#and thank you Mr Jenkins for everything

[orions-beltloops]

ofmd officially over everyone :((((((

[warping-realities]

2k Special - Coach Knows Best: BACS

Hey folks, this is the third chapter of the 2k special. Speaking of special, I gotta give a shoutout to my buddy @johnbrand who once again lent me one of his concepts to help me level up my story. If you’ve read his work, you probably know what concept I’m talking about just by the chapter title. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you gotta read his amazing work along with the equally awesome @mrrharper. For those of you who’ve been around for a while, you’ll catch some throwback references in both stories, but you can totally enjoy them either way.

While the leaves were falling on the well-kept grounds of Oakwood High, mid-season arrived and the Titans football team was riding high. They were about to face one of their big rivals, the Cougars, in a showdown that promised to be epic. Everything seemed perfect until one morning, when Coach Steele received an unexpected visit. The door swung open, and a sharply dressed man entered, wearing a condescending expression and a smile that seemed forced. Mr. Jenkins, a man Steele knew wasn't exactly a friend.

“Oh, Coach Steele! What a pleasure to see you! The team is doing incredibly well this season, right?” Jenkins began, his voice dripping with subtle sarcasm.

“Yeah, we’re pretty happy with how the boys are performing,” Steele replied, keeping his tone neutral but with a hint of tension in his voice. He knew it was best not to let the animosity show.

“Only Larson and Thornton have outmatched your success story. You’ve really outdone yourself, Steele,” Jenkins continued, giving a light pat on the coach's back, which Steele merely nodded at, refusing to fall for the flattery.

“Thanks, but we know success is a result of the hard work from the players and the coaching staff,” Steele replied, his words laced with half-truths but also a touch of disdain due to Jenkins's attitude, who was well aware of some of the means employed by Steele and the other mentioned coaches, as he was, after all, a member of the shady board that governed those transformations to ensure a constant influx of young players for the colleges and was always hungry for more.

The board member tilted his head, as if evaluating Steele's response. “That's true, but you know the board is always looking for ways to support the team, especially when success is in sight. We’re here to ensure that all necessary resources are available,” Jenkins said, his tone now insinuating that he had other interests in mind.

“If the board were really interested in supporting the team, we’d have more resources and less bureaucracy,” Steele shot back, his gaze steady. “But let’s get to the point. What do you really want here, Jenkins? Don’t tell me this visit is just to compliment my work.”

Jenkins smiled, but not genuinely. “You’re perceptive, Steele. Actually, the reason I’m here is to discuss the team’s upcoming goals and the need to ensure everything is in order for the rest of the season. We know the pressure is mounting, and expectations are high.”

“High expectations are part of the job, and we didn’t need you to remind us of that,” Steele responded, his voice carrying a touch of indignation. He had no patience for Jenkins's arrogance.

“Of course, of course! But you know how it works, right? To maintain the level of success, we need to ensure that all aspects are covered. The board is here to help, but we also need assurances that you’re committed to maintaining that high standard,” Jenkins continued, his posture becoming more authoritative.

Steele took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. “I believe I’ve made it clear that my commitment to this team is unshakeable.”

“Without a doubt, sure… Still, there seems to be a strange gap, so to speak, in your group, doesn’t it?”

“I don’t know what you’re referring to.”

“Oh, but it’s something right in front of you, or should I say at the end?” said the man, laughing at his own joke as Steele frowned. This couldn't be what he was thinking.

“Be clear, Jenkins.”

“Yes, yes. Sorry, sometimes I get carried away with my middle-school humor. I’m referring, of course, to your Tight End. Tyler Dawson. The kid is decent and clearly trying hard, but he’s not up to par with what you’ve got in the rest of the offense. Trey Mathews, Connor Walsh, Adam Trent, Brock Bennet, Gabe Brackman, and Brad Williams form a cohesive and unstoppable unit, and you still have the Sanchez twins flying in to catch all the balls. So I wonder how a man like you lets someone mediocre like Dawson play on this team?”

“Dawson isn’t mediocre; he’s an excellent player and the brother of Lee Dawson, who you surely remember plays the same position for a college team.”

“Lee is an amazing player, I must agree, but unfortunately, the brother doesn’t seem to be on the same level as him, and you should have noticed that some time ago. Added to certain things I’ve been hearing around the halls… I’m concerned…”

“What things would those be?”

“That the kid isolates himself, doesn’t go to team events, that maybe he’s… gay.”

“And what would be the problem with his sexuality?”

“None, of course, as long as it’s in the board’s interest to have someone like that heading to the NFL, which given the current political climate is quite unlikely. But you’re dodging my questions, Steele. Why hasn’t Dawson been improved? With you having played in that position yourself, I imagined you wanted someone who was an absolute standout to fill it!

Coach Steele let out a long sigh before responding.

“Because of Lee. I’ve trained Lee since day one, and my greatest pride was the fact that I didn’t have to use any shady methods to make the kid shine, just good old natural talent combined with a lot of practice, as it was with me and so many others before the board opened the door to the advanced enhancement methods so many years ago. But I digress. Lee is a smart kid, much smarter than people give him credit for. Almost four years ago, on the day he left for college, he came to me and said that Tyler would try out for the team and that he trusted me to do for his brother what I did for him. The right way. I have no idea how much Lee knows about our… alternative methods. But he made me promise that his brother would remain the same, and I’ve kept that promise ever since.”

“Who would have thought that the old brute would have a heart? A commendable attitude, truly commendable. However, I fear that such a promise will have to be broken.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The Board has decided to reactivate the BACS protocol, and Tyler was chosen for the demonstration, I’m sorry Steele.”

“You must be joking with me!”

“Unfortunately not, you and I don’t always agree, but I can say that after hearing you, I understand your reasons; unfortunately, that doesn’t change anything, orders come from above, and we must obey.”

“But does it have to be BACS? I can fix Tyler in a more subtle way; besides, the glitches, Lee might notice something!”

“Unfortunately, it’s a risk we run. I don’t think BACS is the best solution either, but orders are orders. I can leave you out of the demonstration if you prefer.”

“No, I’ll accompany the kid all the way. It’s the least I can do.”

….

Tyler adjusted his cap while entering the locker room, the familiar aroma of sweat and deodorant welcoming him as always. He looked around, watching the other players getting ready for another day of practice. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and teasing, an energy pulsing with the camaraderie the team cultivated. But for Tyler, all of it felt a bit distant. He felt like a spectator in a show that wasn’t his.

While the players joked about who made the best touchdown in the previous practice, Tyler stepped back a bit, focusing on his routine. He knew his teammates were competent and dedicated, but the jokes and the way they teased each other made him uncomfortable. Tyler always found their antics somewhat immature, but he didn’t want to be the type of guy who ruins the fun. So he preferred to remain silent, listening to the laughter echoing while he prepared for practice.

He sat on a bench, putting on his cleats and listening to the conversations float around him. Rafael and Miguel were in a corner, making jokes about everyone, while Trey, the most extroverted teammate, was telling a funny story about a sexual conquest. Tyler smiled to the others, but the truth was he didn’t feel part of those conversations. There was a certain apprehension in his heart, a fear that if he tried to get involved, the truth about his feelings might be revealed.

He looked in the mirror, seeing his reflection. He was a good player but he always felt like he was a step behind the others in terms of skill. The pressure to stand out made him anxious, and the idea of not meeting his teammates’ expectations consumed him. Moreover, there was something else that worried him: the attraction he felt towards some of them. He didn’t know how to deal with that, especially in an environment that seemed so filled with raw machismo. The fear of being rejected or ridiculed for his feelings isolated him even more.

As he prepared, Tyler remembered how he got to this point. Since he was little, he had always been passionate about football, but the difficulty in fitting in made him feel like an outsider. Now, in his final season, he found himself trapped between the need to stand out as an athlete and the internal struggle of accepting who he really was. He wanted to be part of the team, but the fear that his sexuality could be an obstacle kept him on the sidelines, watching instead of participating.

As the players got ready, Coach Steele watched closely, the expression on his face mixing determination with a hint of worry. But he had a task to fulfill, no matter how unpleasant it was. After a few minutes, he called Tyler over to talk.

“Tyler! Can you come here for a minute?” Steele said, gesturing for the young man to approach.

Tyler felt a chill in his stomach. He didn’t know if this was good or bad. “Yes, coach?” he replied, trying to keep his voice steady.

“I’ve chosen you for something important. This weekend, we’ll have a meeting with some out-of-state football coaches, and I want you to come with me. I think this could be a great opportunity for you,” Steele said, his voice full of expectation.

Tyler was surprised. “Really, coach? I... I don’t know. Why would you choose me? I’m not as good as … well as everyone else…” His insecurity shone through his words. He felt like he had always been on a lower level than the rest of the team.

“Don’t think like that, Tyler. You have great potential. I see the effort you put into every practice, and that’s what matters. Don’t worry about comparisons. There’s a reason for this choice, and I want you to remember that,” Steele replied, with a strange look.

Tyler nodded, feeling a mix of happiness and anxiety. He knew this was a rare chance and he should seize it. “Thank you, coach. I’ll get ready!”

“Great! Now go change and join the practice. We’ll need you on the field,” Steele said before turning his attention back to the other players.

Tyler hurried to change, his heart pounding with new energy. He was excited, but doubt still lingered in his mind. As he dressed, he looked at his reflection in the mirror and tried to convince himself that he deserved to be there. “You got this, Tyler. It’s just football,” he murmured to himself.

On the field, Steele’s instructions echoed, and Tyler tried to focus. However, during breaks, the gossip and discussions about the trip and how amazing it would be distracted him. He heard his teammates commenting on other teams while some questioned why he had been chosen to accompany the Coach. The pressure to stand out grew, and Tyler began to feel insecurity creeping into his mind.

During practice, he made mistakes that left him frustrated. As he tried to position himself correctly, he lost focus and instead of blocking properly, he ended up leaving an open space multiple times an Connor the quaterback, who used to be so confident, suffered several sacks because of his failure. With each mistake, Steele's and his teammates' disapproving looks became more evident, and Tyler felt the weight of disappointment.

Finally, in a critical play, Tyler failed again, resulting in a fumble that the opposing team quickly turned into a touchdown. The silence that followed was deafening. Tyler froze, his mind spinning, unable to process what had just happened. The look from his teammates, usually friendly and upbeat, was now filled with disapproval and discontent.

“Tyler, to the bench, you’re not fit to continue today,” said a visibly disappointed Steele.

Feeling crushed, he walked away from the group, seeking a secluded spot on the field. He leaned against a wall, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to escape. “How did I let this happen?” he thought, the guilt weighing on his shoulders. He felt like a failure, a dead weight for the team that was counting on him.

As practice continued, he heard the voices of the other players blending together, but he couldn’t understand the words. All he felt was the pain of disappointment and a growing fear that if he couldn’t overcome this, he would never be accepted as part of the team. He wished he had the confidence of his teammates. But at that moment, all he felt was loneliness.

After practice ended, the players headed to the locker room, the atmosphere still tense after Tyler's mistakes. He felt like a burden, and the last thing he wanted was to face his teammates' gazes. Conversations about the upcoming game and the team's performance echoed around him, but Tyler was lost in his own thoughts, struggling against frustration and humiliation.

As soon as he entered the locker room, Tyler distanced himself from the group and quickly headed to the shower, determined to wash away the emotional weight he felt. He adjusted the water temperature and, instead of making it warm and comforting, decided that a cold shower was what he needed. As the cold water hit his skin, a shiver ran through his body, but he didn’t care. The cold was a necessary contrast to the storm of feelings enveloping him.

Meanwhile, his teammates tried to cheer him up, but their words only heightened Tyler's anguish. “Hey, T-Dawg! Don’t be like that, bro! You’re a fucking football player! There are definitely a bunch of girls wanting to hook up with you!” Trey shouted, laughing, as if that were the solution to Tyler’s problems. God he really hate that nickname!

“Yeah, dude! You gotta go out more, enjoy the fame! There are tons of girls at school who would go crazy for you!” Connor added, giving a wide smile. But each word felt like more pressure on Tyler, who knew he would never date any of those girls.

As the other guys continued to discuss the different girls at school, their conversations quickly turned into a competition of who could impress the girls more. They talked about who had the biggest cock, who had the best body, and who would make the best girlfriend while Tyler felt invisible. Their laughter and happiness only made him feel more isolated.

Taking advantage of the group’s distraction, Tyler decided it was the perfect moment to slip away unnoticed. He turned off the shower, dried off quickly, and threw on a t-shirt and a pair of pants. As soon as he felt at least somewhat decent, he peeked through the locker room door, watching his teammates still immersed in their superficial conversations.

With one last glance at the group, Tyler made a quick exit, avoiding any interaction. He headed to the parking lot, his heart racing but relieved to escape the locker room pressure. The freedom of the fresh air hit him like a balm, and although the anguish was still present, he felt a bit lighter, far from the expectations and the need to be something he wasn’t.

