#The text is always similar and there is always someone who has vetted them

[low-cole-timothy]

The New Nigerian Prince

אני מופגז בבקשות ממשפחות פליסטיניות שמבקשות תרומות כדי לברוח מרצועת עזה. אבל זה כל הזמן אותו טקסט. תמיד יש מישהו שאימת את אותן משפחות.

אם אני פותח גופאנדמי עם שם גנרי ותמונה גנרית יש מצב שאני לוקח כסף מהפה של חמאס.

זה ידוע שזה הכל מכבסות הלבנת כספים של החמאס.

מה אתם אומרים?

[irritablepoe]

favourite poe hcs??

:))))

oh anon i don't think you know what you've done

okay i'll list some headcanons and then i'll make a cut and list some further headcanons which contain spoilers for my fic that i haven't published yet, so they'll be major spoilers of what's to come!! you can decide if you wanna read them before ranpo finds these out hehe >:3

(if you don't read the fic that's irrelevant tho, enjoy the hcs ^^)

also pls note these are my personal hcs you ofc don't have to agree with them :3

ok first of all poe is absolutely unscareable, he could watch any horror movie and be deeply fascinated by it rather than afraid

exceptions are when there's a scene where many people talk over each other, he gets very overstimulated by that (also like in general not only in movies)

he can hear heartbeats more sensitively than a normal human being

he has relatives in america but doesn't talk to them a lot, especially since he isolated himself after ranpo defeated him

similar to irl poe i'd say his father left and his mother died when he was young leaving him and his siblings behind - they get adopted by their aunt & uncle, tho henry and poe move out quite quickly to get their own place

used to host big events in his mansion, he is very prideful of his deduction abilities after all and he's actually quite famous for solving multiple big crimes that got a lot of attention (like scandals and stuff)

(that's why he's so bummed out when ranpo defeats him too)

karl lingered outside his mansion before poe took him in; poe realised he was injured and took him to a vet; they bonded over that and karl just stayed bc poe got him food and was comfortable to sit on

always has candy for ranpo everywhere despite not being a big fan of candy

deals with dissociation and intrusive thoughts; has problems with idealization of people (see ranpo)

has been dealing with some sort of substance addiction in his time between his duel with ranpo and his revenge part

has issues with chronic pain bc of that as well

has a raccoon plushie for karl for when he's gone

loves writing with an actual quill but has been made fun of

has some odd knowledge about the human body that might or might not be concerning

hates swimming. i mean hates. loathes, in fact.

loves to rot away in bed and think while drifting in and out of consciousness (sameee)

is always cold (uses ranpo as a heater lol)

can solve basic code

loves bitter tasting things (tea, dark chocolate, strong coffee etc)

is insecure about his face + his body in general that's why he wears his hair like that and so many layers

ok now for the spoilers (if you don't want to read further than this, ty dear anon for letting me ramble about this and ty ty for reading :3)

i love the theory that an ability manifests as a kind of response to either trauma or a major change in their life, so - my theory or hc, whatever, is that poe wasn't an ability user before he met ranpo. obviously the first time they meet ranpo doesn't know about his ability and hasn't experienced it before. poe seems to find confidence in his ability and i think he'd have mentioned it before if he'd met ranpo in a setting that would also be in relation (in terms of mysteries and stuff) to it

i'm very sure or i'd like to think poe manifested his ability as a way of escapism but also as a way of determination (drawing people into his story i mean, you can't get further in being a successful detective writer than this ability yk)

also poe was a detective before they met, i'd guess he still wrote stuff but he switched almost completely once he was defeated by ranpo and barely solved any crimes anymore (maybe only over text or sth idk)

all this results ofc in a feeling of inferiority in poe who before ranpo came along was probably quite prideful - which leads me to believe he thinks of ranpo as a rival that has corrupted his mind but also as someone he is thankful for, which makes all of this wayyyy more complicated than it seems on the surface

poe thinks he's tied to ranpo and therefore cannot say no to him or pretend for long enough that he doesn't care; he actively puts himself in situations he doesn't like bc of ranpo and helps him when he really doesn't have to - he could just walk away. but he doesn't

he also exclusively uses his ability for or against ranpo, we've not seen him use it outside of it and tbh i don't think he's ever used it otherwise (except when it manifested, tho i don't know how it could've manifested tbh. like how do you find sth like this out?)

in my fic henry (his brother) knows at least a fraction of all this and asks for poe to get himself something unrelated to ranpo, which he does, which is why i think poe is also an artist, tho less skilled than in his writing but he finds fun in it

he keeps it a secret from ranpo (he will eventually open up tho)

yea. i think that's it for now, ty again anon and ty for everyone reading so far, i hope i'll not disappoint in putting this into the fic :D

[jackieshaunanat]

Some trans Max hcs because I have soiled my brain

Max has a severe phobia of needles, so obviously Laura, a literal to-be vet, does his t-shots for him and it’s so very... “Quit squirming, Max”  “I’m sorry can you just get it over with?” “I can’t get it over with if you don’t sit still” “Well I’m sorry b- OW! A little warning next time?”

If Laura isn’t available during their weeks at camp (i.e. she’s busy doing her job or something) Max gets Dylan to do them for him which is...just has nightmarish

Dylan repeatedly counts down but always does it at a random number so Max never knows when it’s coming, but Dylan isn’t as worried about precision as Laura so he doesn’t worry as much about Max squirming

Max got top surgery as a 18th birthday gift; his parents, Laura, and her parents all chipped in for the costs. He was very excited for the first summer with his scars as well, like insanely

One of the campers obviously asked about said scars but before he could reply, Dylan jumped in with some fake as hell story about Max fighting off a bear with his bare hands

Max didn’t even argue, just flatly agreed that’s what happened thinking the kids wouldn’t believe it until a few days later when he discovers a lot of the little kids believed it and started asking him about the fight and asking if he could beat Jacob in a fight too if he was strong enough to fight a bear

You can pry childhood friends/high school sweethearts Laura/Max from my cold dead hands so...Laura’s known him since long before his transition. She was a little confused and caught off guard when he came out, but they’ve always been there for each other so what else was she supposed to do? She goes super research mode and reads everything she can online from like medical and psychology articles to real life posts and blogs and books and stuff about trans people because she wants to be there for Max and understand what he’s dealing with and who he is as much as she can

She texts Max in the middle of the night asking about things he hasn’t even considered yet or about famous people he hasn’t heard of

She’s a little much when it comes to these things and her support and it throws Max off sometimes just how much she can be, but it means a lot to him that she cares this much and it gives him a really sturdy support system and someone to help him figure things out alongside him

It was definitely Laura’s idea to set up that first appointment for top surgery for his bday and even if she personally may not be loaded with cash, she wanted to chip in whatever she could into paying for it all

Laura probably also helped him pick a name, lotta baby name websites or pointing out names in movies or shows

Max was more or less a joke-y suggestion, but Max himself was also pretty confident Maximus from Gladiator was based on a real roman general and thought it was badass and cool

They had a whole discussion similar to the columbus one at the start of the game about Laura trying to explain that Maximus wasn’t a real person but Max swearing he was

Obviously Laura won, she googled it herself and showed the proof to him, but by then they’d spent so much time on the name and all and it just...stuck? He still liked it and now he had a nice real memory attached to it, it was the perfect name

[perriewinklenerdie]

Taking my heart by storm (Ethan x MC)

Open Heart, Ethan Ramsey x MC

A/N: Hi guys! How are you guys doing today? It’s da weekend, bby. I’m back with another Friday fic. The idea for this one came to me when I was driving my cats to the vet and the storm was going on. We can all thank Mother Nature and her breakdown for that one entirely :D Also, the real MVP Naveen makes an appearance in this, because PB is hiding him and that’s some serious bs right there.

Summary: Ethan and Claire share a kiss in the rain in the greenhouse after storm cuts the lights out.

Enjoy! <3

------------

Since noon, the clouds have been crowding the sky, prompting the storm that was coming. Ethan’s shift has just ended when the first sound of a thunder rolled through the walls of the hospital. It was a hectic day, a wave of flu bringing more people to the free clinic and slippery ice sending many people tumbling to the ground, sprains and broken limbs overpowering the cases doctors had to face.

Unsurprisingly, Ethan couldn’t wait to get home. Especially since he knew for a fact that tonight, he wouldn’t be alone. Claire has accepted his invitation earlier that day, smiling every time she saw him, vision of them going home together never too far away from her mind. That smile of hers was what he thought about fairly often, and for the past few weeks, he was admitting it both to himself and to Claire. And with each day that he opened up to her more, it became easier to let her in.

The last time he saw her was two hours ago, when they finished consulting for a patient of the team. Since then, they communicated through texts, much to her amusement, and he had no doubts that she would be teasing him about it, like she always did. And he always would tell her that she’s lucky he cared about her, or he wouldn’t let it slide this easily.

He grabbed his bag and closed the office behind him, taking his phone out to text her once again, asking where she was. Not a minute later, he knew where he was supposed to go, aiming his steps towards her. No nurse or doctor dared to stop him, one look at his tired form letting them know it’s best to steer clear.

The entrance to the garden was tucked away from the view, and not many people knew about its existence, not even people working there. For that reason, the hall leading up to it was empty, as was the garden itself. The bench in the middle of the room was occupied.

Claire was lying down, the tips of her hair brushing the ground. Both hands resting on her stomach, moving up and down with every breath she took. Her eyes were closed, face a picture of complete calmness, a stark contrast to the angry wind that shook the trees outside and smacked raindrops against the glass of the orangery.

Ethan placed his bag on the ground by the entrance, then leaned against the doorframe, watching her silently. It’s a very rare sight for him lately, to see her so blissfully relaxed and detached from the issues of the hospital. Of course, when they were alone, it was fairly easy for both of them to forget about their problems. At work, though, the fatigue and dread followed them like their own shadows, never too far behind.

With the next breath of his, she stirred slightly, her eyes fluttering open, feeling that she was being watched. She took a moment to let her eyes readjust to the brightness of the room, a small moan escaping her lips. Ethan reached for the switch, dimming the lights a bit to make it easier for her, giving her a clear sign that she wasn’t alone anymore. Her head turned towards him, the corners of her lips going up at the sight of him.

“Hi.” She muttered, her voice raspy and deep. Her body didn’t move, not even an inch, as he walked towards her slowly, keeping his eyes on her firmly.

“I thought you left, with how long ago I last saw you.” he mused, keeping a bit of distance between them, just in case someone was to walk in on them, however unlikely it was. Claire grinned, raising her hands above her head to stretch. Her words were strained when she spoke again.

“I have plans for the evening. Maybe even for the night if things work out.”

Despite them both being still in the hospital and having it hanging over their heads, Ethan couldn’t fight the smile nor the acceleration of his pulse at what she was alluding to. “I assure you that whoever invited you has similar things on his mind.”

Slowly, she sat up, her hair falling over her shoulders and framing her face and neck. With a slow and controlled move, she beckoned him closer, crooking her finger and looking at him with a sultry smile. It was dangerous, how fast he reacted accordingly to her wishes, without stopping for even a second to think about what they were doing. When he was close enough to hear her low whisper, she found his gaze with hers, her eyes darkening slightly.

“Similar things, huh? Are you sure?” she hooked her little finger with his thumb, then released it so she could slide her hand up his arm. Each time she touched him, a wave of heat ran to the very core of him. She traced the shapes on the skin on the inside of his elbow, all the while looking at him with the intensity that he’s seen countless of times before. “Why don’t you show me what you’re thinking about right now?”

He cupped the side of her face with his other hand, stroking her cheekbone softly, his mind giving up the fight with each move their fingers made. Getting down on his knees, he slid his palm down the side of her neck, squeezing her shoulder on his way, until, finally, he let it linger on her thigh. He opened his mouth to say something, but before any words could form, a harsh roar of a thunder interrupted him. Moments later, the lights flickered and then went out, drowning them in darkness.

“How long until the backup power modules begin working?” Claire muttered, as though the atmosphere dictated how loud they could be. Ethan listened to the hum of the rain before he answered.

“The power kicked back in immediately, so all the machinery is still working. As for the lights, though, it can be a few minutes.”

“How long?” she asked again, leaning towards him blindly, knowing only the general direction in which she should be heading. Lightning struck, bringing their sight back for a short moment, raindrops casting shadows on their faces, enhancing the lines of their features.

“Give or take, ten minutes. Why?”

“No reason.” She shrugged, pulling on his hand and bringing him flush against her, their lips brushing together. This close, she could almost see the hint of light, reflecting in his eyes, though she could have been imagining things. His hands found their place on her back, keeping them close together. He could argue that it was to keep them both safe, prevent possible injuries if one of them were to move and trip over something, but he knew damn well that his one and only purpose was to feel her warmth. To smell her perfume. To feel her arms wrap around him and keep him close.

With the next lightning, he focused on her lips. How the corners remained turned up, just as they were before the power went out. How the shape of them fit his too perfectly for their meeting to have been an accident. The pull towards her he felt was too strong for him to fight, and yet, for so long, he tried to resist it. Only to, in the end, dive into the storm that she was, slowly letting her consume him whole.

When the darkness came back, he pulled her into the kiss. It’s slow and light, unlike the quick kiss she gave him before she left his apartment that morning. Unlike the ravenous kisses they attacked each other with the night before, right after the door to his home closed behind them. There’s no heat, no desire other than that to keep the other close and not let go. There’s no doubt, either, just pure certainty, warmth and care, evident in the way his arms held her tightly and in the way her grip on his shoulders was secure.

Water continuously fell from the sky, drumming against the glass ceiling of the greenhouse, almost entirely masking the quiet sounds they were making. Claire wouldn’t have been able to notice how he hummed against her lips if it wasn’t for the gentle vibrations it was causing, teasing her nerve endings.

Ethan leaned away eventually, using a glimpse of light to look at her again. His heart hammered in his chest, his cheeks must have been flushed and he was sure that he looked positively infatuated. Staring at her in the dark, he could see with his memories how she glanced at him in moments like these; flickers of happiness in her eyes and a soft smile lighting up her face, brighter than any source of light ever could.

“That’s as close to the kiss in the rain as we’ll ever get.” Claire giggled quietly, moving her hand to stroke his cheek with the back of her fingers. He welcomed the sensation, leaning into her touch. She couldn’t possibly see his teasing smirk, but he had a feeling she knew it was there.

“Who knew such an idiotic idea could be so pleasant.” He wondered out loud, waiting for a reaction of hers. And he got just that. She scoffed, punching his arm playfully before falling into his embrace again with a sigh as the storm raged outside.

----------

Naveen slowly navigated the long halls of his hospital, flashlight in hand, searching for people caught by the darkness. So far, he managed to guide three lost patients that went on a walk and couldn’t find their way back when the power went out, and that prompted him to go on.

Knowing that not many of his colleagues were even aware of the existence of the garden, he decided to go there himself. How was it possible that people worked there for years but not know about all the locations in their workplace was beyond him, but he didn’t have time to wonder about it in that moment.

He called out loudly as he walked, listening in for any signs of voices, but there was no answer. No sound other than the angry howls of the storm outside. His flashlight shone rays of brightness onto the walls and the floor, and once he reached the greenhouse, it pierced through the glass and reflected in the leaves of many plants that grew there.

Upon entering the room, he called out again, moving the flashlight around slowly. “Hello? Is anyone here- oh.”

Naveen stopped abruptly, taking in the sight in front of him. He expected a lot of things, and a lot of people, but no matter how many times he blinked, the picture didn’t disappear. It was very much real.

Ethan sat up faster than he thought he could at the sound of his mentor’s voice. Some time has passed since the lights have gone out, and when kisses transitioned into a tight embrace, he pulled her onto the ground, both of them lying down so they could watch the sky as the clouds went by, lit up by lightning strikes from time to time. It almost felt like it could have been their first date, but neither of mentioned it.

When Naveen found them, Ethan’s hand was running up and down Claire’s arm, their bodies pressed close as the low hum of the rain almost lulled them both to sleep. Upon interruption, Ethan, and shortly after Claire, sat up, both immediately awake and aware of how busted they were.

They stared at each other for a long while, unsure what were the words that were supposed to be said. Eventually, Naveen broke out of the trance, nodding his head slowly in acknowledgement. In the darkness of the garden he couldn’t be sure, but he was pretty much certain that Ethan’s cheeks were taking on a bit of a darker color. It was Claire that confirmed it for him when she eventually cut the silence.

“Go easy on him with the teasing.”

Ethan’s head turned towards her in record time, his face spelling out mock betrayal, which made her laugh even more than she already was. She patted his shoulder with her extended hand, muttering ‘there, there’, a joke that he was clearly not amused by. Naveen watched them with a growing grin.

