#MAN THIS WAS GOING TO BE A SILLY POST SORRY. going to the gas station now im gonna get a yummy chocolate

[munch-mumbles]

living independently (well i have a roommate but i mean this in the being moved out of my parents house sense) is so hard in so many ways but at the same time hoooly fuuuuccckkkkkkkkkkk im so glad i dont live with my fuuucking parents anymore. i still very vividly remember that it took like 6+ months after moving out to begin growing out of the constant state of dread and anxiety i used to live in in my own fucking bedroom

[pearlsongfromstuff]

I don't make these kind of posts on my blog I usually repost my fandoms and silly little stuff like that, but this is personal. If you are thankful that Hurricane Helene has destroyed towns in the south because they're red states, get the FUCK off my blog this instant and NEVER come back. Westerners and Northern States always preach for treating humans with love and respect UNTIL it's the south, the "red states", the "red necks", the "Trumpies" or whatever you want to call us. I can assure you, we are not all Trumpies. I was born in Florida and have lived in NC for 8 long years, and I am as "Democratic" as they come (for some issues, but this isn't about politics.)

If you keep saying "oh, you didn't evacuate, I feel no sympathy," do you know how hard it is to evacuate?! Id love to see you pack your supplies, your family, your elderly, your pets and whatever else you want to bring with you, into a car and go down a crowded highway to an evacuation spot, which everyone is trying to get to. And don't even THINK of trying to get anything? Most things are closed, the gas pumps are out and everyone is STRESSED. Evacuation is NOT EASY and the southern governments barely HELP. But this is the only solution, otherwise, you're swept away by the water just like our towns.

And speaking of the government, let's talk about them. Specifically state governments. The infrastructure of the south is SHIT. My mother's classroom's ceiling (she's a teacher) is falling apart because barely any funding is coming in. The most funding the school was getting was from a LIQUOR STORE, but they paused funding because they were helping fund our new fire station. And after it was built, they haven't continued funding. My father's school's ceiling (also a teacher) ALSO COLLAPSED the first week they got back from summer break. One of our bridges fell apart and that was BEFORE the hurricane. Luckily, my town wasn't hit, it was southeast, away from the storm, but it floods when there's a full moon, let alone a storm. The funding and infrastructure is SHIT. We were DOOMED before the storm even hit.

To the people of Boone and Asheville and all the other small towns and cities of Western NC, if you could read this, maybe never will, but it you do, thank you and please keep holding on. The Appalachian Mountains were the only thing keeping the storm from hitting where I am, in college, 3 hours away from home. To the every victim of this storm, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and every other state, I'm so sorry you are not being saved faster, I'm sorry the state has abandoned you and I'm so sorry that everyone blames you for your situation. Please keep working through, you'll have to rebuild, you've lost so much, but never lose hope. Remember what you still have in the end of this, your family, your friends, your pets, and your life. Please keep strong, like we southerns always do in these situations. I hope that whatever religion you worship, your deity is watching over you... And to the atheists, keep being strong in yourself!

I remember Dorian knocking out our power for weeks, and me and my family being stuck in the humidity while we were getting no support. I bet everyone said that we "should have evacuated" too, but we physically couldn't, not in our condition. I just hope that people will get their heads out of their asses and help their fellow man, like they preach all the time. It pisses me right the fuck off. Keep your blue and red states bullshit out of natural disasters.

[springgirlwaiting4fall]

Cash Wheeler Road Trip One Shot

Requested and Idea by: @princessmermaid1289

I’m really sorry this took so long to write and post. I hope you enjoy 😊

The Joshua Tree part was inspired by Cash’s Instagram

The adrenaline of last night’s pay per view Double or Nothing in Las Vegas was fading away in the early Monday sunlight. Your boyfriend of two-year Cash Wheeler had put on a great match; and you were there cheering for him in the first-row front and center. You almost didn’t make it through, your flight was delayed, and you didn’t even have time to run your suitcase to the hotel room. This was a huge difference compared to last year. The year before Cash asked you to come the week of the show. You were able to spend time at the pool, spa, seen shows, and had an all-access backstage pass to all things AEW related, Cash would find you at any spare moment he had. You both decided your vacation time should be after the biggest show of the year. Although cash suggesting Las Vegas was a huge surprise. While you didn’t mind spending a couple days in a city, Cash hated it. He told you traveling into cities often made him feel anxious, overwhelmed, and crowded. And you could see him start to get a little twitchy if he was away from the outdoors for a couple days.

The two of you were sitting in one of the hotels outside restaurant finishing up breakfast. Cash finished his orange juice in one gulp, “how upset would you be if I told you we weren’t staying in Vegas?”

You smiled “what if I told you I didn’t even unpack my bag, because I knew you were done with this place?”

The server dropped of the check. “I am one lucky man; I love you Duckling.” (Cash had no problem using the silly pet name he had for you in public or in front of anyone.) He grabbed a couple of bills out of his wallet and threw them on the table. Then he took your hand into his and helped you out of your seat. “I hope you like all the surprises I planned for you.”

“Cash I would love just spending the day with you at home in the backyard binge watching tv. I don’t need surprises.”

“I know,” Cash pulled you closer to him and whispered in your ear, “but I love watching you light up when you see them.”

A car rental place was not what you were expecting, but neither was the gas station convenience store. Where Cash had you fill up a cooler with both your favorite junk food snacks and drinks.

The car rental car attendant drove up to the two of you in a beautiful vintage blue pick up truck, one of Cash’s dream cars. He shook the employees’ hand, signed the last contract paper, and began to load the cooler and suitcases. Cash helped you into the truck, and put your safety belt on, before walking over to his side. As he adjusted the mirrors and plugged in his phone to the updated car radio. He asked, “any idea on the change of plans?”

You pretended to be stumped and think hard, “hmm…I am going to guess a road trip.”

Cash put his arm over your seats and backed out of the spot, a move that still made your belly feel like butterflies were flapping around in there. “Obviously that, but where too?” You shrugged. “I’ll give you a hint big trees.”

You gasped, “Joshua Tree?”

Before dating Cash, you had never traveled before, and it felt like Cash had been everywhere. It made a small part of you feel sad that the two of you would never experience a first place together. Then one day you were reading a book that mentioned the national park. You asked Cash a question about it, and he revealed that he had never been there. Since that day it became your mission to go there with Cash. And it was finally happening.

Joshua Tree Park was almost four hours away, the drive was all highway and long winding roads with nothing to see. Sometimes Cash was driving eighty miles an hour and sometime 20 miles an hour. It could make a drive like this feel like forty hours. Not with Cash though he kept one hand on the wheel and the other hand held onto yours. His confidence at the wheel and his sweetness still made your heartbeat faster. The drive was filled with talking, sometimes serious like why you wanted kids or not, sometimes light heated about funny movies. In between talks Cash’s phone played his favorites: Eric Church, Koe Wetzel, and your favorites as well: One Republic and Maren Morris.

The sun was starting to set when signs started to read Joshua Tree State Park 5 miles, 3 miles, 1 mile away. You pulled your brown hair into a messy knot on top of your head, hoping Cash remembered to book some type of hotel. With the early summer crowds, it would be impossible to find short notice lodging.

“Don’t worry Duckling,” of course, the love of your life noticed you playing with your hair, the tick you did when you began to worry. Cash kissed the back of the hand he was still holding, before turning down a random road.

The two of you drove down the gravel and dirt for about five minutes, you took your hair out and into a ponytail two more times. The gas tank was closer to E than you felt comfortable and there was nothing on this road. You were just about to ask Cash if he should turn around when a bonfire came into view. And it wasn’t just a campfire, but also a small cozy looking cabin, in front of woods just waiting to be explored.

Cash looked over and smirked “you think I wouldn’t plan a head?” He kissed the inside of your wrist before stopping the car. He stepped out of the truck and quickly walked around to help you out of the vehicle. Cash noticed you eyeing the fire and whispered. “I had the Airbnb host stock up on smore supplies just for you Duckling.” The cabin was unlocked by a code, and it was a huge shock. It was clean and modern inside, but still comfortable feeling. The outside representing Cash and the inside representing you, it was the perfect blend of the two of you.

The fire outside had dyed out, the smores were long gone, and it was late, very late. Tomorrow was going to be long and the two of you knew you should wake up early but that didn’t stop you the two of you. In the cabin master room, Cash had turned on the fireplace before sharing a long bubble bath with you.

Afterwards you two played a couple rounds of uno as The Office played in the background. Now the tv was off and cards were put away, Cash was spooning you and his body heat a long with the super soft blankets and fire were making you sleepy. He was listing off all the things you two had planned to find at Joshua Tree Park, the last thing you felt and heard before falling asleep was Cash kissing your forehead and whispering “I love you.”

[autisticempathydaemon]

I'm obsessed with this song called Hello Euphoria by Turnover. I 10/10 recommend it!

I love super long videos when they're about literature and books, I could listen to those all fucking day! Also, ones of video game playthroughs and analysis hehe

My go to way to fall asleep is the classic way of finding a good ass sleep aid and zonking out to that. I tend to prefer if they're the kind that have an extended period of time that is either silence or like light breathing so that I can relax to it lol.

My all time favorite audio has got to be David's storm comfort audio, cause I hardly ever make it to the end of that audio before passing out lmao

I can recite the entirety of "10 Things I Hate About You" from start to finish <3

I would love love love to be besties with Huxley. He'd help me meet all my fitness goals and I love him for that

Go-to gas station combo is a bag of Dill Pickle sunflower seeds and a bottle of Dr. Pepper to spit them into once I drink it all :) (that's thank to all my years playing softball lol)

My favorite playlist right now is actually an EDM playlist that a friend sent me the other week! It's been great for productivity haha

Can't wait to see the results of this!

I don’t have a big, overarching, destined by fate reason for my pick, and yet there was no contest in my head. I can’t think of a cuter match for you than Hudson.

There’s so many little things that work here that I love. Hudson is almost definitely an EDM, raver boy, so he would have all the amazing playlists to share with you. He also strikes me as an active dude, someone that’s not unfamiliar with fitness. (Maybe he goes before and after radio shifts to take advantage of those 24 hour gyms?) Also, because he presumably has good taste in movies, he also loves the 90’s Heath Ledger classic romcom (and Heath Ledger in general. Like I said, Hudson has good taste.)

In general, he’d be a really cute, supportive, fun boyfriend to have. Hudson would show up to any and all softball games he can, threatening to serenade you from the seats/bleachers like a cheeseball. If he can’t be there, he’s regaling his listeners with play by play updates between songs, because goddamn, Hudson would be the best hype man.

Song:

I confess, I messed up/ Dropping "I'm sorry" like you're still around/ And I know you're dressed up/ Hey kid you'll never live this down/ You're just the girl all the boys want to dance with/ And I'm just the boy who's had too many chances

Not every but almost all of the Redacted Bois are Fall Out Boy girlies in my head, and Hudson is no exception. I love the 80’s, 90 teen movie vibes of this song, and I think he would too. He strikes me as the type to galavant around your shared apartment, belting this out to you like y’all are in a music video.

Runner-Ups:

I like Damien for you because he’s also a productive babe with fitness goals- we all love a hot gym couple! Vincent, I like as a runner up for a couple of silly reasons. One, he’s of the perfect age and generation to appreciate 10 Things I Hate About You and related movies. Two, I’m imagining him and his family playing softball like the vampires in Twilight play baseball, and I can’t stop laughing.

note: I hope comparing softball to baseball isn’t a huge faux pas I was never a sporty gay (affectionate)

Read this post and send me an ask if you’d like a match-up of your own! 💌

[tennessoui]

i really am just so excited for part two of the roadtrip au and knowing it might be from obi-wan's perspective??? seeing obi-wan fawn over anakin while anakin dotes on him?? i'm losing my mind.

hey!!! bless!!!! i know i said it would be part 1, part 2, part 3, but i started writing part 2 and it's like already 2.2k long and they're just in Pennsylvania so i think we should all start thinking of this story as part 1 (finished, posted), ARC 2 (very long, is in segments, depending on what people wanna see and what road trip shenanigans i can think up), and part 3 (tbd)

anyway here's the 2.2k (squick: a/b/o, mpreg)

“Uh, sir? Are you...alright?”

That’s the gas station attendant. Obi-Wan barely resists the urge to thunk his head on the side of the bathroom stall. The only thing stopping him is how absolutely unsanitary it would be, and he already feels dirty enough. He pulls a few more squares of toilet paper from the dispenser and wipes at his mouth.

Of all the pregnancy symptoms he hates, he thinks morning sickness is the one he hates the most. And it’s the one that seems to be, for some reason, sticking around the longest.

He’d never even known how much of a misnomer morning sickness is, but it’s not like it’s only happening in the morning. He’ll feel nauseous halfway through the day, mid-afternoon, early evening.

His doctor and close friend at the hospital, Bant, had assured him this was normal and nothing to worry about. But it’s hard not to worry about it, especially when he lives with an Alpha who worries about everything.

“Just fine, thank you,” Obi-Wan says politely as he flushes the toilet and leaves before he can watch his breakfast spiral down and disappear. That’ll only make him feel even more sick.

The girl wrings her hands as she watches him wash his, and he has to take pity on her. She can’t be older than eighteen. “Morning sickness,” he tells her, placing a hand on the virtually unnoticeable swell of his belly.

“Oh!” she says. Obi-Wan fights the urge to grimace when he sees her eyes dart down to his unmarked neck. He knows how it looks. He knows how it sounds. “Sorry, sir, I didn’t mean to--”

“It’s quite alright,” he says. It’s not, but it is. Obi-Wan doesn’t want to have this conversation, doesn’t want to talk to this girl anymore. They’re passing through a small town in central Pennsylvania. He’s a pregnant, unmated, thirty-eight year old male omega. A rarity. A talking point. He doesn’t want to talk to her, he wants--

There’s a loud knock on the door to the bathroom. “Obi-Wan? Are you alright? Is there someone in there with you? I thought I heard voices. Obi-Wan? I’m coming in, Obi-Wan.”

Anakin.

Obi-Wan gets halfway through drying his hands before Anakin’s there, crowding him against the sink and nosing at his face and neck.

“Sir, this is a bathroom for omegas only!” the gas station attendant protests, but Anakin growls at her.

As much as the pregnancy has made Obi-Wan lose parts of himself to his Omegan side, it’s been ten times worse for Anakin for some reason. As far as Alphas go, Anakin’s always been a thoughtful, respectful one. Quick to anger, perhaps, but never violent or suspicious.

Now it’s like everyone in the world has done something to personally offend Anakin. Everyone but Obi-Wan.

If he didn’t feel such a burning, unignorable need to get to Seattle, Obi-Wan would have called the whole trip off weeks ago.

But he couldn’t then and he definitely can’t now, not when they’ve both taken the time off of work and Obi-Wan’s let his doctor know he’ll be out of the state and they’re already in Pennsylvania.

He’ll just let Anakin do whatever he needs to do to feel alright with taking a pregnant, unmated omega across the country. It’s not as if it’s a hardship to put up with all the scentings and hugs and looming and protectiveness.

Quite the opposite, actually.

Which just makes Obi-Wan feel even more guilty, the way he’s using Anakin like this. His dearest, closest friend, who is helping him in such an amazing way, and every time he touches him, it’s all Obi-Wan can do to not arch up into the touch.

He wishes he could blame it on the pregnancy hormones, the way his instincts are going haywire to keep an alpha--any alpha--close. But it’s not. It’s Anakin. It’s the fact that Obi-Wan is hopelessly, irreversibly in love with the alpha.

The touches and the scenting don’t mean what he wants them to. It doesn’t mean anything, the way Anakin pushes his shirts and sweaters to Obi-Wan’s chest and watches him put them on. He’s an observant man, his alpha. He knows Obi-Wan likes wearing his scent now that he’s pregnant. It’s comforting.

So even though it doesn’t mean anything at all, the way Anakin’s hands roam over his waist and stomach and hips as he growls at the poor gas station attendant, Obi-Wan has to fight to not push back into the touches, to not scent him in return.

He’s afraid once he does, he won’t be able to stop. The thought of it, of marking the beautiful, strong, virile alpha with his smell, is too addicting to ever risk trying.

“I’m fine, I’m fine. It’s just a bit of morning sickness,” he says lightly, touching Anakin’s chest gently. “She was just checking up on me.”

Anakin glares at the girl and starts to herd Obi-Wan out of the bathroom. “Not hers to check up on,” he mutters, hands latching onto Anakin’s hips and guiding him through the aisles of brightly colored chips and candy.

Obi-Wan thinks that for both of their sakes he should remind Anakin that he’s not his to check up on either, but he doesn’t want to, not when he can pretend for a little bit longer.

“I think I would like to lie down in the back for a bit,” he says, holding his stomach. “Just until we get out of this state.”

Anakin agrees immediately, like he knew he would. “Okay, Obi,” he murmurs, opening the car door for him. They’d laid down their suitcases in the wells behind the two front seats, and Anakin had thrown a couple of blankets over the entire area to make a sort of makeshift nest for Obi-Wan to sleep in should he want to.

They’ve only been driving for four hours, but Obi-Wan already wants to. He’s painfully on edge.

He hadn’t understood how hard it would be to convince his hindbrain and body to leave the safety of their apartment, but all he wants now is to nest somewhere safe for him and the baby. It would have been impossible to do this without Anakin.

“Alright,” the alpha says. “Um. Wait. Here.”

He shucks off his sweatshirt, a faded college one that Obi-Wan’s been coveting with his eyes since Anakin had put it on this morning. “Oh, dear one, no,” he forces himself to say anyway. “It’s December. You need a sweatshirt.”

“I’ll turn up the heat,” Anakin holds it out insistently, stubbornly. “Take it, come on.”

Obi-wan can only make himself hesitate for a second more before he’s snatching the soft fabric that smells like sunlight linen honeydew out of his hands and holding it greedily to his chest. “Alright.”

Under the weight of the alpha’s watchful eyes, Obi-Wan crawls into the backseat and curls up with his head diagonal from the driver’s seat. He thinks it’ll be nice to wake up and see Anakin’s profile whenever he wants to without additional shifting.

“Oh shit,” Anakin curses suddenly. “I was going to buy a coffee.” The alpha pauses, clearly torn between going back inside and not wanting to leave the omega alone in the car. But Obi-Wan knows Anakin, and he needs his coffee.

“Oh,” he says as if he’s just remembering something himself, “can you get me one of those bananas on the counter? I think they’re good for babies.”

That, obviously, changes everything for Anakin who straightens instantly. “Bananas are good for babies,” he declares, nodding his head before narrowing his eyes. “Would you...can I lock the door? I won’t be long. Just for safety.”

Obi-Wan blinks and purses his lips to stop his little smile. His alpha can be so silly. Safety. In the middle of the afternoon in rural Pennsylvania. “Okay, alpha,” he agrees before he even realizes that he really shouldn’t be calling Anakin alpha. Especially not when the other man always reacts so strongly to it.

Case in point, he thinks to himself sadly as Anakin’s hand spasms on the car door handle before he slams it and hustles away, almost at a run.

With a long sigh, he flops back down into his nest and squirms until he gets comfortable. There’s a pillow close to his hand that he hugs to his chest when he realizes it’s Anakin’s pillow from his bed at home. It smells amazing, a mix of both of them together.

Ever since he’d told the alpha he was pregnant, Obi-Wan’s fallen asleep in Anakin’s bed more often than not. It’s a comfort thing, one that Obi-Wan feels intensely guilty about. Surely if he keeps being so clingy and whiny and Omegan, Anakin will get sick of him.

And this is just the beginning of the pregnancy. He knows rationally that Anakin loves him as a friend, a brother, but how long is that love going to last if Obi-Wan can’t get a handle on his goddamn hormones? Anakin hadn’t signed up for any of this. It’s not even his pup. How much is Obi-Wan willing to put him through just because he can’t imagine a life without the alpha in it?

Wouldn’t it be the best thing for the both of them to cut their losses now? Bail and Breha had told Obi-Wan he could move in with them for the duration of the pregnancy if he needed to. The only thing that stopped him from saying yes immediately had been the hope that Anakin would be willing to stay with him, keep living with him even after he’d fucked up so much.

And the alpha, by some miracle, hadn’t left, hadn’t moved out. But Obi-Wan can’t shake the thought that he will soon, that this will all get to be too much. Obi-Wan’s omega whimpers at the back of his mind at the idea that one day the alpha will be gone.

The scent of distressed omega fills the car as Obi-Wan feels his bottom lip start to wobble.

Alright, the influx of hormones that are wreaking havoc on his emotions is probably the pregnancy symptom he hates the most. But morning sickness is still up there, too.

He sniffs into Anakin’s college sweatshirt and tries to think happy thoughts. He shouldn’t make Anakin worry about his emotions when he’s already spending so much time worried about his physical health.

How much is Obi-Wan going to take advantage of Anakin’s kindness?

The doors unlock with a beep, signaling his alpha’s return to the car.

It doesn’t take Anakin even a second to catch onto Obi-Wan’s recent spiral of emotion, but at least he won’t know why unless Obi-Wan tells him.

“Obi?” he asks frantically, as soon as he opens the car door. “Obi, are you alright? Did something happen? Did someone see you--?”

“Put the coffee down before you spill it,” Obi-Wan instructs after peeking out of his sweatshirt haven. “I’m alright, Anakin. It’s just the hormones. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize,” Anakin shakes his head. “You don’t have anything to be sorry for.”

The statement pulls a wry smile from Obi-Wan. “Oh, I can think of a few things,” he murmurs, touching his belly with a pointed, gentle hand. Before Anakin can say anything about that, he continues quickly. “I was just wondering about something, I’m fine, really. Really.”

And then, knowing he shouldn’t but also knowing it’ll distract Anakin enough from this line of questioning, he tilts his head back to expose his neck and says, “Can we drive, alpha?”

The coffee cup still clutched in Anakin’s hands bursts open under the force of his grip. He really should have put it down.

