#Like I’m being dramatic but at the same time it’s a bit of an ick 😍

[stuckinapril]

Male patients who will literally call their wives to verify things like their med list grate on my nerves SO much……. Are we 12

[libraincarnate]

astrology notes: 10 🌈✨🦄🍭

quick note: i'm absolutely not an astrologer. these are just a collection of some observations, thoughts, theories, and personal experiences. with that being said, i'm still learning along the way & i may come back to edit this post to make corrections. above all this is just for fun. lastly, keep in mind that i’m not reading your birth chart and i know nothing about you. these are just some possibilities that may or may not apply to you. enjoy!

🫧 taurus in the 6th house: may prefer to refrain from modern medicine most of the time. for example, they may not like to take pharmaceutical drugs such as ibuprofen or tylenol (pain relieving drugs). if they have a headache they may turn to herbs, essential oils, or they just endure the pain if they can.

🫧 lilith in the 9th house: may experience religious trauma. they may have religious parents who forced them to accept their religious beliefs. if they believe in God they may feel disappointed or hurt by Him. going to church may have been a stressful or unpleasant experience. these experiences may be even more likely if moon is at 1° 13°, 25°, or 22°.

🫧 moon trine neptune: people with this aspect tend to be slow to anger & quite forgiving, usually they’re not the type of people who hold grudges.

🫧 mars square sun (synastry): these two people typically clash. the mars person finds the sun person annoying, could be one of the most annoying people they know. mars person may not like the sun person’s personality and character, and they probably don’t care for a relationship with the sun person.

the sun person may be more open to having a relationship with the mars person but they consider the mars person irritable or a bit mean, someone serious & aggressive, someone to be careful with.

it’s hard for the two to get along.

🫧 pisces: not to be stereotypical, but these people are always looking at someone’s shoes. for some, if you have a bad shoe collection that may be a turn off or give them ick.

🫧 sag in the 7th house: a popular placement. loved by many and probably always receiving gifts & compliments. but they may be flighty in relationships, quick to ghost people, & they also have high standards. if you get them to stick around whether it be in a platonic or romantic relationship, they must really like something about you and your company.

🫧 geminis & leos are often described as energetic and lively but aries too. aries have a lot of physical energy. gemini & aries lowkey remind me of cats when they get the zoomies. aries may direct that energy into sports, dancing, exercising, sex, but they also have tons of mental energy which contributes to their drive and ambition.

🫧 sag, libra, gemini, leo, & 5th house stelliums: the life of the party. people probably come up to them, asking for their name/number, wanting to chat with them, trying to flirt with them, dance with them, or simply be around them. they bring the fun and entertainment. funny, animated, dramatic, friendly, and people gravitate towards them in social settings. the types to encourage more shots or to keep the night going even though it’s already 3am.

🫧 leo/sun dominants: when it comes to their hair, it’s not always thick and voluminous, it can be thin but they have a lot of it and so it appears big.

^ and yes, i know the signs aren’t the same as the planets but the planets do rule the signs and i’ve noticed that you may get some personality and physical traits associated with the sign that your dominant planet rules.

for example, if you have no pisces placements but you’re neptune dominant, you may feel like you have some pisces traits or your feet may attract a lot of attention in your life (compliments, health problems, etc)

🫧 while capricorns may be pessimistic, they aren’t debbie downers in the sense that they won’t vocalize their negative thoughts around others or dampen the mood. they may complain a lot but they’ll keep it to themselves.

���� virgo is another natural beauty and they may not want to get tattoos. they may prefer to remain natural with clear skin, so they avoid something so permanent on their body. if they do get tattoos they may be small, neat, and inconspicuous. unless they’re mars, pluto, uranus, or 8th house dominant or they have those planets in their 1st house or something.

🫧 having 2nd & 8th house placements like mercury or mars: these natives are naturally good with financial matters. tend to be well versed in business, finance, math, and just handling money. may be into stocks, crypto, or possibly have their own business. finance and sales may be something that interests them, something they put a lot of energy and productivity towards.

🫧 pay attention to the houses where your dominant planets fall, there’s a lot of focus/energy there and it’ll probably be an important and prominent area of life for you.

🫧 cancer: they naturally make people feel comfortable and welcomed. they probably have good hospitality and take pride in it. cancer is quite private and so they may not feel comfortable opening their house up to just anyone but they would do so well has hosts. they may have a flair for planning home dinners, parties, holiday gatherings, etc. the way they decorate their space & the attention they show their guests creates such a chill and inviting atmosphere.

if you read this until the end i hope you enjoyed it & thank you so much for reading. ♥︎♥︎♥︎, those hearts are for you.

[hayatoseyepatch]

hi pookie wookie ilysm 💅 congratz on the milestone you deserve it.

I AM HERE FOR A MATCH UP POOKIE no pressure tho

Im on anon but Im sure you can figure out who I am so it don't really matter but I gotta keep ya on ya toes 😤

Personality: You know me sooooo well tbh, Introverted as hell, I gotta a dog. I do art, and listen to music really. music is lifeee iykyk. I can yap a lot when Im finally comfy with people Im around. Im just a girl yk I get shy or whatvr.

Fandoms: jjk, l&ds, DS, and tokrev

Trope: childhood friends to lovers, and love are first sight are the two that I simple adore the most.

What’s your Type: someone who is a bit more out there than myself, but also shares the same interests as myself. I wanna be able to paint with them or even sharing playlists/song that remind me of my partner. Someone who could burn the world for me but is actually really sweet yk? like dress how you want I can fight.

Favorites: Megumi, Yuji, Yuta, Inumaki, Rafayel, Xavier, Shinazugawa brothers, tengen, Haitani brothers, Haruchiyo, Hanma

➼ Icks: FUCKING KISAKI DO NOT 🔫.

Hi there my pookie wookie bear ( ˶˘ ³˘(ˊᗜˋ)!♡ I know exactly who this is but I will let you keep your anonymity if that is what you desire my love. Thank you for the congratulations and for taking part in this event I adore you! That being said, let's do the damn thing!

First I match you with Rafayel from Love & Deepspace!

⤜♡→ Rafayel is so dramatic, you better be able to deal with his sass. He’s such a grump. But only because of how dearly he loves you. He has waited for you time and time again and he will stop at nothing to make you fall for him over and over again. Even if its through hearing your laughter at his dramatics.

⤜♡→ You have a dog? Yeah, Rafayel is jealous of the baby doggie. If he feels you are giving more of your attention to your pet he throws himself on the bed next to you, huffing dramatically until your focus was on him. “Oh no don’t mind me I’m just over here dying from the lack of love and affection. Please go back to what you were doing, I’m not a good boy or anything.” He huffs, his cheeks puffed out in a pout. Yeah, he’s so dramatic its insane.

⤜♡→ This man is so devoted to you, he will never miss an opportunity to spend time with you. Despite the way he behaves he is very emotionally intelligent. Rafayel is very in tune with your emotions, he always seems to know when you're not feeling your best. And he is fully prepared to do whatever he can t see you smile again. (Or handle anyone who dared make you feel lesser than.)

⤜♡→ His love languages definitely strikes me as quality time and physical touch. Rafayel needs to have his hands on you at all times. Not even remotely in a sexual way. He is perfectly content so long as he can feel your hand in his, kissing the backs of your knuckles occasionally. Or even listening to the music you had curated for him in a playlist as you both painted in his studio. He just wanted to be around you at all times, so long as he was in your proximity he was happy.

Rafayel snorted as you bustled around his studio, setting up for some trend you had seen online. Rafael loved that you shared his love for art, nothing made him happier than sharing his passion with the woman he was most passionate about. He followed your instructions, sitting down at the table across from you. You explained the premise of the activity. You both would start with a canvas, swapping in intervals of five minutes to add elements to each piece. By the end of it you would have two pieces of collaborative art that you both created together. His heart soared at the idea. Knowing he would have two pieces of art you both created from start to finish together made him fall even more in love with you. He was already picturing the perfect sport for them in his gallery, he might even attend the next exhibition to boast about the pieces. But this was Rafayel it wouldn’t be him if he didn’t tease you just a bit. Resting his cheek in his palm as he looked at you from across the table.

“Five minutes? You can't put a timer on my artistic perfection, starfish.” He said dramatically, putting a hand to his chest to emphasize his words. “Oh?” He heard you coo. “Is that what you call it? Or are you scared my additions will be better than yours, hm?” He gasped, crossing his arms, furrowing his brows with a pout on his lips. He sucked his teeth, making a tsking sound. “What-ev-er.” He punctuated each syllable to add to his dramatics. Eyes now alight with determination, prepared to make these the best creations he had ever made, just to make you swallow your words. The next two hours were met with rounds of smack-talking exchanged through giggles and refusals to let Rafayel steal kisses (a clear ruse to let his eyes wander to what you were doing in that round).

When you were both done he had hung them to dry eyes wandering over the canvases. The knowledge that you had both made your contributions to each piece made this feel so intimate, so special. It made him feel so in love, so moved. Unable to help himself. He turned to you, his hand cupping the back of your neck. Lips hovering over your own. “I love you, my beloved bride.” The age-old nickname fell from his lips before he could realize it, silencing any questions you could have about the meaning of his words by connecting his lips with yours. Rafayel has loved you countless times, in countless lifetimes, and over and over again he would make you his wife. And this one was no exception.

⤜♡→ Oh GOD Megumi just SCREAMS childhood best friends to lovers to me I’m so sorry! Like being like Shoko’s little sister, raised right beside Megumi within the walls of Jujutsu Tech. The two of you growing and training together. You definitely had a backyard wedding at like five and you bring it up all the time cause he gets so flustered. DHBSDICHF

⤜♡→ Please be patient with Megumi the poor boy is emotionally constipated and absolutely HOPELESS. He tries so hard to keep it from seeming like he cares, but he is so in love with you its actually insane. He would risk his life time and time again just if it meant you’d be safe.

⤜♡→ Megumi gets JEALOUS he pretends like he couldn’t care less but hearing you speak with Inumaki, fully fluent in his ingredient speech, just know he is seething. He knows you can be a bit reserved at first but seeing you talking so freely and laughing with him makes the ugly green monster rear his head. He’s gonna give you the silent treatment, he’s so dramatic in a relationship I just know it.

⤜♡→Formation B was definitely started by you and Gojo. A thousand percent it was. I feel like Gojo knew about your feelings before Megumi did, and oh boy did our favorite blue-eyed meddler try and fail so long to play match maker. (Def cried and was so dramatic about you two getting together, I love him sm).

Panic consumed Megumi’s entire being, Nue’s wings couldn’t carry you both fast enough back within the walls of Jujutsu Tech. It had all happened so fast. It was just supposed to be a grade two curse, something the both of you would be able to handle with your eyes closed. But a special grade had appeared out of nowhere, he watched helplessly as you were attacked. Tears stung his eyes as he landed, collecting you in his arms. “Don’t you dare close your eyes, stay with me.” He begs, rushing as fast as his feet would carry him to the hospital wing where Shoko was. He watched with bated breaths as you were taken from his arms. Neither of you capable of reversed cursed technique, this was bad. This was so very bad. Megumi wasn’t very forthcoming with his feelings, often hiding behind his stoic persona. He never told you he loved you, what if he lost you? What if you slipped from his fingers before he could tell you how he felt?

The next hours were torturous, he all but leaped from his seat as Shoko emerged. He heaved a sigh of relief to hear you were stable, that you had pulled through. He didn’t leave your side, ignoring Gojo and Itadori’s pleas with him to sleep in his own bed, to eat something. He couldn’t stomach the idea, couldn’t bring himself to leave your side. He was sat in a chair next to your bed eyes drooping as he struggled to stay awake. Though he felt like he was doused with ice-cold water as he heard you groan, your eyes finally fluttering open. His body moved quickly, scrambling to your form, careful not to harm any of your injuries. He was careful when he cupped your cheeks, tears falling once more as he called out your name in a mix of shock and relief, head coming to rest in your chest as he sobbed. He didn’t care, couldn’t be bothered to push his emotions down.

“Moonlight, almost made me a single dad, you ass”. He joked through sobs trying his damnedest to relieve some of the tension that filled the room like a heavy fog. You had always claimed that his divine dogs were your children, he’d give you the satisfaction elated to hear your voice once more. His ears perked up when you let out a soft laugh at his words, frowning seeing you wincing a bit as you spoke. “I could never leave you and our babies all alone it’ll take more than that to get rid of me.” Your words put him at ease more than you know, he couldn’t control himself any longer, however. He almost lost you, he couldn’t live another moment without letting you know how he felt. His lips met yours before you knew what was happening. His hand gently cupping the back of your neck as he deepened the embrace. He pulled from you, pressing his forehead against your own, eyes boring into your own.

“I love you, I love everything about you. I love your smile, I love your laugh, I love how you always know when I need you most, I love that you always know just what to say, I love your devotion, I love the way you're willing to lay your life on the line for your friends. I can't imagine another moment going by without telling you. I spent so long keeping it to myself but I will use the last breath in my lungs to tell you how much I love you. Its always only ever been you, so please don’t leave me. I cant bear to live in a world that your aren’t in.” He huffs his heart sinking when he hears your laughter, bracing himself for rejection. “I love you too silly Gumi-Bear. Took you long enough, I thought I was going to have to do it for you.” In that moment he couldn’t help but join in on your laughter heart soaring at finally being able to call you his.

[la-squadra1234]

Hello! Can you do the spiders spying on their daughter’s first date?

Oh my God, why is this so accurate!!!

They would definitely do this. I don’t think the girls would do it because they are less crazy at least in that kind of perspective, but the males would most definitely do that

Thank you so much for the request. I can already tell this one is going to be a great one!

Full credit to la-squadra1234

Feitan-

He would already be pissed off about the fact that his daughter is going on her first date so he would be on guard 24 seven and he would kill anybody that gets in his way

He would definitely disguise himself as a child because he knows that he has the ability to do that

Although he would look really goofy and he would feel really goofy and just weird, he would do it anyways 

Phinks-

He would ask the girls for help him because his daughter is going on a beach date and he wants to spy on them but at the same time be out in the open so he asks paku if she can draw on some eyebrows for him

And he would put on some sunglasses and the outfit that he would normally not wear to the beach and he would have not gotten caught (thank god because I feel like he is the kind of guy to get caught doing something like that but for the sake of this, I’m not going to get him caught lol)

He would make sure that her date is not steering for too long and that he is not being passive aggressive in anyway shape or form. Otherwise he will kill the kid.

Chrollo-

He would be happy for his daughter, but at the same time he would feel a little bit ick about it I mean it’s his daughters first date after all so he’s not used to it

He would stare at them through a tall building, or he would go to the same exact destination, as they are going to, except he would blend in perfectly

Uvogin-

This man would be so extra and dramatic about it he would make sure to grab Nobunaga and he would also make him spy on his daughter with him

They would both be pissed off and miserable at the fact that uvos daughter is going on a date Nobunaga would not be impressed if the date did not know how to use nen

All I have to say is uvogins daughters date, better be strong and able to run very fast…

Nobunaga-

He would start getting very salty, and he would be sure to rant about it to uvogin

And then uvogin would make the suggestion to just stock his daughter so he can protect her just in case anything bad happens and he does not have to be paranoid the entire time

When I’m telling you, this man came prepared. This man had fucking binoculars with him.😭🤭 he is definitely going a bit to overboard and he would definitely be excessive, but he does not care anything for his daughter. Safety is good for him.

Shalnark-

He would be mainly happy for his daughter, and he wouldn’t be too salty about it like at all but obviously since he is in the phantom troupe, he would have to take safety precautions just to ensure his daughter safety everywhere that she goes

It would be hard for him to disguise himself, considering that his hair stays the same, and he can’t really change of his face, and even if he changed up his outfit, it would be pretty noticeable

So he would definitely manipulate a few people and make them watch over his daughter, and he would be watching his daughter from afar he wouldn’t do anything to extreme and yes, I don’t consider that extreme considering what he could do

Hisoka-

He honestly wouldn’t care, but then he considers the risks of it and although he is very laid-back, he doesn’t want anything bad happening to his daughter as he knows that a lot of people would definitely try to harm his daughter for mistakes and things that he has done

He would ask illumi for his help and so he can manipulate people and they would both be watching from afar at different angles just to make sure nothing happens like at all

That is it for today everybody I hope everyone enjoyed!

This one was very fun to make, and it wasn’t too hard either. I just had to think about the character and things that they would do which is what I have to do most of the time, but this one didn’t take that much thought luckily enough for me (I got off easy😂)

I will see everybody in the next Post bye now!

[apocalypticavolition]

Let's (re)Read The Great Hunt! Chapter 11: Glimmers of the Pattern

Spoilers ahead! Spoilers for the whole of The Wheel of Time ahead! Nothing but spoilers! Don't look!

This chapter has yet another Wheel icon. There sure are a lot of these of late. It's probably connected to Rand's continually being pulled towards being the Dragon and Fain's certainty of their upcoming conflict on the other end of the known world.

“All I’m bloody saying,” he heard Uno tell Ragan as they dismounted, “is that I bloody saw her, burn you. Just before we found the goat-kissing Halfman. The same flaming woman as at the flaming ferry. She was there, and then she bloody wasn’t. You say what you bloody want to, but you watch how you flaming say it, or I’ll bloody skin you myself, and burn the goat-kissing hide, you sheep-gutted milk-drinker.”

Lanfear was probably hoping that her Lews was leading the expedition properly and that she could dramatically whisk him away. Then she saw the Fade and was like, "Okay this is off-script, I'm out" because that scene's gotta be disturbing even to the Forsaken. Especially them really.

He wished Moiraine was there to talk to.

I've been giving Moiraine a bit of shit so far this early book, so let's highlight how despite her gross mishandling of Rand since the end of book 1, he still instinctively trusts her a good deal.

 “The Trollocs took them for food. They do it in villages and farms near the Blight, too, sometimes, if a raid gets past the border towers in the night. Sometimes we get the people back, and sometimes not. Sometimes we get them back and almost wish we hadn’t. Trollocs don’t always kill before they start butchering. And Halfmen like to have their . . . fun. That’s worse than what the Trollocs do.”

It's a shame we won't be keeping the Halfmen's fun as an entirely distant and offscreen endeavor. What does end up paying off this foreshadowing is just so... Ick.

“I was told to tell you at the same time that if anything happens to me, the lances will follow you.”

And here's Rand's first taste of responsibility. It's a small one, a theoretical "you're basically second-in-command if something shitty happens," but it's still something.

“All the lances. When we Shienarans ride, every man knows who is next in line if the man in command falls. A chain unbroken right down to the last man left, even if he’s nothing but a horseholder. That way, you see, even if he is the last man, he is not just a straggler running and trying to stay alive. He has the command, and duty calls him to do what must be done. If I go to the last embrace of the mother, the duty is yours. You will find the Horn, and you will take it where it belongs. You will.” There was a peculiar emphasis in Ingtar’s last words.

I again wonder how many of the party think that Ingtar's lead is a convenient fiction and that at any moment he and Rand will swap places.

I also wonder where Mat, Perrin, and Loial fit into the chain of command and if anyone's bothered to tell them. Are they towards the end?

Ingtar's really obsessing about his salvation, isn't he?

She wouldn’t have. She couldn’t. A small voice answered, Oh, yes, she could. She could and would. Finally he set about untying the small knots in the cords that bound it. Neat knots, tied with a precision that spoke loudly of Moiraine’s own hand; no servant had done this for her. She would not have dared let any servant see.

This is the kind of dysfunctional relationship between the two that I love to see, because at least Moiraine's taking an active hand in the situation.

Anger boiled up in Rand, anger at Moiraine and the Amyrlin Seat, pushing him, pulling him. He snatched up the banner in both hands and shook it at Mat, words boiling out uncontrollably. “That’s right! The Dragon’s banner!” Mat took another step back. “Moiraine wants me to be a puppet on Tar Valon strings, a false Dragon for the Aes Sedai. She’s going to push it down my throat whatever I want. But—I—will—not—be—used!”