“You two are adorable.” His words caused the pair to look at him with surprise in their eyes. He walked towards them, extending his hand in Claire’s direction to help her up. She accepted it, standing up and pulling Ethan right along with her. “The lights are going to be gone for at least another hour, so you two should go home.”

Ethan’s annoyance was crystal clear in the way he spoke. “I can literally hear you smiling, Naveen, what’s got you so amused?”

“I’m just wondering, how did you wear him down, Claire? I’ve spent years trying to get him to go fishing with me and he wouldn’t budge.”

She laughed, squeezing Ethan’s arm before she walked towards the exit with Naveen by her side, telling him her strategy as though it was a well-kept secret. Ethan stayed in the garden for a moment longer, watching their silhouettes go with an easy smile before he followed them back towards the hospital.

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Tag list (I): @paleweasels | @kittykatchoices | @valiantlychaoticbarbarian |   @radlovedreamer | @usuallyamazinglyaverage | @awhmilkywey |   @cordoniaqueensworld | @princess-geek​ | @faithhasnowords | @mightyfangirlofthefandoms​ | @drakewalkerfantasy​ | @timmagicktoad​  @laceandlula​ | @greywitchyshots​ | @llamasgrl​ |  @gingerjane15​ |    @marywrites-things​ | @ethanplaysfavorites​ | @mfackenthal​ | @betelgeusebee​ | @simsvetements​ | @owleyes374​ | @aworldoffandoms​ | @l822​ | @cream-ray​ | @silverlitskies​ | @justendlesssummerfeels​ | @togetherwearerapture​ | @desmaranj​ | @edgiestwinter​ | @friedherringclodthing​ | @waytooattuned​ | @choicesgremlin​ | @lapisreviewsstuff​ | @writerapprentice​ | @chasingrobbie​ | @x-kyne-x​ | @thisperfectmemory​ | @drakewalker04​ | @rookie-ramsey​ | @jlynn12273​ | @thepinknymph​ |  @dr-brianna-casey-valentine​ | @a-i-n-a-a-s-h | @justanotherrookie​ |  @mvalentine​ | @starrystarrytrouble​ | @akshara16​ |  @maurine07​

[twinkleallnight]

Marshmallow

(Part-8) Fight or flight

Book: The Royal Romance

Pairing: Liam x MC, Drake x ??

For previous chapters: catch up here

A/N: This fic is my submission for this week’s #WackyDrabbles. The prompt is: ‘Oh? Just once?’ and will appear in bold.

A/N 2: Thank u @ritachacha for helping out and connecting me to @queen-of-effing-everything who gave me a basic idea of the noble houses and further gave a lead and I met @lizzybeth1986 . Lizzy, your essays are amazing. You have helped me with your vast knowledge and It was an enlightening discussion. This chapter wouldn't have been without your inputs.

Music inspo: Connan Gray

Tags: @ao719 @aloneautumn @charlotteg234 @choiceskatie @cordonia-gothqueen @cordonianroyalty @daisydancer12385 @drakewalker04 @gardeningourmet @gkittylove99 @glaimtruelovealways @hopefulmoonobject @hopelessromanticmonie @iam-the-kind-and-thoughtful @idontknowwhysblog @islandcrow @jovialyouthmusic @jaxsmutsuo @kingliam2019 @lovablegranny @mrswalkers-blog @mom2000aggie @no-one-u-know @ntoraplayschoices @ritachacha @speedyoperarascalparty @shanzay44 @texaskitten30 @loudbluebirdlover @queenrileyrose @sanchita012 @theroyalheirshadowhunter @wackydrabbles @yourmajesty09

The next few days are spent busy, at the stables. After couple of days, Liam walks in, as I am tending to Brawny in the separate temporary shed, that I got made for the infected horses. I signal him to wait. I change out of my protective clothes and scrub before meeting him outside.

“Welcome back home! So, how did Lythikos treat you?” I know I am beating around the bush, when I am asking it. But I don’t want to hit him straight with the awkward question. I know he is equally in an uneasy position.

“Yes, all well.” He gives me an agonizing stare. “I had a talk with her.” He brings up the inevitable topic. “I think she did it out of desperation and jealousy.”

“It is alright Liam. She is not blind and not a child anymore. She can see where you are inclined.” I let out a sigh, “It’s difficult to read a woman’s mind. I feel sad for the manner in which we are parting ways. Part of growing up, I guess!”

Liam gives out a sigh too and then changes the subject, “Everything under control here?”

“Yes. I reached in time. There were two more horses showing similar signs. Got all three horses isolated. And vaccinated remaining ones.”

“You are good at your job. Even father seems to have blind faith in you, when it comes to vet skills.” He chuckles.

“Thank you.” I smirk thinking of king Constantine. It’s his inherent nature to always doubt and question everyone. “I have to report and update it to him later today. Let’s see what he has to say.”

Liam gives me a friendly pat, and we head to the palace for a quiet lunch together. I get a call from Max soon after we finish our meals. “It’s an emergency. I am sending you the address. Meet me in half an hour.” He sounds serious.

I drive down to the coffee shop, which he mentioned in his text. When I walk in, I find him sitting in the corner booth, his feet tapping on the floor nervously, and his blue eyes scanning the scene around, in a hope to find solution to the problem he is carrying in his mind.

“What’s wrong?” I ask settling down across the table.

“I don’t know. Bertrand doesn’t seem to be interested in giving me the whole story. He thinks I’m still his baby brother.” He rolls his eyes. “All I know is, that the crew we hired for our yacht for the Royal Regatta scheduled tomorrow, has ditched us.”

“It’s just a symbolic boat race and not an actual one with a pressure to win.” I try to lay down the facts.

“But you know Bertrand. He won’t leave any stone unturned to win it. Also, it’s king’s favourite event. He wants that Riley should bag the prize, so that she gets a chance to interact with the king. It is kind of gaining brownie points.

“Hmm." I ponder. "How many members do we need? Let’s count. You and I will be there.”

“You will do that for me?” he says, his eyes widening with a shine.

“I will. If you promise not to crack your stupid jokes during the event.” I warn him. “Who else can be roped in?”

“I don’t want to include anyone else. I don’t know what is wrong with House Beaumont and it’s difficult to explain to outsiders. So, I think just three of us. I hope we will be able to pull through. Will you be okay with that?”

“Yeah, I see no problem there. What about Bertrand?”

“ He is in a bad mood. Angry, sad, frustrated, all at the same time. He should be fine by tomorrow to give us a helping hand.”

We finish discussing all the minor details for the boat race in next hour and then walk out of the coffee shop.

The following day, at the Royal Regatta, I stand on the deck taking in the salty air.

Riley comes and stands beside me. “What are you looking at?”

“I just realised the actual count of suitors for the first time, by the number of boats, of course. I hardly know any of them. For me they are only the names I hear from the conversation with Liam. I should know at least this much, right?”

“Yes, you are his best friend and best friend should know it all.” She says it with a wink.

“Am I missing something?”

“Just that, may be, I am falling head over heels for your friend.” She grins.

“And you are revealing this to me and not him?”

“I don’t want to burden him more. He has too much to handle already. I know, being a crown prince, he cannot open up about his feelings for one particular suitor in the midst of the social season. So, I don’t want to tell him, just yet, lest he gets anxious and tries to spend more time with me. That would put him in a tricky situation.”

I sweep her in a big bear hug. “Oh, Brooks! I am so happy to know that.” I part away and look into her brown eyes, tears of happiness glinting in them. “He is so lucky to have you. That’s all he needed. Someone who understands him, his struggles, his responsibilities.”

I hug her back and whisper in her ears, “Let me give out a secret. He may also be sharing the same feelings.”

“I know.” She says gleefully looking up at me.

“Okay now let me help you enhance your knowledge about my competitors.” She rolls her eyes. “Let’s start from the right.” She points out to the boat lined up in extreme right to us.

The sight is full of colourful sails. Each of these boats have a flag representing their house. The one Riley pointed to, has a black flag with a silver owl on it.

Riley starts “That should be from the duchy of Castelsarreillan represented by Kiara Theron, the future Duchess.” Riley continues.

“Yes, the owl represents their house. Their family has intelligence and art running in their blood. Duke Theron is a very wise man and the Duchess is an artist.” I add on.

“So, you have met him?”

“Once.”

“Oh? just once?” Riley gives me a playful smile.

“Yeah.”

“Kiara is very smart, logical person and a linguist.” Riley elaborates. “Next to her should be her best friend’s boat.”

I observe purple flag with golden waves and a narwhal painted on it. “Portavira.” I blurt out.

“ I guess, it’s the only duchy with a sea port. Penelope Ebrim represents the house. Easy way to identify her is, you will find her talking about her poodles every now n then. You may like her.” She teases me. “She is an animal lover and she is sweet and kind.” She flashes that smile again.

I cut her, “Wait. Are you trying to set me up, Brooks?”

She lets out a laughter. “No, I better not. I can see where your interests lie.” She raises a knowing eyebrow at me, making me blush behind my tough skin.

“Let’s quiz you with the one with green flag.” Riley gestures at the next boat where a green flag with a pine tree on it, flutters.

“Madeliene, right?”

“Yes, the ambitious countess of Fydelia.” Riley fans out her hand. “You must be knowing all about her from Leo’s social season.” She pauses and then claps for the boat next to us. “ And that’s my dear friend Hana as our left side neighbour.”

A pink flag with purple orchids, furnishes Hana's boat. Just then, as on cue, Hana appears on the deck. “Hey there guys!” She waves out. “Time to greet the king at the harbour.”

“Lets go!” Riley jumps up excitedly.

“You proceed. I am better here, away from the crowd. I will wait for you to come back, and then we do our favourite thing together. Race!”

“As it suits you.”

“Just one question. How do you know so much in detail about all the houses in such a little time? A few months back, you didn’t even know where on earth Cordonia is,!”

Riley smiles wide, “Bertrand is my teacher, remember?” she says gazing up at the House Beaumont flag on our boat that shines with its silver sheen, a squid in the centre and the motto embroidered in blue, 'Depths to remember'.

“We didn’t talk about your friend’s, House Nevrakis, but I am sure you don’t need introduction there.” Riley speaks looking at the only boat to our left side.

I shake my head and make myself busy, untangling the wires of my earphones that I plan to put on, till Riley returns and the race begins. She shrugs her shoulder, “Bye! See you in a jiffy!”

“Bye!” I wave out to her and turn to the sea.

Before I could plug in some music, the fluttering of the Nevrakis flag catches my attention. The crimson flag has a flaming sword of steel on it. The motto shines in gold,

‘If you can breathe, you can stand.

If you can stand, you can fight.’

Just then a seagull flies high over the boat, crooning a song for the lonely sea.

I plug in my earphones and the song fills my ears and my mind,

‘Something’s gotten into you

You don’t really look at me the way you used to

And I’m hoping it ain’t true

Every single rumour that I’ve heard of you say……..

It’s time to move,

Fight or flight….

Fight or flight.’

[purplesurveys]

1248

Your ex taps you on the shoulder and says, “I still love you.” You say?  I feel like I’ve answered a similar situation recently, but I would assume it was a drunk text or wrong text, inform them about it, and move on.

Do you play video games?  Nah. I do feel a sort of connection of video games since I grew up surrounded by them, though; but I’m more of a watcher than anything. I like watching playthroughs of video games I’ll never play. Do you spend a lot of time with family?  No. We used to, back when the quarantine was still a relatively new thing – we hung out in the living room all the time. But now that we’ve settled in this new normal, we’re back to our normal routines and I usually like staying in my room.

Is your house more than two stories tall?  Technically, yes. We have a rooftop that serves as the ‘third’ floor.

Have you ever hit your significant other? Has he/she ever hit you?  My ex and I never hit one another; that’s a gigantic red flag even I would notice, considering I ignored most of the ones I saw hahaha.

What makes you an attractive person? (Talk about your personality too!)  I’m not sure if I’ll be able to answer this question directly, but I like my generosity. I’m not sure if I can call it attractive, though. But if we were focusing on physical features, I like my smile.

What color is your hairbrush/comb?  Pink.

What snacks do you have available in your household atm?  My dad splurged on chips in his last grocery run so we actually have quite a lot of junk food in the pantry at the moment. He also bought several packs of cookie sandwiches, wafers, sunflower seeds, and garlic-flavored peanuts.

Has anyone recently told you that they like you, or find you attractive?  Neither.

Are you attracted to the last person you Facebook messaged?  No, she’s just a good friend of mine.

Do you care about anyone that doesn’t care about you?  I guess I don’t, because I’m not even aware of them.

Was your last Facebook friend requests from a male or female?  Guy. It was another reporter, so I just ignored it and luckily he didn’t PM me just to ask to add him back, which others have already done. I really hate when work people try to make their way into my personal accounts.

Which one of your relatives is most likely to embarrass you?  My parents, especially when they are rude to service crew. Gen X-ers are impeccably talented at that, apparently.

When was the last time you ate a bar of chocolate?  Around two or three weeks ago when I had dinner at Angela’s. Her dad gave me a bar of Crunch so I can have something sweet after our meal.

Do you play any games on Facebook?  No, I never did hop on that trend.

What would you like to get a degree in?  I wanted a degree in journalism, and graduated with such. At the end of my college stint I didn’t want to pursue it anymore, but I pushed through with it anyway because it was too much of a hassle to shift and start all over.

Do you wake up a lot in the middle of the night? Technically not, because I stay up until the middle of the night anyway. It’s been a while since I fell asleep anywhere between 8 to 10 PM.

Would you prefer to read a book, watch a movie or TV show, or play a video game?  Watch a show.

Do you usually get popcorn or soda at the movie theater?  I don’t like either; I get fries instead.

What genre of films do you like the best?  Drama.

How many bank accounts do you have?  Two but I haven’t been using the other one in months. That was the bank account I initially opened when I first started ~adulting~ but when I got employed I was required to enroll in this other specific bank, so that’s what I mainly use now.

Have you ever had the flu?  Not really. I just get the occasional fever that pop out of nowhere.

What is your goal for the next few months?  Start saving FOR REAL, and also prioritizing furniture over merch for a while so I can finally fix up my room, which is quickly starting to look and feel like just a warehouse and not very homey at all.

Have you ever had some kind of sleep-disorder? How did it affect your life?  Nope.

Have you ever had food poisoning before? Describe the experience.  Yeah, it was from barbecue that apparently went bad, even though it tasted nothing of the sort. I woke up at 3 AM sweating profusely and with the most excruciating stomachache; I was feeling hot, cold, and nauseous all at the same time, and it probably lasted for like an hour or so.

What are two things that you have no problem paying full price for?  Sealed albums and my pets’ vet expenses.

Funny, charming, cute, romantic, smart - choose only 2 for the opposite sex.  Charming and smart.

Have you ever let somebody use you? Why did you do it?  It felt nice to help people.

You can go back in time & change something in your mom’s past - what is it? Good question; I’ve never encountered this before. I would let her live a more comfortable, privileged life, where she didn’t have to staple her shoes to keep them closed or have to choose between eating at a fast food restaurant or being able to commute back home.

Do you know anybody who is around the exact same size as you? Who? I’m not sure, actually. Everyone’s always slightly taller than me.

Ever been to a haunted house? How scared were you?  I haven’t.

Been on any websites today you wouldn’t want your parents to see?  Tumblr, I guess? My survey blog isn’t for any irls to see.

Which is worse: dusting or mopping?  I don’t really do either often, but I’ll go with mopping.

Would you marry somebody who was intensely religious?  Not for me.

Did you pull a senior prank?  No, that’s not a thing here. Did you graduate?  Yeah, elementary, high school, and college.

Have you ever been unfaithful in a serious relationship?  Nope.

What was the last song you listened to?  It’s a song called Epiphany.

Are you one of those lucky people with 20/20 vision?  Not ever since I was like 9 lol.

Is fashion one of your interests?  I’m way more interested in it now for sure, mostly because the celebrities I’m into these days put a lot of effort when it comes to their style; so it makes me more aware of the trends that come and go, as well.

Do you think you’ll eventually find that special someone?  I’m keeping it as a possibility, but it’s not a priority for me now.

Do you care what people think?  To an extent, I would say. My life doesn’t depend on it, though.

Is acting something you enjoy?  Never been.

What was the last thing you broke/sprained?  Do you mean a thing or a body part? Anyway, I’ll answer both. The last thing I broke was my BTS Mic Drop pen of V looooooooooool the figurine came off the pen :(( It was pretty cheap though so I’m fine with it; I can always get another one. Last body part I sprained was my ankle, when I had a bad fall a couple of years ago.