Anakin curses up a storm as he shakes the hot liquid off of his skin, and Obi-Wan sits up worriedly. Anakin was bothered so much by Obi-Wan calling him that that he accidentally hurt himself. No more, the omega resolves. He can take a hint.

“Are you alright?” he asks, grabbing at Anakin’s hand to examine the red skin.

“I’m fine!” Anakin yelps, jumping away. “I just--I’m just going to go wash this off. Um. And get more coffee.”

He slams the door shut, and Obi-Wan wilts as he watches him go. He can’t even follow after him because Anakin’s locked the doors with his car key. He’s done enough already.

“Oh baby,” he tells his stomach. “I don’t think I’m ever going to have that alpha figured out.”

The baby is still and, of course, silent, but Obi-Wan takes comfort in their presence anyway. They can’t leave him. Not yet, at least.

Gingerly, he maneuvers his way out of his nest so he can reach his messenger bag he’d left in the foot of his passenger seat. It takes some finangling, but finally he’s able to fish out his headphones. As he resettles into his nest, surrounded on all sides by Anakin’s scent, he notices the bunch of bananas thrown in the driver’s seat.

Obi-Wan snorts at his silly alpha, but can’t deny that he’s touched at the same time.

It’s extremely easy to find the track he wants to listen to, what with how often he listens to it these days. Sometimes, it’s the only thing that can get him to fall asleep.

He pulls up the downloaded homemade album Anakin had given him for Christmas four years back. When he presses play, his alpha’s deep melodic voice spills into his ears.

“Whan that Aprill with his shoures soote, the droghte of March hath perced to the roote…”

Of course he can’t be sure, but he’s fairly certain he’s asleep by the time Anakin comes back to the car.

[insidiousintentions]

TCM: GITL 4

This is the first posting of a story on tumblr. I hope everything works out well. It is going to be for sure NSFW in some places. Absolutely 18+ You know the story and how the family works. Don’t be mad, we all know what you came here for to read. Don’t be upset because of something silly. It is not an x reader story, my brain can’t function that way, I’m sorry.

Let me know how it is... Please.. Q~Q

Part Four

Now leaving the scene, others stayed behind with the sheriff as he guided everyone on what to do. A younger looking deputy, clearly new enough that the sweat on his forehead was not from the heat. Driving back was the longest, Iris growing bored of the scenery due to it not being in the direction she still hoped to go. Northbound, she regretted getting back into any other vehicle she wasn’t in control of. 

“Sounds like you are the granddaughter of a sheriff? That makes sense why you kept your calm.” The boy of a man tried making small talk, his white knuckles showing his uncomfortability in the situation. 

“That’s about right. Three more counties away is where he controlled. And I mean controlled, nobody dared do anything out of order. My father wasn’t on the badge side, he resided on the military side. He still maintained order though.” Clouds passed on by and the deputy still never got any less nervous. “Have you ever had to kill anything?”

Unbelievably, the deputy's knuckles grew bone white as he regrettably looked to Iris, then back to the road. One shaky hand was used to wipe his forehead, showing his fresh cut of brunette hair, barbered to the correct length, barely any regrowth. “I, uh, no ma’am.” Curiosity started to spike in Iris. Her spine tingling with her inquisitive personality. “I normally work in the office. They pulled all of us out here to help. I do a lot of the filing and books. I’m good with numbers, not guns.”

“So then, you’re only taking me back for questioning? Then I can get going?”

“Oh, we need more than that. You’ll need to go to the hospital as well, you were in a roll over. And I’m sure you’ll have to stay for a trial, maybe.” The nametag on the kid read ‘Peters’ and careful eyes scrutinized the poor guy to the point he felt more uncomfortable than ever, causing his voice to be caught in the base of his throat. The Texan heat not the cause of his dry throat. “So, uhm, sounds like you’ve killed before?” 

An exultant feeling rushed through Iris’s veins, part of her wanting to stay reserved, but another so happy to talk about the things she’s gone through. Thinking about it she shook her head, her bloodied strands of blonde shaking into her face as she had done so. “I’ve killed many things since my childhood. My family are hunters. People or animals, it never mattered to them. It is now in my blood to do the same I suppose.”

The poor deputy nodded, but swallowed hard. Small talk was far from what could be described, but the closest. They sat in mostly silence, Peters occasionally coughing and then wiping his brows again. He looked to a smaller gas station up ahead only a few blocks away, “Mind if I stop to fill my water? Do you need anything either? Uhm, I’m not sure what all you can and can’t do.”

Iris shook her head, but intentionally started to fan herself, the sun from outside heating the small car. “No, Sir. I’m a’right.” Iris left more of a southern drawl on her words, blinking her eyes sweetly at him as she continued to fan herself. 

The naive deputy pulled up to the front of the building, his fingers reaching for the keys, but his eyes fell on Iris fanning herself more, now sitting in direct sunlight. “Say, since it’s warm I’ll keep this running. If anyone comes in to take it for a joy ride, you just do what you did back there. Maybe you’ll scare them off, too.” His smile was genuine, but fear still resided deep in his mind. He was for sure not going to sleep well that night. Leaving Iris in the vehicle was the most relief this man had gotten since the first call out to the area. His chest was free of the tightness, stress and anxiety causing his rationalization to most definitely become tarnished. His mind went places he didn’t recognize, and Peters hoped that a refreshing drink would help sober his mind up. 

Heading inside the shop, Peters tilted his hat to the lady behind the counter. She sat on a stool, at her feet a small child, no older than six, playing with carved wooden toys. A curt nod from the both of them ignored the use of words. Sounds of a small battle escaped the child’s lips, he was playing while rolling on the floor. Sounds of the store were as usual as they came, a small fan in the background ticking as it spun and a radio playing some soft music.

A few wanderers in the store nodded towards the deputy, one actually stopping to ask if he was alright. The sweat pooled on his forehead, with hands shaking as well, Peters dropped the items in his hand. The clang got everyone’s attention, enough so that Nobody watched the running car of the officer outside.

“Sir? Are you alright, son?” An elderly man watched the guy as he scrambled to pick up his things off of the floor, only to drop them once more.

“I, uhm, I, yeah, uh, sure…”

“I think he should sit down. Maybe the heat’s gettin’ to him.” Another woman in the store offered, her own mind thinking of ways to help.

“There’s just so much… Blood…”

Others were lost in thought of what to do for the poor anxiety stricken deputy. But one was not unsure of anything. Iris was quick to see others gather into the back of the store. Even the dusty windows gave her not much aide in seeing through, but she could see that nobody was watching her anymore. Her heart rate sped up enough, kicking in the adrenaline for courage to her muscles not wanting to move. Iris crawled over to the driver’s seat, looking around through every window to see if anyone would notice her change of seats. She took a moment to look up and down the road a couple of times, checking if anyone was on their way or not. In fear that any moment someone would come out of the small store, Iris shifted the gears from park to reverse, her foot on the brake for a moment, hesitantly waiting to pull away. After counting to ten, the surge of energy let loose, Iris stepped on the gas pedal and swiveled out of the parking spot enough to switch the vehicle into drive. She gave the building a last look in the rear view mirror, her eyes shifting back to the front and the road. The gas pedal could not have been more abused by anyone else, Iris was not letting anyone get ahold of her. She watched the speed climb in the small town, past the speed limit, then even doubling it. The gas tank was about half way empty, but she knew she had a couple of hours she could still drive the now stolen sheriff’s vehicle. Hitting gravel, Iris had to slow down. Her thoughts fought to catch up to her body’s ability to keep moving, and she thought of what to do strategy wise. She could head towards the east coast like she wanted, but then others would notice. They would follow the vehicle and know to look towards the east.

Whiteknuckling the steering wheel, Iris turned towards the west, cursing herself inwardly. On the back roads she drove for half an hour before anyone on the radio perked up. 

“If anyone can hear me right now, this is Sheriff Duvall, I regrettably have to ask anyone that is driving around to report if you have seen our vehicle, marked 096. Please call the office as soon as anyone notices it. We are unsure where the vehicle went, but it was northbound in flee of our county. If you happen to see the driver, do not engage in anything, she is believed to be armed and possibly dangerous. Please call us with any information or just stop by.”

Drivers that could hear the police scanner perked up, most of them hearing those words, knowing they heard the last hour of a show by the Bowens. Civilian radios went wild, truckers and others talking around to each other asking questions about the driver and the event that had just happened. A few people would tune their radios around, trying to pick up any signal of different chatter, hoping they would say they saw the woman. 

Hoping in the slightest to find such a not so delicate flower.

[heximagines]

Ambrose | Choose Your Own Adventure | 1B

{INTRO}

YOU LEFT THE GUN

As you retreat back into your cab to grab a pair of boots and pull them on over your bare feet you eye your gun. Part of you wants to keep it close by just in case but you’d scared the poor guy enough already. After a moment you decide to leave the gun, you think he can be trusted. You grab your backpack and shove your phone, charger, and a fresh bag of jerky in there. You think you’re all set so you grab your keys and begin to lock up the truck but just as you’re about to leave one last item catches your eye. You grab it and shove it into your bag before slamming the door shut and jogging up to the strange man’s truck. When you climb in he seemed relieved that you’re unarmed. “It should only take about 10 er 15 minutes to get there.” You give him a shy smile and nod. “Okay sounds good. I’m y/n by the way. Sorry I usually make it a habit to introduce myself before ya know, pointing a gun at someone.” He chuckles at that and smiles back at you. “I’m Lester. You don’t worry about it none. I’m sure you weren’t expecting to be woken up like that.” “Well it’s nice to meet you Lester, I appreciate your help.” Lester throws the truck in drive and sets off back up the road you’d been going down earlier. Your eyes peer out into the dark of the surrounding woods and you struggle to see anything past the tree line. Meanwhile Lester chews his lip nervously and begins to fiddle with the radio trying to get a signal to come in, finally the staticky signal clears up just enough to hear the twang of a country artist. “Oh!” Lester cranked it up. “Ya like Hank Williams Jr?” You laugh and nod. “Of course I do! Hey good lookin’, whatcha got cookin’? How’s about cookin’ somethin’ up with me,” you sing along to the muffled voice on the radio. “Yeah! That’s it!” Lester bangs his hand against the steering wheel to the beat before joining along. “I’m free and ready, so we can go steady, how’s about savin’ all your time for me?” You and Lester sing along to the radio up until the signal cuts out completely. As it does the glimmer of a street light lit up the road making you sit up in your seat. As the truck passes under it the cab is illuminated for just a moment and you turned to look at Lester. He still sports a little smile on his face and you’re thankful for the good company. It seemed like no time had passed when you roll past a big sign. ‘Welcome to Ambrose, Visit Trudy’s World Famous House of Wax!’ “World famous House of Wax huh?” Lester shifts uncomfortably and he gets an odd look on his face. “Yeah, nothin’ too special.” You giggle to yourself. “Not too special? It’s world famous!” Lester cracked a smile and laughed. “Well, I suppose you got me there.”

Once you drive a bit into town you’re greeted by a small gas station with a garage attached. Lester puts the truck in park before checking the time on the truck stereo. It’s 4:30am. You had a nice ride and aren’t looking forward to going back to sleep in your own truck, but it looks like that’s going to be the plan until the station opens. You both climb out and Lester goes about lowering your truck off of the tow. You wrap your arms around yourself as you watch, trying to keep the now early morning chill from your skin when suddenly you’re startled by a loud voice just behind you. “Lester! What do ya think yer doin’ lettin’ yer friend freeze out here without a jacket?” Lester’s head shoots up and his eyes are blown wide. You turn around to see a handsome tall man approaching. He’s dressed casually in jeans, a T-shirt, and a thick flannel. “Oh, hey Bo. I wasn’t expectin’ ya to be up this early.” The man, Bo, pays Lester no mind as he approaches you, taking off his flannel he holds it out to you. “Oh, no I’m okay really. I have a hoodie in my truck. Thank you though.” “Now, now no need to be shy. Go on.” He presses the shirt into your hands as Lester approaches. His eyes are darting between the two of you and if you were paying more attention you would have noticed the panic in them. Finally you slip the warm material over your shoulders and pul it around yourself. “Thanks. I appreciate it.” Bo nods before looking to Lester. “What’s the problem?” A slight frown twists your lips and you have to bite your tongue. “Uh,” Lester looked back down at you “You said it was yer starter right?” You simply nod, deciding not to butt in despite it being your truck. “Well that shouldn’t be no big deal. C’mon sweetheart. Let’s get you inside and I’ll fix your truck up.” The mechanic turns his back to you and starts walking towards the station, expecting you to follow.

Lester gives you a wavering smile and grabs your bag from the ground, handing it off to you. “Do you, uh, you want me to stay?” You take your bag and sling it over your shoulder before shaking your head. “You’ve done so much for me already. I’ll be all good and on the road soon thanks to you.” You lean in to wrap your arms around Lester’s slim torso in a tight hug. The smell of his sweat stained shirt makes you want to wrinkle your nose but you brush it aside. Lester seems to hesitate for a moment before hugging back, giving your shoulder an awkward pat. “You really don’t gotta thank me...” You slowly pull away and beam up at him. “Don’t be silly. Have a good morning Lester.” Finally you turn to the station and jog to catch up with the mechanic who’s holding the door open with a mildly annoyed expression. Lester exhales through his nose as he get back into the truck. Before he pulls off he looked back to watch you disappear into the station and for the first time in a long time guilt settles heavily in his chest. Lester throws the truck into drive and takes off. You turn your head just in time to watch him drive off in the direction you’d come from.

Your fingers fiddle with your backpack straps as you entered the shop. It’s cleaner than you’d expected. Almost as if it’s been mostly untouched. Bo closes the glass door and turns the lock. The click makes you jump a bit and you turn back to look at him. “Still closed technically, if I don’t lock up people will just barge in expectin’ service. Ya know?” You snort and roll your eyes. “Yeah people sure do like to make demands.” Bo flashes you a grin, “Exactly. Here how about you come to the garage with me and I’ll find ya a place to sit while I get to work.” Your back is sore from being tossed around your cab and the thought of sitting down and resting sounds very enticing. “That’d be great.” With a kind smile Bo gestures to a door. As you follow behind him into the dark garage you feel your anxiety spike, causing a tightness in your chest. However the feeling eases once he flips on the lights to reveal a perfectly average looking workspace. A little nervous laugh bubbles up past your lips and Bo arches a brow. “What’s so funny?” You cover your mouth with your hand and shrug. “I-I don’t know. I just had kind of a long night.” “Well then,” Bo smirks “how about you just relax.” He pulls up a comfortable enough looking chair, placing it right by the door to the shop. Gladly you drop your bag to your feet and collapse into the chair with a sigh. “Thank you.” “No problem.”

You didn’t know when you dozed off but when you open your eyes your surroundings are different. You gasp and sit up straight, head whipping around the room to take in as much as you can. The edges of your vision blur and your head swims with panic. Where the fuck are you? You jump from your seat and stumble just barely catching yourself on the arm of the chair, or rather contraption. You turn and back away slowly to take it in. It was like something you’d see in a prison or asylum. A metal chair, cushioned with cracked leather and straps designed to hold down your arms and legs. You’re just glad you hadn’t been strapped down. You have to get out of here. Not daring to pause and take in any more detail you dash for the nearest door. When you rip it open you’re met with a set of stairs. You take a moment to calm your breathing before getting down on your hands and knees. Cautiously you crawl up the wooden stairs stopping short of the top. You peek through the posts of the railing and you can see Bo on the opposite side of the garage, tearing through shelves like he was looking for something. You need to get to your truck and grab your gun. “God fucking damn it!” Bo slams his hands against the shelf, making it rock. You jump but quickly seize the opportunity to make a little noise. Scrambling up the steps you make a break for your truck, but as you run you realize in horror your keys are no longer in your pocket. But you’re in luck, you’d forgotten to lock the door last night. You grab for the handle and tear the door open before diving inside. “Hey!” Bo’s voice cuts the air like a whip. You watch as he launches himself over a bench and comes running for you. You slam down the driver’s side lock just as Bo is reaching for the handle, then scramble backwards to grab the passenger side as well. Bo retreats and you take the opportunity to grab your shotgun in shaky hands. When you look back up Bo is returning with a heavy looking wrench in hand. With all the force he can muster he slammed the tool into the driver’s side window, a large crack appearing in the center. You steady your hands to aim your gun at the man’s head. “I’ll fucking kill you! I swear I’ll fucking kill you!” Bo hesitates and you scoot back until you’re pressed against the passenger side door. Through the cracked glass you can see the look of pure rage written over his features, but he doesn’t move. You unlock the door and step out carefully. Bo’s gaze is so intense it takes everything in you to not look away. Aim still steady, you walk backwards towards the door where your bag sat waiting for you. You pause for only a moment before leaning down to grab it. The second you do you hear Bo’s rapid footsteps as he runs at you. You grab your bag and make a break for the door but he’s hot on your heels. When you exit out into the shop you’re already prepared for what you have to do. You aim your gun and shoot at the door, once cracks the glass, twice breaks through. You jump through the opening you made and the sharp edges of the glass catch at your limbs but you don’t dare stop. You run without looking back and when you reach the road you pick a direction.

GO LEFT

Towards town to find help

GO RIGHT

The same way Lester drove off

[moist-astronaut]

things my friends and I have said over the last year

“I’m verbally illiterate” “Isn’t that called dyslexia”

“I’m going to chemistry and I’m gonna light myself on fire” “No” “Damnit let me burn like the witch I am!”

“Don’t worry it’s not anti-Christ it’s just anti-government”

“I’ve been getting migraines everyday and I’m considering chopping my head off” “But that would kill you” “Two birds one stone!!”

“I swear to god I will hug you” “My house is 5 miles away and my doors are locked” “Your locks are FEABLE”

*writing an email* “Bitch comma”

“Ok but I could be a top” *laughing* “What I totally could be!” *laughing and crying for literally 6 minutes straight*

*on a group call, friends cat misha walks into the room* “Tell misha I would live and die for her, whichever she prefers” “She says thank you” *cat noises*

*joins discord vioce chat at 11:26 pm* “You guys are gae but I love you” “Thank you saeren very cool” “Goodnight” *leaves chat at 11:28pm*

“Jake jake jake jjjake -j-jaaake hey jake” “W H A T” “Can I eat your pens” “I literally have a restraining order against you”

“I’m educatn’t”

“Me calling you to dumb to be a slytherin is payback for you leaving multiple handprint bruises on my legs” “It’s not my fault your skin is weak”

“He’s rolling so that we can walk” *rolling in the grass and collecting leaves on his jacket* “I’m rolling for your sins”

“There are 7 of us so we can each be a deadly sin” “I wanna be Ross” “You mean wrath?” “No that dude from Friends”

“Ok but other than his strict attraction to women, his multiple wives, his hatred of gay people, and the fact that he is dead, what is standing between me and Joseph Smith the All American Hottie from being happy together”

“Consider: Mullet” “No”

“I do my homework while loudly eating a pop tart asmr”

“No no listen, he’s my brother, he’s a bastard of my dynasty…I might just ransom him off”

“These Norwegian bastards indroduced a fucking PLUAGE to my COUNTRY”

“Ooooo meth”

“Half of my life is me resisting the urge to sing the zaboomafoo themesong, the other half is me actually singing the zaboomafoo themesong. So either way my entire life revolves around zaboomafoo.”

“I just don’t think I would hire a gay man-wait no I’m not homophobic”

*chucks half a gallon of milk in a gas station* “-ah- got milk?”

“Gimme your sternum boy”

“Nooooooo he stole my sternum!!!” (Side note these were two separate occasions)

*being force fed milk duds* “No!! This is the worst way to die!!”

“Hey babe come over I have a hammock and a heated blanket”

“Be afraid, be prepared- IN THE WORDS OF SCAR”

“Stress eating stress gummies Stress eating stress gummies Stress eating stress gummies stress eating-”

“I thought to myself ‘Y’know if I die today this is how I want to be remembered- a leather skirt and leg warmers’”

“I think I’m telling you to go to sleep” “You’re gonna have make me” “I can’t tell if this is cry for help or flirting” “Yes”

“This is at best cannibalism and at worst being straight”

“Oh look Percy Jackson’s here now, ooh they replaced every character’s face with Mr. Bean. I hate it”

“You can’t be mean to me! I’m gay AND a woman! That’s a hate crime!” “Yeah well I’m brown and Muslim! Square the fuck up bitch!”

“Babe it’s not very metal to be afraid of your hair dresser” “It’s not very metal to have a hair dresser and yet here we are” “It’s fine you’re into glam metal”

“Hey augie, got any grrrrrrapes?” “I’m doing IXL :(“

“Can I come?” “No” “What if I bring watermelon?” “You can come, leave the watermelon, then leave” “:(“

“What in the jersey shore”

“Rad’nt”

“Ok but consider: Mullet-hawk” “I can and will divorce you”

“Dee-vorce 👏 Just to 👏 re-vorce 👏 👏 “

“Ah yes, that’s why I’m fat…for combat reasons…”

“You fool I consent!”

“My Boston fern is being a bitch but that’s because it’s winter and that’s BITCH season”

“You walk through the rest of the house and it’s like ‘ooo witchy and aesthetic’ then they’ll get to the guest room and it’ll just be a tacky twink Fever dream”

“Who needs a scalp”

“HeHe, sexing”

“Council has decided, your vibes are rancid (and not the band)”

“You’re never to young to hate women”

“Look at me I did the dishes I’m a 1950s housewife with a strangely new jersey accent and affinity for lesbianism”

“Well look who has the table now”

"contrary to popular belief, fuck you"

"There's nothing here that requires whisking, i'm just problematic"

"If you could go anywhere in the world with two people, who would you choose?" “New Orleans!”

"So he proceeded to bite me on the butt...like, really, really hard."

“I don’t cheat, I win. It’s not cheating if it’s consensual.”

“My mouth, my choice”

“Do you like my ombré of a tan"

“Who’s the cutest in the chat right now then?” “It’s Paige!” “No, it’s obviously Augie.” (paige's boyfriend)-said by a straight man

“Francis is just a one and done.”

