#and he does have that shameful tupperware secret

[snowsays]

Ok so i just finished the mentalist season 3, and i have spoiled myself at least one episode from season 4 (bc i saw it on regular tv) and i have Thoughts (with spoilers, under the cut) (once again please ignore any dumb things i might say out of ignorance, im just here theorizing as if i were watching the show as it came out) (also please dont spoil me)

So i know at some point during season 4, Patrick is doubting he actually killed Red John, he thinks he escaped. But he shot him at a crowded shopping mall, so the body will be retrieved by the police, which would make one think it means Red John still has more people in the CBI (he did also work with Rebecca, Virgil's secretary, and he also apparently has people in lots of places, so not weird nor unlikely) or in the police in general, to make the body disappear

Which makes me think it's not unlikely Bertram is still an accomplice, bc in 3x23 it looks like he unlock's the gas station guy's handcuffs, and leaves the gun in his reach. That would explain how the assassin knew to go into room 605 maybe? If RJ got two different messages he would know he's being played with (and didn't he say something abt that when he talked with Patrick? I'm already off my computer so i can't check and i don't remember exactly, but i think so)

But at the same time I just realized that the guy got shot like 3 times, how would he survive until they picked the body up?? Or made it disappear??? Unless the colin firth lookalike was another of his minions (who are devoted enough to allow themselves to be killed??), or he used the fake blood carny trick Jane has used a couple of times (which tbf also doesn't make sense bc for that to work the body would need to disappear before the police got it, and in that case it would not be just a suspicion that RJ is still alive)

[flippin-fins]

Roommates

LadyNoir July 2021 Day 21: Roommates

Read on AO3

It made sense after they had revealed their identities to each other.

What better roommate than someone who had been your partner since you were 14?

Even if he had to push down his unreciprocated feelings, sharing an apartment with Marinettee (and all her fabric) had been an easy decision when he was old enough to move out of the mansion. Plus, having all of the kwamis were fun as roommates, even if the trouble all of them got into together could put Plagg to shame.

Adrien smiled as he watched Marinette beat Nino at yet another video game. Why Nino had thought he could beat Marinette at any of their video games was beyond Adrien’s comprehension.

Adrien pulled out his phone to check the time, not realizing how late it had gotten. Trying to figure out how to get Marinette’s attention, she was better at ending the night with minimal questions or lingering, Adrien missed Alya watching him.

“Nino, I think it’s time for us to head out,” Alya called to her boyfriend. “Maybe it’s time to accept that she’s just better than you.”

Nino scoffed, but set the controller on the coffee table as he stood up. Marinette joined him a moment later, extending her hand.

“Always a pleasure.”

“Yeah, yeah, but your winning streak can’t last forever.”

The room filled with laughter as Alya and Nino grabbed their things, Marinette pressing a tupperware of baked goods into her friend’s hands.

As the door closed, Adrien looked at his roommate. All he wanted was to wrap her up in his arms, leaving a kiss on the top of her head. Instead, he stepped towards their balcony.

“Ready for a race around the city, Bug?”

She turned, never one to turn down a competition. “So eager to lose?”

She transformed and was out the window before he could blink, and Adrien quickly changed into Chat Noir before chasing her with a laugh.

He let his muscle memory carry him along to rooftops, setting an easy pace. He’d let her win every race she wanted for the chance to see the smile on her face. He couldn’t make it look like he let her win (and often he struggled to keep pace with her), but tonight he was caught up in his thoughts.

When he’d first approached her to be his roommate, Adrien had been nervous. He didn’t want to overstep, didn’t want to scare her away. He knew there was someone else, and while his feelings hadn’t changed, he didn’t want Marinette to be too uncomfortable to be his friend.

But sometimes, sometimes being just roommates was hard. Hanging out with Alya and Nino, all he could think about was the potential for double dates. Cooking together in the kitchen, all he wanted was to hold her close and dance to the music filling the room. Their sleepy, late night conversations were something he treasured, more precious than late night patrols or when he used to meet Marinette on her balcony and see the stars.

Maybe he wanted more, but for now, this had to be enough. In the past, he’d made it clear where his feelings were his partner lay, and it felt wrong to push when she’d set that boundary.

Too soon, Chat landed on their favorite landmark, the twinkling lights of the Eiffel Tower glittering around them.

Ladybug turned to look at her partner, to gloat at her win, but one look at his face stopped her.

“Chat? Are you alright?” Ladybug asked, moving to step towards him.

Plastering a grin on his face, Chat looked up at her. “Of course, just a little caught up in the sights of the city tonight.” He wanted to add that she was his favorite sight, but that felt too far.

She sat down next to him, resting her head on his shoulder. Wrapping an arm around her, Chat Noir held her close, trying to ignore the distance he felt between them. Far below, he imagined the lovers strolling the city, couples that held no secrets, just kisses and held hands warming each other.

He tried to ignore how much he wanted to be one of them.

He turned towards Ladybug as he heard her hum, lost in thought. He squeezed her shoulder lightly, and felt her eyes on him.

He could question her thoughts, but knew she’d voice them when she was ready. Instead, she took his free hand in both of hers, playing with his fingers.

“Alya made a funny comment tonight.”

Chat frowned, trying to think of what could have been said, but nothing came to mind.

“When we were in school, in lycee, I wouldn’t have imagined it would end up like this. I mean, Alya and Nino being together still is no surprise, but for you, for the guy who sat in front of me to be my partner, the flirtatious Chat Noir,” he grumbled at that, but she pressed on. “For us to end up such close friends, to be roommates. I just think that 14 year old Marinette would be surprised.”

“Is it that surprising that we’re friends?” Chat tried to joke, to sweep the pieces of how her words broke his heart under a nearby rug.

“No no, it’s not that. It’s just, well,” he could feel her tense against his shoulder, and Chat resisted the urge to turn, to see the secrets hiding in her eyes.

He was sure she could hear his heart pounding, desperate to know more.

She took a deep breath before continuing, and it felt like the longest silence he’d ever experienced. “Did you know I had a crush on you back then?” Her voice was just a whisper, but if she hadn’t been leaning on him then Chat would have fallen off the beam. He must have stiffened, frozen by her words. “I mean, it’s not, don’t misunderstand. I didn’t agree to be roommates to be creepy, I mean I did want to be roommates but not like that I mean we’re friends and partners and it makes sense and if this is weird just tell me and I can move out and -”

“Marinette,” he whispered, cutting off her rambling.