Have you ever fought with a friend because of their boyfriend/girlfriend? Because of yours?  Either hasn’t happened.

Has a stranger ever yelled at you for your language?  I don’t think so.

Whose house, other than yours and your families', are you most comfortable at?  Angela’s. Also JM’s, just because their family doesn’t hover and that vibe can sometimes be nice whenever I’m at someone else’s place.

Has any of your friends’ family ever yelled at you?  Never.

Did you ever play a sport as a little kid? Did you enjoy it? Not as a very young kid, but I took up table tennis starting when I was 12. Did you ever watch the show Full House?  Nope.

Is there a celebrity you are just DETERMINED to marry?  Now that’s just delusional haha. I’m pretty obsessed with some celebrities, that much I can admit; but thinking of them in the context of marriage is so many steps overboard.

Have you ever burned someone’s picture?  No. I could, but I am scared of fire and will probably just think of other ways to express my anger, like tearing up the photograph. What’s the longest hike you’ve ever been on?  Total length was probably like 3 hours. I haven’t gone too far when it comes to hiking.

Would you ever get a lip tattoo?  Not interested.

Who is the first person of the opposite sex that pops into your head? Hans.

Do your parents smoke cigarettes?  My mom tried it once in her life, I think. My dad has never smoked.

What does one of your T-shirts have written on it?  “Hope right here!”

Name a pet you definitely wouldn’t want.  Anything that’s supposed to roam freely in the wild, like squirrels.

Would you prefer your partner smaller or taller?  Taller, since I’m already quite pint-sized to begin with lol.

Do you enjoy going through old pictures? Sometimes. Other times, it's too painful. It also depends on the era of the pictures. < Agree, especially with the eras. Childhood photos are always fun to look at, but I have had to delete a CHUNK of photos from years ranging from 2014 to 2020 because I’ve lost a handful of friends from that period.

Do you believe people when they say they don’t judge people?  It’s hard to for the most part, but I’ve noticed very few people people really don’t. Most of the time it’s bullshit though.

What did you love the most about the town you grew up in?  That it’s pretty close to the metro.

What’s a movie that you laughed the hardest during?  Hmm, I prefer TV shows if I’m craving comedy.

What’s a movie you cried the hardest during?  Life Is Beautiful.

What’s your favorite restaurant?  Omakase for my sushi fix; School Tteokbokki if I want Korean; Yabu if I’m looking for a generous rice meal.

Is there a dessert you don’t like?  Anything with fruits.

Favorite album?  After Laughter by Paramore.

What’s a book that you read because everyone else was reading it?  I can name authors instead of books – John Green and Haruki Murakami.

Underwater or outer space?  Outer space.

Dogs or cats?  Dogs.

Kittens or puppies?  Puppies.

Bird watching or whale watching?  Whale watching. I don’t get to be in the water as much, so I would jump at the opportunity.

What is your spirit animal?  I dunno if I have one but let’s just go with dog and elephant, I guess? They’re my favorites.

What was your best subject in school?  History.

What was your worst subject in school?  Chemistry.

What is one thing you wish you knew in high school?  Don’t waste your time.

Who is your fashion icon?  Audrey Hepburn.

Diamonds or pearls?  Diamonds.

What color dress did you wear to prom?  For my own prom it was cream-colored/beige. When I went to Mike’s ball, I went with a royal blue gown.

What’s your favorite plot-twist?  I don’t think I’ve found my favorite yet.

Honestly, are you jealous of someone right now?  Not actively.

Honestly, what’s the worst thing you’ve done when you were mad?  I dunno...road rage, maybe?

Honestly, ever made anyone cry when you were mad?  It’s very likely.

Honestly, when was the last time you REALLY cried your heart out?  Sometime in the last week.

Ever pop someone else’s pimple? No thanks.

Do you need to return anyone’s phone call?  Nope.

Who are you closest to?  Angela.

Have you ever had a bad concert experience?  No, all the ones I’ve been to have been amazing experiences.

Are you currently sad about anything?  Not really. I can’t complain.

Have you had any form of exercise today?  Nah.

Can you handle blood?  Nope, I will feel faint if I see it 100%.

Has any place hired you underage for a job?  No.

Have you ever carried a concealed weapon?  I haven’t.

Are you currently searching for a job?  No, I like the one I have.

Does eating breakfast make you sick?  No?

[russianwave]

As someone with bad social anxiety, I put off finding a language tutor (or even speaking the language) for many months into my studies. I eventually plucked up the courage to book myself onto various trial lessons with tutors and I’ve decided to share what I’ve learnt.

1) Think about your learning style

Before even going on to a language tutoring platform, take some time to think about your learning style and what things you want to rule out. Having a checklist of criteria will make the process a lot less overwhelming, and it’ll give you things to look out for. There’s no point going for a tutor who teaches in a style that you already know doesn’t work. If you haven’t had any language classroom experience at all and/or really don’t know your style, that’s okay! But think about the materials you like to work with. Do you hate working through books? Some teachers just want to guide you through workbooks. Others are open to teaching through news articles, video clips, and so on.

For me, I know that a tutor not speaking any English to me would be too overwhelming. I wouldn’t be able to pick up new vocabulary through context and I’d find the process too stressful. Whilst this definitely works for other people, I knew that I could rule it out for myself. I also knew I could rule out tutors who don’t want to teach grammar - I knew that I wasn’t picking up grammar through patterns, so I looked for tutors that would do that. But also consider this: some teachers want to give you a lot of homework and then just have you discuss the answers and ask further questions in class whilst others will give you very minimal (if any) homework and have it be all about class time. Think about which style works for you.

2) What do you want out of tutoring?

For some people, tutoring is just a way to get quality speaking practice. They may find it hard to find people that are willing to give them the feedback they like, or a consistent / long enough speaking partner. Others are looking for a tutor to teach them the absolute basics, and others just want someone who can explain tricky concepts to them. Some tutors are only looking to teach people of a particular level, or just want to offer a particular kind of teaching (e.g. vocabulary or academic writing).

For me, I wanted tutors to be able to help me understand grammatical concepts as well as being a safe place to develop conversational practice. With a tutor it feels safer to make mistakes, and I feel like I’m less of a burden than trying to make an unpaid language partner correct everything I have to say. I also struggle with understanding grammar explanations, and I need the motivation that another person can bring to the lesson.

3) Think about your budget

This might seem really obvious, but it’s definitely something to bear in mind. £10 an hour might seem cheap now, but you’re likely going to be buying much more than one lesson. How many lessons can you afford to take each month? It might be better to turn down a good person that’s at the very max of your budget to go with someone (who’s still good) that’s lower priced and who you can have more consistent lessons with. Consistency with a tutor is a really good way to build upon work and progress through the programs and materials they have. 

Some tutors will offer free or massively discounted trial lessons, but then have a very high hourly rate. It might seem great to take advantage of someone who’s usually £30 an hour for free, but you want to develop a connection with a tutor that you can actually afford. There’s no point trying someone out of your budget because your trial lesson won’t be enough to work from. You’d need consistent lessons with them and you can’t get that if they’re out of your budget.

4) How many tutors do you want?

This isn’t talking about how many tutors you want to try out, but how many you want to have in the long run. You could stick with just one tutor, but you might find you get too comfortable with them and lessons become less effective. It also means if they can’t explain a particular issue to you, then you may not be able to get an easy explanation than if you had more than one. 

For me, I knew that I wanted two as it’d give me the variety I need to really stretch my language skills. This doesn’t mean going way outside of my comfort zone, it was about finding two people I could feel a comfortable connection with that I knew would push me. They have a slightly different approach with regards to explanations, material worked with, and their personalities. As someone with an attention disorder, I need variety to stop myself getting burnt out. If I was constantly having to use the same material and dealing with the same style I would get quickly burnt out.

Consider how you might want to approach having multiple tutors. It’s about striking a balance between seeing each tutor individually at a frequent enough rate to properly build upon material, as well as ensuring you’re not doing too many lessons each week. You might decide on alternating weeks with each tutor, or spreading each tutor out through the week.

5) What platform do you want to use?

There’s many different platforms for meeting a tutor, such as Tandem, iTalki, Verbling, Preply, etc. It might be worth checking each of these out and seeing what each of the platforms have to offer. A lot of tutors, no matter the platform, would rather conduct the lessons through Skype or something similar. So if you haven’t got one already, it’s a good idea to make a Skype account. 

iTalki is probably the most well known tutoring platform, but it’s worth considering that another platform might be popular with people of your target language. Some platforms also require you to go through a proper vetting process or to have certain qualifications. Whilst this makes the quality of tutors better than those that have zero vetting process, you also have to consider how that might affect cost. 

6) Properly watch their introductory video and read their profile description

Now that you’ve sorted out a lot of the crucial prep, it’s time to actually consider a tutor. Whilst it can be hard to judge personality through video and/or text, it’s worth seeing what they have to say. If they’ve barely put any effort into talking about themselves, then it’s probably best to give them a miss. If they can’t be bothered to even advertise themselves for money, how can you guarantee they’d put the effort in to teach you once they have your cash?

As someone who’s not very good at continuing a conversation, I looked for tutors who seemed like they could fill the awkward pauses. I also considered how clear their audio quality is (not to say it has to be super high quality, but if I can barely hear them then it’s going to be a struggle). If they offer demonstrations of how they teach vocabulary / grammar etc, I consider if their explanations are in a style that I like. As I’m very much a beginner to the language, I need someone that can demonstrate that they can explain concepts in English so I can understand them. Some tutors are aimed at more advanced learners that can comfortably discuss concepts in the target language, or might just be there for some professional speaking practice. 

Check back to your criteria and see if they touch upon the styles that you’re looking for or the styles you want to avoid. They’ll also often list the material that they use, it’s worth considering if this is the kind of material that you like to work with. Some tutors are very workbook or quiz orientated, others like to bring out flashcards. It’s about what works best for you.

7) Look to the reviews, not just the star rating

On sites like iTalki it’s very difficult for a tutor to get below 5 stars. This is because we want to be polite, and we might just rate a lesson 5 stars and move on rather than voice our complaints. While a lot of reviews are just going to be very basic, some of them will touch upon teaching style and materials used. Also look to mentions of personality - e.g. stern, patient, outgoing, well prepared etc. Whilst these are all subjective, it can give you a better idea. Also look to see if students are booking multiple lessons. If most of a tutor’s students are only booking 1 or 2 lessons then it’s likely that they’re not going to be great. You want to see students returning again and again to a tutor as it demonstrates their ability to build upon content and remain a good tutor.

8) Send them a message before booking a lesson

Before booking any trial lesson I sent the tutors I was considering a short message briefly explaining my current level of the language and what I want to get out of it. I mentioned the concerns I had and included that I had never had language lessons outside of school.

I found this a really good way of assessing a tutor, as well as just a polite way to allow them to prepare for the lesson. It was nice when a tutor picked up on specific issues I mentioned, and it was a way of allowing them to talk about the material they’d use to address my specific points of concern. If a tutor just ignored all of that and was just like ‘yes yes whatever book a lesson’, then I didn’t. Tutoring is a job, and people are in it for money, but they also have to be in it out of a genuine interest in helping others. If I didn’t feel like they wanted to help me and just saw me as a future purse to dip into, then I didn’t book a lesson.

This doesn’t always work though. Some tutors seemed to forget by the time the lesson came around what things I had mentioned, and the lesson came across as unprepared. Whilst others referred back to the notes I had sent, and built upon that. It meant that I wasn’t just doing alphabet lessons again and again with tutors, and it gave me a much better assessment of their lessons as a result.

9) Prepare for the lesson 

This can be tricky when it’s just a trial lesson and we’re likely not going to receive any material beforehand from the tutor but there’s ways we can prepare. Look over their tutor profile and through their intro video again, is there anything about them that you want to ask? Is there anything specific that they could help you with that day? Do they expect you to pay for additional material? Do they have a specific course of content, and how many tutoring sessions does it take to complete it?

Some tutors will already know what they want to cover, but some will be open to suggestions. Having questions is also a good way of finding out more about their tutoring without having to commit to further lessons. For example, you could ask them what kind of workbooks they use. Once the trial lesson is over you could have a look at previews of the workbook/s and see if that’s the kind of content you’d enjoy working with. 

10) Sometimes a tutor will look amazing in theory but not in practice

It’s unfortunate, but even with all the research we’ve previously done we can get it wrong. A tutor might seem really outgoing and friendly in their introductory video, and then be lifeless and bored during the lesson. They might be a really nice person and we just don’t click with them or their teaching style. 

This isn’t a reflection on you, and it certainly doesn’t make you a bad student. It also doesn’t mean that they’re an awful tutor, it just means they’re not a right fit for you. This is why it’s so important to experiment with tutors and see which one/s are the right fit for us. Likewise we can have a tutor that we get on great with, but we don’t actually learn much from them. Sometimes this can take a few lessons to really shine through, but when we do notice it then it’s time to move on. 

Don’t beat yourself up, and try and not fret over the lesson. It’s completed now. This person isn’t going to remember you, and you don’t have to do a lesson with them again. Just politely thank them for the lesson and move on. The next person you have a lesson with might be an amazing fit. It’s not all wasted time though, it can give us a better understanding of what styles work for us and what don’t. And just because we don’t click with a tutor, doesn’t mean we don’t learn anything about the language. 

The opposite can be true also! One of the tutors I booked I started having second thoughts about before the lesson. But when the actual lesson happened I thoroughly enjoyed it, and it was definitely one of the best lessons out of the wide range of tutors I tried. What this means is that it can be hard to tell how well we connect with someone until we have a trial lesson with them. It’s not your fault for picking a tutor that you don’t connect with, and it doesn’t mean that all the other tutors are going to be the wrong fit for you also.

---

Hopefully this will help make finding a language tutor less stressful. I know for me that doing a lot of research on language tutoring, and on the tutors I enquired with helped me feel a lot less anxious. I personally found it useful to group my different tutoring trials close together, so I didn’t have to worry about weeks and weeks of trials. But for some people that might be overwhelming, and they might find it easier to spread it out over a longer period. 

If you’re like me and struggle with the concept of ‘letting people down’, and feel like you might be pressured into sticking with the first tutor or two that you try then I would recommend setting a specific date which you then invest in a tutor. For me, even though I really liked the first tutor (and he was one of the ones I stuck with) I had upcoming tutors to meet. By having to wait until I tried out the other tutors, I could be confident in that I was picking someone as a result of being a good fit. 

If you’re considering getting a language tutor then I would recommend the platform iTalki. I’ve tried out other platforms such as Preply, but this was the best one for me. It’s the platform I used to meet a wide range of tutors, and it’s through that platform that I found the two tutors I really liked. If you sign up with this link and buy some iTalki credits, then you and I will receive $10 iTalki credits as a free bonus. This could cover the cost of 1 or more lessons! 

[bellafarella]

Hey there :) for the character list: Ted, Patrick, Alexis, David, Stevie, Mutt and that Animal, Lover vet guy (sorry I forgot his name) and Jake :)

LOL “and that Animal, Lover vet guy (sorry I forgot his name)” - that’s Ted and you said him first :p 

Thanks for the ask, here we go:

Ted

Sexuality headcanon: straight (as in canon)

Gender headcanon: male

A ship I have with said character: Alexis

A BROTP I have with said character: David, I’d like to think that after their emotional talk at Singles Week that Ted tries to text him every so often with stupid puns that make David roll his eyes but can’t help but smile at his sisters dumb cute boyfriend. 

A NOTP I have with said character: Heather - just nope.

A random headcanon: I like to think that maybe some day in the future, when his contract is up in the Galapagos (him not staying any longer even though they asked) that he keeps track of Alexis - not like in a stalker way but like in a “i love this girl with my entire being and i want to know that she’s doing well and what she’s up to” kind of way- they follow each other on instagram and he sees that she’s still living her best self in NYC so he goes there, hoping to maybe run into her, too nervous to ask her to hang out and anyway, he’s never been to NYC and wants to check out a play so he does and when he posts about it, Alexis dm’s him and they meet up for lunch the next day and he finds out she’s single - has been this entire time, working on herself, focusing on her career - so he asks her out again on a real date and now that he’s not working in the Galapagos and nothing is tying him to Schitt’s Creek, he eventually moves to NYC and the timing is finally right for him and Alexis and they live happily ever after. goodnight.

General opinion of said character: i LOVE ted. he’s so cute and sweet and just so adorably punny. i’m a fan of dustin so loving ted came really easy. 

Patrick

Sexuality headcanon: gay (as in canon)

Gender headcanon: male

A ship I have with said character: David, duh

A BROTP I have with said character: Stevie. i think people talk a lot about how cute stevie and david’s friendship is and even how cute alexis and patrick’s friendship is but stevie and patrick is just so good. they both love to tease and banter and just be a complete and total troll, especially to david. 

