#am trying to be positive... i can still spin. thats what i care about most hon

[milkweedman]

One of those shifts that makes you wonder if, objectively, you are perhaps too disabled to work.

[aizawa-needs-coffee]

Hi!! Could I have a matchup please? I'm 18, pronouns she/her, I'm fine w any gender though I have a preference for males

If its of any relevance, physically I'm about 5'8 tall and on the chubby side, green eyes, brown hair (with blonde streaks) and I wear glasses

If you're into astrology/ mbti, I am a Sagittarius w both moon and rising in Cancer and I'm INFP

So I'm quite emotional lol. Usually very in touch with my emotions and quite perceptive of other's feelings as well. I have a huge saviours complex especially when it comes to feelings (i love helping others figure out their feelings, being a shoulder to cry on or even offering comforting hugs) but I try my best to keep it control cause I don't wanna be suffocating

On the outside I'd say I'm fairly organized, I keep my room clean and all of that, I'm a lil bit of a perfectionist but mentally I'm all over the place. I tend to get carried away by thoughts and emotions and end up procrastinating a lot; anxiety makes it all worse. In short, I suck at time management

To most people I may seem quiet and reserved but I actually really enjoy talking to people; I'm really insecure about not being funny or interesting enough tho. Around my friends I'm more relaxed but still have moments of self doubt

I can also be quite obsessive. If something really catches my interest I won't stop until I search all there is to know about it. For example I watched bnha, read the manga, the spin offs etc all in less than a month and now I'm indulging in fanart and fanfics because I need m o r e c o n t e n t hsbsb. I'm also that kind of person that listens to a new song they like on repeat until they hate it. Speaking of music, I can't say I have a taste lol. My fave genres are rock, pop and indie but I hear smth I like, I listen to it, whether its "high quality" music, basic or weird. Lately I've been listening to a lot of epicore which is literally the type of music thats used in fantasy and sci fi movies askfkdk

I like expressing myself through writing, singing and dancing but I really can't say I'm talented at either of those, it's all in good fun. I also enjoy reading (fiction, non-fic books bore me like hell; my fave genres are fantasy, sci fi and crime) but I haaate literature in school. I'm actually a bit of a math nerd and this year I'm starting uni, studying computer science!! Oh! I've also taken drama classes for 2 years (despite the fear I loved being on stage and plan on starting again once I'm done w the baccalaureate), I love playing D&D and while I woulnd't quite call myself a gamer, I love role playing video games. I'm also almost always down for any kind of multiplayer video games w friends although I have no experience

I'm not a sportive person, I go on walks or do a few exercises every now and then at home but I'm willing to try stuff out like a new sport or going to the gym w an s/o. I do plan on starting self defense classes soon and maybe taking up sword fighting (I love swords hehe)

Tbh I've never been in a relationship so I'm not really sure how I would act w an s/o, nor what I'm exactly looking for. I best express my affection through physical touch tho and that includes my friends so I'd like someone who isn't bothered or can get used to that (s/o would still receive the most hugs/ cuddles etc). I'm not that comfortable w the other love languages for friends and family, but I think I'd be a lot more eager to express my love through them for s/o. If I'm on the receiving end, my weakness is still physical touch :)) but I also need words of affirmation every now and then cause insecurities 🌠 and while I wouldn't ask for anything, especially objects, I am a hoarder and I'd keep any kind of gift like its a national treasure simply bc its from someone I love.

In addition, it doesn't really matter if s/o is more on the emotional or rational side a long as they dont invalidate my feelings; it angers me a lot and makes me feel even more insecure. I tend to isolate when I'm really really upset about something so I need a lil bit of pushing to talk abt it; I'm open to talk abt my feelings but I need the verbal confirmation that they care and wanna help, its not just cause they're being nice

Wow that is a lot of rambling jeez ajsjsjs sorry. Thank you so much if you've read throught that all and ty for the match up!!

Me and my wife literally having a ten minute debate on who we’d pair you with before I made my choice. Thanks for all the details and I hope you enjoy the match up!

I match you with Sero

I feel he’s outgoing and extroverted enough to help you with your anxiety and always reassure you that you are good at things and he does love you, he’s also so chill and laid back that even if you were clingy he’d not mind, he’d embrace it, his chill nature would help balance you. He would help you feel grounded and have a ‘you don’t have to do it all now’ attitude but would happily help you out. You need help going to the store? He remembers the list you wrote, having trouble fitting in lunch while you study? He’ll come to your door with pizza.

He’s determined and outgoing but isn’t aggressively positive and loud either which I think is why I picked him over Kirishima for you.

+++

“Hey babe, whatcha reading?” Sero asked sitting next to you on the sofa, he handed you a soda which you gratefully took, not looking up from your laptop screen.

As soon as he was sat down comfortably your hand grabbed his, clasping your fingers together as you managed to tear your gaze away from the Wikipedia page which was still open. You blinked up at him and shook your head.

“Oh just something I learned about today and wanted to do some.. extra reading” you explained.

He nodded his head and drank his soda watching as your face lit up as you started to ramble about the topic, he didn’t really know much about it but the way you told him about everything, the way you happily expressed your interest towards the topic made him happy. He gave you his big grin when you finished.

“Sorry, I rambled..” You felt bad, you always felt nervous when you info dumped on people.

“Nah, it’s cool, I didn’t mind at all” he brought your hand up to his face and gave it a kiss, your face flushed at the gentle gesture which caused Sero to laugh playfully.

“Well, if your sure… I just wanted something to take my mind off chores”.

“It’s the weekend, you don’t have to rush anyway.. and if you don’t feel better by tomorrow I can help, you can wash the dishes and I’ll dry?” he suggested still peppering kisses on the back of your hand before you set your laptop down and crawled closer to him.

You nodded softly, that sounded a lot more manageable, you felt your anxiety settle down from a raging nagging feeling to something easier to tolerate. He was such a good influence on you. Sero set down his drink and wrapped his arm around you, pulling you closer to his chest.

“The guys want to come over and say hi later, maybe get pizza… but I can tell them not tonight if you aren’t feeling it… maybe you can play that new game you got? I liked watching you play the other night” He suggested as he nuzzled your head, enjoying how your hair felt on his face.

“Maybe… can I give you an answer later?”

“Yeah, no rush babe”

You smiled softly feeling the lanky boy kiss the side of your head and listened as you carried on talking about the trivia of your current interest.

[backtobackbakubabe]

Stuck in the Middle with You (Part 4)

Bakugo X Reader 

Words : 3211

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“So like this?”

You were currently trying a complicated move you had seen Bakugo practicing earlier. You had been enjoying your coffee from your usual spot on your back porch. Watching him work out like the total creep you were. There was something about this last move though that peaked your interest, and that something was the fact that Bakugo looked like he was struggling to do it.

He admitted that he relied too much on his quirk and he wanted to get better at his combat skills without using it. Which resulted in having to almost relearn everything. You on the other hand didn’t have a flashy quirk like him, therefore you already knew exactly how to throw your weight to accomplish the move that was currently attempting.

You landed perfectly on your feet with your hands already in position to counter attack. You locked eyes at an annoyed albeit impressed Bakugo. “You know sometimes I forget you can be a badass when you want to. I would have thought you would have been a little rusty sitting at your desk job now.”

You winked, “Well I had a good trainer growing up and I think he’s kick my ass if I ever let myself get ‘rusty’.”

He lunged at you, grabbed your hand and twisted it behind you back. He leaned in close, your back flush against his stomach. “Yeah I think he would. So why don't you show him you still got what it takes.”

You gulped. It had been a fun thought. Sparring with Bakugo again like old times. But honestly you had been bluffing. You were in fact a little rusty. But you weren't going to let him know that.

You broke free from his hold and pushed down the disappointed feeling of no longer being in his embrace. You turned and swept your leg in an attempt to trip him up. He simply laughed, “Oh you’re going to have to do better than that smalls.”

So you continued on like that for a while. Dancing around each other. It seemed like every time he started to gain advantage he’d let up a little. Which royally pissed you off. Bakugo had never, ever taken easy on you. It made your attacks harder and sometimes a little reckless. “Come on y/n. Dont let me into your head so easy. You’re supposed to be the queen of the mental game. Are you even trying?!”

You hadn't been using your quirk before. You hadn't been playing the mental game. You had thought it would be unfair considering he wasn't using his quirk either. But now you were livid. You saw red and reached out and connected with Bakugo's mind. Now anytime he decided on what to do next you would get a glimpse. It had been while since you had done this, and you almost forgot how hard it was to focus on his mind and reality at the same time. But you also forgot how easy it was to read him, his mind, his body language, his intentions. He had always been an open book to you. It baffled you when your classmates disagreed.

The dance continued but this time it was falser and more intense. You were both sweating under the hot sun. You didnt know how much you had left in you. You were growing tired and your limbs stared to feel heavy. How long had you been doing this? Minutes? Hours?

You threw a carless kick up but you could tell as soon as you did it, it was wrong. Bakugo grabbed you foot mid air. Totally off balance you began to fall. You braced yourself for impact but instead you were tackled and landed on a sweaty Bakugo. You were straddling him with your hands on his chest. Your minds still being connected you saw the worry there. He was worried he has almost hurt you.

You blushed and retreated from his mind. The fight was over, there was no need to invade his private thoughts.

He reached up and cupped your cheek, turning you to face him. “Are you okay? You’re all red. Do you need water or something?

You smiled and shook your head, “No I’m fine. Honestly. Thanks.... for... you know. Catching me.” You smirked, “I never thought I’d see the day where Katsuki forfeited a match -.”

Before you could finish your thought you were being tuned over and now he was straddling you. “Hey! I don’t remember waving any fucking white flags. I don’t forfeit, I don’t surrender, and I never give up.”

You bucked your hips and threw your weight in an attempt to buck him off and throw him over your shoulders.

He surprised you though by leaning forward and pinning you down. His nose inches from yours.

Your breath caught in your throat. You heart began to race and your mind was spinning. All you could think about was him kissing you during your panic attack. Waking up to his arm wrapped around your waist. His proximity was intoxicating. “I’m not the one with the mind reading ability here y/n... you need to let me know... how you’re feeling.”

His nose briefly brushed against yours. Your heart pounded and your blush deepened. You gently leaned up until your lips were almost touching his. “But what if we don’t want the same things...”

He took your hand and put it on his cheek. This amplified your ability to read him and he knew this. “Look for yourself.”

You were drowning in those piercing red eyes as they swam with emotion. You were over come with this overwhelming since of want, and warmth, and ... love. You began to feel what he felt as your heart grew heavy with desire but not in a sexual way as you had grown accustomed to with most men. No this was different. It was a desire to protect, a desire to hold, a desire to cherish, a desire to help.

A single tear spilled down your cheek. “Is that.... is that really how you feel?”

He wiped it away and pushed his forehead against yours. “Yes... I don’t know when it began. Sometime in high school probably. But Y/n... it’s like you’re a magnet. You’re the only one who knew the real me. The only one who had the balls to hug me because you could actually tell the difference in when I was having a bad day and when I was just being an asshole. You do your best to be there for everyone else but who is there for you?”

He brushed stray hair away from your face, “Hey smalls again I really need you to use your voice. I need to know how you fe-”

You leaned up and pressed your lips to his. It was gentle at first. Something you hadn't thought Bakugo was capable of. You instinctively wrapped your arms around his neck and the kiss grew in intensity.

Things were getting heated when he suddenly pulled back. You gave him a confused look but he just rubbed a thumb across your cheek. “Let’s get you off this hard ground. We’re both filthy, sweaty messes. Instead of helping you to your feet, he just swept you up into his arms and made his way into your house.

His mouth found yours again as he began to climb the stairs leading to your room. He kicked your door open without ever breaking your kiss. You could feel his hands twitch with the desire to touch you but he was holding back. Why was he holding back? Did he think you couldn't handle it? Were you that fragile to him? There you go with your spiraling thoughts again. Even now when you couldn’t be happier.. they are always there to remind you of how messed up you are.

He sat you down gently on the edge of your sink and finally pulled away to turn the shower on. He retuned and instead of resuming your make-out session he began to untie your laces and take off your shoes. Followed by your socks. Then his fingers so soft you almost didn’t know they were there drifted across your skin and up your legs as he stood back up. His hands went up your thighs and stopped at the hem of your athletic shorts. His red eyes looking to you for permission.

You gave him a weak nod and he slowly pulled your short off and tossed them into to dirty clothes hamper. Even in the hear of the moment he wasn’t going to make a mess.

He gave your forehead a quick kiss before pulling your shirt over your head. He stopped to look at you for a while. You couldn’t tell what he was thinking but you were too scared to look. What if he didnt find you attractive? What if he was disappointed? What if -?

“Hey... Where did you go?” Bakugo looked at you with concern

You shook your head as tears threatened to spill over. “It’s just.... no one... no ones ever cared before. It’s all very overwhelming. I mean I get it.. it’s hard to care for someone as fucked up as I am. I can feel you holding back in attempt to not break me but... but... I’m already broken Bakugo. It’s not your job to put me back together. That’s something I have to do on my own. I can’t be selfish with you. Thats why... that's why this needs to stop. You deserve better.”

His hands immediately dropped from you. He stood there for a moment just looking at you. He looked sad. He looked hurt. He eventually turned and took a seat next to you on the bathroom counter. “Y/n... how the fuck could you ever think that I deserve better than you?” He rubbed his hands through his spikey hair in frustration. “How could you see yourself that way? Broken? Fuck that. You’re so strong. I know you’ve been through some shit. But honestly who hasn’t? I accept you for who you are at face value. Just like you have always accepted me despite my temper, my bad attitude, my ruthlessness. When I met you I was an emotional black hole with a one track mind. I didn’t give a fuck about anything or anyone. I just wanted to prove that I was better.

But then there was you. No matter how hard I tried I could never figure you out. You obviously hated your quirk. Always seeing people true thoughts. Always having to see the awful shit people think, sometimes even about you. I know you never stood to close to the perverted grape boy in high school because his thoughts were always disgusting. I know you always felt an obligation to help people who struggling with things on the inside but were too nervous to talk about it. I watched you take care of everyone for years including me. But not once did anyone ever ask if you were okay… I was a dumb teenager back then. I regret never asking. But I’m here now. You’re not broken smalls, but that doesn’t mean that I cant help… I think… I think I might actually love you. And believe me I’m just as shocked as you are. And I understand if that’s not something you want from me. I’m not known to be the love type of guy. But damnit y/n I want to try and prove to you I can be that guy for you. I really do. If I have to spend the rest of my life helping you see yourself the way I do then I will. I don’t care.”

You stood up and took his hand in yours, “I’m going to take a shower. If you plan on joining you should probably take your clothes off.”

His eyes briefly bulged before he schools his reaction and just nodded slowly. He stripped down quickly as you removed your remaining underwear and stepped into the hot shower.

You thought you would be nervous to be naked in front of him. To be so vulnerable. But it just all seemed so natural. Like you were supposed to be here. He stood behind you as you let the hot water wash away your insecurities. He snaked an arm around your waist and pulled you to him giving your shoulder a soft kiss. “I know you’ve had to deal with a lot of douche bags before so I want to do this on your terms. This isn’t about sex for me. I can wait. There’s no pressure or..”

You took his hand that was on your stomach and lifted it until it was on your breast, You felt him stiffen “Are you sure?” You nodded as you turned you head so he could easily reach your lips with his.

You could feel your emotions bubbling up and overflowing and you didn’t know if it was your emotions or his. Or maybe it was both. Maybe this is what it’s supposed to feel like.

His lips moved to your neck as he pushed you against the shower wall and pushed into you from behind. He peppered your back and shoulders with kisses as he grinded into you. One of his hands found yours braced against the wall and squeezed them tight as his other gripped your waist. You could feel yourself melting into him. Giving yourself to him. You hadn’t realized how desperately you needed this until now. How badly you just needed someone to care.

You found yourself moaning his name as he made you feel things you couldn’t even describe. You could feel his devotion to you coming off in waves and you felt so safe, so cared for, so… whole.

Even after you both finished he helped you get cleaned up and against your protest helped you wash your hair. He slapped your hands away when you tried to take the shampoo bottle from him, “Nope I’m doing this. I’ve seen enough chick flics to know girls secretly love this shit.”

You rolled your eyes, “Okay but like it’s not as easy as washing your hair. I have thick, curly hair. You really need to massage it in and rinse it out. Otherwise it’ll be greasy.”

“Yeah, yeah whatever I got this!”

You found yourself laughing at him and his childish antics. You felt lighter than you could ever remember.

After you were wrapped in a towel and lying in bed with him as the tv hummed in the background. His fingers were carding through your still damp hair with your head on his chest.

You sighed deeply and hugged him closer, “I think I’m finally ready to talk about it…”

His hand froze, “Oh yeah? You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”

You nodded, “Yeah. I think it would help to finally talk about it.” You scooted closer and his hand resumed playing with your hair. “When I was little my mom had this boyfriend. He was a total asshole. He was always thinking really gross stuff. Not just about my mom, but every woman he saw… including me.” You felt Bakugo tense up. “He never touched me. I promise. But just seeing what he thinking… it freaked me out enough to stop looking. I didn’t want to see what he was thinking, or what he wanted to do. There was one day when he came over and he seemed a little angrier than usual. Usually that would be a red flag to take a look and see what was on his mind. But I didn’t. I sat in my room playing with my doll as I listened to him and my mom fight. It got louder and angrier. I could hear my mom yelling at him to leave. But the all the sudden the yelling stopped. I tried to connect with my moms thoughts but I couldn’t. I knew I wasn’t aloud to even be in the same room with them when they were fighting but… I just needed to make sure she was okay.”

You could feel yourself begin to shiver with the memory that were constantly trying to forget pushed itself to the front of your brain. “He had strangled her… I sat there trying to get her to wake up for hours. I hadn’t even noticed that he had pushed the refrigerator in front of her bedroom door. I couldn’t get out so I just sat there with her. For two days. Trapped in a small room with no way out, absolutely helpless.”

You buried your face into his chest as his fingers trailed up and down your back. “That’s why I hoard food, and why I hate being alone, and why I really hate feeling trapped.” You looked up at him, “I thought that if maybe I became a hero all of this fear and anxiety would go away. But in the end it ended up being my biggest weakness. I couldn’t take the pressure. I had a meltdown right before graduation and that was all the proof needed that I couldn’t handle being a hero.”

He kissed the top of your head, “I am so sorry that happened to you. No one deserves that and if I could take this pain away I would. But I’m also very proud of you for telling me.” You could tell he was struggling to find the right words to comfort you.

You wanted to reassure him that just his presence was enough, “It’s also why I always like being near you. I never have to use my quirk to know how you feel. You’re the only person I know who always says exactly what’s on their mind. It’s refreshing to not have to guess.”

He gave you cheek a quick peck, “Can I ask what your meltdown was over? I remember you being gone for a few weeks but no one would tell us where you were.”

You shrugged. “I tracked down the guy who killed my mom and beat the shit out of him. I thought I was going to get in trouble so I tried to hide. Aizawa ended up finding me. No one ever knew this but after that he kind of became like a dad to me. He was the one who helped me decide if I really wanted to be a hero or not. He helped me find a new career path and made sure I finished school. I still get breakfast with him every Sunday. I wonder how he’d feel to know about you and I…”

Bakugo surprisingly started to chuckle, “Seriously Aizawa? He did the same thing for me… He and I still work out together. He’s known about how I feel about you for years… Mother fucker never mentioned once that he was so close with you!”

You giggled, “Like I said, he’s a father figure for me. I doubt he’d be so quick to help the hot headed blonde get a date with me. Don’t worry though I’ll give him shit the next time I see him.”

He cupped your face, “Oh I know you will smalls. It’s what you do best.”

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Tags : @tspice283 @ladysalmon @kagerose 

[summoner-kentauris]

What does your interpretation of Zacharias think about Líf and Thrasir? (You can either just answer or write a lil story if you feel like it)

OOOO now i have thought in my free time a fair amount about what líf thinks of zasha but, and i cannot believe this, i have not thought about what zacharias thinks about líf and thrasir. full disclosure, book III happened to be going on when i formally stopped playing feh. i kept up with the story after that but, theres my obligatory knowledge base disclaimer.

also minor cws through this whole thing because i talk here and there about zacharias and his... mm, canonical relationship to death/selfharm

-

so, i spent a lot of time thinking about this one, and i keep coming back to my gut reaction, which is that i don't think zacharias would like them very much. i dont know why i think that, though.

PART ONE

i think a lot of it would depend on how they approach him, which is maybe why i've spent more time thinking about the reverse of this ask, come to think of it. see, i think zacharias could go any which way in terms of what he thinks of them. i think he could hate them, as two people who killed versions of everyone he ever loved, including metaphorically killing off the two people closest to him.

i think he could love him, having seen the hell (ha ha literally) that they went through. understanding what that feels like. given the way he talks about his suicide attempts, and honestly that he spent most of book I trying to get people to kill him, really his whole relationship to death. i mean the man talks a lot about death and killing. he might not be the feh OC who best understands how manipulative and... whats a good word. alluring? what im trying to say is that besides eir, he might be the one most likely to understand why Hel and hel's offer appealed to líf and thrasir. i feel like this bit has a place here: "With his dying breath...he begged for his life. He called out your names! "I'll do anything you ask! Just let me live!" excepting of course that i still am not sure if i think he said/thought that or not. ive never been sure who really is in control of speaking right then and there. Anyway. Probably he could come to understand Líf and Thrasir's stance, enough that he could care about them the same ways he cares about his versions of Alfonse ann Veronica

on the other hand, i can see him being fully horrified by the choices those two made in response. this bit: Not anyone... This dark god...seeks death. And it cries for the destruction of Askr. Like. Líf and Thrasir are intentionally enacting the same thing as the dark god's desires, in order to correct a mistake they made that, uh, also enacted the same thing as dark god's desires. talk about awkward. and i think Zasha, who has lived with this nightmare in his head for so long, might recoil from people who are so directly aligned with it. who wants to be around someone who has become, who has chosen to become, everything you ever feared you'd be? especially when you're nearly drowning from the effort of fighting to stop yourself.

i could also see him meeting them and it being incredibly, incredibly bad for him. i feel like, he puts a whole lot of... mm. what am i trying to say.here:

Yet it is you that says this, dear friend, and so I must consider it. I see the faith reflected in your eyes. Perhaps it is possible...

SPEAKING OF BUNNY ZACHARIAS I ALSO THINK YOU COULD TAKE THE FOLLOWING:

You never change. All you see is a lofty goal, even if you lack the means to achieve it... The idea that gods would fall by the hand of man is a fantasy... and a preposterous one. This is a goal that even our ancestors Líf and Thrasir could not achieve.

setting aside the obligatory wtf zash i know you know your lore (fuck, maybe there is no killing the gods, maybe all Fire Emblem victories are temporary at best and Zenith is the only one who knows it. but i think, probably not), i think you could spin a very believable scenario where zacharias takes one look at these two ambitious, arrogant posers and absolutely refuses to speak to them any further.

so, part one, i think that zacharias could think any number of things about líf and thrasir. which i suppose means that i think he's fairly neutral on the subject of líf and thrasir. makes sense to me, i suppose. i feel like zacharias | bruno has practice (regardless of whether he's any good at it or not, or whether its any good for him) at holding and maintaining separate personas, so I don't think the fact that líf and thrasir were alfonse and veronica would necessarily be all that important to him.

which brings me to part ii

what happened to dead zenith zacharias

if zacharias is neutral on the subject, I think a lot of their relationship is going to pushed in one direction or another by líf and thrasir themselves.

and, complicating matters (when do I make things simple?), i think their approach to zacharias would of course depend on what happened to their zacharias. correct me if im wrong, but i dont think we have even a hint what happened to him.

there are three ish options I'm seeing. one: as dead world zenith is further along in its timeline and as zacharias claims he's almost out of time with his curse, other zacharias died due to that before the war with hel. i feel like scenario one is the most likely to lead to a good relationship between main zacharias and líf and thrasir.

two: mr. professional "knows plot relevant things out of knowhere" was the one who found out about angrboða's heart in the first place. especially given "As destruction took hold, we joined with Embla to seek the forbidden heart...", which to me sounds a lot like, "hel was kicking our ass then zacharias showed up and said we should go get this mystical plot object from embla". thrasir even says she and líf weren't allies before the world went to shit. anyway. hear me out here:

Yes. The heart is sealed within an Emblian blood temple. If that seal is broken, someone will die each time the heart beats... Those who perform the rite are the first to die.

