#added that in to make sure others are cautious with where they donate
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daily notes - july 21, 2024
Got a solicitation for a gofundme donation from a stranger, claiming to be in a war-torn region. I don't trust messages like that. There's been too many scams over the years.
-- Cooler weather again, so the windows are open. Fabric is not my friend, but I don't mind the feeling of the fan on my skin, thankfully. I'm trying to see how long I can last before I have to put my tank top in "time out", this evening. (Had to dress to fetch food. Yes, I'm eating, thankfully.)
-- Managed to fold some laundry while dinner was in the oven. No strength to carry things upstairs. I look forward to wearing my NASA shirt later, though I'm not sure when that will be.
-- Cleaned up my stash of empty drink bottles that had been accumulating in my room. I didn't count, but there must've been at least a dozen.
-- Weekly call with phone-friend went well. I talked about sensory stuff, how I try to cope. They discussed visits with friends, how their family is doing, etc. I can't remember how we got on the topic, but we discussed fandoms and different stories, then our own writings.
--- One of their stories is a big epic fantasy that has a slight twist to the background. The recurring theme is that characters go to great lengths to fix something or help someone, but it doesn't work out quite well. Is it worth the lengths of effort if the person you are rescuing is harmed in the end? Also, one character thinks he's doing the right thing but goes about it the wrong way.
--- I noted, in contrast, that my own stories are more character-driven. There are bigger machinations of the world and society around them, but each individual can only do so much within their power. But those little steps build on each other, a domino effect to affect the larger world, though the person at the starting-point has no idea what's happened. (Specifically talking about "Brave Little Tailor", which was made to deal with trauma.)
--- I loved hearing the enthusiasm in my friend's voice. I could also hear the enthusiasm in my own voice, asking to hear more. The story is clearly a labor of love, based on how much they have fleshed-out the world and how it functions. I haven't read much of their fictional narratives in recent years, so it's feels like a treat to glimpse this insight into my friend's creativity.
-- Counseling got moved to Tuesday, with the time changed a bit. Again, I'm glad I write these notes for tumblr, so I can reference them later.
-- As my counselor and I have discussed, I'm making it a priority to be gentle with myself. It's one thing to be kind when I'm really/obviously hurting, like earlier in the week. Now that I'm improving a little bit (eg not having bigger anxiety attacks), I must still be kind and let myself breathe. I'm learning to trust
#daily notes#the solicitation came in just as i was about to post#added that in to make sure others are cautious with where they donate
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Optimising Your Bathroom Renovations: The Right Order to Follow
Embarking on bathroom renovations can be an exciting yet overwhelming process.
With so many elements to consider, knowing the right order to tackle each step is crucial for a smooth and efficient transformation.
Whether youâre updating an outdated space or completely redesigning your bathroom, following a structured plan can help you achieve the bathroom of your dreams. Hereâs a comprehensive guide on the optimal order for your bathroom renovation.
Planning and Design
Before any physical work begins, spend time planning and designing your new bathroom. Assess your current layout and consider what changes you want to make. Think about functionality, aesthetics, and your budget. Sketch out your ideas or use design software to visualise the new space. During this phase, you should also decide on the materials, colours, and fixtures you wish to incorporate.
Key Considerations:
Functionality: How do you use your bathroom? Do you need extra storage or a larger shower?
Aesthetics: What style do you envision? Modern, traditional, or something unique?
Budget: Set a realistic budget that covers all aspects of the renovation.
Demolition and Preparation
Once you have a clear plan, itâs time for demolition. This phase involves removing old fixtures, tiles, and cabinetry. Be cautious during this process, especially if youâre dealing with plumbing or electrical systems. Ensure that you have all necessary permits and adhere to local regulations.
Tips for Demolition:
Protect Other Areas: Use drop cloths and plastic sheeting to protect adjacent rooms from dust and debris.
Dispose Responsibly: Recycle or donate old fixtures and materials where possible.
Plumbing and Electrical Work
With the old fixtures removed, itâs time to focus on plumbing and electrical updates. If youâre relocating any plumbing or adding new electrical outlets, this is the stage to do it. Hiring licensed professionals for this work is advisable to ensure everything is up to code and safely installed.
What to Consider:
Upgrading Fixtures: Consider installing water-saving toilets and energy-efficient lighting.
Safety: Ensure all electrical work meets safety standards, especially in wet areas.
Wall Treatments and Flooring Installation
After the plumbing and electrical work is complete, you can start on wall treatments and flooring. If youâre planning to tile, this is the time to lay down the underlayment and install your chosen flooring material. For painted walls, make sure to prep the surfaces properly for a smooth finish.
Flooring Options:
Tiles: Durable and water-resistant, ideal for bathrooms.
Vinyl: Affordable and easy to install, available in various designs.
Laminate: Provides a wood-like appearance at a lower cost.
Cabinetry and Fixture Installation
Once the floors and walls are ready, itâs time to install cabinetry and fixtures. Begin with the vanity and any built-in cabinets. Ensure that everything is level and securely fastened. Once the cabinetry is in place, install sinks, taps, and any other fixtures. This is where youâll see your design choices come to life.
Important Tips:
Alignment: Ensure everything is properly aligned to prevent future issues.
Quality: Invest in quality fixtures that will stand the test of time.
Finishing Touches
With the main components in place, itâs time for the finishing touches. This includes installing mirrors, lighting fixtures, and any additional accessories. Consider how these elements can enhance both the functionality and aesthetics of your bathroom.
Consider These Elements:
Lighting: Layered lighting can enhance the mood and usability of the space.
Storage Solutions: Incorporate baskets, trays, and organisers to keep things tidy.
Final Inspection and Clean-Up
Before declaring your bathroom renovation complete, conduct a thorough inspection. Check for any leaks, ensure that all fixtures work correctly, and make sure the space is clean and tidy.
Functionality: Do all fixtures operate as intended?
Cleanliness: Ensure the area is free of dust and debris.
Aesthetics: Step back and admire your work!
Optimising your bathroom renovations requires careful planning and execution.
Following the right orderâfrom initial design to final touchesâcan ensure a smooth renovation process and achieve the bathroom of your dreams. Each step is essential for creating a space that is not only beautiful but also functional and lasting.
So, are you ready to get started? With the right approach, your bathroom can be transformed into a stylish sanctuary that enhances your daily routine. Take the plunge and start your bathroom renovation today!
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How to Choose the Best Packers and Movers for a Smooth, Stress-Free Move
Relocating to a new house or office is a big step in life and, at the same time, can be very challenging. Moving is a complex process, no matter if you are moving within the same city or across a state, country, or continent. This is where professional packers and movers in Jabalpur become very important when it comes to moving to a new house. In this blog, weâll discuss what is necessary to pay attention to choose the right packers and movers for you.
1. Understanding the Role of Packers and Movers:
The best packers and movers in Jabalpur are companies that offer the services of packing and moving your goods and property. They transport your goods, making sure they are safely transferred to your new home or office, among other uses. Here are some key services they offer:
⢠Packing: Shifting your valuable and delicate belongings in robust and superior-quality packing material.
⢠Loading: Their ability to safely load packed items in the moving vehicle.
⢠Transportation: Moving your items to the intended location.
⢠Unloading: Be cautious when offloading your property at your desired location.
⢠Unpacking: Moving your stuff around as per your instructions, such as unpacking and sorting out your items.
⢠Insurance: Pay for any possible damages that may occur in the process of moving.
2. Benefits of Hiring Professional Packers and movers in Balaghat      Â
⢠Efficiency: Hire movers can handle the packing and moving of your items in a manner that experienced movers will do in a better way than you.
⢠Safety: Appropriate packing style and packing materials help to avoid any losses and pack your things efficiently.
⢠Stress Reduction: This way, the moving process is conveniently delegated, and this enables the client to pay attention to other issues related to the transition.
⢠Time-saving: Employment of the best packers and movers Jabalpur can be faster as compared with the time you would take.
⢠Insurance Coverage: Offers peace of mind with insurance against damage or loss.
3. How to Choose the Right Packers and Movers
Selecting the right packers and movers in satna mp is crucial for a smooth move. Here are some steps to help you make an informed decision:
⢠Research and Reviews: One should initially use the internet and turn to such resources as customer feedback. Some of the preferable sources include Yelp, Google Reviews, and Better Business Bureau, which will offer much-needed information about companies.
⢠Experience and Expertise: Select a company with an experience of several years in the market of moving services.
⢠Services Offered: Confirm with the company if they can provide all the services, which may include packing, transporting goods, and unpacking the goods.
⢠License and Insurance: Ensure that the company in charge of the project is permitted by the state and has appropriate insurance policies. It offers security in the event of loss or damage, especially when moving from one location to another.
⢠Transparent Pricing: Take a number of quotes from various movers and packers in Jabalpur service providers and then compare the prices that are offered. This is because some of the quotes may contain some extra costs that you may not be aware of.
⢠Customer Service: This can be done through interacting with them with different questions with the intention of measuring the level of customer service offered to them. Politeness and politeness from the customer service department may also be an added advantage that indicates the company is good.
⢠Referrals: In this case, try to ask for recommendations from your friends, relatives, or co-workers if they happen to know of any.
4. Preparing for the Move
Even with professional help, there are steps you can take to ensure a smooth process:
⢠Declutter: While packing, sort and reduce the amount of things you own. Get rid of things you no longer want, use, or need by donating, selling, or disposing of them.
⢠Inventory List: Prepare a list of all the items on the move. This way one can track his or her things and also makes it easier to pack.
⢠Labeling: Clearly label all boxes with their contents and the room they belong to. This makes unpacking more organized.
⢠Personal Essentials: Pack a separate bag with essential items you'll need immediately upon arrival, such as toiletries, a change of clothes, and important documents.
5. Moving Day Tips
⢠Supervision: Stay present during the move and oversee the arrangement of packaging and loading most of your belongings.
⢠Communication: Gather all contact issues with the packers and movers Jabalpur and give any directions if required.
⢠Check for Damages: Upon arrival for any of the transport means, it is wise to look for any signs of damage on the items and inform the organizer of the transport means in case of any sign of damage.
6. Settling into Your New Home
⢠Unpacking: The first step that one must take is to open what is essential and then progress to the other items little by little.
⢠Organizing: Ensure that you have the time to sort your new order of the new space in a manner that pleases you most.
⢠Utilities and Services: Ensure that all utilities and services that you require in the new house are connected, and if not, they are functioning as required.
In this regard, hiring professional and affordable packers and movers in indore can reduce the level of pre-moving stress a great deal. Therefore, by identifying a reliable firm and doing enough research regarding that firm, one can secure a free transfer. A good start would be to remind the audience that moving home is not a difficult process as long as it is planned, researched, and executed with proper communication.
#packersandmoversindore#packersandmoverssatna#packersandmoversbalaghat#packersandmoversjabalpur#packersandmoversinjabalpur#moversandpackersjabalpur#jabalpurpackersandmovers#bestpackersandmoversinjabalpur
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how to earn money 1000$ one day
Making money online can be a viable option if you're willing to put in the effort and time. Here are some popular methods to consider
Freelancing: Offer your skills and services on freelance platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer. Depending on your expertise, you can find opportunities in writing, graphic design, programming, digital marketing, and more
how to earn money 1000$ one day
Online Surveys and Market Research: Participate in paid online surveys and market research studies. Companies are willing to pay for your opinions and feedback on various products and services.
Sell Products Online: Start an online store on platforms like Etsy, eBay, or Amazon to sell handmade crafts, vintage items, or other products. You can also explore dropshipping, where you sell products without holding inventory.
Create and Sell Digital Products: If you have expertise in a particular area, consider creating digital products like e-books, courses, stock photos, or software to sell online.
Affiliate Marketing: Promote products or services from other companies and earn a commission for every sale or lead generated through your affiliate links.
Content Creation: Build a following on platforms like YouTube, Twitch, or TikTok by creating valuable content. You can monetize your content through ads, sponsorships, and donations.
Online Coaching or Consulting: If you have specialized knowledge or skills, offer coaching or consulting services to individuals or businesses via video calls or webinars.
Rent Out Your Property: If you have extra space, consider renting it out on platforms like Airbnb.
Online Tutoring or Teaching: Share your expertise by teaching a subject or language online through platforms like VIPKid, Udemy, or Teachable.
Virtual Assistance: Provide administrative or support services to businesses and entrepreneurs remotely as a virtual assistant.
Remember, success in making money online usually requires dedication, consistency, and continuous improvement. Be cautious of scams and do your research before investing time or money in any online opportunity. Additionally, make sure to comply with local laws and regulations when engaging in online business activities.
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Primed for Sin / George Weasley
Actor!George
Primed for sin
George x Fem Reader
Warnings: Smut (18+), female receiving pleasure, unprotected sex, dirty talk, fluff, angst (?).
Summary: George is a famous actor and y/n is starting her career in the cinematic world.
a/n: So basically actor George came to my mind in a âpufâ moment. I had to write it for George because I felt like he deserved another moment after I wrote four parts por Prince Fred ahah.
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George started his career in acting like any other person. He grew up loving everything related to movies, series, music, he loved acting. It had started in the small school plays his mother, Molly, made him participate in. In the first ever school play George remember being so embarrassed because none of his friends were in it.
But then he got the taste of what it was like to have people clapping and enjoying and his love for acting started there. Letâs just say after that Molly didnât make him participate in anything. He did that on his own. He had everything to thank his parents and family for. Because they were the ones who were there for every single play George was in all throughout his school years. Fred, his twin brother was the one who helped George make all the costumes and necessary things for the play he was gonna be in, since his parents werenât rich and just couldnât afford to pay someone to do that for them.
It was Ginny and Fred, and then later Molly and Arthur who convinced George to audition for the first movie he ever participated in. George was eighteen at the time was finishing up high school, along with working a part-time job at the local ice-cream store when the opportunity presented it self. When he saw the ad he was finishing up work, it was late and he had been so tired because it was peek summer time and a good ice-cream was what people were looking for. The paper was on the ground all wrinkled up because so many people had step on it already. But George took one good look at it and his heart felt all kinds of weird. Was that a sign? Â Should he take it had one?
He took the paper with him, but that night he told nobody about it. He left himself to think about it, what it said and what he read. And laying in bed that night, in the bedroom he shared with his twin brother he fell asleep thinking about a better future for him.
The next morning Ron, his younger brother had found the paper in the pocked of Georgeâs jeans. George had forgotten it there and thatâs when he thought he had made a mistake. But the events that happened next told him otherwise. His mom was so thrilled about that idea than when he woke up and came to the kitchen to have breakfast with all his family the first thing he got was a bright smile from his mom and then a tight hug.
âGeorge you gotta audition for it.â His mother had said, he was a little confused and took him a moment to realize what she was talking about. But when he looked at Ron and he shook the little paper he knew they now knew what had consumed his thoughts all night.
George ended up auditioning for that movie after he saw how supportive his family was of it and how they seemed to find this a great opportunity for him. That was the first movie he ever started in.
Turns out being a tall ginger haired boy has itâs perks and people seem to want a lot of him. He stared in a lot of small movies before he actually had his break through. The movie that actually put him in the spot light was a romance movie, where he was for the first time ever since staring in films, the main character. Until then he had only been in the not so important positions.
George was twenty-one when that happen.
He was now twenty-five and people came from every part of the world begging to have him started in their movies. His agent, Leah was always denying people because George had a busy schedule. When his acting had started to grow and the money and fame had started to grow George also started doing something more than just acting. He volunteered in numerous occasions, he also donated a lot of money and was always made sure he was working towards a better world. But being nice here didnât mean he was nice when it came to his main career.
Leah had warned in various occasion to be more cautious and careful and nicer because he had lost a lot of opportunities because of his bad attitude. George always clamed it didnât matter because he never stopped getting other more amazing ones.
So now, while heâs finishing up the knot on tie, turned to the mirror eyes focused on what his doing, heâs also rolling them from time to time while he listens to Leah. George was to star in a movie that was expected already to be nominated for numerous grammys and other awards. He didnât even had audition, he was the chosen one from the beginning and they had also asked him to be part of the process of choosing the other main character he was going  to act with. So now he was getting ready to go to that meeting and Leah was going on about how he should be nice and should behave.
âPlease George, this is very important, and donât forget, they picked you for this but that doesnât mean you can budge in and deny everything. If they find someone they like and the majority agrees, you have to go with it.â Leah said, finally looking up from the Ipad and locked eyes with George. They were the same age, George had hired her after his second good paid gig when he understood things could be better for him and he needed someone to manage all the stuff he was to unorganized to do. Leah at the time was someone who had just lost her job, was looking for anything to do and George had swooped in and helped her. She was so grateful for that, but it didnât mean she was gonna give him an easy time. George was grateful for that. He liked that she was hard on him, thatâs what he needed to keep himself focused on what was important.
âIâm gonna give my opinion. Iâm sorry Leah but didnât they chose me to help?â He questioned, now turning around to her, his hands smoothing the fabric of his black jacket. When she didnât say anything he continued. âThey did. And so if they did that itâs because they need my expertise on the matter so Iâm not gonna hold back. Besides when I started this years ago people were hard on me and thatâs how I got to where I am today.â He stated, coming down the small step from the zone in his room where he usually got ready. He smiled at her when he passed her and then went towards the leaving room.
âGeorge, I know, but you have to be nicer. Besides thereâs gonna be a lot of people where itâs gonna be a first time going to such a big audition. Please, I beg you, have some consideration.â Her voice was pleading. George sighed heavily and before he responded he was already nodding.
âOkay, okay, Iâll see what I can pull of.â
The smile Leah had on her when he turned around was massive.
âžâž
âGeorge thank you so much for coming in.â Said James, the director of the movie, along side him was the scrip writer and then the author of the book the movie was inspired in. George shook all their hands, a fake smile on his face. Although he enjoyed the opportunity, he never really liked a lot of the people who worked in this universe, some of them were to fake for him. âThereâs a big queue outside so this might take some time, but Iâm sure some of them wonât even make it pass de minute mark.â The guy gave a laugh that had a lot of negativity to it. And Leah was worried that George was gonna be the mean one.
âSo since I see everyone is here, should we just get started?â George asked, trying to conceal the little boredom in his voice. When they all nodded, they went to their designated places in a small very brightly lit room ready to star.
The first ten girls that came in George thought they didnât even know exactly what they were auditioning for. Although with the script in her hands, none of them was able to form one sentence that didnât have a mistake in. or that completely changed the meaning of that it was actually suppose to be.
Then they found a girl who was good and performed well but they couldnât accept her in that moment so they told her they would contact her. George thought it was impossible to find any better than her and she wasnât even that good, she was just able to say the part of the script she was asked to, without any mistakes.
And also because he was loosing all hope, it had been two hours of this and they had only found that one girl. No other seemed to fit the role of what they were looking for. Until y/n came in.
y/n had been preparing for this audition for a whole month if not more. At only twenty one y/n thought her life was a complete mess. Almost all of her friends had finished college, some already working for big firms, some married, some with kids. They all seemed to have a path in their lives. Y/n? Well in this moment exactly she was swimming in debt, leaving in the cheapest apartment she could find and working full time at a supermarket near her house. Her plan since she was little was to become an actress, y/n loved every aspect of what it entailed. She loved to go to the movies and think it could be her one day on the big screen. She liked when she saw people around her clap at the end of an amazing movie and think maybe, just maybe one day people would clap for her too.
The luck was on her side when the audition was to be on the same day she had her day of work. But even if she hadnât Piper, her work friend had already made plans to change days with her just so she could go to this audition. She was the most supportive friend y/n now had regarding her dream. Letâs just say all of her friends with their big lives sometimes pitted her for still being so stuck. y/n although a very negative person in life, thought that this was just a small little bump in the road and that one day she would get what she so hard worked for.
So for the past month every time y/n had a small window of a chance she was preparing herself for this. It wasnât her first audition, but it would be her first big audition. She new the âjuryâ was gonna be composed of big people, including one of her favorite actors (George Weasley) and one of her favorite writers (Clara Hart), so what better mix than that? She didnât know any. She wanted to give her best on this, to be prepared for anything they might throw at her to see how good she is. And so she tried to prepare in her head any possible scenario.
So when she opened the door gently and looked at all of them staring right at her, the confidence that she was made of suddenly disappeared, and she was left nervous and speechless until she hit the yellow line on the ground were she should stay to then perform.
