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kindahoping4forever · 4 years ago

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Yes, Sir // Ashton Irwin

This is definitely the fastest turnaround I’ve ever had for a piece of writing 🤡. Yesterday @spicycal sent me a TikTok of Ashton reacting to being called “sir” and as you can imagine, the inspo machine started turning for a lot of us. Pretty quickly, I jokingly pitched a premise to @pxrxmoore @cashtonasfuck and @feliznavidaddycal that served as a sequel to the fic I had just posted, You Were Digging Plants, I Dug You. The more I thought about it though, the more I liked the idea so I ran with it and here we are. Thank you to @cal-puddies for as always, reassuring me I was on the right track and to the anons who excitedly messaged me in anticipation for it. (And to @rebelwith0utacause for implying my writing was worth losing sleep over.)

Warnings: Boyfriend!Ash, Gardening!Ash, Home Repair!Ash, Dom!Ash (we love a multi-faceted man), references to bondage and cumplay, brief degrading language, sex in a public place, unprotected sex in an established relationship

Word Count: 3750

Masterlist // Taglist // Ko-Fi

Let me know what you think!

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“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were proud of what you’ve done,” Ashton accuses you with a smirk.

You drop your jaw in mock offense. “What I’ve done?! Ohhhhh, that’s right, that was my other boyfriend’s dick I was bouncing on that day. I’m sorry, baby, you’re correct. This was entirely my fault,” you offer with pouted lips, opening your arms for a cuddle.

“You were a woman possessed and your frenzied demon sex destroyed my relaxation zone,” he teases, pulling you in to first bite and then kiss your pout.

It had been a week since your spontaneous romp had ended in the untimely demise of Ash’s beloved hammock. He hadn’t let you hear the end of it since it happened and now the two of you were finally back outside, assessing the damage.

“I think I have a fabric patch kit in the garage but the framing is definitely fucked,” he mutters, picking over the pieces. “Gonna need new hooks… new spreader bar…”

“Been talking about getting one of those anyways,” you joke with a twinkle in your eye.

He gives you a look and shakes his head. “Jesus, already with you?”

You giggle and raise your arms in surrender. “I’m sorry, Ash, I honestly hate that I’m that girl but the manly man ‘lemme get my tools out and work with my hands’ act just does things for me.”

“Are you sure you want to go with me to get the supplies or are you gonna spontaneously combust right when we walk in the hardware store?” He teases, standing behind you and snaking his arms around your waist. “And you’re not that girl, you’re my girl.”

“Nice save,” you comment dryly and wiggle away from him; he chuckles warmly and you both walk back to the house.

While you’re getting ready to go, Ashton gets caught up taking notes on the hammock repair videos he’s found on YouTube so you end up heading out later than either of you intended. The home improvement store isn’t far but it’s LA so there’s still traffic and the car ride has a slightly tense air because of it.

You can tell how irritated he is by the way he’s relentlessly drumming his fingers on the steering wheel as you sit in the standstill traffic. You reach out and take his hand, both to calm him and to stop the noise. He looks at you appreciatively and gestures at the line of cars in front of him with his other hand. “40 minutes to go five fuckin’ miles,” he grumbles. “There’s no way this is getting done today, the sun’s gonna be goin’ down before we even leave the goddamn store.”

You kiss the back of his hand that’s tightly squeezing yours. “I told you, I’ll help you with everything tomorrow,” you remind him reassuringly. “It’s not a big deal, just relax, baby.”

“You know what would help me relax?” He turns to you with a smirk. “If I could go home and lay in a fuckin’ hammock.”

You finally arrive at your destination and enter the store. After his YouTube deep dive, Ash decided he should install wooden posts to hang the hammock on since your sexcapade uprooted the metal stand’s legs straight out of the ground. He heads over to visit the lumber department and you decide to browse through the garden center, thinking that if you pick out some new seeds for him, it might put a smile on his face.

Ash returns to you less than 10 minutes later, looking more agitated than ever. You raise your eyebrows to him as a silent question and he huffs, “They just happened to have sold out of what I need. Gotta order it, won’t be here until next week.”

You give him a sympathetic frown and rub his back. “I’m sorry I broke your oasis center or whatever you called it earlier,” you say, trying to lighten the mood.

He cracks a smile and starts browsing the seed packs in front of you. “I called it my relaxation zone and I’m sure I’ll forgive you someday.”

You two linger in the garden section, pointing out vegetables that could be helpful to have on hand and having a mild disagreement over which flowers would look best growing next to his sunflowers.

“My phone is dying and I need it for my shopping list, baby, can you Google and see if we can plant marigolds right now?” He asks, turning a packet of seeds over in his hands.

You pull your phone out of your back pocket, happy to see that he’s calmed down and is interested in making the most of this trip. You chirp emphatically, “Yes, sir.”

Ashton hears your response and lets out a sharp, raspy exhale that you’ve never quite heard before and he immediately tries to disguise it as a cough. You glance over at him curiously but he appears to be intensely examining the package he’s holding so you move on.

“Depends on what type but these ones you can plant through the summer, so we’re good,” you inform him, pointing to the seeds he’s holding.

“Cool,” he breezes and tosses them into your shopping cart. “What about... basil?”

“Yes, sir,” you say again, fingers adeptly typing. You hear a similar noise come from him, though he deals with it much better this second time. You’re sure this wasn’t coincidental this time and you peer at him over your phone to see his jaw clenching in a way you’re very familiar with. Interesting.

“I’m just seeing ‘warm weather’... maybe just get one pack to try?” You suggest, eyeing him, trying to figure out if what you suspect is going on is really going on.

He shrugs, “Couldn’t hurt.” He flings the packet into the cart and moves down the aisle.

Ashton tosses out a few more things for you to look up and while you’re happy to help, you’re also glad for the opportunity to test the theory you now have. You vary your affirmations to him and as you suspect, “Yes, sir” is the only one that seems to get a reaction out of him.

The garden center is located outside and the afternoon sun is just starting to hit the area you’re shopping in. You notice Ash has begun to sweat and if you weren’t in a mood before, you absolutely are now, so you decide to rile him a bit more.

“That sun is brutal!” You start, dramatically fanning yourself. “You’re lookin’ a little warm too, handsome… unless there’s another reason why you’d be sweating.”

He looks at you incredulously and you stare back innocently, eyes wide and shining; he stares you down as he briskly takes off his black button down shirt, leaving him in a white tank.

“Are you good or does the sight of any bare flesh in the presence of gardening paraphernalia have you needing to excuse yourself?” He fires back, whipping his shirt into the basket pointedly, glare challenging you to push your luck.

You smile sweetly and answer, “Oh, I’m feeling just fine. But thank you… sir.”

Mischievous grin on your face, you start to make your way to the end of the aisle, scooting your body between him and the shopping cart. Sure, you could’ve gone around the other side but that wouldn’t have given you the opportunity to graze your ass against his crotch to confirm - yep - he’s losing the battle he’s fighting with his cock and he is definitely harder than he wants to be right now.

As you pass by, his large hand grabs your wrist and wraps around it tightly. “Watch it,” is all he says but the low tone he uses mixed with the feeling of his hot breath on your neck has your head spinning.

You lay off your teasing for a while but if you’re being honest, you both seem to enjoy the charged air lingering between the two of you now. Ashton grabs your waist to move you out of his way so that he can look at a display and his fingers dig into your skin just a little too hard, causing you to gasp sharply. You stop to read a tag on the bottom shelf and just happen to catch his gaze as you lick your lips, on your knees in front of him; you hear him curse under his breath as he turns away, adjusting himself.

The cat and mouse game continues and judging by the hiss you get out of him the third time you “accidentally” bump his crotch, you’ve pushed it as far as you can; you know you’re probably in for a long night when you get home but maybe that’s what he needs to take his mind off of how frustrated he is with this project. Or at least that’s what you tell yourself. It’s also quite fun.

You leave the garden section, cart full of various treasures, and start to head for the checkout. “Wait, baby,” Ashton calls out and you stop. “I wanna get a couple of the things I need for the hammock so when I come back for the wood I can just pop in and out of here.”

He directs you to an area towards the back of the store; you follow him and wheel the cart down an aisle that’s filled with boxes of metal hooks and chains. He sees your eyes taking in the aisle and he makes a face at you. “Whatever obnoxiously horny crack you’re about to make, just do it now so you can help me look for what I need,” he says in faux exasperation, making a “come on” gesture with his hand.

You laugh genuinely, “I don’t have anything to say!” You walk down the aisle and peer into a few of the boxes on the shelves. “I do wonder if we might get a better price on some of these things at one of the other types of stores we frequent,” you say under your breath.

He ignores your remark and starts consulting the notes on his phone. He scans the selection of items and finds the types of hooks he needs, throwing them into your basket. He furrows his brow, unable to find the next thing on his list.

“What are you looking for, babe? Let me help,” you ask, eager to speed things up.

“We need this,” He states, standing next to you to show you a picture of chains on his phone.

You examine the photo and quip suggestively, “Yeah we do.”

He lands a light swat on your ass and you squeak. “Your jokes are gonna seem a lot less funny if you keep it up,” he warns quietly in your ear.

You look around and see that this section of the store is more or less deserted. Feeling emboldened by this discovery, you reach to palm him over his jeans. “Yes, sir,” you nonchalantly reply.

The words have barely left your mouth and his hand is already back around your wrist and dragging you to follow him down the aisle. Your logical mind says you should protest that his shirt, your sweater and all your intended purchases are being left in the cart unattended but the decidedly less rational section of your brain, the part that just told you to grab your boyfriend’s dick in the middle of a home improvement store, kind of wants to see where this goes.

You get your answer seconds later when he pulls you into a bathroom tucked away next to the employee break room; it’s small, only a couple of sinks and stalls, and looks infrequently used. Which is probably for the best because Ash does not appear to have any interest in taking you into a stall, at least not just yet.

He presses you up against the door, kissing you deeply with a bruising intensity. He pulls away and you gasp. “You’ve been acting up all day, sweetheart, you can’t be surprised we’ve ended up here.” His hand, large enough to reach across your entire face, grips your chin and turns you to look at him. “Is this what you’ve been aiming for, is this what you hoped would happen?”

His tone is harsh and his words threatening but his eyes glimmer with mischief, desire and excitement. You’re sure the look in your eyes matches his when you unflinchingly answer with a confident, “Yes. Sir.”

He smiles widely and leans in, kissing, nipping and sucking harshly at your neck. You groan against him, involuntarily, and then quickly wonder how thin this bathroom’s walls are and you start trying to recall if you saw anybody in the break room next door.

Ashton pulls back to admire his work on your neck and sees your concerned expression. His face softens for a minute and he asks you, “You remember your word, baby?”

You flash him a brief tender smile, appreciating how attentive he is, that he would pick up on even your briefest moment of apprehension. You nod enthusiastically and then your smile turns devilish as you think to once again answer, “Yes, sir.”

He hooks his fingers in your waistband and yanks you from the door, spinning you around and then pressing your chest into it. You hold your breath and brace yourself for the spank you’re certain is coming but it never does. You’re not sure if you’re disappointed but the way your core is throbbing hints that you probably are.

Instead of smacking your ass, Ash is rutting up against it, breath heavy against your neck, giving you goosebumps. “Feel this, baby? You knew what you were doing out there, you just couldn’t help yourself, could you? Gave you my cock this morning and you’re still begging for it, aren’t you?”

You bite your lip and wiggle against him, enjoying the feeling of his hard bulge pressing into you. “Yes, sir.”

Before you even realize he’s pulled away, that hard smack you’d been waiting for comes down on your ass and you cry out in surprise.

"That’s for being smart.” He presses his body roughly up against yours again and shoves his hand down your shorts, dragging his fingers through your folds, humming at the wetness he discovers there. “We’re on a fuckin’ shopping trip and you’re this wet for me? Even more desperate than I thought… and believe me, you were already very desperate in my mind.”

Ashton yanks his hand out of your shorts and pulls you away from the door, unceremoniously pushing you towards the sink counter. “Off,” he commands, gesturing to your bottoms. There’s not a lock on the bathroom door so he drags the metal trash can in front of the door, wedging it somewhat under the handle. “We already know you clearly can’t keep quiet, can’t have anyone barging in here to see who’s demeaning themself in the bathroom,” he taunts. “That’s only for me to see.”

You and Ash used to play like this all the time when you first got together but lately you’d gotten so caught up in your bubble of domestic bliss, it had fallen by the wayside. Things weren’t boring or unadventurous by any means but it’d been a minute since your last risky public romp or use of any degradation. Combining the two, plus the thrill of jumping back in after so long? Heavenly.

You hop up on the counter in your panties, shedding your tank top and spreading your legs, inviting him closer. “Yes, sir,” you tease with a sultry smile. “I’m your slut, no one else’s.”

He walks over and settles between your legs, kissing you hungrily as he unzips his pants and takes his cock out. “That’s right,” he growls. “Love hearing you say that… In fact, think I want you to see that too.”

He grabs you down off your perch and spins you to face the mirror lining the sink, your hands fly out to brace yourself as he presses you up against the counter, kicking your legs apart. He makes quick work of tugging your panties down your legs and then reaching over to jerk the cups of your bra down. You watch your reflection as he exposes more of your body to himself and now to you; you don’t even process your nakedness, your only thought is of how blown your pupils look.

Ashton lines himself up and pushes his cock inside you and begins thrusting roughly. You were undoubtedly turned on but the stretch is still a lot and you find yourself gasping and white-knuckling the counter at the sensation.

He sees your eyes start to close and he yanks your hair to get your attention. “I said I want you to see what a slut you are,” he breathes, already struggling to control himself. “Want you to see what I see, want you to see what everyone is gonna see if that door stop doesn’t hold up and someone comes in here and finds me giving you what you’ve been needing so badly.”

You whimper quietly at his words, at the thought of being caught. “Yes, sir… I love seeing how I look with your cock inside me…” You pant, “I already look so fucked out and we’ve barely started… I just wanted it so much.”

He slaps your ass again and the already loud smack sounds even louder given your setting. “We’re only at this fucking store today because we had to solve a problem created by your greedy little pussy and now that we’re here? You can’t even act right for a couple hours, got me hard looking at fucking flowers, now I’m having to bend you over in a fucking bathroom? How embarrassing,” he rasps at you through gritted teeth.

You love when he’s like this, you feel like you could almost cum from his words alone; you know it’s risking setting him off but you reach down and start rubbing your clit, you can’t help it. Ash immediately notices and laughs darkly. “Aww, baby, that time already? Go ahead and make yourself cum, sugar, the faster that needy pussy gets satisfied, the faster I can get on with my fucking day… until you’re back to begging me for it when we get home, of course.”

You’re aggressively meeting his thrusts now, throwing yourself back on him with pleasure being your only concern. You’d love to respond to his teasing with some sass of your own, rile him up some more but he’s hitting inside you just right and the only thing you can think to do is moan.

Seconds after you let out a particularly long moan, you notice voices can faintly be heard on the other side of the door, a pair of employees walking through the hallway. You catch Ashton’s gaze in the mirror and you can see the question in his eyes, letting you decide if you want to stop; you surprise yourself with how little you care and you stare at his reflection as you bounce yourself against him and rub your clit faster.

An amused smile paints his face and he whispers, “Starting to think you might want everyone to know what a slut you are for me. Is that what you want, baby?” His fingers dig into your skin as he drives his hips relentlessly into yours.

To keep from crying out, you bite your lip hard enough you’re almost sure you’re breaking the skin. You manage to gasp out, “Yes, sir,” before your orgasm completely takes your breath away.

The combination of you cumming around him and your breathless use of that phrase finally does Ash in and he thrusts into you only a few more times before his cock starts pumping you full of cum. Those voices outside the door are still somewhat present and you watch his reflection as he tries not to make a sound, fascinated by the way his jaw almost seems to be clenching in time with the pulsing of your pussy.

You both stand at the sink, catching your breath for a good minute, reality slowly starting to fade back in. You close your eyes and open them again, giggling once your mind finally starts to process the sight of yourself tits out, bottomless and bent over a bathroom sink in a hardware store.

Ashton smiles at the sound of your laughter and pulls out of you, hurriedly reaching for a handful of paper towels to help you clean up before things get too messy.

You accept his help and wryly ask, “You’re not gonna do the whole ‘no, put your panties back on, want you to feel my cum dripping out of you until we get home’ thing?”

He looks at you with amusement in his eyes and replies, “Gross, babe, we still have to go through checkout and everything. Jesus.”

You snort and pull him into you, kissing him sweetly before you both start the process of making yourselves and the bathroom look like nothing happened.

You manage to exit both the bathroom and the store without anyone catching on; you notice he’s in a much lighter mood and much more affectionate and touchy than he was earlier. You like it.

There’s traffic on the drive home but it doesn’t seem to bother either one of you; you’re excitedly chatting about the purchases you made and trying to decide what to order for dinner.

There’s a lull in the conversation and you can’t fight the urge to comment, “So… you definitely can’t tease me anymore for getting turned on by home improvement because I’m pretty sure you’re not gonna be able to visit that store without getting just a little bit hard now.”

The giggle Ash lets out fills the car and it’s the best sound you’ve heard all day. “I think whatever sex demon possessed you last week got to me,” he shakes his head in disbelief. “I literally had to stop myself from eating my cum out of you. That’s how far gone I was.”

You playfully jab his side. “I can’t even get you to do that at home and you’re trying to do it in a public bathroom? And we call me the slut in this relationship.”

He laughs again and squeezes your thigh affectionately. “Well… we have fun, don’t we?”

You place your hand on top of his, turn to him and grin. “Yes, sir.”

—-

My tag list is breaking my posts atm so apologies if you get tagged more than once/don’t get tagged at all while I figure out what the problem is!

—-

@mymindwide @suchalonelysunflower @loveroflrh @ghostofmashton @sexgodashton @ashtonangst @castaway-cashton @boomerash @megz1985 @ashdork-irwin @angelicfluffs @findingliam-o @abadaftertaste @myloverboyash @youngbloodchild @irwinsbetch @ashsun @everyscarisahealingplace @wiildflower-xxx @metalandboybands @another-lonely-heart @realisticnotes @makeamovehemmings @ashtondaddy90 @golden166 @burstintocolor @mfartzzz @babyoria @saphseoul @petunias-pet @youngblood199456 @notinthesameway- @seanna313 @calumftduke @zhangyixingxing1 @stardust-galaxies @Redeserts @zackoid @queenalienscherrypie @xsongxbirdx @justhereforcalum @laura66sos @calumrose @karajaynetoday @valdanvers @Obey-Kaylin

Click here if you’d like to be tagged for future fics and click here if your name is on my list but crossed out (Tumblr won’t let me @ you)

#5sos smut #ashton irwin smut #ashton smut #5 seconds of summer smut #ashton irwin fic #kindahoping4forever #smut #kh4f fic #Yes Sir #I have no idea where this came from and I can't believe I wrote this in a day lol #the clownery #fr shouts to everyone who encouraged me to churn this out #it was a challenge but i definitely feel accomplished and am happy with the result tbh #ALSO #if people are still interested in a True Sequel to this story lmk lol #That hammock ain't gonna fix itself #Feedback is appreciated #thank you for reading 🙏🏼

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taeken-my-heart · 4 years ago

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Moirai Chapter 17 (Finale)

Summary: On your 18th birthday a name appears on your wrist. The name of your soulmate. It’s a momentous day that everyone looks forward to, but you’ve always brushed aside; refusing to believe in a fickle mistress called destiny. But what happens when on the morning of your 18th birthday you wake to find the name of your mortal enemy? Jeon Jungkook.

Pairing: Jungkook x Reader Genre: Soulmates au/ Enemies to lovers au. Angst, fluff, bickering, romance, eventual smut.

Word Count: 4488

Early morning light filtered through the curtains at your window and you watched as the evening shadows across your ceiling slowly disappeared. You’d barely slept last night, your mind running back and forth between what you should do. Letting go of a 12-year grudge would honestly be good for you…but you just didn’t know how.

You pushed your blankets away, sitting up on the side of your bed and staring down at your toes. The pedicure you’d gotten with Lizzy for your sister’s wedding was still in perfect condition and you wiggled your toes as distraction for your mind.

You had a team meeting this morning at 6am sharp so you really needed to get ready quickly. You’d already been lying in bed 5 minutes after your alarm went off.

Heart clenched with dread, you began quickly preparing for your day, showering, dressing, and grabbing a bagel on the way out the door. Traffic was light this early in the morning and the sun had only just begun to rise. Hues of yellow and orange cast a somber calm in the quiet of your car.

A moment to relax before tackling what was sure to be a nightmare of a day. You spotted Jungkook nearly right away as you stepped into the conference room, but once his eyes caught yours, he shifted quickly, gaze trained on the ground and you watched with growing anxiety as his shoulders sagged.

In all honesty, you’d expected him to come after you right away. To hound you until you cried and begged for him to leave you alone, but this…this was so much worse. Like the leaves on an overwatered plant, he drooped and you could hardly maintain your countenance.

It had been an hour since that meeting and you felt like a zombie, making early morning rounds as you talked with patients about their upcoming procedures and went through paperwork. You knew this wouldn’t last forever; eventually he’d perk up enough to try one more time. That’s just who he was; a fixer. You both dreaded and wanted to see him, to talk to him.

What was there to even say, though? How do you start a long overdue conversation? How do you take down a wall you didn’t realize you’d even constructed?

Well, that wasn’t completely true. You’d known you’d put a wall up around your heart in an effort to protect yourself from him, you just hadn’t realized you’d made it so tall. You weren’t even sure you wanted to take it down yet.

Lizzy greeted you in the hallway, eyes wide and curious as you made your way closer. “Have you talked to him?” She queried gently and pursed her lips as you shook your head no. “Well, you really should at some point, even if it’s to tell him you don’t want to move forward. It would be good for the both of you to have some closure.”

“I know, Liz.” You sighed, “I just haven’t figured out what I want from him yet, whether I want to give him another chance or not. My heart says yes but my brain is telling me I’m a fool.”

Lizzy smiled soft, squeezing your arm. “Remember, it’s been a long time. You’ve both changed. You’re not an idiot for thinking maybe one more try wouldn’t hurt. If he hurt you again, though, I’d butcher him alive.”

You chuckled, careful to keep your volume down. The hallway was crowded today as you stood beside the nurse’s station. Mostly staff loitering outside of patient rooms, talking to one another about the next step in their patient plans.

“Hey, I’ve gotta go check on room 214. Wait here for me, will you?”

“Sure,” you nodded, “I don’t have much to do right this moment anyway.”

Lizzy walked a little further down the hallway, stepping into a room on the left and disappearing. “Hey, Salome, can you grab me Mr. Whittackers chart? I’ve got his surgery in a few hours.”

“Sure.” She smiled, standing and walking to the back wall, searching through the alphabetized manila folders.

“Y/N.” Someone said from behind you and your stomach lurched in discomfort.

Turning around, Jungkook stood looking more handsome than he had any right to. His under eyes were dark from what you presumed was lack of sleep and he’d forgotten to shave this morning. His gaze was paralyzing. “Can we talk?” He asked gently.

Not yet. Not here. You weren’t ready to be anything but angry right now. “No, we can’t.”

“Just for a moment?” He questioned again, moving to your side as you turned to look away from him. “I just want to-”

“No, Jungkook!” You insisted, glaring at him. “I don’t want to talk to you right now. I’m too angry to talk to you nicely.”

Jungkook paused, Adams apple bobbing as he swallowed. “I just-”

“I told you, it was all a mistake, I was being rash and stupid. Don’t bring it up anymore, it’s over.” You growled.

He swallowed hard, fingers going to rest on the desk beside you and you quickly spun away, walking in the direction Lizzy had headed only moments before.

“Please, Y/N, I just want to talk, it doesn’t have to be right now but I just want to explain. We could talk later tonight or in a few days, even in a week if that works better.” Jungkook pleaded, trailing after you and you rounded on him, face hot with emotion.

“You’re so selfish!” You shouted and you could hear the hallway’s noise soften to non-existent but it did nothing to dampen your rage. “Everything is always about you, isn’t it, Jungkook? Even after I’ve told you that I don’t want to talk about it you just. keep. picking! How many times do I have to tell you to back off? Your happily ever after doesn’t exist with me so stop hounding me!”

Jungkook’s face fell, eyes slowly filling with tears. Your heart ached at the sight but you refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing your regret. Salome stood looking stunned, medical chart extended awkwardly in her hand before her arm went limp and she stared down at the desk as though she weren’t witnessing your absolute train wreck of a meltdown.

You chanced a glance around you, spotting Lizzy standing just outside the doorway of 214, eyes heavy like a scolded puppy, and you stopped your rant to stare back at her. She was gripping the doorway beside her, shoulders sagging as she caught your eye. “This is not the place.” She whispered.

Your other coworkers stood around staring, attempting to shield patients from viewing the absolute cataclysm that was your life right now and you felt your anger fizzle like air in an untied balloon. The hairs at the back of your neck prickled and you turned slowly to find the hospitals president standing behind Jungkook, arms folded over his chest and looking like a bull about to be unleashed in a China shop.

“I want to see both of you in my office.” He looked around the hallway, the curious gazes of employees his audience. “Now.”

You swallowed down your cry of panic, smoothing your hand down one side of your scrubs and following the president towards his office, Jungkook behind you like a shadow. The hair on the back of your neck pricked once more from his proximity.

Namjoon directed the two of you into the seats facing his desk as he closed the door to his office. You’d never been in here before, but the deep mahogany of the desk and bookcases made everything feel so much more serious.

The president rounded his table, sitting calm in the cushions of his burgundy wingback. He eyed the two of you quietly, fingers drumming against the grain of his desk and you resisted the urge to squirm.

“Would one of you mind explaining to me why you’re turning my hallways into your own personal theater?” He finally asked. His voice was gentle but you could hear the steel in his tone.

“I apologize, sir,” Jungkook spoke first, “It’s my fault. I was just trying to have a private discussion with Y/N, but I should have waited until we were off the premises. This is not the place for that sort of conversation.”

“Then please explain to me why you didn’t wait.” Jungkook stayed silent and Namjoon sighed, removing the glasses from the bridge of his nose and tossing them idly onto his table. “Jungkook, you’re a first-year resident so it goes without saying that you’re still new here and to our procedures, but knowing the caliber of your school records, I find myself rather surprised. Is this something that’s going to be an issue? Do I need to transfer you?”