Tyler walked to his car, sitting in the driver’s seat. He let the steering wheel slip between his fingers, gazing at the school in the distance. What he really wanted was a place where he could be himself, away from the jokes and comparisons. If only there were a way to feel accepted, maybe he could find his own voice within that competitive world. Filled with anxiety, Tyler did what was his instinct in that kind of situation: called his brother, Lee, while the car engine purred softly. He always felt more at ease talking to Lee, especially in moments like this. Lee, the starting Tight End for the Virginia Tech football team, had always been a source of inspiration and support for Tyler, and he needed that now more than ever.

After a few rings, Lee's familiar and encouraging voice echoed on the other end of the line. “Hey, Tyler! How’s it going?”

Tyler sighed, relieved to hear his brother's voice. “Hey, Lee. Oh, you know how it is. Practicing, trying to fit in, but I’m feeling a little... out of place, I guess.”

“Out of place? Why?”

“Oh Lee, I messed up and made a bunch of rookie mistakes in practice today. I’m a… incompetent… a fraud!”

“Never say that, Tyler! You’re a good player; Steele would never put you on the field if it weren’t true! You have no reason to feel that way. The team needs you, and you’re doing a great job,” Lee replied, immediately trying to lift his brother's spirits. “Just keep pushing yourself. Remember that every player has their own time to shine.”

“I know, but everyone else seems so confident, and I... well, I don’t know if I’m good enough. Sometimes I feel like I’m just ‘Lee’s little brother’ and nothing more,” Tyler vented, his voice heavy with frustration.

“Hey, don’t think like that! You’re you, and that’s what matters. Coach Steele believes in you, and you need to trust him too. He knows what he’s doing. Soon, you’ll be in college, meeting new people and fitting into some group. You just need to give it time,” Lee encouraged, his voice full of conviction.

Tyler felt a little of the weight on his heart dissipate. “Yeah… you’re right. I just need to keep working hard and, if all goes well, maybe I can finally feel like part of the team.”

Lee chuckled lightly. “And don’t forget, next year I’ll be graduated, and you won’t have to worry about facing me on the field. I just have to worry about not getting tackled by you when we’re both in the NFL!” he joked, making Tyler laugh for the first time since he left the locker room.

“Ah, that would be a nightmare, having to face you! But seriously, I really appreciate you always being there for me, Lee. You’re the best.”

“That’s what brothers are for, right? Now go out there and show them what you’re made of. I’m rooting for you, Tyler. And don’t forget to keep me updated on everything. I want to hear about your accomplishments, okay?”

“Sure, I’ll do that. Thanks, Lee. You always know how to cheer me up,” Tyler replied, feeling renewed by the conversation.

After hanging up, Tyler felt a new wave of determination. He knew he still had a long way to go, but with his brother’s support and the certainty that the future held new opportunities, he felt a bit stronger. With one last look at the school, he turned on the car and decided he would return for the day’s classes, determined to give his best, regardless of the insecurities that haunted him.

….

On Saturday morning, Tyler felt more excited than he had in recent days. The practices had gone much more smoothly, and the absence of a game the night before left him relieved. He had the chance to focus, improve, and prepare for the next challenge. Everything seemed promising, and the conversation with Lee still resonated in his mind, giving him an extra boost.

When he arrived at the airport where he would board for the trip, Tyler was surprised by the opulence of the private area. Luxurious jets were parked side by side, and the reception was filled with well-uniformed staff, ready to cater to the whims of the passengers. He had never been in a place like that before and felt a bit out of place, yet enchanted by it all.

While he waited, Coach Steele approached him, his serious gaze softened by a slight smile. “Tyler, good to see you. Are you ready for the trip?” he asked, with a firmness that always instilled confidence in the young man.

“Yes, coach! I’m excited!” Tyler replied, trying to hide the anxiety still lingering.

“Great. I want you to know that this is an important opportunity for you”Steele said, placing a hand on Tyler’s shoulder, guiding him toward the jet.

Tyler nodded, although he felt a twinge of nervousness. “I know, coach. I’m trying to soak up everything I can,” he commented as he entered the aircraft. The interior of the jet was even more impressive than the exterior, with luxurious leather seats, ample space, and even a small entertainment area.

As they settled in, Steele turned to Tyler, interested in learning more about him. “So, Tyler, how are you feeling about the team and football? What are your plans for the future?” Steele asked, trying to engage the player in a more meaningful conversation.

Tyler smiled, feeling valued to have the coach’s attention. “I’m feeling good, coach! I want to keep working hard, and if all goes well, I hope to get a scholarship for college. I’m thinking about following Lee’s path; I know my chances of going pro are slim, but I’m thinking about studying something related to sports, maybe even becoming a coach like you!” he replied, excited to share his dreams.

“That’s excellent, Tyler. You have a great future ahead of you. The important thing is to keep dedicating yourself and not let difficulties discourage you,” Steele said, his serious yet encouraging look making Tyler feel at ease.

As they talked, Tyler didn’t notice the strange and heavy glances Steele was casting at him. Steele was genuinely interested in the kid's aspirations, but he also felt conflicted. He knew the board’s pressure to reactivate the BACS protocol still loomed over him, and the thought of what was about to happen to Tyler left him uneasy. The young player was filled with hopes and dreams, and Steele wondered for the first time in a long time if he had made the right choices throughout his career. Then the kid went and stomped on his heart.

“I really appreciate your support, coach. That means a lot to me,” Tyler said, his radiant smile reflecting his determination.

“Thanks, Tyler. Remember that you’re not alone in this. We’re all here to make sure you succeed,” Steele replied, trying to hide the concern that consumed him.

As the jet landed next to a large sports complex, Tyler couldn’t help but be impressed. The structure was imposing, with training fields, courts, and state-of-the-art facilities. He disembarked the plane alongside Coach Steele, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. As they walked towards the main building, the air was charged with energy and anticipation.

As they entered, they were greeted by a sharply dressed man who emanated an aura of authority. It was Mr. Jenkins. His condescending smile widened upon seeing Steele and Tyler. “Ah, Coach Steele! Good to see you here! And you must be Tyler Dawson, the young talent everyone’s been talking about!” Jenkins said, his melodious voice full of flattery.

Tyler felt a bit embarrassed by the sudden attention. “Yeah, that’s me, but I’m nothing special,” he murmured, trying to look away.

“Don’t be modest! You’re about to have a great opportunity. We’re very excited to have you here,” Jenkins continued, making a sweeping gesture with his hands as though presenting a grand attraction. “Come, I’ll take you to see some of the facilities. You’re going to love it!”

Steele watched the interaction with a stern look, his expression reflecting the concern he felt. He knew Jenkins wasn’t being genuine, and that his intentions were much more sinister than they appeared. But Tyler was excited, and unknowingly, he had already been ensnared in the board's web of interests.

As they walked, Jenkins continued to talk about the importance of college football and how Tyler could stand out. They passed various facilities, from a complete gym to a sauna for players to relieve fatigue after practices. Throughout the tour, the man treated Tyler like a celebrity, praising him at every turn. “You’re exactly the kind of player we need to ensure our future success. College is full of opportunities, and I’m sure you’re going to shine,” he said while leading them to a room with a large mirror.

When they arrived, Jenkins turned to Steele, his voice becoming lower and conspiratorial. “This is the moment; if you want to change your mind, Steele,” he said, casting a meaningful glance at the coach. There was something there; Jenkins had never been his friend, there had to be some trap. The kid's fate was sealed, and there was nothing to be done.

Steele maintained his composure, but the tension in his shoulders was palpable. He knew the decision had already been made, and there was no turning back. “I think there’s nothing more to discuss, Jenkins. The choice is made,” he said in a firm voice, but a shadow of hesitation crossed his eyes.

Tyler, oblivious to the whispered conversation, looked at the mirror absently. It was then that Steele approached him, his expression now more solemn.

“Tyler, I need to step out for a moment. I’ll send you a message as soon. Stay here and trust me,” Steele said, his voice low but filled with a weight Tyler couldn’t comprehend.

“Sure, coach,” Tyler replied, a bit confused but still trusting in the coach's words.

“You’re going to do well, kid,” Steele added before leaving the room, resigned and accompanied by an eager Jenkins.

“Showtime!” the man exclaimed enthusiastically, while Steele remained silent as both headed to an adjoining room. In this room, there was also a large glass panel, essentially a window into the room where Tyler was innocently fiddling with his phone.

Steele sat in one of the comfortable chairs, observing the men around him. He recognized some of the attendees nodding in acknowledgment. Then Jenkins began with the formalities.

“Good afternoon, gentlemen, thank you all for coming with enthusiasm, especially to Coach Steele, who provided us with today’s specimen. Without further ado, let’s get to the point. We believed the best way to explain our product was to show how it works. Before us is Tyler Dawson, a mediocre player on a team far superior to his skills. Originally holding potential, being the brother of an elite player, he has not yet conformed to our standards. Therefore, he was chosen to reactivate an old protocol otherwise known as BACS for short.”

Four words were then flashed in red on the glass, obscuring Tyler's distracted figure as he innocently fiddled with his phone. A silly acronym, but one that worked nonetheless.

Beefy Aggressive Cocky Straight

“It is my understanding that many of you have already utilized our more subtle tools; however, among you are some insecure beginners, or even among the more experienced there are those who prefer a direct approach, with no need for catalysts or such. That is why BACS was created; due to some minor flaws, it was taken off the market but now returns with renewed strength as you will soon see.”

The men present in the room exhibited a variety of reactions to Jenkins’s speech. Some appeared visibly interested, their eyes gleaming with a nearly predatory expectation. Others seemed slightly uncomfortable, likely questioning the unorthodox methods. But most in attendance seemed eager to partake in the new and improved BACS protocol.

Jenkins smiled broadly, clearly pleased to present this “opportunity” to his colleagues. Steele watched it all in silence, his expression grave. He knew there was no turning back; Tyler’s fate was sealed. Still, a part of him questioned whether he had made the right choice by accepting this deal. The kid had so much potential, so many dreams. Did he really need to go through this radical transformation?

As the other men animatedly discussed, Steele sighed heavily. “What’s done is done,” he murmured to himself, resigned. Now everything depended on what would happen to Tyler on the other side of that mirror.

In the other room, Tyler continued to be distracted by his phone, oblivious to what was happening around him. He only frowned when a bright light and a deafening sound emanated from the device.

Suddenly, a wave of heat began to spread through his body. Tyler felt his muscles contracting as if they had a mind of their own. His skin seemed to tingle as his physical structure began to alter.

He watched, agape, as his arms thickened, the muscles hardening and swelling. His shoulders broadened, giving him a more imposing presence. Tyler could feel the tension of his clothing against his chest, which seemed to expand with the growing muscle mass.

His legs also transformed, the thighs becoming thick and defined, the knees and calves becoming more pronounced. He felt taller, his proportions changing dramatically. Even his face seemed different, with sharper features and a more prominent jawline.

As he observed his own metamorphosis, Tyler felt a mix of fear and euphoria. His identity seemed to merge with a new personality, more arrogant and competitive. His doubts and questions replaced by an inflated ego and a mentality focused solely on vanity and conquest. The homosexuality he had yet to fully experience faded away, replaced by a dominating straightness.

On the other side of the mirror, the men watched Tyler’s transformation with eager eyes. Some smiled, clearly impressed with the results of the BACS protocol. Steele, on the other hand, watched with a somber expression.

As quickly as the change began, it completed, and Tyler stared at himself in the mirror, his new self looking back with a confident and predatory gaze. He was no longer the insecure kid but rather one of the typical jocks that abounded on so many teams. Bored, he casually scratched his junk and let out a fart, bursting into laughter.

“Damn T-Dawg, you’re rotten inside you dumbass.” He said loudly. “Good thing there’s no chick around. “ Although that’s all it takes for them to forget you are an asshole and go wild,” he added, grabbing his huge dick over his clothes and grinning at himself in the mirror, laughing without knowing what lay behind the immense structure.

“So, who wants to be next?” Jenkins asked, his eyes sparkling with satisfaction as he observed the other men in the room eagerly raising their hands.

When Tyler and Coach Steele boarded the private jet after the event, the atmosphere inside the aircraft was laden with a silent tension. The kid could barely contain his excitement. He settled into his seat, quickly grabbing his phone to check social media. Comments and reactions to his posts started pouring in at a steady rate.

“Look at this, Coach!” Tyler exclaimed, showing the phone screen to Steele, who was seated across from him. “People are loving the video I posted on TikTok. I caught some amazing balls during practice, and now everyone is commenting about me. Look at all these likes!”

Steele forced a smile, but his concern was evident. “Tyler, that’s great and all, but we can’t forget what really matters. Football is about teamwork, discipline, and personal growth. You need to focus on that and not just on social media,” he said, trying to draw the young man’s attention.

“I know, coach, but it’s awesome to see how people are reacting. I finally feel like I’m part of something bigger,” Tyler replied, scrolling through the screen as he checked the views on his video. “Look, there are already thousands of views! This is just the beginning. The girls are going crazy, and a lot of guys are praising me!”

Steele felt a knot in his stomach. He remembered Tyler’s insecurity before the transformation and how much he had struggled to feel accepted.