âSo, please state your name and date of birth please.â The director spoke, she knew that because he had a plaque in front of him with his name and his position, so had all the other. y/n let her eyes follow every person on the table, and she swallowed hard. Now in front of two of the people she liked most she felt like she would never succeed. What if she made a fool of herself? What if they just plain and simple didnât like her? What if they wouldnât even give her a chance to do better? Shit. Everything was coming at her, at once. y/n gave a small smile and stated her name. âGood, now please turn to page twenty on your script and we would like you to do that scene, George here is gonna do his part.â
They were choosing different scenes throughout the script to make sure they got the full view of it, but always making sure they chose scenes where George was included because they wanted to see of both people would work together. For them it was important to choose people who had some type of chemistry, so the movie itself would work out better.
y/n nodded, turned to the page in question and then look at George who was looking at the script. He was the first one to start so she was ready for him to do so. But he stayed silent, and after a few minutes talked.
âWhat are you waiting for?â George spoke rudely, y/n was taken aback by that.
âAhm- i- Iâm sorry but you start.â y/n spoke very quietly a little scared of his tone of voice. The director got close to George and pointed to the scene in question, he then nodded and without any warning or preparation after what he just did he stated spilling out the lines. y/n quickly got back to herself and did her part.
After they finished that and made y/n do a scene of just herself, it seemed like forever before they said something. They were writing in their papers (well, all besides George, he was just looking at them) and then they were talking very quietly in inaudible whispers between themselves. And y/n was just left standing there, her eyes looking everywhere but the jury.
âSo, miss y/l/nâŚâ The write spoke this time, she unlike the director and George, had a kind smile on her face. âWe have your contact here, expect a call in the next seven business days about your situation.â
She could feel her heart beat so fast and for a second wondered if anyone else could hear it. Shit, she had never gotten that answer before. She had been rejected had soon as she had finished. But now⌠now she had chance, this meant she had a chance. She was elated, she couldnât believe it. When they kept looking at her she realized she had still not spoken.
âSo sorry, yes, of course, thank you so much.â She said, smiled and then went on her way, not wishing to stall them anymore given they still had a lot of people to audition. That didnât mean she got the part, she bets a lot more girl were given that answer, but for her that momen was a big win for her.
But what if they had said that out of the kindness of their hearts because the actor had been rude to her? Had that been it? Was his action so bad that they felt bad for her and decided to giver a thread of hope? Oh no, please no, let it no be it y/n thought nervously, it couldnât be. She wanted to believe that they had said that because she performed well and deserved a chance at the part she auditioned for.
âžâž
It had been four days. Four long and tiring business days of y/n waking up, getting dress in her sleepy state to go to work. For days of just existing at her work because her anxiety was too much for her to handle. They said seven days⌠but it wouldnât actually take them that long right? They probably just had said that because they felt bad for her, and had found someone way better than her.
ây/n, please, please, stop walking around like the world is gonna end.â Piper said coming up behind y/n and putting her hands on her shoulder shaking her gently. âYou are gonna receive that call, and youâre theyâre going to accept you and youâre gonna leave this shitty job and get us a nice vacation somewhere sunny.â She said, earing a small laugh from y/n who then turned to her friend, teeth bitting on her bottom lip, a nervous tic she had.
âBut what if they donât? I mean do they really take this long? I mean I know they probably found a million other girls who are suitable for the part, but for days?â y/n clearly exaggerated on the âmillion partâ.
âYes they do y/n, because this is a big movie and they need to get the person to act with the George Weasley to be the best of the best. They just havenât realized thatâs you.â
âThanks for the positivity. Iâm just gonna scan this fish sticks in and the  work on the toilet paper isle to take my mind of this.â y/n gave her a look of âthank you reallyâ and then left to do her things.
She was leaving work at seven, the summer breeze hitting her face, her eyes puffy from tiredness and maybe from a little bit of crying. She lived close to the supermarket so she was going on foot, the walk barely hitting the ten minute mark. But it was when she was close to her door that her phone rang. She picked it up, not looking at the ID because she thought is was piper who had forgotten something.
âYes?â Thatâs all she said, before she thought piper was gonna burst in, distressed because she had forgotten something important. But the voice on the other side was male.
âHi, is this y/n y/l/n?â
âYes this is she, who am I speaking to?â
âHi, Iâm James, you audition for the movie Iâm working on.â
The bried moment where y/nâs thought were not on the movie and so she had a small window where she didnât feel anxious stopped completely and abruptly and her anxiety came back like crazy. Were they calling her because she hadnât make the cut? And in the world was she, a somehow positive person, thinking the worst lately?
She thinks itâs because of the crazy amount of bills pilling up in her coffee table because her salary isnât enough to pay all of them at once so she had to pay them given their priority and need. She usually pays rent, and with the rest of the money thatâs left water or electricity. And tries to put some aside for some food, after all she had to survive.
âAhm yes, yes, sorry.â She apologized when she realized she had stayed quiet for longer than she thought and james had asked if she was there.
âAmazing. So I donât how to say this in other words other than, I would like you to at this address,â he stated said address âon Friday by nine does that work for you?â
âSure, yes, but may I ask why?â y/n was lost, why did she need to be there if she didnât even know if she got the part or not? They were trying to make her look like a fool.
âBecause weâre gonna have a meeting and need the two main actors in the movie presen-â he didnât get to fisnish the sentence because the scream with had been holding up for what feel like forever finally got out. On the other side James had a smile on his face and his phone way from his ear.
âThank you, thank you so much I will be there.â
And then they hang up. And for a long moment y/n stayed at the for of her apartment speechless, hands shanking like crazy, her eyes watery but a smile on her face. She got it. Her first ever movie, and a big one at that.
All those millions of auditions where she was left crying because she felt like wasnât good enough, they now didnât matter. Didnât matter because she got the part. And she felt the happiest she had been in a long, long while.
âžâž
âOk, Iâll hang up now but good luck and call me when you leave.â Piper said swifly, knowing y/n was about to enter her first ever meeting. The begging of her dream career. She hung up, put the phone in the back pocket of her jeans and breath in deeply.
She decided to not dress any of the old jeans she used for her (now old) work. So she used on of the best jeans she had, she mightâve worn them too or three times before that, and pared then with a nice blouse and one of her best jackets. Since she didnât have anything fancy, she wore her tennis. They were kind of old but maybe no one would notice. She got close to the door and knocked three times and when a voice came from inside saying âcome inâ she did.
She was met with a cute girl, she was the same height had y/n, she had black hair and brown eyes and was looking intensely at y/n. Next to her was George Weasley sitting in of the green colored sofas, one of his legs on top of the other and a phone in his hands.
âIâm Leah, pleasure to meet you. You must be y/n?â She nodded unable to form any kind of sentence in that moment. âIâm Georgeâs assistant. We came in early in case you decided to arrive early as well.â
âAhm yes, it wouldnât look nice of me to arrive late.â
âNo it wouldnât.â George said, looking at her with hard eyes, for a moment and then back at his phone.
âExcuse him, heâs a grumpy old man when he had to get up early.â y/n tried no to laugh at that and then sat herself in the chair Leah had pointed to, and then she sat next to her.
âI made him do this because I know this is your first your first ever work related to this. And I you choose to accept some advice Iâm more than willing to give it you.â
y/n couldnât answer her in that moment because they heard the door slam hard, and when Leah looked at the sofa the place where George was empty.
âLike I said, a little moody in the mornings but no worries. Since he left we can do this in silence.â She smiled, and then proceeded to start explaining some brief stuff to y/n. y/n felt that the small amount of time she had with Leah made her felt less nervous. Leah helped her navigate through this new world and how she thought things would go for this movie. âDonât worry about George, heâs gonna give you a hard time but Iâll give him a harder time.â
âHe doesnât really like the fact that they chose me the, I assume.â y/n gave a nervous laugh, trying to ease the moment.
âItâs not like that. George just thinks they shouldâve hire an actress in a name, and experience and no someone whoâs doing this first timeâŚâ She pretty much had agreed with what y/n had said, but she decided not to dwell on it much longer. âBut everyone else loved the way you acted and showed a different passion in the way you acted, you are what they need for this. George just as to suck it up.â
They both laughed together, being interrupted by the door opening and George coming in with the rest of the people, James, Clara included.
âYouâre already amazing, letâs get started then.â James said happily, sitting down and giving everyone a gesture to do the same. Leah stayed next to y/n, and George sat next to Leah. Because of the conversation Leah had with y/n before hand she didnât feel as lost as ever. She understood points and things that were necessary to do. They were also talking and planning how things for the movie would work out, how y/n and George should meet to stage and act the many ,many scenes they had together. How it was important because it created chemistry and the right mood they were looking for in the movie. At the end, after they asked if anyone had any questions, they got up to leave. y/n stayed in her sit even though George had gotten up.
âI think we can take the time to talk about the meetings you both have to do.â Leah said, but she was looking at George because he was the one who was ready to leave.
âYou can both talk about that, you have my schedule make her work around it.â George said, looking at Leah. âI have a date with Madison now.â Madison was a singer George had been talking and seeing for a while now.
ây/n doesnât have to work around anything George, you both have to compromise.â
âNo itâs ok, show me is schedule and I can work around it.â y/n tried to make this moment less tense, and soften the angry look Leah had. George smiled cynically and then left leaving the both alone. âReally itâs ok, I have more free time then him. We just gotta work things out so I can organize myself. I have to catch the bus and all of that so itâs better if I know before hand what to do and where to go.â
âThank you y/n. But Iâll still have a talk with him, he cannot act like this, itâs rude and disrespectful and you are both gonna be working together so he better stop acting up.â
âžâž
ây/n is about to arrive, can you please put on some nicer clothes?â Leah exasperated, hands in the hair and her face showed stress. She had arrived about half an hour ago expecting George to be ready in some nice comfy clothes, with his breakfast eaten and ready to start whenever y/n appeared at the hour they had established. But instead George was hungover in his bed, only in his boxers, still soundly asleep. Leah had to come in, wake him up loudly and make him get is ass up from the bed to get ready. Â He go up still in his boxers and went down to his kitchen to eat what Leah had kindly prepared for him to eat since she knew in his state he wouldnât prepare much less eat anything.
She watched George move lazily around his house, going to his room to dress something nicer. That ended up being some grey sweatpants and a t-shirt that had some sex quote on it.
âI wonât be here while you both work on the script, but please George be nice to her. y/n is new to this and the least we can do is be nice and helpful. Sheâs gonna make mistakes but so do you and you are a big actor. So instead of being a dumbass, try and be just dumb.â George flipped his middle finger at her.
The door bell rang and Leah got up excitedly. She was the one who went to open the door, while George put a yellow marker and a pen on top of the script that had been sitting at the top of his dinning table for what feels like forever now.
âHi y/n. George is in the dinning room, itâs the door to the right.â George heard Leah say and then continue. âIâm not gonna be here so you can both concentrate on the work, butâŚâ and then he stopped listening because she lowered her voice to much for him to be able to hear. The last thing he heard was the front door to his house close and then steps that let him know y/n was getting close.
âHi.â She said, front the door of the room, she was in comfy clothes, some leggings a sweat shirt and instead of the old shoes she had on the day of the audition she had some sandals. âbeautiful house you got here.â
George wanted to growl. He wasnât here to talk about anything else other than his work. He didnât wish to make any other conversation other than the necessary one. So was she talking?
âWe should get started. I have some meeting in the afternoon and would like for us to make some progress.â y/n nodded quickly, pulling her bag from where it rested and taking her things out. George noticed her script had already written stuff on it along with some highlighted parts. So she had been working, and George had nothing written on it and didnât really even know where to start even after Leah had asked and warned him to work on it. y/n let her eyes fall on the papers in front of him and then to him again and when she saw the awkward look he had she felt the need to say something nice to ease whatever he might be feeling.
âLook, I took some notes of where I think we should start and something I think we should do in each part to help us get this write.â She started, and pushed her papers towards him for him to see and read. George nodded and took a look at all her little notes. She had a beautiful writing. When he nodded she continued. âYeah? You agree?â he nodded again. âGreat so letâs start.â
âYou should seat first, so weâre both more comfortable.â George reminded her when he saw her still standing up.
George realized during the time they started talking that maybe he was wrong in judging her so soon. y/n knew what she was doing, she had worked hard to get everything to his liking and every time they had to try again on a scene wasnât because of her but because of him. Because somehow he let his mind wonder a bit to much during these times, and also because she looked soft in that hoodie, we thought he could squish her gently and kiss the top of her head, and then hug her closely to him. He was gonna do all of that, the movie had more than enough scenes for them to hug, be gentle with each other and even kiss. What would it be like to kiss her? George wondered. Maybe her lips would be soft, they looked soft right now. Maybe she would taste like mint, or a fruit, like strawberry or lemon. Lemon looks like a bad choice, but he loved the sour taste of it. And her hands, what you they feel like holding his face while pulling him closer to her so they could kiss, would they be cold? Leah had told him the other day how y/nâs hand were always cold, but always soft. She moisturized.
âGeorge? Everything ok?â George looked at her, a little embarrassed because he had zoned out on their conversation and so he had lost the last paragraph of what she said.
âSorry.â He apologized and asked her to repeat what she had said so he could say his part.
And the meeting itself was not half had bad had George had been dreading it to be. How he thought each minute would drag out, how three hours of this would probably look like a whole day to him. No, instead, three hours felt like five minutes because y/n was easy to work with. It almost looked like she was doing this for longer than him and had more experience than him. She took this very seriously and George wanted to punch himself because he didnât believe she would.
âSo this sums it up for today.â y/n was putting all her things back in her bag, she had a content smile on her, feeling like they had accomplished so much in such little time and this being their first encounter of many before they would start shooting in just a month time.
âYeah, we did a lot. Do you know when he have another meeting?â He felt stupid asking this, he shouldâve waited and asked Leah about this, maybe then y/n wouldnât think so low of him. Think how he couldnât manage his time well at anything that he had to have Leah do everything for him. It was not like that, George was busy outside acting. Being as famous as he was he felt some kind of responsibility to show other famous people what it was like to do good.
He grew up poor, like so many other did, she just wanted his fame to not go to his brain. Every time he felt like that was happening to him he would go to Fred, his twin, oh boy he would definitely bring George back to reality.
âI mean it almost everyday.â She said casually, his scared face made her laugh. âIâm joking. We have another one this week and then the rest of the other weeks until filming is only once a week. But I think this went so well we have nothing to worry about. But if you do feel like we should work more just have to let Leah know, and sheâll talk to me.â
George nodded and watched her get up, all her stuff already put and she was ready to go.
âWell it was a pleasure working with you face to face for the first time Mr. Weasley, see you next time.â
And then George was left alone to all his thoughts.
âžâž
They were now only a few days way from the first day of shooting and today was the last day they had their meetings. This time Leah was present because after hearing George talk so much about how amazing it had been she needed to see for herself. In general in any of the other movies she had seen George work in he never really had any closeness to the person he was acting with. So this was a first.
âLook who it is, the man of the hour.â Leah said, she was on one side of the kitchen isle turned to the stairs in Georgeâs apartment, and y/n had her back to him.
âMorning Leah, morning y/n.â the look y/n gave him gave him chills. He still wasnât use to this weird feeling every time she looked at him.
After their first meeting George tried to really keep those thought to him, to not let it get to his head and ruin everything. But every time y/n came she looked even softer, even cuter and it was impossible for him to feel some type of way for her. She just squished herself in his heart and now had a small place in it. He wasnât rude anymore.
âLeah is watching us today. My first audience.â y/n joked, making George laugh and look at Leah.
âGreat. After this I think we could all for lunch. My treat?â George asked looking at both of them. âJust you know to celebrate this last era of just us, before the big part.â They both nodded agreeing to him.
âžâž
When y/n entered the studio where they were going to film for the first time, she felt small. Everything was so big and bright and everyone was talking to someone but she had arrived alone, after taking a three buses and almost loosing herself. She looked around, looking or Leah who said she would be close by the entrance to help y/n. She assumed George would already be getting ready to start shooting the scene they were to start today.
When she walked a little more people started looking at her and she started to overthink everything she did. What she wore, how she walked and if her hair was messy. Shit, it could be. The wind outside was crazy.
âY/n come on.â Leah came up to her side and grabbed her hand, everything went so fast that she didnât have time to see were she was being taken. Leah had been a guardian angel in all of this, helping y/n through everything and managing both her and George. âGeorge is almost ready, and I cannot believe it, you two are gonna be amazing.â
y/n nodded nervously, and closed herself in her trailer to get ready. Everything laid out for her. And she tried not to be late, and she was able to get to the scene just in time. George taking the rest of what was left of her breath, way. He was in a back suit, green tie and his shoes were black and shinny. The scene in question was not the very first scene of the movie but something more towards the middle, so this scene had touching and some kissing. y/n had made sure she washed her mouth extra good this morning. George came in to hug her, a gesture that had became normal between both of them.
She wrapped her hands around him, they hugged each other tightly.
âYouâre gonna do amazing.â He whispered in her ear, y/n shivered, George noticing it, a smile on his face.
âOk, everyone in your place.â James said loudly. And George and y/n hurried to their places. She gave one last look to Leah who was next to James, her face happy and she gave them both a thumbs up.
y/n started to say her line. Following what the script had, George had his hands on her waist, y/n had hers on his shoulders and slowly they would go up his neck. He was leaning in close to kiss her. Although having to show a certain emotion on screen, the way her heartbeat faster with how close he got was a different emotion. She felt her hands sweat a little and wondered if he would notice when she got way from him.
George whispered something, just before their lips touched. Her fingers closing in around the fabric of his suit, tighten her grip even more when their kiss deepened. And when he pushed away his eyes never left hers.
The scene continued until a little after, so y/n had to bring herself back together and not let anyone understand how she felt after kissing George. When James yelled âcutâ she let out a deep breath she hadnât realized until then she was holding.
âYou did amazing.â George said, although with the amount of people around them he wasnât scared of being a little to close to her. Although he should because rumors with any girl he was with flared up like crazy.
âThank to you and your helpful very experienced tips.â She nudge his side and they both walked up to meet James and listen to some helpful advice from him.
âžâž
They way things were going amazing was to good to be true. George started inviting y/n after their time on set to just spend some time with him, at first the excuse was that they should work a little more on their scenes, but after the third time y/n stopped biting it and he just had do admit he genuinely wanted to spend some time with her.
So they were both longing in his enormous sofa, watching one of Georgeâs movie because y/n had instated in doing so. George was a little embarrassed he usually never watched his own movies outside the first time they aired on the cinema. He liked to just think they didnât existed. Not that he didnât like the job he did, he just didnât like to look at himself for long periods of time. But y/n had bugging him about it of for so long and the day she gave him those puppy eyes he gave in.
y/n had her legs on top of his, she was in some comfy pajamas because sometime she ended up falling asleep on his sofa and he couldnât bring himself to wake her up and sent her home, not when she looked like a true angel. So he advised her to bring her pajamas so she would sleep comfortably.
âYou look too good.â y/n laughed when a particular scene called for such statement. George rolled his eyes and looked at her.
âThis is the last time Iâm ever doing something like this. You watched them by yourself from now on.â He stated pretending to be angry, but y/n knew he was playing.
âShut up, you love it. Every second of this youâre enjoying it.â She nuzzled herself closer to him but when that position of her legs on top of his was not enough closeness to her she decided to change. Turning around so now her head was on his lap and one of his hands came up to gently stroke her hair, her eyes immediately started closing, because it felt so nice and she was tired but she hadnât realized until that moment.
âIf you continue that Iâm gonna fall,â she was interrupted by a yawn from her part, âIâm gonna fall asleep.â She finished, eyes already closed and her hands on the thigh she had her head on.
âItâs ok.â He whispered. She did end up doing just that and George had to get up has careful had he could as to not wake her up. Turned the tv and before he left he covered with a thick blanket and the went to his room.
It was about two in the morning when y/n woke up from a wet dream.
She was confused. Her hair was all over her face, some in her mouth. She felt sticky between her thighs and when she uncovered herself she look to see a wet spot on her pajama pants. How? How had it happen? Her and George and been close yes and friendly maybe a little to much with lingering touches and some discreet kisses when no one was looking. But was that reason for her to dream such filth? Her breathing was uneven had she got up, her brain and her legs seemingly not connecting while they guided her upstairs towards Georgeâs room. The lights were off so he must already been asleep. With her legs still shaky she stopped at his door, it sounded so creepy to her, standing there looking at his peacefully asleep. But her body craved his touch.
âgeorgie?â Y/n voice called quietly while entering the room towards his bed, his king size bed. She kneeled at the bottom of the bed looking at him while his eyes slowly opened, his hands coming up to his head to rub them.
ây/n? Everything alright?â His voice was ruff and sleepy and she felt the wetness between her legs become more prominent but she tried to hide it.
âI-i woke up and canât fall back asleepâ she hadnât even tried to do so. âCan i- can i sleep with you?â She murmured voice small and hand moving nervously in front of her.
âOf course sweet pea. Come here.â He hold the covers of his bed up so she could come in.
