#and also the sounds of crickets everywhere it was so joyful

[juiceofmoons]

So I recently got back from Korea and I think one of the things I miss the most was the mnet tv channel 😭 I felt like an iPad baby lmao just sitting there watching constant kpop content

[danganronpastories]

Double date Part 2

( @broth-y here’s part 2 for you. The actual date, I hope it’s alright. I also used an idea that @soudam-appreciation had, I thought it was cute.)

The movie theater had soft blue carpeted floors, with tiny colored squares that were also designed on the carpet that looked like confetti. There was people everywhere: Buying tickets, getting snacks, at the arcade on one side of the movie theater and just heading to their designated theater room.

The boys were getting their tickets, their was music playing over the speakers, tvs on the walls showing trailers and people walking around. Gundham looked around, “Theirs so many mortals” he thought. Gundham’s breathing started to speed up, he fidgited with his scarf and scoffed his boot tip on the carpet. The mortals around him were starting to overwhelm him. “Hey” Gundham jolted when the voice broke through his panic. Kazuichi was holding his hand, rubbing circles on Gundhams palm. “Hey baby, just focus on me til we get to our seats ok, don’t pay attention to anything else. Just focus on me, everything's ok” Kazuichi soothed, holding his hands soothingly, giving Gundham something to focus on. “Are you guys ok?” Mondo walked over with their snacks, Ishimaru was carrying their tickets. Gundham spoke up quietly “Yeah, we’re fine, let’s go”. They all walked to their theater room.The movie was a scary one, full of jump scares and a creepy ambiance. Kazuichi was clinging to Gundham, face buried in his chest. Gundham was rubbing his back, and kissing Kazuichis hair every so often. Honestly though Gundham was just faking being calm, he was actually terrified and with every scare he would slightly jump and would have to put on his mask to fake him being stoic.Ishimaru was sitting on Mondos lap, more focusing on playing with Mondo’s shirt than the movie. Mondo chuckled and kisses Ishimarus forehead. Mondo was the only one who wasn’t scared, it was just a scary movie, he didn’t think it was that big a deal. After the movie the boys went back to Mondos house. Mondo and Taka grabbed two tent bags and the other two grabbed their own and some other bags Mondo and Taka wanted them to carry. They went to a car in Mondo’s driveway. Mondo turned to Kazuichi “you can drive right Kaz?” Mondo asked, his pompadour swishing when he turned. Kazuichi nodded, wringing his hands. “Well you drive and i’ll give directions to our destination from the passenger seat ok” Mondo explained, his voice joyful and excited, even if his voice was somewhat gruff. Kazuichi nodded, “Yeah, I can do that” Kazuichi agreed enthusiastically, smiling his shark tooth smile. The boys got into the car, Mondo gave instructions to their destination while Kazuichi drove somewhat nervously. Gundham and Kiyotaka sat in the back, talking well more like yelling excitedly. Taka was talking about the newest subject he had just learned, while Gundham answered or gave remarks in his normal speech patterns.By the time they got to their destination it was sundown. The sky was a bright beautiful orange, while streaks of pink covered the orange, the edges of the sky were darker and the sun went down like slowly dripping paint. They were in a grassy field devoid of human life, the fresh green grass swayed in the cold crisp breeze in a beautiful hypnotic dance. Tree’s were all around the field, dotting the edges like a border of some beautiful artwork hung on the wall.Kazuichi drove the car off the dirt road with a slight crunch onto the edge of the grassy area. Gundham was the first one out of the car, he had figured out the moment he saw the tent bags that they were going camping, and god was he ecstatic. He ran to the middle of the grassy clearing, looking around like a kid who had never seen the woods before. That was false considering Gundhams talent but he was still excited. “Hah this is truly a place where demon beasts roam!” He yelled excitedly. Kazuichi closed the drivers side door with a click and looked lovingly at his boyfriend. He laughed a laugh to himself before running full speed at his beloved. Kazuichi hugged Gundham from behind but the force of Kazuichi running full speed hitting Gundham from behind sent them both to the ground. Kazuichi propped himself up on his and knees while Gundham rolled over to his back. “G-Gundham i’m so sorry, I didn’t me-” Kazuichi was interrupted by soft lips hitting his. Kazuichi gasped at the sudden contact before melting into the kiss. “Fellow friends, help us unpack at once before you start your shenanigans” Ishimaru yelled, waving his arm up and down in straight angles. Mondo laughed before shouting “Yeah fuckers, we don’t have all day!”