She dropped his hand, sitting up, away from him.

It was amazing how fast his side grew cold, how quickly he missed her presence.

He twisted to look at her, to fully see her, even if her eyes were hidden by her eyelashes as she looked down at the city.

“Marinette,” he repeated, reaching out to brush a stray hair behind her ear. “Do you remember what I told you, well before we revealed our identities?”

Her eyebrow furrowed as she tried to figure out what he was talking about.

“I said that I loved you, whoever you were under the mask. I loved the superhero, and all I wanted was to know who she was, so that I could get the chance to love her too. But then this girl in my class started to capture my attention, so I would visit her balcony some nights, just for the chance to see her.” Ladybug tried to turn away, to hide the tears shining in her eyes, but he kept going. “Imagine my surprise when I discovered they were the same person.”

“But that was so long ago-”

“I told you I would wait until you were ready. Maybe I hoped being roommates would speed up the process.”

She whipped her head around to look at him, and Chat couldn’t tell if he was imagining the hope he saw in her eyes.

“Do you still?” She breathed, still speaking so softly, as if anyone could overhear them.

“Of course, I planned to wait my whole life if I had to.” Chat grinned, and he tried to ignore the cracks in his heart as he focused on her, on what she’d said. “Was I too late? Did you leave it behind at lycee?”

He startled as she jumped forward, wrapping her arms around him. “I have loved you since the day you handed me that umbrella in the rain, offering an apology I never deserved.”

Chat didn’t realize he was crying until a sob choked it’s way out.

“What does this mean for us? Now that you know my motives, does that change your decision on being my roommate?”

“Adrien, nothing could make me not want to be your roommate. I want to be your roommate as long as you’ll have me.”

He thought back to a joke that he’d heard Alya say, something that always made Marinette blush.

“Even if it includes three kids and a hamster?”

He heard her gasp, knowing exactly who he’d heard that from. She leaned back to look at him.

“Three kids and a hamster was always about you, so I’m in it especially if being roommates leads to that.”

Chat pulled her back into a hug, content with knowing the rest of his life was safe as long as she was in his arms.

[edith-moonshadow]

I loved the first three seasons of AHS, in particular, Coven but when I sat down to watch Freakshow I couldn’t get into it and I thought it was just burnout but recently I tried again and I’m honestly finding it a chore to get through. The setting is pretty horror appropriate, the majority of performances are great and I love the fashion of the 1950s but something just isn’t connecting with me but I’m a terrible completist so I’ll probably complete it (hopefully it’ll finally connect with me but I’m already on episode four and no joy yet.)

But there was one part that made me think it would make a good Harringrove AU and it’s to do with the character of Jimmy Darling played by Evan Peters, (if you’ve seen the show you may already know where this is going) he’s a member of the freak-show and in one of the episodes either one or two I think they had a scene where he was for lack of a better way of putting it pleasuring frustrated housewives at a Tupperware party using his hand that has long incredibly thick fingers.

So I’m thinking about a story set in the same time period where Steve is married to a woman who is very cold towards him (she doesn’t really like physical affection) and therefore he’s very frustrated and touch starved. His wife goes to a Tupperware party and Steve turns up to pick her up and gets bored waiting outside so goes into the house but he gets lost and ends up in a back room where he encounters Billy. He thinks maybe he’s one of the other husbands in the same situation as him but Billy’s eyes light up when he sees Steve and it doesn’t take long until Billy is making Steve come harder than he ever has with his fingers.

Steve can’t stop thinking about the encounter, squirming in his bed at night trying to stifle the sounds that want to escape when he thinks about all the things Billy said to him and how much pleasure he got from his fingers.

Then his wife suggests they take a trip to the circus in town and Steve reluctantly agrees but when they arrive he makes eye contact with Billy and after helping his wife find a seat he finds himself in a tent at the back of the circus, Billy is delighted to see Steve hasn’t been able to stop thinking about him and it only takes a few words to get Steve out of his trousers once more.

This could start a secret affair between them that runs many risks, they’re two men in the 1950s, they come from very different backgrounds and at any moment the circus could move on to another town.

Could also do this as an Alpha/Omega story where Steve is a young beautiful Omega who married a wealthy older Alpha who only married him to look after his house and help him entertain important clients for his business (maybe the other Alpha has an erectile problem of some sort so has never been very into sex or can’t satisfy Steve.) So Steve is bored and frustrated with his life then he attends a Tupperware party with other Omegas and the host is very excited by this surprise that she has and Steve doesn’t know what’s going on just that when the other Omegas come back from the room they’re sent to they have a rosy glow to their faces and they all talk in hushed tones about how amazing it was, where did you find him? 

He hears something about a circus and is extra confused but he doesn’t really want to go back there but his friend who knows about his marriage tells him to go (“You won’t regret it, trust me.”) so he does not sure of what he’s going to encounter then he sees Billy, he’s a big strong young Alpha and Steve feels very unsure. Billy is intrigued by Steve from the moment he sees him, scenting him and growling in his ear (“Is nobody loving you Sweetheart, well that’s a damn shame.”) Steve feels so overwhelmed so he decides to give in, everyone else did and his Alpha will never have to know. Then he sees Billy’s hand and his hesitation returns but Billy just licks over his skin, a little growl in his voice and before Steve knows it he’s lying back on the bed with his legs spread wide. Billy’s fingers bring him more pleasure than he’s ever felt before and he selfishly wants more, Billy wants to give him more too but this isn’t the place for it. (if they were to knot at this party everyone would know due to how long it would take.)

Steve can’t stop thinking about his encounter with Billy, his Alpha is going away on a business trip the following week so Steve goes to the circus, (he feels a little insecure because he knows that Billy was there at the Tupperware party for that particular purpose but he can’t stop thinking about it) when Billy sees Steve he’s all over him, whispering in his ear about all the things he wants to do and Steve can’t resist. He invites Billy to his house after the show where Billy shows Steve all the things he’s been missing.