At first after she got in y/n stayed far from him. She was already in embarrassed of coming up here and asking him that, and he said yes so now she was in his bed his warm comfort bed.
âYou can get closer, come on.â his sweet voice came from behind her, being she had back to him.
She turned around and got closer one hand under her head and the other on his arm. âThank you.â she said a smile on her face. He gave a gentle kiss to her nose making her scrunch it up but none the less, laugh. She nuzzled even closer to him, letting her head hide in his neck, he felt her breathing there. The closeness they had made him feel hot all over his body and when a particular change of position made his uncovered leg brush close to her he felt wetness. Her breath caught in her throat. Shit had he felt it? He had to, the way his movements stoped abruptly and the way his hand squeezed her, he had.
âIâm sorryâ she hurried to say, now very embarrassed because of what she had said.
âOh my poor baby, did you have a wet dream?â She nodded unable to speak for herself. âCan I?â He asked gently his hand squeezing her also like that and when he got her agreement his hand traveled towards where she was the most warm. âSweet thing look at how wet you are. Who made you like this?â He asked, curiosity all over his voice. The hand in his arm came to push his hair.
âYou.â He was left genuinely surprised at that. He knew they were close and did things not normal for their relationship but he didnât know she was dreaming of him like this. Hell if he knew heâd done something about it sooner because she was also filling his mind. His hand gently cupped her pussy thru the thin fabric of her bottoms, a moan leaving her mouth and her hips moving against his palm to find friction.
âSo desperate.â She could feel his breath now close to her face his lips leaving kisses all over her face. âTell me baby what did you dream of?â He asked, his hand putting more pressure on her pussy, her swollen clit loving the attention. She mewled continuing the friction with her hips but now a little faster, almost like she was the one choosing the pace. âNuh uh precious. You gotta tell me first, what was I doing in that dream of yours?â He pushed his hand way stopping all contact and the broken cry that left her almost made him come back, but he wanted her to speak.
âI- you were.â she tried to speak, her voice shaky. âyou were fucking me.â
âoh was I baby? And what more?â
âYou- you touched me, with your hands, and they- Oh George theyâre so bigâ The leg that was now in between hers was a great opportunity for y/n to buck her hips into it, the touch to her clit felt like it was too much and too little at the same time. He put his hands at her hips to stop her from getting her pleasure.
y/n brough her hands to his and squeezed them both, her eyes looking at him. âTheyâre so fucking big George shit, and your fingers.â She was so lost in pleasure that thoughts that made sense almost didnât pass her mind. âPlease.â She begged.
George felt sorry for the way she was feeling. George lets one hand slip from her face, down to her shoulder, sliding his fingers along her collarbone. He drags them down her front, dipping beneath the sheets as he cups the soft mound of her breast. A small gasp leaves her mouth, his hand rubbed against her nipples that immediately got hard from his touch. His mouth came to meet hers letting her moan into his mouth, his tongue touched hers and she felt a shiver run down the entirety of her spine. She did taste like strawberries, the ones he had imagine the first day she had come to his house, and she was soft and squishy like he dreamed of. She let her head fall back a little still kissing him, but that deepened the kiss and her hands came to roam his body staying in the line of the boxers he had.
George pushed of her and looked at her, a smile creeping up on his face. He lowered his head, and bit down on her throat while his hand went thru her pajama bottoms and her thin undergarments to finally touch her now bare pussy. She was even warmer now and the gasp that left her lips was marvelous. He gently brushed his fingers thru her pussy, he couldâve sworn he felt her clit twitch against his hands. The urge he felt then was big and he let his thumb slide against the gentle twitching button that was begging to be touched. He first rolled it gently and when mewled little a kitty he took that had a yes and then rolled again but a little stronger this time. Her legs shook wrapping around one of his legs.
âOh sweet girl you are quivering, this is your sweet spot isnât it?â She could only nod.
Georgeâs cock twitched with interest again, heâs hard, he doesnât think he felt this hard ever, and when her hands gain the courage to pull his boxers down his cock came with force slapping against his abdomen, the pre-cum that left the tip leaving them both messy with the sticky substance. He was stiff has stone beneath the sheets that now felt to much.
âGet undressed.â He said, his voice now a little less sweet and more dominant, he pushed the sheets of them because he now knew both of them were hot. And he also took the chance to finish up taking his boxers, the only piece of clothing that he had. He watched intensely as y/n tried to take her clothes of, but her shaky hands werenât helping.
When he came down again, y/n took his hand and brought it to her chest, he understood the gesture and gave another squeeze and let, after that, his fingers wrap again around the now hard button that was her nipple and pulled, her hand opening but the pleasure consuming her was so much that the moan that was coming out got stuck in her throat.
He then let is fingers stay in her nipple while the other hand came to her pussy and he plunged two fingers into her, she was so wet that he had his hands soaking again with her juices, she was squishy inside and warm and thigh and he could only imagine how his cock would feel. The movements of his fingers in her so slow that she was bucking her hips again against him fucking herself onto him.
âDesperate, sweet pea.â He kissed her throat again and sucked on it again, the other mark from earlier already purple and this would have the same ending. âYou want me to make your sweet little dream come true donât you?â
The fingers he had inside her pick up itâs pace, her pussy convulsing and spasming around his fingers, whimpers and moans were all y/n was able to let out, her brain was mushy and no thoughts were able to form. And as with his quick pace comes a stron movement, her whimpers turn into longer moans her hands shake, she put one hand on his neck and pulled him to her kissing him hard moaning into his mouth, into his tongue.
Sheâs so close, he can feel it, this is the first time heâs touching her but it feels like he knows her like the palm of his hand, the way she squeezes even harder around his fingers, how her hips look to closer to him, how he knows she feels any sort of touch from him is never enough. Her orgasm is stopped when he pulls his fingers out, looking for eye contact with her before bringing his fingers coated in her wetness to her lips.
âOpen baby, taste yourself.â Ans she obeyed, opening her lips slightly, just enough to wrap around his fingers and she sucked fervently on them. She brought both of her hands to hold his wrist as if telling him to stay there. The way her warm tongue enveloped his fingers had his leaking cock bloat even more with pleasure.
He took his fingers out. âEnough greedy baby, Iâll give you my cock now.â
y/n laid back letting him get on top of her, she opened her legs so he could fit in between them, her hands on his back, her fingernails scratching very lightly at his. It made George shiver and loose a little balance. One of his hands was next to her head holding himself up while the other came down to his cock, he stroked it gently a few times, biting down on his lips to suppress a moan, and then positioned himself at her entrance.
She felt his the head of his swollen cock brush up against her hole, and how he pushed in ever so gently letting them both deep in the pleasure of her cunt enveloping his cock for the first time. The moan that leaves her mouth is something out of an adult movie George is almost sure, he pulls out almost all the way before pushing back in.
âShit-â his moans his cut of by the pleasure cursing through his body. âSo tight around me baby, just perfect for my cock.â His hands that were supporting his body came to change their position. He kneels between her legs, carefully because he was still inside her, and his hands picked up her legs bending them so she was more open to him. He begins to buck his hips against her quicker and more vigorously, their moans filing the whole room, the only sound they could hear besides the snap of his hips against her bottom, his pelvis sometimes brushed against her clit making her tighten her pussy around him.
George doesnât hold back on his moans, and the way she feels and responds to his moans makes him know that she also likes. When she moves her hips, he bottoms out on her, his whole length inside her touching the spot that makes her shiver and quiver.
âFuck, George- so deep.â Her hands come to her breast to touch them, moving them around and toying with her hard nipples making her pleasure even stronger. She was throbbing around him. The smile on his face is big, thrusting up into her while also letting her hips meet his, his balls slap around her bum. y/nâs thighs are tense, her orgasm is starting to build, the pressure in her lower belly starting to get stronger, her legs sometimes twitch as if theyâre gonna close.
George keeps bumping into her soft, if she was wet before sheâs soaking now, her juices coming from her letting a wet noise be heard, squelching noises every time his fucks into her sweet pussy.
âSweeteste little pussy baby, canât believe Iâve been dreaming of this and itâs even better than I dreamed of.â His hips flutter a little in his speed when he also starts to feel his own orgasm building up. Sheâs convulsing around him, her hands are now bunching up the sheets in her hands and she screams. âMy best little girl you are, giving your all on my cock ahm?â The growl tha leaves his mouth is grutal and strong and he gives on last hard trhust agains her as she comes around his cock, her juices coating all of him and his whole cock is even wetter, the pressure from her strong orgasm pushes him out of her and his hand immediately meets his cock.
y/n locks eyes with the hand on his cock, his movement rapid and smooth knowing perfectly how to finish himself, and although sheâs looking at his cock heâs looking at her, his free hand comes to one of her breasts and toys with her nipple. âSuch cute tits, Iâm-â his voice breaks âi-m gonna fuck them one day, one day- shit.â Heâs unable to finish his sentence as his orgasm ripples truh him, his whole body shaking and y/n has to bring her hands to help as best as she can with his fall.
Even with limp arms he tries to not put his whole weigh on her but the aftermath of his orgasm makes such thing impossible. His cum his leaving a mess between her thighs, all over that and his tummy and hers and they both feel sticky.
Sticky but happy, as her arms come to wrap around his body hugging him she feels the best sheâs ever felt in a while, even with everything in her life going good. But she feels so close to him, she knows for sure sheâs falling in love with the man on top of her and she couldnât wish for anyone better.
âThank you.â He murmured. âYou are amazing.â He kissed her shoulder sweetly and y/n smiled repeating a âthank youâ to him.
This made everything that was to come more interesting. How they still had a whole movie to shoot, and how she knew this wasnât the end and only the beginning of them.
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Promises - SS/Modern AU
Following up after Byleth brings a time-traveling Emperor back to her apartment. I was thinking some more about a name for this AU, and I believe it was @lysissisyl who one time suggested âA World Without Godsâ... And I kind of like it. Itâs not like the Dragon Family has disappeared, but the world has since moved past them. Magic still exists, but has grown with technology to become accessible. Possessing things like Crests or other godly gifts arenât really valued anymore, because anyone can now do what a person with a Crest might have been once able to do. Hell, weâve even established that getting a Crest or having one removed is about as simple as donating blood.
But being thrown into such a different world in the blink of an eye is daunting, even for someone as strong as Edelgard. But, this is Silver Snow!Edelgard. By the time she and Byleth had their final confrontation, she had effectively lost everybody that she cared about: either they had joined the enemy side and hated her, or they had died trying to protect her. And the heart can only take so much loss.
Byleth has been living with the guilt of her actions for 850 years. She finally has a chance to make things right, but the path will be a long and challenging one.
---
Byleth held a cup under the spout in the sink and filled it up. She couldnât really sleep, and thought perhaps a glass of water might help. She chugged it back and added the cup to the small pile of dirty dishes. She really ought to do those, she thought, as she stared blankly at the mess.
She should go back to bed. But she couldnât relax enough to sleep.
âNo! Please!â
She was out of the kitchen like a shot, quickly finding the spare bedroom door in her dark apartment. She could hear the struggle inside: that bed was a cheap one, often prone to squeaking and groaning; the ruffle of blankets being fought with; pleas from someone locked deep in a nightmare.
âPlease! Come back! Come back!â
Byleth knocked, hoping she wasnât about to make things worse. âEdelgard?â she called. She could just let herself in, but given the former Emperorâs apparent state, and recent events, she decided to wait. âEdelgard? Itâs me. You ok?â
There was another yelp, and frantic gasps of breath. Then:Â âP...Professor?â Calmer. She must be awake now.
âCan I come in?â
...
â...Yes.â
Slowly, Byleth pushed the door open. She caught Edelgard in the act of furiously wiping tears from her cheeks, the slight blush nothing compared to the dark bags under her eyes. Blankets and sheets were strewn about, indicating quite a bit of tossing and turning.
âI...I suppose I was talking in my sleep again,â she said sheepishly, refusing to make eye contact.
âI wasnât listening for it,â Byleth told her earnestly, âI...I couldnât sleep, myself, and I just...â She caught a quick flash of lilac, desperate and lonely. Byleth cleared her throat. âDo you...want to talk about it?â
Edelgard sat up, pulling her legs up close to her chest. âI doubt it would help,â she muttered bitterly. The way Bylethâs varsity hoodie encompassed her small frame made her seem extra vulnerable now.
Byleth carefully approached the bed. âIt might, though,â she prompted carefully, âTalking helps release pent up energy and emotions.â
She scoffed. âAnother medical discovery of this time, I presume?â she asked in annoyance.
âA lot of work has been done with mental health,â Byleth told her, âMore still is needed, but...it is infinitely better than what you are used to, Iâm sure.â
Edelgard remained silent, eyes focused on the digital clock on the bedside table.
Eventually, after a few minutes passed, Byleth grew bold. âWho were you calling to?â she asked gently, sitting down on the foot of the bed.
âI...â She looked up again, very briefly. All Byleth had time to see was unimaginable pain. âEveryone...anyone...I... I donât know,â she whispered, âThere were so many shadows. People without faces. Voices with no bodies. They all felt familiar but... They were all leaving.â
Byleth had no doubt she had been one of those faceless shadows. The thought made her heart ache with a guilt sheâs lived with for eight hundred years.
âI...â she began. Hesitant. Scared. This apology was coming far too late, and perhaps at a bad time, but if she were to move forward, it had to be said. âIâm sorry,â she said, head bowed, âIâm so sorry, Edelgard. I...I didnât know what I wanted. I didnât know what to do. I...I should have been more sure. Confident, like you always are. I should have been there for you when you needed me the most and I wasnât and... Iâm sorry.â
Edelgard stayed quiet. She sniffled softly, and wiped away some fresh tears with the sleeve of the sweater. âYou hesitated because you could see what I truly was,â she eventually murmured, pulling her sleeve down a little to trace the shackle scars along her wrist, âYou all were smart to stay away from me. You said the world is the way it is because of me... But would it have been the same had I gotten my way? Or is it like this because of you?â
Byleth opened her mouth to protest, but words wouldnât form.
âI knew my path would be a lonely one when I chose it,â Edelgard confessed, âA path of isolation and blood, one where I rid the world of monsters by becoming one myself. Someone as kind and wonderful as you should never have to dirty your feet as I did... None of you should have.â
âYou arenât a monster,â Byleth said, perhaps a little too quickly, âAnd I would have. I should have. I... When Rhea made me choose I just... I didnât know...â
âI shouldnât have made you choose, either,â Edelgard replied, âI made the decision for you in my head the moment you hesitated, and every moment since. I just... It was easier to let my heart break and stay broken than to try to keep fixing it, only for my efforts to have been for naught. Even when we met again in the Goddess Tower, I... I had become so jaded that I believed there was no way you actually cared. After all: no one else did.â
âThatâs...thatâs not true,â Byleth admitted, âThey all came, Edelgard. All of the Eagles. They though you were the one who didnât care. I...I should have said something. Told them that you did, but...â
She smiled sadly. âItâs in the distant past, now,â she breathed, âIt doesnât matter.â
Byleth frowned. An unpleasant lump of emotion was forming in her throat that she couldnât swallow down. âBut it does matter,â she said quietly, âIt did back then, and it still does now. Maybe things would have been different if...â She stopped, shaking her head in frustration. It would do neither of them good to dwell in âwhat-ifsâ. âWhen we first came back here, you...mentioned something,â she pressed gently, wincing as she spoke, âYou said you...expected... to die by my blade.â She met Edelgardâs gaze, lilac eyes brimming with tears. âYou...begged me to do it,â she whispered.
âI knew I had lost,â Edelgard uttered, âI lost, Byleth. My war. My empire. My crown... My friends... My family... I have always looked to the future, refusing to look back on the past. And every time, I was able to envision the future I strived for. But... When I lost that fight... I tried to look into the future and I saw nothing. Just darkness. I knew then that I had one of two choices: surrender, and succumb to the crushing weight of despair and guilt and failure; or die.â She paused, wiping the moisture from her eyes with a grimace. âJust...give up, fall into the void. Lay down my axe and finally, finally stop fighting. I tried. I tried so hard to fight it back, to make something of my miserable existence before death caught up with me, but... I lost.â
Byleth felt the dagger of guilt sink deeper into her un-beating heart. She wished more than anything to be able to go back to that moment, that fateful decision point where she chose wrong. But that was impossible. She could only move forward. Thatâs all anyone could do. She hoped. âAnd...what about now?â she asked hesitantly, waiting with baited breath and praying, âWhat do you see if you look to the future, now?â
Edelgard rested her chin on her knees, staring off into a darkened corner of the room. She sat for a few minutes, eyes vacant, before answering. âI...I donât know,â she admitted sadly, âItâs...itâs still so dark. I...I donât know where I can go from here.â Her eyes moved to the window, where the never-ending light of the city flowed in through cracks in the blinds. âIâm not sure how I will fit into this world, or if I even can,â she said, sounding so uncharacteristically small, âEverythingâs so different from what Iâm used to. At least then, when I lost everyone I cared about, I still had my belongings. My home. Or...what used to be my home. I have even less now than I did then.â
Her gaze moved again, finding Bylethâs in the dark room. She saw the deep, earnest concern on her former teacherâs face, and the faintest bit of light appeared in the void of darkness that was her envisioned future. âBut...â she said slowly, carefully, âPerhaps... Perhaps I am not as alone as I think.â
âYouâre not,â Byleth replied quickly, a cautious smile beginning to spread on her face, âIâm here, Edelgard. This time I promise I wonât leave you.â
Edelgard tried to mirror the careful grin, but her smile did not reach her eyes. âI...â She looked away abruptly, eyes closing tight as if wincing in pain... or bracing for the backlash. âI... Forgive me, my Teacher,â she breathed, shame practically dripping from her words, âBut... I wish I could believe you.â
Byleth felt her heart drop in her chest. Those words were the slap in the face she wished Edelgard would just get on with. Byleth deserved it, after all. After everything she had done to the poor woman sitting before her. The lump in her throat was most definitely a sob, and it took everything in her to keep it down. But she couldnât hold back the tears in her eyes.
âIâm going to help you find that belief,â Byleth said solemnly, scooting a little closer on the bed, âI know my words probably mean very little right now. You have every right to never want to listen to me or trust me ever again. You donât even have to forgive me. Just...just know that Iâm here for you now. You can stay here for as long as you need. I can teach you everything about this world and fitting into it. You donât have to believe me, but just...know...that youâre safe here.â
It came slow, at first. Like the rain before a storm. Tears neither of them could hold back any longer began to flow. It was Edelgard who moved first, throwing herself forward and clinging with a desperation that consumed her. Byleth felt those strong hands of an Emperor now shakily grasp her shoulders, fingers digging in as if Edelgard was expecting the universe to wrench them apart.
Byleth was no longer able to hold back that sob, and it tore through the damn holding back her emotions like a wrecking ball. She hadnât cried this much in centuries. And she forgot how much it hurt.
âIâm sorry, Edelgard,â she choked out, holding on just as fiercely, âGoddess, Iâm so sorry.â She swallowed roughly. Her words felt like bile in her mouth. Like they could never fully express what she felt. Weakly, no more than a whisper, she confessed, âI thought I lost you forever. I thought I would never get to tell you... Goddess I wish things had been different.â
Edelgard sniffled, her own sobs slowly fading as Bylethâs words hit her. âI thought...five years was long,â she said softly, pulling away so their eyes could meet, âI know we fought, but... Seeing you after all that time...â She wiped the tears from her cheeks, offering a weepy smile. âI was still so happy to see you alive.â
Byleth met her with a grin of her own, her sobs breaking into gentle chuckles. âI would have waited a thousand years for you,â she breathed, âTwo thousand. A million. I canât begin to tell you how happy I am to see you here, despite...despite everything.â
âThen... Perhaps that should be what we focus on,â Edelgard said, âThe past is gone. And though we both will bear the scars it left us for the rest of our lives, scars will fade. I...I should know.â
Byleth gently reached out and cupped her friendâs cheek. âYou can be anything you want to be in this life, Edelgard,â she stated, âThis time, the path is yours to choose. And I promise Iâll help you along the way, for as long as you want my help.â
âMy Teach- ...Byleth,â Edelgard whispered, mimicking the affectionate action, âI have always wanted to walk with you. So in this life, I shall.â
âI wonât leave your side for anything, this time,â Byleth vowed.
âE...even...now?â Edelgard asked, sheepishly looking away as she nervously wrung the sheets in her hands. âI...I havenât been able to get a good nightâs rest in... Iâm not sure how long. But, perhaps if youâre here, the nightmares might-â
Before she could finish, Byleth flopped comically down on the empty side of the bed, answering the request without any words spoken.
Relief washed over the former Emperor in an instant, and with a small smile, she sunk down under the covers, facing her host on the bed. Byleth reached out and carefully took her hand in hers, giving it a small, affirming squeeze.