. Kazuichi pulled away slowly and helped Gundham up. The boys unpacked the tents, and it was obvious to anyone that Kazuichi had no idea how to set up a tent. Gundham decided to give his boyfriend a job so he didn’t feel left out. He kissed Kazuichis hand and Souda blushed bright red. Kazuichi, my darling could you please grab our personal bags?” Gundham asked, in his deep silky tones. Kazuichi nodded, finding his voice had died in his throat. While Kazuichi went to grab their bags, Gundham and Mondo set up the tents and Kiyotaka blew up the air mattress. Once the boys had set up their sleeping quarters they set on their new task: The fire. Immediately Mondo glared daggers at the pink haired boy and the boy who should not be wearing a scarf in the middle of spring. “You two, don’t even touch the fire. Last time we let you handle fire, you both almost burned my shed down” Mondo retorted with a seething force.Kazuichi backed up, scared of Mondo’s tone. Gundham smiled wide, made a show of swishing his hair back and laughed uproariously “Hah your shed was no match for the dark lords magic flames” Gundham proclaimed, making a pose. “Ugh Gundham if you don’t shut up I swear to god, i’m gonna kick your ass!” Mondo roared, taking a step forwards in Gundhams direction.  While Kazuichi backed away now very scared, Gundham stood firm. His arms dropped and he chuckled lowly. A dark shadow fell over Gundhams fae, leaving only his red eye glowing, he tilted his head slightly. Mondo tensed, Gundham to him resembled a cobra about to go for the kill. Gundham raised his head a bit, “Hah I’d like to see you try” Gundham challenged menacingly, it felt like he was spitting venom from his lips. Kiyotaka sensed how ugly this situation could get, and while he knew Mondo was strong Gundham was known to be a terrifying fighter, especially provoked like this. Ishimaru hugged Mondo’s waist “Mondo, you promised me you wouldn't get into any fights” Ishimaru pleaded. When Mondo saw the puppy dog eyes looking up at him his heart melted, and the resolve to fight left him. He relaxed and pet Ishimarus hair, who in turn leaned into his hand. “Ok baby, I won’t fight” Mondo said softly, and Ishimaru smiled softly. Kazuichi decided to use his secret technique to calm Gundham, Kazuichi really didn’t want to see Gundham almost kill someone today.Kazuichi slipped under Gundhams arm, beside his chest and started petting and playing with Gundhams hair. Gundhams scary disposition melted and Kaz caught him as his boyfriend fell comfortably into Kaz’s arms. “I think you guys can make the fire now, I think Gundham’s out of commission” Kaz told the two, giggling a bit at Gundham, he really reminded Kazuichi of a cat.  “Got it” Ishimaru answered and Mondo and him cleared out a patch of grass, Mondo kissed Kiyotaka’s cheek and he blushed and hugged him. “Ishimaru, honey I need to start the fire” Mondo said lovingly, caressing Ishimaru’s cheek. Ishimaru made a pouty face and clung on for a few more minutes before helping Mondo start the fire. Meanwhile Kaz was sitting in the tent, with their air mattress and made bed with the normal blanket underneath them and the weighted blanket that Gundham used to sleep better. Kaz was petting Gundhams hair, the man in question’s head was on Kaz’s lap. Gundham was making a sound that resembled a cat’s purring and Kaz was trying to have his heart not explode. “You’re so cute babe” Kazuichi whispered, Gundham grumbled and uttered “No i’m very fearsome.” Kazuichi looked at his boyfriend, “of course you are babe” Kazuichi just decided to go along with it. Gundham sat up at the sound of a crackling fire, “we should go out now” Gundham told Kaz and the two made their way out. Kazuichi brought out smore materials and Kiyotaka held hot dogs and skewers. Kaz jumped up and down, he was so excited to make smore’s. “smore time, smore time” Kaz whispered in a sing songey voice. Gundham chuckled and kissed Kazuichis cheek.  Ishimaru set up the food for everyone and the couples went into comfortable chit chat while they ate hot dogs, smores and basked in the warm orange glow of the campfire. For two hours there they were in peace. Ishimaru sat on Mondos lap, both stopping to kiss every 5 minutes, the other two didn’t mind, they were both cuddling and flirting with each other. They were in their own little safe bubble, with only the cricket sounds and the moonlight to keep them company this night.  Soon they all went to their tents to get some rest. Kiyotaka cuddled into Mondos chest and Mondo gave him sweet kisses and pet Taka’s hair. “I love you” Ishimaru proclaimed, giving Mondo a kiss on the cheek. “I love you too Taka, with all my heart” Mondo answered. He rolled onto his side, pulling Taka close. Mondo blushed and started to sing softly, Ishimaru smiled and snuggled close beside Mondo. Mondo sang until he heard Taka’s breaths go steady then he fell asleep as well.  Meanwhile in the other tent the boys found out they were missing something. “Shit Gundham, I think you forgot your headphones” Kazuichi told Gundham, who agreed. Kazuichi held Gundhams hand, “do you think you’re gonna be able to sleep darling?” Kazuichi asked. Gundham went quiet, he could hear the crickets chirping their symphony, the wind blowing through the grass, the leaves rustling with the wind, and if he listened real close, nocturnal animals scurrying around on the ground. “Yes I think i’ll be just fine”  Gundham answerede, smiling. The two settled down into bed, Kazuichi rested on Gundhams chest, Kaz’s right hand intertwined with Gundhams left. The two quickly fell into a deep sleep, both fitting perfectly together, like two puzzle pieces.

