#a clustered garage fanfic

[alcettogo]

Hello me again um. Chapter three of my ISAT fic is up, this was fueled by ADHD and love for Isabeau ok baii https://archiveofourown.org/works/61937218/chapters/159309289

[makarosc]

Wolfsbane Helluva Boss Fanfic

Description: Following his marriage to Blitz, Stolas finds that Loona is having trouble adjusting to her new life and Stolas wants to bond with her so he decides to start a wolfsbane garden only problem is he forgot why it's called wolfsbane. Loona finds Stolas' shopping list for the garden but unfortunately for him he 1) forgot Wolfsbane is to hellhounds what garlic is to vampires and 2) all the other items he's buying for just happen to be items commonly used to dispose of a body. Loona's troubled upbringing combined with some questionable statements by Stolas leads her to assume Stolas plans to kill her leading her to act irrational and paranoid. Stolas having no ill intention grows concerned for the poor Hellhound's behavior. Stolas sat at his computer typing away; he and Blitz had just moved in together and it was proving to be quite the adjustment for all of them. For one in particular it was the biggest. Loona, who was basically raised in juvie, was now living in a palace with servants to cater to her every whim and would soon be attending a private school to which Stolas was a major donor, something that had to be leveraged to get Loona in as a student. While a dream come true for most it was clear the massive change was stressing the poor hellhound and despite everything Stolas had yet to spend much time with the hellhound girl. So he decided he would try and bond with her over his favorite hobby gardening he just had to find the right plant “Of course wolfsbane! The perfect flower for my gothy Hellhound daughter!” He then went to Gehenna.com ( Hell Amazon.com) and filled his cart with all the items he’d need plus a few tools he’d needed to replace. While Gehenna did sell the seeds Stolas thought it would be better to buy some plants to start with. He started to research wolfsbane a bit before he got a call. He steps out of his office and heads to the garage on the way there he spots Loona messing with her new tablet.

“Can I use your Gehenna account?” she asked “Oh what for?” he asked “Cause yours has Prime I’ll pay you back” she says “Oh… alright just use my computer nothing to expensive tho” he says heading out Loona got up and walked over to Stolas’ office and got onto Gehenna and clicked the search bar. A list of previous searches came they started out mostly normal shovels, fertilizer, string, then it got to plastic tarps, 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, strong rope, and… wolfsbane Loona’s mind went back to the foundation “Hey! You useless bitch you better straighten up or you’ll get a shot of wolfsbane for your 18th!” the fat lady motions out the window to where another Hellhound is being brought out on a gurney with his face covered Loona quickly snapped back. “No no Stolas wouldn’t do that” she then looks at his search history “Why is my Hellhound so angry?” “How to deal with an angry Hellhound?” “Rage suppressants for Hellhounds” “my Hellhound has a bad attitude” “why is my Hellhound such a bitch?”  there were so many searches all pertaining to her being terrible Loona growled with tears in her eyes then a wave of dread washes over her he was a Goetia she couldn’t fight him and he married her dad and she lived in his house, she ran out of the office and back to Via’s room they were sharing until Loona’s could be built probably a crematorium and locked the door she jump into her bed and just layed there in complete and utter terror Meanwhile at his favorite flower shop Stolas was admiring some wolfsbane plants. They were an elegant purple and their heads had a drooping look to them and grew in clusters. Stolas quickly grabbed a few and brought them to the counter “Starting a new garden Mr. Goetia?” the clerk asked “Oh yes it will be with my stepdaughter she’s been stressed lately so I decided to start a wolfsbane garden with her” Stolas explained “That’s nice” the clerk said checking him out Stolas takes the flowers and leaves just then a Hellhound employee walks up to the clerk “Guy sure bought a lot of Wolfsbane” the Hound said “Yeah he’s starting a garden with his stepdaughter” the clerk said “Isn’t his stepdaughter a hound” the hound said The clerks eyes go wide “uh oh” the clerk said Later that night the four of them sat down to dinner Octavia was fork dancing Blitz was eating like a horse. Loona meanwhile was just playing with her food nervously. Stolas looked at her sympathetically. “Loona you’ve hardly eaten anything do you not like it?” Stolas asked “Uhhhh… it’s uhhh… c-could you taste it for me?” Loona asked thinking if he had poisoned it he wouldn’t eat it himself “Oh… well… ok….” it was a strange request Stolas thought as he got up and walked over to fulfill her request “You feelin’ sick sweetie?” Blitz asked Stolas gently felt her forehead for a fever “Mmm… no fever” Stolas says then tastes her food “tastes normal to me” “O-ok then” she says as she starts to eat

“Well alright” Stolas says confused and sits back down

They silently eat dinner for a moment. Loona still looked quite nervous. Stolas worried about the poor hellhound perhaps she was nervous about finally going to school at her age? While she was certainly a bit old to be starting, that was far from uncommon in Hell. Maybe hearing about her room would cheer her up “Oh Loona I’ve finally found a contractor who’s willing to build you your dream room” Stolas said “R-really… just like Princess Luna’s room from the show?” Loona asked “Exactly like the show” Stolas says Loona then thought ok maybe that list was just a weird coincidence. They finish dinner and Loona and Octavia go back to their room. Octavia decides to boot up smash and play with Loona and a few of their friends online “Ugh mother fucker!” Loona shouted

“Haha” Octavia laughed Loona growls and throws her controller at the wall, breaking it. “I need to blow off some fucking steam!” she says and storms into the bathroom and slams the door. Stolas runs in after hearing the crash.

“Via are you alright!?...” sees the broken wall “Oh oh my did… did Loona do that?” Stolas asked spooked “Yeah she lost her temper…. Again” Octavia explained “Oh dear that is concerning isn’t it” Stolas says concerned “I-I thought sharing a room with her would be fun” Octavia said upset by Loona’s outburst “I know my dear I sometimes wonder if Hellhounds are just naturally vicious” Stolas says in frustration

“I wish she’d stop breaking my stuff!” Via said slightly teary about her broken controller Loona growled more of course that’s what those spoiled brats would think growing up in a palace waited on hand and foot from the moment they were born. Of course he didn’t ask if she was alright when he came in of course he assumed she was to blame. Blitz hadn’t been paying much attention to her since the wedding either. No, he had to bond with Via. He even made Via the new receptionist, Loona just opened portals now. It was always about her; she was the Princess, the golden child, the REAL daughter, not some flea bag Blitz adopted on a whim right before she turned eighteen. 

Stolas sighs “oh I know Via hopefully you won’t have to worry about her for much longer ” Stolas says calmly Loona hears this and presses her ear up against the wall. He really does hate her and he’s trying to turn Via against her and worry about her for much longer? He was trying to kill her! She knew it, she had to tell Blitz but she needed proof but where would she get it? She would just have to bide her time until the big bird slipped up. Stolas was cross with Loona at the moment but he thought that punishing her right now would only make the situation worse no he would discuss it with tomorrow when he went to go pick up the supplies for their wolfsbane garden.

After Stolas and Via left the room Loo

The next day Stolas got the notification that his order was ready for pick up at the Gehenna center, unlike Amazon, Gehenna didn’t deliver directly to your house as Hell didn’t have an address system so you had to go to a pick up center. Stolas went to his daughters’ room to fetch Loona only to find his little owlet in there by herself. “Octavia my dear, have you seen your sister? I was hoping to take her somewhere today” Stolas explained “Not since she stormed out last night” Via said obviously still mad about her broken controller

This concerned Stolas greatly, had Loona fled the palace no his security knew what he would do to them after the last time the girls snuck out. No, she had to still be in the palace but where would she be?

“See Via this, this is why I put tracking spells on you two” Stolas explained Meanwhile on the far side of the palace where Loona’s new room was meant to be. The room was covered with plastic. Was he gonna do it here? Loona wondered if he was going to poison her then walk her in here so she didn’t throw up all over his palace Loona shivered. The room’s heating had been turned off and she had slept under the tarps last night.

Just then a glowing blood red footprint appears in front of the door. Loona gets up after seeing it and looks at it fearing what it meant. What the? Just then another appears then another and another and another. They were following her she thought without thinking she burst out of the room and ran through the palace as the footprints followed her eventually  leaving the palace and entering the garden running for several feet before kicking a flower pot… hard causing her to trip and fall hitting her head on the side of a planter “Ow! Ahhh fffffuuuuck” Loona swore as the footprints finally reached her “Fuck!” she said as she moved back a cloud of thick black mass with glowing red stripes emerged from the prints Loona cowered before the mass in the fetal position her body trembling with fear. Was she about to die? Stolas swiftly reverted back to his preferred form raising an eyebrow at Loona’s reaction after all she had seen his more monstrous form before. Sure it was unusual for him to use but it made made traveling swifter and for all he knew she was hurt somewhere and judging by the cut on her chin he wasn’t wrong “Well there you are? I’ve been looking for you. Did you not go to bed last night oh and look you’ve hurt yourself and… *gasps* that was a gift from Via!” Stolas exclaimed Loona looks up and sees the wolfbane plants Stolas had bought earlier. Stolas glared at her and she shut her eyes and covered her face. Stolas then stopped and his eyes widened. W-was she afraid of him? N-no that couldn’t be true he was her Own…. father… her own Father his… his monster form must have just spooked her and she had just fallen over “L-loona…. are you alright?” Stolas asked calmly Loona lowers her arms and looks at him with fear in her eyes. 

“You seem to have had a nasty fall. Let’s get you inside and patched up there is something important we need to fetch today” Stolas said picking her up Wait so he can lift me up like it’s nothing but can’t throw a water bottle? Was he toying with Blitz then? Oh god what else could have been an act? Many questions raced through Loona’s head as he carried her inside and sat her on the bathroom sink like a child. He takes out a first aid kit.