“As long as you don’t take your head out of the game…”

“Relax, coach! I’m focused. And I’m going to crush it for the rest of the season. They’re going to remember me,” Tyler replied, flashing a confident smile as he took more pictures to post. He was so involved in his new self that he didn’t notice the coach’s strange look.

Steele decided to change the subject, attempting to connect with the player on a more personal level. “And what about your plans for the future? Have you thought about where you’d like to play in college? Or what you’d like to study?” he asked, trying to pull a more meaningful conversation.

Tyler looked at the coach, but his mind was elsewhere. “Oh, I don’t know, coach. I’m thinking about a bunch of things. But nothing concrete at the moment, I just want to enjoy this phase. You have no idea what it’s like to grow in the shadow of someone like Lee, knowing that in reality, I’m way better than him. And now I’m finally getting the attention I’ve always wanted. Speaking of which, let me post this dope photo I took on the trip. This is going to blow up!” He said, while starting to edit the image.

The trip then continued amidst almost total silence, interrupted only by the sound of notifications from Tyler’s phone. He was in his own world, while Steele gazed out the window, lost in thought.

…..

Steele arrived home, the imposing mansion reflecting the light of the full moon. The place was silent, except for the soft sound of his footsteps echoing on the dark wooden floors. He headed to the living room, where he poured himself a generous glass of aged Bourbon. The intense aroma filled the air as he served the amber liquid. Bringing the glass to his lips, he felt a momentary relief, but the tension building in his chest didn’t dissipate.

With the glass in hand, he sat in the grand living room, where the walls were adorned with photos of his accomplishments as a coach, but also reminders of tough times. Steele's distant gaze fixed on one of the walls where the three team jerseys he had worn throughout his career were framed: the high school one, the Ohio State, and finally the Philadelphia Eagles one, where he had played for two years before deciding to become a coach. Looking at those, he remembered when his passion for the sport made him feel alive, not just as a coach but as a mentor and guide.

The solitude of the space began to weigh on him, and in a spur-of-the-moment decision, he opened his fake Instagram profile—a account he used to monitor his students without them knowing. Samantha Jones, a college student from across the country with huge tits, who was extremely interested in high school kids who thought they were big players. Boys were so easy to manipulate…

As he scrolled through the feed, he saw posts from a huge party, the boys laughing and having fun, surrounded by cheap beer and vodka bottles. And then, the image that hit him like a punch in the gut: Tyler, the previously timid and insecure kid, now with two girls on either side, kissing his cheeks before downing whiskey straight from the bottle amid cheers and animated shouts from his teammates.

Turning off his phone, Steele looked at the bottom of the glass. He would make the boys pay dearly for those excesses on Monday, that is if he didn’t call for a surprise practice on next day just to see them sweat out all that alcohol. He felt extremely irritated by the whole situation. Logically he knew that this new Tyler, once he had his wings clipped the right way, was the best thing for the team; still…

“Sometimes, I really hate this job,” he murmured to himself before slamming the glass down on a table and starting to prepare the most exhausting practice he could think of for that bunch of idiots.

[hannahhook7744]

got any coach Jenkins hc? i feel like we dont know much about him... just his relationship with the vks!

Someone does a survey to find out who the vk's favorite teacher is. The most common answer is Coach Jenkins (some from kids who never went to Auradon Prep). Not to say he's every vk's favorite. Just that not many (or any I can really think of) who'd not like him.

He takes his teams out for victory pizza.

He is one of the few people who can shut the heroes, villains, and sidekicks up with a single look (one that rivals Lady Tremaine's).

He is good with kids.

I read a fic once where Jay met his family. So I headcanon that Coach Jenkins has a husband and at least one kid because of it.

Ever wonder why we never see Mr. Deley after D1? It's because Coach Jenkins chewed him out when he found out about the mess with Evie (he also had Chad run laps at every practice until the season was over afterwards. Probably because he saw Lonnie's school of secrets web series not long before that).

I feel like he might have been abused/neglected as a kid or knew someone who was because he handled Jay (and Carlos) perfectly after their first tourney practice.

He loves his job and had a really good Coach of his own when he was younger who inspired him.

Coach Jenkins used to be apart of Auradon's big brother program.

He also once used to have a diabetic player on the tourney and fencing team so now he carries around a cooler with drinks and snacks at every practice and game.

His favorite colors are ironically the school colors.

He went to Auradon Prep when he was a teenager.

Also he's the jousting club's teacher and has known Ben since he was four because of that.

Coach Jenkins wasn't a perfect teenager (no one is, be honest. Everyone gets up to mischief) but he was always a good person. And unlike most Auradon adults we see, he's not a hypocrite and therefore isn't overly harsh to the kids when they fuck up.

He tries not to be judgemental when the adults fuck up but well. It can be hard sometimes.

He has a ton of baseball caps.

He was on vacation in d2.

He had a family emergency in d3.

Coach Jenkins remains in contact with many of his former students (especially Jay and Carlos).

He is friends and rivals with Tiger Lily (he went to high school with her).

He was a total hippie in highschool.

Can't dance at all.

Just wants absolutely all of his students to be happy and well adjusted adults, even ones like Mal and Evie that he doesn't interact with often.

Coach Jenkins used to have long hair.

His full name is Reese Alexander Jenkins (after his actor, Reese Alexander).

Man has a stress ball and lots of fidget/stress toys because he has a stressful job and his coworkers and a few of the parents certainly do not help that, thank you very much.

Also he was friends with Audrey Ramirez (Diego de Vil's mother and Milo Thatch's friend) too.

He's a bit older than Tiger Lily (in his mid 30s to early 40s).

Coach Jenkins has played videos games with the boys before.

Sometimes he has to stop himself from smacking his coworkers/the parents of the kids because they just make so many stupid decisions that it frustrates him. But he's excellent at self control so he's never done it.

He's a fun loving guy, like Jay, and way more laid back than his coworkers. But he doesn't play favorites with the kids and doesn't let them get away with everything because he knows that that will cause more problems than it will fix.

That's all that I can think of for now, sorry. Feel free to add!

[cybervesna]

Hello, I'm not sure if I missed it somewhere but what's the backstory between Wiosna and Kurt?

Hi! Actually! I haven't talked about them in complied way... Thank you for asking this, I will explain and ramble about them here 😅 At the start, I will say that my photo series Wires is telling the story of the two of them in chronological order (with the exception of Valentine's special cuz that will be set after a few that have to come at some point, I'm sorry Part 7 is so demanding...). However, Dogtown Nights are shorter bits of their life, in unspecified time points (unless stated otherwise cuz some will be follow-up/prequel to Wires) More under the cut

In early 2076 Wiosna became a netrunner for hire after her abusive fiance Arthur Jenkins died. She started small, but thanks to her experience (as she learned netrunning in Poland, where NetWatch is far more strict and only the best can survive (Thanks Eurosource Plus) and a death wish, she quickly made her way to The Afterlife. There, she was known under the nickname SPR1NG. People knew about her only what she allowed them to know, which wasn't much. But Rogue didn't complain, since Spring did all her suicidal gigs with utmost excellence. Happy client = happy fixer. With Wiosna's status increased she started being looked at by many organizations. Corps wanted to hire her to steal data from one another, cause global security breaches, and such things. She was picky with her jobs. Wiosna wasn't after money, nor she was after fame. It was the thrill. She wanted to feel something worth living for. She wanted to be scared to die. Which never really happened. So, when Rogue told her there was a special client from Dogtown who would like to hire her, but there were no deets about anything, she was intrigued. She agreed to the meeting, and from that point forward, her career was under the watchful eye of Mr. Hands. The meeting itself revealed that the client was no one else than Kurt Hansen himself, who needed a capable netrunner to build the lab for Cassels visit. Kurt was a figure everyone in Night City heard about. And Wiosna wanted to find out what was true. How the whole thing went can be seen on Wires: Part 1. But but but but!!! Dogtown Nights 4 is an indirect follow-up that happens between Part 1-5 of the Wires.

Wiosna had a life before this one. Life she ran away from, but that life made her who she is. And she was a highly educated psychologist. She liked to analyze people, trigger certain emotions in them, and make them what she wanted... And Kurt Hansen had something in him, that made her develop an unhealthy obsession. Especially, that he, just like her liked playing mind games.

And Kurt liked her, because she was pretty, smart and it was intriguing as hell she was not jumping to his bed the second she got a chance. In fact, she was cockblocking him.

Kurt and Wiosna were dancing around each other for weeks, and poor Kurt had no idea he was the one losing. Wiosna wrapped him around her finger, by letting him think he was winning, but in reality, she manipulated her way to his heart. Heart, he thought he didn't have. The stepping stone for them was the moment Kurt found out about Wiosna's past.

For Wiosna is was a test. She knew it wouldn't be easy since he didn't get any info on her the first time. All of this was to check if he was willing to bother, and what kind of reaction he would have to the truth. I made some of her files there (I should do more)

Wiosna always saw herself as flawed and unworthy of anything, due to her child trauma. She spent more time in psychiatric facilities, where they tried to "fix her" than she spent with people at school. Any free time she had, she spent in cyberspace or in ballet class - however alone.

Her files consist of dozens of evaluations, diagnoses, incident descriptions, and everything really negative that everyone in high-corpo society sees as "psycho" but in a - we can't make it useful for us psycho way.

Kurt in those files saw potential.

Of course, for him it wasn't really about love, but what he could gain from her. And sadly, Wiosna was naive enough to believe otherwise.

I don't want to say much, because it's in my upcoming stories, but I will say this: Aside from her terrible past, Wiosna also has a powerful name she doesn't use - Kochanowska. Her grandfather is Antoni Kochanowski, owner of LoveSky Space Mining Company. As of 2076 her family owns half of Earth's resources, and 90% of resources on Mars and Luna, they supply manufacturers like Arasaka with resources to make weapons, mechs etc. I want to be clear, that this is only my headcanon! We got that? Good, then to give you the level of importance LoveSky has on the market - Kurt's precious Chimaera was made from resources delivered by LoveSky to Militech. They're the fundamentals of any corporate force. Wiosna is the last of her line. Her parents died tragically (99.99% set up by their enemies) on launch to space where they were meant to start their new project, which makes her - their only child an heir to everything they owned. Which is half of LoveSky and a seat on the Arasaka Board. But Wiosna herself disappeared, despite her grandparents looking for her, and Asukaga & Finch lawyers ready to execute the will of her parents.

For Kurt she is a trophy. One that came straight to his arms at that. But well... remember what I said about Wiosna outsmarting him. They both were into each other, for their selfish reasons. What they found surprised them both.

I hope I satisfied your curiosity!

[wearingaberetinparis]

Fic Author Self-Rec

Thank you for tagging me @missgryffin and @kay-elle-cee! Those that know me, will recognise that I find it very difficult not to be critical of my own work, but I need to be proud of what I write more often, so this is good practice! (Also: how do you choose anyway? Every fic is my baby and there are so many memories attached to writing them.) Rules: When you get this, reply with your favourite fics that you've written. Then pass it on to fice other writers. Spread some self love.

Shout Out To My Ex (Series)

Phoenix Radio is going through a rough period with the arrival of the new and controversial Riddle Radio. Albus Dumbledore, founder of the country’s number one radio station, asks his team to get ready to rebrand. Gone are the days of family friendly radio, a show where two exes talk about where their relationship went wrong and deliver relationship advice live on air, named Shout Out To My Ex, is exactly what Phoenix Radio needs. Who better to co-host this show than Lily Evans and James Potter, two Phoenix Radio employees who absolutely despise each other, or do they? A Jily Modern AU inspired by Rachel Lynn Solomon’s "The Ex Talk". LINK HERE

ocean eyes (Series)

Lily Evans had been eleven when she and her family moved in next door to the Potters. It was the summer before she would start her year at Hogwarts, a prestigious school for gifted students. From their bedrooms, James and Lily witness each other’s highs and lows, watching the other grow as they go through life apart and yet very much together. A Jily Neighbours/Coming of Age AU LINK HERE

(Didn't I?) (Didn't I?) Didn't I See You Crying?

James Potter has fancied Mary Macdonald for as long as he can remember. Everything about her is practically perfect, except for – if he were being honest and he always liked to be – her choice in friends. For Mary’s best friend, Lily Evans, is a right shrew and, much to his dismay, the Head Girl to his Head Boy. Lily Evans had disliked James Potter with a passion after their first interaction on the Hogwarts Express. A dislike that turned into hate – never mind that she also has an infatuation going, but no one needs to know about that – as soon as he decided to make her life a living hell. Unfortunately for her, he also decided (a few years earlier) that her very best friend in the world was the worthy object of his affections. (Which was fine, really. She wasn't about to cry over it, for Godric's sake. She was a strong and independent young woman, thank you very much. And yes, perhaps she was a little in love, but it was all for nothing, so she had to keep calm and carry on.) Certainly, their complicated past would result in major disaster if common ground was not soon established. For the love of Merlin, though, why did either of them think it would be a good idea for Lily to help James woo Mary Macdonald? LINK HERE

The Very (Un)Ladylike Guide To Fortune-Hunting

"Without thinking highly either of men or matrimony, marriage had always been her object; it was the only honourable provision for well-educated young women of small fortune, and however uncertain of giving happiness, must be their pleasantest preservative from want." (Jane Austen) Lily Evans finds herself wanting, or: so her sister seems to believe. While out on the hunt for a fortune - again: that would be Mrs Dursley mostly - the affection of a number of suitors is most welcome. Especially when a young Viscount's heart is set aflame. A Regency Jily AU. LINK HERE

Lily In The Sky With Diamonds

A series of interviews with the UK’s hottest band, The Marauders, and the singer-songwriter Lily Evans, conducted by Nymphadora Tonks, as they prepare for the UK Tour after the release of their album “Lily in the Sky with Diamonds”. Everyone worships The Marauders. Everyone loves Lily Evans. Together they make hearts bleed. Inspired by "Daisy Jones & The Six" by Taylor Jenkins Reid. LINK HERE

Tagging anyone that would like to do this, but @annabtg and @practicecourts as well. I'm sorry if you did this already. I was obviously MIA for a couple of days.

