#and it picked up only after I restarted the laptop twice

[errantgoat]

Baldur's Gate 3 Early Access finished downloading. >:3 I shall wait for the full release next week because the save files will be incompatible anyways, but IT IS DONE.

Anyways I decided on an OC, I will retire my boys for now and gonna go with a Circle of the Spores Druid, pretty much a self insert, but the subclass philosophy spoke to me and I haven't gone with a self insert in ages.

[phantomdoofer]

Chapter 5: Ricordi

Peppino carefully taped the sign to the front door of the pizzeria:

We will be closing at 4 PM for family business. Thank you for you continued support!

Peppino smiled as he unlocked the door. While he hated closing early twice in one week, this was too important. A lot has happened. He was actually quite proud of that sign. He'd printed it on the new computer and printer Gustavo had convinced him to buy. It was a cheap, small laptop, but before he hadn't even been able to afford it. Small steps lead to big things, Pino.

He heard the back door open as Gustavo came in. "Buongiorno, amico!" Peppino called. "How are you feeling today?"

"Bene, amico, grazie." He looked at the sign. "See you finally took my advice. Going to see Mama tonight, eh?"

"Sì," Peppino replied. "It's been too long. And with this whole clone business, she's wanted to see me in person."

She'd tried to call him the day before. Gustavo needed me, though. When he'd called her back, they'd had a short discussion about what Giuseppe had told her. "Come see me soon," she'd told him. "There are things I want to say face-to-face."

Of course, he'd already decided to do that. But Mamas will be Mamas.

The bell jingled as a customer walked in. As Peppino turned to greet them he heard a scratchy voice say, "Buenos dias, fat boy. Saw the sign, you going out of business again already?"

Oh Mio Dio, I do not need this stronzo today. He resisted the urge to punch the Noise directly in his toothy maw. "Like the sign says, I've got family business. Are you here to order? Otherwise, get out." Both Peppino and Gustavo crossed their arms. Peppino felt a vein on his forehead begin to throb as he worked to control his temper.

The Noise, of course, was unfazed. "Ah, fat man, you know I keep this place running! Why, I practically own it!"

After the Tower, Noise had made a lot of money on franchising deals, which he'd used to restart NTV. He'd invested in the land around his studio, and a lot of the Tower residents lived there. Not me, though. "I'll say it one more time. Order or leave."

"That's no way to talk to a paying customer! I outta-"

Suddenly a goopy, dripping arm reached down from the air vent, grabbing Noise by the head. He started shrieking as the hand flung the little creep out the door and across the street. As Noise picked himself up, Fake Peppino oozed down, waved, and ran outside, chasing the screaming Noise down the street and out of sight.

Peppino climbed down from out of Gustavo's arms, where he'd leapt in abject terror at the sudden appearance of the goopy clone. He wiped the sweat from his brow. "That thing still gives me the shivers."