[galadrieljones]

The Lily Farm - Chapter 40

AO3 | Masterpost

Rating: M (Mature) - sexual content, violence, and adult themes

Summary: To help her process Sean’s death, Mary Beth asks Arthur to take her on a hunting trip, somewhere far away. He agrees, and on their journey to the north, they find quietude and take comfort in their easy bond. They’ve been friends for a while now, but life, like the wilderness, is full of uncertainty and complications, and as they embark on their desperate search for meaning together, they endure many trials, some small, some big—all of which bring them closer to one another, and to their future.

*This is the first of TWO consecutive updates, the second of which will be published within the day. Thank you for your patience and continued support!*

Chapter 40: The Doctor and the Rat

The day of the riverboat job, as the sun sank low in the swamps, John was on the perimeter back at Shady Belle, holding guard with Charles, smoking cigarettes and talking of idle things.

“How’s Abigail?” said Charles. The night was cooling off. The frogs were chirping.

“Good,” said John, staring through the trees. He shook out his cigarette and tossed it into the reeds. “She’s real good.”

“That’s good.”

“You and Sadie catch anything worth bragging on lately?” said John.

“There’s O’Driscolls everywhere,” said Charles, taking a drag. “We’ve killed plenty. I’m just worried that for Sadie, it still ain’t enough.”

John took a deep breath. He didn’t even know where to begin with all that. He thought maybe Arthur would have a better idea than him. “Life’s a goddam bitch,” he said.

“I hear you.”

A whole host of egrets then, lifted off past the tree tops and into the sky. It was a pretty sight, like angels. Then, incoming was the sound of hooves on the path. Both men straightened up fast, searching out the woods with their eyes, picking up their guns. Charles looked at John, John nodded once, then Charles called out, “Who’s there?”

“It’s a friend,” said a man’s voice. It was immediately recognizable to John, but he couldn’t place.

“What friend?” said John.

“Lawrence Winterson.”

John was very surprised by this. What would Mr. Winterson be doing all the way down here? The man rode in at a slow pace, and then he pulled back on the reins and his horse came to a gentle stop. John did not understand. But then Lawrence got off his horse and hitched her up to a tree and came on over. He removed his hat, which had a broad brim, and he revealed his face, which was bruised to a pulp behind his spectacles. He’d been beat to absolute shit.

“Holy hell,” said John. He slung the gun over his shoulder, leaned closer to see. “What the hell happened to you?”

“Is Arthur here?” said Lawrence. He took off his glasses, proceeded to shine them up with a handkerchief from his pocket. “I need to speak to him.”

“No,” said John. “He ain’t.” He turned to Charles then, explained quickly. “This here’s the man who owns the hotel up in Emerald Ranch, the one were Arthur and Mary Beth got married.”

Charles lowered his gun to his side, nodded respectfully. “Good to meet you.”

“Charles is a good buddy of Arthur’s.”