âIâm here,â she whispered, âI promise. And if Iâm not when you wake up, you can find me in the kitchen.â
Edelgard nodded in reply. âThank you, Byleth,â she whispered back, closing her eyes as sleep slowly came back to her.
Byleth shut her eyes as well, and as she drifted off, she heard a very earnest, very grateful:Â âThank you.â
---
The next morning, Edelgard awoke and Bylethâs spot was empty on the bed. A brief moment of panic seized her heart, until she remembered the rest of her promise. Carefully, she pulled the covers back and left the bed, first heading to the window. The strange, new Enbarr greeted her as she opened the blinds, with its impossibly tall buildings and endless noise. But at least the colours of dawn remained the same.
She cautiously headed through the apartment, taking in the details she had been overwhelmed by the night before. Everything seemed so strange. The furniture was oddly shaped, and far too much of something: too soft, too hard, too simple, too complex. Everything felt so bright as light from the morning sun flooded through the large windows and doors to the balcony. The colour scheme in Bylethâs apartment was mostly neutral: white walls, light grey rug, light wooden floors... Actually, was it wood? It looked like it but didnât feel like it... She had the odd pop of colour in a cushion or a plant but otherwise it all felt so...empty and bleak compared to the deep, rich colours of the tapestries and upholstery the Imperial family kept in the palace.
She drew a deep breath as she tried to calm down her fears, and as she did, a familiar scent hit her nose: bergamot. And her worries faded as a smile formed on her face.
True to her word, she found Byleth in the kitchen. A well-used teapot sat on the small table, scented steam wafting out and filling the room with the smell of her favourite tea. Two teacups were placed on either side of the table, beside two mismatched plates. Beside the pot was a rectangular, brightly coloured box.
Byleth was rooting through a tall, silver storage unit next to the counter with the...what was it called again...microwave? She stood up, a blue carton in her hand, and smiled when she noticed her guest. âPerfect timing,â she said warmly, setting the carton down on the table, âYou liked milk, yes?â
âThatâs milk?â Edelgard asked, eyeing the carton with curiosity.
âYep,â Byleth said simply, reaching into a cupboard and taking out a small jar, âAnd sugar, too, right?â
Edelgard merely nodded. She hadnât missed the amount of boxes and jars of food in just that one cupboard alone, and couldnât imagine how much more could possibly be stored in this kitchen. She reached for the carton of milk, gasping slightly to discover it was cold, and she was fairly certain that silver box was too small to hold ice blocks.
Byleth chuckled, watching as Edelgard glared at the milk carton as if she had just demanded it tell her all its secrets. âCome sit, Edelgard,â she said as she took a seat across the table, âIâll explain more after breakfast. I got us a little treat.â
She gestured to the box. Edelgard cocked her head as she regarded the strange package. Big, ridiculous letters spelled out...something... Although she had no idea what the word was or what it meant. âDo...nuts?â she wondered, looking up at Byleth with a lost expression.
Byleth merely grinned and opened the box, revealing six decadent-looking pastries. Each one was different, and strange...but the smell alone was incredibly tempting. Five of them were shaped like rings, with a hole in the centre of the cake. The sixth one was a solid circle, covered in a copious amount of white powder.
âThat oneâs a jelly-filled,â Byleth said as she noticed Edelgard eyeing it, âStrawberry. Then thereâs chocolate dipped, old-fashioned, honey cruller...â She pointed to a different one as she listed them, going from the one with a dark brown topping, a simple plain one, and one that was fancifully twisted and covered in white glaze. Next, she pointed to one with pink frosting, and bright, rainbow sprinkles. âStrawberry dipped,â she said, âItâs seasonal, and really good, by the way.â
âAnd the last one?â
âThe best one,â Byleth told her confidently, âDouble chocolate.â
The fact that anything was single chocolate, let alone double absolutely floored her. Chocolate had been one of the most valued delicacies that she was aware of. Much like coffee, the beans needed to produce it could only be grown in consistently warm, humid climates that only the southern-most parts of Adrestia could support. Instead, it largely came from other nations that sat further south, and as a result was often incredibly hard and expensive to procure. Being Emperor, she had had the fortune of tasting chocolate before, and had loved it. But even she could only get her hands on a small box only a few times a year.
And now here was this...donut...that was both made with chocolate, but also dipped in it.
âWhat...exactly is the occasion?â she asked hesitantly, âSurely this cost you greatly.â
âNah,â Byleth said with a nonchalant shrug, âThe whole box was about six bucks.â
â...Six...Bucks?â
âNever mind. Thatâs just slang for âdollarsâ.â
â...D...dollars?â
Byleth blinked. âOh...right, sorry. I forgot currency changed quite a bit over time,â she said sheepishly, âIt...it doesnât matter. All the stuff that made pastries expensive back in the past is widely available now.â She then smiled shyly, and continued cautiously, âLast night was...a little rough. I know youâre going through a lot and itâs not going to change over night. It...it likely will only get harder, for a while.â
Edelgard found herself nodding at that, prompting Byleth to wince. âBut I just... I thought these might help,â she said with a lopsided grin, âNo matter how confusing and scary the world might seem, there are good things in it.â She gestured to the box, prompting Edelgard to take her pick. âLike donuts.â
Edelgard reached out tentatively, but rather than selecting a donut, her hand found Bylethâs resting on the other side of the table. âAnd...you,â she said quietly, a generous dusting of pink spreading across her cheeks.
Bylethâs heart had never moved a day in her immortal life, but in that moment, it fluttered, leapt like a bird taking to the sky. She didnât know why or how, but in that moment, it felt right.
She chuckled softly, impressed by how smooth her former student was. She brought her other hand down over Edelgardâs, giving it a small squeeze. âIâll always be right here,â she promised.
They held each otherâs gaze far longer than either of them realized, and once they did, they broke apart, both of them blushing furiously. âWell, go one then!â Byleth coughed out awkwardly, gesturing to the box, âIâm excited to know what you think.â
Edelgard eyed the double chocolate one. âIt... You said that one was your favourite...â she began slowly, âI donât want to take it for myself...â
âItâs alright. We can split them,â Byleth offered, getting up to retrieve a knife. Upon her return, she selected the donut from the box and set it down on her plate, before cutting it in half. She then offered a half to Edelgard.
Edelgard picked it up carefully, looking over the pastry thoroughly. Byleth merely chuckled and simply took a bite out of her half, an action Edelgard hesitantly followed.
The moment the chocolaty goodness hit her tongue, her eyes widened and lit up like the sun. âOh Goddess,â she breathed, before eagerly taking another bite.
Bylethâs chuckle turned into a mirthful laugh.
#fanfic#fe three houses#ss/modern!au#i think i finally found a name#and a direction i want to take this thing#...if i ever find the motivation#i am totally willing to accept help on this though#if people just want this to be a series of one-shots and short stories#i'm fine with that too#a world without gods
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Kill Your Darlings Ch. 16 (Jaskier x Assassin!Reader) || Witcher
a/n: Hey everyone. To be honest, I feel kind of weird posting this. I contemplated if I should post this chapter this week for a while, but ultimately decided to do so (whichâŚis how youâre reading this). If you havenât already seen, Iâve reblogged some sources regarding black lives matter and what you can do to help. Still, I want to put some resources in this post as well. This website (linked here) has good places to educate yourself, donate, and sign petitions. If you canât donate, you can watch videos like these (here, here, and here) with your adblocker off, and all of the ad money will go to blm organizations. I really encourage you to contribute in some way â anything helps.
As always, enjoy the chapter, and stay safe out there if you plan on protesting!
Your comments and feedback are always encouraged and mean a lot to me!
Summary: Burying the past wonât keep it there forever.
Warnings: mentions of blood/death/murder/killing, gore, angsty reflections lol, spoilers for season 1 ep 1, language
Words: 3,050
Please Donât Plagiarize My Work!
Jaskier was probably the fussiest person youâd ever met.
Youâd known it before, of course. He was particular about what taverns you stayed in, pouting when you and Geralt chose one he didnât like. Despite his messiness with clothes, he was selective on what he actually wore, what doublets went with what trousers, and so on. But even with all his fussiness, you never thought he would be fussy over someone else. Let alone, you.
As you gathered your things for the next journey, he stood beside you like your own shadow, making sure you didnât fall or sway or breathe slightly out of rhythm. You almost punched him in the face when he offered to put your knives away for you, when the sheaths were already secure on your body. He got the hint when you sent him a simple, but effective, glare.
To be fair, he was the one who tended your wounds, so he saw how much damage had been done. But he didnât realize it was nothing you hadnât felt before, and it certainly wasnât something that was going to stop you. Still, he was especially cautious after you explained that you needed to go after the same bandit group that took Lilla (at least, from what youâd assumed). You tried to argue that it would not only be another adventure for his songs, but it would clear up why this person â Hotch â was after him.
Sure, Jaskier and your still-fresh wounds couldnât stop youâŚbut they could slow you down. Jaskier insisted you all wait for the morning to go out again, leaving you to groan in frustration when Geralt agreed. You grumbled to yourself as you threw your stuff by the door, to be ready for the early morning traveling. You didnât bother hiding your annoyance as Jaskier changed your bandages for you and practically scolded you to get some sleep. But despite your irritation and unrest, eventually, you did.
â
You were sitting in the grass, under the stars. Everything was quiet. Calm.
âThey shine brighter when youâre out here to look at them.â You turned your head, smiling at the playful grin on your fatherâs face. âIâm serious,â he said, turning back to the sky. âTheyâre here for you.â
You giggled, and though you knew it wasnât true, you let it slide. But instead of looking at the stars, your eyes stayed on your father, whose own eyes widened in â fear?
You watched as his mouth opened and a scream spilled out, making you whip your head back towards the sky.
You gasped at the sight. The stars were falling, plummeting, towards you. You instinctively lifted your arms to cover your face, a shriek leaving your lips. But after a few moments, nothing happened. When you looked out from behind your arms, the stars were gone. And so was your father.
You sat up in the grass, shifting your gaze to the field around you. You were in your childhood village, but everything was gone. There was only one house a good distance away â it was yours. And your father was walking into it with a knife in his hand.
âNo,â you whispered, your hand moving to one of your sheaths. Realizing he must have taken your knife, you pushed yourself off the ground and began running towards the house, sprinting, its proximity seeming to get further and further the closer you got.
You pushed forward, eventually making it to the door. You opened it slowly, blinking in surprise when you noticed Lilla standing, her doll clutched in her hands, eyes wide in fear.
You turned your gaze to the side. You saw your father and mother, face down in their own blood. It was a scene you had imagined before â but this time, Raufâs body was with them. His lifeless eyes stared back at you, mouth slightly ajar in surprise.
You tore your eyes away from him, only then noticing another body. A loud cry from Lilla made you realize it was Toby.
Rushing in front of Lilla to block her view, you gripped her shoulders in your hands, âLilla, we have to go.â Not waiting for her to respond, you picked her up and ran out of the house, where the field was no longer a field, and rather the road to Novigrad. You didnât hesitate as you sprinted in the direction of Novigradâs gates.
It was when you got to the gates that you realized the little girl you had been holding had disappeared. You looked around, eyes wide in bewilderment.
âY/N.â
You snapped your eyes back to the gates â there, was Jaskier. Only it wasnât just him. Joneta stood, her arm wrapped tightly around Jaskierâs neck, holding him to her body. She held a knife in the other hand, against his throat. But it wasnât just a knife. It was yours.
Her lips curled into a devious snarl, âIâll never stop. And you shouldnât either.â
You jumped forward,âNo!â Somehow, you grabbed Joneta away from Jaskier, pulling her to your own chest. With one swift motion, you took the knife from her hand and slid it across her throat, the sound of her chokes echoing in the night.
Only it wasnât her chokes. The sound was deeper, likeâ
You turned the person around, eyes widening when you realized it was Jaskier. It was Jaskier whose throat was slit. It was Jaskier that you killed.
Your knife clattered to the ground. âNo.â
â
Your eyes shot open as you woke up to the recently rising sun pouring through the windows, and Jaskier gently strumming his lute.
You sighed in relief as you got up â you hadnât dreamt that vividly in a while. You knew none of it was real, or course, but seeing Jaskier alive and well made your heart slow to a normal pace. It didnât stop your frustration that he let you sleep in when you should have been on the road already, but the snide remarks you were going to make died on your tongue when you stood, pain shooting up your leg as a reminder of the night before.
It was a slow morning, slower than any of the others you had spent with Geralt and Jaskier. It was mostly your fault â you were forced to limp to avoid the pain of your injuries. If Jaskier hadnât insisted on helping you walk, it mightâve taken a lot longer just to get to your horses.
Right â horses. Roach was no longer a lone stallion â with your still healing leg and the extra weight of Jonetaâs body, you needed to get another horse. Jaskier didnât even complain about using most of his saved coin on the steed, but he did insist on getting to ride it with you.
After you got out of the city of Novigrad, Geralt followed behind you, which you were glad for. You didnât need to see Jonetaâs lifeless body on the back of his horse, even if it was wrapped in sheets.
And for once, you were glad for Jaskierâs distractive company.
âSo, where were you thinking?â He practically whispered in your ear as he sat behind you, his voice sending tingles along your skin. You had to force back a shudder, trying to focus on holding your new horsesâ reigns â Buttercup, you and Jaskier decided upon. Well, mostly Jaskier. He insisted on having the final say for the name, and you didnât blame him â especially since he paid for it. And although Buttercup wasnât exactlyâŚan audacious sounding name, it had a nice ring to it.
You sighed at the bardâs question, âFor?â
âBurying Joneta.â
Your body went stiff. In his presence and once infuriating antics, you were able to push the real situation out of your head â you were able to relax, even if it was just for a moment. But in reality, you were not only on your way to bury the friend that you killed yourself, but also towards a bandit camp that you had no official plan for invading.
But recently, it didnât seem like you had a plan for anything.
You sighed, letting your shoulders drop once more, âSomewhere in the forest. Weâll find it on the way, Iâm sure.â
Jaskier breathed in, as if choosing his words carefully. âButâŚthereâs nowhere special? LikeâŚa place you two would hang out, orâŚgossip about all theâŚravishing targets you had to kill at the blade of your own knives?â
Blade of your own knives. You shook the thought away, simultaneously ignoring the inevitable smile that was probably on Jaskierâs face. âNo. We didnâtâŚdo things like that.â
âWhat did you do?â He said after a moment, his voice softer.
You turned your head slightly, looking at him from the corner of your eye. His eyes bore into the side of your face, making you turn back to the road ahead of you.
âWe killed,â you said simply, clenching your jaw. And Jaskier didnât respond.
â
âShould we start?â
Jaskierâs voice didnât faze you. You were staring at the body on the ground â Jonetaâs body. It was wrapped in sheets â probably a lot of them, since you didnât see any blood seeping through.
The three of you made it to a spot in the forest, where there was a good area to bury a body. It sounded strange to say, but it really was. You hadnât been looking for a particular spot, but the flowers in the area made you stop Geralt and slide off Buttercup, walking further into the trees. Which was where you found this place. It was a smallish area, big enough for the grave you inevitably had to dig, with trees distant enough and in a strangely circular formation. The flowers around the area were a plus, so you tied up the horses and walked over.
And now you were standing there, with a shovel that somehow made its way into your hand, looking down at the spot Jonetaâs body would lay. Forever.
âY/N?â
âHuh?â You turned away from Jonetaâs body, focusing on Jaskierâs concerned eyes. You blinked, finally registering his question, âOh. Um. No.â
Jaskier frowned, âNo?â
âIâŚneed to do this alone.â
Jaskier stepped forward, gesturing to the bandage wrapped tightly around your thigh, âBut your legââ
âIâll help dig. For a bit.â You were surprised to hear Geraltâs voice, his eyes catching your own when you turned to him. He looked back to Jaskier, nodding to where Buttercup and Roach were tied up, âYou go watch the horses.â
Jaskier looked from you to Geralt, his face contorted in confusion. He looked like he wanted to stay, to help, but you shook your head. He slammed his mouth shut, nodding his head slowly.
âOkay. Iâll beâŚover there.â You watched the bard go, looking back to Geralt only when Jaskier disappeared behind the trees. The witcherâs golden eyes were on yours, making you take a deep breath.
He sent you a nod.
And then you started digging.
It wasnât easy with your leg. Though you werenât sure why Geralt stayed, you were glad he did. He was clearly making more progress than you, digging at a speed that could only be explained by his Witcher strength. Whatever that meant.
The two of you worked quietly, only sending each other slight nods or glances as communication. It was refreshing, to hear only the sound of the shovels digging into the dirt, the birds flying from tree to tree, the leaves swaying in the wind. And, of course, Jaskierâs distant singing.
Geralt helped you lower Jonetaâs body into the grave, surprising you by how gently he lay it down onto the dirt. He climbed out of the hole wordlessly, only grunting as he stood up. He sent you a curt nod and left you to cover it up. You watched him go until he disappeared past the trees where the horses were, waiting until the very last second to let out a long, quiet sigh.
After a moment, you turned back around. You couldnât help the pain that formed in your chest as you stepped forward, making yourself look down into the grave.
â
The square was crowded with people, as it usually was. Rauf was on business recruiting people into the fellowship, leaving you to entertain yourself for the day. The best way to do that was to watch people swarm the stands and buy useless items, all while sharpening the knife Rauf finally trusted you with having.
âHey.â
You didnât look up. Instead, you focused on the blade in your hands, letting its steel reflect sun rays into your eyes.
âI said, hey.â The person kicked your foot. You scrunched your nose, squinting at the girl who dared bother you.
Her expression was nothing more than bored, âYour uncle told me to find you.â She waited for you to respond. When you didnât, she rolled her eyes. âRauf.â
âWhy?â
âDidnât tell me.â She waited a moment, then sat down next to you. âBut when I was eavesdropping, he said he wants you to have friends.â
âPsh. I donât have friends,â you said simply, turning away from the girl beside you.
âThat makes two of us.â
â
You tentatively wiped a tear that fell down your face, not bothering to worry about the dirt covering your hands. At this point, it felt like dirt was all you saw. It was all over the ground, sure, and it was now fully covering the place where Jonetaâs body was buried â but it was also all over your hands, arms, and now, probably your face too.
You held your hands out in front of you, focusing on the way the dirt was caked under your fingernails. The soil reminded you of blood â Jonetaâs blood, how it was covering your nails, your skin, your clothes.
Despite the urge to clean the dirt off, you let your hands fall into your lap and looked back ahead.
âPeople used to hate witchers.â
You were startled by the voice next to you. Somehow, Geralt managed to walk over and stand beside you without you noticing. He didnât bother acknowledging the way you hastily wiped the tears from your face, instead sitting down beside you with a huff, âTheyâd spit when I walked into a room. Stoned me when I entered a village.â
You blinked, still taken aback by the witcherâs presence aside you. âBut now they donât.â
âNo.â He turned to you with a hard gaze, âEver heard of the Butcher of Blavikan?â
âOnly stories,â You murmured. The Butcher of Blavikan was the talk of the guild for a while, but you never really paid much attention. But after a second, your eyes widened with realization. âThat was you?â
Geralt only nodded. He looked ahead, his eyes clouding with regret, âI hurt someone. Someone who I thought could have redeemed herself. Could have walked away from the destruction she was causing.â
You cast your eyes downwards, back to the dirt covered ground. You swallowed the lump in your throat, âHow did youâŚyou know. Turn it around?â
âJaskier.â
âJasââ You frowned, turning to the witcher with an astonished expression. âWhat?â
âJaskier wrote a song.â
You blinked, âHeâŚwrote a song?â
âAs bards do.â
You rolled your eyes, a smile playing on your lips, âThe coin one.â
He nodded.
You shook your head, astounded by your own ignorance. You had heard the song many times since being with the two, but never listened to it. Knowing Jaskier, he definitely fibbed the stories he went on, or reflected on, but still. Youâd have to really listen to the lyrics the next time he played it.
Next time.
Would there be a next time? If all this was over â no, when â where did that leave you? Would you go back to your normal assignments? Travel and hope you would find jobs on notice boards, like a witcher?
Geraltâs voice broke through your thoughts. âItâs never easy to kill one of your own.â
One of your own. You turned to him, âHad much experience?â
âToo much.â He waited a moment before continuing. âThe right choices are often the hardest. But the hardest choicesâŚyou often donât know if theyâre right.â
You watched him for a second, a smirk forming on your face before you could help it. You snorted, âYou sound like a...stubbornly wise wizard.â
Geralt only chuckled. You squinted your eyes at him, an amused smile falling on your face. It was strange to see him acting this way â showing emotion. It was almost likeâŚhe trusted you.