"I noticed." Gustavo was trying not to grin. "Let's get to work, eh?"

~~~~

Peppino's scooter whirred its way down the side of the highway, a pair of freshly-made pizzas strapped to the back. His Mama had asked for them. Reminds her of Papa, she said. As he puttered along, he remembered the years where she had cared for him, after the war. Always either drunk off my ass, picking fights, or huddled in a corner. They had been bad years, and she'd been infinitely patient. Then, she had suffered some kind of attack. The doctors told Peppino it had been stress. His guilt had driven him even deeper. Only caring for her had kept him from trying to finally join his lost brothers.

One day, cleaning an old closet, he'd found his Papa's old recipe book, flipped through it, and found a note.

Pino, as I write this, I don't have much time left. The disease will take me before you reach seven. Your Mama, bless her soul, cannot accept my passing. I, myself, only regret not being here for the two of you. From your first cry, I set aside my dream for a new one: to ensure your happiness. I do not know when you will find this. But know that I think you have it in you to be great. You have always been my light, my inspiration. I hope you will be the man I dream you will be. I love you, my son.

On that day, Peppino had received a blessing from beyond the grave, and it gave him strength enough to drag out of the abyss. He'd worked to improve his skills, gotten his health back, gone back to school, and received his food license. He'd taken out the first loan, and opened the pizzeria. A copy of the letter was in his wallet. The original was with his Mama.

I wonder if she remembered to show it to Giuseppe when he visited. Probably not. Her memory is spotty these days, and there were a lot of other things to talk about.

His stopped his scooter at the bike rack outside his Mama's apartment. Locking it, he grabbed the pizzas, looked up, and took a deep breath. She already knows, Pino. The worst is already over. He walked up the steps, found her door, and knocked loudly.

When she opened the door, his heart sank, as as it always did, at the tiny, frail woman she had become. "Ah, Pino, il mio piccolino. I was getting worried that little scooter had broken down on you."

He kissed her on each cheek. "Not yet, Mama. How are you?"

In response, she took the pizzas and walked them to the table. "Oh, you know. Other than being an dried-up vecchia who sometimes can't remember what day it is, I'm doing well." She tottered to a cabinet, grabbed two glasses, and turned. "Will you take vino tonight, Peppino?"

"Just a little tonight, Mama," he said. He was careful about his drinking - while he didn't abstain, he'd drank several vineyards and breweries dry before he'd cleaned up. But he felt safe doing it here. She poured for both, then they sat down to dinner.

As they ate, and the pleasant buzz of inebriation softened his mind, she looked at him. "Your brother had a lot to say."

I bet. "Well, he's been kept away for thirty years, after all. That's a lot to catch up on."

She set down the slice she had. "I could not believe him at first. The lies, the secrecy. But he knew things that only we would know. And he looked so like you." She looked down. "But his life has been so hard. Not that your life hasn't been as well, Pino," she added hastily.

Peppino swallowed the slice he'd been chewing. "He told me some of it. We've both been through a grinder, in our own ways." He patted her hand. "It's OK, Mama. I think I've come to terms with... who and what I am. You don't have to walk on eggshells around me."

The elderly woman visibly relaxed. "I'm glad. I was so worried when I was told. Your mind was so fragile after you came back from the war. I know you have worked to be better, but I see it in your eyes." She reached across the table and cupped his cheek. "You still struggle. The darkness still sits in you. You miss your fratelli, the ones you lost in the war. You miss your Papa. And now this clone business. I worried that you would fall again. And this time you might not come back." She leaned back. "So I slapped him. For what he was putting you through."

Peppino leaned back. "But he's your son. Your actual son."

"Are you not as well?" she said. "You started out as him, yes? I raised you, held you when you cried, lifted you up. You are also my son, regardless of how you started, Pino," She smiled. "That has not changed."

Peppino felt tears well up again. "Grazie, Madre." He stood up and gently hugged his mother. "I don't deserve you."

"È una sciocchezza," she said.

They ate in silence for a few minutes. Then Peppino said, "so you slapped him. A decorated special forces Major?"

She laughed. "Sì. He took it like a champion, too." She sighed. "Then I hugged him just as hard. He acts strong, but I can see in many ways he is still just as emotional as you, Pino. He is simply better at hiding it." She looked sad. "Even after so long, I can see when my sons are sad. He misses his friends, too. He's had to watch too many go out to die. He's had to send them. It weighs on him."

Peppino remembered the tired eyes, the slumped shoulders. I don't know if I could do that.

She leaned forward again. "Pino, you and I both know my time is limited. I want to tell you - be there for your brother. He will need you, and while he is strong, he is even more alone. You have your business, your dream, your friend. Soon, he will have nothing but you."

"Don't be silly, you've got years left in you!" Peppino knew it was a lie, but he couldn't, he refused to say the truth out loud. I don't know what I will do without you.

She smiled. "Still you hide, ragazzo. You know the truth." She smiled again. "I no longer have any regrets, now that you have a life to live. I know your Papa is proud of you." She looked at the wall, where the letter was framed. "He told you himself, after all."

She stood, and took the letter down. "Pino, I want you to take this with you."

Peppino gently took the frame. "But why?"

"To give to your brother," she replied. "I forgot it when he visited before. He will likely see you soon. He said something big was coming soon, and he wanted to be with you when it happened. So give it to him then. It is something he needs to see - just as much as you did."

"Sì, Mama," Peppino replied. "I think he does."

"Then I am content. Come, let's sit and watch TV for a while. You should not drive until you're safe." She grinned wickedly. "You have enough drunkenness on your record."

He laughed. "Ottimo, Madre. If that's how you want it."

They sat and watched TV for hours, reminiscing about everything and nothing.

As Peppino drove home in the dark, he thought of the letter strapped tightly to the back of the scooter. A letter from a man who never knew his blessing would apply twice.

It wouldn't have mattered to him, Peppino thought. Not a bit.

<<Previous/Next>>

[thornedrose44]

What Would It Take?

Read on AO3

Their friendship was stronger than it had ever been but it was also so, so, so different to what it once was for Kara.

They were open and honest about their day, their fears, their hopes… everything. And with all that came vulnerability, laying yourself bare and exposed. 

For Lena, things were probably no different to the last time, she had always been open, had never hidden away parts of herself from Kara Danvers, had been honest about her relationship with Lex and all the positives and negatives that came with that.

But for Kara this was an entirely new experience. 

Previously, Kara had kept her walls up and had hidden her defences behind lies and subterfuge. She would empathise with Lena but never reveal shared experiences, would keep her loss and pain close to the chest, would allude but never directly explain. Now, Kara was Kara Zor-El with Lena. There were no shadows to hide in, nor half-formed lies and rushed excuses to duck behind. She was no longer keeping a part of herself hidden away and protected.

When they re-started their friendship it came with the understanding that there would be no more lies or secrets between them. That for their friendship to work it had to be built on honesty at its most fundamental level.

With that agreement in place, over the course of their first few interactions, Kara came to a realisation that broke her.

It was the realisation that this (honesty and openness) was easier for Lena to do than it was for Kara. It was the realisation that Kara didn’t know how to have a relationship without some kind of secret to hide behind; even with Alex there were no-go topics and parts of themselves neither wanted to share. It was the realisation that Lena had time and time again, prior to the reveal, put herself out there thinking Kara was stood by her side, equally exposed and vulnerable. 

With that realisation came a whole swathe of emotions.

Guilt.

Shame.

Pain.

Confusion.

But there also came a commitment.

A commitment to meet Lena halfway. To let herself be truly vulnerable with another person. Not just for Lena but for herself.

With that commitment came a strong friendship. A real one. More real than any Kara had ever had before.

Kara no longer filtered her thoughts to hide parts of herself. She spoke her mind and that… that was where the trouble really started.

For a number of reasons.

“Rao, you look beautiful.” 

“Your mind is incredible.”

“You’re so graceful and elegant.”

“Lena, you’re just… fantastic, have I told you that recently?”

“I adore your eyes.”

All of those were said in a single day. Scratch that, a two hour period. Games Night to be exact. 

Kara hadn’t even known she was doing it, let alone that frequently, until Nia had jumped into the air shouting “Bingo” after Kara had complimented Lena’s hair. Turns out the Superfriends (Kara was thinking of retracting that title) had started a ‘Compliment Bingo’ that they had been playing in secret for the last three months to capitalise on Kara’s tendency to sing Lena’s praises (literally singing Lena’s praises was on Alex and Brainy’s bingo charts and had won them the game at least twice). Nia and Alex had confessed all of this to Kara rather sheepishly after Lena had been pulled back to L-Corp to handle a business crisis following Nia’s ‘bingo’ exclamation.

Bingo-gate probably should have put an end to the compliments but by that point Kara had become somewhat addicted to the pink blush that would dust Lena’s lovely cheeks whenever Kara blurted out a compliment without thinking (having put her filter aside at the restart of their friendship).

 See, the thing is… the big realisation at the restart of their friendship wasn’t just about Kara’s sudden self reflection nor her guilt for the earlier handling of her friendship with Lena. They were big parts, huge even, but they weren’t everything. And they weren’t the part that was plaguing Kara now, six months later. 

The big realisation, the actual one that had come with having Lena in her life in a full and complete way after being deprived for so long, after thinking that she might never have her back again, never hold her hand, never hug her was… 

Love.

Kara loved her.

The big kind of love.

The love Alex had been telling her about over the course of countless sister nights when it came to Maggie and now to Kelly.

The kind of love that meant every time you looked at them you saw something that was just so perfect and wonderful that you can barely keep the words of adoration back (not that Kara even tried to anymore). The kind of love that meant you wanted them safe and cared for. 

And despite six months of carefully reconstructed friendship. Six months of coming to grips with the big realisation. Six months of being vulnerable with Lena. Six months of her eyes being open to a new reality where she was in love with her best friend.

Six life-changing months and it never even crossed her mind that Lena could feel the same way about her.

That was until today...

Today, Kara was going food shopping and, since she was also getting snacks for games night later that evening, Lena had offered to come along and help. 

It was something that had become standard between them now. Keeping each other company for random chores and daily life excursions. Kara accompanied Lena to the gym to provide the CEO with light conversation and motivation despite not receiving any tangible benefit from the activity (though Kara found the sight of Lena, with a light sheen of sweat, stretching after a workout was a reward beyond anything she could have imagined). Lena, meanwhile, helped Kara with her taxes and happily kept Kara company when she had to sort out her laundry. 

Kara had never had a friendship like this before. All of her other friendships (not including Alex) had required that there was some form of entertainment to go alongside every interaction. With Lena, there was no longer that pressure there. Lena would happily work away on her laptop whilst Kara edited her recent article without complaint, in fact, the raven-haired woman seemed to likewise appreciate how at ease they both felt when silent. 

Therefore, when Lena offered to come food-shopping with her, Kara didn’t think twice about saying yes. 

Kara worried her bottom lip as she looked between the two loaves of bread. One was freshly baked and still slightly warm to the touch. The other was store-branded, squashed on one side and far less appetising but it was a dollar cheaper. Kara let out a regretful sigh, as she put back the warm new loaf and grabbed two of the cheaper variety. Kara headed back to the trolley, tossing in her latest picks before dropping her gaze to scrutinise her scribbled list of items.

“Why didn’t you buy the other one?” Lena asked, breaking the comfortable silence between them.

“Hmm…” Kara hummed, glancing over at the raven haired woman who had an unreadable expression on her face.

“The other loaf of bread.”

“This one’s cheaper.” Kara replied gesturing to the squashed loaves in the trolley.

“Why not get both?” Lena prompted.

“I don’t need both.”

“You may not need that particular loaf but you definitely need more than two.” Lena asserted, moving forward to lean against the side of Kara’s trolley, bringing her into Kara’s space. 

Kara barely held back the ‘Rao, your eyes are the purest green’ that flitted through her mind as she struggled to stay focused on the rather bizarre conversation she was having right now. “I only ever buy two.” Kara pointed out.

“Yes but you need more.” Lena insisted, her gaze narrowing.

“I do?” Kara said dumbly, uncertain where Lena’s intensity was coming from.

“Yes!” Lena declared, “With the number of calories you burn through due to your ‘extra-curricular’ activities, you require a far more substantive intake that what you are currently acquiring for yourself.” 

“Huh?” Kara blinked, she had definitely been listening but her attention had been only half on what Lena was saying; the other half had been on the way Lena’s long, delicate fingers twisted around the wired bars of the trolley so elegantly. 

“Kara…” Lena sighed, her green eyes going soft and melancholic in that particular way that always made Kara’s heart flutter and twist in her chest as if it wanted to reach out itself to soothe the other woman. “The amount of food you have in your trolley and how much you intend to buy are nowhere near enough to cover your daily requirements. If my calculations are correct, you need to be buying out the entire store every other week.”

Kara’s face reddened with embarrassment at the far too accurate assessment causing her to rub the back of her neck nervously.

It was the fact that they had promised to be honest with one another in tandem with the destruction of Kara’s filter when it came to Lena, that resulted in the following words coming out of the blonde’s mouth so easily, “Shockingly enough, not everyone can buy an entire store.” 

Kara hadn’t said it to be cruel or to disparage Lena’s own wealthy status. It wasn’t about that.

It was simply an honest statement. 

One which revealed far more about Kara’s financial woes than she had ever let anyone find out. Not even Alex knew how Kara struggled to afford the food costs that came with being Supergirl. Alex had never joined the dots that Kara’s increased power usage would require an increased calorie count. 

One which Kara frequently struggled to afford. 

Lena, however, had already made the connection if the unsurprised look on her face at Kara’s response was anything to go by. 

“What would it take for you to let me pay for it?” Lena questioned cutting right to the chase. 

Kara was suddenly struck with the clarity that this was why Lena had requested to come with her to the supermarket in the first place.

“No, Lena, you can’t.” Kara rejected without even bothering to consider it as an option.

“Why not?” Lena tilted her head to the side expectantly, obviously wanting a clear cut reason, “Is it pride?”

“You’re my friend.” Kara reasoned futilely.

“Your friend, who wants to help.” Lena pointed out.

“It’s too much.” Kara tried instead.

“It’s food, Kara.” Lena said simply, “It’s a basic necessity that is never too much.” Lena reached out and placed a hand atop of Kara’s one that was tightly gripping her list of food that she could afford. Lena’s touch was gentle and grounding. “It is the bare minimum especially considering all you do for this city.”

Kara shook her head, dropping her gaze to the ground, “I don’t do that expecting anything in return.”

“I know that, that’s one of the reasons why I-” Lena’s voice cut off causing Kara to look up sharply at her, “Just...” Lena huffed out a breath of frustration, “Just tell me what it would take.”

“Lena…”

“What would it take?” Lena pushed.

“Why does it matter so much?” Kara asked instead of answering, switching the focus around. “I’ve been fine for years like this, Lena. Why does it matter?”

“Why does it matter?!” Lena spluttered, looking positively outraged. “It matters because it’s you. It matters because you deserve to have as much food as you need without worrying about paying rent. It matters because you matter. It matters because I-” Lena paled, biting down on her bottom lip hard.

“Because you?” Kara whispered, blue eyes wide with shock and hope as her heart hammered against the cage of her chest.

Lena opened and closed her mouth, her whole body tense and rigid before she exhaled deeply causing her entire being to deflate in acceptance and her head to hang, depriving Kara of bright green, “We promised each other honesty.” Lena muttered helplessly to herself, before she raised her chin determinedly, “Because I love you.”