Now. Líf claims he was the one who broke it open, but he also was present for the war that followed and only after was he killed and inducted into hel's army. so. both of those things can't be true. i propose that the magic mcguffin located in a sealed emblian blood temple was unlocked by our dear zacharias and thats what killed him in other zenith. i think its possible that other veronica was the one who did it, but you know. its all imagination at this point. also, and i forgot this, but thrasir does go off about how she can't lose until she saves her brother, so. something especially tragic happened at least. and oh boy is scenario two a nice fresh tasty tragedy. so that's scenario two. other zacharias directly died as a result of attempts to fight hel

number three thing that could have happened to zach is boring. he's always off doing things, he could have just died off screen. i mean. everyone did, eventually.

frankly he could still be alive for all i know. the heart appears to take the lives of people in the world, not of the world, or else the summoner would have been fine. so, if zacharias was on one of his off world jaunts, he could conceivably be a-okay. well. as okay as someone who's whole world died. i don't think that's what happened, because thrasir is pretty clear about feeling that she failed him, but yknow.

líf and thrasir's reactions to the above

thrasir is i think the most straightforward. i can't really see her approaching main zacharias with anything but positive intent. even if she's only a little bit open, i think thrasir and zacharias will probably have a decently tolerable relationship. if zacharias can come back to a country that exiled him as a kid and let his mother die in a dungeon and then go on to not just befriend but protect and care for a half sister he didnt know before then, then i think he'll find a way to care about thrasir. you know, intsys could have had fun making another perpetual older brother character. as i understand it, xander gets brother'd a lot, he and zach could have talked. could have been fun. a whole, zacharias, a historically traumatized child: *arrives in a world* every currently traumatized kid in a five mile radius: oh shit this one's ours now. you know what im saying? found family except zacharias would very much like it to stop finding him. he's got important brooding to do. but anway, they didn't go that route and its a tragedy.

líf is... more complicated. i think scenario one creates the most positive outlook. i can see him still having guilt over zacharias' loss, but i think any of it would be overshadowed by everything else that happened. in this scenario, líf finally gets back a piece of the world he'd lost. yeah, it's not his zacharias, but still. it is a zacharias, who is living and breathing and frowning and asking why you are staring at me, knight. i think the two of them could get along rather well, although i see them having significant issues with pessimism. inch-restingly enough... the dark curse bades its hosts to kill askrans. and líf is, well. dead. so... perhaps... perhaps líf wouldn't trigger the curse like alfonse does. in that case, not only does líf get someone back he thought he'd never see again, but so does zacharias.

scenario two is just a nightmare. frankly, i initially thought this scenario would lead to líf just ignoring zacharias (out of guilt, pain, etc), but i was rereading the scripts looking for the spelling of angrboða and this came up:

Tell Hel. She'll erase those memories. She'll erase them all...

so, honestly? i think that in scenario two líf just straight up gets hel to remove his memories of zacharias (as an aside maybe this is also why he never ever ever talks about other anna >:{ )

in that case, líf wouldn't really have any reason to talk to this man, who causes this empty deeply sad feeling to well up in him for now discernible reason. and zacharias has no reason (or time) to talk to this standoffish general of the dead. so. that's a real ships in the night moment.

number three i think líf would still hold the same guilt as in number two, but i don't think it would be as horrifically tragic, so i think it's more likely he'd be willing to approach zacharias. he does appear to have even worse of a thing than alfonse about not opening oneself up to people, but i think that even if he's líf, he once was an alfonse, and being that this is me answering this, i don't think any alfonse can really keep away from a zacharias for very long. its a version of the person who once knew him as well as any other person in the world. like líf can't really seem to stop himself from associating with main sharena, i don't think he could stop himself from reaching out in his own way to main zacharias. and god does that man need some more friends. i think zacharias would probably be a little frightened of líf, and of what an alfonse could become. but i think probably... i feel like a lot of book i issues stem from the fact that, justified or not, zacharias thinks alfonse would risk anything, any harm to save him. i don't know that confronting an alfonse who literally risked everything and did all harm to save his world would be a comfort, but i do think zacharias would get a lot out of having someone who's already done the worst they can do. been there, done that, got the tshirt. i think zacharias would be a little afraid of what an alfonse could become, but i think he would no longer have to be afraid of... no, anxious about it. i think there's a kind of calm in having something confirmed that zacharias could appreciate. healthy? unhealthy? fuck if i know. i also think that in líf, zacharias has a friend who he can't physically hurt anymore. lífs already dead. been there done there got the.... glowing gel torso. i think, curse nonewithstanding, zacharias will always have some degree of tension and fear about hurting people he's in a relationship with, be that because of his issues with abandonment, of abandoning, of harm, etc. but you know. líf's kind of a rock. and he's already hit his rock bottom, now that i'm thinking about rocks. i think that kind of steady, placid deathness could really help zacharias. and i think he would find it soothing, whether or not he knew why.

plus he will be able to know that if the curse gets him, if he dies... he'll still have a friend in the realm of the dead. he doesnt have to be so afraid of leaving and getting left

so there we go! lots of musings. i have been thinkin about why my headcanons are less that and more elaborate branching theories, and i think it is because i would change my opinion depending on which story i wanted to tell or hear or see.so yeah. dunno which one of these answers belongs to the question, what does your interpretation of Zacharias think about Líf and Thrasir?, but hopefully at least one of them is interesting to read about!

OH also. i think he would be petty-ly annoyed about them cribing líf and thrasir's name. like full on scholar petty. probably showed up to the order in a nerdy huff excited to meet the actual factual líf and thrasir and turns out its just those two, sitting around glowing and reciting death metal lyrics like they're spoken word ballads. dont think he'd get over that ever.

[fireemblem3himagines]

Party Animal [College AU]

Word Count: 1,421 Words Pairing: Claude von Riegan/Reader Summary: Golden Deer House was the party animal house, but... he wasn’t really the drinking type.

A/N: Also posted here on AO3!

Claude’s head was throbbing.

The room smelled amazing, which should’ve been his first clue that he wasn’t in his own bedroom; the last thing he remembered was getting into a shot contest with Hilda, another mistake that he kept making. He wasn’t one to get drunk at parties, even if Golden Deer house was the one that threw them all the time. He disliked getting drunk because he lost all of his important senses, and he preferred to be in control of himself, able to think clearly if he were to get into a bind.

He only drank on rare occasions, and on those rare occasions, he tried to have Hilda watch over him.

He rolls out of the bed as quietly as he can, approaching the bathroom before freezing. This was not his room. He was in unknown territory now. He slowly turned, as though he might find a wild animal in bed next to him rather than another person, but he’s glad to see drunk him still had good taste. He’d seen you around before, you’d rejected joining any of the other houses and had instead started your own that had a handful of people in it, but you’d also attended the party last night. He remembered trying to work up the courage to actually hit on you, which is most likely what had led to-

Oh, fuck, did he ruin his chances with you?

He wasn’t the type to indulge in flings a lot, they could be fun but he just didn’t prefer putting in effort on things that weren’t going to last. He had been genuinely interested in you and getting to know you, and now he can’t even remember if you had a conversation last night before he’d jumped into your bed. He worries about what he might’ve said, he had a tendency to stick his foot in his mouth when he was sober, he can only imagine the word vomit that had come out when he was inebriated. What kind of idiot did he make of himself? Would you want anything to do with him after a one night stand, or would it just be awkward interactions from here on out?

Claude realizes he’s thinking too deeply about something that didn’t matter at the moment, slapping both of his cheeks before entering your small bathroom. He just really needed to wash his face and try to wash the taste of vodka out of his mouth, he hated the shit but it did get him drunk when he needed it to. When he partied, he went all in, something he wouldn’t be doing for another few weeks at least until he’d picked the rest of his dignity up from the walk of shame he’d have to make this morning.

Also, where was his shirt?

As much as he liked staring at himself shirtless, he needed to find that before he headed back to his own dorm. He’s thankful that his phone is in his back pocket, glaring at the nearly depleted battery life, before shooting off a quick text to Hilda.

[Claude – Hey, I think you’re fired from watching me when I party. Am I in my bedroom?] [Hilds – I didn’t realize you were payin me. If thats the case then theres a lot of backpay u owe me] [Claude – I’m on my way back soon. How’s the damage?] [Hilds – Not bad u kno how Annette gets when shes drunk, cleans up after everyone she was the last to leave last night]

Relieved that he at least wasn’t going back to a completely trashed house, just one of the many downsides to being the biggest house who throws all the parties on campus, he stuffed his phone back into his jeans and walked back into your room. He’s horrified to find that you’re awake.

Even with your hair disheveled and make-up from last night a little smeared, you still looked absolutely stunning, and he has to quite literally pick his jaw up off the floor before he can finally speak. You seemed amused at him staring at you,

“So, uh, last night, wild, right?”

‘You sure have a way with words, Claude.’ He thought, mentally beating himself up for not even trying to recover from the embarrassing things that had probably occurred last night.

Claude was trying to pry, you noticed that immediately; he really didn’t remember a thing did he? He’s the one who had insisted on coming back to your dorm, just to see what it looked like, judge your taste, that sort of thing (according to him). He was so drunk he could barely make it when you brought him, which you had decided was only because you didn’t want to leave him at that party. Hilda was inhibited herself, and after letting Marianne know, you’d taken Claude into your own hands; a weird kindness to do for a man you barely knew, but he was cute, and you didn’t want him to get taken advantage of.

“You sound like you want to ask me something, Claude. Just ask! I’m curious to hear what words you’re gonna use.”

“Did we- you know, last night?”

‘Another smooth word choice, casanova. You really have the ladies lining up, don’t you?’

“Are you accusing me of taking advantage of a drunk person?” You tilted your head and smiled, making his head spin. You were really beautiful. Drunk him was an idiot for being so obnoxious and just rushing straight into bed with you when he should’ve savored getting to know you first. He felt like some type of loser saying that, but he’d always had a thing for getting to know the people he liked; he thinks that’s his inner journalist speaking, wanting to get to know the deepest depths of people, but that’s an issue to unpack another day. “Don’t write about me in the school paper, Mr. Journalism major, my reputation would be ruined.”

“Well, I think I can forgive you for now.” He was definitely in the more scandalous position right now.

“Here, you kind of threw this off at 5am after we finally got to sleep.” You handed him his shirt that he had actually tossed across your room last night in his drunken stupor, probably preparing to have sex before his head hit the pillow and he immediately passed out. You did consider sleeping on the floor, but this was your bed, and you were an adult, and HE was the invader, so he could just deal with the fact you’d slept next to him that night.

“You need any aspirin? I was worried I was going to be taking you to the infirmary for alcohol poisoning.”

“No, no, you’ve done enough… thanks, and I’m sorry for anything I might’ve said or done.”

“Well, you just repeated ‘You’re so goddamn beautiful’ over and over again. You were slurring the whole sentence together in the end, but I still understood.” Another dazzling smile is sent his way and it pierces through his heart, he almost wants to go back to the dorm room and cry into Hilda’s bed about what a terrible impression he’d made. “Give me your number.”

“Yeah, I’ll just be- What? Wait. You want my number? Like my phone number?”

“I have a sarcastic comment waiting in the wings, but I need to flirt with you before you get drunk again and my advances have to be cancelled out so I can take care of you. Yes, Claude, I would like your phone number. Just in case you need me again, you know?” You held out your phone for him to take. “Just put it in, if you’re okay with it.”

“Of course I’m okay with it.”

‘Way to sound too eager, now they know you’re single and lonely- You didn’t even know you were lonely until your 5th shot last night.’

You giggled as you took your phone back and the sound made his heart leap out of his chest; oh what he’d do to be back in your bed right now, basking in the afterglow of actually fucking instead of just waking up with a hangover. Now that he has this number, however, he hopes your bed won’t become a stranger- and of course, he planned on properly introducing himself and wooing you before he reached it again.

“I’ll see you soon?”

“Very soon. We have parties every Saturday, and for taking care of the leader, you’ve gotten yourself a VIP ticket to every one of them.”

[taebadam]

hello! i have had the privilege to see jagged little pill twice now and first of all: words cannot truly explain how amazing this show was. just. wow. but i remember when i was first getting into the show i searched desperately for descriptions of staging, choreography, etc. so here’s a (probably way too detailed lmao i’m sorry) synopsis of the show. MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD. seriously. im about to tell you literally everything i remember so retreat now if that’s not what you want. ok here we go. oh boy. (also i’ll be using actor’s names for ensemble members who don’t have character names and then character names otherwise)

CONTENT WARNINGS: sexual assault, homophobia, racism, sexism, addiction and overdose

here’s act 1:

ok i loved the whole thing for sure but honest to god one of my fav bits is the first minute of the show. the STAGING. so as the lights come up and the overture starts we see a mostly still dark stage with all the ensemble members facing backward w a spotlight on yana (my love wow) in the center. she’s the first to turn around as she delivers the opening line: “swallow it down.” the rest of the ensemble begins to join in and turn around one by one starting w ezra (!!!! i love ez so much they are the best you cannot convince me otherwise) and the build begins. they move in closer to yana, chanting “around and around” and then all come in with “WAKE UPPPP” and they all bend down in this beautiful moment where the bass just. drops. and then in comes the band holy SHIT. so the band is on these really cool moving platforms that come in from the wings and as the bass drops and the ensemble starts jamming out they come on stage and it’s just truly incredible. they sing some of the overture like this w stunning choreography and then as you oughta know’s theme comes in jo runs in and joins the ensemble but it’s really slick you don’t really notice at first until the second part of the chorus when she breaks away and comes center stage, singing on top of the ensemble as they start to break apart behind her and pull out these stunning moving panels that are like 15 feet tall w projections on them. jo runs back through the panels right before they meet in the middle and close behind her revealing the words “jagged little pill” as the overture comes to a close.

the panels now open up and reveal a couch with all four healys sitting on it w santa hats and reindeer antlers galore, posing for a christmas card photo and yelling “merry christmas from the healys!” we have mj, the mom, steve, the dad, nick the perfect son and frankie the adopted, black daughter. mj then goes on with her monologue about how great their lives are while they all sit there with frighteningly fake smiles pasted on their faces while the ensemble plays carolers behind them. soon the stage morphs to show us steve’s office on one side of the healy living room and frankie’s room on the other as mj begins to write in the card about her perfect little family. she discusses steve’s new position as partner (while he chugs a bottle of pepto-bismol), nick’s acceptance to harvard (they recreate the moment he opens the email) and then finally frankie and her best friend jo. as mj talks about frankie and jo she mentions how they’re upstairs right now doing a “little craft project” and off to the side you see them working on a sign that says “FUCK FASCISM” which jo holds up w pride. then (lmao) mj talks about frankie’s friendship w jo and how she loves “female friendships” and how she remembers “the days of discussing clothes and boys” and meanwhile to her left frankie and jo are literally just full on making out in her room clearly romantically involved and it’s just so fucking hilarious.

then mj begins to discuss her car accident from the previous year and how she’s battling it w “natural remedies.” meanwhile, the ensemble, truly the conscious of the show, sings right through you while looking on from behind her. she begins to discuss her hot yoga and the stage begins to turn red, the music growing as we see all four healys in their own sections of the stage, each acting like everything is fine but doing something that shows its not (like nick is always doing push-ups. rip derek honestly lmao) as the song comes to a close.

we now transition to the breakfast table where mj is setting out pancakes. steve tries to kiss her but she pulls away, saying she’s “not a big morning kisser.” they talk for a bit, including the iconic exchange between mj and frankie: “when my friends and i wanted to save endangered sea lions we sold brownies on the quad. well, actually they were blondies” “of course they were blondies. even your brownies are caucasian.” aaaaand that line kicks off all i really want. such a powerful song. frankie stands up on the table and the band and ensemble come back in, just completely rocking out and blowing us all away w their choreography and energy as they surround the family, dancing around, on top and under the table. in the build-up to and then during frankie’s line “i’m frustrated by your apathy” the ensemble surrounds her with various protest signs. i can’t remember all of them but some highlights include “our future is dying,” “black joy matters,” “my body my choice,” “don’t be a fossil fool,” “white silence costs lives,” “no human is illegal,” “stop separating families” and “no ban on stolen land” while frankie carries one that says “does my period scare you.” it’s stunning. fast forward now to the “why are you petrified of silence? here can you handle this?” line. wow. frankie stands on the table, staring down mj in front of her and holds up a sign that says “fear has no place in our schools.” the ensemble all lays down in front of her w their arms crossed over their chests like they’re corpses and the screens behind her show projections of memorials for victims of gun violence in schools. the whole theater is silent for a solid thirty seconds. incredible. then they continue. another heart-wrenching moment is when it gets quiet before the final climax of the song and frankie goes “and all i really want is a wavelength.” she’s reaching out across the kitchen table to mj, who’s looking away from her at nick. mj’s arm rests on the table and as soon as frankie’s about to touch her hand mj moves to touch her own face, still looking the other way, not even realizing what frankie was doing. and their last belts. wow. mj and frankie are center stage, yelling at each other as they scream the final lines before frankie stomps off to go to school and mj is left alone in the kitchen where she swallows a pill— her pain meds for her car accident injuries.

a brief side note: let’s talk about the ensemble real quick. first of all they had input in a lot of their outfits and my fav is ezra’s which has a huge pink triangle on the back (they’re trans). i mean. wow. but also what’s important to know is that a lot of the main cast have sort of dancer body doubles? they have dancers who are supposed to represent them, be their alter egos and this comes into play a lot in the choreography and staging. mj’s double is heather, frankie’s double is ebony and jo’s double is ezra. i bring this up here because when frankie sings “i am fascinated by the spirit to a woman. i’m humbled by her humble nature” the ensemble lifts up ebony behind her and spins her around while frankie takes the same pose on the floor in front of them. absolutely genius.

and now we’re at school! we see bella, nick and andrew briefly discussing the party that will be happening tonight and then we zero in on jo (played my lauren patten my actual favorite human on this earth holy shit) and frankie, hanging out during what’s supposed to be a meeting for SMAC (social movement and advocacy committee) which frankie started— but rn they’re the only two members (also jo came in w a sign that says “let my people flow” and a picture of a pad because they were planning on protesting for the school to provide free menstrual products). jo and frankie have a sweet conversation featuring some hilarious comments from jo. frankie complains about her mom and jo responds “your mom is iconic. she’s one salad away from a psychotic break i live for it” then “at least your mom yells at you. mine prays for me. dear jesus. please don’t let my only child be a gay. especially not one of those obvious gays who wears performance fleece and utility sandals. in the name of fox news amen.” frankie is immediately concerned for jo and, for just a second, we see jo’s vulnerability and we know she must be really hurting but just as quickly she brushes it off: “i don’t care. i’ve been out of fucks to give since the early 2000’s.” really just phenomenal acting from lauren. wow. and now we have hand in my pocket! such a wonderful song. most of it is fun and uplifting (including a cute kiss between jo and frankie) but there was one part that really stood out to me. when jo sings “i haven’t got it all figured out just yet” she kinda stops for a moment and her face falls just slightly and frankie stands behind her, concerned, as the ensemble members dancing behind them all pair up and hug one another (including jo and frankie’s doubles: ezra and ebony). but just like that jo is back to singing and dancing and laughing, hiding her pain and uncertainty. at the end they do this adorable slap dance thing with the ensemble around them and everyone’s cheering and the lights are rainbow (yup thats gay) and it’s just so wholesome i love it.

now we go back to mj. we see her at the pharmacist’s office, trying to get a refill for her painkillers but being denied as she’s out. she then goes to a cafe where she runs into some other moms (laurel, jane and heather) and it’s hilarious. they’re all wearing the exact same outfits and sound so so fake. at one point ebony who is playing the barista asks if she can start a drink for anyone and one of them goes “i’ll take a skinny flat white” and ebony goes “how appropriate.” mj is clearly uncomfortable this whole time, especially when one of them makes a racist comment about frankie. after this she goes behind the cafe where she meets up w a drug dealer (played by john) and gets more of her painkillers. now comes smiling. this song is stunning. the whole song we see mj’s day moving backwards, all the way back to the morning when she took her first pill and she stares at herself in the mirror, clearly struggling. the whole song she and the ensemble all actually act everything out backwards, featuring ezra jump-roping backwards and antonio walking backwards while drinking coffee. true talent honestly lmao. and they move the sets so smoothly it’s amazing.

ironic!! so cute. so funny. the context is that frankie is reciting a poem to her class and they’re critiquing it but phoenix defends her. the desks are on wheels and the choreography is adorable. and frankie and phoenix’s voices WOW. and heather plays a stoner high schooler. this is not important it’s just so funny. after ironic there’s a moment in the hall where frankie and phoenix are still talking and so clearly flirting. jo walks up behind them but only sees frankie (on one side of the stage) at first. she starts to move towards her but then notices she’s talking to someone and gets a glimpse of her flirting w phoenix. jo’s face falls and she kind of falters, trying to decide whether to walk up to them and ultimately decides not to and walks off. lauren patten’s mannerisms in this whole show are just truly stunning. i really felt for jo everytime she was on stage. she’s so clearly putting up this sarcastic, uncaring front but really she’s just awkward and scared and lonely and lauren really does a phenomenal job making that come through— down to the fidgeting and awkward steps and nervous ticks that, once you notice them, make it clear who jo really is even though she doesn’t want to show it. yes i love lauren patten is it that obvious.

oK ANYWAY. back to mj. we see steve call to say he’s gonna be home late and they have a v passive aggressive conversation and then so unsexy happens. rip steve honestly. then perfect. mj and nick are decorating the tree. there’s a great line where mj goes “you need to make decisions for yourself” and he tries to put an ornament on the tree and she goes “no not there” and it’s so funny. but she just keeps going on about how he’s the only thing she’s done right and how proud she is of him. he asks “what if i hadn’t gotten in” re harvard and she goes ”you were always going to get in.”a couple of sympathetic sighs from the audience. then nick sings perfect and it’s honestly heartbreaking he’s so good and you feel so bad for him, always terrified that if he ever messes up his parents won’t love him anymore. that transitions right into lancer’s party.

here’s the thing about lancer’s party. this is the party where bella is sexually assaulted by andrew, kicking off her powerful storyline as a survivor and nick’s storyline about coming to terms w why he didn’t do anything at the time. but here’s why it’s so chilling, if that wasn’t enough: bella and andrew’s interactions at the party are not emphasized. in fact, if you didn’t know about the plot beforehand, you may not really notice anything at all. but it’s there. oh wow is it there. EVERY SINGLE TIME bella has anything to drink, andrew is the one to give it to her. she goes to talk to her friends and andrew grabs her hand and casually pulls her away. he puts his hand on her waist a little too often. he tries to get her alone one too many times. he barely leaves her side. but if you’re not looking for it, you may only see one of these just slightly ~off~ actions and think “hm that’s a little weird” and then move on. they’re not always center stage. they’re not always in a spotlight. they’re just part of the party. and we as audience members don’t stop to pay attention to them, even if we see something off. we’re not urged by staging to see it as important or vital to the story. and we don’t notice anything until it’s too late. the show puts us in the position of a bystander, like nick, who sees this all happening and does nothing. and this really comes back in the second act and punches you in the gut like. just wait.

anyways while the party is raging phoenix and frankie go outside on the swingset (!!!) and have a little heart-to-heart. they talk about their dysfunctional families and how frankie is adopted, a black girl in a perfect white family and how her mom “doesn’t see color” but she wishes she did. she talks about how her parents adopted her when she was little and how she’s been “fucking up their lives ever since.” phoenix comments “i have this theory that perfect families only exist in orange juice commercials and utah.” it’s funny and cute until it’s not. they start talking about how it’s not like they don’t love their families, it’s that they wish they were better kids. they think they’re not good enough and if they were different, everything would be better. phoenix says “if i were a better kid i’d have it all figured out. i could fix things at home. my dad might still call me.” and frankie agrees, adding “my mom might still love me.” and cue that i would be good. absolutely. heartbreaking. i cried so much. but it gets even worse when jo comes in. she enters on stage left w her mom, without her beanie and her flannel tied around her waist wearing a bright pink blouse. “there. i wore it.” she says, visibly shaking and looking away from her mom, almost curling in on herself. she takes the blouse off with unsteady hands, holding it behind her and still looking away. her mom yanks it out of her grip and jo flinches, “i don’t know why i even try, joanne.” as her mom leaves the stage jo quickly puts back on her beanie and flannel, looking terrified and heartbroken, and begins to sing “why won’t you accept who i need to be.” she crosses the stage to stand near phoenix and frankie, shaking and fidgeting the whole time. at the climax they all come to the front, frankie in the center, and just sing their hearts out and they just all look so— desperate. sad. lonely. it’s really just gut-wrenchingly beautiful and sad and just ugh. wow. and as jo starts to walk off stage and the lights fade phoenix asks “do you have a boyfriend?” jo freezes. “a boyfriend?” frankie repsonds, “no.”

now we’re on to the next day and jo is bringing coffee for her and frankie as she meets frankie at the swingset. they talk about last night and jo once again jokes and brushes off the church social she had to go to w her mom: “did you know that god forgives gay feelings as long as you don’t act on them? thanks for the life hack father tim.” then they discuss the party and jo pulls out her phone, showing that people had taken pictures of bella without her shirt on while she was passed out and had posted them all over social media. frankie immediately insists they go visit bella right that second to make sure she’s ok and tell her that they’re here for her. jo follows, in awe of frankie’s bravery and passion. as they head to bella’s we see andrew and nick doing their morning workout, andrew talking about how bella was “all over him” while the ensemble surrounds them, singing “this could get messy.”

we get to bella’s where she’s sitting on her couch in a flannel and sweatpants under a blanket. she eventually tells frankie and jo what happened, how she passed out in an empty room and woke up a few times to andrew assaulting her while she was unable to even talk much less fight back. as she begins to tell her story (it’s truly haunting, she sounds so just dead and done kathryn gallagher is amazing) a soft sound can be heard— the theme from predator. the soft “ooh” from the very start of bella’s song in the second act rings through the otherwise deathly silence as she softly starts to recount the horrors of the night before. frankie and jo immediately tell her that’s rape and she responds “what? no. i’m just a fucking idiot.” they try to assure her she’s not and urge her to go to the police. her response is heartbreaking: “are you kidding me? like i’m really gonna say andrew montefuray… everyone like worships his whole family. there is literally a statue of his grandpa downtown. plus, they never believe anyone anyway.” jo responds “we believe you.” she then reveals that nick saw something at the party and didn’t do anything and frankie goes to confront nick about it. he responds by telling her bella’s always overdramatic, that he shouldn’t be expected to look out for everyone. frankie looks devastated. mj walks in on their fight and, in response to frankie telling her bella was raped, says “you can’t just go calling the police every time a girl gets drunk and there’s some he said she said. these things can happen. i wouldn’t go making this your cause of the week.” cue wake up. frankie sings the opening lines directly to nick and mj, looking both furious and horrified. as the song builds the ensemble joins in and off to the side we see an interrogation room. frankie and jo come in w bella, trying to support her through what looks like a stressful interrogation w an intimidating male police officer who is constantly frowning and interrupting. we don’t get any dialogue from this as the song is happening around them but we see bella look more and more embarrassed and devastated as frankie and jo only look more angry. they eventually leave and andrew takes a seat and has what looks like a pleasant conversation w the policeman that ends in a friendly handshake. at the climax of wake up, after the interrogations, the whole ensemble is on stage and with them are the two moving panels/platforms. the main cast stand on the panels, and the ensemble moves them and flips them, revealing characters that were on the other side in switches so fast it’s incredibly impressive and overall a truly mesmerizing scene. the last line is frankie, alone in center stage with the ensemble behind her looking at mj who is in front of her staring out into the audience as frankie yells “wake up.” stunning.

the last scene of act one is forgiven. wow wow wow. mj goes into the church and begins to pray. she prays for her kids, for her marriage. then she begins to discuss something else. she goes “the last time i asked you for something…. well. you remember back in college. even after that night— that was my fault.” her voice breaks a little, sounding weaker and more scared by the second and once again the soft, ominous theme of predator can be heard in the distance. the same theme from when bella was accounting her assault and the theme that will come back in act two. chills. every time. mj starts to break down then, asking for help w her addiction. she admits she’s having a hard time stopping and begs for assistance. cue forgiven. in comes part of the ensemble— but only the non-male members of the ensemble. stunning. she begins the song and the ensemble moves the church pews and panels in a wonderful bit of choreography as the song grows. by the second chorus bella appears from the back of the stage and slowly walks up to join mj as the non-male members of the ensemble move the pews to surround the two of them. mj and bella stand back to back in front of a semi-circle of the non-male ensemble standing on benches. they chant “sinner! witch! whore!” while mj continues to sing and they point at bella and mj at each word, the lights flashing. it’s haunting. then bella joins the ensemble and they leave as mj moves to exit the church. she’s outside now, snow falling around her as we reach the climax of the song and the rest of the cast joins her on stage one by one. i couldn’t tell this was the case on the cast album but on that last chorus each main character gets their own line over the ensemble as they enter the stage. steve starts, “we all had delusions in our heads,” then nick, “we all had our minds made up for us,” then frankie, “we had to believe in something. so i will,” then andrew “we all had our reasons to be there” then bella, “we all had a thing or two to learn,” then finally jo, “we all needed something to cling to. so we did.” we could talk about how meaningful all of those lines are to each of those characters for hours honestly. and now the whole ensemble begins to join and the chorus only grows, everyone just singing their hearts out as they belt (ELIZABETH’S VOICE WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK) and they end with a haunting final note “amen.” and that’s the end of act one. holy fucking shit.