“No!” You interjected suddenly and both men turned to survey you. “I apologize for my outburst, sir, I just don’t think a transfer is necessary. Both Jungkook and I are responsible and I don’t think it’s fair to punish him for something we just need to discuss.”

“Then do so.” He replied; stern. “You’ve been with us a year now, Y/N, you should know better than to create a scene like that in the hallways of a professional environment. I’m disappointed. I’m giving you both three days suspension starting immediately. I expect you to use this time wisely.”

You nodded; numb, before standing from your seat and walking to the door with Jungkook in tow. The hall was empty when the two of you walked carefully from the office, closing the door behind you. Jungkook stood, fingers still lingering on the door handle as you pulled at the bottom of your shirt.

You’d never been reprimanded at work in your life. Shame turned your face hot and you just barely resisted the urge to cry.

“I’m really sorry, Y/N.” Jungkook murmured. You couldn’t even look at him. Part of you was still mad, but another part of you knew this was also your fault. Locking feelings like this away only ever did damage. You couldn’t heal if you couldn’t just talk this out.

“Save it for later.” You said, rounding your shoulders. “We’re going to resolve this. Be at my apartment in an hour.”

“I don’t know your new address!” He said as you began to walk away.

“I’ll text it to you.” You called over your shoulder. You were angry and you needed the drive home to cry bitterly and get it out of your system before he got to your place. You wanted a drink badly, but you needed to be completely sober for something like this. Drinks were what got you into this mess in the first place.

One ugly cry and a short, hot shower later, you were pulling on a pair of grey sweatpants and a soft white sweater. You had just barely enough time to make some tea before Jungkook arrived.

A soft knock on the door roused your attention and you called out for him to come in. Jungkook stepped in carefully as you were pouring hot water into a mug and closed the door softly behind him.

“Cup of tea?” You asked, spooning some of the honey and lemon mixture into your hot water as you waited for his reply.

“What kind?” He asked carefully and you kept your eyes fixated on the swirling water in your cup as distraction from the shaky diction of his voice.

“The kind your mom would always give us when we were kids.”

Jungkook paused at the kitchen door, shoving his hands into the pockets of is jeans and leaning against the door frame. “Yes please.” He murmured.

“You can go wait in the living room.” You motioned over your shoulder before reaching for a second mug in the cupboard and preparing his drink.

You made your way in to the living room where he sat, looking small and unsure, and your heart lurched into your throat. You weren’t even sure where to begin.

You joined him on the couch, a space between you, and placed the mugs on the coffee table. Fingers twisted together, anticipation running high as you stared at the shag rug peeking between your toes. You’d thought about having this conversation many times before in the past but never imagined it would actually happen and now you didn’t know how to break the tension.

Jungkook sighed, leaning his head back against the couch and you looked over at him, watching the Adam’s apple in his throat jump. “Can I start?” He asked softly.

“Ok.” You murmured.

Silence descended for what felt too long to be reasonable but you knew he was gathering his thoughts. “I’m sorry, Y/N. I can’t even begin to convey how sorry I am for just everything. This whole mess is all my fault, starting from day one. I never…I never knew that life would turn out this way.” He sat up, bending forward and grabbing his face in his hands.

“When we were kids, I was so stupid. I wish I could say things would be different if I’d had the perspective I do now, but 10-year-old Jungkook was an idiot. Turns out 30-year-old Jungkook is also an idiot.”

The room felt stuffy with heat and you realized belatedly that you’d forgotten to turn on the air conditioning when you’d gotten home earlier. Jungkook looked damp in his t-shirt and you certainly felt a little wet in your sweater, but you wanted to hear what he had to say too badly to stand up now.

“When we were younger, I started to resent you because our moms always forced us to play together and I just wanted to play with my other friends. Eventually that resentment faded because I felt inexplicably drawn to you. I didn’t know how to get closer and I was confused about why I’d even want to so I just tried to interact in the ways I knew how…which were stupid ways, but we’ve established how dumb I am already. Anyway, none of it was your fault, I just didn’t know how to communicate what I was thinking or feeling.”

He sighed, fingers linking together. “In college it really sunk in how stupid I’d been and I knew that the universe would throw us back together at some point so I decided I was going to show you how I’d changed and how much I regret that stupid decision I made, but I guess I still suck, huh? I’m so sorry, I never meant to try and force you to listen to me or have a conversation with me. Turns out I’m still selfish and don’t have a clue what I’m doing.”

“Jungkook,” you scoffed, “how can you expect me to believe you’ve changed when you do this kind of thing? I told you I didn’t want to talk but you still pushed it.”

“That’s true,” he admitted, “and I’m sorry, but this isn’t just black and white anymore and it doesn’t just involve you.” You wanted to argue, but it was true. This relationship was built around the two of you and if you wanted to heal you both needed to say your piece. “Y/N, I was stupid, seriously stupid, but I was eighteen and I was terrified. Try to put yourself in my shoes. I’d believed in soulmates my entire life and then suddenly I turn 18 and find out that not only does my soulmate hate the entire institution of soulmates, but she also hates me. Now I’m supposed to be everything she’s ever wanted in life? That’s so much pressure. I always thought I’d have more time to figure out who I was before meeting the person I was destined to be with, but turns out I’d known her my whole life.”

“Why couldn’t you have communicated that to me?” You frowned, “We could have talked about things.”

Jungkook huffed a laughed, scrubbing a hand down his face, “Come on, don’t act like you were some pro at communication back then. We were teenagers who had no clue what we were doing. This was a huge decision. We were practically kids and being told to, what, start a life together? You can’t genuinely tell me that you would have been happy with me switching gears, pursuing you, and then just getting married young and start popping out babies.”

The idea made you want to shiver. One night with him had already changed so many things. You could only imagine marrying him…and having children with him. The thought made your heart soft and you looked up at him, nodding, “No, you’re right, that would have been way too intimidating, but it would have been nice to have that choice, Jungkook. You didn’t give that to me, you just took it away and assumed you knew my answer. I would have given it a shot, you know?”

“Really?” Jungkook frowned, eyebrow raised. “You would have really given it a chance?”

“Yes!” You insisted, watching the doubt on his face morph, “I really would have. I was so upset with you, but I really genuinely would have tried if you would have. It’s true I never liked the idea of soulmates…but you were different, somehow.”

“Well how could you expect me to know that?” He cried, exasperated, “You told me the universe messed up and there’s no way I could have ever made you happy when all I’d ever done was make you miserable. Do you have any idea how much those words have haunted me? Just a reminder to me that what I was doing was right; I had failed before I could ever even try.”

The look on his face hurt. Eyes shining, lips pinched together in a frown as his shoulders sagged. “That’s not what I meant, though. I was just upset.” You mumbled.

“I’m not a mind reader, Y/N.” Jungkook replied softly, “I’m just a big, dumb, idiot who is still trying to figure out what I’m doing. What would you have done if it had been your birthday first? You can’t honestly in good faith tell me you would have pursued me.”

“No, you’re right. I would have been horrified at first.” You admitted, picking at your finger nail.

He sighed, leaning forward on his elbows, but his eyes focused in on you. He was mesmerizing. “I messed up, I’m sorry. But you weren’t the only one hurting, you know? I suffered all 12 years we were apart, always hearing your words repeated in my head; a constant reminder of what a failure I was. I couldn’t do the one thing the universe had predestined me to do. If I can’t fill fate’s demands, what can I do? I made a lot of bad decisions; I’m not denying it. But I wasn’t trying to hurt you. All I’ve wanted the last 12 years is one more chance to be your friend. I want to prove that I’m not that same guy anymore, I’m not running away from this.”

“What do you want out of this? Marriage? Children?” You asked, eyebrows rising and he flushed but shook his head.

“I’m not thinking about that right now,” he replied adamantly. “All I’m thinking about is you and me right now. One day at a time.” He paused to gauge your reaction before taking a deep breath and plowing on. “Did you know I was outside your window that night?”

You frowned; eyebrows knit together as you paused. “What night?”

“The day you stayed home from school after we’d had our fight. You didn’t come to school and I was worried about you. I stood outside your house for an embarrassingly long-time throwing pebbles at your window, but you never came.” He looked embarrassed and you felt like the floor had fallen out from under you.

Stomach rolling uncomfortably as bile rose in your throat. He’d been outside your house? Nothing could have prepared you.

You were floored.

“What?” A whisper.

He nodded, rubbing the back of his neck, “I had wanted to apologize and explain what was on my mind, why I was doing what I was doing…but you never came to the window. Eventually, I realized I was being really selfish and decided to give you the space you wanted. I guess I’m still selfish, huh?”

You could barely process what he was saying, it was all so much…too much. Like a caged butterfly, your heart fluttered uncontrollably in your chest.

“A little,” you conceded, “but so am I.” You paused again to think, lips rubbing together as you observed the wicker flower pot beside your couch. So much information. “Do you really think it’s possible to be as happy as everyone says? I don’t like the idea of not being complete without a soulmate.”

“I’m not meant to complete you. I’m meant to compliment you; it’s different. As for happiness…yeah, I do think it’s possible.” He replied gently.

“I wish I could have the type of blind optimism you seem to have. I’m a mess, Jungkook, and I haven’t figured out how to change that yet. I wish I was better at this. I’m really sorry.”

Jungkook shook his head, “You have nothing to apologize for; we’re both kind of a mess right now.”

You chuckled, dry and humorless as you stared over at the entertainment center across the room. “I appreciate the sentiment, but it’s not true. I absolutely have things to apologize for. I was not an innocent bystander in our history, even if I wish I could say that I was. I’m sure it wasn’t easy to always hear me disparage soulmates and then find out that I was the name on your wrist. You must have felt really hopeless. I should have just communicated with you what I was thinking instead of just cutting you out of my life. It came from a place of pain, but you had no real reason to think that not wanting to be with me would hurt me.”

“I’m sorry about today, too.” Jungkook mumbled, frowning, “I’m sorry about our whole lives, really. I shouldn’t have pushed you to have a conversation you weren’t ready to have. I felt like we’d just barely tapped into something amazing and I wanted so desperately to see where we could take it; I just thought you were scared and that if we talked…that maybe you’d see that I’m trying to be better. It wasn’t the right approach, though. I was just terrified to lose you all over again. It’s not a good excuse.”

“No, you definitely shouldn’t have kept pushing, but I do understand why you did. I’m sorry about yelling at you in the hallway. That was completely unprofessional of me, I was stressed and just lost it. I feel really embarrassed about my reaction.”

He looked like he wanted to refuse your apology again, but you sent him a look and he paused. “I’m sorry about, you know, the last time we were… together.”

Your mind flashed back to his bedroom, waking up wrapped in his arms and you felt that familiar lasso, tied tightly around your heart, begging you to just move forward with this.

“We were both there,” you whispered, shaking your head, “it’s not like you pushed me to do anything I didn’t want to do.”

“Did you-�� He paused, hesitant, unsure of whether he should pursue his question but you waited patiently for him to continue. “Did you feel the connection?” He asked; timid.

The connection? The tie between you that latched so hard you’d felt like you couldn’t breathe when you were away from him? Yes, you’d felt it. You still felt it, even now. Together, but not really. You wondered what would happen if you just let your heart have its way.

“Yes,” you admitted, “I feel it.”

His eyes were bright and beautiful and you could see all the words he wanted so badly to say, but he held his tongue, nodding instead. “I understand if you never want to see me again.” He said, picking at his fingernail, “I can apply for a transfer at work, if that’s something that would make you happy. I just want you to be happy.”

“I never said I wanted you to transfer.” You insisted and he watched you hesitantly as you stared out towards the balcony window. It was early afternoon now and you’d be hungry soon. Maybe he was hungry too. “I don’t want to be hurt again, Jungkook.” You admitted and you could already feel the fire licking at your throat as you swallowed down tears.

“I won’t hurt you this time,” he promised before backtracking, “if this is a “time,” I mean.”

You smiled, turning away from him and concentrating on your heart, thrumming steady in your chest. You felt good; calm even. Even if he ended up hurting you again, you needed to know; needed to know what it could be like to fall in love with him, to be with your soulmate; someone who was made to compliment you. You wanted to know.

“This is a “time.”” You nodded, turning to look back at him, feeling shy and a little embarrassed.

“Are you sure?” He murmured and you nodded.

You were sure.

“Things aren’t going to be what you want them to be for a while because, honestly, I don’t trust you. I want to, though. I want you to prove that this time is real, that I’m not being stupid for giving you another chance. Only one, Jungkook. If you mess this up, I won’t be this stupid again, I swear.”

“I don’t have any expectations.” Jungkook shook his head. He looked like he wanted to leap out of his seat and hold you, but you were grateful he refrained. “I will do my best to not mess this up. I need your help, though. We need to have open communication because I’m an idiot and if I can do something wrong, I will. I don’t want to ruin this.”

You couldn’t help your laugh then, nodding. “How about we help each other?”

He smiled. “Yes please.”

The room went silent as you both stared at one another, a quiet sort of acceptance of where things were right now; of the potential for so much more. “What now?” Jungkook whispered and you pondered that question carefully.

“Well, now I’m hungry…so how about we order some dinner and just talk?”

You couldn’t remember the last time you’d seen him smile like that; like happiness was made for just the two of you in this little bubble of your apartment. It was like an explosion in your veins, wild and reckless, and made you feel like maybe fate did know what she was doing when she put the two of you together.

Jungkook grinned, wide and toothy and your heart raced. “Perfect.”

Oh my gosh! I can’t believe it’s over. This is seriously so bittersweet for me, I love this story so, so much. Never fear, there will be an epilogue. I’m not gonna let you go through all that pain and then give you no reward, haha.

Thank you so, so much for sticking it out and being here with me. This is a story that is very close to my heart and I’m so grateful for everyone who read it and loved it with me! <3

Stay tuned for an epilogue!

Chapter 16

Epilogue

#btsbookclub #jungkook scenario #jungkook smut #jungkook fluff #jungkook angst #complete #I can't believe it's over #This is so bittersweet #There is an epilogue #never fear

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hunnyuwu · 4 years ago

Text

Royal Flour || NCT Jeno

Premise: Y/N is the child of a local baker in a small village within the kingdom's vast circle. While everyone in town is in love with Y/N, the poor child seems to never take notice, committing all of their time to her time to perfecting father's meticulous craft. What happens when the kingdom’s prince first lays his eyes on her?

Pairing: fem! reader x prince! Jeno

WC: 3.5k

Warning: this will be extremely cliche and cringe hehe

__________________________

Y/N hummed to the soft tune that danced into her father's bakery through the open windows. The local string instrument genius was out again like usual, and Y/N was so grateful for the boy who constantly practices out in the courtyard by her house. It gave her so much pleasure to listen to the beautiful tune as she rolled out her millionth dough in her lifetime. Even if it is repetitious, Y/N never saw baking as a chore, the love her father had for it really did transfer straight to her.

"Ah, good morning, Y/N!" Y/N looked up from her pin roller, a gentle smile climbing to her lips.

"Hey, Luna! The usual?"

The girl younger than Y/N by a few years nodded frantically, excited for the steaming, fluffy bread. No one's bread could compete with her father's bakery.

"How has your father been, Y/N?" Luna hummed, looking around the nearly empty shop. It was only the crack of dawn, so it made sense.

"He's recovering, I believe he will be back soon!" Y/N chirped, packaging up five loaves and a few pastries into a large canvas carrier. While Luna used to only get one loaf per two days, the girl now was a daily customer, heaving a whopping five loaves away every day. As a special thanks, Y/N always slipped in extras for Luna, the cute girl had a special place in Y/N's heart.

"That's great to hear. Tell him to get well soon for me, okay!" Luna gave Y/N a sweet look, gratefully accepting the large bag from Y/N.

"Are you sure you will be able to carry those all by yourself, Luna? I can ask a friend to help you. I'd come myself, but I can't leave my father's shop unattended."

Luna waved Y/N's concern off, "Stop worrying, Y/N. I'm capable of this much. I'm off!"

Luna set off to the door, but a question flooded Y/N's mind, "Luna!"

Luna's curly hair spun around, letting the petite girl look back to Y/N.

"I'm just kind of curious. I know all those loaves aren't for your family. Do you give them to someone else?" Y/N was always curious about Luna, she was a complete mystery to her.

Luna winked, "I do give them to someone else. Anyways, I'm late so I really gotta go, see you soon, Y/N!" She gave one last wave before leaving through the large wooden door.

~ ~ ~

Y/N stood over a small stone marking. Nothing within her mind. She set down some flowers, remembering an important person in her life.

"Ah, I see that you're here too." Y/N turned around, not expecting this voice.

"Father? You're not supposed to be out of the infirmary!" The girl chastised, quickly running over to the man who limped her way.

"Ah, you're no fun, Y/N. Besides, those ladies are always so stuck up and nosy. I needed to escape even for a little bit. You have to admit, this is a good reason." Y/N softened, today was her mother's official 20th year passed away. The two always made a point of visiting her mother at least once a year on this day.

Y/N supported her father to her mother's grave, his dear wife's grave. Y/N always felt so bad, her mother passed away while she was in labor with her. The doctors and nurses simply couldn't do anything for her. She only hung on long enough to make sure that her baby was alive and sat before she tragically drew her last breath. A tear flooded into Y/N's eye, it was her fault that such a lovely woman passed away.

"Come on, Y/N. I know exactly what you're thinking right now. The last thing your mother would want you to do is believe that it was all your fault, that you were a mistake. It was a risk that your mother was willing to take, you have no idea how much she loved and cared for you when you were in her belly. Want to know something that she told me, right after she was told that she could either save herself or her baby?" Y/N was silent, tears slowly streaming down her face. She solemnly stared at the tiny stone, the only marking remembering her beautiful mother.

"Yes."

"She told me that you were her greatest accomplishment in life. You were the masterpiece in her life, the only regret your mother had was not being able to see you grow up into the fine woman you have become. You bet your persistent mom is surely watching you from above, smiling and guiding you, just in another form."

Y/N, not able to form a word, simply wrapped her arms around her father. She didn't deserve such amazing parents, even if one wasn't there for her life. She knew her mother was always looking over her.

"Let's get out of here, hm? Mom must be happy that we visited her, but she would be even happier if the two of us stayed safe and happy, right?"

Y/N smiled up at her father's sweet look, "Of course, father. I'll take you back to the infirmary."

Y/N's father grumbled sassily, saying something about those rotten nurses, which Y/N's quickly laughed at.

"They're there to help you, father. Not make your life miserable."

"Says the one who doesn't have to deal with those nagging ladies all day."

(Hmm, why are my eyes sweating?)

~~~

"Breakfast really is the best meal of the day." A male sighed, eating his usual. One hard-boiled egg, a glass of orange juice, and two slices of bread with strawberry jam. He gave a satisfied look to the two ladies in the corner of the room.

"You know, the bread has been amazing lately. Was there a change in the royal baker?" The Prince asked, the two ladies shifted uncomfortably, looking at one another for help. The prince shot a look at the two, weirded out by their odd behavior.

"Yoona, I would also like to know about the baker." The King said, voicing out his son's thoughts.

"U-Uh, well, I don't know the baker personally, may I go figure out for you, your majesty?" Yoona curtseyed to the King quickly rushing out of the room, leaving behind the other maid.

Yoona busted into the kitchen, panic written all over her form.

"WE HAVE A PROBLEM." Yoona screamed, bringing the whole cooking staff to a halt, alarmed by Yoona's exclamation.

"What's wrong, Yoona?" A cute looking girl walked over to the older girl, waiting for her response.

"Who's that baker you always buy from?"

Luna's eyebrows shot up, not expecting this, "From a father, now his daughter, that sell bread in the middle of my village. Her bread is the best, right? I bet the royals love it!" Luna gave Yoona a thumbs up, clearly excited. Yoona, on the other hand was a lot less impressed.

"Yeah, they love it. A little too much I dare say. They want to know who the royal baker is!" Yoona exclaimed once again, leaving everyone a little more nervous than before.

"Huh, yeah we don't have one of those." Luna said, rubbing her chin with her fingers. Yoona desperately wanted to slap her forehead at the girl's innocence.

"Yeah, no duh. What do we do?" Yoona hissed. Another cook came forward, being the head of the staff.

"Well, we have two options. We either tell the truth that we have just been buying from a village baker for a little while, or we fake it till we make it."

"So, it's either that we piss them off now, or we piss them off later..."

Yoona, Luna, and the head cook all looked at one another, making a clear decision. Luna sighed, "Huhh, fine. I'll come clean..."

~~~

It was now later in the day and Luna was nervously twiddling her fingers behind her back. She looked down at her maid's uniform, waiting for her demise.

"Luna, I don't remember you being a baker?" The Queen remarked, hearing that Luna came to announce the arrival of the royal baker.

Luna hummed, ready to make the big reveal, "Well, your Majesties, there is actually not currently a royal baker." Silence effectively ensued. The King and Queen that were both sitting on their thrones were utterly confused.

"And how could that be, Luna? Who supplies that bakery items then?" The King said gently. Luna sighed.

"I've been buying from a small baker from my home village. It's the Heights District your majesties."

"Why didn't you just hire that baker, Luna? It's much easier than buying from this baker every day?"

The king and queen were taking this a lot better than Luna expected. She didn't want to even think about trying to persuade Y/N from leaving her father's bakery for the royal's kitchen. That task is virtually impossible, and that was Luna's specialty.

"Ah, well the bakers consist of only a father, who is currently in the hospital with a leg injury, and a daughter who has taken over. So-"

"How lovely! We can pay a lot more for her services here I bet. Miss Luna, please convince this amazing baker to come work for us!" The queen gleamed, Luna deadpanned inwardly. The queen was always... a bit of a ditz.

"She will be a bit hard to convince, though, you're majesties."

"Hmm, then bring my son. He is a very good persuader as you know. Now, run along. Hopefully I have good news by tomorrow." The king gave her a look, basically saying that this decision was final. Luna bit her bottom lip, but nodded nonetheless, waltzing out of the room.

She ran down the hallways, out to the expansive pastures behind the royal's castle.

"Your Highness!" Luna yelled, flailing her arms around like a mad man.

The prince, who was on horseback with his companion, quickly trotted over to the small girl, slightly frightening her.

"Is something wrong, Luna?" The prince questioned the girl who seemed like a little ant compared to him on horseback.

"Your parents ordered for me to take to you to my village to hire a baker."

The princes eyebrows raised, why was this his job to complete with a maid?

"It's a hopeless task for me. Your parents said to bring you along to maybe make the baker a part of the royal staff."

The prince sighed, the baker did bake some hella good bread. While he had a lot of questions, he shoved them down for now, trotting back over to his partner from before.

"Princess Mina, I have to depart early today. Sorry for the sudden interruption."

"But Prince-"

"Sorry." He said louder, stopping the princess who yaps like a chihuahua before she could even start. How could his parents even make him attempt to love this... desperate creature.

He quickly departed with Luna as soon as he could.

~~~

"Would you like to take the carriage your-"

"Let's walk, Luna. And besides, how many times do I have to tell you to address me by my name when we are in private?" The prince questioned with a playful smirk as the two finally set out on foot.

"But-"

"Luna." The prince growled.

"Fine... Jeno..."

The crowned prince, Jeno, gave her a fluffy smile, ruffling his hand through her hair. The two were close from a young age, but they also had to hide their close friendship from a young age as well. Once upon a time, Jeno had a large crush on the girl, but she viciously rejected it, saying that she only saw him as an older brother. While he thought he could win her over, he quickly gave in to her wishes as she was quite the stubborn girl.

"So, tell me about this baker, Luna."

Luna smirked, knowing how Jeno would react when he met the girl.

"Mmm, I'm not going to tell you." She said, causing Jeno to give her a deadly glare.

"You know who you're talking to, right?"

Luna shrugged, giving the boy an innocent look, "I thought you said we were friends when we were in private?"

Jeno quietly huffed, looking away, "Fair enough."

The two talked for their decently long journey, about this or that, about their childhood, anything.

"Man, you walk a long journey every day... Why don't you just live in the headquarters?" Jeno asked as they entered Luna's village.

"Ever heard of having a family?" She said, sarcasm dripping from her tone. Jeno rolled his eyes, "Hmm, okay then."

Luna saw Y/N's bakery sign up ahead, it's go time.

"Alright, we are here, Prince."

"I thought I told you-"

Luna ignored him, swinging the bakery's door open, the smell of bread smacking the prince in the face.

"Hello, Y/N! Are you here?" Luna called out as Jeno stepped into the small, but cozy shop behind the girl. He looked around, kind of confused why Luna called out a girl's name. He thought that the baker was supposed to be an older man, according to Luna at least.

"Ah, hello, Luna! You're never here around this time!" A beautiful voice called out, a youthful girl came out of nowhere, surprising Jeno.

Wow...

She's absolutely gorgeous...

Jeno's jaw dropped as he saw the girl fiddle around quickly with some equipment, taking pastries and bread out of a stone oven. Luna smirked, she knew this would happen. Y/N wasn't the village sweetheart for nothing.

Y/N finally turned around, swipping her hands over her floury apron. Her eyes widened when she saw the male standing next to Luna.

"You never told me that you had a boyfriend!" Y/N said joyfully, going on about how Luna was such a mystery. Jeno was so taken aback by her sheer beauty that he couldn't even say anything at the moment.

"Nice to meet you! I'm Y/N, the daughter of the baker who owns this place. He's currently unable to work, so I've been handling the place." Y/N offered her hand for a handshake, completely oblivious as to who Jeno was.

Luna paled as Jeno simply looked down at the baker's outstretched hand.

"A-Ah! No, Y/N!" Luna yanked the confused girl's hand away, giving a nervous glance toward Jeno.

"Well, we have come to explain something to you."

Y/N tilted her head, but complied.

"I just pulled out a batch of pastries, so why don't you two sit down for a little?"

Y/N brought the two to a small wooden table among the few that they had there. There really wasn't enough space...

Jeno gave Luna a glare immediately after Y/N left.

"You didn't plan on telling me that the baker was a girl my age?" He hissed, keeping his eyes on Y/N to make sure that she wasn't close.

Luna smirked, sipping on the water that Y/N provided to the both of them, "What's the big deal? I thought you were courting Princess Mina right now?" Luna smiled, knowing she was getting on the boys nerves. He was about to retort when some pastries were set in front of the two.

The both looked up to see Y/N standing, staring at the two, probably waiting from them to start.

"Aren't you going to sit with us, Y/N?" Luna said, her features scrunching up.

"No, you two are my honorary customers, so I couldn't possibly sit with you."

Jeno's eyes widened, Luna nor Jeno brought money with them. He heard Y/N chuckle.

"You two aren't paying today, it's on me."

Jeno's heart melted, everything about her...

"Ahem." Luna interjected between Jeno and Y/N's little staring contest.

"So, first of all, bring a darn seat to sit in, Y/N." Luna said with full authority. Y/N sighed, giving in.

"I've noticed that you have been wondering what I do, right Y/N?"

Y/N nodded, full of enthusiasm.

"I work for the royal palace."

Y/N's eyes widened, "Wow, that's so cool, Luna!"

"But, I've been kind of feeding your bread and pastries to the royal family... without telling them it was yours.”

Y/N nodded, a frown forming on her lips, "Did they think it was good?" Luna gasped, thinking that Y/N was going to be furious after hearing the news. But she took it in the most ideal way possible.

Jeno was surprised by her lack of enthusiasm after hearing the news, it's not every day that someone in their kingdom had the honor of having their items or goods used by the royals. There were lines ready to get the royal's approval to gain attraction to their businesses.

Luna nodded, "Y-Yeah, so much in fact that the cooking staff had a panic attack because you are sorta technically the royal baker at this moment..."

Y/N's eyes widened, "You guys don't have a royal baker? How unfortunate... I'd be willing to continue to send my products to their highnesses." Y/N then smiled, directing her smile to Jeno.

Jeno blushed, he'd much rather she become his future wife instead...

"Hmm, the thing is that the king and queen personally requested that you become the royal baker, though..." Luna said, tentatively. Y/N was silent for a moment, Jeno nervously awaited her answer.

"It's an honor, but I'm going to have to politely decline.