A NOTP I have with said character: Rachel, duh

A random headcanon: idk if it’s random, might be pretty common, but i like to think that patrick always knew deep down that he was gay - the way he didn’t really pay attention to the girl in porn (when he did watch it) or the way he liked to spend time with the guys on his sports team over hanging out with his gf, or how his room was plastered with posters of different sports players but also they had their shirts off. how he sort of knew but really had no way of knowing because there was no one he liked like that that was a boy. not until he met david rose.

General opinion of said character: my sweet button baby, precious boy deserves the world. 

Alexis

Sexuality headcanon: bisexual but with a preference of dating men

Gender headcanon: female

A ship I have with said character: Ted

A BROTP I have with said character: like i said above, i think her and patrick’s friendship is so cute but i’m gonna go with her sibling. the bond that forms between david and alexis is just so pure - they actually become siblings and friends and i love them so much. omg and Twyla because their friendship is just so fucking cute and pure.

A NOTP I have with said character: Mutt, ugh. & sorry I can’t get on board with Alexis/Stevie either. they’ve constantly talked about how Stevie is part of the family - she’s treated like a Rose every episode so I just find it ehh to ship them but to each their own, ship who you want, idgaf lol 

A random headcanon: *read Ted’s* but also, yeah that she’s living her best boss girl self in NYC, growing her business and making moves. 

General opinion of said character: i love Alexis, she’s so hilarious in her facial expressions and mannerisms. i’ve never seen such hilarious physical comedy than i have on this show. Annie is a star and i can’t wait to see her in more things.

David

Sexuality headcanon: pansexual (as in canon)

Gender headcanon: male

A ship I have with said character: Patrick, duh

A BROTP I have with said character: Stevie, Alexis, even Ronnie (see previous ask). i love his friendship with Stevie so much because it’s his first real friend in probably ever, and he’s hers too. they’re both just so closed off and similar that they never were able to let anyone in to actually be their friend so when they became friends it was just magic, they’re soulmates in the friend sense. I also love his friendship that he gained with his sister (see above in Alexis). 

A NOTP I have with said character: Stevie, Jake, Sebastien. Literally anyone who isn’t Patrick

A random headcanon: that he and Patrick are living their best lives in their cute little cottage house in schitt’s creek,  expanding their business, and just loving their life. David knows he could live in this town forever if it meant being with Patrick - anywhere is home as long as they’re together. 

General opinion of said character: MY BABY. he deserves the world and to be protected at all costs. there’s always been people connecting to characters in meaningful ways and I’ve never really seen that for myself - yes, I am a cisgendered heterosexual woman but i’ve never connected on a deep level to any cisgendered heterosexual women like not Alexis or Moira or any other female on other shows. however with David I can. David is sarcastic and has his walls up, he’s been taken advantage of time and time again. he’s been used and abused, he thought he’d never find love or happiness. I still find it hard sometimes to be optimistic and say I will find happiness and someone who will love me unconditionally but even though David isn’t a real person, just seeing him be so happy and loved so openly and wholly by Patrick gives me hope. I’ve been in emotionally abusive relationships, I’ve been used for just my body, I’ve been taken advantage of by exes and friends, I’m always there for people but yet I don’t get anything in return. So yeah this got away from me lmaooo but yeah i just love David Rose so fucking much.

Stevie

Sexuality headcanon: bisexual 

Gender headcanon: female

A ship I have with said character: no one, my girl deserves the best and we haven’t seen that on the show

A BROTP I have with said character: David, Patrick, Alexis. I love all these friendships for different reasons. David because like I said, they’re soulmates but in a friend way. Patrick cause they’re both trolls. And Alexis, because Stevie’s never really had any girl friends before and having someone like Alexis look out for her and want her to be happy, I think it really helped Stevie gain confidence in herself and her abilities to run shit. 

A NOTP I have with said character: Jake, Emir, any of the loser guys they set her up with. David, ugh they are not right romantically lol.

A random headcanon: that she spends as much time as she can bothering David by coming over to their house unannounced. Patrick just finds it hilarious because of course he does. 

General opinion of said character: I love Stevie, I thought her ending was great, how she didn’t have a romantic interest and just was excited about their franchise of Rosebud Motel. I hope that if they ever do a special or a movie or something that they do give her a romantic partner because she deserves to be loved unconditionally.

Mutt

Sexuality headcanon: straight

Gender headcanon: male

A ship I have with said character: no one, i really dont care lmao

A BROTP I have with said character: does he even have friends???

A NOTP I have with said character: Alexis

A random headcanon: that he died

General opinion of said character: I don’t care lol

Jake

Sexuality headcanon: pansexual

Gender headcanon: male

A ship I have with said character: Jake doesn’t do monogamy so no one lol

A BROTP I have with said character: does he even have friends or does he just fuck everyone??

A NOTP I have with said character: Stevie, David. 

A random headcanon: i don’t even know, i don’t think about Jake enough lol 

General opinion of said character: he was a great character, I liked the drama he brought and how it also wasn’t really drama because Jake’s just Jake which is also something I loved. like you can’t hate him cause he’s just Jake. he does what he wants when he wants, he doesn’t do monogamy, he likes to have fun, but he doesn’t hurt anyone in the process because he’s upfront about it from the jump.

Send me a character & I’ll answer those questions 

[rafael-silva]

Thoughts and Connections Between Danny + 10.14 + McDanno + 10.07 (Steve going after Doris) + 10.12 (Magnum PI crossover): an essay

Okay, so. After thinking about 10.14 (and writing a continuation fic for the episode), I have some thoughts. They may be optimistic or just trying to grasp why that episode turned out as it did and that ending…but here I go. A little long, but I’m trying to connect some dots that is season ten and understand. This going to cover Danny + 10.14 + McDanno + 10.07 (Steve going after Doris) + 10.12 (Magnum PI crossover).

For the life of me, I can’t think of a single reason why 10.14 ended that way. For a while, the show has been hinting and teasing the idea of Danny and Rachel getting back together (which, I also have a lot of thoughts on, that are Hell No to that ever happening) and I’ve been constantly saying and repeating that Danny. Is. Much. Smarter. Than. That. Getting back together with Rachel would have been disastrous, them trying yet another time to make it work. I knew that would eventually end with Danny’s heart breaking again, and I couldn’t watch that happen. So thank God Danny and Rachel aren’t happening; with Danny telling Quinn during the Thanksgiving episode that things aren’t working out, Rachel barely being mentioned, and everything that happened during 10.14.

But here’s the thing. If 10.14’s sole purpose was to inform us that Danny and Rachel aren’t happening, then what the hell. A simple line from Danny could have confirmed that, especially with the first two points I mentioned above.

Stay with me here, I’m hoping there’s more to 10.14, connecting it to something in the coming episodes, because it just doesn’t make sense to me. At all. They introduced the perfect woman for Danny, in every sense of what perfect means, their chemistry, their playful banter, the way they looked at each other, their connection to the East Coast…I thought to myself, wow, Danny finally found the woman for him. And I was excited. Until I wasn’t. Aka: until they killed her off. Which, again, baffles my mind. Because why. Do they want Danny to end up alone? Because they had the perfect chance, but they blew it.

Remember that fic I wrote for 10.14 that I mentioned above? (Shamelessly inserts link here) One of the comments posted got me thinking. The comment mentioned something Danny’s woman said in the episode: “Things are going to work out for you.” And I started to wonder if that was the writers’ way of simply telling us Danny is going to be okay or if there’s more to it. Subtext. I will come back to the subtext in a little bit. I will mention that Steve’s love life is pretty nonexistent, with him meeting Emma the vet again and telling her he’s the problem, that his work life takes over his personal life, it ends with her wishing him the best. And that she’s seeing someone.

So, both Steve and Danny had women for them to date, women with great compatibility to each man (Danny mentioned that Steve and Emma’s first date went really well) and the writers had every chance to make both couples happen, but they didn’t. The last time, if I recall correctly, where both Steve and Danny were in relationships at the same time was Lynn and Melissa.

Also, I can’t help but notice how Steve said his work life takes over his personal life, that’s why his relationships don’t work out, but he spends his personal time with Danny and Charlie. And going to principal conferences for Charlie with Danny instead of Rachel. And tracking down the father of Charlie’s school bully with Danny. Like. Danny and Charlie are Steve’s personal life. So, in not so many words, Steve’s dynamic with Danny is Steve’s successful relationship. It’s almost like Steve can’t be in a relationship because he’s already in a relationship with Danny. 

And the fact that Danny has been living with Steve for quite some time now. And with the events of 10.14, it’s Steve’s turn to look after Danny. So I think they’re going to be living with each other for some more time.

Back to subtext. I’m going to take you back to two episodes: 10.12 (the Magnum PI crossover) and 10.07 (where Steve goes after Doris).

Danny wasn’t in the Magnum PI episode, but he was mentioned. More than that, it was clear, even though I don’t watch Magnum PI, that Magnum and his partner Higgins, are the show’s will-they-won’t-they couple. Which is all well and good, and you notice the similarities between them and McDanno. Ever since the beginning of HF0, Steve and Danny are constantly teasing, bickering, bantering, even other characters teasing them about how long they’ve been married. It’s become text, rather than just subtext. And everyone sees it, even people who don’t watch the show.

There are direct comparisons between MagnumHiggins and McDanno: Steve is a SEAL, so is Magnum. Steve is impulsive and reckless, so is Magnum. Higgins is an ex-MI6 agent, and yes, Danny isn’t an agent but his career as a cop and detective comes close. Danny and Higgins constantly tease their partners in very similar ways. Not to mention the clear as day physical appearance similarities between them, too. MagnumHiggins are literally the hetero version of McDanno. Also, don’t forget that the parallel between them was explicitly stated on the show; when Magnum and Higgins were bickering and Tani looked at Lou and went, “remind you of someone?” and Lou replies yes.

And now to 10.07. I wrote another post pointing out all the McDanno and just how much McDanno we got in that episode, and I will point out again, that that episode was written and directed by Alex. He pretty much showed us he’s the captain of the McDanno ship, right down to the ‘oh my god there was one bed’ trope. I won’t go into too much detail regarding this episode but I will sum it up by saying: McDanno.

Now, up until 10.14, all those episodes and moments seemed like what we’ve been getting since the beginning of the show, the teasing and pulling and the hinting and ups and down we usually get with McDanno. They didn't seem out of place or weird, because they are natural and what we’ve always seen and expect at this point.

But with 10.14, and the recent potential for both Steve and Danny to be in good, healthy relationships (but that not happening), the ending of 10.14 and that line, things are going to work out for you, I can’t help but wonder if it is all pointing and directing to one thing: canon McDanno.

I know, I know. I may be naive, and I may be overthinking all this, reading too much into it and it all could just not be that deep. But still, it’s driving me absolutely nuts here. Danny’s woman was right there, and they killed her. That choice, they made. Why. It has to be for a bigger purpose, and that purpose better not be Danny and Rachel getting together.

Entertain the idea for a second: that bigger purpose, being McDanno.

I could be out of my mind but…

Or yes, it could just be the writers doing what they’ve always done, teasing McDanno without them becoming canon.

It just seems like season ten, from the beginning, has been building towards that. Hell, Steve told his date how much he loves Danny and how they're always being compared to a married couple.

Also, Lenkov shared a shot from the upcoming Valentine’s Day episode where Steve and Danny are sitting closely next to the each other (cuddling, if you ask me), which may or may not mean anything. But I’m just saying. Both men are probably (almost definitely) still single by that episode given the timeline, so, yeah.

And the mystery of the Champ box is said to be finally solved by the season finale along with its secrets, so who knows? It could all be related.

I thought Danny and his perfect woman could have gotten married at some point.

But could we get a McDanno wedding instead?

My mind keeps going back to 8.10 and Danny’s hallucinations. That last one, with old McDanno sitting together on Steve’s beach. And Rachel’s absence in all of Danny’s hallucinations. The one constant thing in them being Steve. 

I just really wanna know what the writers are doing.

[cowandcalf]

10.14 - Spoilers

Random thoughts, no particular order.

Danny has some workdays off. He sits in a bar, at 10 am, alone, watching TV. I haven't decided yet if this is a sad picture or if Danny's having a good time, some me-time, away from the normal daily routine… I really don't know. Maybe he's somehow heartbroken over Grace being at college, far away from home, far away from her Danno. It might be all about a dad who must get used to the fact that his daughter grows up. And that hurts, a lot, especially Danny. He's a great dad. Because Danny doesn't look relaxed in this first scene at the bar, more like deeply immersed in serious thoughts. So maybe his face expresses all about the changes in his life he can't stop from happening.

Steve's worried about Danny and I know he has his reasons. So, it really might all be about Grace and college and moving away from home. Steve's looking out for his boy the only reason for his early call to check up on Danny. Okay, I mean Danny must have left the house around what time? 8:30 am? 9:00 am? Something like this? So, he's seen Steve just a moment ago, had a cup of coffee with him. He even petted Eddie before he went to drive off to this bar. And Steve is separated from Danny for how long exactly? For about 2 hours tops? Before Steve decides it's time for a call, to touch base, making sure he's fine. I mean…this, yeah, this is what I live for.

Steve calls Danny, asking him how he's doing. And it's not anywhere near lunchtime but Steve asks Danny to join him, to grab a bite to eat for lunch. Danny has this day off and Steve can't stand the thought thinking Danny might overthink things, having a bad time, a somber mood. Whatever. Anything is good enough to pretend it's all about caring instead of admitting he only wants to hear Danny's voice. Steve's worried, he misses him…

(Damn, right this moment, in the middle of writing this text there's some other thoughts popping up…GAHH!)

How could I forget about that? OHmYGoD! Steve has just had this awful moment with Eddie! He was terrified Eddie might die on that highway, disorientated, run over by a car. Steve's all shaken up emotionally. He can't really admit that fact to himself, not yet at least, only later when the vet is there with him…I got a little of that myself today – talking about anxiety… So, the call to Danny is also to calm Steve down from the recent, shocking events because Eddie is much, so much more than just a dog to him.

Eddie is the main supporting pillar of Steve's fragile world he hides in his heart and his shattered, scarred soul. Steve is still upset and who does he call? Danny.

He calls, just as Danny would have called him and he checks up on his boy. What a great, tender, comforting moment. Steve doesn't see Danny at work due to his short time-out, though Danny still lives at Steve's place (…if he hasn't forgotten his key…) and Steve sees him in the evening for sure but he wants to eat lunch with Danny although he knows Danny is off to have some good time with whatever he's coming up with. The call Steve gives Danny is similar to the one Danny gave Steve in 10.01, exactly the same. I love this continuity. Warms my heart and the inside of my body down to my little toes.

Danny and the unknown, sexy woman. She's a natural beauty. I love everything about her. From her hair to her fair skin, down to her curvy, hot as hell body, to the way she's dressed, wearing the badassery-is-my-first-name tag like she invented also sensuality. I appreciate the absence of heavily put-on make-up. She's gorgeous and perfect. What a woman!! Whoa, she's freaking hot! And so damn far away from Danny's comfort zone, it makes me want to bite something. That pick-up scene where she just entered the bar to catch up on Danny was a total turn-on, so special, totally out of the ordinary, so hot! Holy shit! This sexy brunette plays with Danny and makes one hot move on him after the other.

God, she's so sexy, full of sass and wits and she swaggers into the bar and within seconds she hits on Danny and it knocks me off my feet with the wave of passion and lust and joy of life breezing my way. Bow chica bow wow!

Danny goes with the flow. How could he not? Steve is still important, and he takes the call. Danny would never not take a call from Steve. But after that Danny's world spins out of control. This woman seduces him into a state where Danny's cock rules his body. They go and have a hot fuck in the woman's bathroom of that bar! Danny stumbles into a tiny, confined space with no windows and only walls around him and he's fine! I have a great live-sex-movie in my head with Danny having this impromptu sex and that's why I have to use other words! Let’s be dirty! He bangs her, right there, from behind, and Miss Sexy-and-Brunette has one palm spread wide against the mirror, and with her other hand she clamps the rim of the counter to catch the heavy snaps of Danny's hips against her ass. God, they watch each other in the mirror, Danny takes her from behind, face red and flushed from arousal and joy and a tiny bit embarrassment that he even sees himself fucking a stranger in a public toilette. A hookup, not even knowing her name and she lifts her skirt and pulls her panties aside to let Danny glide into her wet, hot pussy. Jesus!

I mean, what the hell? (I love Danny’s wet spots under his armpits on his shirt after the sex, that's a great detail.)