[chronicbeans]

The Suggestions Box

(an Abandoned by Playfellow AU short)

You are tasked to look through the suggestions box, a box filled with the suggestions and comments of your fellow employees, and clean out answered suggestions. It hasn't been sorted through in about a year.

TW: Depression/Anxiety, Threats of Violence/Death Threats, Traumatic Events, Abusive Work Environment, Death, Eating Disorders/Focus on Body Weight and Type, Vomit (Seriously y'all it gets gross-), Body Horror/Gore

Opening up the box, you sigh in disdain. There has to be hundreds of tiny slips of paper in here, with most not even being replied to. So, you have to read every single one just to get every suggestion that was replied to out of the box. Damn it.

You pick out the first suggestion, which is from a janitor who signed it C.M.:

"Suggestion: I need a fucking raise. I just cleaned up puke from a kid who ate a Poppy's Chocolate Sundae Cake, by the Painter's Isle. Took me three hours to get rid of the brown stains on the rainbow carpets, and even longer to get rid of the rancid smell. What the fuck are we even feeding the kids here to make chocolate puke smell like rotten chicken?

-C.M. Janitor"

There isn't an answer on the back, so you quickly place it by the box. What a great way to start the day... reading a vile description about puke! Fucking amazing...

"Suggestion: I keep seeing this one kid climbing over the fence of Wally's Road Trip. Sure, the ride is safe when you are in the ride, but he's climbing right onto the tracks! That coaster goes about 20 miles per hour! We need the fence to be taller or something.

-Sam Jenkins Security

Answer: Sam, we cannot afford to make the fences taller. You will just need to keep watch of the children. That is your job, after all.

-Management"

Well... Not the best answer, but still an answer. So, you place it by the bucket that was given to you to collect answered suggestions. Alright, next paper.

"Suggestion: Whoever the FUCK keeps puking in the Barnaby costume, I fucking hate you. You do know that other people here play Barnaby, right? You could at least warn a fellow by leaving a note or something before somebody else wears it. I didn't notice until I got in the suit, and my face was covered in it. Jackass. Others have started complaining, too. I suggest management gives us more breaks, so whoever the weak stomached bitch is doesn't keep puking everywhere.

-David Dwyer Suit Mascot

Answer: I apologize for the incident, Mr. Dwyer. However, we cannot give more breaks. We shall try to figure out who keeps getting sick, so we can have a physical done to ensure that they are still healthy enough to be a mascot.

-Management"

Again? AGAIN?! Why the fuck is there so much puke already...? Yeah, you expected it, but really? Thank God you aren't a mascot. Well, into the bucket.

"Suggestion: I'm worried for Angelo. You know, Angelo Dalisay? The guy who plays Wally Darling most of the time. He's been losing weight pretty fast. I think he might be sick. Maybe the food was bad or something? Can you have someone check the kitchens for sanitation? Please and thank you.

-Angelica Carter Julie Joyful Actress

Answer: Our kitchens are clean.

-Management"

Angelo... yeah, you remember Angelo. You've seen him from time to time. He has been getting pretty skinny, lately... Really skinny. Unhealthy skinny. The kids don't seem to mind, though, and he doesn't say anything when asked. What an odd answer... "Our kitchens are clean.", with no further comment on Angelo's health. Why doesn't he get a health check up?

You place the paper in the bucket. Next one.

"Suggestion: I keep seeing a Wally actor running around, not staying in character. His clothes are a mess. He's been scaring the kids. Whenever I get close enough to catch him, he finds a way to escape, then disappears around a corner. Please, do something!

-Security"

Okay... odd. You know what? Everything you've read so far is weird. It's only your third week here and you are already so confused. No answer... By the box it goes.

"Suggestion: SERIOUSLY, WHOEVER THE FUCK YOU ARE, I AM GOING TO BEAT YOU WITH A GOLF CLUB."

-David Dwyer Suit Mascot"

No answer. You don't want to dwell on this one. Into the unanswered pile.

The next one you pick up is covered in yellow paint... you are guessing face and body paint, since the actors for Wally and Sally ha e to paint their faces and hands yellow.

"Suggestion: I can't stop smiling. I don't want to smile anymore. My face is tired. I can't stop smiling. Can someone help me wipe it off?

-"

You don't find any answer, per say, but flipping it over to the back, you find a scribbled on note.

"I don't know who wrote this, but I found it on the ground by the body paint storage. I don't know why we keep the paints and foods so close to each other. There was a pile of used makeup remover, paper towels, and face cleaners next to it. Can whoever wrote this tell me? Does this have to do with that weird Wally Actor that security keeps talking about?

I don't feel safe, I might quit.

-Sarah Jones Cooking Staff"

Okay... back to the box, you guess?

"Suggestion: Can we please have a health check for Angelo? PLEASE? Something is clearly wrong! I just saw him eating some food, then he rushed to the employee restrooms and started puking! Then, he walked out like he was fine! Some of the things Miss Carter mentioned when I told her are concerning, as well. He's skin and bones right now! Clearly, he isn't fit to work, much less play Wally! What if his appearance scares the kids?

-Gertrude Stone Suit Mascot"

"Answer: We understand your concerns, Miss Stone, but we assure you that he is alright. His weight is still healthy enough for him to keep playing Wally Darling. When we confronted him, he said it was to make sure his weight stays within limits to play the character. He isn't sick. After all, for Wally Darling actors, the smaller the better! It makes him look more petite and closer to the puppet 's body type. The children adore him, as well.

-Management"

On the side of the answer box, you see that somebody has written "BULLSHIT" in big, red letters. Somebody must've gotten in here before you have. Once again, thank God you aren't a mascot. The answer is really alarming, however... Did they even have him check in with a medical professional? Healthy enough? You feel gross just reading it.

You... don't want to keep going through the suggestions box. Maybe just one more, so it looks like you tried? Your boss might send you to look through it again on a later date, but you are feeling like reading all of this is weighing you down. When you heard you were going to be going through a suggestions box, you expected things like "raise my wage" or "hire more cleaning staff"... Not whatever this stuff is. You feel like you've stumbled upon something you shouldn't be seeing, but still needs to be seen.

You dig into the bottom of the box, pulling out a slip of paper. This time, it seems to be covered in red paint.

"Suggestion: I can't stop smiling. My face won't come off. I can't stop smiling. My face won't come off. I can't stop smiling. My face won't come off. I can't stop smiling. My face won't come off. I can't stop smiling. My face won't come off. Please let me stop smiling.

-Where's Frank's attitude when you need him?"

You hesitate, before flipping over the slip of paper. More writing. It's all in frantic, shaky, scribbled handwriting, as if the person was in some sort of rush or panic.

"Julie can't stop smiling. Sally can't stop smiling. Poppy can't stop smiling. Barnaby can't stop smiling. Howdy can't stop smiling. Eddie can't stop smiling. Frank is the only one who never smiles. Maybe he can't stop frowning? It hurts to smile. It hurts to smile. I'm not happy and it hurts to keep smiling. WHENEVER I TRY TO FROWN I FEEL AND HEAR SOMETHING SNAPPING IN MY FACE. Do they hurt too?

The people around us can stop smiling. The people who aren't as bright and colorful. I can't help but be jealous. Do they hurt when they smile? I'll help them wipe it off."

You stare at the paper, wide-eyed and dumbfounded. How are you supposed to respond to this? What are you supposed to even THINK about this? Will the management even care about this? They haven't cared about Angelo's health, they haven't cared about threats in the suggestions box, they haven't cared about a possible imposter scaring the customers! Should you even bother putting it back into the box-?

"YOU... OPEN...?"

You whip your head around, seeing a yellow hand on the window by the door. You quickly shove the suggestion into your pocket, frowning. Maybe it's Angelo at the door? He clearly hasn't been well... What if he needs immediate help?

Opening up that door, you instantly regret it as a disgusting, rotten smell hits your nose. Looking up at the man, you can tell that it is NOT Angelo. He may be dressed as Wally, but it isn't Angelo in costume. His clothes and hair are a mess, much like in the suggestions talking about this imposter, but that isn't what you notice first.

His smile is too wide.

IT LITERALLY SPLITS FROM EAR TO EAR.

You try to close the door on him, only for whoever it is to grab it and hold it open. A monotone voice speaks, which you can only assume is from the strange person. He leans in as he speaks, only making the rotting smell coming from him more apparent. Is this what a corpse smells like?

"It... hurts... to smile.... It hurts... to move my face... You too? Help me... wipe it off?"

You frantically look around, trying to find something, anything to get this person out of the room. You unknowingly end up shaking your head as you look around the room, which the man seems to take as a "no".

"No...? O.... okay... I'll go... Find manage... ment. They'll know... what to do..."

He walks away. He walks away like nothing happened. You slam the door shut, dropping to the floor and taking a few, shaking breaths. Your arms are shaking heavily, alongside your legs. Scratch that, your entire body is shaking like a leaf.

You heard of that imposter Wally, but you always thought it was a joke. Now, however, you have been proven wrong. As much as you want to quit, however, you need this job... You have too many unpaid bills and debts, and if you quit, who knows when you'll get hired for another job?

Plus, as horrifying as that situation was... for whatever reason, that imposter didn't attack you... He seemed rather docile, actually.

Once you calm yourself down, you stand up, grabbing the answered suggestions bucket. Then, you book it out of there as fast as possible, hoping that you don't see that Wally again, today.

[darkmatter-nebula]

Colli gets jump scared by a Halloween decoration

Hi! Thank you for the request! And, of course, Happy Halloween!

Hunter comforts him, of course.

Drabble: The Jumpscare

It was a quiet afternoon in Gravesfield as the most inseparable pair of brothers took a stroll. The small starboy with otherworldly fluffy lavender hair and a heart of gold was floating next to his beloved big brother Hunter.

The young Grimwalker held protectively Colli's small hand. Colli's fingers were intertwined with Hunter's. Out of a sudden, the Halloween decoration that was standing in front of the house of a neighbour began to laugh manically.

"AAAAAAAAH!" Colli screamed as the decoration jumpscared him. The kind and sweet eternal little boy couldn't hold back his tears. Hunter immediately wrapped his arms around him and cuddled him close to his chest.

"Shhh, shhh. I'm here, Colli. No one is going to hurt you. Everything is going to be alright." The blonde boy whispered as he kissed softly Colli's tears away. Hunter definitely was going to give the neighbour an earful! But comforting Colli was more important right now.

Hunter showered Colli's adorable multi-colored face with lots of soft and loving brotherly kisses. Thankfully, Hunter's greatest treasure began to feel better. The immortal celestial boy intertwined his fingers with Hunter's.

.

.

.

"Mr. Jenkins, your stupid plastic skeleton scared my sweet little brother! I demand that you're going to apologize to him!" Hunter said with a very deadly glare. The old man didn't hesitate to say sorry. "I'm incredible sorry, Colli!"

"It's fine, Mr. Jenkins. No hard feelings." Colli had a forgiving smile on his face. His kind red eyes were filled with forgiveness. The cosmic little boy's heart was way too pure to hold a grudge. The former Golden Guard couldn't help but smile. Colli was too kind and sweet.

The End

[symmage]

Jaxon lifted Yasmine up off the ground

"Baby!" Yasmine squealed. "Did you get enough rest over at Mike's?"

"Yeah, we put in an all-nighter on the field and hit the gym for a few hours after. He's trying to outdo me, but you can't outdo the original." Jaxon boasted. "I had to show him who's the top dog."

"That's right! My baby is number 1, with the medals and plaques to back it up."

Jaxon heartily laughed as Yasmine egged him on. "My number 1 fan right here, that's what's up."

He lifted her up higher, getting a handful of her bottom. He squeezed it endearingly and whistled.

"Ooh shit, Yassy...is that ass getting fatter?! I've only been gone for a day."

"Stop it and put me down, silly!"

"Yes ma'am."

"I'm telling you that grip is getting out of hand back there." he grinned. "I like that."

"Focus, Jax. I have something to tell you."

"What's up, baby?"

"Me and the kids finally met the tenant in unit A. She's the new live-in landlord."

"Oh, she's taking on Nana Corelle's position. Is she an older lady?"

"No, she's young, maybe a couple years younger than us. She's really quiet and a bit distant, but she's nice. Jacoby has taken a liking to her."