“Now tell me puppy why were you running through the garden like that? You know I’ve told you not to” Stolas asked believing she was simply trying to avoid getting into trouble for breaking Via’s things… again “I- uhhh…. I….” Well I can’t say because I think you might be trying to kill me “I…” “I think I know why” Loona gulps “You do?” “Because you knew you were going to get in trouble” Stolas said sternly “I-in trouble?” Loona said unsure of what he meant by in trouble “Yes in trouble and I’m sure you know exactly why” Stolas says as he applies some rubbing alcohol to her cut. “Ahhh” she said at the alcohol oh no she thought he is gonna kill me Stolas puts a bandaid on her cut “Alright puppy hop up we’re going somewhere” Stolas “Where?” Loona asked

“Just to pick up a few things from Gehenna” Stolas said

The two of them got into Stolas’ car. Loona was desperately trying to think of some way to escape. Escape from the palace was basically impossible since Anna Octavia’s and by extension Loona’s bodyguard found the secret tunnel they used to sneak out. No, she had to escape while they were outside the palace. Ugh but the tracking spell she thought how could she get rid of it Stolas started up his car and drove out the palace gates. He glanced over at Loona who seemed to be nervously thinking to herself. He was still cross with the hound for breaking yet more of Via’s things but he couldn’t help but feel bad for scolding her Azathoth only knows what happened to her as a puppy in the pou… orphanage he corrected himself. He hated that he still thought of her like that from time to time after everything. Like most issues with his life the issue could be traced back to his father Paimon who kept several Hellhounds as pets for shows and other dehumanizing performances. Stolas sighed he should float the idea of killing his father with Striker, Stella should be amiable to that given her… change. Loona watched Stolas’ out of the corner of her eye noting the frustrated look on his face. Is that all I am to him? an annoyance? Loona thought back to one of the previous families that “adopted” her some shark couple got her for their son as a “Saturnalia gift” The lil shit never even wanted a pet let alone a child. Kid barely interacted with me the few times he did he was pissed and even hit her a few times and she nearly starved to death before she sunk her teeth into the brat and the parents took her back to the foundation where she found out about wolfsbane. They then pulled in to the Gehenna center and Stolas asked Loona to help him carry some things. Loona looked at the door handle and started to sweat. A million thoughts ran through her head. Was now the time to run?

“Loona Loona Loona Hell to Loona! Stolas says snapping Loona out of it 

“Huh?” Loona asks

“Come on sweetie I can’t carry it all myself” Stolas says 

They walk inside and Stolas gives the order number they get the package and Stolas hands Loona the plastic tarps, 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, and strong rope. Loona’s blood ran cold. Was…. Was he really making her carry the stuff he was gonna use to get rid of her body?  It was now or never she had to escape but how would she get rid of the tracker? Bee probably wouldn’t believe her nor any of her kids Stella maybe? No, she was still mad about being turned into a Hellhound. The two of them stepped out of the store and then she saw it, a billboard or rather the graffiti on it “Slava Ukraini”. A few months back IMP got contracted for a job by some Ukrainian occultists who seemed to know what they were doing. Maybe they could help her but where are they now? Envy? There was no time to think she had to… “...And there we are” Stolas says finishing loading the items into the car Stolas then walks in front of Loona and opens the door for her. Loona briefly considered fighting him then she remembered what happened with those agents back in the human world and those hounds from the last time she and Via snuck out. Feeling cornered Loona got into the car and Stolas buckled her seatbelt. Fuck was that why he wanted her dead? Because she put Via in danger? Fuck I’m a horrible sister Stolas, not noticing Loona’s distress drove out of the Gehenna parking lot started talking “Now Loona I had to do a lot of talking to get you into a school, that I in part own, so best behavior, and there is a uniform you’re…. going to have to grow your hair out…” He says looking over at Loona noticing the bleak look on her face “Loona?” he asked Loona looks at him and unbuckles her seatbelt “Are you ok?” he asked “You’re not gonna kill me!” She shouts and dives out of the car tumbling and rolling into a nearby alleyway. Stolas nearly crashes as he processes what just happened “Ugh fuck! Dumb move” Loona says standing up “LOONA!?!?!” Stolas shouts Not wanting to stick around Loona quickly opens a portal to Envy. Stolas tries to run to her but she jumps through the portal before he can, landing in some street in Envy decorated with Eastern European graffiti. “Ok now to find Mr. Drago” Loona says

Meanwhile back at the palace Stolas and Blitz along with their few allies amongst the Goetia are discussing what just happened with Loona “THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN SHE JUST JUMPED OUT OF YOUR CAR!??!?!?” Blitz shouted at Stolas “The fuck else could I mean we just driving along she gave me a strange look and bailed out the side of the car” Stolas said “WHAT DID YOU SAY TO HER!?!?!” Blitz demanded 

“I didn’t say anything… ok fine I might have chastised her for breaking Via’s things but…” Stolas was cut off by Blitz “AH HAH!!!!” Blitz shouted

Anna, Bee, Tex, Forrasis (Stolas’ sister) Phenex (Stella’s sister), and Bee’s children Naberius, Marchosias, and Aamon all canine like Goetia watch the two of them argue for a moment when M&M enter 

“We just got your call. Did Loona really run off?” Millie asked “Wouldn’t surprise me” Moxxie says leading to Millie punching him in the arm

“And we’re just sitting here!?” Millie asks “Yeah, we don’t really want to interrupt” Anna says meekly Millie simply glared at the tall owl woman, an exterminator turned bodyguard/butler for a demon princess who couldn't bear to interrupt her bosses’ argument for the sake of the kids she was supposed to protect. “ENOUGH!” Millie shouted “We ain’t gonna find her sitting around here blaming each other for why she run off, we can find that out when we find her!” “The hillbilly is right” Phenex the fiery tomboyish peacock spoke as well “The tracking spell when we’re in the same ring as her and there are six of us here who can use it one for each ring” “And if that doesn’t work we can always use the bounty system” Marchosias suggested “You want to turn my DAUGHTER into a runaway slave!” Stolas exclaimed “I don’t like it either but I’m just saying… we have the option if we need it” Marcho replied Meanwhile, down in Envy Loona made her way to the Azov club where Ivan Drago and his nephew had them meet up last time. She sat down at the bar and ordered “I need to see Ivan Drago” Loona said

“There’s no one here by that name” the bartender replies in an Eastern European accent

“Please…” Loona pleaded “No, I think you should go” the Slavic sinner said getting annoyed Loona places two 10,000 soul notes on the counter “Oh yes one moment” He steps behind the bar for a few moments before a lanky spider demon in a blue fur coat steps out “Oh it’s you what brings you to my neck of the woods malen'kyy vovchyk?” Ivan asked

“This” Loona pulls back her arm warmer showing Stolas’ signal on her wrist “Hmm…. now that is quite the spell you got there Goetian is it not” Ivan asked “My stepfather’s wants me dead now” Loona explained “Hmm that sounds… a bit out of character for the owl but… I can help… za tsinoyu” I van said Loona didn’t need to know Ukrainian to know he what he wanted

Meanwhile at the elevator for the rings outside Stolas held Via in his arms as she sobbed “Why’d she run away dad?” Octavia asked “We don’t know sweetie” Stolas said Stolas, put on a brave face for Via but on the inside he was just as upset as Via. What could have possessed Loona to run off like that. Had he done something wrong? Was there something she hadn’t told him and Blitz? Was someone threatening her? That last one chilled him to his bones the thought of Loona after everything she’d endured after everything she’d gained being taken by hound catchers. Stolas shunned the idea after all he had put a tracking rune on her and surely they would find her soon. Stolas’ phone buzzed and Aamon’s name appeared on screen “Hello Aamon have you found her?” Stolas asked desperately “No, but I’ve got footprints” Aamon replied

Meanwhile back at the club Ivan’s nephew and partner an avian demon named Magnus prepares a tattoo gun with a crystal needle “Alright we just need to damage the design a little bit and you’ll be free as a bird from the bird” Magnus joked “Just get it over with” Loona says annoyed Magus slowly brings the needle down onto the rune causing a large spark causing the two of them to jump back. Loona then looked down at the rune where it once had been was now just a missing patch of fur. Causing the footprints to fade just as Stolas and the others enter the Envy ring “No no no Fuck!” Aamon shouted “Aamon, brother what’s happened where are the prints?” Stolas asked “They’ve disappeared! Someone must’ve removed the rune!” Aamon exclaimed

“Fuck!” Stolas shouted and dropped to his knees a wave of dread washing over him. Oh Satan it had been hound catchers he thought. Stolas started to cry all he’d wanted to do was start a garden with her and now she was gone. Marchosias then approached him. Stolas sighed he didn’t like this idea and Loona and Blitz would probably hate him for it but he wanted her back and so he typed her name in Hellhound name: Loona Buckzo-Goetia Stolas then scrolls through his phone looking for a photo of her. As he did so however he started to notice something while he had Reward: 100,000,000 souls (roughly 375,375 USD)

Ivan got a notification on his phone telling him what Stolas was offering to get her back. He then grabbed Loona’s phone which she had left on a nearby counter top and stepped out of the room and called Stolas. Stolas was in the middle of being scolded by Blitz. “You mean to tell me you have seven Goetia looking for her and you can’t find our baby!” Blitz shouted Stolas, seeing Loona’s number instantly answered “LOONA!?” “Loona!!!” Blitz shouted “Shalam! Mr. Goetia guess again” Ivan spoke “What!? Who are you!? How did you get this phone!? If you hurt Loona I swear I’ll…” Stolas was cut off “SHUT UP! I’m holding all the cards here your dog is safe… for now but if you fuck with me I’ll gut her understood? Ivan said “Shalam” Blitz’s mind then went back to a client he’d had a few months back when a client a Ukrainian occultist said that to him

Stolas had heard from various cop shows and stories from servants what the Russian mafia did to women. The thought of anything close to that happening to Loona made Stolas rethink threatening the man.