The absolute cutest thing happens afterward. Danny has never done this before..just savor this...Danny has never fucked a stranger in a bathroom. He’s not so adventurous and this all-in now or never guy and it shows a tiny bit in the way of his movements which aren't all that confident, just a tiny bit insecure but the desire is there, burning like a wildfire. I mean the red-kissed, sore skin on the sexy brunette’s throat makes my knees go weak.

We know how Danny approaches his women, not like this. He's very much hesitant, insecure, shy, careful, cautious that this event right there with Miss Sexy-and-Brunette?? This renders me damn speechless. Wow! I'm sure Danny calls her (the unknown, sexy woman he just had sex with) Vivienne in his head. I see him whispering hot nonsense in her ear while he comes inside her, and her eyes grab his gaze and lock on. She's so damn self-confident. Who had the condom? That had to be Miss Sexy. I really don't think Danny plans such an act on purpose. He has never done this before!! And he's a bit shaken from his courage and he's so damn sexy with this touch of shyness and the way he speaks to her afterward, coaxing her into giving her a lift…wow, man, Danny's such a hot a stud when he sets his passion loose!

I have no idea if they had had a chance for a relationship. It wasn't the question anyway. But Miss Sexy-and-Brunette is from the East Coast, she loves Jersey, she gets movie/baseball/football (?) quotes. She knows 'Romeo's'…she's such a great gal and I literally can see Danny falling in love iwith her just because she so very different compared to his previous women. She's a wild one and I'm not so sure if Danny could have handled her. Really, I'm not so sure. But she sounds perfect.

Everything that happens afterward seems to be fate, just bad luck, even if it kills you as a viewer, you can't turn back the clock. It's so terribly heartbreaking and this strong, incredible woman dies without telling Danny her name. She's outstanding and a tough she-warrior till the end. She fought so hard, she was so brave and everything...but it wasn't enough. God, I cried for both of them.

Danny had the hottest adventure in the morning because of her, Miss Sexy-and-Brunette and because of her asking him questions about his life Danny came up with some damn honest answers.

For example, Danny told her that Hawaii isn't the worst place to be. He said 'Hawaii 'grows on you'. Or when 'Vivienne' asks about Danny's reason for being in that bar and he answers the reason might be his ex-wife. And Rachel comes up and we get to know that Danny and she tried to make it work and they failed, again. As Danny said, they're better off as friends. So, Rachel's out of the picture. Hopefully forever.

But Life has other plans and this wonderful, sexy morning turns in another haunting, dark, life-sucking event. Danny relives a terrible nightmare – the one where his partner Grace got shot, that day 9/11, right next to him and he couldn't save her. It happens again that a woman dies in his hands. The circumstances are brutal. Danny has experienced paradise and heaven, love and passion, despair and bone-deep grief within hours. He's a mess. He can't deal with anything at the moment. He had it, this spark and it's gone, forever lost, seconds later.

And what’s with Steve? There's also some heavy shifting on the emotional side happening. He opens up to his ohana and we get some deep insights into his heart and his well-guarded feelings because of Eddie. He's honest with the vet-lady and it hurts my heart to know his job always comes first like as if he has no idea how to create a personal life. He would want a relationship with someone, but he can't fit it into his life and the vet-lady wasn't as important as it had to be to make it happen.

In the end, Danny and Steve are single again. They try hard to make things work, but it's not happening. Steve needs Eddie to get through his days and his ohana is always there for him. It breaks my heart how much everyone loves Eddie. Eddie has gone through the same war terror as Steve and neither of them came out sane and healthy. Both of them carry a heavy, invisible burden and that ties the bond between them even tighter.

Steve is going to break down when he gets to know what happened to Danny while he was hat home. God, he’s going to be a mess, too.

At the end of the day, Steve will do everything in his power to be there for Danny. They end up sitting on the couch, leaning into each other and helping one another to get through this mess that is life and love. But they always have each other. Danny lives at Steve's, Danny's single again, Steve's also single and one day, I'm sure of it, one day they stop being so stubborn and they will kiss and snuggle on the couch and they know they'll grow old together because they love each other deeply and uniquely.

There are so many more details. But again, let’s stop here. Thanks so much for reading!

Season 10 is quite outstanding. Great episode. It was poetic, sad, heartbreaking cinema.

[aquaburst3]

I’m bored. With Midnight Sun finally being published this Summer, I want to spout out some random changes I would make if I rewrote the Twilight series...

Characters

Bella won’t be a self insert, but will have an actual personality. Said personality would be that she’s a quiet book worm, who is guarded and cares a lot about those dear to her. She will speak up and become assertive when someone is threatening a loved one. 

On that same note, Bella will be Puerto Rican. 

Edward wouldn’t be toxic, possessive and controlling of Bella. 

Edward works in medicine and is Carlisle’s intern at his clinic in Seattle. He uses his mind reading powers to help patients with health issues. So if someone is suffering with Schizophrenia, Edward can see into their mind and describe what they’re thinking to Carlisle to get the patient better medical care and treatment. 

Alice is a fashion designer; Emmett works in sports science, but has charities to help war vets; and Rosalie has numerous startups to help women and other abuse survivors. 

The Cullens won’t be prefect vegetarians. They can only sustain off of animal blood for so long before they become sickly. Living off of animal blood is like living off of beans and rice. Sure, it would keep you alive, but you need more well rounded meals to stay healthy. Carlisle gets blood from donors to help with this. Most of the time, they resort to killing off the scum of humanity that wouldn’t be missed or trying their hardest to bite people, but not kill them. This is an issue they still struggle a lot with. 

Alice is Japanese. Emmett is black. Rosalie is a white, blonde woman. 

I would also merge Jasper and Emmett into one character. His backstory is that he was a solider in the Second World War. While overseas, he was about to die after an attack. A random woman turns into a vampire, forcing him to help create the newborn vampire army. After doing this reluctantly for along time, he escapes to America and meets Rosalie, falling for her.  Personality wise, he’s like Ryuji from Persona 5. He’s a lovable goof ball, but can be introspective and hides his issues from others. He also struggles with his bloodlust the most. 

Rosalie and Alice are pretty similar to their book counterparts personality wise. 

Instead of pretending to be adoptive siblings, the Cullens pretend to be a family differently. Edward pretends to be Carlisle’s half brother while Alice pretends to be his adoptive sister. The two of them live with Carlisle and Esme. However, Rosalie and Emmett live on their own with Rosalie pretending to be Carlisle’s sister, too. (Because...yeah, even as a kid, I always found the Cullens pretending to be adoptive siblings and being together romantically fucking weird. According to the books, Carlisle is only 10 years older than them in universe, so it would make more sense for him to be their sibling to outsiders.) 

Lore/General Shit

Aspects of the lore will be altered. Vampires will burn to a crisp in the sun unless they have a special ring to protect them. Vampires can be killed via stake to the heart or cutting their head off. Vampires have more threats then other vampires, including werewolves, witches, fae, etc. No imprinting. 

The Voltori will exist. But instead of being a group of vampires who mince all day, they’re a huge criminal underworld for mythological creatures and hide their existence from the outside world out of fear of prosecution. 

Bella will be 19 and taking an off year before going to university. (So Edward, Alice and Rosalie won’t be in a loop of going to high school forever and would be actual adults.) 

Renesmee won’t exist. The whole pregnancy and pressuring Bella into marriage won’t be here either. 

The story would take place in more modern times, so there would be more modern tech. Texting, memes, modern shows and other things would be mentioned. (Side note, I can easily imagine Edward saying, “You know that Covid 19 stuff from a few years ago? Imagine living through that bs twice and seeing people make the same stupid mistakes?” as a bit of comic relief.)

No native american werewolves or that stupid werewolf backstory tied to the Quileute Tribe. That whole thing was problematic and racist as hell for obvious reasons, so I would totally scrap it. Instead Jacob would be just Bella’s human friend. Same goes for all of the other members at La Push. 

Werewolves would exist in this universe. They’re more like how they are in most mythology. You get turned into one by outside forces and anyone can transform into one.

Bella would also spend more time with her friends outside of the Cullens, who are Jacob, Jessica and Angelia.  

I would fix the pacing issues. 

I would completely scrap the last two books, making this a duology like Six of Crows. 

Outlines for the books. 

The first book would be about Bella figuring out that Edward is a vampire early on. She promises to keep quiet about it. However, James and his coven move into town, hunting down and killing people. This causes a turf war between the two clans. James picks out Bella as his prey just to piss Edward off. But Bella tricks him by cutting her arm, which detracts him long enough for Alice and Rosalie to move in and kill him. However, she was thrown into a mirror, and is bleeding badly. Carlisle treats her. She is hospitalized and Edward feels bad about not saving her. 

The second book would be about Victoria having her revenge. She creates the vampire army lead by a newborn vampire, who is infatuated with her. Everyone in town teams up to take down the army. Charlie, Bella’s human friends, other supernatural creatures in the area. The works. They successfully take down the army. This is rather bittersweet, since some members of the other army were other towns people and Bella’s classmates. The Voltori waltz in. Since obviously they can’t turn a whole town into vampires or murder everyone there, they wipe the towns’ memory’s. (Not sure if I would end it with Bella’s memory’s being wiped and marrying Jacob in a few years after she’s done college or Bella becoming a vampire and being the Cullens still, probably the former to end it on a bittersweet note.) 

[manrocket-mo]

You and Mo adopting a puppy together in Toronto

Ya’ll I know we’re all mopey and really sad and I hope this helps even a teensy bit.

When the Leafs’ community relations team reached out to you and the other wives and girlfriends to ask you to be a representative at the Toronto Humane Society adoption event pre-game, you knew that you should’ve sat this one out. It wasn’t that you hated animals, it was quite the opposite.

You wanted a puppy so bad, you and Morgan but you both always kept a level heads about yourselves. With Morgan’s schedule in-season and you being in your last semester at university, it just wasn’t a good idea. But every time you went back to Vancouver with Morgan and you saw him with Maggie, and every time you went out and you stole some puppy time away from strangers, the part of your heart that wanted a puppy grew and grew.

But who were you to turn down an opportunity to not only steal some more puppy play time but also do good in the community on behalf of your boyfriend? So you stupidly agreed, your Rielly jean jacket slung over your shoulders and a bag of treats ready to go for the good boys and girls awaiting you.

“Have a great game, babe,” you smiled readjusting Morgan’s lapels before pressing a kiss to his lips. He smiles into your peck and before you could pull away, lifts you up.

“Mmm, don’t be late,” you mumble, cupping his cheek. “I don’t want Babs mad at me.”

Mo chuckles before setting you down on the counter.

“As if Babs could ever be mad at you. He loves you!” You roll your eyes at him and place your hands on his broad shoulders. “Mmm, you’re wearing your jacket.”

You grin at him. “I have this thing today and I have to represent this guy, so I have wear this little thing.” You shrug your shoulders but the smile ripped across your cheeks told another story.

His grin matches yours. “I love seeing you wear my last name and my number,” he whispers seductively against your skin, his hands tracing the 4’s along your sleeve. “But more than anything, I love knowing that you’re representing us in the community. It means so much to me.” He pressed a kiss to your cheek, sweetly.

“Of course. Anytime.” You press a kiss to his lips once more before you shooed him, jumping off the counter. “Now, you really gotta go! You’re going to be late by your standards.”

Now it’s his turn to roll his eyes at you and leaned down to give you one last peck on the lips.

“Wait!” You yelled after him before he could walk over to grab his keys. “Don’t forget your pin!” You grab the blue Leafs paw print pin off the counter and moved back to your boyfriend.

“I got it.” You stood there in the foyer of the home you shared with Morgan and pressed the backing into the pin so that it hung perfectly on his suit. “Perfect.”

You caught Mo giving you the heart eyes again. “Thanks, babe.”

“You’re welcome! Now go get, ‘em. Score me a goal!” You teasingly swatted at his butt, directing him to the door. “Come on, come on.”

Mo laughs and leans back before you could close the door on him. “One more?”

You giggle, pressing your lips against his once more before pushing the door shut.

An hour later and you were on Maple Leaf Square out of treats and completely in love with the pup in your arms.

“Y/N,” Aryne chastises. You stick your lip out in a pout and give her puppy eyes, similar to the ones the little chocolate lab in your arms had been giving you the entire time you held him.

“Aryne…” you whine. “He’s sooooo cute.”

“Mo is going to kill you,” Steph sings knowingly.

“Yeah, but he’ll have a little friend to comfort him once they lower me into the ground,” you mumble stroking the pup’s soft fur.

“Ma’am, I think that family over there is going to sign up for that puppy, if you want to let them..” one of the humane society representatives said reaching out.

You panicked, clutching the puppy to you, your eyes searching for Steph’s. She giggled at you, knowingly. She knew from the very beginning how this would end. Truthfully, so did you.

Morgan would surely kill you. That was for sure.

You looked down to the good boy in your arms, so warm, so content and once he looked up at you, it was over.

“That won’t be necessary. I’ll adopt him.” You were determined and moved toward the sign up sheet for the little devil and picked it off the table. “Where do I sign?” you ask, one arm holding the dog and the other a pen.

Steph laughed loudly from behind you, earning an elbow to the ribs by Christina. “Wait til Syd hears about this!”

You roll your eyes but sit at the adoption table where you begin the paperwork, smiling for a photo when you finish up.

“…can we not post that til tomorrow? I need to tell my boyfriend what I just did.” This time the circle of wives and girlfriends surrounding you laugh in unison at your expense.

“And here you go… here’s his crate, some puppy food, a couple of toys and some treats. And not to forget, his first little bandana. Mac with the number 44, is that right?”

“Aww, MAC!” Steph cooed as she grabbed the crate for you.

“Yes, thank you.” You grabbed your belongings, slinging your purse over your shoulder while clutching to your new puppy.

“So what are you going to do?” Christina wonders as she reaches over to give Mac a scratch between the ears.

“I’m going got go home and figure out how to explain what I just did to my boyfriend when he gets home.

You get another phone call, your third that you send to voicemail out of pure guilt. You watch as Mac runs around the office and can’t help the shame you feel as your phone buzzes with another text.

You pick up your phone and send him a text without looking at what he sent.

I’m okay. Don’t worry.

You put your phone down. You knew Morgan would be home at any time with the game ending almost an hour ago, even sooner now that you weren’t there to greet him post-game.

When the front door opens and slams shut, you get off the floor and creep toward the door.

“Y/N!” Morgan yells, looking for you.

You push the door of the office open and shut it softly behind you.

“Mo, I’m here.” You watch as he turns to you and in three long strides pulls you into his arms.

“I was so worried! You didn’t answer my calls and my texts and Steph said you never made it to the game and you weren’t there waiting for me and—“ he was panicking, he was worried.

You grabbed his face in your hands and spoke to him. “Morgan, I’m here. I’m okay. I’m here, okay?” You nod with him. “I’m here.”

“Why’d you leave?” Morgan asks confused.

You shake your head and you’re sure it does nothing to relieve his worries. “Morgan, you’re going to be mad at me and that’s okay. I deserve it.”

Mo’s blue eyes grow. “Y/N…”

“Morgan, you need to be calm when I tell you.”

He nods quietly but before you could build up the courage to spill what you did, there are the sounds of little paws on hardwood, little puppy barks.

“Morgan, please don’t be mad.” You lean down and away from Morgan to pull your new little pup to you.

“Momo, meet Mac…” you smile sheepishly, looking up to take him in giving you a look of relief.

“That’s it? This is why you thought I’d be so mad that you didn’t answer my phone calls?” He’s skeptical.

“I thought you’d be so mad you’d break up with me for being irresponsible…”

Morgan lets out a breath and puts his arms around your waist. He can’t help but laugh at the look that must be on your face.

“I’m not mad, okay?”

You nod and pull Mac to you. “Look Mo, he even has a 44 on a Maple Leaf on his bandana! You can’t be mad! Look at that face!” You angle Mac’s little face up so Morgan can look at it and as soon as Morgan leans down, Mac takes a lick at his face.

“Mac, eh?” Morgan reaches over and pets his soft, chocolate brown fur. “Mac is going to make Maggie a very jealous girl when we get back to Vancouver for the summer. She’s not going to be happy with me.”

You smile, your heart and ovaries bursting as Morgan takes hold of Mac and nuzzles his fur.

“How old is Mac?” He wonders.

“10 weeks and he’s all up to date with vaccinations and has had a full work up by the vets and I’ll take care of him, you won’t even have to worry—“

Morgan silences you with his lips.

“I’m not mad at you,” he promises.

Suddenly Mac yelps and starts wiggling out of your boyfriend’s arms, prompting him to be set down on the floor.

“Oh, you wanna play, Mac?” Morgan gets down on his knees and calls for Mac when he turns around and goes to the other room where he knows he has toys.

