her blush whenever she paid her a compliment.

After a few more hours of driving MC and Jake arrived at the lodge, Jake parked the car and got the cases out of the boot of the car MC was taking in her surroundings she had a big smile on her face. "Jake this place is perfect" Jake walked over to MC and wrapped his arms around MCs waist. "Come on let's go check in" they picked up the bags and walked over to the reception building once they had checked in and walked over to the lodge where they will be staying for the next week.

When they walked inside MCs face lit up even more, there was a massive kitchen to the left and to the right was a cozy living space for them to cuddle up near the fire. The master bedroom was even better; there was a massive 4 poster bed with an ensuite bathroom. MC couldn't believe they would be living in such luxury she put both arms out spinning round with a big smile on her face.

Jake stood near the bedroom door with a smile on his face as he watched how happy MC was. When MC noticed Jake standing there she rushed over to him and gave him a big hug. "How about we go take a walk and then after we can sit by the fire watching a movie" MC snuggled into Jake with a smile on her face. "I'd love that Jake, I'm so in love with you" a warm feeling spread through Jake's body. "I feel the same way MC I love you so much" they stayed in each other's arms for a few more minutes then got their jackets and went on their walk.

Jake and MC walked down the path hand in hand, they found a trail that led to a lake. There were a few benches nearby so they decided to sit down. "It's so beautiful here, I love this place" MC cuddled Jake and smiled. "I'm so glad you like it here baby" they sat and talked for a while then headed back to the lodge. Once they got back they took off their jackets hanging them up, MC went into the kitchen to make some hot chocolate with marshmallows and whipped cream. While MC was busy making hot drinks Jake was getting the log fire ready. He put down the big cushions from the sofa and the big blanket from the back of the sofa.

After making the hot drinks MC brought them over to where Jake was sitting, she placed them down on the coffee table and lay down next to Jake. MC cuddled into Jake enjoying the sound of the embers coming from the fire "I know you suggested watching a movie but can we just stay like this for a while?" Jake placed a soft kiss on MCs head. "Of course baby, whatever you want to do is perfectly okay with me" they sat and cuddled while drinking their hot drinks Jake noticed MC was starting to feel sleepy so he put her cup down and picked her up. She snuggled into his chest as Jake carried her to bed.

The next morning MC woke up with a smile on her face. Everything bad that happened was now in the past she was now only looking towards the future with the man she loved so much.

MCs POV

I never thought I would ever be this happy again, I really thought Jake was dead but he wasn't he came back to me. I've had boyfriends in the past but none of them compare to Jake. They only ever wanted one thing and when I wouldn't give it to them they would leave. Jake he's different, he's so caring and loving he doesn't force me to choose behaving sex or leaving. I could stay wrapped up in his arms for the rest of my life listening to him softly snoring warms my heart so much.

I feel him starting to wake the smile on my face gets even bigger. I can't wait for him to open his eyes so I can see his beautiful ocean blue eyes. "Good morning baby" I reach my hand out and softly run my hand over his cheek. "Morning baby, I love waking up to you, you're so beautiful" Jake pulls me close and kisses me softly on the lips. We lay in each other's arms for a while then we got up, took a long shower together and ate breakfast.

After we finished breakfast we walked into the small town where there was a market that had been set up with different stalls. "Wow look at this one Jake" I took hold of Jake's arm and pulled him over towards the stall selling all kinds of different soaps. I picked up one after another. They all smelt so nice I couldn't decide which one I wanted. Jake noticed I was struggling and he did the most amazing thing ever. He bought me one of each soap "oh Jake thank you so much" I kissed Jake softly on the lips and gave him a hug. "Anything for my beautiful angel"

We carried on walking around and I spotted a stall that sold all kinds of different computer things. There were keyrings,shirts, monitors, they even had laptops as I was looking around while waiting for Jake to come back from the bathroom. I saw the perfect gift for Jake; it was one of the very first laptops that came out. Next to it was a shirt that said "I found true love using a computer" I grabbed the laptop and shirt and paid for them.