It's sweet that Rand's not mad at Mat for being dickish right now - and it's very telling that Mat's response is a very hesitant, "That's crazy," as if he's kind of known what's going on the whole time and is only now being forced to confront it. Perrin is definitely only just now connecting the dots though.

“Doesn’t change you being able to channel,” Mat muttered. “If I were you, I’d be halfway to the Aryth Ocean by now. And I would not stop until I found someplace where there were no Aes Sedai, and never likely to be any. And no people. I mean . . . well. . . .”

Mat, this is just what you'd be doing if you weren't bound to a missing magical artifact. An actual channeler version of Mat would probably pull an Aiel and run into the Blight. Also for all his jackassery in this sequence, note that Perrin agrees with him, just not how he's saying it.

“You came because of the dagger?” Mat said quietly. He rubbed his nose and grimaced. “I never thought of that. I never thought you wanted to. . . . Aaaah! Are you feeling all right? I mean, you aren’t going mad already, are you?”

Apparently Mat also thought that the whole point of the excursion was for Rand to take charge of the expedition, since I can't imagine a single other motivation he'd consider if not "get the dagger".

“No offense, Rand, but I think I will just sleep as far away from you as I can, if you don’t mind. That’s if you are staying. I heard about a fellow who could channel, once. A merchant’s guard told me. Before the Red Ajah found him, he woke one morning, and his whole village was smashed flat. All the houses, all the people, everything but the bed he was sleeping in, like a mountain had rolled over them.” Perrin said, “In that case, Mat, you should sleep cheek by jowl with him.”

It's very interesting that Mat says "if you don't mind" as if he's saying that if Rand kicks up a very big fuss he will totally stay by his friend. And of course this is some delightful Perrin snark. These boys really needed more scenes together.

“Time to get back to the camp. You think on what I said, Rand. I’d run. But maybe you can’t run. Think of that, too.” His yellow eyes seemed to look inward, and he sounded tired. “Sometimes you can’t run.”

Wow Perrin, I spent so much of last book giving you shit and now you're actually living up to what you're supposed to be. I like it. Please don't leave me in six boo- Oh right.

Kinda feel like maybe Mat and Perrin's respective flavors of ta'veren are each pulling on Rand here and roughly canceling each other out. With just Mat's influence, Rand would be gone by sunrise (well, he will be anyway, but you know what I mean). With Perrin's, Rand would probably decide enough's enough and declare himself Dragon right now.

“There you are, Rand,” Loial said. “You know, I think this stone was worked once. See, it’s weathered, but it looks as if it was a column of some kind. And there are markings, also. I can’t quite make them out, but they look familiar, somehow.”

It's probably nothing Loial.

(Also seriously if I were Rand at this point I'd be so paranoid of this I'd go sleep somewhere else altogether.)

An exhausted sleep finally came, and with sleep, unbidden, the void surrounded him, flickering with an uneasy glow that disturbed his dreams.

If only Mat hadn't let him know that inadvertent sleep channeling was possible.

Fain drew a deep breath and fingered the ruby-hilted dagger at his belt. That had come from Shadar Logoth, too. It was the only weapon he carried, the only one he needed; it felt like a part of him. He was whole within himself, now. That was all that mattered.

It's really interesting that Fain feels so attached to the one part of Shadar Logoth he couldn't have had anything to do with. I wouldn't assume that the dagger was anything particularly special by Aridhol's standards, so would Fain also feel complete if he'd taken his own souvenir? Is the dagger special? Or would having two loose artifacts of doom mean Fain would need both on hand to feel good? Discuss!

It had been a struggle at first, waking each morning to find himself not completely whole, to find the Myrddraal back in command, raging and demanding they go north, to the Blight, to Shayol Ghul. But bit by bit those mornings of weakness grew shorter, until. . . . He remembered the feel of the hammer in his hand, driving the spikes in, and he smiled; this time it did touch his eyes, with the joy of sweet memory.

This explains both what killed the Fade (which thankfully isn't a new horror but just our old enemy) and also why the group kept zigzagging the way that they did.

“The others were only commoners,” one woman managed in an unsteady voice. Dirt streaked her face above a finely cut dress that marked her as a merchant, and wealthy. Smears stained the good gray cloth, and a long tear marred her skirt. “They were peasants. We have served—I have served—”

Not a single Darkfriend Jordan focuses on meets a pleasant ending. These nobility thought they were special, but really they're in far worse conditions than the commoner Darkfriends who at least got earlier tickets out of this hellhole.

He had to have a Trolloc carry it—he did not trust the humans enough to load it on a horse and packsaddle; some dreams of power might be strong enough to overcome even fear of him, but Trollocs never dreamed of anything except killing—and he had not yet puzzled out how to open it.

I'm like 99% certain that if the human Darkfriends had gotten the Horn and blown it against Fain they absolutely would have gotten help from the Heroes, just saying.

“This time you come to me, Rand al’Thor. Before, I followed you like a dog driven on the trail, but now you follow me.” His laughter was a cackle that even he knew was mad, but he did not care. Madness was a part of him, too. “Come to me, al’Thor. The dance is not even begun yet. We’ll dance on Toman Head, and I’ll be free of you. I’ll see you dead at last.”

I deeply appreciate how Fain is going to be completely blindsided by Rand showing up way ahead of schedule. Bastard thinks he's slick but he's really the unluckiest joke on the planet.

Thankfully we won't be seeing him again any time soon. Next time: Egwene and Nynaeve deal with the Aes Sedai!

[causenessus]

hi loveliness! (i’m calling you that now because it suits you) HOW ARE U?? good evening afternoon or morning! i hope you’ve been well and i hope you’ve eaten! tomorrow i’m driving back home and it’ll take like two days so my next checkup might be really early or really late (SORRY IN ADVANCE !!) but today i’m going to a concert so ill probably be back home really late and be tired asf LOL but im so excited for it !! i can’t wait to tell you about it tomorrow

IM SO PROUD OF YOU FOR EATING !! it makes me feel happy that i actually have an impact on your life ! ik some days get busy and long but it’s always good to eat and take care of yourself, heal the body and mind!! BAGELS ARE GOOD BUT MAKE SURE YOURE EATING ACTUAL MEALS! which i’m kind of a hypocrite because last night i had instant noodles for “dinner” kind of BUT BUT I HAD LIKE A BIG LATE LUNCH WITH MY FAMILY SO IT DOESNT COUNT !! i would consider that a snack even LOL but youuu! you! (points) make sure you eat actual meals love !! sorry this just reminds me of a story but i remember like one time i was late for school so i skipped breakfast but during class my stomach was like RUMBLING AND I WAS SO EMBARRASSED BECAUSE LIKE the teacher would be yap yap yapping and then suddenly you hear the most preposterous god awful sound (my stomach) and i had to pretend i didn’t wanna die right then and there LOL so definitely definitely eat or you’ll suffer the same fate as me </3(threateningly)(with love)(always with love)

PLS MY EARLY SHIFTS AND WEIRD DOUBLE SHIFTS ARE SO TERRIBLY FUNNY LOL but omg what do you do for work if you don’t mind me asking like do you build frames because THATS SO COOL women in stem moment LOL but omg i hope your finger is okay?? WHY IS SOMETHING HECTIC ALWAYS HAPPENING AT YOUR JOB this is like a total sitcom office type job scenarios right here but but omg omg mango anon on a plane?? flying over to ness?? mango anon and ness meetup?? (I WISH I COULD INSERT PHOTOS BUT WE WOULD BE LIKE THAT ONE MEME THATS LIKE the vibes me and gang bring to the function) no but literally i would definitely just trail around you at work like a dog like i would 100% have no idea what’s going on but i would just smile and nod and be happy just to be there LOL

YOU KNOW WHAT TECH DAYS IS REAL LIKE I WAS ALSO PART OF TECH LOL but i wasn’t like THAT type of tech in the crew i was the sounds person so id be more more background but omg soulmates? twin flames? tech crew gang??? i kinda miss tech days even though it was kind of toxic LOL like i remember my teacher was like ok practice with the cast goes until 6:30 but she kept us until like 8 like IS THAG EVEN LEGAL?? who knows though my high school was definitely not… not it (if you know what i mean)

THE LORE DROP IS CRAZY?? i get what you mean by the attachment issue thing because I GET IT I GET IT but like you’re such a likeable person like IDK YOURE JUST SO SWEET AND GENUINE ITS HARD NOT TO LIKE YOU(sorry if that sounds weird but to me it’s like)(i expect a LOT of people to like you because you radiate good energy and you’re always so sweet) BUT I GET IT AND PLS THE ICK FROM THE ATTACHMENT ISSUES?? i 100% get it because when i notice myself being too attached to someone im like okayyyyy okay mango anon back it up here back it uppp LOL because like i don’t wanna be so reliant on someone else so i always have to remind myself to chill a bit, BUT ID LOVE TO HEAR MORE ABOUT YOUR WORK AND DRAMATIC LOVE LIFE LIKE I LIVE FOR THE ROMCOMS!!

i hope tonight is a better night for you !! i hope it isn’t sucky again because you deserve the best :( I LOVE YOU TOO NESS SORRY I DIDNT KNOW WHERE TO PUT THIS PART BUT I <3 NESS thank u for always taking the time to answer these long long asks LOL but i really enjoy talking to you !! make sure you eat and take care of yourself and have a good day!! xoxoxo

AAAAAA PLEASE I AM CRYING OVER THE NAME /POS THANK YOU SO MUCH <3 i am okay!!! very brain dead and just peroifbbjk but it's okay!! and aa definitely do not worry about missing a few check ins but thank you for telling me so i don't get too sad and miss u without knowing what's going on </33 be safe driving back AND I HOPE YOUR CONCERT GOES WELL AND YOU HAVE LOTS OF FUN!!

BUT AAA thank you thank you </3 unfortunately i literally survived on almond butter bagels today but it was NOT my fault. like today was just not good lmaoaoao i ate breakfast and then drove home to eat lunch (first almond butter bagel) between classes and then had to go to work (i bought a random california roll or something on the way there that ig counts as well!!) but i literally got home at 10 pm and just could not be bothered to cook 😭😭😭 i've just been working this entire week and i work this weekend too so i'm just trying to get by!!!! i will take care of myself though BUT PLEASE THE WAY YOU DESCRIBED YOUR TEACHER YAPPING AND THEN THE PREPOSTEROUS SOUND 😭😭😭 I LAUGHED SO HARD it reminds me of this one time i was forced (idk how else to explain this but just trust me i had to??? LMAO) to eat carrots in my french class....BUT CARROTS ARE SO LOUD BRO I LITERALLY WANTED TO KMS EVERYTIME I BIT INTO THE CARROT LIKE I'M NOT GOING TO SAY ANYTHING ELSE BUT OMG BRO IT WAS A SILENT CLASSROOM AND THEN THERE'S ME CRYING EATING CARROTS LIKE A LITERAL RABBIT

but anway. AAA YES!! WOMEN IN STEM!! yes i build frames sometimes or we get them sent to my work and then i will actually frame things and cut glass and just put that all together it's very fun!! i've framed things like a real cool pixies poster, cool art, confiscated prison shanks, someone tried to get us to frame black coral (which it is highly illegal to be in possession of) so yk!!! maybe it's just a curse at my workplace!! i have NO idea wtf is wrong with my workplace but we could DEFINITELY BE A SITCOM SHOW LMAOO AND AAA OMG YES NESS AND MANGO ANON MEETUP!!! I WOULD LITERALLY CRY /POS AND JUMP WITH JOY PLEASE AND LITERALLY OMG YOU DID TECH TOO??????? AND YOU WERE SODIFIUHWLJBEKJRFLEPRIO;GWENK (you were sound except i keyboard smashed halfway through)

MANGO ANON. WE WERE MEANT TO BE. LITERAL SOULMATES I TELL YOU!!!! BC I MEAN IG IDK HOW OTHER DEPARTMENTS ARE BUT LIKE I FEEL LIKE YOU ALWAYS HAVE A LIGHT KID - SOUND KID DUO YK?????? AND THAT'S YOU AND ME AAAA THAT'S LITERALLY SO COOL THOUGH I ADMIRE SOUND PEOPLE SO MUCH BECAUSE IT'S JUST TOO MANY CABLES AND THINGS FOR ME TO KEEP TRACK OF I NEVER UNDERSTOOD IT 😭😭 but yes it is also such a toxic and dramatic environment like ALL the time okay another lore drop my junior year i was literally fighting for my life because basically i had just been passed the torch down from our goddess light board op senior (so i was now in charge of everything regarding lights and basically the light board op) BUT this sophomore with a superiority complex also wanted the job and would literally fight me for it like he DEMANDED to be head of lights once for this student directed play and he had been asked to do the show before me so he got first pick and i was like "i mean okay chill idrc" but the bad thing is he just did not know what he was doing 😭 and i tried to be nice and be like "hey. we can split the job. if you want to be board op for the play and musical that's chill. i'll do it for the other play." AND IDK WHY I WAS TRYING TO BE NICE THE ENTIRE DEPARTMENT HATED HIM AND LIKE I TOLD MY TECH DIRECTOR THE PLAN AND HE WAS LIKE "HELL NO I AM NOT LETTING THAT KID OPERATE THE BOARD YOU'RE DOING THAT" so i ended up being board op...the entire year which i don't feel bad about!! but that was like the biggest drama moment of my life and i'm still not over it i am typing in passionate rage rn can u tell /hj

BUT AAAA THANK YOU SO MUCH 😭😭😭 I REALLY REALLY APPRECIATE IT YOU'RE SO SWEET!! i always attract weird men unfortunately...i will spill this all to u mango anon do not worry your pretty head <3 maybe we'll start with skater boy tm (imagine i subscripted that i'm too lazy rn) or the boy who thought i liked him and asked me to homecoming....BUT YOU'RE LITERALLY SO SWEET AND CARING TOO I KNOW THAT YOU ARE LOVED BY SO MANY AS WELL!!! and honestly lots of people suck </3 so if they DON'T love you?? well that's an easy fix i'll just beat the life out of them <3 (said with love. for u. not those people. i promise i'm nice!!!)

AND THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS SENDING THESE LONG ASKS!! AND READING MY EVEN LONGER ANSWERS <3 tonight was okay!!! i hope you had a good day <3 and talking to you has DEFINITELY made it better so thank you and i love you so much as always mango anon <3 PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!! AND EAT AND DRINK LOTS OF WATER AND I HOPE YOU DON'T FEEL TOO SICK AS YOU DRIVE BACK HOME!!

[robininthelabyrinth]

Fire and Light (ao3) - on tumblr: part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5

- Chapter 6 -

For his trip to the Cloud Recesses, Wen Chao was assigned a bodyguard of his own, a man introduced to them as Wen Zhuliu – not his actual name, of course. Wen Ruohan handed out his surname like a gift, spreading his poison to as many people as possible, and this Wen Zhuliu was apparently one of his most highly prized finds.

“They call him the Core-Melting Hand,” Wen Xu told the children. “And it’s not an exaggeration – he has a technique that can actually melt a person’s golden core.”

Personally, Nie Mingjue thought that techniques like that, however frightening, were all a bunch of trash in the end – a technique of that sort was flashy, impressive, but it had only two uses: to scare people or to turn the tide of a single battle against fellow cultivators, and for the run-of-the-mill work of night-hunts was totally pointless. It required such immense focus and dedication to puzzle out that it left no room for anything else, meaning this Wen Zhuliu probably didn’t know how to do anything practical, even as he thought himself better than others.

The man looked it, too. His face seemed older than he probably actually was in years, with an expression of detachment and ennui that made him come off as arrogant, or at minimum as snobbish, despite being nothing more than a tool for Wen Ruohan to use up and cast aside.

He’d probably be a bad influence on Wen Chao, Nie Mingjue thought, frowning to himself. He would need to have a word with Wen Chao before he left – tell him to trust his own instincts, to avoid things that made him uncomfortable, to reach out to trustworthy adults in the Lan sect if he thought he needed help. Even if this Wen Zhuliu wanted to make trouble on Wen Ruohan’s behalf, it would be difficult for him to act if Wen Chao used his youth and desire to please his father as an excuse to obey the rules…

A hand touched his shoulder and Nie Mingjue flinched, his hand flying to Baxia’s hilt – he was never without her comforting weight anymore – but it was only Wen Xu, looking as anxious as ever.

“It’s lunch,” he said, and Nie Mingjue blinked, noticing that they were now alone in the hall. He must have lost time again, sinking into his thoughts without tracking the world outside. A dangerous habit anywhere, even more so in Qishan, but on the other hand it wasn’t like he was being allowed out for night-hunts right now – the danger here was only internal, and Wen Ruohan found his suffering funny. “I asked them to make lamb skewers with cumin.”

A Qinghe specialty. Nie Mingjue appreciated the gesture.

“Wen Zhuliu,” he croaked, his voice rasping as if he had just been screaming. Maybe he had been. It hadn’t been that long since the last ‘walk’ through the Fire Palace that Wen Ruohan had invited him on – they were a regular part of the routine, now. Wen Ruohan’s own personal indoctrination since the usual sorts of things didn’t seem to be working well enough on Nie Mingjue.

Maybe if he could keep thinking of it that way, as some twisted form of education, then perhaps the horror of the things he saw and, worse, was made to do – the choices he was forced to make, the things he had to do to innocent people with his own hands, the things that were sometimes done to him as an example, the screams, whether his own or others, that incessantly rang in his ears, the feeling afterwards that he would never be clean again – perhaps it would eventually become merely mundane. Maybe. Probably not.

It might be worse if it did, actually.

“What about Wen Zhuliu?” Wen Xu asked, interrupting Nie Mingjue’s increasingly dark thoughts, and Nie Mingjue shook his head to clear it. 

“He’ll be trouble,” he said.

Wen Xu frowned. “You think so? He’s just a bodyguard.”

Nie Mingjue shook his head a second time. It was evident to him that Wen Zhuliu was being sent to ensure that the Lan sect taught Wen Chao only as much – or as little – as Wen Ruohan preferred; otherwise, there was no need for such a powerful servant, with a frightening aura and an older man’s authority, to chaperone Wen Chao. Especially not to such a peaceful place, backed by the Lan sect’s guarantee of safety.

Wen Chao had only so very recently started acting like a person, thinking of others and considering questions of right and wrong beyond his own selfish desires – leaving him alone with Wen Zhuliu threatened that.

Nie Mingjue was sure of it.

“I’ll talk to A-Chao about it, then, warn him of the sorts of tricks he might play,” Wen Xu said. He would know them best, of course. “And I’ll make room for you to talk to him as well, if you feel able. Maybe I can get us permission to escort them some part of their journey, you and I…it’d be good for you to stretch your legs a little.”

Get you out of here for a while, he meant, and Nie Mingjue shrugged. Even if Wen Xu won permission for him to leave, which he doubted he’d be able to, in the end Nie Mingjue would have to come back, back to Wen Ruohan and his Fire Palace, back to all the people who depended on him.

Nie Huaisang, Wen Chao, Wen Qing, Wen Ning, even Wen Xu…

He was their big brother. He had a responsibility to them, just the same as he’d had ever since his father put Nie Huaisang into his arms for the first time, love chaining him more effectively than any iron.

He had to come back.

After all, if he didn’t go walking with Wen Ruohan, someone else might have to, and that was just – intolerable.

-

“I need help planning a murder,” Wen Xu announced as he swept in through the door in a swirl of intricately designed red robes, and Nie Mingjue wondered grumpily what type of dramatic actor he had been in a past or future life that made him quite so inclined to extravagant gestures. “Well, don’t all of you jump up and volunteer to help at once!”