“I’m glad we got a little gremlin of our own, even if you pretended you were strong enough to go to this event. I was really starting to miss Mags again and I want you to have someone when I’m away.”

You settle down on the floor next to Morgan hearing the jingle of Mac’s tags against his collar as he ran back a toy almost the size of his body being dragged from his mouth.

“So the right call?” you wonder, bumping shoulders with your boy. “Because this family was eyeing him and..”

“Ah, right call? Still out there as questionable,” Morgan teases, his arm going around your shoulders, pulling you to him. “But good call? I’d say so.”

He quickly presses a kiss to your temple before patting the floor in front of you both with two hands, signaling for Mac to jump into his arms.

“I’ll let Maggie make the final decision when she meets our little guy in a few weeks.”

Mac lets out a little bark and you and Morgan laugh pulling him closer to both love on him.

Y/IG/H

Toronto, ON

Liked by morganrielly and 2,927 others

Y/IG/H Mags has a baby brother and @morganrielly didn’t kill me! Everyone meet Mac Rielly! #Bub

View all 392 comments

morganrielly How could I be mad with that face on Bub??

marner_93 Mo daddy and Mac daddy

stephlachancee STILL laughing but cuteeee 😍

sydneyesiason Steph wasn’t kidding! 😹Can’t wait til he meets Jax!

MO SOFT/THIRST NIGHT! (cont’d)

[dxmedstudent]

Thanks, Facebook!

I’ve been going through my facebook suggested friends list and I was struck by how... distinct the categories were. And how odd. I really wish it would just let me disappear people once and for all, because it feels like it is always trying to get me to add the same people. Or maybe it’s not the same people but it always seems to come up with so many. The first category was... people I have so many mutual friends with. But just because I have 32 friends i common with someone, doesn’t mean I know them. My year at med school had over 300 people in it, and I’m a faceblind introvert who minds her own business. There is no way I have had meaningful interactions with all these people, no matter how many mutual friends we have. Medicine, in particular is a small world, and we all know a lot of people, but I don’t see why I should add every person I shared a lecture theatre with, or shared a hospital with. I’m so glad that I block people I stop talking to, because I can foresee lots of now-defriended exes being recommended to people purely because of mutual friends. I can see why their algorithm would assume I must know these people, or even be very close with them, but the’res a difference between ‘these friends all hang out and therefore probably know each other’ and ‘these 40 people work or go to university together, so they’ll all want to ‘friend’ each other. Sometimes I really have no clue who these people are. Most of the time, actually. Occasionally, I do, but I know them so little that I might as well not know them at all. There are a lot of not-particularly-close-friends’ siblings, cousins, partners whoI have never met, and may never do so. And parents, though friends’ parents tend to the the kinds of people who love to add you on facebook, and you can’t say no because you do think they are OK but this is all sort of a bit weird.  Even if it’s a close friend, I may I love my friend and know their sister, doesn’t mean I need their grandmother or aunt or friend I’ve never met, on my facebook. Maybe we’ve met a few times, and they are a friend of a friend, but we’re not really close and I can’t imagine they need to see my hilarious museum photos ported from instagram. Sometimes it’s other people’s partners - who I’ve never met, even if we do have friends in common. I can’t really see any good coming of me adding everyone’s husbands who I don’t even know, no matter if we have a few mutuals. I’m fairly sure most people I know aren’t that weird kind of possessive jealous partner who vets their partner’s FB friendlist, but I can imagine that in friend circles things might get awkward. That reminds me of the threatened dating app feature of facebook; particulary the ‘crushes’ element where people can nominate people they know. Given that  if you’re a grownup avoiding confessing your feelings, it’s probably for a reason, it just seems really ill-thought out. And even if you are going to have an affair, it probably shouldn’t be conducted on social media sites with a patchy privacy history. It’s all just deeply weird and I hope facebook doesn’t try to integrate whatever they are planning in any intrusive fashion. There are also people I know but I’m not adding for a reason; people I don’t like, people I used to like but it wasn’t reciprocated, people I’ve had beef with and are now no longer in my life, and anyone who I might have gotten to know through them. The most awkward of these is an ex-friend’s current girlfriend. I’ve met them, and I’m sure they are a lovely person, but I really think that’d be more drama than I could handle. Others are just people I thought were OK, but just never gelled with well enough to let them in on my life. Or people who seemed OK in university, but after years of not really talking, there’s just... not much to say? To be honest, I’ve been having the strong urge to go on a bit of a social media cull and just... quietly restrict my circle to people who are meaningful to my life right now. I’ve been resisting, but really, I do want to pare things down. I do like when it picks up friends from work, though facebook often doesn’t pick up the people I necessarily want to add, rather, it picks up the people who seem to add everyone. The people I want to add are often a bit more reserved, and I am always left wondering if I’m intruding by ‘friending’ people from work, partly because I myself am quite a private person who doesn’t want to let many people in. People rarely make the cut these days, but every once in a while I make friends that I really want to carry with me after I’ve moved hospital and changed place. I’m a bit shy when it comes to adding colleagues on Facebook; I have to feel pretty comfortable with a colleague before they make the jump to a highly curated version of my profile. And consultants? Never make the cut. You do not make friends with your boss. There’s a whole slew of older relatives I’m very deliberately not adding. They can live their own life, but I don’t particularly want to be their entertainment when it comes to the rumor mill, I am fairly sure my cousins curate their facebooks even more rigidly, for the same reasons. When I can tell you that some of my relatives are known for being both extremely talkative, nosy and blunt to the point of offensiveness, you can see why I might not want them nosing around my every post; it’d just make things less fun. There are some relatives whose suggested profles or friend requests are currently being considered, as I try to work out if my current privacy setting for relatives is restrictive enough to make me happy to add them. It’s not even like I add anything particularly controversial or salacious on facebook, I am what most people would describe as a boring person.  I just don’t feel comfortable with opening up my profile to lots of people, and I don’t want to feel self-conscious if I put something up. I could say that it’s my issue, but given that my relatives are pretty blunt (see any of my ‘why aren’t you getting married?!’ posts), my self-consiousness with relatives has a pretty obvious cause. I do however, like to use facebook to keep up with some relatives and family friends; living abroad and doing my own thing means I don’t see some people who I really care about as much as I would like to. And whilst anyone who is really close to me is actually on my Whatsapp, there’s a place for people who aren’t my best friends or immediate family in my life. If I’m honest, my facebook mainly exists for keeping up with people like that; who I care enough about that I like to know they are doing well, and that I can catch up with them once in a while, but we’re not on whatsapping terms. And also for some of my best school friends who never seemed to get the hang of regular texting or  whatsapp or even email; for some of them, these only exist to arrange meetups, where real interaction happens. Being a busy person with a horrible timetable, that is personally the opposite of how I feel, but I try to keep up with their lives as best as I can. Facebook did pick up the guy that I’m seeing; no mutual friends so I was a bit surprised at first.  I assume it uses information from instagram and Whatsapp, which we prefer because unlike facebook they allow you to conduct your love life discreetly, rather than entertaining your friends and relatives like the local panda breeding programme. We discussed ages ago that we’re both not fussed about social media, and since update each other often and spend lots of time together IRL, it wouldn’t really add anything apart from old holiday photos, embarrassingly dorky comments and likes from 15 years ago and my slightly embarrassing fanart photo albums (Oh god, don’t dump me because of terrible, terrible Naruto fanart, I’m begging you! I can change!) there’s no rush. Thinking about it, I’ve already seen his old holiday photos, so I’m good for now, thanks. Don’t get me wrong; he’s wonderful and I’d have no issue with him being on my profile, he could see what he likes and I’d be happy to be ‘connected’ to him. But there’s no privacy on facebook from your extended social circles.  We’ve reached the point where the people in our lives have heard of the person, but haven’t gotten to know them, and I feel it’d be gentler to introduce each other in each others’ lives much more fully before our friends and family start judging the person we are dating due to their truly mediocre selfies or choice of likes on facebook. I avoid having my older relatives on facebook partly because I know they’d be tittering every time I added a male friend or (heavens!) a man wrote a comment, so.. just no. I just hope he doesn’t come up as a random suggested to anyone close to me; that seems the kind of thing FB’s creepy algorithms could throw up. That’s because for me, the weirdest category of recommended friends, by far is people who I do know but have no mutuals with, and who I’ve never interacted with on social media- I don’t even have their number. We’ve never shared so much as a whatsapp message. By reasonable standards, they should not be suggested to me, and yet, here they are by some dark force I cannot understand. I can sort of see how some of my distant cousins might be picked up by Facebook’s algorithms, but FB is also giving me colleagues who it really shouldn’t know I know. I don’t ever have my place of work on FB, don’t list my location (though it might be mentioned - not geotagged - on some photos) and we have no friends in common. It’s funny that I actually quite like some of these people, so occasionally they make the jump, but I just find it weird that FB has figured out we know each other. I wonder if it’s due to geographic location? It does make me a little afraid of how good the algorithms are getting. There’s also people it thinks I know that I do not. No mutual friends. No similar geography. I assume they must be people a couple of degrees of separation from either uni friends/ colleagues or relatives, but I fail to see why facebook even tries to sell you these people. Where do they come from? Who knows. Anyhow, I’d love to hear whatever awkwardness FB is selling everyone else, or if someone actually understands their friendship algorithms.

[thisdiscontentedwinter]

Stella and the Wolf - Chapter 10

You can read it on AO3 here, or find the Tumblr Chapter Index here. 

Stiles gets the frantic call from Dad while he and Stella are eating Cheetos and Googling images of weird symbols on Stiles’s laptop.

“Stiles! Is Stella with you?”

Stiles tries to sound casual. “Sure is. What’s up, Dad?”

He hears Dad’s long, slow sigh of relief, and can picture his shoulders sagging with it. “I’m at the hospital. Peter Hale is missing, and so is his nurse.”

“I’m not following,” Stiles says, doing the zip-your-lip gesture to Stella.

She nods seriously.

Dad’s voice is strained. “He’s the coma patient Stella was reading to.”

“Oh,” Stiles say. “Well I picked her up, no problems.”

“What time was that?”

“A little past 4.30,” Stiles says. “She sent me a text saying she wasn’t feeling well, and she wanted to come home early.”

“Stiles.” This time there’s a note of rebuke in Dad’s voice. “Did you tell Mrs. Lucas you took her home early?”

“No.” Stiles feels a genuine jab of guilt at that, and wonders if Mrs. Lucas is the one who discovered the room was empty. How fast can werewolves clean up a crime scene, by the way? Super fast, apparently. Although it’s a hospital. There’s already a lot of bleach lying around. “No, I forgot, sorry.”

“It’s okay, kid,” Dad says, and Stiles figures this is something he’ll revisit when he’s not so overcome with relief. “It’s okay. Listen, I’m not going to make it home until late tonight. Can you make dinner and put Stella to bed?”

“Sure, Dad,” Stiles says. “I’ll leave you a plate in the refrigerator, okay?”

“Thanks, kid,” Dad says. “That’d be great.”

Dad ends the call.

“He’s not coming home tonight, is he?” Stella asks.

“No.” Stiles sets his phone down. “You’re stuck with me, kiddo. Bad luck.”

Stella knocks her shoulder against his. Her eyes are wide and her expression is solemn. “Does it always feel bad when you lie to Dad?”

Stiles feels guilt stir in his gut. “Yeah. It does.”

She’s not talking about the little stuff, he knows. She’s not talking about who put a scratch in the paintwork of Dad’s cruiser when it was parked in the driveway (Stella, on her bike), or who put a dent in the wall with his head (Stiles, playing indoor baseball), or who stole the last Oreo (both of them, on multiple separate occasions).

This isn’t just lying about something that doesn’t even matter—or something Dad has probably guessed anyway. This is worse than a single lie. It’s bigger.

Stella wrinkles her nose. “So why aren’t we telling him about werewolves?”

“Because it’s dangerous,” Stiles tells her. “Because it’s better if he doesn’t know the truth. If he knew, then he’d try to stop it, and the last thing we want is Dad getting mixed up in all this, you know?”

He blinks, and sees the nurse hitting the wall.

Stella looks down at her hands, and curls her fingers into an approximation of claws. She looks up at Stiles again, her forehead creased, and nods. “Peter didn’t hurt me,” she says, “but that doesn’t mean he’d let Dad arrest him. And Dad would have to try to arrest him because it’s his job.”

Stiles wasn’t this clever when he was eight, he thinks.

There are days now when he’s not as clever as Stella, probably, but he’d never admit it aloud. She doesn’t need the ego boost.

“There are a lot of people with ugly tattoos,” Stella says as they scroll through some more pictures of symbols. “Ha! That one’s on his butt!”

Stiles closes the laptop.

“What?” Stella asks. “It was just a butt!”

“Yeah, and we don’t look at butts on the internet,” Stiles says, because he’s the biggest hypocrite in the world. He reaches for the strange little token again, and turns it over in his palm. He’s got a headache from staring at so many weird patterns, and they didn’t find anything that looked even remotely similar. He’s tired of combing the haystack for needles.

He sets the token down, and picks up his phone. He sends yet another text to Derek: Are you ok? Please answer. He’s sent six texts since the hospital, and tried to call three times, but Derek’s phone is switched off.

Stiles hopes he’s okay.

He hopes that Peter hasn’t torn him apart and left his body in pieces in the Preserve, like he did to Laura.

Just… there is so much going on that Stiles doesn’t understand, and the reason he doesn’t understand is because getting information out of Derek has been like trying to get blood out of a stone. Even though Stiles has been in his corner since that night at Deaton’s vet clinc, and—

Deaton’s vet clinic.

Deaton.

Deaton is always around when something shady happens, and he was always dropping hints to Scott that said more than his actual words did, and Stiles was so sure he was the Alpha because he obviously knew something. And okay, he’s not the Alpha, but he still obviously knows something.

Shit.

He’s been such an idiot.

Derek didn’t just demand Stiles take him to Deaton’s that night because he thought he might need a bone saw, did he? No, he was looking for an antidote at first. And regular vets, Stiles is sure, don’t know how to cure aconite poisoning in werewolves. Because who the fuck would?

But Deaton knows.

Deaton is not a regular vet.  

“Get your shoes on,” he tells Stella. “We’re going to see Dr. Deaton.”

***

It’s just on dusk when Stiles and Stella arrive at the animal clinic. Stiles knows Scott isn’t working tonight, but there’s a light on in the foyer, so presumably Deaton is still in. He tries the door, but it’s locked. He knocks, and a moment later Dr. Deaotn appears from behind the counter.

He sort of knows Stiles, Stiles guesses, so hopefully that means he knows Stiles isn’t here to steal the ketamine.

Deaton opens the door. “Stiles?”

“Hi,” Stiles says. “Can we come in?”

“I was just doing the books,” Deaton says, holding the door for them. “What’s the problem?”

Stiles opens his mouth.

Then he closes it again, because no, he hasn’t really thought this through.

“You don’t have an animal with you,” Deaton points out.

“Meow,” says Stella helpfully.

Oh god. She’s an idiot. She gets that from Stiles as well.

But it breaks the ice, or at least makes Stiles realize that he has to say something before Deaton kicks them out, so he digs into his pocket and pulls out the token. “Do you know what this is?”

Deaton stares at it, and then looks up at Stiles and says, “No.”

It’s a lie.

Stiles is one hundred percent sure it’s a lie.

“Where did you get it?” Deaton asks.

“Doesn’t matter,” Stiles says. “Since you don’t know what it is.”

The challenge lies in the air heavily for a moment, and then Deaton smiles slightly and dips his chin, as though Stiles has passed some sort of test.

“You’d better come through,” he says, and lifts the counter up so that they can follow him into the back room.

***

The last time Stiles was in this room, he was debating cutting Derek Hale’s arm off with a bone saw. Not a nice memory. So he focuses on Deaton instead, and on the half-eaten tandoori chicken in the takeout box on the bench. His stomach growls.

“May I?” Deaton asks, and Stiles hands over the strange little token.

Stella presses close to Stiles.

“What you have here,” Deaton says, “for lack of any better explanation, is a magnet.”

“It’s made of bone,” Stiles points out.

“Yes,” Deaton agrees placidly. “That was an analogy. This magnet wasn’t created to attract metal. It was created to attract a spark.”

“A what?”

“An Alpha spark, specifically.”

“I’m not following. Story of my life, recently, by the way.”

Deaton’s mouth twitches in what might be a smile, but might also be acid reflux courtesy of his tandoori. “Let’s pretend that there are werewolves in the world.”

“Sure,” Stiles says. “Let’s pretend.”