The whole world went still. Everything went quiet. And Kara completely forgot how to breathe as Lena, yet again, took that first step of vulnerability. Yet again ventured forward, tearing down her own walls, to do something Kara didn’t know how to do. 

Rao, Kara was in total awe of this woman.

This woman she adored. This woman that loved her.

This woman that made her want to strip away all her armour so that all of her could feel what it was like to bask in the presence of the one and only Lena Luthor.

“It matters for all the other reasons I said as well.” Lena continued, utterly unaware of how she had caused Kara’s entire being to unravel. “But it also matters because I love you and I can’t do nothing, Kara. I can’t do nothing when I have the very means to help you. So, please, please, please just tell me what it would take. Tell me what-”

Lena’s demands were cut off yet again.

Though this time it wasn’t her own doing, but Kara’s.

Kara’s lips pressed against hers to be exact. 

It was there in the bread aisle of the local supermarket that Kara Zor-El did the first thing in her life solely as and for herself. The first time that Kara Zor-El was simply Kara Zor-El with no barriers, no armour, no secrets… and the free version of her wanted nothing more than to kiss the woman she loved.

So she did.

And it was… transcendent…

Kara cupped Lena’s cheeks with her hands so, so, so gently. She wasn’t keeping her in place or even guiding, her palms were barely brushing Lena’s skin but Kara had never needed something so much, to feel like she had her whole world safely cherished in her hands. 

Lena’s lips were soft and pliable and Kara took so much care in mapping them out. Finding out how to slot their lips so that they fit perfectly together. Where to apply pressure to cause Lena’s breath to stutter. How to coax Lena’s lips gently open with the lightest swipe of her tongue.

Kara eventually pulled back an infinitesimal distance, parting so that their lips were just out of touch and their foreheads resting against each other. 

“Marry me.” Kara breathed out.

“What?” Lena gasped, jerking backwards, green eyes wide and kiss-swollen lips parted in shock.

Kara laughed gleefully as she dropped her hands away from Lena’s face to wrap them around the other woman’s waist and pull her close. 

“Did… did you-” Lena stuttered.

“Answer your question.” Kara grinned, pressing swift and delicate kisses to Lena’s jaw.

“My question?” Lena murmured, turning her head to the side to allow Kara a path down her neck.

“What would it take.” Kara muttered, nipping at Lena’s tendon and producing a sharp intake of breath. “For you to buy the whole store for me every other week.”

“Oh…” Lena leaned back to arch a sharp eyebrow at the blonde as a mischievous smile took over her face, “Well, now I have a goal to work towards.”

Kara’s eyes crinkled at the edges with joy, “Yeah, I guess you do.”

[triptychexe]

TITLE: Part-Time Job

SUMMARY: on Triptych House Season 1, the S.O.T girls try to promote Triptych by working at a popular cafe in Seoul. If they succeed in all their missions, they get banners and advertisements placed inside and outside the cafe. Can they pull it off?  GENRE: comedy PAIRING: platonic!s.o.t ot3 WORD COUNT: 1.0k A/N: this is a repost from before I restarted my blog. If you feel like you’ve read this before, chances are you probably have. I tweaked it just a little bit but it’s essentially the same. not my best, but it brings back memories. enjoy! 

JULY 2015 

Nia pretended to busy herself while she waited for the other two girls upstairs to make a decision on how they were going to complete their mission. They had to get someone to ask “are you an idol?” for them to pass this round.

 “Okay, Nia, are you listening?” Yen’s voice said in Nia’s ear.

 “Yeah, you have a plan?” Nia asked, pressing the little earpiece inward so she could hear her member more clearly.

 “You’re not gonna like this, but go sing your verse in Wasabi right next to that elderly woman in the corner.” Yen said, her voice cracking with suppressed giggles. Nia inwardly groaned and looked over at the elderly woman sipping her tea. 

 “The song is sexy though.” Nia whispered. On the other end, Zim and Yen started laughing hysterically.  “Old people wanna feel sexy too! Now go!” Zim took the mic.

Nia silently apologized to the woman in her head as she walked over to a nearby table and started wiping it down.

 “Oh baby oh, I can feel you hating on me~” Nia sang, looking up at the elderly woman and winking. The elderly woman gave her an uncomfortable smile back.

“WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!” Yen laughed loudly in her ear. “That was so disturbing, don’t ever do that again.” Zim teased. Nia ignored them.

“You have a nice voice.” The elderly woman complimented her. “Thank you!” Nia blushed and bowed politely.

 “You remind me of one of those idol singers my grandson likes- young and pretty.” The elderly woman smiled kindly. Nia bowed and thanked the woman again, a little too flustered to answer in a correct sentence. “Alright, you’re clear, come back upstairs.” Yen said in Nia’s earpiece.

 “Yen looks like a part-timer!” Nia exclaimed. Yen grinned and leaned into the camera behind the register, showing off her look to the viewers. “Do I actually?” Yen asked, fixing her ponytail. 

 “Yes, a very vain one.” Zim jokes. “Now, your mission is to dance to Wasabi and try to get other people to dance along with you.” 

 “Easy.” Yen said, instantly walking away from the counter and going out onto the patio where several people were eating.

 “Our maknae is so shameless.” Nia said in awe. Yen got into position outside and without being told twice, started doing the choreography to their debut track. Several of the cafe customers gave her suspicious looks, but Yen didn’t mind. They could stare all they wanted. Their attention on her only fueled her ego.

 “Ah, I don’t think I can watch.” Zim’s voice said, but Yen ignored it. She wanted to finish this mission successfully. 

 After dancing to nearly the whole song, Nia’s voice rang through her earpiece. 

 “Look, look! Over there on the sidewalk!” She said. Yen looked over to see two young girls mimicking her dance moves. When Yen finished dancing, she clapped for the two young girls, bowing in thanks. After the teenagers asked for a picture with Yen, she dashed upstairs, already taking her apron off. 

 “You weren’t even embarrassed!” Nia said in amazement as her groupmate took off the earpiece and handed it to Zim.

 “Of course I wasn’t.” Yen smirked. “Who wouldn’t want to see me dance for free?” 

 “Viewers are going to think you’re a brat.” Nia frowned. For the first time since they started recording, the tension between the girls suddenly stiffened.

 “Nah, the viewers love me.” Yen shrugged off the comment, shooting an exaggerated wink to the camera.

 “What’s with all the winking?” Zim asked, shaking her head. “If I’ve learned one thing today, it’s that none of us should wink. Ever.” “Shut up and get out there.” Yen smirked, thankful that her groupmate was trying to break the tension up. “The customers are waiting.” 

 Zim was handing a hot coffee over to a customer when Nia’s voice crackled to life in her ear. “Alright, your assignment is to get someone to say the word ‘wasabi’.” Nia said.

 “This is so unfair.” Zim groaned quietly, turning her back away from the customers. “There’s no way I’ll be able to do this.”

 “You have to. If you don’t, I’ll kill you for messing this up for us.” Yen threatened. Zim rolled her eyes, but she got out from behind the counter and started thinking. Looking around, she noticed there was an attractive guy sitting alone at a table near the window. Was she really gonna risk it all for a mission?

 “Hello,” She smiled, walking up to him. The man smiled at her awkwardly, but still politely. 

 “What are you doing?” Nia asked, her tone sounded nervous. “Zim, please don’t do what I think you’re gonna do.” 

 “Are you busy?” Zim asked, referring to the open laptop in front of him. The man shook his head and closed the computer half way.

 “Do you mind playing a game with me?” Zim asked, trying not to let her nerves show through. This was one of the most embarrassing things she’s ever done.

 “Jesus christ.” Yen’s voice muttered in Zim’s ear, which didn’t help the girls' nerves.

 “Sure.” The man said, still smiling politely.

 “What’s green, hot, and tastes good?” Zim asked.

 “Oh I thought you were going to try a pick up line or-” Nia’s voice got cut off by the man’s response.

 “I don’t know… You?” He asked. Zim furrowed her brow in confusion, but then she looked down. The apron she had on was bright green.

 “Oh, no, I meant like… A food.” Zim’s face turned pink. The man’s cheeks flushed red as well.

 “Oh, then uh… Wasabi?” He guessed timidly.

 “Yes! Thank you!” Zim clapped her hands together in what looked like a prayer. “I’m so sorry I put you through that. This is a hidden camera show.” She gestured to one of the cameras that was placed in the corner of the room. Even after the explanation, the man didn’t seem any less embarrassed, but he was a good sport about it. Zim thanked him one more time before running upstairs and flopping on the couch beside her group mates. She screamed into a pillow while her members laughed hysterically at her.

 “I thought you were supposed to be the chill one of our group!” Nia said between giggles.

 “Me too.” Zim said bitterly, her voice still muffled by the pillow.

[kagehinataboke]

only time will tell - chapter 4

“You’re fucking late. Again.” As usual, Katsuki is waiting in the classroom when Todoroki arrives, fifteen minutes late and in a cold sweat. Katsuki is wearing a basketball jersey—he’s on the school team, apparently—red track pants, and sneakers. His ever-present scowl seems especially sour today.

Todoroki takes off his backpack and clips his sunglasses to the collar of his shirt. “Sorry. I had to run here from a shoot.” He turns to the remedial students scattered around the room, plastering on a smile. “Did everyone wait long?”

All the girls immediately shake their heads, and even some of the boys, albeit reluctantly. Todoroki flashes Katsuki a smug look, and he clicks his tongue in annoyance. Over the past week, Todoroki has been late to nearly every remedial session—and Katsuki isn’t happy, to say the least.

It’s not like Todoroki can help it: his agent basically ignored him when he asked her for an easier schedule. He has photoshoots or interviews nearly every day after school, so he has to run back to make it to the remedial lessons at six. He didn’t even have time to change today, so he’s still in the ripped jeans, collared blue shirt, and brown cardigan they put him in for the shoot. He even still has makeup on, although it’s probably been ruined by sweat.

“Now that you’ve deigned to join us, your majesty, let’s start.” Katsuki picks up a stack of papers on Aizawa’s vacant podium and passes them around. “These are practice tests. You morons are going to use what we went over during the last session and get over eighty percent on these, or we’ll do proofs for an hour straight. Got it?”

Silence.

Todoroki looks up after stripping off his cardigan and rolling up his shirt sleeves to find them all looking at him, including Katsuki.

Todoroki clears his throat, and everyone looks away instantly. “Sorry. Ah… You were saying, Bakugou?”

Katsuki, seeming significantly more annoyed than before, restarts his speech. Todoroki lingers in the background, only half-listening. He isn’t sure if he’s actually much help at these remedial lessons. His goal was to work closely with Katsuki, but there haven’t been any chances. On top of Todoroki always being late, Katsuki actually treats this like a job. He’s surprisingly dedicated to helping their classmates, to the point where Todoroki feels like dead weight.

“The hell’s up with you?” Katsuki demands after the remedial students leave—all having finished their tests with scores over 80, much to Katsuki’s pleasant surprise. His tone is more confrontational than conversational.

“I already apologized for being late,” Todoroki sighs. He already knows where this is headed: they’ve had the same exact talk every day this week. He doesn’t want to have it today. All of his energy is gone.

Perhaps Katsuki can tell—they did used to be close, after all—because instead of the inevitable scolding Todoroki was expecting, he receives a quiet, “Don’t be late again.”

It’s strange. More than strange, because Katsuki is being soft again. First it was back at the shed, and now this. Todoroki can’t deal with the way his look changes sometimes; the way his eyes seem to shift, becoming questioning, becoming different; with the way they eventually return to normal again, and the moment is gone.

Katsuki is just… so different. His hair, for one, and his piercings—and his attitude, most noticeably of all. Well, maybe second most noticeably. He’s also, to put it in simple terms, attractive now. Incredibly so. Todoroki obviously never saw him as anything more than a friend when they were kids, but now? Now it’s like the wool’s been pulled from his eyes. He sees all the things he couldn’t see before—like the curve of muscles under Katsuki’s jersey, and the way the veins in his arms flex as he picks up papers, or the way his black hair makes his eyes look a shade even deeper than red.

“What are you staring at?” Katsuki’s gaze settles on his face, and Todoroki thinks about not looking away. He thinks about staring back until he can find something recognizable in these eyes that he used to know so well.

But then he gives in; averts his gaze; clears his throat. “Nothing. I was just lost in thought.”

Todoroki does look up again, only briefly, to see that Katsuki has gone back to collecting papers. The ebony of his hair against the tan skin of his neck as he bends over the desks is strange and foreign.

“Your hair,” Todoroki finds himself saying. “I miss it being blond.”

“What?” Katsuki looks at him as if he’s lost his mind. Todoroki doesn’t fail to notice the way his hand flits to his scalp, then quickly back to his side. “Why the fuck are you saying that all of a sudden?” He snatches the last paper and roughly elbows Todoroki aside. “I’m going to put these away. Get lost already—and don’t be late tomorrow.”

Todoroki stares at the door for longer than he should. He isn’t sure if it was his imagination, but he thinks he saw faint red dusting the back of Katsuki’s neck. The black of his hair only made it stand out even more.

It probably was his imagination. And he should probably leave, because Katsuki will most certainly yell at him if he sticks around. ‘Damn Half n’ Half dumbass bastard, what the fuck are you still doing here? ’ or something along those lines. Half n’ Half is Katsuki’s new favorite insult. It’s because of Todoroki’s hair, which he started dying for his modeling career and never bothered to change.

Before Katsuki really does come back and scold him, Todoroki gathers his things and heads outside. It’s dark already—it’s nearing eight thirty—and the sky is a dark blue quickly encroaching on black. The night breeze is chilly enough that Todoroki stops by the front gate to put his cardigan back on. He’s got one arm in the sleeve when he spots someone vaguely familiar lingering just outside the gate.

It’s the guy Katsuki was talking to on the first day of school. What was his name, again? Shigaraki? It’s strange that he’s here so late, but if he and Katsuki are friends, maybe he can tell Todoroki a bit about him. Even if the guy is creepy, it’s worth a shot.

“Hey.” Todoroki approaches cautiously, waiting until he has Shigaraki’s attention to continue. “Are you looking for Bakugou? He probably won’t be out for awhile.”

Shigaraki’s expression is hard to read, but he’s smiling, at least. Even if it’s a strange, not-all-there smile. “Is that so?” He shrugs away from the wall, sticking his hands in the pockets of his gray sweatshirt. “He was supposed to go to a café with me. Why don’t you come instead?”

Todoroki frowns, fingers tracing along the edge of his backpack straps nervously. Why would they be meeting up? He remembers enough of their conversation to guess that Katsuki doesn’t like Shigaraki very much. But this is such a good opportunity… Ugh.

“Okay,” Todoroki agrees, pushing away every ounce of doubt. “What café?” He can’t pass up a chance to learn more about Katsuki—at least, not when he still refuses to talk about anything other than school.

“Just follow me.” Shigaraki is still smiling.

Todoroki tries very hard to convince himself that it's a reassuring smile and that he isn’t being lured into an alleyway or abandoned building to be murdered. Fuyumi would kill him twice over for being stupid enough to follow a stranger—even if that stranger knows one of his friends. Ex-friends? Whatever.

Ah, he was psyching himself out for nothing… The place Shigaraki brings him is a plain old coffee shop, with a pastel interior and comfy booths and the heavy bitter-sweet smell of espresso. They take a seat in the corner, surrounded by plush cushions and decorative paintings. Not sinister in the least. In fact, the place puts him at ease enough to get down to business.

“Sorry to do this right when we sit down, but…” Todoroki leans forward in the booth, glancing around to make sure that Katsuki isn’t somehow here to eavesdrop. He isn’t, obviously, but he still keeps his voice low anyway. “I was wondering… exactly how much do you know about Bakugou?”

* * * * * *

“Shouto, you’re home late.” Fuyumi glances up from her spot at the kitchen table with a raised brow. She’s got a laptop in front of her and several open files, as well as a half-empty cup of coffee. It looks like she’s expecting a long night.

Todoroki kicks off his shoes at the door. “Sorry. I went to visit a café with… a friend from school.” Better to lie than to have her asking questions.

“Oh, you made a friend? That’s good.” Fuyumi has already turned back to her work: crisis averted. Todoroki breathes a sigh of relief, but he isn’t in the clear yet. She snags his wrist when he tries to pass her to reach the stairs. “Hold on. Did you eat?”

“Fuyumi— “

“Don’t ‘Fuyumi’ me, you brat. I made you rice balls. They’re in the fridge, and if you don’t eat them all, I swear I’ll set your favorite sweater on fire—“

“Okay, okay.” Todoroki grimaces and switches directions to head into the kitchen. “I’m taking them. Geez.” He grabs the rice balls from the second shelf and retreats upstairs, sitting cross-legged on the floor to eat.