~~~

Jeno sighed as he sat down for breakfast the very next morning. He saw that very same loaf of bread from the pretty baker in Luna's village.

Y/N.

Everything about her made Jeno's mind go crazy. She was polite, hard-working, kind, slightly quirky, and had a sweet personality. He so desperately wanted to get to know her, but that would be difficult as she was too difficult to sway when it came down to the decision. He wanted her here, but he also understood why she wanted to stay at her bakery.

Jeno sighed once again, chomping down on the bread freshly made this morning, oh how much he would rather see her face than the product from her hands.

"Son, is something bothering you?"

Jeno looked up to his father giving him a stern look, he straightened up from his slumped position by his food. He gave his father a look, "I'm fine, your highness."

"You look unwell, dear." His mother cooed, concerned for his well being. He was being so difficult just at the thought of the girl.

"You have an engagement with Princess Yeeun today, Son. You better freshen up so that she doesn't see you in your miserable state."

Jeno huffed, while he was fine with Yeeun, he really didn't see her as someone he would spend the rest of his life with. He hated the tradition of engagements and decided who would be best to continue the royal lineage. There were so many girls that wanted to marry him, but just did not take a liking to any of them.

Later in the day, after his 'date' with Yeeun, Jeno walked out into the rose garden, looking around at the blooming flowers. Y/N reminded him of these flowers, maybe if he ever saw her again he could escort her through the gardens one day.

"Prince."

Jeno looked up from his place in the garden, watching a smirking Luna walking his direction.

"What is it, Luna?" He said as she neared him.

"Thinking about a certain someone?" She said, poking some fun at him. He choked, not quite understanding what she could be on about.

"Luna, the only people I think about are my parents and my horse."

Luna rolled her eyes, looking down at the flower that Jeno was cupping in his hand. A gentle smile rose to her thin lips, "First of all, a horse is not a human. Secondly, I saw the way you oogled at Y/N, Jeno. You can't fool me."

"And so what, I'm never going to have her, so why even think about it?"

Luna sighed as she saw Jeno's face gradually go sour. A thought popped up in her mind.

"Why don't you invite her to the King's birthday party?"

Jeno shot his head up, eyes wide. He looked down at his petite friend.

"A-Ah well, I'm going to have to deal with all of my potential suitors, though..."

"So what? I know you could give her a dance. Besides, I'll take her for the rest of the night. You can mingle with all you're girls you want, but her presence will show you how dumb you are."

"How dumb I am?" He barked, causing Luna to chuckle, "Yeah, how dumb you are for not trying to get her. I know your parents are strict, but why not try to court her? At least get to know her. Your dumb face showed me that you fell in love with her immediately after she opened her mouth."

Jeno blushed, why could Luna always read him like a damn book. He thought he was so sly about it.

"I don't know, Luna."

"Well, I'll invite her then."

Jeno gave her a look, "You little snot..."

"All in your best interest, Prince. Besides, every single guy in town wants to court her, and she's coming to an age where her father is starting to ask her about marriage. I'd stomp out your competition before someone does actually whisk her feet off the ground. Just a fruit for thought, though. See you later, Jeno."

Luna turned around, waving to him lazily before departing. Jeno looked down, Luna always had these crazy ideas in her head, but maybe this time it would actually work out? Or it could cause a war between the neighboring kingdoms...

Just a fruit for thought, huh?

_____________________________________

Part 1 || Part 2 || Part 3

Hunnyuwu

^Jeno is a prince and no one can tell me otherwise:)

#lee jeno #nct imagines #nct x y/n #nct dream #nct jeno #jeno #jeno imagines #nct 127 #neowritingsnet #jaemin #na jaemin #nct x reader #jeno x y/n #nct jaemin

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popculturebuffet · 4 years ago

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Jingle Belle: A Very Special Jingle Belle Special or A goofy holiday comic and a long tired rant about the animation industry

Ho ho ho and merry Christmas as we reach the final stretch of Christmas reviews and it’s all Christmas all the time for the rest of the week for obvious reasons. So we’re starting off by wrapping up Jingle Belle for the season with one more comission. While it’s from my usual client, It’s via patreon as for 5 bucks a month you can get a review a month of your choice. But since that hasn’t taken hold just yet, and won’t till next month, he asked to swap it for this month and here we are. Not much to cover though this is the very comic where Jing hopped publishers from Oni Press to Dark Horse. The whys I genuinely do not know and at the time, I just know it’s weird to talk about Dark Horse these days. Their not dead nor entirely irrelvant, Resident Alien, which I really want to check out as it has a really engaging premise, is getting a tv show that I also want to check out as while i’m not sure if it’ll be good, it’s still Alan Tudyk playing an alien who can barely pass for human and it hilariously shows. Whenever that streams i’m not missing a second of that and we all know it. And Umbrella Academy, started during bigger days for the company, is one of netflix’s hottest shows and one of many shows on my to do list I haven’t gotten to because I procastinate like no one else and as taking an entire month to get to the newest loud house shows to the point another one popped up, it bites me in the ass a lot. Point is their not GONE in relevance.. but at the same time they’ve lost the huge tide of liscences they road in on. Except for the Joss Whedon stuff, Marvel’s pretty much taken EVERYTHING from them via various deals: Star Wars, Conan and now Alien. Their still standing and makes good art books and clearly given Resident Alien good content, they’ve lasted this long their not going anywhere, it’s just really weird to think about. I will however give them huge credit for giving out tons of comics in early quarantine, and being easily the most generous company next to marvel. I.e. one of the few that actually gave out full collections.

But yeah at the time this was probably a safe move as Dark Horse had a love of one shots and likely a larger budget. Hence why from here on out the stories are in living color, and have a slightly diffrent art style to boot. Granted the character would shift artists but now it’s got a clear more cartoony art style I like a lot better courtsey of Jose Garabaldi. So yeah with christmas on our heels, let’s ring a ding jing, it’s A Very Special Jingle Belle Special.

We won’t be covering the backup for this one though it is quite good, it’s just not what kev asked or paid for.

We open on a parade!

While batman foils the joker’s poisioning scheme, Santa rides on a float proudly and Jing is hanging out on the back grumpy. It’s a great introduction for new readers showing Santa being big and jolly and what you expect while Jing grumps in the back with a “Sheesh, Daddy”. That’s how you establish a character well in only a few panels. IT’s really great is what i’m saying. Some teens pop up but don’t belivie her about being Santa’s daughter and when going to a christmas shop to try and find figures of her, the owner claims he dosen’t.. and well violence insues. You’ve met jing right? Anyways Jing is understandably a wee bit absolutely livid the world dosen’t know about her. Her parents sure but her? Nope. And it’s easy to see why: She’s the daughter of the world’s most famous man.. but despite all the holiday lore and junk she’s just the part he likes to hide from people.. or that’s how it feels. While he ducks it, she even gives him a nice save fatty it’s clear that even if she brought it up to rile him a bit.. she does feel on some level like he likes to tuck her away and hide her because he’s ashamed and because she’s not perfect. Granted she does act out and stuff, but she’s still his kid and i’ts still gotta sting. Though she has the perfect idea to fix this: A christmas special. Santa suggests just doing good deeds but Jing is right: her idea is better. Mostly because, as cyncial as this is.. more people are going to pay attention to a good holiday special than a celebrity’s kid doing charity and for far longer. A good christmas special just sticks in the brain and sticks with you forever. It’s why Santa Claus is Coming to Town and A Charlie Brown Christmas have lasted decades or why my list of best chirstmas specials is pretty weighty. They just stick with you so while this can’t possibly end well.. her plan is actually a really good one this time.

So Jing takes her friends off the line to help her animate it, stop motion styles and they remind her of her LAST christmas special.

I mean I’m a sucker for any refrence to Star Wars Holiday Special. You’d think after several decades of jokes at it’s expense, with tons of youtubers, many of whom are dead to me but that’s besides the point, tackling the thing without it getting stale, that we’d eventually grow tired of mocking it but .. no. It’s a bottomless well of what they were thinking. The only question left is why isn’t it on Disney Plus.. I mean.. you made a second one as an affectionate parody and in lego. Kids are going to know about this now. Just put the thing up. Even edited down or just some clips. You put Rise of Skywalker up there, you’ve proven your threshold for shame when it comes to this franchise is vast. Just person up and do it. But Jing’s learned her lesson.. stop motion only and to follow the bouncing formula to sucess. So in the special which sadly isn’t all stop motion and is just drawn to resemble the specials, probably for the best but still, Jing and her animal pals are sneaking into a town where christmas was banned! Meeting the chirstmas legion of doom.. well okay that’s what i’m calling them. Burgermeister Budweiser! Bungle the Abominable Snow Monster! Frost Master and Heat BLister! The Frost Fakir.. wait the what?

........

I mean where do I even begin? I know this was during the war on terror, I know that.. but still I expect better from Paul Dini for a crosses the line twice joke than “hey let’s just make bin laden into an ice wizard!”. I mean South Park made fun of him too, but they went all out with a looney tunes homage. Put effort in. And even years after he died the lonely island did this beautiful thing in the film pop star: never stop stoppin, which you should watch seriously watch it it’s underated.

youtube

Point is you can do better and if you don’t have room to do better then just.. don’t. You could’ve put in a t-rex in a top hat and monocle. That would’ve genuinely been better... because it’s better than everything ever btu that’s besides the point. There’s also one last addition to the rogue’s gallery thank god.

He hates her too. Now that gag is actually reallyf ucking funny. What’s also funny is how she solves things. By singing a nice and frinedly song about friendship to reform the villians.. or rather lure them over a bridge to get eaten by her orca friend.

So Jing after showing it to her dad heads to market it with him trying to warn her netoworks haven’t aired this kind of thing in years. But she faces the greatest threat to all of television: network executives, who keep offering advices and basically change the thing all together for stupid reasons and think cartoons should only be for kids despite it wokring in the past. Aka the hells animators STILL go through. I think Paul was projecting just a wee bit with this one. Given again IT HASN’T CHANGED since then, I can’t blame him. Seriously Harvey Beaks was canceled, among MANY ohter nick shows including rise of the tmnt just because it wasn’t an instant hit, Cartoon Network and warner keep trying to make dumbed down remakes of great shows, and Disney, among other networks, is fairly homophobic and while finally allowing some gay on the network this year had to be fought and outright refused it on ducktales for no adquate reason, caring more about monney and the bible belt than doing the right thing. So yeah as you can tell this bit got to me a bit and was hard to read because it. hasn’t. changed. 16 years and not a lot has changed other than more women are getting a chance. And granted the “kids are our only audiencce argument” isn’t as strong and several shows are powered by other demographics it’s still an issue and still the reason several good shows have gotten the boot and why the jeph loeb era of marvel animation was terrible. Because guys like him thought it should JUST be for kids and the lowest common demoninator of htem. You can be clever and be for kids dammit.

I apologize slightly for that it’s just something that’s been on my mind as shows dwindle and with ducktales gone the standard forbearaers for children’s animation are all pretty fresh faced. It’s just a lot to take in and i’ts been on my mind a lot.

Back to the actual story the result is a pretty purtrid cutesy special.. Jing reacts how you’d expect, destroying the tapes covertly with a herd of musk ox and destroying the tape. But they find the 70′s special and we end on that which is pretty funny. The only thing I really don’t like here is the ending. The rest of this special is really good: it’s clever , has some good satire and some really funny jokes especially that hook one. The ending just feels a bit weak.. like yes Jing wanted to be noticed but it’s not really an unsympathetic motive and while she does some shady stuff the villians still basically win by airing her terrible holiday special all over again. It’s just not satisfying. But yeah overall another pretty decent holiday comic with some good jokes. I”ll probably see Jing again next year, and it was fun getting to dip into these comics. THeir not my faviorites, but their still pretty decent and if the complete collection ends up on sale on comixology or you see it in a bookstore and you think it’d be up your ally i’d buy it. Again not my faviorite thing ever, but still enjoyable enough. Coming up this week of holiday cheer: ducks, more ducks, superheroes, and a best of list.

Until next time: Courage.

#animation #comics #reviews #jingle belle #paul dini #christmas #santa claus #dark horse comics

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zen3to5 · 5 years ago

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J/H 3-09: Ice Shack

I decided to set up shop for this project on a side blog.

Originally, this was a one-shot done on the spur of the moment on my main blog after going through the entire series for the first time (well, the entire series up to Season 6). But, now that I'm watching it again from start to finish, I've decided to dip my toe into T7S writing again. And I decided to continue on from my original premise: if Jackie and Hyde's relationship up to "Jackie Bags Hyde" had follow-up in in the rest of Season 3 and Season 4.

I'm well aware I'm not the first person to have that idea, though I can't claim to have read many other examples out there. This is just something I'm doing for fun, and to loosen up my chops writing dialogue and structuring plots. I'm not aiming to "correct" anything in the show as it is. The goal here is to produce something that could realistically have been of the show, given its genre, time period, and time limitations, with just one major aspect (and the resulting ripple effects) changed. Not every episode is getting re-written, and some episodes will only have "B" stories, or even one or two scenes, changed (though the unaltered material will usually be included, for context.) I'm also aiming to reconnect with canon by early Season 5 and end this project there, with the (very slim) possibility of doing an alternate Season 7 finale.

First up: the germ of this idea, my original re-write of 3-09, "Ice Shack." It's been slightly altered from what I originally wrote, partially due to reconsidering dialogue, partially due to trying to adhere to restrictions of time and structure, and partially because, now that this is an ongoing project, certain things are best saved for later.

FF.Net AO3

---

SHOW TITLE INT. FORMAN BASEMENT - NIGHT The gang has just finished a round of poker. HYDE is in his chair, ERIC, DONNA, and JACKIE share the couch, KELSO is in the lawn chair, and FEZ is in the hoppity hop. Everyone else groans as HYDE laughs triumphantly and scoops the pot up into his arms. Kelso and Fez exit out the basement door, grumbling. Jackie rises and gathers up her coat. JACKIE: Goodnight, Steven. HYDE: Whatever. Jackie stares at Hyde for a moment as he counts his money, then exits. On the couch, Eric and Donna watch Hyde and trade whispers with one another. Hyde rises, gathers his coat, and makes for the door. HYDE (cont’d): Alright, I’ll see you later. Donna nudges Eric lightly. He nods and looks up to face Hyde. ERIC: Hey, why don’t you go ahead and sit back down there, Hyde? We’ve gotta have a little talk with you, mister. He points to Hyde’s chair, and Donna nods. Hyde gives them a long look, and Eric gives an insistent look back. Hyde shrugs and sits down. Eric and Donna inch across the couch to get closer to him, and Donna reaches a hand out and places it on Hyde’s knee. DONNA: Okay, Hyde...is there anything you want to tell us about your date with Jackie on Veteran’s Day? HYDE: (beat) Okay, bye-bye. He stands again, but Eric and Donna stand too, and push him back into his chair. HYDE (cont’d): Whatever, man. So we went on a date. So? DONNA: “So?” Hyde, she stalked you for weeks, you went to jail for her, and when you two finally went out, neither of you said anything about it. HYDE: (shrugs) Nothing to say. DONNA: But Hyde, if anything happened, then the whole group is - HYDE: Nothing happened. (they stare) Nothing happened. DONNA: Okay, so, that’s it? It was a dud date, and it’s all over? HYDE: Yeah. I mean... yeah. Well... yeah. ERIC: (beat) Hyde... HYDE: What? She said she didn’t feel anything, so - DONNA: Wait - she said she didn’t feel anything? Donna and Eric both break into matching grins and lean in. Hyde shifts in his chair. HYDE: (beat) Oh, no. You got it all wrong, man. So she thought the kiss was - DONNA: Oh my god, you kissed? ERIC: The horror! Donna and Eric gape at Hyde, who jumps to his feet. HYDE: Hey! Listen to me - I don’t like Jackie! I only took her on that date to shut her up about all this fantasy hero-worship crap she’s been on! Nothing happened, and there’s nothing to say about it! ERIC: Oh...well, you know... (reaches out to take Hyde’s hand) In Point Place, they say that Steven Hyde's heart grew three sizes that day. Hyde yanks his hand free and storms out of the basement, while Eric and Donna fall against each other, laughing.