"His eyes were so fixated on her," she giggled. "You should have seen them light up when she talked about having gatherings in the triplex like Nana Corelle used to do."

"Don't tell me my boy is crushing on the landlord." Jaxon cackled.

"Well, he's a growing boy. I just need him to crush on girls his own age."

"Ah, I know. He'll grow out of it, though."

"It was those damn hormones, girl, and like you said, talk. It was all talk to show off in front of the guys," he replied with a reminiscing smile. But seriously, you were always the one I wanted to claim in school. They all knew I had it bad for you."

"Like father like son," she shook her head. "I remember back in school, you and your buddies used to talk about how pretty and perfect Ms. Harley-Jenkins down the street was."

Yasmine chortled. "Look at you trying to smooth over your antics back in the day. You were a piece of work, Mr. Rogers."

Jaxon gasped. "A piece of work, huh?" He pulled her in close to his chest. "I mean...look at us now. I think I smoothed over a lot and won a jackpot, finally nailing your fine ass in the end. It was what I always wanted."

"You flatter me so much." she smiled.

"It's because I mean it. I love you, Yassy."

"I love you too, Jax." she blushed.

"Now come on," she interrupted their tender moment. "I want you to meet her."

Yasmine led the way into the lobby, hoping to find Kayna at home. Off in the corner near the laundry room, Kayna stood getting a snack from the vending machine.

"Is that her?" Jaxon asked.

"Yep, that's her." Yasmine happily confirmed. "Hey, Kayna!"

Kayna turned around to find Yasmine standing with a man next to her. Was that the tenant of the bottom unit she wondered.

"Kayna, come over here," Yasmine beamed. "You can finally meet Jaxon, my other half."

"Oh! It's wonderful to finally meet you, Jaxon." Kayna smiled as she extended her hand out to shake his. "Yasmine mentioned you briefly, but her face lit up when she did."

Jaxon grinned from ear to ear, listening to Kayna speak. "It's good to meet you as well. I hate that we haven't met earlier." he sighed, "My work schedule has been a bit hectic lately."

"It's alright. Better late than never at all, right?' she shrugged.

Jaxon awkwardly laughed in agreement.

"I've met your kids as well," she continued. "I must say that you have a beautiful family."

"Thank you. I hope my kids behaved well when you met them."

"Besides the ghost story, Briyana told me...everything was fine."

"Oh man , she got you with the story, too, huh?" Jaxon cackled. "She's been holding on to that bit for over two years! I don't think she's ever going to stop telling it." Jaxon shook his head. "I hope she didn't scare you."

"Well...at first, it was alarming, but I've settled on the notion that a child's imagination is quite powerful, and I'll leave it at that."

"I agree!" Jaxon nodded.

"Well, I hope we all get along going forward." Kayna smiled. "I may be your landlord, but I want a good relationship with you all here going forward."

"Yes...I would love that for us as well." Jaxon agreed, feeling a lump in his throat as he tried his hardest to maintain cordial eye contact.

<-Back Next->

[iviarellereads]

A Wind in the Door, Chapter 4 - Proginoskes

(THIS PROJECT IS SPOILER FREE! No spoilers past the chapter you click on. Curious what I'm doing here? Read this post! For the link index for the Time Quintet, read this one! Like what you see? Send me a Ko-Fi.)

In which we get a new-old word to use!

Meg wakes before dawn, suddenly. Still wondering if the previous night was a dream, she rushes to get dressed and go out to the rock where they left Progo. She promised to go to him before breakfast anyway. She doesn't encounter any fake Mr. Jenkins this time, nor Louise the snake, just Progo. He thanks her for not taking too long to come out, and when she says she has an hour before breakfast, he says they can do a lot with just an hour.

Progo guesses that if they're to work together, then Meg must be a Namer, too.(1) At Meg's puzzlement, he says last time he was with a Teacher he had to memorize the names of every star in the universe, just because. Some aren't known to many people, so the stars get lonely.

Meg asks if that's all a Namer does, and Progo thinks it's about making sure each name is distinct and unique to its owner in some way, and perhaps Meg's job is to make humans feel more human. Meg asks what that means.

Progo asks how he makes her feel, and Meg answers honestly with "Confused." Progo asks who makes Meg feel least confused, and she says Calvin, without hesitation. So, Progo says, Calvin makes Meg feel more like herself, that's the feeling he means. He asks who makes her feel the least like herself, and that answer is Mr. Jenkins, so Meg has to explain who he is to explain why she's so upset at the thought of him. Only, Progo says there's more to it than that.

Meg admits that something happened to scare her, and at his prompting that it might be important, she tells him about the fake Mr. Jenkins. He names it an Echthros,(2) and after confirming details, he's almost as sure of it as he is terrified of them. More, he's sure they have to talk to the real Mr. Jenkins as part of their trials. Meg says that's impossible, she doesn't go to that school and she can't exactly fit a cherubim with a ten foot wingspan in her backpack.

Progo maintains that having seen an Echthros makes everything different, and he can be invisible to go with her, no problem. He demonstrates this, and while he's out, she can feel him. He asks if she feels brave, and she says no. He says being brave should be easier together, then wonders if Blajeny knows there's an Echthros involved.

Meg finally asks what Echthros means, Progo mentally draws her into yesterday,(3) where they watch the cosmic scream and the rip in the galaxy. He explain that this is what happens when the Echthroi have Xed things from existence.(4) Meg finds it even more terrifying than the Mr. Jenkins Echthros.

She closes her eyes and tries to think of a happy memory, which she feels Progo help with, except she hears her father and mother talking about the phenomenon she just saw, and the way that even their own country, their own town feels less safe than it did ten years ago. Mr. Murry even posits, in the memory, that the wee farandolae might be related to the cosmic disruptions.

Mrs. Murry makes the connection: the same cry that the new instrument detected in distant galaxies is the one she heard in the ailing mitochondria with her micro-sonarscope.(5) She gets upset, and Mr. Murry says it's not like her, and reminds her of the good and the order in the universe. Progo says he's a wise man.(6)

Meg is a little surprised that Progo heard the memory with her, but he says she's learning to kythe, to communicate mind-to-mind directly. She asks if Progo would mind helping her to try and see the calculation Mr. Murry was doodling on the tablecloth, it feels important. They go back into the memory, together, and find he was writing the Greek characters for "Echthroi". She's astonished that he'd know that, but Progo points out that her parents know well enough the evil in the world.

Progo asks her to look at the rip in the sky again. She does so, reluctantly, and asks how the Echthroi could have done that. He says the Echthroi are like un-Namers, annihilating things from existence instead of firming them up. When Meg wonders what that has to do with Mr. Jenkins, Progo says he thinks that's part of their first task together. So, time to get going. He draws her back to the present in the real world again and asks what they do now. Meg hasn't the foggiest, and feels this is too much responsibility for a child.(7)

In fact, Meg is so resistant that Progo has to ask her if she's refusing the ordeal. She says she'll do it, she has to help Charles, but it's so much. He asks her again, what they should do now. She decides to go have breakfast, and get on the schoolbus, and asks Progo to meet her at the bus stop at the right time to leave.

Progo dematerializes with an acknowledgement, and Meg heads back to the house. She encounters Louise the snake on her way, but thinks the snake mostly wanted to wish her well, which is comforting. She eats her breakfast less enthusiastically than usual, and heads to the bus stop with the strangest feeling she won't see it again for a while. The twins, walking with her, wonder what will happen today, and decide it will be the usual: nothing.(8)

=====

(1) A very childlike assumption, that someone you're made to work with must be like you in some way, and not because your strengths are different and complementary to each other. (2) Ancient Greek, meaning stuff like, something hateful or hostile, or an enemy. Not easy for my fingers to keep spelling over and over, I'm using find-and-replace on this sucker to fix what my brain wants it to be. (3) Just a mental-power exercise, or are they Tessering somehow? Could Progo have some control over that ability? The vision of the rip seems distinct from the memory dive shortly after to me. (4) Wow that's such a readable term for this. [unamused face] (5) Gotta love a good goofy scientific instrument name or two in the same sentence. That's surely half of why Star Trek is so popular. (6) I feel a need to point out that chaos is not inherently evil and order not inherently good, those associations are things humans assigned to them to justify our preconceptions and biases. But, it does make children's storytelling easier to stand with the assumptions. (7) I'd tend to agree and apply that to MOST situations kids get into in children's literature, but that is half the point: learning how to have the big feelings so they don't feel so overwhelming. (8) Subtle setup, ma'am. Real sneaky.

[charmy-es]

THE SECRETIVE TREASURE MAP

Once upon a time, in a land gripped by the scorching heat of summer, there was a small town named Oakville that was tucked between rolling hills and willow trees. In this town, there lived a group of adventurous friends. They were Alex, who was always curious, Emma, who loved to laugh a lot, and Max, who was as brave as can be. The sun greeted the day with a brilliant smile, casting a warm, golden glow on everything it touched. In the attic of their grandmother's house, a place where time seemed to stand still, they stumbled upon a book. It was as old as time itself, its pages yellowed with age with a stinky smell and a fine layer of dust clung to it like a forgotten memory. The book held within its weathered pages a treasure map, as if it were a secret whispered by the winds and hidden within the ink-stained trails of forgotten dreams. Excitedly, the friends eagerly gathered around the map, feeling their hearts beat faster with anticipation. They were about to embark on an exciting adventure of deciphering the clues. The first clue pointed them towards the town's historic library. They knocked the door before they entered, they were greeted by the librarian, Mrs. Jenkins, who had been waiting for them.

"Welcome young explorers!" Mrs. Jenkins said with a smile. "To find the next piece of the puzzle, you must solve a word hunt, look for the following vocabulary words hidden in these book titles: adventure, quest, treasure, discovery and mystery."

The friends eagerly scanned the shelves, conducting a silent uproar in their minds as they searched for the hidden words. After a few minutes, they found all the books and arranged them in the correct order. Mrs. Jenkins says "i'm not really impressed" with a smile and handed them the next clue.

The second clue led them to the town's park, where the soft, velvety grass greeted their footsteps as they entered. They had to find objects in the park that matched the given vocabulary words: explore, ancient, valuable, uncover and enigma. Each time they found an object, they had to use it in a sentence to demonstrate its meaning.

As the friends completed the challenge, they said "I guess i kind of like it" but you could see the enjoyment on their faces. They felt their vocabulary skills growing stronger. They thanked Mrs. Jenkins for her guidance and eagerly followed the next clue.

The third clue led them deep into the forest, where they had to solve a riddle using vocabulary words. The riddle went like this:"I am a hidden treasure, buried in the ground, unearth me carefully, for I am quite profundity ancient markings and a gleam so bright, I hold the secrets of the past, shining in the light. What am I?"

After some brainstorming, the friends realized that the answer was an artifact. They dug in the indicated spot and found a small, ancient artifact that shimmered in the sunlight.

Excitedly, they returned to their grandmother's house, where they discovered a hidden compartment in the attic. Inside, they found a chest filled with gold coins, precious gems, and note that read, "Congratulations, brave adventurers! You have successfully completed the word hunt and found the treasure. Use your newfound vocabulary skills to continue exploring the world!"

The friends celebrated their victory, knowing that their vocabulary journey had just begun. They cooked spaghetti and enjoyed it together. The taste of spaghetti is a delightful medley of flavors that brings comfort and satisfaction to every bite. They thanked each other for their teamwork and promised to embark on more exciting adventures together.

Thermal- scorching heat of summer

Visual- tucked between rolling hills and willow trees.

Personification- the sun greeted the day with a brilliant smile

Hyperbole- a place where time seemed to stand still

Olfactory- with a stinky smell

Simile- fine layer of dust clung to it like a forgotten memory

Metaphor- secret whispered by the winds and hidden within the ink stained trails of forgotten dreams.

Metonymy- exciting adventure

Auditory- the knocked the door before they entered "knock, knock"

Synecdoche- next piece of a puzzle

Oxymoron- silent uproar

Irony- i'm not really impressed

Tactile- the soft velvety grass

Understatement- i guess i kind of like it

Gustatory- delightful medley of flavors that brings comfort and satisfaction to every bite.