I felt two arms wrap around my waist and kiss me softly on the cheek, "hey beautiful" I looked up at Jake and I couldn't help but smile. He is my everything.

MC managed to hide the bag from Jake while they walked around some more before heading back to the lodge. Once they arrived back Jake went to make some coffee while MC sat down smelling all her different soaps. "MC what's in the other bag?" MC looked up at Jake and realized she hadn't given him his gift yet. "I'm sorry baby, come here i bought you something" Jake walked over to where MC was sitting and sat down next to her.

MC handed over the bag and Jake's face lit up when he saw the laptop, when he pulled the shirt out his face lit up even more. "I don't know what to say, I love them so much thank you MC" MC smiled and leaned in for a kiss Jake deepened the kiss pushing MC down onto the sofa. "I want to show my thanks for my gifts" MC could see how dark Jake's eyes had gone she felt his erection brushing against her thighs.

Jake squeezed MCs breasts and a moan escaped her mouth as Jake put his hand under her shirt and started playing with her hardening nipples. Jake sat up a little bit and told MC to take her shirt off as she did Jake I hooked her bra letting her breasts free. As Jake was playing with her breasts his hand slid down towards MCs wet knickers and slowly pulled them down and placed a finger deep inside her.

MC let out a loud moan as Jake pushed another finger into her soaking wet hole. Jake quickened the pace MC was starting to lose control and cum all over Jake's fingers. When MC caught her breath she pulled Jake towards her and kissed him. She started to unbuckle his belt and pull his jeans off exposing his erection. She licked the tip of his erection each time sliding her mouth further onto his erection. Jake let out moan after moan he loved what MC was doing to him it was driving him crazy.

MC stopped what she was doing and pushed Jake back onto the sofa and slowly lowered herself into Jake's hard dick. Jake put his hands on MCs waist as she moved up and down. Her breast bouncing up and down each time getting faster and faster until they both lost control and MC cum all over Jake's dick and Jake filling MC up with hot cum.

[clbenvs3000f24]

Blog 03: Privilege and Nature

[Watching the sunset over the Long Island Sound on the ferry.]

The word “privilege” has changed meaning to me throughout my life. When I was little, I used to feel outrageously jealous of the kids I went to school with who had an in-ground pool or a finished basement. It felt unfair in middle school that all the other girls came to school with name brands, flaunting their fresh tans from their family vacation in the Bahamas. Later in high school, I dreamt of being “privileged” enough to have my own car like so many other of my peers. Despite being so naive to the advantages I had been born into and raised with, my parents never failed to remind me of them. I knew the dictionary definition of the word, but I never understood how privilege really applied to me.

These privileges refer to the unique set of advantages I have been dealt in life as a result of my upbringing and identity. In my “invisible backpack,” as described by Peggy McIntosh, you can find financial and environmental security that provided me with safe opportunities to freely access and enjoy nature.

[Walking the boardwalk at Oatland Island Wildlife Center in Savannah, Georgia.]

I feel incredibly lucky to be supported and given the opportunity to move 8-10 hours away to attend University. Further, a University with such passion for the environment and our connection with nature. It's also important to acknowledge the privilege of taking classes here in Canada (as a Canadian citizen who grew up in the States) without having to really stress about finances. I have a scholarship and my parents are in a position to help financially, meanwhile, most of my friends here in the States have years left to pay off their student loans/debt.

[Block Island, RI]

After moving to Connecticut from Toronto as a toddler, I was raised in the most Gilmore Girls-coded town you could imagine; we’ve actually had a handful of recent Hallmark movies filmed here! I live right down the road from a boat launch on the Connecticut River and the tracks of our local steam train. My sister and I used to walk the tracks for miles observing and attempting to identify all the various trees, birds, and plants. We had numerous birthday parties growing up at nearby state parks where we would hike and catch frogs or a rescue farm where we got the opportunity to interact with dozens of rabbits, guinea pigs, horses, donkeys, goats, etc. I feel lucky that my parents went out of their way to allow us these hands-on experiences.

[A crab my sister and I found while walking the Moraine Nature Trail at Hammonassett State Park.]