MAIN CREDITS BUMPER INT. FORMAN BASEMENT - DAY The next morning. Hyde sits in his chair eating oatmeal. Eric and Donna, dressed for winter, sit on the couch. They stare at Hyde and grin. As Hyde raises a spoonful toward his mouth, he stops, but doesn’t turn to face Eric and Donna. They keep staring. Hyde resumes eating but pauses again with the next spoonful. Eric and Donna keep grinning at him. Hyde finishes his bite, but when they still won’t stop, he shoves his spoon into his oatmeal and turns to face them. HYDE: This is going in both your faces. I swear to God. DONNA: I can’t believe it. Tough, trouble-making Steven Hyde - no ties, no girlfriends - gets a crush on Jackie Burkhart. She cracks up as she says the name, and she and Eric lean their heads against each other as they laugh. HYDE: Get bent, I do not. ERIC: Yeah, Donna, ease up. It’s gotta be a tough time for our boy here. What with the broken heart, because... Jackie didn’t feel anything. Donna starts laughing again. Hyde flings some oatmeal Eric’s way, and he dodges it. ERIC (cont’d): I dunno, Donna. Someone might have beat us to the draw on the bedroom this weekend. HYDE: What are you talking about? DONNA: The trip to Kelso’s uncle’s cabin. Didn’t he tell you? We’re leaving any minute. A horn honks off-screen. The three share looks and head upstairs. CUT TO: EXT. FORMAN DRIVEWAY - DAY Kelso is standing in front of his van, parked with its back facing the road. He paces and rubs his hands together. Hyde, Eric, and Donna come outside through the kitchen. KELSO: (to Eric, Donna) Hey. So, you guys ready to go? HYDE: Kelso, man, what the hell? You didn’t tell me about this trip? Kelso looks as if he just noticed Hyde was there. KELSO: Oh. I’m sorry, Hyde. I forgot. HYDE: Well, so long as there’s beer, I forgive you. (claps Kelso’s shoulder) Let’s go. KELSO: Wait, Hyde. You can’t come. HYDE: Why not? Kelso hesitates, then steps around Hyde to reach Eric and Donna. KELSO: Okay, I might as well let you in on my master plan here. See, what this whole trip is about is a romantic double date, with you two, me, and Jackie. ERIC: Okay, see, Kelso - double dates usually work better when the second couple are actually dating. KELSO: So, it’s a secret double date. I told Jackie the whole gang was coming, but I didn’t invite Hyde or Fez. (to Hyde) No offense. DONNA: I’m out. She and Eric both turn to head back inside, but Kelso moves to block their way. KELSO: No, I need you guys! Look - I wanna win Jackie back. I love her, I miss her...and I’ve been getting, like, nothing from Laurie lately. Donna rolls her eyes, Eric grins, and Hyde fumes. Kelso ignores them all. KELSO (cont’d): And, Eric and Donna, you guys are, like, the perfect couple, so if you’re there, I can just copy all the sissy, loser things that Eric does, and I’m gold! ERIC: (to Donna) I mean - he asks so nicely, how could we refuse? DONNA: Kelso, I am not doing this! KELSO: Oh, come on! You guys get a romantic weekend out of it, and I’ll have tons of beer! We won’t even need a refrigerator 'cause it’s so freaking cold! (crosses to Hyde) Oh, but I need to grab the beer and gas on the way, so... I kinda need it back. He holds out his hand. HYDE: You need what back? KELSO: You know...my money. HYDE: What money? KELSO: My money from the poker game last night. HYDE: Kelso, that’s my money. KELSO: No, it’s mine! I brought it! HYDE: And you lost it! KELSO: Well, since when does losing it to you in a poker game make it your money? Hyde stares, and Eric and Donna roll their eyes. HYDE: Okay - fine, Kelso. I’ll pay for this trip - with my money - on one condition: I come too. KELSO: What? No, Hyde! That throws off my whole plan! Why do you want to come anyway? ERIC: Yes, Hyde - why do you want to come? HYDE: (beat) Kelso, all your master plans are stupid and blow up in your face. I could spend my poker winnings on beer and Playboys, but those are there every weekend. Watching you crash and burn - that’s something special, man. And I don’t wanna miss it. KELSO: (beat) Alright, you’re in. Kelso, laughing, moves to the front of the van, with Eric following. Hyde and Donna linger by the back. Donna takes a few steps toward Hyde. DONNA: Hyde - you really do care about her, don’t you? Hyde shifts on his feet. HYDE: No... but do you wanna go through all that again? (doing Jackie) “Oh my god, you’re so beautiful, Michael!” (doing Kelso) “Oh my god, you’re so beautiful, Jackie!” (doing Jackie) “But you cheated with Laurie and Pam Macy - you’re such a dirty dog!” (doing Kelso) “Well damn, Jackie! What do you expect from a shallow, stupid man-whore?” DONNA: (laughing) Well, deny it all you want - this is the sweetest I think I’ve ever seen you. But I think it’s good for Jackie that she’s on her own right now. So please tell me you’re not gonna use this trip to crawl all over her too. HYDE: I told you - she didn’t feel anything. Donna sighs and reaches out to rub Hyde’s shoulder. DONNA: Ugh, I can’t believe Kelso. And what about poor Fez? We’re leaving him all alone this whole weekend. HYDE: Actually, I think he’ll be fine. He had some plans. CUT TO: INT. MOVIE THEATER - DAY A packed theater sits back to enjoy a special screening of WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY. Pan across the first row until we arrive on FEZ, munching away at popcorn and chocolate. His eyes are wide and his mouth hangs open. FILM (aud. only): Who can take a sunrise (who can take a sunrise) Sprinkle it with dew (sprinkle it with dew) Cover it with choc'late and a miracle or two... Fez sits up straight and sings out, as loud as he can... FEZ & FILM: The Candy Man! Oh, the Candy Man can! Everyone sitting around Fez glares at him. He smiles apologetically and slumps back down into his seat. CUT TO: INT. FORMAN LIVING ROOM - DAY LAURIE sits on the couch in her bathrobe. She watches TV and sips at a mug of coffee. KITTY enters through the kitchen door. Seeing Laurie, she sucks in a deep breath and puts on a hard smile. KITTY: Good afternoon, sunshine. We missed you at lunch. And breakfast. And dinner last night. LAURIE: Yeah...I would’ve made it, but it interfered with my plans to not spend more time in this dump than I have to. KITTY: (laughs) So, ah - what do you have planned for the day? LAURIE: Same as every day. Lie here, do my nails, avoid talking to you. It’s not going that well so far. Kitty crosses to turn off the TV. Laurie makes a hollow gesture of protest, but doesn’t stir from her spot as Kitty joins her on the couch. KITTY: Honey, you’ve done nothing but party all night and sleep all day for months. LAURIE: Oh, come on, Mom. KITTY: Oh, not “come on.” Sweetie, I’m worried about you. The way you’re going, you’re going to end up like...like Aunt Martha. Laurie sits up straight. LAURIE: You think I’ll end up like Fat Martha? With the beer gut? KITTY: The poor woman couldn’t even play putt-putt. Laurie stands. LAURIE: I can’t believe you’d say that about your own daughter! And I can’t play putt-putt either, but only because it’s really hard to get it in the hole! She storms upstairs. Kitty picks up the coffee mug she left behind. KITTY: Not a problem anyone’s ever had with you, I’m sure. CUT TO: EXT. LAKESIDE - DAY Hyde and Eric unload the van as Donna, Kelso, and JACKIE stand back and take in the small, rickety ICE SHACK sitting on top of the frozen lake. Kelso grins, while the girls look incredulous. DONNA: This is your uncle’s cabin? KELSO: Yeah...now that we’re here, I guess I can tell you that part too. It’s more of an ice shack. JACKIE: It’s an outhouse! Kelso crosses over to a large metal barrel just outside the shack. KELSO: No, this is the outhouse. And the hot tub. The girls glare. They join Eric and Hyde on their way back to the van, but Kelso walks after them. KELSO (con’d): It’s for fishing. My uncle comes out here all the time! It’s gonna be a blast. Just us, in this beautiful snow. And we can catch all the fish we want! HYDE: So, on the ride back from this weekend in Hell, we can enjoy the smell of dead fish the whole way home? Oh, boy! Jackie moves to Hyde’s left, as far from Kelso as she can get. Donna takes a step closer to Eric. DONNA: It’s kind of cold. ERIC: Oh, here - take my jacket. He shrugs his jacket off and drapes it over Donna’s shoulders. DONNA: I love you! ERIC: God, were are such the... They both turn to look at Kelso. ERIC (cont’d): ...Perfect couple. Kelso rolls his eyes. Jackie shivers. JACKIE: I’m cold, too. KELSO: Well, damn, Jackie, I can’t control the weather! He notices Eric and Donna glaring at him, and the lights click on. He makes a big show of taking his jacket off and presenting it to Jackie. It is now her turn to roll her eyes. JACKIE: Forget it. Donna, let’s go inside. DONNA: (to Eric) How does that sound to you, honey? ERIC: I think that sounds like a great idea, sweetie. DONNA: Oh my God, let’s go! The two of them link hands and follow Jackie towards the ice shack. Kelso starts to follow, but Jackie holds up a hand to stop him. JACKIE: You’re not coming in. KELSO: What? Jackie, it’s freezing out here! ERIC: Well, Kelso, you can always warm yourself up in the hot tub toilet. He drums lightly on the rim of the barrel. He disappears inside the shack with Donna. Jackie lingers in the doorway and looks at Hyde, still by the van. JACKIE: Steven, are you coming? HYDE: In a bit. Think I’ll fumigate the van for a little while first. JACKIE: Won’t you be cold? HYDE: I don’t feel anything. He and Jackie look at each other. Jackie breaks away first, disappearing inside the shack and closing the door behind her. Kelso crosses over to Hyde and scoffs. KELSO: Man, can you believe this? I mean, what’s the point of bringing Eric and Donna along if copying all his dorky moves doesn’t work? HYDE: Yeah, man. It’s almost as if pretending to be someone you’re not is a bad idea. KELSO: I know, right? I mean, that’s impossible, but it’s so close to what’s happening here. Hyde sighs, claps Kelso on the shoulder, and pulls him along as he steps into the van. BUMPER INT. MOVIE THEATER - DAY WILLY WONKA continues. The “PURE IMAGINATION” song plays off-screen. Fez is now chewing a piece of bubble gum. As the song’s first three chimes sound, he blows a bubble. On the second three chimes, he sucks the bubble back in his mouth. He repeats this pattern two more times, the bubble getting larger and larger each time, until... CUT TO: The bubble blows up, becoming a pink BUMPER. FEZ (v.o.): Ai! FADE TO: INT. ICE SHACK - EVENING The shack is even dirtier looking on the inside, with various pieces of fishing gear and winter clothing adorning the rough walls. Benches surround three sides of a square cut in the ice. Eric and Donna share the right bench, while Jackie sits on the center one. Eric has a fishing line in the water. ERIC: (flat) Boy, ice fishing’s fun. Don’t you just love it here, Donna? DONNA: Oh, Eric... it doesn’t matter where we are. It’s being together that makes it fun. ERIC: You’d rather be anywhere else, wouldn’t you? DONNA: Literally anywhere. You know me so well. ERIC: Eskimo kiss! They start nuzzling noses. Jackie looks on in disgust. JACKIE: What the hell is with you two today? Eric drapes an arm around Donna, and they both smile at Jackie. ERIC: Oh, didn’t Kelso tell you? We’re the... (with Donna) Perfect couple. JACKIE: Yeah - perfectly nauseating! ERIC: Well, if you don’t like what you see in here, missy, there’s some beautiful scenery and a wind chill near 10 just waiting for you outside. JACKIE: At least you’re better company than Michael. God, can you believe that idiot? Who drags all their friends to small, smelly shack like this? I don’t even think we can fit everyone in here! ERIC: (flat) Oh, no. How could Kelso make such a terrible mistake? Jackie pouts and looks at the door. JACKIE: What’s keeping Steven? ERIC: Oh, a little worried about “Steven,” are we? Donna swats his chest playfully, and he withdraws his arm from her shoulder. DONNA: Jackie, we were talking earlier how it’s a little strange you didn’t have anything to say after your date with Hyde. JACKIE: I didn’t think there was anything to say. I mean, at the time, I thought it was the most romantic moment of my life. Steven was jealous, he defended my honor, he took me out... but when we got to the kiss, there just wasn’t anything there. ERIC: Wait, so - Hyde can’t french? Well, that is just so good to know. JACKIE: It wasn’t that, idiot. Steven said he didn’t feel anything either... but only after I said I didn’t feel anything. And just now, when I asked him if he was cold, he said it again. But not like he really didn’t feel anything. More like he was upset. ERIC: Jackie, to be fair, we’re sitting in a shack we were told was a cabin, with a trash can just outside that’s going to be our toilet and bath for the whole weekend. “Upset” covers pretty much everyone right now. JACKIE: Oh my God... oh my God, Donna! What if Steven did feel something? And he just covered it up because he’s vulnerable and afraid and thinks no one would ever love him because he’s so poor? Steven! She rises and starts for the door, but Donna reaches out to take her sleeve. Jackie sits back down. DONNA: Okay, Jackie, slow down. Ever since you and Kelso broke up, you’ve been all over the place with guys. JACKIE: But Donna, I have to talk to Steven. What if - DONNA: Listen, Jackie. Okay, so maybe you go talk to him, but I’m just saying – maybe some time alone would be good for you. ERIC: Yeah, Jackie. At least until you find your... (puts his arm back around Donna) Perfect couple. DONNA: (laughs) Yeah. (beat) And, you know. After that, too. Sometimes. ERIC: What do you mean? DONNA: Well, Eric, I love you, but I need some time for me too. ERIC: Yeah, but that’s not what you’re talking about. You’re talking about time to yourself as in, not being with anyone. Are you saying you’d want a break from... from us? DONNA: Eric, it’s not a big deal. I mean, you need some time to yourself too. It’s not like we go everywhere together. We don’t go to the bathroom together. ERIC: (voice breaking) Well, we’ll have to up here, lady! We don’t have a choice! CUT TO: INT. VAN - EVENING Concurrent with the previous scene. A CIRCLE is in progress, starting on Hyde. HYDE: Man, Kelso, I am so happy I’m not in your shoes right now. Every part of your plan - the trip, the cabin, copying Forman - has backfired. This was such a good way to blow that poker money! Pan to Kelso. KELSO: Jackie just doesn’t know how much fun ice fishing is. I was out here for four days with my uncle once. He fell in the ice, lost all his fish, and woke up a hibernating bear. I laughed my ass off! And I’m tired of everyone ragging on the shack. It’s cozy. Pan to Hyde. HYDE: Kelso, “cozy” is sharing a bed, or a couch, or the back seat of a Lincoln. If you want to get down and dirty in a place that’s down and dirty, you gotta be up-front about it. Pan to Kelso. KELSO: You’re just not thinking about what you can do when you throw a cot over the ice hole and... wait. Jackie drives her dad’s Lincoln... Pan to Hyde. HYDE: Yeah, well, that’s... whatever. Look, Kelso - why do you even wanna do this, man? You’re still with Laurie, and Jackie’s moving on. Seeing other people. And some of them are pretty cool. Can’t you just give her a break? Pan to Kelso. KELSO: Man, it’s just not the same with Laurie. I mean, I know Jackie. I understand Jackie. And... wait. You’re one of the cool guys who saw Jackie! The Circle is broken. Hyde and Kelso stare at each other from opposite ends of the back of the van. HYDE: What? KELSO: Yeah, you took her on that date on Veteran’s Day! HYDE: No I didn’t. KELSO: You so did! And you’re keeping me in here, when I could be in there doing it! HYDE: You moron! Did you forget Forman and Donna are in there? KELSO: You did it with her in the Lincoln, didn’t you? Man, you don’t do that with another guy’s girl! That was where we used to do it! HYDE: We didn’t do it! And Jackie’s not “your girl” anymore! KELSO: Well, is she yours? HYDE: She’s nobody’s, man! She said it herself, the kiss meant nothing! KELSO: (gasps) You’re dead, Hyde! Kelso launches himself across the van at Hyde, and the two begin wrestling. Hyde strikes Kelso in the head right as the van begins to rock violently. The boys stop their fight, look at each other, and bolt for the exit. CUT TO: EXT. ICE SHACK - EVENING The door to the shack opens, and Eric, Donna, and Jackie spill out just as Hyde and Kelso leap out of the back of the van. Hyde’s sunglasses are crooked and he holds his right hand in his left. Kelso has his right hand over his right eye. The cracking sound continues. ERIC: You guys, what happened? KELSO: I don’t know. All of a sudden, the van just started shaking! HYDE: “All of a sudden?” You jumped me, you tool! DONNA: Uh...guys? Everyone turns to watch as Kelso’s van slowly sinks into the ice. Kelso looks horrified, while the others seem torn between anger and schadenfreude. A splash of water shoots up as the van begins sinking quicker. Everyone takes a step back. Kelso looks around pleadingly, to no avail. The van disappears beneath the water. HYDE: Man, this master plan just keeps getting better and better. For me. JACKIE: (to Kelso) Michael, what “master plan?” KELSO: Who cares, Jackie? I’m losing my van! Jackie pouts at Kelso as he stares at the hole where his van used to be. Hyde rubs his right hand, and Eric and Donna glare at each other. FADE TO BLACK COMMERCIAL BUMPER INT. ICE SHACK - NIGHT Later that night. Donna sits on the right bench alone, while Jackie and Hyde share the left bench. Donna has her arms crossed, and Jackie watches while Hyde holds a cold beer can to the knuckles of his right hand. Someone bangs on the door. KELSO (v.o.): Okay guys, I’m getting really tired of being kicked out of my shack! No one even looks up. ERIC (v.o.): Donna? Honey? I think this is enough alone time for one night, okay? DONNA: (stands) Can it, you dill holes! She sits back down. JACKIE: God, how could Michael think this would win me back? After all the crap he did, it’d take a ski trip to Aspen before I’d even consider letting him touch me again. HYDE: You mean you’d consider it at all? JACKIE: (beat) No. Why, do you care? HYDE: Whatever. They look away from each other. Another knock comes to the door. ERIC (v.o.): Okay, we’re gonna go for help, but just so you know - Kelso’s already talking about sharing warmth, and I don’t know how long this walk is, so you just think about that during your alone time, missy! Donna, Jackie, and Hyde all share looks of disgust. CUT TO: INT. FORMAN LIVING ROOM - NIGHT Kitty paces behind the couch nervously while RED sits in his chair, reading the paper. Laurie enters from the stairs. LAURIE: Alright, I’m here. Let’s get this over with. She throws herself down on the couch. KITTY: Good evening to you too. Honey, we feel that you need some direction in your life. RED: (not looking up) And by we, she means her. Kitty scowls at Red before turning back to Laurie. KITTY: Laurie, you have no future ahead of you, and you have nothing in your life right now. Just look at how you spent today. You sat around, watched TV, and drank all your father’s beer. RED: (looks up) And in the future, Laurie - always save one beer for Daddy. LAURIE: (to Kitty) Look, will you get off my back? I have a plan for my future, all right? Find a guy who’s loaded and get married. KITTY: You? Married? I think you left out the part about the unexpected pregnancy and the quickie divorce for your fiancé! RED: See, Kitty? She has it all worked out. She’ll find someone who’s nice, and... not Kelso. Someone who can take care of her. LAURIE: Exactly! (beat) But - Daddy, I could have a career of my own if I wanted, right? RED: (beat) Well, sure. I just don’t want you to set yourself up for... like what happened at the college. If you set the bar too high, the fall might be... you’re just so pretty! KITTY: Oh, I give up. She storms upstairs. Red stands. RED: Kitty, wait! (to Laurie) Here’s five dollars. He slips her a five and runs after his wife. Laurie stares at the money and sighs. The doorbell rings. Laurie stands and crosses to the door. She opens it to reveal Fez, his face and hair a sticky pink mess of bubble gum. LAURIE: What the hell happened to you? FEZ: Please don’t laugh. They all laughed. The audience, the usher, the ticket boy... even the Oompa-Loompas seemed to mock me with their doompaty-doo-doo. Laurie bites her finger to keep back a laugh. FEZ (cont’d): I cannot get the sticky out! Help me, please? LAURIE: (shrugs) Well, at least someone’s day sucks worse than mine. Get in here. She takes Fez by the shoulder and pulls him inside. She struggles to get her hand free. Once she does, she lightly pokes him in the back with one finger to guide him into the kitchen. CUT TO: INT. ICE SHACK - NIGHT Donna stands and looks out the window. Hyde and Jackie still share the left bench. Hyde now drinks his beer, while Jackie holds his right hand and examines his knuckles. JACKIE: What I don’t understand, Steven, is why you’d even come on this stupid trip if you didn’t care about what Michael was up to. HYDE: Have you been sleeping? Gilligan screws up less than Kelso. This is prime-time entertainment here - with beer. He holds up his can and takes a sip. JACKIE: Then why did you keep Michael outside instead of watching him try something with me? And – (holds up Hyde’s hand) What were you two fighting about in the van? HYDE: (beat) Boy, Forman’s sure been gone a long time, huh, Donna? DONNA: Yeah. I hope he’s okay. But what did he have to get so worked up for? I’m with him. I love him. Why can’t he see that “time alone” for me doesn’t mean “time broken up from him?” HYDE: Come on, Donna. Give him a break. Forman’s still in shock you’re even with him. So just ‘cause he’s a little insecure, you leave him out there with Kelso? I don’t know what that guy meant by “sharing warmth,” but whatever it is, Forman’s not gonna like it. DONNA: (laughs) Okay, maybe that was a little much. (looks back to window) I wish they’d get back soon. JACKIE: (to Hyde) And what about your insecurities, Steven? Did you or did you not feel something after our date? HYDE: Does it matter? You didn’t feel anything. JACKIE: Well... HYDE: 'Well?' What do you mean, 'well?' You're gonna tell me you did feel something now? JACKIE: (beat) Ugh, I don’t know anymore! Everything is a mess! Michael’s still after me, Fez was after me, I was after you but you didn’t want me, then I thought I didn’t feel anything with you and you said you didn’t either but I think you did, and Donna says I should take a break and be alone even though I don’t want to be, and I’m wet and hungry and I hate the smell of dead fish! Jackie throws Hyde’s hand away, screams, and buries her face in her hands. Hyde turns to look at her. HYDE: All right, fine, Jackie. You wanna know? I feel... He looks to Donna, who shakes her head. HYDE (cont’d): I feel... I feel like Donna’s right, man. All this crap with Kelso and Fez and... forget it, man. Take some time for yourself. Donna gives a small nod. Jackie looks to Hyde. JACKIE: Is that all you feel? HYDE: No... I feel like I busted my hand on Kelso’s head. Donna laughs as Hyde bends down to put his hand on the ice. CUT TO: INT. FORMAN LIVING ROOM - NIGHT Red leads Kitty back down the stairs. RED: Now, try not to worry so much, Kitty. Laurie’s just our little girl, after all. KITTY: She was a little girl ten years ago, Red. She is a woman, and that woman is going to end up with a beer gut and gout. Red sighs. He takes Kitty over to the couch, and they both sit down. Laurie bursts in from the kitchen. LAURIE: (to Kitty) Okay, look. The reason I haven’t done anything with my life is because I didn’t know what I wanted to do. KITTY: Well, sweetie, the post office has a dental plan that’s - LAURIE: Shhh! But earlier tonight, something happened that made me realize my passion: hair! KITTY: (beat) The musical? LAURIE: No! (she tugs on her hair) Hair! Look! She steps to the right of the kitchen door and holds out her hands in presentation. Fez steps out, with a short, closely-cropped hairstyle. All trace of gum is gone. He stands with his hands on his hips and a very satisfied expression. LAURIE (cont’d): Fez had an accident, and I fixed it! And when I thought about it, I could see that this is where all my talents were! Mom, Daddy - I’m going to beauty school! KITTY: This isn’t something you do through the mail, is it? LAURIE: No. It’s a real school! KITTY: Oh. Well... yay! She starts applauding. RED: Congratulations, sweetheart! LAURIE: Thanks, Daddy! (to Fez) Come on, Fez. Let me practice a manicure on you, and I’ll introduce you to my easy friend Susanne. Fez grins, and lets Laurie usher him back into the kitchen. RED: So, Kitty, what do you think? KITTY: Eh. RED: Yeah. He turns on the TV, and they settle down on the couch. CUT TO: INT. ICE SHACK - NIGHT Everyone is still in their same places. A knock sounds at the door. Donna hurries to unlock it. Eric is waiting outside, his cheeks and nose red with the cold and frost caked in his hair. DONNA: Oh my God. Are you all right? ERIC: Oh, yeah. Three-mile walk to the nearest rest stop, three miles back, snow, wind chill, Kelso trying to cuddle the whole way. No big deal. Donna cups his head in her hands and kisses him. DONNA: Eric, I’m sorry. ERIC: (beat) Me too. (gestures over his shoulder) One of the truckers offered us a ride. He’s waiting outside. DONNA: My hero. ERIC: Perfect couple? They share another Eskimo kiss, gather up their things, and head outside. Jackie and Hyde stand. As Jackie collects her bag, Hyde takes his jacket off and puts it around her. She looks at him. HYDE: (shrugs) You looked kind of cold. JACKIE: Thank you. She briefly places a hand on his cheek. They get their things and head outside. CUT TO: EXT. ICE SHACK - NIGHT Kelso is standing right by the doorway of the shack as Hyde and Jackie leave. He notices Hyde’s coat around Jackie, and that the two are walking closely together and smiling at one another. He gasps in shock. FADE TO BLACK CREDITS INT. FORMAN BASEMENT - NIGHT Fez, in his new haircut with Eric’s bathrobe over his clothes and Red’s hat in his hands, dances around the basement while “I’VE GOT A GOLDEN TICKET” plays on the record player. He uses a pool cue as a cane. RECORD (aud. only): I never dreamed that I would climb Over the moon in ecstasy But nevertheless, it’s there that I’m shortly about to be ‘Cause I’ve got a golden ticket I’ve got a golden chance to make my way And with a golden ticket, it’s a golden day! END.

#z's fics #that 70s show #zenmasters #jackie x hyde #fan fiction #fan script #zen3to5

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comicteaparty · 5 years ago

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March 4th-March 10th, 2020 Reader Favorites Archive

The archive for the Reader Favorites chat that occurred from March 4th, 2020 to March 10th, 2020. The chat focused on the following question:

What are some comic synopses that convinced you to read the comic? In general, what are you looking for in a synopsis?

carcarchu

bastard's "there's a serial killer in my house" was all it needed to sell me on it. short and sweet, just begging you to read more to find out what that means

Capitania do Azar

Broken http://broken.spiderforest.com/ had me at "psychic zombie kid befriending a fairy general"

Ash🦀

are there monsters? Are there wlw? are the women monsters like werewolves and vampires and demons etc etc I tend to see monster as the main character and I’m instantly hooked! I have a hard time empathizing with purely human characters, (as an autistic, I have often been called something not human, I guess that’s why) so when I see a monster, I’m like YEEEES. That being said, “Fox Fire” on Webtoons really drew me in. https://www.webtoons.com/en/challenge/fox-fires/list?title_no=125525 A mysterious journey through lands unknown by a raccoon dog? Yes. Inspired by Finnish mythology which I’ve not seen before? YES. It’s not short or snappy, but I love animal stories so much, and seeing them based on a culture I’m not overtly familiar with is so exciting! So many things to learn! To research! Yes!!

spacerocketbunny

Sink your Hookteeth had me at "cosmic horror romance with eldricht mermaids" https://hookteethcomic.com/ Usually I give things a chance past the synopsis to see for myself but there definitely is some keywords that get my attention right away. Stuff like psychological, horror, world-building, surreal, lgbtq+, occult themes etc., but I'm pretty open to most things

keii’ii (Heart of Keol)

I usually don't get invested in a comic because of a strong premise, but I can get interested in a comic with a unique premise. Ironically the one example that comes to my mind is something I have not yet checked out (but it is on my list!). What is that one webcomic called, the one where time only flows in the vicinity of certain special individuals? And the MC is one of such individuals? I honestly have no idea if I will actually like that comic, but the premise sounds so interesting that I would like to at least check it out.

Eightfish (Puppeteer)

i too find that premise intriguing

please someone link it if they know what it is(edited)

Feather J. Fern

Premises are really important to me, since there are so many comics nowadays it's hard for me to filter through what I would like and not like. So if something like "Boy meets girl" comes up I tend to shy away but if someone says "Monster boy meets girl who is blind." Then I am like "OH THAT! I WOULD READ THAT!" I think it's the details that really get me, I need more details if possible to make sure I can get the most out of it.

LadyLazuli (Phantomarine)

For me it usually boils down to "relatable/intriguing situation with (insert supernatural/fantasy/sci-fi element here)." The relatable/intriguing situation hooks me on a higher brain level - the fantasy/supernatural element hooks me on my lizard brain level

eli [a winged tale]

Art aside, I look for intrigue/hook and a conflict (whether that’s through a character description/contrast in presentation like a dichotomy/ or a surprise/thwarted expectation). I have my genre preferences but usually if there’s an intrigue (that’s so cool and interesting!) and a conflict (sense of pace/tension/driving the story), then I’m in. These are the examples of ones I love:

chalcara [Nyx+Nyssa]

I might be the odd one out that I don‘t look for synopisis much - I tend to read the first ten pages of the comic instead and look for two things: 1) character that interests me and 2) did the plot start yet?

Mind you, godslave synopsis got me at „modern-day egyptology“ https://www.godslavecomic.com/about

keii’ii (Heart of Keol)

I usually don't read the synopsis if I'm already "there," but like... when people are reccing something for me

chalcara [Nyx+Nyssa]

Then I still check out the comic proper. If someone likes it enough to rec it it‘s worth a try!

keii’ii (Heart of Keol)

My tastes are too specific (yet vague at the same time?), so I fully admit to not checking out every rec that comes my way.

chalcara [Nyx+Nyssa]

Makes sense! I read quickly and have absolutely no compuction about dropping stuff that doesn‘t interest me, so sample reading works well. But in webcomic lists I found synopsis to be important, that‘s how I found godslave. So I guess I‘m like @Feather J. Fern and look for an interesting premise.

Feather J. Fern

I also try recommendations, which is why I like the CTP since it does help me narrow down reading choices.

Oh also, when someone adds something too typical like "And then romance blossoms" in a premise then I am like "Eh" Especially with the genre of the comic is NOT Romance. Like I think when I am looking into a genre, I want that genre, don't pull the side genres into the main stay in your premise. For example, and Action Comedy being like "Romance blossoms between the two" I would be like "Why wouldn't this be a Romance Comedy with Action side, or Romance Action" If i want Action comedy I WANT the action and Comedy. the romance cna be on the side just don't mention it in the premise, it makes me go pick another action comedy to read.

I guess it's like Confusing Promotion of your Premise is what gets me?

eli [a winged tale]

Yeah that’s fair Featheryjustice. I’m also the same

And chalcara I definitely am swayed by the art and pages too!

keii’ii (Heart of Keol)

In general, I feel a good summary should tell me why I should read it, rather than what the comic is about. (Those two things are closely related and definitely overlap, but not 100% the same.)

Deo101 [Millennium]

I like this idea a lot. I also think a good summary should match the tone of the story, and kind of give you enough to get you interested but without telling you what really happens in it

I'm not reading a list of traits about your story, I'm reading a bit of an intro to it to get all excited

Feather J. Fern

I agree with Keii and Deo. I want to get excited to know more, not "Ugh I can get this but better elsewhere" from a summary.

keii’ii (Heart of Keol)

I think that might be a helpful group exercise to do sometime in story_help maybe -- workshopping a short paragraph/long sentence/list of reasons of "why you should read this comic." It'd be like, an informal rough draft of a pitch maybe?

Anyway, I'm also in camp "art plays a big role." It's not necessarily how pretty the art is, or how much I like the art as art. More like, what kinda vibes is it giving off? Would I like a story with these vibes?

Deo101 [Millennium]

Yeah, the art and summary kinda gotta feel like they mesh, they don't HAVE to and there are exceptions of course but for that first impression glance I think it matters a good bit

eli [a winged tale]

Yeah I’d be down for some synopsis workshop!

LadyLazuli (Phantomarine)

yes please!

Q (Wayfinders: Off Course)

Samesies!

Deo101 [Millennium]

Yes!

Feather J. Fern

Agreed!

DanitheCarutor

Eeeeh I'm kind of the oddball in this, I can't write a good synopsis to save my life, so I almost never read them. Not even on recs, promo threads, or masterposts. Usually I go by how the comic looks via the banner/thumbnail/promo art, or if I stumbled on an update showing pages with some interesting content. I would rather have the comic show me what it was about. Maybe if the comic is really young and I can't tell where it will go, but I'm intrigued by what I read so far, I'll then read the synopsis. Even though I'll read just about anything sometimes a genre will catch my eye, usually something really rare for webcomics like: Horror, thrillers, mystery, or anything with the word psychological.

FeatherNotes(Krispy)

I usually look for keywords that hook my interests specifically when reading a synopsis- words that stick out or create an intriguing combination An example of this os XII: Of Magic and Muses use of 'magical horror light show' was an insta- intrigue! And i def find it most important for people, when making synopsis, to use key words or phrases that make them stand apart. What is it about your mystery story That's so mysterious? Or what makes your romance so special? Twists and unexpected words are also an easy way to pop up in searches too!

Cronaj (Whispers of the Past)

I don't usually rely on a synopsis to determine whether I'll read a comic. As others have said, most of the time I just start reading if the art caught my eye and the genre is something I like. That being said, there are times where a synopsis has really sold me on a story, and it almost always includes the "who," "what," and "why." (Sometimes also the "when/where," but it's not always necessary.)

(Also, if we do a synopsis workshop, I want in. I'm horrible at writing them.)

Eightfish (Puppeteer)

i'm sure there's people who'll be down to help you out anytime in shop talk

sssfrs (JOE IS DEAD)

If something says it has pirates I'll click on it usually

Eightfish (Puppeteer)

Yo read Tiger Tiger https://www.tigertigercomic.com/tiger-tiger/

Tiger, Tiger -

(@sssfrs (JOE IS DEAD))

sssfrs (JOE IS DEAD)

I've seen this before! I read a little bit of it and there was this one scene that was very close to something I've drawn and it freaked me out a little bit. Tiger Tiger is a really great comic though and I appreciate it a lot. It does also have a lot in common with Joe Is Dead and I appreciate you recommending it!!!

Feather J. Fern

Oh speaking of summaries and premises, what are people's keywords for things that does make them read it instantly or things that a premise does that make you want to stay away? I mentioned genre failing but what gets me to click is if the premise itself has good grammar. Soemtimes you get some wonky grammar in the premise statement and it alerts me that the rest of the comic might not be as well edited as I thought.

Oh an a pet peeve, lack of punctuation and capitalization in the premise.