Everyone reluctantly turned to look at him. Wen Ning was playing weiqi with Nie Mingjue while Nie Huaisang pretended to meditate as Wen Qing examined his meridians for any courses of treatment that might make cultivating easier on him; no one was especially moved by Wen Xu’s grandiose proclamation.

Maybe if he didn’t say something similar just about every other week…

“Who are we murdering today, Wen-ge?” Nie Huaisang asked, cracking an eye open and very obviously asking more to have a reason to stop even the pretense of meditation rather than any actual interest in the answer. “One of the teachers, or the soldiers, or a guard, or someone that stepped on your foot in the marketplace –”

“Wen Zhuliu,” Wen Xu said, and Nie Mingjue put down the weiqi piece he’d been toying with abruptly, with a smack that shook the table.

“What did he do?” he asked, concerned. “Is A-Chao all right?”

“He’s fine, if a bit shaken,” Wen Xu said. “Wen Zhuliu took him to a brothel.”

“He did what,” Nie Mingjue said.

“Unfair,” Nie Huaisang said. “I want to visit a brothel.”

“I’m fairly sure he wasn’t there on an educational visit, Huaisang-xiong,” Wen Qing said. “Or, at least, not in terms of a literary education.”

“Oh. Ick. No thanks, then.”

Wen Xu was gnashing his teeth together. “He wants to make a waste out of him. Fancy restaurants, a gambling house – I insisted we leave as soon as I realized – and now a brothel…if I hadn’t put a stop to it, A-Chao would be addicted to every vice available by the time he got to the Lan sect. They’d kick him out within a week!”

“He wouldn’t be able to challenge your position if he were a waste,” Wen Ning observed quietly. “If you were more like your father, you might even thank him for getting rid of a rival.”

“But why now?” Nie Mingjue asked, shaking his head. “A-Chao’s still so young. Playing around at that age can injure the body.”

It probably fucked up your head, too. Wen Ruohan’s specialty.  

“If A-Ning is right about the motive, that’s the sort of injury one might want to inflict,” Wen Qing said. “Boys that young can’t get women pregnant, and overdoing it too young can damage them, keep them from having children in the future. Not to mention the impact on their adult personalities; it might turn him into a lascivious beast, unable to take no for an answer, or else retard him in childhood, injure him with trauma – or all of the above. Or none, of course, some people are fine, but it’s not something you want to take a chance on.”

“You put a stop to it, right?” Nie Mingjue asked Wen Xu, who nodded.

“I explained at some length to A-Chao how exactly one gets infected with lin bing,” he said. “Bleeding sores on your prick and all…in fact, I may have overdone it a bit. I’m not sure he’s even willing to look at a woman right now.”

“Good thing he’s off to the Cloud Recesses, then,” Nie Huaisang said, pitiless in the ways of the young. At least, Nie Mingjue hoped that was the reason, and not Qishan Wen cruelty seeping into his bones. “Don’t they split up men and women?”

“I knew Wen Zhuliu was trouble,” Nie Mingjue said, deciding to sidestep the current conversational subject. “We should write to the Lan sect – Xichen will be able to recruit his uncle to help stop anything like that going forward. Though I still want to know why Sect Leader Wen would do such a thing to A-Chao now. Haven’t I reduced my level of influence on you enough?”

He got a whole array of pitying looks that suggested his supposed ‘influence’ on them – mentioned several times by Wen Ruohan, and just as inexplicable to Nie Mingjue as it had been the first time it had come up, even though everyone else seemed to automatically know what was meant by it – was not only still existent but running stronger than ever.

“Well, fine,” he said, scowling at the traitors who refused, to a man (and woman), to explain anything. It wasn’t his fault he didn’t understand what they were always not-saying to each other about it. “But the point still stands. Why now? Why this way?”

“It’s his first time leaving the Nightless City without the usual retinue,” Wen Qing said. “And he’ll be staying at the Cloud Recesses for a few months. If he gets used to the outside world without going off-course, it may be harder to lure him into vice later. Perhaps it’s just a coincidence?”

“Perhaps,” Nie Mingjue said.

“If we’re very lucky, it’s not a coincidence, but has nothing to do with us at all,” Nie Huaisang put in. “There may be more that we don’t yet know.”

-

The ‘more’ turned out to be a very well-off young lady, closely connected to several of the cultivation families in Henan – in the area right between Qishan Wen, the remnants of Qinghe Nie, and Lanling Jin – moving into the Nightless City as Wen Chao’s future bride.

Nominally, anyway.

In reality, her ‘bridal’ suite became a regular stop on Wen Ruohan’s daily schedule, and the extremely audible sounds of their romping had everyone chewing ginger in an attempt to avoid vomiting.

“There goes any hope of another girl for me to spend time with,” Wen Qing said with a sigh.

“What? I’m not good enough for you?” Nie Huaisang huffed, mock-offended. “How many girlish arts to I have to excel in, huh? I dress neat, I embroider, I…uh…”

She poked him in the forehead. “I was just saying that it might be nice to have someone else, that’s all. Ideally someone who is actually my gender. But I’m not anywhere desperate enough to spend time with someone like that.”

The young lady in question, Ma Liyuan, was arrogant and self-absorbed, closer to Nie Mingjue’s age – or maybe even Wen Xu’s, he hadn’t asked – than to Wen Chao’s, and seemed quite content with the circumstances that had brought her to and kept her in the Nightless City, provided that she was kept well supplied in new clothing and make-up. The morality, or lack thereof, of fucking her engaged-in-absentia fiancé’s father on the regular appeared not to matter in the slightest.

“I’m happy that she’s here,” Nie Mingjue said, and when they all looked at him strangely, he elaborated, “She’s been very distracting.”

He hadn’t had to go on anymore ‘walks’ with Wen Ruohan since she arrived, since there was really only so much time to spare for extracurricular activities in the busy schedule of a Sect Leader, and his mental state had improved dramatically as a result. He didn’t like the fact that his reprieve came at Wen Chao’s expense – at least Wen Chao was safely away in Gusu for the moment, and didn’t have to endure the wretched humiliation of it in person – but he couldn’t deny that it was, in fact, a reprieve.

“It won’t last,” Wen Xu predicted gloomily. “It never does, with his lovers. Father only ever cares about power; he’s fucking the promise of Henan land, not her, though I assume he also enjoys demeaning her in every way he can think of in the process. Honestly, I don’t know why Father didn’t just take her on as one of his own concubines if he was planning on doing this – why the charade?”

“Another plan to get A-Chao out of the line of succession?” Wen Ning suggested.

“Seems like too much effort for just that,” Wen Qing said, and Nie Mingjue nodded, agreeing. Wen Ruohan didn’t need a reason to disinherit somebody, but even if he wanted one, he only needed one, not a half-dozen.

“Perhaps he just wants A-Chao to become disappointing,” Nie Huaisang said, his chin on his hands. “To us, I mean, not to him. A-Chao’s prickly, you know – if you mixed together those vices he’s being tempted with and the humiliation he must feel when he hears about what’s going on here, he might get himself into something stupid. And then, well, you know A-Chao would be heartbroken if we turned away from him, and you know he’s not the most independent person. All he’d have left is him.”

“But we wouldn’t turn away from A-Chao even if he did disappoint us,” Nie Mingjue objected. “I’d break his legs if he tried to turn into some drunken wastrel, of course; scold him, refuse to let him out of his room, make him reflect and write reasons why he needed to stop, train him into the ground if necessary, but that’s hardly turning away from him. Who’d do something like that?”

Everyone looked at him fondly, as if he was a puppy that just performed a unique trick.

Nie Mingjue scowled at them. Hadn’t they respected him, once? Or was that his imagination?

“It’s a reasonable thought,” Wen Xu said, apparently opting to ignore Nie Mingjue’s view on the subject. “Divide and conquer is my father’s preferred method of attack, along with forcing people to suppress their own morals in order to reach a temporary compromise that he’ll only break further the next time. With Mingjue-xiong injured –”

He was fine. Physically, anyway. The mental scars didn’t count.

“– and A-Chao temporarily gone, his next goal will be one of us, no doubt. Perhaps we should preempt him.”

“Oooh, are we staging a fight?” Nie Huaisang asked, perking up. “I call spectator. Fight! Fight!”

Nie Mingjue reached over and tugged on his hair. “If there’s going to be a fight between the four of you, you are definitely getting involved, and not as a spectator. And speaking of fighting, Huaisang, where is your saber? Have you been practicing?”

Everybody laughed.

[skepticalarrie]

hi allie!! i was the anon from like a month ago that was having a crisis between two people who were interested in me and i thought i should update you!!! so the girl did end up telling me she has feelings for me, but i told her i didn’t feel the same and now we’re still really good friends!! i’m very happy about that!! i went on a date with the guy, he is really sweet as well. i’m definitely still conflicted though. so i’m asexual and some asexuals are sex positive and stuff like that, but i’m the complete opposite. i’m not a physical person at all, even when it comes to kissing. i just cannot physically do it, it makes me so uncomfortable in every possible way. a few weeks ago, i told him i was asexual and he was completely understanding of that, still is. but last night i told him that i didn’t like kissing and he got really silent and was like “okay,” then he asked if there was a kind of therapy i could go to to try and fix it? so then i told him that there isn’t and i’m just wired this way. idk that kind of made me ick a little bit. i’ve been thinking a lot about myself these passed two weeks and i just have no idea if i could be aromantic or not. i’m still young and have time to figure all that out, but it’s been really bothering me. i don’t have an emotional relationship with any male person in my life. i have no idea how to act around the opposite gender. when i’m with the guy, i don’t really feel anything. i don’t know how to explain it. i can’t tell if it’s like a slight romantic attraction thing, or the fact that i’m on a date with a guy is giving me male validation. i do know that i’m totally not ready for a relationship at the moment. it just makes me feel trapped and stressed, i was so much more stress free when i was single. i’m gonna try and talk to him about that when i see him in person next. if you decide to answer this ask, i do have a question for other asexual people if they see this because i don’t know if it’s normal or not. so i feel like i have body dysphoria sometimes. i’m not transgender or under the trans umbrella, but i just wish those parts of my body could just disappear. i just wish i had nothing. being sexualized makes me literally want to crawl into a hole and die. that’s honestly really dramatic, but it’s how it makes me feel. so do any other asexuals feel this way? hope you have a wonderful day allie!! 💓💓💓💓

Hello anon, thank you for coming back ���

I’m so glad to see you’re in the process of figuring yourself out. That’s great news, darling. I’m proud of you! You’re definitely going through something there, and I don’t think I have much to add, someone going through similar stuff would probably say it much better than me and maybe you can share some experiences. Do you want to come off anon and maybe DM me?! So I can put you in contact with other people.

Can any of my asexual friends help anon with this?

Anyway, thank you for sharing all of this. I’m sending you a lot of love 💕 everything will be fine!!

[vesuvian-american-fics]

better with time. Ch 8

two steps back.

If you're going to be staying at with the Survey Corps for the time being, you're going to be put to hard labor. Under Captain Levi's supervision, no less. (AO3)

Words: 1,940

The harsh clatter of rusty keys snapped you out of your slumber. Groggily you struggled to allow your eyes to adjust to the early morning light seeping into the room from your dusty window. The window that was strategically nailed shut the night prior by Levi.  

Wearily you propped yourself up on your elbows to eye whoever was coming to wake you at such an hour. As if you didn’t already know who.

Without warning, Levi stepped into the room and kicked your bed with such force you would have fallen out of it if you weren’t already anticipating his actions. Levi’s eyes scanned your face, sleepy bags under your squinted eyes, dried drool across your cheek, that mop of messy hair flying in every direction. What a sorry sight.

“Get dressed and meet me in the hall. You've got five minutes to fix all of... that.” He ordered, his hand lazily gesturing at all of you. You only groaned in response and muttered curses under your breath as he shut the door.

In ten minutes, you were out the door and found Levi waiting for you, arms crossed and an impatient and unimpressed scowl donning his features.  

“I doubled your work load since you decided to take double the time to get out here.” He said, before leaving you in his dust. Your mouth dropped open at his words.  

“What work?” You asked, running to catch up with the man.  

“You’re going to be put to work, you’re no guest here if that wasn’t obvious.” He said plainly, at the end of the hallway Levi opened a heavy door that led into a closet filled to the brim with cleaning supplies. Mops, brooms, and chemicals galore.  

When he turned around, he shoved a broom, duster, mop, and a rusty bucket into your chest. You fumbled to hold everything as he closed the door and walked back towards your bedroom. You clumsily followed after him, tripping over your own two feet on the way.  

Back at your room you were pushed inside by Levi’s hand. Before slamming the door in your face, he said you have but one hour to clean your place up to his standards and that he’ll have you cleaning until sunrise tomorrow if you mess up.  

“Bu–” You voice was cut off by the heavy wood coming mere centimeters from your nose. You jumped back, dropping your cleaning supplies in the process and listened in disbelief at the jingle of those rusty keys locking you inside.  

Really? Really?

You hadn’t the slightest clue how clean he wanted this place but to reach his standards, which you imagined were high, in just an hour sounded impossible. However, you knew his threats weren’t to be taken lightly. He didn’t seem like the type of guy to get much sleep so you can bet he wouldn’t bat his lashes at the idea of making you clean under his supervision into the late hours of the night.

You groaned dramatically, before snatching up your broom and taking out your anger on the germs and muck caked to the creaking floor boards. On the other side of the door Levi heaved a long-suffering sigh before quietly crossing the hall to complete some paper work in the meantime.

After the hour was up, Levi wasted no time in letting himself into your room to inspect your work.  

There he found you atop a stool wiping mindlessly at the window to clean it the best you good. He watched as you smeared the dust and ick from the glass around in messy circles leaving behind a disgusting streak of dirt in your wake. You’ll definitely be cleaning that again, later.

Levi scowled before snapping at you to stop. His upper lip permanently pulled up in a disgusted grimace. He swiped his slender fingers underneath the table in the corner of your room, scoffing at the dust that dirtied his fingers. He did a few laps around the room, making sure to not touch anything this time.  

He sighed as he wiped away dust on his fingers as he leveled you down with a cold, bored glare.  

“Try again.” He said, once again locking you inside. Clenching your fists and accepting defeat you tried again as told. This time, after your hour was up, Levi didn’t both checking your work. He was sure to be disappointed yet again if he did.  

“Follow me.” He said coldly.

Walking down the halls you passed by a number of scouts, they all look strong though you can recall Levi complaining about a certain few whom you could recognize now.  

Armin, he said was too kind but he complimented his intelligence. Jean had potential but he’d hesitate at times, most likely fear. Mikasa was the strongest and fastest, but when it came to Eren, she was reckless. He failed to discuss Sasha and Connie’s skills on the battlefield and instead complained about their childish antics at the base. Bertholdt and Reiner were inseparable and weird. That’s all he said about them... odd.  

Before you could recall anything else you found yourself bumping into the Captain’s back as he stopped abruptly in front of you. He clicked his tongue at the contact, before looking back at you over his shoulder.  

“Clean the kitchen good enough and maybe I’ll let you eat lunch in the canteen with everybody else.” He led you inside the large canteen and through the double doors to the back. You gasped at the sight before you, it looked as if a titan ran through here on a rampage. Your shoulders slumped at the sight and Levi hid his smug look from your view.  

Before leaving he listed off your duties and gave you three hours to complete the job. As he left you could hear him telling some scouts that they were free from the morning duty of cleaning the kitchens. A muffled “yay” was all you could hear as the doors swung shut leaving you to your own devices and chores.  

...

As the hours dragged on you found yourself growing more drained. Your body was sore, your hands ached and there were blisters forming from the strenuous work you hadn’t yet grown accustomed to.  

“This is shitty...” You whined, blowing out a puff of air to toss a few stray hairs out of your face.

“Your cleaning job? Yeah, it is pretty shitty.” Levi commented. You felt as if you had jumped four feet into the air, how long was he standing there? You frowned before whipping your head around to face him

“Leave me alone...” You mumbled as you got back to mopping the floors.

“And here I was about to let you off the hook five minutes early. Never mind then.” He said, shrugging his shoulders before making his way over to the tea cabinet and grabbing two bags. You huffed before scrubbing harder, in your mind you imagined it was his face that was on the end of this mop receiving your fury.  

Five minutes passed before Levi reappeared with two steaming cups of warm jasmine tea.  

“You can stop that now, you’re about to mop through the wood itself.” He said before nodding his head towards the canteen. You dropped the mop without looking back. Levi decided to ignore your ill manners, giving you a break from his strict rules just this once.  

He sat at one of the long tables and you apprehensively did the same, taking your seat right across from him. He slid across your cup of tea and you eyed it warily.

“I didn’t poison it, drink up.” He said before beginning to sip his drink, holding the cup in that odd way he always did. You sighed before gently grasping the cup, the movement was painful for your blisters but you desperately needed this drink. The two of you drank in an awkward silence before Levi decided to comment on your ever-present pout.

“What is wrong with your face?” He asked between sips.

“Nothing.” You said, staring down at the steam floating away from your tea.  

“Something. The tea tastes fine, so what is it?” He said, sounding a bit sterner this time, demanding an answer.

Without verbally replying you simply showed the man the red angry blisters that littered your palm. He sucked his teeth disappointedly before leaving you alone in the canteen for a moment. You rolled your neck to ease the pain that resided there before hearing the canteen doors swing open again.  

Levi sat once more in his seat as he set down a healing salve and bandages for your hands. He opened and closed his hand a few times to ask you to offer him one of yours so he could wrap it. Relenting to him you gave him your hand and found he was surprisingly gentle as he bandaged you up.

Levi dunked two of his slender fingers into the salve and massaged it carefully into your palm, the feeling was soothing enough for you to hum in pleasure. His eyebrow twitched at the sound before glancing up to see that embarrassed flush paint your cheeks. Finishing up his work on that hand Levi turned it this way and that to check for any missed spots.  

He wrapped your hand delicately with the bandages, but tight enough for it to be effective in the healing process. As he began to work on your other hand you decided to fill the silence.

“One moment your insufferable and the next you’re nice to me. I don’t get you.” You said, eyes looking intently at his work. You doubt he’ll offer to wrap them up again for you tonight.  

“Mhm... Don’t try to get me, it's pointless.” He said, noncommittedly, and again the silence was almost painful.

“Thanks.” Was all you could think to say, afraid that if you try too hard to prod into the inner machinations of his mind, you’d strike a nerve.  

“Don’t thank me. I’m only doing this so you don’t wind up back in the infirmary and I can’t work you tomorrow.” He said, tying a knot on the bandages and securing them. You found yourself giggling at the comment before you could think better of yourself. A ghost of a smile lined Levi’s lips before falling back into a thin line. You decided to play like you hadn’t seen that.  

After that, the two of you finished your tea in relative silence. Levi stood and removed both of the tea cups and dropped them off in the kitchen’s sink.

“Lunch is in half an hour. Go rest.” He said as he left from the canteen. You sat for a moment before lifting yourself onto your feet and doing as you were told without complaint.  

“He’s confusing,” you thought. The hallways were empty on your way back to your bedroom, you were practically dragging your feet the whole way. As you stood between your bedroom and Levi’s office you could hear him milling about in there.  

Light footsteps, shuffling papers, and quiet commentary on what he had to take care of for the day. Most likely talking to himself and taking metal notes. You sighed before slinking off to your bed and throwing yourself onto it, eliciting another coughing fit. Even after changing the sheets there was entirely too much dust seeped into the mattress.

In Levi’s office he heard the raging coughs coming from your room. He chuckled inwardly before clearing his throat to stifle the sound. He frowned at himself before getting back to his work to rid you from his mind.  

“Troublesome girl.”

[zwowow]

Hm. This is accidentally very long.

tldr: Colson gives me the icks as of recent, no more zwowfic emgk in the near future

idk if its just the parts of tiktok, youtube, and twitter I'm on, but I've been seeing and learning a lot more about Colson via resurfaced videos. And it's very gross.