“Huh fine what are your demands” Stolas asked “Simple triple the reward your offering in gold” Ivan said “Triple! And in gold are you mad!?” Stolas exclaimed “Oh fuck no we ain’t paying you shit Rusky” Blitz shouted “Stolas ignored him, Would you take 150” Stolas said hoping the gangster would be merciful most of his money was tied up in assets “250 are you really trying to bargain with a kidnapper?” Ivan asked “Sorry but I don’t exactly have 300 million souls in gold on hand! And I want my daughter back!” Stolas shouted

“200 million and 3 free trips to the human world kepeesh”Ivan said “Fine” Stolas said “What your gonna pay him!?” Blitz exclaimed “Shut up Blitz he could kill Loona” Stolas exclaimed Blitz then shut up and let Stolas talk “Alright meet me at the Śmierć Orkom diner in Envy your Imp knows where it is” Stolas hangs up “Blitz…” Stolas said coldly “is there something you want to tell me” “About what?” Blitz asked playing dumb “About that Russian gangster who just called he said you knew where to meet him” Stolas said getting angrier “Well about 4 months ago we got a contract…” Blitz started to explain Back at the Azov club Ivan then walked back into the room where Loona was chatting with Magnus “Alright Loona there’s a small town just north of here where you can hide out for a while I’ll give you a ride” Ivan says Ivan drives Loona through Envy. Loona just stared out the window as they drove. Was this gonna be her life now? Hiding out in Envy? Never seeing her friends or family again? It’s not like the gangsters were gonna help her build a new life here she only had around 4 million souls to her name and she only was able to pull around 800,000 out of them atm before her account got frozen. Ivan then pulls over at the Simieric Orkom diner “Alright we’ll stop here for a bite to eat” Ivan said and they both enter the diner and sit at a table

Meanwhile Stolas and Blitz enter Envy in Stolas’ car. Neither one of them were particularly happy, Blitz because his daughter ran away and Stolas because Blitz took a contract from a likely war criminal. Stolas had thankfully managed to pull together the gold required to get Loona back but it wasn’t easy and they’d be lite on cash this month. Stolas then thought of the strange picture “Does the word Wulffsban mean anything to you?” Stolas asked Blitz “Uhh… Not really where’d you hear it?” Blitz asked

“I saw it in one of Loona’s drawing there was a shadowy figure holding a syringe” Stolas explained “Oh Wolfsbane yeah some hound orphanages like to threaten the pups with euthanasia using wolfsbane apparently it’s a historical weakness of Hellhounds or something” Blitz explained Stolas’ jaw dropped as remembered that was in fact the reason why it was called Wolfsbane. He should probably return those plants he thought. Then he remembered what Loona had said in the car. “You’re not gonna kill me” then the look she had given him in the garden, one of pure dread, then she had him taste her food. He then pulled out his phone and pulled up his history and he saw the questions he’d googled a few days ago Loona had had a violent outburst after receiving a rather cruel rejection letter from a prestigious Magical Arts school she had passed the entrance exams with flying colors yet they still rejected her. Loona flew into a rage not dissimilar from those of his ex wife. Loona had said some rather horrible things and threw stuff at him causing him to flee to his office. There he googled all of these questions. One of which caught his eye “Are Hellhounds naturally vicious?” Stolas chastised himself for making such a search. He’d later read the letter which, looking back not so subtly, cited her race as the reason for rejecting, an offense Ose would pay dearly for.

He then noticed the most recent search “Princess Luna plushie”. While Loona had privately told Stolas she wanted her room modeled after Princess Luna’s room from the cartoon she had steadfastly maintained it was simply because it was moon themed not out of any real love for the show. This suggested otherwise but why had she hidden this from him? Sure she thought he was going to harm her but they’d begun drawing up plans for her room months ago.

“Blitzy” Stolas said solemnly

“Yeah Stols?” Blitz replied

“Y-you know I would never do anything to hurt Loona right?” Stolas asked hoping for some confirmation from his husband Blitz looks away thinking for a moment

“Right!?” Stolas asks alarmed by his silence

“Well… I… wouldn’t expect you to do anything but…” Blitz was cut off as Stolas starts to cry

“B-Blitz I-I’m your husband how could you!?!?!?” Stolas says through tears

“I’m sorry Stolas but Goetia aren’t exactly known for their kindness and compassion you guys can be our best friends one minute the next your hanging us from the trees” Blitz exclaimed

“But I’m not like that!” Stolas said

“I know but I heard about what your brother Andras did to Striker’s village all because the didn’t want to be forced off their land and after… you got kidnapped, I was terrified all Striker’s family did was defend themselves and look how they ended up and here I am leaving to die for a shot that is basically useless after a year that I have to wait five years to get I was worried you’d….”

Stolas stared at him with a look of utter shock on his face

“...Kill two birds with one stone” Blitz finished

Stolas then looked away starting to tear his husband

[yellsatyouinrogerwaters]

Let Me Take You Home Tonight - Mick Mars

A/N: I see that a lot of people liked my Nikki Sixx fanfic and so I decided to make another one. I hope you enjoy!

This was inspired by one of Boston's song off of their 1976 album Boston.

L E N G T H: 1,687

W A R N I N G: Mick being soft and a gentleman. 

  I popped out of the shower and grabbed a dress that fits this occasion perfectly. I checked the clock; it read 7:15. I bite my lip and paced between my bedroom and bathroom. I dried my body and hair, slipping the dress onto my body as I walked back into my bathroom. I looked at myself in the mirror and picked up the comb on that hung on the rim of the sink. I swiped the comb across parts of my hair, water dripping off the comb its teeth when it reached the ends.  I moved my hair around into certain hairstyles to see what was right, but I just left it to do its own thing. I sighed as I picked up the blow dryer, sliding up the switch that was in the handle with my thumb and shacking it around my head. Setting down the machine, I looked myself in the eyes and grinned a bit; Perfect. I grabbed a pair of heels and slipped them on, buckling the tiny belt strip into a comfortable grip on my ankle. I grabbed my hand purse and went downstairs, grabbing my house and car keys and walking out the door.

 I felt a nice cool breeze wash over me as I stepped out the door, I smile at its feeling against my skin. Opening the car door, I step in and set my hand purse on the passenger seat, gliding the key into the ignition and turn it, hearing the engine purr and the seat vibrating for a few seconds. I chuckled and backed up from the garage, getting onto the road and sighing, thoughts came and went through my racing mind as my hands trembled and gripped the steering wheel tighter by the few seconds. I took and deep breathe and kept my foot steady on the pedal as I drove closer and closer to the fancy restaurant I was invited to. The restaurant was quite far from my home, but I just knew he was the one for me. We meet through mutual friends and exchanged phone numbers after 2 hours of talking. He was very intriguing and kind when we met. Very smiley and optimistic. I looked ahead and saw the lights of the restaurant glisten in the star-filled night sky; I was left somewhat speechless by the beauty that was laid upon my eyes and the fact that sight was far from me left me awestruck. I sped up and parked my car in the parking lot, grabbing my hand purse and putting my keys inside. 

  I strode to the entrance of the establishment and carefully swung the door open, hearing slowly go back to its original state. The reservationist came up to me asked for the reservation, I gave her his name and skimmed through the decently lengthy list with her index finger and let out an "ah." She looked up at me and beckoned me to follow her, I followed and looked around as I did. This place was so lavish that I couldn't believe that I was actually here. He must have paid so much for this and in a sense, I felt bad that he spent so much money on our first date. I sat in the expensive chair that came along with the set of the extravagant dining table. "Your waiter will be with you shortly," the reservationist told me and flashed me a smile, I nodded back with a genuine smile. 5 minutes passed and I started to look at the menu, all the fine cuisine that they served was so compelling. It was a bit weird that he wasn't here yet, but we've been waiting so long to reunite. He must have gotten caught up in traffic. We spoke on the phone every day, updating each other on how we were doing at the time and what our plans were for the day and/or the week. I stared down at the silky cloth that masked the entire table, drawing little shapes its surface to kill the time.  

"Good evening, Ms. What would you like to eat this evening," I looked up at the young adult.

"Oh.. I haven't made my decision yet," I sighed as I continued "come back in a few minutes, please." 

"Alright, Ms.," the waiter walked off to serve someone else. I started to worry as time passed by, 5 minutes went onto becoming 10 minutes, those 10 becoming 20, so on so forth. I sighed and went back to drawing the shapes on the silk, I felt the other guests stare at me, their gaze sparking up some unwanted tension.

 I took a deep breath through my nose and arose from my seat, I went up to one of the waiters and asked if they had a phone, they pointed towards the back of the building. I thanked them and let out a sigh, I walked through the organized cluster of tables, all eyes were on me, but I felt a certain pair of eyes stare at me, these staring with harder than the rest. I made it to the phone and called him. The phone rang 3 times before someone finally picked up.

"Hello?" a male voice spoke.

"James..? It's [y/n]. Where are you, it's been almost an hour."

"[y/n]... I got caught up with something, my sister gave birth. Please forgive me.." I could hear the regret and sadness in his voice.

"But, why didn't you call me to tell me? So much time could've been saved." I sighed and rubbed my forehead in distress 

"I couldn't reach the phone in time, I had to be there for my sister and I felt like you were going to be mad if postponed the date..."

"James, why would I? I would be totally okay if you postponed the date. Your sister giving birth is a lot more important."

"I'll promise, I'll make it up to you..," he sighed. 

"No, James, it's okay. I promise," I smiled a bit and continued "Tell your sister congratulations, goofball." He chuckled into the phone.

"Will do!" We both laughed.

"I gotta go, [y/n]," he sighed again.

"I'll call you when I get home, okay?"

"Okay, twinkle toes" we laughed again and hung up the phone.

 I walked back to my seat and slightly plopped down on it. "Excuse me?" a male voice made my train of thought crash. I looked up to see an older man. "Hello? Have we met before?" I replied in confusion.

"No, we haven't, but I saw that you all alone and I'm assuming that your date didn't come. Am I correct?" I nodded and let out a bit of a chuckle. 

"What's funny?" the man asked.

"He and I planned this for weeks and just now, he told me he couldn't come because his sister was giving birth, but didn't say a single thing." I saw that he shook his head, I couldn't blame him. 

"What a jerk," he let out a little huff and I nodded.

"Hey, tell you what, I'll buy diner," my eyes widened. 

"What? Nooo." 

"Why not?"

"You don't have to spend your money on me.” He smirked and furrowed my eyebrows. A waiter came over to our table.

"Good evening to you both. What would you like to order?" the man signaled the waiter's attention to me. I batted my eyes in confusion and just read the first thing I saw on the menu. The waiter wrote it down, "It'll take about 15 minutes," I nodded with a slight blush on my face.

"What's your name?" I asked as I folded my arms.

"Mick. Yours?" He rose an eyebrow.

"[y/n]."

"[y/n].. interesting name." I smiled at the remark. 

"Thank you. So, Mick, what do you do?" 

"I play in a band."

"Do you? What's the name?"

"Mötley Crüe."

"I've been hearing that band on the radio a lot."

 Mick and I continued to ask and answer each other's questions and shared some laughs, time really does fly by when you're having fun. A waiter came to our table and set down the dish, "enjoy, Ms." I nodded with a warm smile as a thank you. 