“Now in every pack, you have the Alpha, who is the leader. You also have betas, who are pack members. And omegas, who are packless wolves who risk going feral because of it. Now, when an Alpha dies, their power—their spark—is either passed down to their heir, or it is taken by the wolf who kills them.”

“Brutal.”

“Quite so.” Deaton turns the token over in his palm. “Now, say you were a beta or an omega who wanted an Alpha spark, but for some reason weren’t in line for it. Perhaps the Alpha doesn’t die at your hand or, more likely, you are not the Alpha’s heir. If you have a magnet to draw that spark, you can steal it.” He meets Stiles’s gaze. “Where did you get this, Stiles?”

“Peter Hale had it,” Stiles says. “He’s the Alpha. You know, if werewolves were real.”

“Peter,” Deaton says, and exhales heavily. “I wondered why it didn’t go to Derek.”

“So he made that?” Stiles asks. “To steal Laura’s spark?”

“A wolf couldn’t make this,” Deaton says. “This is the work of a druid.”

Oh great. So there’s a whole other supernatural thing Stiles now has to accept is real. Like, where does it stop? Are vampires a thing as well? Is the Mothman? Because Stiles would like to know where the line is, frankly.

“I’ll bet it was the nurse,” Stella says. “I’ll bet it was Jennifer!”

“We can’t know that.”

“You can, actually,” Deaton says, because apparently he really knows how to drop a bombshell. “It would have been someone very close to him, and on the few occasions our paths have crossed, she has always smelled a little like magic.”

“What does magic smell like?” Stella asks eagerly.

“Like ozone,” Deaton says, and somehow it’s not even the weirdest thing he’s said tonight.

“Well, she smells less pleasant now,” Stiles says. “She’s dead. Peter killed her.”

Deaton actually looks mildly surprised. Only mildly though.

Stiles reaches for the token again, but Deaton holds it out of his reach. And then he snaps it cleanly.

“Hey!”

“The balance must be maintained,” Deaton says. “Something like this should never have been created.”

It’s a far point, probably, but rude.

Stiles rubs his forehead. “So Peter used that thing that the nurse made to make sure that Laura’s Alpha spark went to him when he killed her?”

“That seems a reasonable assumption,” Deaton agrees.

“Okay,” Stiles says. “So what now? Peter’s the Alpha and Derek is his beta.” So is Scott, of course, but Stiles doesn’t mention that. Deaton probably  knows, but probably isn’t definitely, and the more Scott can stay out of things, the better. “How do we stop Peter from killing more people, and get Derek away from him?”

“I don’t know,” Deaton says. “Sometimes these things just need to play out. Sometimes it’s more dangerous to intervene.”

Stiles snorts. “Yeah, well there’s a rapidly rising body count that disagrees with you.”

“There’s a balance,” Deaton says. “If you upset it, there’s no way of telling which way all the pieces will fall.”

He sounds like he’s speaking from experience.

It’s still a bullshit philosophy though.

***

“Indian?” Stiles asks Stella as they head for the Jeep.

“Mmm.” She wrinkles her nose. “Sushi?”

“I want something hot.”

“But I want sushi.”

Stiles sighs. “Pizza?”  

“Okay!”

They’re almost at the Jeep when Stiles becomes aware of a vehicle crawling down the road behind them. He turns, half-expecting it to be Dad in his cruiser, wondering why the hell they’re in this part of town at this hour, or one of his deputies eager to report back, but it’s not a police cruiser. It’s a black SUV.

Stiles grabs Stella by the hand and picks up the pace.

The SUV picks up the pace too, and pulls in right behind the Jeep, blocking it in.

The tinted window slides down, and a woman Stiles has never seen before smiles out at him from the passenger’s seat. ���Need a ride, kids? Get in.”

“We’re good,” Stiles says, trying to gauge the distance back to Deaton’s and wondering if they could make it before the SUV can catch them.

It’s a moot point.

“I said get in,” the woman says, still smiling, and holds up her hand to show them that she’s carrying a gun.

[mmazzeroo]

Chapter 20: JON V - I Believe It's Tradition

@helloimnotawesome - Chapter 20 is finally here! Jon and Dany time *wink wink* 

Quick thanks to @callmedewitt for giving this a quick run-through and to @beautifuloutkasts for editing my late nightly attempt at writing. Love you both to bits!

Without further ado. Enjoy!

JON V - I Believe It’s Tradition

"There's something about wolves." Dany spoke quietly and carefully as she slowly edged closer. He'd sensed her presence long before that. Looming in the doorway. Watching me. Assessing the situation. Something her and Viserys have in common. Her footsteps muted,  quieted. She must've taken off her shoes.

As he'd fled dinner, Loras quickly followed him as he caught up to him by the stairs. Not trusting himself to speak at the time, he'd instead let the Tyrell Captain do the talking. What did he say by the way? Couldn't recall, but he'd seen the look of concern as he'd glared back. All he'd wanted to do was to hit something. Someone! After giving Loras another death glare, he'd continued up the stairs towards  the rooftop. Only refuge he could think of at the time.

Of course Dany had known to find him here. He'd heard her running up the stairs, one by one, only to come to an abrupt halt as she must've seen him. He’d stood  there, ignoring the city’s hustle and bustle, his back turned towards her as he stared into the horizon. He took a slow, deep breath and closed his eyes, listening to Dany speaking. Her voice is like a balm for my mind, her presence so soothing.

"Loyal to a fault. Fiercely protective of their pack. Intelligent. Playful. Tendency to be shy but that's because they don't trust strangers easily. Very loving and caring. Slow to anger, but if you manage to provoke them... Woo..." She blew out a breathe. "That bite is vicious. Deep. Precise. Even if you get away you won't get far - they'll always find you."

He cracked an eye open and glanced in her direction. Out of the corner of his eye he could see her still standing at a distance. The little lopsided smile on his lips crept  up on him. Simply by being here she makes me smile.

"I'm ok," he said softly. "You can move closer, I won't bite." Still not able to meet her gaze, he glanced down at his hands as they rested along the railings.

"No, you're not and I know you won't," he could hear the smile in her voice, "but I can observe you better from here." Oh!

"Observe me?" He sighed, "I see." Turning around he slowly, he sat down on the ground leaned his back up against the brick balustrade. "Like one of your wounded animals," he stated quietly. I should be angry by that comparison but maybe she's right. Even now, all I am is an animal. No matter how hard I work to find my place in a 'normal' human world, I'm still just a wild animal fighting for survival....

The feeling of defeat was overwhelming. He found himself wrapping his arms around his legs as he hugged his knees tightly to his chest. Silent tears began to stream and fall down his cheeks as he quickly hid his face in the space between his curled, perched up knees. He rocked himself from side to side as an attempt to calm himself, but before he knew it he was sobbing helplessly. Completely numbed by the rush of emotions, his mind went blissfully blank as  he cried his heart out in a mix of pure shame, anger, and loneliness.

Familiar fingers went running through his hair. Another hand  firm, but kindly loosening his arms from around his legs. Two, gentle, small hands pressed his shoulders back against the balustrade. Another gentle push on his knees and he felt a familiar weight straddled across his thighs. She picked up his arms and wrapped them around her waist. Again there was a familiar hand in his hair as his head was carefully moved to rest on her chest. Another arm was on his backside  softly stroking up and down his spine.

Sobbing like a child, he embraced her, hugging her in closely. He could hear her humming  in his ear, felt the vibrations in her chest as she gently rocked him. Safe. Home. Safe. Home. Repeated the two words like a mantra. Slowly, the tears began to subside, his heartbeat slowed as his breathing became  more even. Not able to yet speak, he kissed her in the hollow of her neck where the collarbones meet, hoping she'd understand the sentiment.

Dany's small, delicate hands quickly found their way to either sides of his face as she  carefully lifted him up to her awaiting gaze. Keeping his eyes closed, he felt her stroke his unruly hair out of his face. The shame was still burning in his veins. I can't look at you, Dany. Please. Not now.

Kisses as soft as summer rain were peppered in the tracks of his hot tears, so tenderly and with so much love that it had almost made him cry again. Why does she still bother to care for me? Because she's a vet and wounded animals is what she does, Jon! The voices in his head reminded him again of his status as 'non-human', his heart was again shattered. His loose grasp on the raft in the stormy seas lost. No light in the dark, no hope left. Just when I thought I'd found solid ground underneath my feet again.

"Jon, my love, stay with me." A sweet voice reached his ears like a whisper in the winds. "You are safe, you loved and you are wise."

He knew those words. They'd been whispered to him like a mantra for many nights the past many months. I'm safe, I'm loved and I'm wise. Dany! My home! Yes. Yes, I'm safe. Safe with Dany. I'm loved. Loved by Dany. I'm wise like Dany. Dany, my home. Safe. Home. Safe. Home.

"Jon," she kept peppering him with kisses as if to ensure him that she was real. "Listen to me now, ok?"

He nodded weakly.

"Listen carefully." She spoke quietly.

Another nod.

"I love you," she said as she laid a tender kiss upon his forehead. "You're the most courageous man I've met. I love your warrior heart,"one kiss to the left cheek, "–And you  are the most loving man I've met. I love your generous and kind spirit," another kiss she planted to the right cheek as she continued on, "but you don't have to fight by yourself anymore. You don't have to fight anymore at all." A peck to his nose. "We're all here for you. I asked you to let me be your strength until you regained yours. Remember?" She rested her forehead against his own.

I remember, Dany. You've been so strong already for months. I can't—

As if read his mind she interrupted him, "—and I'll continue to be strong for you as long as it's needed, Jon!"

The shame was resurfacing once more as. he began to lower his head as much as she would let him. He leaned in forward to once again rest his head upon her chest.

"Jon, you're a man. My man. Do you understand?"

He slowly shook his head. No Dany...I don't. He felt her little laugh more than heard it.

"My love, you're human. Not an animal," and before  he could object she continued, "..your instinctive reactions can be similar to that of a wounded animal. Agreed. You've been conditioned to respond that way. For your own safety and survival."

New tears began to burn and well behind his closed eyelids.

"You've survived so much trauma, and I'm so proud of you for not hiding. I'm so honoured that you let me in." His head was gently turned up as she showered him with a new round of kisses. "This isn't going to disappear over night or a few months or even a few years. This is something you'll carry with you for the rest of your life. I'm so sorry that this burden has been thrust upon you, my love, but I'll be here to carry the load with you as much as I can."

He gave up trying to stop the tears, letting them flow like waterfalls as Dany gently began to kiss them all away.

"As you grow more and more used to being loved, showered with affection and genuine care for your person, hopefully in time there'll be longer and longer between the times when you feel like you do now. But it'll take time, Jon. You need to allow yourself the time to heal. Some wounds will never heal, I know." How does she sound so sure and so heartbroken, all  at the same time? "Do you understand what I am saying, my love?"

At last, he finally opened his eyes slowly and carefully. It was dark outside now. Only light was from the small lanterns placed along the length of balustrade. How long have we been up here? When he finally managed to find his voice as it was hoarse from all his  crying he said, "I hear you and I understand. My love."

The soft lips that had previously sprinkled feather-like kisses upon his face were now on his own dry ones, breathing new life and hope into him with a passion he'd thought about since he first saw her at the wedding ceremony several hours ago.

When Dany reluctantly pulled away to catch some much needed air, she rested her forehead against his own. "You've never called me that before," she whispered, her eyes sparkling.

"No, I guess I haven't." He smiled seeing the joy in her eyes. "Can't keep only calling you 'Dany', can I?"

"You can if nothing else feels right for you." she said,  running her fingers through his hair once more.

He pulled her in a little closer as he said in a light whisper, "wouldn't have said it if it didn't feel right, darling."

"Darling? Oh you spoil me," she said with a grin  before giving him another deep kiss.

"By the way," he said pulling slightly back, "when you said 'we're all here for you' who exactly did you mean?" Did I ruin everything again now? He gave her a nervous look.

"I mean your pack, Jon. Your family. The wolves of Winterfell and the Dragons of Dragonstone." Oh thank the Gods, she smiling. "As a matter of fact I can tell you that Robb has sent the Ambassador home -  without her dinner." She snickered. "My mom sent a text a while ago."

"Wow! I'm impressed." Good job, brother. That was a ballsy move.

"Apparently so was the President." Seeing his surprise Dany nodded firmly. "In a few years when we sit together watching our butterflies play together with their dragon cousins, maybe a small litter of wolf pups," he couldn't help smiling at the picture she was painting, "who knows, might even be a little lion there." She laughed lightly. "This could potentially be a highlight for the usual storytelling around the campfire, don't you think?"

"Hmm....possibly," he said in a breath, his fingertips running up and down along her spine.

She smirked as she settled herself a little closer and a little lower. Oh Gods!

"I expect a dragonwolf or two to be added to the pack as well in the coming years," she sighed as she began to roll her curvy hips slightly. Gods this woman!

"Dragonwolves, huh?"

"Mhmm." Damn, that smirk!

"You'd be providing the dragon part I presume?"

"That'd be correct, Captain, " she answered seductively as she rolled her hips once more.   So 'Captain' is code for when she either wants to climb me like a tree or hang me from a tree. Noted!

"And the wolf part?"

"Any suggestions?"

"How about the Captain you're currently teasing, Dr. Targaryen?"

"That's a splendid suggestion!" She leant into him as she suckled his earlobe before gently scraping her teeth against his ivory skin. Breathe, you’ve gotta breathe...slowly!

"What a coincidence as I only practise procreation with winged females," he rasped, as he suddenly began to grin.

"Is that so?" she asked. Grabbing a fistful of his curly hair, she  pulled his head back slightly to look him in his eyes.

He nodded slowly.

An eyebrow furrowed up as she whispered, "..wings as in literally or figuratively speaking?"

"Either." He pushed up slightly to meet the roll of her hips.

She gasped as she said, "including angels?"

"—and fairies," he answered with a smirk.

She threw her head back laughing.

Sucking the hollow of her neck leaving a bright, red mark upon her soft and delicate skin, he rasped, " I always did have a thing for Tinker Bell."

"Oh! Would that make you Peter Pan?" Gods, I love that teasing look in her eye.

"He was just a child, woman!" He feigned offence.

She laughed again. One of my favourite melodies.

"...should I be worried about you being on the prowl for a younger model?"

"Oh shut up you big oaf!" She gave him a teasing slap on the shoulder.

"Oaf? I thought I was a wolf."

"Nah ah, you're a stallion," she replied as she slightly bit her lower lip.

"Am I now?" He asked quizzically, his kisses leading it’s way up her neck to her ear.

"Yes." Her breathing was getting heavier. "My prized Dornish stallion." Yes, I'm sure you feel it for every roll you make with those Gods damn amazing hips of yours!

"Prized stallion?"

"The prettiest in all the lands." She giggled.

"Prettiest? Wow! Think I'll go back to being an oaf then, thank you very much!"

Throwing her head back, she bursted into a fit of laughter.

He tightened his grip along  her lower back with one strong, muscular arm as he used  the other for leverage. He found a way to get back up onto his feet without dropping her. The clumsiness of the movement had made Dany laugh even harder which had made it more difficult for him to hold onto her. Gaining his balance, he gently lowered her to her dainty feet.

He dove in for another deep, heated kiss. "Take me to bed, Dany. Help me forget."

"Well," she drawled as she took his hand and started leading him towards the door, "you're the Best Man and I'm the Maid-of-Honour," she said, turning  her head as she flashed him a mischievously-sly smile, "I believe it's tradition."

[bechloeislegit]

A to Z BeChloe

J is for JEALOUS CHLOE

Prompt: Chloe's jealousy gets the best of her by Aubrey and Beca's friendship (Set post Pitch Perfect 3).

Chloe still can't believe that she was actually living in L.A. with Beca who has been her girlfriend for almost a year now. She was sitting on the balcony of the Penthouse apartment that Beca had purchased for the two of them a few months ago. Beca had been living in a similar place provided by DJ Khaled's label until she got settled and could save some money to get her own place. It was perfect for the two of them.

Chloe sat back with a sigh as she sipped her glass of wine. A second glass sat on the table next to her for Beca; it had been sitting there for quite a while. She looked at her watch and saw it was already Midnight and Beca still wasn't home. She wasn't answering her phone calls or texts either. They always made sure to answer each other’s calls and texts and to be home somewhat early to spend some time together, especially on Friday nights.

This isn't the first time this has happened. Beca has been late on so many occasions since they decided to have a party for their girlfriend anniversary. As she thought about it, Beca was the one who was adamant they should have a big party. Chloe loves a party but didn't really see the need to have a big blowout to mark their one year anniversary of being girlfriends. A nice dinner and maybe a walk on the beach was a more than sufficient way to celebrate. A big party is something you do when you're married.