You scoffed at the thought, making him turn to you with a questioning gaze. You shook your head, âJust thinking about when we first met. When you tried following me to my guild.â
His face went back to being serious, âI trust you now."
You laughed louder this time, âSays the person who followed me again.â Geraltâs eyes widened like heâd been caught redhanded. Youâd only found out that Geralt had followed you to your new guild this morning, when Jaskier let it slip. It made sense why Geralt hadnât been at the inn when...Joneta happened. At the witcherâs frown, you held back a smile and jutted your head behind you, where the very bard was still out of sight.
Geralt grunted, âBard canât keep his mouth shut.â
âAnd you canât keep your witchery nose out of other peopleâs business.â
Geralt paused, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise. As quickly as the surprise was there, it was overtaken by a smug smile. âJaskier is getting to you.â
You smirked and shook your head. In more ways than one.
âI do trust you now,â he said once the smiles fell from your faces. You turned away from him, back to the grave in front of you.
âI know.â A sigh escaped your lips as something clenched at your heart. You placed a hand on the dirt in front of you and closed your eyes, taking a deep breath in and out before opening them again. Jonetaâs body may be here, but she would always be with you. Like Geraltâs past was never forgotten, was immortalized in countless songs, you would always remember your own. And youâd have to live with it.
You stood up off the ground, looking down at the witcher with a determined frown, âNow letâs go take down this fucking bandit camp.â
âââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââ
Lots more Geralt in this chapter, hope yâall enjoyed! Stay safe as always  :)
#the witcher#the witcher imagine#jaskier#jaskier x reader#jaskier imagine#geralt of rivia#jaskier x you#self insert imagine#reader insert#imagine#fic#writing#my writing#kill your darlings#kill your darlings series#reader series#joey batey#henry cavill#kyd#reader imagine
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Mood Rings (6/6)
Title: Mood Rings
Chapter: 5/6
Fandom: DCU
Pairing: Â Jason Todd/Roy Harper
AO3: Â HERE
Note: It is done! Thank you all for your kind words and sticking with it. Â
Summary:Â Â
Jason said, pulling his arms behind his back. âPick a hand.â
Roy eyed him suspiciously, âYouâre not going to punch me are you?â
âOh my godâ Jason exclaimed exasperated, âwhy would I punch you?â His eyes narrowed. âShould I punch you?â
âWhere the fuck is he?â Jason said, bursting through the double doors, turning the heads of a few others in the waiting room. In any other situation Dick would have been amused by Jasonâs dramatics.  But in this case, as the person on the other side of his rage, Dick felt it was the best idea to put his hands up in defence as Jason stormed across the room, leaving muddy footprints across the sterile white floors of the hospital. It was best in these situations to try not to have security called, mostly because judging by how red Jasonâs face was and how white his knuckles were there would be blood and while the hospital is an ideal place to get hurt it wasnât somewhere you wanted to get thrown out of.
âBreathe,â Dick said as calming as he could. Wishing this was Tim or Damian that could pull into a great big hug to help. Again, that might lead to getting stabbed which was not on Dickâs list of things to do that day. âThe doctors all said he is going to be fine.  He has a mild concussion, a few broken ribs and a broken wrist.â
âYou were going for lunch. How did he get into an explosion at lunch?â Jason said, frustrated, but Dick knew it was more at the situation. Plus this was the world they lived in, one of the reasons they went out at night to try to make the cities safer.
Dick shrugged. âIt seems like a former employee didnât like the management.â
âI need to strangle Roy for always pulling this bullshit. Where is he?â  Jason asked and Dick tried not to smile, mostly because he was pretty sure Jason would start going after him next.
âI donât actually know, they said they were getting him a room. I thought it was best to wait for you.â  Dick explained.
Jason groaned, pushing Dick out of his way as he made his way over to the reception desk. âDo you know how many stupid things Roy can do in that time unsupervised?â  He asked before turning to the nurse at the desk. âCan you tell me which room Roy Harper is in?  Please.â  He added for good measure. Â
The nurse looked him up and down, lowering her glasses as if sizing him up, clearly having seen the scene he made along with the dirt he dragged across her waiting room. âAnd you are?â
âHis fiance.â Jason blurted out without a second thought. She paused but that seemed to be the right thing to say because she gave him the number and pointed down the hall. To which Jason took off down without missing a beat, leaving Dick standing in the waiting room speechless.
Royâs room was small, there was an empty bed in the corner of the room. Jason always hated hospital rooms, he couldnât really imagine anyone that would actually like them. But they were a necessary evil, especially in their line of work.  Or in the case of now, Roy being a trouble magnet of the worst kind because apparently the only case he needed was lunch in order to wind up getting hurt. If Jason didnât know better he would think Roy did things like this on purpose just to wind him up, but Jason did know Roy better and knew that even Roy had limits to just how much he would do to wind Jason up.
Rubbing his hand over his face, Jason took a seat in the chair pulled up next to the bed. Taking Royâs good hand into his he ran his thumb over the back of his hand feeling all the old scars and calluses on his hand from years of wear and work with his bow.
âJay?â Royâs eyes stayed closed as he mumbled the sleep heavy words. It reminded Jason so much of the few mornings when their alarm would actually go off before they got up and Roy would mutter something while trying to throw his body over Jasonâs to keep them in bed just a little bit longer.
Jason squeezed his hand to anchor him. âRight here.  Go back to sleep youâre going to need your energy for when I murder you when you get home in a few days.â
âK,â Roy mumbled before Jason felt his hand go slack again. Â
It ended up being one day later until Roy got home, which was not a moment too soon because once Roy woke up he was hard to keep entertained and in bed. So as soon as he was cleared of problems Jason was charged with taking Roy home, which Jason was more than happy to do.  After all, he too was already ready to be done with the hospital after the first hour of sitting in the small chair watching reruns of soap operas while Roy slept on and off. It was much easier when they could both sit on the bed together. Â
Roy had been suspiciously quiet since returning home from the hospital, to the point where Jason was starting to wonder if he needed to take Roy back to the hospital. The breaking point had been when he looked up from the book he was reading to notice Roy was mindlessly flipping through one of the old wedding magazines's Dick had been so unhelpful in donating to Roy. While it wasnât odd that Roy was flipping through the magazine, he had been doing it often lately and they did have a lot of pictures which was helpful while he recovered.  What was odd was that fact that Roy was usually loved to share all the stupid and cheesey pictures with Jason trying to get a rise out of him, which he was very good at to a level unmatched by anyone else. But judging by the point he was in the pages, he hadnât just started and he had been quiet which was another sign. Â
âDo you need to go back to the hospital?â Jason asked bluntly, already trying to think where he left his keys. Â
Roy looked up and tilted his head slightly. âNo.â  He paused thinking for a moment.  âNo. Why?â
Jason pointed at the magazine. âThat.â Â
âAre you threatening me?â Roy asked slowly.  It wasnât uncommon for Jason to threaten him, he just usually did it in more creative ways.
âWhat? No.â  Jason exclaimed with a sigh, getting nowhere. âItâs just usually youâre always trying to drive me nuts when you read those and wave your ring around like an idiot.â
âWell thatâs because I canât.â Roy said trying to make it sound like a laugh, but Jason could hear the pull at his words. But he watched as Roy held up his broken hand, it was then Jason realized that there was no ring on the finger. âI guess it broke off when I broke my wrist.â
Jason rolled his eyes. âThatâs why people donât propose with cereal box prizes.â
Roy looked down at his ringless finger. âYeah I guess so.  It was fun while it lasted but I guess this means youâre off the hook for the proposal.â
âFinally.â Jason exclaimed, wishing he could be a bit more excited. It would have been a lot more victorious if Roy wasnât trying so hard to keep the smile on his face. It was moments like this Jason really wished he couldnât read Roy as well as he could.  âIâm thinking this calls for Victory Burgers, Iâll even buy. The usually?â
The smile on Royâs face grew a little less sad. âYeah, with extra fries.â Â
Jason laughed, âI know to get you extra fries, otherwise you eat half of mine.â
âYours always taste better.â Roy said as Jason rolled off the bed. Â
âYeah well youâre an idiot.â Jason said, too preoccupied with finding his shoes to think of a good retort. Â
The burger shop should have only taken a half an hour, but the side detour to the grocery store on the way extended it by a half an hour. When Jason got home an hour later, Roy had managed to move himself from their bedroom to the couch with the same magazine spread out on his lap. Jason dropped the burgers on the coffee table, handing Royâs to him so he wouldnât have to jostle his ribs too much.  The burger, fries and milkshake seemed to put Roy into a better mood, not that he was too surprised knowing full well a milkshake and waffle cut fries were the way to Royâs heart. Â
After dinner, Jason took the wrappers to the kitchen and dumped them into the trash but also grabbed the two boxes out of his bag. Putting on in each of his back pocket he walked back to the living room where Roy was sitting.  âSo since you have been not an asshole for a whole day I picked you up something while I was out.â
âIt better not be more food.â Roy groaned rubbing his stomach. âEven I have my limits on food.â
âIts not.â Jason said, pulling his arms behind his back. âPick a hand.â
Roy eyed him suspiciously, âYouâre not going to punch me are you?â
âOh my godâ Jason exclaimed exasperated, âwhy would I punch you?â His eyes narrowed.  âShould I punch you?â
âNo.â Roy said quickly. âYou just usually donât do surprises.â Â
âJust pick a hand before I change my mind and punch you.â
Roy thought for a moment before pointing at his right hand. That seemed to amuse Jason who let out a laughed and brought his hand forward and turned his hand palm up. Sitting in his hand was a small plastic mood ring that he had to go through three cereal boxes in the car to find. It was worth it to watch as realization of what was in front of Roy as his face went from cautious to excited to soft to something Jason couldnât put his finger on as Roy slowly reached out and went and grabbed the ring, placing it on his good hand.
Looking from the ring to Jason, Roy grinned wider than Jason could recall. âI canât believe you got me another ring.â
âYeah wellâŚâ Jason said, unsure what to say next. âYou seemed to miss it.â
âYeah. I did.â  Roy agreed, looking down at his ring before looking up at Jason. âWhat would I have got if I picked other hand?â Â
Jason took a deep breath before holding out a small wooden box, holding it out for Roy. Roy stared at the box, unsure of what to make for it.  Instead he took it into his hands turning the smooth wood in his hand before noticing the hinges. As soon as he cracked open the box Roy let out a gasp as he dropped the box quickly as if he had been burned.  Luckily Jason had been there to catch the box and keep it upright so the titanium ring stayed nestled between the red velvet in the box. The ring wasnât overly flashy, but it had two small red rubys at the top between an engraved arrow, which Jason couldnât fully decide if that was cheesy or not.  Judging by the look Royâs face it wasnât cheesy at all. Â
In fact, Roy looked like he was having trouble breathing, and not just because of his broken ribs. Instead his eyes kept moving from the box to Jason who looked like he was waiting for his report card. âWhat?  I...is that?â  Roy asked, trying to find the words for what he was looking at. Â
âMarry me?â Jason said, followed shortly by, âfuck I was supposed to do that on one knee.â Â
Roy grabbed him before he could finish kneeling, and pulled him towards him in a long kiss. âFuck yes.â  He muttered against Jasonâs lips. Â
âThank god.â Jason said, reaching out and taking the mood ring off Royâs hand and replaced it with his new ring.Â
Roy held his hand up, watching the way the ring glistened in the light. âWhen the hell did you get this done?â  Trying to think of a time recently that Jason could have had time to go out and get a ring designed. Â
âAbout three weeks before I gave you the mood ring.â Jason said, rubbing his neck trying not to look at Roy who burst out laughing. âWell I mean I wasnât sure if you were going to say yes.  I thought it would be a safe way to test if you were interested in a non joking way.â
âYouâre an idiot,â Roy laughed, dragging him in for another kiss. âBut you know this means we actually have to plan a real wedding now.â
Jason groaned. âYeah...we donât have to invite our families right?â
âOf course not.â Roy placated, knowing there was no way either of their families would let that happen. âThough we should take a selfie to send to Dick.â
âDo we have to?â Jason asked.
Roy shrugged. âI mean it might blow his mind.â Then he added.  âIf you do it, we can go make out like horny teenagers.â Â
Jason grabbed his phone. âYouâre the worst.â
âBut Iâm yours.â Roy said, placing a kiss on Jasonâs cheek as he snapped the picture with his hand held up against his own cheek.
âYeah yeah...youâre mine.â Jason said as he sent out the photo to all his contacts with the caption âmy idiot fianceâ before clicking the phone off knowing that when he turned it on he would have hundreds of messages from just about everyone they knew. But Roy was smiling at him as he played with the ring on his finger.  Things were never easy with Roy, but even the complicated bullshit and arguing parts were worth it with Roy.  And yeah, there was going to be a huge world wind of their familes, and planning a stupid wedding, and trying to live happily ever that it was going to be a nightmare, but if it meant Jason got to do it with Roy it would at least be slightly less terrible. There was nobody else Jason would rather spend his life with and has he leaned forward and pressed his lips into Royâs he hoped his kiss said all of that. Â
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Cadence - CH 2
Read the full story on AO3 here!
Chapter Two
To trust myself To trust someone else To trust the doubt in the back of my mind Trust the trail of pain left behind Yes, I knew better then
âTrustâ - Christina Perri
Thirteen days went by before Vergil thought of the mystery woman again. Of course, Danteâs âmission of utmost importanceâ had been nothing but a few larger demons, but it had been enough to distract Vergilâs mind from the conversation.Â
Well, he never truly forgot, as much as he thought he should. He hadnât seen her since the first meeting, and assumed sheâd given up by now. Dante had teased him numerous times about it and somehow procured the bookmark no matter where Vergil tried to hide it. He had considered throwing it out, but heâd begrudgingly kept it when Danteâs alternative was to âfold the corners down to mark your placeâ.Â
Beyond their near-identical looks (which was becoming more debatable by the day), Vergil and his twin were absolutely nothing alike.Â
By the next Friday, however, he and Dante had forgotten about her entirely, as it took everything he had to survive the awkward family gathering. Granted, Vergil was certain that everyone else would say that he was the awkward one, and not them. And while they were (probably) right, Vergil was too stubborn to admit it.Â
But what else could he do? Nearly everyone, Neroâs foster kids included, kept giving him these⌠looks. The humans were wary around him, except for Lady who was either glaring at him so intensely that he might burst into flames, or ignoring him entirely. Trish was the most composed, but he didnât miss the occasional side-eye she gave him, as if she expected him to turn on them at any moment.Â
And then there was Nero. His son⌠that he talked to once for five minutes after his return from the Underworld before ending up in a duel to the metaphorical death. Vergil had won, of course, but it sure hadnât felt that way when Nero stormed off, calling Vergil a âfucking assholeâ at least twice. The two had awkwardly avoided each other ever since despite all of Danteâs attempts to force them back together.Â
And thatâs how Vergil ended up in the kitchen on this particular visit, watching his family with two doorways and a hall between them. Theyâd all relaxed after heâd quietly excused himself from the room, though none of them would ever admit that was the reason. The children were playing a board game with Kyrie, while the others cheered on Dante or Nero in some kind of fighting game that Vergil didnât bother looking at. Heâd considered leaving twice in the last half-hour, but waited since heâd promised Dante a portal home.
Though that might be a promise worth breaking once he finished his coffee.Â
Vergilâs eyes wandered out the window. It was never his intention to be the âdownerâ of the party (Danteâs words, not his). But things had not been simple since theyâd returned from the Underworld. It was part of the reason Vergil had been hesitant to come back in the first place. Not because he didnât want this⌠second chance. (He hesitated to call this new life such a thing, as he didnât feel he was using it in any meaningful way). But because he had so many things to fix. The damage the Qliphoth had done surrounded him everywhere he went. His ârelationshipâ with Nero was fractured at best, and shattered at worst. Then there were other scars⌠ones he didnât dare think about.
So many mistakes. So many things to fix. Even Dante couldnât tell him where to start. Thatâs something youâve gotta figure out on your own, Verge.Â
âMr⌠Vergil?â
His eyes jerked up, and Kyrie practically shrunk back into the hallway. Vergil took a deep breath, annoyed at how painfully his heart hammered in his ears. âI⌠apologize.â He said, trying to ignore the way that Nero was staring at them from the other side of the room. Whether it was fear or anger in his sonâs eyes, Vergil wasnât certain. âIt seems I was caught up in my own thoughts.â
Slowly, Kyrie nodded with a timid smile. Vergil didnât know how much of his demon self he was exuding, though he had been trying to suppress it more in situations like this. It didnât matter when he was out and about. But around his family⌠he wanted to be better. But from the way she was shaking ever so slightly, he knew he was failing at that too.Â
âI just wanted to make sure everythingâs okay,â She said.
He nodded. âDonât concern yourself with my wellbeing.â Her eyes fell and Vergil silently cursed himself. What was wrong with that? That should have eased her concerns, not added to them. But Vergil had been wrong about a lot of things lately. âIâm alright,â He said, forcing a more gentle tone. It wasnât perfect, but she did look at him again, so he was finally doing something right.âPlease let my brother know that I will return for him later.âÂ
She nodded a second before Nero stepped into the hallway.âEverything alright, Kyrie?âÂ
âOf course,â She said with more confidence than before. âJust checking on your father.âÂ
Nero blinked as she moved past him. Vergil didnât know if that was meant to be a jab at Nero, himself, or if he was looking too far into things again. And the look on Neroâs face told him that he wasnât certain either. But when their gazes met, Neroâs eyes narrowed in suspicion. When he left without a word, Vergil knew he was no longer welcome.
--------------
Haven was quiet when Vergil stepped out of the portal on the edge of town. Though that was to be expected given the late hour. It was rare for anyone to stay out past sundown given the nature of demons and the like. And while Vergil did his best to cull anything that came near, one could never be too cautious.Â
Tonight, however, he was going straight to Devil May Cry, read a book, and try not to ponder why he felt so⌠unlike himself.Â
Sad. Vâs voice gently corrected him. Vergil shook it away.Â
âYouâre quitting tonight?â
Vergil froze. Impossible. That woman was here again? Maybe she lived in the town, but he hadnât seen her during Danteâs âmeet and greetâ heâd dragged Vergil on three separate times. And he was certain theyâd visited everyone, as heâd nodded his âhellosâ at so many people he was half surprised his head hadnât fallen off. But she hadnât been there, and he doubted she would donate to a town she wasnât a part of. Everything outside of Haven was either badly damaged or abandoned. Dante had mentioned the âlucky few rich folks homesâ a few miles away whoâd made it out relatively unscathed, but with the number of demons that prowled the area, no one dared live there.
Vergil didnât know why he didnât walk away. He had no reason to listen in. No reason to have any interest in this person. Yet the exhausted smile on her face mixed with the clear pain in her slumped over body made his heart twist in an odd, unexplainable way. And while his mind urged him to try and talk to her, his stubborn side stopped him just around the corner. After all, why would she want to speak to him? Sheâd offered him a chance, and heâd ignored it. Surely after almost two weeksâŚ
âPlease, Taylor.â The womanâs voice was quiet. A normal human wouldnât have picked up on the agony buried beneath it. âAll Iâm asking is for a couple more nights, and Iâll be happy to pay you extra for it.â
âIâm sorry, Roxy,â Another voice said. Vergil hadnât realized the woman was on the phone to begin with. âI genuinely wish I could be there for you. But my daughterâŚâ
Roxy bit her lip. âNo, I know. Itâs okay.â
âYou have someone else you can call, right? I know youâre worried about another episodeâŚâ
Episode? Vergil didnât know what to think of that, nor could he ignore the very, very, small twinge of concern when Roxyâs arms shook as she sunk further against the wall. âYeah,â She said. âIâve⌠Iâm sure I can find someone. Take care of Meena.â
âThank you⌠and Iâm genuinely sorry.â
Vergil heard the beep of someone hanging up. Whether it was Roxy or the other woman, he wasnât certain. But the hiss of pain as Roxy pushed herself off the wall was undeniable. âWell Aki,â She muttered as her hands clamped around the strap of her side bag. âLooks like itâs just you and me.âÂ
A quiet chirp responded, and Vergil was certain it had come from the same bag. A demon? He didnât know for sure, but it wouldnât take much to find out. So, forcing down his own misgivings, Vergil blinked forward. But as he moved to step in front of her, she stumbled to the left. He caught her before he realized what he was doing, and she pulled away in shock. Except she was still clearly off-balance, and barely avoided crashing straight into the wall. âHoly hell,â She said. âWhere did you come from?â
He ignored her. âWhat are you doing?â
âTaking a break,â She said. âWhat else does it look like?â
Vergil raised an eyebrow. âA break fromâŚ?â
âMy walk home,â She shrugged as she stood up straight. Her attempt at bravado was commendable but failed spectacularly when she spasmed in clear pain and leaned back against the wall. âItâs a beautiful night,â She continued as if nothing had happened. âI just wanted to enjoy the....â She paused with a quick glance upward. âStarless sky?â
Infuriating woman, Vergil thought as he narrowed his eyes. He didnât miss the odd movement in her bag, no matter how hard she tried to hide it. âWhere is it?â
âUp there,â She said pointing at the sky. âWhere else would it be?â
Vergil was certain he was glaring at her now and was only mildly surprised that she held it without any trace of fear. âYour home.â
She paused, before sighing as her eyes drifted closed. âI live in a studio apartment just outside Fallen West Abbey. Thereâs a complex there that everyone in the town swears is haunted.âÂ
âThatâs almost five miles away.â
âYep.â
âAnd youâre injured.â
She flinched, and he wasnât sure if it was the pain or the fact that sheâd been caught. Maybe both. âThis is normal. Iâll get better.â
âBefore or after your walk?â
Another flinch. âOn⌠Thursday? Probably?â
âTwo days?â
âGive or take.â
What was wrong with this woman? Vergil wasnât the most experienced with injuries (or whatever was going on. He didnât smell blood, nor were there any broken bones or anything that he could see) but even he knew she wouldnât make it that far. Had she planned on collapsing in the street and hoping for the best? Or did she truly think she could stumble across town, through an area known for demonic portals, and pass over five steep hills and everything would be okay? Or, perhaps even more idiotic, why was she talking to him, a man she barely knew who had (admittedly) appeared out of nowhere, so calmly in such a weakened state?Â
How was she, unlike everyone else, unafraid?