For the most part, in my research for fics and just general interest, I've been watching good interviews where Colson is just being a qt nd charismatic. But shit, the videos I've been seeing recently are bad.

I've always thought our carved out, niche fandom goes way too easy on Em and Colson for their misdeeds. But now that I've seen more, I don't know how to reconcile the fiction we create here in our fandom, with the real nasty ppl they are. Especially in regards to kells.

Talking about Hailie, and those old ass tweets were not the only time Colson, as a fully grown, full realized adult, talked brazenly about being sexully attracted to minors. Say what you want to say about how sexualized teenagers are in today's society, we all know that's wrong and gross. As a person around the age Colson was when he was making those comments, I can't even fucking imagine thinking the same way. It's incomprehensible to me to look at a 17 year old and think they are hot at all, let alone be comfortable enough in that feeling to share it over and over.

Taking a step back from him being a bit of a predator, ugh Colson's racism is undeniable and inexcusable. From the way he speaks too and about black women in interviews, to the racist behavior and cultural insensitivity he and his friends regularly display, it's too ugly to continue to ignore for me.

At first, I put off thinking about it because everyone says random sus shit every once in a while. But saying that your daughter is black and then turning around immediately to say that black girls give the best head is not sus. It's dehumanizing to black women in general, but also to his daughter.

As a black woman, I can't just ignore that behavior anymore.

also, the covid denier shit has been real fucking ugly to watch.

Is it hypocritical, and maybe a lil stupid that I can reconcile Marshall using the Nword in the past and being outwardly homophobic always, but not this? Possibly. But, for me, the line is drawn at the point where Colson grew up firmly in a time where behavior like his has never been acceptable, and yet he refuses to apologize or take responsibility for his actions.

Anyway....

imma take a moment to deal with my icks and process the difference between the fiction I write and the real life subjects I will not support. As I do that, this blog nd my ao3 will either go ghost or turn to other fandoms.

I'm sorry for being dramatic I swear it's not purposeful. I just have mad thoughts and am in a very emo time of my life rn.

Love u long time emgk peeps,

Zwow(ow)/Lils

[ickle-ronniekins]

duet | golden

DUET MASTERLIST

desc: fred loves to tease his twin. more importantly, he loves to tease his twin about you. so when the opportunity arrises to invite you for summer holiday and keep it from george, fred takes it. and george, stunned at your appearance in the entrance of his house, is flabbergasted and nervous. but maybe, just maybe, it’s the perfect time to tell you -- maybe it’s the perfect time to tell you just exactly how he’s been feeling.

a/n: hi! i don’t even know what number leeann and i are up too with these installments! leeann and i love these two little goofballs so much. i'm so grateful she approached me a few weeks ago asking to do this collab. also i knoooow the summer before the trio’s 5th year they’re supposed to be at headquarters but whatever just indulge me okay? also yes she’s in hufflepuff but let’s pretend the houses can pack together and hang together in their common rooms OKAY!

word count: 3.8k sorry

warnings: naaaah

“It’s going to be our final year! Aren’t you sad, Freddie?”

You were adding the last of your things to the top of your trunk -- your clean quills, your neatly folded socks, your straight, unwrinkled ribbons, and of course, the letters. The letters that kept coming. From your secret admirer.

“Not really,” Fred grinned brightly. He was sprawled out on the couch in the empty Gryffindor common room, his trunk on the floor next to him. The two of you were alone. Most everyone was now down in the Great Hall, getting ready to leave. How was it summer holiday already?

You noticed the ends of Fred’s shirts sticking out of the sides of his trunk and you rolled your eyes. Silly boy. You reckoned he needed a lesson in folding. Properly. Had he not learned a thing from his mother?

“Not really?” you barked, shooting him a very angry gaze. Blood was rushing to your face out of pure resentment. “Bloody hell, Fred, it’s our last year at school. You can’t tell me you don’t really care, do you?”

He closed his eyes and placed his hands behind his head, relaxing at the thought of almost being out of Hogwarts for good. “I dunno, Y/N, I’m rather excited about it, actually. What’s got your wand in a knot?”

You huffed dramatically. Why didn’t anyone understand you? You sat down on your closed trunk and grumpily began to tie your shoes. “Because! It’s almost over! And we’ve got to spend as much time together as we can, don’t we, Fred? George, too. So no running off all the time next school term, yeah? Not to mention we’ve got this summer holiday now -- can’t believe we won’t see one another until September...”

“Right,” Fred replied. His eyes opened with a jolt and he sat upright rather quickly and grabbed you by the shoulders, frightening you. You brought your hand to your chest in surprise.

“Merlin, Fred!”

“What would you say, Y/N,” he began, his face in a tight-lipped, cheeky grin, “if I say you should come to the Burrow this summer?”

Your eyes widened -- both in delight and in nerves. The Burrow? Their home? You’d heard such wonderful things -- the way George had talked about it had made it seem like the most wonderful, cozy place. He knew you loved cozy things. He knew how much you’d enjoy the idea of his mum sitting by the fire, knitting away, with a cup of tea on the table next to her. It’s what he imagined you’d do too, if you were there.

“R-really?” you asked Fred now, hoping that for this one moment, he’d place his teasing aside, because you could not afford to get your hopes up again. Not now. Not after the disaster that was the Yule Ball. The almost-kiss. The night that wasn’t.

“Yeah, really,” Fred made it absolute, taking your hands in his. “C’mon! Mum and Dad won’t mind -- pretty sure Harry and Hermione might be coming for a bit, as well. You’d love it, I know you would. Not to mention George will be there, obviously--”

You swatted him playfully with the end of your shirt sleeve, your face glowing the same shade of red as the common room carpet. You ignored that statement; it was rather rude of him, actually, especially when the ball, even though it was months ago, was still fresh in your mind. Ever-present. That silly cheek kiss. The twirling in your dress. The giggles that echoed in your ears. It was all still there, painfully and excitingly so.

But the prospect of hanging around the Burrow with your very best friends was inviting. How could you not, when the offer was right in front of you? How could you possibly decline? Hadn’t you just said you wanted to spend as much time together as you could? A small grin lifted your cheeks and your eyes brightened at the thought. “Okay then, Freddie. Count me in.”

He smiled and placed a hand to your knee. “Atta girl.”

“Ooh! I’ve got to go and tell George!”

Before you could grab your trunk and make your way through the portrait hole, Fred jumped to his feet and ran toward the exit. He placed his hand on his chest. “No, no -- let me, alright? Besides, miss,” he pointed to your spellbooks lying in a heap next to your feet, “you’ve still got packing to do.”

And before you could fight him on it, he winked at you and hopped into the corridor, vanishing before your eyes. You scoffed and looked down at your spellbooks and began placing them into your bag. What was that look in Fred’s eyes just before he’d left? Exuberance? Delight? ...mischief? Why couldn’t you shake the feeling that Fred Weasley was definitely up to something?

________________

The Burrow was glowing underneath the summer sunlight. George, Fred, Ron, Ginny, Harry, and Hermione were hovering in the sky on their broomsticks, playing a bit of Quidditch in the sweltering heat. George, annoyed that his twin had made him play Keeper, of all positions, wiped a bit of sweat from his forehead.

“You’re a right git, Fred!” George called as the elder twin threw the Quaffle right passed his head. George, in an attempt to block it, flipped completely upside down, nearly falling off of his broom. Ginny squealed with laughter alongside Ron. A natural Chaser, Fred was. He reckoned he’d play that position if he wasn’t such a bloody brilliant Beater. But George -- a Keeper? He wasn’t the greatest.

Molly was rummaging around the kitchen. Straightening up. You’d be arriving soon, wouldn’t you? She had a pot of tea on. All of the children flooded into the house. “Don’t make a mess!” Molly huffed, “I’ve just tidied up!”

“Mum, why on Earth have you got tea on? It’s bloody blazing outside!” George asked. He dipped his head under the sink and ran cold water over his head. Molly swatted him with her rag.

“Oh, George, get out from under there, won’t you? Straighten yourself up.” She pulled at his sweaty shirt, ran a hand through his very askew hair to try and straighten it, and wiped a bit of sweat from his face, just like she had when he was a little boy. Then she turned to Fred, Ron, and the others. “You lot, as well! She’ll be here soon!”

“Sorry,” George asked, noting the very bright grin spreading across Fred’s face. “But.. who will be here soon?”

There was a quiet knock at the door. Nervously, you stepped across the threshold -- a bag slung over your shoulder, your hair pulled into a neat side ponytail, a pale yellow tee shirt beneath your overalls. “Erm -- don’t mean to bother --”

“Oh!” Molly squealed. She immediately rushed toward the door and pulled you into an incredibly tight embrace. She smelled of rosemary and lavender. She cupped your face in her hands and peered down at you with the most warm and welcoming smile. “We’re so happy to have you, Y/N. Come! I’ve just set a pot of tea!”

You hadn’t even had time to thank Molly for letting you stay before Fred was tugging you into his arms. He was yucky -- all sweaty from being outside, but he didn’t let go. In fact, he just squeezed you harder, the sweat from his head dripping onto your clothes. Ick. “Bloody finally, was wondering when the hell you were going to show up,”

“Language, Frederick!” Molly barked.

You grinned excitedly at Fred and made your rounds. The Burrow was even more beautiful than you’d imagined, more beautiful than their stories. Several stories high, swallowed fully in cozy autumn colors. You could see now, as you peered at every single crevice of the home, why the Weasleys loved it so much. You wanted to live here, too.

“So happy you were able to come,” Ginny told you as she grasped your arms. It seemed that everyone was incredibly elated to have you join for the remainder of the summer. Everyone, that is, except for George.

He was standing on the other end of the kitchen, frozen solid, as if his feet had been cemented into the ground. He had half a glass of water placed right to his lips, but he wasn’t drinking. His whole entire body was rigid. His eyes wide with wonder. What on Earth were you doing here? In his house?

“Y/N,” he said, finally finding his voice. A bit croaky. He was trying not to stare, he really was, but he was finding it difficult. He genuinely could not peel his eyes off of you. Maybe it was the way your eyes were glistening. Maybe it was the way your dimples appeared as your lazy grin grew on your face. Perhaps, he thought, it was the very bright magenta colored ribbon in your hair, tied perfectly into a small bow at the top of your head. It was a color he’d never seen before, but one, he realized, he wanted to learn all about. “I--I didn’t know you were coming.”

“You didn’t?”

You peered at George quizzically, the two of you standing across from each other, not moving. The entire scene was rather dramatic, actually -- Fred, behind you, stifling a bit of laughter and snorting -- Molly, flushed and confused, because how could her son not know you were coming for a visit? Surely he’d heard them all discussing it the last few days? Ron, Harry, Hermione, and Ginny, giggling slightly at the sight of a very flustered, very nervous, very obvious George.

“Freddie,” you said, whirling around to face the elder twin. “I thought you said you were going to tell him?”

A cheeky, mischievous grin appeared on Fred’s lips. “Whoops -- must’ve forgotten.”

“I’m sorry --” George started, placing his hands on the counter, trying his best not to grin like an idiot. “How long have you two been planning this?”

“Since the last day of term!” you said, finally moving forward and pulling him into a tight hug. It was very difficult for George to not melt completely into you. He did anyway, though. It’d been weeks since an embrace from you, one he’d been yearning for. Dreaming of. He’d been positively woebegone when he’d hugged you goodbye on the platform at King’s Cross. Can’t wait to see you soon! You’d said, your grin large and eyes sparkling. George had just thought you meant the new school term come September. He had no bloody idea --

Your body molded perfectly into his, and he breathed in the smell of your hair -- strawberries, he reckoned. With a dash of mint. You continued, pulling back, “I can’t believe Fred didn’t tell you!”

George, a bit woozy from the sight of you, straightened himself up and ran a hand quickly through his hair. He then cleared his throat and spoke, trying to sound casual. “I know! But, even so. Happy to have you here,” he told you, grinning at the sight of your exuberance. “More than.”

“Me too, Georgie.”

George’s happiness didn’t stop him from shooting a very scathing look at his cackling twin in the corner.

________________

You were there. Just a few floors away. You were there -- in his house, in the middle of summer holiday, for four weeks! A whole bloody month!

“I’m going to absolutely kick your arse, Fred.”

“Feeling a bit hostile, are we, Georgie? None of that in this house. Mum will have your head, I reckon.”

Fred laughed to himself as he slid into his bed and propped himself up on his pillows. He gazed at the ceiling and then at his half unpacked trunk in the corner of the room. He waited for the younger twin across the room to speak.

“Why the bloody hell didn’t you tell me?”

“I reckon because I get a right kick out of seeing you get all high strung and edgy at the mere sight of her, mate.”

George scoffed. “I could’ve used a bit more preparation, you know.”

“Mhmm.”

“She was perfect -- with that ribbon and those overalls and everything. She smelled like strawberries, Fred. Strawberries. And there I was, disgusting from your bloody Quidditch match. I’ve probably scared her off.”

Fred wanted to tell his brother how dramatic he was being, but instead, he snorted this time and threw his pillow directly at George, who groaned beneath it when it landed on his face.

“Think this is funny, do you?”

“Yeah, I do, actually.”

And George tried to hold back his laughter when Fred started on again, he really did, but he had to admit -- it was kind of funny.

He was happy. Over the bloody moon, actually. You were here, weren’t you? And you both had an entire month to do whatever you pleased. He stared through the darkness in his room, wide-eyed, the prospect of the rest of the holiday laid out in front of him like a map. He could show you the village, he could show you where he and Fred used to play as kids, his favorite shops! He could take you across the hills outside the Burrow and you two could spend the day outside under the summer sun and maybe, just maybe, his heart willing, he’d tell you. He’d tell you how his heart had skipped a beat at the sight of you in your dress at the ball. How the butterflies had danced around his stomach the entire night he spent twirling you. How he’d kept on joking just to hear you laugh. How he’d nearly short-circuited at the feeling of your lips on his cheek, just barely -- so close to his own. How he didn’t sleep that night, because all he could think about was you. Beautiful, perfect, golden -- ever-the-innocent. Ever-the-wonder.

Maybe he’d find a way to pluck up the courage. And maybe, just maybe, he thought, you’d tell him you couldn’t stop thinking about him either.

________________

“That’s where Fred and I got our love of pranks,”

George pointed to a shop in the middle of the village. It was bright and vibrant and inviting. He watched as your eyes lit up at the sight of it. You were breathless. “How old were you when you first went there?”

“Four or five, maybe?”

It was overcast today, a bit cloudy, but it wasn’t going to stop George from bringing you into the village -- especially since he was finally alone with you. He’d finally lost his family in the crowd, thank Merlin. It was a bit cool, too, and George watched as you pulled your purple cardigan tighter around you. He reached out and touched your shoulder.

“And that there,” he pointed to a small little shop off the beaten path -- quiet and gray, a bit lonely -- “that’s mum’s favorite tea shop.”

“I’m so happy you took me here, George.”

“Are you?”

“Yes!” you squealed excitedly. You pulled a bit on his shirt and stopped short in the middle of the crowded street. “I love this, all of it. Wish I’d grown up here. Wish I’d known you when we were younger.”

George felt his insides twist into a very tight knot at the thought.

“Which reminds me,” your eyes brightened as you clapped your hands together. “Your mum promised me tonight she’d show me your baby photos!”

Yep, the knot had quickly tightened even more and shot straight into his throat. He didn’t need to be embarrassed in his own home. “Erm -- dunno if that’s such a good idea.”

“Come on -- I want to see how cute you were!”

He grinned a bit and watched as horror took over your face.

“Not--not that you’re not cute now. Not that I’m looking at you that way! I mean, you are cute, Georgie -- I mean -- I just --” you sighed dramatically. George watched as your cheeks went pink. “I just want to see you as a kid,”

He couldn’t stop laughing. How much more adorable could you get? How much more beautiful? he thought. His musings must’ve called out a signal to the universe, because a very large storm cloud appeared in the sky directly over the tiny little village and opened up almost immediately.

Before you knew it, you were both soaked from head to toe. “Come on!” he yelled over the shouts of the crowd and grabbed your hand. But you pulled him back and stayed put. Your hair was now separated in fat, wet strands -- half of it plastered to the sides of your face. Your cardigan was soaked. Your shoes muddy. Your makeup streaky. And yet, as you danced around and splashed in the puddles, you were still the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen in his entire life.

The rain had stopped almost as quickly as it had started, and George noticed you were the only two in the middle of the street now. Surely, everyone else had run inside to escape the impactful -- albeit quick -- rainstorm. You jumped dramatically in the puddle in front of him, splashing the bottoms of his jeans and his shoes, and he said to you, warmth overtaking him despite his cold, rain soaked clothes, “You’re a wonder, you are. Like a little kid.”

Normally a comment like that would bother you. A little kid? You? How rude! You were perfectly capable of acting like an adult, thank you very much. But the way George said it, the way the words so effortlessly escaped from his lips -- it was more of a compliment than anything else. You wondered if, maybe, possibly, somehow, he’d love you in spite of it. No, no, because of it. Your innocence. “Why? You giggled, reaching out and touching his arm. You watched as the raindrops fell from his eyelashes every time he blinked. “Because I like to splash in puddles, Georgie?”

“Yes,” he replied breathlessly and pushed a piece of hair behind your ear, “because you like to splash in puddles.”

This is the moment, he thought. Your eyes were softer than they ever had been. He was almost certain he could hear the pounding of your heart. Perhaps it was his. Either way, there was something different about you now -- something different about the look in your eye, as soon as he’d reached out to touch you. Fondness. He was going to tell you, in the middle of this desolate street, underneath the overcast sky, just how overwhelming his feelings have been, ever since that day. Ever since you noticed him. Ever since he’d made you laugh, that time, in Charms. How he’d wanted to make you laugh ever since. How he wanted to make you smile the largest of smiles. I’m the one who’s been sending you those gifts. It’s me. I’ve loved you since the day I met you. The words were on the tip of his tongue --

“Oi! What’re you two doing out here?”

George grimaced at the sound of Ron’s voice; bloody hell, they’d found you. Easy, now, since the crowd had dispersed. George relished the thought of pulling you into an empty store to escape his family yet again, but it was too late. They’d noticed you. Good Godric, how much longer was he going to hold this in? It’s not very often feelings of bravery about you overtake him --

“Been playing in the rain again, Y/N, haven’t you?”

“Perhaps I was, Freddie. Something you ought to try sometime, I reckon.”

“Let’s get home!” Molly called to you all. She tutted at the sight of your soaked clothes and wrapped her shawl around your shoulders. “Oh, dear -- come, then, the Burrow awaits. I’ve got nice bowls of soup to warm you all up.”

George just stood where he was as Hermione and Ginny tugged you along to head back to the Burrow, staring at the spot you had been in front of him -- moon-eyed and shivering from the rain. Soft and close to him. Just inches away.

He felt an arm drape across his shoulder. “I can see why you fancy her so much, son.”

Arthur pulled George along, a few feet behind the rest of the crowd. George was moving forward, but wasn’t sure how. He couldn’t feel his legs or his feet. “W-what? Dad, I dunno what you’re on about.”

“Always have been a right awful liar, you have!” Arthur’s haughty laughter echoed through the street, now filling with people. “It’s why I was always able to catch you and Fred when you were younger -- you wear your heart right here!” he pointed to George’s sleeve.

“Dad,” George said through gritted teeth, both embarrassed and relieved that someone, anyone, other than Fred knew of his feelings. He swallowed his nerves and just went for it. “Nobody’s told her, have they?”

“And revealed the very best of you? No, son, I reckon your mother would have their heads.” Arthur replied. George pulled at his red hair, a carbon copy of his father’s when he was George’s age.

And suddenly, George felt a bolt of confidence race through his veins. “I was going to tell her. Right before you lot showed up. How I feel, I mean. You reckon I should? Or would I look like a prat?”