Cronaj (Whispers of the Past)

@Feather J. Fern I definitely also get put off by grammar errors in summaries.

keii’ii (Heart of Keol)

I'm not sure if there's a good way for me to talk about my major turnoffs in summaries without offending those who like to read/ make such stories...

kayotics

I think what gets me to read is when a synopsis is written in a way that’s off beat, or like they’ve spent a lot of time thinking about it. The synopsis has time put into it, it makes me think that maybe the story itself is a bit more unique or polished, and if the synopsis is generic I feel like the comic might be generic.

sssfrs (JOE IS DEAD)

I am repelled by mentions of religious topics like gods or demons. Stories like those usually rely heavily on Christian themes that are too far outside my cultural grasp for me to relate to or enjoy

Feather J. Fern

Oh what does grab me is stories that are inspired or made in other cultures than my own. That makes me want to learn more about that culture

kayotics

I do really like foreign stories. Sometimes I want the familiarity of a cultural context I relate to, but I do like to explore worlds that I’m unfamiliar with

That’s kind of how I feel about Heart of Keol, I’m not very familiar with South Korea so I feel like I’m learning a lot through the world itself, even if it’s historical fantasy based

Cronaj (Whispers of the Past)

As for keywords I look for in summaries that might actually get me to read: words like "discovers," "mysterious," "ancient," or phrases like "learning to be human."

keii’ii (Heart of Keol)

The culture talk reminds me! I like stories that focus on non-mythological aspects of a culture. Not that I dislike mythological stuff, but the non-mythological stuff, the mundane everyday omnipresent aspects seem so awfully underrepresented.

Cronaj (Whispers of the Past)

That's basically my favorite part of culture!

keii’ii (Heart of Keol)

I don't code, but if I could, I'd be tempted to quickly make a bot that generates summaries based on the phrases/keywords that have been mentioned in this channel, haha

Cronaj (Whispers of the Past)

Like the way people eat, or what they wear at festive events(edited)

keii’ii (Heart of Keol)

"Mysterious pirates discover ancient culture. Shenanigans ensue."

Cronaj (Whispers of the Past)

I'd read that tbh

keii’ii (Heart of Keol)

Yeah or like, even just everyday life things that you don't really think about until you go to a place with a different culture. Suddenly you become aware that you're sitting, standing, walking, looking (as in using your own eyes) different than everyone else

sssfrs (JOE IS DEAD)

I would read that because of the pirates

keii’ii (Heart of Keol)

Even stuff that's considered fairly universal, like smiles or laughs, are different

Cronaj (Whispers of the Past)

@keii’ii (Heart of Keol) Or certain hand gestures that may be offensive or mean something entirely different in other places(edited)

keii’ii (Heart of Keol)

It's true! (though I feel hand gestures, you're at least aware when you use them)

Cronaj (Whispers of the Past)

Or how eye contact is received

sssfrs (JOE IS DEAD)

To be clear I don’t have anything against the culture. Stories exploring aspects of unfamiliar cultures are usually really cool. It’s specifically when a story is founded on religious beliefs that I don’t understand and don’t ascribe to that I have a hard time getting into a story because it’s too much work to suspend disbelief and live in that unfamiliar mindset while reading

keii’ii (Heart of Keol)

Yeah, that's fair

Cronaj (Whispers of the Past)

Even if it's fantasy religion?

sssfrs (JOE IS DEAD)

Especially if its fantasy religion tbh. They’re usually grounded in Christian beliefs by some way or another because of their commonness in culture and expect readers to have a base knowledge of those things

Fantasy religions are rarely made of completely unique material. Its always gods and shrines and prayer

Feather J. Fern

I also like it when the summary is straight forward with not too many crazy descriptions. It's hard to get into a story if they are already throwing all the technical jargon of that fantasy world at you. At least for me.

sssfrs (JOE IS DEAD)

I agree

keii’ii (Heart of Keol)

Yeah, succinct summaries are Good

Cronaj (Whispers of the Past)

Ah.... I understand your aversion, but I've kind of come to terms with the fact that religion is often so innately tied to culture.

Feather J. Fern

I think Sssfrs is talking if the entire story is based in religion or just a small part will turn you away as well?

I am sure there are stories where a bit of religion is talked about but not a focus

sssfrs (JOE IS DEAD)

If large parts of the story require base knowledge of Christian religion to fully comprehend mainly

Cronaj (Whispers of the Past)

Ohhh, yeah that's definitely far more understandable

sssfrs (JOE IS DEAD)

I just have a hard time following whats going on

I specifically mean stories about hell or demons. I once read a webcomic about nuns in a cloister that I really enjoyed

RebelVampire

You know ironically, I can't really answer this question without out talking about what turns me away. Now on the one hand, there are certain keywords that will get me to look, but these are 100% about what I'm subjectively look for (like anything with royalty for example). So I don't think these synopses qualify as having convinced me so much as they basically included metaphorical hashtags that I was looking for. As for synopses that actually convince me, it's generally a lot more about it not having things I consider a turn-off. Things that turn me off include: -Being too vague and mysterious. I actually want to understand the who and the what I'm jumping into. -Prioritizing the "message" and/or themes of the story in the synopsis too much. In my experience, this usually means the themes will override the plot which doesn't generally make for good writing. -Too much emphasis on "This story is [insert popular mainstream media] meets [insert other popular mainstream media]." It can be powerful if used correctly, but in most cases I just find is alienating because I'm either a) unfamiliar with one or both of those mainstream medias or b) don't like those mainstream media its referencing -Too lengthy. I find lengthy summaries just paint a poor reflection of what the comic is as opposed to painting a better picture (which is usually the intended goal). There are probably more I'm not thinking of, but my overall point is I'm not overly picky about synopses. None really convince me so it's more about not convincing me to leave.

keii’ii (Heart of Keol)

You know, in some cases "it turns me off because I don't like the mainstream media it's referencing" might actually be a good thing. IMO the job of a synopsis isn't only to attract people; it is to tell inform people whether or not they might enjoy the thing.

So if a synopsis includes "panty shots galore!!!" and it's accurate... that's not a bad thing to include, even if it will keep me away

RebelVampire

I'd agree if not for the fact that a lot of the comics I've read who did this were either a) not really like the mainstream media they were referencing or b) something I still enjoyed despite the comparitive since the comic didn't do the things I disliked the mainstream media for

tho panty shots galore is a lot diff than what im talking about

so i mean like i said

it can be powerful

and a good tactic to target a specific audience

but its a thing you have to be extremely careful with

keii’ii (Heart of Keol)

Yeah, sometimes what you disliked about that comparison media is not why they're referencing it

Cronaj (Whispers of the Past)

Definitely true!

I think those types of comparisons might help you sell your story to a large company by saying, "Look! I make something with marketable qualities like these mainstream stories!"

But it doesn't accurately depict your work to its fullest

RebelVampire

Yeah which is my issue when theyre done poorly. Theres a lot of synopsis I've seen that kind just use that instead of also trying to paint their own unique picture. So I only have the mainstream media to decide what to expect.

keii’ii (Heart of Keol)

Oooh, yeah, it shouldn't be the only description

Cronaj (Whispers of the Past)

Oooof

RebelVampire

I'm probably more turned off when I don't know the media. Cause even if I dislike the media there are usually good aspects I can hope for. Like there have been a few synopses I've read that are like "It's a lot like Buffy the Vampire Slayer". And I just sit here blankly staring cause I've never seen a single ep of it

So there's no hope

Cause I wouldn't know what to hope for XD

Cronaj (Whispers of the Past)

And then the inverse happens because the readers who have seen Buffy and enjoyed it perhaps liked it for different reasons than why you compare your work to it.

So then they are disappointed when those aspects are not included

RebelVampire

Yeah. So I mean, I've seen it used really well, but it's super a double edge sword in all cases.

keii’ii (Heart of Keol)

As a reader, I feel the comparison is more interesting when I hear about it (e.g. "[this mainstream thing] was one of the main influences for this story") after I've already started reading it. I've had a few cases where I was like ooooooh, that hadn't occurred to me before, but now that they mention it...!!!!!

RebelVampire

Ah I have had that happen. Cause to be fair I don't always even read the synopsis till later. XD

Tantz Aerine (Without Moonlight)

This is a little hard for me to answer because often I jump into the comic without reading any synopsis... but when I do, I like them short and sweet, like an elevator pitch, almost, or very efficient in giving me the bare bones of setting, plot, stakes. An example of the first one is from Awfully Decent Fellows by Ironscarf (find it here https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Awfully_Decent_Fellows/) : A group of friends plan a murder mystery themed evening, only to find they have a real mystery to solve: who's murdering Miss Scarlet?

The other that would be representative of what gets my attention is something like Potato & Kraut's blurb (read the comic here https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Potato_and_Kraut/ ) : Set in early 20th century Ireland, Potato and Kraut centers around two young girls - one Irish, the other German. Brought together by unpleasant circumstances, the odd pair form a close relationship, only to be separated years later by even more unpleasant circumstances - the Great War. This story offers quirky folks, all kinds of love, a bit of silliness, a few tears, a couple of pet pigs and the occasional bloody nose. Welcome to Ireland!

#ctparchive #comics #webcomics #indie comics #comic chat #comic discussion #reader favorites #comic tea party #ctp

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spnbaby-67 · 5 years ago

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A Love Worth Fight For

A/N: Here is part 2, let me know how you are liking it so far, and if there is anything you want to see in future chapters, let me know. Keep in mind I don’t have a beta and I apologize for that. Please no hate on the wives I love them just the same, and don’t copy and paste on other sites without my permission. Thank you so much for the amazing responses so far. you are all awesome.

Pairing Jensen and Samantha OFC, Cliff, other bodyguards.

Chapter One

Chapter 2,

I bet your wondering why I am sitting on the floor, right? Like why didn't I just leave the hotel all together? Well, you try dodging five or more big guys that stood 6'2" with muscles that could RIP you apart and make it look clean. Go ahead, try. I'll sit right here while you do that. It's not easy, especially when they have your face plastered in their brains trains to kill. Besides, my head is thinking they have every exit surrounded somehow just waiting for me to try and escape. Not so easy.

What's that saying? Shoot now and ask questions later? I'm not all about that, but damn let me tell you, you may not see Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki's full bodyguards close by, until there's a reason for them. I swear they are all huge, from the quick look I saw of them. Heck, they maybe even taller than Jared, I dunno, but I know one thing, I gotta get out of here. But my body is so exhausted from running and hiding till I am about to admit defeat, and take the punishment regardless if I did it or not.

You see that night I told you about, when I went to get ice cream, I ended up in jail. Because of the priors I had regardless if they were filed or not, the judge didn't care, and gave me three years in women correctional home. I had to wear an ankle bracelet at all times, and everywhere I went I had to have someone follow me to make sure I didn't leave the premises without written consent and with someone. Sarah, my lovely so called friend had slipped a plan b into my purse apparently when I wasn't paying attention. That triggered the alarm when I was walking out, so therefore the cops came and this time a shop owner pressed charges. See what I mean by being in the wrong place at the wrong time? Teach me to help someone again.

Anyways, brings us back to today. I am a huge fan of the TV show called Supernatural. I discovered the show when I was in jail, and was bored one night flipping through the channels. It was my turn to control the remote for an hour and it landed on the CW. The episode they were showing that night was Lazarus Rising. I was captivated on a pair of green eyes that shook my core the moment I saw him escape from hell. His hand reaching from under the ground upwards to the sky, sent chills down my spine. I had to see who it belonged to and my heart thudded big time when I saw the handsome hunter he came to be. Oh my gosh, the raspy sound of his voice when he tried to talk was just wow. But ultimately I just love the dynamic of the brothers fighting the monsters and saving people and even themselves at times. I am a big fan of Jensen and Jared, but more so Jensen. Only because I can relate to Dean's life in a way that I feel we would hit it off if I was to ever step foot in the supernatural world. Don't get me wrong, Jared is my heart, he saved my life a few times while I was in jail, in fact, they both did, but i will spare you the drama for now.

After I had gotten out of jail a year ago, I had to start over. I had nothing to my name, not even the clothes on my back, they gave me those as a way of saying sorry for wrongly accusing you. More on that later. But my first thought was that I needed a job, and who in their right mind would hire anyone with a criminal record? No one, well maybe Mel's diner. And he only did that because he always pinched my ass every time he walked by me or I by him. Bleh, just thinking about that I get the Willie's, Anyways, I worked there for a year and saved up all my cash tips and managed to get into a nice apartment in walking distance to downtown Houston. All was going great, my life turned around and I even had a few friends, well I thought they were. Let's say I know how to pick em. But it be honest, I don't know how she would turn out to be until today.

You see, Jessie, had a wild idea to come to Nashville to volunteer to work at a supernatural convention. I thought she was crazy, I mean who would let people volunteer to work at a convention with huge stars like Jared and Jensen? You gotta be crazy to do that, well apparently I was wrong, and Jessie made it so easy for me to say yes. I am not one to question my chance meeting my one and only heart eyes of a man, but if I knew now what I knew then, I'd say no. Don't worry, I'm getting there as to why I am sitting here on the floor. I'm building up the excitement for you.

I was able to score a couple of solo ops with both Jared and Jensen for that Sunday and Jessie was able to get us a duo op. I was extremely excited and very nervous, because my anxiety was beginning to get the best of me the closer I stood to him. He is just so beautiful, sandy blonde hair spiked to perfection, he wore ripped knee jeans and a black short sleeved shirt that hugged his body in all the right places. He had a red and black flannel on, and boots that looked worn but were comfortable. I wanted to die when we walked into the room together for our duo. She let me hug Jensen, and we had an idea that he and Jared would stand behind us and hug us from behind then we would hold the others hand.

Well, it turned out that Jensen had his own idea, he placed one arm around my waist and the other around my upper chest and slightly turned me like he was going to dip me. I ended up caught off guard, and my expression was real. I think that's what made the op be amazing is that it wasn't fake or planned out. Gotta love those guys for the way they take directions. I laughed back at the moment, actually it was a way to keep me from totally freaking out. I remember hearing Jensen say to me that I was beautiful and he wanted to see how our op turned out during autographs, which unfortunately never happened. You see, somehow Jessie the ever so chilled out chick, decided to pickpocket his wallet. Somewhere as we were walking out to now, I still have no idea how she did it and I didn’t even know until three gorillas came to us.

I swear to god, I am never trusting anyone again, ever. If it's the last freaking thing I do in this world, I will never trust another soul. I always end up being the one who either gets hurt, or the one in trouble as in this case. Cliff Closterman, the boys main bodyguard came at us as we were exiting the room.

Flashback

“That was so fucking amazing Jessie, I can’t wait to see what that is going to turn out.” I told her as i was still on cloud nine. My head was floating as we gathered our stuff that I didn’t hear the commotion behind me.

“Yeah, that was. Now come on let’s go.” She retorted as she pushed me out the door.

“What is wrong with you? Your acting like you did something wrong, Jess.” I stopped and turned to look at her. “What the hell did you do?” Just the look on her face proved it.

“Nothing, just, let’s go.” She looked back at the room the boys were in and then back towards me with a scream or yelp, I dunno. I do know we were faced with Cliff.

Now if you have not ever had an altercation with Cliff, I absolutely advise you not to do it. He is so super scary when he crosses his arms across his chest and his face means business. I felt ten inches smaller than him as he stood before us. “H-Hi?” I tread with caution, “c can I do anything for you?”

“No, but you can follow me. Both of you.” He grabbed both of our arms one on each side and walked us back into another room separate from where we were before.”

I tried my best to wiggle free, but damn he had a hold on my wrist so tight that I knew it would bruise later. I kept looking over behind his back at Jess who kept whispering “what the hell did I do?”

“I do? I didn’t do shit,” I kept telling her. “Fuck,” I said under my breath, I know how this is going to fucking end for me.” I suddenly had a feeling something terrible was going to happen.

We get to a room and Cliff pushes us into it and shuts the door behind him and stands there like a big muscled man that dared you to move or try to escape, my heart was pounding and my body was hot on the inside, it was getting to the point I couldn’t breath. Moments later, the other door opened and two other big guys like Cliff came in and walked over to us.

“Open your bag please.” One said so sternly and with demand to his voice.

“Why do I have to open my bag? I didn’t do anything.” I tried to sound cool, but I don’t think that helped.

“Either we can do this here, nice and quietly. Or, we can go downtown and do it there not so quiet. Either or, it’s up to you. Now, open your bag.” His voice rose an octave or two, making my knees knock with nerves.

“Fine,” I rolled my eyes as I put my bag on the table, unzipped it to let them look at whatever is supposed to be in there. “HOLY FUCK!” I said out loud as I saw it. How the fuck did Jensen’s wallet get in my bag? My mouth dropped and my breathing picked up considerably as I stood there feeling like I was about to be sick.

“Sam? What the hell did you do?” Jess thought she’d play the innocent child card like she had no clue what was going on while she tried to get a look.

“I-I-I-I di didn’t do anything, honestly.” My voice trembled as tears began to form in my eyes, I could feel them pricking, teasing me as they built up. My heartbeat also picked up a few notches as well, so much that I had to sit down or I was going to faint.

“Yeah, that’s it. That’s Jensen’s wallet” Cliff the guard from earlier came over to look in my bag to verify it was Jensen's.

Suddenly, I felt two strong hands on each side of my shoulders lifting me from my chair, I tried to beg with them telling them it wasn’t me, that I didn’t do that. But thanks to Jessie, she sweet talked her way out of it and they let her go because they didn’t have any evidence on her to prove she did it. She got to leave, but not me. They took me to another room with only one door this time, and I was alone in this room with three big guys trying to find my escape. Eventually, I gave up trying to find a way out. I knew they went to go find Jensen, tell him they found the person who took his wallet, and he was going to have them lock me up. I just knew this.

Thoughts after thoughts ran through my head the longer I had to wait, that I hid my face in my hands covering my embarrassment, I didn’t want to face Jensen when he walked in, if he even walked in. My chest sunk in when I heard the door open, I was scared to look up because I knew who it was just by the smell of his amazing cologne. When I did look up, my heart broke and my spirit fell when I saw the look in his eyes. I never wanted to be the one who put sadness in those beautiful eyes, I never wanted to inflict any kind of pain to him. But here I was doing that and then some. My first thought was here I am heading back to jail.

Jensen walked over to me, then around and behind me. I could feel the tension between us that I was so scared to even move. He then made his way to stand before me and I dunno if he was trying to be a good cop or bad cop, but my heart beat pounded so hard inside my body that my head felt like it was going to explode. The way he stood before me with his hands spaced flat on the table that separated us, he bent over a bit and looked directly into my eyes. I knew I was in so much trouble.

"So, your the one who took my wallet?" His stance was lethal as he looked into my eyes. If you ever want to see Dean Winchester come to life in front of you, make Jensen Ackles mad. I swore I saw Dean appear before me.

"I, I," I tried to speak but my throat felt dry and like it was closing in on me. He stood straight up and placed his hands on his hips, his eyes still baring into mine. I wanted to be sick.

He cleared his throat, "Look, I don't know why you took it, or what possessed you to do such an act. But, I have to press charges. I can't let things like this slide. I will do my best to keep this strictly between us, and out of the public eye to protect your privacy as well."

I heard him speaking, I really did. But my brain couldn't constitute his actual words after he said press charges, I let my tears fall and my head take over. I just kept agreeing to what he was saying, I was heading back to jail. I couldn't accept that, I worked too hard to stay out of it, that I had to do something.

Two guards left, leaving just Jensen, me and Cliff in the room. Cliff moved away from the door to file reports, and Jensen turned his back from me to answer a call. I knew he was pissed, I mean who in there right mind wouldn't be? I took a deep breath, said a silent prayer on hoped things would work my way. I scanned the room and took another look around, then bolted the room so fast that I left my belongings behind.

@deans-baby-momma @impalaimagining @grnsorrow

#Jensen akles #OFC #Jared Padalecki #Supernatural RPF #Alternate Universe #agnst #smut #fluff

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smolbeandrabbles · 6 years ago

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Win Life - Gerry x Reader (Mississippi Grind)

Authors Note: I’ve been wanting to use that stupid card image for years! And now I finally can! You know, when Mississippi Grind ended I sat there for a good five minutes wondering how that could possibly be it. Like, I need a wrap up / sequel! Then I started thinking about what could happen... This fic has elements of that story in it but is very much its own thing. I can’t stand that I didn’t know what happened to Gerry but also that the more I thought on it the more I wondered if it could possibly have a happy ending? Anyway, I read a post on Tumblr quoted as saying Gerry wouldn’t even make it out of State with the money. Which I thought was kinda harsh on him. So here. I wrote our boy an ending.

The cat was meant to be a big part of it, then she kinda became an add on but I didn’t have the heart to take her out...!!

Disclaimer: You know when you sing songs, look up the lyrics and go ‘Really?! Those can’t be the lyrics!?’ Well, I edited the lyrics here. So, apologies Luke Bryan. But mine are better for the #Context. I don’t own any characters except for the Reader. I’ve also never been gambling/played cards soooo... You’re just gonna have to take what I’ve written for those parts, ok?

Premise: Months after his encounters with Curtis are over, Gerry meets another mysterious stranger. She’s got big ideas and they all include him. Maybe just once his luck won’t actually leave...

Word Count: 8330

Warnings: Gambling / Drinking

Been in a couple scrapes, I barely got out of Got a couple scars, I kinda ain't proud of But you can't be afraid to drive until the gas tank's empty And if your glass is half full, you better make damn sure it's whiskey!

And be more drunk in love and habits kicked More miracles than magic tricks More green grass grows than green on dollar bills More babies raised, than raising hell More get back ups than times you fell, Well, I don't know it all, Hey, but I know how it feels, To be the guy that's trying to come back from behind, Still trying to win life

But if you lose yourself in someone else Than maybe you don't lose at all...

---

Read this like snippits from a road trip. It’s by no means the whole story. But it is the important points.

Gerry thought he might have noticed her before. She looked out of place here. Sharp dressed, standing against a car... and watching him?? He had thought so before. Today she was standing with a white cat on her shoulder. If she wasn’t looking at him, then it was all too much of a strange coincidence... He shifted uncomfortably in his seat and focused on his coffee.

You looked from the photograph, to him, and back again. He had to be the guy... You looked to your cat and constant companion. “Gotta be him...” You were as relieved as you were surprised that he’d be exactly where Curtis said he would be. It meant you wouldn’t have to track him around the country. You put her back in the car and crossed to the little cafe.

“Gerry?” Her voice was smooth and silky sending an odd sensation across his skin as he looked up to her. Clearly, she was looking for him. “Yes?” Why was she looking for him exactly? Was the question.

You gave a sweet smile; he was a heck of a lot cuter in real life than the picture made him out to be. Maybe Curtis sending you here was going to turn out better than you’d thought. “Thank goodness. I’m Y/N! May I sit?” He nodded, his glance at you nervous. Probably because everyone else in the cafe was now craning to see exactly why you we’re talking to him. You did so, and to save him from looking any more shy than he did, you cut right to it;

“Curtis sent me all the way up here to check on you... “ You smiled “his heart always was in the right place...” He instantly relaxed at a name he recognised “Curtis sent you!? How’s he doing?!” You nodded “Very well. Yeah, but he’s much more concerned with how you are doing...” “I’m okay.” You didn’t believe that for a second with the way he said it. “He says, sounding the most un-OK anyone has ever sounded...?” You tilted your head “... I knew he wouldn’t ask me to do this if he wasn’t concerned. From what I observed, you do seem to be... Ok. But you don’t sound it...” Something was going on behind the front he was trying to put up. But you’d become extremely good at reading those. He sighed “Yeah I’ve noticed you...” You smiled as he continued “You’re not exactly hard to spot in a town like this... if you wanted to be more inconspicuous...” You shrugged “It’s not about me...” “Why did he send you?” “I just observe things.” True enough. “Did he pay you?” Then he looked like that wasn’t the correct thing to imply. “I owe him a favour ...” You decided to answer as if it wasn’t a yes/no question. Gerry made a face like he accepted it, although he didn’t have much of a choice. “Excuse me. Can I get you anything?” The waitress came over, looking like she’d draw the short straw, and looked between you and Gerry for far too long. “Coffee would be great. Black, please.” She hesitated for a second, but when it was clear you weren’t going to continue until she was gone, she had to concede. “So,” He stirred his own drink with a smile “she likes her coffee black and her cats white...” He’d noticed. Good. “Sookie? Yeah, she accompanies me around everywhere.” “Sookie?” “You’re clearly not a True Blood fan!” You laughed “Is she part of your investigation on me too?” He’d be surprised how much you could gauge from that; “No. She’s helpful, from time to time...” you paused your sentence as the waitress brought your coffee, and you stirred in a healthy amount of sugar. “You’re a cat person too.” He opened his mouth to answer, when he realised it wasn’t a question. “I own a cat. Yeah...”

You nodded, there was of course going to always be something you liked about him. You were starting to think that this might have been a set-up. And a couple of days from now Curtis’d be calling and laughing in your face. Only, you also felt he might have a point here. You took a sip and looked to Gerry again, he couldn’t hold your gaze very well. Probably because he knew why Curtis would send you, and you were about to start asking the difficult questions. “Did it help?” You didn’t start where he expected “W-what?” “The money. Did it help?” “...With... what?” That was a No. Clear as day. “... There’s not a lot I don’t know about you from Curtis, Gerry. Just answer the question. At least tell me you got out of State...?” He caught on quick, thankfully. “... I got all the way back here...” Curtis had more faith in him than you did. “And then?” “It helped for a little while... Yeah...” He’d started with child support, because he wanted to see his daughter again. He’d started paying debts off, but that always led to tables and... Well, here he was.

You answered your mobile with a roll of your eyes; “So how is he?” “He needs a lot more work than you think he does...” A sigh followed “Can you do it?” “I don’t know Curtis... There’s a difference between trying and doing, and I can try.” “You gotta do more than try!! Tell me it isn’t all gone.” “You can’t fix him by gambling. You’re asking me to fix him by having him gamble for it...” “Because you CAN fix him.” “Why? Because he’s my type? I’m starting to think you’ve sent me to fix something else.” There was an awkward pause but you could hear his cheeky smirk “Maybe. Maybe not. IS it all gone?” “No. But he’s gotta be sensible.” “You’re the only one I know that KNOWS how to walk away.” “On one condition will I do this.” “I thought I already agreed to all your conditions” “When I walk away, you have to give up on him Curtis. If I can’t fix this... It needs to go professional and you’re gonna let me do that. Also. I’m not playing a table with him or for him.” “No I NEED you to play it for him.” “Curtis it’s his life! It’s not yours! It’s not mine. I can’t tell him how to play.” “Please. Can you just... you need to teach him when to walk away.” “You’re asking me to teach him to walk away from his gut instinct and he won’t like that.” “Teach him to have better gut instinct!” You breathed out a heavy sigh; yeah like that was easy...