[sinfullytempting]

Temptations (Gluttony)

ITS YEOSANG! HE IS THE NEXT SIN

San (Lust 1) / Yeosang (Gluttony 2) / Seonghwa (Greed 3) / Wooyoung (Envy 4) / Filler Chapter (5)

You shoot up from your spot once he disappears, fear swimming in your eyes as you look around. “What the fuck?” Is the first words out of your mouth. You rub your eyes, looking down at your chest out of reflex. Its still there, in bright red lettering, your very own S I N in red cursive lettering. You get up, dragging your feet towards the closet door, hoping not to meet his so called brothers. “What just happened…” You get changed for the day, still looking around, just incase San was still around.

You grabbed your bag and bolted out the door and towards your first class, avoiding people at every cost, sitting down next to your friend with a worried glance from her. “Jinnie do you remember anything last night?” At the shake of her head she frowns. “Did you have any dreams?” She shakes her head again, worry forming. “Y/n are you ok?” You nod, a hand over the lettering, feeling somewhat protective of the word.

You barely focus in class, spacing out, almost paranoid as you scan out the window, thinking you see San in dark spots of the field, thinking hes in your peripheral vision only to not be there when you glance. You take a deep breath only to jump when the bell rings signalling the end of class and the break between classes, where there are 5 minutes to get to your other class and the temptation to skip is overwhelming.

You bit your lip before heading towards the cafeteria, deciding to skip second period. Walking in the first thing you notice is someones already in there…and eating? You blink and take in the person. Your college is big so you dont know everyone but you believe youve never seen this kid before. Bright pink hair and icy blue eyes once he looks up and the writing burns when he looks at you. But he perks up, eyes bright and excited as if hes seen something new.

“You can see me?!” He sounds ecstatic, and the warning bells go off in your head, San’s name is on the tip of your tongue but before you can say it he holds his hands up. “Dont call Sannie!” Thats why. You bite your lip, hand holding the shirt over the writing. “How do you know S-”

“Dont say his name!”

You frown but nod carefully. San’s name seems like a threat to him so you store it safely in your head. “Im Yeosang, my sin is Gluttony. And my color is orange…” He glances at the orange starbursts then towards the tangerines he was eating. “Uh yeah..” You dont know what it is but you take a few steps closer to him and he smiles softly, something about him makes you calm and you sit in front of him. “How much has Sannie told you?” You think back to this morning. “Only about this.” You pull down your shirt so he can read the lettering. “Wow he used his nail, and he claimed you…” He mumbled before he nodded. “What he told you most probably correct.” He pops another starbursts into his hand and offers you one which you take and glance at him when he speaks again.

“But has he told you about anything else? Thats the most important thing but…basically, youre pretty useless…whatever you do here, San’s claimed you. Meaning you have basically ‘immunity’ and you can see us, ‘supernatural’ beings.” You nod, chewing on the candy slowly. “Am i the second one you met?” You nod and he breathes a sigh of relief as he pouts. “You do smell good and its a shame Sannie got to you first, but he will treat you well!”

You swallow it and bite your lip. “Do i smell the same to you?” He shook his head before nodding. “Yes and no, you smell pure but to me you smell like citrus? Delicate…” You nod slowly and he bites back a giggle. “Makes no sense huh?” You nod and he cant hide the giggles and it makes your lips twitch up in response and it only turns his giggles into full laughter, your own giggles mixing in and he stands up.

“I was looking for you, and its nice to meet you, im positive we will meet again! I hope you can handle the next sin you meet! And Remember Sannie is always one breath away.” You nod and watch as he cleans up when the bell rings and disappearing from in front of you with only words left. “Sannie is possessive, so be careful when you meet the other sins.” With that hes gone and the first few kids trickle in for lunch.

You space out for the rest of the school day.

And the burning stops

——————————————————-

You practically breath out San’s name once you close and lock the door. “San?” He materializes on your couch, relaxed like he had been waiting for you to call his name. “You smell like Sanggie.” You blink before you drop your back and slip off your shoes. “So im the only one that can you guys can see?” San pauses before nodding. “Unless we want to be seen.” You nod, feet moving towards San on their own and you sit by his feet and he grins, canine’s sharp.

“Yeosang also said that i have ‘immunity’? Whats that mean?” The smile drops and he groans. “I hate explaining things. Why didnt Sanggie do it?” You huff. “Hes so much nicer then you, plus we had…a time limit you could say.” He nods, humming quietly. “Alright. Yes, im somewhat your ‘guardian angel’ just more aggressive. You’re personal guardian sin, your little demon.” He grins at you.

You rub your head and sigh, already comfortable, yet a little on edge, with San. “You dont show up whenever i say your name right?” He shook his head. “I chose. Why?” He furrowed his brows and stopped spinning- Is that a pair of your underwear?! You snatch the garmet from his finger and throw it in the laundry. “Dont touch that!” He feins a pout.

“Yeosang said not to say your name because it calls you to me…” San chuckles. “It does, but i can see what you see, but he wouldnt know, Sanggie has never claimed anyone before.” You nod and San hums.

“Whats to eat?” You throw a glare but turn into the kitchen. “Can you even eat human food?” San hums again, deep in his throat. “I can, i dont like it most of the time, i usually feed off people who have sex, i feed off my sin. But now that i have you, love, i might have to eat real food for a little bit.” Your cheeks flush and you pout at him. “What does that mean!?” San laughs at your flustered state before wrapping his arms around your waist, startling you by how fast he appeared behind you.

“It means darling, that when you have sex ill feed off that, when you get, squirmy and wet, i feed off that.” He presses his lips against your throat and stays there. “If you have sex with me, im fed for a two weeks.” He murmurs before he smirks at the shiver that runs down your spine. “Did Yeosang tell you anything else?” You hesitate but nod, another shiver appearing when San runs the tip of his nose up your neck, hot breath fanning across your skin.

“H-He said youre possessive so i have to be careful around the others when i meet them…” San sops before he grins, tightening his hold. “I am possessive, i want you to smell like me all the time.” He whispers. “So if you come along any other demons they wont try and touch you.” He murmurs, sharp nails pressing into your skin.

He pulls away as you crouch to grab pans to make dinner as your stomach growls softly and San giggles, making you giggle quietly before you start cooking. “Chicken is for dinner.” He hums. “Sanggie would love to be here.” He hums quietly and you nod. “Yeosang likes chicken?” He nods before thinking. “Try real hard and you might be able to summon him…” You nod. “Maybe when im done…i dont need two demons breathing down my neck…”

He laughs but theres something deep and hidden in it, and its almost scary. “Once you meet everyone, we can do something special…”

You bite your lip.

Your mind goes back to his words. ‘If you have sex with me, im fed for two weeks.’

The doorbell rings and you can feel San tense, a growl leaving his lips, he can smell the anger from the other side of the door.

“San open the fucking door i can smell you, i want to see her too, Sanggie already saw her and thats not fair.”

[thiswasinevitableid]

The Wicked House

Prompt for the 31st was: Wicked. Thanks to @thats-amnesty-babe and Morgan E Ashton for the help brainstorming.

Duck whacks his hands together, clearing the dust from them, before raising a hand in friendly farewell to the movers. He picks his way through the boxes, up the stairs, and to his bedroom. Opening the door sends a bolt of dark, fluffed-up fur into the hallway.

“Yeah, yeah. I’m sorry fuzzball, but I couldn’t have you bein underfoot or runnin out the door.” He scratches the cat behind her ears, and her affronted glare gives way to forgiving purrs. 

He unpacks for awhile, finds a good luck note from Juno tucked in the winter coat she gave him (“I mean it, Duck, winter up there’s a hell of a lot colder than here in West Virginia”). Orders pizza, gets the kitchen table set up in time to eat it. Flips through his to-do list for the next few days as he does. 

ka-BOOM

Winnie yowls and runs from the room as Duck nearly falls out of his chair. 

“What the fuck?” He dashes outside, expecting to find an exploded car or downed powerline.

He finds nothing of the sort. None of his neighbors are even poking their heads out. There’s a smaller boom, from the house next to his (his is on the corner, so only has one neighbor). 

“Well, Woodbridge finally managed to offload one of these places, huh?”

He turns to find a rather prim looking woman walking a furious looking Pomeranian. 

“Beg pardon?”

“You’re the first person to buy any of the houses near that wicked place in years.”

Duck looks around again. Every house on the block, save for his own darkly painted victiorian and the brightly painted one next to it, has a sun-worn for sale sign in the yard. 

“What the fuck?”

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

“Oh, so you’re the guy who bought the house next to Indrid Colds place?” The man at the grocery store asks as he rings him up. Duck  was overjoyed to find a real mom and pop place near his house and Leo, the owner, has been chatting with him.

“So it seems.”

“Don’t let folks make you too jittery about it. Indrid’s an odd guy, but he don’t mean no harm.”

“What the hell does he do? All kinds of weird lights and noises and shit coming from that place.”

“Not a clue. Seems like you’re in a better position to find out than most of us.” He tilts his head towards the beer Duck is loading into a bag.

“Dunno, kinda like havin all my limbs. Not sure I’ll keep ‘em all if I go in there.”

Leo shrugs, “suit yourself.”

As Duck walks home with his groceries, he mulls over the suggestion; sure, the loud noises aren’t great, but they no worse and no more frequent than a loud party or a neighbor with barky dogs. 

He sets the bags down on his front step, fumbling to find which pocket he put his keys in. 

“Don’t move!”

He freezes, finds a tall man with silvery hair moving purposefully up his drive. He’s in a long, silk bathrobe and bunny slippers, bright red glasses perched on his nose. When he places his hands on Ducks shoulders and starts moving him back off the porch, Duck tenses, tries to pull away.

He can’t. The man is surprisingly strong for such a beanpole.

“Hey, pal, look-”

“No, you look.” He points a finger, and Duck squints for a beat before seeing it; a black widow, dangling on a thread as she lowers down from his door frame. 

“Shit, almost walked right into her.”

“Yes, you did. I thought you might prefer not to.”

Duck takes another look at the stranger, including the spot where his hand is still resting on Ducks arm. The other man follows the gaze, pulls his hand back apologetically. 

“Gonna go out on a limb here and say you’re Indrid Cold.”

“Oh, you’ve heard of me!”  Indrid smiles brightly, only to have the expression falter, “oh, ah, you’ve heard of me. I can’t say I blame people for trying to warn you away from me, given my reputation.” The last few words come out so soft and resigned, the kind of vulnerability that’s either a trap or the truth of someone who has gone a little too long without the benefit of the doubt.

“Reputation don’t matter half as much as your actions. Far as I’m concerned, the only thing I know you done for sure is save me from a nasty spider bite.” He smiles kindly, holds out his hand, “I’m-”

“-Duck Newton.” Indrid takes it, shaking it with an oddly wide smile. 

“Uh, right. Well, I’m gonna get rid of that widow, but if you wanted to come in for a beer or coffee or somethin I wouldn’t be opposed.”

“That sounds wonderful but, oh, oh dear, um, excuse me something’s just come up. Hope to see you again.” He dashes back down the path, down the sidewalk, and up the steps to his bright yellow door. 

“Huh.” Duck watches the door for a moment, then goes to get a broom. 

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

The diner smells like eggs, bacon, and butter when Duck steps in from the chill of the early September air. 

It’s quiet, but he settles on a spot at the counter all the same, in case they need the booths for bigger groups. 

“Good morning,” a cheerful, somewhat crunchy-granola looking blonde woman greets him, pad in hand “any coffee or tea this morning?” 

“Coffee, please.”

“You got it.” She spins, grabs the pot, and pours him a mug. Several of the flatops are where Duck can see them, being worked expertly by a man who must be well over six feet tall. Whatever he’s moving about on them smells incredible.

“Ready to order.”

“Whatever he’s cookin right there.”

“Hash it is.” She smiles again.

The cook nods, and as he sets to work he asks, “you just passing through?”

“Naw, moved here a few weeks ago, got a job in the national forest.”

“Right on.”

“Oh yeah.” A voice behind him says, and he finds two older men sizing him up, “you’re the fella who got duped into buying next to Cold’s place.”

“He’s a man, Clarence, not fucking black mold.” The cook grumbles.

“How’s living next to the wicked witch treating you?” The second man, in a red ball-cap, asks.

“Warlock.” Says a clipped voice. It takes Duck a moment to see it belongs to the man going over receipts at the register, slick dark hair flecked with grey and face movie-star handsome, “if Indrid did have those abilities you all seem convinced he does, he’d be a warlock, not a witch.”

“How would you know?” Red cap retorts.

“Ey, shut up Jim, you know the boy was in the CIA. Better not disrespect him.”

“FBI, not CIA

“All I’m saying is that wherever Cold goes, disaster follows. Not to mention the man’s a known f-”

“One more syllable and you’ve got a lifetime ban.” Barclay points the spatula towards the men.

In the midst of the standoff, the bell dings. 

And Indrid Cold walks into the diner.

 He’s bundled up like it’s snowing, walks up to the counter and pauses when he sees Duck. 

Duck pats the stool next to him, “Nice to see you again, neighbor.”

“Likewise.” Indrid gives that odd smile again and sits down, “Good morning Barclay, Joseph.” He nods first to the cook, then the man at the register, “Oh, and hello Dani. The usual, please.”

Dani grins, turns to one of the drink machines and comes back moments later with a cup of cocoa.

“I can’t handle how bitter coffee is, even with sugar.” Indrid says, two seconds before Duck is going to ask him why that drink.

“You’re braver than I am, that much sugar this early’d have me on the ceilin.”

Indrid smiles softly, “Lightweight.”

Duck barks out a laugh, making Indrid snicker as well. 

“Any plans for this weekend, Duck?” 

“Got some new model ships to work on, might go for a hike, nothin too excitin.”

“You don’t get enough hiking at work?” Indrid cocks his head.

“I mean, not really? It’s different when I’m on my own; I don’t got an agenda or shit I’m supposed to be takin care of. I can just go at my own pace.”

Indrid makes a noise of understanding right as Barclay sets two plates down. Indrids’ is piled with pancakes and strawberries. 

Barclay points a can of whipped cream down at the plate, “say when.”

The tower of cream is almost a foot high before Indrid goes, “when.”

As they eat, they chat about this and that, though mostly Indrid asks Duck about his move, and how he’s liking the town. Then he muses, “I’d like to go hiking sometime. I really ought to get out a bit more.”

“You can come with me sometime, if you want.”

“Really?”

“Sure, long as you don’t mind me talkin about trees.”

“Not in the slightest.”

Duck raises his glass in cheers, “well, if you decide you want to, you know where to find me.”

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

Duck balances the plate of cornbread (his fathers no-fail recipe)  in one hand as he lifts the other to knock on the door.

“Come in!” Indrid calls a half-second before his hands meets the wood. 

The inside of Indrid’s house is laid out much the same as Ducks own. This is where the similarities end. There are drawings scattered everywhere, pinned to walls and strewn across tables. Art and posters and letters cover the walls, each of which is painted a different color.

As he makes his way into the kitchen he notices chalk and bottles of salt, piles of old books, and many, many, many sweaters. 

Indrid is at the sink, filling a kettle with water. 

“You’re right on time, I was just making myself some tea. Though I can make something stronger if you prefer.”

“Tea’s fine.” Duck sets the plate down, “figured I oughta make a proper, neighborly introduction.”

He leaves out the part where, in the two days since they spoke at the diner, he’s thought about Indrid quite a bit. And that whenever an explosion or other odd occurrence came from next door, Ducks’ first response is no longer annoyance; it’s worry. What if something bad happened and Indrid had no one checking on him?

“I’ve been thinking” Indrid sets a mug down in front of him, sits across from him at the rickety table, “there’s a little get-together at the Lodge, that hotel on the edge of town, this weekend. If you were interested, we could hike out that way and then stop by after.”

“You know the folks there?”

“I do. Barclay and Joseph live in one of the cottages, Dani lives in the lodge proper, and they were kind enough to invite me to movie night once. I suppose I found my people, so to speak, there even if I still am a bit solitary.”

“Be happy to come, like to get to know more folks in town myself.” Duck glances back from examining some nearby drawings, and immediately knows he gave the right answer. Indrid is looking at him like he hung every star in the sky. 

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

Ducks’ gotten used to the occasional smoke detector cry from next door.

But this one isn’t stopping. 

He grabs the fire extinguisher from under his sink and bolts out one front door and into another. 

Smoke drifts down the stairs and Indrid is nowhere in sight. So up the stairs he goes, turning into the room where the smoke is the worst. Mercifully, there is no actual fire, just clear signs of one being hastily and messily put out. He opens the windows, and after a few minutes of cross-breeze the alarm shuts off. 

It’s only then that he hears a tap running and someone muttering. 

He crosses the hall, finds Indrid glaring into the mirror over the bathroom sink, trying to sooth a nasty looking burn on his arm. 

“Shit, what happened?” 

Indrid stares at the water, “just an accident. I was careless. I’ll be alright.”

“Here, lemme look at your arm-yeah, okay, I’m gonna go grab my first aid kit from my place.”  

He’s out and back as fast as he can manage, returns to find Indrid sitting on the toilet lid, sulking. 

Duck holds out his hand and Indrid flops his wrist into it. As gently as he can, Duck tends to the burn. It’s not bad enough to need a hospital, but it’s still a nasty looking mark.

“What were you tryin to do?” He asks softly.

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

“Try me?”

“I have certain...abilities. Magic. Most of it related to seeing the future. But some of it is more general, or is in other fields of the discipline, and I was trying to use one field to influence a future and it backfired.”

Duck considers him a moment, then gently squeezes his hand, “hey, it’s okay if you don’t wanna tell me. Don’t gotta make a story up on my behalf.”

“I’m not MAKING IT UP!” Indrid shouts, yanking his hand away and standing up.

“Indrid, you don’t expect me to believe-”

“ What? That I’m stuck seeing futures I can’t stop, stuck with powers I still can’t fully control, that I’ve made myself an outcast time and again all because of these blasted things.” He rips off his glasses and chucks them down the hall. Crumples to the floor, head in his hands.

Cautiously, Duck scooches across the hardwood. He wants to reach out, to soothe the tensed lines of Indrids’ body. But he’s not sure that’s what Indrid wants. Not sure if he’s royally fucked everything up.

“Okay, I’m listenin.” His voice, gentle as it is, may as well be coming through a megaphone for how Indrid flinches. Then he looks at his newly bandaged arm. 

“Ten years ago, I bought those glasses from a little curio shop. I thought they were stylish. I put them on when I got home and everything changed. Long story short, the glasses are a conduit to a demonish creature. When I put them on, he became my patron. I gained his ability to see the future, as well as some other powers. I panicked, tried to take the glasses back, but the store was simply gone. Turns out if I try to forsake his gift, it will go very badly for me, so I have to wear them all the time, save for sleep and things like that.”

“Jesus.”

“I’ve been trying to use my powers to stop the disasters I see coming but so often it doesn’t work, and then I have to watch it play out in real time after seeing it again and again in my head.” He stands, slowly, and walks to retrieve the glasses, “or when I try to do enchantments, sometimes things go haywire. Did you happen to see the little succulent garden in the living room?”

“You mean the one that’s as big as your coffee table?”

“Yes. That was originally two succulents. I bought them as a housewarming gift for you then decided maybe four was better. So I tried to magic up two more. And got a garden instead.” He’s still as he speaks, glasses held in his palm, “It isn’t all bad. I have been able to stop some things, and I’ve gotten much better at magic. But the failures so often dwarf that.”

“Indrid?” Duck stands in the bathroom doorway, waits for his friend to turn around before continuing, “thank you for tellin me all that. And I’m sorry I didn’t believe you.”

Indrid’s smile is weak, but genuine.

“Are there, uh, things that help when this happens? You seem real upset and if I can help you feel better, I’d like to.”

“T.V, the mindless kind.”

Duck holds out his hand, “C’mon, let’s go downstairs.”

Indrid settles on the violet couch, wrapping himself in a thick blanket as Duck flips channels. 

“You’re from West Virgina, right?”

“Yep.”

“Then you may be familiar with my patron. I don’t know his true name, but everyone just calls him mothman.”

Duck drops the remote.

“Mothman? As in Silver Bridge, Point Pleasant, TNT plant, and all that shit?”

“Yes.” Indrid says mildly. 

“Holy shit.” He fishes the remote from under the couch.

“That’s a remarkably succinct reaction.”

“Hush you, you know I ain’t a man of many words.”

“Duck, two days ago you talked for half an hour about Kudzu.” Indrid shoots him a teasing smile, and Duck elbows him lightly. 

“Oooh, a Halloween cooking championship! Let’s watch that.”

Duck sets the remote down, joins Indrid under the blanket when the taller man opens it for him.

“You doin anythin for Halloween?”

“No” Indrid sighs, “I love it, but after the ‘living pumpkin incident,’ parents stopped letting their children trick or treat here.”

“Hmmmmm” Duck rests his hand just beside Indrids’, strokes it absentmindedly with his pinkie “y’know, Indrid, I think I got a way to fix that…..”

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

Duck waves goodbye to the group of trick or treaters as they scurry back down the walkway. He has to hand it to Indrid: the man really has an eye for decoration.

The yard is strung with glowing cobwebs and purple lights, bats made of purple shadow and glitter flitting through the air.  The multitude of Jack’O Lanterns flicker in a rainbow of colors, thanks to Indrid doing an enchantment on the flames. 

Ducks house is equally festive, Indrid choosing orange lights and one (magically) large pumpkin to contrast with the dark wood of the building. Currently Aubrey (Dani’s wife) and her giant rabbit (Dr Harris Bonkers, PhD) are seated on Duck’s front step on candy duty. Duck had asked for his new friends help after realizing just how nervous Indrid was that something would go haywire, and decided it was best if he was there to keep him company.

It’s been a successful Halloween so far; no explosions, no disasters, no decorations accidentally coming to life. He and Indrid chat between visitors, The Creature from the Black Lagoon plays in the background, and both of them have eaten more candy than two grown men probably should. Not a single kid who’s come to the door seems afraid of Indrid. Some are curious, and some have parents that definitely watch them closely. But most are just happy to get candy.

Best of all, whenever they’re seated on the couch, or waiting to open the door, Indrid holds Ducks hand, or sighs happily when Duck rests his arm around his shoulder.

The groups are becoming less and less frequent, and stars peek out from behind the clouds, when Indrid turns to him.

“Thank you, Duck.”

“Hey, wasn’t gonna miss an excuse to hang out with you and poach your candy.”

Indrid chuckles, “Not just for that. For everything, for being kind, for getting to know me and not writing me off as wicked. I-” He falters, turns away suddenly.

Duck may not have foresight, but he’s perceptive all the same.

“Want me to finish that sentence for you?”

Indrid looks at him wide-eyed as the ranger steps into his space, “Please.”

“I wanna get to know you better.” Duck grins, moves to pull Indrid to him.

Indrid beats him to it, grabbing his shirt and pulling him into a kiss. Ducks back hits the door, Indrids fingers digging into his hair. He holds him tight, and as demanding as his kisses are the taller man’s whole body is shaking like the last leaf on a tree.

When they pull apart, Indrid rests their foreheads together.

“Yes, Duck, I would very much like to get to know you better.”

Duck kisses him again, keeps him close as he whispers, “well, happy fuckin halloween to me.”

Indrid kisses his cheek, “Indeed.”

[issabangtanfic]

[Jungkook] The Windmill House (Chapter 2)

Masterlist

Synopsis: When for once rich doesn’t rhyme with Christian Grey.

Pairing: Jungkook x OC

A/N: Feel free to submit a cover! Tell me what you think in my inbox! Enjoy!