“Would you ever have a threesome?” “...yes...” *To Francis* “Sure!”

“How do you feel about anal sex?”

“Of the people in this room, who would you most want to make out with?” “Augie” “The answer is yes, but only if it’s 6 feet apart.”

“Square, flat, and overcooked.”

“The virus would be over if everyone would breathe underwater for 5 minutes.”

“I have daddy issues, but not with my father.”

“You’re a ladies man but you have two boyfriends.”

“That means lesbian in sign language” “No, that means fuck boy in American”

“I’m like a parasite, you can’t get rid of me. I’m here forever.”

“You’re like my long term hit man”

“Is it Jake?” “No, why would the evil Russian man be Jake?” “Because he would never hire a gay man and you don’t look like a gay man”

“Jake is homophonic, Augie is racist, and Francis is a woman hater!”

"Grew a korean radish, 1 star"

"I've got more cause i'm a rich boy, and by that i mean my father sometimes buys avocados. And that's on what? Upper middle class"

"Tell your good for nothing boyfriend to stay away from my mom"

"It's not inciting violence it's just ~inspiring it~ "

"Listen bitch just because you have avacados and a roomba doesn't make you better then me"

"i would totally let narthex ruin my life. and that's on what? daddy issues and bisexuality"

"who is titty"

"how is he racist" "he hates the french and russians right?" "don't forget italians" "that's just self loathing"

"This is the last time i wear a thong- it's for educational purposes"

"babe come over i'm a burrito"

"he put bread with milk. luckily he passed away"

"you touched my wiener!" "you offered it!"

"foot'nt"

"i took a shower and realized the floor doesn't bounce"

"i love ass whoooaaaaaa i meant cassie"

"Rosalie you're the deciding vote. Be decisive." "Dude i'm bisexual and a gemini. what're you talking about?"

"Okay so to recap: jake is homophobic, augie is racist, francis is a woman hater, and now paige is a bunny abuser?"

"Just bring a watermelon keychain and it'll be fine" "Whooaaaa i'm gonna need a big key then"

"If you were blind what would you even see"

Post Traumatic Youth, plus D for danny's disorder"

"i think she's past the phase where she likes people just because they're russian"

"francine is a lesbian, but only during quarantine"

"don't be a home wrecker!" "i can't help it!"

"we are not doing coed tents" "i wanted to go purple-ing though"

"if it's not perfect i'm gonna through hands" "with who" "i don't know, the CEO of stupid"

"don't make me feel guilty for bullying you"

"it doesn't look very cash money cool but okay"

"slinky cat" (ferret)

"The pond behind my house didn't freeze all the way through this winter, so i couldn't go ice skating" "okay, so i have an idea. we can go to walmart and get-" "ANTI FREEZE!" "well, yes- wait, no. No, the more i think about that definitely no."

"The amish will win, the amish will prevail" "the amish will conquer us all!"

"He do be kinda mafia doh"

"i'm being sneaky sneak. stairs go creaky creak. and i need. DRUGZ"

"brain on shutdown, power saving mode"

"Somebody go tip her, she's dancing like a stripper" "thatd be nice- oh wait no!"

"fellas, is it gay to lick your homies eyeball?"

"it's not racist if you're only targeting one group of people" "that literally racism" "but what if they're french"

"i'm not racist yet but the option is available, and it's good to have options"

"they don't call me Mr. Steal Yo Boy for nothing!" -a straight man who has a girlfriend

"i think he has a bad habit of not dating girls"

"kinda hot tho 🥵 in a Santa Claus kinda way...hoe hoe hoe"

"i'll be your hot jacuzzi bubble dealer"

"when deceit and doubt fills you up, you cleanse your mind through creative activities, such as making organic soap"

"friendly reminder #4: you're never to old to eat a freezie-pop"

"sorry i'm just nervous" Chinese Teacher: (Waving her hand in front of her face) “Just pretend I’m cabbage.”

"me when my dads name is publicly broadcasted on the radio for his 14 felonies and assorted war crimes"

"<@!523669420435046401> I sentence you to a solid nine by the banhammer. For your crimes against Humanity, God, Satan, and Matt Frank. See you in hell."

"Danny, just because you're playing *Just Cause* doesn't mean you need to Just Cause our friendship!"

"Silly Matt! You fell for the ole’ Heimlich maneuver!”

"i got a bunch of new shirts over quarantine" "you would"

"Ok, there's a 32 year old doctor in new Jersey dying right now" "Yeah, but to be fair everyone in new jersey has a pre-existing condition"

“This is the longest period of time we’ve had without a Nintendo direct” “Maybe they’re gonna make a Nintendo indirect?”

"you’re looking extra white today.” "thanks i've been practicing"

"do you have any batteries" *looks inside shirt* "not yet"

"let's go colonize the middle school!" "yyayayyayayay!!!" " wait I gotta ask my mom first" What happened next is know called the *Juniors burden*

"oh so you're a DOWNSTAIRS milk kinda guy"

"you are literally the human embodiment of crumbs in a bed"

"The Berk-ey Creamery isn’t a place, it’s a people!”

 "He shoved a floating joy-con straight up his flux-capacitor.” "great! now it's paired"

"No, that isnt armor, the real armor are the friends you made along the way"

"This one goes out to all my lady friends out there *proceeds to kill himself in game*

"i'm a coward" "that's what a coward would say!"

"rest is for cowards and fools"

"every time you speak you take years off my life"

"Shark dick hoo ha ha"

"Me and the boys brushing our teeth at 3 AM"

"remember if you kill yourself the fascists win"

"The Beatles aren’t real. Have you ever seen a beatle? No? Exactly." "Babe” "Shut up I’m right."

*reading over these quotes* "god i hate that" "you said that!"

[stevenuniversetanzanite]

The Angel Among Us (Cordelia X reader) Part 4

I went back and edited/rewrote the previous chapters. I also accidently posted this with an old chapters warning so sorry.

Warnings: N/A 

Parts: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 , Part 4, Part 5(will be added when done)

Attending a witch burning was not high on your bucket list of experiences to have before you die. You weren’t forced to attend, no one but the council was but you chose to be there if not for you than for Cordelia. She’d most likely be upset about crime happening under were watchful eye. The warlocks’ goings weren’t the highest priority for the supreme, they had the chancellor for that. How was she supposed to know that the man was corrupt enough to kill his own for a taste of power. You hadn’t spoken to Cordelia since last night, she had to stop your brother warlocks then in the morning (with Coco’s help) hunt down the woman who killed John.

 You would have thought she would have made some time to scold you for your selfish thinking, drinking late in the evening with classes the following day. She only had the initial complaint then left you to your own accord. It was different. You still needed time to think about how you felt.

 Cordelia’s whole ‘gang’ attended including Coco who had come from helping the witches and Mallory who you assumed was there because of Coco. The two had been pals from the moment Mallory was asked to show Coco around the school. You were surprised the two so quickly worked a spot onto the close friends list of the Supreme. A list you barely made the cut for nowadays. Not to say you did not get along with Delia, she was your girlfriend after all, if you weren’t getting along then something was going terribly wrong. Things hadn’t been the same as they were years ago, her job weighing down on her and tearing her away from you. You’ve never really been the initiator of affection which allowed the tear in your friendship. The two of you rarely having time alone since she’s been having to go away for council meetings. If Myrtle and Zoe weren’t going with her, you’d assume she was cheating.

 You still loved her, although it was different to the fantasy you’d dreamt up from years of anticipation. Maybe it was high expectations? Whatever it was if you didn’t work on it soon there might not be an ‘us’ but two single entities with tension among them.

 You stood on Cordelia’s left, diagonally behind her. Your parasol shielded you from the blazing sun. Your girlfriend spoke to the men, calling them out on their crimes for the attendees to ear. Her voice blurred together in your ears, instead checking out your girlfriend. When was the last time you touched her? Seen her body unclothed? Was she as needy as you or did her hand to a better job these days? You found Cordelia sexy in a sick sort of way as she spoke about the murder of your brother warlock.

 The woman, Miriam Mead, kept staring directly at you as your girlfriend explained how she didn’t plan on breaking with tradition. Subconsciously, you took a step forward, focusing all your power into figuring out why her gaze was fixated on you. She was dowsed in gasoline, she turned away at last giving you some relief. As the flames engulfed her, she indulged in it. Prayed for her God, praised him. Claimed that the work of her Lord work will proceed and that the witches were powerless to stop him.

 A vision of the horned beast you saw in your nightmarish dream flashed before your eyes blinding you temporarily. You lost your balance, stumbling backwards and dropping your parasol in the process. You rested your eyes, your body suspended thanks to the help of two women holding you upright. 

 “She hangs among the ones of light, tell her who you are, and the worlds fate will be sealed.” A male’s voice echoed in your mind.

 “Brother?” you uttered out.

 Why did that face show up now? You reached out, getting a better grip in order to stand up correctly. Your fingertips grazed over Zoe’s hands as you supported yourself upright. Your head pointed to the ground, your mind in a haze not aware of the people surrounding. The woman refused to let go until they got a response from you. You latched on to Zoe’s hands, a name popping into your mind. Who’s Michael Langdon?

 “Y/N?”

 The group was hiding something. Someone.

 “Y/N!”

 The flaming bodies burned on filling the air with the stench of cooked flesh. It didn’t smell as good as cooked bacon. A face blocked your view of the stakes, blonde locks attached to that head. More faces popped into view but the first being the most prominent. You removed yourself from the holds of Zoe and Coco. “Sorry, I lost my footing.” You avoided all their eye-contact. “I’m fine.” Cordelia looked at you still worried. “I’m fine,” you mouthed. You didn’t believe the words yourself. 

 “Are we ready to go, this place is really dampening my spirits?” Coco asked. 

 “I wouldn’t mind going,” you said rubbing your arm over the sleeves of your thick coat. This is why Cordelia didn't want you there, she didn’t want you to have to see all this. “Hey, Coco. Can I talk to you for a moment?” You caught up with Coco. “Did that woman creep you out?”

 “Totally.”

 “I felt like she kept staring at me,” you shivered. “I can officially say, I don’t like witch burnings.” Coco agreed with you on that one. 

 On the car ride back to the academy, John Henry Moore spoke about how he was going to have to track down his car, since the gas station had no idea were the car had been taken and no care dealership the vincity had gotten an ownerless car that night. It gave you an idea to cover your behind slightly. All you had to do was get an unsuspecting Coco to lend you a hand. You shuffled through the medicine cabinet looking for your medicine when you heard a student enter the room. You groaned, it had to be somewhere. Where did you put it? Those were meant to last a month and you lost it already. You hadn’t taken them in weeks, having your time slip away from you. Maybe you should have told Cordelia that you took them sooner, maybe she could help remind you. No- that’s silly, you could do it yourself. You were out of your old ones, so you couldn’t even take a lower dosage. You swore, slamming the cabinet door. You turned around and ran your fingers through your hair not wanting to know what will happen in you don’t take them.

 “Are you alright Y/N?” Coco asked.

 “Yeah, sorry about that. I can’t find my medication.”

 “Would you like some help?”

 “No, it’s fine,” you sighed. “Wait- you can find things. I was thinking about that incident with John. I heard he was found at the gas station; wouldn’t he have a car?” You leaned against the bench, near your student as she poured herself a glass of water. Your body was relaxed. You were on the prowl, you had a mission

  On the way back from the witch burning, Coco had been talking to Mallory when the man spoke to the others about his car. You were in the limo sat beside your girlfriend. Her hand on your thigh rubbing circles into your skin-tight jeans. She kept close since your incident at the witch-burning site. You were slouched, leaning into her body and resting your head onto her shoulder.

 “What did you do before you were a teacher?” the man asked. You didn’t realise it at first but he was speaking to you.

 “Uh~” Nothing, you didn’t do anything except lounge about in your apartment on the other side of the country- oh and there was that short time when you researched the wonderous magical world. “Nothing interesting, I did a pilgrimage of sorts. Why?”

 “You looked familiar. I thought I might have saw you somewhere.”

 “I guess I have one of those faces.”

 “Yeah, he would.” Coco snapped you out of your thoughts of earlier that day.

 “Do you think it would be nice if we found it for him? You know, for helping us out.” You said trying to persuade her to help you. You wanted to clear your conscience. “I’ll need your help finding it.”

 You knew exactly where the car was, that wasn’t your problem. You needed to be able to explain away why your DNA was in it. If Coco found it and you drove it back, the DNA on the car would make sense. All you had to do was hope the man didn’t have divination. 

 Once she helped you find the car, the two of you got it cleaned up for the man and ended up having a day trip to drop off the keys to the man who was now at the boys school. He thanked you both for the surprise. The both of you ended up having dinner at the school as a gift for your kind doings.

 “I’m surprise I didn’t get a call from Cordelia informing me you were coming.”

 “She must have been busy,” you lied, taking a sip of the wine you were having with your dinner. Apparently, Cordelia was trying to hunt the vehicle down for him as an apology for him getting in the crossfire of this whole ordeal, but you beat her to the chase. You made it out that she knew about your trip, even Coco thought she you told her.

 Was it wrong to use Coco’s power to cover your arse? Probably but if she didn’t know that she was helping you not get in trouble, was there any harm to it? The trip back was long. You called for a limo to drive you back home.

 “Did you think when you first joined, you’d be able to do this?” You asked Coco.

 “Honestly no.”

 “You’ve come so far. You should be proud of yourself. I sure am.”

 Meanwhile, Cordelia’s mind drifted back to the events of that day, thankful for Coco and Zoe’s quick reflexes. It was now nightfall, she found herself cocooned in one of your thick blankets. She had taken the day off work to focus on the pressing matter. Now complete she could dedicate her night to her love, that being said, you were nowhere to be found.

 You claimed you lost your footing but when in all the time she had known you had never stumbled in those ridiculous shoes you insisted on wearing. She used to tease you for the fact that you managed to have the landing abilities of a cat, always landing on your feet.

 The one word you muttered before they could gain your attention was ‘brother’, spoken as though you were questioning it. You’d never mentioned a brother unless you meant a brother warlock but still- the witches rarely used those terms- it made them seem like a religious order and it was already hard enough as it is to convey that you weren’t a cult. The words were more personal, she had experienced a similar state as you what you’d gone through when she had her visions, but you don’t get visions. At least you hadn’t before.

 You’ve spoke of your family few times, to the point she believed you had never had one. You mentioned on occasion your mother had sent you a letter detailing your family’s history and connection to this coven and the Salem witches. Besides that, you couldn’t even give out her name. No love or admiration towards your parent nor resentment, it was as if they never existed at all. But that idea would be preposterous, how could she not exist if you were here with them?

 So, who was your ‘brother’?

 Cordelia had gone back to the site after the burning as she knew the young warlock would discover what happened to his parental figure, Merriam Mead. “It’s over. We know who you are. Your allies are all dead. You’ve failed,” she said to the boy. He glared daggers at her. He stayed back, recovering from the vision of the Satanists death. He pointed out that he had already proven his strength of defying death to which the Supreme had already taken into consideration and countermeasure any attempts he could well in advance. “You can certainly go to hell, but you won’t find her there.” She casted a spell to act as a veil over who soul. He could go to hell, but no one would find it, not even his father. Only Cordelia could undo the spell and she had no intention of doing so. “You’ll never see her again.” Michael’s knees collapse in on themselves. The mand lands on his hands sobbing at the permanent loss of the woman who helped him. “Your alone.”

 “I’m never alone. I have my father.”

 “Where is he now? Why did he let this happen? You don’t have to follow his path your father laid out for you. You can write your destiny. You can still turn away. There’s humanity in you. I see it. If you come with me… maybe, we can find it.” Cordelia offered out her had to the son of Satan. “Together.” Michael takes her and allowing the blonde to help him up. Before he yanked her close and threatens her.

 “Somehow- someway, I am going to bring her back and then I am going to kill every last one of you.” Michael let the woman go and began to walk off. “And for one second don’t you dare think I’m alone. I’ve got family in all places.”

 “Ghosts aren’t going to help you-”

 “That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”

 Angel. An angel on earth. A fallen angel? Living among her coven. Oh god, what if they worked for Michael. There is no guarantee that they are working for him, but they couldn’t risk it. Any possibility of the girl siding with boy is too high. Who then? Anyone could be a possibility. Cordelia’s mind thought of everyone, pulling points for and against them. It was something she might have to bring to the others attention, they might have a better clue.

 Back to the burning, you had just lost your footing, that’s it, no need to over think it, Cordelia convinced herself. It doesn’t explain how you haven't aged a day since she’s known you, but she’d age several. At first, she didn't believe it was you, putting it down to being a sibling of yours or a close cousin, but your words were all too much like yours and your eyes- the unnatural eyes she grew to love bore back at her in the same way they did all those years ago. A touch of your skin and she could read you like a book, all the trauma you had been through, being hunted all these years only finding safety months before returning. You never mentioned it, acted like it never happened. It appeared that way a lot, the information she read off you seemed like a fantasy book instead of a biography from the nonfiction section of a library. She guessed that you didn’t wish to share those parts of your life with her, answering vaguely about how boring your life was until you came here, but from the little she saw, you lived the dream, the only thing you didn’t have was the girl.

 Cordelia found your frozen state disconcerting to say the least but didn’t wish to bring it up as it didn’t bother you. You, barely looking 18 while her, in a few years nearing her fifties. You were older than her, but no one believed that she doubted her friends, Zoe and the rest thought she was being truthful if it weren’t for yours and Myrtle’s conformation. 

 She invited you back into her life and the rest was history. 

 You brushed it off every time someone was shocked that you two went to school together. Some joked that you were a vampire, always being locked up in your room, staying up til the late hours and barely eating with the others. The students got used to it, but Cordelia didn't. It always stuck with her at the back of her head.

 The woman decided to go down to make a cup of tea, her walm of her bed not feeling the same as when you were there with her. She noticed the back door open. She headed to close it when she noticed you sitting outside.

 “Love?” You spun around at the sound of her voice. You smiled sweetly as you wrapped the black dressing gown you wore tighter around your frame. “What are you doing out here?”

 “Admiring the night sky,” you said, laying out your hand inviting her to join you. She took it, carefully allowing you to help her sit down. “I always loved a starry night.”

 “I recall.”

 “Once, I camped out just to see the northern lights and I’ve never missed a meteor shower.”

 “You’ve had an amazing life.”

 “Yeah~ Would have been better if you were there.”

 “We all make mistakes.”

 You laid down to get a better view of the sky, laying you head on your bent arm. She eased herself down, laying her head on your chest.

 Cordelia had been away from you for awhile now, you both noticed. You’d become more drawn into your studies to which Cordelia had no idea what you were investigating. She would stop you immediately if she found out. With each day you were growing more paranoid- just another reason you stayed alone. She hadn’t caught on to your smoking habits which had only increased since she took away the first box from you. You had a fresh packet hidden away, covered by the fabric of your stolen nightgown.

 Your body was tense under Cordelia. She kept silent hoping that you’d bring up your concerns without her having to dig them out. The blonde picked up the scent of smoke in the air, she assumed one of the girls came out to smoke before she joined you.

 She understood why you liked the nights sky, the stars twinkled so bright form the spot you both laid. The stars were long dead and yet they live on as their lights can be seen for millennia.

 "Delia?"

 "Hmm?"

 "Do you think I'm broken?"

 "What? Of course not honey." She sat up and turned around to face you. You didn’t bother to look her way. "Why would you ask that?"

 "Something's wrong with me.” You turned and buried yourself into her side not wanting her to see your face. “Why aren’t I normal?"

 "None of us are normal sweathear-"

 "I'm forty-five and I still get age checked every time I get a drink."

 "Honey-" She pulled you away from her. "Is this really bothering you?"

 "Obviously."

 "You've never shown concern before-"

 "People keep calling me a gold digger. Saying bad things about you and me-"

 "Who's saying that?"

 "A couple of the girls, the public-"

 "You don't have to deal with whatever anyone outside has to think, they don't know what we have, as for the girls I can deal with them."

 "For a second it almost sounded like I wasn't your senior but what they see." You sighed. "I'm stressing too much."

 “Is that all you're concerned about?”

 “Hmm?”

 “You’ve never brought it up before,” Cordelia said. “You’re not deflecting your feelings, are you?”

 “Of course not.” Of course, you were. If you worry about yourself, she won’t pick up your worried about her.

 You convinced the doctor to schedule you a bunch of tests at the local hospital.  You came in with the opposite problems most women your age did. Most people would love to be in the same situation as you. “I don't want to look young while my girlfriend grows old. Please, help a sister out.” She didn't know what answer you hoped to find but she wished you did. She knew you weren’t lying, she had been your doctor for years since you had been at the academy. 

 You didn’t tell Cordelia until she caught you packing to leave.

 “You're doing what?”

 You didn’t respond, too busy backing your belongings for the overnight stay. When she didn’t gain your attention, she used her magic to flick your duffle bag across the room. You growled in, clenching your fists to stop you from snapping at the supreme. You had no chance; she was the most powerful witch in the coven. 

 “I need to find out what's wrong with me.”

 You turned to go and pick up your bag when you can’t move anymore. CORDELIA! Hands meet your upper arms and your frozen limbs thawed out as she eases you against a wall, to contain you. 

 “Honey, you’re fine. Nothing's wrong.” 

 “Everything is wrong Cordelia. I shouldn't be like this.”

 “It’s not the best time to do this baby-”

 “If not now Delia, when?”

 “The school isn’t safe at the moment, if you leave the grounds, I can’t protect you.”

 “The threat is gone; you stopped the warlocks-”

 “It’s not the warlocks I’m worried about,” You waited for her to clarify. “It’s one.”

 “Is that why you went to that school in the first place?” You asked. “Why didn’t you tell me if there was a threat? I could have done something-”

 “And put yourself in danger? I couldn’t have that.” What could you have done? You weren’t like the rest of the staff; the craft wasn’t your strong suit. Cordelia was doing what she thought was best for you.

 “Did you mention me at school?”