*** "So..." You were starting to make a quick habit out of meeting in this coffee shop. He noticed today you had dressed down considerably though. He also noticed how you only ever ordered a black coffee, and that left him wondering what you did the rest of the day when you weren't talking to him. "... I cannot imagine roadtripping with Curtis. And neither can I imagine you roadtripping with Curtis. What is that even like!?" You leant on your hand, clearly amused. “It was a lot of good fun. When we were winning." but he grinned "Or maybe it was just a lot of good fun! Y'know, he's a good guy.” "Yeah I know." you agreed "He'd just really get on my nerves. Knows how to push my buttons too well. Maybe you're just what he needed..." Someone with a calm demeanour, a little on the shy side. But could play, and that Curtis could help out. A drifter he may have been but, he always loved helping people. "Maybe he's just what I needed too. " You could imagine that, Gerry looked like the kind of guy who needed ANYBODY at any given time. And, apparently, now he needed you. But, you weren't for thinking that you couldn't use him too… "Would you ever consider doing it again?" "Doing what?" He squinted as he searched you for an answer, that made you wonder how good he was at reading people. If he played, then he should at least have an inkling. "Another road trip?" "That'd be fun yeah." But the look on your face made him realise you were serious "Oh!! Wi- With you!?" You nodded slowly "First we have to get your game up a little… I've got a plan. And I'd like for you to hear it, but I need you to trust me first... And I gotta be able to trust you." "What's wrong with my game?" You smirked "First off. You gotta know when to quit. I've been assured that's a problem. And I can't afford to do this with someone who won’t cash out. Because, believe it or not, it’s the money we need. A small cash out is better than nothing. Or worse, losing it. Second, you gotta play like the people you'll be playing against. Not just the way you play. You have to be adaptable..." He raised an eyebrow, "You think I can't adapt my game?" "I don't think you've ever tried. Play the table. Not the cards!" "I know how to play a table..." "No you don't, not the way I'm going to teach you." "I do! I'm good at reading people." he tilted his head "Okay. Not you and Curtis... You're so alike it's scary but... Everyone else..." You smiled, it was something you wanted to hear "Gerry, what are you gonna do if you end up facing up against a table of people like me and Curtis. How are you gonna win then?" He didn't look like he had an answer for that, but at least you smiled at him "Don't worry. I'll help you with that..." ***

All at once you could see why he had several problems. Currently you were sitting around a table, you and him going through a bunch of scenarios. You'd recruited some ‘friends’ of yours, that Gerry thought you were using the term ‘friends’ loosely for, specifically so they could help out...

The scenario work was actually pretty good. He could certainly talk the talk, and well. Everything you threw at him he could give you a good comeback. And when it was just you vs him at cards that was fine too. You guessed that was because he seemed comfortable around you. And you weren't playing for anything. He didn't often lose but when he did, he would laugh at the play you made "Well! Would you look at that! That was some good bluffing!"

Around this table, you weren't playing, you were watching. The first couple of games you'd been observing the whole table. You tried not to think of the games you were used to when all three of them were making terrible decisions and getting away with them. No matter, it was good you saw Gerry’s complications now. Eventually you started directly observing him. That's what you were here for after all, and if you let him go on playing like this you weren't going to get anywhere. "Mmm." You watched his hand hover over a card. Gerry don't do that! That's dumb! When it stayed there you did it a little louder "Uh-uh." He put his hand down and looks to you "What!?" You just shook your head. You weren't going to say it out loud, but could he just read the goddamn table again!? He had a much better play. He looked back to his hand, then selected another card. Better! There we go!

This continued for another couple of games. Until you fell silent. And that was bad because then he started second guessing himself, so he started losing.

You sighed. "Hang on! Stop a minute!" They all looked to you, head in your hands "Gerry. Don't make me say it out loud..." "Yeah, I get it. You're trying to make me make better plays." "Yes..." "Well that's what I'm trying to do." "No, now you're second guessing every move you make and you're starting to lose it. Focus!" "You’re deliberately changing my game strategy. It's gonna take time!" He had a point. And you felt bad. But it was time you didn't have. "Okay... You're right, I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm just trying to help you be one without being the other. I don't want you to think about every move you’re making... I'm trying to get you to play smarter! I know you can do it. And I didn’t need Curtis to tell me that. You have an answer for everything I throw at you... " You sat on the table and looked to him "But theory isn't practice. Only you also PLAY extremely well. The problem is you don't play like the people you're gonna come up against out there, and if we're gonna do this you're going to have to start. This is good. This is a good start. But you know as well as I, I can't help you out there.” "I know. And I can. " He had a defiant confidence. You liked that. And with a smile on your face, you knew he could too.

*** “Before we leave you need to do one thing for me…” “Okay…” He was just too trusting; it left you perplexed sometimes. Like you could ask him to do literally anything and he’d up and do it. You were the exact opposite; almost too careful. But his personality made sense for Curtis to take him in. Hell, you wouldn’t have come all the way here for Gerry without his guidance. “Everyone you owe. I want a list, names and amounts.” He frowned “Why?” “Why do you think we’re doing this?! I’m getting you out of debt. Well, you’re getting yourself out. But I’m going to keep track.” “So… We’re… NOT doing this for us?” “It is for you! You’re gonna get even. Which sounds like it’ll be an achievement in itself…” You looked across to him; “So do I get a list or not? Because this car doesn’t move without one. Not with you in it, anyhow.” That just made him nod vigorously “Y-Yeah I can do that.” You smiled “Excellent! See you tomorrow!” You knew you confused him by the way you went from being so serious to so cheery. But you wanted to let him know you didn’t come to mess around – or make friends. Though Gerry’s personality made that second statement increasingly hard.

*** After the first few table runs, which had been admittedly shaky even when he wasn’t playing with his own money, Gerry seemed to get the hang of following your lead. And your presence seemed to have the Curtis effect on him. He wondered if he’d perhaps stumbled across another Rainbow, or, one had so happened to find him… As he was playing at home, on familiar territory, and learning – you were letting him keep the money for himself. Hopefully your influence was doing some good. You hadn’t exactly told him how to spend it. You just hoped the answer was wisely. You’d imparted the importance of the list to him, so hopefully he’d been savvy enough to get started. Every win he made boosted his confidence; you just made sure to ground him. You knew sitting around afterwards critiquing his moves put a dampener on things, but you didn’t want him to get over confident. OR get to the stage where he thought he couldn’t lose. The key was to have him cash out, not to go so far he lost it all again. So when the time finally rolled around, he actually looked surprised; “You played well tonight. It was good to see!” Wait, you’d just paid him a compliment!? “I think you’re ready!” “For the road trip!?” “Mm hmm…! If you’re still up for it?” He laughed “Yeah! Yes! Absolutely! It’ll be good for a change of scenery! We… uhm… taking your car?” “Unless there’s a problem with that?” “Nope. No. No problems…” “Questions?” He shook his head, but then thought on it; “When do we leave?” “Tomorrow too early?” “NO.”

*** There was quite the adrenalin rush from his first win under new management. He was pleased with himself that the hard work had paid off. You were pleased everything had worked out in his favour and your effort was not all for naught, so he didn’t end up thinking it had been a waste of time. “What do we do with all this now??” He still hadn’t quite calmed down. The win was modest, but still good. You’d picked your road trip carefully, you’d build up the amounts, the stakes and the buy ins… As long as Gerry kept winning. That was all there was to it. You pulled out the list, for once hating to bring him down even just a little bit; “We start ticking off…” “What?” “Sorry, Gerry, this is what we came for. I’m your money management.” Unsurprisingly he was reluctant to hand it over “ALL of it? You don’t need all of it!” You only made him face his own handwriting; “It’s a long list. We have a long way to go. They aren’t paying themselves!” He did so. Because again, he trusted you for some reason. You were thankful your math was good as you did a quick count and separation in your car. He watched you, fascinated, as you ticked off several names before rummaging around for research of your own and a bunch of envelopes. “Addresses!? You found addresses!?” “Yeah! I did a little research…” You smiled “I want to help. I’m sure that’s pretty unbelievable…” You had spent a lot of time pushing him. “No!” He laughed “I didn’t say that! Geez… Did you do all that in your head…?” “Easy! Easy, easy…!” You turned to him and held out a bunch of notes you’d separated; “You did very well Gerry. You earned this.” He took it from you with a grateful smile. Money that was now really his. You gave a wink; “Just don’t do anything with it I wouldn’t approve of!” *** He cashed out after you made your move. It was subtle, but significant. Why!? Why!?! There was still so much left to win here - what was he doing!? You weren't particularly sure you liked the way he looked as you as he got up either. Prompting you to follow him out of the doors into the quiet corridor. Where he almost literally turned on you; "Why did you do that!?" "Do what?" "You know what you did!" "Do you have any idea how much money you were about to lose!?" He sounded frustrated. If Gerry could get angry, then you figured this was it. "Then just let me lose!!! Y/N!! You can't fix me! Nothing can fix this!! Some guys were just born to lose!!! I'm one of them!" "How can you say that about yourself!? If you think like that you're gonna become a self-fulfilling prophecy!!" "Listen. Y/N. I won’t win by cheating. I can't do that. Winning surely isn't that important to you!?". "I'm trying to help you!" "No! No!! I don't want you to do that! I don't want to win by any means necessary...!!" "You do understand how much debt you’re in right!?" "Yeah!! You don't think I don't think about those numbers every damn second I add to them!?!?! I don't get to see my daughter BECAUSE of those numbers! But do you honestly think that when I do get to see her again I'm going to be able to look her in the eye if I cheated my way there!?! Stop it. I don't want to win this way. I might as well lose if I'm gonna win this way! If I'm going to win! If we're going to do this, we need to do it honestly!!”

There was a silence. Because you didn't think about it like that. And he was right. You were seeing numbers on a page. For you that's what this trip was about. That and your promise to Curtis. To Gerry, even though he'd agreed to those very same numbers... That wasn't why he was here. He had something else to be here for, something much more emotional. Something very real. You bit your lip "You’re right." He looked taken aback for a minute. He'd not seen you back down on an argument before "Gerry... You're... Absolutely right and I'm sorry... I'm so sorry... I didn't even think... And I knew... God... I'm..." He shook his head "I get it. We're here for different reasons. And I know what you're doing... But... Can we do this for my reasons. Not yours. I can't fight... I can't WIN for the reasons you want me too... Okay?" "Okay..." you nodded "That's fair. I… wasn't even thinking about it like that... I took away the emotional motive... I'm sorry. I guess I just don't think that way." "Maybe you should try. Getting emotional. I mean." He smiled "You have a great smile. You know sometimes I see it, and know you feel things... You can feel. You're not so hard as you look." He pointed back to the casino "Now. I think I can kinda get back on a streak with this understanding..." "Really!? Are you sure!? Gerry I don't want you just saying that!! Cause I-" "AW! C'MON! I'm not!! " He grabbed your hand with a laugh, "Let's do this. Together. Y/N! We're a team now! Remember!" ***

"Alright. Deal me in." you sat. Gerry opened his mouth to protest. Was he really doing THAT badly!?! Was this to bail him out or teach him something...? With the way you'd been going, he could only imagine that you were about to teach him something. It made his playing take a back seat. Because he was curious. He'd watched you play before, but observing you playing whilst on a table with you... Was this a test? Could he win against you or not? After a period, he just stopped trying. Your attitude was crazy. You let nearly every play show on your face. And occasionally you would mutter things to yourself. That didn't make any sense as a strategy. That was a sure-fire way to lose!!

"Okay..." Gerry was still sitting with you as the table cleared "How the HELL did you just win." "Reverse psychology." you smiled mischievously "Everyone likes watching the rest of the table. Draw on that. Every good card is terrible and every bad card is the best thing you could have been gifted? Think about that. That draws the other players to make cocky mistakes. So, when they call and you have an amazing hand despite looking like you’re gonna lose everything, not only do you get the satisfaction of winning. You get the satisfaction of wiping that cocky little smirk off their faces." You leant towards him, "Though that could just be because I'm a girl and want to take all these chauvinistic males down... I dunno. " "Is that how you always play?” "No, something I picked up." "It's how Curtis plays." "Ahhh! Yes. Very good!" "Who taught who?" He’d figured out there was no way it was coincidence. "Not a taught thing, more a collab!" He laughed "The first time I ever played him he sat at the table and said Aces are good right!" You couldn't help but laugh, yeah that sounded like Curtis. "But you don't talk. He talks. A lot." "I would talk more... I don't have anything interesting to say." "Aw. I don't know about that. I think you could teach these guys a thing or two." You almost blushed "Yeah... Maybe. But you're the only one that actually listens." He stopped, and you thought he was the one blushing "Oh. Well... I'm sorry about that..." "Don't be. You’re the only person I want to listen to me…" And you were aware of the way you'd said it. And the next look he gave you. And the way you were leaning towards him on your hands. So you leant back, "I - I mean. You know. Given the task at hand!" "W-Well yeah! I get it!" Something told you he'd 'got' a lot more than that, though...

***

When Gerry awoke, he was disoriented. None of the signs that he was seeing seemed to point to the place you’d said you were heading... He sat up and looked around for any indication of where you were “...Y/N...??” “Yes...” He could tell by your voice that he had interrupted a train of thought as you stared at the open road ahead. “...Where are we...? There are no signs for-” You smiled, still not looking at him “Detouring. Slightly. Actually, there’s a casino where we’re going, so, I’m helping you a little.” “Where we detouring to??” You had said slightly, so you must have been close to your meticulously planned route. “...Home.” You said it softly. “Home? Your home!?” You nodded, eyes flicking to the sleeping cat in the back seat; “It’ll be good to have a base for a couple of days if nothing else. Regroup... Take stock... Go back to playing mid-tables. I think I better give you some low stakes and remind you sometimes this is fun, not always hard work.” He shook his head “No! no! This - This is fun!!” He made you laugh with how quick he was to defend the whole trip. He was so sweet and had one heck of a big heart. You couldn’t help it nor deny it, you were falling for him pretty damn hard.

When he was here with you in your car, or anywhere that wasn’t a table, he was perhaps one of the sweetest men you’d ever met. All be it with one of the biggest gambling problems you’d ever seen. But when he was at a table, playing, it was like something switched on. All that assured confidence when he had a good hand or things were just generally swaying in his direction. From the way he spoke to the way he sat, it wasn’t sweet - it was damn near sexy.

What was the phrase... Get you a man who can do both? *** You pulled up outside the house and could instantly tell Gerry was staring at the car in the driveway; "Uuhhhhh...!!!" You shook your head at him, "Pretend you didn't see it...!" you grinned "W-W-Why? It's..." His chuckle was nervous "It's gorgeous." "I know. Why do you think I drive around in this one!" You shook the top of his arm playfully and turned to your cat, "Sookie!" She mewled, jumping onto your lap from the back seat, nuzzling your face playfully. "Okay...Okay... Say goodbye to Gerry too, we've got work to do..." She purred louder as Gerry ran a hand through her fur; "You really are a cat person. Thank God..." "I wasn't lying!" "Why did Curtis not mention this to me...?" "Uh. Probably because it’s not something I mentioned to him." "He's a dog person, right." You opened your car door "Is he?" "Oh yeah." Sookie pushed herself against Gerry’s hand in goodbye, before leaping from the car; "She'll be okay for a while..." "Where are we going?" "That dumb casino around here is open 24 hours. Essentially because there are people that never leave..." You looked across to Gerry "That means we can score twice the amount here. But it's OK, you can take a break. Watching you keeps giving me the itch to play. And as we have a bunch of other things to do..." You gave a shrug "I figure I can help you out a bit. Best night is Friday night though, and tomorrow night is pay day." "...You've thought about this." You gave a cheeky grin; "Yeah. So you can scope the place! See! Gerry! Teamwork!"

He watched you from across the casino. Not only did you have a completely different way of playing than he did. NOW you had a completely different way of playing than you were teaching him. Your strategy reminded him a lot of Curtis when he talked. You’d switched completely from how quiet you’d been a few cities ago. You knew these people, he guessed, they greeted your presence warmly. It was easy for you to switch to something new. He also wondered if it was another confusion tactic; because you still seemed to win nearly every hand. He was only half paying attention to the machines and he almost wanted to join the table if only to get a feel for what you were doing. So he could hear every word you said - he wondered if you even talked like Curtis when you played like this. You were interrupted by someone tapping you on the shoulder and beckoning you away from the table. You nodded and followed him across the bar. Gerry noticed how he tried to inconspicuously point him out. But then made it blatant as you looked across to him, nudged their arm and said something that made both of you laugh. Then as they continued talking your face became serious. You got this look he'd seen before - and if he was close enough he thought he might be able to see the idea sparking in your eyes too. The way you leant into the conversation with interest... The machine he was sitting at beeped - jackpot! - Eh, voila! Just like a rainbow... "What?" "Have you seen this guy? I mean... Careful... He's not one I've seen before." You looked across and Luke scowled like you shouldn't be being so obvious "Gerry?! What, no, he's with me… What, is he watching me!? AM I that interesting!?" "Oh, he's interested in something alright." "Damn. Well what do you think? Am I in with a shot?" Luke’s yeah right laugh made you burst into laughter too. "Anyway. Y/N I didn't call you over just because of this guy... There’s another big game going on." "Like. A game?" "Yes; buy in is a few damn million though. Guys only. That’s your problem." You were beginning to think that might not actually be a problem... "It’s not something that isn’t fixable. When?" "Few weeks. If you want in, I've got a connection." "Well that’s what I like to hear Luke. Sure. I'm in. Winner takes all the buy in?" "Of course. No trace. No questions asked..." He held out his hand; "As whom?" You gave him a wide grin and shook it, as if your male partner was not obvious "Gerry." *** "Aw Geez!" Of all people to be fawning over your cat on your front porch as you drove up; Curtis!? "When the hell did you get back!?" "Aww it's good to see you too, gorgeous!" He wasn't looking at you though, "You changed the damn locks." "Yeah, it's my house. Jackass." You whistled Sookie over "And leave my cat alone!" "Our cat! What the heck are you even doing home!?!" "Fixing your mess!" You jabbed a finger at him, ascending the steps "She has never been YOUR cat." You swiped your card and inserted your key into the lock. "You upgraded security!?" he whined, "You’re still damn beautiful!" "Don't make this weird. I don't let just ANY man into my house." "…And whhhat mess!?" He made a shrug like he didn’t know what you were talking about. "Curtis!?!" "Gerry!?" He turned eyes wide and then turned back to you; "ANY man!?!" "Why don't you get reacquainted. I'm just doing my job..." "I just made a suggestion..." "Yeah, yeah..." You waved a hand "That's always how it starts!" They followed you up the steps into your house. You picked up your post and flicked through; "I swear to god if you sent anything here I'll kill you myself...” "Why would I!?" "You two live together??" Gerry was piecing together the wrong pieces of information. And it clearly left him disappointed… "Curtis doesn't live anywhere." "Why are you always so ANGRY with me!?" You laughed, because he should know the answer. He was always getting you caught up in things like this. Only this time he'd also done it for his own twisted benefit of you literally falling for another hard luck case.

"So, how exactly do you two…?" "He’s my big brother..." No point in hiding that now. "My sister’s always had a thing for the hard luck cases..." If looks could kill. He grinned at you; "That is what this is, right??" "He’s YOUR hard luck case." "Are you the sister that has 3 toes missing?" "He hasn't seen your toes!? Geez, Y/N your are working INCREDIBLY sloooow..." You almost spit your drink out "Oh my god! You TOLD him that crap!!!" You shook your head at Gerry "Not me!! Our other sister... Geez, Curtis she got a look in but I didn't?" "A lot of the time you like to pretend we aren't family...!" You gave Gerry a significant look “Is it any wonder why?" Gerry looked more and more confused by the second at what you and Curtis were suggesting. “Why would I have seen her toes?" You stared at the table in disbelief. Was he that slow? Having said that now Curtis might have an angle on why you were being so slow. "Oh. Knowing my sister, I would have expected you to see a lot more than that." He took a sip of his drink to allow that to sink in. And get a kick out of Gerry’s wide-eyed realisation and you looking like you could throttle him. Curtis was determined to keep pissing you off though; "Am I right though?! She doesn’t even want to be my sibling..." "If we're going down that route Curtis, we are actually half siblings." "Really!!?" Gerry looked between you to try and find significant differences "Yeah. Different moms, same dad. In a bad way." You opened your mouth to argue, Gerry got there first "OH." "Yeah!" "Oh shut up Curtis! He wasn't that bad!" "Cuz he actually stayed with your mom!" "I think grandpa would actually have killed him otherwise." " 'Scuse me. You saw what mine did to my toe!" Ok. Fair enough. Gerry just kept glancing at you both. He was fairly certain now that perhaps you both got your feisty tempers from your father - because in that respect you were exactly the same. "But you two live together, so how'd you meet?" "We both agreed not to tell that. But I found her." You rolled your eyes at him; "Curtis is a drifter remember?" "Kicking me out now?!" "I thought Peru was the dream." "It’s an expression." "AH! So you didn't even like it when you finally got there! Well, you’re not staying here either!!" "Geez what, you’re actually kicking me out!? Is Gerry staying!? I bet he is! Is he in the guest room...? Mine by the way... or in yours!?" "Will you shut your damn mouth!" You smacked his arm. Gerry continued to watch, fascinated. To the point where he realised something and he just started to laugh uncontrollably. Making you both stop your bickering and turn to him; "Okay, what’s so funny?" He stopped, wiping tears from his eyes. Though he still giggled through his sentence. "Nothing... This is just..." He shook his head with a smile "It’s like a double rainbow!" *** You begrudgingly let Curtis kick around for as long as he wanted, and he waved you off for the next part of your adventure. Not before trying to impart some romantic knowledge on you, for which he earned a slap. "We’re switching cars." "Why?" "Cuz, where were going we have to have a certain... something-something we don't have in that..." You waved your hand to the car across the street "I mean. This is sleek and stylish and…" "It’s a sports car." "It’s... well, yeah. OK. But we need something better than that." "I mean there’s nothing wrong with that car." "Gerry. Honey. Not where we're headed." You smiled politely "Please step into someone else's reality...!" "Yours, by the sounds of it..." "Aw, only on special occasions." Sookie was beside you by the time you looked back to call for her. "Okay. Sure, but you gotta continue being super nice to Gerry, OK? Don't let me down." As if to give you an answer she leapt over your seat and onto him. "Huh!" "What?" "She just. She pretty much hates everyone but me and my brother. She tolerates cat people... But you..." You gave a shrug and hopped in yourself "You're something special Gerry. You got a gift!" ***

You decided to join him at a table one final time, allowing yourself to get caught up in the way he played once more. "…Wow maybe chatty works for you. But that was incredible the way you played that table! Man, I wish I could do that!" "You don't even realise do you?" You beamed "Gerry you are doing that! What you just did was great!! That's what I want! For you to feel it naturally! You don't even have to know you're doing it. Second nature. Easy..." you were glowing just by the way he was looking at you, "...I guess I could have won but... With the way you played that would have been unfair." "It would have been good competition!" "No! I like this confidence! The player it's turning you into... You are more than ready for what I've got planned. He's incredible. Don't change him. The outlook or the attitude. It suits your play style. Keep up the good work!" *** He watched you calculate it all quickly in your head and place the final two ticks against his list. "We’re done!?" he said it with a joyous laugh "We did it!! We're really done!!!" You tapped your pen against the paper and shook your head "Nope." His mood instantly fell "What!?! But the list--!? We’re done! We’ve finished the list!!" "We're not done. We have one more stop..." He put his head in his hands and leant against the car door "I have to do this again!?" "Now you've paid everyone back, with sufficient interest..." your smile was significant; "You’ve got this down." He breathed out with a murmur; "I thought I was done." "So, you can't handle one more...?" He made a face "Just one?" It was still impossible for him to resist the pull of a table. You'd work on it. "Just one. And never again..." He nodded and you knew how much he was resisting 'well maybe not never' coming out of his mouth. You turned the key in the ignition and tapped your sat nav, handing him another piece of paper "Now be the sweetheart I know you are and type this in." "...Sure!" You got why Curtis had put you together. Because it didn't make sense, which is why it made perfect sense...

"Tell me everything I need to know..." You noticed him tapping his fingers to the beat of your road trip playlist and studying the scenery. You couldn’t help your smirk. "The buy in isn't even worth thinking about. It's crazy. I've covered it. But under your name. Because under no circumstances are women allowed to play these tables..." you took a deep breath; "One small acting favour from you..." "Mm hmm?" "You need to pretend like this is what you do. Like this is your life." "This... Is my life." there was more sadness in that sentence than he let on. You shook your head "Not what I meant. You need to act like you do this on a daily basis. Like you flew in on a private jet just for this game, and you're gonna fly back out tomorrow to your private island. Like the buy in was pocket change, but y’know, enough to get you excited for the game. And you're gonna have to drive this car.” "... What kind of buy in!?" " I'm not disclosing that and neither should you ask... Don't say anything. Just... This is your life, you got me. " He nodded “Okay.” But you needed to hear something else “Tell me you understand." He looked back, blue eyes on yours; "I understand."

** "So... Now what..." He turned back to you as you let him into the hotel room. "You’re gonna do whatever you do to get in the zone. I'm going to put the finishing touches together..." "What do I wear!?" "I got you covered. Gerry, honey, I don't want you to worry about nothin' but the people on the table and the cards in your hand. OK?" "Okay..." You felt leaving him might allow Gerry to unwind with his own thoughts, instead of have him stressing. You spent a couple of hours banking his wins and sending checks to the last few people he owed. Picking up his suit, your dress... And a bottle. When you got back, he was reading the invitation for the event over and over. If he was freaking out about it, it was not showing on his face. You placed the bottle of Woodford triumphantly in front of him. "Curtis only introduces people he really likes to his favourite drink, you know...! It has a heck of a kick. But I think you'll need a kick tonight!" "You're not kidding..." He looked up at you; "Oh! What!" You held out the suit; white. Pristine. With softer lines to suit Gerry... You had an eye for designer and he had to look like he was wearing it. Not the other way around. Like he wore a new one every day... "When I told you Curtis told me everything..." "He literally told you everything..." He stood and took the carrier from you. “Wow... This is..." "Expensive. But it'll suit you..." "What about you..?" You tipped your head with a mysterious smile, "White suit. Black dress. We will make quite the couple..."