He’s exhausted after running from the shoot straight to the remedial lesson, then spending two hours at the café talking to Shigaraki—who isn’t actually a bad guy. He’s a bit awkward, and there’s definitely something strange about him, but he seems nice enough. He told Todoroki a lot about Katsuki. Apparently, they used to hang out in middle school.

Todoroki didn’t end up finding out what caused Katsuki to change so much, but he does know a few things about how to deal with him—courtesy of Shigaraki, whose number is now saved on his phone. The thing that stuck out the most was that he said to be ‘cute,’ whatever that means. Todoroki figures he’ll have to try out some different things.

It’s weird. For once, he’s feeling so hopeful that he can’t stop smiling. After he finishes the rice balls, he composes an email to his agent—and then deletes it and starts another one. He still isn’t quite sure how to quit. Can he just come out and say it? That somehow doesn’t seem like it’ll work. He’s never actually quit anything before, so he doesn’t know what one is supposed to say.

Ah, he’s getting a message. He'll worry about it tomorrow. Todoroki gets up from the floor and sits on his mattress before checking it.

from: Touya  at: 10:36 PM.

>> Hey, I’m coming back to town this weekend. I tried to ask Fuyumi if she wants to meet up but she’s ignoring me. I think she’s pissed.

Touya, huh? It’s been a while. Todoroki last heard from him right after their dad died. Of course he’d only come to him when Fuyumi is mad.

to: Touya  at: 10:38 PM.

>> She has a right to be mad. Did you apologize?

The answer is obvious, even before the response comes. Touya might be the most irresponsible person in the world.

from: Touya  at: 10:40 PM.

>> No. She’s the one who’s overreacting. Why should I have to apologize?

Todoroki rolls his eyes. He’s not even going to bother responding to that. His brother probably won’t listen, anyway. Why is everyone so immature? Touya refuses to apologize, Katsuki keeps giving Todoroki the cold shoulder… The world is full of imbeciles.

Todoroki gets up to grab his bag with a sigh, pausing when he knocks something off his bed. His and Katsuki’s smiling faces beam up at him from the carpet, their arms wrapped around each other like they never want to let go. Todoroki forgot he had the picture on his bed. He’s been looking at it a lot recently, getting caught up in nostalgia. (He isn’t a very productive person.)

Katsuki really did look much better with blond hair. The black makes him blend in too much. Todoroki always thought he was the kind of person born to stand out, with his crimson eyes and hair the color of winter sunlight. In fact, the whole reason Todoroki chose his current look to trademark in the modeling industry was because of Katsuki. He was going for blond on the right side, but it turned out more white—and by then it was too late to change it.

Todoroki probably shouldn’t be obsessing over his hair so much. It’s pointless, especially when he’s been over about a million fantasy scenarios in his head—scenarios where things turned out differently. But Katsuki is a different person now: Todoroki knows that. He’s crass and unfriendly and completely impossible to figure out. He doesn’t want anything to do with him, but there are times when it seems as if there’s something between them. To put it simply, Katsuki’s hair is the absolute last of Todoroki’s problems.

But still, if even one thing were to return to how it used to be, then…

Ah, never mind. He shouldn’t get his hopes up.

previous | next

[brajeshupadhyay]

All 22 teams in the NBA restart had to pack more than ever, for a road trip like none other. Teams will spend between five weeks to three months at Disney. This has made equipment managers the unsung heroes of this restart plan. Lake Buena Vista: Rob Pimental spent a good amount of time thinking about everything the Miami Heat would need for what could be a three-month trip to Walt Disney World. He is the Heat equipment manager. Every jersey, sock, sneaker, whatever the team needs, it’s his responsibility to have it ready. So, when it came time to figure out what was getting packed for Disney, Pimental came to a realisation. “Pretty much everything,” said Pimental, who confessed to having a few sleepless nights of worrying. “I’m the type of guy who wants everything on hand, so I literally packed up my entire equipment room and brought it with me.” He’s not alone. All 22 teams in the NBA restart had to pack more than ever, for a road trip like none other. Every team is assured of spending at least five weeks at Disney, and some could be there for three months. The challenges for players and coaches are obvious, but the challenge for equipment managers — among the unsung heroes of this restart plan — aren’t anywhere near as visible to those watching games from afar. “This is what equipment managers were built for, honestly,” Orlando Magic equipment manager Jacob Diamond said. “We have some of the smartest guys around the league that do what I do and at the end of the day, for us, it’s really no job too big, no job too small. Our coaches are relying on us, our players, and this is history right here. So, it’s kind of cool to be a part of it — even though it’s extra work.” For this trip, Diamond has a two-room suite in the hotel that the Magic are calling home. It’s not a perk. He needed the space. Luggage is lined up around all four walls, with more bags in the middle of the room, along with a clothes rack, a large trunk and a bunch of bright blue bags with the Magic logo stacked over by the sliding door that leads to the balcony. He knows the contents of each, where every item is, so if Nikola Vucevic needs a certain pair of socks or Aaron Gordon needs a certain type of compression gear, Diamond finds it in a flash. “I made sure I overpacked for this rather than underpacked,” Diamond said. “It’s not so easy to have things sent here. I’d rather have things here, ready to go, so here we are.” Toronto Raptors equipment manager Paul Elliott prides himself on typically taking only what he needs. He tends to take 45 bags on a standard road trip; by NBA standards, that is packing light. Not this time. For this trip, Elliott’s count was 176 bags. And while most teams only had to move their operation once — from their home facility to Disney — Elliott had to pack the Raptors up twice, first from Toronto to their pre-camp workouts at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, and then again to get the stuff up to Disney. “I looked at it as what they were going to take for a two-week Western road trip, took what I would usually pack for that, and kind of quadrupled it,” Elliott said. “I just had to make sure I had enough options for these guys to accommodate them when they need. I just want to be prepared.” More gear is on the way. By the time games start, the 22 teams will have more than 4,000 jerseys between them. Every team brought three sets of uniforms — typically, two jerseys each for each player. Then the decision was made to give players at Disney the opportunity to wear jerseys with a message raising awareness about social injustice and racial inequality, and those huge shipments are expected to arrive in the next few days. When Elliott started unloading the Raptors’ 176 bags, several staff members who aren’t usually tasked with helping with equipment ran to his aid. More bags will be going back to Toronto when the season ends; Elliott had his assistant send him empty ones to accommodate the new jerseys. “We’ve got the greatest staff for that sort of thing,” Elliott said. “Nobody’s above anything. They just want to make sure it’s done properly.” A photo provided by Orlando Magic equipment manager Jacob Diamond shows the second bedroom inside his suite at the team hotel on the Disney complex in Lake Buena Vista. AP Photo Washington coach Scott Brooks said the Wizards are using a similar everybody-must-help approach, and Heat coach Erik Spoelstra insisted his team do the same. “There’s an absolute understanding that this is an all-hands-on-deck situation,” Spoelstra said. “And that means bags, laundry, cleanup, everything — not just for equipment managers, but everybody. … We’re all going to be involved in every aspect of it.” Days will be long for equipment managers. Each team only sent one; it’s not unusual for two equipment personnel to travel, but that wasn’t possible on this trip because of the restrictions on the amount of people who can be in the NBA bubble. Extra work will add up as well. After practices or games, equipment managers will have to load up the sweaty gear, take it back to the hotel, then call a shuttle to pick them up and take them to the laundry facility built for the restart — 66 washers and 66 dryers, all lined up inside what once was a batting cage at the Atlanta Braves’ former spring training complex. There’s also a code among the equipment managers. While the 22 teams will be trying to beat each other, the equipment staffs are working together and helping one another where possible. “We all understand each other’s daily battles,” Diamond said, “because we share the same ones.” The real comforts of home are gone for the next several weeks. The trick, Pimental said, is making sure players don’t have to worry about getting what they need. “It’s something we’ve never done before,” Pimental said. “But we’ll make it work.” Find latest and upcoming tech gadgets online on Tech2 Gadgets. Get technology news, gadgets reviews & ratings. Popular gadgets including laptop, tablet and mobile specifications, features, prices, comparison. The post NBA: As league approaches restart, team equipment managers battle the odds inside the bubble appeared first on Shri Times.

http://sansaartimes.blogspot.com/2020/07/nba-as-league-approaches-restart-team.html

[touttmode]

192.168.0.1 Admin Login, Password, And IP

Lookup final results of the search for IP address 192.168.1.11. If the IP address 192.168.1.11 is not your router IP you can retrieve the router IP with the Ipconfig command (only Windows, for Mac & Linux use ifconfig). 192.168.1.11 is an IP address in the variety 192.168.1.1 - 192.168.1.255. A really typical default IP address for a router or a modem is 192.168.0.1 — you type this in a browser and you are accessing the router's or modem's interface to make the adjustments you want.

With NetSpot, you can quickly and painlessly find if the location you're connecting from is covered with a robust Wi-Fi signal coming from your router, and you can learn all neighboring Wi-Fi networks that may be interfering with it. To see this IP address, you can connect to it through a cable or wirelessly. 192.168.l.l is frequently used to login to router settings, even so it is typo. The appropriate IP address is 192.168.1.1.

Now a tiny window will seem and ask for username and password. If you do not know the username and password, then you can not log in to the router. Enter username and password and its accomplished. You can see the Router homepage where you can see some alternatives for Wireless Settings and Sophisticated Settings. If your connection troubles maintain persisting, you must confirm that you happen to be in variety of your router. NetSpot , an effortless-to-use software tool for wireless network assessment, scanning, surveys, and Wi-Fi coverage and efficiency analysis, is the greatest way how to do just that.

Step three. Click the Network & Internet” selection. Step 5. Choose how you are connected to your router. If you are hardwired to your router decide on Ethernet. If you are connected to your router by means of WiFi pick Wi-Fi. Please post back right here with the final results of the test and the info on precisely exactly where your Computer network cable connects. But in most cases, the default IP Address for Modems and Routers is 192.168.0.1. Now you also need to Enter Default username and password in order to access its admin web page. The default username and password are diverse for a distinct manufacturer. Right here we are going to share all the attainable Default Username and Password for 192.168.01 IP address.

A public IP address is the IP address assigned to devices that are connected to the web. This address is assigned by your ISP and no other technique on the net can have the identical address. When you connect to the web, you grow to be element of a considerably bigger network that any individual can connect to. Your public IP is usually visible unless you choose to hide it with a VPN service.

You will see the IP address subsequent to IPv4 Default gateway. In some instances, you may possibly locate it not possible to access your router on the 192.168.0.1 IP address even though you know for certain the address is correct. The IP address 192.168.0.1 is one particular of 17.9 million private addresses, and it is utilized as the default router IP address for certain routers, such as some models from Cisco, D-Hyperlink, LevelOne, Linksys, and many other folks.

Nicely, your Computer is showing a routable IP address as effectively as default gateway so it would seem your router is not undertaking considerably of something. To access the RT-N12D1 settings, reconnect to the wireless network and use the updated IP address and port number. If you would like to make use of a certain router behind your ISP's router, you have two options: modify your default IP address or maintain the current configuration. However, if you want to use a router behind your ISP's box, it is not necessary to have the router mode enabled on the existing configuration.

These are commons IP addresses that modems and routers use presently. If you are unable to connect to your modem or wireless router by means of 192.168.1.1, make positive you are connected to it. If everything is right, use the method I described above to discover out the default IP address of your router. In many instances, Web Service Providers (ISPs) set up routers to use an internal network addressing scheme other than 192.168.1.1. To discover out what the default IP address is for a router, use the IPCONFIG command on a pc that is connected to the router by means of a wireless or wired connection.

Your router is a gateway to your network, and you must do whatever you can to defend it from intruders. Whilst it may possibly be hassle-free to stick with the default password, carrying out so compromises your safety and tends to make it a lot less complicated for cybercriminals to infiltrate your network and steal your private details. Equipped with the info from this report, you ought to be able to secure your router without any main difficulties.

There may be some folks in the planet who wouldn't know what an IP address is? To sum what is an IP address, an IP address, or basically an IP,” is a exclusive address that identifies a device on the Internet or a local network. It enables a technique to be recognized by other systems connected by way of the World wide web protocol. There are two major sorts of IP address formats used these days which are the private IP address or IPv4 and the public IP address or IPv6. So let's jump straight into the differences in between the two.

In contrast to us, a pc or smartphone can easily locate the default IP address of your modem or wireless router and then connect to it. You are inside the admin panel and can alter any settings now. Unplug the router, wait a couple of minutes, and then plug it back in. Wait until all the lights on the front of the router have turned on or are blinking prior to attempting to connect once again. Some routers sometimes want a restart right after a power outage, due to improper startup whilst the ISP's own gear was down.

Wait an additional 30 seconds Right after releasing the Reset button for the router to fully reset and energy back on. You must be in a position to inform that the router has completed booting up by the state of its LED indicator lights. Step four: Enter Default username and password (admin-admin) if you haven't changed. Or Enter your username and password. Of course, it is not just routers that can use the 192.168..254 IP address. All electronic devices that can connect to a neighborhood network can identify themselves to other people with the 192.168..254 IP address, which includes webcams, laptops, servers, individual computers, sensible TVs, repeaters, or modems.

Why? Due to the fact 192.168.0.1 is employed in a private IPv4 network address as the router gateway. While other IP addresses could be utilized as nicely, as you can see above, 192.168.0.1 is by far the most typical default router IP address. All routers are accessible through the browser. If your routers IP address is 192.168.1.11, kind in your browser. You will see a login page. Most frequently employed usernames and passwords are: "admin", "1234" or "none". Please refer to your route documentation.

For the security of your network, it really is essential to have a powerful password Never just rely on the default 1. To change your password, login as detailed above and search for the admin tab. Here you will find the choice to alter your password. It will prompt you to sort in the password twice for security motives. To adjust the password of the router, first go to sophisticated settings and from there you should pick an admin password. Then click change it and Save Settings and then it is done. Pressing the reset button of the router for 20 seconds will reset each the username and password to the default ones.

[witchinghat]

Summer TBR (If I get to them all)

Books I need to finish

I have quite the number of books to finish.

The Princess and the Fangirl 

I loved Geekerella, it made me cry one too many times and bunked Fangirl down to my second favorite book; so, when I heard that Ashley Poston was creating a second book in the Once Upon a Con series I got so excited. I preordered the book and got the extra contents that Quickbooks was giving out. Once at Midnight was so cute and I love the drawing so much that I have it as my laptop screensaver. So far it is really great. I love the Imogen parts, she is such a fun character to read about. The Jess parts so far are okay. I love seeing Jess grow as a person but sometimes she is just so disagreeable. I can’t wait to see how the book ends, there are so many things that the book has foreshadowed that I can’t wait to see wrapped up. 

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 