-

“Why?” I frown, cofused, even though I know I should just shut up and thank him given the position I'm putting my company in.

“I thought you hated my vision.” I murmur. His eyes light up, and he gives me a soft smile.

“It’s all the contrary. I love your vision, Maya.” He croons, my whole body going rigid. Oh, please.

“Mi-“

“Miss Fair.” He corrects himself. I swallow.

“Then why didn’t you give me the project for your mansion?” I ask him, crossing my arms over my chest.

“Because this is much more important to me.” He counters.

“Huh.” Is all I manage to say. I don't understand his logic. I should be the last person he gives such an important project to then.

“Wanna see what it looks like?” He proposes, jerking his head towards the house. I nod, my curiosity getting the best of me. Mr Jeon leads me up the stairs to the porch. 

This house doesn’t even have a door. It’s just a big plywood board with a metal chain on each side, chains that are attached to the house by two hooks and two big locks. Mr Jeon fishes the keys out of his pocket, opening each lock. He then lifts the board effortlessly and moves it to the side to reveal the inside of this old guy.

We step in, and I discover a dark and desolated place. The left wing of the house is closed off by a door, and in front of me lay old wooden stairs that lead to the upper floor. The only point of light comes from the open room on our right, the high column where the windmill is. My feet carry me inside that room, the old wood crackling and squeaking under my heels. A stuffy smell of rotten wood invades my nostrils, and I absolutely love it. This definitly is an old guy.

The room we walk in is the living room, one of the most beautiful spaces I’ve seen in my life. The room is high, really high. Easily dwarfing the ten meters I had guessed. And it’s luminous, bathed in light by two humongous bullseye windows, making the inside look like a ship of some kind.

The furniture is covered by big white pieces of cloth, and I’m dying to uncover them. I guess the shape of a couch, two armchairs, a table and a cabinet by the windows, and a bar on the left where there are no windows.

If half of the cylindric room is covered by windows, the other half has a huge embedded bookshelf as a wall. I’ve never seen anything like this except in harry potter. A huge wall of books, easily covering half of the height of the room, and a ladder that can slide across it.

Oh wow.

At the far end of the room, there is a small metallic spiral staircase that leads to a small platform at the very top of the room, and I guess it’s the windmill maintenance area.

“So?” I hear Mr Jeon ask expectingly. 

Is this, like, his childhood home? Someone clearly has spent a lot of time here. Was it him? His parents? Windmill houses are usually found in America, and he has an American accent, it wouldn’t be surprising if this was family home. 

But it’s odd. The whole Poudlar spaceship spirit of it makes it look like some kind of… big child room. A place where you’d come to escape reality, far from the city.

“It’s…” I trail off, trying to put a word on all of my thoughts. This house speaks to me, and I can feel that it’s filled with meaningful moments and memories.

“Heavy.” I breathe, my shoulders sagging. I look up at him and watch his eyebrows slightly furrow.

“Heavy.” He repeats, looking at me intently. I shy from his gaze, focusing on these beautiful windows again. That’s when I notice the fireplace. 

“Take a look at this.” He offers, pulling my attention back to him. He strides across the room, towards the metal stairs, and grabs the wall. Thats when I notice a crank I hadn’t seen before.. He grabs it, and it must be rusty, unsurprisingly, because he has to put some strength on it to get it to spin. When he finally gets it moving, I hear the sound of heavy metal rustling. 

The sound comes from above, so I lift my eyes, and see the ceiling opening. Wow! The roof of the windmill is actually made of blinds, against glass. And as Mr Jeon turns the crank, the blinds lift up to reveal the sunny blue sky.

“Woah.” I breathe as I’m starting to get bathed in sunlight. Now that is luminous!

“That’s amazing!” I laugh in delight. This is so cool! But who the hell would’ve thought of that back then?

“And also, really strange.” I had, now that I think of it.

“You should see it in the night.” He says, pulling my eyes back down to him. He’s taking slow but confident steps towards me. I don’t answer, my eyes glued to his face. I hope he’s not going to stand too close to me.

“You can see thousands of stars. There’s not much light pollution.” He adds, still walking to me. I’m tempted to  take a step back, but that would give away my lack of composure. He stops when he’s unreasonably close to me, as if he knew it would make my heart pound in my ears.

He knows.

“You can even see Saturn, in the summer.” He finishes. I look up at him. Not knowing what to say, unable to form any decent answer to that. He smells so, fucking divine, It’s giving me a head rush.

“You in on this?” He asks softly. I manage a small nod, swallowing a big lump in my throat. The corner of his mouth curls up.

“Good.” He says, his lips twitching, refraining a grin. Good? This is anything but good. He’s trouble. Is he not going to move? 

His phone rings in his pocket, and I take the opportunity to look away and step back from him. He fishes his phone out of his pocket and looks at the caller’s ID.

“I have to take this.” He says, looking up at me. “Make yourself at home.”

I manage another small nod, and he strolls out of the room to take his call. Sighing, I place my bag on the bar and walk over to the covered furniture. I pull a cover, revealing a leather couch and also sending dust into the air.

I cough, taking a look at the fine piece of work. This could stay here. But I’m more intrigued by the  bookshelves. I cover the couch back and take my heels off, walking to the ladder. I slide it across the wall and climb to the top, grabbing a random book.

Curiosities of the sky by Garrett P. Serviss.

Astronomy. 

I put it back and grab another one.

A brief history of Time by Stephen Hawking.

Astrophysics. This place is a spaceship! I open it and find a note on the inside.

For my neutron star Jungkook. Don’t aim for the stars but for Canis Majoris. Love A-

I have no idea what this means. But at least I know Mr Jeon has lived here. And he’s keen on space science. What an actual nerd.

The squeaky floor boards announce Mr Jeon’s return way before he enters the room again. I look down at the doorway until he appears, and notice his tie is gone and the top two buttons of his shirt are undone. Yum.

His eyes land on me and widen.

“What are you doing?” He scolds, pacing towards me. 

I thought I could make myself at home!

“I’m sorry, I thought I could look around.” I stutter, surprised.

“Of course you can, but not. like this. Do you realise how high this is?” He mutters. I look down at him, realising he has to bend his neck to look at me. 

Damn, I am high. 

He could see my knickers!

“I’m scared you’ll fall.” He murmurs, holding his hand out to me, inviting me to come down. He’s scared I’ll fall? Well, he better stop making me so dizzy.

I place the book back on the shelf and proceed to step down the ladder.

“Where are your shoes?” I hear him ask from under me.

“Erm…”

“In such an old house, that’s dangerous.” He lectures.  Yeah, yeah, whatever.

I look down at him, and he’s still offering his hand. I have no choice but to take it. I decide to jump down the last step.

You could get a sh-“

“Ow!” I cry.

“Shard in your foot. Well, congratulations.” He mutters. I hop on one foot, my heel stinging painfully. I don’t know what I just landed on, but it was not a shard!

“Careful.” I hear him mutter, and suddenly I’m sent flying as he scoops me up in his arms. I gasp, wrapping my arms around his neck so I don’t fall off, but shocked this is happening. I’m in his arms, and they are strong. He has a hand on my back and the other curled around the back of my knees.

My eyes bulge out of their sockets and I feel my face heating up. I feel hot in my cheeks and my heart is racing. This is both hell and paradise.

“Let’s see.” He breathes, walking to the couch. He sets me down on it and sits on the adjacent armchair’s arm, grabbing my leg and setting my injured foot on his knee.

My face is about to explode. He takes a look at the underside of my foot.

“You’ll have to take your stockings off.” He declares, looking up at me. 

And I know. I know myself and I know, my face is bloodshot and I’m busted from miles away. Mum and Dad always tell me this will bring me troubles, blushing that hard that easily, now I know why.

I blink and swallow, not knowing what to do.

I take a minute process things. My dress is knee-length but it’s flowey, so it won’t rise up to my waist if I reach under it. If I ask him to turn around, he’ll make fun of me. I must act confident,.

Looking away from his eyes so I don’t see his reaction, I carefully reach under my dress and grab the waistline of my stockings, lifting my bum to slide them down.

When I’m past my bum and reach halfway down my thighs, his hands cover mine, and he “helps” me get the rest off without having to bend. But the way he does, it sends my body in a frenzy. He doesn’t take my stockings off, he caresses my legs, sliding his hands down on my skin and dragging the stockings with them.

Heat licks along my skin and I let out a shaky breath, shocked by his boldness but too focused on not letting it show. My stockings come off, and I exhale deeply.

His thumb strokes my ankle as he lifts up my foot, and I chew down on my lip, not wanting to make a sound. Suddenly, his phone vibrates again. 

Halle-fucking-lujah!

“I’ll take care of it.” I declare, removing my foot from his lap. “Take the call.”

He nearly yanks my foot back onto his knee.

“While you’re bleeding all over my floor?” He mutters. “Sorry to disappoint, but I’m not that much of an asshole.”

Not that much? So he knows he’s an arse.

“So, you’re aware that you were a arse to me yesterday?” I ask, my feverish body making me brazen. He examines my foot carefully, tugging on a shard.

“I’m... merciless, when it comes to business.” He muses, removing a shard with a sharp movement.

“Ow.”

“Sometimes it’s a quality, sometimes it a flaw and costs me a lot.” He says, pensive. This is dangerously close to an apology.

“Is that your way of saying you’re sorry?” I try.

“No it’s not.” He retorts, pulling another shard out of my foot. I scowl at him.

“Would you happen to have tweezers?” He asks casually, looking up at me and ignoring my scowl. I blink at him.

“In my bag, yes.” I indicate. When he stands, I sag against the couch, rubbing the bridge of my nose. This man is so attractive, I hate feeling like this. I know men like him.

He comes back with my tweezers.

“You went through my bag?” I ask, shocked. I thought he’d bring it to me!

“Well, that’s where the tweezers were.” He retorts, sitting back down on the armchair, ignoring my semblance of annoyance. He grabs my foot again.

“Has anyone  ever told you it’s very rude to snoop in a lady’s bag?” I mutter, readjusting my position.

“Stop moving, woman.” He mutters. Rude!

“There.” He declares, pulling out what feels like a huge chunk of wood. I hiss in pain.

“That’s a nasty cut. You’re still bleeding. I’ll see if I can find bandages somewhere.” He declares before leaving again. He comes back a few moments later with bandages and disinfectant.

He cuts a piece of bandages and pours some disinfectant on it, before bringing it to my heel. The product stings. 

“Ow!” I squeal, removing my foot from his hold.

“Maya.” He calls, grabbing my foot back. Will he stop?!

“It’s Miss Fair.” I grind out,  yanking myself out of his reach. He looks up at me, sighing deeply, his tongue briefly poking at the inside of his cheek in annoyance.

“Yeah, as soon as I get this disinfected.” He mutters. Huffing, I reluctantly give him my foot, letting him do his business and wrap it up in some bandages.

“Done.” He declares once he’s finished.

“Thank you.” I mumble, because I’m that. He places his medical equipment on the covered table.

“I guess that’s enough designing for today. Wait here.” He announces before rising and disappearing. He comes back with my bag and hands it to me. I take it and stands, and before I can even take an actual step I’m flying again.

“Jesus Christ!” I yell in surprise as he scoops me up again. What the heck? “Mr Jeon, I can walk.”

“Clumsy as you are, you might break a leg.” He mutters, casually walking towards the exit, with me in his arms. I clench my jaw.

I am the clumsy type, but this is wrong!

“I am not clumsy. You can put me down.” I try not to sound like I’m begging, but I bloody am.

“ I insist.” He retorts, stepping out of the house. Oh, how fucking perfect. He carries me over to my car, but heads for the passenger side.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

“Taking you home.”

I start to panic.

“I can drive, really.�� I blurt out, stumbling over my own words. He sets me down in front of the passenger door.

“This is really unnecessary.” I murmur, looking up at him. 

“I don’t feel comfortable knowing you’re driving with an injured foot.” He shrugs a shoulder, narrowing his eyes at me because of the sun in his face. He looks perfect in the sun. I imagine him in shades and a V neck. Mmmh..

“Injured is a big word.” I retort. He opens in mouth and I’m not having any of this.

“And, I don’t feel comfortable with you taking me home.” I say before he can argue, reminding him he’s a client and I’m not going to cross this line with him. 

He frowns, staring at me for a moment, his face a knot of confusion. Finally, he scoffs.

“Listen to me, lady.” He admonishes. Lady?

“I know I affect you, and you should know the feeling’s mutual, but this,” He pauses, taking a small pause and knocking the air out of my lungs. “Has nothing to do with how bad I want to have sex with you.”

I mean, I knew he knew I was attracted to him. I keep making a show of myself whenever I see him, but I didn't think it would be mutual! Oh, and the way the word "sex" sounds in his mouth is filthy and filled with promises.

Oh my god, if I come home with him, he might just-

“I’m not giving you the keys.” I say sternly. His lips curl up and he seems pleased.

“I see you’re not denying it.’ He murmurs. 

Oh bloody hell!

“Oh, and I already have them.” He says, fishing them out of his pocket and holding them up. Bloody bastard!

"In." He jerks his chin.

"In not going home, I have to go to my office." I try.

"At this time?"

"Yes."

"To your office we go then. Hop in." He pipes up, unlocking my car and opening the door for me. I make a desperate attempt to snatch my keys out of his hand.

I fail, and he smirks at me.

“Cheeky.” He murmurs. “I like that.”

There’s a detonation inside me and blood rushes to my face. This is just getting worse. I thought just being around him was hard, but how am I supposed to keep calm when he teases me like this?

Huffing, I get into the car just because I can’t stand the way he looks at me. 

"I'll get the door. Don't go anywhere." He says to me before closing the door. While he’s good I take a look at myself in the rearview. I’m one messy tomato. I sag against the seat, defeated.

I groan. When will I stop being a fucking impressible? I have no fucking taste in men. Ugh.

When Mr Jeon finishes closing off the house, he gets in my mini, cramming his frame into my tiny car. he pushes the seat all the way back and still looks like a clown in a clown car.

I don’t make any remarks though, I don’t think he’d laugh at himself. he ride to my office is silent and feels like an eternity because he just had to look smoking hot while driving.

He parks in front of the office and gets out the car. I don’t wait for him to open my door for me, and I don’t even know if he was going to. I kick my shoes off and leave the there before getting off as well.

“And now on the concrete? Miss Fair, how much do you hate shoes?” He utters while circling my car.

“A lot.” I mutter.

“Here.” He says, bending to grab the back of my knees.

“That’s enough!” I squeal, swatting his hands away. Not on the bloody street! Is he mental? 

His brow furrows. I clear my throat.

“My keys, please.” I ask sternly , holding my palm up. Sighing, he hands them back to me.

“Thank you for the ride.” I say before turning on my heels.

“What about when you go home later?” He calls from behind me.

“I’ll manage.” I reply, looking over my shoulder. “Thanks for worrying.” I add before disappearing inside the building. I sigh deeply, feeling exhausted. My foot doesn’t even hurt that much.

This man is mentally exhausting. I feel more drained by an hour with him than by a full day at work. And I’ll have to see him again and again until the project is finished! What am I going to do with myself?

I make it up to my office to grab my sketchbook, and on my desk lay a bouquet of flowers. Frowning, I take a closer look, discovering a card with the white Roses. I open it, and it says:

I’m sorry. - J x

So he is sorry after all! And he sent flowers to apologize? So that’s what he meant. He said his speech about him being merciless wasn’t his way of saying sorry because he had sent a whole bouquet of flowers to my office.

When I realise my smile is reaching my ears, I pul myself back together and put the card back. I’ll deal with that tomorrow. I grab my sketch book and head back out, taking a moment to reply to my Mum’s text asking why I din’t call her after work.

Worked late today. I’ll call you when I come home. Love you lots x

While I’m sending the text, I feel my car keys being snatched from my hand.

“Ah!” I yelp, feeling myself flying again. And here I am again, in Mr Jeon’s arms, confused and nearly having a heart attack.

“Walking down the stairs with your eyes glued to you phone and an injured foot.” He mutters, walking me down the stairs. What in hell?

“It’s like you want to get hurt.” He grumbles.

“Put me down! What are you doing here?” I utter, in deep shock. He waited outside?

"Taking you home.”

“I said I was fine!”

“And I don’t want to take the risk.” He retorts, circling my car and bringing me to the passenger’s side.

“You’re taking care of a life project of mine. I don’t want you to die on me.” He explains, letting me down. I take a step back,, leaning against my car huffing and puffing.

“Pretty sure driving with a stinging foot isn’t going to kill me.” I mutter, smoothing my hair and tugging my dress down.

“Not taking the risk.” He counters, opening the door.

“Mr Jeon.” I grab the door.

“Mind your head.” He says, taking advantage of my lack of balance and pushing me down onto the seat. I groan, frustrated at him. 

It’s not like I can do much to stop him. He has the keys and he seems stubborn as heck. Grumbling to myself, I let him get in the driver’s seat and take me home. I guide him to my house, relieved when we make it in front of my home. I wait for him to join me on the pavement, and he gives me my keys back before leaning against my car.

“Did you receive my flowers?” He asks me.

Oh.

“Yes.” I reply. “They’re pretty.”

“Do you accept my apology?” He enquires, stepping in front of me, trapping me between him and my car. I swallow and nod.

“Great.” He smiles to me. 

“Now that I’m forgiven, I think we should drop the honorifics.” He proposes.

“This whole Miss Fair Mr Jeon thing is getting old.” He shrugs. Oh hell no!

“I’d rather we didn’t.” I counter.

“Why?”

“I don’t call my clients by their name.” I lie.

“Well, in case you still haven’t figured, I hope to be more than a client to you.” He replies, his tone changing, becoming low and inviting. I refrain a gasp and try to hold his smoldering gaze.

“Mr Jeon, this is highly inappropriate.” My voice is almost as quiet as a whisper.

“Yeah.” He breathes, nodding. Yeah?

Yeah, it’s inappropriate, and he knows it. What kind of excuse was that. Everything about this is inappropriate, I bet that’s why he wants to have sex with me.

“Should I give the project to Mrs Bingfield?” He proposes, tilting his head to the side. My jaw drops.

“I wouldn’t be your client.” He shrugs. I scoff. He narrows his eyes at me.

“So I guess that’s not the actual reason you won’t have sex with me.” He guesses correctly, and a shiver runs down my spine when he says ‘sex’. I’m in so much trouble.

“If you have no reasonable reason, that could mean you’re scared.” He muses. “If you tell me what you’re scared of, I’ll do my best to reassure you.”

I blink, his words echoing and bouncing in my head. 

And then I see him, really see him. 

He’s there, using his charms to pin me against my car, all cocky and arrogant, talking about how he’ll do what it takes to get me in his bed. He’s human garbage. He’s just a rich, power hungry arse who likes to seduce women. He’s playing with me.

I’m a conquest for him, a challenge.

I know that all too well, and it all comes back to me like a nasty aftertaste.

“So, whatever happens you’ll be the one to make it all. better.” I scoff.

“I’ll try.” He shrugs a shoulder. I’m such a fuck-up. He’s just plain trash, how could I have missed that. He’s hot, alright, but he just emanates with manwhore energy and now I want to throw up.

“I absolutely abhorre men like you.” I grind out in his face, using my sketchbook to poke at his chest and push him away. He takes step back, frowning deeply.

“You can keep your project. And your dick in your pants for that matter.” I mutter before pushing past him, and go home without a single look back in his direction.

[fallout4reactsblog]

companions react to ss being in the red room before the war, and thats why their so good at fighting, killing, seducing people, etc

Companions are just realizing their crush for sole in this one! Warnings: depictions of violence, drug use

Cait: Cait watched sole disable the last of the collars keeping civilians as raider slaves. She allowed herself the briefest smile as families tearfully reunited and sole humbly waved off praise, only letting the barest hint of a smile show through on their face. As soon as they could get away, they picked their way over to her side, leaning up against the building with their arms folded.

“Thanks for doin’ this,” Cait said, giving them a gentle punch to the shoulder. “I know it was a hassle, but I do appreciate you doin’ this stuff for me.”

“Ah, don’t worry about it. Slavers are dicks. Anytime I can get a chance to hurt them, I will.” Their eyes trailed over the civilians making their way out of the camp and toward wherever home was. “Besides, it’s a little bit for me, too.”

“Oh?” Cait raised an eyebrow, waiting for them to continue, and to her surprise, they did.

“I guess it was a long time ago, but I was in cryo for most of that, so I don’t remember. So it feels like a couple months. But I remember what it was like to be at someone’s beck and call. No freedom, no will of your own, just doing what you were told.”

“Were there slaves before the war?”

They laughed a little. “Not legal ones, no. But there were people that would take civilians and train them in a place called the red room, teach them to become something other than human. Fighters, spies, torturers. They’d beat you until you learned, then either kill you or beat you some more. Then, once you graduated, you were always under your handlers command.”

Cait was smart enough to put two and two together. “And that was you.”

They nodded. “That was me, and I fucking hated it. The skills are great to have now, but constantly having to do everything my handler told me to, well, that was pretty damn miserable.”

“I always knew you’d seen some shite,” she said, leaning her head back against the wall. “Guess I was right.”

“Guess you were. Makes us two peas in a pod, huh?”

“Sure,” she snorted. “Two peas in a pod, whatever that means.”

“Come on.” They shoved off the wall and stepped into the sun. “Let’s get out of here. No sense in dredging up nasty memories for no reason.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

They headed into the sun.

Curie: “You have a lot of scars, cheri(e),” Curie noted as she patched up the latest of sole’s wounds. Her fingers trailed one without meaning to, and she quickly snatched her hand away in embarrassment.

Thankfully, sole didn’t seem to notice, as they just nodded. “The wasteland’s a pretty dangerous place. You get hurt a lot.”

Curie hummed a little, trying to focus in on the bandages that she was supposedly applying, but getting a little too distracted by their naked back to pay as much attention as she should. “Oui, this is true. But some of these are very old, non? They are from before the war, I think.”

They nodded again, letting out a long breath. “I suppose that’s also true. Life wasn’t much safer for me before the war, I guess.”

“Oh, why not?” She reached for a bit of tape to hold the bandages in place. “I did not think things were very dangerous before the war, but then again, I was just a small robot in a lab. My view of things was probably not the best.”

“Yeah?” They laughed a little. “I guess not. You were probably pretty protected, huh?”

“Oh, yes. The only news that I knew was whatever my fellow scientists were talking about. Otherwise, I would not have even known there was a war. “

“Yeah, things were a little different for me, I guess.” Their fingers drummed against the counter they were perched on. “In all the news you ever got, did you ever hear of something called a red room?”

“Oui, I did. There was a lot of talk about the police finding one not far from where I worked. We followed the story of them arresting everyone and the trials for months. I was very happy. All that talk about the violence and horrible things happening made me very unhappy. It was hard to work.”

They chuckled again, shoulders shaking. “That’s funny. I think that one was the one that I went through.”

Curie’s hands stilled, falling flat against sole’s skin. “You experienced one of these awful places? Cheri(e), tell me it isn’t so.”

“But I did,” they said with a shrug. “Believe me, I was as excited as you to see that hellhole get shut down. Watching them try my handler was the best thing I’ve ever seen, especially the look on that asshole’s face when they sent him away for life.”

“Mon dieu.” Curie moved around the counter to stand in front of them and take their hands. “I am so sorry. You must have seen such awful things.”

“Of course. But going through all those things is what makes it possible to stay alive out here. So, I guess, in a way, I owe them.”

“Absolutely not. You do not owe those horrible people anything.” She cupped their face in her hands. “You would have made it just fine on your own. You are very strong and very smart.”

“Thanks, Curie.” They were a little muffled, due to the squished nature of their face, but their smile was genuine.

“Of course. Now, let me finish patching you up.”

She slid back around the counter as sole whined, “How long does it take?”

“A while, if you want it done well.” She reached for another roll of bandages. “If you would take care of yourself, and not try to fight so many Deathclaws, this would not happen.”

“I know, I know.” But they were laughing, and so was she, and everything was good.

Danse: He supposed that one of the things that made him and sole such good partners was their tendency to have nightmares. 

They shot up in bed across the room, panting heavily, eyes unfocused as they looked around. Slowly, he waved from his position keeping watch at the window, and when their face snapped to him, he saw fear clouding their vision.

“You with me, soldier?”

Their head shook, fingers curling around their wrist, nails digging into their skin. “I’m- I’m not-”

“It’s alright. You’re safe here.” He slid off the stool. “I’m going to walk toward you. Try to count the steps I’m taking. I’ll take it slow.”

His foot hit the floor, and they softly whispered, “One,” eyes locked on his shoes. They counted the steps as he eased toward them.

“Is it alright to touch you?” He knew from experience that contact wasn’t always the way. Rhys had punched him more times than he could count, just from the surprise, but sole slowly nodded. His fingers found theirs, and he pulled their hand away from their wrist. Gently, he pushed their holotags into their palm, and the other hand rubbed away the angry red crescents in their skin.

“Wherever you were, it’s alright. You aren’t there anymore. Can you tell me where we are?”

They nodded, and their voice shook a little as they spoke. “We set up camp in an abandoned drugstore. You offered to take first watch, said you couldn’t sleep anyway. I didn’t argue; I was tired. It was a long day.”

“It was.”

He stayed there, sitting across from them for a minute, watching them come back to the present. Their hand dropped from their holotags, and they slowly relaxed.

“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked once they seemed to be with him again.

They sighed heavily and nodded, fingers curling into the bedroll. “Do you know what a red room is?”

“I’m familiar with the concept. A room of training through torture. They’re highly frowned upon here.”

“Well, that’s nice to hear, at least.” Their eyes darted around the room, eventually settling on tracing the pattern in the floorboards. “I went through one, back before the war. It’s where I learned to fight. I guess it kinda messed me up.”

“Anyone would be emotionally scarred by that experience. It wasn’t your fault.”