“That is well,” said Lawrence, replacing the glasses on his face. “Any friend of Arthur’s is a friend of mine. Now, Mr. Marston, if I can’t find Arthur here, will you tell me—where I can find him?”

“You can’t,” said John. “He’s with Mary Beth, out on a job. It’s important and kind of remote. He’ll be gone until tomorrow. You’re free to wait.”

“I’m afraid that won’t do.”

“Where’s Mrs. Winterson?”

“Lizette is in St. Denis,” he said.

“You wanna tell me what’s going on?”

“What about Dutch?” said Lawrence, wringing his hands. “Is Dutch here?”

“Yeah,” said John. “Dutch is here.”

“Wonderful,” said Lawrence. “Take me to him. Please.”

Charles stayed while John walked Lawrence into camp. The other gang members turned to see, but they were eating their dinner, and Javier was playing the guitar. They didn’t ask. Lawrence was very quiet, tightly withheld inside himself and stern as all hell. John swore he was more intimidating than he let on but he had yet to see the proof. He knew he had been a medic in the Civil War and that he had seen some very bad things.

“How’d you know we was here?” said John, letting him inside Shady Belle. “Did Arthur tell you?”

“Yes,” said Lawrence. “He mentioned it once, for security purposes. In case they needed emergency help with Mary Beth’s condition.”

“Makes sense,” said John. Then, “DUTCH.” They were up on the second floor.

The doors to Dutch’s room were flung wide open. He and Hosea were out playing some sort of cards at a table on the balcony by lamplight. They both turned to see when John entered.

“Why, Dr. Winterson,” said Dutch, pushing back from the table, tossing his cards emphatically. “To what do I owe this consummate surprise?”

“My god,” said Hosea, noticing his face, rising as well. “What happened to you?”

Lawrence glanced around. John closed the doors behind them so that it was just them four, and they were alone. He cleared his throat. “I was paid a visit by representatives of the Pinkerton Detective Agency last night.”

This drew a curtain on the room. It was a deep silence. You could hear the outdoor crickets creeping.

“Come again,” said Dutch.

"Pinkerton Detectives,” said Lawrence. He stood very tall, addressed each of them. “They came to my house, and they questioned me as to your wherabouts. They had been tipped off. Somebody told them that I had knowingly harbored you and your associates in my bed and breakfast.”

Dutch’s mouth was open. He stared, gaping. “Somebody told?”

“That’s right.”

“Shit,” said John.

“Well now hold on a minute,” said Hosea, taking a step forward. “You say they knew we was there? Who could it be?”

“There was an itinerant wanderer that I took in that night, if you’ll recall,” said Lawrence. “I suspect it may have been him.”

“What makes you think it was him?” said John.

Lawrence shrugged. “Who else could it possibly be? Your picture has been in the papers, Mr. van der Linde. It’s very possible he recognized you and went to the law. If it was, indeed, him, I am very sorry.”

Dutch had his chin in his hand now, he was thinking hard. “Did they do that to your face there?” he said.

Lawrence looked at him, dead in the eye. “Yes,” he said. “When I would not confess, they beat me up for a while, until they realized who I was. I have a good reputation in these parts, Mr. van der Linde, and they did not seem particularly interested in further torturing a northerner and veteran of Gettysburg.”

“Did they touch your wife?” said Dutch, clenching a fist, staring at the wood flooring beneath their feet.

“No,” said Lawrence. “They did not, thankfully. She is, however, quite shaken by the ordeal. We’re leaving for a couple of months, taking a boat up the river to Chicago. I have distant relatives there who we’re going to pay a visit, and I came here to tell Arthur. I will be back in time to deliver Mary Beth’s baby, but for now, my home will be locked up and empty, and it is no longer a safe place for him or for any of you.”

The room felt pressurized, like a helium balloon. John looked at Hosea who looked at Dutch who still looked at the floor. “Might I inquire as to why you did not turn me in?” said Dutch.

“Because,” said Lawrence. “I am loyal to Arthur, and that means that I am loyal to you as well. You know this. I gave you my word, Mr. van der Linde, the morning after the wedding. I am a man of my word. I also heard them talking on their way out of the house. They thought I was unconscious. They know you’re down here. They’re looking for you, in St. Denis specifically.”

“How the hell do they know that?” said Hosea. “We’ve been quiet. It’s been quiet.”  

“Dutch hitting Hanging Dog sure weren’t quiet,” said John.