George had never really fancied discussing girls with his father -- or with anyone, for that matter, except for Fred. He’d always felt awkward about it. Being open. Being vulnerable. Letting people into his heart. But now, standing here with his father, watching the girl he’s loved for so many years -- the girl he hoped, one day, would become his wife -- he thought that maybe, just maybe, he could open his heart a bit more.

Arthur laughed again and squeezed George’s shoulder. “Not a prat, son. A brave man. You tell her when you’re ready. We’ll all be waiting.”

George, stunned, turned to look at his dad now, wide-eyed and confused. “What do you mean ‘we’ll all be waiting’?”

“Well we all love her, don’t we?” Arthur prodded on. The Burrow was in view now. George watched as you and Ginny began to do cartwheels across the hills, Ron and Fred and Hermione and Harry laughing at it all. He felt a smile lift his cheeks. Arthur continued, “Your mum adores her, you know, as does everyone else.” You turned around and raised a hand to them both before going into another cartwheel, landing in the wet grass, earning yourself laughs from your friends. You -- not poised in the slightest, but still the cutest thing he’d ever seen -- golden against the now cotton candy colored sky, and him -- desperately in love, heart on his sleeve, his feelings nearly pouring out of him. Without a shred of doubt -- he knew what being in love meant. This was being in love. George couldn’t help but laugh at his father’s next words: “And son, did you know? She knows all about these Muggle contraptions! Hope you don’t mind, but, she’s promised to tell me all about some of them after supper. Merlin’s beard!”

tag list: @georgeweasleyx @seppys-return-to-madness @fopdoodledane @fredd-weasley @iprobablyshipit91 @darling-details @laneygthememequeen @lupinsx @keoghans @helloallthethingsilove @waschbiber @dreamer821 @feffffffy @the-hufflepuff-of-221b @62442-am @wtfweasleyy @obsessedwithrandomthings @sleep-i-ness @shadowsinger11 @harrysweasleys @shadychaoticcollection @haphazardhufflepuff @afriendlyneighborhoodhufflepuff @hood-and-horan @geeksareunique @insearchofnewdreams @notstandingstill-imlyinginwait @lumos-barnes @thatfuckingliardavidtennant @slytherinqween @xinyourdreamsx @skiving-snackboxess @wildfire-whizbangs @dwarfwizard-from-panem @diary-of-an-onliner @answer-the-sirens@woakiees @black-widow-fangirl @theheirofnightandday @summerstardust @whysoseriouspadfoot @chocok22 @myhopesareanchoredinyou @siriusblackisme @illusivedaydreamer @zeeneee @writingwitchly @wolfpotter12 @obsessedwithrandomthings @carolinesbookworld @shadowsinger11 @pit-and-the-pen @summer-writes @peachesandpinks @gweaslvy @alpinewinchester @letsfightsomeorcs @theweasleysredhair @purpleskiesstorm @hxfflxpxffs @wand3ringr0s3 @finecole

[lonelyreputation]

C’est Toi (coffee shop au) • CHAPTER ONE, wc: 4.7k

previous chapter | let’s chat!

Thursday - January 03, 2019 - 21:05

Landing in Heathrow was something else.  Everyone was in a hustle to get to their desired destination.  It was exhilarating.  But what was even more exhilarating was the drive from Heathrow to King’s College.  Everything was so…breathtaking.  Even the houses along the M4 fascinated me to no end.  The roads all blended together––I have no idea how I’ll remember anything about getting around––I felt like we were driving in circles.  I was pressed up against the window of the car, not wanting to miss a single detail of this new place I’d be calling home.

—

“McLane Roberts?”  I said my own name with hesitation as I grimaced, “I––uh––I’m a study abroad student––but on an exchange program––I’m from America––I don’t know whose place I’m taking––but––I––I’m supposed to be here,” I squinted my left eye, “I––right?”

The two student resident advisors who were checking in students looked bewildered at my uncertainty.  Or my American accent.  Hopefully it was the latter.  The one resident advisor––Sophia––had her mouth slightly agape and eyes wide as saucers.  The other––Georgia––had her eyebrows up so high they were hidden beneath her bangs.  Georgia’s pen fell from her grasp.

Oh God, I thought, they’re going to deport me.

Sophia cleared her throat and elbowed Georgia, who picked up her pen and flicked through her papers.  Every few seconds she would glance up at me and I felt the bile churning even more in my stomach.  Every possible thought ran through my head––I wasn’t registered, I missed something in the application that wouldn’t allow me to live on campus, then I would have to find somewhere else to live while completing my courses, How do you even find a place to live––

“McLane?”

“Uh–Yeah,” I vigorously nodded my head, “That’s Me––McLane Roberts––I––From America.”

Sophia now looked at me with amusement, but I noticed Georgia scoot her chair back a few inches.

“Right,” Sophia cleared her throat, “You’re on the third floor, there’s an elevator over there,” she gestured somewhere to her left, “here’s your key,” she snatched it from Georgia, who was still wide eyed, “and welcome to Stamford Street Apartments.”

I nodded my head and felt my shoulders relax as I let out a sigh of relief, “Thank you,”  I went to grab my luggage and turn around before I heard Sophia call out my name again.  I peaked my head over my shoulder and she dangled the key out.

“Oh, the key––wow––“ I glanced at Georgia who seemed to be even more petrified of my presence and was not afraid to show it.  I cut myself off from embarrassing myself further and took the key with a smile, “Thank you.”

I walked to the left, faintly remembering that Sophia waved her hands in this direction, but I was met with no elevator.  I looked to my left and then to my right, but I was only met with friends greeting each other with “nice holiday?” or “can’t wait to head out tonight with the lads.”

Lads.

With not so much grace, I walked around in a circle and made my way to the opposite side of the building, making sure I passed the front desk with my head down to avoid Georgia.  But I was met with the same thing.  More friends reuniting and more talk about lads.

With a dejected sigh, I went to make another large circle with my luggage to head back to the front desk.  But a friendly voice caught my attention.

“Need some help?”

Unfortunately, I had to waddle around half more of a circle to come face-to-face with the voice.  I could have let go of the handle of my suitcase, but I needed some sort of physical support since I had no emotional support from any friends or family.

“Yeah, that’d be nice,” I nodded and looked down at my sneakers, “I was told there was an elevator over there but there wasn’t, so I walked over here––and––I don’t know if I missed it?  I’m a bit delirious from the flight and––“  Once I realized I was rambling, I immediately stopped and picked my eyes up from the ground.  

The boy––who I hadn’t been introduced to yet––looked at me the same way Georgia had.  Except he had an amused smile while Georgia had her mouth open in shock.  He was either put off by my rambling or surprised to hear an American accent.  I prayed it was the latter or I had just made an absolute fool of myself in front of a cute boy with shining amber eyes.

“Sorry,” I felt heat rise to my cheeks, “I––I ramble when I get nervous.”

“I make you nervous?”

My eyes snapped open, “I––That’s––That’s not what I meant––I don’t know where to go––I’ve–never left the country and I’m alone––“

The overwhelming feeling of being absolutely alone in a foreign country suddenly hit me like a ton of bricks.  I didn’t have my best friend, I didn’t have my bother, I didn’t even have an acquaintance––I was alone.  I felt a sharp sting behind my eyes at the thought, but it quickly disappeared when the boy across from me let out a laugh. 

He tilted his head back with a hand on his stomach as he continued to laugh, “I’m only joking,”  He settled down, but kept his infectious smile, “I’m Jack.”

“Jack,” I repeated with a small smile, “I’m Mick.”

“Nick?”

I shook my head, “Mick,” I drew out the ‘m,’ “Short of McLane.”

Jack mirrored my small smile, “Mick,” he then repeated my name correctly, “Let’s get you up to your room, yeah?”

“Thank God.”

After Jack had successfully taken my backpack and large suitcase, he showed me to my single ensuite.  It was small, but it was my own room and there were other people on the floor as well.  I had never had my own room in college before, and at that, Jack looked horrified at the thought of living in such close quarters with a stranger.  He mumbled something along the lines of ‘that’s America for you.’

Jack was a year older, but he didn’t live on campus.  He was waiting for one of his friend’s to to finish up with work and then they were heading to a pub.  After my suitcases were in my room, he suggested we exchange contact information so that way I had a friend on campus.  I happily obliged.  

As I took my clothes out of my suitcase, my frown deepened with each wrinkled article of clothing.  After the large suitcase was done, I stowed it away, and bent down to unzip my carry on.  I had just flipped the lid off when I heard a knock at my door.  The door was cracked open half way so the knocker had now successfully fully opened it.

“Oops,” the girl giggled and fully stepped in and waved, “Hi!”

I returned her wave, but was more cautious, as there was a stranger in my room, “Hey, I’m––“

“American?!”

I shook my head, “No, I’m––well, yeah––I am American, but––“  I caught myself and sighed, “I’m Mick, it’s nice to meet you…”

“Ella,”  Ella’s eyes crinkled as she smiled and ran a hand through her wavy blonde hair, “Welcome to England!  I live in the room right next to yours,” she pointed to the left, “and wanted to let you know a few of us are having celebratory move in drinks in the kitchen.”

It was then that I noticed the bottle of wine in Ella’s other hand.  Rosé.

I nodded, “That’d be nice.”

Ella clapped her hand on her wrist that was holding the wine bottle and cheered.  She took a few steps over to me and gently took hold of my wrist, dragging me out of my room before I had time to shut the door.

“Well, Mick from America,”  Ella peered over her shoulder wiggled her eyebrows, “I want to know absolutely everything about you.”  Her words were coherent enough for being slightly tipsy, but it was the wink and the giggle she let out at the end that reveled her true state.

We entered the kitchen, with Ella still having a hold around my wrist, and I was surprised to see quite a few people packed in.  She let go of my wrist and brought her fingers up to her lips and let out a whistle I was sure damaged my eardrums.

“Oi!”  She yelled to gather the attention of the few who ignored her whistle, “This––“ she extended both hands out as if she was showcasing me at a pageant, “is Mick––Mick from America,”

And with that last sentence, it peaked some people’s interest, but others went on continuing with their drinks.

Tuesday - January 8, 2019

“Oh, Mick it was terrible.”  Ella dropped her bag and slumped down in a chair across from mine.  I pushed forward my bag of chips that I bought from one of the vending machines as a quick snack between classes.  She scrunched up her nose, “Salt and vinegar?”

“They’re my favorite,” I meekly defended them as I slowly pulled the bag away to avoid adding anything to Ella’s already cranky mood.

She swatted my hand away and took a few out of the bag, “They’re the nastiest crisps but I’m in need something or else I will die.”

Crisps.

I nodded my head and moved the bag back to the middle of the table.  I grabbed a few chips and quirked an eyebrow, “Guessing it didn’t go well with the TA?”

With a dramatic sigh Ella flung her head into her arms that were resting on the table, “I never want to come in contact with another TA,” she spat the words out like she had just injected venom, “again.  Never ever.  They are vile, Mick, scums of the earth…”

Ella was passionate about dramatics, so it made sense that she was studying towards a theatre degree.  Ever since that first day we met, we had hung out nearly everyday for the past week.  And we had gotten to know each other quite well over a few bottles of wine and Tesco meals.  It was there that she spilled that she had a secret romance with a TA last term who promised to grade her papers with higher marks to boost her grade––it’s the aspect of the forbidden romance that makes it so hot, Mick, we’re a modern day Romeo and Juliet––and he ended up grading her papers like every other student because he didn’t want to risk his position––Can you believe that, Mick?!  With the amount of times I went down on him I should have my fucking degree by now!

But she still kept in contact with him over winter break.  She wanted to get him back; string him along for a few weeks outside of the classroom and then leave him high and dry.  He had said that he wasn’t a TA for any theatre classes this term.  But that was a lie.

“And now I have to see him in my performance research methods class that’s twice a week,”  She looked up at me and rested her chin on her arms, “I want to die.”

I crumpled up a napkin and threw it at her face.  She wrinkled her nose up.

“Oh shut it, you live for this drama,” I smirked at her.  She frowned and kept a hard stare on me.  I quirked an eyebrow, smirk growing even more when she surrendered.  

A sheepish smile crossed her face, “Yeah, I do,” she chuckled, “It’s hot.”  I rolled my eyes and threw another napkin her way.  She glared before throwing the napkin right back at me, “I have to pick up a book for the class––wanna come with?”

“I have a literature class in,” I clicked on my phone to check the time, “ten minutes.”  Ella groaned and leaned back in the chair, “But the professor said that we’re having a discussion today so if it’s a lively one then he’ll let us out early,” I grinned at her, hoping it would convince her to wait, “It’ll be like thirty minutes tops.”

With a huff and crossed arms over her chest, Ella agreed.

The discussion was not lively.  Only half of the class read the assigned text.  So we stayed for the whole hour and thirty minutes.

I slung my bag over back and trudged out of the room.  I was already exhausted from still feeling the last bits of jet lag, and when you’re expecting to get out of a class early, but end up staying the full time, it only added to the exhaustion.  I checked my messages, expecting to see one from Ella saying that she went by herself.  But as I lifted my head from my phone, I saw a very annoyed Ella sitting at one of the tables in the open area staring directly at me.

I offered her a weak smile, but as I walked closer to her, I could see each individual stress line engraved in her forehead.

“Thirty minutes tops my arse,”  Ella seethed as she picked up her bag and walked straight out the door without waiting.

I quickly sped behind her, dodging a few students who thought it was necessary to take up the entire hallway and called after her.  I thought she had ditched me when I blew past the double doors and she was nowhere in sight.  I sighed, and right when I was about to walk in the direction of the Temple underground station, I felt a paper ball hit the back of my head.

“Oi, America,”  Ella had grown fond of that nickname whenever she was annoyed and needed someone (i.e. me) to take out her frustrations on, “Let’s get a move on.”  She then briskly walked past me and I trailed behind her like a lost dog––which wasn’t too far off considering I had only been living in London for a week and still didn’t know my surroundings.

But I quickly figured out that we were headed in the direction of Temple station.  I fiddled with my bag and got my oyster card out in time to tap through quickly and not take forever like a tourist; which was how I looked for the first few days.

I followed her to the westbound platform of the district line and stood next to her in silence on the platform.  

“Foyles should have it,” Ella picked a piece of lint off her sweater, “It’s on our way back to our flat so we should beat the rain.”  

Flat.

I nodded and opened my mouth to respond, but the sound of the train coming in effectively drowned me out.  We waited to the side to let the travelers off and then quickly stepped in before the doors closed.  Ella had a tight hold on the railing as she scrolled mindlessly on her phone.  It took two minutes before we got off at Embankment and followed the signs to go southbound on the northern line.

“Temple’s literally across the river from Waterloo,” Ella huffed as she picked up her pace to walk around a particularly slow couple, “we’re on for like two stops, it doesn’t make any sense, they should build something underwater.”

We finally reached our platform and I shrugged, “Could send a letter to TFL, I’m sure they’d be thrilled to receive your suggestion.”

Ella picked up her head and smirked, “Gonna quit your day job and become a comedian, America?”

“My visa doesn’t allow me to work.”

With that, Ella barked out a laugh and stepped onto the train that had arrived without me noticing.  We stood close to the door, preparing a quick exit, and in two minutes we were off and at Waterloo.  Ella checked my hip with hers and offered me a smile when I looked at her, “Thanks for coming along this book hunt with me.”

We got to the gates and scanned our cards on stalls next to each other, not missing a beat in our step as we fell back in sync walking next to each other.

“You’re my only friend,” I shot her a smile, “Might as well take advantage.”

Ella scoffed, “As if I’m you’re only friend,” We stopped at the corner of a street waiting for the go ahead to cross, “I’ve seen you with Mr. brown eyes.”

“Jack,” I rolled my eyes as we crossed the street, “he’s a friend––“

“That ’s how it always starts out.”

I rolled my eyes at her childish tone, “Are we almost there?”  I took the easy way out by changing the subject.  Ella took notice and glared at me.

“It’s on the Southbank so only a five minute walk,” She gave me a side eye, “tops.”

“I said I was sorry!”  I stopped walking and threw my hands in the air, surely making more of a commotion than needed.  Ella let out a gleeful laugh as she kept walking ahead.  I jogged to catch up with her and we spent the next few minutes talking about the work we already had assigned in our first week.  In the middle fo her complaining, we came upon Foyles and when Ella went to open the door she used sp much force that she strained her arm when the door didn’t open.

“What in the––Refurbishment?!”  I took two steps backward. “Fucking great.”  With another two steps back, I cautiously suggested a book store that was down the street from campus.  Ella didn’t take too lightly to that.  

“We were just over there––“

“Let me call and see if they have it!”  I held up my phone and immediately went to searching up the number.  If Ella didn’t have the book in the next hour I could see her destroying the entire city.  So after a quick call and begging the clerk to reserve one of the two copies left in the store, we skipped the tube and opted to run across the Golden Jubilee Bridge, jumped on the circle line at Embankment to Temple, and ignored traffic laws as we darted across streets to the book shop.

Ella was first through the door and continued to run straight to the counter.  The clerk looked up from their computer in surprise and widened their eyes as Ella slammed both hands down on the counter top, “We have a book on reserve––Ella––“

Without exchanging any words, the clerk reached blindly under the table and slammed the book on the counter top just as hard as Ella slammed her hands.  The clerk looked terrified of Ella, and rightly so, because Ella’s stare was murderous.  But with the book on the countertop, her shoulders relaxed and she tapped her credit card on the pad.  Once the transaction was completed, she swiped the book off the counter and put it in her bag.

As I pushed the door open, the bell above it rang, both Ella and I looked up not noticing that it did that when we entered.  And instead of running to the tube, we took our time walking and laughing.

“What’s life without a little adventure?”  Ella hiked her bag over her shoulder.

I almost tripped on the sidewalk at her peppy attitude, “You were about to murder that poor clerk!”

Ella huffed, “Well I–––Bullocks, it’s raining.”

Rain wasn’t unusual in London, everyone knew that.  It started slow, I looked up to gaze at the discolored gray clouds and then it started to pour.  We were only outside for a few seconds and It looked like we had just stepped out of the shower…fully clothed.  Ella tried shouting over the hard rain, but thunder rolled in and it was a lost cause for her to be talking.  So, she grabbed my wrist and pulled me down the street.  The rain blurred my vision and it wasn’t until my body went from frigid to a comfortable temperature where I noticed the change of scenery from outside to somewhere indoors.  

We were in a coffee shop.

I looked around and saw that the decor was modern, but held a warmth to it.  In the back there was a brown large communal table packed to the brim with laptops and books as industrial lights hung from ceiling.  Along the side wall, there was a long wooden bench with purple and blue cushions paired with five individual tables in front of the bench.  There were other small seating arrangements scattered around the floor, and I noticed that customers also made their way down some stairs with their coffee in hand.  It was quite crowded up here, but it was probably just as packed down stairs.

Luckily, Ella saw a couple leave the couch that was in the front of the store and placed her bag on it before anyone else could claim it.  I walked over to her and placed my bag down with hers.

“Might as well wait the rain out,” Ella grumbled as she pulled out her laptop and the theatre book she just bought, “I’m gonna get something, hold down the fort.”

I nodded as I took out my own study materials and set it on the circular marble table in front of us.  It was definitely more of an area to lounge and chat with friends, not a study space.  Ella returned to the couch and slumped down.  With her eyes on me she pointed her index finger right in front of my nose, “You look like you could use a coffee.”

“Gee, thanks,” I rolled my eyes and pulled money out of my wallet, “lend me an extra pound and I’ll get an extra shot of espresso.”  Ella flipped me off and I made my way to the line.  

I was behind a few people and it gave me time to look at the large menu board hung up on the wall behind the counter.  They were a nice little establishment offering coffees, teas, an assortment of baked goods, sandwiches, and juices.  I stepped up to the counter when the person in front of me had ordered and I was met with possibly the most beautiful person I had ever seen.

“Hi, you alright?”  

His smile.