I loved the fourth book, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, so far it is my favorite Harry Potter book. I know what is going to happen at the end of this book, but I want to see how the story gets there. I might have to restart the chapter to understand what’s happening again because I haven’t read the book in a long time, but I can’t wait to get back into the Harry Potter world. 

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Sea of Monsters 

The first Rick Riordan book I attempted to read was The Lost Hero the first book in the Heroes of Olympus series and was so lost. I then tried to read The Sword of Summer the first book in the Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series, but then realized that some Percy Jackson characters were in it and just didn’t feel like not knowing who they are, so I didn’t finish it. Then my English English teacher assigned each student to do outside reading I was going to pick some other book to read to try to get outside of my comfort zone, but then I saw his fiction section and it said the Percy Jackson series I figured why not get into the series.  I finished the book in a day when I had to stay home from school. It was raining and the perfect time to read, so I did. It was a fun ride to be on, and I can’t wait to finish the rest of the series. 

Old books I need to finish

The Raven Boys

After I found out that this series was getting a show I knew that I had to read the books. There are only four and another tie in book I think? So, it should have been easy. Also-not-to-mention-that-the-audiobooks-are-on-my-schools-digital-library-which-

nobody-uses. It should have been easy to read the series. So, maybe I can repick it up—with less sticky notes—and finish the series.

The Novice

I first read The Novice while trying to do my first readathon, and admittedly it didn’t go too well. I didn’t bring the book with me and my dad took me and my sister to the army base for the first time and I didn’t pay attention to the audiobook. I forgot that it was playing in my ear and then when I remember that it was playing it was at a part and I didn’t know how the book got there. And not wanting to go back on the audiobook I didn’t and kept listening to the audiobook. This was my second mistake because I once again tuned it out and forgot that it was playing until it was near the end of the book. So, I don’t know what happened in the book and I have the second one and the author made a prequel book for a character who I don’t know about.

Rereads

Eleanor and Park

I don’t know if you heard the news but Eleanor and Park IS GETTING A MOVIE! Which is something that I wanted but now that it is happening I am so excited. This is Rainbow Rowell’s first book to movie adaption, and while I want Carry On to be next, I know that it might not happen. I just want this movie to be good if it can be. Give me my thick Eleanor and my Korean-American Park. I read this book twice before and get my heart broken twice. While I know what to expect it doesn’t mean that the ending hit me less than it always does. 

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

This is just really a summery book that I would like to try to get to. Funny story, in my freshman year of high school my English teacher asked the class if anyone read Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe and the first thing I shouted was “My sons!” Out loud in the back of the classroom. Looking back it was funny and the start of me giving my teacher gay books to read and having a nice teacher/student relationship. If you all do not know Lin-Manual Miranda is the narrator of this books audiobook, and it is always nice to have a little bit of Lin in your ears. Also, this book might and this is a huge MIGHT get a movie. And if it does I want Lin to one of the dads. I don’t care which one he could be the dad of Aristotle or Dante but I want him to be in the movie if they are making it. 

We Are the Ants (Maybe)

I read We Are the Ants and loved it. This book came into my life unexpectedly and I loved every minute of it. From the moment I saw it, going down the escalator of the two-story Barnes and Noble, caught my eye and made me think about my place in the universe. And to me, if your book cover alone can make me think that much, and for me to recommend the book to my teacher and he loves it; then it’s a good book. 

I also can’t wait to read Shaun David Hutchinson's newest book Brave Face.

Continuing Series

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Titans Curse 

I know that I am getting ambitious with my series and that I should tone it down with my list, but I have hope. I am loving the second book in the Percy Jackson series and could be an easy binge.

The Inquisition

I bought this book on a whim, and  I need to reread the first book. What I want to do is reread that book and then read this one and hopefully the last one. Also, I think it was last year but The Summoner series got a prequel book about a character who I don’t know about so, now I feel like I gotta read the series. 

Classics

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

This is probably the book I am most excited about. I got this book from my old English teacher because she was giving them away. This was one of the books I got, and I read the excerpt and then got even more excited, then I remember that in Back to the Future Part 3 (which is the best Back to the Future) that Doc loved this book and then rewatched Back to the Future Part 3 to get the new reference, and then got even more excited about the book. So, yeah, I am excited about this book. Plus, Captain Nemo.

[page-ofwands]

saudade

“I think I just...missed you. Us.” Julian mumbles eventually. His hand is cold in Asra’s, like always, fingers tapping out gentle patterns into his skin like he always does when he’s a little bit nervous, a little bit anxious.

julian: can i come over

Asra’s phone buzzes with the text and he frowns a little when he picks it up. He’s about to put it back down and ignore Julian’s message completely when it buzzes again.

julian: please, asra

asra: ok

Julian comes up without knocking, clearing his throat a little awkwardly even though Asra heard the front door shut and the sounds of him coming up the stairs. “I...I brought takeout.” It’s very clearly an apology, but whether it’s for the intrusion or for everything else, Asra doesn’t know.

“You know, you don’t have to apologize, Julian.” When Asra turns around, Julian is still hovering awkwardly in the doorway, bag of food clutched tight in his hand. His eyes are glued to the floor, and his whole body tenses when Asra stands and comes closer, enough to smooth his hands down the length of his shoulders.

“What’s wrong, Julian?”

“Just...stressed, I guess.”

Asra knows Julian better than he knows himself, so he just nods and helps Julian struggle out of his jacket and tugs him over to his bed, still unmade. “Come on, Ilya. Get in.”

Julian does as he’s told, fully pliant, and he heaves a little sigh when Asra gets in after him and tucks them in. “I am sorry, really. Just…” And that’s all, because - that’s not how Julian works.

“Do you want to watch something, Ilya?”

Eyes closed, Asra feels more than sees Julian nod against his chest, and as soon as Asra grabs his laptop from the nightstand, Julian curls himself into him. He fits there, like he always did before, and the only reason that Asra doesn’t bother to hide his smile is because Julian isn’t looking at him when he mumbles, “You still smell the same.”

“Oh, love-” the petname slips out, but Julian doesn’t seem to mind, and no, of course he wouldn’t. “Tell me what you want to watch.”

“Anything, you pick. Aren’t you hungry?”

Admittedly, the food smells good, and he hasn’t eaten in a while, but Asra knows Julian, so he shakes his head and runs his fingers through Julian’s hair, messy like always. “No, Julian, I’m not.” As he speaks, Asra scrolls through Netflix, picking one of the childish cartoons that he knows Julian loves. It’s one they’ve seen before, and Julian makes a little noise when the movie starts, shifts around to get comfortable. Reaches out to fumble for Asra’s hand and laces their fingers together (and Asra lets him). It’s warm and familiar like this, though Asra does not say as much, because he knows Julian, knows how easy Julian is and how much a word of this familiarity would mean to him.

“I think I just...missed you. Us.” Julian mumbles eventually. His hand is cold in Asra’s, like always, fingers tapping out gentle patterns into his skin like he always does when he’s a little bit nervous, a little bit anxious.

“Ilya…”

“I know, I know. I just...I can’t help it.”

“You always did have too big of a heart, Ilya.”

Julian snorts, tips his head up and of course, there’s that familiar grin, too sharp around the edges to be genuine. “That’s not the only thing about me that’s too big.”

“Oh, shut up, Ilya.”

Julian barks out a laugh and, as if on instinct, leans up to press a quick kiss to Asra’s lips. And maybe it’s out of shock, or maybe he missed Julian too, but Asra - lets him. Right away, Julian pulls back, and Asra is torn between pulling him back in and letting him go, but something in Julian’s expression changes, becomes more resolved. And Julian’s always known Asra better than he knows himself, so he’s quick to push himself closer and kiss him again, firm this time, and so, so easy. It feels like coming home, with Julian’s hands settling careful on his cheeks as he shifts and shifts closer. When he settles, he’s blanketing Asra’s body with his own, a comforting, familiar weight and warmth.

Their kisses are still gentle, which is almost surprising, but then, Julian always has been soft. When Asra brings his hands up to rest against his waist, Julian’s whole body relaxes again, and he heaves a gentle sigh. And from there, it’s all familiarity, all remembering: the slight roughness of Julian’s lips (he still forgets to put on chapstick) and the stillness of his hands when he kisses slow (he still focuses in on the kiss and nothing else) and the way his whole body melts into Asra’s (he still kisses with his everything, still shows how much he feels just like this).

Eventually, Julian pulls back, lingering close to Asra’s face, just like before. “I’m sorry,” he breathes, and he does look genuinely apologetic but for the way his eyes flirt with Asra’s lips.

“Sorry for what, Julian?”

Julian shrugs. Leaves it up to Asra to interpret, and  whether it’s for the kiss or everything else, Asra doesn’t know. All he does know is that Julian’s breath catches in his throat when Asra reaches up to cup his cheeks, that he follows willingly when Asra brings him down again and into another kiss, that Julian keeps everything feather light, as if he’s scared that one wrong move, too much pressure, and the spell will break and everything will be ruined.

All Asra knows is that - is that feels the same. So he grips Julian tight, keeps him close, tries to put the feeling into the kiss, the feeling that this isn’t going anywhere, he isn’t going anywhere.

“Asra,” and it’s not fair how breathy Julian sounds, not fair how genuine, how honest. “Please, can we-” And that’s all. It’s up to Asra to decide what that means. And he’s not sure, doesn’t know what to say, until Julian looks up, and - and his eyes are pleading, and he looks so raw and vulnerable that Asra couldn’t deny him anything in this moment. So he takes both of Julian’s hands in his and kisses the knuckles, makes sure Julian’s gaze holds his before he nods.

“Yes, Ilya. Anything.”

Julian nods, and there’s something left unspoken, something in the air, something that only breaks and settles when Julian lets out a shaky sigh and shifts again, curling himself back into Asra’s side. “I’m still in love with you,” he says then, trying for brave and ending up sounding mostly shy, mostly soft.

“I know, love. I know.” And that’s all. Asra sees Julian nod, feels the last of the tension leave his body, and when he reaches out to restart the movie that neither of them had been paying attention to, Asra knows he’s okay. Knows that no matter how he may deny it, this - this approval and this affection and this intimacy - was what Julian needed, at least from him. He squeezes Julian’s hand twice, something wordless, something questioning, and Julian squeezes back, once and then again.

And yeah, Asra thinks- (and knows, because he knows Julian better than he knows himself)

He’ll be okay.

[bananapak]

How to install mcafee antivirus in windows 7

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You will have to click on Uninstall twice in order to remove a particular software. Step-3: Here, choose the McAfee programs you want to remove and click on Uninstall one by one. This will trigger the Programs and Features window. Step-2: Now right-click on the McAfee program you need to uninstall and click on Uninstall. Step-1: Press the Windows key to view the list of installed programs and find the McAfee program you wish to remove from here. If you are using Windows 8 or 8.1, follow these steps: How to Uninstall McAfee on Windows 8/8.1? Step-5: When the uninstallation is done, close this window and restart your computer.ĭone. Step-4: Confirm your selection by clicking on Yes and granting Windows the required permissions. Then click on Uninstall/Change and then click on Remove. Step-3: Now find and click on the McAfee program you wish to remove. Step-2: Next, find and double-click on Uninstall or Change Programs. Step-1: Click on Start and go to Control Panel from there. If you are using Windows 7, follow these steps:

#How to install mcafee antivirus in windows 7 software#

For suggestions about picking the right Firewall software for your PC, you can check this post: 15 Best Free Firewall Software in 2019. Also, make sure that you are using a Firewall in this era of increasing cybercrimes.

#How to install mcafee antivirus in windows 7 install#

I suggest you directly skip to the guide which is related to your OS.īonus Tip: Never install multiple Antivirus software on your computer as it may heavily slow down the system. For different operating systems (Windows 7/8&8.1/10 and Mac), I’ll present a different step-wise guide. You can either remove it from the Settings or you can use the ‘McAfee Removal Tool.’ Both ways are fine in my opinion.

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Now that you have learned about using McAfee, we shall move to the main focus of this post: How to uninstall McAfee? Basically, there are two main ways to remove or uninstall McAfee from your system. So, if you don’t wish to spend pennies, you can use it as per your interest.

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2.5 How to Uninstall McAfee Using the McAfee Removal Tool?.

2.3 How to Uninstall McAfee on Windows 10?.

2.2 How to Uninstall McAfee on Windows 8/8.1?.

2.1 How to uninstall McAfee on Windows 7?.

[thezolblade]

Been trying to cycle to work lately to avoid the rail replacement buses, and I’ve only managed it twice so far, the canal path’s so bumpy and it’s 2 hours each way. Leaves my legs too tired to try it again for a few days each time. But the bus makes me carsick - by stopping everywhere the train would stop, it turns a commute that would be 15 min by car into a 40 min drive. :/ I’ll see how much cycling I can manage next week, even if it means waking up at 6 and crashing the minute I get home. It’s fresh air and exercise, and a nice chance to take some photos. The grey blur in this one turned out to be a pigeon, so. Yeah.

It was a relief to hit the weekend, but I spent most of today napping. Guess I needed to catch up on rest. When dragged myself upright to try to write this afternoon, I kept flicking between 6 tabs in google docs (notes and wip files for knowing a rock and a hard place, sustaining life, and a pmmm fic), i wanted so much to work on all of them that I couldn’t pick one and drop the others. then ended up letting my laptop restart to install updates instead, putting on a union of knives album that always gives me truthshipping feels, and jotting down about 500 words of notes for that ship on my phone. >.>

"Is that all you have to say on the matter?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Some people would expect more from the father of their child than a few stolen hours each month."

"I would not ask for more time than you are able to spare. You have your duties, as I have mine. In all honesty, I am grateful for the chance to speak to you again. It sets my heart at ease to see for myself that you are still alive, and to know that you are thinking of me."

"You are in danger of damning me with faint praise."

"Should I praise you more often? My partner in miracles. My glorious, irrepressible, beautiful, insightful, tremendously clever boy..."

"Aren't you are getting carried away?"

"I speak only the truth. Still, if you have to leave..."

"In due time. I didn't tell you to stop..."

(then i had to go through my laptop settings after the update screwed up its touchpad and default apps. now it’s gone 9pm, feels like the day’s slipping away before it’s begun... i can try to focus for a bit longer, and hopefully wake up with more energy tomorrow.)

[wmshappen]

How are those resolutions going?

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

At the start of every year, nearly everyone eagerly runs to set up new year’s resolutions, whether it’s to cut back on meat or start running more. Some people will not set them, as maybe they think they are setting themselves up to fail, but perhaps a better way to look at new year’s resolutions would simply be – ‘what are your personal goals right now?’…and what better time to reset, and reassess these goals, than with the resetting of the calendar?

But the question is, 3 months into the year…have the WMSH team stuck to their resolutions (official or otherwise)? If not, why not? Also, if they haven’t stuck to them…are they going to restart this month? There is still 10 months left of the year, so why not?! So I asked the WMSH team if they had any new year’s resolutions, and how they were going…

Alice

Around new year, I did start thinking about ways to re-ignite my fitness regime. Pre-Covid I played netball twice a week, as part of a local league, and got into working out for the purpose of improving my game play - getting those killer intercepts by generally being harder, better, faster, stronger (as Daft Punk would say). But I grew to really enjoy working out for itself. I find it great for my mental health, and regularly working out at home has been one of my main hobbies since Covid hit, and Netball has been off.