So hopefully Freakshow gets better for me also I’m wondering if there isn’t more to the Jimmy character (this might be my dirty mind) but the first time you see him he’s chatting up a waitress and Elsa shouts at him and says something about “What would happen when she sees all of you?” and I’m not saying their hinting at anything other than his hand but my mind did go elsewhere and that could technically play into the story also where Billy is big everywhere if you know what I mean.

[sandpumpkin]

A Rescue mission

I’ve been sitting on this idea FOR AGES. Wrote it up tonight XD 

FT the new Baroque works

Tagging: @one-piece-dumpster-fire​ for sandpumpkin content

“So where is this island exactly?” Hana asked, following Bon Kurei off the ship and onto a shady looking harbour not just full of pirate ships but merchant ships too “I didn’t see it on the map.” 

“It’s not any map. It’s an underground hub.”

“oh..Right..if that’s the case..why did I see a marine ship?” she questioned, pointing to a navy ship nestled between two merchant vessels. 

“That doesn’t matter,” came Crocodile’s deep voice, joining them on the dock “Do not wander off.” he ordered looking down at her sternly.

“Yes sir.” she smiled, making sure to keep behind him and next to Bon Kurei. “So why are we here?” she asked quietly,

“Faust needed some..medical things..” Bon whispered “That’s all I know. We’ll probably get some extra weapons and things whilst we’re here too.” Hana nodded and glanced around as they headed into the town which slowly got busier and more crowded. It was a hive of activity. A bustling black market, selling all sorts of sordid things. 

Through the crowds Hana spotted a large tank and was curious to the animals within. Her heart sank like a rock when her eyes gazed up a large bananawani curled up in the tank with no space to move at all, in a much tank beside it were several smaller bananawani and atop that a large egg in a basket. 

Drawn to the large bananawani she placed a hand against the tank “you poor thing.” The reptile looked down at her wearily. 

“Hey! What are you doing?!” Hana jolted at the sound of someone shouting and tensed when a tall marine grabbed her shoulder “That's property of the Celestial Dragons.” he snapped, shoving back.

“T-they need a bigger tank-” Her words were met with a violent shove which sent her flying backwards, placing her hands on the ground to push herself back up. The marine stamped on her hand twisting his heel as he leered down at her 

“Be thankful I don’t cut that hand off.” he picked her up by the scruff of her neck and shoved her away making her stumble again the crowd that had gathered parted enough for her move through “Just chuck a cover over it, we’ll move it in the morning.” she heard the marine order,

Tomorrow. 

She hurried through the crowd and spotted Bon Kurei waving at her and behind him Crocodile who did not look pleased. Clutching her hand she made her way towards them, quickly hiding her hand behind her back when she approached them

“Sorry..I got swept away with the crowd..”  She glanced up to meet Crocodile’s icy cold stare and looked back down at her feet in shame. He had asked her one thing and she messed up again. 

“Bones, take her back to the ship.” Crocodile ordered sharply, turning away from her. 

“Yes boss.” Daz guided her away from the group. He looked down at her nursing a bloody hand “don’t let boss see that.” She nodded and quietly followed him back to the ship. 

“It’s fine. You can go back to Crocodile now. I won’t leave the ship.” she said, offering him a weak smile. Daz patted her head and left her on the empty ship. 

Once Bones was certainly out of sight she hurried to the workshop to borrow a few tools and headed straight to her room. To plan. 

-

Hana was absent from tea that evening, she was probably lost in her sewing again. Bon Kurei went to check on her armed with her portion of food. Knocking on her door, hearing a response he poked his head in. 

“Hana-chan, I brought your dinner.” 

“Bon-chan! Great timing! I  have something for you! Could you call Bones as well please?” she said, accepting the food from him. Tilting his head curiously and hurried off to collect Bones. By time he had returned she had finished her food and was sitting waiting for them. “I need your help.” She stated simply. The pair looked at each other and that wasn’t what they were expecting.

“With what?” Bon Kurei questioned, watching her move to the wardrobe 

“Do you remember when we spoke about the Baroque Works? Well-” she pulled out two long jackets. One pink with swan feather pauldrons and the other black sleeveless with gold trip and a hood with the words ‘supa’ embroidered on the back “These are for you two,” she handed them the respected jackets. “Bon-chan I made you  swan princess tiara too.” She placed a white feather crown on his head and smiled brightly. “Oh, Bones, yours has a hood which is also a mask.”

“What’s this for?” Bones frowned, what was she planning. It was then they both noticed her own outfit. An orange romper with a jack o'lantern face on the front, an orange cropped jacket with wide sleeves, a black sash tied in a large bow at her side, odd coloured socks and a pumpkin sat at a jaunty angle on her head. 

“I just need to borrow you both for like an hour tops..please.” she said looking up at him hopefully, her hands clapped together pleadingly. “I made up superhero pins and everything.” she added, holding out the pin with a small sword on it. Sighing deeply, Bonez changed his jacket and accepted the pin. Bon Kurei had already changed his coat and was spinning happily. “Thank you!! This will be our first mission as the new Baroque works.” she grinned excitedly. She handed Bones a duffle back which was oddly heavy. “Come on. Lets go now. Croco-chan is in the bath. So he won’t notice us gone.” she said opening the door for them. Hurrying them off the ship and back towards the town which had quietened down now. Just a lot of drunken sailors and no one was paying them any mind. 

“Okay here we are.” she stopped in front of a huge covered stall and the sheet off to reveal the bananawani. Turning back to the pair who were standing with their jaws huge open. 

“Those are bananawani.” Bon pointed out.  Hana nodded turning around to set her hand on the glass 

“They need to be free.”

“They’re going to eat you.” Bones added flatly.

“I’m going to free them!” Hana said turning back to them her hands balled into fists “They need to be free!” Bones sighed, they were here now and she wasn’t backing down.

“What exactly are you planning to do?” 

“Well you are going to carry the big tank to sea, Bon-chan will carry the baby tank and I’ll get the egg.” she explained, handing Bon Kurei a white sparkly eye mask to go with his crown and she put on an orange one. “Go team!” 

Bones lifted the tank with ease and took the lead down to the small beach he had seen earlier. The other two followed suit. Once all the items were down safely on the beach. Hana took the bag she had given to Bonez earlier and produced a pair of bolt cutters. Bonez didn’t bother with slicing the lock off with aid of his devil fruit power. 