It was a small offering, nothing full blown, but the lopsided smile still showcased a welcoming look.  His hair was a bit disheveled, but looked like it was styled in place.  And his eyes…Most people weren’t fond of brown eyes, but they were the most beautiful pair of eyes I had ever seen.  They were a shade of brown, but with a closer inspection,  there were flecks of hazel and gold sprinkled through out.  His eyes were tired, but they still shinned brighter than the sun on a rare day.

Realizing that I hadn’t answered, my eyes widened, “Uh, I’m––I’m a bit cold.”

His eyes trailed up and down my soaked figure as he let out a bit of a laugh, “Got stuck in the rain?”  I only nodded in response, I couldn’t find it in myself to ramble.  “Looks miserable out there,” he continued to carry the conversation, “One minute there was only a few students here and then the next minute half of the city shows up.”  He leaned his elbows on the counter and rested his chin on his hands.  His black long sleeved shirt was rolled up to his elbows and it was then that I caught sight of a guitar illustration on his forearm.

I gulped.

“Yeah, not-–it wasn’t really ideal––But I––My friend dragged me here––We weren’t even meant to be over here––But she needed a book and then we got caught in the rain and––“  Unlike everyone after hearing my rant, the barista behind the counter didn’t look frightened.  There was a soft closed lip smile resting on his face as he looked up at me.  He looked intrigued.  “And now we’re studying.”

“Studying.”  He whispered under his breath.  He was about to say something else before a yellow paper cup hit him in the back of his head.  Both of our eyes shifted to the other person behind the counter.

“Oi, Romeo,”  His Irish accent had stood out to me in the sea of English accents, “Get a move on.”

The guy I had been talking to rolled his eyes and stood up, “What can I get for ya?”

“Uh––A latte.” 

He nodded and uncapped a sharpie as he wrote it on the side of a cup that looked like the one that had just hit him in the head.  He paused his writing and glanced up, “What’s your name, love?”

Love.

I swore I could feel my heart drop to the bottom of my stomach, but I did manage to get my name out without any rambling, “McLane.”

He nodded, “McLane.” his small smile spread out to a full blown grin, “Just listen for your name and it’ll be here.” 

I paid for my coffee and dropped a pound in the tip jar.  From the corner of my eye I saw his smile grow wider as he took a new order, not nearly spending as much time talking to the next customer.  I walked back over to Ella who had her highlighter out and brows furrowed.

I sat back down and stared at the deep purple wall behind her.  There was something intriguing about the guy behind the counter, something that made me want to just be in his presence.  He had a boyish charm to him, but his aura seeped of maturity and confidence.  And his smile.  It was inviting.  I was completely sober, but I came away from our conversation feeling slightly tipsy.

Ella jumped up when she heard her name and sat back down sipping her coffee.  She picked up her highlighter, but did a double take when she noticed the far off look in my eye, “Alright there?”

I blinked my eyes twice and cleared my throat, “I–-uh––Yeah, wonderful––so nice––still a little cold, but I–––“

“Mick.”

“Good, good,”  A small smile crept onto my face, “I’m good.”

Ella nodded slowly, looking at me with cautious eyes not believing a word I said.  But I was good.  More than good.  “You seem a little…off.”  I shook my head as I replayed the conversation with the barista in my head.  It was small, really nothing of importance, but just the thought of it brought a smile to my face.  Ella continued with her concern, “Are you––“

“McLane!”

I jumped up at the sound of the Canadian accent, knocking my knee on the underside of the table, as quick sharp pain started at my knee and made its way down to my toes.  The Irish boy behind the counter poked his head around from behind the stack of cups upon hearing the crash.  Ella’s eyes beamed up at me and a knowing smirk tugged at her lips.

I shot her a glare before I made my way to the counter where I saw the brown eyed barista holding a yellow cup with my name written in chicken scratch with all capital letters.

“Here you go, love.”  He handed over my latte that was filled up to the very top.  And as I was about to reach out for the steaming beverage he winked.

Winked.

I thought I was still daydreaming in my head, but our eyes were locked and a mischievous smirk made its way onto his face as my eyes widened.  Oh no.  I thought I had a hold of the coffee, but my hand dropped, and his eyes widened.  Some liquid splashed over the top and onto his hand as he sucked in a breath.  

“Oh, I––Sorry––This––Thank you,” I mumbled.  His eyes snapped back up to mine and softened.  I averted my gaze to the yellow cup and took it from his hold, briefly taking notice how our fingers brushed.  Now I was the one who snapped my gaze up to him to see that he was already looking at me, “Thanks, again.”  I swiftly turned on my heel and walked back to the couch as embarrassment flooded my body, where Ella sat with a scheming look in her eyes, textbook abandoned.

“How much did you ramble, McLane?”

“Shut up.” I grumbled as I took a lactose pill out of my bag and Ella threw her had back cackling.

a/n:  Woot! First chapter! And first meeting with Shawn (aka the unknown barista but we’ll get to that slkfjsfl).  As always with fics, the first chapter is a bunch of establishing everything so I promise the next chapters will be more exciting!! 

What are your thoughts? How do you like the characters? Favorite part? Least favorite part? Did you have a good day/afternoon/night? What’d you have for dinner? Lol. But honestly! Come talk to me about anything!! Chapter two will probably be up next week :) And in the mean time, I’ll be posting some requests that I’ve been working on! Woo! So! Much! Content!!!

I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day, night, or evening!! Thanks a million for reading! Reblogs are always appreciated, but never pressured :) 

let’s chat!!! | general masterlist | c’est toi masterlist

[jamkookies]

Jealous, much?

Description :  A trip to Malta for the shooting of Bon Voyage seems peaceful enough until the moment things take an unexpected turn...

Word count : 3k

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You just wanted to wake up in peace for once.Was that too much to ask? For the second time in a row, the booming knocks on the door wipe off any remaining traces of sleep from your eyes. But still, you can't help but smile when you see who's laying beside you. Jungkook's chin rests on the top of your head and your arms are linked behind his back like he was your own personal pillow.

Being a heavy sleeper, he doesn't even  stir from the loud noise making the door almost come off its hinges. However, it only takes a slight move from you for him to wake up.

"Where you goin'?" he says in a groggy voice.

"Someone's at the door. Get up." you whisper.

The hand resting on your shoulder now snakes its way around your waist.

"Who cares? Let them knock all they want."

"Come on, Kook. Get up, please. They can't know you're here."

He groans lowly in annoyance but finally obeys and sits down cross-legged behind the door, hiding himself from view. You go to the door and barely open it half-way when a high-pitched voice makes you want to put your hands on your ears.

"Do you know what time it is?!"

"Good morning to you too, Val." you deadpan.

He ignores you.

"You're late. The shift was supposed to begin ten minutes ago."

He squints his eyes suspiciously.

"You're never late."

You avoid his eyes and laugh nervously.

"Oh..umm.. I couldn't sleep last night, that's all."

Jungkook snorts behind the door.

"What was that?" Valentin's ears perk up and he tries to take a look inside your room. You cover the sound with a cough of your own.

"It was me." You cough again. "I think I have a flu."

"Well, be careful, will you? How else do you expect to work?"

Taking advantage of the fact that only half of your body is showing through the door, Jungkook tip-toes his fingers from your ankle up to your knee.

He was in the mood for teasing, you see.

You kick his hand away, earning a choked grunt, inaudible to Valentin's ears. The latter, however, notices your jerk movements.

"Y/N, are you okay? You're acting a little strange."

"These."

Kick.

"Damn."

Kick.

"Mosquitoes."

You pretend to scratch your leg, and pull off a grimaced expression.

"They're all over the place, I know." Valentin says. "Anyway, hurry up and get ready. The manager's gonna be pissed."

"All right. I'll be there in a minute."

Valentin pivots, about to leave, but you stop him.

"Oh and Val? Next time, send someone else to call on me. I don't have to see your ugly face first thing in the morning."

He sticks his tongue at you and proceeds to walk down the hall, unbothered. As soon as he's out of sight, you shut the door  roughly and whirl on Jungkook.

"What was that for?"

His eyebrows scrunch up and his eyes widen innocently.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

You grab a cloth lying on the floor and throw it at his face. When the cloth slides down, you see a devilish smirk on his lips.

"Go to your room now before someone sees you." you warn him. "I have to work."

Your words make him look genuinely sad.

"But I don't wanna leave." he whines.

"I'm already late, Jungkook. Plus, I have to change so if you please.." you gesture to the door.

"Okay then, go ahead and change." he gleefully says and doesn't even move.

You're starting to get impatient.

"Out, Kook."

"Fine, I'll leave," he says and you almost sigh in relief, when suddenly, he continues. "But only if you give me a kiss."

This boy was in for a beating.

"Okay." you simply say.

Apparently, he didn't think you would give in so easily, as his lips shape in a surprised "O".

You close the distance between the two of you and just as he is about to loom over you, you reach on your toes and give him a quick peck on the cheek.

"Wait, that's it?" He stares at you incredulously.

"You never said what kind of kiss." you explain.

"You little-"

"Out."

The boy plants his feet stubbornly on the ground, but you pull his shirt under your fists and drag him to the door.

"Look, Kook-"

"Heh, that rhymed." he giggles.

"Shut up."

You sigh in frustration, feeling suddenly conflicted.

"Look, Jeon. You probably think I push you away on purpose, playing hard to get and all that, but I don't. If it were for me, I would literally lay down here with you all day."

He can't seem to believe his ears.

"That's the boldest statement I've ever heard you make." he breathes.

"Oh, I can be bold. Just not now. If they fire me, we're screwed."

He links his arms behind your back and lifts you up, burying his head on the crook of your neck.

"Sorry. Sometimes, I forget that this is serious business. But I'll behave from now on, I promise."

You caress the material of his shirt on his back, feeling the warmth of the skin underneath it. He lowers you down and there's a soft smile playing about his lips.

"And.... last night was.... nice." he says coyly.

"Nothing really happened, Kook."

"I know but..... it was enough for me."

You feel warm, fuzzy stars shooting from the bottom of your chest, splaying out like gleaming fireworks. Your hands itch to squish his cheeks affectionately, but you keep them where they are, scared you might ruin the mood.

"I can't believe I'm in love with a moron like you." you sigh dreamily.

His face lights up in a whole hearted smile.

"Beats me." He boops your nose and opens the door quietly, scanning the hall for people.

"I'll see you later." he says and blows a kiss in the air towards you.

There is nothing more hilarious than the sight of his bare legs making quick, furtive steps along the hall and when he stumbles, almost losing his balance, you clamp your hand on your mouth to hold the laughter.

What in the world had you gotten yourself into?

* * *

An endless cycle of pain and misery, that's what you had gotten yourself into.

By the time that cursed fifteen-minute lunch break came, the exhaustion of having to clean thirteen rooms in the span of just six hours had already weighed you down like a blanket of rocks. Your limbs were sore and aching and you could barely feel them. When you sit down for a minute, it's like the tiredness seeps out of every edge of your body.

It's okay.

I'm doing this for Jungkook.

I'm alright.

That's what you had been repeating in your head all day, like a mantra, desperate to keep yourself going for just  a little longer.

Holding on to the ledge of the stairs for support, you rise to your feet and make your way down.

It was 1 pm.

You had fifteen minutes to get some rest and then you were back to being Cinderella.

Before she met the prince.

"Hey, Y/N."

Liena greets you with a radiant smile when she sees you coming into the kitchen, but it turns into a frown when she notes the way you're dragging your feet.

"Inti għajjien?" she asks.

Tired was an understatement.

You felt like you'd been trampled by a herd of angry bisons.

"No." you answer, too proud to admit it.

Liena doesn't seem to believe you for a second but she nods nonetheless and offers you a bread roll . You gladly take it, munching on the milky, cotton-like texture.

"How long are you going to keep this up?" she asks in her thick accent.

You could understand most words, but she would switch to English to make it easier for you.

"Until I collect enough money." you answer.

"You are over-working yourself."

"I don't have any other choice, do I?"

Her eyes soften in a melancholic way, and you can hear the sympathy in her voice when she says. "Y/N, ħanini, you should tell him."

"He would be furious."

"As he should be. You agreed to work double time and to shorten your breaks just so he could work here."

"The manager wouldn't take him otherwise."

She sighs deeply and shakes her head.

"Inti stupidu."

"No, you're the stupid one." you retort.

Like a five year old.

Suddenly, she straightens up and you feel callused hands on your eyes, your vision momentarily blocked.

"Guess who it is." you hear a voice behind you.

"Hmmmm. Probably someone who is scared of microwaves?"

Jungkook's hands retract and he spins you around.

"Hey! I thought we agreed not to tell anyone about that."

"I also thought we'd agreed for you not to bug me when I'm working, yet here we are."

For a moment you scan his face, wondering if he had heard anything from your conversation with Liena, but he seems clueless. Then, your eyes dip down to his red uniform, fitting his every curve. It was a little bit too tight and you were not so sure if he was comfortable in it.

"Nice shirt." you tease him.

His hands subconsciously make an attempt to cover his front.

"They didn't have other sizes." he admits, embarrassed. "And technically, you're not working. You're on your break."

"Which, by the way ends in ten minutes." you say, looking at the clock on the wall.

"What?! That's so little."

"I've been here for like twenty minutes." you lie. "How is your first day of work going?"

"Pretty good. It's not that hard. I just carry suitcases all day."

He grabs an apple from the counter and munches on it, then offers you a bite.

"Nies diżgustanti." Liena makes a face when she sees you eat from the same apple Jungkook had.

"What? I've been living with him for five years." you cry.

Jungkook laughs.

"I thought you said he wasn't your boyfriend."

You hear the words before Valentin has made his dramatic entrance into the kitchen.

"Well..." you hesitate, but Jungkook shoots daggers from his eyes at you.

"If you're not sure about it, then I'm completely available." Valentin says and winks.

You grip Jungkook by his uniform before he can lunge for the guy. There's pure hatred on his face as he rolls his tongue on the inside of his cheek.

Was he...jealous?

"Hey, hey... relax, big guy. I'm just kidding." Val raises his palms face up in surrender.

"I suggest you leave, Val, before you lose a toe or two." you say quietly, still holding onto Jungkook's shirt.

Valentin's lanky frame would definitely not help him if he got into a fight with Jungkook. He would be crushed in seconds.

"God, what is it with these foreigners?" he huffs and retreats slowly.

Liena watches all of the scene unfold in front of her with fervent eyes. The only thing missing was a bowl of popcorn in her hands.

Jungkook's tenseness had disappeared as soon as Valentin had left but he still scrunches his fists on your shirt and pulls you to him.

"He was just kidding, Kook."

He only takes the unfinished apple and forces it into your mouth.

"Eat it." he says.

The corners of your lips perk up in amusement and you happily comply to his request. Still, deep down, you couldn't deny the guilty pleasure you felt.

So, he was jealous and protective.

Interesting.

"Come with me, I wanna show you something." you say and grab his hand.

"In here? Are you sure?"

"You pervert! I meant the cat."

"Cat? What cat?"

You pick up a slice of bread on the counter and drag him outside of the back door.

"Nochuuu, pstttt. Nochuuuuuu."

The orange-striped fluffball appears out of nowhere, its tiny legs speeding towards you. She nibbles at the food in your hands and meows in satisfaction.

"You named the cat after me?" he asks.

"I like your old nickname."

"I wouldn't mind new ones from you, though." he muses.

"Shut up or I'll tell Nochu to bite your head off."

Jungkook smiles and scratches her back affectionately, making her purr.

"Oh sh- Break's over. Gotta go!"

You don't give him time to object as you raise to your feet and hurry towards another session of inhuman torture.

* * *

You concentrate hard on putting one foot after the other.

Slow, heavy steps.

Fifteen hours.

You had been working for fifteen hours.

Goodness, how were your legs even holding you up right now? You had never imagined you'd be able to resist up to this point.

The door creaks when you turn the knob  and you lean on it for a moment before getting in. It's completely dark but you don't even bother switching the light on.

Suddenly, a pair of familiar arms envelop you in their warmth and you feel at home again.

"Are you gonna sneak in here every night?" you whisper.

"Yes."

"I figured this might happen."

"Where were you? I've been waiting for over an hou- Whoa, are you okay?" Jungkook panics when you sag into his arms.

"Yeah, I'm alright." you slur and try to straighten up a little. "Just a little tired."

Without warning, he scoops you into his arms and lowers you onto the mattress.

"You didn't have to carry me. I can walk just fine."

"Yeah, I can definitely see that."

He reaches behind you and pulls out a box filled with heart-shaped chocolate bonbons.

"Here, I got these for you." he says and hands you the box.

"Where did you get these?" you gasp, but you've already shredded the lid off and popped one in your mouth.

" I stole them from the kitchen."

You stop chewing.

"Jungkook."

"What? They were lying around anyway. That woman wouldn't take the box from her boyfriend since they got into a pretty bad fight."

"Thieving is still a sin." you say.

"Adding milk before cereal is also a sin."

"Hey, that way I know how much cereal to put!" you blabber with your mouth full but stop again after noticing how he's not eating anything. You pick up two bonbons and try to shove them into his mouth.

"I'm not hungry." he says.

"You're a living food demolisher. Now open up."

He tips his head back and laugh, cheeks stuffed with the chocolate, but in a matter of seconds his expression turns dead serious.

"Y/N, it's better if you don't talk to that Val guy. I don't like the way he looks at you."

You raise your eyebrows in mockery.

"Jealous, much?"

"Hell yeah, I am. May I remind you that you're my girlfriend?"

"I still haven't agreed on that."

"Deny it all you want. You're mine."

You choke on your bonbons.

"There's no need to be so posessive." you croak, teary eyed from the sting in your throat.

With a devilish smirk, he leans himself forward and rests a hand on your knee but you cry out in pain.

"Wh-what happened?" His playful demeanor turns alarmed, eyes flickering up and down with concern.

"Nothing. It's just my knee. I banged it on the table."

"Does it hurt?"

"A little." you admit.

"Lay down." he orders.

"Hey, now."

"I'm not gonna do anything, you idiot. Just lay down."

He cups your knee and applies pressure on it, testing it. It feels like a pair of pincers are twisting it left and right and the pain is unbearable, but you refuse to make a sound. He lightens his fingertips and starts massaging the area in round motions.

"Our trainer taught me this when I hurt my leg. " he says.

You nod, painfully remembering how miserable he had felt for not being able to dance. His absence had been evident.

"I can't wait to get away from here." he whispers, out of the blue.

"Are you already tired on your first day of work?"

"No. It's you I'm worried about. You get up early and come back in the middle of the night. I don't like it."

Your mouth tastes sour after you roll the lie from your mouth.

"I didn't work all day, Kook. I was just helping with some things."

He seems to consider your words for a moment when his phone buzzes. You'd completely forgotten about it, only now being reminded that he actually had it with him. He checks the notification and then slams it face-down on the mattress angrily.

"Who is it?" you ask.

"Namjoon-hyung. He's been asking me where I am for two days."

"Did you reply?"

"No. I don't want them to panic. It's better if they just keep going on by themselves."

You put your face in your hands and sigh deeply.

"I still can't believe you left the band for me. You're crazy."

"Crazy for you."

"That's so old."

"Old but gold."

You laugh heartily.

He smiles and glances at the phone once again.

"You know, I tried to see if I could transfer money, but it didn't work. I don't know how he did it, but that bastard has blocked every way to connect to someone."

"It's better this way." you try. "I don't know how would we explain to anyone about all we've been through."

"You're right." he says and resumes the massage in your knee.

"Does it feel good?" he asks you.

"That just sounds weird."

"You know, most of the time you take things the bad way yourself."

You scoff in displeasure.

"But it does feel nice, though." you hear yourself mumble.

His lips twitch.

"I'm alright now, thanks." you say and pull your knee back.

"Anytime."

* * *

You had trained your eyes to open up by their own accord, having to get up early but you're surprised to see a wide-eyed Jungkook staring at you intensely while sitting up.