I did however, before Christmas, start struggling with the lack of direction my workouts had. Once it became clear netball wasn't going to start again anytime soon, I was just kind of fumbling about, and starting to lack the motivation to work out as often as I was, despite always feeling better when I did do it. So since new year’s - I decided to pick a workout plan, and commit to it. My new goal 'Become Captain Marvel' (aka - get strong/toned/pumped). My new trainer - Jeff Cavaliere of YouTube's 'Athlean X'. It gives me a plan to stick to, he tells me what to do at each workout session, and how to progress. Aside from my lofty and somewhat vague desire to be as strong as a superhero, right now I'm focusing on a few simple, more specific goals - workout 3 times a week, every week, work towards being able to do a pull up, and work towards being able to do 30 press ups in a row. So far I've managed to stick to my 3 times a week goal...which should set me up to meet the other ones over the next few months.

I would say my one tip for keeping new year’s resolutions or working towards personal goals - to paraphrase Tim Michin - "be 'micro-ambitious'...focus on the "passionate-dedication to the pursuit of short-term goals". Now you might rightly ask, is being able to do a pull up going to change my life? Honestly - probably not. My ultimate, underlying goal is to ‘stay fit and stay sane’…but that has no parameters to work towards. It’s not very motivating. It's the short term goal, that motivates me along the track towards the overarching goal - stay fit, stay sane...and become Captain Marvel.

Lewis

My new years resoloutions were quite simple I think and were things such as, drink more water which will help me look after my skin and also things such as eating healthier. Most of my resolutions fit well together and to make me eat healthier I also said I wanted to start to learn how to cook, so I am not eating takeaways all the time or just frozen food. On top of this I want to run half a marathon by the end of the year, which means I have to start running to work up to it.

I would say I have done relatively well with sticking to my resolutions, as I have been cooking most nights and also drinking lots of fluids to keep me hydrated but I did not run in January, so I am going to start this month to make sure I don’t break my new year’s resolution of running half a marathon. I have only ordered 3 takeaways in the last 4 weeks, which is a lot better than what I was doing last year so I would also say I have done pretty well with keeping that resolution so hopefully I can stick to that for the rest of the year. One month down and ten more to go!

JD

I don’t make resolutions but I do spend the period between Boxing Day and NYE engaging in ‘romjul’, which is a Norwegian concept based on enjoying the slower pace of life and embracing the cosiness of the longer nights, reflecting on the year that’s been and thinking about intentions for the year to come. I use this to remind myself of things like ‘yoga helps me be less stressed’, ‘get out in nature when you can, it makes you feel better’ rather than setting qualitative goals, otherwise meeting objectives during my leisure time starts to be a source of anxiety. This year I decided to spend more time reading philosophy. A lot of mental health advice is rooted in stoicism and I’ve found it full of surprisingly practical advice for, among other things, living through a pandemic (Derren Brown’s Happy is a fantastic starting place and Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations is also more accessible than you think it would be, if you go into it reading it as if it’s his blog rather than a classic philosophy tome). Slow start on that owing to a lot of too-tempting fiction. I also decided to devote more time to writing. So far (thanks to lockdown and not much else to do) I’ve written 90,000 words which feels a bit over-achievey and if I keep that pace up I’ll definitely wear out my laptop keys.

Forest app is great for helping diminish the power of distractions like doomscrolling. You set a timer and grow trees when you put your phone down, and I make patterns with my forests to help me stay motivated. You can also donate real trees when you rack up enough focussed time, I’m about to get my first one.

Megan

I never make them for fear of disappointment if I break them.  Overriding focus of the year though is just to be happy and healthy.

Lorna

My New Year’s resolution was to get back into yoga. I think are all a bit stiffer than normal after a year of living and working from our houses. So far, I have stuck to this resolution and do feel a lot better for it!

Some tips I would give for keeping up this resolution, and others, is to not be too hard on yourself, especially this year. If I have a day where I really don’t feel like pulling the yoga mat out, I jump on to the sofa and chill out instead, then try again the next day! For me, keeping a routine with my yoga resolution has made me keep it up. I use YouTube yoga videos to help me, a tip I have here is to find a yoga instructor on there that you like, some of them can be rather annoying which is not encouraging!

Lewis Forster

[growningupgeek]

Choices

Word count-1724(without lyrics)

Characters-Reader, Sam, Dean(mentioned), Chuck, Castiel(mentioned)

Pairing-Sam x reader

A/N- Written for @mrswhozeewhatsis 2017 Louden Swain mini bang.  I chose Amazing from No Time Like the Present.  I fell in love with this song the first time I heard it.  This one came out exactly like I planned it, for once. Thank you @winchesterprincessbride for beta reading this one.  Enjoy everyone.

-JediCat

The room was quiet; the only sound was the muted beeping of the machines that were keeping Y/N alive.  Sam sat at her bedside holding her hand, wondering if she would ever wake up.  Dean had left just a little while ago to try to reach either Cas or Chuck, neither of whom was answering their phones or prayers. Sam stayed, sending up his own prayers but refusing to leave Y/Ns side.  For the first time since Jess he was afraid of losing someone besides Dean and he was damning himself for not telling her before she took the knife that was meant for him.

        The last thing Y/N remembered was seeing one of the demons they’d been fighting get behind Sam with a hunting knife in its hand. She’d launched herself across the room, hoping to get between him and the knife before it struck home.  Instead, she’d caught him at a moment that he was off balance and completely knocked him out of the way.  She felt the knife cut across her stomach as she pushed her demon blade through its chest, then she woke up here, sitting in what looked like a Hollywood screening room.  

        The room was about ten foot by twelve foot, one wall completely covered by a movie screen.  The other walls were covered in deep blue velvet curtains attached at the top and bottom tied in the center with wide gold cord. Lights in the shape of gold candle sconces were on the walls between each curtain gave off just enough light to see a dozen or so chairs scattered about in pairs with small tables of a light wood trimmed in gold between each pair.  The smell of popcorn filled the air and she turned to find a full popcorn machine with a stack of huge cups sitting next to it and a soda machine with a stack of glasses nearby.  Her stomach rumbled reminding her that she hadn’t eaten since before she and the Winchesters left on the hunt.

        She walked over and filled one of the popcorn cups, then grabbed a glass and filled it with Coke.  It was then she noticed a giant box of Junior Mints on the counter.  She dumped about a third of the popcorn back into the popper and dumped the whole box onto the hot popcorn, then put a second cup on top and started shaking it.  She had to hand it to whomever set this whole thing up they knew her favorite movie night treats.

     “Of course I know your favorites, Y/N,” a voice came from behind her.

        With a yelp Y/N jumped, sending her popcorn and Coke flying.  She landed already half turned reaching behind her for her gun, only to realize that it was Chuck standing behind her.  With an exasperated sigh she hugged her old friend, then drew back realizing what his presence probably meant.

        “Am I…” she began.

        Chuck smiled softly, “Not yet but you have a decision to make.”

        He flicked his finger and her popcorn and soda appeared on one of the tables. Y/N walked over and had a seat as the screen flickered to life.  It showed her herself; pale with her hair spread out, a ventilator covering half her face.

     “You got Sam out of the way, but the demon got you.  He did a lot of damage,” Chuck said softly. “You’re riding the line between life and death right now, but you’ve more than earned the right to make your own choice.”

      She stared at the image on the screen for what seemed like a long time. “I want to go.”

     “Are you sure?” he asked her.

        “I’m tired, Chuck. Tired of hunting, tired of not having a home and most of all tired of waiting for him to notice me,” Y/N knew she was whining but it was only the truth. “I can’t do it anymore.  Sam and Dean would be better off without me anyway.”

        Chuck gave her a look that she couldn’t decipher.“You really think he doesn’t notice you?”

        The image on the screen changed to the bunker. She,Sam and Dean were watching movies on the couch.  Dean sat at one end, his back against the arm of the couch legs stretched out so she was forced as close to Sam as she could get.  Now that she wasn’t involved in trying to get Dean to give her some room she could see the sly grin he kept shooting at Sam and Sam’s silent bitch face replies.  Eventually, she had given up and relaxed falling asleep with her head on Sam’s shoulder.  When the movie ended Sam picked her up, carried her to her room and tucked her into bed. Before he left he planted a gentle kiss on her forehead.

        “What is this-” she looked at Chuck.

        He pointed at the screen, “Keep watching.”

        Now the screen showed the motel room the three of you had spent the last week in.  It was one of the rare ones that had a sofa that you’d insisted on sleeping on being at least five inches shorter than Dean.  Early morning sunlight came through a crack in the blinds dimly lighting the room.  Dean was asleep on the bed farthest from the door, Y/N was still out on the couch, and the other bed was empty.  The door to the room opened just enough to admit Sam and the bags and drink tray he was carrying.  He put the bigger bag near his laptop, the other bag and an iced coffee topped with whipped cream on the other side near her head. Then he gathered his stuff up and headed for the shower.  Y/N woke up a few minutes later, stopping in mid-stretch as her hand hit the bag next to her.  Her face lit up when she pulled her favorite breakfast sandwich out of it.  When Sam got out of the shower, she gathered her things and rather absently kissed him on the cheek as a thank you for breakfast.

        She saw now what happened after the bathroom door closed.  Sam stood there just staring after her, his heart in his eyes until a pillow hit the middle of his back.

        “Dude, I swear if you don’t tell her I’m going too,” Dean told him.

        Another change of scene and a shudder went through Y/N as she saw the demon going after Sam again.  She saw herself hit him at just the right moment and he fell to the ground, heard her own grunt of pain as the knife entered her.  She watched as her knife came up, driving into what passed for the demon’s heart.  Then she fell to her knees clutching the knife in her stomach.  Sam’s arm supported her and she looked up into his eyes.

        “Oops, guess I wasn’t fast enough,” she said as her eyes closed and she fell against him.

        Sam scooped her up and ran for the door, followed closely by Dean.

        Y/N turned away from the screen, her eyes filled with tears. “What happens to them, to him, if I don’t go back?”

        Chuck looked sadly at her. “Eventually Sam will move on but he will never allow himself to love anyone again.  He’ll always blame himself and he’ll never be the same.”

        “Even though it’s my own fault,” Y/N said under her breath.

        “Yes,” Chuck had heard her.  She looked up at him, and he read her answer in her eyes.  If anyone had asked him he would have admitted to surprise at her choice.

     The first thing she was aware of was the beeping that gradually sped up.  The second thing was the sound of Sam’s voice. “Please don’t leave. I need you; I need you more than you’ll ever know.”

     She opened her eyes to find Sam had his forehead against the back of her hand, his fingers curled around hers.  Suppressing the urge to fight the breathing tube, she tightened her fingers around his.  The movement caused his head to shoot up.

     “Y/N,” he breathed. “Hold on, honey, I’ll get the doctor in here.”

     He tried to take his hand away from hers, but she held on, not wanting him to go. The harder he tried to get away, the tighter she held him.  Finally he looked at her eyes. “What’s wrong?”

     She turned his hand so his palm was up and spelled “stay” on it with her finger.

     “They’re going to kick me out so they can get that tube out of you,” he replied with a hint of laughter in his voice. “I promise I won’t go far, I’ll even stay in the room if they let me. Blink once if that’s ok.”

     Slowly, Y/N blinked once and let go of his hand.  Sam ran to the door and called down the hall to the nurses’ station.  Soon the room was filled with nurses talking in shocked voices.  They pushed Sam out of the way as they checked her vital signs and had her cough the tube out of her throat. When that was done they allowed him to return to her side. He fed her ice chips as he told her about how her heart had stopped twice over night, both times they managed to get it restarted but the second time it had taken nearly five minutes to get it going again.  At that point her doctor entered and scolded Sam for giving her all the gory details.

     “Truth is better,” Y/N managed to rasp out before Sam slipped more ice into her mouth.

     She glared at him as the doctor laughed and handed her a paper and pen.  He went through the usual questions, making sure she knew her name, the date, etc.  When he was done he looked at Sam then back at her.

     “You need to rest if you want out of here any time soon,” he said sternly. “Don’t let him keep you awake all night.”

     As soon as he left, Sam leaned over the bed and took Y/Ns face in his hands, “I’m gonna kiss you now.”

     YN smiled up at him and whispered, “What took you so long, Winchester?”

 AMAZING 

I know that one of these days bad habits will kill me

That sooner or later we all must pay our debts

No one is immune to the Maker

No matter how sorry no matter how safe

No matter how lucky you the landlord needs the rent

But as I lay here in my hospital bed

There’s not a moment that I regret

 Take me to your leader

And put me in my place

A little smoke and mirrors

And a little bit of faith

I’m the captain of my story

But I’m looking for a mate

A rescue from the needle

Or give me just a taste

Of your amazing grace

 I often think of my life as one big movie

A two buck matinee of one of the greats

The main character is just so captivating

But I just worry I’m the only one in the seats

But as the final credits start to fade

I wouldn’t take back a single frame.

 I need you by my side I need you this morning

Wrapped tight in a web of blankets and strawberry sheets

We both know in truth we’d probably be working

Nose on tight to the laptop like dogs on a leash

Oh, hold me baby hold me tight

The car is racing the road is flying by

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[simusks]

LaLu Week Day 2

Prompt: War.

Word Count: 3246

Characters: [Laxus, Lucy]

When Lucy had walked in the front door, she could sense it.

Something was most definitely not right.

Looking both left and right she tip-toed past the kitchen, into the living room, her eyes drifting around. "What the fuck did you do now?"

She stepped into the bedroom, opening the door and stepping to the side, waiting for something to fall from the ceiling. She bent at the waist looking in all directions. Lucy tip-toed over to the bed, pushing on different corners, waiting for something to happen.

She moved herself into the bathroom, turning the tap on slowly. When nothing happened she hesitantly picked up the soap, sniffing it.

"Still the same."

Walking to the toilet, she lifted the lid, looking from all angels to see if he had put cling film over it. She flushed it once. Twice. Three times for good luck.

Frowning Lucy moved to the shower, the one place that he always resorted to. Taking the first bottle of shampoo, Lucy rubbed a bit on her arm. When nothing happened, she took the conditioner, doing the same. When she rinsed it off, Lucy looked on with satisfaction as a patch of her arm hair washed off.

She threw the bottle into the trashcan, the bottle going in effortlessly. She took her body lotion, rubbing it on her other arm. While she waited she unscrewed the top of the shower head, checking in the filter for anything suspicious.

Frowning, Lucy screwed it back on. She checked her arm, shaking her head at the darkened skin on her arm. Chucking the bottle in the bin, she continued on her quest.

Her hair mask had green hair dye in it, something that irritated her when taking into consideration just how expensive the product was. Her soap bar was left untouched, her shaving cream had been replaced – with what she could tell – with hair mouse, her razor had had the blades taken out of it.

She didn't even risk her toothbrush – not wanting to know what her husband could have possibly done with it – immediately throwing it in the bin. She had more hidden anyway. After she had checked the remainder of the bathroom, Lucy sighed and had a shower, one free of malicious pranks.

When she got out, dressed herself in her comfiest pyjamas, slippers on her feet and her hair wrapped in a towel above her head.

Still, the feeling of unease did not go away.

Sighing in defeat, Lucy carelessly walked out of the bedroom, opening her laptop. She was feeling in the mood to write. Lucy frowned, moving her wireless mouse, trying to get the damn thing to work. Groaning she flipped it over, pulling the sticky note off the bottom of it.