“You know. I forgot you could do that.” she chuckled as she pushed the lid open letting the water spill out into the ocean, the big bananawani flowing with it. 

The reptile splashed around in the ocean before looking back at them expectantly. “Of course your babies.” Struggling with the bolt cutters Hana freed the smaller bananawani who were a little more frightened to leave their tank. 

Develing into the bag she had brought, she pulled out a large tupperware box of meat and made a little trail down to the ocean. “And some for you mama.” she said, chucking the remaining pieces at the waiting bananawani, who lazily opened its mouth to catch the flying chunks of meat. Stepping aside Hana crouched and watched the little bananawani finally stray from their confines nibbling on the meat as they went. 

“Look at their little legs,” Hana gushed as they plodded across the sand towards the ocean. She reached out to pet one when Bon Kurei grabbed her hand in panic,

“They will bite you.” he warned, though he shrieked as one clammered onto Hana’s lap.

“Aren’t you the cutest~” she cooed rubbing its nose softly, “come on let's get you to the ocean.” she carried it the rest of the way setting it down into the ocean. The rest of the bananawani has clambered into the mama’s mouth ready to be carried away to safety. Hana quickly ran to grab the egg from the basket “Bon-chan can you fill the little tank with barnacles and seaweed please.” she hurried towards the bananawani one last time “your egg.” The big bananawani was hesitant and nudged it gently to her “but.. I’ll look after it.” she said quietly. With that the bananawani family were on their way to freedom. Bones and Bon were busy, so she carefully placed the egg in her back without them noticing. 

“Done?” Bones asked. She nodded triumphantly “okay let's put these back, cover them and head back.” For the last section of their task, they placed the tanks back where they had taken them and pulled the covers back over them, after Hana was finished leaving a finishing touch on the big tank. Not that Bones or Bon had seen it. Nor would they see for a few days.

“Lets go!” Hana hummed happily as they headed back to the ship “Good work team.” she said nudging them both “The bananawani are free and out of the clutches of the stupid dragons-” Both Bones and Bon stopped in their tracks “what?”

“Dragons? As in Celestial Dragons?” Bon asked grabbing her shoulders in panic

“Well yes. They were going to them..and I wanted to save them.” she said shuffling nervously “It’s not like they’re going to know who took them.” she added, pulling away and carried on her merry way.

“If Croco-boy finds out we willingly helped her steal from the Celestial Dragons-” Bon looked up at Bones “he won’t find out. Our secret..” Bon sighed “we should have asked shouldn’t we?”

“It’s done now.” Bones added. 

What was to come in the following days would certainly bring the secret right out into the open. 

-

A few days later. Hana shuffled into the dining room for breakfast. Rapunzel ran straight to her, shoving the paper into her face “is that you?!” She pulled the paper away from her face to see a picture of her with her mask standing near the empty tank paintbrush in hand.

“...I suppose it does look like me-” she laughed nervously handing the paper back only to hand a wanted poster held in front of her “Oh!I have a bounty-”

“So it is you.” Rapuzel said flatly “what did you do to get a bounty that high?!”

She shrugged “who knows.” she laughed again, still inspecting the wanted poster. This is awesome. Does that make me a full fledged pirate now? 

“If the boss sees that, you’re never leaving the ship again.” Rapunzel warned “you’re a walking paycheck. Miss Halloween.” 

“Well he doesn’t need to know” she said, folding the bounty up and placing it into her pocket, then taking the page from the paper and tearing it up “He’ll never know.” she grinned.

[audliminal]

Okay but imagine how good high school musical could have been as a TV series. The longer format/episodic nature would have let us actually explore so many subplots rather than revolving the entire thing around Troy and Gabriella's relationship. We make the story arc of the full season into the production of the school musical, and then...

The songs stay, but are edited where need-be for maximum drama/hilarity, because there absolutely needs to be more musical tv shows

One subplot involves Taylor trying to get Gabriella to join the decathlon. This is still kicked off towards the beginning of the season by Sharpay's antics, but then results in series of gags over right or so episodes, where Taylor is throwing random math and shit Gabriella to solve at weird-ass times. This whole plot is played for maximum comedy.

Zeke's baking is known to the viewers from an early episode, but his friends don't find out until halfway through the season. He then starts bringing snacks to the basketball games and everyone loves them (coach teasingly admonishes Zeke for "carb-loading" his team every time, before eating one and declaring whatever he's brought "the best thing he's ever tasted). There is at least one scene where the entire team battles over the Tupperware filled with his goodies.

As a side note, the "stick to the status quo" song serves as the climax to an entire episode in which one of Sharpay's plans goes haywire. She tries to shame Gabriella and troy for not stick with their "proper" activities (ie basketball and science/math). This backfires as it does in the song, with people announcing their secret passion, but it doesn't stop with the song. The rest of the day is a mess of chaos as kids randomly interrupt class to admit their passions. On at least one occasion, a teacher shares a student's passion and they derail the rest of the class period talking about it.

Ryan is mostly not in the show at first, except for when he's assisting his sister. At around the Midway point of the season, we get to see a heart-to-heart between him and Kelsi: they're both gay, and terrified of anyone finding out. Ryan talks about his fears of fitting into the "flamboyant gay actor" trope. This scene gives us insight into his personality and helps people empathize with them. We begin to see evidence of his efforts to gently redirect/inhibit his sister from causing trouble.

Also, Gabriella and Troy still join the musical, but they aren't given main parts or anything bc They Have No Experience. Instead, we get some lovely scenes where they're both learning to do various drama things. This also becomes the build up for their relationship - Troy mostly auditioned so he could get to know Gabriella, but she auditioned because she really likes to try new things. Troy gushes to many friends about how willing she is to put herself out there.

We also find out at some point that Gabriella has Social Anxiety Disorder, probably when Sharpay accidentally triggers a panic attack. Troy helps her through it (maybe someone he knows has ptsd or something idk). When she gets embarrassed, he tells her about his adhd, in an attempt to make her feel more comfortable. This becomes an Emotional Moment(tm)

Chad and Taylor are dating at the start of the season, but towards the end they decide they make better friends and break up. Troy probably tries to comfort Chad after, and is v confused at first, when Chad isn't at all upset. "Dude, really, it's chill. Taylor and I just- aren't into each other like that, I guess. Wanna shoot some hoops?"