Indeed you did. A few glasses of Woodford down and you sitting across from him, it was like Gerry was a whole new man. If he was playing into it, he was going to do incredibly well.

***

“Just do me one favour…” “What?” You handed him a slip of paper “Whatever you do with this money. Put some of it in here.” “What is it…?” He took it from you delicately You smiled “It’s a trust fund. And it’s gonna REALLY help.” There was a silence for a moment as he attempted to thank you and you stopped him, it was fine. It was to make sure he really did what he was telling you he was going to do… "One more thing." He turned to you, because that was your game voice, as he was about to step out of the car. Keys to a valet?, yeah this was way above his usual gamble grade. "Huh?" "However anyone looks at me, whatever anyone says to you about me... Ignore it." That left him with a whole bunch of questions and slight panic that he didn't have time to ask, or you to answer, as you both stepped out of the car. He handed his keys to the valet and let you link your arm through his. "What do you mean?" "And don't talk to me either... " "That's going to make for quite the evening..." "This isn't about being here as friends Gerry. Or about being here together. This is about you being able to afford me." "What!?" Though you held your silence. Again that left him with a bunch more questions. He had a feeling he might figure it out... But wasn't sure he wanted to. He handed over the invitation at the door; security whispered to each other and nodded. But they did not escort the two of you to the main casino. At this point Gerry stopped having questions he knew he wasn’t about to get answers to, and decided to simply roll with it. You'd told him to act like he did this every other weekend so he would do exactly that. Who needed regular casino tables anyway, right? “Why are they all looking at me...?” It was the one question he needed to ask. If they knew then the game was up, after all... It also allowed him to lean in closer to you, which was also an assured part of the game. “They aren’t looking at you...” So you were known here? And by the looks of it in a big way. Were you an escort? Once? Were you still!?

He wasn’t sure he liked the implications of this, he was worried about you. “You sure it’s a good idea for you to be-” You squeezed his arm gently to shut him up “If I’m here with you, looking like this, then yes.” He took a deep breath and you pulled yourself closer to him “God, Gerry! I’m so sorry that didn’t help!” You had to confess. You felt like you HAD to tell him. He stopped you. Hand over yours. “You don’t need to tell me anything. I figured it out.” And he had. Gerry was never lying when he said he was good at reading people. You’d likely been an escort for men like this at games like this – maybe more… He didn’t like to think on that too much. Passed around like you were the game they were playing. That kinda made him angry… sick… feel a whole lot of pity for you. He wanted to win this game for you, too. And you’d actually got out; probably played your way to freedom. Though Curtis has said he had found you, Gerry wondered if he might have something to do with it. “...What are we really doing here Y/N?” You looked to him; sincere “Freeing you.” He tipped his head, and the smile showed he knew you were here for something else entirely. You gave small shrug and mirrored his smile; “Let’s just call it payback...” He held out his hand for you “Now I know what I’m playing for...” He confidently flashed another brilliant smile; “There’s no way I can lose!” “Play this game like it’s the last game you’ll ever play.” “It COULD be the last game I ever play.” His seriousness hit you hard and made you emotional. Finally, he could see the emotion on your face, in your smile – in those gorgeous eyes of yours. “Just play it your best. You got this Gerry… You’re the only one who’s got this.” *** He had played his part flawlessly. But more than that, Gerry had played the GAME flawlessly. He called. There was absolutely no way, with you here, with the way he had played - that you had helped him to play - even with every single other player having all the luck in the world that he was about to lose this. None. He held his hand out behind him, and you realised that he was asking if he could hold yours. He was too confident in this... You placed your hand in his and he grasped you gently. You were too confident in him too. Everyone around the table revealed their hands, one by one. All pretty good. All the kind of hands that would win a game. Even a game that, for him, had really been this difficult. But Gerry had played like a pro. Like he was elite. Like he was one of them. He flipped his hand and he lent back, relaxed. They all stated at his cards in disbelief. How!?! How did this newbie to this table come out of nowhere and win? You were equally if not more surprised. He's done it. Gerry had actually done it!!!

He rose, calm with a small smile. And his voice was quiet, soft almost "I guess I win. Gentlemen." he gave the signal to cash out and stepped back, your hand still in his he turned to you, his smile was confident and you couldn't tell if he was still acting or not. He must have been - how could he be this calm over the amount of money he had just won!?! "What do you say, we get our money and ditch this place, huh?" This was a revenge game for everything you’d been put though. And he’d just up and won it.

***

It wasn’t ever really meant to come out the way it did. But the high from what he has just achieved had the both of you nearly in tears laughing, as you got back in your car. “Oh-! Gerry---! I love you!” For him it was out of the blue, you’d never indicated that it was a phrase you knew. With your background that was hardly surprising. But, he caught on to exactly what Curtis had said before and it hit him hard enough to sober him up. “Do you really mean it?” And then it hit you; because everything about him was serious. You looked back to him, letting yourself regain your breath before you answered. Did you say it because of the moment? Because of what you’d done? Or did you say it because you really DID love him? “…Yeah… I guess… I could really love you…” Gerry just smiled, he didn’t say anything, he didn’t push it further “Well, Alright…” But it was one hell of a smile. Gerry knew he was prepared to wait for you to make that happen. He was decisive enough in your answer to take your hand; “Where to? We could go anywhere. You and I. Right now.” It made you think for a minute, and suddenly smile at the realisation that you were both free. That you and he aren’t ever going back. You entwined your fingers with his; “To the Next Great Adventure!”

GIF CREDIT @ben-mendelsohn-trash and @benmendo as always ❤

This could have been split into like 3 different parts. But I just kinda wanted it to be one long thing! I mean, I’m right right, he’s got two personalities, right? #ThePlayer’ and then #SoftGerry...

#Gerry #Gerry x Reader #Mississippi Grind #Ben Mendelsohn #Linzi Writes #I have questions for myself on this one...!#Unsure on if this relationship is healthy?#She'll get him to some addiction clinic. I think.#She's got him on the right track #I believe in her #I believe in THEM.#The one thing I didn't manage to get in here was knuckle rolling a gambling chip. That is Sexy shit. It just didn't seem to fit anywhere.#And it doesn't seem to fit Gerry either #So now I need to find a Mendo to give a scene to specifically to write that #OH! Shit I forgot! There's that strange Gambling bit in Robin Hood. DAMN! I could put it there #I'm sorry I made you read a bunch of tags about moving gambling chips. But its damn HOT.#Gerry he just doesn't... I just don't... Know?#How I feel about him. TBH.#WHAT I LOVE IS I BASICALLY GOT MY DUMB HEIST PLOT INTO THIS!!#22

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thisislizheather · 4 years ago

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February Feats 2021

The best month has arrived! I know this has been a full year of complete trash, but spring is coming and it’s always the most hope-filled season, in my eyes. So even if I’m living in a dream world, let’s pretend that things might get better.

First things first, I tested positive for COVID earlier this month, but I’ve recovered completely and I know that I’m crazy lucky to have had it so mildly. I lost my sense of taste and smell for only a few weeks and it’s almost 100% back now, which is amazing. Somehow, magically, I didn’t infect my parents and they both tested negative (I was staying with them since autumn of last year), so that was also another little miracle.

Some movies I rewatched in my isolation: Groundhog Day (it’s the perfect movie to watch in a pandemic), Titanic (I think I rewatch this maybe two or three times a year, it never stops being great), and Stepmom (haven’t seen this in years and though I don’t love the movie, the part when the little boy says to his mother, “No one will ever love you like I love you” is weep-worthy).

Some new things I watched:

I finished the first five seasons of Superstore and it’s just a great show, with such good characters, fully recommend. The only part I hated was Sandra giving away Jerry to Carol, I just seethed at that joke for some reason.

The new To All The Boys I’ve Loved movie that came out. Yes, it’s super corny at times but it’s also very cute.

Emily in Paris, I don’t know why, it was a weird month. My two takeaways? The woman looks 12 years old, so I don’t know… the whole premise feels weird when you think you’re watching a child. And Darren Star must really find it truly hilarious when American women step in shit in France. His favourite joke on this planet, apparently.

The new Britney Spears documentary. Love her, loved it, hope things turn out all right for her.

Promising Young Woman, I loved it. Such an original, well done movie. Certain parts are slightly triggering if you’ve ever dealt with similar abuse situations, but overall it’s really, really good. (The soundtrack is great, too.)

Stanley Tucci’s CNN show Searching For Italy. Amazing! Love this man! I’ve had this dream trip around Italy planned for years that I intend to take one day and this show allows me to bask in that dream even harder. I should do a post about the specifics of this trip (I have it all organized within a Word document and map outlines), that way I can get people to contribute any must-do things that I should add. Okay, yes, I’ll post that later this month.

The Cecil Hotel series. Okay, look, the lam-Elisa tuberculosis part is intriguing as hell, but everything else? This could easily have been an hour long special. Also, fuck you Netflix for glazing over mental health issues, and giving such a strong voice to YOUTUBERS who know nothing and spout hurtful conspiracies. The whole series is so manipulatively done, absolutely do not recommend.

Have you ever been in a Food Basics? Because christ. It’s the most depressing grocery store chain I’ve ever had the misfortune of entering. Just a shocking vibe. Never again.

I’ll never understand why mixed bouquets exist when beautiful arrangements like this are an option. They’re always breathtaking.

I tried a sample of a coffee body scrub from Mine Tan and I want to buy a full sized version immediately. It makes you so insanely soft that it’s completely worth the mess that it makes after using it in the shower.

I made hummingbird cake for the first time and it was incredible, everyone should make this cake. The photo isn’t good, but the cake absolutely was. Will totally make again. You can’t really even taste any of the pineapple, but it makes it so moist and enjoyable for days after you’ve made it.

Above Photo: hummingbird cake

I tried the TikTok leggings and they suhuuuuuuck. Don’t buy them. Shady material. Does nothing for any ass. In order for these to look like they do in the photo, you must have previously bought the ass that goes along with it.

I made queso that was TERRIBLE. Must remember to always use a recipe that uses Velveeta, anything else will result in a terrible queso.

Tried the carrot cake Oreos and of course they’re good. Oreo has been flawless these past few years at constantly reinventing themselves and succeeding. Love to see that in a cookie.

I made this orange pound cake with orange glaze and it makes your home smell like heaven. Taste was phenomenal, too. Such a good late winter recipe.

I tried to get into this Mark Twain biography and it was just too dense. I lasted a few pages before slowly shutting it and placing it far away from me. I know so little about the man (hence the reason I wanted to read his book) but you couldn’t pay me to finish that thing. He remains a mystery to me and I’ve come to terms with that.

I know it’s 2021 but I’ll always be excited to see a Shyamalan movie. The premise seems terrible, but maybe good terrible?

I didn’t even know that light switches were allowed to be this gorgeous.

I also tried to read Lindy West’s latest book Shit, Actually and… I hated it. Well, what I read I hated. I really didn’t find any of it funny, which is weird because I love her. The only good chapter that I read was the one about The Fugitive. Loved this part: “I was going to say that they don’t make movies like this anymore, where the last thirty minutes is just one continuous incredible chase, except they do, all the time, but they make it all CGI so it’s impossible to care about. Who cares about a drawing of a very fast exploding truck that a computer made? Not me!”

I finally watched the VHS from my fifth grade play Newsies and it did not disappoint. I was magical.

My dad and I have been sending our stamps to Oxfam for awhile now, you should send them any of your used stamps, too! It’s such a good organization. We save up all our stamps that come in and then send them a package a few times a year.

Speaking of stamps, did you know that you can suggest a Canadian stamp theme? I do this every so often, one day I swear one of my ideas will make the cut. This is such a great idea for kids, too.

They finally opened a Detroit style pizza place in Mississauga! Gotta try it the next time I’m there.

I made Yorkshire pudding for the first time and it turned out well! I’m not a huge fan of the dull flavours, but I think if I used actual beef fat instead of shortening, then it would’ve tasted a bit stronger. Next time, for sure.

Above Photo: Yorkshire pudding

I bought this cake stand and dome from IKEA for my parent’s house and good god, what’s not perfect about a cake dome. What cake doesn’t benefit from its own little palace?

Best tweets of the month can be found over here.

Some things that I’m looking forward to this month: can’t wait to make this kale caesar with breadcrumbs, there are surprisingly good Sephora rewards available right now (I just got the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Serum Crystal Elixir reward that I can’t wait to try even though I have zero idea what it does), I’m going to do some research into all of these books and try to find the best ones at the library, I’m so excited that Shrill has a release date (May 7th), I’d love to get a haircut, and I can’t wait to get my free birthday gifts from The Body Shop, Sephora, and Ulta. Oh, and I plan on eating the hell out of this leek focaccia at Lilia.

If you’ve got any interest in reading last month’s roundup, you can see what went down in January over here.

#monthly post #this is liz heather #Liz Heather #February 2021 #what happened this month #recipes #TV #movies

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tragicquartet · 7 years ago

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G/t OT3 Holiday Drabble: Hustle and Bustle

((*kicks door off its hinges* I LIVE...AND THIS ALSO WAY TOO FREAKING LATE FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

So yea, I intended to have this up a good week or so ago, but thanks to some extraneous circumstances (mostly involving me having a recurring fever/illness and my mom suddenly busting her ankle at work) it was delayed. But regardless, here we are, and here I am, back on my G/t OT3 bullshit.

Regardless, have some fluff: premise for this drabble is that things are busy around Pepper Paradiso around the holidays, and it has fallen on Lewis to help with some last-minute stuff around the place...and Vivi and Arthur decide to try and help him and cause a little more chaos and trouble than they intended too.

There's also a bit of angst tossed in here and the holiday aspect ended up getting pushed to the side pretty strongly but hey, have some stuff. Enjoy.))

It was that time of year again, and Lewis knew that there was still much to do.

He still had to pick up gifts for Belle and Cayenne, had a few things to get for the restaurant, and had to make sure everything was ready to go for when the relatives showed up...all on top of his usual waiter duties.

Yes, it was a busy time of year, but he wasn't to be deterred.

"Mom, Dad?! I'm going to the store: was there anything else you needed?!"

"No sweetie," came the tired voice of Mrs. Pepper, busily cleaning up the kitchen after a long day of feeding the hungry public...and enjoying the shock on their faces at the spiciness of her dishes.

"No, thank ya' son!" yelled Mr. Pepper just after, returning to his work preparing some of the components for the next day's sweets and confectionary catering orders, a great accumulation of sweat on his brow.

There were few times of year as busy as this: everyone in town was looking to impress their friends and families by bringing something from Pepper Paradiso to their table...

Lewis nodded to himself as he passed the kitchen, making his way down the hall and poking his head into each of his sister's rooms, checking in with them as well, making sure they didn't need any help with anything, all of them responding with a resolute no...well, save for Paprika, who shoved him out of her room quickly, loudly telling him not to look, bits of wrapping paper and tape stuck to her fingertips.

Certain that everything was at least moderately handled here, Lewis turned towards his room, determined to get ready and head out to the mall, knowing it'd be open quite late at this time of year...and needing to get everything done before his tired body and mind caught up with him.

As he entered his personal space, he went through a ritual that was as second-nature to him as breathing, these days: he knocked, waited a moment, then sloooowly opened the door, staring around the room.

First, he looked down, making sure they weren't at his feet, then to his desk, then to his bookshelf and chair, then to the bed...

And ah, THERE they were, or, should he say, just one of them.

"Heya Lew!" Arthur chirped as the towering human approached him, the usually skittish borrower not even phazed by the tremors of Lewis' footfalls as he got close, nor the rush of air that washed over him as Lewis knelt down beside the bed, offering Arthur his hand as he spoke to his diminutive boyfriend:

"Hey Artie...where's Vivi?"

"Up on the rafters, last I heard: she wanted to talk to your Mom about something."

The tiny borrower hopped up onto his partner's hand, Lewis bringing him in close to his chest, fingers gently arched around him as Arthur pressed up against him.

Arthur couldn't exactly talk to anyone outside of Vivi, Lewis, or this house about it due to the inherent taboo, the deep horror it would surely cause any outside borrower hearing about it, but...he couldn't quite describe what it was like, being held by a human you trusted.

It was one of the most soothing experiences he had ever experienced, and even as Lewis walked around the room, pulling his winter jacket out of the closet and gathering up a few of his things with his free hand, Arthur couldn't help but feel safe, warm, and secure in his towering boyfriend's grasp.

He and Vivi saw so little of Lewis at this time of year: he was always so busy with work and family stuff. Arthur and Vivi's best bet to get ahold of their human bae was usually to wait until the end of the day, when Lewis would come in (and promptly fall asleep) or try to catch him during his breaks during the day...the later of which usually didn't go well, what with all the bustle in the kitchen and all the work needing to be done.

As an alternative, Vivi liked to go up to the rafters and watch the restaurant during the day, trying to catch Lew's eye when she could, but Arthur didn't particularly like joining her up there. Just the thought of being in a big room, full to the brim with hungry humans, the thought that any of them would spot him up there, or that he'd fall and end up on one of their tables...

He shuddered: what a terrifying thought.

The borrower was startled out of his thoughts as he was gently placed back down onto the bed, Lewis sliding on his coat as he explained:

"Well, I hate to cut this off early Artie, but I gotta go to the store."

"The store? This late at night? What for?"

"Last minute stuff: gifts, supplies for the restaurant, that kind of thi-"

"LEWWWWWW!"

The bean turned just fast enough towards the sudden voice to catch Vivi as she jumped down off of one of the rafters, the man letting out a startled squeak as the woman smiled, carefree, up at him, Arthur rolling his eyes from the bed...

No sense of fear, that woman.

"What's that you were saying, Lew?" inquired the blue-haired borrower, "You're going to the store?"

"Yea," Lewis explained, gently putting her down next to Arthur, "I hate to leave you two alone again, but I have to get this stuff done while I have time..."

The two borrowers watched as Lewis did up his jacket, wrapping his purple scarf around his neck, sliding his gloves on, checking his pocket for his wallet again...

Meanwhile, Vivi turned silently to her borrower partner, and what followed between them was a series of silent nods, hand motions, and worried and determined expressions, respectively, exchanged between one another...

True to form, Vivi couldn't and wouldn't be dissuaded by Arthur's warnings, and, true to form, Arthur wasn't about to let her do something this reckless alone.

None the wiser to his baes' plans, Lewis headed out the door, his mind much too focused on the task at hand (and keeping himself awake long enough to complete it) to notice that his scarf felt a little heavier around his neck than usual...

---

Lewis sighed, working his way through the grocery store, making a mental note of everything he had picked up already.

He'd stopped at the craft store, grabbing a new set of friendship bracelet supplies for Cayenne, and a big construction set for Belle.

He'd picked up the extra catering boxes, parchment paper, decorative sprinkles here already, and baking chocolate for the restaurant...

And now for the last part of his trip, and the LONGEST: picking up groceries for the big family dinner in a few days.

He sighed, the muscular man leaning down against his cart, yawning and scratching at the bags under his eyes, waiting for an opening to get down the overcrowded aisle, full of people bustling about, grabbing last minute ingredients, attempting to quickly toss together a meal that they hadn't expected the in-laws to show up for, grab something else to serve after messing up the main dish...

And so on and so forth, a loud, clattering crowd of tired, stressed people and their carts between Lewis and the stuff he needed to pick up so he could go home and get some rest...and even then, the line at the register was going to be loooooong.

Lewis sighed again, running his fingers through his hair as he blinked, tiredly, shuffling his cart down the aisle the first opening he got and-

Immediately getting run into by another shopper...and receiving all of the yelling and discontent that came with them:

"HEY, WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING, YOU BIG GALOOT!!!"

Lewis flinched back at the woman's yelling, holding up his hands as he meekly replied:

"Miss, I'm sorry, I-"

"YEA, YOU BETTER BE, YOU BIG, CLUMSY, STUPID-"

"HEY!!!!!!"

Lewis flinched at the sudden, familiar voice, the woman's eyes going wide as Lewis felt something shift against his neck...

Vivi popped up out of his scarf, loudly berating the woman, shaking her tiny fist as she hollered:

"YOU RAN INTO HIM, YOU JERK! BUZZ OFF BEFORE I SOCK IT TO YA!!!"

"..."

The woman looked from Lewis to the borrower and back, then quickly and silently fled away with her cart, not looking back once.

Meanwhile, Lewis stood there, eyes wide, trying not to panic.

He quickly shuffled out of the way to the aisle farthest back in the store, assuring multiple times that no one was nearby or headed his way before carefully feeling along his neck, pulling his hands back when he felt a couple of familiar pairs of hands press against his fingers. Bringing his hands in front of him, the human bean looked down at his two tiny partners, absolute shock in his eyes. Meanwhile, Arthur crossed his arms, shooting Vivi a glare before casually stating to his towering boyfriend, matter-of-factly: "This was Vivi's idea." Vivi huffed loudly, protesting: "Oh, c'mon Artie-" "Vivi." The woman turned from Arthur to Lewis as the human spoke, noting the worry in his big magenta eyes as she looked up at him. "C-Can you, uh, ex-explain?" Vivi smiled up at the bean, gently patting one of his fingertips. "Well, Lew, you were stressed, had so much stuff to do, and you were sad you didn't get to see us...soooooo I figured we'd solve all of those problems at once. We'd come with you, help you with your shopping, help you relax a little and keep you from passing out and-" "AND THEN get stuck hiding for HOURS because there are beans literally EVERYWHERE," chimed in Arthur, arms still crossed, "she FORGOT about that part." The two borrowers clung tightly to Lewis' fingers as he slowly sunk to the ground and sat down, still a bit flabbergasted. "...are you two okay?" "Yep!" "Yea, mostly." Lewis let out a sigh of relief, gently bringing his partners in close, planting a few small kisses on top of their heads. "I'm glad you're both okay, just...let me know next time you pull something like this, okay?!" He let out a shaky little chuckle, smiling as he felt his baes kiss him back, taking a moment to gather his composure and tackle the situation at hand. "Well, now that we're all here, we need to come up with a strategy: I can't just walk around with you out in the open, not with all these people around..." Arthur chimed in again, raising a cautious hand as he suggested: "How about you finish your shopping first, then we can regroup. Besides..." Lewis blushed slightly as he saw Arthur pull one of his fingers closer to him, planting a small kiss on top of his fingertip. "...we'll be here to help you get through the night, big guy." Bolstered and re-energized knowing that his partners were here for him, Lewis nodded and stood back up, gently bringing Vivi and Arthur back up to his scarf, resisting the urge to giggle as they wiggled their way back into the fabric, tickling him a little as they got settled. He addressed them one last time as he started pushing his cart back towards the busy area of the store: "Alright, you two, I'm gonna get going again: I'll let you know when the coast is clear." --- It was a bit past midnight when Lewis placed his grocery bags next to the bench on the second floor concourse of the mall, overlooking the atrium below. The mall was still open for a few more hours, and although it was mostly cleared out now a few people still made their way, weighed down with bags and heavy eyelids, through the bright, festively-decorated lobby below.

Taking a few more glances around him for good measure, Lewis flopped down onto the bench, letting out a tired, exasperated sigh, enjoying a moment of peace and stillness after so many hours of shopping and being up on his feet...

"Alright you two: coast's clear."

He felt the scrambling of tiny hands and feet against his neck, trying not to move as his boyfriend and girlfriend made their way down from his neck, the both of them moving down to stand on top of his leg, looking down at the vast atrium.

Lewis softly smiled down at them and their wide-eyed wonder at the bright display below: he forgot at times just how isolated from the wider world they were, always living in the walls of his home, relying on him and his family for food and shelter, having to remain hidden from the entire world, just to survive...

They had probably never seen a big indoor space like this before, let alone one all dolled-up for the holidays: full of twinkling lights, big, tinsel-ladden trees, and bright baubles everywhere.

"This is so beautiful," Vivi exclaimed, leaning over the edge of Lewis' knee a little, Arthur looking over her, noting how the light radiating up from below reflected off her face, caught on her glasses and eyes, illuminating the face of the woman he loved with a soft, golden glow...

"Yea," he cooed, smiling, "it is."

The borrower tilted his head back, his gaze locking with that of Lewis, the human glancing down at the diminutive man...

Gosh, it must have taken so much for Arthur to come out here and be with him today: Lewis had never gotten it out of him himself, but Vivi had alluded to Arthur having a pretty traumatic event happen in his childhood involving humans, and Arthur himself had admitted to losing his parents at a young age...not to mention all the moments, early on in their relationship, where Arthur had struggled with being close to him.

There had been a lot of fear, a lot of discussion and practice and slow, careful trust-building, but in the end...

Arthur was a much braver soul than he or Vivi gave him credit for, Lewis concluded, watching as the borrower approached Vivi, gently looping his arm over her shoulder, Lewis grimacing slightly as the light filtering up from below glinted off of Arthur's mechanical hand...

He looked away from his lovers for a moment, seeing that little piece of machinery: call him dramatic, but to this day he still worried about hurting them.

He was the reason why Arthur had needed that hand, after all...and even if it was due to an accident he hadn't directly caused, it was still a reminder that, as a human, even a small mistake on his part could be devastating for his partners.

"..."

The man's eyes narrowed as he continued this train of thought, worry growing in Lewis's mind that he thought he had long since buried, panic rising in his tired mind, realizing that his partners were indeed out in the open right now, far away from home, relying on him and-

"Hey, Lew! Don't go falling asleep on us yet!"

"?!!"

Lewis shook his head, pulling himself away from his negative thoughts as Vivi yelled up at him, Arthur's head tilted back to look up at him too, giving Lewis a small, concerned, and loving smile...

"..."

Lewis closed his eyes, letting out a long, relieved sigh, his worries melting away at the sound of his partners' words and the sight of their smiles: how did they always know what to do make him feel better?

"Heh, don't worry, I won't."

He watched as the borrowers turned away from him again, settling down top of his leg, holding each other close, Lewis following their gaze to watch the bustling people below.

Call him sappy, but despite all his worrying, he knew his partners had his back, and he had their's...

And he wouldn't trade having them in his life for anything else in the world.