"Eat up, [y/n]." I nodded and began to eat, taking small bites of the dish. I could feel his gaze on me; oddly, I felt quite comfortable with him watching me, it was somewhat warm. Even though we just meet each other almost an hour ago, I feel like we've known each other for a lifetime. I looked up at Mick and saw that he stared at me in patience, with 1/4 of my meal being eaten, I stopped. 

"Mick.."

"Yes, [y/n]?" 

"Why are you doing this?" He took sighed and looked me dead in the eye.

"Your date was postponed and I didn't want you to go home upset and on an empty stomach. I know we don't really each other, but I sort of felt the need to do this." 

"Wow, Mick.. thank you," he nodded. We sat there in silence, blocking out all the noise from around us and only focusing on ourselves. I looked at the clock on the wall and bit my lip, fuck, it's already 10:23. I broke the silence and stood up from my seat "Fuck, it's getting really late. I have to go now. It's been great meeting you, Mick. Thank you so much for the diner and company," Mick quickly stoop up.

"Wait! Let me take you home tonight, please," I stopped in my tracks and looked into his eyes.

"Why..?" a small blush developed on my cheeks. 

"Just want you to be safe out there,"

"G-good point," 

 Mick signaled a waiter over to the table, the waiter held a small black plastic tin and placed it down. I saw Mick take out his wallet and place a 100 bill on the tin, the waiter picked the tin and nodded. 

"Have a great night," the waiter walked off. I turned to Mick, "come on, let's get you home, darling," he smiled and we began to walk out of the restaurant together.

[jasperwhitcock]

equinox | chapter 06 –– “open book”

here is chapter chapter six of my bella as a vampire and edward as a human fanfic inspired by an au that @bellasredchevy​ posted. you can read the new chapter on AO3 or here. i post updates on AO3 or on tumblr using the #equinoxjw tag. but sometimes it doesn’t work. so. um.

the last time i wrote for this, it was BEFORE midnight sun came out. and now, midnight sun has been out for two weeks (oops...now FOUR weeks), i’ve finished it, i am miserable as a result, and finally, SHOOK. here’s why: in the last chapter, i mentioned esme’s aversion to having her floors ruined by rain. in midnight sun, edward mentioned that multiple times. MY MIND.

everyone reading this is thinking like, yeah, sure “your mind” OR you’re dumb and should not be finding any humor that your lizard brain came up with the same basic idea as smeyer, known racist. maybe esme was just written with hardly any personality so it wasn’t that difficult to end up concocting the same idea. and… okay, you’re right. but in those moments, let me tell you, i was really feeling something. smeyer, you reading this?

to catch up since i’ve been busy, i reread my other chapters. and i really need to go back and edit them. so thank u for being here & bearing with me. hehe

also… the beige… that’s for y’all.

just a lil baby warning: there are conversations revolving around religion in this chapter. i wanted to mention that as a warning for the sake of anyone who has had negative experiences with church/religion (like me!) whom this topic makes uncomfortable. the local doctor and his children are VAMPIRES. you have been warned. 

It was entirely unrealistic –– the possibility of running out of time –– but still, I expedited through the forest, the greenery blurring by me in long unfocused streaks. Although if I paid attention, I knew I’d still be able to see every microscopic detail. The fluffy moss growing along the trunks of the ground, the iridescent droplets of rain dotting the ferny leaves, the patterns in the wood of the trees. But I cared little to as I barreled forward, hurtling over uprooted trees and bounding over large pools of rainwater nestled in the muddy forest floor.

I lost a shoe leaping over the last fifty yard stretch of river, so I kicked the other off carelessly in midair. The shoe fell into the water with a powerful splash from the height. Alice could bite me later. I was in too great of a hurry to deal with her chastisement now. If she really cared for this pair of shoes, she could dive for it. Alice! The thought of my sister made me realize a reason I could actually be late. I needed a change of clothes.

As I fell back to the earth, reaching a hand forward to grasp onto a convenient branch, I focused, envisioning my arrival at the house, the flight of the stairs, and the knock on the door of her room. I pictured asking her my request, and though I had no intention of actually following through with these steps, I hoped the thought was enough for Alice to see what I wanted. It should be, because if it wasn’t, I’d have to go into the house anyways, but I really didn’t want to waste time.

I swung lightly onto the bough of another spruce, and nimbly travelled this way from branch to branch, juggling the journal all the while by throwing it into the air between trees and catching it again. I could run fast and delicately enough to avoid muddying my feet, but with how unfocused I was in my hurry, I didn’t want to risk needing to stop to wash off.

If they hadn’t been concerned already, now would really be the time that my family genuinely considered my descent into insanity, seeing me wildly and maniacally swing through the trees towards the house like Tarzan after having only melodramatically left hours prior.

I knew it wouldn’t last, but I felt somehow liberated by the realizations that I’d come to in my wintry jungle. After hours of considering the right way forward navigating my now complicated future, I’d decided to face it head on. To stubbornly confront the problem. I was tired of feeling unlike myself and feeling distanced from my family, though my new resolution might encourage the rift I’d only just mended with Rosalie. Even with my grievances, I still enjoyed this life, the strength I’d found in it. The sense of rightness and belonging that contrasted how I’d felt so weak and out of step as a human. I wanted to bask in that again. I wanted to take action.

I decided the best way to reattain that freedom was rather than leave the boy alone, I’d challenge the vision. Seek him out this morning. Return the journal to him. Sit beside him. And in my ability to do so, I’d then prove his irrelevance to me, his powerlessness over my self control.

And although it was still a ridiculous thought to entertain, if I did find in me some concern or care for him, then that’d be even better. It’d certainly be strange, but it’d also strengthen my resolve to leave him be with his own life rather than make any choices he couldn’t even be knowledgeable enough about to consent to. Then, once I’d done so, I could truly leave him alone for good. I’d toyed with completely ignoring him from the beginning as I said I would, but then I decided that outcome wouldn’t develop from inaction. I was far too headstrong to leave this alone without trying to face it.

I will admit that a part of me was curious about Alice’s vision, curious about a friend or even a partner in this life… But the thought of Edward as that partner made me recoil. He was too irritating –– not the ideal candidate to spend an eternity with.

He was smart, though. And kind too, I noted, thinking of the way he’d cheered up the girl in the hospital… But definitely irritating. I’d have endless time to decode what had made him so relentless and smart-mouthed, but once I’d made the discovery, what then?

I had spent hours turning the little brown journal in my hands over and over, studying the worn leather, the folds and creases, tempted to open it and uncover his secrets. During an hour where I’d been resolved to go forth with pretending he didn’t exist, I’d even considered sneaking back to his house and finding my way in to leave the journal by his side so that I wouldn’t have to give it back to him myself in person. But that –– and also privily reading it without his permission –– seemed indefensibly invasive.

I didn’t mind being a vampire if that’s what I was. But that didn’t mean I had any desire to fulfill some of the creepier of the tropes.

Once I reached the tree closest to the garage, I tightroped onto a thin branch. Then, cautious as to not break it, I gently pushed down and sprung off, diving like a swimmer seventy feet down, the journal clasped between my outstretched hands. The distance was very short, and I landed softly, focusing greatly on doing so in a cautiously tactile way that wouldn’t cannonball me through the building and barreling into the ground. I rolled like a bowling ball to a stop on the vegetative, vine-covered roof in a cluster of silky honeysuckle and tickling lavender wisteria.

Even now all these years later, I felt kind of giddy at the impossible physics of my body’s capability for control, so I couldn’t help but laugh a little. I even laughed a little more thinking again of how my family might see my behavior –– me laughing here in the flowers –– as lunacy in how drastically it differed from the darkness of the personal rain cloud I’d been carrying over me.

From the house, I heard a deep chuckle and the sound of a scoff, confirming that I did have an audience. It must be Emmett mocking the impressiveness of my nosedive. I smiled, feeling very much like myself again.

I hopped off the roof to the ground and entered the garage. Sure enough, Alice had laid out a small pile of clothes for me for the upcoming school day. I stripped, unceremoniously dropping the garments I was wearing into a pile on the floor and reached for the clothing. Then, I groaned.

“Alice!” I hissed her name like an expletive. I thought we’d moved past my sister’s insistence on using me as her personal doll, but it seemed this was her attempt for a revival. Maybe she was determined to punish me for the way I’d destroyed my shoes. Rather than a sensible sweater and jeans, Alice had taken advantage of my hurried need and elected to pick out a cropped turtleneck sweater and a mini skirt, both black. The sweater wasn’t awful in that the crop wouldn’t be exposing with the high waist of the skirt, but the bodycon fit of the skirt, the crocodile print of the polyurethane, and the ludicrous split up the side… Alice was deranged. This had to have come from her own closet.

She had the good sense to include sheer black tights to hide some of the disconcerting flawlessness and freaky whiteness of my skin –– not that that would matter much in how off-putting and contrasting I’d look in all black anyways –– but I’d have preferred converse over the matching black boots. At least the heel of the boot was more reasonable than I’d expect from her. Not more reasonable than converse, though.

I imagined showing up to Edward’s house. Hey, Edward! Here I am to drive you to school, pale and ridiculous. Also, I’m a vampire. Here’s your journal.

I considered the short run to my room in the house, but again, I was already running late…

I tugged the clothes on and hopped into the pearly white car, throwing the journal into the passenger seat. As I reversed out of the garage, I felt thankful for the engine upgrades Rosalie worked on that allowed for the instant rapidity of the acceleration.

I spun sharply, letting the car spin out with an obnoxiously loud screech until I was facing the long drive away from the house. In the rearview mirror, I watched as Rosalie entered the garage, her golden eyes shocked and her mouth open as I sped away.

My reckless driving only warranted a few irritated honks on my way to Edward’s house through the morning traffic –– one dark green Honda specifically gave me a long piece of their mind when I cut them off –– before I was whipping around the corner onto his street.

Just as I pulled in front of the lonely house, I watched as Edward casually jogged down the steps of his porch, his sleek backpack hanging carelessly off one shoulder and an apple in his hand.