"Really, Laxus? Couldn't be a little more creative?"

Besides her mouse moving unbearably slow, Lucy was quite content. She didn't really need her mouse anyway. Cracking her knuckles, Lucy read over the last chapter of her novel. When she made the necessary changes she missed while writing it, she began writing the new instalment.

It wasn't until she was done that she began editing, not wanting to lose her flow while writing it, that her mouse started thoroughly pissing her right off. She picked it up again, checking the bottom again, slamming it onto the mouse-pad a few times. Groaning, she tried moving it again, that same agonisingly slow pace seeming to fuck with her more and more with each passing second.

Opening her browser, Lucy began typing into Google.

Why is my mouse mov-

And then her computer screen flashed black, coming back on to display the restart screen.

"No, no, no, no, no, no, no–"

Close tabs?

Automatic closing in process.

"Don't you fucking dare!" her eyes drifting to the bottom of the page:

Do you want to cancel restart?

"Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes–" she moved her mouse to the cancel button, it moving too slowly for her to actually reach it. Still, Lucy didn't give up, watching, eyes wide, as the automatic restart count was decreasing. And then her screen turned off. Coming back on with a loading page the word 'restarting' sitting proudly in the centre of the screen.

Lucy was very comfortable admitting that she stared at the screen for an agonizingly long five minutes. Even when the screen came back on, she didn't make an attempt to open the document.

Lucy stood, moving emotionlessly to the lounge, sitting down and staring straight into the dark screen of her TV.

"I didn't save." she mumbled. "I didn't save once." She laughed a little heh before it turned into a sob. Picking up her phone from the cushion to the left of her. Pressing on her husband's contact, she stared blankly at the numbers. And then the front door unlocked and in walked her husband, in all his smirking glory.

"Hello," he said, hanging his keys up on the hook. He took one look at her, another at the computer – at the untouched opening screen – and stifled a laugh. "That's for the ghost pepper cookies."

"My computer," she didn't look at him, keeping her eyes on the TV. "Is strictly off limits." She stood from the lounge, picking up her phone. "Put whatever you want in my shampoos, dye my hair any colour, shove my toothbrush as far up your ass as you want. But my computer," she looked at him, the iciest glare Laxus had ever seen was present on her face. "Is off limits."

Turning, she moved towards the bedroom. "Cook your own dinner. Good night."

Laxus may have been feeling a little bit guilty. As he sat in the living room, eating his dinner by himself, he reflected over everything that had led to this point. It had started off simple enough, Laxus had put baby powder in Lucy's hair dryer, and then she had retaliated by putting itching powder in his shoes when she knew he would be hiking.

And in that one retaliation, an all-out prank war had begun. And in the year that he and his wife had been at it, the pranks had slowly become more and more ruthless.

So, in order to get revenge after she had made his grandmother's cookies –with ghost chillies – he had stuffed around with some of her beauty products, all of which she had discovered. But, because Laxus was not a one-plan-only-man, he had called one of his college friends, Hibiki. Said man had kindly repayed Laxus an owed favour and had set Lucy's mouse to the slowest setting.

Oh and had programmed Lucy's computer to shut down each and every time she opened her Internet Explorer.

And maybe it had been a tad-bit mean, but revenge was revenge.

Which meant – from both the severity of the prank and Lucy's reaction – Laxus needed to watch his back. So, he called in his trusted ally.

She was on speed dial, and had picked up within the first two rings. "Levy, I need your help."

"What happened?"

"Lucy's very angry,"

There was a pause.

"I'll tell you as soon as I hear anything."

And then the librarian hung up.

Laxus and Levy's arrangement was a complete secret to Lucy. If the blonde found out that he was taking extra precautions – going as far as to get intel from his wife's best friend – then Levy wouldn't be told anything in the future. And that was something Laxus couldn't risk.

If he had no intel then he would have absolutely no way to prepare himself. And if he had no way to prepare himself…

Well he was well and truly fucked.

Lucy's favourite part of this prank war was the revenge part. More so the reaction than anything, but the planning, well that was fun too. The first thing she needed was an abundance of cotton balls. So she called one of her husband's best friends. "Hey Gajeel, how are you?"

"I'm not too bad, how are you doin, Bunny, heard about the BFG's prank yesterday. Sorry I couldn't help ya sooner."

Gajeel was her inside man. Not that Levy and Laxus knew – though they definitely thought she didn't know about their arrangement. But they still hadn't caught on to her and Gajeel's planning.

"You know that guy you get your supplies from?" she asked, "The one that gives you the good discounts?" The man was a childhood friend of the tattoo artist, one that gave him mass supply for cheap prices.

Just what Lucy needed.

He hummed, "What about 'im?"

"I'll pay you for everything, but I need you to buy. . . five-thousand cotton balls…" Hearing the silence on the other end she quickly added, "Please."

"Yea alright, but you gotta tell me what yer plannin."

Lucy giggled, "Of course."

"Alright, see ya, Bunny,"

Lucy grinned. "See ya!"

Lucy looked at the stand in front of her, looking down at her empty cart. At six dollars for a thousand, Lucy knew this was going to be ruthless. She took four bags, putting them in her cart before moving down the aisles and into the arts and craft section. Taking several tubes of glitter and adding them to the pile of sweet revenge, she moved to the register, ignoring the look the cashier was giving her.

There were many pros to having a split bank account, namely was the that neither spouse could see what the other had bought. Which meant that she could spend as much as she wanted on whatever she wanted, without having to worry about him seeing it.

It also meant that she could hire a storage garage and let these jelly balls grow without her husband knowing. So that's exactly what Lucy did.

After a short car drive she arrived at the storage warehouse and, after a pleasant conversation with the owner – who had guaranteed that there was in fact a water supply – led her to the garage she had hired. She had her supplies inside the staked tubs she had brought and set them on the floor, albeit one. She took the tub and filled it with water and then added the balls.

She continued until all the balls were inside the tubs. Then she slid the door down, locked it and returned home.

Laxus was on edge. Everyone had noticed, and everyone close to him understood why. And anyone else found out shortly after. He checked every room before he entered it and eyed everything suspiciously. When he had finally had enough – which was only after he picked apart the layers of his lunch, he dialled Levy's number.

"Has she said anything?" It was mumbled, and Laxus listened in the silence for any beeps that might indicate that Lucy had bugged his phone.

"The only thing she's told me is that you should definitely be worried."

Laxus groaned, sighing, "Great." He scowled, tipping out his mug of cold coffee – barely comfortable to admit to himself that he hadn't drunk it out of fear – "Just fan-fucking-tastic."

"I gotta go, Laxus, but I'll tell you if anything comes up."

After saying goodbye, Laxus hung up, locking the office doors and driving home.

It was while he was parked at a red light that he looked out his window. His wife's car was stopped next to him, waiting patiently for the light to turn green. He didn't need to roll down his window, because, as if sensing his stare, Lucy looked at him.

And then she smirked, her lips pulling up in a way that suggested she had well and truly won.

And Laxus was about ready to accept defeat.

Lucy had dropped into the library Levy worked at. It was quiet at this time of day, so – while still quiet – Lucy began chatting with Levy. It had started out perfectly fine, and then, oh so slyly, Lucy brought up Laxus' last prank. Lucy had to admit, Levy's shocked face was well and truly convincing, and if Lucy hadn't already known that her best friend and husband were conspiring against her, she would have fell for it.

"What are you doing for revenge?" Levy asked, giving her a wide-eyed look, "And I'm sorry about the chapter, Lu,"

Lucy waved her hand, "Don't worry about it, Levy," she smirked, "As for the revenge, well," she drawled out, "I might need your help."

Levy nodded excitedly, genuinely, "What do you need me to do?" she rolled back on the balls of her feet.

"I need you to convince Gajeel to take him out," Lucy grinned, "I just need one night, then everything will be in fine order."

"What are you up to, Lu?" Levy asked, apprehension clear in her voice.

Lucy shrugged, "I just wouldn't be wearing any of his going out clothes, that's all."

The conversation drifted soon after, and Lucy had excused herself, leaving the library so she could go and add more water to the jelly balls – not that she would tell Levy, of course.

So Levy waited until the coast was clear, pulled out her phone and dialled Laxus' number.

"Don't wear any of your fancy clothes, you're going out with Gajeel on Saturday night, buy an outfit. Do not wear anything you already have." She paused, "Goodbye."

When Saturday had in fact arrived, Lucy had been working while Laxus had had the day off. She had taken his car, making sure that when she arrived back home he wouldn't be there. It wasn't hard considering she had had to get the cotton balls from Gajeel – that had taken up the entire front seat and floor, as well as some on her lap – and the jelly balls from the garage, which had taken up her boot space and back seat.

And then she was at home, Laxus gone, having taken her car just as she had planned. She parked it in the driveway, stepping out, Lucy shivered. It was only six-thirty, but with winter drowning out the sun, it was already chilly, just as she had wanted.

She took the cotton balls out, stacking them on the driveway; she emptied the boot and back seat next to the cotton.

"It's gonna be a long night." She was grinning from ear to ear, shivering in the cold.

She put a hand on the front of the car, pulling it back quickly at the sharp coolness.

She took an extra tub, running over to the front yard tap and filling it. After Lucy managed to haul it back to the car, she took the first cotton ball. Squatting down low, she dipped it in the water and then pressed it to the bottom of the car. Like a tongue on a freezer, it stuck.

Lucy grinned maniacally, picking up the next cotton ball, continuing even when her hands were red and blotchy and had loss feeling.

After three long and cold hours, Lucy had managed to cover the entirety of Laxus' car. It looked like a walking fluff ball, and Lucy couldn't help but laugh looking at it. Opening the garage door, she drove in.

Grinning, Lucy ran inside, taking the glitter from her underwear draw, running back to the garage. She turned the car on, sitting on her calves so she was roughly Laxus' height. Turning on the heater, she began tilting the vents, making sure they all hit her face. Then she turned the car off, taking the little vials of glitter, she carefully lined each slot in each vent with purple, pink, blue, and green sparkles.

Stepping out of the car, she laughed once more at the appearance. Then, after dragging all the tubs of jelly balls and draining the excess water, she poured them into the car through the sunroof.

Once everything was done, Lucy put the tubs inside her car, locked the garage and the car, and stared at her work. Honestly though, Lucy thought it was a little underwhelming. So, taking the vials of glitter from its place on the floor, she emptied two of the vials inside the car, and with the rest, she emptied on the cotton balls.

Looking proudly at her work, Lucy went inside and slept like a baby, knowing Laxus would be far too tired to check on his car.

Laxus woke up pleasantly; Lucy was cuddled into his side, a long breath escaping her as she smiled softly. Leaning down he pressed a kiss to her hair, watching as her eyes flickered open. The soft smile was still on her face as she pulled him closer, her eyes closing again.

Yesterday was spent solely lounging around all day, as they had promised their Sunday's would always be. It was a nice change, he wasn't on edge, he was completely relaxed. Yes, definitely a nice change from his usual tenseness.

Turning his head Laxus checked the time, feeling his heart come out his ass, he jumped out of bed, pulling on the first clothes he could. "Fuck… fuck, fuck, fuck."

Lucy awoke at the noise, staring at him pull a button up shirt over his shoulders. Checking the time, she felt her eyes widen, "You're a bit late, babe,"

"You don't say," he pulled on his shoes and ran into the kitchen, slamming two pieces of toast into the toaster.

Lucy followed him out, putting on her slippers and dressing gown in an attempt to fight the cold.

Hopefully the cotton balls stayed on…

He buttered his toast at lightning speed – not even putting anything else on them – and shoved the first piece in his mouth. He speed walked towards the door leading to the garage. He had parked Lucy's car outside on Saturday night, his car all by itself in the garage.

Lucy held her breath, her grin forcing its way onto her face.

Laxus flipped the light switch on, his head still facing their kitchen, "See ya later, babe, love–"

Lucy figured that Laxus had turned his head forwards at that point, because there was a frost in the air as everything froze, and then a strangled noise came from him.

"Lu-Lucy…" his tone sounded so defeated that Lucy almost felt bad.

Almost.

"How do you like it?" she grinned.

Growling, and no doubt scowling, Laxus ripped the driver's seat door open. Lucy stifled her laughter as the jelly balls tumbled out.

"WHAT THE FUCK?!" Laxus, with his large hands, started sweeping the balls out of the car, decorating the garage floor with them.

Decorating his pants with the glitter.

"You've got to be FUCKING shitting me!"

After clearing as much as he could, Laxus started the car, slamming the door closed, Lucy watched as one lonesome cotton ball fell to the ground.

Laxus ground his teeth together. He fucked with her laptop, so she did this? He would enjoy the revenge immensely. His arse was already getting cold, the jelly shit had apparently started leaking, and his vigorous sweeping had only managed to mush them further into the seat.

Grinding his teeth together, he wound down the window, turning the heater on, "I hope you're fucking–" Laxus coughed, rubbing his eyes and choking as something small and grinding made its way down his throat. Looking onto his lap, he glared at the glitter surrounding him, gagging and spitting out as much as he could.

He could see Lucy on the step, laughing away as if this was the funniest fucking thing the world had ever seen.

"You're a fucking dick!" And with that he sped out of the driveway.

Walking into his office shouldn't have been as shameful, but with the entire company seeing his car do an impersonation of a giant acid-tripping q-tip, then him getting out of it, more of that jelly bullshit spilling out of his car like it was a unicorn's seeping asshole. Then all of them seeing his tangled hair, wet arse, and the glitter covering the majority of his body, Laxus knew he was never going to live this down.

And maybe he could have overridden it all with his proud ego, if only his grandfather hadn't come in for a surprise visit. Because after everything that had happened, all he truly needed was his Grandfather seeing him while he looked like the fourth PowerPuff Girl. He had been laughed at, which, if the roles were reversed, he was sure he too would have done.

But his Grandfather had been silent. Eerily silent. And then his wise old voice had muttered something that had Laxus collapsing into a chair:

"I take it the married life is doing you well."

All Laxus knew was that Lucy not going to like the taste of revenge.

[rainygalaxynerd]

Brave New World - Chapter 54

Warnings: Not really.

Summary: Garcia wants answers, Sam has a plan.

Word count: App 2200

A/N This was a bit easier to write. I think we’re getting there <3

This is part of a chapter story. Link to mobile master list here.

Tagging: @kbrand0  @jotink78 @winchesterprincessbride @fangirling-instead-of-working @vibou25 @jencharlan @mrsjohnsmith @deandoesthingstome @littlegreenplasticsoldier @twenty-onepages

Dean ran a hand over his eyes tiredly. “Fuck it. Fuck my life. Fuck me for sounding like an emo goth kid. Just get in, you two.” He stepped aside and motioned for Morgan and Garcia to enter.

Chapter 54 - Allies and a Plan

“Woah,” Charlie said, eyeing the newcomers. “Getting crowded in here.”

Sam raised a questioning eyebrow at Dean, who picked up the notebook and wrote:

MORGAN’S FRIEND KNOWS AB. CIA HACK. NEEDS TO KNOW THE TRUTH.

Sam frowned. “Could you be a bit more specific? I mean not that I’m against the whole truth and nothing but it would just take a lot of time, you know.” He shrugged apologetically at Garcia.

She was gaping. “That’s Sam Winchester.”

Derek put a comforting arm around her shoulders. “Yes, Penny.”

She glanced at the notebook, Dean was scribbling in furiously. “Why is he doing that?”

Charlie answered. “Because Sam can’t hear anything. He pulled some magic trick and now he rambles crazy stuff half the time and his eyes glow.”

“Who are you?” Morgan asked her, eyes bugging.

“I’m Charlie. For now. Definitely changing my name and birthdate when this is over.” Charlie nodded to herself. “I could be a Kim, couldn’t I? Or maybe Denise, that’s a nice name isn’t it?”

Caitlin put a hand on Charlie’s shoulder. “I like Charlie. You’re babbling, by the way,” she said with a small smile.

“Sorry.” Charlie nodded, rolled her shoulders and hugged herself. “I get nervous every time the a… Castiel does that thing, you know. And the last hour has been a lot for me.” Charlie took some time to really stare at Caitlin. “Seriously, how can you be so calm?”