 “No.”

 “Then this Michael Langdon won’t know of me.”

 “I never mentioned his name. How did you know that?”

 “I-I’m more perceptive than you think,” You stuttered. “I figured it out through Divination or some crap like that. It’s beside the point. I’m still going, and you aren’t going to stop me.” You grabbed your bag and headed out of your shared bedroom.

 “I’m going with you,” she said. “I’ll get the others to keep an eye on the girls.”

 “You don’t have to-”

 “I haven’t spent enough time with you as of late. It’s blatantly clear now, I didn’t even know you could- I want to make it up to you. I want to be there for you.”

 Laying in hospital bed after some of your tests, you heard the hospital door’s room open. Cordelia only exited the room, so you thought it was one of the nurses. You were shocked to see a young man dressed in black. You sensed the power radiating off him, you had a feeling who this man was.

 “Who are you?”

 “Michael Langdon.” That was the name of the kid that was giving Cordelia trouble. “You have no need to fear me Y/N, I come here as a friend.”

 “I am no friend of yours.” You sat yourself up in your hospital bed.

 “Well, not of mine but my fathers.”

 “I don’t understand.” His father, who was his father? You weren’t friends with many men or anyone for that matter outsides of the academy. “Your father?” He walked over and took residence in the spot that Cordelia was in moments prior. Speaking of which, she should be back soon. 

 “My father led me to you, indirectly of course but you would know that being acquaintances with him. Smart move tricking the witch into falling for you, with her wrapped around your finger you will make this whole thing easier.”

 “I’m sorry Michael but I don’t know what your own about. Your father? Me being acquaintances with him. I think you got the wrong gal.”

 “But you’re Y/N M/N L/N or at least that’s the name you go by on Earth.”

 “That’s my name, but there’s nothing more to me.”

 “Tell me what you know about yourself.”

 “I don’t think that’s wise-”

 “Where were you born?” Uh~ You didn’t know. “Who are your parents?”

 “How am I meant to know? I’m an orphan.” But you had a letter from your mother sending you to the school, so how can you be an orphan?

 “You never wondered who are? It could explain your mysterious age-defying.”

 “How do you know about that?”

 “I heard the doctor’s talking.”

 “They think I’m looney, don’t they?”

 “Incredibly.” You laughed. “But I don’t.”

 “You need to go, my girlfriend will be back soon.”

 “Protecting me, are you?”

 “I’m saving myself the trouble of explaining why you’re here.”

 “I’ll see you seen Y/N.”

 “Yeah, yeah.” He said. “I’ll see you soon. Maybe you’ll have some more sense knocked into you.” The man walked out of the room. You released a breath you didn’t know you were holding.

 It wasn’t long before Cordelia came back into the room placing down some snacks she snuck in for you. You thanked her, taking the fruit juice and taking a long sip. You looked over to her, when she noticed she gave you a quick smile before taking her seat.

 “Are you going to fill me in on what’s been happening?” Cordelia went to brush it off, say nothing’s happened when you interjected, “You're telling me all of a sudden the warlocks decided to conspire against their own? That there wasn’t a threat to our students until this morning? At least explain to me the marking, how? Who gave you that? Was it Michael?”

 “Wow~ calm down Y/N.”

 “Well?”

 “I was aware about the warlocks but not that they were against us, until Bubbles and Myrtle went to find out. That was long after John died. It wasn’t a threat to the girls, so we took care of it.”

 That explained why Myrtle’s friend had been hanging around the school. She was a nice woman but you never understood her presence on school grounds.

 “We? Who else knew?”

 “Our main circle-”

 “Your main circle,” you corrected. 

 You talked to them as much as you talked to most of the girls. You got along with them, but you wouldn’t classify them as your close circle, they tended to leave you out as of late due to you not knowing all this. You spoke to the teachers in the morning before classes and to make sure you aren’t reteaching the girls spells. The others were more random when you interacted with them, not having much free time due to the increased amount of work from the other staff going on council meetings. You spoke to Coco the most as she was a student in your classes. You spent any free time you had sitting outside and smoking, a habit that Cordelia being to busy to release you did. You learned how to not reek of smoke, managing to control the air around you so the students don’t have to breath it in. Mints and brushing your teeth covered the smell on your breath for the most part.

 Cordelia never thought that you might have been pushing you away when she hadn’t told you what’s been happening. You tended to be too busy with work whenever they had any sort of meeting about these that you had been invited to, such as the dinner to celebrate Mallory being the next supreme. So busy that she didn’t even offer it- or tell you.

 “Good to see I’m not a part of that-”

 “No. Of course you are sweetheart, I- I was-” Too scared.

 “What about that Michael Langdon? What’s his deal?”

 “The warlocks thought him to be the next supreme.”

 “The alpha. But you don’t believe that right, you’d have to be fading if that were the case.”

 “I think it’s Mallory.”

 “Wait? You think? Mallory? You're not saying-”

 “I’m fading Y/N/N.” You shook your head, denying the information. You muttered out no, repeating it, praying that it would someone reverse what she said. She’s joking, she had to be. “I’m weak. I can feel my power slipping away. That’s why I have the markings-”

 “Those aren’t from you fading Delia. There from prolonged exposure to a heavenly creature. I found it in one of my books while you were out. It might be from Michael, right?”

 “Wouldn’t all the warlocks have it as well? Or Zoe and Myrtle? They’ve been around the boy as much as I have. I’m not cancelling it out Y/N, but it’s not likely, unless it’s affecting me quicker because I am weaker-”

 “Stop saying that.”

 “It’s true. You wanted to know what was going on behind the scenes, you should have known it wasn’t going to be pretty.”

 “No! You can’t die! I need you!”

 “Y/N” She warned.

 “NO!” The light fixtures exploded, all the machines you were attached to along with anything in your vicinity.  Sparks of electricity shot out in all directions. “You will not leave me!” you cried. The hospital staff rushed around, yelling at each other about a power outage in the hospital. “I’ll figure something out. I don’t want to be alone again.”

 “You’ll have the girls, the school-”

 “But they're not you.”

 “Y/N, calm down.”

 “Calm down? You got to be fucking kidding me, right?”

 “We’re not going to do this now.”

 “Just go, the school needs you more than I do right now.”

 “Y/N-” Cordelia was cut off by her phone ringing. It was Zoe. She quickly answered it, “Zoe this is not a good time.” Cordelia listened to her friend explain why she called. “The power’s out?” Cordelia looked over to you, you paid her no mind. “Did you try the power box…The neighbours powers out too?... Okay hand some candles out to the girls and I’ll find out what’s going on… Yes we have candles other than the ritual ones, there in the garage- I’ll get back as fast as I can. Make sure the younger girls are calm. Bye.” She hung up the phone. How did you know that they would need her? You managed to not only knock out the hospital's power but the whole neighbourhood. 

 Back at school, you were known for being a book nerd. Having only mastered telekinesis and had been rumoured to have done Descensum (which you’d neither confirmed nor denied), you’d made up for it in your vast knowledge of the magical world. Your inability to perform most magic was what drew Cordelia to you originally. You were the outcasts, but you found a home there. In the beginning of your friendship you were made fun of by your peers, but you managed to befriend them by teaching them how to improve. Your magic had developed since you left but this was the next level for you. It scared her.

 “How did you know-”

 “The traffic lights are probably out, so drive safely -or better walk.”

 You wouldn’t talk any more to her after the last comment.

 When back at the school, Cordelia pulled out the candles from their hideaway in the garage. She gathered a group of girls to hand them out or place them in highly populated rooms. Zoe told her that she didn’t need to head back, that being there for you was more important than a power outage at the school. 

 “The school is more at risk with the power outage.” Cordelia handed Zoe a couple candles. “We had a fight.”

 “Oh~ Did you tell her-”

 “Everything.”

 “How did she- well she didn’t take it well that was a stupid question.”

 “She was fine until I brought up Mallory being-” she was wary of saying it aloud with the other students about. Zoe knew what she meant. “I knew she wasn’t going to take it well. I underestimated her power.”

 “Her power?”

 “The outage. It happened at the same.”

 “It could be a coincidence.”

 “The light in the room exploded.” 

 “And she couldn’t do that before?”

 “I didn’t think so. I’ve only seen her use telekinesis and she mentioned transmutation,” Cordelia said.  “I haven’t been paying her as much mind as I should be. I’ve been so caught up with the while Michael thing.”

 “All I can say is ask around to see what people have seen her do to get a rough idea of what she’s capable of if it concerns you.”

 “It’s not the power that concerns me-”

 “I didn’t think it was.”

 “It’s the sudden development of it…” Cordelia continued to tell her about the possibility of there being more than one powerful witch in the school that wasn’t Cordelia. That she had spoken to a powerful spirit (she left the rest of the details out of the story) and they mentioned that there could be a spiritual being among them. “If there is one, I don’t know what to do?” Peoples recebt comments have been making her believe the idea more every day.

 “You think it is Y/N?”

Your comment today about her markings confirmed it in her head. All the placement of markings were only places you have come into close contact with. The only thing she couldn’t explain away was how it started before you showed up. Was it a long process or was it someone else and she’s using your strange genetics as an excuse?

 “I only have two ideas and we still need a supreme.” Her other idea was Mallory but the supreme had to be younger than her. For all she knew, there could have been a third person. “You can’t tell either of them.”

 “I wouldn’t dare.”

 Cordelia heeded Zoe’s advice and asked about to see what people had seen you done to get a grasp on your magic level.

 “I was going to ask her for help with a spell when I saw her reach into a mirror and pull out something. I didn’t know that was possible. Don’t tell her, she didn’t see that I saw.” One of your students told the blonde. Scrying and Conjuration. The abilities to see things such as messages, visions, and prophecies on a reflective surface and conjure objects and beings from nothing or another location.

 “I don’t know, telekinesis,” a student unenthused by Cordelia's question droned on, “She always knows the right page in a book. That’s gotta involve Divination or some shit.”

 “She smokes a lot and I’ve never seen her with a lighter,” a younger student said. 

 A lot has happened since she had been gone. 

[tibbinswrites]

Yi! I am the anon who requested 16 and 77. You could do angst but with a happy ending?

Hi Anon! I did it! Finally xD sorry you had to wait so long. I might have more time on my hands but that doesn’t mean I always spend it wisely, or that my brain wants to cooperate when I tell it to make a story. 

Man, I really love this prompt. You picked a gooden. I won’t officially pair it with prompt 16 because I’ve already used that number (though I did add a kiss in it for you ;))

Warning for mentions of suicide (no one named, no details, just mentioned).

I hope you like it ^_^

I’ve now done prompts for: #1, #2, #4 and #16, #9, #10, #77, #78, #170 and #502

I also have 3 prompts waiting for: #20, #33 and an addition to #170 so if you send me a new one in be prepared to wait a while!

77. You just stood there and held me, then you started dancin’ slow. And as I pulled you tighter I swore I’d never let you go. (Point Blank)

Sam and Dean had been gone for almost two weeks now. Cas wasn’t worried, they checked in on a daily basis with updates and requests for lore and questions about how Jack was settling back in so he knew they were okay. They were hunting something with some kind of mind altering tendencies, whether a djinn, wraith, witch or something else was yet to be determined but it had killed six people. The victims had complained of nightmares a few days before their deaths. Suicides, all of them, and not clean. The thing was proving difficult to track down, it didn’t seem to have a preference of victims, man or woman, old or young. Different ethnicities and social circles, there didn’t seem to be anything that linked them. Cas could sense their frustration, but no, he wasn’t worried.

He did miss them however, especially Dean. Jack was good company; they played board games and Cas taught him some of the basics of fighting with a blade, just in case he was ever faced with an enemy while he couldn’t use his powers. They watched Netflix together, the brightly-coloured modern cartoons that Sam and Dean scoffed at and Jack asked him questions about angels and monsters and lore of all kinds, but there was always a certain level of separation to it, in the way he understood that there had to be between parents and their children and there were less jokes than when the Winchesters were around, less laughter. Cas wasn’t very good at jokes. His dry humour would sometimes get a snort or a small chuckle, but that was the extent of it. He didn’t have Dean’s ability to goof around and act the fool, nor did he have Sam’s quick tact in knowing where to poke to cause a laugh rather than offence. Jack wasn’t very good at jokes either though, so they rubbed along quite well together.

It was on the twelfth morning that Sam called for the second time that day and when Cas looked at the phone he knew something had gone wrong.

“What happened?” He demanded without preamble.

“Dean had a nightmare.” Sam’s voice was tight and worried, “A bad one.”

Cas frowned. “That’s not too unusual. Unless you think…”

“The thing got him. Yeah.”

“So you have… what? Less than two days until he becomes a suicide risk?”

“Yeah.”

Cas clenched his jaw, reached his free hand up to rub at the bridge of his nose.

“You’re not far away, I can be there-”

“No,” Sam said firmly. “I don’t want Jack anywhere near this thing and you can’t leave him alone right now. You need to stay where you are. We’ll figure this out.”

“But-”

“I know,” Sam said, and he really did sound apologetic. “Trust me, I’d rather have you here too. But we have Jack to look after and I’m not actually sure you coming here would help Dean. I mentioned you before and he just kind of… froze up.”

“He did?” Cas frowned at the far wall, that didn’t make any sense.

“Yeah. And he got this look… I think his nightmare was about you, or had you in it or something. Of course, I don’t know because he won’t talk to me but… It might be best you stay away for now. I’ll keep you posted.”

Cas sighed, biting down on his instinct to run to the garage and grab a set of keys. With his failing grace there was no guarantee he’d be able to do something so complex as break a curse or purge a venom or completely undo a biological reaction#. There were certain intricacies involved and he wasn’t certain he had the strength. The brothers could still fix this on their own, they still had time.

“Alright.” He conceded. “I’ll give you forty-eight hours. But after that I’m coming to meet you. I can’t just sit here and wait for that call.” His voice wobbled a little at the end as his imagination ran wild. But it wasn’t just the thought of Dean taking his own life that terrified him… selfishly it was the idea that Cas needed to see him again, that he couldn’t let the last memory he had of Dean be one where he’d walked away.

“That’s fair.” Sam agreed, and Cas could picture him running a hand through his hair, the way he did when he was stressed and worried. “But it won’t be needed. We’ll fix this. We’ll kill the thing and it’ll be fine.”

“Get Dean to make a list of everyone he met or bumped into yesterday,” Cas said in lieu of something reassuring. He had complete faith in the brothers, knew that they were more than capable hunters, that Sam at least would do whatever it took to save Dean, but there was still a tiny kernel in his brain that whispered what if he can’t this time, and Cas knew that it wouldn’t go away until the danger had passed.

The rest of the phone call was tense and perfunctory, but once he hung up, not being able to hear Sam’s concern actually alleviated his own. The danger wasn’t immediate yet and he trusted them to find a solution fast.

Xxx

It took them until the next morning. Cas was sitting with Jack and they were talking over bowls of cereal with the kind of sugar content that always made Sam purse his lips. Jack hadn’t seemed overly concerned about Dean when Cas told him what had happened; apparently he had the same confidence in the Winchesters that Cas did, and his surety was comforting.

The phone rang and even though Cas was sure nothing was wrong, that this was just Sam’s daily update on the situation, his spoon went clattering back into the bowl, splattering milk everywhere as he jumped to answer it.

“Sam?” He said. His voice did not tremble.

“We got it.” Sam’s voice was pure relief. “Witch. We’ll be back in a couple hours.”

Cas sighed heavy and cleansing. The expression on his face must have told Jack everything he needed to know because he smiled, gave a thumbs up and went back to his cereal.

“I’m glad,” Cas said. “Dean’s alright?”

“Yeah, the curse has broken.” Sam hesitated then, and his voice dropped like Dean was close by and he didn’t want him to overhear. “But it was real tough on him. Sent him into some kind of waking nightmare. Screaming fit, something. So he might not want to celebrate or anything when we get back.”

Which was code for ‘don’t be offended if Dean locks himself in his room for the next three days.’

“Of course. It’ll just be good to have you home. See you soon, Sam.”

“Bye, Cas.”

Cas placed the phone down and smiled as Jack munched on his cereal.

“They’re heading back. They should be here by noon.”

“Cool,” Jack said around his spoon. “I’m glad Dean’s okay.”

“Me too,” Cas agreed.

“I mean… I wasn’t exactly worried,” Jack continued, a slight furrow in his brow. “Is that wrong? I don’t know if it’s because of my soul or if I just knew they’d make it back.”

“The Winchesters do have an excellent record for making it through these kinds of situations,” Cas said carefully. “It’s not wrong to expect them to always make it back. It’s easy to feel like the danger isn’t real when we have all faced so much worse than a rogue witch. But many experienced hunters get killed on routine cases. The danger is always real, sometimes it’s just a matter of luck.”

“Or a matter of having your lives written out by God,” Jack said, a slight quirk to his mouth that Cas couldn’t help but mirror.

“Yes. I suppose knowing that Chuck has a specific plan for them makes it easier,” he said. “Knowing Him, if Sam or Dean dies on an ordinary case He’ll just resurrect them until they can play out His story. Or at least, their own story. They’ve never been good at following rules.”

Xxx

It had just gone midday when the door of the bunker clanged loudly, indicating the return of the brothers. Cas hurried to the war room to meet them. It was silly perhaps but he wanted to see Dean for himself, to make sure that he was alright. Dean shuffled behind Sam, his head down. He looked pale and wan, like he often did after the kind of nightmare that drew Cas into his room to try and soothe away. Clearly, whatever the witch had done to him was going to take more than a gas station burrito and a drive in the impala to get over. Sam looked like he needed a hot shower and a long nap. He nodded to Cas as he passed, clapping him on the shoulder. When Dean caught sight of him though he stopped halfway through a step. He seemed to forget that he was walking and began to tip forwards. Concerned, Cas stepped in to catch him and found himself with Dean’s arms around his neck and Dean’s smell in his nose and Dean’s mouth on his and his whole existence narrowed to just Dean, Dean, Dean.

Thoroughly overwhelmed by the whole situation, Cas decided that his best course of action was not to move so he stood there stiffly until Dean pulled back, only to bury his face in Cas’ shoulder instead and, in a move more terrifying than the wrath of God, began to sob.

“I killed you.” Dean’s voice was tiny and broken, barely audible, even to his ears. “I killed you and you let me and I had to burn you all over again.”

Cas didn’t know what to say. What would be the point in telling Dean that it was just a bad dream brought on by a curse? That it wasn’t real? Dean knew that, just as Cas had known that the room full of Deans that Naomi had made him kill weren’t real. That didn’t make the guilt any easier to carry. So instead he said nothing, raising his arms to fold them around Dean’s back, pulling him closer.

“I felt it,” Dean muttered against his neck. “It was so real. I had to, I just knew that I had to. But I don’t know why, and it doesn’t matter. I don’t care what happens, I know that I can’t do that again. I don’t care if the world burns.”

“I love you.” Cas whispered back, because for the first time it needed to be said. It had existed in the in-between spaces of their lives, of course, their love. Cas knew that Dean felt it too, knew it probably before Dean himself had accepted it. But Cas had let it exist without acknowledgement. He didn’t need a declaration and Dean wasn’t ready to make one. The feeling was enough.

Dean didn’t say it back, but Cas felt it in the way he clung on tighter, his fingers digging into his shoulder blades even through his trenchcoat and shirt. So Cas said it again, and again, his words the song forever playing in his mind, a symphony of feeling. So he began to rock Dean along to the sound, soothing and slow, patient and endless, and it was almost dancing, he thought, tightening his own hold. And as he did so, he knew that be it forty more years or four more minutes, Castiel would be content if he got to spend them holding Dean.

[twdeadfanfic]

Everybody knows

*Summary:  Daryl has a crush on Y/N, his mind wandering to her at the worst moments on its own accord, making him unable to think straight with her arround, it’s frustrating and it’s embarrassing…little do he knows that it’s exactly the same for Y/N, who’s also unable to stop her eyes from wandering to him, her mind daydreaming. All their friends, seem to know, though…could them both going to a run finally bring them together?

* Both Reader and Daryl’s POV. Violance and language twd style.

* 4739 Words

*Pairing: Daryl Dixon x Reader

This was an anon requests, I’m sorry it took me so long to get to it. I’m not sure if the person who requested it still follows this blog, but I hope they get to see this, and I hope it was close to what you wanted. I hope you all like it, let me know your thoughts.

*Link to my masterlist with my other works can be found on the description of this blog. I’m sorry for the inconvenience, but tumblr doesn’t show posts with links in the tags. 

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You knew you were supposed to be keeping watch, your eyes and attention on the prison fence and beyond, but you couldn’t help yourself and your gaze kept shifting towards Daryl, who was working on the pick-up Rick used to carry stuff around. There seemed to be something wrong with the motor and Daryl was trying to fix it.

You leaned against the railing of the watchtower as you stared at him, feeling once again those stubborn butterflies in your belly…

Daryl had saved you, months ago. Your group had been overrun by walkers but you’d managed to survive, and you’d been wandering the woods alone for a few days until you decided you needed to find supplies and had headed to the road. There you had found a gas station, but before you could check it, you’d heard a motorbike approaching and you had hidden.

It’d been Daryl, who after making sure there weren’t walkers around had opened the door, crossbow ready in front of him to take down the ones inside. There’d been more than what any of you had thought, and after considering it for a couple of seconds, you’d left your hiding spot to help him.

After clearing all the walkers, you both had stared at each other with mistrust, but then he’d asked his questions, you’d asked yours, and you’d decided he wasn’t that bad. He seemed to have thought the same of you. You both collected some supplies from the place and then Daryl had taken you to the prison. Another questioning and you’d been taken in.

At first, when you weren’t working on whatever you were told, you were either in your cell or at Daryl’s side, finding it hard to socialize with all the others, though Daryl hadn’t seemed to mind your company much. He was a bit of a loner and didn’t talk that much if you didn’t initiate the conversations, but he had been kind and gentle with you, even though sometimes he also had seemed a bit confused and awkward at having you following him around and talking to him.