Vergil let the silence lapse as he considered his options. Or, more accurately, as he tried to understand the thoughts rolling around in his head. The first time they met, she had interested him to some degree. Well-spoken. Appreciated the classics. Didnât seem to judge (or even care) about his brash introduction. But Vergil still couldnât escape that gnawing sense of self-doubt; something that was becoming more frequent and irritating over the last few months. After all the mistakes heâd made over the years, was it really fair to drag another human down with him? And what was the point in trying with her if he couldnât even talk to his own son?
Itâs the demon sheâs got, He thought. Thatâs the only reason I care.
Even though he didnât quite believe it, it was a good enough reason to move on.Â
With a frustrated sigh, Vergil said, âIâll make a deal with you.â
Her eyebrows shot up. âIâm listening.â
âWe have extra rooms at our shop,â Vergil said.Â
âYour⌠shop?â
âDevil May Cry.â
âYou work there?â She said, âButâŚâ
âYouâre welcome to stay as long as you need,â Vergil cut her off. âIf you tell me about the demon in your bag.â
Her eyes widened, and Vergil couldnât hide the slight, and temporary, smirk of victory. âItâs not⌠like that.â A loud chirp made her scowl. But, she took a deep breath, stood up a little straighter, and said, âIâm fine. Donât worry about me.â
She was crazy. That was the only possibility. And despite his annoyance at the entire situation, and the overwhelming urge to walk away and be done with her, Vergil blocked her path with Yamato instead. Her eyes flickered to the sheathe for a long moment before she sighed. âOf course youâre a demon hunter. Why else would you carry that thing around?â
âYou wonât make it home like this.â
âProbably not.â
âThen do we have a deal?â
She glared at him. âYouâre not allowed to kill him. Heâs no threat to you.â
âIâll be the judge of that.â
âThen no. Iâll walk.â
Vergil blinked and, for the briefest of moments, his mind went silent. âWhat?â He finally forced out.Â
âMy boyâs not a threat,â Roxy said. âHeâs been with me since long before that tree, and the last thing I need right now is to lose him. So no. Iâm not risking his life for a quick trip.â
Now, he was well and truly flabbergasted. âDo you honestly think youâll make it?â
She threw one hand into the air as the other pressed back against the wall. âI donât know but I donât have many options at the moment, so Iâll take my chances.â She pushed past Yamato, leaving Vergil to stare blankly at the wall for far too long.Â
This is pointless. If she wants to get herself killed, thatâs her choice.
But his eyes betrayed him, drifting back to her as she somehow found her way down the street, using the wall as a strange sort of lifeline. And when she reached the end of one building, she took a deep breath, pushed herself off with a quiet grunt of pain, and stumbled to the other. And she kept going like that. Slow, but methodical. A stubborn, foolish⌠desperateâŚ
Hadnât I done the exact same thing?
The thought was sobering. His mind drifted to the fleeting remnants of his escape from⌠somewhere. He didnât remember that part. Too many jumbled memories and nightmares overlapping each other in an endless loop of nonsense. But he did remember how he felt before heâd found Nero. Desperate. Exhausted. Hopeless. Alone. He hadnât had a plan, but he had wanted so desperately to survive. And even after foolishly separating himself⌠he had still wanted to live. Heâd wanted to be whole again, no matter the cost. And if that demon of hers, whatever it was, allowed her to do that⌠then what right did he have to threaten it?
Vergilâs hand tightened on Yamatoâs hilt, before he snapped forward, blocking her way in a blur of blue. She jumped in fright, spasmed slightly, and glared at him. âStop doing that!â
âWhat is he to you?â
âWhy are you so fast?â
âWhy are you so stubborn?â
âWhy are we arguing when I donât even know your name?â
Vergil didnât like this constant feeling of bewilderment, and he still didnât know why he was tolerating it. But there was something driving his own questionable behavior. If he knew what it was, heâd probably squash it immediately and be done with it. But his brain was dead-set on whatever this was. And if heâd learned anything from his time as V, fighting his instincts would only make things worse. âI wonât harm him.â
She stared at him, surprised. That makes two of us. He thought. âYou⌠promise?â She said.
Vergil twitched. âMust I repeat myself?â
A long moment of silence followed. Vergil simply watched, unbothered, as she shakily leaned against the wall and let her eyes close again. Her heart was beating out of control, much more than Vergil thought it should have been despite her struggle. Vergil tilted his head just slightly, not enough for her to notice, but enough to focus. Her breathing was raspy. Sweat was pooling on her forehead, and she was much paler than he remembered. âYouâre injured,â He said. âWhy?â
âItâs a long story,â She said. âBut I guess I need a bit more help than I thought.â
âI offered you a deal.â
Slowly, she nodded. âFine. Just let me...â Her voice trailed off as Vergil sliced open a portal and resheathed Yamato before she could blink. âWhat is that?â
âGo.â
âYou want me to walk through it?â
Vergil huffed. âWhat else would it be for?â
She reached for it hesitantly, her eyes wide. When her hand brushed the expected nothingness, she jerked back. Vergil rolled his eyes. âIt wonât bite you.â
âWell, I donât know that!âÂ
âJust go.â
After another pause, she said. âI donât suppose I can add your name to our deal?â Vergil didnât move, and Roxy merely sighed in resignation. âShouldâve thought that part through, I suppose.â
âVergil.â
She stopped mid-step, eyes flickering to his in a moment of confusion. âWhat?â
âMy name.â
A quiet Oh slipped from her lips. âWell, mineâsâŚâ
âRoxanna.â
âHow didâŚ?â
âThe store owner,â He said.
After another slow blink, her eyes turned murderous. This time, no pain in the world could stop her from throwing her hands up to the heavens in pure frustration. âNo wonder you never called me back!â
She flinched, hand reaching for her side in immediate regret. But her sudden outburst had, once again, rendered Vergil speechless. âWhat?â
âShe ruined all the mystery,â Roxy muttered.Â
And as she vanished through the portal, Vergil began to wonder if he was the crazy one.
#Vergil#VergilxOC#Slow Burn#Nero#Family Drama#Mutual Pining#You know how hard it is to not post chapters quickly while sitting in my house all day long?
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Quarantine Thoughts
A lot of this is just venting, so read if you want to see me having a mental breakdown.
So this quarantine has got me thinking and overthinking a lot about my life and career. Iâve been thinking about what Iâm going to do with my degree, and where Iâll end up in life. Iâve been worrying about my health, both physical and mental, since I havenât really been thinking about either of those things since I started college. Iâve been trying to figure out who I am, but all of this thinking has gotten me nowhere to be honest.
Iâll start with my academics. I miss being an engineering student. Not because I could see a future of me pursuing that career or because I was excelling for the short time I was in that field, both of those things were true at the time, but the real reason I miss it is because I felt that I was respected more for being a STEM student than being an art student. Iâve always struggled with this internally â that I needed to showcase my intelligence and prove to others that Iâm not stupid. When I told people that I was applying to colleges for civil engineering, almost all of them told me that they were surprised and that I should do something that Iâm more known for â such as art and writing. All of my friends, though saying that they supported me, all hinted that I should do what makes me happy. My ex told me not to apply to a school because she thought I was doing it to be closer to her â I wasnât, but she didnât believe me. My close friend group told me to âjust do whatever you want to do,â when I asked them if they could see me doing that type of career. My family was cautious about me pursuing this, and my mother was quick to tell me that I should change my major when I called her to vent about an assignment I had a hard time completing. I hated it. I hated that my image was being the âartsyâ person. That I was only seen as capable of having a career in a field where no one cares if youâre smart. Where my knowledge in physics and astronomy would be useless. Where my love for science and mathematics would all be pushed aside because itâs not needed for this type of work. I miss being seen as an intelligent person. Now, when people meet me and get to know me, Iâm just an airhead. A fool who thought she could make it in the world as an engineer. A lazy student who paints pretty pictures.
I donât hate where I am now with my studies, but a part of me wants to give engineering another shot. The only reason I really left was because it got too expensive after one semester. Plus, my mother kept pressuring me to do something else since she didnât want to pay for me to go to school for engineering. It was a stressful time. I was eighteen, I had no close friends after the breakup, I didnât have the self-confidence to make myself known to my peers when I started school. Everything was changing so quickly and I had to adjust. I did very well my first semester, and I keep looking back on it and thinking why everyone thought this was wrong for me. Why would they say that I canât make it as an engineer when I got a 3.8 gpa my first semester and managed to get into the Women in Engineering organization, was part of the engineering learning community, got a decent amount of merit scholarships, was on a good track to qualify for the BS/MS degree program, and had plans for co-op opportunities? Itâs like none of the things I did were enough for anyone to see that I was doing well. If I had money to continue at that school, I probably wouldnât be in this situation. I wouldnât have this added pressure to do well or else all this time spent in school would be a waste. I wouldnât be thinking too much about the amount Iâll be making when I graduate, and which company or project Iâd be part of. I wouldnât have pushed myself to participate in every event since school activity fees were thousands of dollars per semester and I didnât want my mother telling me that Iâm wasting her money. I wouldnât have had to fill my schedule so much that I had no time to breathe.
The path that Iâm on now is great. I feel different, and I feel like Iâve grown more as a person pursuing design. Iâve learned so much about myself. Iâm capable of so many things I didnât think were possible for me â very small and mundane things like having good communication skills, being a leader, and having a voice that I want people to notice and listen to. Iâve learned to love where I am in life by pursuing this career path. Or maybe itâs settling, but I want to hope that itâs not. Despite saying this, I wish I had given myself more time for engineering. Maybe I would have reached this point of self-confidence and self-acceptance with that degree as well. But Iâll never really know now.
Now on to my well-being: my health has always been an issue, but I never really tell people about it. My mental health was an issue since I was young, but my therapist and psychiatrist couldnât do much for me for the year that I had them when I was in middle school. I donât know if I can even say that Iâm mental ill anymore since Iâm a functioning person who only feels weird and out of place occasionally. I donât have a diagnosis of what Iâm struggling with. I never did. I was never prescribed anything because my mother didnât want to pay for it, and the health insurance didnât see me as being at risk to others or myself so they stopped paying for group therapy after a week. So I guess thatâs that. My physical health I know is my own fault. I donât eat well or exercise or keep myself active. The things I do to my body, Iâm aware itâs killing it. Lately, my hearing has been giving out and Iâve been ignoring it for years. I never told anyone about the ear pain and the hearing loss and now I feel like that was a terrible decision. I always just assumed I had trouble comprehending audio or that my audio processing was delayed or something. I thought the ringing in my ears were normal or at least a result of dehydration. Iâm on antibiotics now, but surgery would be the best option to fix this. Iâm not sure I want it though. Same with my eyesight. I havenât been taking care of my eyes and now itâs predicted that Iâd be legally blind by age twenty-five. My body is always in pain and I know itâs because Iâm not taking vitamins and supplements to keep my bones healthy. My insides hurt and Iâm constantly dehydrated, but I still insist on donating blood every year since my iron levels are normal and I havenât passed out yet.
I donât hate doctors, I just think my health insurance hates me. As well as my mother, but only regarding my health since Iâve always been good at not complaining about being sick so now that Iâm experiencing all these health complications, I think she thinks that Iâm lying about it. I would love to have a primary physician and have the annual physicals. I would love to see my chiropractor regularly since my back is the main source of my pain. I wouldnât say no to seeing a dentist after all these years of not having dental covered by the insurance for some reason. I want to find a therapist that Iâm not afraid to open up to. I would like a psychiatrist who trusts me and wonât repeat everything I told him in confidence to my mother when Iâm in the room and then have to hear an earful from her in the car on the drive home. I want to be better physically and mentally. I no longer want my body to die slowly and fall apart. I might want to see past twenty-five, or at least have the option.
After saying all this, Iâve concluded that I should get a therapist, get the ear surgery, and continue down this career path and see where I end up. I want to say that all of this would happen, but Iâm not sure. Maybe Iâll feel different when Iâm out of quarantine. Maybe Iâll have a change of heart regarding my studies later on. Maybe my circumstances will change if my health worsens. I donât know what I hope happens. I just want life to continue, but right now it feels like everything is frozen in time.
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No Grace Falls Upon the Careless
My BDRRM Kwentuhan
     I can recall how a Theology professor of mine once said that âin disasters, there is grace,â while she was discussing a lesson in class. I took note of that a few weeks ago because that was just one of lifeâs ironies that dawns upon you every now and then. At some point I agreed to itâespecially how, as Filipinos, it can be evident knowing how resilient we are. Filipinos can be seen managing to flash out smiles amid the flooding and chaos. We manage to swim in our own pieces of tragedy that floods us every now and then, but I realized that this shouldnât really be something we should be proud of. Yes, resilience is important, but it shouldnât be romanticized; the chaos behind it shouldnât be taken for granted. At some point, again, I started to question my professorâs statement. How was it going to be true for those who didnât make it? Knowing how difficult it must be for my fellow citizens, this activity made me ponder more. With my interview with Kagawad Edgar Estigoy, the barangay official assigned to disaster management, I picked up numerous points that made me analyze my own communityâs situation and whether or not the quote I acquired from our teacher applied to the people in it.
     According to the notes given to us in our NSTP course, hazards are âany phenomenon, substance or situation, which has the potential to cause disruption or damage to infrastructure and services, people, their property and their environment.â Knowing how anyone can be subject to danger no matter where they reside, I had Kagawad Edgar identify the hazards that had been present in our communityâBrgy. 397, Zone 41, Sampaloc, Manila.
 According to him, the heaviest calamities that had hit the barangay were typhoons Ondoy and Piping. He referred to these as the worst as he recalled how the barangay was in deep flood for hours due to heavy rainfall and winds. The streets surrounding the community, especially EspaĂąa, werenât fully developed as the drainage systems werenât functioning well. These changed when a mega dyke was built in Blumentrit to mitigate the situation as told by Kagawad Estigoy. Another hazard that had hit the barangay, but fortunately has not affected it much, were the earthquakes. To be more aware or cautious about these things, he mentioned that we are already living in the age wherein Information Technology is very accessible and prevalent. This helps the council be on the lookout for incoming calamities. Indeed, the term âhigh techâ has been familiar to us, and this has paved the way for people to communicate and disseminate information easily. Aside from this, Kagawad expressed that there are organizations involved in providing people information like the Bureau of Communication Services, National Telecommunications Commission, and PAGASA. They also have what they call a âPublic Addressâ, barangay tanods that roam around, and volunteers to help spread info. Basically, they become aware of an incoming disaster when they get the ânationwide notificationâ or warning; they, then, notify the residents of the barangay. What probably is a good thing amid all the disasters is how the community is not badly affected no matter how often these come. To give examples, Kagawad Estigoy cited how the recent typhoon Tisoy came yet the worst weâve experienced out of it were heavy rains and strong winds that thankfully didnât come to the point of destruction compared to the regions that had to go through being badly damaged like Isabela, Cagayan, Mindoro, Albay, Bicol, and Leyte (as cited from the interview).
      When it comes to assessing people at risk in the community, the ones who fell under the most vulnerable to hazards were those who were near establishments made out of wood, which were the areas that were also considered the most dangerous within the community. This is because wood can easily catch fire which--something that cannot be easily put out. This kind of establishments would also be easily âwashed outâ by floods and destructed by winds. But in the communityâs case, very few infrastructures are still made out of wood as most (within the streets of Moret, Galicia, P. Noval, and Tolentino) are already concrete.
According to Kagawad Estigoy, in times of disasters, those who will be largely affected would be the workers or âmga taong naghahanap-buhayâ. He said that we cannot be sure with the financial stability of anyone and meant that not everyone has jobs that can sustain each day which can be affected with a single hit of a storm. Despite this, in terms of vulnerability and facing calamities, the interviewee said that the residents are not really affected to the extent that services will run out as the people are always willing help each other out, as well as give or donate resources. On the other hand, the safest place that can be located within and near the barangay were the open spaces and evacuation areas in the Paaralang Juan Luna and the field of University of Santo Tomas. Kagawad also added that the concrete establishments that surrounded the barangay were informed to be open and accessible to all to be evacuated in during emergencies, especially the building wherein the Chairman of the barangay resided. He said that they were tasked to give way to those who badly needed help or shelter and not be selfish with space. So far, there isnât an existing problem that the barangay is facing which prevents it from being a better community to live in or from rising up again because in the first place, the fall is already prevented.
      In assessing the capacity and disaster management, the council of barangay 397 equips itself and the community with supplies that is ready to use in times of dangerous situations. These evacuating tools include first aid kits, wood cutters and saws (incase of situations that would require removing big obstacles like trees that would fall on cars or roads), machines, ropes, emergency vehicles, and more. The council also makes sure to disseminate information to the community when there is an incoming danger. To help the people be prepared for any disasters, activities like fire drills and earthquake drills are conducted for the safety and awareness of everybody. The barangay council, community volunteers, and support from NGOs all help in the protection and preservation of peace and safety of the barangay.
My Community Walk
      After gathering information from Kagawad Estigoy, I took a community walk to assess and check if the data I have accumulated matched the barangayâs situation. Below are what I have captured with regards to the hazardous areas, safest places, and best practices around the community.The hazardous places or spaces that I have captured included (1) infrastructures made out of wood since, as the interviewee had mentioned, it could easily catch fire and is feeble enough to be destroyed by strong winds and floods,Â
(2) sidewalk and road blockages/damages that have no proper warning signages which could put people in danger such as making them fall, trip, or are simply being obstructions,
and (3) open construction sites that are too close to roads and establishments that is hazardous for many passersby that do not have PPE (Proper Protective Equipment).
Some issues I have noticed were (1) the presence of too many electrical wirings that were all messily looped together which can be a cause for fire
and (2) the presence of heavy-duty equipment near construction sites that were just lying around unsecured.
A hazardous practice I have captured is the construction workers act of not wearing PPEâs while working which could harm them while they do their jobs.
 The safest places, as mentioned earlier, are the (1) UST field,
(2) Paaralang Juan Luna,
and (3) the barangay hall itself which is also where the barangay chairman resides.
Last but definitely not the least, some best practices I have witnessed in the entirety of my community walk were (1) the proper segregation of waste (as there were trash bins in almost every corner in the community) and designated areas for recyclable materials,
(2) the presence of many security cameras (for proper surveillance) and a warning horn (for important announcements),
and (3) ready-to-go barangay vehicles that were provided for disaster response.
   Because of the interview and community walk, I couldnât help but also notice the issues that can be perceived to be small but can have a lasting effect. An issue I found confusing was how the barangay was missing a DRRM plan, which although crucial, seemed to be taken for granted since I was told there wasnât really a need for it because the plans were all connected and âprogrammedâ anyway in the council; that they were simply wired to be informed already. Another issue fell more under how the people donât really follow the rules set out for them and their common good, even in the simplest things like proper waste disposal and taking segregation bins for granted. Pieces of trash can still be found scattered around the area despite having been provided with trash bins. These, in my opinion, are issues because it can affect everyone residing in the area and can be a cause for a domino effect that will gradually build up in the long run (ex. being a big factor for floods and health issues).