Chloe sighed and took another sip of wine. She looked up to the sky and smiled. She loved the view because she could actually see the stars at night. She started thinking about how she got here; her memories taking her back to everything that happened on the USO Tour when Beca was 'discovered' by DJ Khaled.

Their first stop was Rota, Spain, and Chloe had taken an immediate liking to the young soldier that was assigned as their escort. Chloe had thought that she had finally found her special someone when she met Chicago. He was handsome and one of the kindest people she had ever met. Everything was fine until the night of Beca's performance in Paris. That's when she knew he was just a temporary distraction from something much bigger. It didn't help that Amy and Flo kept going on and on about how Beca was going to leave the Bellas behind and become so rich and famous she would forget about all of them. And then, Beca surprised the Bellas by pulling them all onstage to sing with her.

It was emotional and they all ended up in tears by the time the song ended. As soon as the song ended she was the first one to grab Beca in a hug. The others joined in and she held onto Beca until they finally pulled away. She knew she felt something that night but didn't quite know what name to put on it. She didn't want to call it love because that didn't seem right. It was more like...loss. She knew that once Beca went back to the U.S., she would be moving across the country and that maybe Flo and Amy were right. That Beca would forget about all of them as she became a star.

Chloe doesn't know what possessed her to kiss Chicago. He was really into but it did not feel right at all to her. When she pulled out of the kiss she saw Beca in her peripheral watching her with a look that she had never seen on Beca's face. It was hurt, confusion, and sadness. If she didn't know any better she would have sworn she saw Beca wipe her eyes as if wiping away a tear. Before she could check on Beca to see what was wrong, Theo came along and Beca gave her a sad smile and walked away with him. She told Chicago she was sorry but that she didn't see them as anything more than friends. He tried to get her to give them a chance, but she had to tell him no. And being the nice guy he was, he accepted there wouldn't be anything romantic between them.

When she got back to New York, Beca and Amy both moved out of the apartment. She knew Beca was going to L.A. and was surprised when Amy told her she decided to move there as well. Chloe had started vet school and one of her instructors hired her to assist at his Vet Clinic to earn some extra money. The first time they lost a puppy who had come into the clinic, Chloe had cried for hours. Her instructor suggested she find a new field of work; Chloe wholeheartedly agreed with him.

Aubrey was still unhappy at the lodge, so when Chloe called to tell her about quitting vet school, they decided to pool their money and move to L.A. Amy had more than once offered to pay for Chloe to come out. They took Amy up on her offer and Beca was happy to let them stay with her until they could find a place of their own.

Three months after Beca moved to L.A., and one month after Chloe and Aubrey packed up everything and moved as well, Beca kissed Chloe and told her she loved her. And they've been a couple ever since. Chloe had found her 'someone special' after knowing her for years.

To Chloe's surprise, and everyone else's, Amy took some of her new-found wealth and started a party planning/catering business. She hired Aubrey to help run it. They have been at it for only six months and were doing quite well.

Aubrey and Amy weren't the only ones to start their own business. Chloe had started a small studio that taught dancing and singing. Amy and Beca put up their money to help her get started and she was doing quite well. There were four instructors counting her; two for dance and two for music. She wants to hire more because they are so busy, but she wants to wait until her profit margin has increased.

Beca suggested they hire Aubrey and Amy to plan their 'girlfriend anniversary party.' She and Beca had both been busy, but since Beca's last album was already done and she's done with most of the press tour, Beca is helping with planning the party. She and Aubrey have been spending a lot of time together. Chloe should be happy that they are getting along so well, but a part of her is jealous of the amount of time the two get to spend together. Especially since it meant she was spending less time with Beca.

"Babe?," Chloe hears Beca call out. "Yoo-hoo, Chlo? Where are you?"

"Right here," Chloe said as she came in from the balcony.

"Hey," Beca said as she stumbled over to Chloe and kissed her on the cheek. "I'm sorry I'm so late. Brey and I were going over the menu for the party. Who knew there were so many different ways to make asparagus."

"Are you drunk?," Chloe said. "And, when did you start calling her Brey?"

"I don't know," Beca said. "You call her that all the time."

"Yeah, but I've always called her that," Chloe said. "You've always called her Aubrey."

"What does it matter?," Beca asked. "She's a friend. Her friends call her Brey. Hence, that's why I call her Brey."

"Whatever," Chloe said. "I'm going to bed."

Beca instantly followed Chloe and grabbed her arm. "Chloe, what's wrong?," Beca asked. "Did I do something to upset you?"

"I haven't seen you for more than five minutes all week," Chloe said sounding like a whining child. "And we always make sure we can spend Friday night together. I was here alone waiting for you and you were out getting drunk with Brey."

"I was with Aubrey trying to plan our anniversary party," Beca said.

"Over drinks until after Midnight?," Chloe asked. "I called and texted you but you never responded. I guess it was too much to call and tell me you were going to be home so late."

"You're right and I'm sorry," Beca said. "We were working and Amy showed up with a few people and we went out to eat, and I guess I lost track of time."

"Did it ever occur to you that I might have liked to have dinner with my girlfriend and best friend?," Chloe asked. "Or go out and have a few drinks with them?"

Beca looked down at the floor and sighed. "It was a spur of the moment thing."

"And, what?," Chloe said. "I'd just get in the way of your spontaneity? Or would I just be in the way of your time with Aubrey."

"Chlo," Beca said looking up at Chloe.

When Beca didn't say anything else, Chloe turned and headed for their room. "I'm going to bed."

Beca stood where she was trying to figure out exactly what part of the night Chloe was most upset about. She finally decided to just go to bed and deal with it in the morning.

~jJj~ ~jJj~ ~jJj~

Beca woke with a slight hangover the next morning. She groaned and reached for Chloe but found an empty bed instead. She sat up and checked her phone and saw that it was 11:30. She slowly made her way out of bed and into the shower. The shower helped and she got dressed and went looking for Chloe. She checked everywhere but Chloe wasn't there.

Saturdays were their day to spend together, running errands and grocery shopping. Beca always complained about it, but she loved Saturdays with Chloe even doing mundane things like grocery shopping. Beca grabbed her phone to see if Chloe had left her a message. When she found none she sent a text to Chloe asking her where she was.

~jJj~ ~jJj~ ~jJj~

Chloe sat on the beach and stared out over the ocean. She knew she was acting a bit irrationally about the amount of time Beca was spending with Aubrey. She didn't want to think that anything would ever happen between the two, but Beca has been blowing off a lot of their plans to help 'plan their party.' "That's Aubrey's job," Chloe thought to herself. "Shouldn't she already be able to plan it without Beca's help? She knows both of us so well, why would she even need Beca for help? And why wouldn't she ask me? We're closer."

Chloe felt her phone buzz with a text. She pulled her phone out of the pocket of her hoodie and saw it was from Beca. She started to text back but turned off her phone instead. "Let's see how she feels not knowing where I am for a while," Chloe thought. She got up and brushed off her jeans and walked down the beach looking for a place to get some lunch.

~jJj~ ~jJj~ ~jJj~

Aubrey sits on the couch as she watches Beca pace back and forth.

"Where is she?," Beca asked, worry etched on her face. "It's been hours."

"Calm down, Beca," Aubrey said. "We have Amy and a few others out looking for her."

"But she's not answering her phone," Beca said stopping to look at Aubrey. "And she's not responding to texts either."

"Maybe she turned off her phone for some reason," Aubrey said. "If anything had happened you would have been notified by now."

"You're right," Beca said as she sat on the couch next to Aubrey. She ran a hand through her hair. "She got mad at me last night for not letting her know I was going to be late. And now she pulls the same stunt."

"Maybe she's doing it to teach you a lesson," Aubrey said.

"If this is how she felt," Beca said. "Then I swear I will never again not call or text her to let her know where I am or that I'm going to be late. Not knowing where she is and that she's okay is killing me."

"Like I said," Aubrey said. "She's fine and will come home with a smug look on her face when she sees how upset you are."

"Thanks for being here, Brey," Beca said.

Chloe quietly opens the door and enters the apartment.

"You know I love you, Beca," Aubrey said. "And I'd do anything for you. You know that."

Chloe lets out a small gasp.

"I love you, too, Brey," Beca said and pulled her into a hug.

They both jumped apart when they heard, "Are you two shitting me right now?"

"Chloe!," Beca and Aubrey said as they jumped to their feet.

"I, I," Chloe started to say but her tears left her speechless. She couldn't speak and felt like all the air had been sucked out of her lungs. She let out a sob and turned and ran upstairs to her room.

"Chloe!," Beca yelled and ran after her.

Chloe slammed their bedroom door and locked it. She grabbed her suitcase and started throwing anything she could grab into it. Beca made it to the door and, realizing it was locked, started banging on the door.

"Chloe, let me in," Beca said. "It's not what it looked like. I was worried about you and Aubrey was comforting me. That's it." Chloe ignored her and continued to gather her stuff. "Come on, Chloe. Please open the door. Talk to me. Please?"

Tears were streaming down Beca's face. Aubrey made it to the door and knocked.

"Chloe?," Aubrey said through the door. "It's me. Please open the door and listen to us."

Chloe threw her makeup bag into the suitcase and closed it up. She grabbed it off the bed and opened the door to see Aubrey and Beca standing there with shocked looks on their faces.

"I already heard everything I needed to hear," Chloe said calmly. She pushed them out of her way and headed down the stairs. "I'll be at my studio. Don't bother following me or calling me."

Beca ran down the stairs after Chloe. "Please, Chloe. Don't do this. I swear it's not what it looked like."

Chloe stopped just before she made it to the door. Beca caught herself before she ran into Chloe. Chloe looked at Beca with tears in her eyes and said, "It never is." She then turned and left the apartment, quietly closing the door behind her.

Beca stood there with tears streaming down her face. "What the fuck just happened?"

Aubrey grabbed Beca by the arm. "Come on," she said as she dragged Beca toward the door Chloe had just left out of.

"Where are we going?," Beca asked.

"You need to tell Chloe everything," Aubrey said.

Beca stopped and jerked her arm away from Aubrey. Aubrey stopped and gave her the Aubrey Posen glare.

"No," Beca said. "I can't tell her."

"You have to tell her," Aubrey said. "Otherwise everything we've planned will be pointless."

"She doesn't trust me, or you, Brey," Beca said quietly.

"Yes, she does," Aubrey told her. "She's just upset right now. Imagine if the roles were reversed. What would it have looked like to you if you walked in when she did? Especially after she complained about the amount of time we've been spending together."

Beca chewed her bottom lip. "I guess you're right," Beca finally said. "But, what about all the work we've done? Can't we wait until the party?"

"That's not for two more weeks," Aubrey said. "If you want to have a girlfriend to celebrate with, I suggest you say something to her now."

"Fine," Beca said. "I'll tell her. But, not tonight. I want to give her a chance to cool off. I'll talk to her tomorrow."

~jJj~ ~jJj~ ~jJj~

The next morning, Beca wakes up and reaches for Chloe. She sits up when she feels nothing but empty space that Chloe should be filling. Beca runs her hand through her hair and sighs when she remembers the events of the night before. She flops back on the bed wondering how everything turned to shit so quickly. With another heavy sigh, she gets up and goes to take a shower.

Beca comes rushing out of the shower once she's done and hurries into her closet. She starts going through the clothes on hangers and opening drawers until she finds what she is looking for. Luckily for her Chloe was a bit of a neat freak when it came to their clothes and the skirt and blouse was wrinkle-free and ready to wear.

Beca hurriedly dresses and grabs her bag, ensuring she has her keys, wallet, and phone before she runs out of the apartment. She needs to get to Chloe and explain everything.

Beca pulls into the parking lot of Chloe's dance studio and takes a deep breath before exiting the car. She grabs the bouquet of roses and her bag and puts on her sunglasses. She ignores the few paparazzi that have followed her and enters the dance studio.

Mary Jane, the receptionist, greets her when she enters. "Hey, Beca."

"Hey, MJ," Beca said. "Is Chloe around?"

"I think she's in her office. You can go on back."

"Thanks. Oh, and don't let her know I'm here. It's a surprise."

"My lips are sealed."

Beca gives her a smile and heads back to Chloe's office. She stops outside the door and knocks lightly.

"Come in," Chloe said from the other side of the door.

Beca opens the door a few inches and shoves a white tissue through and waves it around. "Are you going to throw something at me?"

Chloe can't help the smile that comes to her face. Although she quickly puts a scowl on her face before answering.

"What do you want, Beca? I'm busy."

Beca fully enters the office and holds out the roses. "I brought these as a peace offering."

Chloe looks at the flowers with disinterest and then sits back with her arms across her chest. She's trying to pull off a cool demeanor but is having some difficulty when she sees what Beca is wearing.

"Okay, that's not working," Beca mumbles and sets the flowers on the small table near the door. She turns to look at Chloe. "Um, I came to apologize and explain some stuff."

Chloe just looks at her and doesn't say anything. Beca stands silent shuffling from one foot to the other.

"What are you waiting for? Explain."

"Um, yeah, right."

Beca turns and puts her bag on the chair. She reaches in and hides something in her hand before turning to look at Chloe.

"I'm sorry that I've been spending so much time with Brey, um, Aubrey. She hasn't just been helping me with our anniversary party. She's been helping me with something else."

Chloe scoffs and looks down at her desk.

"No, I mean, it's a surprise. For you. And, I was, um, going to surprise you with it at the party."

This piques Chloe's interest and she looks back at Beca. Beca has her hands in front of her and she is moving around to the side of Chloe's desk. Chloe watches her with some interest. Beca stops when she reaches the corner of the desk.

"I love you, Chloe. I've loved you as long as I've known you and was too much of a coward to tell you. Then when you seemed to really want to be with Chicago, I thought I'd lost any chance of ever telling you. One of the happiest days of my life was when you asked me if you could move in with me here in L.A. And, then you gave me another of the happiest days of my life when you said you loved me back after I confessed my feelings for you."

Chloe swallows and feels her eyes stinging with tears. She continues to look at Beca with shiny eyes.

"I'm hoping today," Beca continued and made a move that was awkward and she huffed out a breath. Beca gave Chloe a sheepish grin and tries to move the other way. "Fuck," she muttered.

"What is wrong with you?," Chloe asked.

"I was trying to be romantic, so I wore this stupid plaid skirt you always liked on me," Beca said through gritted teeth. "The only problem is it's too short for me to kneel properly."

"Why would you need to knee-" Chloe let out a gasp and threw her hand up to cover her mouth. "Oh, my God," she whispered and a tear falls down her cheek as it registers what Beca was referring to.

"Shit," Beca said when she realizes what she had blurted out. "Fuck it."

Beca stands to face Chloe and looks into her eyes. She smiles and starts where she left off.

"As I was saying, all the happiest days in my life have one thing in common...you. I am hoping today you will make this the number one happiest day in my life and answer my next question with a yes."

Beca takes the ring box and opens it. She holds it out in the palm of her hand. "Chloe Beale, will you marry me?"

Chloe jumps up out of her chair and wraps her arms around Beca as she crashes their lips together. Beca stumbles, dropping the ring but manages to keep the two of them from falling to the ground. Beca puts her arms around Chloe's waist and returns the kiss. The kiss lasted of few seconds and Chloe pulled back with a resounding, "Yes!"

"Yes?," Beca said as tears filled her eyes. She pulled Chloe in for another kiss. Their lips had barely met when she suddenly pulled away from Chloe with an, "Oh, shit."

"What's wrong?"

"I dropped the ring," Beca said as she looked around the floor for it.

Chloe turned to look and saw the ring box laying by her chair. She bent down to pick it up and as she stood, Beca grabbed it from her.

"I have to put it on you."

Chloe smiled and stood in front of Beca holding out her left hand. Beca nervously pulled the ring out of its box and took Chloe's hand. She slipped the ring on Chloe's finger and brought the hand to her lips and kissed it.

"I love you," Beca said wrapping her arms around Chloe's waist.

"I love you, too," Chloe said holding onto the front of Beca's shirt. "And I'm sorry I ever doubted you."

"I'm sorry, too," Beca said. "I guess I got nervous that you would find out I was planning to propose at the party and kind of pulled away from you. I should have known better."

"I'm really sorry that I thought that you would cheat on me with my best friend," Chloe said. "I should have known better, too."

"I have to admit," Beca said. "Knowing you love me enough to be jealous is kind of a turn on."

The newly engaged couple looked at each other with tears making their way down their cheeks. Beca reached up to wipe the tears from Chloe's face.

"This truly is the happiest day of my life," Beca said.

"So far," Chloe added with a smile.

"So far," Beca repeated and kissed Chloe.