Eventually, you’d become friends with everyone, but your relationship with Daryl was different, deeper. He was a good man with the best heart, and when you got him to open up you could spend hours talking with him and never get bored. One day, you realized you had fallen for him, you didn’t see him only as a good friend.

You didn’t tell him anything, afraid of scaring him and losing him. He was shy and private, and you didn’t think he’d look at you like that. You weren’t even sure if he was interested in being with someone, he didn’t seem to give much thought to stuff like that, he didn’t seem interested.

Still, the butterflies in your stomach had just gotten worse and worse, and you caught yourself staring at him, lost in your daydream, more often than you’d like. And the more you stared, the more you talked with him and spent time with him, the harder you fell. You didn’t know what to do anymore.

A snicker next to you brought you back to earth and you found Maggie looking amused at you.

“Well, Daryl must be the safest guy in the world with you keeping watch only over him.” She teased you.

“What’re you saying…” You shook your head as if she was being silly, but your cheeks heat up, betraying you. “I got a bit lost in thought, I didn’t know where I was looking.”

“Yeah, sure.” Maggie snorted. “It happens to you a lot, yeah? And always looking at Daryl.” You turned your back to her but she kept talking. “Come on, I’ve seen you with that dreamy eyes enough times.” She nudged you with her shoulder. “Are you gonna just stare at him forever or are you gonna go for it?”

“Pff.” You scoffed. “Yeah, I bet Daryl’d take that really well. Come on, Maggie, you’d known him for longer than I.”

“Well, maybe you’d be surprised? You’ll never know if you don’t try.”

“I don’t want to freak him out. He doesn’t seem the kind of guy who wants a relationship, you know.” And even if he were, that didn’t mean he’d have one with you. He hadn’t ever hinted at it, and you thought he saw you only as a friend.

“You’ll never know if you don’t try.” Maggie shrugged. “Look, Glenn’s coming, you can leave.” He pointed at the man who was making his way to the watchtower. “Why don’t you go to talk to Daryl? Just talk…”

“I don’t know…”

*

“Hi there.”

Daryl had been so engrossed with the motor of the pickup that he didn’t notice Y/N approaching until she greeted him. He looked up and saw her smiling brightly at him and his heart did a somersault.

He didn’t know what had gotten into him lately, making him have thoughts he shouldn’t about Y/N, making him all flustered and nervous when she was around. He’d thought she was a good one since that day he picked her up after she helped him clear that gas station. Then, when she had begun following him and spending time with him as she slowly got used to the place, he’d been confused at first, then he had found himself feeling protective over her and enjoying her company. It was easy to talk to her, and at the same time she didn’t mind it when he didn’t feel like talking.

But he didn’t know what was going on with him lately. When Y/N was around, his eyes seemed to wander to her on their own accord, his stomach did funny twirls sometimes when they talked, or even when his mind wandered to her, which seemed to be more often than not. It was frustrating.

He needed to stop the bullshit, it was just a matter of time before Y/N noticed and maybe when she did she wouldn’t want to be around him anymore. Which maybe would help Daryl stop those feelings, but at the same time the idea felt like a kick to the gut. Daryl didn’t want to lose her, no matter what.

He needed to take his mind off the clouds and focus.

Daryl nodded at Y/N as a greeting and focused his attention back to the motor. As always, Y/N didn’t pressure him into talking but he felt her eyes on him, watching him, making him nervous enough to cut his finger with a sharp edge of the hood.

“Shit!”

“Hey, you alright?” Y/N reached out to take his hand and inspect the cut, making him feel a rush of electricity going up his hand and through his body, and Daryl yanked his hand away roughly, sucking his finger into his mouth and feeling like an idiot.

“Sorry…” Y/N looked at him like she wasn’t sure if he was angry or not. “I can leave you alone…”

Daryl knew he was being rude but he couldn’t help it, the twirls he was feeling in his stomach making him more flustered and nervous. “I’m done here anyway.” He muttered, closing the hood of the car.

“Alright…there’s some light hours left, do you want to go hunting?”

Daryl had been teaching her how to track and hunt, but lately he’d been doing it less and less, being out there alone with her made those feelings he couldn’t get rid of stronger and stronger.

“Nah, I gotta drive this to Rick.” He didn’t even turn to look at her, afraid of his heart betraying him and going crazy, and he got into the car to drive away.

Later, though, Daryl couldn’t stop thinking about how he’d blown Y/N off, how he’d been with her. She made him nervous, made him feel things he didn’t want to, but at the same time the idea of her getting angry and not wanting to spend time with him anymore felt like a kick to the gut. Spending time with her turned him into a mess, however…he didn’t know what to do, but the idea of Y/N deciding they weren’t friends anymore had him feeling anxious, so he decided he’d apologize, maybe during dinner.

He went looking for Carol to see if she needed help cooking or something, and he found her walking out the storeroom.

“Hey, I was going to talk to you.” She smiled when she saw him, making his way to him. “I’ve been talking to Rick, we’re low on cans and preserved food, and once in winter there won’t be this much game for you to hunt.” Daryl nodded in silence. “Could you go and check this place tomorrow?” She pointed at it on a map she unfolded. “If it still has supplies, we’ll send a group.”

“Alright.” Daryl took the map, folding it again.

“You shouldn’t go alone, though.”

Daryl scoffed. “I’m fine alone, it wouldn’t be the first time.

“Still, we talked about it at the last council meeting, nobody goes on runs alone.” Carol reminded him and Daryl rolled his eyes. “Don’t you remember?”

“Yeah, alright, I’ll ask someone.”

“You could ask Y/N, she’s free tomorrow.” Carol gave him a knowing smile and Daryl couldn’t help but turn defensive.

“Why her?”

“Why not?”

Daryl shrugged, he didn’t know what to say. The idea of explaining to Carol the feelings that Y/N gave him mortified him, though he felt she knew. It wasn’t the first time Carol talked him about Y/N or asked him to do things with her, and she always had that smile on her face while doing so, as if she could read his mind.

“It’s just I think you seem to really like to spend time with her. Well, I don’t think it, I know it.” Carol chuckled quietly and Daryl shrugged again, looking down, hoping he wouldn’t blush. “And I know she really likes to spend time with you.” Just like that, Daryl’s heart was beating faster, he wasn’t able to control it. “So, since you both are free tomorrow, I thought it’d be a good idea if you both go together to the run.”

“Don’t care…”

“Great, it’s settled then. Just don’t get too distracted like that time you went hunting with her and came back without anything” Carol winked at him and Daryl felt his cheeks burn.

“It was cos I let her try and I spent all the light hours teaching her to track.” He grumbled. “If I’d have wanted to hunt something, I would.”

“Whatever.” Carol ignored him, turning to walk to the kitchen. “By the way, she doesn’t know about the run, so you have to tell her.”

Once dinner was cooked, Daryl took a bowl for Y/N and went to see if she was in her cell to apologize and ask her to go to tomorrow’s run with him. She was in there, sitting on the bed and reading a book, and Daryl knocked on the door’s bars before walking in.

“Hi.” She gave him a small smile, but it wasn’t as friendly and bright like the ones he was used to, the ones that made his heart go crazy, and Daryl wondered if she was upset with him.

“Hey, I brought you dinner.” Daryl handed her the bowl and Y/N looked at him weird.

“You didn’t have to, I was about to go have dinner with everyone else.”

Daryl shrugged, unsure of what to say and feeling awkward. “It’s okay I have to talk to you anyway.”

“Okay.” She nodded, more serious than she usually looked when they were together, which just made Daryl more nervous. “Go ahead.”

“I, um…” He chewed on his lower lip and decided to apologize before telling her about the run. “I’m sorry about earlier, when I was fixing the car.”

Y/N looked at him for a second but then she shrugged and began to fidget, looking down. “It’s okay. I know that I’ve been…I don’t know, kind of following you around a lot, so if you want me to back off a bit, well, it’s-”

“What? No.” Daryl didn’t let her finish, frowning at the idea of her thinking he didn’t like to spend time with her, no matter the feelings she gave him. “I…I like it when you are around.” He added quietly, blushing and looking down.

“Yeah? That’s…that’s good to know. Cos I like it too.”

When Daryl looked up Y/N was looking at him with her bright smile, her cheeks blushed, and Daryl’s heart began beating fast, going nervous again but he tried to control it, glad that matter was settled.

“Carol wants us to go on a run to a nearby place tomorrow, check if there’re supplies.” He remembered he had gone there to ask her that, his mind having gone a little blank as he stared at her.

“Okay, sure.”  She nodded, still with that smile that made something flutter inside his belly, and he nodded too. “You  know what, why don’t you go grab your dinner and come back, and we can eat together while making plans for tomorrow?”

“Yeah, alright.”

*

You made sure your backpack was securely strapped to you before getting behind Daryl on his bike. You held to him, wrapping your arms around his middle, feeling a bit guilty about how much you enjoyed having your arms around him and being this close.

“You ready?” Daryl asked you over his shoulder.

“Yeah, let’s go.”

Carl and Rick opened the prison’s doors and off you went. As Daryl speeded up you used it as an excuse to hold to him a bit tighter. You were so glad he had wanted to go with you to the run. You’d been a bit worried about how he had ignored you yesterday, wondering if maybe he was tired of you always being around him. You had thought maybe he actually didn’t like to spend time with you as much as you’d thought, maybe he was just polite but he was tired of it. Or maybe he had noticed your feelings and he wanted nothing to do with you anymore.

But later he had seemed back to normal, bringing you dinner and asking you to go to the run, and then you both had spent the next couple of hours talking in your room until it was time to sleep. Now he didn’t seem to mind your arms tight around him either. You were relieved, but now you were more uncertain about confessing your feelings to him someday, afraid it’d drive him away.

After a little while through small, secondary roads, you reached your destination, a small warehouse. Daryl stopped the bike and you let go of him, holding onto his shoulders to get off the bike and looking around.

“You think we’ll find something here?”

“Don’t know… come on.”

You both checked the perimeter and didn’t find any walkers around, but neither anything useful. When Daryl knocked on the door, though, there was some banging from the inside, walkers were looked in, pushing at the door relentlessly.

“Maybe we should come back with a group.” You said while Daryl inspected the lock to see if he could pick it. “It sounds like there’re several of them there.”

“Nah, we ain’t making a group come if there’s nothing inside, don’t think they're that many, listen to it.” Daryl kept working on the lock until it opened.

“Alright…” You decided the banging sounded like a group of them, but not one you both couldn’t deal with. “How do we do it?”

“You open the door, make sure to stay behind it so they don’t see you and then move away, I’ll shoot them as they go out.”

You nodded, it was a good plan. “Okay, but you could open the door and I start shooting them with my gun, it’ll be faster than the crossbow.”

“No way.”

“Come on, Daryl, you know I have good aim.” You rolled your eyes. “You can join me at shooting once they're distracted by me.”

Daryl thought it for a moment, looking back and forth from the door to you, and you were growing impatient but finally he nodded.

“Alright, let’s go.”

You stepped back to a distance you deemed safe enough and held your gun in front of you. “Ready.”

Daryl opened the door but less than halfway, knife on hand, and instead of hiding behind it he began to sink the knife into the heads of the walkers while trying to stop them from opening the door more.

“What are you doing?!” You couldn’t risk shooting with him in the middle, and by the look of it, the walkers were probably too many for Daryl to put them down by himself like that, no matter how skilled you knew he was. You didn’t know what had gotten into him.

You let go of your gun in favor of your knife and rushed to the door, helping Daryl to put down the walkers like that. Once all them were dead, you turned to glare at Daryl, your heart beating so fast, scared, that you thought it was going to jump out of your chest.

“What the hell was that?!” You almost but yelled at him.

“Didn’t want to  risk them getting to you.” Daryl shrugged, defensive and looking down, and you scoffed, shaking your head in disbelieve.

“You think I can’t handle to shoot some walkers?!”

“Ain’t that, just-”

“And you  knew there were a lot of them!” You didn’t let him finish, you couldn’t believe he’d do something like that. “That was reckless! They could have killed you!”

“They wouldn’t!” Daryl snapped. “I could have killed them all by myself, I didn’t need you!”

“God, you’re infuriating sometimes!” You snapped back, you’ve been so scared for him. “It was dangerous and reckless, and you know it! What the hell were you thinking?!”

“Ain’t my fault I can’t think straight when you’re around!” Daryl sounded as angry as you, face red, and as he said that his gaze dropped to the ground again.

You didn’t know what to say to that, taken aback and confused, you weren’t sure of what he meant.  Daryl had turned away from you, seeming awkward, so you decided not to push it for now. But you wanted to know what he meant.

“What if they’d bitten you, Daryl?” You said softer this time, although you were still scared. “What if they’d pushed the door open and killed you.”

“They wouldn’t, I got it” Daryl just shrugged without looking at you.

“They could, they were a lot, Daryl! We had a plan!” Your voice rose again but you took a deep breath, trying to calm down the beating of your heart. “What would have I done then, uh? I don’t want to even think it!” You felt like crying at the idea. “You can’t do shit like that...I don’t want to lose you, okay? I care about you…” Your angry voice softened, turning vulnerable, and you looked down, fidgeting. You weren’t sure if Daryl was going to snap again or not.

For a moment, Daryl didn’t say anything, shifting his weight from foot to foot awkwardly as he looked anywhere but at you. “I care about you too.” He muttered without looking at you, and the butterflies in your stomach began dancing again at his words. “That’s why I couldn’t let them get you.”

You didn’t know what to say, you were still scared about what he had done and what could have happened, but now your heart was beating like crazy not only because of that but because of Daryl’s words. Him saying that you didn’t let him think straight, that he cared for you too…you didn’t know what to think. You couldn’t get too excited about it, didn’t want to let yourself think that maybe he felt for you a bit like you felt for him. It could be just him being a good friend, you knew Daryl had a big heart and cared a lot for people. But still…

“And I’m grateful you do, I really am. I told you I care for you too, so the idea of walkers getting you…” You shuddered. “You never, ever do something like that again, please. We had a plan, whatever happens, we face it together, okay? We help each other, we take care of each other, alright?”

Daryl seemed reluctant for a bit before finally nodding, and looking at you. His cheeks were still red but he gave you a tiny, crooked smile that had the butterflies in your belly going crazy again.

“You okay?” You asked and he nodded.

“You?”

“Yeah…yeah, I’m okay.”

“Alright…” Daryl still seemed a bit awkward, but his tiny smile was still there. “Come on, let’s check the inside.”

“Just…on a second…”

Daryl frowned as if he thought there was something wrong and then blinked in surprise as you moved closer, reaching out your arms. He’d scared you so much, you were so relieved he was okay, and were so happy about the things he’d said, that you felt like hugging him, you couldn’t help it, and you hoped he wouldn’t be awkward about it.

Carefully, you wrapped your arms loosely around him. He stiffed but before you pulled back he wrapped his arms around you too and began to relax. You dared to hold him a bit tighter at that and gently, Daryl held you closer, running his fingers through your hair so softly that you barely felt him, allowing you to bury your face on the crook of his shoulder and making the butterflies inside your belly go as out of control as the beating of your heart.

You pulled back and you bit your lip but couldn’t help your shy smile as you looked at him, resting your hands gently on his chest while he kept his on your waist, swallowing hard as he looked at you.

“I don’t want to make this weird…” You began softly. “But I gotta tell you something and I think maybe if I don’t do it now I won’t ever do it.” You took a deep breath. “I…well… I really like you, not only as a friend, I can’t help it…” You shrugged, looking down.

Daryl didn’t say anything and you didn’t know if that was good or not. You ventured a look at him and he was looking down, seeming thoughtful, but he hadn’t pushed you away, he still had his hands on your waist and you felt the nervous pitter-patter of his fingers.

“I don’t say it cos I expect anything from you or nothing…” You whispered.

“I, erm…” Daryl began to say something but stopped, swallowing hard. “I think…well…I think I feel like you.” He whispered without looking at you.

Your heart began beating like crazy, excited, you couldn’t help it. “Yeah?”

He nodded, still looking down. “Told you, can’t think straight when you’re around, I got distracted by you, it’s frustrating.”

You chuckled at that, you could barely believe it. “It happens to me too, yesterday I was in the watchtower but my eyes didn’t want to focus on that, I kept looking at you as you worked on that car…” You admitted, blushing.

Daryl looked at you at that, his cheeks blushed too, but his mouth twitched into a tiny smile. He looked at you, chewing on his lower lip, seeming to be considering something, and you waited for him to say something but he didn’t. Instead, he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to the corner of your mouth.

It was so sweet you could just grin at him, the butterflies in your belly throwing a party. He was looking at you, seeming nervous and insecure, but he smiled when you reached out to brush your fingers over his cheekbone, leaning into your touch.

“Maybe then…” You ventured. “We could give this a try, you know, be together as more than friends.”

Daryl nodded once, still seeming a bit nervous, but before he could say anything a banging coming from inside the warehouse caught both your attention and Daryl pulled away from you, crossbow aimed in front of him in a second, but no walker stumbled towards you.

“I guess it’s trapped somewhere,” you said.

“I’m gonna check.”

He lowered the crossbow and began walking into the warehouse. You followed him, reaching to hold his hand. “Not alone, remember.” His hand twitched on yours and he looked at you but then he smiled softly, relaxing and lacing his fingers with you.

*

It didn’t take you both long to clear through the warehouse, putting down a couple of walkers locked inside some storerooms and collecting a few cans of food and a more than welcome bag of seeds. There wasn’t enough stuff to send a group, you could carry it in the bags Daryl had attached to his bike and your backpack. You wished you could have found the place full of stuff, but at least it was something.

“You sure that’s not too heavy?” Daryl pointed at your backpack. “I can try to tie it to the bike.”

“Nah, it’s okay.”

“Alright.” Daryl got onto the bike and turned on the engine. “Let’s go back.”

You nodded and held onto his shoulder but before swinging your leg over the bike you reached out your other hand to cup his face, making him look at you and brushing his hair away from his face. Daryl looked at you, seeming a bit confused, before closing his eyes and leaning into your touch. You used your knuckles under his chin to lift his head, and you kissed his lips softly.

Daryl opened his eyes when you pulled back, seeming a bit like in awe, and you couldn’t help your smile, running your fingers over his cheekbone before finally getting onto the bike. You wrapped your arms around him, hugging him and pressing your face onto his back for a second before pulling back and loosening your grip a bit, enough for you to hold securely to him. Daryl looked at you over his shoulder with a small smile, placing his hand over yours for a second before kicking the bike into motion.

Once you arrived at the prison, Daryl parked the bike at the back of it with the other vehicles. You held him tight to you for a couple of seconds, pressing a kiss to his shoulder before dismounting, still finding it hard to believe that you were allowed to do that, that you were together.

Daryl got off the bike and surprised you reaching out to take your hand and lace your fingers, making the butterflies in your belly dance again as he pressed a tentative kiss to your lips.

You heard a chuckle and broke away from Daryl, finding Rick looking at you both, seeming surprised, an amused smile on his face.

“Sorry to interrupt.”

“What you laughing at?” Daryl barked, pulling away from you, his cheeks blushed.

“Nothing, just…it was past time.” Rick shook his head, chuckling. “How long have you both been crushing on each other?”

Daryl scoffed and turned away from Rick to fumble with the bags of his bike. You were a bit embarrassed too, but you couldn’t help your smile.

“Hey, I’m happy! It was frustrating for all of us watching you both staring lovingly at each other without doing anything, seriously.” Rick kept teasing, no matter how uncomfortable Daryl was, it seemed to amuse him more.

“You gonna stand there smiling like an idiot or are you gonna help us carry this shit inside?” Daryl snapped.

“Yeah, yeah.” Rick nodded but didn’t move closer, still grinning. “Actually…I have to go talk to Carol, she’ll be happy to know how successful this run was too.” Rick chuckled again and left towards the building.

Daryl scoffed and you looked at him, giving him a smile and reaching out your hand to him. He took it, lacing your fingers, the corner of his mouth twitching into a tiny smile, even though he still seemed embarrassed. You pulled him closer and kissed his blushed cheek.

“I know it’s not fun to have them gossiping but it’s because they care.” You told him gently. “And I’m really, really glad Carol sent us to this run.”

Daryl’s fingers played nervously with yours but he smiled. 

“Yeah, yeah, me too.”

...................................................................................

Thank you all for reading! I hope you liked it! If you have a moment, please let me know your thoughts in the comments, your feedback makes my day!

As always, English is not my first language so sorry if there are mistakes.

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[crowsent]

Whumptober 2019 Isolation

Haru Okumura, Akira Kurusu, Persona 5, Isolation

Two separate fanfics this time but I put them both on one post! I hope to gods that I got Haru right bc she’s such an underappreciated character. Big thanks to @lastvalyrian for giving me the Akira Kurusu goes back to his hometown idea bc I cried at that

=

Isolation was the monster lurking under her bed, the beast that trailed after her with a drooling open maw, her own Damocles’ Sword, held aloft by a single hair. And in a way, the fact that she felt isolated from everyone else was a little funny.

What a silly girl you are, Haru Okumura. How silly for you to fret over such trivial matters like companionship when you had the whole world laid out before you on a silver plate. Isolation? Loneliness? Solitude? If you’re sad we can buy you new friends. Friends who will adore you and shower you with praise. Powerful friends from rich families that will further the heights of the Okumura name.

You’re so lucky to have all this money, all this fame, all this fortune, and yet you wallow in useless self-pity. Be thankful that you’re an Okumura.

Haru had friends. Fake friends with fake smiles, with honeyed words dripping with the money Father paid them to be nice to Haru. Rich sons and daughters of other conglomerate businesses that Father used as a tool to spread the Okumura family name. They agreed to everything Haru said, laughed at all her jokes, and invited her out to everything. Employees vying for her father’s favour complimented her dress, her hair, taught her how to play cat’s cradle when she was but a young child. Managers of the Big Bang Burger empire always took care in flattering her. Haru caught people around corners, laughing at the easy money just for humouring the Okumura heiress' petty desires to have someplace to belong.