My understanding of my own privileges started to click when I moved from the quaint New England atmosphere of my hometown to the city of Guelph. Don't get me wrong, I love all the skunks and vibrant trees this city has to offer, but it made me miss the coastline. Only after I moved back to Canada did I understand how much I missed being able to drive 15 minutes to the beach. I practically lived in the arboretum during my 2 years living on campus because I missed feeling the same connection to nature I felt back home. It opened my eyes to how fortunate I am to have parents who considered my future access to nature a priority when moving to a different country.

[My little friend at Rocky Neck State Park that visits every time I go journal on the beach.]

After engaging in the contents of this nature interpretation class, I've realized that many of the luxuries I had access to growing up were things I had never recognized as privileges. In particular, the beauty of the area I grew up in. I get to spend most of my summer days exploring Hammonasett and Rocky Neck State Park, or taking a short ferry over to either Block Island or Long Island, NY. Personally, I love the coastal ecosystem of New England and I am so incredibly grateful to have grown up so close to the ocean.

[blood-and-wine-ao3]

Chapter 8 link!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/48321235/chapters/147228001

A tattoo artist and his stressed father started walking out of the parlor, the avian priest nervous and twitchy, and the human artist masking his anxiety with an awful poker face.

"Tom? Everything okay?" Aimsey's voice rose from their station, worried tones threading their voice for the second day in a row.

"Yeah, fine, be back later," Tommy replied, but Aimsey didn't quite miss the shake in his voice.

"Y'know, if you need anything, anything at all, I'm down the phone and down the road,"

"I know. Thank you, Aims."

Tommy opened the door, pushing it for Phil to catch as he stepped into the street again. His body buzzed with nervous energy, the painted grin on his lips starting to fade.

"Tom, what's wrong?" Phil pressed as they began walking through the streets. "Clem's fine, isn't she?"

"Clem's fine."

"Tubbo?"

"Fine,"

"Bill?"

"Fine,"

"Niki."

"We both know what you want to ask."

The silence stretched between them, the sounds of the city doing nothing to relieve the pressure.

It felt like years passed until Tommy caught sight of someone with bright pink hair and it spurred his mind into speaking.

"How's, uh, how's Techno nowadays, Dad?"

"He's fine. Me and your mum talked to him yesterday, actually. He's really enjoying the Arctic."

"I'm glad, he deserves to be happy."

The pair of blondes turned a corner, walking towards a park as silence once again stretched its limbs as the third person walking with them.

"....This isn't the way to your place."

"Got a new place," Tommy huffed, opening the gate and again pushing it for Phil to catch.

He focused on his pace, left, right, left, avoid the dog shit, left, right, left.

"Toms, are you sure we can't talk about this here?" the priest asked, stress punctuating each syllable of his sentence.

"I'm sure. We don't want- people might hear," the artist cut himself off, trying to be as vague as possible in reassuring his father.

Right, left, tree root, left, right.

"Tommy, you're scaring me," Phil sped up a bit, walking alongside his son rather than trailing behind. "Seriously, you're freaking me out here-"

"Just wait until we're at mine. Please. Then ask as much as you want."

"Alright, I trust you."

Tommy tried to swallow the lump in his throat, lost in his thoughts as he walked.

He really should tell Phil before they got there. What if he reported them?

He's their father, he deserves to know before it hits him in the face. How are you supposed to break this to someone gently?

Empty Coke can. Left. Right. Left. Right.

"Tom? We're at the end of the park."

"Right. Okay. Come on."

Tommy took the lead again, trying to create some kind of confidence, to still his shaking hands, to quiet his worried breathing, to soothe his stinging eyes.

Again, they drop into a strange city silence, distant beeping cars and nearby avian wingbeats forming the backdrop for the duo's worried thoughts.

"TOMMY! I've been looking for you for so long and it was raining and I hid in a bus stop and Wilbur's breathing all funny and you need to-" The distant, familiar voice of a mottled moth drew closer, cutting herself off when she saw Phil.

"Why's Phil here? Tommy? What's going on?" Clementine asked, her usually upbeat voice solemn and stressed.