"G'morning, Kook." You yawn and stretch your arms but he stays unmoving, not answering.

"Kook?"

Something was wrong.

"Y/N, did you convince the manager to get me the job?"

[s-j-ace]

That’s the Thing About Airplanes

Characters: Shuichi Saihara, Ouma Kokichi

Words: 5,644

Summary:

Detective Shuichi Saihara gets on a plane to Paris tracking the flight of a notorious phantom thief from the country. While he had hoped to get some well deserved rest on the 8 hour flight, Shuichi is unfortunately seated next to an extremely chatty stranger. He lies incessantly, is extremely rude to everyone on the plane, and, worst of all, he seems to be a fan of Shuichi's work.

Read on AO3

Shuichi Saihara shuffled into his economy class window seat and sank into it like it was the softest mattress he had ever felt. It was two am and Shuichi was fortunate in regards to the fact that there were very few people traveling to France in the middle of the night. He was used to odd hours because of his profession and had become a master of sleeping practically everywhere except his own bed. If all went well he could sleep through the whole eight hour flight and arrive just in time to stop DICE's heist on the Louvre.

See, along with being a professional insomniac, Shuichi Saihara was also kind of a famous detective. Which was, by the way, extremely annoying. How was he supposed to detect stuff when his name and face were in the newspaper for finding the stupid mammoth skeleton that was stolen from the Smithsonian? DICE probably knew who he was at this point, but Shuichi couldn't see the lone villain/possible organization caring about what he was doing. The mammoth thing had been a fluke that came out of a months long investigation into a string of extremely petty thefts. What was the first one again? Oh yeah, Kaede's shoes were stolen after a performance at Carnegie Hall that Shuichi had been invited to. They were the sneakers she was going to swap for her heels after the performance… they didn't notice the curtains were gone too until an hour later...

Shuichi was thinking about some of the case details hazily as he started to drift off.

He was jilted out of his daze by the beep of the in flight announcement system.

"Will all passengers please be seated. We'll be taking off in about ten minutes. Thanks for choosing …"

Shuichi's focus on the Captain's words faded as a few more people shuffled by his row. There was plenty of space behind and in front of him, so he wasn't too worried about anyone sitting next to him.

The last person to board was a short guy wearing a gray hoodie and weird black and white checkered jeans along with long purple hair. At first Shuichi had assumed he was with the gaggle of nine chattering people that were thankfully moving to the back of the plane, but he stopped a couple rows before Shuichi's and stood there for a bit.

Shuichi looked up at him, knowing that his own eyes were bleary with sleep deprivation and confusion. The man was giving him this weird, blank stare. It made Shuichi uncomfortable, but he couldn't process what it meant through the buzz of sleepiness that clouded his mind. Then-

Oh no.

He walked forward to Shuichi's row.

Oh god no.

The man’s blank face shifted into the most malicious grin Shuichi had ever laid eyes on, which was saying something since he used to be a homicide detective.

Anything but this.

The guy practically skipped into the seat right next to Shuichi. Not the one in front of him, or one of the ones in his completely empty row, or even the aisle seat,  literally the one right next to him. He put his elbow on the armrest.

This was the worst possible outcome.

The grin suddenly became congenial in a way that made it no less menacing to Shuichi's sanity.

"Hey, aren't you Shuichi Saihara?"

Please no.

A hand extended towards his own. Shuichi stared at it blankly.

"I'm your biiiggest fan."

Shuichi shook the hand as if it were his death sentence.

A million questions surged through his brain. Why did this man decide to sit right next to him? Why would he be a fan? Was Shuichi that famous? Could he be an escaped convict he didn't recall or the family member of one who wanted revenge? … Or was he just sleep deprived and this actually wasn't that big of a deal.

The stranger kept talking.

"I read aaall about that thing with the hairy elephant and the stupid ugly criminal you've been tracking."

Shuichi's head spun. Why had he let that photographer get a shot of him? Why had he stayed for the interview?

The grinning face of his long time friend Kaito Momota came back to him.

"That's my sidekick!"

Oh yeah…

"Hey are you like deaf or something?"

Shuichi blinked at him, still befuddled by this turn of events. Shouldn't he be asleep by now? Was this a dream?

"Hey. Heyyyy. Earth to Shuichi Saihara. Geez I didn't expect you to be this boring in person…"

Shuichi shook his head, "I-I-I'm sorry, what?"

The stranger huffed, seemingly upset. "Have you been ignoring me? Not a very nice way to treat your biggest fans." He crossed his arms. "I, like, totally hate when heroes don't live up to your expectations."

What? Heroes? Shuichi was not a hero. People like  his long time friends Kaito Momota, an astronaut, or Kaede Akamatsu, a famous pianist, were heroes. Shuichi was kind of a greasy nobody… as much as both of said heroes would hate to hear him say that.

The stranger didn't stop talking. "-but you can make it up to me."

Suddenly the stranger was even more in Shuichi's personal space. He seemed to be reaching over him for something and Shuichi did not like it one bit.

"H-hey! What are you-"

Shuichi's seat suddenly gave out beneath him, the back slamming down onto the seat behind him and taking him with it.

"Ow!" He exclaimed rubbing his throbbing head.

"Oh no!" Exclaimed the man responsible. "How could this happen?"

A flight attendant just happened to be walking by.

"What happens to be the problem here gentlemen?" He asked as if he couldn't obviously see it.

Gentlemen? Shuichi repeated in his head doubtfully as the stranger responded.

"What's the problem? You're asking me what the problem is?" The stranger's voice took on an angered affectation. "The problem, good sir, is that this Rusty bucket of bolts you call an airplane just tried to give my husband a concussion! I could sue for this, you know."

Husband? What? What was happening? Shuichi felt like he was a step behind everything that was happening. Could the present just pause for a second and let him process.

"I'm so, so sorry sir." The flight attendant quibbled. "Here, we'll make it up to you. It's a long flight and we don't have many guests so I can upgrade you both to first class with no additional charge."

The stranger, Shuichi's "husband," harrumphed. "You better. Or my lawyer will be hearing about this."

The flight attendant started to lead the stranger to his, or Shuichi supposed their, new seating arrangement. The stranger grabbed Shuichi's arm from where it was gripping the arm rest and dragged him up off his feet. He followed the shorter man, still a little baffled as his sleep deprived brain caught up to what was happening. He shuffled into the window seat as directed. Whereas the seats in economy had rows of three on each side of the isle, the first class seats were two seats on each side.

Thus, the seats were much bigger than the ones in economy class, but felt a lot less comfortable than they had when Shuichi was alone and getting ready to sleep through the flight. All hope of that, however, had been dashed as the stranger settled into the seat next to him.

"Let me know if there's anything else I can do to help you."

"Of course. Ah, I'm sorry for causing so much trouble, it's just the honeymoon you see and everything just has to be perfect, you know?"

"No, it's quite alright, I understand completely." The flight attendant made a placating gesture and Shuichi noticed he was wearing a wedding ring himself. "I went through the same trouble with my husband. Really let me know if I can help you at all."

"Thanks sooo much!" He turned to Shuichi as the flight attendant turned to head to the back for take off. "Wasn't he just the nicest Shuichi?"

"... If you had enough money to hire a lawyer that could sue an airline so frivolously then you would've already been in first class."

"I'm just stingy."

"... Did you sit next to me so you could convince that gay flight attendant to put you in first class?"

The man made a shocked expression. "I can't believe you figured it out!" He turned away, making a dramatic expression Shuichi just didn't have words for. "It's true…Detective Saihara I was lying about being married to you the whole time. I thought you knew..."

"Wha- of course I knew that!"

"Oh! How can you ever forgive me?" Were those tears welling in the other man's eyes? "Waah!" He suddenly started bawling and Shuichi felt like he was getting whiplash from this social interaction.

"H-hey! Stop that." The stranger just kept bawling. Shuichi fumbled for the handkerchief he kept in his front pocket. When he found it, he offered it to the other man.

He suddenly stopped crying. "Oh wow! What a gentlemanly thing to do!" He grabbed the handkerchief out of Shuichi's hand and blew his nose into it in possibly the loudest, most grotesque way possible.

Shuichi blinked at him, still utterly confused. "A-are you alright?"

"Hmm?" The man looked up at him with an innocent expression. "Perfectly fine." He flipped over the handkerchief and Shuichi noticed it was completely dry. The guy tucked the kerchief in his hoodie pocket and Shuichi sort of got the impression he had just been stolen from. "Just a liar is all."

"A-a liar?" Shuichi had met a lot of liars in his career and usually they were not so honest about it.

"No, where did you hear that?" The stranger stuck his tongue out. "Ick, I hate liars after all." He shifted suddenly to a starry eyed expression. "That's why I'm such a big fan of yours, Shuichi."

"I-is that so?" Was he lying about this too? It was practically impossible to tell. Then again he might just be being anxious for no good reason again. This stranger may be a little… odd, but he had gotten Shuichi bumped up to first class. Maybe he should be greatful? What would Kaito do?

He hesitated before saying, "Um." Wow great start Shuichi. "Y-you seem to know my name, but, uh, what's yours?"

The stranger had a shit eating grin on. "Kaito Momota."

What.

"What?"

"Kaito" waved his hands dismissively. "I know, I know, isn't that the name of your friend who was in the paper? That's why I read it, by the way," he said matter of factly. "Because we have the same name."

"... I-is that another lie?"

"Neeheehee… ya caught me." The stranger had a very distinctive laugh. "If you guess my real name by the end of the flight I'll give you a prize!"

"Like Rumplestiltskin?"

Not-actually-Kaito pouted. "Aww man. You guessed it the first try. That's no fun." He rolled his eyes. "I guess now you'll just have to guess my second, less cool, real name instead."

"... Honestly I'd much rather be sleeping through this flight."

Not-Rumplestultskin-either scoffed. "Why would anyone get on a flight to Paris at 2 AM if they weren't prepared to be up all night?" His expression became excited, "Oh! Oh! Oh! I bet you've got another case you're hot on the trail of, huh Mr. Detective?"

Shuichi hesitated, "Uh, sort of."

Honestly the lead on the Louvre was kind of a stretch. They had just gotten renovated both the security systems and the bathrooms. Shuichi suspected it was in DICE's MO to nab the new toilets. Again the mammoth thing was a bit of a fluke in more ways than one. The clever thing about DICE is that they usually broke into high profile, maximum security areas only to steal the most mundane items. Items that could be sold more easily for a profit than fine art or prized possessions. Like brand new plumbing parts…

When he had told Kaito and their mutual friend Maki Harukawa about his theory the two of them had exchanged a worried glance. Maki, who often accompanied Shuichi into even the most dangerous situations in his career, had put her hand on his shoulder and told him he should go to France. Not to track down DICE, but to take a fucking vacation.

"What kind of answer is that?" The stranger's question shook Shuichi out of his memories. "How can you only sort of be solving a mystery?" The man's chest puffed up seemingly with pride. "You know, I just so happen to also be a world class detective."

Shuichi raised his eyebrows, a little skeptical. "Really?"

"Yes, really!" The stranger exclaimed, sounding exaggeratedly offended. "And as a real life detective I just so happen to know that when you're working a case you work it with 100% of yourself!"

Shuichi laughed a little at that. "I guess you're kind of right about that… There's, uh, this case that I've been looking into for a long time now and I guess I have really been putting 100% of myself into it. My friends think I'm going a little crazy…"

The stranger looked interested. "Your friends? Like that purple haired guy who was in the paper? The one with the dumb name?"

"Um. Kaito?" Not-Kaito seemed to have dropped all pretense about the same name thing, "Yeah I guess him and one other friend think I'm making this thing about the Louvre up… and maybe I am a little crazy."

The stranger kept with the blank look. "The Louvre?" He asked. "Like, someone's gonna steal the Mona Lisa?"

"Uh, no." Shuichi looked away, knowing how stupid his theory sounded. "I think, uh, someone's going to take the plumbing from the renovated bathrooms…"

The other man squinted at him and Shuichi cringed, preparing for criticism.

"Wow. You must be really smart to have figured that out." His expression shifted to conspiratorial. "You know…" he started, leaning in and lowering his voice to a whisper.  "I just so happen to be the leader of a secret organization with about 10,000 members. We rule the world from the shadows. I think we could use a detective like you."

Now it was Shuichi's turn to squint at him. "That- that has to be a lie. There is no possible way for such an organization to exist."

The stranger tutted in mock disappointment. "And here I was thinking you were particularly clever." That was probably part of the lie too… this was just a long way to go to make fun of him wasn't it? "Seeing as you've refused to join my organization… it seems I'll have to kill you."

Shuichi blanched at that. The phrase itself wasn't uncommon. If Shuichi had a dime for every time a killer had told him that when he was working as a homicide detective, he'd have at the very least two dollars. Which maybe wasn't that much but essentially what he was saying here was that he received more death threats than the average human being. What horrified him about this interaction was the casualness of everything leading up to it and also the fact that he was on an airplane. He usually asked Harukawa or Momota to accompany him when he was confronting a killer, mostly because they insisted and also he had to admit that Maki had the muscle mass of a bull and Kaito had the confidence to pretend he did. There were no exit routes on a plane and Shuichi's head span with all the possible ways he could be murdered.

"But," the stranger went on, "I'll let you leave this flight with your life if you can beat me in a game."

Shuichi instantly shut down his off the rails train of thought. Okay he was probably freaking out over nothing again. It seemed like his self designated seatmate was just lying to get a reaction out of him.

"Uh. What kind of game?"

"How about Russian Roulette with a full barrel?"

Shuichi sputtered, "This is a plane, you don't have a gun!" If there was an air marshal around this guy could get arrested for even mentioning a gun.

"Oh that's right, left it on my tchotchke shelf, silly me. Well I guess if you just want to beg like a dog and then split your guts open that would be acceptable."

"Um, no that would kill me."

"Damn, nothing gets past you… Hmm… Ok, how about…" the man reached into the pocket Shuichi's kerchief had disappeared into and pulled out a deck of cards. "A shadow game!"

A what.

"It's time to du-du-du-du-du-du-du-duel!"

Shuichi blinked. "A...duel? Shadow Game...?"

"Hmhmhm... Yes, the loser's soul will get sent to the Shadow Realm…" he shuffled the cards expertly, "We each pull one card from this deck, and whoever has the largest number wins!"

Is that how that show worked? The one with that kid with the crazy hair? Shuichi remembered that being on at the same time as some of the true crime shows he was into as a kid.

"It's my turn! I draw a card!" The man went on, "...Hehehe, the power of the Heart of the Cards is strong within me. I drew the number 7! It is neither high nor low! The possibility of you winning drops to 50%!"

Hhh okay. This was happening now.

"Huhuhu... I end my turn. Now, it's your turn! Draw your card, and unleash your attack!"

"Ah, okay…" Shuichi picked a card. Huh, fancy that. "A seven."

The stranger's face shifted to one of exaggerated shock. "Wh-What!? How can this be!? You drew the Monster Reborn card!?"

Yeah it was pretty statistically improbable. Kaito would probably know how improbable. He was surprisingly good at math.

"Nee-heeheehee…" the stranger issued out another distinct laugh. "You truly are an amazing duelist, Shuichi. You aimed for a tie instead... You intrigue me."

Shuichi shrugged. "I wouldn't say I did that intentionally…" Shuichi was vaguely familiar with how card tricks worked from one kind of nasty murder that happened in a bar. Cards had been really important for some reason. But anyway if anyone had forced the outcome here it probably would've been the dealer, in this case the stranger.

Said man went on unphased, "But, this is the end for you! I'd let you live *only* if you had beaten me! You only have three trials left in your life, so you better entertain me until then!"

Shuichi squinted, a little bit, no actually a lot but, confused. "Wait so you're going to kill me if I can't draw a card higher than yours again?"

"Nah, I'm bored of this game" the stranger shoved the apparently just loose deck of cards he had back in his pocket. He turned back, suddenly excited."Oh! I know. We should play rock paper scissors instead."

Shuichi blinked at him. What was the purpose of this? Why threaten to kill him for this? It wasn't like rock paper scissors was even a particularly fun game…

"Rock, paper scissors…" they said together as they both hit their hands against their palms.

"Shoot!"

… It was a tie.

"Hmmm. Let's try again." Said the stranger.

"Rock, paper, scissors, shoot!"

...Another tie.

"Rock, paper, scissors, shoot!"

Tie.

"Rock, paper, scissors, shoot!"

Tie.

They kept going and Shuichi lost track of time as a statistical marvel unfolded before them. They tied every single time. They just… kept going.

It began to occur to Shuichi how strange this situation was. This guy had read his name in a newspaper, introduced himself, got them both bumped up to first class and now they were playing rock paper scissors… or was it just odd because Shuichi himself would never have the self confidence to pull that off? If Shuichi saw someone in the paper he found impressive on the plane, maybe like detective Kirigiri from his local precinct, how would he react? Or maybe he shouldn't compare seeing himself on an airplane to seeing her. She had a lot more cases under her belt after all…

"Rock paper scissors shoot."

Tie.

"Rock paper scissors shoot."

Tie.

… okay if he was comparing himself unfavorably to her even without seeing her on a plane in this hypothetical situation it only further served to prove the point that maybe he only thought this was weird because he was a socially awkward piece of gum stuck to a chair who would really rather be sleeping right now.

"Rock paper scissors shoot."

Tie.

"Rock paper scissors shoot."

Tie.

"Rock paper sci-"

"Oh my God shut up already." The man sitting in front of Shuichi hit the back of his seat. Shuichi flinched out of the repetitive motion.

"Uh. S-s-sorry." He mumbled suddenly longing for his hat. He used to have a hat he would pull over his eyes when he was embarrassed. Kaede convinced him to get rid of it a little after they first met and Shuichi still found himself missing it during particularly embarrassing chapters in his life. Such as right now…

The man beside him shook his head. "Gosh Shuichi you really were being just too loud. You're like the loudest person I've ever met."

More often than not Shuichi was accused of mumbling and asked to speak up, so purple hair's criticism seemed inaccurate. That wasn't going to keep Shuichi from being self conscious about it though. Haha, thanks brain.

"Ugh that game was getting boring though, and no one won so it's probably time for something else." He leaned over looking into the aisle "Hey when's drink service?"

"Coming right up~" came the voice of a flight attendant far too chipper for… whatever time of night it was by now.

A brown haired woman with her hair in twin tails was pushing a drink cart from the back of the plane to the first row of seats. Shuichi and his strange seat neighbor were in the last row of the first class seats, so they wouldn't get their drinks right away.

Said strange guy turned to Shuichi, apparent excitement written on his features. "Hey, Shuichi! We should have a tea party!"

Shuichi squinted at him. "A tea party? I don't think they have hot-"

The other man scoffed and leaned back in his seat. "Well oooobviously you wouldn't know anything about it. I'm the leader of a super secret organization after all, so of course I know about the super secret drink menu available on all air planes."

Shuichi frowned. "But they couldn't bring anything to make the hot water with on an airplane…"

The guy shook his head dismissively. "Just watch."

The drink cart eventually made its way over.  Shuichi noticed the flight attendant was wearing a lot of makeup.

"And what would you fine sirs like to drink?" She asked in the same chipper tone.

"A cup of hot green tea." The stranger requested.

To Shuichi's complete and utter surprise the flight attendant said "Sure thing!" Before pulling a steaming pot of tea out of one of the drink service card compartments. She grabbed a hot drink cup that looked like the kind of paper cups you get at Starbucks. She poured out the tea for him and then turned to Shuichi. "And what about you?" She asked

Before Shuichi could process even the faint hope that they might have espresso on this planet the stranger ordered for him. "Shuichi here will have the same thing."

She smiled at him. "Of course. Anything added in like sugar or cream?"

Shuichi was cut off from answering again. "No, we're both taking it plain today."

"Oh, really?" She asked, reaching for another cup. "Alright then." She poured one out for Shuichi the same as she had for him.