Isolation, Haru thought, was the invisible cage in which she was doomed to die in.

She was always surrounded by people, but she was always alone.

And it was cold.

It was empty.

It was hollow.

All the wealth in the world couldn’t stave off the chasm inside Haru’s heart, the desire to have someone in her life, just one person, who saw her not as the rich Okumura daughter, but simply as Haru.

She waited.

She hoped.

The shoujo manga she happened to read in Shujin’s library had always said that someone would inevitably swoop in and save her from being on her own. Someone would show her that she was more than a damsel in distress, fated to walk a predetermined path. That she could live her own life without someone else’s hand moving the pieces on the board.

But no one came.

Father had arranged for her to marry the son of a wealthy politician. She, too, had become a tool to further his own ambitions.

No one came.

“I’ll be fine.” Haru nodded decisively. “Everything’s going to be okay Haru.” She gently stroked the tomato’s leaves. It had grown so much, rising up despite being in a cramped planter. “Don’t worry about me, okay?” The tomato did not speak. Haru continued to gently brush her fingers over the leaves.

She was in her last year of highschool now. The shoujo manga she had read when she first came into Shujin was long forgotten. A distant memory. She couldn’t even recall what it was about anymore.

The tomato plant was still green, not yet ready for harvesting. Haru hoped she had enough time over the coming weeks to care for it properly. “Shibuya’s a lot safer now that that mafia boss turned himself in. The Phantom Thieves are amazing, aren’t they?”

Silence.

“I wish they would answer my request too…”

Her phone pinged.

A text.

Haru’s smile thinned. “I have to go now. I’m sorry for leaving you in such a quiet place.” The rooftop was silent and the plants which Haru had cared for had to wait. “I wish I could stay here longer.” The text was from Sugimura. Haru didn’t want to go. She had no choice.

“I’ll come back as soon as I can, okay?”

She stood up, wiping the dirt from her hands onto her gym tracksuit. Her plants did not answer, but they were all that Haru had. The rooftop was the only place she felt less alone. Her plants; the tomatoes and carrots, the bougainvilleas and lilies, were the only reason she held on. The only things in her life that brought colour to her grey existence. If she was fated to walk a path someone else had chosen for her, she wanted to at least see flowers blooming at the edges.

Her heart was empty.

Haru walked by a pair of giggling girls on her way out from Shujin.

Haru walked alongside a crowd on her way back home.

She was surrounded by people.

She had never felt more alone.

====

It wasn’t the same.

The gas station was still there, still manned by a single overworked attendant with dead fish eyes and a tired smile frozen on their lips. The school was still there, still tiny and still filled with gossip over every little insignificant thing that happened around town. The cats on the floodplain were still there, the large Department Store was still there, the historical Amagi Inn was still there.

Nothing changed about Inaba. It was still the sleepy old town Akira remembered it to be. His house was still crammed in the residential district. The old couple who lived across from him gave him clipped greetings. Rumours of his arrest, his second arrest as a rebellious thief had spread just as fast as he expected it to. His parents weren’t home.

Nothing changed about Akira’s hometown during his year in Tokyo.

But it didn’t feel the same.

Not anymore.

He shut the front door of his parents’ home with a sigh and stalked over to the living room couch where he collapsed on the cushion with a soft thud. Morgana wiggled his way out of Akira’s bag and onto the couch. “This is your home?” Akira turned face-up so he could watch Morgana’s whiskers twitch and his tail swish around as he peered curiously at Akira’s family home. At the white countertops, at the boring beige sofa, at the obsessively clean space. “It’s quite different from the chief’s attic.”

Akira laughed at that. Though it was a much quieter sound, now. Anything too loud in this too quiet house sounded deafening. “Aren’t you glad not to live in an attic, Morgana?” Akira scratched Morgana behind the ears. Morgana’s tail curled up in delight and his eyes shut with a soft purr. “It’s a lot better than Sakura’s attic, isn’t it?”

Morgana’s eyes opened. For some reason, Akira didn’t like the look his cat gave him. “Do you really think that?”

Of course, Akira wanted to say. Here he was, back home, his actual home. Back in his hometown where whispers about his criminal past would always trail after him like a cape, where his parent’s house was devoid of any character and life, where Akira would have to come back to a quiet building because his mother worked the night shift as the receptionist in the hospital and his father didn’t bother doing anything but drink beer from the fridge when he came home most nights.

He had his old room back. A spartan square room with only a bed and a dresser. Without the potted plant he’d come to love, without the decorations and gifts his friends had given him, without the work desk where he spent hours meticulously crafting tiny knicknacks together. It was a fairly large house that had everything he could possibly need; a nice bathroom with a large tub, a fancy new tv unlike the tiny box he had in Sakura’s attic, a lot of space where he would spend the rest of his life alone.

Without his friends.

Without freshly made curry given to him with a smile.

Without someone to say “welcome back” as soon as he opens the door.

“Joker?” Morgana shimmied away from Akira’s hand, walking on his chest to look at him properly. He nudged Akira’s cheek with a paw. “Hey. Joker. Akira. Are you okay?”

Thankfully, Morgana didn’t mention the fact that Akira’s face was wet with tears. “Why wouldn’t I be?” Akira croaked. He wrapped Morgana in a half-assed hug. Morgana’s tail traced patterns on his forearms. “I’m back home. I’ll be going back to school where you can’t come with me because you can’t fit in the space underneath the desks here. All of my friends are still in Tokyo and I have to live the rest of my life here listening to everyone else mumbling shit about me when they think I can’t hear!” A sigh. Akira’s hands running through Morgana’s fur, trembling. “I’m fucking fine.”

It felt like yesterday when Akira stumbled into Shibuya, wide-eyed and confused, lost. Staring at the cars zooming by and the bright lights and the allure and danger of a strange city. It felt like it was only yesterday when he and Ryuji stumbled upon a lavish castle, when Ann cried and broke down in front of him at some random diner because of Kamoshida’s persistence, when Morgana first came into his life and taught him how to be a phantom thief.

It felt like he had met Makoto only a day ago, when she trailed him all over Shibuya with a flimsy magazine like that would stop her from getting noticed, when she vowed to stop Kaneshiro with them all. It felt like Haru came to him to ask for help with differentiating coffee beans only a few hours ago, when they planted flowers together on Shujin’s rooftop, when she annulled her engagement with Sugimura and gave Akira the biggest smile he had ever seen. It felt like it was only a few minutes ago when he met Sakura, Chihaya, Yoshida, Shinya, Iwai, Mishima, and all the other people who had made his life worth living.

It felt like he had met Yusuke for the first time only a few seconds ago. When Yusuke dragged Akira all over Tokyo in pursuit of true beauty. When Yusuke proudly gave him ‘Desire and Hope’ with their fingers brushing against each other. When Yusuke softly requested for Akira to keep smiling until he was able to capture it on canvas. When Yusuke gave him a tearful smile at the train station as Akira was bound to leave.

A year was not enough.

A year would never be enough.

It’s not enough.

The box of things Akira had from Tokyo sat near the door. He couldn’t bring everything. His room was nowhere big enough to display all that his friends had given him and his parents would never allow such “unsightly” decoration around the house. At least they agreed to let Akira hang the painting from “a famous artist” by the living room. Something to give the white nothingness of the house a little bit of colour.

Morgana stayed quiet as Akira wiped his tears away. “At least I have you Morgana. You’ll stay with me, right?”

A purr, Morgana doing his damnedest to snuggle into Akira’s neck. “Hmph. You couldn’t get rid of me even if you tried.”

“I would never! Unless you try to steal my food. Then you’re gonna be living in the streets.” Morgana giggled. Having fur around his neck was ticklish.

The house was too quiet. There was no smell of coffee in the air, or the white noise of a television. He should unpack his things. He’d finish his last year of highschool at Yasogami and he’d have to enroll himself. Again. Not like anyone was going to come with him. Too busy. Not enough time. You’re already a problem child so don’t you dare think of being a burden on us even more. It was deadly quiet, at least, until his parents would come home.

At least he still had the headphones Futaba gave him. When his parents begin yelling at each other, he can block them out.

Pretend that his parents gave a shit about him.

Pretend that he was back in Tokyo.

Pretend that he wasn’t going to spend this year alone.

[soggywarmpockets]

Woke up to this having 100,000+ notes this morning so I thought I'd give a little update. I no longer work at the haunted house as it was only seasonal and I had to get a real job that didn't accommodate those hours, plus it didn't open for a season or two because of the pandemic. I'll never forget my time there and hope to be able to go back for a season or two sometime in the future if I ever get a job willing to let me off on weekends. I now work overnight at a gas station, which is nearly as scary but for different reasons. For those of you shipping myself and white hoodie guy, I never did track him down, or even try to, as my beautiful girlfriend was working in the very next section of the haunt. She and I are now engaged and will be celebrating 6 years together tomorrow (5/5/2022) and we very much miss making out between groups of people coming through the haunt. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

My favorite comments on this post are the fight/flight/flirt responses and the ones saying white hoodie dude must be a bard. I also enjoy the tags of different ships from vastly different types of media and the few pieces of fanfiction I've been tagged in that this spawned. I love seeing this post in my activity and fondly recalling the time that I was (jokingly) hit on when I expected to be punched in the face. White hoodie guy is still a legend among my remaining circle of haunt friends. I hope he sees this post one day so he knows how much of an impression he left. Also I'm sorry to those of you initially thinking that this post is about a smooth-skinned man with no facial features. I'm not sure how I should have worded it to avoid that, but it sure is funny seeing your confusion in the tags and comments. Thanks for enjoying my silly little work anecdote!

Tonight I may have had an encounter with the smoothest human being on earth.

As many of you know I work as an actor in a haunted house. This is a fun job for many reasons, but witnessing people’s reactions to being scared is by far the best. I’m a scare window actor, which means I hide behind a section of the wall that is held up by a latch that I can lift and drop away suddenly, scaring people with both my scream, and the loud sound my window makes upon being dropped. I have a small hole drilled in the wall to look through to see people passing.

The smoothest human being on the planet wore a white hoodie. He came in a group with three other friends. I did not expect to scare him much. After a while you can kind of gauge just by what you can glimpse from your peephole whether someone will be a good scare or not. Men in their 20’s in a mixed group of friends typically do not get scared easily. But this guy was wearing white in my blacklight-equipped hallway, so he had made himself an easy target and I had to take advantage.

I dropped my window precisely when he was in front of it.

He leapt back toward the wall on the other side of my narrow hallway and his drew back his arm like he meant to punch me.

“This is it.” I thought. “I’m finally going to be socked in the face for scaring someone.”

But I was wrong.

His arm kept curling back behind his head. Smoothly, flawlessly, effortlessly he tucked his hand behind his head, leaned back on the wall opposite me, and propped a foot up on the plywood frame of my open window, reclining with ease.

“So, come here often?” He asked.

All of this occurred within the span of a second. Maybe two.

I was shook. I was stunned. I almost broke character.

I shrugged. “Only on the weekends.” I replied with my character voice. His group laughed. He double finger gunned me and walked on.

I will never forget him.

I cannot stress enough how perfect his transition from his fear reaction to his playboy act was. It flowed so naturally.

He is already a legend in my haunt.

[hereticpriest]

Sparks Part 1

John Wick Post Chapter 2 AU

John was made excommunicado but without the bounty on his head. He moves away and lives a normal life for once.

Warnings: None for this chapter. Future chapters may become NSFW. Canon-typical violence and swearing may occur in later chapters. Will be tagged.

@lvngdvns

It took a while for John to feel comfortable after his expulsion from the world he’d lived in most of his life. Unlike when he got out the first time, he felt quite certain that someone would come after him just for the prestige of having killed John Wick. He wasn’t protected in the same way he was the first time. He didn’t have a contract out for his head, but he was no longer welcome at the Continental, and he had plenty of enemies around the world.

His new home was outside of the city, up in a less inhabited region of upstate New York. The town closest to his new home was quaint, with only a bookstore, a pet store/groomer home business, a grocery store, a bank, a family restaurant, a hardware store and a gas station. The neighbouring town had a Target and a couple of chain fast food places, but anything beyond that would require a longer drive into the city. He had everything he needed close by, he had his dog, and he finally had the time to grieve.

Peace didn’t necessarily come easy to John. It took him months to stop looking over his shoulder and pulling his gun over random noises at night. He stopped wearing his tactical vest suit every day after a couple of months, though he didn’t get rid of it. It took him a while to become comfortable going out, but after a couple of months, he became a regular at the local bookstore. It was a small business owned by a young local woman, and it contained the only decent coffee in town. The Nestled Nook was in the old bank, so it had a very old school aesthetic and a reading area in the back which was once a vault. It was also one of the few places in town that had free wifi, and the download speed was faster there than it was at his house.

Which is how he met Natalia.

Natalia owned and operated The Nestled Nook with only minor assistance from her sole employee, Courtney Holland. Where Courtney was loud and boisterous in her efforts to sell product, Natalia was calm and disarming. Where Courtney was the epitome of youthful optimism, Natalia was what one would think of when hearing the phrase ‘an old woman in a young woman’s body’. They were opposites in almost every way, including in appearance.

Courtney had a sunkissed tan, pin-straight brown hair, and brown eyes that were so light they looked like the colour of honey. She was younger than Natalia by only four years, but her youth shone in a way that made the age gap so much more pronounced. She was not so average in height, but extraordinarily average in weight, and carried both off quite well. Tall as a beanpole with a slight pear shape and thighs that she claimed could snap a man’s neck, Courtney was one hell of a woman.

John couldn’t claim to be very fond of interacting with Courtney at length, as she had a tendency to push boundaries and ask probing questions. That being said, she had also married the owner of the local pet store and had helped him quite a bit when he was choosing things for Dog. He liked her well enough but kept her at arms-length in order to avoid her prying.

Natalia, on the other hand, was as white as a porcelain doll if not for the freckles dotted across her skin. Her hair fell in red curls around her face when she let it down, but she generally kept it in a loose bun held with hair needles and a whole lot of luck. Her eyes were such a light shade of blue that they were nearly grey, framed by long, pale lashes and crow’s feet at the corners that she was far too young to have. Natalia was average in height at about 5’6, but her shape was closer to a typical hourglass figure. She was toned where Courtney was soft, but she always made the excuse that it was from carrying books all the time.

John didn’t believe her when she waved off Courtney’s questions with that excuse, but he wasn’t supposed to be listening from his place in the stacks. He was waiting for Courtney to head back into the coffee bar area so that he could speak to Natalia and get her latest recommendations. She always knew what to suggest, and she always seemed to know when he needed a distraction. Despite his best efforts, he found her to be a rather tempting distraction. Natalia was just over half his age, a gentle soul, and most certainly not his wife. That being said, he had spent quite a bit of time adjusting to his new life and thinking about Helen’s note to him. She had made her wishes quite clear before that as well. She didn’t want him to dwell and close himself off completely. She told him he needed something to love. It had been just over a year since Helen passed away, and he finally felt some measure of peace.

Courtney batted at Natalia playfully, then glanced in his direction and smiled. She leaned in to Natalia’s ear, whispering something he couldn’t make out right before tweaking Natalia’s ear. Natalia’s cheeks turned pink, the blush showing easily on her light skin, and she tried to punch Courtney on the arm but missed. Courtney danced out of her reach and laughed full and loud.

“Even just one good one would last you for a while, Nat. You’re not as old as you act; you can’t use being too busy as an excuse forever.” Courtney practically sang, moving past him through the aisles towards the coffee bar. As she passed him, the brunette winked playfully and threw out a quick “Evening, Mr. Wick.”

Natalia had turned away from him, fanning herself and muttering something about nosy employees sticking their noses into her business. She wore her typical uniform: a black skirt that flared out around her stocking covered thighs and a white button-up topped with a cozy cardigan. If she wasn’t wearing a button up, she usually wore a sweater or a book-themed t-shirt.

“Natalia.” John greeted her quietly, a bit of a smirk tugging at his lips when she jumped in response.

“Oh! John, sorry, you startled me.” Natalia turned to face him, offering him a warm smile that caused the corners of her eyes to crinkle and emphasized her dimples.

“Sorry, my fault. I didn’t mean to sneak up on you. I’ve finished the last couple of books. I was wondering if you had any more suggestions?” John murmured, rubbing his short beard. He certainly didn’t look as intimidating as he usually did, considering his suit had been replaced by plain blue jeans and a white crew neck. That being said, his posture had only softened a bit and he was still just as quiet as he used to be.

Natalia laughed quietly, offering him her arm as a joke. Her laughter grew louder when he actually took her arm, large hand closing around her bicep to feel out her muscle tone.

“Of course, Mr. Wick. What are you looking for today?”

“Fiction. I’m interested in something different today…” John trailed off, starting to over-think his choice.

“And what would that be, John?” Natalia asked, leading him in the direction of the fiction novels.

“… Romance, I think.” John said before he could worry too much and talk himself out of it.

“Oh, I see. What sort of romance were you thinking? Are you looking for something mixed-genre where the romance is only part of the story, or flat-out romance? Serious, or light-hearted?”

Well, apparently that had flown right over her silly ginger head. John thought briefly of what Helen would tell him in this moment, oddly enough. She wanted him to be happy. She would be upset with him if he wasted away by himself. She was his best friend, and she knew him better than he knew himself some days.

“Would you like to get dinner with me tonight?” John asked after using his grip on Natalia’s bicep to guide her to stop walking. Wide blue eyes caught his gaze, and he offered her a small, reassuring smile. The young woman was silent for a moment, and he started to worry for a second before the corners of her lips turned up.

“Oh, of course John. I didn’t mean to leave you hanging there, I apologize. I just… wasn’t expecting that.” Natalia’s smile was brighter than usual, and there was a humour to her voice that usually wasn’t there. He took that as a good sign, considering the redhead was usually quite reserved. He nodded briefly, stepping just a tiny bit closer so she would have to look up at him.

“Do you want to eat at the Old Chelsea, go out of town, or would you like me to cook?” He asked, releasing his hold on her bicep, though he couldn’t help a small smile when Natalia caught and squeezed his hand.

“If we eat at the Old Chelsea, we will not get a single moment of peace. If you want to cook, I’d be happy to help?” Natalia offered, then giggled softly, “And what you’re thinking is completely correct – I am most certainly using you for your adorable dog.”

John snorted, and Natalia’s smile widened in response. She led him through the stacks to the romance section, pulling out a book before he could catch the title. Three stacks over, she grabbed another book, and lastly, she led him over to a ‘New Releases’ stack to pick up the sequel to one of the books he had read recently. She stacked up the three and put them in his hands, then scribbled her cellphone number onto a piece of paper which topped off the stack of books. John smirked at the sight of the number and the heart drawn next to it.

“Here are my suggestions. Take a look, and then come see me if you need more help. Text me what time you want me to come over. And your address.” Natalia leaned up to kiss his cheek, then headed up to the front of the store, leaving a smiling John Wick with the slightest hint of a pink kiss on his cheek from Natalia’s lip balm.

Twenty minutes later, he purchased all three suggested books from a smirking Courtney. She didn’t say anything, but it was clear she knew, approved, and thought she was very smart for predicting this.

“Bye Mr. Wick. Have a good night.” Courtney sang cheekily after him.

“I intend on it.” He retorted, waving at her over his shoulder, then letting out a short laugh when he heard a thump followed by Courtney yelping.

913 Bois-Franc Ave. Any time after 4, dinner will be at 5:30. Dog is excited to see you again. – JW

Be there with bells on. I’m excited to see him too. What should I wear? – NJ

You just said you would be wearing bells. – JW

Dress comfortably. It’s just me. – JW

I need to wear something under the bells, John. – NJ

Don’t even. I realized it as I hit send. I will be there just after 4. PS Courtney says you have lipstick on your cheek. – NJ

[unimpressedperson]

akai-ito

(Found this cute picture in @btsreactionmemes. Thank you for posting it, sweetheart)

Genre: Fluff, Angst

Warnings: None, I guess.

Pairing: Min Yoongi x @agustdlovcult, Min Yoongi x Reader

Word Counting: 7.8k

Synopsis: Jade always obsessed over stability, wondering about how her best friend, Jung Hoseok, could live wildly and moving from place to place, relationship to relationship constantly. Once the only thing she most valued was taken away, drinking a little seemed fair. Her choice made a new connection, an akai-ito. Yoongi and Jade had one thing in common uniting them.

A/N: Hey Jeeeeeeeeed! What's up? After weeks of waiting I finished it! Hope you enjoy it. The character itself isn’t a reflection of your personality, ‘cuz you are one of the best creatures I have ever met. It has a total of 7.824 words, but comparing to what you deserve, it’s nothing. Hey Jadie, I love you and hope you are feeling alright :) Sorry for the bad grammar, hope you enjoy it x

- x - x - x - x -

Jade was pissed off. Everything around couldn’t seem or sound more annoying, from footsteps, pigeons walking on the sidewalks (c’mon birds, what were your wings made for?), even the slightest signal of loud breathing could trigger the woman into punching someone. She marched across the streets, arms tight in front of her chest, pressing the thin white sweater firm against body. Her steps were noisy, white sneakers hitting the asfalt harshly and expressing how angry Jade was.

Her morning began normal. Alarm rang 7 a.m, waking Jade up to another day of working, seeing the same faces all over again, talking about repetitive subjects, as if her life was nothing but a clockwork, repeating day after day the same boring routine established by human biological needs supplied by money, which buys foods, snacks and pays for Netflix. Well, it also reimburse bills, rent and gas, but it’s always implicit anyways.

Usually, living the weekly cycle wouldn’t bother her. As long as that routine left her free from getting in debt, then no changes were necessary. Jade had been living like that for over five years now, why to change? Take the risk of becoming unhappy and indebted. Goosebumps would run up her spine whenever imagining such possibility.