“That was in the Big Valley,” said Hosea. “How would that, or even the wedding at the Winterson’s lead them to us in St. Denis?”

“They mentioned an informant,” said Lawrence, “but they didn’t say who.”

“An informant?” said Dutch.

“Who?” said Hosea, losing his center. “Colm O’Driscoll is dead. The Braithwaites are dead. Anyone who hates us and who knew where we’re hiding is dead.”

“Could be Bronte,” said John. “You heard what me and Abbie said. There’s no money in that goddam trolley station. I seen it with my own eyes. It was a set-up.”

“Bronte?” said Hosea, flinching. “That would be very disconcerting.”

“Yeah, because it would mean Arthur was right all along,” said John, “and him and Mary Beth is walking into a goddam trap just as we speak.”

They could hear Jack playing outside, with Cain. The dog was barking at him and his joyful reverie.

“We have no reason to believe that Bronte would turn us into the Pinkertons,” said Hosea. “He, himself, operates outside the direct confines of the law. He is a mafiosi thug, just dressed in fancy shoes with a foreign accent. He may stand to drive us out of town but not to drive the state government in. That would do nothing for his criminal enterprise.”

“How do you know all that for sure?” said John.

“I don’t know anything for sure.”

“Please shut up,” said Dutch. He cracked his knuckles. Everyone looked at him, including Lawrence, unflinching. Dutch lowered his voice. “I am trying. To think.”

“I can’t believe this,” said John.

“Calm down, son,” said Hosea. “We’ll get to the bottom of it.”

“If it is Bronte,” said Dutch, slowly, to John, “then he will show his hand. Arthur and Mary Beth are smart, and they are not alone on that riverboat. They have bodyguards, highly competent professionals who owe us their lives and a whole hell of a lot more. They’ll escape.”

“Riverboat?” said Lawrence, concerned. He looked at John. “What are they doing on a riverboat?”

“Poker game,” said John. “It’s just supposed to be a con, a way to make a little money, real square.” He looked right at Hosea, accusatory. “Unless it ain’t no more.”

Hosea shook his head. “It's after sundown. They’ve already raised the anchor. There’s nothing we can do.”

John took a deep breath. He went for the door. “Like hell.”

“John, wait,” said Hosea. “We should make a plan. There may be a better explanation.”

“Ain’t no time for better explanations, old man,” he said. “I’m going, and I’m taking Charles and Sadie with me. I ain’t letting Arthur die on that boat.”

“What is going on?” said Lawrence.

Hosea ignored him, shouted to John, “Don’t you cause a goddam fuss unless you know for sure. You hear me, boy?”

“I won’t,” said John. He was gone. The door slammed. They could hear his boots heavy on the stairs.

Hosea looked at Lawrence, and then he looked at Dutch. Dutch was lost in his mechanism for deep and pervasive thinking. He looked deranged and horrified.

“What kind of danger are they in?” said Lawrence.

“That remains to be seen,” said Hosea. He loosened his collar. He looked up at the ceiling, which was cracked and full of water spots and rot in the timber.

It was a long while then, of silence. They could hear Abigail outside. She was pleading with John to tell her what the hell was going on, but he wasn’t yielding.

Finally, Dutch glanced up, at Hosea. The room seemed to get very cold. “Hosea,” he said, harshly.

“Yes, Dutch.”

He raised his chin, seemed to get taller. “Is it Bronte?”

“I don’t know,” said Hosea. “I don’t know. I don’t think so. I can’t see the reasoning.”

“If it ain’t Bronte,” he said, “then who is it.”

Hosea shook his head, frantically. He did not know that either. “Somebody in the camp?” said Hosea.

“In the camp?”

“Somebody who was at the party? Who have we wronged lately? Even if it was quiet. What have we done?”

Dutch cracked his knuckles again. Once, twice. He was thinking. Lawrence had a headache. He removed his glasses and was looking down into the lenses. One of them had a small crack from the first hit to the jaw, which had caught him off guard in his living room, sent him crashing into the armoire, his glasses flying to floor.

Now, Abigail was upstairs, pounding furiously on the door. They all looked to see.

“Dutch goddammit!” she was screaming. She was enraged. Cane was barking from inside the house, like he had followed her. “Hosea!" she said. "What the hell is going on? Goddammit you sorry sacks of shit. What's going on?”