His tangle of bronze hair was like a low burning flame against the muted monochromatism of the grey house and the grey sky and the grey pavement. Today, he wore a light tan turtleneck that clung tightly to his chest, slim beige trousers, and a long black coat that ended above the knees. His fancy belt, his long socks, and his suede boots were all black too. I didn’t particularly consider him to be someone who cared much about what others thought about him, but he seemed pretty meticulously dressed. I wondered if he dressed to impress others or dressed for himself. Neither decision particularly mattered, but it’d been so long since I thought about something so human –– the thought process of selecting what to wear and considering how you wanted to present yourself.

The clothes I wore ceased to matter long ago. I never particularly had an interest in fashion, so it was easy to allow Alice to select my wardrobe. And for the most part, she got it right. Only when I found her selections to be impractical, such as today, did I really care. But it was a rarity that she tried to push me too far out of my comfort zone anymore. She’d given up on me, or maybe she had just become more clever about finding the right opportunities to dress me in something absurd… I liked things that I could easily move around in.

Alice would approve of his outfit, I thought. Maybe if he liked fashion, they really would get along. But that didn’t matter because I had no intentions of involving Alice and her freaky little visions in my experiment.

Seeing me parked there, he froze for a moment, before his lips curved into a huge smile. Edward laughed, throwing his apple up in the air and catching it again. He half-jogged forward to meet me. I took a deep, clean breath full of the leather scents of the car’s interior and rolled down the window, leaning forward towards him.

Edward bent over so that his head could duck down to see my face through the window, and he shook his head again, chuckling.

“To what do I owe this pleasure?”

“Hello, Edward,” I smiled pleasantly, trying to play nice.

He eyed me suspiciously, but the glint in his pretty green eyes was teasing, the grin that lit them up never fading.

“I’ve come to bring you this, fresh from the scene of the crime––“ I grasped hold of the leather bound book in my hand, raising it up to wave it before setting it back down, “––and to offer you a ride to school. I’m sure it’d be a humbling experience for you to walk, but I felt bad about your pretty car being flattened like a pancake.”

“You’re not irritated with me?” Edward asked, slightly cocking his head to the side.

“Are you irritated with me?” I countered.

“Never,” he beamed.

“Well, then we can call a truce,” I half smiled. “You’re not curious as to why I’m forcing you to carpool, making your getting to school my business?”

“The wasting of finite resources is everyone’s business. But of course, I am curious.”  

“As usual,” I mumbled under my breath. Hesitantly, I breathed in. It was like pulling the chord on a hot-air ballon with the way his scent ripped my throat into flames. I was grateful for the distraction of someone grumbling to themself as they turned onto the street, because instead of spiraling, I was able to instead laugh as I realized who I had cut off a few traffic lights ago. I looked in the rearview mirror and sure enough recognized Sara, the sandy blonde, driving the ugly green Honda.

“Hmm… Well, I wouldn’t want to upset your girlfriend––” I bit my lip momentarily to keep myself from laughing, “––so I wouldn’t be offended if you said no.”

“Who?” Edward asked, but his smile had faded as his eyes watched my lips intently.

He looked back into my eyes after a second, blinking as he realized I was staring at him staring at me, then up at the car awkwardly pulling in behind me.

“Oh,” he chuckled as he realized who I meant. “I’ll be just a moment.”

I watched in my side-view mirror as Edward approached Sara on the drivers’ side.

“Hey, Sara,” he said as she cranked her window down.

“Hey, Ed,” she grumbled, kind of irritated. I should have felt guilty for disrupting her plan, but her irritation with Edward instead provoked my nerves. Also, the fact that she called him Ed bothered me too. “I guess you made it out alive. I’d have been here sooner, but Cullen cut me off. I got suck at a red light.”

“Did she?” Edward laughed. “Well, I’m really sorry, Sara. This is so nice of you, but Bella offered to drive me to school today. I’d cancel now that you’re here, but after she saved my life, I’d feel terrible doing so. Is it alright if I see you at school?”

“Yeah, that’s fine,” she snapped, trying to seem unbothered despite the tightness of her jaw and the edge in her voice.

“I’m sorry again, Sara. I really appreciate that you came here,” Edward smiled a dazzling smile.

“No big deal. I’ll see you at school,” she lifted the corners of her lips once before turning away, her mouth in a tight line.

He sighed watching as she drove past me and away before a crooked smile reappeared on his face as he walked back to my car. I didn’t have time to wonder if he would have preferred to ride with her. It didn’t seem likely.

“…Ed?” I asked as he crossed back to the passenger side.

“You heard that?” Edward chuckled. He slid his backpack off his back, opened the door, and dipped his tall frame into the car. He picked up the journal before settling into the passenger’s side, adjusting the seat to make room for his legs and backpack. “I’m not particularly fond of that nickname. Or any, for that matter. My mother called me Teddy sometimes. I prefer Edward.”

“I do too,” I agreed, breathing in the potency of his fragrance. I clutched the steering wheel tightly and swallowed dryly.

“So,” he began once he was comfortable. “Are you feeling more open today?”

“No,” I answered as I began to drive towards the school.

Edward sighed, but he shook his head, amused. Clearly, he’d decided to play nice too. “Do you ever get tired of ambiguity, Bella?”

Yes.

“No,” I teased, rolling my eyes. “I enjoy being mysterious far too much.”

“Mysterious enough to keep me up at night,” he egged on.

“I’m sure you slept just fine.”

“How’d you sleep?” Edward asked. I looked over at him, ignoring the tingling of my tongue in anticipation of the taste of his sweet blood. I should have thought of a response, but I was too busy fighting off my instincts to think of a lie. His pretty eyes narrowed in thought as he analyzed my face and the dark circles beneath my golden eyes.

Suddenly, I froze, my muscles locking down as he reached forward, his hand gently touching my hair. I didn’t dare breathe as the heat of his skin enveloped me in warmth. His hand lingered for a moment before it pulled back, holding up a broken piece of fern.

“You had a leaf in your hair. How’d that get there?” Edward almost whispered, his lips curved into a half-smile.

A strange electricity throbbed through my body, and the sensation was so odd. Like my heartbeat should be thrumming loudly in my ears. Deafening. But my heart was frozen and dead, so I only heard the beat of Edward’s. We sat in silence for a moment as my mind spun in the dizziness.

“Maybe I should have accepted Sara’s offer,” he joked after a moment, laughing, but I wondered what he made of the affliction I was trying to hide on my face. Around him, no matter my attempts at subterfuge, it felt as though my face was an open book in which he could read all my secrets. I refocused my eyes on the road, too distracted by the warmth of his pale face and the prettiness of his green eyes as the forest flew by in the window behind him.

“Maybe,” I agreed, smiling softly, smiling sadly. Maybe this was a bad idea. Maybe you should jump out of the car and run before I accidentally kill you.

“But,” he mused gently, trying to keep the mood light and playful. “She probably doesn’t have heated seats.”

His effort to comfort the conflict raging within me that he didn’t even understand worked. I snorted.

I continued driving, thinking of ways to bring up the journal.

“You look lovely today, by the way,” he smiled, appraising me. “Which is not to say that you don’t on any other day, but you do look very pretty.”

I felt oddly incomplete as I waited for reactions my body was no longer capable of. Reactions I’d forgotten. There was another strange sensation in my cheeks as if they should be very warm.

My head whipped towards him in surprise, my eyebrows pulling up.

“What?” He immediately asked in shock, his heart beat picking up. My reaction didn’t totally alarm him though, because his lips were still pulled up at the corners. Edward seemed to always be smiling. Or maybe smirking was the better word. “Do you not get compliments often? I find that rather hard to believe.”

“No, it’s not that,” I relaxed my face. “I was just caught off guard. Lovely…That wasn’t particularly something I’d expect a seventeen year old boy to say.”

“Oh,” he relaxed, easily grinning again.

“Are you even seventeen?” I found myself smiling in return.

“Are you?” He countered.

My mood darkened as my lips dropped immediately, but I fixed the smile back onto my face so he couldn’t see how exposed I felt.

“You know, my mom used to say that I was born thirty five years old, and that I get more middle-aged every year.”

“Hmm…” Edward nodded, his eyes narrowed again as he scrutinized me. I wondered if this clarified some assumption he’d made about me.

I turned into the school parking lot. I saw the gleaming cherry redness of Rosalie’s ostentatious car and desperately hoped she was already inside one of the brick buildings.

“So,” he prompted, his tone mysteriously patronizing. “Did you read this?”

I glanced over to see the accusation in his eyes as he held up the journal, but he didn’t seem angry whatsoever. They were still light. Still playful.

“What? No, of course not,” I defended myself. But my voice was unpersuasive, the pitch coming out a little too high to give my words any credibility.

I parked beside Rosalie. The car was luckily empty, so I relaxed my grip on the steering wheel. Ha! As if my sister would have confronted me here, and I’d have driven away, effectively kidnapping Edward… I scoffed at myself. I clenched the hand Edward couldn’t see into a tight fist, concentrating all of my strength in my fight against temptation into the way my fingers dug into my palm.

I turned my face to look at Edward, whose face was condescending, his thick eyebrows pulled up in disbelief.

“I’m serious! Maybe I look guilty because I considered it, but I didn’t actually follow through.”

His face relaxed into a crooked smile. “Okay, I believe you. I’d have forgiven you anyways.”

“Does that mean if I ask you about the contents, you’ll share?” I asked eagerly. I’d read so many books in my life that this new mystery novel easily became just like another book I was dying to read.

“Absolutely not,” he shook his head, chuckling. Edward reached for his bag, winking at me, and opened his door, ducking his head to get out. I swiftly undid my seatbelt and was out beside him probably much too fast, my backpack slung onto my shoulder. For a moment, I wondered if my siblings needed their useless backpacks too since we typically drove this car to school, but I figured Alice must have rescued them from the trunk after seeing my plans for this morning.

He blinked, looking down at where I suddenly appeared.

“Why?” I inhaled through my mouth, grateful for the influx of fresh rainwater and firs that helped dilute Edward’s scent.

His heart thrummed in his chest, and being so close to him, the sound was like thunder surrounding me as I listened, becoming attuned to it. The splash of puddles as tires hightailed through the parking lot, the slam of locker doors as students got their books, and the chatter of kids as they entered the school all seemed like irrelevant ambiance now.

“Because,” Edward breathed. His breath was shaky, but his face remained cool. The sweetness of the smell washed over my face, and I clenched my fist again. “That wouldn’t be fair whatsoever.”

“And why not?” I demanded.

“You expect me to entrust you with all of my secrets when you won’t trust me with just one of yours?”