They sighed again, then nodded hesitantly. “Yeah, I suppose.”

Silence stretched between them. He gently rubbed the redness away from their skin, trying to soothe the marks they’d made. He wasn’t quite sure when to stop, but they told him by pulling away and standing up.

“Here, you should try to sleep. I’ll take watch.”

“Are you certain?” He watched them settle on the stool he’d pulled up by the window. “I can stay up a while longer.”

“No, I mean it. Try to sleep.” They smiled, a little weakly. “It’s gonna be another big day tomorrow.”

“If you’re sure you’re alright.”

“I promise.”

He nodded and settled into the still-warm bedroll, mind spinning with this new information. He couldn’t imagine the things they must have seen, or even the things they must have done.

“Go to sleep, sir.” They seemed to read his mind. “I’ll wake you if I need you.”

He took their advice.

Deacon: Deacon liked the way the new agent worked, he decided as he sat back in his chair. He watched their leg gently press against a mark in the Dugout Inn, listened to them laugh at some joke the target had made. Their seduction techniques were beyond any he’d ever seen. They made it look so easy, even he found himself believing the attraction was genuine for a moment.

Their eyes left their target only for a moment, and they spared him a wink and a smile before returning to the Brotherhood Knight on their left, whose words were just beginning to slur together. They motioned to Vadim for another drink, and a certain change in their demeanor let Deacon know that they were about to get down to business.

Ten minutes later, when the information had been retrieved and the Knight was tucked into a bed, courtesy of sole, Deacon found them side-by-side as they stepped out into the rainy Diamond City air.

“How do you do that?” He asked, not trying to hide his grin as he gently nudged their shoulder.

“Do what?” They playfully nudged him back, just hard enough for him to stumble a bit.

“Handle those missions like you do.” He darted back to their side, shoulder hitting theirs hard enough to nearly make them stumble into a building. “You make it look so easy.”

“Secrets I learned before the war. You get to be an old-timer like me, you pick up a few things.” They practically ran at him to shove him, smile shimmering under the lights, and he was the first to hit the wall. “I didn’t go through the red room and come out with nothing to show for it.”

That was enough to make him pause their bout of roughhousing. “Sole, you went through a red room?”

They blinked twice, seemingly caught off guard by what they’d just said, then plastered a too-tight grin on. “Sure did. Terrible vacation, that was. Food was bad, hotel was bad, customer service sucked as well. One star because at least it was educational.”

Deacon was a liar. He knew that, and he also knew that it was his coping mechanism to deal with everything that had happened. In this moment, sole was not being a very good liar, but they sure were trying to deal with what they’d been through. So he wrapped an arm around their shoulder and laughed at their joke, and after a moment, they did, too, though a little uncertainly at first.

“Come on,” he finally said, pulling them back toward the exit to Diamond City. “Let’s get out of here and give Des the information you just expertly pulled out of that girl.”

They chuckled again, leaning into his side a little more to wrap an arm around his waist. “She’ll be happy we were so efficient.”

“She’ll be happy you were so efficient.” His other hand reached up to gently tap their nose. “All I did was watch.”

“You were…” they struggled for the words. “Moral support.”

“Sure, moral support.”

Gently, he squeezed their shoulders, and the two of them headed for home.

Gage: Gage liked a lot of things about his new boss. He liked the way they fought, he liked the way their ass looked in their jeans, and he liked that they certainly weren’t Colter. Mostly, though, he liked the way they got shit done.

A sickening crunch echoed through the streets as a traitor’s face met the pavement. They yanked the attached head up by the hair, snarling into terrified eyes.

“Where the fuck are the supplies, Davies?”

Davies looked like he was probably going to shit himself, but he shook his head in their grip. “I don’t know anything- I-”

Sole interrupted him with another slam against the road. This time they let him stay, grinding his broken nose into the ground, pulling a muffled scream from his limp body. “You know who you were working for, you piece of shit. Start talking.”

Muffled words were swallowed by the ground, and they dragged him up by the hair once again.

“All I did was do what Char told me to do. I swear, that’s all I know, please, she said she’d kill me if I didn’t do it. Please.”

“Oh, Davies.” Their lips curled into a sneer. “Did you really think Char could fuck you up worse than me?”

“No,” he whimpered. “Please, Overboss…”

They shook their head and gestured to a raider nearby. “Get this dumbass on a pike, and bring me Char.”

Davies’s screams and begs for mercy echoed off the building and fell on deaf ears. Sole stood up and wiped their hands on their jeans.

“Nice work, boss.” Gage offered them a can of water, which they plucked from his hands. “I think a lot of the people around here could stand to learn somethin’ from you.”

They snorted and handed the water back. “We could make our own red room here, if we really wanted. Make a whole new line of raiders. Nobody would dare fuck with us, then.”

Gage didn’t quite want to ask, but curiosity was burning him up from the inside out, and eventually he just couldn’t hold it in. “A red room?”

“Yeah, you know. A place for training. You take a bunch of people, put them in isolation, make them learn to be killers and spies and beat the shit out of them or kill them if they don’t succeed.” They eyed his undoubtedly quizzical look. “Do those not exist anymore?”

“Don’t think so.”

“Well, maybe they should.” They kicked some dirt over the spot of blood Davies’s face had made on the ground. “After all, I learned everything I know from a red room.”

“You’re a badass, boss, there’s no denying.”

They grinned at him, and opened their mouth to say more, but Char’s voice cut them off. 

“What the fuck is going on here? Why do I have to see the Overboss?”

Their grin widened into something far more unpleasant, and Gage settled back to watch them work, contemplating how to set up one of these “red rooms” for the boss. It’d make a nice present for them.

Char’s shriek echoed off the buildings as the Overboss’s ball bat connected with her knee.

Plus, it might keep him on their good side for just a little while longer.

Hancock: He sank back into the couch cushions, watching the colors begin to spin along the ceiling. Sole sank in beside him, head dropping back against his arm, and they let out a contented sigh that he could just barely hear over the song playing from the radio. He loved to get high with sole.

“‘S a good batch,” he mumbled, and reached up to gently run his fingers through their hair, soft strands tickling his skin even more than usual.

“You hear that?” they asked in reply, sitting up again. He whined a little at the sudden lack of warmth against his side.

“What, the radio?”

“No, that- that-” They stumbled to the window, pushing it open. Cold air rushed into the room, and Hancock whined again.

“That what?”

“That screaming. It’s getting louder.” Their now-yellow eyes darted around the room, and they reached over to shut off the radio. The world went quiet around him.

“I don’t hear anything.”

Their hands reached for their ears. “How do you not hear that?” they shouted, making him jump and land unceremoniously in the floor. “God, it sounds like-”

They froze, eyes on the door. He looked over, seeing nothing, but sole looked like they’d seen a ghost. Fingers still curled around their ears, they whispered, “Alex?”

“Hey.” He crawled across the floor to wave a hand in front of their eyes. “Hey, there’s no one there.”

“I’m sorry,” they whimpered, tears beginning to run down their face. “I didn’t want to, Alex, they made me, they said they’d kill me, they’d kill my son. I didn’t want to. I’m sorry.”

Hancock’s drug-addled mind made two and two connect, and when they finally made four, he was glad they’d taken Jet. Just a few seconds left, now. “Sole. Hey, there’s no one there. It’s just us.”

“I’m sorry,” they said again, rocking back and forth slowly. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I didn’t want to, I’m sorry.”

As the drug faded out, he wrapped them in a hug, tucking them against his chest. He rocked them a little slower, trying to calm them, trying to soothe the sobs that wracked their body. The colors finally disappeared from around him, and sole’s hands fell away from their ears.

“Bad trip?” he whispered gently, and they nodded.

“Real bad.”

“What happened.”

“I- I saw an old friend of mine. Someone I was forced to kill. We were close and-” They laughed and didn’t bother to finish their sentence.

“Who’d make you do that?” He ran a hand through their hair.

“My handlers. That’s what the red room does, John. It makes you do terrible things, and then it uses the guilt from that to make you do more awful things until you stop caring and just start doing what you’re told. And if that doesn’t work, they show up to your house in the middle of the night and threaten to kill everyone inside, including your newborn son, if you don’t carry out your orders. So, you go torture your best friend to death for turning and then you try to move on with your life.”

He wasn’t sure what all that meant, exactly, but he was sure that sole needed him. So they sat on the floor together, slowly rocking back and forth, him whispering calming words every now and then, and he promised himself that he would never, ever let sole get high on Jet again.

MacCready: Robert Joseph MacCready was in no place to judge people for their personal business. He’d woken sole up enough times shouting Lucy or Duncan’s name that he couldn’t be irritated when they talked in their sleep either.

But still, he thought there was something a little different between shouting for a family member and snarling, “Begging for your life won’t matter to me” at three in the morning.

The strangest thing was that, come morning, sole never mentioned this. They were their usual chipper self, offering him a cup of instant coffee and a cigarette. The sheer juxtaposition of the sharpshooter he knew by day and the apparent psychopath that came out in their dreams was enough to unsettle him to the point he was actually willing to ask.

“So what’s up with your dreams?” He asked one morning, after their mutterings had kept him up late into the night.

They raised an eyebrow as they refilled their coffee. “I don’t catch your meaning.”

“Y’know, what do you dream about at night? You’re a pretty restless sleeper.”

They slurped the cool layer of coffee off the top. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, RJ.”

He sighed, seeing that they weren’t going to give him the answers on their own. “You say weird stuff in your sleep. It’s creepy and I want some answers.”

“What do I say?” They laughed a little, leaning back against a tree, seemingly unfazed.

“Weird stuff,” he said again. “Stuff like, ‘Shut up or I’ll kill you.’”

Their face collapsed. The energy in the camp seemed to shift in merely a second, and he’d swear the world went a little grayer. “Oh, I thought… Nevermind.”

“Sole.” His eyebrows furrowed seeing how clearly upset they had suddenly become. “What’s going on?”

Their fingers ran over the side of the mug they were holding, tracing the design on it. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“It’s clearly bothering you.” He reached out to touch them, but pulled away at the last minute. “You can talk to me.”

A breath hissed between their teeth, stirring the steam rising off their coffee. “Did you ever wonder how I got be such a good shot?”

“Sure, lots of times.”

“I figured.” They sipped their coffee again, clearly uncomfortable. “This is hard to talk about, I guess. But, y’know, you’ve told me a bit about you, so it’s only fair…” They sighed one more time, then set their coffee cup to the side. “Back before the war, I was trained in a place called the red room. Heard of it?”

He shook his head.

“I didn’t figure. Basically, it was a ‘learn to do this or I’ll kill you’ thing, where I learned how to fight, how to seduce people, how to… well, torture them to get information. That’s what you’re hearing. I was there for a long time, so I guess it stuck.”

His breath hitched in his throat, stealing his words for a moment, but he finally managed to choke out, “You torture people when you dream?”

They bit their lip and nodded slowly, picking up the coffee cup again. “I guess so.”

“I- that’s messed up.”

They laughed, bitterly. “You don’t have to tell me twice.”

They lapsed into silence. MacCready tried to process what he’d just heard. His fingers combed through the grass, trying to ground him to the here and now and not freak out over this new reality.

“If you don’t want to stick around, I understand.” Their voice didn’t shake. “I probably wouldn’t.”

He scowled at them, a little playful but mostly genuine. “You can’t get rid of me that easily.”

They glanced over, eyes betraying their vulnerability. Suddenly, he felt a pang of guilt for not having told them more about himself. “Promise?”

“Yeah, sure.” His cheeks flushed a little. “Unless you do something awful, I’ll stick around.”

They nodded, and their posture relaxed once again.They drank their coffee, he drank his, and together they settled back into life.

Nick: The Valentine Detective Agency was usually a quiet place. Nick liked it that way. There was something comforting in knowing that, no matter what happened, he always had a place to go back to that was warm and quiet.

That changed a little when sole arrived. It took them a while to settle into the routine that he and Ellie had unofficially set out, but once they had the hang of things, Nick found he liked having them around. They had a relaxing air about them, and it was nice to have someone else to work on cases with.

The only time sole ever broke their usual calm persona was at night. On the rare occasion they slept in the agency, it wasn’t uncommon to hear whimpers of what he thought was pain at first, or words that begged for someone to not hurt them.

Nick knew what bad mental health looked like, and he hated to watch his friend suffer.

“Got a minute?” he asked, one particularly slow afternoon.

Sole glanced up from the case file they were reading over for what had to be the hundredth time, then nodded and set it to the side. “Sure, what’s up?”

“Well, I’ve noticed you don’t always sleep very well. Get a lot of nightmares?”

They pursed their lips in displeasure but nodded, refusing to meet his eyes.

“You know, talking about this stuff helps.” He offered them a mug of coffee, which they accepted but didn’t drink. “I’m always here.”

“It’s hard to talk about.” They wrapped one arm around themselves, staring into the distance.

He considered that for a moment, then motioned them to sit in a chair beside him. They did, slowly, and he produced a piece of paper from his jacket along with a pencil. He scratched down. “Do you think writing about it will be easier?”, then offered the pencil to them.

They considered the offer for a moment before setting their coffee to the side and plucking the pencil from his fingers. “It might.”

Their handwriting was far nicer than his, and he tried his best to not be jealous, instead writing, “What do you dream about?”

“Things I did before the war. I don’t want to bother you with all the details.”

He sighed and shook his head, retrieving the pencil. “I’m one of the few people who might understand. It’s not a bother. I want to help.”

They tapped the pencil against their lips a moment, considering, then scrawled, “I was in a red room. I did some stuff.”

“What stuff?” He already knew the answer, but him making assumptions wasn’t going to make them feel better.

“Torture. Killing. That sort of stuff. It was-” they paused int their writing, thought for a moment, then resumed, “awful. Sometimes, I think there’s still some of them out there, looking for me. Even though it’s silly and they probably all died when the bombs fell.”

Nick wrapped a gentle arm around their shoulders as he scratched out his reply. “The mind is strange sometimes. It makes us believe things that don’t make sense, puts memories in that we don’t want. It’s okay to be afraid. But you have people to help you. We’re on your side.”

The didn’t take the pencil from him, just opted to wrap their arms around him and whisper, “Thanks, Nick.”

He hugged them back. “No problem, kid. Any time.”

Piper: “Come on, sole,” Piper whined, trailing her traveling companion by a few steps. “You’ve picked this camp twice over already. There’s nothing here.”

“Well then what does this go to?” They brandished a key they’d pulled off of the Gunner Captain, metal glinting almost menacingly in the light.

“Probably something in one of the other camps.”

They shook their head. “Something isn’t right here, Piper. I just can’t put my finger on it.”

Piper sighed and resigned herself to another round through the building. “Alright.”

Sole nodded their thanks, and their right hand found the wall again as they traced their way through the building. Piper followed, mentally composing a new article on all the ways the hero of the Commonwealth was an idiot,though a lovable idiot, an idiot nonetheless.

Suddenly, sole came to a halt, and Piper, who wasn’t paying attention, ran straight into them with a small “oof.”

“What’d you find, Blue?” she asked, straightening her cap on her head and dusting off her coat.

Sole grinned. “Secret door.” 

Their fingers wedged in between two wall panels, and with a heavy shove and a grinding of rusted gears, the wall slid to reveal a long, empty corridor. Fluorescent lights flicked on overhead as they stepped into the hall, illuminating the area. At the end, a large metal door stood imposingly, and sole shot a very smug grin at Piper as they slid the key into the lock and turned.

The smile dropped away from their face as the door swung open. The key clattered from their hand to hit the floor, and they just stood, staring into what seemed to Piper to be an empty room like any other, littered with skeletons and a few towels.

“Uh, Blue?”

“They starved,” they whispered, seeming to forget that Piper was even there. “The handlers must have died when the bombs dropped.”

Piper rocked back on her heels anxiously. “Blue, it’s just a bunch of skeletons. We see them all the time.”

“I might have known these people, Piper. I trained here. This was…” They sank to their knees to trace a long scratch mark on the tile flooring, stained dark brown. “This was my red room.”

Piper’s breath caught, and she sank down into a low squat beside them. “Oh, I- Geez, I don’t know what to say.”

They shook their head. “Don’t say anything.” A long breath dropped from their lips. “It’s a long way behind me now. I guess at least I have closure. Nobody’s gonna be coming after me now, right?”

It was a weak attempt at a joke, but Piper smiled anyway. “Is there anything I can do to help you?”

“Wanna help me burn this place to the ground?”

“Sounds like a plan.”

Preston: Sole had a lot of bad habits. He knew that about them, and so he tried to mitigate it when he could. He didn’t let them stay up all night working on new defenses, he made them take at least one day off a week, he made sure to get some food into them every once in awhile because they’d forget to eat.

He knew what guilt looked like for sole. It looked like running yourself into the ground week after week, trying to solve every problem they found, trying to save everyone. He didn’t know what they’d done, and for a while, he didn’t ask. He reasoned that it was their business and that they’d figure it out in time.

But they didn’t. As the months wore on, they only became more frenzied, taking on more responsibility, handling more issues. He appreciated the help, sure, and as a Minuteman he knew that serving the people was their first priority. As their friend, though, he knew it wasn’t healthy.

His tactic wasn’t the most honorable, he’d admit. He waited until late night, when they were exhausted and their defenses were down, to corner them at the workbench. They were bent over what looked to be the wiring for a new turret of some kind. He whistled loudly as he approached, trying not to startle them, and they waved with a screwdriver in his direction.

“General,” he said when he was finally close enough to not shout through the sleeping Sanctuary Hills. “We need to have a talk.”

“I’ll go to bed in a bit, Preston. I just need to finish this.”

“This isn’t about that.” Gently, he rested his hand on theirs, stopping their work. “This is about you.”

“I know, I know. I’m not taking care of myself, I work too hard, blah blah blah. Spare me the lecture.”

“Not this time.” He perched on the counter to the workbench. “This time it’s something different.”

“What then?” The lights made the dark circles under their eyes stand out against their paler-than-usual skin. They looked exhausted, and for a brief moment, he almost backed down and sent them to rest.

He didn’t. “What are you running from, sole? What are you making up for?”

They said nothing for a long moment, simply looked at him. The lights danced in watery eyes, and he wordlessly handed them a handkerchief. They took it and wrung it between their hands.

“I’ve got my own Quincy,” they whispered finally. “I’m just trying to make up for the damage I’ve done.”

“Sole,” he said again, softly and kindly as he could. “I can’t help you if you won’t let me.”

They trembled, undecided, for a moment longer. Their eyes held uncertainty and something he thought might be fear, so all he did was smile.

“It’ll be okay. We’re friends. You can tell me.”

They twisted the handkerchief tighter as they spoke, as if they could choke out their demons through it. “Back before the war, before I went into the vault, I was trained in a place called the red room. I… I learned awful things there. I did awful things there. My handlers would send in people and tell me to find out what they knew. A lot of them were scared. They were just normal people in the wrong place at the wrong time. I hurt a lot of good people, I-” They sucked in a breath. “I killed a lot of good people that didn’t deserve it. I just want to make up for what I did.”

“That’s noble,” he whispered, laying a hesitant hand on their shoulder. “That means you’re on the right track.”

“I don’t think I can ever make up for everything I did, Preston.”

“I know. But all we can do is try, right? We have to promise ourselves we won’t go back to that, that we’ll be better. That’s how we make up for it. We help others, and we help ourselves.”

They nodded, finally dabbing at their eyes. “Okay.”

He smiled and patted them softly. “Alright. Now, let’s get you to bed.”

For once, they didn’t resist, and he guided them away.

X6: X6 knew what humans were supposed to be like. He was around them often enough to observe their usual patterns and habits, and overall he would say he had a decent idea of what a normal human typically behaved like.

That was one of the things that intrigued him so much when it came to the new director. They didn’t fit that pattern at all. They were closer to him and his courser siblings than any human he’d ever known.

He wasn’t about to ask about it though. No, X6 had more pride than that, and he knew all too well what the costs of stepping out of line were. So instead, he snuck out at night to poke around in their personal file. No harm, no foul, and if he got caught, he could always just say he was doing research for their next mission.

What he found was hauntingly familiar. This concept of a “red room,” something he’d never heard of before, dredged up a host of old memories for him, and he forced them to the back of his mind as he scanned the file. It seemed there was a reason that the new director reminded him so much of a courser; the training was incredibly similar. The Institute had probably modeled their courser training after this, removing the part involving seduction and adding more to fighting.

He never did mention it to sole, though. It was their business, he decided, and he didn’t want to get punished for looking for answers he wasn’t asked to look for. But still, a part of him wanted that companionship with them, to reach out and let them know that they weren’t alone, especially when they cried out from night terrors or jumped at strange sounds in the dark.

X6 didn’t have the words for that, though, so he let them be, and hoped they’d approach him in their own time.

[anastasiaskarsgard]

Can I request a story about a girl that runs away from home angst angst angst! And then meets Andy and Bill but Bill has a gf but fights with her and he hits on the girl and maybe they even hook up but Bill is seen with his gf again and the girl feels stupid.... angst and smut and fluff. This might be like too much for one drabble. You are a 👸 and I 💕❤️😍🥰.

Gif is @godfreysteel

This is a really involved request so I’m breaking it into 2 parts. Here’s PART 1.....

Randi has been my best friend since Junior High. We had been attached at the hip, right up to a little over a year ago, when her Aunt died and left her a house in Hollywood. She moved out there, begging me to come but I had a perfect boyfriend that begged me not to go, and since he was a new doctor, it wasn't as easy to move for him. As soon as Randi left, he insisted I move in with him since he was worried about me living alone and my lease was up. He had such a pretty house it was tempting, but i still was hesitant. He said he understood and just loved me so much that he worried. I was actually very flattered he held me in such high regard. He was a gorgeous wealthy doctor, from a prominent family, and I was nothing special.

When he bought me an Afghan Hound puppy I named Danger, I was overjoyed. Since my apartments didn't allow dogs and he was hardly ever home to keep Danger company, it was only logical to move to his home. I didn’t think twice about it. And he was being so accomodating and enthusiastic, I couldn’t help but get affected by it. He told me to donate all my old stuff, and we’d get all new stuff together to start our new life. He was from a really rich family, so money was not an issue for him. He actually called it a non-issue, which as time progressed I learned was his way of saying it wasn't up for discussion.

Non-issues could be positive or negative talking points where he had made the decision for us. Most of the time, they benefited me, or appeared to be for my best interest. For instance; my job.

I actually had met my boyfriend at my job. I worked at a gym checking people in, but considering our turn over, I was often called in to cover or train new hires. His time was limited and he felt very strongly about spending what little free time he had together. The entire month, I’d been forced to come in for one reason or another, and although he made it clear his displeasure, he still surprised me with a wonderful 1 year anniversary gift of two weeks in Hawaii. I was so excited to go until my job informed me it wasn’t possible. When I told my boyfriend the news, he told me to give notice and I could find something else when we returned. It was a bit crazy and irresponsible, but I threw caution to the wind and he was so happy I had chosen him. The trip also made me miss my first week of school, but my boyfriend said that a little time off wouldn’t kill me and I had thought he was kidding and enrolled anyway, willing to just make up my lost week. Not having a job or any bills, would make it that much easier to catch up on.

For the first time in my life, I felt like I had someone that was truly in my corner. My friends thought I was the luckiest girl in the world and even I felt like it was insane, driving up to my huge home on a golf course, that I had decorated with my doctor boyfriends money. The fact he looked like a model only made it that much more surreal, eventhough he was a bit intense. Intense might be the wrong word. Possessive maybe? But I didn’t think of it as a negative, more as a flattering positive trait.

He worries about me, and liked to always be in contact with me. Since he was often in surgery or unable to answer the phone, it was imperative I answered when he called. When he called while I was in class, I knew he’d be upset I ignored his call, but I was sure he’d be ok once I was out and explained why I pressed send to voicemail.

As soon as I got out, I tried to call him repeatedly, but got no answer. This wasn’t entirely unusual, although most Monday’s, he was more readily available since only emergency surgeries happened mondays. I was shocked when I arrived home and found his Range Rover home. The front door was open ajar so I parked behind him and wandered inside. I wasn’t ready for what I’d find.

It looked as though we had been robbed. Furniture was thrown about, the 75” flat screen had been pushed over and smashed. Several decorative items were smashed to pieces. The more I looked around though, the more clear it became that nothing was missing. Just broken. We’d been vandalized!

My poor baby Danger was hiding under the dining room table and upon realizing I had entered, was overjoyed to see me. I bent down and embraced him, giving him ear scratches and loving on him thankful he was unharmed. Things could be replaced, but not your loved ones.

I looked up to see my boyfriend storm out of the office.

”thats fucking rich! You greet the dog before me.” he spat.

”what happened here?” I asked cautiously, slowly rising to my feet to give him a hug and a kiss. He was acting rather aggressively but I was sure he felt violated in a way, by someone coming in our home and destroying it.

”YOU FUCKING HAPPENED TO ME YOU FUCKING WHORE! I AM NOT ENOUGH FOR YOU? YOU CANT JUST BE HAPPY WITH ME? YOU THINK I DONT KNOW WHY YOU WENT BACK TO SCHOOL?” he screamed at me.

I froze. I didn't know what to say. I didn't know where this was coming from and he was looking at me like he expected an answer. When I didn't answer he grabbed a lamp and threw it against the wall, and then made a beeline straight for me. I still was in shock so I just stood there, staring dumbly, expecting to get slapped or pushed, when I heard a low growl.

My skinny little brave Danger was standing between me and my boyfriend, trying to protect me. My boyfriend froze, looked down and started to laugh like a maniac. This reaction was far more unsettling than it sounds, and Danger and I grew more restless if that's possible. I all of a sudden had an overwhelming urge to get out of there. I wasn’t concerned or interested in trying to understand my boyfriends words or behavior, I just wanted to be away from him.

”I’m gonna go. Come on Danger, ” I said as I slowly backed away. I didn't want Danger to bite him, or get kicked or something, and make an already volatile situation even worse.