Feeling safe and sound, Jade enjoyed that sensation. Whenever she drove her car, arrived at home and had dinner peacefully, any doubts or thoughts of quitting her 9 to 5 job would vanish. Pasta tastes better than starving. However, not everyone she knew lived like that, Hoseok was, quoting Jade’s own words, completely out of his mind, moving and crashing into a different home every month, coaching dance in several academies, but never establishing in one for longer than five groups of 30 days. His routine was so unsure and unpredictable.

Of course, Hoseok always had something new to tell. Everytime their group of mutual friends decided to reunite in a bar, the currently redheaded man would entertain everyone with a story about how he spent three nights sleeping on a janitor’s room, or how he convinced someone met on Tinder to let him live for a whole month into his house. The man had no boundaries or roots, anyone related to Hoseok would admire it, except for Jade. She always listened and judged his choices as something out of reality.

She never felt surprised by his wild, borderline insane, tales. They met young and even back in then, Hoseok was a gypsy and lived happily by not settling. Basically, according to Jung Hoseok himself, after watching his parents divorcing and having two different homes, not digging roots and always gaining for a period of time somewhere new to name as home, felt like relieve. Jade always offered to pay him some psychiatrist appointments, because not a single thing from his discourse sounded sane for her.

Who the heck would possibly feel constantly happy, mainly not knowing if there would be a roof above his head next morning? Her thoughts on Hoseok were so low, that after hearing he bragging about fucking with a girl only to sleep at her place, Jade lowered even more the standards for him.

However, that morning something happened, a situation which her mechanic had guaranteed wouldn’t happen so soon: the car broke. Something about a fan inside engines. She couldn’t rationalize what was happening with the automobile, not whilst trying to run and get a bus to downtown. By the way, not knowing the schedule to public transportation can kill any tight routine, and Jade found it out quite late, literally, her shift began at 9 a.m and by 8h45 a.m she was not even close to get there.

Working as a hospital receptionist, punctualism was a must, which was Jade’s forte. She hardly arrived late for any occasion, missing a day of work? Not even in her wildest dreams. Mainly in an important day, like when the boss scheduled to pay a visit and check if his investments were in good (read responsible) hands.

What were the odds? Murphy’s Laws are a bitch. Jade hated with all heart The Chaos Theory, mainly watching years of good work ruining in front of her eyes, as 9h45 approached and she was still seating still on one of the subway’s benches. Her receptionist co-worker texting and asking where the fuck she was, quit reading them after replying three and feeling desperation racing the heart, making it pound against her ribcage.

Every functioning speaker inside the wagon announced an emergency stop, ‘cuz apparently someone decided that rush hour was an appropriate moment to jump in the rail tracks. 10h12 a.m and the subway began moving again. Jade melting on her seat.

In the moment she arrived in her station, Jade jumped off the wagon and ran with every remained trace of oxygen. Driving a car, and counting on the traffic jam, she would have had arrived in 45 minutes, even with accidents and SNOW she never took over 2 hours to get at the hospital.

After sitting on her desk and gaining a very intimidating stare from the co-worker, Jade began turning the computer on and answering calls. She wanted to act as nothing odd have had happened, working hard to compensate the delay. Typing faster than ever, scheduling examinations and MRIs, some x-rays, also paying attention everyone arriving and asking for directions. Her determination was admirable, but things never were purely good, not in such a shitty day.

Between schedules and calls, Jade took a look on the Excel spreadsheet and the agenda she noticed a BIG FAT mistake. When arrived and desperately began working, she forgot to check which day was marked on the page she began typing the examinations and appointments, after two hours nonstop Jade realized that everything were written and scheduled for the day before. Conclusion: all the work worthed nothing and she spent her shift fixing everything.

The boss was nowhere near happy with all delay and asked Jade’s manager about her performance. It was no secret that Mindy disliked Jade, but no one would ever imagine the woman lying by criticizing nonexistent flaws, such as constant lateness and rudeness against patients, and about incompetence. Well, he took her dirty words for granted and didn’t even bother in asking for more than one opinion.

To put it shortly: Jade was no longer a St.Bartholomew's employee.

Jade left the building feeling anger consuming every pore and cell inside her body. Five years, not five months. FIVE FUCKING YEARS living, breathing, eating and existing around working for St.Bartholomew and suddenly a shitty day was enough to be kicked out, as if every extra shift and hard working, good execution and quick learning meant nothing.

Ok, maybe she wasn’t the best co-worker. Possibly a bit rude sometimes. Hardly joined everyone in get-togethers or lunches. Never contributed in paying birthday cakes (or joined the choir when Happy Birthday began), but at least Jade always replied the “good morning”, “good afternoon” and “good night” proffered to her. So what she barely answered texts? Or befriended almost no one, except for the security guard, from there? Not everyone is a social butterfly such as Hoseok, she had close friends and were glad with them.

Also, you don’t get a prize or ‘Best Co-worker Award’, but working hard would always turn into remunerated vacations. Who would even think that treating people with indifference can actually hurt them? What is she now? Dr.Phill? Oprah?

While furiously wandering around the avenue, Jade figured that a huge glass of Martini would help. No! Not a Martini, but a whole bottle of wine and Cup Noodles, watching thoroughly some high-quality Netflix content. Maybe inviting friends over? No, not friends, she wanted distance from humankind for a few hours.

- x - x - x - x -

Jade was walking to Walmart, when someone began calling her name. She searched for whoever that was (possibly wishing to punch that person), but got startled in the moment Shmailah appeared from inside the shoes store beside her, carrying a huge bag. They hugged and the conversation started, whilst looking for a bar or pub.

– What a shitty day, Jadie. - Shims said caressing her friend’s back, watching her swallow in one long sip a cup of vodka. - Let me pay your drink, you deserve some comfort now.

– I still have money, Shims. - Jade said and grinned, even wishing to sink down in a whole gallon of hard liquor. - But if you really want to pay me something, then next month you can take charge of a few bills.

– Don’t be silly, you’ll find another job like that. - The girl with dark hair and shiny eyes said, snapping fingers and smiling, sipping on her chocolate milkshake right after.

The music playing around them was calming, rhythm soothing and healing, if the words sang repeatedly weren’t so painful and sad, then the ambience would feel even romantic. Whoever were the responsible could fucking drown with Jade and her good mood, since she was feeling like a whole dumpster and the voice’s owner was probably someone quite sensitive.

– I’m going to punch that man singing. He is making me feel sad and lonely. - Jade said and took a short sip on the vodka. - Somehow his voice is making me want to start dating someone, only to break up and say those words along. Music is powerful, dude.

– He is also quite cute. - Shims uttered looking in the small and darkened stage, glaring at a small, skinny, black-haired, korean guy with noticeable cute cheeks, playing his guitar and singing with soul and body. - Ugh, whoever cheated on him probably didn’t see it coming. What a sad song.

– We are so much better. - The small korean guy sang, a deep voice astounding those who paid attention. - When we are, not together.

Jade looked back, trying not to fall from the chair and stared at where Shims was also looking. Indeed, he was cute, talented and kind of hot… Wait a second, Shmaillah never said anything about him being hot. Maybe Jade was already lightheaded, so brand new unannounced information popped up inside her head like internet pop-ups, or Youtube advertisements.

Employed Jade would never drink at 5 p.m and think dirty stuff about someone unknown at 6 p.m. What a turn of events in less than 24 hours, huh?

– Shims, can you please help me go there and give him money? - Jade asked raising one eyebrow. - I want so bad to give him something, and I think money wouldn’t be considered harassment.

– Jadie, we can totally go there, but please stop drinking, it’s your second cup and you’re already planning to get laid with someone you know nothing about. - The dark-haired woman said seriously and smiled, not leaving traces of tension. - Two more cups and you’ll be starting to consider raising kids with him.

– Our children would look great, ok? - Jade said laughing and finishing her second cup of vodka, still staring at the singer.

They kept on talking, well, Shims started commenting on something about Hoseok. Apparently the redheaded man is now dating some guy he met during one his classes in an University (Jade didn’t even knew Hoseok graduated in something other than High School). Someone named Taemin and also a great dancer. Jade moved her glare from “The Singer” only to login in Facebook and find Hobi’s new boyfriend.

It’s not like Jade was surprised Hoseok was dating. They met during High School, and beside all differences, their friendship lasted long and remained even after so many years. Not surprisingly, the group began growing considerably with Hobi inviting Taehyung, who brought his love interest together, Shims, which introduced them to Taylor, Zariah, Robin, DiLayla, Bárbara and Emerson, she who had been dating Kim Namjoon, a friend of Seokjin, Jungkook and Jimin, whose great humour ended up mingling well and becoming part of the pack.

Whoever decided to understand their group of friends from an outsider perspective, would probably go nuts, because not even them understood. Also, their relationship was complicated, basically, everyone at some point kissed everyone, except for the long lasting couple Emerson and Namjoon. The greatest bacchanal began when Taehyung and Shims broke up for the first time and he made a move towards Di, they kissed, but never ignited a make-out session. Shims would never be left behind and called Jin, who was fighting with Zariah (his significant other, and possibly the closest person).

Shortening a long and rather intrincated story: Jin is now engaged to DiLayla, Jimin and Robin got surprisingly closer, Shims and Taehyung are still together, Namjoon and Emerson is the unproblematic couple, Zariah is dating someone called Bang Chan (she never formally introduced him, so he is not officially part of The Chaos Club), Taylor even denying is totally dating Jungkook, and Bárbara is with someone called Lisa, an actress who spends more time in Korea than in New York. Jade had a short affair with Jimin, but the man liked Binnie way too much. She also dated for a long time someone called Calum, and after the breakup decided to focus on her career.

While Shims kept on discussing the probabilities of Hoseok remaining into that relationship for longer than two months, Jade was far and deep inside her own mind, tangling herself between thoughts and drunk fantasies, “The Singer” somehow appeared as well, his voice working as the narrator for whatever she was thinking.

– It’s been so long every since I felt something other than indignation towards Hoseok. - Jade pronounced out loud, with a bass voice, imitating “The Singer”.

– What? - Shims questioned chuckling.

– Sorry, I was thinking out loud… With another voice in my head. - Jade explained and brushed off. - But I'm serious, I broke up with Calum four years ago and every since then I never felt another warm sensation other than tears, whilst watching some emotional crap on Netflix. I went to dates with some dudes, but things never… You know, never made my heart beat faster and all that romantic and lovey dovey stuff.

– Complicated. - Shims furrowed her eyebrows, raising them in an arc seconds later. - The Singer stopped singing and is taking a break. It's now or never. - She pushed Jade's chair and watched the woman trying to let her long dark-blonde hair down.

– I don't know what to say. Should I buy him a drink? - Jade questioned worried sick and smoothing out her clothes, and obviously trying to procrastinate. She just got fired and felt touched by a sad song, it’s not like Jade actually wanted to go on a date, maybe get laid, but not while feeling emotionally wrecked and confused.

Fuck. Jade wanted to chicken out, but something on Shims eyes seemed very intimidating and without realizing, her legs began working on their own, guiding a half-drunk woman in The Singer’s direction.

There he was. Standing beside the stage with a glass of wine on one hand and checking his cellphone. His black hair fell like a sheer, soft-looking curtain on his forehead covering a bit of his small and dark eyes. A big black shirt with long-sleeves folded to the elbows, jeans painted the same colour, with trenched knees, and a dirty pair of Vans. Ok, the man seemed even hotter staring him closer. Jade wanted to run and have four more drinks before going home, but before she could escape, he looked up and saw a woman looking at him, without blinking.

– Can I help you? - He asked with a voice as soft as his hair, no trace of accent found.

– Hmm, Jade. - The woman said, trying desperately to find coherent words, but only facing a HUGE URGE to use her long hair like a cocoon, hiding and only leaving when butterfly wings grew on her back. - I mean, my name is Jade.

– Nice to meet you, Jade. - The man said and binned his cellphone in one of the back pockets. - My name is Min Yoongi. Can I help you with something? Like teaching you how to blink.

– What? - Jade raised her eyebrows and blinked a few times before smiling and slowly remembering how to act like a proper adult, not a drunk grown up, which was her actual situation. - Sorry about that. You’re a really good singer. Is that song yours?

Min Yoongi smiled, a gummy and cute smile. He sat down on the stage and patted the wood beside, inviting a very flustered Jade to join him. That simple action made the blood before accumulated on her body flow straight to her cheeks, warming the whole face. Nevetheless, she took the place beside the skinny man.

– Thank you. And no, the songs I chose for today aren’t mine. - Yoongi proffered, looking at Jade. - They are from a korean band called NELL. I do compose, though.

– You are hot and talented, of course you also compose. - Jade almost bit her tongue after letting those words accidentally escape. - Sorry. I’m visibly punchy and pissed off at the St.Bartholomew’s Hospital.

– Thank you and I’m sorry, I guess. - Yoongi said, not knowing exactly what to say, but feeling his cheeks getting warmer. - Well, I only have to sing for more ten minutes and then I’m free. Do you want to talk about it, whilst drinking a soda? I ain’t gonna pay you more alcohol, or you’d become a walking fire hazard.

– Deal. - She said and stood up, shaking hands with Yoongi and walking in the bar’s direction, flustered and internally panicking, leaving a smiley man behind.

Jade made her best to sit beside Shims and not fall. Yoongi was clearly staring, so slumping to the ground would be rather embarrassing. She stayed silent, ‘til listening to his voice singing again, then turned to her friend and began speaking.

– I was about to ask if you wanted me to help you getting home safe and sound, but now I’ll just casually leave. - Shims chuckled and touched her shoulder. - I ain’t gonna third wheel your first date in ages.

– Shims! I’m not in condition of dealing with such a cute and hot guy! - Jade was still tipsy and holding the tears. - My plan before meeting you was to buy a ton of Cup Noodles and wine, so I could mildew alone at home. You can’t leave me with him! I strongly doubt someone would ever feel attracted to a grown ass woman whining and sobbing.

– See, Jade, I will stand up, pay my bar tab and leave. - The dark-haired woman said while petting her friend’s arm. - You can do whatever seems right. If running for your life sounds better than speaking to someone so talented and sweet, then go for it.

– Thank you. That’s exactly what I’ll do. - Jade told and stood up after grabbing a twenty dollar bill and some dimes inside her pocket, throwing everything on the counter, trying to leave without stumbling and falling, being followed by a giggly Shims.

- x - x - x - x -

Unsurprisingly, in the moment Jade arrived at home with four chicken-flavoured Cup Noodles and box of wine, she immediately felt regret for leaving the bar. Placing all the food on the kitchen table, she dragger herself to one sofa, laying heavily there.

– What the fuck? - Jade questioned staring at the ceiling. - Why such a shitty day? What the actual fuck, God? Not a single good thing happened to me! I know I’m not the most interesting human being walking on earth, but I certainly don’t deserve to be punished twice in a single day. - She turned to one side, looking at the TV and seeing her reflection there, shrunk in a fetal position. - Great, now I’m speaking to myself. Unemployed and crazy. Even worse. Unemployed, crazy and definitely not getting some.

Weary of staring at her own misery reflected on the turned off TV, Jade decided to stick to the original plan: eat Cup Noodles, drink wine and watch as many cliche, lameass rom coms as she could find on Netflix.

It’s The Notebook night, bitch.

…

– WHY ARE YOU SO MEAN, MR.DARCY? - Jade yelled at the TV, accidentally dropping one of the chopsticks, a bunch of used and new tissues around her tiny figure in comparison to the huge sofa. - Elizabeth loves you! True love is a total lie.

She was sobbing in a pool of self-pity and tears, some of them drying on her cheeks, some just bathing her old pajama t-shirt (a very ancient Bananas in Pajamas one). Totally fed after consecutively gulping down two Cup Noodles and three glasses full of wine, considering the idea of ordering some pizza and a male stripper.

– Goddamn Lord. That Yoongi guy ruined me. - Jade thought out loud, after picturing herself calling somewhere with strippers. - Before listening to his depressive songs and staring at his cute eyes and cheeks, I was satisfied with my nonexistent romantic life, now I’m considering the idea of nurturing a very dirty business. What the fuck? Why am I talking to myself again? Gosh, I better stop drinking. - She placed her glass on the coffee table, but not before chugging the wine.

Jade knew that “The Self-care night” was pure bullshit. She wished to avoid at every cost thinking about her day. Rationalizing all the occurred would make her feel desperate and sad, a bit anxious as well.

Stability. That’s exactly what Jade looked for her whole life. A settle down lifestyle, without worrying about money or having a roof above her head.

After leaving her parents home and going to college, she defined as a goal to live comfortably somewhere secure, with a good job and being able to eat, sleep, spend a bit more without losing her mind over lack of money. Stability, she found it and established in a small apartment, working everyday and slowly acquiring more and more stuff.

Most people considered her lifestyle a bit boring. Not even a single worry. Nothing different happening. No adventures. The friends admired her strength and how hard Jade worked, but would never trade some of their “easy struggles” for her settled living. It was incredibly predictable and perfect. Completely opposite to what Hoseok lived by. The young man took YOLO way too seriously and constantly found himself drowning in debts, but somehow also always gained money paying everything and going back to exploring what life had to give.

Totally opposites. Two different polarities from a same magnet. Although, in such a complicated situation Hoseok was always the first person Jade thought about calling. They knew each other for long enough to trust and deal with their differences as well as with similarities.

After the end scenes of Pride and Prejudice, Jade grabbed her cellphone and still sobbing dialed Hoseok’s number, hoping he could answer the call and chat a little bit.

– Hey, Jeed. - Hoseok picked up and said happily, as always. A loud music playing around him. - What’s up? Everything is smooth and soothe?

– Hey Hobi. - Jade tried to speak without crying, but thinking about the current situation made a sobbing mess of her. - Everything is shitty. So shitty. Oh Hobi, my life is ruining like Constantinople!

– Calm down, my friend. - He asked, voice soft and sweet as a sunny day of summer. Loud music still could be heard, slightly fading as Hoseok walked far from where he originally was. - Tell me what happened, don’t spare details, you know I love them.

– Aren’t you busy? I can hear a loud EDM music. Are you working on any dance academy? Or worse, were you busy WITH Taemin? - Jade questioned feeling a bit of guilt filling her guts.

– Don’t worry, Jeed. I’m in a party, some friend of mine took a job as DJ and invited me to prestige his work. Nothing new, I attend to gigs like that almost everyday. - Hoseok uttered, still using his sunny sounding voice. - Now tell me, what happened?

– If you insist… - She sighed and poured some more wine, ignoring her own promise of stop drinking. - I was fired from my job on that hospital, St.Bartholomew. But before being dismissed, my day began shitty when the car broke and I took public transportation. Traffic jam, accident in an avenue, someone tossed itself on the rails making me two hours late. I fucked up some Excel sheets and scheduled appointments, my boss was there checking if everything worked alright and Mindy, the nurse and manager I commented with you that hated me, she lied and it made me get fired. Unemployed and sad. That’s how I am.

– But I feel that something else happened after being fired. Did someone hurt you? - Hoseok asked. Now Jade could no longer hear the EDM song playing as a background sound.

– Well… I met someone at a bar with Shims. - Jade felt her cheeks getting warm only by thinking about Yoongi’s voice. - I bumped on her and we decided to have some drinks to seize my pain. After two vodkas, I decided to chat with the cute guy singing there, and fuck, he was hot and invited me to drink some soda, ‘cuz he wouldn’t pay me more alcohol or, in his own words, I’d become a fire hazard. He got back on stage to finish his presentation and I ran away from that bar, even after accepting his drink offer.

– So now you’re feeling lonely and guilty? - The redheaded man questioned, she could picture him raising one eyebrow in disapproval. It made Jade grin and stop crying.

– Basically.

– Did you even ask the man’s name? Or you just said something incredibly smart, flirted a little and then made him fall for your beauty? - Again the disapproval voice, she could picture one of his eyebrows almost touching the hairline.

– I did ask, you moron. Stop assuming I was that drunk. - She cooed and looked at the wine inside her glass. - Min Yoongi.

– Ooooh! You flirted with Min Yoongi? And he didn’t turn you out? Lucky girl. - Hoseok’s sunny voice made a comeback, changing back to disapproval seconds later. - Bad news, now he probably hates you.

– I know, I would hate myself too. - Jade murmured, feeling sad again. - I wish I could talk to him again and explain everything, maybe justify all the mess.

Hoseok told Jade that he would turn off the phone, but was going to call her in a few minutes. Giggling, the redheaded demanded her to not pass out or go to sleep, receiving a very ugly word in response.

Before getting to actually know Hoseok and Jade, people would always assume they were a couple. A common mistake, considering how close and for how long they would’ve been annoying and supporting each other. Everytime one had a problem, the other would automatically try its best to solve or at least help. Monetarily (as Jade assisted Hobi so many times) or emotionally (as they used to lend a hand more often than both would ever admit).

Nevertheless, their relationship never crossed the thin line between everlasting friendship and romantic bond. What they had was so rare and unique, that even after bringing so many new friends to their “pack”, some sharing more similarities with both, Hoseok and Jade only fully trusted each other.

Despite everything mentioning, affirming and proving how strong their bond is, Hoseok and Jade indeed had REAL and SERIOUS fights. Once the argument made them stop talking to each other for almost a whole year, when they detached everything they could possibly keep in common (even mutual friendships, that’s when most couples formed actually).

During that period of time where Jade and Hobi were separated, Taylor mentioned something about ‘akai-ito’, a serie she watched with Jimin and found very intriguing. Basically, akai-ito is a thin red yarn connecting every human being, uniting mainly soulmates. Everyone shared an ‘akai-ito’ sometimes with more than one person ‘cuz it worked both with friends and romantic bond.

Apparently, the red wire connecting Hoseok and Jade never allowed them to detach forever. After one full year not even glancing in the other’s direction, he had serious problems with a girlfriend and needed somewhere to stay, specifically a place where Ellie wouldn’t even imagine where. Watching her friend desperate and begging for forgiveness, Jade felt the heart melt a little and things got back on track.

While Jade choose what she wanted to watch next (something between 17 Again and Marley & Me), Hoseok called back.

– Why did you turn off the call? - Jade inquired still tracking something good to watch on Netflix.