---

When they got home, Lewis put away the supplies and food in the kitchen, checked on his father, hid away the gifts he'd bought for the girls in the back of his closet, took off his coat, stretched...

And then promptly collapsed onto his bed, scarf still wrapped around his neck as he let out a low, exhausted groan.

It wasn't long before the human had maneuvered himself under the covers, weakly sliding his scarf off once he felt Vivi and Arthur clamber out of it, the towering man letting out a tired sigh as he felt the two borrowers moving around on the pillow next to him, getting settled themselves.

"Thanks for the help today guys," murmured Lewis, "it means a lot."

"No problem Lew," purred Arthur, lying down next to the human's face, letting out a content sigh himself as he stretched, then allowed his eyes to slide shut.

Vivi, on the other hand, wasn't so fast to get settled.

She stood on top of the pillow, looking across it at her two baes, at Arthur flopped out next to Lewis' face in particular.

Arthur was quickly falling into unconsciousness, his characteristically loud snoring cueing up as his legs and hands twitched, the skittish borrower still ever the active one, even as he fell asleep...

Gosh, Artie must be so exhausted after today: she knew how much being around humans stressed him out, and spending hours tucked away against Lewis, nowhere near solid ground and surrounded by beans in all directions...

Yea, maybe he'd been right about this being a bad idea.

She carefully made her way across the pillow, kneeling down next to him, gently draping his outstretched arm over his chest: knowing him, he'd end up with a sore shoulder if slept completely flopped-out like that.

Certain that Arthur would sleep peacefully now, the tiny woman stepped over him, walking up to Lewis, feeling the rush of his warm breath over her as he snoozed...

Staring up at the bean, she tilted her head: how many times had she been told as a child that getting this close to a human was dangerous? How many times had she been warned that if you felt a human's breath on you, you were as good as dead?

"Hmmm..."

Hmm, she couldn't remember...but it had certainly been a lot.

She glanced behind her again, looking down at Arthur, then back at Lewis, before promptly settling down where she was, happily sandwiched between her two baes, content.

She could hardly think of anywhere else in the world she'd like to be right now, a thought that, thinking about it, kind of shocked her.

She had spent years adventuring, always taking the biggest risks, the hardest missions, and scoping out the most dangerous of bean residences, seeing if and where her fellow borrowers in the area could settle safely...

Reminiscing as she sat here, Arthur's snoring to her right, Lewis' breath washing over her from the left, the tiny woman feeling perfectly safe and beyond comfortable, she thought back to the early days. She remembered how much she and Arthur had argued at first, being paired up to scope a few places out: his overly cautious attitude rubbed her the wrong way continuously, and he had screamed at her so many times that she was going to get herself killed, or worse...

And then she'd found out about his childhood, and, well...she had kind of regretted everything, hadn't she? Every little angry snap she'd had at him, every argument and petty squabble: he'd only been trying to protect her from a threat that was not only very real to him, but that he'd experienced in the past.

"..."

Reaching out in the dark, she clutched Arthur's hand, feeling the cold metallic surface of his mechanical fingers subconsciously twitch against her's, the woman continuing to delve through her memories as she grew more and more tired, remembering...

Lewis.

She had to admit, she'd only really gotten to know this family because of Lewis: she was a big proponent of understanding the beans you borrowed from. Sure, it was risky eavesdropping, getting close enough to them to overhear their conversations, observe their habits and work around them instead of just waiting for the dead of night to take what you needed...

This time, she decided she wouldn't bother with all that, though: the Peppers had several kids, and they lived attached to their restaurant business, the building always bustling with humans, day in, day out. It was too risky trying to investigate them further...but Lewis, well...

He'd changed her mind.

He was such an odd, endearing fellow: kind and sweet, a bit of a dork and a dreamer, his head always in a book of fairytales, a tome about mythology, or Sailor Moon manga, all while still caring for and looking after his family, his kind, innocent, and loving nature in stark contrast with his hulking, powerful physique...

He was a mystery, too: the Peppers had adopted him, didn't know where he was from, and Lewis didn't seem to remember himself, either.

He had been an enigma to her, a mystery to be cracked, and all her training, all her patience and risk-taking and careful planning had fallen apart as she had watched him, followed him, understood him and his family more and more...

She had broken one of the fundamental rules of borrowing, had gotten emotionally involved with the beings she was borrowing from...and had fallen in love in the process.

Turning to him in the dark, Vivi reached out towards Lewis's face, gently resting her fingertips against his cheek, feeling the human's warm skin against her's, any and all fear that had been instilled in her from birth long since forgotten...

So much so that when a tired, lazy, and gigantic hand reached up from beneath the covers, draping over the two borrowers, gently holding them close, neither stirred nor flinched away, Lewis letting out a low, content sigh as his barely awake mind registered the tired, tiny movements of his lovers against his fingers as they got settled, the three of them nestled in close together, warm against the cold and rising holiday hustle and bustle outside, if only for a few peaceful, quiet hours before sunrise.

Yes, if you were to ask any of them, their answer would be quite clear: despite all the troubles they had faced, the hurdles they had tackled and the ones they still had left to conquer...

There was nowhere else in the world they'd rather be than here with the ones they loved.

#munsdrabbles #tqlewvithurstuff #gianttiny #g/t #giant tiny #((Mmmmm Lord forgive I'm back on my bullshit))#((was craving writing some g/t and some OT3 so here I am))#((also I hope you all enjoy the amount of cynicism and salt I put into this))#((yea as a retail worker the holidays are a bit of a hell scape for me))#((Pardon my salt friends))

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edvonstein · 4 years ago

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Ok, time for my crackpot theories on Bloodstained Ritual of the Night given what we learned in Bloodstained Curse of the Moon 2. Before the cutoff for spoiler reasons, two notes:

Yes, there’s probably a million reddit threads about this now, reddit can burn.

Yes, I know RotN is not connected to the CotM games except having the same characters. Heck, the CotM games are barely connected. but this does deal with a surprising connection they do have.

More below the break beware lotsa spoilers for all three Bloodstained games.

I didn’t realize how much I’d ramble, there’s a tl;dr at the end.

So first of, if you came in here not knowing what’s what but don’t mind spoilers, let me talk about the RotN big twist real quick.

The shop keeper, Dominique, an exorcist from “the Church” turns out to be the true villain all along, working alongside Gremory, a moon goddess, in manipulating Gebel into summoning the hell castle that the game takes place in to lure in Miriam to use her pure crystal to summon Bael, the most powerful of the demons according to the game.

So, naturally when Dominique was revealed as a playable character the like ten seconds of speculation time we were given before the game was already released had folks wondering what in blazes could be leading her to be one of the good guys? My argument now is, what in blazes let to her becoming one of the bad guys in RotN actually.

In that game she says the calamity ten years before the game, where the Alchemy Guild massacred their shardbinder creations in a blood sacrifice to summon an army of demons to terrorize the English landscape because money, let to her realizing that God is a douche who doesn’t give a fuck and wanted to gain the power to slay God. Along the way she clearly just became straight up psychopathic because her initial goal, rooted in empathy for the people who died, has become lost, as now she doesn’t care how many people she will murder. I mean it would help put a dent in imperialism a little, but still.

That does feel quite drastic for a woman of the cloth, but I mean, it’s not impossible, it could literally just be that.

But let’s talk about something both CotM and RotN have in common besides bosses and characters. Specifically the concept of the true final boss of the “ally” route.

After beating Normal mode in CotM you unlock Nightmare mode where you play as Miriam, Alfred, and Gebel trying to free Zangetsu from the demonic powers that have taken a hold of him after saving them from some ominous sphere of darkness Gremory, the game’s final boss here, threw at them. This mode has a different final stage with a boss fight against Demon Lord Zangetsu instead of Gremory. Meanwhile, at the end of Zangetsu mode in RotN, the final bossfight is against Miriam, the big good girl of the game, who spend the entire game helping everybody, having succumbed to demonic forces herself, and Zangetsu has to stop her. The bad end of RotN does have Gremory take control of Miriam, but we don’t have a moon to slice in this battle like Gebel’s battle had. So it probably wasn’t Gremory taking control here. It could have been just the shard corruption having reached critical mass (Demons appear to be crystalline in nature and Shardbinders like Miriam and Gebel can absorb these crystals to gain powers, but are slowly turned fully crystalline themselves over time.)

So let’s shift gears real quick and talk about Dominique again... specifically her appearance in CotM2. She is met with distrust by... well, two of her partners, Zangetsu, and Robert both aren’t too fond of her. But Zangetsu quickly turns around. Robert never does learn to trust her in Episode 1. His biggest regret. ‘Cause she kinda sacrifices herself to save them from a big ball of darkness like Zangetsu did at the end of Normal mode in the first game.

Episode 2 and EX are both about saving her from that corruption. We later (in the Final episode) learn that Dominique actually *is* a schemer and she did *intend* to be corrupted by that demon, Mephisto, because her family had been trying to kill that big boy for a long while now, but a demon can only be killed if it takes physical form, so she let him posses her so that Zangetsu and his demon slayer sword could finish the job. She was ready to die to get this one demon killed. She was at her own breaking point in this battle and saw no way out and no reason to go on if she could just take this fucker with her.

...Except travelling with Zangetsu and Robert and Hachi forged bonds between them and her, and she realized she wanted to live after all. Zangetsu eventually gains the means to cut both of them down without harming Dominique, using a sword that only harms demons, the Zanmatou.

So yeah, here we have a woman who is selfless to a fault, and loves deeply (no, not talking about ships here) who... becomes an omnicidal maniac later on? Feels off. And we do see her, Miriam, and Zangetsu, all possessed at some point. So it clearly is a theme in Bloodstained.

So, let me touch on Mephisto real quick.He is the final boss of both Episode 2 and Episode EX in CotM2. And *this* is what he looks like.

Those of you who played even a brief moment of Ritual of the Night probably are doing a double take right now. Because yeah... the final boss is the RotN save room.

Mephisto, the demon Dominique’s family has sworn to slay is... always there on our adventure to slay... Dominique? Again, CotM and RotN do not share a timeline, so on one hand what happens in one doesn’t have to have happened in the other... but they still share a core universe... same characters are generally portrayed the same (for as little portraying as we get in CotM)

So here’s my theory regarding Dominique, and also Miriam and Zangetsu mode: Both were possessed by Mephisto, first Dominique while she was probably throwing herself headlong into her battle with Mephisto in her grief, defeated him, but not in a way that matters, got possessed, and her thoughts of vengeance against God which I’ve no doubt she actually harbored, were amblified a lot, and she used her natural scheming abilities to bring about this, rather than the demise of Mephisto like in CotM2. Once Miriam defeated her, Mephisto, also playing the long game, having been there, watching Miriam this whole time, possibly injectin a little of his essence each time she visited his room (the orange orbs in the save room pic enter Miriam if she saves).

Mephisto does not appear to be a well known entity in the Bloodstained universe, Zangetsu, a demonslayer by profession had to be told about him, and Miriam was probably even less likely to know... or, if she did know through the Alchemy guilt, might have just written off this statue of Mephisto appearing everywhere, even the galleon they approached the demon castle (dracula) on as just that... a statue. A curious quirk in the space time continuum that she keeps seeing here and there, no doubt brought on by the crystal in her body.

Miriam, is referred to as the blue rose and uses weapons with that name. And Mephisto appears to have a giant blue crystal rose for his chest, so Miriam may well have been marked by Mephisto as the one he wants to inhabit to reign terror upon the world.

Dominique does have dark red crystals admittedly, and she may not have been a shardbinder until after we started our adventure in RotN. So one alternative is that Dominique wasn’t possessed. Mephisto did take her into his body after all in CotM2. But she could have been mind controlled instead. Gebel spends the entire game under Gremory’s mind control and while that control wasn’t perfect, Mephisto could simply be better at it than Gremory... or Mephisto just had a hold on her so long that by now Dominique is just too far gone.

Bloodstained’s universe is... mucky, but intentionally so, it seems. There’s no telling how much the games settings *actually* share. but this seems feasible to me, considering that the series so far seems to be 11 or so different timelines smashed together. Not one ending of CotM leads up to CotM2, even though the plot premise does lead up to it. RotN is like a reboot to CotM entirely. I know IGA wanted to get away from the rigid timeline of the Castlevania series with this, so he now just does whatever he wants it seems. To quote my adaption of a Mahoutsukai Precure meme for Hugtto Precure.

It’s time travel, I ain’t gotta explain shit.

So who knows if I am right. But I like the idea.

tl;dr: I think Dominique and Miriam in RotN were controlled or possessed by Mephisto from CotM2, because that boss is literally the save room from RotN

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cutegirlmayra · 8 years ago

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Sonic Prompt: Arabian Knights Prologue

World: Sonic and the Secret of the Rings (Game)

Couple/Premise?: greenyvertkins: I’m just curious as to how my idea would be approached if someone else used it as inspiration to write their own interpretation. Basically, its a prologue to Secret Rings, how Sonic comes into possession of the Arabian Nights storybook - Amy bumps into Tails in Station Square and not seeing Sonic with him, inquires about where he is only to learn that hes sick and back at the workshop in the mystic ruins resting. So Amy visits the antique shop near city hall and knowing that Sonic likes to read, buys the Arabian Nights book which she finds inside the shop. Theres a prompt for you :)

Dedicated to: @greenyvertekins

(x)

Prompt:

Amy is looking around in different shops and thrift stores, poking her head around decorations to see if anything catches her eye.

A spooky looking old library is looming like an antique near the center of some of her favorite small stores, but it looks more like a worn out, roman pillared building than a library...

She gave it a funny look, trying to look inside, but the hallow wind that passed gave it an old, ghostly sound as if time itself had stopped there.

She shivered in fright and realized the lights were off. Probably not open.

She continued on.

As she did so, she saw Tails walking about, something that was unusual most of the time, and happily dashed over to him.

“Tails!” she swung her arms out to greet him, passing small street over to him, as he turned to look to her.

‘If there’s Tails, then there’s a Sonic!’ she excited leaped into his arms, and looked around over his shoulder, before pulling him away and patting his shoulder.

“How are you!? It’s been too long!”

“H-h-hiya, Amy.” Tails was being pushed back with each hit, but kept his feet at their post, before shaking his head out of the dizziness from being pushed back and forth.

He then smiled weakly, his head down slightly, being submissive to her usually very direct and overbearing personality. “I’ve been alright. How about you?”

“Great!” she opened her mouth to show a huge grin, before then turning serious and looking behind him, squinting her eyes to narrow her focus and looked around the range behind Tails, then turned to glance behind her. “...Is Sonic with you, today?”

He rolled his eyes, typical Amy.

“Not today. He’s kinda sick, actually.” he scratched the back of his head.

She gasped, turning to him and blinking in surprise. “Sick!? Oh no! My poor Sonikku!” she put her hands in fists up to her face, her eyes sparkling and growing big with concern and love.

“Yeah. He’s okay though. Recovering well.” he fanned lightly his hands out in front of him, before gesturing as he spoke on to comfort and then explain. “He just showed up out of the blue one stormy night. And you know how I am with storms... HeeEEhhhh..” he squirmed, having a dislike for lightning and thunder.

“I opened the door after a few knocks that weren’t from any hammer of mine... and then I saw Sonic, shivering a smile, raising a shaky and cold thumbs up, and then sneezing. Drenched. He looked awful but he tried to play it cool. Slept for hours. He’s doing better though, no need to worry.” Tails sweat dropped, seeing Amy’s concern grow as she leaned forward, picturing the horrible scene.

“So... He’s all better now?”

“Yep! He’s just taking his time looking over my library.”

“Pfft.”

“Hey! A few stacked bookshelves is TOO a library!”

“N-no, not that. Though we could argue on that definition but... anyway! Sonic reads books?” she shook her head, not going to contemplate on ‘unimportant opinions’ when it came to some new information on Sonic!

“H-huh? Well, yeah! You didn’t know?” He placed a foot forward, his hands on his hips, and leaned toward her. He innocently looked up to her, smiling.

“I know something you don’t about Sonic? That’s refreshing to hear! I-I-I mean! N-not that I supposed you thought you knew everything or whatnot..”

His save was badly timed, as she gave him a slightly irritated look, but it was more comical than intimidating.

Which was nice, can she can be intimidating when she’s mad...

“Heh...Heh..” he shyly straightened up and stepped back, giving her space. “Anyway,” he gestured his hands out again. “He’s been flying through most of my adventure series. It’s pretty amazing! Not only is his mind sharp, and his feet fast... but his eyes are like scanners from another world!” he laughed, pointing to his eyes. “He flips through pages like his finger’s a race car! I once tried to see if he even comprehended what he read. He’s actually pretty insightful too...”

Amy was trailing off in thought.

This new information could be key to her!

So, boohoo, she missed her chance to nurse Sonic back to health.

But now~ She could enter Sonic’s life more with a love for reading! She could read to him, or him to her, and maybe they could even start a 2-person only book club! Ah!

“I love it!” Amy exclaimed, jumping to one foot.

“...You what?” Tails looked confused.

She twirled and blew a kiss up to the sky, “Thank you, Cupid!~ I have my answer!” she then waved cutely to Tails, “Gotta go! I have to find Sonic the perfect story! One where it’ll entrap him in love for me by his love of the story~ Then we can talk about it for hours!” she ran across the street, as cars honked and slammed to break for her.

“A-Amy!” Tails outstretched a hand to her, but then quietly withdrew it and shook his head, scratching his head. “Sonic’s right. It’s hard to keep on track with her thinking, sometimes...” he continued to shake his head, sighing slightly to himself, and walked on.

He pouted a moment as he did so, “She didn’t even ask what I was doing out here... hmph.”

“Tails!”

Tails turned to look across the street.

Amy waved again, holding her arm up high, “Good luck buying new gadgets and doohickeys for the x-tornado!” she then took off down to the creepy, old library.

Tails paused a moment, but smiled. A pleasant surprise.

“Eh, maybe she knows more than just Sonic.” Tails nodded forward, then looked up to the sky. “But hush up, Cupid! We don’t need her getting any more ideas...” he joked, and continued on down the lane... before...

“Ahh!” he gripped his head. “I’m the one that gave her an idea!”

Amy slowed her pace by the library, getting an odd feeling of eeriness from it. She frowned, before looking inside.

She was surprised to see lights sudden... were those... lanterns?

“Book people sure can be weird with their tastes.” she commented and shrugged, going in and hearing the bell echo through the large, marble building.

She looked around, before a figure in a cloak, their face hidden, saw her and put the book they were taking back down, and walked over to her.

“...Tarot master... you dabble?” The woman gestured a long sleeve out to reveal her hand, pointing to Amy.

“Y..Yes? Well, kinda. Used to. Wait, how does that-?”

“This is a special library. One that reveals identities and secrets.”

“Ohh... this is one of those ‘specially themed’ places.” Amy used the bunny ears, and then looked around, trying to be polite about people’s interests and nodded. She put her hands up in front of her and ignored the previous weirdness.

“You come searching for an adventure?”

“Yeah! For my hero~” she swooned, cupping her hands together and holding them up by the side of her face.

The woman looked down.

“...What color is this... hero?”

“Blue? What of it?” Amy furrowed her brow to the woman, before putting her hands on her hips. “Look, Lady. I don’t mean to be rude or anything, but you sure get nosy with your fortune tellings.” she pouted. In her studies, she had learned to be more show-oriented than this woman was letting slide.

The woman looked away to the side, “Forgive me. I’m out of practice with...” she looked up to Amy. “...Customers.” she then turned around and grabbed a lamp, walking onward.

Amy leaned up, and just shrugged, walking on after her.

The woman seemed to hunch, before Amy saw a book, and stopped to pull it out. “King Arthur? Hmm... okay!” she pulled it out.

“Come this way.” the woman called, looking back for her.

“Yes, Ma’am!” Amy quickly followed her, as the woman slowly hovered up to a taller shelf, and pulled a book from it.

Amy’s mouth turned into an amazed ‘o’ and she looked excited. “Now that’s a show!” she gave an open-grin to the woman, as she hovered down, and handed Amy the book.

“This... is the story of which your hero was destined to-”

“Let’s see!”

“..!”

Amy snatched the book right out of the woman’s hands, not hesitating for theatrics and turning the pages open, flipping through and then reading the title.

“Ah..!” the woman reached forward, as if afraid of Amy opening the book.

“...Arabian...Nights? This is some kind of foreign tale?” Amy looked to the back of the book. “OOoooh! Is it an adventure/romance!?!?” she got all pumped up, looking pretty sold on it if it was.

“U-umm...” the woman was hesitant, not used to Amy’s blunt speech.

“Ah, doesn’t matter. I’m sure if he’s ‘destined’ it’s all pointing to me being the perfect girl for him, right? Haha! Tarot cards! You can really trust those things. Better than a silly horoscope. Although, those don’t get half the recognition they deserve.” she hurriedly put the book with the other one, then pointed a finger up to the woman as if stating her facts and started walking away, humming a bit as she went to the counter.

The robed woman looked a bit unused to Amy’s antics, especially her quick nature, and sighed.

She unhooded herself.

“Destiny has a way of preparing us all for the future... May the Blue hero be swift in saving our stories... Be back soon. Messenger Rose.” she bowed, showing a beautiful ordainment on her head, some jewels of Arabian decent, and some medieval symbols along the designs of her head-wear.

Rushing back to Tails’s place, Amy burst open the door, “Heelllo~” ‘For the money I spent on these relics, he better not just leave them on Tails’s shelf to dust over again!’ Amy hid her anger at the ridiculous pricing of the books, but strode in as Tails sweat dropped, seeing her suddenly make an entrance.

“Hello, Amy.” he spoke out, but it seemed he was a little nervous to have her. He smiled to Sonic, who just smiled back to him, and looked over to Amy.

“I heard from Tails you have something for me?”

Sonic was lounging on the couch, as Amy rushed over, happy to see he looked fine.

“You look great!”

“Thanks! Tails really fixed me up. Seems he’s more than just good with tiding up planes.” he looked to Tails, who smiled at the praise, and bowed dramatically.

“I’m only as good as my tools. And in this case, my medicine cabinet.” he joked, and walked back into his open kitchen.

Amy nodded and turned to Sonic, holding out the bag she had.

His eyes widened and he blinked them a moment, before seeming kinda curious and taking them from her.

“What’s this?”

“You know! If Tails told you I was coming, he must of also mentioned telling me about your love of books!” she put her hands behind her back, leaning a few times on one outstretched leg as she looked away, blushing lightly while he rummaged through the bag.

“Huh? Some more adventures?” he took out the two books, and looked at their covers.

“Em-hmm!” Amy nodded, growing excited to see him looking more and more giddy towards them.

“Thanks, Amy!” he looked up, winking to her. “I appreciate it!”

She squee’d slightly, before rushing to the couch to sit next to him.

“Now, remember! You can’t stand me up just to finish reading them, okay?!” She puffed up a cheek, making sure he knew how upset she would be if he did so.

He laughed, and scratched a hand behind his head, “Don’t worry, Amy. I understand the cost.” the nodded to her then, reassuringly, before setting the books aside.

“So... you’re really feeling better, right?” Amy looked much more concerned now.

He smiled back to her, kicking a leg over his other one and leaning back, getting more relaxed and just chilling.

He raised a hand up as he spoke, “You bet! I may need to crash a little while longer though. Just until the mildew dries up.”

“Mildew?”

“Hahahaha!” Tails suddenly started laughing, hitting the counter.

Sonic looked away, embarrassed a bit as he sweat dropped and tried to avoid Amy’s question and Tails’s mocking.

“Wh...What’s so funny?” Amy blinked her eyes.

“Sonic thinks he might be allergic to mildew!”

“I am not!”

“You very well could be!”

“I was cold! I was wet! It was clearly nothing but bad timing!”

“Hahaha! You were sneezing and having a fit like a drama king! If this happens everytime it rains, you should be more careful about it.”

“Emm...” he folded his arms, looking away and seeming annoyed. “Never bothered me before...”

Amy smiled with a slight giggle.

It was good to be with her old friends again.

They always made life so much more interesting! and fun, too!

Sonic found there was one more thing in the back, poking him from the side, and so he reached in, before pulling out a strange looking ring.

“Huh? What’s this?”

“Oh! That.” Amy looked a little apologetic at him seeing it.

“They called it a ‘bonus’ for purchasing two books. I hope you don’t mind. It’s a little tacky...” she sweat dropped, looking to him with closed eyes.

He looked fascinated by it, and looked it over.

“Sonic and rings? I think he’ll be just fine with it.” Tails joked, as Sonic smiled to him and then looked to Amy.

“Is that all?”

She nodded, “I promise, no other rings.”

“Okay.”

He looked back at the ring and then suddenly started to laugh.

“What’s the matter? Is it really that odd looking?”

“Oh no! I’m just glad this wasn’t what I thought it was, haha!” Sonic joked too, as Amy caught on and rose up, looking upset.

“I WOULDN’T BUY A TACKY LOOKING RING FOR A WEDDING BAND!”

“Well, that’s good.” Tails covered his mouth, snickering too. “Did you.. Pfft... Did you purposefully avoid taking it out of the bag, Sonic?”

Sonic smacked his knee, and nodded to his friend, as if not able to speak from his laughter right now.

Embarrassed by their sudden burst of laughter, she flushed red in anger and stormed out. “You two are both unbelievable! Hmph! I’m leaving!”

She slammed the door behind her, as Tails and Sonic watched before looking back at each other.

“You’ll have to thank her and make up for that.” He commented.

“Yeah... I wonder if she’d be okay with chilidogs?” Sonic leaned back, and exaimed the ring more closely... carefully... before starting to get sleepy.

“Maybe one of these book before I nap again.”

He lazily reached for one.

Tails nodded and walked off. “I’ll be in the other room if you need anything.”

“Right.” Sonic opened Arabian Nights and set the ring down next to the clock. “Let’s see.. a story that doesn’t start with ‘once upon a time’? Amy really did step it up for me. Heh.” he grinned, a signature smile now.

Eh. He’ll thank her later~

He fanned his hand as he thought about how to make it up to her, before leaning back and across the couch, starting the new storybook adventure!

(I enjoyed this very much XD thanks for the prompt! and thanks for helping me out Green! :Db I combined the adventures a little, did you notice that? xD lead it right into the game for ya :) )

#Sonic and the secret of the rings #sonic and the black night #sonic #amy rose #sonamy #sonamyish?#tails #sonic game #sega #sonic prompt #greenyvertekins

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