      The mere fact that people continue to be careless despite being provided with a chance to come up with a solution (programs/plans) or have a solution (trash bins) right before their eyes tells something about the discipline that is lacking within the masses. This also influences people to go on with their misdeeds. This does not only apply to this particular community but to the whole country as a whole. It reflects the lack of effort of the citizens to do the simplest things to contribute to the betterment of other people and the environment. This is why change hasnât come, and why a lot of bad things prevail in the country; because we canât even follow something simple due to being undisciplined and careless. We need to be able to address this because people donât even realize that due to these, more and more add up to being under the vulnerability list.
      To increase the capacities of a community, it needs to start within the individual. The practice of thinking of the welfare of others should always be put in mind because as long as we care and live for the common good, there is hope. Perhaps, what the local government can do about it is conduct seminars and put up more infographics that are eye-catching will actually have an encouraging effect to the audienceâactivities that will leave a mark which will be remembered for a long time and can be taught by the elderly to the younger generation. Also, the local government can have somebody assigned to conduct a monthly check of the community area. Information can also be disseminated online to make use of the cyberspace where influence is strong and where almost everybody can be involved. But, all this cannot be possible if discipline isnât present and maintained. There will not be grace amid disasters if people do not actually learn from what they did wrong which contributed to the worsening of a situation that eventually leads to a disaster.
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Perfect Little Girls
Had an idea for a Grown Up PPG fic. It got long, so I added in a readmore!
The girls retire from fighting crime after high school. Times have changed, and a lot of their enemies have retired, died, or are serving their time in prison. Theyâre ready to have their own lives. Professor Utonium supports and is proud of them.
Buttercup decides to backpack across the country. Being able to fly is super helpful for this, and she can visit her sisters whenever. Finds herself doing bouncer work, and keeping an eye out for women in danger to protect. Spent some time working at a lesbian bar, where she felt at home. She misses crime fighting the most, but not more than she misses her goody goody sisters.
Bubbles became an independent content creator, as something like a Youtuber. Lots of Story Time videos, makeup tutorials, whatever she feels like sharing. Sells comic/coloring books based on her adventures with her sisters. She thrives in the community. She makes enough to be more than comfortable, but gives a lot of her money back. She prefers to use her influence to save the day, if possible.
Blossom spends her 20s investigating several careers, decides sheâs wasted on office work, lacked the capacity for stupid for running a store, and she has too much heart for politics. Not that she ever technically failed at any of it. She was good at it all but none of it was right. After spending some time with her dad in the lab, helping him with his research into Chemical X, she realized it felt... right. Like coming home, or slipping into your favorite shoes. She decided to become a scientist like her Very proud and Touched dad, and after her schooling becomes known as Dr. Blossom Utonium.
She moves back home, both to take care of her aging father and be closer to her research. He insists heâs fine but she loves him and she worries. They have a good time working together, and make some breakthroughs that required Blossoms methods and analytical mind (and sometimes tests on Buttercup.)
Over time, they begin to notice the world becoming more like their youth. Dangerous. People who would call themselves villains are working their way into notoriety. The girls childhood rival Princess is running for Mayor (a position long held by Ms. Bellum after their good friend retired) and her methods are ruthless. Itâs looking like playing fair isnât enough to âRe-Elect Bellumâ, as the signs staked in yards all over town say. She has some ideas for prison reform that donât benefit the right people. Blossom is worried.
She calls a family meeting. Buttercup is eager to get back into the game, though Bubbles is hesitant. She has a life now, and things at stake. Blossom assures them that wasnât her intention for Them to return to heroism, but instead to create 3 new little girls for a changing world. Research in chemical X has advanced enough that she thinks they could even have fingers, and maybe smaller eyes.
The Professor and Bubbles are unsure. The work is dangerous, and this kind of thing hasnât been tested intentionally. Bubbles would want these little girls to have a chance to be little girls. Buttercup is on board immediately, offering herself as their trainer. Blossom is absolutely positive that it will work. Their work life balance will be better than theirs was, knowing what they know now. Theyâll have tech assistance as well. They all eventually agree that they would try it, but if it works and the girls Donât Want to do it, they wonât be forced.
It takes some time. Hundreds of failed experiments that fortunately do not turn grotesque, calls to the fire department, and sleepless nights later, they Know theyâre going to succeed. Buttercup moves back to town permanently and opens her own bar, with financial assistance from Bubbles and Mayor Bellum. Bubbles moves into a house in the neighborhood to be closer to the kids. And Blossom has been gathering ingredients.
Sugar, Spice, and everything nice are not all little girls are made of. They need compassion, creativity, and cunning. They need to be kind empathetic and open minded. They need more than powers to save the world, they need a drive. They have to care about other people.
Each of the girls contribute something of their own. Blossom donates the first chapter book she ever finished. She loved it, wore the covers down with her hands as she read it over and over through the years. The girls to have curiosity and intrigue in things around them, as well as imagination.
Bubbles makes the hard decision to contribute Octi, her favorite stuffed animal. He was a fuzzy purple octopus with a top hat when he was still new. Now he was grayed and flat and missing parts of his face. The girls need love, she figured, and Octi was as loved as he could get.
It took Buttercup a little bit to decide what to add. She didnât keep a lot of relics from her youth, and she worried her own personality would be too volatile. She gave up the first leather jacket she bought for herself when she left townsville. Once shiny and black, it was now dull and well broken in. It also had been converted into a vest, and decorated with patches and buttons. It was her armor for her years abroad, a second skin. She never went a day without it. The girls need to be able to protect others, but also themselves.
The day comes, and it couldnât be a better time. Mayor Bellum is again Ms. Bellum, as Princess won the election. Itâs hard to say how, most of the citizens of Townsville had declared their intentions to Re-Elect Bellum. It was safe to assume there was money involved. A new villain, claiming to be the apprentice to Mojo Jojo, has begun causing trouble. Several older villains that are âmysteriouslyâ being released from prison and are getting jobs as Mayor Princessâs personal security and enforcers. They need this to work more now than ever.
This time the measurements are careful. Each of the girls treasured belongings are added, along with portions of the expected sugar, spice, and everything nice. Blossom offers for the Professor to do the honors of adding the new reformulated Chemical X, but instead he poured it for them into 3 portions to add together. With cautious excitement, they did, and before they could cover their eyes there was a blinding FLASH of light! (This, of course, is why you wear proper lab equipment.)
After their eyes recovered, and the Professor returned to a standing position, they saw the fruits of their labor, asleep in the individual pods designed for them to be born into. They looked more... traditionally human than the girls did, and a couple years older. Closer to 10 than 5. Eyes are large, but not as off putting, 8 individual fingers and toes each, a nose on each of them. Upon careful inspection, one had yellow eyes, with red hair like Blossoms, but curlier. One had orange eyes with Bubbles blonde hair, though shorter and messier. And the last had red eyes with Buttercups dark black hair, styled blunt and long. They were named Daisy, Daffodil, and Dahlia respectively.
After they gained consciousness and were given their own clothes, dresses similar to the ones the girls once wore when they were young, it was clear that the experiment had been a success. Professor Utonium was thrilled to have children in the house again. He loved his grown up girls, but something about having 3 little trouble makers jumping on the bed and asking for âOne More Bedtime Storyâ warmed his aging bones.Â
None of the three of them could have children traditionally, the way they were made, and for the most part they had decided that was for the best. There were a lot of kids out there that could be adopted if they wanted families. Blossom, for one, wasnât sure if she even wanted them. But something changed in those moments when she saw them come to life. She would do anything for them, and she knew her sisters would do the same.
Buttercup, the cool aunt, became their trainer. She taught them how to kick ass, take names, and be confident in who they are. Bubbles was the fun aunt, who as well as taking them to the mall and painting their nails (werenât they so lucky to have them, and so long!) taught them about inequality and humanitarianism. And Blossom was mom, doing everything in between. Shepherding them to school and back between lab work, making sure they were fed and clothed.
In return the girls saved Townsville, again and again. They took to it naturally. And more than fighting monsters, they fought injustice. They protected their classmates from bullies and strangers from unjust arrests. Perhaps to the older crowd who thought crime fighters should stick to villains and monsters, they wouldnât be as popular as the crowd pleasing original trio. But to the young folks, to the kids who grew up with Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup, who are raising their own kids with theirs, they couldnât be more thrilled for the future.
Nothing was more exciting for them than getting that Google alert on their phones whenever a news site would announce in a title;Â âThe Day was Saved, Thanks to the Powerpuff Girlsâ
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Music Lessons
Hereâs a quick Felicity centric piece about her giving music lessons to Webby, as inspired by @musekicker who has been helping me out with ideas for fics/drabbles (also, go read her ducktales drabbles! they are so good). Fic after the cut.
Being between seasons and shows was hard for someone like Felicity who lived and breathed rehearsing and performing. Of course, small little productions and charity events kept her busy, but they didnât exactly pay rent. So, with her years of musical training - voice, piano, various strings, flute and trumpet - not to mention dancing, Felicity had the bright idea to teach music and the occasional dance lesson. She had flyers all over Duckburg, and a friend at the local newspaper ran her ad for cheap as well.
Fortunately, there had been plenty of parents wanting a teacher for their children, especially  the rising middle and more bourgeoisie families. As long as they paid, werenât rude, and didnât expect their offspring to be Handel, Bach, or David Bowie after two lessons, Felicity was happy to teach. Granted, she was happy to teach regardless - she loved her craft, and sharing it by performing or teaching she loved most of all. After a while, whether it was her personality, teaching abilities or her status as an uprising ingenue of the theater, Felicity found herself with a near full schedule again during the off-season.
As such, having a phone call in the morning for an introductory session that afternoon wasnât a surprise.
âMy boss doesnât want this getting out into the the public that heâs hired you,â a curt female voice said over the line, Â but quickly turned slightly softer, though it was hard to hear. âNot in a bad way, but he prefers his privacy, especially in regards to his niece and nephews.â
âI understand,â Felicity said, cradling the phone between her shoulder and head as she grabbed her schedule. âI donât tell anyone about the people I teach. Itâs all private. Who am I teaching exactly? And for what?â
âHis niece and the cello,â she replied. âAre you available this afternoon? Something came up with her normal instructor.â
Felicity paused, scanning her schedule. Between one piano lesson and one voice lesson she had a two hour block available, which was ample time to see where the niece was in her studies and continue where she left off, then get home and ready for the voice lesson.
âI do have room for a one and a half hour session at three,â Felicity answered. There was a flutter of paper on the other side of the phone.
âThat works. Â Weâll send a car for you at 2:45, â the voice said. âPlease be prompt.â
The phone clicked in her hand before Felicity could even respond. She scoffed at the phone, but nonetheless penciled down the lesson before pulling her cello from what should have been a broom closet. She had an hour before her first lesson of the day, easily enough time to practice.
---
At 2:55 the bumpy car ride finally ended, and Felicityâs suspicions were confirmed about who had hired her. Other than the crash prone driver, who she recognized as none other than Scrooge McDuckâs, the large mansion she stood in front of, hopefully unscathed cello on her back, was certainly his. Felicity had run into Scrooge once or twice before at a few productions and charity events, but he hadnât been the talkative type. Granted, those were times she had been in the chorus or he was just avoiding obvious charity workers as a way to avoid being pleaded for donations. She also didnât expect to talk to him that day either.
âAre you sure you donât want me to carry that?â Launchpad called from the cab of the car. He had been kind enough to carry it from her apartment door and into the car, and while more or less careful then, Felicity was shaken from the ride and was more concerned about making sure her cello stayed intact.
âI think I got it from here, thank you though!â Felicity smiled sincerely. Launchpad nodded with a thumbs up, and drove off as she made her way up the steps. The doorbell ringing was punctuated by the sound of a bumper getting crumpled and a hub cap rolling off itâs housing, causing Felicity to flinch. The door opened to reveal an older woman, who looked down at her expectantly.
âI suppose youâre the music teacher?â she asked, gesturing for Felicity to come inside.
âYes, I am. Iâm Felicity. Felicity Columbia,â the swan responded, quickly entering the foyer. âWere you the one who called earlier?â
âNo, that was Penelope, Mr. McDuckâs secretary at the Money Bin,â the older woman began to walk ahead of her, leading her into the mansionâs halls. It was a very quick paced walk, and Felicity only had a few glances of the rich interior of the house. Â The walk stopped in front a set of double doors. âShould you need anything, Iâm Mrs. Beakley.â
âJust a few rules,â the tone was like a drill sergeantâs as Mrs. Beakley turned to face her, and Felicity felt herself straighten up. âNo snooping, no prying into anyoneâs lives here, and no telling anyone who has employed you. Our last instructor did that and we had to fire him.â
âYes mâam,â Felicity agreed. She didnât try to bother and tell her that these lessons were called âprivate lessonsâ for a reason, not wanting to start anything that could get her in trouble or lose a student. Mrs. Beakley looked pleased.
âMy granddaughter is in the music room after these doors,â she said, much to Felicityâs confusion that she thought her student was Scroogeâs niece. âIâll be coming in to check your progress in approximately 45 minutes. Clear?â
âCrystal,â the swan replied, placing a cautious hand on the door knob. âCan I head in? Itâs almost two and Iâd like to get started.â
Mrs. Beakley nodded, and Felicity opened the door to a small study. The walls were lined with oak shelves and a great deal of books and portraits of the mansionâs owner. Felicity let herself admire it for a moment when she heard the opening notes of a short warm-up begin on the behind the door on the other side of the wall. Felicity smiled - it was very rare that students took initiative to begin warm-ups without her. With a gentle knock to alert her student, Felicity opened the door to a small, well-lit room with a piano tucked away in a corner. Â The small duckâs head snapped away from the neck of her cello towards Felicity, who waved.
âHello!â she said, making her way over. âIâm Felicity, your cello instructor for the day. Whatâs your name?â
âWebby,â the young duck replied, and shook Felicityâs hand. âItâs nice to meet you. Sorry it was short notice!â
âItâs not a problem,â Felicity chuckled. âIâm always happy to teach. While I get my cello out, can you continue your warm-ups? Then you can catch me up on where your regular teacher left off. Sound good?â
Webby nodded with a determined hum, and turned her attention back towards her instrument, sliding into a neat progression of scales. The swan smiled as she rosined her bow - this was going to be a very productive lesson. Â
By the time Mrs. Beakley stopped in to check on them, Felicity had been brought up to speed on where Webby was in her lessons - âVery advanced for your age group,â she had said, which Webby preened at. âYou should feel accomplished.â - and they not only finished where her previous teacher left off, but began a new piece as well. Mrs. Beakley entered into the room to the sound of a more advanced piece  being broken down and worked through, stilted but on its way.  The two cellists looked up when she entered, Webby grinning wide.
âHey granny!â she happily said, waving her bow in greeting. Felicity smiled with a quick âhelloâ as well. Mrs. Beakley nodded with a slight smile.
âWebby, Miss Columbia, how is the lesson going?â she asked. Webby stood on her chair, excited as she lightly bounced on her heels, still holding onto her cello and bow.
âItâs been great! Weâve started a new piece and I learned this neat new finger position! It actually cramps my hand!â Webby stated. Felicity smiled.
âItâs only for a little while, Mrs. Beakley,â she said assuredly, âjust until she gets used to the position. You should be very proud of your granddaughter. Sheâs very proficient, not to mention diligent when it comes to practice.â
âIâll be prouder once she stops bouncing on the furniture,âMrs. Beakley said, eyes wary as Webby quickly sat back down with a sheepish apology. âBut I am very proud of her. Iâll leave you to back to your lesson then.â
Felicity and Webby nodded and turned their attention back to the next line in their sheet music, which featured the hand-cramp inducing finger position. At the end of the lesson when Beakley came back, Â a good quarter of the piece had been broken down with instructions to practice it, as well as look onto the next few lines and break them down the best Webby could.
When Felicity was returning her cello back to itâs case, Webby bounded over to Mrs. Beakley, having a conversation that the swan couldnât quite here, but Webbyâs tone of voice was cheerful at least. As she closed the lid, she felt a tap on her leg, and turned to see Webby standing behind her, arms crossed behind her back and looking almost serious.
âEverything alright, Webby?â Felicity asked. The duck nodded.
âI was wondering if you could be my cello instructor from now on?â Webby asked, much to Felicityâs surprise. âI had a lot of fun during my lesson, which isnât normally the case, and you didnât make me feel like I was doing anything wrong, even when I was wrong! Please be my music teacher?â
Felicity, for a split moment, wanted to strangle whoever was teaching her before for making Webby feel wrong while playing and making the lesson not fun at all, but swallowed it down. Besides, they had been fired. She looked up at Mrs. Beakley, who nodded, and she smiled and looked back at Webby.
âIâd be very happy to be your teacher, Webby, if youâll be my student, â Felicity said. Webby squealed in delight and lunged forward, jumping up to hug Felicity around the waist. The swan couldnât help but laugh, and quickly returned the hug with a pat on the head. âWebby, how about you case your cello, and Iâll talk to your granny about a lesson schedule.â
Webby dropped down to the floor with a peppy âalrightâ and a pumped fist and quickly went to take care of her cello. Felicity picked her case off the floor, slinging it carefully over her shoulder as she made her way over to Mrs. Beakley. Â âAm I her instructor now? I just want to make sure itâs alright with you and Mr. McDuck.â
âI am satisfied with your tutelage, and Mr. McDuck will be pleased that we now have a better, more discreet instructor for Webby,â Mrs. Beakley replied, opening the door for Felicity. âWebby, say goodbye!â
âBye, Felicity! See you next week!â Webby called with a wave from her case.
âSee you then! Remember to practice,â Felicity waved back. Webby nodded with the sureness of a soldier and returned to her case. Mrs. Beakley closed the door behind them and Felicity was finally able to ask as she followed Beakley back to the front door: âIs she really Mr. McDuckâs niece? Itâs what, um, Penelope said earlier.â
âHonorary niece, Miss Columbia. Itâs easier just to say niece and be done with it though,â Mrs. Beakley answered curtly as she opened the front door to let the swan out. âWill you be available this same time next week for lessons? I suppose your hours will change once the show season picks back up again into production however.â
âYes, and the week afterwards as well,â Felicity responded. âAnd, yes, my hours will change once my company has shows in production. How did you-â
âI keep tabs on anyone who interacts with my household,â Beakley said flatly. Felicity didnât have a verbal or mental response to that. âHave a good day, Miss Columbia. Launchpad will drive you home now.â
The door closed, and once Felicity processed everything up to that statement, she unstuck herself from her spot on the stair and down to the waiting towncar. Â
#ducktales oc#ducktales#webby vanderquack#mrs. beakley#my oc#felicity columbia#i have two more planned for her right now#as well as a fenro fic;a crackbeaks one; and a couple penelope centered ones#raidenraccoon#musekicker
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âweâre on a roadtrip with some friends and we have to share a hotel room and thereâs only one bed and a whole lot of sexual tensionâ AU Would be nice if it was smutty. Steve and Sam totally set them up. Later Bucky and Tony realise they are both fools since they've been in love with each other since the beginning of their acquaintance.
A/N: I went way overboard on my first run at this prompt - that version is going up on AO3. Â
So Open Up, Iâm Climbinâ In
âYou know, Sam,â Â Tony groused, âjust because Rhodey deputized you as my new best friend when he deployed doesnât mean you have to drag me along on all your shenanigans.â Â
âCâmon, Tony,â Sam pled. Â âJust see what they have to say.â
âYou hardly know these guys and you wanna get stuck driving three quarters of the way across the country with them?â Â
âSteve was my partner on that group project from hell in my Structural Integrity class last semester,â Sam responded. âWe bonded through adversity. Â I kinda feel like I owe the guy.â
âBut Bruce and I are at an important place in our project.â Â Tony knew he was making excuses, but he had a bit of an ulterior motive.
Bruce Banner, Tonyâs  âscience broâ  was a pre-med major with a focus on neurobiology; it had been his idea to explore the possibility of developing an external neural interface to control an upper limb prosthetic. This would allow for less expensive prosthetics to be produced.
Bruce reached out to Tony for his programming and electronics skills, and theyâd managed to talk a couple of their professors into supporting the effort. Â The fact that Stark Industries had made quite a large donation to the school recently certainly didnât hurt; Â thanks to this act of quasi-nepotism, Tony and Bruce were able to score a private lab area and even offer compensation to their test subjects. Enter J.B. Barnes, a fellow student who was missing the lower two-thirds of his left arm due to a car accident the previous year. Â Â
[more under the cut]
Tony found himself making excuses to hang out in the lab, Â because Barnes was absolutely gorgeous. Â Long, dark hair, a strong jawline, legs that went on for days, and stunning blue-grey eyes. Â Sure, he had a bit of a Resting Murder Face going on, Â and he didnât talk much; which was a shame, since Tony could have listened to that smoky baritone read an error log and still probably pop a boner. Â The day he walked in the lab to see a shirtless Barnes â Bruce was measuring his residual limb in order to start building the prosthetic â was one Tony still replayed in his mind.