He wasn’t wrong. But I couldn’t exactly divulge anything about the accident. I was already breaking too many rules. My own rules. My own promises I’d made to my family.

“How about…” I considered, though my thoughts were headed in a dangerous direction. “If you happen to have any theories, you can share one, and I’ll either confirm or deny it.”

“Just one?”

“Yes.”

“How is that worth the very much intimate documentation of my entire mind, Bella? That’s hardly sufficient.”

“Fine, I don’t care about your stinking journal,” I snapped, stubbornly poking my chin in the air a fraction.

He surprised me by actually throwing his head back to laugh.

“Are you done?” I asked.

“You’ve got a bit of a temper, don’t you?” he considered this for a moment, beaming. “Okay, I’ll accept these conditions. But later.”

“Later?” I demanded, feeling a sense of injustice as I froze in place. He continued forward and took a bite of his apple. The juice spilled out sweetly into the air, but the fragrance was unappetizing and certainly not as sweet as Edward’s blood.

“Thank you for the ride, Bella. I’ll see you in biology.” Again, he winked, walking backwards. He saluted me, waving once with the journal in his other hand and then turned around, clearly enjoying having the upper hand as he and temptation disappeared into the crowd of students.

I stood there, my mouth propped open. The sensation of being watched started to creep up on me and sure enough, I turned to find Rosalie ten yards away outside of the building to her first period. Her eyes were dark, cold, and fierce with betrayal. Guiltily, I looked away and headed off towards my first class.

Throughout my morning classes, I tried not to think about my family’s –– or rather, Rosalie’s –– opinions on my decision this morning. At this, I failed miserably. As I imagined explaining how really if I didn’t stay away from the boy, it would prove that I actually could leave him alone and exercise control against Alice’s visions, I started to find my logic extremely flawed and unbelievable. Maybe I was making a mistake. Maybe I was just too pigheaded. I tried not to think about this too.

Instead, I thought again about the secrets of his journal. Wasn’t this essentially the symbol of everything I’d been obsessing over? All of my wonderings and curiosities as for why he was so annoying and his eyes so perceptive could all be unraveled in that little book. I wondered if I’d be disappointed once the mystery was unveiled. Maybe the journal –– and by extension, Edward himself –– was not as interesting as I thought. I may have just been fixating on this because it was something different. But I told myself it’d be better for me to be disappointed. The sooner I could move on with my life.

Throughout the day, a couple of the braver students asked for details about the accident but became disappointed when I didn’t offer up the dramatics they were hoping for. I felt too shameful to discredit Edward’s accounts, so I irresponsibly dismissed the opportunities to ensure the accident yesterday hadn’t exposed anything unusual about me or my family. Eventually, as my monotonous account of the events spread through the tiny school, kids stopped asking.

I was impatient to get to biology, but before then, I’d have to face my siblings at lunch. When the bell rang after fifth period, I walked much too quickly to the cafeteria, dreading arriving but very much eager to get it over with. As I weaseled my way through the hallway –– which wasn’t difficult because even in the familiarity of the school, we were typically provided a wide berth –– I overheard the conversation of two other juniors. I froze in place as my plans shifted for the day. They discussed the difficulty of today’s biology pop exam, and I realized I wouldn’t have the hour of the day the school allotted to speak with Edward, the excuse I could provide my family in my defense. A freshman nearly rammed into me from behind, not expecting my sudden stop. Whoever it was recoiled immediately. 

Well, I wasn’t going to miss out on whatever explanation he planned to provide because of some trivial pop exam. I rearranged my lunch plans, appreciating the excuse to postpone another family confrontation. We could battle it out at the long oval table later if necessary.

I entered the cafeteria and was second in the lunch line, only selecting a glass lemonade bottle so that the emptiness in front of me wouldn’t be unnerving for Edward. I figured it’d be more disconcerting to leave a tray of food in front of me untouched. I headed to a round table in the corner that was typically empty. This wouldn’t surprise my family when they entered. Alice would warn them.

I sat waiting as students filed in, either joining the growing line or meeting at their usual tables with their friends. I avoided Rosalie’s eyes when she entered the room, but I could still feel the iciness of her stare. I listened for Edward’s deep and soft voice to indicate his arrival, then when I couldn’t find it, instead listened for Sara’s to see if she may be with him. Sara was a loud, babbling talker, so it was easy to find her voice in the crowd of the hallway. She seemed to have gotten over her irritation from this morning as she animatedly spoke about some research she’d done the night prior into some potential colleges she might apply to.

I found that although I may feel some irrational resentment of her ability to be so close to Edward, I liked Sara. Maybe we would have even been friends if I was a human. And if her proximity to him didn’t bother me. She was prattling on about her dream of becoming a veterinarian, and her goals seemed so sincere that I almost felt guilty finding any enjoyment in having stolen Edward from her this morning.

But that didn’t mean I didn’t have intentions to do so again.

As I suspected, when Sara walked through the double doors, Edward was by her side. He was actively listening to her words –– always so polite to anyone who wasn’t me –– but once inside the lunch room, his eyes immediately flashed to the table in which my siblings were settling into. His thick eyebrows pulled together in confusion –– and maybe even disappointment? –– at the realization he didn’t find me there.

I was impatient as he purchased his lunch. Once he’d left the line, he still hadn’t noticed me sitting here. Maybe he was less perceptive than I gave him credit for. I felt a moment of awkwardness as I thought about having to get up, walk across the cafeteria, and ask him to join me in front of my family. I would still have done so, but I was immensely relieved when Sara noticed me.

“Are you eating lunch with Bella too?” The sandy blonde asked, her tone suddenly indignant. This time, I felt no pleasure in my thievery. Sara was right to want to reserve Edward to her human world, but I was too entranced with the mystery of his journal and the mystery of his mind to care.

Edward looked up, searching. His sage eyes were bright and animated once he found me here at the table. He held his tray in one large hand while combing the other through his untidy bronze hair. The arrogant confidence in his face made me smirk, and I rolled my eyes, lifting my hand to beckon him forward twice with my finger as if I was reluctantly pacifying a child.

“I guess so,” he laughed a little as he sauntered forward towards the table, leaving Sara behind gawking. I braced myself for the onslaught, inhaling one last fresh breath of air. How habitual this was becoming.

“I’m being gifted your presence outside of our biology class twice in one day? What did I do to deserve this?” He teased once he’d arrived, standing behind the seat across from me.

“Nearly die. I guess that’s a fair enough price to pay for my company,” I played along. If only he knew how true that still was. He grinned, his perfect teeth white and shiny. “Oh, don’t look so smug. I’m only here to uncover a mystery.”

“As am I,” he reminded me. I winced.

“Are you going to sit down?” I asked. He still stood behind the seat, tall and lean, a giant like my brothers. Not quite as towering and much slimmer, but still, I felt small in my seat looking up at him.

Edward leaned down to carefully place his tray on the laminate before comfortably settling into his seat as if we’d done this before. I glanced at his tray, curious as to his selection. A bottle of water, a grilled chicken salad, and a bag of dried fruit. I stared at the food for a moment as if this would provide me any clues about his mind.

“So,” he began. I looked up to meet his eyes and though I knew he’d be looking at me, I felt a jolt pulse through me. He caught something about my reaction, and a crooked smile appeared on his face.

“So,” I continued. “You were going to tell me about your journal.”

“Yes,” he agreed. “But I believe we agreed on a condition, did we not?”

“We did,” I admitted. “Go ahead.”

“Hmm… I’m not sure I’m actually ready to, Bella,” he pondered, and I felt odd again hearing him say my name.

“Why not?” I demanded, restless. Of course I was interested in the book, but I was also definitely interested in his theories. I couldn’t believe it had only been yesterday that the accident occurred. It felt like a lifetime ago. The same way that first day in biology did.

“I’ve only been given about twenty four hours to come up with any explanations.”

“And have you?”

“Maybe, but I have a feeling you’ll be very firm on only allowing one theory, so I want to hold out for the theory I’m most confident on.”

I frowned, and Edward laughed.

“Don’t worry though. I’ll tell you about my journal anyways. As long as you promise–– no, that’d be letting you off too easily. As long as you swear to me that you won’t forget your end of the deal.”

“I swear,” I promised, smiling at the silliness of his command. I took this moment to breath in his powerful scent, to wrestle with my desire.

“Hmm… I wonder if it’ll upset you,” his forehead crumped in thought. My patience was wearing so thin that the inexorable cloud of lust for his blood had little impact in comparison to the sudden aggravation at his procrastination.

“Oh, Edward!” I groaned, exasperated. “Would you just tell me? What could possibly upset me?”

For whatever reason, Edward burst into laughter at my outburst and couldn’t seem to stop.

I glared at him, and he tried to choke back his humor unsuccessfully. The irritation in my eyes didn’t deter him or instill any sense of fear in him. Briefly, I wondered if he was mentally sound.

“Okay, well, you can just go eat lunch with your little friends, and I’ll stay here and talk to myself.”

“Don’t be mad,” he pleaded as another laugh escaped. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself. You’re just so impatient. And for what? My uninteresting little journal?”

“You’re annoying, did you know that?”

“Maybe, but you’ve chosen to sit here with me, so you must like me for some reason,” he pointed out. For some reason indeed. Once again, he was right on target. My mouth gaped open.

“Okay, I’m getting up––”

“No, please, Bella. I’ll behave myself now. I’ll tell you about my journal. I’ll tell you anything you want to know.” His smile was dazzling, and his eyes were fierce, sweet, and sincere. I was mesmerized, stuck in the seat across from him.

“Okay,” I said stupidly.

“My journal,” he began seriously, “is sort of a Bible.”

I waited for him to laugh again.

“No, really,” Edward did laugh but not as though he’d told a joke. “I know that’s kind of strange.”

Religion had never been a major facet of my life. A dozen memories flickered through my mind of the times as a human where my mother Renée had gone through impassioned phases where she attended church, trying on multiple denominations and religions for size. But just like the rest of her sudden and fleeting interests, her spiritual high wore off, and we never spoke about God or church again. Only when I became immortal did religion take a more permanent place in my thoughts. But it was only the proximity to Carlisle that made me consider spiritual beliefs, and even then, it was simply another topic to devote thought to in all the endless space in my head and all the endless time in which to fill it.