Caitlin squeezed Charlie’s arm and giggled. “I’ve had weeks of practice. You should have seen me after I met my first ghost.” She looked around and noted that Charlie was right: Cas had disappeared at some point, probably at the knock on the door.

Caitlin shared a smile with Charlie as they watched Garcia sputter and eventually snap: “Have you all gone completely and collectively insane?”

Dean snorted. “I wish.”

Mogan rubbed his forehead and closed his eyes. With a sigh, he turned to Dean. “Could you start with the identity confusion, please?”

“Easy. Cas, I mean Castiel, the Angel of Thursday, put an optic illusion on me so I could help Caitlin at the interview. It only works on people who don’t know me. That’s why you see my usual pretty face and she sees something else.”

Morgan’s eyes widened, then narrowed. “Did you say angel? I didn’t think you believed in that, what did you call it back then? Religious crap?”

Dean scratched the back of his neck. “Yeah, well… that was before the apocalypse.” At Morgan’s incredulous expression, Dean continued: “The biblical one, I mean. There was a shit storm of angels and a prophet and Lucifer walked the earth. Tons of fun. Cas helped shut it down.”

“I think we should meet and catch up a bit more often,” Morgan said.

Dean looked out the window. “Na, man. Not much to tell, anyway.”

“Dean.” Caitlin had snuck under his arm and wrapped an arm around him. “Please?”

“No!” Dean scowled at her but didn’t move away from her. “It’s over. No one wants to hear about that shit.”

“I do.”

“You really, really don’t, Caitie.”

“Why?”

Helplessly, Caitlin watched Dean shot down completely and turn to Garcia. “Listen, Sweetheart, I’d love to plead my questionable sanity to you all day but we were kind of in the middle of planning the next big boss fight. Talk to the others, observe, form your own opinion, got it?”

Garcia nodded dumbly, mouth hanging open, eyes following Dean as he turned to Sam and picked up the notebook and pointed at his last question.

Sam answered calmly: “We need the bone of a saint, dipped in the blood of an angel and the blood of a demon. Then we melt down Bobby’s flask and cover the tip in that.”

“But Bobby’s tethered to the flask. That would destroy his soul.” Dean had forgotten that Sam couldn’t hear but apparently, that wasn’t a problem this time.

Sam’s eyes began to glow and his voice echoed. “No. It will send his soul to Heaven where it belongs. The hate and spite and thirst for revenge that has already begun to eat at Bobby’s spirit will be the shackle that binds Roman to his vessel.”

The glow faded and Sam spoke normally, once again. “When he’s bound to the vessel, we can behead him, douse him in borax, and bury pieces of him all over the continent.”

Dean was about to protest some more when Bobby showed up to simply nod his head twice, face serene and almost smiling, before fading away again.

In the background, Charlie and Garcia both squeaked.

Dean pinched the bridge of his nose, shook his head slightly and took a deep breath before squaring his shoulders. “Won’t the other Leviathans try to put him back together?”

Sam pointed impatiently at the notebook and Dean grumbled about inconsistent deafness as he scribbled the words.

Sam read the question and shrugged. “Probably. But as more and more of them suffer the same fate it will be mighty difficult for them to find the right pieces, don’t you think?”

Dean nodded with a smirk. “I guess.” A worry line appeared on his forehead. “I just wish we could do something more permanent.”

“No,” Sam said, looking sad and exhausted. “You really, really don’t.”

Meanwhile, Garcia had listened, had analyzed what she heard and compared it to what Morgan had already told her. It was crazy, crazy and scary and impossible but it was true. Every word, every scary detail, glowing eyes and ghosts included, it all added up. She stared at the men in front of her and something seemed to shimmer and break.

“You’re Dean Winchester,” she blurted when the face of Agent Dean Smith morphed into the well-known outlaw.

He raised his head quickly from the notepad he was scribbling on, to grin at her and give her a thumbs up sign.

Garcia turned to Morgan. “That’s Dean Winchester.”

Morgan nodded, expression cautious.

“That’s Dean Winchester and that’s Sam Winchester and it sounds like they’re plotting to kill the richest man in the US.”

Morgan nodded again and bit his lip.

“I knew that guy was bad news.” Garcia ignored Morgan’s baffled look and turned to Charlie. “Nice work at the CIA. If you do another mock-attack they’ll restart their systems and the changes you made will  be untraceable.”

“Thanks,” Charlie gushed. “I wanted to but I didn’t have enough juice to pull the diversions needed. All I had was that one.” She pointed to the laptop bag resting in a corner.

Garcia’s eyes widened. “You hacked CIA with just a laptop?”

Charlie blushed. “I just went through their standard gateways instead of going through the firewall.”

Garcia frowned. “Then you’d have to know the correct username and password for someone with a lot of clearance.”

Charlie shrugged. “It’s not my fault the director hadn’t changed it since I hacked them the last time.”

“Last time?” Garcia quirked an eyebrow at Charlie.

“A couple of days ago I found some pretty unbelievable information about my boss, Dick Roman. I still had my own stuff then so I checked FBI, NSA, Interpol, Home Security, CIA and fucking NASA for confirmation. They’re all clueless, by the way.”

Garcia nodded, her expression saying how could you expect different when Dean interrupted.

“Listen up, Ladies.” He smirked at Morgan and continued. “We’ve got a recipe for Leviathan soup. You can run along or help us with the grocery list. Choice is yours.”

“I’ll help if I can,” Caitlin immediately said.

“What she said,” Charlie nodded.

“If there’s anything I can do when I’m off duty,” Morgan said and thrust his hip out while putting his hand on it, thoroughly embracing his newfound title as a lady just to mess with Dean.

“As long as I can hide behind a screen and do my real job, too,” Garcia declared.

Dean looked at all of them one by one, an unspoken question in his eyes. “You sure about that? Really?”

“Of course we want to help.” Caitlin smiled at his stunned expression. “We’re glad you asked us.”

He nodded, still perplexed. “Okay. Um, right. We need a box from a storage room in New York containing a human femur of a saintified nun.”

As Dean drew in a breath to continue the list, Cas showed up by the door, holding an old wooden box. “The femur of Katharine Drexel, as requested.”

While Garcia and Morgan stood speechless, Dean walked over to accept the box. “Thanks, Cas. Boy, that was fast. Could you, you know. I mean, do you mind bleeding a bit for us again?”

Cas gave Dean a fond smile. “Gladly, my friend.” He seemed to conjure a glass from thin air and as they watched it filled with blood. He offered it to Dean who fumbled a bit with the wooden box before dumping it in Caitlin’s arms.

Dean took the blood filled glass. “Thank you.” He looked around and zeroed in on the room’s mini fridge. Carefully putting the blood inside, he stood and looked at the notebook again.

“Okay, next is some demon blood and then we need to find somewhere remote and get a nice hot fire going.” He held a hand over his pocket, trembling slightly. “Finally, we need to figure out a way to get Roman out in the open with minimum security.”

Charlie and Garcia exchanged looks.

“Leave that to us,” Charlie smirked.

“Okay. Great. I guess all we need is demon blood, then, before going on a picnic. That was… easier than expected.”

Dean scratched out the items on the list already accounted for and showed it to Sam, who nodded.

Sam left the room shortly, then came back with the spray paint from his duffel. Wordlessly he shooed everyone away from the largest free space and painted a devil’s trap on the floor.

“Do you know what he’s doing?” Caitlin whispered to Dean.

Dean scowled. “If I’m not mistaken he’s going to summon a demon. Bloody show-off. Let’s get everyone out of here.”

Just then, Sam started chanting, the latin flowing from his lips quickly and effortlessly.

Dean ordered everyone to relocate to the small room next door, offering no explanations as to why. As soon as he could, he returned to stand by Sam’s side.

Within minutes, a young dark-haired woman appeared in the devil’s trap, looking scared and confused.

“Meg,” Sam smirked. “Long time no see. Are you up for some fun?”

“Why, Sammy, my boy,” the demon drawled back at him, all signs of fear quickly hidden away. “Have you changed your mind about me?”

Sam rolled his eyes and gestured at Dean to continue the conversation.

“I’m pretty sure Sam always thought you looked your best bloody, Meg.” He held up an empty water bottle. “But this time, all you have to do is bleed this half full. Then we’ll let you go.”

Meg cackled in disbelief. “Right. Just give you my blood like it holds no power over me whatsoever and then you’ll let me simply waltz right out of here? Try again, Deano, and cut the bullshit this time.”

“Give us your blood so we can kill Dick Roman and we’ll exorcise you back to hell and you can crawl back out. You’re good at that, aren’t you?”

“No. If I do this, you let me fucking go. I won’t bother you but I’m not going back to hell.”

“Don’t talk like you’re calling the shots, Meg. We can just take it instead.” Dean drew a knife from his boot and tested its edge to demonstrate what he meant.

She tilted her head and looked at him, looked through him. As she opened her mouth to speak, undoubtedly the usual vile psychological crap mixture of truths and lies that demons were masters of, Sam coughed. Her eyes slid sideways and she recoiled in horror. Saying nothing else, she looked pleadingly at Dean.

He tossed the bottle into the trap with a smirk.

Meg curled in on herself as far from Sam as she could get and used a long fingernail to open a vein. She collected the blood in the bottle and rolled it back to Dean. She gave Sam another scared glance and steeled herself.

Dean opened his mouth to start the exorcism.

Meg looked up at him, a strange vulnerability in her expression. “Say hi to Clarence for me,” she said.

Dean stood, dumbstruck, suddenly reminded of one of the weirdest things he had witnessed in a lifetime of weird. Meg kissing Cas back then to steal his blade had made sense but Cas… Cas had kissed her back, fervently so.

“Why don’t you tell him yourself,” Dean muttered, suddenly convinced that the angel was there, unseen.

Cas appeared as expected. With a sigh, he stepped across the boundary of the sigil and offered his hand to Meg. “I will take her somewhere far from here.”

Dean bit his tongue to keep from arguing how wrong being considerate to a demon was. Sam stood impassively next to him and when Dean chanced a look at him, he was bleeding from his ear again. When he looked back at the trap, it was empty.

[hideandseaking]

What do you think are the easiest and hardest Pokemon generations to nuzlocke?

From easiest to hardest, in my personal experience:

Gen 6Gen 2Gen 1Gen 7Gen 3Gen 5Gen 4

Now I’ve put 7 in the middle because I haven’t fully done a SM Nuzlocke yet, but I am in the beginning of a wondertradelocke for Sun so ask me in June for a new list at that point ahaha

I’ll put some reasoning for each choice in a read more if you’re interested on the placements and why I put them where (:

Gen 6 (XY and ORAS):

Definitely the easiest in my personal opinion. I’ve done 3 different XY lockes (Wondertradelocke, Alphabet Wonderlocke, and a Tradelocke) and I’ve procured the least amount of deaths from the Wondertradelocke. I believe only 3 Pokemon died. The Alphabet Wonderlocke was harder because I was forced to use alphabetical order, which forces a lot more out of you. But by the time I went to the E4 with a team of 6, I have two level 100 pokemon from grinding up potential new teammates. It’s cute when Diantha mega evolves her Gardevior and you one-shot it with your Armaldo’s X-Scissor. The Tradelocke with Dan was the hardest of the 3 but that’s partially because he’s a jerk who gives me underleveled pokemon constantly fdasjfkld The EXP share is very enabling during it, so to make it harder I would suggest turning it off right at the beginning.

As for ORAS, I’m currently at the E4 with Dan in a Tradelocke of that. I’ve only lost like... 6 Pokemon, I think? I don’t have my 3DS on my atm. But even with the EXP share turned off starting after the 5th gym, it’s been painfully easy. Definitely a good game to start with if you’ve never Nuzlocked before, but for a seasoned veteran this isn’t fun to play as a nuzlocke

Gen 2 (GSC):

I’ve part-way Nuzlocked Crystal up to Chuck, and I’m almost complete with a Vietnamese Crystal Nuzlocke (almost ready for the E4 actually), and the death counts are consistently low in these games. I’ve only lost once in a Viet. Cry. Nuzlocke to Falkner due to really bad luck but other than that I’ve always prevailed. I’d say they’re the easiest if the EXP share wasn’t how it is in Gen 6. I always lose a Geodude to Whitney and then have a barren land of deaths until around Blackthorn. If everything goes smoothly in the Viet. Crys. Nuzlocke, then I’ll come out with 3 deaths?? I’ve also done a 3-way GSC Nuzlocke Stream where I was on Gold, and we made it to Jasmine without any trouble at all really. None of us had more than 2 deaths. They’re very easy games the Nuzlocke. Another good beginner set for anyone.

Gen 1 (RBY):

If you can’t tell already, I like to play hacks and ROMs instead of the real games, and alternate versions of Nuzlocking instead of traditional. My experience with RBY has been a Crazy Randomizer Version of Red and a partial tradelocke turned Nuzlocke with Blue. With the Crazy Randomizer, it took me 28 tries to not die before Brock, but after the 28thh reset it was smooth sailing and I made it to the E4 before my laptop threw away the file. I had a Moltres named Lucifer and everything RIP. But that isn’t to say that these games weren’t hard. There are a lot of deaths peppered in these games, as they’re unfair and the coding came from another dimension. When I was tradelocking with my brother, he died twice to which we had to restart. In both games I’ve been reduced to a party of 2 and nothing more. They’re a good standard of tough but not unholy unfair. A little boring to play at the beginning if you’ve seen it before, but honestly still fun.

Gen 7 (SM):

Now, like I’ve said, I’m only doing a Sun Wondertradelocke atm (though I have bidders for a Tradelocke... and a 4-way Tradelocke....) and thus it’s going in the middle. I’ve only gotten up to Hala? I’ve lost a few Pokemon already, and I know these games are going to be a little more tough than XY at least. ...If you turn off the Exp share. Idk yet tho. Nothing is too certain here until I complete that tradelocke. Like I said, come back to me in June when I’ve probably gotten a lot farther and can gauge the games more then.

Gen 3 (RSE and FRLG):

I’ve played these games so much just kill me. Ruby is my Nuzlocke for my comic, and I’ve made it clear before that the death count came out low for it. It’s a pretty easy game in all honesty. I’ve done an Omega Emerald nuzlocke where I quit before Petalburg. And I’ve done an Emerald 365 Nuzlocke where I died in that too. Maybe if I tried Emerald I would see harder results, but once you know how to play the game, Ruby is easy. I’d recommend trying Emerald for more toughness but I wouldn’t expect much from these games.

That being said, FRLG is a lot harder. Leaf Green was the first Nuzlocke that I ever completed and I almost filled a whole box. It sucks evolving your Eevee into a Jolteon to have it taken from you right away. Or having your Primape that’s 8 levels above an Ivysaur get demolished in one Vine Whip. It’s tough. Like??? Really tough?? I’d have to pick up one again to see if it was just my beginner aspects that made it tough or if it was the game itself, but that box count doesn’t lie. This is why Gen 3 is up higher in my opinion, because this game hurt a lot lmao

Gen 5 (BW and B2W2):

Pain and suffering! Pain and suffering!! I’ve completed a White Nuzlocke and only a White Nuzlocke out of these games. I filled a box. I was down to a team of 3 after the 5th badge and it didn’t fully replenish until after the 7th badge gym. I’d evolve something and it would get brutally murdered 30 minutes later. I’ve seen a Bisharp 15 levels under my Archeops take it down from full HP to 0 in one hit. This game is brutal. It’s terrifying. I fear the day I’m bored enough with the others to go and try these again.

I have a White 2 Nuzlocke somewhere but I’m afraid of this game too. I haven’t picked it up recently because my team got down to 1. I was relying on a Delcatty in Burgh’s battle. I’m at the 5th badge gym in it currently and I’m pretty sure I have a team of 5 in it. It’s scary and I’m afraid of going back to that game too. This is a super tough generation as a whole, but it’s so rewarding to beat one.

Gen 4 (DPPt and HGSS):

Y’all I haven’t even gotten close in a DPPt game. I die before the 4th gym every time. I don’t even know what it’s like to battle Wake in these games. Everything seems moderate and then you get to Solaceon town and you’re left for dead. Things kill you. You die. Not to mention, who tf wants to put up with the game speed in DP?? At least try Platinum for comfort but that’s just even harder. If I ever manage to beat one of these games, I’ll tell you. But honestly respect to anyone who has, because these are brutal games.

As for HGSS, I’ve beaten SS before and GOD it took me 2+ years. The experience climb is the most painful one I’ve ever had to deal with. These games test your patience and penchant for grinding. You can’t even get half the Pokemon you want until the game is over. I believe I filled a good portion of my box in these games too, but the fact of the grinding climb being so slight in the games is just sad and hurtful. Also seeing your Pokemon walk behind you and then they die can be a little more heart-wrenching than the other games. These are fairly tough as well because of Whitney but overall the gameplay is fair enough. Just a lot of patience and stamina required for these games.

Anyway, that’s all I gotta say from my personal experience. I hope you enjoyed this and if you’ve had a different experience, feel free to share it lmao