”Hang on, just a moment. Can you answer me one question before you walk out of my life?” he asked me in a tone I’d never heard, dripping with sarcasm.

Normally I'd say you already asked it, but I didn't feel now was the time for jokes. I desperately wanted to leave but I wasn’t an idiot, and knew that playing along with an obviously bat shit ass crazy person, was safer than pissing them off more.

“Go ahead.”

”Do you know what the best thing about being a doctor is?”

I wasn't expecting that question and almost automatically answered with ”saving lives.”

He chuckled darkly, sending a chill up my spine. How was this the same man? How had I missed the potential lunatic that obviously was just beneath the surface? Lost in thought, I cried out when he suddenly lunged forward and seized Danger. Danger yelped, followed by the most awful crunching sound I’ll never forget. Dangers gangly little body, instantly fell limply to the ground and all I could do was stare in utter horror.

I looked up into his eyes and I didn’t even know who I was looking at. This was just incomprehensible to me. My mind kept spinning in circles, unable to grasp the situation at hand.

My boyfriend stepped over Dangers lifeless body and pulled me into a tight embrace. He sniffed my hair and growled in my ear, before biting me on my neck hard. I cried out and He chuckled before grabbing me by my hair, and dragging me in the restroom, where he made me flush my birth control pills.

“You’re going to marry me and be my perfect little housewife, and never hurt me again.” He cooed in my ear.

When I didn’t say anything he grabbed my chin and forced me to look up at him. I couldn’t get what he’d done to Danger out of my head and was terrified. He could see it in my eyes, but the look of concern and empathy he gave me made me want to scream. “I love that idea. I’m just sad about Danger.”

In reality, I wanted to vomit, but I let him lead me to the bed to lie down, trying to think of any way to escape. I was convinced I really would vomit if he tried to fuck me. He kissed me gently on the forehead and breathed a huge sigh.

“Will you feel better if I do something with the body? I promise to get you whatever dog you want to replace him, but with us about to have a family, we can’t have an aggressive dog. You understand right baby?”

I nod as he rubs my cheek, looking in my eyes adoringly. He tells me to sit tight while he takes care of Danger, and he’ll be right back.

I wait a beat and peer downstairs at him and watch as he puts Danger into a big black trash bag, and I wait till he goes into the garage before running downstairs. I didn’t care about any of my belongings, I just needed to get to my car.

I grabbed my purse, and I ran. I got in my car and pulled away just as he was running out trying to open my door. Thank God it lockswhen you put it into Drive. I drove off watching him in the rearview mirror running back inside. My phone started blowing up, and I became aware of location capabilities with cell phones so I threw it out the window. Looking back, that was a bit overzealous, but I was terrified.

Somehow I found myself on the highway and didn't stop till I reached Hollywood. I'd been to the house before, and thank goodness by the grace of God remembered how to get to Randi.

I told her everything and she insisted that I was home. She’d just been hired for a big horror film and she said I could be her assistant. She was supposed to meet the director the following morning and shed just bring me along, to introduce us. She was positive he’d hire me on too, so I was amped.

When she told me it was filming in Canada, I was even more enthusiastic. My ex knew Randi lived in Hollywood, so going away a few months to another country was ideal. That way when he inevitably went looking for me, he wouldn't be able to find me, and hopefully would give up.

The next morning Randi shared all her things with me to get ready. We are the same size shoe and since we are both thin, I can fit in her clothing for the most part. I’m taller and bustier, but for the most part, we can share.

I’m not very high maintenance, so the extent of my beauty routine is shower, brush my hair, light make up, and a spray of body spray or something, and I’m good. Randi said I could have a maxi dress since it had always been too long for her to wear, and was too form fitting for her taste.

I was surprised how close we were to the studios, and arrived in no time. Security gave us a little map and instructed us how to get to where we were supposed to go. I had never been to a movie studio, so I was as bad as a tourist looking around. We arrived at the proper building to find a photo shoot underway.

“There he is.” Randi said, pointing out a tall dark haired gentlemen in his late thirties, early forties, having an obvious problem with something. He turned and saw us and did a double take. He made a beeline for us with an enormous smile eventhough you could tell he was having a bad day. I liked him right away.

“Today has been a disaster, we have done all we can do without the model. She’s an hour late! Bill has limited time in LA, and it’s not like the man doesn’t have obligations.” He ranted at no one in particular.

I nodded with a sympathetic look on my face, although I had no idea who Bill was.

“Who have you brought us Randi?”

“Andy this is my best friend Liv. Liv this is our new boss, Andy. And this is a photo shoot for a magazine to promote Something Bill is doing, and Andy is his best friend so he’s here to complain.” Randi teased.

“I’m also good friends with the photographer and we are supposed to have lunch after this. Can you excuse me? Do not move. I’m serious.” Andy said and then rushed away

“He couldnt take his eyes off you! He’s not usually so obvious. He’s usually the most chill guy,” Randi mused.

“He’s just stressed out and I mean maybe I look familiar.” I guessed.

“Oh sure. It has nothing to do with being a living breathing Barbie. Old school big titty Barbie.” Randi chuckled.

Andy and a petite lady hussled over to us, and the lady grabbed me by my face and pulled me down to examine my features. She smiled and turned to Andy happily.

“Oh meu deus Andy! Como você encontrou um em tão pouco tempo? Ela é ainda melhor que a falecida! Ela é exatamente o que eu imaginava. ela é a mesma taxa? diga a ela para se preparar.” She tapped her wrist and rushed off.

“What just happened?” I asked.

“I hope you don’t mind, but you’re first job is right now. She said you were exactly what she envisioned for this shoot, and you need to go to hair and make up immediately.” Andy pleaded, putting his hands together in a prayer pose.

“WHAT? Oh no! I’m not a model. I never want to be famous.” as my stomach did backflips and I felt like the air had left the room.

“That’s something you don’t hear very often in this town but It pays $7500 and I’d owe you one.”

“$7500 to take a couple pictures? I’m wearing clothes right?” I have no desire to be in this industry, but I wasn’t crazy either! As long as I’m not naked, I’m game.

Andy let out a whole hearted laugh, “you’re wearing a gown even. Not that type of party. And you’re taking pictures with the star of the movie you’ll be working on with us. You did want to be Randi’s assistant correct?

I nodded vigorously, and got a thumbs up from Randi. Everything was falling into place! ”lead the way then sir!”

His face lit up and he led the way over to a room that had more make up in it then I’d ever seen. As soon as I walked in, three people pounced on me. One attacked my hair, saying they needed to straighten it, although it was straight. They set to work, raving about they could not believe I had so much hair, and that I was an actual natural blonde. When I told them I was growing it long to donate to cancer kids, they nearly fell over.

“Do you know how much thick natural blonde hair that reaches the lower back is worth?” The hairstylist exclaimed. “And your hair is silky and healthy, girl keep it.”

“I’ll just grow more. No biggie.”

“I think that’s very nice. Good for you, people should be so kind.” The girl working on my nails said, smiling warmly up at me.

“I can’t wait to see where your career goes!” The gentleman doing my make up surmised. “You are a true natural beauty.”

“I’m not doing any more of these. I don’t want to be famous, I just am doing it for Andy.” They all looked at me skeptically, but set to getting me where the photographer needed me to be. As the time pressed on, I could feel my self nodding off, but suddenly movement caught my eye. I couldn’t turn my head, but noticed a gorgeous man glaring at me in the mirror. I wasn’t sure how long he’d been there.

“If It were up to me, you’d never work again. Do you have anything to say for your disrespect?” The tall, statuesque man, with strikingly handsome facial features, and the greenest eyes I’d ever seen sneered.

”I literally just got hired forty five minutes ago and have no issue with never modeling again anyways. I'm doing this as a favor, for my new boss. Thanks for being a dick tho. Everyone has been such a joy, I was starting to think Hollywood had a bad rep for nothing.”

Everyone in the room was silent and all looked to the man for a reply.

”whos your new boss?” he inquired.

”I don’t feel comfortable giving his name to strange men, and since he’s a director it’ll sound like I’m name dropping and I’m not the type.” I said waving my hand dismissively.

He chuckled and rolled his bright green eyes. ”i think you're talking about my good friend Andy Muschetti. Does that sound right?”

”give this man a prize!” I joked. “Please don’t get me fired best friend. Are you Bill by chance?”

“You think I wear a tuxedo and bedazzle my face before i leave the house in the regular?” He asked incredulously.

I looked down at my lap so I didn't have to make eye contact with anyone.

I looked back up to the beautiful man, but he’d disappeared. I wasn’t surprised he was kind of an ass. Gorgeous men often are, I just hoped he wasn’t going to go talk shit.

A short time later they were done and had me put on a Zuhair Murad dress that was was worth more than my car. It was a beautiful charcoal velvet that looked like it’d been custom made for me. I couldn’t believe how awesome I looked, and ran out to find Randi, only being allowed to wave before they lead me to take my solo shots.

I looked around for the beautiful man, and found him standing next to a brunette woman, having a tense conversation, that was very quickly turning into an argument. He was trying to keep her calm, but she was not happy in the least, and I gasped when she struck him. Embarrassed, I put my full attention on the person translating instructions from the photographer, refusing to look back over at them, even as they began yelling at each other in some strange language. Did no one speak English here? He stormed outside with the woman hot on his trail.

“Ok someone go find Bill, we are just about ready for him.” My translator yelled, and I saw Andy and Randi, briskly walk outside to find him.

I felt kinda bad for snapping at him. I was going to be as nice as possible to him. Maybe I had judged him too harshly.

“Perfect honey! Sad confused, not sure look honey! Yes!” Several more people had shown up and were all talking about me like I wasn’t there.

Bill walked up looking like he’d rather be anywhere else, and looked down his cute little button nose at me. I know he was trying to be stuck up, but he was so fucking cute, I just wanted to boop his nose.

“Where do you want me?” He huffed.

“I need you to come up behind her, and embrace her around the waist, with one hand by her face. Sweetie you stand sideways with your back to Bill and look up arching your back a bit.” We were told as we got in our places. He was humming some unidentifiable tune in my ear. I was trying not to think about his hand on my waist, or his hot breath on my neck. I wasn’t sure if the bright lights were the only thing making me sweat.

“Touch up! They’re sweating!” Someone shouted.

“Do I make you sweat princess?” Bill growled.

“No.” I squeaked.

He firmly pulled me against him and when he felt me stiffen up, he chuckled mischievously.

I moaned sexually, causing him to sputter and cough a bit. I turned around grinning ear to ear. “Don’t start no stuff, won’t be no stuff.” I said playfully. I normally am not so confident, but his semi inappropriate behavior and the way he looked at me made me feel strange. Good strange I was pretty sure. He didn’t break our eye contact for far longer than was polite, before taking some hair and tucking it behind my ear tenderly.

“Bill stop giving this poor girl goosebumps! My Lord! And I’m not sure if you guys are aware of how obvious a moment you guys are having in front of all these people. One of them being your crazy girlfriend Bill.” He said as he touched us up. “I mean you’re both some of the most attractive people I’ve ever seen so I can’t blame either one of you, but thought I’d let you know.”

“It’s not me, its all the people staring at how gorgeous she is,” Bill scoffed.

“I doubt your girlfriend likes how you’re looking at her either. Normally I’d stay out of it, but you’re good people Bill, and I keeps it real with my people.”

“I told her it’s over, didn’t you hear us a few minutes ago?” He sneered. He winked and walked away.

“What a weird guy,” I mused aloud.

“Gorgeous though right? Every girl that meets him wants to fuck him but he’s always had a girlfriend. I’ve seen them fight a few times, but today is the first time he’s ever yelled. They’re Swedish so I don’t think they yell very often. ”

“I just got out of a terrible relationship yesterday so I feel his pain.”

“I’ve worked with him for years and have never seen him give anyone a second glance and yet today he can’t take his eyes off you.” He smirked.

“I’ve destroyed my lungs proficiently, she looks perfect, if you could just give me the once over, we can be done before lunch.” Bill said as he walked towards us. He plopped down in the chair beside me and squeezed my hand. “Please forgive my behavior up until now. It’s been a stressful day and flirting has never been my strong suit.”

I looked at him and he appeared to be sincere. I smiled weakly and told him I hadn’t even thought he’d been out of line. He’d put some space in between us when we returned to shooting, and was exceedingly respectful and careful. One of The last shots, they wanted me to be on my knees in front of him, reaching my hands up looking to the side, putting my face right against his crotch.

“I apologize in advance,” he drawled. At first I was confused why he was apologizing, but it became all too clear, the longer my face was pressed to his growing bulge. He shifted uncomfortably, and looked down at me as tho he was in pain. I mouthed the words ‘it’s ok’ and smiled up at him and that seemed to help him a great deal, although not so far as tame his prominent erection. I was actually firmly pressing my face against it now, to save him the embarrassment of his issue, and assuring we don’t have to stretch this out longer than needed. I’m sure It was all very artistic looking but it was hard not to laugh at how not artistic it felt. I looked to Randi, she was smiling with two thumbs up, blissfully unaware that I was battling Bills dick.

“Okay! The final shot is going to be her standing facing Bill but twisting her upper body away, facing the other way, while Bill I need you to press your body into hers with one hand at her chin with your thumb on her lower lip. Her eyes are closed and yours are fierce Bill. Determined but not angry.”

I felt my face heat up as we tried to do as we were instructed. This was all too much, I couldn’t help but giggle. I apologized and tried to look sexy again.

“No smiling honey. You’re a desirable sex goddess, and he wants you, but you know you shouldn’t.” The translator instructed passionately.

“It’s not too much of a stretch,” Bill said quietly so only I could hear. I felt my face flush and blush at the same time, if that’s even possible.

I heard that mischievous chuckle again, and it took all I had in me, not to knee him in his gut. I refused to look at him though. I don’t think I could handle it anyway. Far too much man-pretty had his body pressed against mine.

“Psst.”

I’m going to kill this guy. I’m not looking.

“Are you ignoring me?” He whispered.

“Ok so then I guess that’s a yes.” He hummed.

He was impossible. I’m trying to maintain bitch face and he’s asking dumb questions and making various sound effects! I must say tho, for just having a pretty public break up, he was in a good mood.

When it finally was over, and Bill and I set off to change our clothes and get some make up off, I was surprised to see they’d all left already. The make up I was wearing felt more like ear paint, and soap and water wasn’t having too much of an effect on it.

“You look so helpless, can I help you?” I turned to see Bill standing there looking at me like I was pitiful. “I have make up remover pads.”

“Oh my goodness thank you!” I smiled. “You’re my hero.”

“Can I?” He asked, referencing using the pads on my face.

“Sure.” I said, eventhough I wasn’t sure why he wanted to do it. He was so gentle, I closed my eyes and waited till I was sure he was done. Europeans have way different personal boundaries than Americans, so this was probably normal.

“What’s your name?”

“Liv.”

“What’s that short for?”

“Nothing. That’s my whole name.”

“Me too! I mean my name is Bill obviously but people always think it’s short for something but nope.” He chuckled. “You didn’t really even need any face make up. Your skin is flawless.i left your eye make up on but it looks pretty epic.”

I opened my eyes and we locked eyes for a moment, but Randi came bounding in the room, causing Bill to leap away from me. Randi didn’t appear to notice tho, as Andy and a few other people came in too.

“Everyone ready to eat. I insist that everyone let me buy them lunch at Morton’s.” Andy said.

Randi grabbed my hand and mouthed if I was ok, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively. Ok maybe she had picked up on something. I looked at her like she was crazy, and avoided looking in Bills direction again.

“Let’s go eat! I’m famished!” I said.

“You girls are coming? Yay!” Andy said enthusiastically. “Most models aren’t big fans of food.”

“She eats whatever she wants and doesn’t go to the salon or have any work done. Just keep her fed and she’s beautiful and sweet. Try to starve her and she’s the definition of hangry.” Randi teased.

I laughed till my face hurt as she told everyone about a party in highschool where everyone brought their own booze, but I brought a gallon of milk and a pound of Oreos and actually finished them. Late that evening, everyone wanted Jack in the Box and since I was the only sober person, I got nominated to drive. It was pretty uneventful, until I turned to get everyone’s money and they were all nude. Randi did a perfect imitation of my total over reaction. Thank god she left out the part about me crying. I really thought we were going to get arrested and they refused to put their clothes back on, so I thought any minute I’d hear sirens. Luckily the drive thru people thought it was hilarious too.

We all made our way out to where everyone was parked, and found Bills girlfriend waiting there. As we pulled out, I looked back in time to see Bill march past her, climb in his car, leaving her standing alone in the parking lot yelling something after him.

“Did you see that? What’s their deal?” I asked Randi.

“Who?” She asked me.

“Bill and I guess that’s his ex-girlfriend or I don’t know...”

I look at Randi and she’s looking at me funny, “Are you crazy? You need a nice guy, he’s like foreign and he’s a celebrity. And I know you, you’re not a rebound type and both of you have no business looking at each other like you were.”

“Oh my gosh! I’m not even asking like that. Last thing I want is a guy!” I sulked. “Was it that obvious?”

“Mmmhmm.” She smiled knowingly.

“He’s around beautiful women all the time and probably has 9 million fan girls. It’s not like he’s gonna follow me in the bathroom or something.”

Randi looks at me doubtfully.

“Don’t look at me like that! If he does, I’ll kick him.”

“I’m kidding. Actors only go for girls that throw themselves at their feet. Their egos don’t allow the risk of rejection.”

“Perfect. I hate feet.”

[letstalksymphogear]

Symphogear, EP. 5

LAST TIME ON SINGY WINGY

ANGRY GREMLIN BEAT UP GOOD BY SUICIDE MOVE SURVIVE BLUE BIRD YES. BLUE BIRD GO TO HOSPITAL FOR WATER METAPHOR WITH AFTERLIFE GIRLFRIEND. TINY BIRD SAD, BUT THEN NOT GET SAD! JACKIE CHAN TIME AFTER MUCH THINKING. WIFE WORRIED ABOUT THINGS. SOMETHING SOMETHING PUNCH GOOD NOW.

Let us continue.

Miku wakes up to see her wife has run off yet again. This is the part of the Sam Reimi’s Spiderman franchise phase where the Mary Jane (not weed) begins having a rockier relationship with Peter Parker (not slang for penis) due to lack of availability.

It’s contrived.

It’s almost impressive that she left a note and had time to draw a tiny Hibiki saying something in a bubble. Glad to see you have your priorities straight, Hibiki.

“you know she might have had a better time in the local art school that doodle aint half bad”

Hibiki is motherfucking Rocky all up in this.

She’s going to kick some ass and nobody’s getting in the way.

“YOU’RE GONNA EAT LIGHTING AND YOU’RE GONNA CRRRRRAP THUNDER TACHIBANAAAAA”

“THAT’S A DIET I CAN GET BEHIND”

I wasn’t joking when I said she’s not fucking around anymore. Did you think I was joking? I can see how you can get the impression given the first few episodes, but I really can’t emphasize the thoroughness of the ass kicking she is going to be capable of.

“MY FATHERLY ENERGIES ARE WORKING! ADOPTERS ANONYMOUS WAS WRONG AFTER ALL!”

That’s totally not ominous in the slightest.

Meanwhile, in the middle of an unnamed McMansion in the middle of who knows where...

Gratuitously spoken English is heard. To be fair, it’s actually really impressive pronunciation coming from people whose native language are systemically different to ours. Most shows would just settle for “this dude is actually speaking english but everything is said in japanese for better interpretation” but not Symphogear! No siree!

Relic business is afoot.

We have a random blonde lady shooting random Noise from the thing The Gremlin had in her hands.

She’s really trying her best with her accent. She’s also casually shooting Noise because let’s face it, would we not do the same if it were in our hands?

“i do whatever i want with my big stiff rod pal”

Also, she’s a nudist. To also be fair, if you lived in a fuckoff rich McMansion with weapons beyond your comprehension, you likely couldn’t help but walk around naked doing whatever the fuck you want.

The people she’s talking to are the Americans, which we explained before are portrayed strictly in an antagonistic light. They want some relics, and this lady clearly deals them like like some sort of glorified drug dealer.

Suffice it to say, she’s not a very nice person.

Also, the subs don’t match what they’re saying in English in the slightest.

The name of this woman... is Fine (pronounced fi-neh). And she is the main antagonist of this series.

Fucking identical.

And here is the most unpleasant scene in the entire season.

The person we’ve repeatedly alluded to as The Gremlin is called Yukine Chris. She serves Fine in whatever the hell they’re up to right now. In this case, it’s using the Nehushtan armor to run around with Solomon’s Cane to throw Noise around the city.

“shits gonna get real abusive, pal”

Fine is a narcissistic sociopath. She’s manipulated Chris into servitude by believing she is the only one that can pave humanity into salvation.

“i dont like that smile”

Chris thinks Fine can secure her deepest wish. Ironically? It’s world peace.

“yeah! yeah yeah, world peace, yeah, totally. just treat me like jesus and we’re gucci”

Anyway, she proceeds to thoroughly shock Chris.

The lore behind this is that this is helping her resistance with dealing with the physical demands of the Nehushtan armor, as well as deal with the pieces of Nehushtan that may be still inside. Let’s be real, though. Fine’s a sadist, and just likes hurting people willy nilly.

“fuck... that hurt like shit... hey wait... wouldnt some of the electrical arcs hit you and shock you too, given you’re so naked and close to all this...?”

“ya nevermind that food looks real nice and i want a piece of that fuckin turkey”

It’s a real creepy scene, and it cements Fine’s horribleness really well. One of the most pivotal things to take note is that Fine says that people can only communicate with each other universally through pain. Strong, terrible BDSM overtones notwithstanding, this will be a common (though varying in quality) motif of the entire series.

“BITCH YOU THOUGHT WE WAS GUNNA EAT AFTER THAT FUCKIN’ WISECRACK ABOUT GETTING SHOCKED LIKE YOU’RE EVEN FUCKIN’ NIKOLAI TESLA ALL UP IN HERE WE’RE GONNA ELECTRIC SLIDE YOUR ASS TO NEXT WEEK”

“FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK”

“WHERE THE FUUUUUUUCK IS HIBIKI?!”

“i was gonna invite her to the circus with the rest of the class ‘cause i felt bad about how i treated her but i guess she’s not here”

“the only clown im interested in is hibiki, in the carnival tent of my own bedroom”

“isn’t being a part of /fit/ great, hibiki? can you just feel the gains?”

“yeah who needs doting wife based significant others when you have your gym bros, right newly acquired father figure?”

Hibiki, having acquired a new brain cell during her training, asks the million dollar question:

“Why the fuck are we relying on schoolgirls to deal with all this stuff?”

“anime just be that way, hibiki. i’m just the wrong protagonist in the wrong show.”

Japan is super big on keeping the Symphogear a secret because they are strong and the world really, really wants a slice of the Symphogear pie. These people are basically walking super-weapons. Tsubasa literally dropped a sword the size of a skyscraper. It’s like the premise of the series of Iron Man films.

“do i get like a superhero name too or”

Something to wrap your head around. This was released around 2012, and while the setting seems to be slightly more futuristic, the world it was made in at the time had not been through the era of social media/smartphones we have right now. It was on the cusp of doing so, which means the idea of decent (yet vertical) amateur footage of things happening wasn’t something in the mainstream yet. Why do I say this?

Because in Symphogear, the fact that Symphogear exist is the biggest open secret in this unidentified city ever. NDAs are passed like hotcakes to keep people’s mouths shut on seeing monster-fighting singing superheroes. And they sing, too! Symphogears as an entity are the most high-profile fighting agents out there. Bright colors, no masks, constant singing, fighting in broad daylight in populated areas. Everybody knows, but no one says a word.

Which means every politician on the face of Japan hates these idiots, but they’re stuck with them out of sheer necessity.

“i swear to god if you bring up sam reimi’s spiderman one more goddamned time”

“look it’s the truth, all anime comes back to sam reimi’s spiderman. fate zero did it. uhhh, fucking...baccano, probably? now us. face it. its pretty much the bible.”

It’s also pointed out that the very concept of a Symphogear is born from a science that didn’t exist, and it probably contributes to political frustration as well.

“im going to microwave all your sam reimi spiderman dvds. im gonna do it. you try me, motherfucker. i didnt go into acting and get into this position to hear lectures about a decades old film franchise nobody cares about anymore.”

“can we stop fighting about the validity of sam reimi’s spiderman for five seconds and get back to helping me thing of a dope as hell superhero name? now, lemme lay one on you: Mister Fister”

Hibiki asks where Code Ryoko is.

“any answer besides Not Here works”

“oh, she left to talk to the americans, why?”

“huh, shes sorta late, actually”

“WHY A BAD BITCH LIKE ME GOTTA GET STUCK IN TRAFFIC LIKE THIS”

In the mother of all Mom Vans, no less.

MEANWHILE... IN METAPHOR LIMBO...

Tsubasa has reached the sea floor of the water metaphor dimension surrounded by water, which is her feelings, which are very gay. Imagine the Mariana Trench but like, deeper. Way deeper. That’s where Tsubasa is.

Leave it to Kazanari “I am literally a sword” Tsubasa to successfully spin the very act of surviving a suicidal move during combat as a failure. That’s a special kind of self loathing right there.

“the sheer force of my love for big ladies is keeping me alive”

Tsubasa asks about the point of Kanade’s sacrifice. Why’d she do it? Why was she so hungry at the end?

She personally shows up to answer that question, because that’s Kanade for you.

“being badass is cool, but you know whats cooler? caring.”

“sharing the sauce... you... you shared the sauce...”

“thats right, tsubasa. i wanted to protect the sauce, but... ultimately... sharing it was better. it wasn’t my sauce, tsubasa. it was everyone’s...”

“im gonna suck on a ketchup packet in your memory, tsubasa”

Kanade’s spirit pulls her out of the dimension of water metaphors as she is slowly undrowning from her emotions.