She smiled congenially. "I hear you two are on a honeymoon? That's so lovely. Can I see the rings?"

Shuichi was about to flubber something out but his neighbor beat him to it yet again.

"You know what I hear? That lonely flight attendants should realize they're sad and nosey losers who should keep their noses out of happy people's business."

Shuichi was shocked at his sudden rudeness, but the flight attendant seemed unphased.

"Teehee~" she giggled, her smile gaining a mischievous quality Shuichi didn't have the mental capacity to decipher right now. "Yes sir! Enjoy the flight." She pushed the drink cars on past the first class divider.

Shuichi's befuddlement must have shown on his face because the stranger was quick to explain, "That was all code you know. Super secret organization stuff. You probably wouldn't understand."

Shuichi cleared his throat. "Uh, yeah." He said, "I probably wouldn't." Did people just? Talk like this?

"Neeheehee… drink the tea Shuichi, I've got to pull you into a false sense of security before your final trial."

Shuichi frowned. "I feel like by pointing out that you're trying to lull me into a false sense of security you have essentially not done so."

"See, but because you feel that way it means I have succeeded in lulling you."

Shuichi frowned, supposing that was fair. How much longer was the flight.

The answer was long. It was a very long flight.

Shuichi wanted to be asleep for most of it but his seat neighbor was still incessantly chatty, even after drinking hot tea. The only calming effect of the tea came a couple of hours and discussions about Shuichi's old murder cases later, when Shuichi had to get up to use the bathroom and got a few minutes to himself. He considered just sitting back down in economy class after he was done but he made eye contact with the flight attendant from earlier and his brain didn't have a program for trying to show mlm solidarity and also that he had been complicit in fake gay marriage so he went back to first class. When he got back the stranger he was accomplice to was doing a Sudoku on an in-flight magazine in purple pen. He folded it up and stuck it back in the seat pouch before standing up and bowing ceremoniously as Shuichi shuffled awkwardly back into his seat.

"Welcome, combatants." The stranger said real dignified, "Take your seat and prepare for the final trial."

"What is it this time?" Shuichi asked, a little unamused at this point.

The stranger tsked at him, "You could stand to be a little more concerned mister detective, it’s your life on the line after all."

What were they going to do, play go fish?

The guy reached into his hoodie and Shuichi saw the flash of metal as he pulled his hand out of his pocket.

Shuichi flinched away from the blade instinctively. "Is that a knife? How did you get a knife on the plane?"

"Oh, a villain's got his ways." He winked at Shuichi as he pulled down his tray table.

Was there an air marshal on board?

Shuichi looked around frantically, but there wasn't even a flight attendant in sight. To make matters worse, all of the people sitting around them were clearly fast asleep.

"Now this game's pretty easy to understand, but you gotta be skilled. I'll go first to show you how it's done."

Shuichi watched helplessly as the guy began to furiously jab the table between his fingers, going in a row from left to right then reversing and picking up the pace.

"H-hey!" Shuichi exclaimed, hoping that someone, anyone, would overhear. "You're gonna hurt yourself doing that!

"Pff, as if I would. Here it's really easy." The man kept going faster and faster. It was pretty impressive until-

*Schlick*

He suddenly stopped. Shuichi watched in horror as red bloomed from the man's pale index finger, dripping dark onto the beige airplane tray table.

"Agh!" Shuichi exclaimed, "You're bleeding!"

The other man didn't respond, looking at his finger blankly as his blood dribbled out of the knick in it.

Shuichi, however, was quick to act. He grabbed the other man's hand in his own without thinking and put it in his lap as he shuffled around in his coat pockets for the Band-Aids he always kept on hand. He finally found them, and unwrapped one. He gently held the stupid guy's hand up while he carefully wrapped his index finger with the bandage. "You really ought to be more careful." He muttered as he finished wrapping it up.

The other man was still giving him that blank look.

Shuichi looked up at him. "What is it? Are you alright?"

The man seemed to regain his composure, whipping his hand away and putting his arms behind his head nonchalantly. "Geez," he said in a petulant tone of voice, "I can't believe you actually beat me."

Shuichi blinked at him in confusion. "Beat you? But I didn't even play…"

"Doesn't matter." He moved to lean his arm on the rest in between them and propped his head up. "The rules were if I cut myself I lose, and I lost."

His expression turned from disappointed to mischievous. "Although, it doesn't matter if you join my organization or not anymore, Shuichi."

"Uh, it doesn't?" Shuichi had been under the impression that this was some sort of prank and it hadn't mattered the whole time."

"Nope." He leaned in closer. "Because I've already done something much more important than winning."

His face was suddenly very close to Shuichi's. Had his eyes always been this dark? "W-what's that?"

"I've stolen your heart." He said smugly and Shuichi felt his face go red. The man whose name he didn't even know leaned in even closer to say. "Because I'm a thief you know?"

Before Shuichi could process that at all, he heard the distinctive sound of a seat belt unbuckling. The man he had just spent the last 8 hours sitting next to practically flipped out of his seat. He landed light footedly on the tray table of the sleeping man who had been sitting across from them. A half drunken Sprite spilled into the aisle. Drugged. The word flashed through Shuichi's mind as he noticed everyone who was a sleep had half drunken beverages laid out on their tables. Shuichi tried to unbuckle and stand up, beginning to catch on, but he looked down to realize his seatbelt had been tied into knots while he wasn't looking.

"Hmmm, I really should kill you, now that you've seen my face," the thief said, hopping lightly down from the tray table to grab his carry-on from beneath the seat. He pulled out of it a distinctive smirking clown mask.

DICE. Shuichi's brain screamed with the realization.

"... But I think that'd be a waste, don't you?" He slipped on some white gloves and tossed a piece of paper towards Shuichi. It fluttered to the ground at his feet. The distinctive logo of the DICE calling card glared up at him. The thief began to casually walk back down the aisle.

"Somebody! Stop him!" Shuichi yelled, straining to lean over the seat and peer into the aisle.

He saw the twin tails of the brunette flight attendant that had served the drinks at the end of the aisle. The woman turned around and to Shuichi's horror she turned around to reveal a white mask with painted eyebrows and a big red nose. Lying next to her on the ground sat the tied up body of the male flight attendant who had switched their seats earlier. Eight more people stood up, all with similar masks. Shuichi realized they had congregated around his old seat, which just so happened to be…

The emergency exits???

A large man with a big red clown wig wrenched open the windows and Shuichi felt the change in air pressure instantly and fear filled his gut with doomsday possibilities. His flight companion, on the other hand, practically fucking waltzed down the aisle.

"So long, Mr. Detective!" He yelled, coming to the aisle. "Better luck next time."

He jumped back first out of the plane and the rest of DICE followed. Shuichi realized bleakly that they were probably dropping over the Louvre right now, and there was nothing he could do about it.

Someone finally woke up with a yell, jumping up and closing the hatch. Too late to stop any of them. People started to wake up all over the plane as mutterings of confusion broke out.

The pilot, who was apparently none the wiser of what just occured, piped up over the com.

"Alright folks, it's been a long flight, but we're just about ready to land. Keep those cellphones in airplane mode and buckle up."

Shuichi groaned, giving up the struggle with the knot in his seatbelt. By the time they had landed and he could use his phone to call the cops, the Louvre would be toiletless. He sat back in his seat, utterly stunned by this turn of events. He suddenly felt like he had lost everything.

Although… if that were the case…

Why was his heart beating so loud?

He leaned over to pick up the card that had been dropped at his feet.

While a similar calling card had been found at every scene of a DICE crime, most of the messages found on then we're vague and hidden with layers of meaning. This one, however, was incredibly simply worded, even if no more trustworthy than any other.

It was written in that purple pen the thief had been doing a Sudoku with earlier, or perhaps so Shuichi had thought.

It read the following:

You know, you're not quite as smart or dashing as I thought you'd be Mr. Detective, but you aren't so boring either, so I'm going to give you a hint.

Love,

-K.O.

P.S. Hope the honeymoon is just as nice for you <3

---

Read from Kokichi’s perspective HERE

[tellywoodtrash]

ebss 01 - 03.05.19 lbs

wedding shenanigans all over, 3 tons of makeup and hairspray finally off me, hurty feet soaking in a bucket of hot water, let's finally see what indian tv's most adorable sociopath is up to!

01.05.19

oh right. i forgot papa from hell had collapsed.

janhvi taking charge as usual, while every other idiot just stands around dithering. honestly, i don't blame her one bit for wanting to murder these useless fucks.

kavya be like yaaaaaaaar kahaan phas gayi main???

oh dhruv also got into the ambulance huh.

NO ONE BOTHERED TAKING THE MOM??? MAN, FUCK Y'ALL.

lollllll. janhvi and ishaani are stealthy whatsapping on the go.

UGH THIS FUCKER. I HATE HIM SO MUCH. HE'S SUCH A NASTY PIECE OF WORK, HONESTLY.

GAADI GHUMAAO??? ABBE OH, YEH AMBULANCE HAI, TERE GHAR KI GAADI NAHI.

lol PK calling out for dhruv being the clueless dolt that he is.

ok honestly, fuck these old ppl. he's a kid. a tinyass baby.

lol kabir, you'll wish your dad really had a heart attack in like.... 2 min. just you wait.

yupppppp.

ishaani is me. “scene kya hai????”

kavya [internally]: “vyom's family was probably so much more lowkey.“

lmao what a messy bitch.

i think janhvi genuinely cares for aarush.

yup. she likes the kid. messing with him is the line she won't cross.

how ironic that the only person i've ever seen on tellywood care about a child's mental health is a "villain".

LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. OH JANHVI. BACK IN STONE COLD MODE AGAIN I SEE.

JFC WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH THIS FUCKING ASSHOLE!!!!!!!!!!

oh shit dhruv got a whack or two too.

janhvi's flashing back to the crimes against her dad.

aw mannnnnnnnnnn.

kabir's finally had it.

“zabaan ladaata hai apne baap ke saath?????????” god i hate this dumbass argument. he said nothing wrong. fucking get a grip.

this fucker's gonna get a heart attack for real and then no one's gonna believe him. (good.)

janhvi to the rescue. as per usual.

someone put a muzzle on this fucker.

kabir spitting some real truths and calling out his dumbass dad for being the regressive asshat he is. nice. i like him. he's a boringass dude (till now), but he's got his heart in the right place.

LMAO HE ALREADY SAID HE WAS LEAVING, YOU DON'T GET TO PRETEND YOU ARE THE ONE ORDERING HIM OUT. LOSER.

bir be like come on kid, we getting the fuck outta this madhouse. i can't stand it here any more than you can.

big bro trying to persuade, but shivaay singh oberoi lvl of big brother he is not. so lil bro is like fuck offfff.

lo idhar doosra drama. mummy, why don't you just take one of your meds and go the fuck to sleep. honestly.

blah blah blah precap waala drama.

oh ho, sirf mummy nahi, janhvi bhi giri hai.

why does she keep saying she'll die if kabir leaves? like is it just mummy wali hyperbole or a genuine fear for her life???

ishaani is most relatable in this ep. lambasting di for playing the fool and throwing herself down the stairs, and most of all, cussing out PK’s existence.

di is quite nihilistic and dgaf.

lmao “we all have to be forgiving and loving, papa.” hello kettle, this is pot. you're black.

khee khee khee.

02.05.19

time for some awkwardly romantic marham-patti.

lmaooooooo the sax music kicking in right as she says “apna kurta utaaro.” subtle, show. veryyyyyyyy subtle.

ok bish that much haldi doesn't cure anything. come the fuck on.

sexual tension ki hawa chali.

kavya is like time to be dheent as all other tellywood heroines. we shall stay here and tolerate the zillat and zalaalat because Family™.

lol idhar this idiot is clueless and chipper as ever.

and her face says everything that it has to. (“bitch shut up, you know nothing.”)

oh ho, she has very austere eating habits. no doubt from her poverty waala childhood.

she's gonna end up falling in love with this simpleass fool, isn't she? ugh.

UGH. UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

HEIN HEIN HEIN?????????? SORRY??????

we already know what's coming toh ainvayi ka buildup kyun.

her sindoor is so tedha, it's bothering me.

“main un filmon ka villain baap nahi hoon,” says the villain baap of the show.

god can he just hand over the cheque so she can rip him to bits.

yuck he's being super creepy. “fulfill your needs”, ick.

“amount bharne ke liye pen chahiye.” god i wish she'd actually take the money and fucken walk away from this shitshow. par saare heroines ko moral integrity dikhaani hai.

lol. dekha. integrity. pft.

"mujhe bas shagun ke 11 rs chahiye. aur is ghar mein acceptance.” lol didi, woh toh milne se raha 200+ episodes tak.

he told her not to do melodrama of phaadofying cheque and yelling and yeh dekho.

lololololol god i love her.

hein???? is this supposed to be aarush???? it's not the same kid as the last eps, is it???? 

throw hands, kabir. throwwww handssssss. no one talks to your kid like that!

oh how maaji's tune has changed. now she's all KAVYA HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JFC VIDHWA POOJA WHAT THE FUCKEN HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU FREAKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

ofc janhvi ko yaahan bhi mahaan banna hai. why did she have to admit she put the idea into their heads tho???

lord above mummy toh melodrama par utar aayi.

UGH THIS GUY???? WHY'S HE STILL IN THE HOUSE? DOESN'T HE HAVE A PRESSCON TO GO TO??????

new bachcha is a little too precocious. do not like.

thank god at least dadaji and dhruv have some decency left.

god i think i hate him more than tej oberoi. which is not an easy task.

oh shit. kabir's here. DRAAAAAAAAAAMA TIME.

janhvi valiantly trying with her chikni-chupdi baatein, but kabir used logic and rationality! KO!

oooh kabir's gonna do something juicy, i can feel it.

SHRAADH! YIIIIIIIKES.WHOSE THO, PAPA’S OR HIS OWN???

no need for a dna test, kabir is fully his parents' son, proved by his 100% inheritance of the dramatic genes from BOTH sides.

03.05.19

damn ok i really like kabir. for both having the stones to stand up to This Fucker™, as well as making it entertaining as helllllll when he does it.

bg mein iske expressions lajawaab.

go bir! go bir!

(minor question tho, bachche ko wahin poha-jalebi ke thele pe chodh aaya kya???????)

oh shut up dude. he was fully leaving till your dumbass wife begged him not to.

lmaooooooooooo.

bir like bitch i'm bored of your bs. i'm not leaving. imma stay right here and fight your old regressive ass. try me, you old fart. just try me.

lololololol it's amazing how everyyyyyyyyyy single person is overjoyed to hear that This Fucker™ finally has it coming to him via kabir. 

“yeh sab karna mera agenda nahi hai. main toh bas... yoon hi. aise hi.” lol army se lambi chhutti mili hai, bore ho raha hoga.

oh thank god, the kid's at home.

shit, bir and kavya gonna get into a fight now.. ouff yaar, it's not even a real marriage yet, to put up with the garbage bits of it.

“i can explain everything.”

“achcha? toh yeh petrol ke prices kyun badhte jaa rahein hain?”

snort. snarky motherfucker.

ok kabir, i was on your side till now but there's no need to take that tone with her and call her stupid. go yell at your dumbass emotional blackmailing mother.

ofc This Fucker™ has some shady goon-minion.  

wth is "pre-history"???

whooooooooo this and why is janhvi scared of him????

i'm sure they have "pre-history". someone who saved her from the fire or something? in any case, he's someone who knows her story and may or may not be affiliated with her.

WOMEN AND PARTICULARLY WIDOW EMPOWERMENT IS HIS THEME HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

dhruv is like dude you are sooooooo full of shit but i don't have the balls like kabir to call you out, so imma glare at you resentfully.

lololololol everyone got the video of him cussing out kavya at the vidhwa pooja.

MY AVENGING ANGEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

but also that burnt structure is still just standing there like 20 years later???? they didn't knock it down? it didn't FALL down???

aise toh yeh ban gaya mayor.

uh girl i don't think you should walk into the building???

yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaas. fuck him upppppp ladies.

flashback time.

arre yeh toh pehle waala naitik haina???

oh something nasty is coming.

this isn't their home???? then what random house is this????

oh boy.

sighhhhhhhhhhhh.

oh shit who's knocking???????? bet it's the creepy driver.

tomorrow: PK continues to fly off the handle and be a massive douchecanoe to everyone. kabir continues to throw his body in front of kavya's to protect her. janhvi continues to simper and smirk.

[grison-in-space]

so Jaz can/should correct me if he wants, but from context, he’s been chattering lately about how much fun he’s been having working with teeny Fae (the brindle Chi) on preparation to compete with her in both Rally Obedience (much less nitpicky, more aimed at “fun” stuff) and competition obedience (more strict, much more “traditional” in character). This is a neat challenge because Fae, as a toy breed, is very little and so has some physical reactions that most dogs might not, like:

finding collars aversive because they are so comparatively heaaaavy and she prefers harnesses

being a little shy of moving too close to feet, which are the size of a whole Fae and might squish her

being more easily intimidated by other dogs or potential threats because again she is very small

finding certain positions relatively uncomfortable in ways not common to other dogs--for example, because Fae is little and therefore doesn’t thermoregulate as easily as a larger dog, lying down on a cold tile surface somewhat more unpleasant for her than it might be for a larger dog

So if I recall right, Fae is practicing for a CGC test right now, but Jaz is training with the idea of playing with her in more strict obedience venues later. Competitive obedience, even at the Novice level, is much more insistent about what you can do with hand signals versus vocal cues, with minimizing hand signals being heavily preferred. That’s harder for a lot of dogs, especially if you use luring to train basic tasks at first--it’s way easier in my experience to peg a visual cue to a new behavior than an auditory one, and it’s easier to peg auditory tone to a new behavior than to peg an actual human word.

What this looks like to me is practicing Fae’s sit/down/stay and come responses with a minimum of hand signaling, body signaling, and luring to help “proof” the behaviors. Down looks harder for Fae because again it’s probably not super comfortable, but she’s willing to work for the cookies and try once she understands the prompt; she’s just not as excited to offer “down” as she is “sit” or (in other videos) “high five”, so she’s taking a little bit longer with the cue. One of the things you can see in the gifs is just how much Fae tries to keep her core from being in contact with ick, cold tile; I’m zeroing in on that because my girl Tribble who also gets cold easily is fairly emphatic about not really wanting to be in contact with cold ground unless yes it’s for a good reason and yes you can trust your handler to pay up enough to be worth it.

(It’s also, I suspect, a particularly fun contrast because Jaz’s other dog, Sushi, also practicing obedience, is a giant-breed Greater Swiss Mountain Dog being trained for service work and mobility tasks. The challenges inherent to practicing obedience with both dogs are really different because they inhabit physical space in dramatically different ways, so the contrast seems very interesting. 

For example the paired “high five” trick that Jaz works with both dogs on in other contexts, or “sit pretty” where the dog sits on its hind legs with its forelegs in the air? Much easier for lighter-weight, smaller dogs that have to suspect less sheer mass in the air with their core muscles than heavier dogs. Even with a much less extreme size difference--my two dogs are approximately the same height and length, but Tribble is 35 pounds and Benton is 50 pounds--Tribble has a far easier time with “sit pretty” than Benton does just because she’s balancing a lot less weight with her core when she executes the task. A really big dog needs to be much more precise and careful about how it maneuvers its body through the world to avoid collisions; a really tiny dog needs to be very brave and comparatively forceful about how it maneuvers through the world, and able to trust its humans will look after it. One of the things I like about watching Jaz work with Fae is the care he takes to make sure that she always can trust him to have her back and not step on her, so she can e.g. safely and comfortably maintain a heel position without backing away to keep herself safer.)

Me: competition obedience is highly nitpicky which I love but does make training it somewhat tedious for you and the dog

Me: *does it anyway because I think it's fun* 🤡

Bonus: Potato!