I didn’t know particularly what I believed nor if I cared much, but I did know that if Edward was religious enough to tote around a bible at school, he’d definitely not be pleased to know he sat across from an actual vampire.

“You carry around a bible?”

“Well, don’t make any judgments yet, alright? It’s not exactly a bible. It’s kind of difficult to explain.”

“I think I can keep up,” I said simply, feeling slightly awkward but still curious. I glanced down at his untouched food. “But you should probably eat.”

“And what about you?” He asked, eyeing my full lemonade bottle.

I unscrewed the tin cap for his benefit. Following my lead, he opened the plastic container of his salad. I waited impatiently as he slowly ate his food.

I watched him as he ate, but when his eyes flickered curiously up to me, I fixated my attention on the lemonade bottle, tracing the mouth of it with my pinky finger.

After a few moments, Edward spoke up. “What are you thinking?”

I looked up to meet his light green gaze and felt stuck there again, compelled to reveal everything.

“I’m trying to figure out what you think I am,” I admitted only one of my concerns, though even this was much too honest. I thought of the inspiration he could draw from his religious text. The second beast. The Nephilim. Cherubim. Demons. Even though I didn’t have a true understanding of the contents of the book, some of Carlisle’s paintings had provided me with enough of an idea.

“I’m not having much luck with that yet,” he answered.

I laughed, relieved. “Well, you have only been given twenty four hours.”

“What else are you thinking?” he asked again, sensing there was more.

I sighed, feeling uncomfortable under his analyzation. The weight of his watchful eyes was too penetrative.

“That a boy who carries around a bible probably wouldn’t like me very much.”

“Why? Are you a sinner?” He smiled teasingly, but his eyes were soft as he tried to pull me again from the gloominess that seemed to steal me away.

“Something like that.”

“Well, aren’t we all?”

“Not all dogs go to heaven,” I answered. He chuckled at how I butchered the expression.

“Hmm… I’m not sure if I absolutely believe in a heaven, but if I do, I think the prerequisites to make it in are much broader than the Christian faith teaches.”

“You carry around a bible but don’t believe in heaven?”

“I said I’m unsure. And I said it was difficult to explain, didn’t I?”

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

“I hardly understand what you mean the majority of the time either.”

We both laughed, and the synchronicity of the moment made me forget my intentions with bothering him in the first place. It made me realize that in a way, I actually did feel fondly of Edward.

“Here, I’ll explain. I’m done eating anyways.” He used a napkin to dab at the corners of his mouth, then pushed it away on top of his lunch tray.

“My mother was very religious,” Edward began. “She wasn’t pious or bigoted or forceful about her beliefs. She was kind… devout. She believed in goodness. Her entire life had been dedicated to caring for other people. She wasn’t someone whose true intentions were to condemn others with the hope to save them from hell. Rather, she seemed more focused on saving someone from unhappiness. A lot of other believers have been known to connect with someone only for the end goal of forcing them to change the way they live for the sake of feeling as though they saved them. She had always been offended by this insistence to control another’s lifestyle, believing that any Child of God should truly only be concerned with loving others.

“I have pages of verses ripped out from her bible stuck throughout my journal. It may seem sacrilegious to destroy a bible in that way, but she’d read through it so many times that it had completely fallen apart. I tried to save it when she died, but there was no hope to. It was too dilapidated and tattered. So in my own journal, I have all these notes I’ve written on the notes she wrote in her bible. All these confusing erratic writings, these scribbles, I’ve been trying to sort out, just trying to figure out how to be a good person.”

At the end of his speech, my mouth dropped open. Quickly, I closed it again.

“So, do you believe in a god?” I asked after a few moments of silence.

“I’m not sure what I believe. If you don’t believe that all this world could have just happened on its own, which is hard for me to accept myself, then a god seems to be just as reasonable an answer as anything else. But I do believe in science as well. And once again, I don’t believe that any higher being who created the entire universe would be so particular and unyielding on such frivolous, harmless human matters as to what you do…or who you love… I’m hesitant to speak about god publicly, not because I fear any kind of persecution for my complicated beliefs, but because I know that the church has caused a lot of damage to a lot of people. And I don’t want anyone to think I support any of that harm. But for innocent believers, I see nothing wrong with wanting a reason to hold onto hope if that’s what religion is for them.”

“Neither do I,” I agreed, thinking of Carlisle.

“I think at the core of any religion –– and I definitely am interested in studying other religions as well –– is the same message. To do good by others and yourself. Of course, historically, religion has been weaponized as a means to take control over innocent people, but in considering people like my mother… I sincerely hope that there is a god. For her sake.”

I didn’t know what to say.

“Don’t worry.” Edward smiled his crooked smile. “I’m not about to try and sell you some religious propaganda. At no point will I sit you down and ask, ‘do you mind if I take a moment to speak about our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?’ That’s never been my mission. I’m not entirely certain whether or not I even consider myself religious.”

“So what is your mission then with the journal?”

“Perhaps this will sound a little pretentious, but it’s not so much that I’m curious about the chicken or the egg scenario… Evolution versus creation… I don’t care very much as to how we got here. I guess because my mother believed so profusely, and I consider her to be such a great person, I’m curious as to whether our morality is innate as people, or if all goodness is because we have some kind of spirit within us leading us to want to do right by other people. I think overall, it is innate. An atheistic individual can do wonderful things for the world just as someone who claims to love Jesus can do terrible things. I don’t think anyone who doesn’t believe chooses to do good for God, but I wonder if that innate sense of morality, sense of compassion is ingrained into us because of the fact we do have souls. So the question I’ve been trying to answer all these years is… do we? Does my mother die, fade to nothing, with her body? Or did she live on because she had a soul?”

“Those are big questions for a seventeen year old.”

“Those are big questions for anybody, no matter their age. And questions humankind has been trying to answer for thousands of years,” Edward chuckled, shaking his head. “I don’t expect to be the one to stumble upon the answers. More so, I’m really trying to find some purpose in my mother’s life. I do want to honor her, and maybe if I can understand all the things she wrote about people and about God, then I can.”

“So what do you write?”

“I write my thoughts on what she journaled about. And I write about all the good things I see someone do. About the reasons why I think they did them… I study people a lot.”

“Do you ever feel creepy?” I asked.

“Sometimes,” he laughed. “I mean, it’s not that I’d be the type to watch someone while they sleep. But if someone comforts a friend, picks up a stray piece of trash off the ground, smiles at a stranger… I try to take notice. I want to notice people.”

Edward sighed. “I know this must sound arrogant, but I really do believe I’m very sensitive to the thoughts of other people. At least, I try to be. For example, I know Sara must not be very happy that I chose to ride with you this morning, or that I am sitting with you now. I’m not oblivious to her feelings for me. But it’d be very ungentlemanly of me to accuse her of those feelings if she prefers to keep them secretive, so I’ll define a boundary if needed to protect her feelings whenever she chooses to come forth about them. I’d like to retain our friendship, but I still make my own choices.”

“So…” I began, ignoring his point about Sara. “Let’s say we all did have souls. Could someone lose that soul by any chance?”

“Hmm…” he thought, his eyes intent, piercing into mine as though he were trying to read my mind. “Now, that’s a big question for a seventeen year old.”

I laughed along with him.

“Well, I’m not sure whether or not you can lose your soul –– if we have them, of course. Perhaps you could damage the integrity of it or compromise it somehow. Could it be lost in death? If there is something of a heaven, does that automatically imply the existence of a hell? What purpose does hell serve in torturing one’s soul for eternity? Justice? Do some people perhaps deserve that fate? I want to say no, but then you think of awful, malicious people who have done awful, malicious things. Murder. Genocide. Rape. Isn’t the losing of your soul in death, fading into nonexistence too easy of a punishment? Do those people warrant a judge, jury, and executioner? I would hope that there are consequences to evil actions, but I don’t understand the idea that if such a place exists for the most vile of humanity, nonbelievers and sinners would go to the same place as well according to the Christian faith. I would say on that front, the Bible must be profoundly off. That aspect has to be invented by man for a means of control. What creator would wish such a fate on someone so innocent as to simply be uncertain about a god? So does a nonbeliever or sinner simply cease to exist, therefore losing their soul? Or is there some kind of alternative? Like a purgatory in the Catholic faith. That too seems a cruel fate from what should be a loving God.”

I felt slightly uneasy, wondering what he would think of my non-life, if he would consider this to be the alternative for innocent sinners. I wondered if he would believe I had a soul.

Edward softened his expression at my discomfort. His eyes were gentle and kind.

“But I don’t think I believe that. Like I said, I think the division between good and bad, right and wrong, is less black and white than most religious people believe. I think it’s gray, and I think any higher power would realize that too. So if you’re making that face because you’ve sinned a little here and there or murdered somebody, maybe you can make a comeback.”

Edward winked, and I forced myself to laugh. 

“So would yesterday earn me some points?”

“Oh, definitely. You’ve practically merited an angel status.”

This time I did genuinely laugh at the thought of me as an angel.

“But again, as for what’s considered sin… I don’t subscribe to the majority of what’s considered biblical canon.”

“You don’t have to continue with the disclaimers. I believe that you’re not judging my sinful ways.”

“Correction, I don’t believe that God themself is judging you for your sinful ways. I never said anything about my judgment of you.”

I bit my bottom lip to keep from smiling at the smirk on his face. “I’m not at all surprised that you have a god complex. That seems about right –– you do come off like the type to be very judgmental.”

“I’m notoriously difficult to impress,” Edward half-smiled. “Are we continuing this conversation in Biology, or are you growing tired of the dark and the heavy?”

“Not yet,” I answered. “But I overheard that we have a pop quiz, so you’ll have to save your pretty boy disciple thoughts for later.”

He chuckled as I stood up from the table, reaching to grab my untouched lemonade bottle and cap to throw away, then stopped me.

“I’ve got it,” Edward placed the bottle on his tray to dump into the garbage. I watched curiously as he pocketed the bottle cap.

“I’d say thank you, but I know you’re only trying to win points in the eyes of God.”

“Anything to get into heaven,” he laughed.