[butterflyslinky]

Here is what ChatGPT gave when I told it to write a James Patterson novel:

Title: "Deadline" Chapter 1: Detective Jake Turner gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white as he maneuvered through the early morning traffic of downtown Manhattan. The call had come in just before dawn—a body found in an alley off 5th Avenue. Jake hated these early morning crime scenes; they always seemed to herald the start of a long, exhausting day. As he pulled up to the scene, flashing lights from police cars and an ambulance bathed the narrow alley in a surreal glow. Yellow crime scene tape fluttered in the early breeze, marking off the area where the victim lay. Jake stepped out of his car and was immediately greeted by his partner, Detective Sarah Martinez. "Morning, Jake," Sarah said, her voice tight with tension. "It's a messy one." Jake nodded grimly, following Sarah past the uniformed officers who were taking witness statements. The victim, a young woman in her twenties, lay face down on the pavement. Blood pooled around her, staining the cobblestones a dark, ominous red. "Any ID?" Jake asked, crouching down to get a closer look. Sarah shook her head. "Nothing on her. No purse, no phone." Jake cursed under his breath. Without identification, their job would be that much harder. He scanned the alleyway, noting the graffiti-covered walls and the dumpsters overflowing with trash. There was no shortage of hiding spots for someone who didn't want to be found. "Let's talk to the witnesses," Jake said, standing up and motioning towards a group of people huddled together near the entrance of the alley. Sarah nodded, and they began to interview the witnesses one by one. Most hadn't seen anything—a typical response in a city where people were more likely to look the other way than get involved. But one elderly woman, Mrs. Jenkins, stepped forward with a trembling voice. "I heard a scream," she said, clutching her shawl tightly around her shoulders. "It was around 3 AM. I thought it was just the neighborhood kids again, but it sounded different somehow." Jake leaned in closer, his instincts kicking into high gear. "Different how?" Mrs. Jenkins hesitated, her eyes darting nervously towards the crime scene. "It sounded desperate. Like someone was fighting for their life." Sarah scribbled notes in her pad, her brow furrowed in concentration. "Did you see anyone?" Mrs. Jenkins shook her head. "No, just heard the scream. Then silence." Jake thanked Mrs. Jenkins and turned to Sarah. "Let's get forensics in here. We need to find out who she is and what happened." Sarah nodded, already on her radio calling in the forensic team. As they waited, Jake surveyed the alleyway once more, his mind racing with questions. Who was she? Why was she here? And most importantly, who had wanted her dead? Little did Jake know, this case was about to take a series of unexpected twists and turns that would challenge everything he thought he knew about justice—and lead him down a path where the line between right and wrong would blur beyond recognition.

So yeah, he'll be using it and doing minimal editing and no one will notice a difference.

The phrasing of option #2 is mostly in jest, but I think it's worth mentioning that with the traditional ghost writer method, the writers are getting paid. If your actual vote would be something like "won't use AI because he supports newer/smaller writers' careers," vote for #2.

–

We ask your questions so you don’t have to! Submit your questions to have them posted anonymously as polls.

[allthingsdarkanddirty]

This biker Daddy takes protecting his Little very, very seriously...Meet Steele by Pepper North on June 13th!

Preorder on your favorite platform: https://geni.us/PNSteele

“Little girl, I’m only going to ask one more time…”

Things have not been going Ivy Jenkins' way recently–well, until Steele Mattson rescues her. Being thrown away like garbage does a job on a woman’s self-confidence and bravery. Add in scrambled memories from a head injury and Ivy knows she qualifies as a hot mess, even if she is the assistant bank manager.

Steele’s father established the Shadowridge Guardians MC. He’s as dedicated to protecting the good citizens of his city as he is to creating the perfect weld on an old-school chopper, and he doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty to take care of problems. When he finds the petite woman in a very bad situation, he dives in to help. What he doesn’t expect is to discover the rescued treasure is his.

He’ll stop at nothing to hunt down those who endangered her and make them pay.

Combining the sizzling talents of bestselling authors Pepper North, Kate Oliver, and Becca Jameson, the Shadowridge Guardians are guaranteed to give you a thrill and leave you dreaming of your own throbbing motorcycle joyride.

Are you daring enough to ride with a club of rough, growly, commanding men? The protective Daddies of the Shadowridge Guardians Motorcycle Club will stop at nothing to ensure the safety and protection of everything that belongs to them: their Littles, their club, and their town. Throw in some sassy, naughty, mischievous women who won't hesitate to serve their fair share of attitude even in the face of looming danger, and this brand new MC Romance series is ready to ignite!#teaser #teasershare #sneakpeek #bookteaser #bookpreorder #comingsoon #preorder #mcromance #daddyromance #bikerromance #outlawromance #kinkyromance #steamyromance #kissingbooks #hotreads #shadowridgeguardiansmc #shadowridgeguardians #steele #romance #romancenovels #romancebooks #books #reading #readers #booklovers #bookbuzz #booknews #bookish

About Pepper 

Ever just gone for it? That's what USA Today Bestselling Author Pepper North did in 2017 when she posted a book for sale on Amazon without telling anyone. Thanks to her amazing fans, the support of the writing community, Mr. North, and a killer schedule, she has now written more than 70 books! Enjoy contemporary, paranormal, dark, and erotic romances that are both sweet and steamy? Pepper will convert you into one of her loyal readers. What's coming in the future? A Daddypalooza! Stay up on the latest news and get insider updates and previews of Pepper's stories... http://BookHip.com/FJBPQV

Follow Pepper Online! Amazon -- amzn.to/3pJwbVw BookBub -- bookbub.com/authors/pepper-north Facebook -- facebook.com/4peppernorth Goodreads -- bit.ly/36ROTBL Instagram -- instagram.com/4peppernorth Pinterest -- pinterest.com/4peppernorth TikTok -- tiktok.com/@4peppernorth Twitter -- twitter.com/4peppernorth Web -- 4peppernorth.club YouTube -- bit.ly/3lPBAb3

[jmkemm]

MOM. (comes home) Hi honey, how did your day –

SCREEECH

MOM. Honey what was that?

LILY. Dad brought something weird home. He better not keep it in my room!

MOM. (Walking into the guest bedroom) Honey, what is THAT?

DAD. OH hi! I found this little guy while mike and I wer-

SCREEECH

DAD. .. while Mike and I were on our hike.

MOM. Okay, okay, yes, but what is it and what’s it doing in here?

DAD. Well I’m told its half reptile and-

SCREEECH  DAD. -half bird

MOM. I can see what it looks like! What is it?

DAD. Well I thought I would call it Kevin.

MOM. (pausing) Okay.. why is it so hot in here?

DAD. Well after doing some research I believe it’s cold blooded and its temperature runs a little hot.. I had to open the window-

SCREEECH

DAD.  -because it was so hot.

MOM. It’s so loud that I’m sure the neighbors will hear it!

LILY. (Yelling from the other room) Mom! Someone is here for you!

MOM. (Opening the front door) Oh hi Mrs Jenkins, what can I-

SCREEECH

MOM. -help you with?

MRS JENKINS. There it is again! I thought I heard the most unusual sound coming from your home and was wondering, how has everything been working out for you?

MOM. Oh yes yes thank you for checking in, my husband brought home another unusual pet again. Nothing to worry about, I’ve got it handled!

MRS JENKINS. Again?! Well if you need me-

(Door closes)

MOM. (Walking into the guest bedroom) Okay honey, I hope you understand this is your problem. I need to get up early to catch my flight, and just so you know, I don’t have much to eat for dinner today, so you’re on your own!

[supernaturalgirl20]

A Fate so Cruel

Pairings: Pero Tovar x f!reader

Warnings: Smut 18+, explicit, unprotected sex, fingering, past life lovers (sorta), witches, soulmates, mentions of soulmate mark, immortality, cursing (because it’s Pero 😏).

Summary: Pero’s greed cost him everything he holds dear. Now, he must search for a way to break the curse placed on him centuries ago and help the woman he loves to remember who he is.

A/N: this is my fic for the @pedrostories secret Santa. My secret Santa is @artemiseamoon 💕 I went with Pero on this one, I hope you like what I’ve written for you 🥰🥰 thank you so much @misspearly1 for the beta x

***follow @supernaturalgirl20-writes and turn on notifications for updates on my writing***

Peeping around the bookshelf at the chime of the bell, you catch a glimpse of who entered and a wave of disappointment washes over you. It was Mrs Jenkins, but you hoped it was a certain dark haired Spaniard.

To your displeasure, you greet her. “Good morning… I’ll just be a moment then I’ll be right with you, Mrs Jenkins.” You call out from behind the pile of books stacked in your arms. They’re a heavyset of books and you breathe a sigh of relief when you place the last one on the shelf.

“Pacing… outside.” She replies and the proximity of her voice startles you. She seemingly appeared out of nowhere when only a second ago, she was standing by the front door. However, you didn’t catch what she said and quickly turned to face her, your hand held over your chest as your heart thrums in your ears.“I’m sorry, come again?” You apologise with a quizzical expression.

“Are you deaf girl?” She retorts, “I said, that young man who has been frequenting the place is pacing back and forth like a mad man outside.” Her face is stern as she glares at you from behind her glasses, though a shy smile creeps onto your face as you look toward the window. There he was. The certain Spaniard you hoped for, and now you hope that he decides to actually come inside today.

The sound of Mrs Jenkins clearing her throat snaps you out of your thoughts and you turn your attention back to her. “If you’re finished ogling the man, I have an order to collect,” she says with a clipped tone before turning to make her way toward the cash register.

You diligently follow her with a slight roll of your eyes. Despite her snippy attitude with you at times, the woman is generally rather nice. “Here we go.” You place a large box onto the counter, which she studies quickly before handing over the money. “Do you need any help, Mrs Jenkins?” You ask, then move around the counter with your hands held out, offering your assistance.

“Nope,” she grumbles as she slaps your hand away. “I’ll manage just fine, thank you very much.” Oddly enough, you weren’t surprised by her actions and brushed it off as she grabbed the box and turned to leave. The bell chimes once again and you both turn your head to spot Pero standing just inside the door, looking rather… Nervous?

“Hm.” Mrs Jenkins mumbles, then proceeds to mutter incoherently under her breath as she shoves past him. He watches her leave before his eyes find yours. “I do not think she likes me very much,” he declares while walking toward you slowly, his hands nestled in his front jeans pocket.

“I wouldn’t take it personally. She doesn’t like anyone.” You smile brightly at him before jerking your head to the side for him to follow. “A few new books came in the other day and I had a quick read of them. Well, skimmed through them really, but some of them are extremely old and they’re from China too. Or at least that’s what Jerry said,” you say with a shrug of your shoulders. “You said you’ve visited the country before so I immediately thought about you.”

Looking up at him as you quickly rummage through the box of books, you find him staring down at you with what looks like adoration in his eyes. His gaze, intense and lustrous, made your skin heat up and you almost lost focus of the task at hand. Great, now he probably thinks I’m weird, you thought while clearing your throat awkwardly before continuing to search for the book.

“Ah. Here it is.” You beam with triumph as you locate the book and hand it over to him. The man matches your smile, evidently relieved that you had found it, until his gaze drops to the cover. Then his smile suddenly fades. Okay, not how I pictured this going. “Is everything ok, Pero?” You ask, slightly worried that you’ve upset him somehow.

“How… Where did you get this?” He questions, his tone slightly harsh making you flinch a little with surprise. You assume he didn’t mean to come across this way and that he was just astonished.

“Jerry brought it in,” You explain, “Said he found them in this old house he was renovating or something. Why? Is it important?” You’re curious now and unconsciously lean closer to him as he flicks through the pages.

He closes it abruptly and rummages through his pocket before handing you some cash. You stare down at the money in your hand and gasp. “Pero this is too much. Well, I haven’t even had a chance to price it but this is definitely too much.”

“It’s not enough, hermosa.” He shakes his head, “Trust me. This book…it may be the answer to my prayers.” The man takes another quick look at you before rushing out the door without another word.

Well, that went great… I think? You wonder silently as you stand staring after him.

***

Pero couldn’t believe his eyes. This was the book he has searched a lifetime for. How ironic it is that you were the one to find it. The gods must be laughing at him right now.

As he rushes out of the shop -albeit reluctantly - he thinks back to his time in china. The memories flood his brain and it’s as if he’s transported back in time.

“You are so beautiful, mi amor. The gods blessed me the day they brought you into my life,” he whispers into your neck. His lips peppering kisses and you groan as his teeth nip at the skin of your there.

“Pero my love, William will be back soon,” you say playfully as you try to push your husband off you. He pulls back, his gaze locked on you and a growl emanates from his chest as he grinds his hips against you. “That idiota will be occupied with general Lin, so we have all the time in the world, amor. Now, let me make love to my wife.”

He sighs at the memory. How he longs to have that again. To have you remember him. To be able to hold you and kiss you, he would give up his life for just a moment with you and your memory of him.

Turning the corner he almost runs into a young child dressed as a witch - Halloween is just around the corner - and he curses in Spanish at the costume. If there was anything on this earth that he hated, it was witches. After all, it was a witch that cursed him to live a lifetime without you. And all because of his greed.

William had warned him. Told him not to do what he was about too. That the woman he was about to rob was a witch, but when has he ever listened to his Irish friend?

The necklace was worth a lot of coin and he was going to sell it and finally build you that home he promised when you left China and the Great Wall behind you. A home that you could fill with his babies. The thought alone had him hard as a rock.

Why had he let his greed get the better of him. You had told him you were happy with the life you both had. Your simple life. Together.

He should have listened. He took the necklace right from under her nose but she soon found out and when she realised that he had sold it, she wasn’t pleased at all. Apparently, it was a much loved family heirloom.

She had cursed him that day. Cursed him to live a life of immortality which was bad in and of itself but then she had cursed you too, only you wouldn’t remember him or the life you both had. What he wouldn’t give to go back in time and change his fate.

The witch - whose name he had learned was Helga, made sure you were lost to him and he spent his life searching. Searching for you and for a way to break this godforsaken curse. His search had led him to the ‘Last Chapter’ bookstore where he finally found you. His Reina.