Tsubasa, like Kanade, was lost in the sauce. But now, after Kanade’s touching peptalk, Tsubasa is lost no longer.

“will i ever see you again in my dreams, kanade...?”

“where there’s a sauce. i’ll be there.”

“ill eat taco bell every day just to see you again kanade”

“and i dont even like taco bell... im more of a chipotle girl...”

After accepting Taco Bell as her lord and savior, she is immediately pulled out of the metaphor zone.

And wakes the fuck up.

“b..... b..... b............”

“Baja Blast....”

[itsme690]

Thirty, Flirty and Thriving

"Are you ready to go?" I asked my best friend, Kelly. We were going to the club to celebrate her birthday. She didn't know that I had set up our other friends and Brad, the guy she had been dating to meet us there as a surprise. We both got all dressed up in knee length flowy dresses. Hers was blue and strapless while mine was a purple halter, both hugging our curves at the top. We had spent the day at the spa getting out nails and make up done. I left my hair down in loose waves, and she had a cute updo.

"Phone, wallet, keys. Yep I'm good to go!" She said, checking her brown crossbody purse. "I'm so excited, thank you for taking me out. I know you usually like the quieter settings but, I only turn 30 once! We can do whatever you want when your birthday comes!" She was right, I did typically like to stay in or go to a quiet dinner versus the club.

"I haven't been out in so long, maybe I'll enjoy myself." I shrugged.

"Yes! Think positive! And who knows, maybe you'll find a new love interest.." She teased as we headed toward the Uber. "Hannah, Its time to forget old whats his name and move on! He was a loser, we're women now and you need to find a real man! Who cares if you're saving yourself for Mr. right? He should have respected you." I agreed with her although I had only left my ex just a few short months ago. I wasn't sure I was ready but I would find that out tonight!

We arrived at the club a little earlier than planned. I had been texting with Brad to make sure everyone was there and ready for us. He told me we could find them in the side corner on the black couches near the smoking balcony. We climbed the metal stairs and handed our IDs to the bouncer who greeted us at the top. He wrapped a bright pink paper wristband around our right wrists that said Over 21 around it. I payed for the both of us to get in seeing as it was her birthday. The club was dark, everything was black..the carpet, the walls, the dance floor, even the couches were a black leather. Thin colorful bright lights moved around the dance floor, along with a giant strobe light.

"Drinks!" Kelly yelled over the loud thumping dance music, pulling me towards the bar. "I'll order, what do you want?"

"Something fruity." I hated the taste of most alcohol, so whatever I was having needed to have some flavor.

"I'll have a Blue Hawiian, and my friend will have a Sex On The Beach please!" I handed the bartender some cash and left a tip on the bar. A guy came up next to me and leaned his arms over the edge of the bar waiting for one of the bartenders to take his order.

"Hi.." he said looking at me before the other bartender interrupted our stare. Kelly nudged me on the other side, she must have noticed that I was checking him out. A few moments later the bartender returned with a bright blue drink and a peach colored drink and handed them to us.

"Thank you!" We took a step back from the bar when she whispered "now he was cute.." in my ear.

"Ew no! Maybe you're into the dirty, grungy look, but I am certainly not!" I said, shaking my head and taking a sip of my drink. "This is good! What is it?"

"Not the bartender! Mr. Mystery man that came up next to you." She was right, Mystery Man was cute! He had dark short curly hair, with the sides shaved. His eyes were deep, a blue-green color. He wore nice black pants with shiny dress shoes, and a dark green button down shirt.

"Oh him? I mean I don't know..I guess he was. Really what is this I'm drinking?" I tried to change the subject.

"Don't you act like you didn't notice him. He was so looking you up and down! It's a sex on the Beach." She said, gesturing to the dance floor.

"A sex on the what? You know what, never mind. Follow me!" I blushed, and grabbed her hand and headed toward the balcony door.

"Surprise!!" All our friends yelled, and she nudged my side again. "Happy Birthday!!"

"Aww guys!! Thank you!! This was the best surprise!!" She said excitedly, going over to hug Brad. "Now who's up for some dancing!?" She had her drink in one hand and pulled me out to the dance floor with the other.

After dancing for five or so songs it was getting really hot inside. "Lets go get some air!" I suggested. Kelly downed the rest of her now second cocktail and placed the empty glass on a random table.

"Mirror check first?" Kelly asked. "I'm sweating so much I want to make sure my make up isn't running!" I reassured her that it wasn't but she still insisted on going to look for herself. "I guess I might as well pee while I'm in here." She went in the stall as I studied myself in the full length mirror. "You know Mr. Mystery man was watching you out there. In fact I don't think I saw him take his eyes off of you for a second."

"Really?" I asked, as she came out to wash her hands. She smirked and nodded at me. I tried to hide my smile.. "I might as well go too.." going into the stall.

"You should totally go for him. He looks really into you!"

"Kell, really..no! I'm here for you tonight!" I came out and washed my hands. Mr. Mystery was really cute, but I still don't know if I'm ready to put myself back out there yet. We weaved back through all the people to the balcony. "Ahh so much cooler out here! I'm pretty sure if I didn't get out here soon I would have passed out!" Kelly nudged me and nodded her head toward the side corner by the benches.

"Don't look now.." Kelly began to say but I was already commited to turning around to see what she was talking about. I turned around completely and my eyes instantly met his as he took a drag from his cigarette. He exhaled through hes nose and smiled toward me. I quickly turned back to Kelly. "I told you not to look!" She teased. He was leaning his shoulders against the metal fence that enclosed the balcony surrounded by a few other guys.

"Oh my god, why would you do that to me?" I buried my face in my hands. "He's going to think I'm into him!"

"Well, if you aren't, you should be. He's hot Aria.." Kelly said, shaking her head at me. Mr. Mystery and his buddies put out their cigarettes in the ash trays and walked toward the door to go back inside. As he walked behind me I felt him brush up against my backside, knowing there was plenty of room that he didn't have to touch me. I turned my head to the left involuntarily and eyed him up and down. He turned back at me and with puckered lips he winked at me. He wasn't paying any attention to where he was walking when he turned around and walked right into the closed glass door. A swarm of younger girls ran to him to ask his he was alright. His face turned red as he lifted his hand and rubbed his forehead. Opening the door, he went back inside without turning back to me again.

"Oh my god, Kelly did you just see that? I feel so bad! Should I go find him and make sure hes okay? He hit that door pretty hard!" I finally finished my first drink, leaving my empty glass on the ground by the wall with a bunch of other empty glasses.

"You probably should, want me to go with you?" She asked, leading the way back inside. "I love this song! Come dance first!"

"I need another drink, I'll be right be back. Meet you on the dance floor! What was that drink again?"

"Sex on the beach!" She yelled back over the loud music. I made my way though the people to the horseshoe shaped bar this time. I leaned my elbows on the bar and grabbed some cash out of my wallet. The bartenders were running around making drinks for other impatient customers. Alcohol splashing on the floor as they poured each new drink. I patiently waited, scanning the bar for other drink ideas. Thats when my eyes met Mr. Mystery mans eyes, he was perched up in a stool at one of the high tables in the back secluded. He looked back and quickly looked away, almost embarrassed. I left my spot at the bar and walked over to his table.

"Hey are you alright? That was a pretty hard hit!" I hoisted myself up onto the stool next to him. He looked at me confusingly.

"Um, do I know you?" He asked, sounding completely serious.

"I'm, well, no, but.." I started to say but he cut me off.

"My head hurts real bad. I don't really know whats happening." He said slowly, putting his head down on the table.

"You walked into a door pretty hard, do you need me to go find you some help?" Now I was starting to get really concerned. Was it the alcohol he was drinking or did he hit the door much harder than I had thought?

"Everything is spinning.." he lifted his head off the table and began swaying side to side, circling his head until he landed on my shoulder. His eyelids fluttering shut.

"Oh my god! Someone help! Please!" I began trying to yell over the loud music to get someones attention but it didn't seem to work." No one was close enough to hear me. He sat up quick and looked at me.

"Gotcha! I'm fine!!" He teased, patting my back. I furrowed my eyebrows at him.

"You scared me half to death!" I flicked my wrist hitting him in the stomach.

"I'm sorry, I just couldn't resist." He chuckled. "The names Rami, and yours?" I narrowed my eyes towards him not sure if I wanted to tell him.

"I need another drink." I finally said after a few moments. I jumped down off of the stool I had been sitting on.

"Hmm, so thats how you're going to be.." he started to say when I heard Kelly near the bar.

"I found her Brad!" She yelled back behind her as she walked up to us. "There you are! I was getting worried! But it looks like you're in good hands."

"Rami, this is Kelly, my best friend. We're here for her 30th birthday." He stood up, stretching his arm out to shake her hand.

"You can tell me her name but not your own? I see how it is.." he smirked. "Its nice to meet you Kelly, Happy Birthday!"

"Thank you.." Kelly shook his hand while giving me a puzzled look.

"Yeah, well maybe if you hadn't led me on that you were about to pass out I would have told ya." I linked arms wth Kelly "Come on, I really need another drink!"

"You like him.." Kelly said as we walked back towards the bar. Shr turned around to look back at him. "He's totally watching you walk away from him."

"Maybe? I mean I don't know. He's got a sense of humor thats for sure." We leaned up against the horseshoe shaped bar again. "I don't know if I'm ready for this."

"Take things as it comes. Don't be afraid to tell him things you aren't ready for. Be honest with him." Kelly reassured me that not all guys are jerks like my ex was.

"Sex on the beach please" I said to the bartender  "You want another drink?" I asked Kelly.

"Nah not right now. I will take a water though."

"Thank you!" I grabbed my drink and we headed back to the dance floor.

"Hey wait up!" Rami yelled from his table. "Kelly can I ask you something?" He looked at me waiting until I walked away from them.

"I guess I'll go dance with Brad and the others.." I rolled my eyes and walked toward the our friends and waited until Kelly came back. "What was that about?" I asked her.

"He asked if I had a cigarette that I could give him." I furrowed my eyebrows at her knowing that wasn't the truth as he had just walked out the balcony door alone taking one out of his pocket.

A few songs later I felt a body come up close behind me. Kelly smiled at me and mouthed 'just go with it.' A pair of strong yet gentle hands grabbed my hips as he moved up closer to me. He pressed his hips up to me and he began swaying to match my dancing. I felt his warm breath behind my ear.

"I've been waiting all night for this chance, Aria." The sound of his deep raspy voice made me shiver. I looked back at Kelly, narrowing my eyes. He didnt ask her for a cigarette, he was asking for my name. Kelly shrugged and smirked, knowing I knew the truth now. I placed my empty hand on his to steady our rhythm. His hands were cool to the touch after he had just come back inside. The smell of his last cigarette in his breath. I liked the feeling of him right up against me. The song ended and he excused himself to the bar. "I'll be right back." he assured.

"You go Aria!" Kelly exclaimed once Rami was no where near to hear. I bit my lip and walked my empty glass to a table. I returned a second later and Kelly grabbed my hand to dance. She stumbled a little, twirling me around her body to dance close behind her. I grabbed her left side and pulled her in close, mimicing Ramis sways when he was the one behind me. Thats when Rami returned with a beer and a cocktail in his hands. I looked at him, biting my lip as I teasingly grinded with Kelly.

"Do they always dance like this?" He nudged Brad, eyeing me. "Its hot!"

"Oh yeah, dude. Sometimes I get a bit jealous." Brad teased, taking Kelly back to dance with him.  

"Here, I noticed you were running low.." Rami said, handing me another drink. I don't know if I can handle a third drink. This is the first time I've been out drinking in the longest time.

"Thank you." I took a small sip and began swaying my hips to the beat of the music again. "Ooh I think I need a minute." I handed my drink to Kelly and held my head, telling her I needed some water. Rami took my hand and walked me outside and sat me on a bench. He took a cigarette out of his pack and lit it.

"You okay?" He was concerned, rubbing my shoulder.

"I just need a minute." I leaned my head back against the wall and closed my eyes. He rubbed his thumb on the back of my shoulder. A few moments past when Kelly came out with a plastic cup of ice water.

"Are you okay?" She asked.

"I will be. Just need some water thats all. Don't worry about me Kel, go back in and enjoy your birthday, we'll be in soon." I reassured her. She looked at Rami and he gave her a nod letting her know he will keep an eye on me. "I'm sorry Rami, its just I haven't been out drinking in so long, I might have over done it. But I am starting to feel a bit better." He turned to face me.

"Don't you dare appologize. I shouldn't have gotten you that drink."

"It was a kind gesture. I appreciate it I do." I explained. "I'm good, lets go dance?" He put out his cigarette and took my hand, leading me back to the dance floor. It was last call, so that meant we only had a few songs left to dance. Before I know it hes pressing his hips back up to me and I was loving it.

"It was nice meeting you Aria." He winked and we exchanged numbers on our way out of the club. "Hope you enjoyed your birthday Kelly!"

______________________

[joiesamevans]

A Day At The Gym

Who: Sam Evans and Mercedes Jones @sassymercyj

When: Friday morning, 8 am

Where: Campus gym

What: Shirtless Sam, lots of flirting

Mercedes had been up for hours when she finally made her way to the gym, wearing a pair of hip hugging pink and black work out capri's, and a matching sports bra and using an oversized T,  to cover herself up as she made her way across campus. Once getting to the gym, she stayed at the entrance waiting for Sam to arrive. She wouldn't lie and say that she wasn't excited to be spending time with him, while she had known him for a few years, they didn't really hang out one on one, it wasn't because she didn't find him attractive, it was just because she didn't think she was his type and to be honest a lot of guys around there only hung out with girls, when there was a promise of sex and though she knew he was different, she just didn't want to make a fool out of herself in front of him. Shocking herself by finally accepting his workout offer, she really was happy to see what he could teach her and if he did it shirtless that would make the entire experience even better. Plus it had been a long time since she had a really beneficial work out.(edited)

Sam walked across campus in a pair of basketball shorts and a tank since it was still hotter than the sun outside. Sometimes he really wished he could bring his horse up from home and just ride it around the city to create a nice breeze. He was excited to get to work out with Mercedes. It was always nice to have a work out buddy in general and all the better when it was a beautiful woman that he really got along with. Hitching his gym bag up on his shoulder, he smiled as he saw Mercedes waiting for him near the door. "You actually showed. I'm impressed."

When she saw Sam, she shifted her bag and nodded at his surprise, though they had talked about her coming to the gym she never really agreed to it. "I said I would come and I always keep my word." She said. "Shall we get inside?"  Pulling out her student ID she opened the door, holding it for Sam to take, then made her way inside showing her ID to the person at the front. Placing her hair in a messy bun she looked around.  "So what do you want to do first? I am here to learn." She said with a bright smile.(edited)

"I'll remember that," he replied easily, following in behind her. He knew most everyone who worked in here by now and offered them friendly smiles and a nod of the head, ignoring the pointed looks a couple of them were giving him since he wasn't alone today. "Always important to do some warm up stretches. I don't want you cramping up and suing me for pain and suffering," he teased.

Mercedes made her way to one of the work out rooms and tried not to laugh at the looks she was getting, she assumed its cause she was with Sam, but she couldn't be sure. "I wouldn't sue you for pain and suffering, I would sue you for misconduct!" She teased back. Putting her bag down, she pulled off her oversized shirt and glanced at him. "So whats first boss!"

"Don't mind them. They clearly have no lives." Sam rolled his eyes, but they still had the same sparkle in them they always did. "Boss, huh? I dig it." He pulled his water bottle from his bag before tossing the bag in the corner. Grabbing a couple mats from the stack, he laid them out beside one another. "Have a seat, stretch your legs out, and reach for the toes." He did the same thing himself to demonstrate. "So, you excited for Rush week?"

"If looks bothered me, I would spend my life alone in my room." She smirked. "Could do Sir too? Don't think you are a Daddy or Papi..." she teased. Grabbing her own bottle she watching him lay out the mats and sat down beside him. Reaching for her toes she gripped her sole as she got a good stretch. "Oh you have no idea. I love Rush week! And we are throwing a Party which I hope you plan on attending."

Sam sat up again, an offended look on his face. "I could be a Daddy," he declared just a little too loudly. He paused a moment and looked around, realizing what he'd said, and then burst out laughing. He bent one leg towards himself and stretched out to the side. "I mean... you know... maybe," he chuckled, a blush creeping up on his cheeks. Partying was a subject he could get behind though. "Oh, you know I'll be there. Gotta show the new kids how it's done."

Her laugh was louder than intended because she did not expect his response. Shaking her head she switched positions bringing both her heels in front of her and pushing them together before looking back at Sam. "So you want to be a "Daddy" or a "Dad -dy!" cause you know there is a difference." She rolled her neck as she straitened back up in that seated position. "Well I am sure you may have to be there since the Brothers are bringing the food and DJ i think... but its a 90's theme, gonna have spin the bottle, 7 minutes in heaven and all that good stuff. So you guys should have a great time."

"I kind of really want you to explain it to me now," Sam teased, though there was a touch of challenge in his voice as he winked at her. "I'm excellent at bringing the food. Especially if the food is Cool Ranch Doritos." He raised his eyebrows as Mercedes listed off all the activities. "Mix all that with some liquor and we'll have a real good time."

Mercedes  stood up raising her hands above her head as she gave him raised an eyebrow blushing at his statement. Putting her arms down she shrugged. "Well there is "Daddy", you know you get treated like a real dad someone who looks out for a person, people look at you as the go to dude for all issues and all that." She smirked cocking her head towards him. "Then there;s "Dad-dy"." She said with a twinkle in her eye. "And thats a dude who can get that whoa-daddy." She did a body roll.  "And heeeeeey daddy." She shook her hips. " and that good good daddy." She dropped it down low and picked it up with that last statement. Someone cat called and she laughed shaking her head. "Sorry but you wanted to know." Going back to stretching, she bent all the way down to the ground touching her toes. "I take it you like Cool Ranch Doritos? I mean liquor gives people courage to either do things they never thought they could or stupid things so either way..."

Sam made a little humming noise in consideration. "Probably not smart enough to be a regular Daddy then.  But all those other ones you said?" He offered up his own body roll that he'd been perfecting  since his freshman year. "I got that aaaaall day and night." He chuckled at himself and at Mercedes cool reaction. "Cool Ranch Doritos are my greatest weakness, girl. So either way it's gonna be a blast," he finished for her, nodding his head towards a couple of nearby treadmills.

Mercedes rolled her eyes Sam. "Don't make me slap you when we are having such a good time, you know I don't like it when you talk like that. I can see you being "Daddy." She watched his body roll and cleared her throat. "Umm yeah I bet you do." She bit her bottom lip, before turning away from him. It was getting a little hot. "You really shouldn't go around telling people your weakness, might give a girl like me some ideas." She said making her way to the treadmills like he nodded too.

Sam attempted to just shrug it off. "I'm just saying, I don't know if I'm like... the advice guy." He smirked slightly when Mercedes looked away, maybe just a little proud of himself. He couldn't deny that he loved getting a reaction.  He hopped on the treadmill and started it up slowly to warm up.  "A girl like you? I thought I could trust you!"

Mercedes shook her head. "You can be whatever and whoever you want to be, you just gotta see the you that I see." She licked her lips trying to shake off the warm feeling seeping through her body. "Well you can trust me, but you are begging for me to use cool ranch against you in some way..." She wouldn't say the way she was thinking because her mind was supposed to be out of the gutter, but Sam was not making it easy.

He tilted his head slightly as he looked over at her, his smile a little more genuine than just pure amusement. "And what exactly is the me that you see? Not that I'm fishing for compliments. I mean... maybe a little, but I'm curious too." He picked up his speed a little into an easy jog. "Hey, as long as I get the Doritos, feel free."

Mercedes started jogging at a steady pace, taking her hair down from the ponytail, and then putting it back into a messy bun. She didn't even need to think about Sam's question, she already knew the answer. Looking over to him she smiled. "I see someone who is more than just his hot body and cool demeanor, you are a kind soul, someone who is smart, funny, caring and sweet. You have an incredible voice, and when you get excited about something, like truly excited, its infectious and makes us all want to be apart of it." Looking away from him she continued to run. "You are also too hot for words and that smile is trouble, but I mean thats just my opinion." She shook her head smiling. "Well then I better stock up on Cool Ranch then." She increased her speed and ran in silent for a bit biting her bottom lip. "What do you think about me?"

Sam didn't even know what to say at first. They weren't things he heard very often except maybe from his parents, but that didn't really count since they were sort of biased. And sure, he had friends who liked him and thought he was cool, but not many of them really saw him that deeply. His smile returned at the compliment on it though. "Well, I think you complimenting me on my voice is a joke because you've got a voice that could make angels cry. And has made me cry. You're one of the smartest people I know. And not just like... book stuff. But real stuff. Like... emotionally smart or whatever they call it.  You're always looking out for everybody, which is awesome. And you really pay attention too 'cause you care. Plus you're smokin'," he added with a casual grin.

Mercedes shook her head. "I complemented you on more than your voice. But thats neither here nor there." She listened to him and tried to hide her blush by continuing to run. His words touched her and she finally looked over at him. "Thank you. Never knew my singing made you cry." It was all she could say. She increased the speed once more. "Smokin;? Is that a good thing?"

"I know. I just... don't know what to say to all that. Most of the compliments I get are about my abs. And sometimes my hilarious impressions." He paused for a moment, sucking at his water bottle while he ran. "Well, I don't just go around telling people when I cry," he laughed. "Of course it's a good thing. You're like hotter than a backyard bonfire."

"I get that.  But you should know, know that people see you, I see you." She slowed down on the treadmill and  came to  a stop, grabbing her own drink. "Yeah well I know I have a good voice just nothing to cry about." It wasn't true, many people cried on a song or another when she sang, at one point she thought that was enough...shaking off her thoughts she watched him run. "I do get the comment about your abs though, they are hot." She laughed at him for his comment. "I don't think I have ever been called smokin' before."

"Could you not make me cry while I'm trying to work out?" he teased, though it certainly had a touch of sincerity to it. "And you do not have a good voice. You have the most incredible voice I've ever heard and everyone needs to hear it." He slowed down himself, finally coming to a stop. He pulled his tank over his head and tossed it on top of his bag. Sure, it was convenient timing with the conversation, but he was also just sweaty. Totally.  "Well, that's just a crying shame. Cause someone should be telling you on the daily. I'm gonna do some weight reps. You down for that?"

Mercedes smirked. "I can try but I am just speaking the truth." She looked down to her hands, not wanting him to see the sadness in her eyes, sadness that came every time she thought about her past. He stopped pulling off his tank top and her breath hitched at the sight. Why was he that hot?  "Yeah maybe I should hire you for the job? Tell me how okay looking I am daily?" She said more breathless that she intended. Nodding she walked over to the weights to try and calm herself down. Half certain he was teasing her on purpose.(edited)

Sam didn't miss any of Mercedes reactions, both to his words and to his shirtlessness. He wasn't going to press her on either of them, but he took note of them both and filed the information away. "I'm happy to do it for free, but if you wanted to pay me in Doritos, I wouldn't complain about that either. And I believe the word I used was smokin', not okay looking," he reminded her. He grabbed a couple weights and started doing curls on one of the benches.

Mercedes smiled. "Cool Ranch Doritos for compliments? I mean I can see that working." She watching him doing curls and for a moment she just stood there mesmerized by him. "I think the only one who is smokin' in this gym is you. All the women are insanely jealous of me right now. Though we haven't given them a reason to be jealous." she said, though she would not be opposed to putting on a show. Shaking off her thoughts she sat across from him on a bench, if he could tease her with his shirtlessness then she could use the two gifts that kept on giving. Grabbing a few weights herself. She bent forward, giving him a clear view of the girls as she did her own  reps.

"Again, I'll give you the compliments anyway, but I won't turn down the chips," he laughed. "Except if I eat too many of 'em, I might have to spend even more time in here." Sam watched her intently, glancing around the gym at her comment to see if there was actually anyone glancing at them. He wasn't unaware of the fact that he got attention around here, but he didn't really react to it too often. He smirked as she leaned forward though. If anyone could get a reaction out of him, it was going to be Mercedes. "No, I guess we haven't. Not yet anyway."

"How about we do it like for every 10 compliments you get a small bag of chips. That way you still get them and you won't over indulge. Its a win/win." She said as she continued to give him a show, pretending she didn't know what she was doing. She didn't know why it was so easy to flirt with Sam but she didn't want to stop it. "On not yet? What kind of show are you trying to put on  dad-dy." She teased looking up at him as she slowly stood.

"I'm starting to think this might make me some sort of compliment gigolo," Sam chuckled. He chewed at his bottom lip as he watched her, trying not to be too obvious about it. His mother raised him to be a gentleman after all, at least until he was asked not to be. He followed suite when she stood up and moved to stand right behind her. He slid his hand down her arm until he met her hand where it held the weight, slowly helping her curl it back up toward her chest. "I'm sure we could think of something..."

Mercedes shrugged. "There could be worse type of gigolos to be though." She said with a laugh. Sam came behind her and her breath hitched. Feeling his hand slid down her arm, she shuttered not even hiding the effect he had on her.  Turning her head towards him she stared into his green eyes. "Oh? And is anything coming to mind?"

Sam couldn't argue with that, though he was starting to think he'd be any kind of gigolo Mercedes asked him to be at this point. He licked his lips as Mercedes looked at him, their faces dangerously close. "Nothing that won't get us kicked out of here. And... all the other gyms are so far away." He ducked his head down as he chuckled. "You're gonna get me in a lotta trouble, Mercedes Jones."

What was she doing? She couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to  kiss him. But kissing Sam was trouble. She licked her lips with a soft smiled. "I mean what is life without a little bit of trouble Sam Evans aka dad-dy.  She reached over and kissed him on the cheek, then turned back to her work out. "So I think you need to hold me a little closer. Make sure I don't hurt myself."