So it was a hell of a shock to walk into the diner where he and Sam had agreed to meet Rogers and his friend and see a familiar face: Rogersâ pal was none other than Barnes. Â Apparently the two of them had known each other since they were kids and had always wanted to go see the Grand Canyon. Â Rogers â a shrimpy, artsy type â did most of the talking, while Tony wondered what heâd done to piss off Lady Fate lately. Â
âMe ân Buck were never much for the crazy Spring Break beach vacations, but figured this would be kind of a last hurrah before we graduate and start our careers.â Rogers explained. âFigure with another driver or two, we can actually make the trip without killing ourselves or each other. Â So, are you guys in?â
Tony had never done anything like this before â his family vacations had involved exotic locations and having every wish catered to â but it sounded like an adventure to him and having Barnes as a travel companion was a definite bonus.  Sam was up for it as well,  so they hashed  out a basic route and other logistics. And just a few days later, they were piling into Rogersâ car and getting on the road.
They had to average about six hundred miles a day to get there and back within the nine and a half days they had available to them,  so there wasnât much time for sightseeing.  They hit a couple of  landmarks along the route â  Niagara Falls  and  the Gateway Arch in St. Louis were the highlights on the way out, and Sam had lobbied hard to stop at the National Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio on the way back.  But the majority of the trip was spent in the car and in close quarters.
While Tony had loaded his tablet up with movies and books, he found himself being pulled out of his shell, mostly by Sam but also by his other travel mates as they talked to pass the time.  Bucky and Steve were Brooklyn boys, born and bred and  Sam was happy to talk about growing up in Baltimore with his extended family.
Tony was probably the most reticent, as just about anything he said would come out sounding like he was a spoiled brat. Â After all, the name Stark was emblazoned on skyscrapers on both coasts, and heâd grown up in a mansion with servants at his (well, his parentsâ) beck and call. Â But he had a few innocuous anecdotes he felt comfortable sharing, and was able to hold up his end of the conversation well enough.
One bit of surprisingly pleasant news was that Barnes was both gay and single; heâd recently broken up with his boyfriend, who sounded like a real asshole.  Tony knew a little something about that; after a disastrous attempt at a romantic Valentineâs Day the month before  â romance and Ty Stone apparently being polar opposites â Tony had given his own boyfriend the boot. Â
He and Bucky â Tony had finally accepted the idea that a grown man was going by the name  âBuckyâ â also found themselves bonding over a love of science fiction, arguing good-naturedly about the best novels by the Golden Age writers vs the New Wave and more modern writers.
Both of them had been inspired by their reading to pursue their majors - civil engineering for Bucky and  mechanical engineering and computer programming for Tony. Â
âIn fact,â  Tony said, âthe computer on Star Trek and  Mike in The Moon is a Harsh Mistress got me interested in the idea of artificial intelligences.  Iâm working on something along those lines myself.  Remind me to show you  Dum-E when we get back.â
âYou named an artificial intelligence Dummy?â Bucky laughed and shook his head. Â âBetter let Banner have the naming rights on the rig you guys are working on.â
Tony bristled for a moment, then realized Bucky was just teasing him; apparently theyâd reached that point in their burgeoning friendship. Â âIt stands for Digital Mechanical Entity,â he explained. Â âHeâs a robot with a learning algorithm. Â Has independent control of his arm and camera. Â Iâm working on voice commands at the moment.â
âSounds impressive. Maybe I could meet Dum-E sometime.â Â Bucky smiled, and Tony felt his heart skip a beat. Thankfully, Â Sam interrupted with the announcement of an impending pit stop, and Tony worked to regain his equilibrium. Â
âYouâve got a thing for Bucky, donâtcha, Tones?â Â Sam murmured as they stood together contemplating their junk food options. Â Steve and Bucky were checking out, having already restocked. Â
âNo! Well, not really. Maybe?â Â Yes, the guy was practically sex on legs, and they were getting along pretty well now that theyâd found they had had interests in common. Â However, Tony didnât want to put that possible friendship in jeopardy by hitting on the guy and making the rest of the trip awkward. Â âBut nothingâs gonna happen. Â Heâs way out of my league.â Â
âUh-huh.â Sam crossed his arms and looked unimpressed.
âJust drop it, Samwise. Â I donât want to ruin the party.â
They made it to the Grand Canyon  on Tuesday around noon and spent a few hours exploring the park, with plans to stay the night in Flagstaff before heading back home   Bucky made a  suggestion to visit the Lowell Observatory that evening. Tony was game, but â after exchanging a mysterious look â their companions demurred.  Sam had called ahead to the hotel and booked the last two rooms, saying that theyâd have the front desk hold a key for them.  Tony had been sharing a room with Sam up to this point in the trip,  but supposed he could keep his developing crush on Bucky under wraps for one night.
The Observatory tour was entertaining and informative; they even got to take a peek through the Pluto Discovery Telescope. Â As they walked back to the car, Tony reflected on how nice it was to spend time with someone who liked the same things he did. Â It was almost as if theyâd been out on a date together or something. Â Not that Tony had a lot of experience with that.
The two of them stopped to grab a bite to eat on the way back to the hotel and lost track of time; it was almost eleven  oâclock by the time he and Bucky got back to the hotel.  The front desk clerk slid the room keycard over once theyâd identified themselves.  âHave a lovely evening, gentlemen. Breakfast runs until ten in the morning.â
âSon of a bitch - I bet Sam did this on purpose!â  Tony fumed, looking around as he stepped in the room which contained a single king-sized bed. Quickly assessing his options, he added  âListen, Iâll grab the bedspread and curl up in the chair or something.â
âNah, thatâs okay.â Bucky replied, giving Tony an assessing look. Â âBut why do you say this was on purpose?â Â
Tony felt his cheeks heating as he replied, Â âSam seems to think Iâve got the hots for you.â Â He hadnât intended to be quite so blunt, but the long travel days mustâve gotten to him.
Instead of laughing, or looking annoyed or disgusted, Â Bucky stepped right into Tonyâs personal space. Â âWell, do ya?â Â His question was unexpectedly soft, and somehow hopeful. Â
Tony, at a loss for words, simply nodded slightly. Â âGood. âCause the feelingâs mutual,â Â Bucky purred, tilting his head down to capture Tonyâs lips in an exploratory kiss. Â His exhaustion evaporated as the kiss moved from something cautious and unsure to confident and insistent. Â
Tony opened his mouth eagerly to Buckyâs questing tongue, reaching out to pull him closer, to feel that magnificent chest pressing against his. Bucky threaded his fingers through Tonyâs hair to hold his head at the perfect angle, deepening the kiss. Â
A hot rush of want ran through Tonyâs veins as he realized Bucky was walking him backwards towards the bed, licking and nipping at his neck and collarbone. Tony wondered for a moment if they were jumping into the physical aspect too soon; but then again, the time theyâd spent together easily equalled  four or five dates, and wasnât that usually the âmake it or break itâ point? But despite the pounding of his pulse and the heat and press of Buckyâs hardon against his leg, Tony wanted to clarify something; make sure things didnât go too far too fast. Â
âJust so you know, I wasnât planning on getting laid on this trip, so Iâm fresh out of condoms and lube.â Â
âSame here,â Bucky replied with a rueful grin, panting slightly. Â âBut I can think of a coupla other things we could do. Â Iâve been told I give good head â wanna find out for yourself, darlin?â
Tonyâs knees went weak, as much at the unexpected endearment as the offer itself. âSure, as long as I can return the favor, sunshine.â
Bucky grinned and tugged at the waistband of Tonyâs jeans. Â âDrop âem.â
Tony was eager to comply; hastily pushing the covers back to sit on the edge of the bed. He grabbed a pillow for Bucky to kneel on before stripping out of his jeans and briefs. Â Trembling with anticipation, Tony couldnât hold back a moan as Bucky sank to his knees and ran his hand up Tonyâs thigh. Â
âI figured youâd be a vocal kinda guy,â Bucky smirked. âSâalways good to be appreciated.â Â He wrapped his hand around Tonyâs cock, giving it a few firm strokes before flicking his tongue against the tip. Â That wrung a gasp from Tony, his hands flying out to grab blindly at Buckyâs shoulders. Â
âGod, yes, more,â he begged, as Bucky began sucking his dick. Â Bucky hadnât been exaggerating as to his skills; those plush, sinful lips and talented tongue were taking Tony apart. Â The brush of Buckyâs long hair against his thighs combined with the slow circles his thumb was rubbing into Tonyâs hipbone just added to the sensory overload. Â He could feel the orgasm building in his system as Bucky bobbed up and down, taking practically all of Tonyâs cock into his hot, wet mouth.
âMâ getting close, sweetheart,â Tony gasped. Â âWhere do you want me to come?â Â He figured it was only polite to ask.
Bucky pulled off for a moment, squeezing the base of Tonyâs cock tight. âWanna taste ya, sugar. Â Suck every last drop outta you.â Â
The dirty talk combined with  Bucky swallowing Tony to the root was his undoing; Tony came hard, his keen of pleasure probably waking the neighbors. Bucky gentled him through the aftershocks; but instead of the lassitude heâd expected after such a strong climax,  Tony felt energized, hungry to give Bucky the same pleasure heâd just received.
âAllow me to join in the choir singing your praises,â Â Tony said, Â responding to Buckyâs questioning look. Â âHow and where do you want me to go down on you, hot stuff?â
âItâs not gonna take long,â Â Bucky admitted. âMight as well get in bed, soâs we can fall asleep after.â Â Â He stood and shimmied out of his jeans with more grace than Tony would have expected. Â He paused before taking off his shirt, Â and gave Tony a raised eyebrow. Â Tony realized he was still wearing his AC/DC concert tee.
Tony skinned the shirt over his head before he could reconsider; his scars were nothing compared to what Bucky had gone through. Â When he caught the brief widening of his companionâs eyes, he explained. âHeart murmur. Had to repair a valve or two, no biggie.â Â It was easy to minimize now, a year or so after the fact. Â âBut enough about me. Â Time to focus on you, sweetheart.â
Bucky finished undressing â a simple flesh-colored sock covered his stump â and stretched out on the bed,  an anticipatory grin on his face.  His cock was hard and throbbing; apparently he got turned on by giving head.  Good to know.  Tony prowled up Buckyâs body, claiming a hard, fierce kiss before moving down to nuzzle at his neck,  sucking marks across Buckyâs collarbone. His hands roamed restlessly over his partnerâs body, tweaking a nipple here, reaching under to grab a handful of ass there, doing any and everything  that seemed to drive Bucky even further into the throes of passion. Â
Bucky wasnât exactly a quiet bedmate either; an almost continuous stream of gasps and moans pushing from his lips as he rutted shamelessly against Tony, leaving smears of precome on their skin. Â Â âCâmon, darlin,â he begged, Â âneed to feel your mouth on my dick. Â Show me just what kind of a cocksucker you are.â
Bucky was both longer and thicker than what Tony was used to â which, admittedly, was only Ty, and one anonymous mutual handjob outside a club late one night â , but âadapt and overcomeâ wasnât  Tonyâs motto for nothing.  He  wrapped his fingers tightly around the base of Buckyâs cock, stroking up and down as he licked and sucked, swirling his tongue around the tip, alternating hollowing out his cheeks and pressing Buckyâs cock hard against the roof of his mouth. Â
Bucky touched the back of Tonyâs head. Â âCan I? Â Promise I wonât push or hold ya down or nothinâ.â Â Tony hummed his assent, and Bucky carded his fingers through Tonyâs hair as he continued bobbing up and down. Â âWanna come down your throat, sugar. Â Is that okay?â Â
Tony responded by going as deep as he could, then coming back up with a grin. Â âToldja Iâd return the favor.â Â He took a breath, then swallowed down as much of Buckyâs cock as he could, fighting his gag reflex. Bucky was true to his word; even as he came; shaking and shuddering with a low, staccato moan, he didnât hold Tony down or push him even deeper. Â Tony looked up to see a sleepy, satisfied expression on Buckyâs face as he murmured âCâmere, darlinâ.â
âSo, in all that paperwork I filled out for your project,â Bucky drawled, as they got settled into a comfortable, spooning position, âI donât recall nothing about a ban on fraternization. Is that right?â Â
âAs far as I can remember. Â Iâll check with Bruce in the morning.â Â Tony tried not to read too much into Buckyâs question, but fell asleep with a hopeful heart that whatever was going on between them could grow into something more than a one night stand.
âThis,â Â Tony declared as he looked around the table, Â âis the best birthday ever. Thank you.â Â He felt tears of joy stinging his eyes as he leaned over and blew out the candles on his cake. Â What a contrast from the year before, when it had been just him and Rhodey and a stale cupcake from the dorm vending machine. Â Or even just a few months earlier, before that crazy road trip, when he spent his weekends in front of his computer instead of spending time with people he cared about, and who cared about him. Â Â
Sam had made the cake from his mommaâs recipe, and once it was cut and passed around, out came the gifts. Â Bruce had bought him a gigantic coffee mug, and Bruceâs girlfriend Betty, Â who Tony had only met a couple of times, had knit him a scarf. Â Steve presented Tony with a sketch of his favorite building on campus, Â and Rhodey â whose presence was gift enough in Tonyâs opinion â gave him a vintage physics book dated 1898, the same year the electron was discovered. Â
Bucky had given Tony his present over breakfast â a bronze bracelet depicting the astrological symbols of Pluto and Charon. Â Inside, it was inscribed âI am your moon, you are my moon.â Â It was a perfect reminder of their visit to Lowell Observatory and the events of that night; Â theyâd both gotten a little misty eyed when Tony opened the box.
Now, Â Bucky was sitting right next to Tony, his right arm wrapped casually around Tonyâs waist as he slowly ate using the latest iteration of the prosthetic in a real-life test. Â Tony wasnât sure what he was prouder of; Â the work that he and Bruce had put into creating the prosthetic and the interface, or the work Bucky had put in to learn how to use it. Â Regardless, he found himself cheering internally each time another bite of cake was successfully consumed.
âWanna try feeding me a bit, sunshine?â
Bucky looked over at Tonyâs empty plate. Â âUh-huh - youâre just anglinâ to get more cake, arenâtcha?â Â But he focused his attention and maneuvered the fork over in front of Tony, only to smear the frosting on his nose. âOops! Sorry, sweetheart,â Bucky apologized, but he couldnât keep a straight face for long as he leaned in to lick the errant icing off
âFine motor control test complete.â Â Bruce commented dryly, as the rest of the table dissolved in laughter. Â Tony hadnât needed to make a birthday wish this year; Â he had everything he wanted right here. Â
#winteriron#tony x bucky#tony stark#bucky barnes#college au#road trip#eventual smut#prompts#polizwrites#Anonymous
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Petty, vindictive bitch.
Every so often I think about the thousands of dollars my mother has extorted from me since I was born, just in the form of birthday cards from grandma and grandpa.
Then the graduation gift from grandma and grandpa of $2,000.
Then the $1300 someodd I made from working that shitty under-the-table job in my teen years, that I hoped would net me enough for a car but turned out to be a lame duck job that was just the lowest hanging branch on the tree. Thanks dad&dadâs girlfriend. You helped a lot.
Well. She has always, always hated ME having money that she couldnât take from me, or control in some way. So, when I tried to use MY money to buy MYself a computer, she intervened.
She offered to pay a dollar for dollar when I was 17 ansd trying to buy myself a desktop. I didnât have a credit card yet, and basically she was just as controlling and oppressive financially as now- she just had the added benefit of doing it to a minor.
Anyway, buying and assembling a computer was out of the question. She would not allow me to order parts and let them arrive at the post office box/by mail. So, I had to get something retail, or not get anything at all.
So, I get a computer at best buy. And Iâm thinking, this is it. Finally. Iâll be able to play with a desktop in my room. Iâll be able to study in private. No more sharing space, no more sharing the computer, no more of that selfish fucking cow just throwing me off the computer because she feels like it, just for arbitrary turn-taking.
And on the way home, in the car, she announces that sheâs âso glad I helped buy a new FAMILY computer.â
And right then, I realized, Iâd been suckered into basically donating two years worth of income so that FUCKING monster could continue to vindictively dictate when and how I could be on the computer. She just had to have that upper hand. She just had to have that legal possession of that thing I worked that shit job, under the table, for so long, so hard. She just had to be able to bar me from it just to keep control over me, by proxy of control over my environment and the possessions I could use.
And it was then that I knew I conservatively guessed right. That this exact scenario was exactly how she intended to treat my possession of a car. She proved my suspicions completely right when she did this. That she wanted me to buy the family a car (or rather, funnel her the money so âweâ could buy a car while I was a minor- and keep possession of it in her legal name, to let me âuseâ it, when she decreed was okay.), be subject to The Family (her)âs needs in its use, and basically just be a chaffeur that pays her to drive her car for her.
I was so fucking mad, you canât even understand. She was confirming to me what I suspected but was ambiguous. Because women have this thing about them. The power to sit in ambiguity and get the benefit of the doubt UNTIL they expose themselves. Only then are you allowed, socially, to think the worst of them. And even then, they can pull the, âOh I was so very stressed and desperate at the time thatâs not the real me :^(â shit.
Iâd worked for two fucking summers because sheâd spent literal years leading up to that carrot-on-a-sticking me with witholding funds for anything, and then being like, âWHEN YOUâRE WORKING YOU CAN BUY ALL THE CRAP YOU WANT! UNTIL THEN, NO!â So all finances were cut off to non-essentials, except what she wanted to buy for me to have, when she wanted to buy it. I was promised financial freedom to go with the burden of having no money from my family.
I thought that was fair. My family wasnât going to support me for anything beyond not even basic, but rudimentary and minimalist necessities? Fine. But my family also was going to get similar from me.
Come to find out that disgusting cunt thought MY money was, âour money.â
Okay, I thought, that must mean I get some say in the âfamily financing.â Since, yâknow, itâs FAMILY financing.
No, I was told, âYOU DONâT TELL ME HOW TO SPEND MY MONEY!â
So the scenario she painted and I learned to read by examining the negative spaces and dead ends (because god forbid she take the responsibility of laying out what âfamily financesâ really entailed, where mine began and hers ended) was shown to just be her being a petty, vindictive, negligent, extortionist. Money exchange within the family was completely for HER convenience and deliberately done to inconvenience and control me by the absence of agency.
If she couldnât control her son by rules and demands that required compliance, sheâd simply control the purse strings to cow obedience and compliance and cut me off if I said no. Or threaten me with police. Sheâd simply justify taking away any money I produced and then threaten financial and environmental abandonment/using the state to remove me, unless I complied.
In deciding to do this she made it financially impossible to use the family to my advantage. In any capacity. She inadvertently laid bare that she expected to retain absolute control over me via controling my finances and access to anything. There would be no time to utilize any resource, thereâd be no hiding anything in my taxes from her, and if she found I had anything that wasnât accounted for, then would come the pressure to take it from me (if she was aware of it) or kick me out of the house.
It stopped being a âfamilyâ at this point and revealed itself to just be a prison and a slave owning household with a fancy label. âThe Familyâ as a laughable entity only existed to make me work, cover only my necessary expenses like uninsured medical and dental problems myself, while any dollar that wasnât spent keeping myself from dying or paying off a family car would be misappropriated and used by that psychotic, selfish bitch.
And if I didnât like it, I could fucking move out. With no credit, no savings, existing health conditions I still havenât been able to diagnose, no property in my name, nowhere to go and no security whatsoever.
She effectively wanted me to spend the time itâd take to pay off a car, giving her access to the vehicle, maintaining the vehicle under my own finances, shoveling her snow, doing this, doing that, until I could GRADUATE to being homeless and maybe allow me to keep the car Iâd paid for, âbecause sheâs nice.â The singular advantage wouldâve been a beat up old shitbox sheâd spent years driving into the ground (and she is notoriously hard on her vehicles)
And I just canât think of a more hateful, premeditated and manipulative way to deliberately set someone up to be used and then abandoned, while minimizing any advantage they have, specifically to destroy them when you set them free.
A lot of people just go through the motions of being a parent, but she couldnât even do that. Parenting to her was about expressing her petty desire for control and then making sure if you didnât obey, the punishment was gravity. I just cannot imagine her motivation was anything other than somewhere between malicious spite and selfish, uncaring greed. If she was only just a bit less stable, I think she wouldâve tried to kill me and get away with it. But sheâs more cautious than that. She did nothing that could really implicate her beyond the ambiguous âsheâs probably just a stupid bird brain bitchâ thing.
Every single avenue as a mother she couldâve done to fuck my future up without making it wholly look like it was specifically for that, she took.
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