It's a comedy of errors involving poor administrative planning, that causes the decathlon, first night of the play, and the Big Game to all be on the same night. This happens on the final episode, and we still get to see the whole gang come together to Make It Work, but the different situations are drawn out for more comedy, plus we also actually get to see the characters Doing Good at their respective activities.

[jedifighterpilot2727]

The Rook - Chapter 2

Okay, here's chapter two!

*Tissue warning*

The song for this one is 'Snuff' by Slipknot! Even if you're not a Slipknot fan, listen because it's slow and emotional! perfectly matches the chapter!!

"And I won't listen to your shame You ran away, you're all the same Angels lie to keep control Ooh, my love was punished long ago If you still care don't ever let me know"

Snuff

After that, she starts bringing her lunch.

She’s an independent woman who doesn’t need anyone to bring her lunch.

And honestly, she would just skip the meal altogether, but she promised Kara awhile back that she would always at least try to eat lunch, and even after everything that’s happened, she can’t bring herself to break that promise.

There’s one small part of her that still believes someone cares if she skips lunch or works too late. Kara’s care for her is so ingrained that it almost feels satisfying to plop the tupperware container down on Jess’ desk.

She can take care of herself, thank you very much.

She definitely doesn’t need Kara to remind her.

“Here’s my lunch for today, so if Kara comes by, you can let her know that it’s already taken care of.”

Jess looks from the container to Lena’s face and back again.

“Did you buy tupperware just so you could bring your own lunch?”

Lena refuses to give an answer.

“If Kara comes by, let her know I already have lunch.”

“Lovers’ quarrel?” Jess asks with a smirk.

Lena huffs.

“We’re not lovers.”

“Okay, my bad, platonic friend that brings me lunch everyday and when we fight I get super competitive and insist on brining my own lunch too. Whatever you say, boss.” Jess rolls her eyes and reaches for the container before storing it in the fridge.

"I needed new glass ware anyway, and you know I’ve been trying to learn more recipes.” Lena can’t help but point out.

“Yeah, so you could make Kara homemade potstickers.”

For a brief moment, Lena regrets hiring an assistant so willing to stand up to her.

“Well, I guess she’ll regret being difficult, won’t she? Especially considering I just perfected the soy garlic sauce.”

She desperately wants to tell Jess the whole story, but she refuses to tell more people Kara’s secret identity.

“Just let me know when you want this heated up, I’ll bring it in.”

“Thanks, Jess, you’re the best.”

“That’s what you tell me!” Jess reminds  her with a wink, and Lena rolls her eyes good naturedly before heading into her office.

Some things never change.

* - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

It’s week before she finally opens up the note.

A week of it sitting on her desk, Kara’s loopy scrawl calling out to her.

She ignores it on purpose - she knows the moment she lets Kara explain herself, she’s going to fold, at least a little.

She’s a sucker for Kara, there’s no denying it, and she refuses to let a soft smile and gentle word talk her out of being angry.

She deserves to be angry.

Her best friend lied to her about something huge, and she deserves the time it takes to be mad.

It’s not fair, none of this is fair.

Her best friend lying to her about her secret identity.

Falling in love with her best friend.

Her homicidal brother revealing her best friend’s identity.

Her best friend coming clean but also confessing her love.

It’s not FAIR.

And just for once, she though life might be working in her favor.

When Kara came into her life with sunny smiles and unwavering belief, she thought things had finally changed, thought she was finally getting away from Lex’s legacy.

But no, of course Kara had to be Supergirl.

Of course her visions of a life with a way too cheerful reporter were too good to be true.

She had imagined a simple life - one where Kara would text her at 4 to make sure she’d be home by 5.

One where they’d adopt a little girl, and the worst fight she and Kara would have would be about how much help was too much help on a science project. (Kara would win, obviously).

Kara would make sure she ate lunch, and Lena would make sure Kara ate vegetables.

Kara would be there at every L-Corp press conference, and Lena would be there when Kara won a Pulitzer.

They would be a perfect match, and Lena would finally feel like she had a family -  even Alex would finally warm up to her.

But no, every vision dancing in her head had to come crashing down.

Because of course her best friend has to be Supergirl.

Nothing can be easy.

Ever since she was a little kid, she hoped to be adopted by a simple family and have a simple life. One where her mom would come to all her soccer games and her dad would show her how to change a tire.

But no, of course she didn’t get that, of course she was adopted into the Luthor’s, the most controversial family on the planet, where Lilian certainly didn’t support her, and the only thing Lionel taught her was how to hate aliens.

Something that definitely didn’t stick, fortunately.

Despite Lex’s constant rhetoric.

She somehow manages to make it through all of the shit that the Luthors throw at her, only to find out that her best  friend is Supergirl.

Of course.

She can’t escape, it’s inevitable.

So when she finally reads the note, it’s in a moment of weakness.

She can’t resist the pull.

No matter the cost, no matter the fact that she wants to hate Kara.

She can’t help it.

  Lena, I know you’re hurt and I know that I’m the reason. I also know that you need time to process, so when you’re ready to talk, just press this button and I’ll be there. Please know that I never meant to hurt you.  - Kara

She stares at it for longer than she’d like to admit.

She doesn’t know what she’s expecting.

(It’s certainly not a small button that fits in the palm of her hand, accompanied by an unwavering promise.)

It angers her, to be honest; riles up a part of her that had felt numb ever since Kara’s secret had been revealed.

How dare she, for starters.

How dare Kara try to say that she’ll be there for Lena when she’s lied to her so much over the past three years.

Like she’s some goody-two-shoes goddess and Lena is just supposed to bow to her righteousness.

Umm, no.

Lena may be a Luthor, but she’s plenty good enough on her own.

At least for Supergirl standards.

She saved the world from the Daxamite invasion; she’s saved Supergirl on numerous occasions; she helped save Sam, at one point she was working on a cure for cancer, she even killed Lex Luthor, the greatest threat to humanity for god’s sake.

So how dare Kara act holier than thou.