Sam laughed again, shaking his head. Leaning in, he whispered near her ear. "You have got to stop calling me that in public or me standing this close to you is going to get awkward for a whole lot of reasons." His cheeks turned a faint pink at the kiss and his smile remained. He wrapped his other arm around her and let his fingers hold her wrists gently as he continued helping her through reps.

Mercedes bit her bottom lip with a smile. "I guess I could be persuaded to not call you that in public. I don't want things to get awkward for you." She let him wrap his arms around her and leaned back against him as he helped her. Heat grew within her body and she knew it was getting to be about that time she should walk always before something happened, and yet, she couldn't help but want to stay near him just a little bit longer. "You sure holding me this close won't cause an awkward situation as well?"

"Thanks for taking pity on me." Sam took a breath in as Mercedes leaned into him, willing himself to stay calm, so to speak. "Oh, it's a definite possibility. That's why I'm mentally building the world's biggest sandwich in my head," he joked, though it certainly wasn't a lie either. You gotta do what you gotta do.

Mercedes didn't know what got into her, she wasn't this bold, she wasn't like this but being around Sam, it did something to her. She bend down, pressing her backside against his front and dropping the weight. Standing, she faced him, running her hands down his arms the way he did her arm. "How is the sandwich making going now?"

Sam bit down hard on the inside of his cheek to keep from making a noise that would most certainly get them asked to leave. He gave in and let his eyes travel down her body and back up again. "It's, um, real.... tall right about now," he replied with a mischievous smirk.

Mercedes stood tall, still not coming close to Sam's height, bodies so close that one move and she would be in his arms. "I don't know what is is about you Sam." She said tempted to stand up on her tippy toes and kiss him, sit him on the bench straddle him and feel his hands all over her. But she also just wanted to stay in his presence keep talking to him, learning more about him.

Sam's hands naturally found their way to Mercedes' waist and rested there comfortably. They looked more like they were slow dancing down instead of working out, but he wasn't even aware of anybody else in the building right now. "Whatever it is... I hope it's good."

Her hands moved up his arms and she smiled. "I would lie and say the jury is still out on that but we both know its good." Her eyes went to his lips and everything in her told her to back away. She was setting herself up for failure, but her feet didn't step back, instead they stood up on her tippy toes, placing a soft kiss to his lips. She didn't care where they were, and if this moment was all she got, she would take full advantage of it.

Sam could sense her movements and leaned himself down a little to meet her lips with his own. Still a gentleman after all. His smile stretched across his whole face as he stood tall again and he was pretty sure he'd lost all ability to actually speak words. He was real good at the physical stuff, but the talking stuff always seemed to stop him up. "Well, I don't know about you, but this, uh... this is the best workout I've ever had."

Mercedes didn't know what had gotten into her but she was not mad at it, Sam kissing her back even for those few seconds made her day completely. She laughed nodding. "Best work out ever." She repeated. "I think we better go, because I am tempted to do that again."

Sam bit at his lip again and gave a little nod. He really didn't want their time together to end, but Mercedes was right about what might happen if they kept this up much longer. And he didn't want to mess up whatever was happening before it even started. Plus, he did actually have to get to class. "Probably a good idea. But I'll talk to you later, yeah?"

Reluctantly, she stepped away from him. "Yes you most definitely will talk to me later, as long as you want too." She turned to grab her things but stopped and turned back to Sam. Walking up to him she stood on her tippy toes to reach his ears. "Text me or write me later dad-dy. " Kissing his cheek, she grabbed her bag and top and made her way out of the gym with a smile on her face.

[cannibalisticshadows]

AHSHAAUGAFAF MEGAMINDS TAIL OAO - anyways - metro mans kinda a lil bitch for being so “creeped out” at megaminds alien biology when really he probably has his own alien problems too and thats the tea

AO3

Loving The Alien (Part 12)

(trypophobia warning toward the end of the chapter)

(I also want to thank @the-megamind  for helping me generate ideas :D)

Roxanne nearly drops a pan when she hears the banging on her door. It’s obvious whoever is knocking at not even six in the morning is here for a reason, and a major one at that. Huffing, she sets the pan on the stove and wipes her hands on her robe. With shuffling feet she goes to the door.

“Who’s th—“

“Miss Ritchi!” The robotic screech of Minion’s suit voice tore through the door with clear agitation.

She blinked rapidly, because one, how on earth did Minion get up the flight of stairs, or the elevator, without causing mass panic, and two, why was he here? How did he know Megamind was here (assuming that’s the reason he’s here)? Without another thought she unlocked her door and found—she found not Minion, but also Wayne, standing in his superhero get-up with the most miserable look on his face.

“Can…I help you two?”

Minion, without saying another word, marched past her into her apartment with barely a second look. She opened her mouth to protest, but Wayne was following Minion’s lead by more or less forcing himself inside uninvited.

“SIR!” Minion belows, spinning around in his suit’s bowl head as he searched for his friend. “SIR, I’M HERE!”

Roxanne pinched the bridge of her nose. She had no patience for nonsense this morning but it was clear Minion wasn’t here to kidnapping. Clearly. Megamind said so himself he was stopping that. But did Minion know? Did he know why his boss/friend was hiding here with her?

“What are you guys doing here?” She hissed at Wayne, pulling her robe tighter around her when his eyes drifted below his face (her sleep tank top wasn’t the most modest thing).

“When you said… uh… that the little guy was all right now, I kind of went searching for Minion.”

She stared at him.

“Turns out he was looking for him too!”

She sighs. Honestly, a very selfish part of her just wanted to spend a lazy day off work with none other than Megamind. However she knew that the one who knew Megamind best was not her, not in the slightest. So Roxanne motioned to Minion, and says, “He’s up in my room.”

Minion doesn’t so much as give her another second because he’s already storming up the stairs with his big mechanical gorilla feet. She winces, hearing the stairs creek in his wake.

“SIR,” Minion yells again and throws the door open before vanishing inside. If Minion wasn’t a literal (alien) fish, Roxanne would feel terrified of a man throwing himself into her bedroom like hell in a suit. But, this was Minion and had probably spent more time with her unconscious than anything.

She hears Megamind squawk in surprise, and then Minion is marching back out again with him thrown over his shoulder. Megamind kicks his limbs and shouts, “Damn you! Put me down!”

“This is so inappropriate, sir!” Minion cried. “In Miss Ritchi’s bed?! WHY didn’t you call me when you lost your tail again!?”

“PUT ME DOWN, MINION.”

They’re yelling, now, with Megamind climbing all over this friend’s impossibly large robotic suit and Minion trying to grab Megamind by the waist to keep him still. Megamind is clumsy, though, and she can tell the “phantom pain”, as he put it, is evident as he tries to regain his balance.

“Okay, stop! Both of you!” She yells. Both of them turn to her with wide eyes. “Minion, there’s nothing to worry about. Megamind’s just been resting here.”

“And that’s incredibly unethical!”

“Don’t be a prune, Minion,” Megamind grumbles, having been caught and forcefully squeezed into a bridal position. It would be almost comical, seeing him struggle in the big mechanical arms of his friend, but right now all she worried about was Megamind being “kidnapped” in a weird scene, or his tail stub to start bleeding from all the struggling.

“What are you even DOING here!?” The fish asks, clearly in distress. Roxanne finally takes pity on him and sending a glance to Wayne, who looks just about ready to leave as quickly as possible, she walks over to Minion to insist he put Megamind down.

“Minion, it’s okay. We had… a date last night.”

The fish looked at her like she was the weirdest one in the room.

“A date,” he echoes.

“Not really,” Megamind whines. “Before anything happened, Mr. Elephant here showed up.”

“Look, little buddy…”

“Don’t even start with me.”

“Mr. Scott informed me that he caught you two in a very inapt position,” Minion barked, to which Megamind blew air out of his cheeks, blushing lilac. “I’m taking you back home now, Sir. Enough playing.”

Both she and Megamind jolt. “For one, I’m not playing, and you can’t tell me what to do,” the blue alien whined. “I’m quite…” he glances at her, a clear question in his eyes. She nodded. “I’m quite comfortable here!”

“Sir, this is completely—“

“Minion, this is SO not your place—“

“I’m sure Miss Ritchi has to go to her job, now! She’s much too busy for—“

“She’s taking a sick day!”

“Miss Ritchi doesn’t know how to care for you like I—“

“We ate together!”

This was not the response she’d expect from Megamind to quiet Minion. Yet it was everything that needed to be known, or at least understood, for the otherworldly fish. His jaw dropped open, a few bubbles exiting his mouth. She shared a glance with Wayne over the unfolding scene.

And then the little fish grits his fangs. Roxanne knows without a doubt these two are going to be fighting, and it probably shouldn’t be anything she or Wayne should be privy to. So, she takes the more humanoid alien by the hand and leads him to the balcony. Once outside, she shuts the door behind her. Immediately the two inside start yelling. Oh, boy, she thought gloomy. Megamind hadn’t mentioned their new relationship status at all.

“So… you and him?”

“Yes. Is that a problem?”

“But, he’s… Megamind. I can’t really imagine him as the boyfriend type.”

“You’d be surprised.”

When she heard a chair being knocked over, she winced. So did Wayne, but he covers his head in his hands.

“If your superhearing is that bothered, then you shouldn’t have come.”

He frowns. “Look… Roxie, I know it’s not really my business, but…” He winces again.

And Roxanne understands his pain. The physical pain, that is.

They’ve known each other for a while. Actually, a little longer than she’s known Megamind. After all he was the one to originally kidnap her because of her affiliation with Metro Man.

It goes to say that she and Wayne are somewhat like friends. Sometimes he’s taken her out for coffee after a particularly grueling kidnapping, or they’ve gone out for sushi, a shared enjoyment (she tended to avoid fish-based things after years of knowing her two serial kidnappers [that is, apparently, until now]).

She’s seen his little hideout by the bay, under this old one-room schoolhouse.

So, naturally, it wasn’t strange for them to pick up on the little things in the other. Quirks. Pet peeves. Hobbies. Tastes. Strange alien abilities she’d never guess.

Ooh yes. Wayne was so not off the hook for last night. No way. Not after what happened with Megamind. Especially so, since Wayne wasn’t one to talk.

So, yes, Wayne, she thought to herself bitterly, you had no room to talk about Megamind’s alienness. He has his own little alien quirk, too.

“If you make one nasty comment, one, on our relationship I am throwing you over the balcony myself.”

“That’s not gonna—“

“I don’t care, and you better apologize to him.”

“It’s not—“

“You removed his tail.”

“It comes off on its own!”

“How is that any less wrong!?”

She hears something being turned over in her living room, and with a great strength, she holds herself from turning around to look inside. She did trust Megamind enough not to turn her home into a complete disaster. More or less. Yet before she can say anything she hears, in a loud insisting yell, “Well maybe I don’t want to be the bad guy anymore!”

And then Minion’s squeal of shock.

And then a long silence.

And then the sound of the front door opening and slamming shut.

She waits there for a whole second before the glass doors open.

“Roxanne,” Megamind states. She turns around and swallows.

He’s looking a little worse for wear. Clearly the signs of a passionate fight show on his face, with puffy purple cheeks and ears. He hangs his head and steps aside from the entrance way. “It’s just me, now.”

“Are you okay?” She asked awkwardly, tentatively touching his shoulder. He shrugs, giving her little information as to what just happened between them. She and Wayne follow him inside, watching him collapse on the sofa.

She quickly moves to sit beside him. He looks so tired, now. He pouts, with his brows scrunched together so hard she wonders if he’ll hurt his face.

“Do you want breakfast?” She asks him, patting his head.

“Sure,” he sighs, but pressed against her in a loose fetal position and closes his eyes. Not sparing a glance at Wayne, or even warning him for what she’s about to do, she tugs his sleep pants down an inch to expose his stump. He grunts but doesn’t move her.

It’s still the same dark pink color, not as glossy anymore but still puffy with the blood pumping through his slim body. She’s been keeping an eye on it this whole time, but even so, she wants to cry or cringe because this appendage she’s so accustomed to seeing is literally gone. It’s just gone. Not forever, but it’s… gone.

Wayne looks away.

Good, she thinks bitterly. Let him see it. She gently pulls the elastic band back up, this time letting it pop his skin a little. It’s ineffective.

When she leaves the couch in favor of making him something to eat (and for herself), she gives Wayne a look and crosses her arms. “You need to apologize to him. Big time. For all the times!”

He rubs the back of his neck.

She picks up a spray can of olive oil and coats a pan, quietly placing it on the stove because as much a she felt like slamming it down, Megamind was already asleep on the couch.

“Things are changing, Wayne,” she sighs, pulling a carton of eggs and a variety of vegetables and other foodstuffs out of her fridge. “He’s already trying to accept that. You need to, too.”

He sits at her bar and is just… quiet. For a long time, as she’s already whipping eggs together in a bowl with chopped onions, spinach, pepper, tomatoes, and cheese, the apartment is eerily quiet for once, with the only sounds being her puttering around.

With the omelet starting to fry on the pan, Wayne finally moves off the stool.

Out of the corner of her eye, still hovering over the stove with her spatula in hand, she watches him approach the other alien by crouching down beside him.

“Hey… Blue…”

She briefly wondered where the naming of his color of skin came from and wondered if Megamind would see that as if a white person called an African “Black”. However, when Megamind opened one eye, face half pressed into her red cushions, he regarded this life-long energy with just a suspicious glare.

“Look. I’m sorry about last night. I may have overreacted….”

She’s two seconds from blowing up on “may have”, but Megamind beats her to it by saying, quite quietly, “One time too many. Five times I can count, including last night.”

“Those times happened as kids, man.”

“Tell that to the growing pains, jack hat.”

She knows he’s being literal, Roxanne thinks with a wince.

Wayne smacks his lips and gives a glance to Roxanne. She glares and just vigorously nods her head.

“Look… I think half the reason we all really felt… threatened by you was your—“

“Yes, yes, my appearance,” Megamind hisses, sitting up now. His borrowed top slips off one of his slender blue shoulders, the one with a tattoo. “The tail. The extra fingers. The eyes. The teeth,” he bares them. “Not to mention the time I lost my tail or had my shoes stolen.”

Why would stolen shoes be so bad?

“You,” Megamind goes on, laying on the truth very, very thickly. “You were Mr. Perfect, all smiles and charm and charismatic heroism. Winning the other chee-ildren with a single look. Despite your freakish strength and powers, they all flocked to you, didn’t they? Oh, no, no one could hate Mr. Perfect. Not him! Not even if secretly all the other children had somewhat of a fear for an indestructible child, in which no-one could stop if he had so much as a temper tantrum!”

The room is so quiet that Roxanne thinks she can hear her own heartbeat.

Wayne stands up. He hangs his head. “I’m sorry. I really am. But… would you believe me if I said I was jealous?”

Megamind doesn’t buy it for a second and leans over to rest his chin on his fists. “Oh? Was it my incredible genius that intimidated your tiny mind?”

“No. It was because your alien abilities weren’t as freakish as mine!”

Megamind stares at him. “How so?”

Wayne tries to search Roxanne’s eyes for somewhat of a backup. And though she is still furious at him, she does nod and encourages him silently.

Wayne then brings his hand up to his head and runs his fingers through his graying hair, moving away a chunk of greased locks to expose the hundreds of tiny, little holes in his scalp.

Megamind says nothing, and sits very still.

“They’re… ears. Like. I can hear basically everything in this city. It’s frustrating as heck! And not to mention ear wax. This sounds disgusting but most of the time my hair looks this good is because of the wax. It’s—ew. I know.”

“Is that all?” Megamind is massaging his temples now, but in no way does he appear to be grossed out. Or even that tased.

“Um… not really. No. But. Look. I’m saying sorry. And I really mean it.”

He say nothing. He turns and his eyes meet with Roxanne, but for once she doesn’t know what to say to this. This is between them. It’s probably not even okay for her to be present for this conversation, but she does need to make him something to ea—OH SHIT, she’s forgotten the omelet. She throws herself over to the oven and flips it, cursing as it’s scorched on the bottom.

As for what happened next between the two aliens, she is not privy to, because when she turns around Wayne is leaving through the balcony.

She scavenges the good parts of the omelet and fills a glass with organic orange juice. Walking over to him, she gives him a look over. He’s hunched over, still massaging his temples.

When she sits beside him does he finally look at her.

“I’m on better terms with him,” he nods to the balcony, “than with my best friend.”

She brings a hand up to rub his back, balancing the plate on her lap. “Minion… is quite protective of you.”

“You’ve no idea. I fear I’ve kept this from him for too long for him to take it easy.”

“He’ll come around. You two are the closest friends I’ve ever known.”

He smiles ruefully at this.

She runs her hand down his back once more. He’s so slim she can feel the ridges of his spin. Is that normal? “Here. Eat something,” she offers the plate.

He takes the plate but keeps it where their thighs are touching. “Eat with me.”

“Anything you need.”

“We need. You haven’t had anything to eat since last afternoon? If you hadn’t already had dinner. I saw your news report before coming to look for you.”

“Oh?” She chuckles. “And how did you find me?”

He turns purple. “I may… have a few brain bots around the city to alert me of your wear-a-boots.”

She shakes her head, but can’t find an atom in her to feel creeped out. As long as they were in this together, it felt like nothing could tear them apart.

[the-circus-princess]

/hello guess what two idiots did a rp and turned it into a fic thats right me and @circusprince now suffer with us. its basically a fic where phillip got his ass kicked and anne is too pure also art is by @circusprince​ bc holy fuck the most talented person !!!!! find it on ao3 here!! 

The snowflakes fell heavy and thick from the night sky as Phillip Carlyle excited the building and stepped onto the streets of New York City. It had been a cold November, but this was the first snow the city had seen so far. Phillip did not linger on the street for long, he quickly set his pace towards his apartment. He draped his red scarf around his neck and shoulders as he hurried down the street.

After today’s last show, and mostly against his own will, Phillip had gone into town to attend business. Circus business, no doubt. He had been walking for nearly ten minutes when he reached an alleyway that he knew would make a good shortcut. The top and the brim of his tophat was covered in white already, and Phillip decided a shortcut would do no harm. He longed to get home and crawl under warm bed covers with the woman he loved.

“Hey! Mr. Ringmaster!” a voice sounded from a dark corner. Phillip slowed down and turned around to see three men step out behind him. He turned his gaze forward again and saw two more men blocking his path. Phillip straightened up and looked at the man who had spoken earlier.

“Can I help you, sir?” he asked with a friendly tone. The man took a step forward.

“Where’s your pack of freaks tonight?” he said and sneered. His ginger hair and beard had snowflakes in it and he was missing a few teeth.

“Excuse me?” Phillip asked, narrowing his eyes. He wasn’t surprised by the question, sad as it was, he had gotten used to it by now. If the man had been alone, Phillip would definitely taken a swing at him for what he said, but at the moment he was very much outnumbered.

“Ya heard me,” the man spoke again, taking yet another step forward. He was taller than Phillip and he was carrying what was probably a lead pipe. Phillip swallowed as he eyed the man, but not for a second losing his proud posture.

“You’re not Barnum, but I know who you are. You’re with that colored girl, ain’t you? I’ve seen you two together. Makes me sick” the man spat. Phillip’s blue eyes darkened.    

“Ain’t right to mix races. That girl belongs in the dirt with the rest of her kind, slaving-“ he would have continued, but was interrupted by Phillip Carlyle’s fist, as it came racing through the air and hit him straight in the jaw.

 -

 With a promise of meeting Phillip back in the apartment, Anne had headed back to her dressing room, to take off her costume. There was no point drawing unwanted attention, parading around as a member of the circus through the streets. It was a step by step process getting out of her gear, and by the time the wig, costume, and about half a pound of glitter had been wiped off she was certain that Phillip would have finished his circus business. And hopefully would be waiting at the apartment with both blankets and something warm to drink. She made sure that everything was ready and in order for tomorrow’s show before she headed out, pulling her dark blue coat tight around herself against the chill.  

 She barely made it out of the tent before something caught her attention. Even if the snow was falling thick she could still see light coming from the managers tent, which puzzled her. Maybe it was Barnum who came by to check on the sales? Or maybe Lettie in need of something. Regardless she could offer her help, or at least say hello before going. She was sure Phillip wouldn’t miss her for five more minutes, just so she could check up. With quick steps through the snow as the snow tangled into her dark hair she made quick way to the tent.

                 “Oh my god, Phillip! What happened to you?!” She cried out in shock to see her beloved ringmaster standing in the tent. His face had fresh bruises and even fresher cuts. His white shirt had specks of blood scattered around, his knuckles were bloodied and she couldn’t tell if it was his or someone else’s blood. He held himself in an awkward position as if it pained him to breathe.

                 “Anne? Why are you here? I thought you were at home in the apartment?” Phillip said, giving her a puzzled look. By the looks of it, he hadn’t expected to see her here any more than she had expected to see him. He attempted a nervous smile, as if he was caught doing something he wasn’t supposed to, only to wince at the cut in his lip. Anne winced herself, in sympathy.

                 “I was about to head back home just now. But I saw the lights were on, and I thought I would drop by before I left. Now please tell me what happened!” she explained. Anne closed the short distance between them and studied his injuries closer. The worry in her frown grew as she seemed to discover new bruises on her dear ringmaster’s face.

                 “I, uhm, ran into some trouble,” he tried to excuse himself, but only earned a worried frown form Anne. The more she looked at him the worse the injuries seemed. She was no nurse, but she was growing sure that he needed proper tending.

                 “Some trouble, huh? Seems like you got into an unfair fight. Were you attacked?” She tried her best not to sound too upset, but it was hard when seeing Phillip hurt. Guilt had started to settle in her gut like a sickness. Anne knew very well how quick Phillip was to defend both her and the circus, and she suspected that this was another fight to be added to that list. After all, it wouldn’t be the first time she’d found Phillip after a fight, and she knew well that it wouldn’t be the last either.

 Anne carefully reached for Phillips hand, not sure if it was to comfort him or if she was seeking comfort of her own. Phillip let out an almost defaed sigh, clearly unable to lie to her.

                 “I decided to take a shortcut through an alleyway when walking back to our apartment. Some thugs wanted to have a chat,” Phillip explained. Anne could feel her heart sink just a little at what was to come, but a comforting hand caressed her cheek and, bruised knuckles or not, she leaned slightly into the touch, though her eyes still traced over Phillip’s injuries.

                 “It’s my own fault, Anne. I threw the first punch. But I just couldn’t let them talk about you or the circus the way he did! I got so mad, I saw red and well… Next thing I knew we were all fighting,” Phillip spoke quietly now as he withdrew his hand from her cheek, leaving her skin cold. As her suspicions for the reason of the fight were confirmed, the guilt surged in her gut like a wave washing over her. She knew none of this would have happened if he never had joined the circus, or felt the need to defend her.

 But before her guilt could swallow her completely, Phillip stroked his thumb over her hand holding his, bringing Anne out of her spiral of thought and lightening the weight in her chest.

                 “Anne, I’m sorry if I made you worry. It’s nothing. It is, just some bruises and scratches, and I don’t care. What they said…” he trailed off not wanting to finish the sentence. Neither did he have to as it earned him a sigh from Anne.

                 “It’s more than just bruises and scratches, Phillip. What if one of them had pulled a knife on you! Or worse!” She tried her best not to sound too upset. What was done was done and there was no point in crying over spilled milk. And judging by Phillip’s reaction it didn’t make the situation any better. He almost looked like a kicked puppy at this point, so ridden with guilt that he’d made his girlfriend worry, even if he knew she was right.

                 “Alright… are you gonna sit willingly or do I have to tackle you?” Anne stepped back from the man and turned to the chair that stood by the desk. She spun it around to face Phillip as she looked at him with almost a challenging look, because they both knew that she would attempt to wrestle him into the chair. Without much choice Phillip sat down and Anne got her coat off.

                 “You know, you should pick fights with people your own size. Or at least not attempt to take on half of New York,” she teased him slightly, before spinning the chair to face the desk so she could sit on it while facing him.

                 “Anne Wheeler are you saying I’m short? I’ll have you know I’m perfectly capable of taking down any man, despite his size!” Phillip humored her with the best grin he could manage past a split and aching lip. Even beaten up and miserable he managed to hold on to his humor and make her smile.

                 “Well, mr. Carlyle, I am not doubting your skills to fight a man. Trust me, I’ve seen you try  take on O’Clarny, and even he was slightly intimidated by you,” Anne offered him a kind smile, after all they both knew that Phillip could perfectly land a good punch if needed. She then pulled out a clean handkerchief from the pocket of her coat and got hold of a cup of what she assumed was an unfinished glass of water Phillip had been drinking form earlier. She dabbed the cloth in it before bringing it to a cut on Phillips cheekbone.

                 “What I am saying, however-“ she continued “is that next time, you should maybe just stick to one guy. And again, not attempt to fight a gang. I still enjoy coming home to someone. Especially you,” she gave a quick glance over to Phillips eyes before turning her attention back to the cut, a smile still lingering. It was warming and a feeling of security to call the apartment their home, though it had much more to do with Phillip than the apartment itself.

                 “I’ll always be there for you when you come home, Anne-“ he started with a serious, but loving, tone voice which made Anne stop the cleaning and look at him. “I will always come home to you, no matter what happens,” the sincere look on his face made it easy to believe him and Anne didn’t know if she should laugh or cry with joy. There was no kinder man than the one sat in front of her and the happiness swelled in her chest.

                 “I’ll take your word on it. So don’t you dare go breaking any promises, Carlyle,” the smile form Phillip grew along with Anne’s smile. She leaned down the few inches between them and barely pressed her lips against Phillip’s wounded ones in what might have been the softest and most careful kiss in the history. The joy she felt only grew bigger when pulling back and seeing the admiration and love for her in Phillips eyes.

                 “I love you. So very, very much,” he said, even if it was not needed when it written all over his face.

                 “Well, you’re in luck. Because I do love you too, Phillip Carlyle.”