"Gods, why the fuck is everyone asking me what's happening all the fucking time? I'm not fucking Big Brother, I can't see everything constantly! Can you both just shut the fuck up for 3 seconds while I sort my own head out before I deal with yours?" The boy snapped, spinning on his heel and facing the moth and the man.

Hurt and worry painted creases across Phil's face, Clem's antennae perked in shock. Greeted with Tommy's face twisted by anger and fear, the three fell into stunned silence.

After an eternity passed in a second, the shorter blonde turned again and started walking, pacing quickly to the point Phil was near-jogging to keep up.

They streaked down streets and darted down alleys, eventually arriving at Tommy's dilapidated apartment building.

Tommy fumbled with his pockets, purposefully letting the keycard slip through his fingers.

Delaying the inevitable.

"That was- bad of me. Sorry." He stammered, his hands shaking so much he wasn't sure if he was fumbling the keys on purpose anymore.

"Should I- should I fly up? To check on Wil-"

"Please don't." Tommy said out loud. "You're going to- both of you are going to need me."

He grabbed the keycard, turning again. Clem had perched on Phil's hat, antennae drooping, and the man's expression was the same as before.

"Tom? Your hands are shaking," he pointed out, fidgeting with his rings.

"Yeah, I know. I just- Please don't call the ISAM," He looked down at his shoes, gripping the card with a white-knuckled grip.

"Tommy. Why the fuck would I be calling the ISAM. Do you have a fucking unexploded bomb in your bedroom?"

"No! No." He turned around again, tapping the card on the terminal and opening the door to the building.

They stepped in, each step suddenly an uphill battle, as the emotional concrete of Tommy's regrets filled his shoes and slowed his steps.

Between the thump of the men's steps, it was so quiet you could hear Clementine flutter her wing, all three terrified to make a sound.

Tommy's eyes burned as they walked up to the lift, pressing the call button with shaking hands. Phil faltered in his steps, unsure about what had made Tommy so scared.

The lift rattled open. As usual, it smelled like piss and mould, but Tommy wasn't sure if he could take the extra time up the stairs. The last thing he wanted was a breakdown on the stairwell. They walked into the lift, Phil tensing his wings off the ground and bunching them up so they didn't touch the walls, floor, or ceiling of the metal box.

Tommy didn't blame him.

He pressed the fourth floor button, and the lift doors closed. It started its ascent to the nightmare above, all three beings in the slightly rusty box questioning why they were going into the apartment.

After a small eternity passed, the lift shuddered to a halt, and the door bing-ed open, with Tommy and Phil stepping out of it as soon as they could.

To Tommy's resigned dismay, the door to Apartment 418 was parallel to the lift. He grabbed his keys, jingling in his trembling hands, and stepped across the hallway, taking a deep breath.

He opened the door, beckoning for Phil to enter. Clementine alighted from Phil's hat, fluttering through the apartment to stand on her vivarium, and Phil walked in, giving Tommy a look.

Tommy left the door open behind them, letting out a shaky breath as he slipped off his shoes.

"Dad? Would you mind taking your shoes off?" he muttered, his voice tiny and barely audible.

"Oh, yeah, of course-" Phil replied, taking off his sandals and placing them next to Tommy's. He took off his hat, placing it on the coffee table. "Isn't that Wil's rule? Normally you don't care."

"Yeah, but it'd make him happy."

"Where is Wilbur, anyway? Isn't he at work?"

"He's started taking night shifts," Tommy murmured. "Dad, sit down. Make yourself comfortable. Clem, stay where you are."

"Tommy, what's wrong?"

"Wil was on his way home from work about a week ago. I can't remember exactly, everything's a blur-" he choked back the lump in his throat, his eyes flooding with tears, threatening to spill.

"Tom," Phil asked gently, "Is Wilbur okay?"

He let out a sob, hot salt streaking down his face as Phil tensed.

The priest stood up, wordlessly crossing the rest of the apartment.

"No, Dad wait, let me-"

Phil opened the bedroom door, freezing in his tracks.