His body thrummed with nervous energy. Could this be the answer he has been searching for. Would you finally be his again?

He finally makes it home and throws the papers off the table as he places the book on it and begins to search for the right page. No. Not that. Where are you? Ah yes. There you are. His eyes scan the page quickly, searching for the words he hoped were written. Sure enough, they were there.

I’m almost there, my love, he thought.

***

In the days that followed Pero’s departure from you, he hadn’t once come back to visit. You grew worried, especially because of the way he left so hastily, and from the look of desperation he had.

Truthfully, you spent more time than you would like to admit thinking about him and that book. You’ve wondered what significance it has, or what importance it means to him. You only pray that he finds what he’s looking for without driving himself mad.

You also pray that he will pay you a visit again, preferably soon as you wish to see those eyes of his again. They’re so beautiful and warm, transcendent. Whenever he looks at you, it feels as though you’re welcomed in and wrapped up in something familiar. Something you’ve never felt before with anyone, but with Pero, you feel like you’re home.

However, lately you’re left with only the memory of his eyes as he remains unseen. The days pass at a leisurely pace and you bide your time by working the hours away in the bookshop, arranging the bookshelves or reading during your breaks. The tale you read today is a true love story. One of your favourites.

A Spanish soldier falls in love with a maiden from a small village and they travel the world together until they are torn apart by magic. Love conquers all though, and they meet again and live happily ever after.

There’s something so sweet and joyous about reading a love story, no matter how many times you have read stories like this, it never bores you. More often than not, you can guess the endings, but it’s as if you vicariously live through the characters, wishing that their story of love was your own.

As you sit behind the counter on your little cushioned chair, flicking through the pages of just one book out of hundreds in your store, you wait for a customer to ring the bell or something to tear your attention away. Business has been slow today, not that you mind, it’s nice to take a break from time to time.

You ponder in thought about what you’re going to do later, after work that is, and the first idea that sprung to mind was taking an exceptionally long soak in the tub, basking in the warm soapy water and maybe even indulging with a glass of wine.

However, your mind wanders back to Pero - as it always does - and you begin to think about him again. You even hear the sweet pet name he calls you, hermosa. The way it rolls off his tongue so naturally is attractive, and the language he speaks, fluent and smooth, is sexy.

“Hermosa,” You hear the pet name again, this time audibly in your ears and not in the depths of your mind, causing you to exit your train of thought and peep over the counter. There he was. The Spaniard you hoped to see was there once again, as if your prayers were answered.

Thank the gods.

You don’t even know how he managed to enter the shop without the bell chiming, but you don’t care enough to ask. Besides, you were probably too wrapped up in your own mind thinking about him to notice anyways. Quickly snapping your book shut, you lay it down and rise from your chair eagerly to greet him.

“Pero… Hi,” You say bashfully, then ask. “Is everything ok? You left in quite a rush the other day….I’ve been worried about you.”

“He steps closer, a smile edging at the corner of his lips. “Do no fret, hermosa. I’m ok.”

“Oh, good. That’s… That’s good, I’m relieved.” You stutter nervously, finding yourself losing your train of focus yet again as that familiar feeling from his eyes returns. It felt so comforting. It felt like home. “So, did you like the book?” You whisper softly as you walk around the counter, still holding his line of sight.

“It was exactly what I was looking for, hermosa.” Pero moves closer and you notice he’s nervously scratching the back of his head. The movement draws your attention to his hand where he is wearing a silver band. A wedding band. Of course he’s married. A man this handsome couldn’t be single, you think to yourself as you take a step back. How had I not noticed that before?

“Do you believe in soulmates, hermosa?” He asks, moving closer again.

“I - yes I do. I know that probably makes me seem silly but, it’s the hopeless romantic in me I suppose. To think that two people are destined by the gods to be together,” you say softly, a smile spreading across your face.

Pero is smiling back at you and that look of adoration is in his eyes again making you feel hot all over. “Did you know that when the gods fated two souls, they marked them with an identical symbol so that when they descended to earth, they could find each other.” He says, his voice soft and low as he stands directly in front of you.

His breath is hot on your face and you can’t help but look into those deep brown eyes, that slight golden fleck so familiar somehow. “I….is that….did you read that in one of your books,” you ask, your breathing becoming slightly more ragged.

“No, hermosa. I learnt that from my wife. I learnt that from you.” His proximity is causing your heart to beat faster and you can hear it thrumming loudly in your ears. Your vision begins to blur slightly and you feel like you’re going to faint.

“I don’t….how….” You stammer and you take a few steps back until your back hits the counter. Pero’s intense gaze is still set on you as he reaches out both hands, resting them on the counter beside you. He has you caged in, his body pressed against yours and you take this opportunity to really take him in.

He’s so handsome. Even with that scar across his eye. But he’s fucking delusional. Of course you fell in love with the crazy guy. “What are you talking about Pero? I’m not your wife. I’ve never been married. I don’t even have a boyfriend.”

His eyes drift from yours to your lips, where they linger for a moment, before meeting your gaze again.

“I have searched every inch of this godforsaken world looking for you. It’s taken me far too long, but I’ve finally found you and I am not letting you go. Not now, not ever.” He laughs, his head dropping slightly before he lifts it again and lets his eyes drift around the shop.

“Of course this is where I found you, hidden among your books. You always did love to read.” Something on the counter beside you catches his eye and his face lights up when he sees what you were reading.

“I see you are reading our book, hermosa. It is my favourite story of all,” he stands a little straighter as he moves one of his hands to rest on your hips. The heat from his hand permeates your skin and a shiver works its way down your spine.

“Our….our story,” you stutter as he moves his other hand to cup your cheek. “Si, nuestra historia. But the story isn’t over yet.”

His thumb caresses the skin of your cheek and you unconsciously lean into his touch. “Pero I don’t….”

“Do you trust me hermosa?” He asks, his voice soft and low as his eyes flicker between yours. You gulp loudly before nodding your head, suddenly unable to speak.

Without another word Pero begins to lean in, his eyes searching yours for any hint of hesitation and when he sees none, he continues on his course. His lips meet yours in a soft kiss and you can’t help but close your eyes. The feel of his lips on yours causing you to moan involuntarily.

Gods, he tasted so good. Like coffee and a hint of peppermint. Like home. The hand that’s resting on your hips squeezes you slightly. “Te amo, mi amor,” he whispers against your lips before he licks along the seam of your bottom lip.

It’s like a flash of lightning.

Like a film reel playing in your head and all you can see is him. Him and you and the life you had together.

Your eyes dart open and he pulls back as you gasp out a breath. “Hermosa?” He asks wearily as he waits for your reaction.

“Pero? What…what the hell is going on?” Your eyes look around as if you're seeing everything for the first time. Your gaze settles on the man in front of you once again and he’s stepped a little closer.

“Mi Reina? ¿realmente funcionó?” My queen. Did it really work? He asks as he reaches out for you.

A smile spreads across your face and your eyes gloss over with tears as you rush forward and hug him. “Oh Pero. I remember everything. It's been so long, mi amor.” You say with a strangled sob.

“How did you break her curse?” You ask as you search his eyes for the answer. A single tear falls from his brown orbs and runs down along his cheek.

“It was really quite simple. All I had to do was make you fall in love with me again. I should have known but I am a fool, always have been.” You caress his cheek and smile up at him.

“You’re no fool, Pero Tovar.” You say softly as you wipe his tears away with your thumb. “Si, I am but I will spend the rest of our lives making it up to you, amor.”

His lips meet yours in a passionate kiss that starts slowly but quickly escalates when he slides his hands down along your curves and pinches your ass.

He groans into your mouth grinding himself against you and you can feel his desire for you hard against your thigh. “You always did love my ass,” you say against his lips.

“Si. And now I am going to take you right here and now, amor. It’s been so long,” he says with a strangled groan.

“We can’t Pero. What if someone walks in?” You say incredulously. He smiles at you. That same devilish smile he gave you when he was up to no good.

“I turned the sign when I came in. No one is going to disturb us mi amor.” His hands run along your sides, caressing your curves before his hand wanders to the hem of your dress. His fingers slowly move up your thigh until they reach the lace panties covering your slick.

He pulls them to the side and runs his fingers along your slit and you groan into his mouth. “So wet, hermosa. Is this all for me?” He teases as he slowly pushes two fingers inside your aching cunt.

“Yes. All….all for you Pero. Only you,” you gasp, your body tingling with pleasure. The coil in your stomach tightens and just when it’s about to snap, he pulls his fingers out.

“No,” you groan and he smiles at you before taking his fingers in his mouth and sucking them clean. “Gods I’ve missed your taste, hermosa.”

A low deep growl emanates from his chest as he works to quickly undo his belt before shucking his trousers down to his knees. Gods, you forgot how thick he is. Well, of course you did, you were cursed.

He lifts your leg over his waist, holding it in place as he lines himself up with your core. Panties once again pushed to the side, you wait with bated breath as he slowly works himself into you.

“Mierda,” he cries out before burying his face into the crook of your neck. “I’m never letting you slip through my fingers again, amor. Not when you take me so well.”

You both moan loudly when he is fully sheathed inside you, taking a breath until you adjust to him. His lips pepper kisses along your neck, “ready amor?” He whispers into your skin and you shiver with anticipation.

“Yes. Please, Pero. Fuck me.” His hips pull back a little and then thrust into you, over and over again. His pace is slow at first but as soon as you moan his name it’s like a switch is flicked and he starts pounding into you.

“Eres tan hermosa, cariño. Nunca dejarte ir de nuevo.” You’re so beautiful, baby. Never letting you go again.

“Pero…oh fuck I’m….I’m gonna come,” you cry out, body shuddering as your orgasm washes over you. The feeling of your cunt clenching him tight, sends him over the edge and he comes with a loud grunt.

A gasp from behind him startles you both and you quickly fix yourselves before turning to find Mrs Jenkins standing there looking aghast.

“How dare you, and in a bookshop of all places. I knew there was something about you,” she says, anger evident in her tone as she points a finger at Pero. “Sick pervert. And you,” she turns to face you, disgust clear on her face. “I’m gonna make sure you get fired for this.”

She turns with a gasp and rushes out of the shop. You turn to find Pero bent over in laughter and you slap him gently on the arm. “Not funny.”

“Oh come on hermosa,” he says as he moves closer towards you. “It’s a little funny. She definitely doesn’t like me now though.” His eyebrow is raised in amusement and you can’t help but laugh. “Well if it makes you feel any better, she definitely hates me now too.”

“I don’t care who hates me mi amor, as long as I have you.” Pero gazed at you, his eyes full of love and adoration. He swore silently to himself that he was never letting you go again. Ever.

[thecountoflondonfansite]

When the door opened, Hugh looked up to see Patricia, Jenkins, and Archie come inside. He was surprised to see Victor come in through the door. “Welcome back everyone. How did the trial go?” Hugh asked. “It went surprisingly well.” Patricia remarked in a positive tone. “Thanks to Victor, it turns out what happened at the jewelry store was a mixup and huge misunderstanding like we figured. Also Hyde was framed for the fire because someone stole his cane and planted it there. He didn’t have any solid alibis because a lot of people were drunk at the time. So the EVA gave him another chance by making him train under Dr. Two Brains.” Hugh’s eyes widened at what Patricia told him. He honestly felt a bit bad for the man having such rotten luck. He was glad that Two Brains and the EVA were understanding. Jenkins meanwhile looked somber. “I still don’t know about whether to fully trust Mr. Hyde. He is innocent of course but why did he lie about the reason for coming to Fair City?” Jenkins inquired, recalling what Patricia and Victor told him and Archie. “That is suspicious, but the guy was honest when he said that he had no malicious intent by coming here. Besides, it did seem like Hyde had a good reason to lie about his motives since he looked freaked out when he realized I could tell whether his words were true or false.” Victor remarked. He did feel a bit bad for making the guy panic over that. Victor and his siblings knew very well the importance of lying to protect oneself from danger. “Yeah you’re right.” Jenkins reluctantly admitted. He was still salty about the Maddrix issue. Satisfied with Jenkins' response, Victor turned to Hugh. “So where is Becky now?” Victor asked the alien. Hugh looked a bit sheepish and embarrassed. “She’s up in her room. She used her puppy eyes to convince me to stay up a bit more until Dr. Two Brains returned. Unfortunately it worked.” Hugh admitted. Victor let out a chuckle. He knew that his niece’s puppy eyes were extremely effective mind weapons. Very few people could resist them. “It’s alright Hugh. I’ll go upstairs and see if I can get her to bed.” Victor offered. “Good luck.” Hugh commented. Victor nodded with a grin and then headed upstairs to Becky’s room. Once there, he knocked on the door. He heard footsteps come up to the door before it opened to reveal Becky. Her monkey Bob was already dozing off on his bean bag bed. “Hey Uncle Victor, what are you doing here?” Becky asked in surprise. “Hey kiddo. Patricia and the others drove me back here. Your dad had to stay behind to talk with Mr. Hyde because the EVA made your dad his new villain mentor.” Victor explained. “Really? I didn’t know they did that.” Becky commented. Victor nodded. “Yeah, so your dad might come back later than expected. You need your sleep since it’s a school night.” Victor stated in a paternal tone. Becky sighed in defeat. “I know. I just wanted to ask dad about something and I wanted to be awake when he got back to ask him.” Victor looked surprised at that. “What did you want to ask him?” Becky seemed a bit hesitant to respond as her eyes shifted around. This made Victor concerned and he was about to ask what was wrong when Becky finally decided to speak. “So in the past few days, I heard dad and the others talking about the issue with Mr. Hyde and what to do with him. I didn’t overhear everything but I heard dad mention another name along with Mr. Hyde’s. So…the question I want to ask is….who is Maddrix the Malicious?” Dr. Two Brains’ smug expression turned to one of confusion as he observed Hyde talking to Lucian and telling about himself. At first he thought Hyde was just getting flustered around this stranger because of the man’s attractiveness and up front flirting. Overtime, he began to notice how Hyde’s hands and feet twitched a bit. Hyde’s face seemed pale and bit clammy which appeared to be due to nervousness and apprehension rather than romantic tension.  @unhingedexperimenter