She’s not the one who’s been lying to her best friend for the past three years.

She drinks four glasses of Scotch that night before she can go to sleep without thinking about blue eyes.

* - - - - - - - - - -

Turns out, the more she thinks about it, the angrier she gets.

She thought that reading Kara’s note would make her cave to Kara’s point of view, when in fact it does the opposite.

She’s fueled with an anger that she doesn’t quite understand.

She’s never really believed in herself the way that she does after Kara’s betrayal. Because if Kara doesn’t believe in her, who will?

Lena will, that’s who.

She’s nothing if not determined, and she’s always been a fan of the underdog.

It just so happens that she’s the underdog.

Certainly she of all people was worthy of knowing Supergirl’s true identity.

She was Kara’s self proclaimed ‘best friend’.

Kara allegedly was in love with her.

She deserved the truth.

The truth that had been withheld from her for so long.

And now that she had the truth, she understood the saying ‘ignorance is bliss.”

But on the other hand, she was grateful for the anger, it gave her a purpose.

A purpose that came to a screeching halt at 4:45 on a Friday while she was finishing up an investor’s report.

One text message is all it took.

It had been 2 weeks and 3 days since she last heard from Kara.

And as much as she’s loathe to admit it, it hasn’t exactly been an enjoyable time.

She’s missed her friend.

No matter what happened between them; she’s missed Kara - in a way unlike she’s missed anyone else.

To never have something and to miss its existence is one thing, but to have it and it be taken away is another entirely.

So when she get’s Kara’s text as she’s finishing up donor proposals, it throws her for a loop.

She hates the way it breaks her concentration, the way it makes her glance at he phone every few minutes.

Still, she refuses to open the message; powering through the proposals before moving on to the background checks for a group of new hires.

That stings too, Alex had offered to help her with them, but she supposed that’s a moot point now.

She almost relishes skipping dinner - knowing the pout it would have brought to Kara’s face just a few weeks ago. She replaces the meal with a glass of Balvenie, and has a second for dessert,

It’s then, with the alcohol buzzing along her veins just enough to blur her judgement, that she looks at Kara’s message.

“Game night at 8, my place. I know you probably don’t want to come, but I would love to see you there. “

Glancing her watch, she sees it’s past 9:30, though she’s sure the gang is still going strong over a rousing Pictionary or the like.

Not that it matters, she wouldn’t go anyway.

The warmth of the alcohol in her stomach, settles like cold water, and another refill starts to sound like a good idea.

Kara acts like it’s an easy decision, but it’s not. As much as she craves the familiarity of game night; how is she supposed to show her face when literally everyone knew the secret but her?

It’s humiliating and degrading, and she refuses to be apart of it.                                                                                                                  

In fact, the more she thinks about it, the angrier she gets.

Not only did she get played like a fool for three years while the woman she thought was her best friend, the woman she thought she loved, lied to her face; she was just supposed to spend time with all of the people who were in on the secret?

Why?

So they could make a mockery of her?

Of her friendship?

Of her intelligence?

The great Lena Luthor, finally tricked into believing in found family, only to have it ripped away from her like some sort of cruel joke.

No.

She is not some pawn on a chess board to played for someone else’s agenda.

Not Lilian, not Lex, and not Supergirl.

And certainly not Kara, if that’s even her real name.

She supposes, in the chessboard of her life, that Supergirl is the most like the the King.

Almighty but one dimensional.

Always right, always lawful, always good.

Alex is the Bishop.

Right hand to the King, powerful in her own right, but willing to move in ways the King isn’t able to.

Up until recently, she would have considered Kara as the Queen, the most important - at least to her.

Kara is beautiful and talented and magnificent. She’s selfless and kindhearted and completely unwavering in her belief in Lena.

At least, Kara was all of those things.

Since she’s learned that Kara and Supergirl are one and the same, she isn’t quite sure how to reconcile the two in her mind.

It didn’t seem right now that someone as pure as Kara was is now tainted by the self-righteousness of Supergirl.

She never thought that Kara, her Kara, would keep such a massive secret from her for so long; and now that she knows the truth, it’s as if her world is shifted.

At one time, Lena would have considered herself the Rook - a handy asset to the King and more than willing to sacrifice herself for the Queen, but now . . .

She’s been in protective mode for so long, protecting herself, protecting Kara, protecting her company, protecting all the people that Lilian and Lex have tried to hurt, protecting Supergirl even; that she has to reorient herself to attack mode.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - The chess game on her side table is one that she and Kara have been working on for weeks.

Kara had insisted on Lena teaching her chess about six months into their friendship, and ever since, they’ve kept a game going. The first few dozen were pitifully easy - Lena’s been playing chess since she was adopted by the Luthors, and Kara was just starting.

But still, it was fun teaching and playing a game that she’s enjoyed for so long with her best friend.

Kara was an eager learner, and her sunny disposition was a fun distraction to Lena’s usual somber playing.

Not to mention, she was good.

Lena hasn’t had much of a competitor since she stopped playing with Lex when he went to college.

Much to her surprise, Kara learns quickly and easily gives Lena a run for her money.

It would be disconcerting, but she knows Kara is smarter that she looks - that her best friend holds on to her ‘dumb blonde’ persona to throw people off.

Still, as she keeps teaching Kara chess, she quickly discovers that her best friend has a knack for the game. So much so that their current game is about to end in a draw - something Lena hasn’t experienced in years.

At first, when it became apparent that the game might be headed in that direction, Lena was excited; finally a partner who could almost beat her at chess (even Jack hadn’t been able to beat her when they’d dated.). but now, as she stares at the stalemate chess board, she gets angry.

Of course Kara is good at chess.

She’s an alien from an advanced planet that probably would find chess to be a dumb children’s game.

Her whole perception of her best friend has changed since the revelation, and everything around her reminds her of that.

In fact, the whole secret is starting to feel like a cold, calculated chess move.

Frowning, she rises from her chair and moves to the lead-lined safe under her in-office bar.

She’s been working on something for months, something she thinks will finally bring Supergirl to her knees.

* - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The elevator ride to the rooftop passes in a scotch induced haze, the glass in her hand lending to her already substantial buzz.  She knows she shouldn’t, but alcohol seems to be the only way she can get through what she’s about to do.