* * *

y’all know i had to make edward a lil christian boy. u know edward is the i wanna church girl who go to church… and reaaaad her biiiible vine. i do want to clarify again… unlike stephenie mormon, i have no agenda in speaking about religion in this fanfic. i’m not particularly fond of labels, but i am more agnostic than anything so… i’m not tryna convert anybody to anything. it just seemed very “classically edward” as rosalie would say.

i hope u enjoyed! i also wanted to say i really, really appreciate the comments! i haven't replied bc... i'm shy but i read them & truly feel very flattered. ♡

[anonkp]

The cliff-hanger ends. The angst continues.

When the bottom of the roll-up door wound up a few more inches, Sam could just make out a cluster of feet in the garage. It took more than a minute of intently staring at the activity for him to determine which ones belonged to Deeks, and to realize that one of those feet was oddly hopping in place while the other men surrounded him. He didn't need to wait for more evidence that something had gone very wrong- he knew in his gut that it had. "Deeks is in trouble!" he shouted, "I'm going in."

Sam gave no thought to his own safety, recognizing only that his brother was in danger and that he needed to do whatever it took to save him. He raced for the door to the office side of the filling station and barreled through it, shooting down the first Brother who turned and tried to pull a weapon on him.

[mycasandstarrs]

SPN 9x04: “Slumber Party”

THEN: Charlie Bradbury. She’s a hunter in training and a Woman of Letters. The Men of Letters Bunker, the supernatural motherlode.

1958.

Back when the Bunker was brand spanking new.

James Haggerty and Peter Jenkins.

“Took three years to build this dump?” This place ain’t no dump!

“This dump is the epicenter of -- of the ultimate chess match between good and evil.”

Six Months Later.

“What a dump.” lmao.

“Frank’s kid”, a hunter.

“Now, which one of you geniuses is gonna help me kill the wicked witch?”

Present Day.

They gave Crowley a table.

“You want more demon names. I want a room with a view.” What a child.

They let Kevin leave the Bunker. “I'm hoping this break will, uh, clear his head.”

Aww, a night off with “Game of Thrones”.

“By the way, I still don't understand why he left in the first place.” ME EITHER, SAM.

“But, uh, he felt like he'd bring trouble down on us, so he had to split. But if you got a way to help him, I'm all ears.”

*internal screeching*

“All right. So, Kevin said the table lit up like a Christmas tree when the angels fell, right?”

“So?”

“So it turns out each light was where a cluster of angels fell. So I'm thinking maybe there's some way to hot-wire this, make it track angels. That way, we could help Cas steer clear of danger.”  

That’s wonderful.

A 1951 computer.

Oh dear.

Dorothy cut the witch’s tongue out! That’s damn smart.

“Wait. You captured her all by yourself?”

“Yes. Despite all my lady parts, I managed to capture the wicked witch.”

YES! What an icon.

“This place is the last true beacon of light!” Again with that.

What a cool shot.

Charlie!

Charlie’s been hunting: killed a teen vamp and a ghost.

“All right. It took some doing, but now we can download.” Hell yeah, girl!

“So, you've been hunting.”  

“Alone.”

“I know. Not a good idea, according to the ‘Supernatural’ books.”

Aww, they’re so protective of her.

“Someone uploaded all the unpublished works. I thought it was fanfic at first, but it was clearly Edlund's work.” Oh damn it.

“I don't know. Their screen name was beckywinchester176. Ring a bell?”

“None. Uh, nobody's. Uh, no, there are no bells. Uh...No.”

Sam, you suck at deflecting, lmao.

Game of Thrones!

“You're gonna read the books?”

“Yes, Dean. I like to read books -- you know, the ones without pictures.”

Ok, screw you, Sam.

“Any plans on moving in anytime soon?” He does have a TV.

“Well, I'm sorry I haven't hung up the, uh, ‘Hang in there, kitty’ poster yet, Dean. Feel free to redecorate.”

“So, what, our home's not good enough for the ‘Hang in there, kitty’ poster?”

“This isn't our home. This is where we work.”

Sam...really? You have a TV in your damn bedroom.

(Has Sam decorated his room since?)

“So, Charlie, what was all that about how hunting isn't magical?”

“I am down. But... I was raised on Tolkien, man. I mean, where is all this? Where are my White Walkers and my volcano and magic ring to throw in the damn thing? Where -- where's my quest?”

Aww.

“Magic, quests...suck. Trust me. They're all --”

“--dead ends. Nothing but dead ends.”

Nice segue.

“You were right. There's nothing worse than adventure.” :( Jenkins’ last words.

RIP Peter Jenkins. Killed by Haggerty.

The transitions are so great!

Eww. A giant wall cocoon.

...Where Dorothy had been inside.

“Holy crap! The first case investigated in this bunker involved Dorothy. She and the witch came into this room, and they never came out. This will never stop blowing my mind!” I know!

“We have to talk before anyone does anything, okay? Dorothy?”

“Talk? Typical Men of Letters, standing around, having a nice, little chat with your noses buried in your books while your little secretary takes notes.”

NOW HOLD ON.

“We're hunters.”

“And who are you calling a secretary?”

Damn right.

Fuck yeah!!

Witches and Crowley. Seem to go hand in hand.

“You're protected by the Witch of the North's kiss. It's from the books.”

“Oh, forget the books! They're not important.”

Wait, I wanna know about that.

“I'm helping.”

“Yeah, I don't doubt it. But for right now, why don't you rest up and help the smartest person in the room?”

AWW!

I love Dorothy, but I’m glad to see Charlie knock her down some pegs.

“I'm gonna get some bullets from the gun range and make us some poppy bullets.”

Dorothy loves her already. I know, Dorothy.

“What did she say to you?”

“Something along the lines of... “

lol

I doubt Crowley could just walk out of there, seeing how there’s a giant Devil’s trap on the floor.

The Witch trashed the kitchen trying to find it.

“Damn it, I just cleaned in here.” Aww, Dean.

Poppy bullets. “That's my girl.”

The same key Dean found while going through the archives...and he kept it in his room.

Dean paired up with Charlie, only to tell her to go hide in the dungeon. You can’t stop her, Dean. “Wicked Witch, a key, a quest? Let's do this.”

“’How long have you called this place home?”

“My brother calls it home. Me, I, uh -- I haven't had that much luck with homes.”

Oh Sam.

Crap.

Charlie took the hit for Dean.

RIP Charlie Bradbury. Killed by the Wicked Witch. Death #1.

You know what? I’m actually more okay with this death, and it’s not just because she gets revived. This was a more dignified death, if that makes any sense.

Dean calls for Zeke.

Zeke brought Cas back as a freebie, but bringing Charlie back means he’ll have to possess Sam for longer than they want.

“The witch running around your bunker is very powerful. I can help with the witch or save your friend.”

“Save her.”

“Merry Christmas.” Aww hon.

“Can we be best friends now?” Awww! I ship Dorothy and Charlie so much.

“When I came into your room, before I got zapped, I thought you said the name Zeke. Who's that?”

“Um... I think you're still a little punchy, man. Just keep moving.”

*internal screaming*

“I had the weirdest dream when I was out. It was Christmas, and my parents were still alive, and --”

“Dream? Charlie, you died. Don't worry about it, though. You're not a real hunter until you've died and come back again.”

Dorothy drops that bombshell. It’s sweet that Charlie’s Heaven was Christmas with her parents.

“I met up with these three freedom fighters, and they thought I was this child of destiny chosen to kill the Wicked Witch. They protected me, and then the witch turned them into --”

“A scarecrow, a tin man, and a lion?”

This is the coolest retelling of the story ever.

“Sometimes real life is darker than fiction.” Yep.

“Why haven't you moved in?”

“I don't have any memories of home. And whenever I've tried to make a home of my own, it really hasn't ended well.”

There’s the root of it.

“Yeah, but a lifetime of abandoned buildings and crappy motel rooms. I mean, this is about as close to home as we're gonna get, and it's ours.” Exactly, Sammy. Relax, enjoy it.

“Come on. We've got to get to the garage.”

“There's a garage in this place?!” 

 I know! The Bunker’s wonderful.

“Find the girls...”

“And kill them both.”

Welp. Possessed.

The garage!

Dorothy’s bike! It is gorgeous.

“He didn't make it.” lmao, poor Tinman.

The ruby heels!

“Did you really walk down a brick road in these?”

“No. I never actually wore them. Seemed kind of tacky wearing a dead woman's shoes. Plus, I'm no good in heels, you know?”

Very good points.

“There you are.”

“Was that your Batman voice?”

Nope, that’s their “possessed by evil” voice.

“I have no intention of escaping to Oz. I'm going to bring my armies here.” Oh, shit.

Yes! Teamwork!

“Let's see what you pencil necks are made of.” Dorothy’s tough!

“Now heel.”

RIP Wicked Witch. Killed by Charlie.

She did it all by herself! What an absolute legend!!

“Ding-dong, bitches.” I love you.

Crowley’s back to being chained.

Dean moved the Impala into the garage.

“You have no idea how odd it is having a series of books written about you.”

“Actually, I-I do know, uh, and it is definitely weird. But you know what? End of the day, it's our story, so we get to write it.”

!!

“So, thanks for the slumber party...and bringing me back from the dead.”

“Uh, I didn’t.”

“Don't B.S. a B.S.er.”

Reminds me of “Don’t con a con man”.

“Thank you for everything. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a rebellion to finish.”

Charlie found her adventure.

“You have no idea what's in Oz. I mean, t-there's flying monkeys, armies of witches. There's all kinds of danger.”

“Promise?”

Let her go, Dean.

I kinda wish Charlie’s story ended here. I sincerely mean it.

“For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)” by AC/DC.

“Take care of yourselves, boys.” See you later, hon.

“Think she'll be back?” Yeah.

“Of course. There's no place like home.” !!!

[alcettogo]

Hyacinths and Snapdragons

CHAPTER 6 OF MY FIC IS OUTTE!!!!! GAY PEOPLE IN IT!!! ISAFRIN IN IT!!!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/61937218/chapters/160600270

[alcettogo]

me again, new chapter. Enjoy :3

[alcettogo]

INTERIOR, HOUSE INFIRMARY, DAY

aka chapter 5 of a clustered garage, babyyyy

[alcettogo]

Did you know that the hair on your head looks like the moon?

Wrote an ISAT fic. ENJOY! maybe if you want. BYE.

[alcettogo]

THIS NOW HAS A SECOND CHAPTER! SO NEW COVER ART

Did you know that the hair on your head looks like the moon?

Wrote an ISAT fic. ENJOY! maybe if you want. BYE.