– Well, you want to apologize and ask for Yoongi hyung’s forgiveness, right? - Hobi said and before she could even think about replying, he continued gladly. - Well, it’s your lucky day. Guess who is the DJ friend I mentioned previously?

–You’ve got to be kidding me! - She dropped the remote control and stared blankly at one white wall. - Is it a prank? I’m sad, Hoseok. It’s not cool to play with someone’s sadness.

– Hi Jade. - A cold well known voice said on the other end. - It’s Min Yoongi, or the guy you dumped earlier.

In that moment Jade froze, not knowing what to say. When she began venting about Yoongi with Hoseok a few minutes earlier, Jade was still beginning to think about what could be said as an apology. Whilst holding her phone and trying not to cry again, the woman risked to gather some coherent words again.

– Min Yoongi. I’m surprised to hear your voice. - She pronounced and regretted immediately, aware that her words and tone sounded as if he were the guilt one. - I’m sorry, I sounded cocky and I’m actually so insecure about that call, because as you may know, or not since Hoseok is a complete scumbag, I wasn’t expecting to put together so soon a whole apology for what I did earlier. Like, I never intended to accept and dump you, I didn’t even know you earlier and I was sad, recently unemployed, a bit horny and tipsy. So yeah, Hoseok isn’t the only scumbag, I’m the whole trash can. Sorry. I’m really sorry and I drank half a box of wine and my mind is blurry, but I’m sorry for sure. Hope you can forgive me, or at least consider the idea before dumping it like I did with your soda invitation. Right now I’m a fire hazar…

– Ok, can you please let me talk? - Yoongi demanded, still sounding cold, or it could be only Jade’s insecurity, since she heard his talking voice for five minutes and couldn’t possibly know how to differ happy from bored Min Yoongi. - Hoseok may be a scumbag sometimes, and he slapped me for saying that, but yeah he is also a very cool guy, which used his friendship with me to explain your situation. See, I’m still feeling my ego ache a little, but considering everything you went through earlier, then I can forgive you, under one condition...

– That’s alright. I’ll never call Hoseok a scumbag again. - She declared and then realized Yoongi didn’t finish to say what he wanted. - It’s your condition, right? Not calling Hoseok a scumbag again.

– No, it’s not. Two conditions now, nothing related to Hoseok, though. - Yoongi’s voice sounded less irritated. - One, you have to make me a proper dinner invitation, and two, don’t interrupt me while I speak. It’s annoying.

– Oh, ok. Shall I get your phone number so the dinner details can be discussed with more compromise? - Jade asked in a flirty tone.

– Not a problem, I’ll send you my phone number through Hobi’s phone. - Yoongi stated with also a flirty voice. - Thank you for the apology. Bye, Jade.

Yoongi turned off the call and a few minutes later a message made her mobile ring. Hoseok sent a phone number. Jade took no time in saving and texting him something cool:

‘Hey bro. Sup? What will it be? McDonald’s or Burger King?’

‘It’s not proper. Or an invitation. Try again, Jade’

- x - x - x - x -

– It's dumb! - Jade said and grabbed Yoongi's fist, trying to open it. - You can't and won't put an olive inside your nose! Not under my watch.

– Come on, Jade! Hoseok once tried to put a dollar dime in there and surprisingly it fitted. An olive is easy and greased. - Yoongi chuckled, closing his fist even harder and watching the woman beginning to scratch every piece of skin exposed. - He was high, but who cares? HE INSERTED A COIN IN HIS NOSE.

– Stop yelling. - She felt her cheeks getting warm with everyone around them staring. Maybe having a “casual date” somewhere fancy wasn't a good idea. - I know Hoseok did it. When we were in high school someone doubted he could make a condom pass from his nose to his mouth. He almost choked on the latex but won a bet. You really shouldn't base on Hobi’s personal experiences to define what you can or cannot do. Mainly when it comes to inserting stuff in any body cavity.

– That phrase wasn't well planned. - Yoongi chuckled and when it clicked, Jade felt her face getting even warmer. - You convinced me of not testing my nostril flexibility. Shall we order? Or shall we pay for the breadsticks we consumed and go grab something at In ‘N’ Out?

– Honestly? I’m still unemployed and there are no job offers in sight, so In ‘N’ Out seems financially better for me. - Jade cooed staring at the menu. - The cheapest dinner course here can pay two combos in any fast food place.

Leaving the restaurant, Yoongi and Jade felt light. Mood couldn't be better, without tension or alcohol involved their conversation. It was endearing and scary. They had a great and, if I may say, cliche connection. Completing each other’s phrases and blushing whenever their looks crossed, fingers “accidentally” brushing. The woman felt like everything was a romcom, and couldn’t be more gleeful.

Before meeting and having that great date, they texted each other for two days straight, trying to relocate Yoongi’s scheduled gigs and work in a music studio (apparently, he not only composes, but also produces, sing and can rap. What a package, Ma’am). After a lot of talking, he decided to leave the studio earlier and spend a whole night beside her.

Going out with someone she actually enjoyed the company felt weird. Jade decided to focus on a successful career and comfortable life rather than romance, so after breaking up with her boyfriend no one else really appealed. A couple of one night stands, but nothing serious or swore to last.

Therefore, Yoongi appeared.

Jade was far from being in love with Min Yoongi, but would never deny that his texts were funny, and himself was a delight to speak. Somehow his sarcastic nature and cute face completed a perfect combo, and the woman could spend hours staring at how Yoongi’s cheeks seemed always filled with marshmellows, or how some words were pronounced with a pout on lips. The gummy smile, that memorable gummy smile.

…

They ordered some burgers and fries from In ‘N’ Out, deciding to eat somewhere else. Yoongi invited Jade to his place, so the dinner could happen for free on his roof, under stars and moon.

Yoongi’s appartement was small and cozy, with blueish LED lights against dark blue walls, making the room seen smaller, and a huge black leather sofa. Whilst grabbing some blankets and pillows to cover the floor, he mentioned that his favourite thing about there was actually the soundsystem and soundproof walls, which were the first two things installed when he finally got enough money.

– I was 24 and Lenny Kravitz paid for one of my compositions. - Yoongi bragged and opened the stairs door, guiding Jade up to the last floor. - Of course only Lenny’s wage didn’t pay it all alone. I saved every sight of money I could and, it’s a secret, skipped several meals, only to eat less. Now I can totally live off what I receive from the studio, but singing in pubs and bars is fun.

– Inspiring. I would never give up the opportunity of having a definitive work, even with my family, to live such a crazy dream in a whole another country. - Jade said, trying to breathe calmly after climbing four sets of stairs. - You left Korea, knowing a bit of english and basically made your life here? Without any help? Inspiring, truly inspiring.

– I won’t play humble. It was hard and lonely, until I met Jung Hoseok. We shared the rent several times. - Yoongi smiled and finally opened the rooftop door.

The rooftop wasn’t incredible. It had some plants and flowers being cultivated here and there, old and rusty benches, but in the middle of everything could be seem a small clean space.

– I guessed you wouldn’t actually want to have dinner somewhere fancy, so I paid Mr.Edwards, better known as my Landlord, to clean a small piece of the rooftop. - Yoongi murmured, hiding his cheeks and embarrassment. - Hoseok said I was crazy, that you would never accept to leave Olive Garden to eat some takeout here. According, and I quote his words, you are way too dependent of comfort and boring adult conventions to live such a childish experience.

– Can I call him scumbag? - Jade questioned feeling flustered and gaining a gummy, also flustered, smile from Yoongi.

Hoseok wasn’t completely wrong, though. Jade hated to leave the comfort of a restaurant and, of course, would never imagine herself eating junk food on a rooftop full of barely recognizable plants. She valued the stability and predictability from certain situations, mainly over scenarios where something could go deadly wrong.

What were the odds, though? She was unemployed and if ever allowed herself to have complete meals in expensive places, would run out of money shortly after. The idea of being so unstable freaked Jade out, but as the tough woman she became, admitting wasn’t even an option.

Years working and leaving night outs early, all with the finality of being a good employee. Her happy and borderline boring life depended on that job. Losing it resulted in anxiety attacks for two nights in a row and liters of tears, desperate sobs and a feeling of failure, deep down.

Jade became her work.

Focusing on Jade’s expression, Yoongi captured a feeling of emptiness. As if her happiness was only a momentum situation, not constant. Every time the woman lost herself in a sorrow brain and waves of thoughts, the beautiful eyes got opaque and sad, shortly after brushing it off and desperately trying to hide how far she actually looked. I mean, a body was definitely sitting beside Min Yoongi, but the mind would go and come back, an ocean-like motion.

– How don't you get motion sick? - Yoongi questioned, still staring at Jade. He took a bite from his burger and chewed, focusing on the city lights.

– What do you mean? - Jade answered with another question, dipping a fry on a small puddle of ketchup.

– Your mind. It seems so work like a sea. - He replied and turned to look at her. - I can see by looking into your eyes. You think about what's bragging in waves, focusing on that sorrow subject and distracting, going back and then letting go again. Waves. I'd totally feel nauseous.

– Well, I do get nauseated sometimes. Whenever the waves become tsunamis, my stomach flips. - The woman answered and took a sip from the soda.

– You are thinking about your old job aren't you? - He cocked his head to the side.

– I don't know. I don't feel comfortable about venting. - Jade couldn't look straight at Yoongi, flustered with the idea of telling him what passes through her mind. - But you seem like someone reliable. See, I always loved feeling secure and stable. The stability of having a job, a tight routine and security of earning enough to pay all my bills loosely, nothing ever felt better. My parents always had problems with money and a house, so leaving their wings and spreading my own, being able to construct a boring yet safe life became my main goal.

“I am independent by nature, safety doesn't mean having someone to stand by me, but owning a whole fucking place to warm me up during cold winters. A house, or apartment, with walls and somewhere to cook. I felt complete. Now everything is confusing. I don't know if I'll be able to pay my rent in two months. Instability is a nightmare.”

Yoongi wasn't sure about what to do. Should he hug? Tap her shoulder? Caress her back? Kiss Jade? Suck her sadness out by the tongue? Oh, it's taking a whole different turn, which he never intended in taking.

In fact, Yoongi felt a sort of attraction towards Jade. Who wouldn't feel? A great, independent, smart, attractive and funny woman, in her own way, also unique and deeply interesting. Her passion was admirable, reminded Yoongi of himself.

When they first met, at the bar, Yoongi thought she was beautiful, even a bit punchy, and honestly wanted to pay her something to drink (even considering the idea of buying stuff in trade of physical contact was narrow, edging old-minded). He felt offended when Jade left, literally running away.

He felt surprised when Hoseok appeared with his phone in hands and babbling about a friend, specifically a girl who dumped him in a bar and was now regretting it. At first Yoongi wanted to ignore Jade, but her day seemed to end pretty shitty. Why not to give another shot?

Gladly he did.

– I'm afraid of compromise. - Yoongi murmured, trying to make Jade listen, but not wanting it at the same time.

– Well, it's not something bad. - Jade slide her hand closer to his on the blanket, slightly touching pinkies. - I don't have problems with compromise, as long as they don't disturb my routine.

– You don't get it. I like going out with people, but engaging in a romantic relationship frightens me up. - He still murmured, but now a little louder. - Making a relationship work isn't a piece of cake. Not for me. I understand when you say your priority is working and becoming stable. I think exactly the same. Ugh, it's so lonely to live like I do, but producing songs have always been my dream...

Jade got courage and ran her fingers along Yoongi’s, intertwining them. Both blushed and grinned. Slowly, and unsure, the man turned around and bent a little, brushing his soft lips against Jade's cheek. She made the same movements, but intentionally kissing him. A small and shy peck.

Like magic working through their veins, Yoongi rested his hand on Jade's cheek, deepening the kiss. In a slow pace, they putted the food away and laid down, trading smooches and pecks, with no intention of going further. His body on top of hers, under moonlight and stars.

They stayed there, in a comfortable silence for a long time. Watching the moon and trying to forget problems and outside world.

- x - x - x - x -

Three months later, Yoongi and Jade were still seeing each other quite often. Suiting his frighten of compromise, they never meant to label what kind of bond were shared.

Yoongi helped Jade to improve her resume, with some editing and a bit more of detail, no one could possibly deny a job. One month after their “unofficial date”, she was hired by a newspaper as a receptionist and occasional movie critic (She sent her opinion and whenever it sounded coherent, they published and paid an extra).

Her obsession with stability and security remained, but now sharing worries and struggles with someone special.

Hoseok proudly took credit for reuniting them after the bar fiasco. Shims disagreed saying their akai-ito tied in the moment she and Jade entered that bar and coincidentally where Yoongi was singing.

The Chaos Club decided to reunite somewhere fun (or the bar Yoongi and Jade first met), have a few drinks and talk about life, listen to some new stories from Hoseok, and turn Yoongi officially a new member of their pack.

Taylor held hands right with Jungkook, Robin and Jimin were indeed together, Emerson and Namjoon kept their title as Unproblematic Couple, Zariah and Bang Chan had bickerings but remained as a couple, Jin and Di were still engaged, but now planning their wedding party and preparing to invite their best men and maid of honour. Bárbara was glad, almost morphing into Lisa through a hug. Shims and Taehyung were throwing bread crumbs on each other, but occasionally stopping to say something sweet, teasing and starting all over again. Hoseok was surprisingly quiet, whispering things on Taemin’s ear.

The loud speaking and confusion stopped when Jade and Yoongi appeared, getting in the bar holding hands and laughing at something she said. His work finished an hour earlier, but he showed at her job and made company until she could leave as well.

In the moment the couple settled down and ordered some drinks, Hoseok showed up with a closed umbrella.

– Can I start the acceptance ceremony? We have to celebrate their unlabeled relationship! - Jung Hoseok pronounced and stared at his friends, and boyfriend (already accepted as a Chaos Club member), Taemin.

– Just go, Jung. - Yoongi said, rolling his eyes.

– You cannot tell me what or not to do, yet, Min. - Hoseok mocked and raising an eyebrow in fake disapproval.

– Then I can. Just go, Jung. - Jade told harshly, but smiled innocently right after.

– Now that an official Chaos Club said it, I can start. - He cleared his throat and began talking. - Today, my fellows and lover, we are willing and ready to accept a new member to our family, our club, our escape of human average intelligence and cheap humour, The Chaos Club. Here we have Min Yoongi, Jade's partner in crime, and a friend of mine. Do anyone have any problems or anything to add? Is anyone against his addition to our deary club of friends? - Not a single word, everybody just smiled at how theatrical Hoseok seemed holding the umbrella like a sword. - Since not a soul disagreed with my words, I proclaim Min Yoongi as a member from The Chaos Club. - He touched both Yoongi’s shoulders with the umbrella. - Now everybody drink a shot of tequila in honour of this historical moment. Cheers!

Everybody took in one sip the previously poured tequila. Jade and Yoongi smiled widely and kissed, getting their crowd to applause their action.

Jade and Yoongi were now officially together.

- x - x - x - x -

P:S I love you x

[poeticsandaliens]

Spider Eggs

Disclaimer: I wasn’t going to come back to post-MS IV, but I wound up having absolutely nothing to do today, and I needed to write something in between my typical Will-angst and the utter fluff I’ve been reading. Ergo, another weird MSR vignette.

Rating: PG-13

Timeline: Post MS-IV (Yep. Still in this universe.)

Summary: Scully shares her pregnancy with a spider and her eggs, in a strange but fitting friendship.

Tagging @today-in-fic.

The wood pile rotting in their backyard plays host to a society of the Virginia suburbs’ most unwanted. Mulder likes to think they chose this house on purpose, the old-but-still-kicking home of FBI rejects and the sometimes-home of a superhero who doesn’t want to be. Three people whom even death turned away.

Scully lets a raccoon scuffle about as long as it stays away from the house. She tolerates garter snakes and even the stag that munches on their garden. But it’s the black widow spider, tucked into a shadowy corner of the wood pile that fascinates her. She keeps her distance—she’s isn’t stupid—but she watches it craft an immaculate mess of a web. A perfectly disordered home.

One evening in July, the egg sac takes her by surprise. A tight little ball of twine nestled in the corner of the web. Always polite, Scully offers her congratulations.

She’s pretty sure that one typically shares one’s pregnancy with other women—women from mommy blogs and well-timed doctors’ appointments, not a venomous spider she found in the backyard. She has also stopped caring what people typically do—a side effect of twenty-five years with Fox ‘Spooky’ Mulder and of being at least fifteen years older than the couples they see in the obstetrician’s waiting room.

Scully bears her heart to the eight-legged companion. It makes sense, somehow. She carries a cocktail of emotions that only a spider would understand—dancing on fragile strings, catching meals on the fly. Like a spider, she hunts and is hunted her entire life. It’s a wonder she and Mulder were never squished under an old man’s combat boot. It’s a wonder he never crushed their bodies with a dead cigarette and left them dismembered on a grocery store sidewalk for some child to gawk at, scarlet hourglass shining flat on the asphalt.

When Melissa was ten years old, a black widow bit her arm while she was playing in the holly bushes, and Ahab rushed her to the emergency room. They pumped her full of an antidote and sent her home, promising that after a few days of nausea and low fever, she would be fine. For such an infamous creature, the black widow’s attack was strangely underwhelming.

Scully overlooks the crack between two decrepit boards where the spider has built its family. She sips an extra-large lemonate from the gas station down the street. She resents how awkwardly she moves through the tall grass, keys in one hand and soda in the other, her still-small baby bump cumbersome even now. In the isolation of their middle-of-nowhere home, she wants to be vocally proud of her unborn child, and she wants someone to listen.

“Hey, Missy,” she says, stopping ten feet from the spider and her eggs. At first, she wondered if it was inappropriate to name it Missy, but this is how she honors her sister because if Missy were here, she would share share in this strange experience. If Missy were to be reincarnated, she would love to come back as a spider.

The spider crawls lazily into the light, teetering on the upper strand of its web. There it stills. Its hourglass glints in the sun.

“We haven’t spoken since the twenty week appointment,” Scully begins to ramble. “It’s a healthy baby, but with my age and my medical history I’m afraid to be optimistic. Will came by the other day, and he seems excited by the prospect of a baby sister. I think it makes him hopeful, and every time he smiles, the guilt wears off a little bit. It’s strange and awkward with him. It’s strange and awkward to be pregnant again. Everything is awkward, but I’m getting used to it.”

Today is the first day she’s stopped feeling as though her life is a haunted house, an endless stretch of waiting for something awful to jump out at you. To spin around and find a horrifying creature chasing you with a chainsaw like a fucking Halloween movie.

Mulder helps. He looks at her like she netted the moon and hung it over his bed. He touches her gingerly, with unadulterated amazement, as if she rode into his life in a UFO and her body is made of gypsy moths, fleeting and velvet-soft. Like the moths beneath their porch light, she is bordering on clumsily large, although in coming months she’ll not so much flutter as waddle.

The spider retreats back into its web and crouches over its egg sac. Scully envies its slow grace. She hopes she remains as elegant as Missy, as quietly confident in her ability to protect her children from harm. Scully likes to think she has a dangerous bite, deadly to anyone who tries to hurt her son or her unborn daughter. She has bitten like Missy in the past, with her firearm. Too many times, she’s had to bite.

She tells Missy, “I hope your family is healthy. You chose a nice home; any closer to the house and we might have to relocate you. I don’t think your babies would like ours very much.” She chuckles softly and dares to touch the curve of her abdomen. Dares to believe she’ll have a baby and not a tragedy. Sometimes, it hurts too much to be skeptical.

She wishes Missy a happy evening and goes inside.

Autumn arrives, and with it the spider’s inexorable death. She didn’t really consider this part. The part where befriending a spider would inevitably end in her standing teary-eyed before the empty web and it’s stiff exoskeleton hourglass-up in the grass. She is a scientist. She’s read Charlotte’s Web. She knows how these things go. That doesn’t stop her overflowing hormones or the stupid tendency of humans to anthropomorphize everything they speak to.

Standing next to her, Mulder pulls her into a hug. “I’m sorry, Scully. I didn’t know she was that important to you.”

“I didn’t either,” Scully sniffs. She allows herself a weepy laugh. “I feel silly.”

“No,” Mulder tilts her chin and kisses her. “Never silly.”

She wipes the corners of her eyes. “It’s hormones.”

“Scully,” he says, “you’re allowed to be sad over a spider. It doesn’t invalidate your grief for bigger tragedies.”

“I know…” Scully trails off. “It’s irrational, but I hoped she would live until the baby was born.” Mother to mother, creature to creature on this unforgiving planet. She took comfort in watching the egg sac bloom, the lives within it healthy and strong. Her own stomach rounded in time with the knot of spider silk. For each day the spider eggs grew, she let herself hope that something so small would survive here, in the fragile ruins of a human structure. If the spider could do it so could she, and oh, how fragile she felt. She had forgotten how small her frame had always been, how spare and wiry. She only got tougher with age.

“Scully?”

She looks up to Mulder’s concerned eyes. “Hmm?”

“Are you ready to go inside?”

It’s code for I love you. Everything is. The way he grills sandwiches in his boxers, the way he inhales the blueberry scent of her shampoo after they shower, the way he plays eighties rock so quietly it sounds like a waltz and dances her around their living room. She sees it in the way he makes love to her at sunrise, the way he rolls up her nightshirt when he thinks she’s asleep and presses his cheek to her belly, the way he worships her body as if everything and nothing has changed.

“Yes. Let’s go in,” she agrees. She clings to the smell of him—fresh grass and sawdust and the coffee she can’t drink—and together, they go inside. Before she closes the door, Scully whispers a brief, “thank you,” to Missy the poisonous spider, for the odd comforts she provided. And odd friendship was what she needed, to match the oddness blossoming in every other facet of her life.

Outside, the breeze ruffles Missy’s empty web, twitches the corpse’s legs. The trees bend; the forest churns and hums with living creatures. Insects mate and die. Life finds a way. A tiny black spider takes shelter in a knot of wood.