The night breeze is cool as she steps out onto L-Corp’s rooftop, and it sends her curls flitting about her face.

She smirks, having her hair down has always been one of Kara’s weaknesses - all the more reason for her choice. The red lip, the cascading curls, the low neckline - all chosen to aid her cause.  

Breaking Supergirl’s heart.

Slowly, she makes her way to the edge of the roof, the wind getting stronger as she goes.

She takes a deep breath, downing the rest of her glass before stepping up to the edge.

Looking down, she can see all of National City stretched out before her. She can hear the honks of cars in traffic, and the distant sounds of police sirens. She kicks off her shoes onto the roof, unwilling to let them become missiles to the bystanders below.

Taking a deep breath, she steels herself for what’s about to come.

Shakily, she lowers herself to sit on the edge of the roof. She’s never been a huge fan of heights, but for this it seems fitting; meeting Supergirl on her own turf. Setting her now empty glass down beside her, she reaches for the switch Kara had left her. After a long moment, she flips it; the hairs on her arm standing at attention - either from the cold or anticipation, she isn’t sure.

Regardless, she doesn’t have to wait long until a voice sounds behind her.

“Lena?” There’s a slight panic in Supergirl’s voice, and Lena answers her without turning around.

“Relax, Supergirl, I’m not going to jump.” She turns, a smirk twisting the right side of her face. “And even if I did, you’d catch me, wouldn’t you?”

The super hero’s shoulders visibly drop, and she steps towards Lena until her boots are even with the edge, lowering herself down so that she’s sitting on the edge next to Lena, shoulders almost touching.

“Always.” Kara whispers so softly that Lena almost misses it.

There was a time when Lena would have leaned into the touch, body begging for Kara to wrap an arm around her, but now things have changed. So much that Lena fights the urge to adjust away from her -  instead sitting ramrod straight, her fingers digging into the uneven brick.

They sit in silence for a long moment before Kara finally speaks.

“I was beginning to think you’d never call for me.”

Instead of responding, Lena ignores her.

“Was game night still going?”  she asks instead.

“Yeah, we were just starting charades when you called, but  . . . you’re more important.”

That almost does Lena in.

Almost has her confessing her feelings to Kara and begging for them to start over; but she resists.

“Lena-“ Kara starts after a long moment of silence, but Lena cuts her off.

“No. You got your chance to speak, now it’s my turn. You can either listen or you can go back home.”

Kara studies her for a moment before nodding, gaze slinking back to her red boots that are swinging over the edge.

“You said you loved me.” She states, and Kara nods slowly.

“You wanna know what’s really fucked up about the whole thing?” she continues, but Kara stays silent. “I love you too.”

Kara straightens, her cape fluttering in the wind.

“Or, I loved the person I thought you were.”

Even from profile, she can see the way Kara’s brow crinkles.

“I’ve never had someone stick up for me the way you do. You were my absolute best friend, and I always wondered what would happen if I told you how I really felt.”

Kara’s head whips around, and even in the darkness, Lena can feel eyes on her face.

Swallowing down her fear, she turns to face Kara head on.

“Did you know how much I loved you? Did you know that every time I looked at you I saw the possibility of forever? That I saw the one person who trusted me explicitly?”

Kara’s eyes fill with tears and Lena almost caves. Instead, she rises to her feet. Kara quickly follows, and they stand face to face at the edge of the L-Corp roof.

"I loved Kara Danvers so much. But you? I don’t even know you.”

“Lena. . . “

“I loved you!” Lena shouts. “I would have died for you! But you wouldn’t even tell me who you really are! How am I supposed to trust you?! How am I supposed to build a future with someone who doesn’t even trust me?!”

“I hate -“ She chokes off, unable to finish her thought. “I hate your stupid hair and your stupid suit. I wish Supergirl had never been created.” Kara’s face falls even further, and Lena’s anger only grows.

“Lena, please don’t - “ Kara’s hands reach out for her, squeezing the air between them. “Just let me explain.”

“You had your chance to explain. These are the consequences.” She reaches into her pocket, pulling out the lead lined pouch. Kara’s eyes flick to the pouch, and she can see the other woman fight the urge to shift away.

Carefully, she reaches in and pulls out two necklaces, one laid with sapphire, and the other with ruby.

“Remember that movie night? When you said you always wanted friendship necklaces but you never had a best friend?  I made us these, because you were my best friend. I was going to give them to you a few weeks ago, but then Lex told me the truth. I don’t have any use for them anymore.” She thrusts the necklaces in Kara’s direction, and the superhero looks at them for a long moment before taking them, the white gold chains dangling delicately between her fingers.

Her heart jumps at the broken look that creases Kara’s face. She shouldn’t feel excited at her friend’s broken heart, but she can’t help the satisfaction that soothes her own heartbreak.

This is exactly what she wanted.

Supergirl broken in front of her.

Feeling all of the hurt that she had inflicted on Lena.

“Which one is mine?” Kara hiccups.

“The blue one, because it matches your eyes.” Lens says softly, fighting against the emotion that threatens to break her voice.

Kara’s fingers clench around the necklaces and she starts to speak, but Lena stops her with a hand on her arm.

“I loved you so much.” She whispers. “But I can’t be with someone who doesn’t trust me.”

“Lena -“ Kara starts but Lena ignores her, stepping in to place a gentle kiss to the corner of her mouth.

“Goodbye, Kara Danvers. I’ll never forget you.” Her fingers linger against the strong bicep, but after one last squeeze, she turns away; ears deaf to Kara’s pleas as she walks back to the elevator.

When she gets back to her office, she sweeps an arm across the chessboard, sending all the pieces flying.

* - - - - - - - - -

If CatCo news helicopters were out that night, they would see a strange sight, Supergirl collapsed on the roof of L-Corp, sobs shaking her body; sapphire and ruby glinting between her fingers.

[smokedstorybara]

The Completely Unrelated Adventures Of Four People Who Had Nothing To Do With Each Other Beforehand

Book One, Chapter One

First Draft

———————————————————————

Everyone in Whiteshoal knows Mia Thomson. Or at least, everyone knows about Mia Thomson.