(You can tag me on my tgs side blog. I also apologize but I know a few Scottish words. So to anyone reading this I apologize for the inaccuracy.) Becky Boxleitner noticed a change in the atmosphere as she and her pet monkey Bob walked into the sixth grade classroom. All of the students were excitedly chatting with one another. Becky and Bob exchanged confused looks at the scene. 'What is going on?' They both thought. Becky walked to where her friends Violet Heaslip, Rose Franklin, and Todd Scoops Ming were sitting, also joining in the excited yet low volume chattering. "Hey guys what's going on?" Becky asked her friends. They each turned their heads to greet their friend. "Hey Becky guess what, we're getting a new teacher for our class!" Scoops exclaimed. Becky looked surprised at the announcement. Bob also mimicked her facial expression. "Wait really? What happened to Miss Davis?" Becky asked, wondering what happened to their old teacher. It was just a week only into the new school year so a sudden teacher exchange was a complete shock to Becky especially since there were no announcements about it beforehand. "Miss Davis had to move back home because of a family emergency." Rose Franklin answered. "The principal had to scramble to find a new teacher to fill in for our class. It was all last minute stuff." Becky nodded in understanding of her friends' answers. It was a nice perk to be friends who were upcoming reporters. Soon the final bell rang which indicated for every student to take their seats. Becky took her place beside her best friend Violet and Bob plopped down next to her. Soon a man who looked to be in his mid 30s walked in and towards the desk. He had curly brown air, an arched nose, and reddish brown eyes. He wore a tan button-down shirt with a red vest as well as brown slacks and dark suede shoes. The man gave a pleasant and warm smile to all the students there. "Hello my name is Dr. Henry Jekyll and I will be your teacher for the school year." Becky and the other kids ears perked up as they took note of the man's accent. Even Tobey became slightly interested in his new teacher. None of them were sure where their new teacher was from. Dr. Jekyll gave a light chuckle as if he could sense their growing curiosity about him. He lightly clapped his hands together to gain their undivided attention and focus. "Well since this is my first time teaching here, why don't we all play a little game so we can all get better acquainted with each other. Here's what to do. One at a time, say your name and share a wee bit about yourself. Likes, family, interests and all that. I'll go first to show ya what ah mean. Again. My name is Dr. Henry Jekyll. I was born in Glasgow but ah moved to London where I attended university. I have a five year old wee lassie or daughter named Amber. I enjoy chemistry and reading on occasions. Now who would like to go next?" @unhingedexperimenter

Of course Tobey had taken the opportunity to place attention on himself and to have a reason to boast about himself. “My name is Tobey McCallister the third and I will be the most intelligent student you'll meet here.” The others had rolled their eyes, used to this kind of behavior from their peers. Becky seemed to be the most annoyed by it. Having been forced to put up with his destructive tantrums in the past. Henry smiled just as warmly as before. Unbothered by the obnoxious behavior that the boy had been displaying. Tobey had been going on about himself for a good few minutes before the teacher finally spoke up. “Ahem, yes. Thank you for that Mr. McCallister. Would anyone else like to tell me a bit about themselves as well?” No one could tell that behind the facade, Dr. Henry Jekyll was becoming more irritated by the moment. Not by the child but by the pest that refused to leave him be. Scoffing within his head at what they just heard. He didn't share the disembodied voice's opinion but wanted to give the other children a chance to introduce themselves as well. To the others' shock, Tobey seemed to have taken this well. Quickly going back to his desk with no issues. Becky was relieved at that. Soon the other children had started to introduce themselves to their new teacher with little to no issues. He seemed genuinely nice enough to her. This new teacher didn't seem like most of the adults within this city. Some she had to define words repeatedly for. Dr. Jekyll knew what he was teaching and knew his vocabulary. It was Violet who had brought Becky out from her own thoughts, calling her name. Waving a hand in front of her face. “Becky?” The girl smiled in an embarrassed manner. “Huh? Yes?” Violet smiled, patient with her best friend. “Why don't you introduce yourself now? Nearly everybody else already did.” She had given a surprised expression. Becky hadn't realized that she was so lost within her thoughts until then. She stood up and began speaking. “My name is Becky Boxleitner and I also like libraries,reading and Pretty Princess.” The presence that was grating at the teacher's nerves had deemed this too dull to enjoy. Leaving Dr. Jekyll be to his teaching. Well, getting to know his students. He was happy to see that they were engaged in these activities that were meant to break the ice. Though one student in particular had caught his attention the most. Becky. While she did seem rather bright, there was something strange about her behavior at times. Pausing whatever she was doing at the time to listen in on something. Thinking it went unnoticed. Even once looking alarmed and she made an excuse to go to the bathroom. He had allowed it. Feeling that it would've been better to have let her. It seemed…oddly familiar. As if he had seen that behavior somewhere before but couldn't figure out exactly where from. When the school day was finally over, Becky had gone to go home like the others. Dr. Jekyll had of course stayed behind to set more things up within his new classroom. Making a plan on exactly what he'll actually start teaching the next day. Though, the grating voice had returned to be a thorn in his side. “Come on. Leave this boring stuff alone. Leave it until tomorrow. I've been pent up for far too long. Let's have some fun.” This had earned an eye roll and a loud huff from the teacher. “No, I've got to get this done now. You will have enough time tonight. Just be patient until then.” A shadowy figure formed in front of Dr. Jekyll. A frown on its face. “But this is so extremely dull. I want to stretch my legs. I want to make myself known already.” Dr. Jekyll glared. “And that is precisely why I'm so hesitant to let you out so soon. At least let us get acclimated to our surroundings first.” The figure let out an annoyed groan. “You know you want this as much as I do. Otherwise you'd never have any actual fun in the sad and pathetic life you call yours.”

@thecountoflondonfansite

[be-ready-when-i-say-go]

Hi, this is my first time requesting. I hope this is not utter bullshit. Could you maybe write Eddie x male reader, where he comforts the reader about struggling to eat?

Hi! No this isn't bullshit. Not in the slightest! Thank you for trusting me enough with this request! I hope I've done it justice for you.

Eddie Munson x male reader.

Send me request here! Currently writing for Eddie Munson.

Feel free to look through my masterlist here!

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There are days where everything makes your throat tighten. Foods that you normally loved made your stomach queasy. There is no warning when these days hit. You can literally eat the sandwich, the pasta, whatever it is, without problem the day before. And then the next day as your work to prepare or reheat it, your feel the bile rising in the back of your throat.

Today is one of those days. It's day three after grocery shopping and everything you've bought feels unappealing. You don't even know what you want instead. You just know you don't want what you have. And it's just easier to avoid the problem and survive on handfuls of cereal and water and crackers.

Eddie notices it though. How you've pushed the food around on your plate today just like you did yesterday. He's only got half the bag of pretzels left but he wants you to actually eat something. There's still a few more classes left in the day. The last thing he wants to hear is that you passed out in the middle of Drama because you just hadn't eaten.

So he pushes the bag a little closer to you. You notice it inching in but try not to think anything of it. Eddie talks with his whole body sometimes. This is no doubt just a byproduct of his wild gestures. He laughs with the rest of the group and the conversation floats like it always does in the loud cafeteria.

The bag inches closer again. This time Eddie's hand is resting on outside of the package as he moves it your way. You bring your gaze from the cross ring up to his face. He's looking at you with a small cocky grin. "C'mon, don't you want to grow up big and strong like me?"

You snort. "Munson, a strong wind could blow you over."

"I am only human after all," he returns. "Mother Nature is a force to be reckoned with." He punctuates by moving the bag directly in front of you. "I'm not sick, promise."

You stare down at the bag. Your stomach doesn't seem to reject the thought of the pretzels. But you're worried that after the first bite it's going to be a done deal. But Eddie's big eyes are staring at you, poring over you like he's genuinely worried.

You take the end of the bag with your fingers and Eddie grins before letting his grip go. You take one pretzel and snap into it carefully. The first bite isn't terrible to get down. You take it slow though. You give yourself a minute to let the first pretzel to settle.

When your body doesn't lurch, you grab a second one. Eddie's smile is brighter as he chats. By the time lunch is over you've only four of the remaining 8 or so of the snack, but it feels like a breakthrough from the stint you'd been in. As you toss the contents on the the tray of cafeteria food untouched into the trash, Eddie gingerly reaches for your elbow. You know it's Eddie because he's only as gentle as Eddie can be. It's a firm enough grip but Eddie's pressing closer and closer into your personal bubble.

"Wanna skip next period? Nurse has all the best snacks," he reasons. "Or if you want something different, I'm more than okay with skipping Mr. Randall's class to take you off campus for something."

You start to shake your head, start to tell Eddie he doesn't have to do all that but Eddie voice cuts you off. "C'mon, it's your choice. I just--I know it's not easy to like actually eat when the food is so shit. Whatever you want, man."

"That's the problem, man. I don't know what I want. Nothing sounds appealing."

"We could at least get orange juice. That's good, yeah? Nurse Jenkins is a sucker for a bad boy and I can score you at least two bottles."

The sugar wouldn't hurt. But you're not sure if you can go for two bottles. And you don't really want Eddie skipping his classes. "You're the last person to need to skip. Like ever."

Eddie gives an indignant squawk in return. His offense is clearly jest, but he still pouts just a little at your words. "Rude."

"But I'll let you walk me to the nurses office if you promise to go straight to class."

Eddie purses his lips together. His grip still hasn't fully left your elbow. "I need to see you take at least two sips before I go."

Of course he would. He's that type. "Deal, Munson. Since it's going to kill you if I don't eat."

Eddie nods at the remark. "It's breaking my heart."

The sentence sits ful at the utterance. There's no dripping teasing tone. There's no faux concern or sarcasm. It's a full sentence and you wonder if Eddie's noticed these days. Why would he be worried at all about someone like you?

As the two of your breech the doors of the cafeteria, Eddie's hold grips and the two of you walk with a couple inches between the two of you. It's mostly silent between you, though the hallways are still full with students heading to their next classes.

"Does this happen a lot?" Eddie questions a few feet from the nurses often.

You shrug. "It happens enough."

"What-what do you usually manage to eat?"

"Water. Cheerios--boring as it fucking sounds they're not too sweet. Crackers are good."

Eddie nods, fingers tapping against each other and the rings softly echo with their clinks. "How long does it last?"

"No longer than a couple days. This stints kicking me in the balls though. I don't know if I like ate something bad and it's lingering or if it's stress? Just...everything sounds gross most of the time."

"I mean, the school lunches would never actually help anyone if they were having issues eating, ya know? They look like slop sometimes."

The two of you linger outside the door, never reaching it fully to make you warrant the knock, but clearly you two have passed here because the intent is for you to be there.

You give a soft tuft of laughter in an exhale through your nose. "Yeah, they're not always appealing."

Eddie pushes forward, hand raising to the wooden door. It's a two knock warning and then he cracks it open, gesturing for you to enter in the increasing gap. It's quick really as you explain that you'd appreciate some orange juice if she can spare it because you've had trouble getting much down and are hoping the juice will get you through the day. She offers you a pass to head back home if you need, but you decline it saying that you'll come back if you really need it.

Eddie lingers as promised only long enough to see you get two sips down before he takes the pass to make it to his class. The juice is just enough and by the time you get home you feel like you have an appetite again.

But you notice later in the week and early next week when Eddie cracks open his lunch pail there's a roll of crackers in them. And the next week it's rotated out for a second bag of pretzels .

"Don't you, like, hate those," you say pointing into the pail and seeing what is definitely Cheerios. About a month after Eddie walked you to the nurse's office, you notice he's got a whole rotation of foods he doesn't even touch each week. You're not even sure why he's keeping food he's not going to eat. It's a waste in the end if he's just tossing them out at the end of of each week.

Eddie shrugs. "Keep spare, sue me," he huffs. The conversation ends there. Until the next day, he notices about halfway through that you're pushing the peas around and then slides the sandwich bag to you.

"Should I still sue?" you mutter digging in for a handful of the cereal.