Her ma and pa separated when I was real young cause he had to travel for his job and then several years back Mia’s ma had an accident at the mine and Mia had to go live with her pa. Nobody’s seen her since till the two moved back into town earlier this year.

Everyone says something’s a little off about Mia Thomson and her pa but whatever it is I ain’t seen it yet.

So when Mia Thomson came to class one monday with a big stack of birthday party invitations I made sure to express how thoughtful she was to invite everyone and assure her that I would most definitely be going. Several of our classmates seemed to change their minds about saying anything, which was a right shame.

~~

“Cupcakes?”

I turned from my mixing bowl to see my baby sister Lucy standing in the doorway, her eyes huge and staring at the baking sheet I had out and ready for the batter.

“Yep! A friend’s birthday is tomorrow so I’m baking cupcakes for the party!” I turned back to mixing.

There was a long pause before I heard a quiet “Ok.”

I glanced back at Lucy to see her stare had turned to her feet.

As I poured the batter onto the pan I said “I’ll make some extra just for you, how’s that?” I put the first pan into the oven. “We can have them with our Sunday Evening Icecreams!”

When I looked back again Lucy was grinning brightly.

~~

It was a long walk to the Thomson house, especially carrying tupperware full with cupcakes, but it was mighty pleasant. Mia and her pa lived in a pretty Victorian house towards the edge of town, right across the creek that runs around the town and past my house. I coulda just followed the creek right to it if I weren’t concerned about messing up me and Lucy’s gorgeous frosting work.

When I rang the doorbell there was a shout from inside and the sound of someone running to the door. It swung open wildly to a beaming Mia wearing a bright yellow sundress.

“I brought cupcakes!” I lifted the tupperware higher with a big smile.

“Yesss!!!!” Mia grabbed the cupcakes and stepped aside so I could enter. “So far only Viv, Annie, Mackensie, Jorges, and Andres are here but I’m sure more people will come later!”

“More cupcakes for the rest of us.” I heard Vivian say from the other room.

After closing the door behind me, Mia crossed the foyer to the doorway Vivian’s voice had come from. “Do you wanna have the cupcakes now or wait for more people to arrive?” She turned back to look at me.

I shrugged, “Now’s good.”

As we entered what appeared to be a sitting room, though it was filled with enough books for me to question that, our classmate Jorges called out. “Yes! The later you come the less cupcakes you get!”

Mackensie and Annie giggled.

Andres gave me a sharp and desperate look and I went right over and sat next to him. He sighed, sitting back in the plush old sofa.

“I’m glad you agreed to come!” I whispered to him. He looked down at his hands, even though there wasn’t anything interesting there. “I never see you at any kind of social event.”

His gaze snapped back to me, his brow furrowed in the cute way it always did when I’ve missed something he considers obvious.

“Ever considered you don’t see me cause I don’t go? Because I don’t enjoy them?”

I pouted playfully until he sighed again and looked away to grab us cupcakes.

Over on the other couch the girls were pausing from asking Mia about her travels with her pa to take their first bites of the cupcakes. Jorges was already reaching for seconds, his first shoved firmly in his mouth.

Annie came over and sat on the arm of me and Andres’s sofa while Mackensie called Jorges gross over his eating habits.

“Did your ma bake these? They’re really good!” Annie smiled brightly, holding up the half cupcake she had left.

Andres snorted. “Zack’s ma doesn’t bake.” He stated.

“Oh, Ma bakes sometimes,” I corrected him. “Just not cupcakes!”

“Or cake-cakes, or cookies, or anything worth eating really.” Vivian chimed in from the other couch. “Zack does most the cooking and baking in his family.”

The others all turned to me.

“Really?” Mia asked. “Did you make these? You must be a very good baker.”

I smiled and shrugged. “I mostly just bake pizza.”

“You know how to bake pizza?” Jorges gasped, hand coming up to rest flat against his chest. He then turned to Mia. “Whatever the plan was for dinner can we deviate and ask Zack to make pizza?”

Mia’s grin grew. “I’ve got a better idea! Zack, would you be willing to teach us how to make pizza?” she leaned forward with her hands clasped beneath her chin. “It would be the best birthday present ever! Even better than the time Dad took me to the Parthenon.”

I felt Andres slump further back on the sofa beside me and my smile spread to match Mia’s. “Of course. Anythin’ for the Birthday Girl.”

~~

A couple hours, a complete mess of a kitchen, three pizzas, and a number of conversations later Mackensie had to leave, and then Annie and Jorges.

I was getting ready to offer to stay to help clean up since the party seemed to be over when Vivian beat me to it. Of course that didn’t stop me from offering anyway.

In the end even Andres stayed to help. With the four of us it went much faster than it would’ve with just me and Mia.

I was putting the last stack of cleaned dishes away in the bottom cabinet when I noticed something odd.

Now I spend a fair amount of time in kitchens. I really like kitchens. So I know it ain’t exactly normal for a cabinet’s back to not be the kitchen wall.

There was at least half a foot of difference between the back of the cabinet and where the counter met the wall.

Wondering if there was anything there, I placed the dishes on the floor beside me and knocked gently on the back of the cabinet.

It sounded hollow.

“What are you doing?” Vivian leaned against the counter above me.

“I think there might be somethin’ back here.”

Vivian scoffed. “Yeah, it’s called a wall.” she rolled her eyes with a half smile. “Idiot.”

“No, I mean between the back of the cabinet and the kitchen wall. Come down here and listen.” I waited for everyone to gather around me before knocking again. “That sounds hollow doesn’t it?”

Andres stared, his head tilted slightly. “Yeah… it does.” he said slowly. He reached forward and pressed against the back of the cabinet.

“Maybe it’s some kind of secret door!” Mia looked around at all of us “we should get the dishes out so we can check!”

Me and Andres carefully removed all the dishes and put them up on the counter while Mia started investigating the back of the cabinet.

Eventually we heard a small “fwop” and Mia pulled a section of the cabinet wall out into the kitchen.

We all crowded back around the cabinet to see what was hidden behind the false wall, hearts pounding and eyes wide.

It was a small compartment, not much bigger than a shoebox, covered in dust and cobwebs and empty but for one thing leaning upright against the wall.

We stared in total silence at the large old leatherbound book we’d uncovered.