#and the 1st question was good i hadn't thought of that before

[vinnyhongnsfwgurl]

1st Vinny Hong FanFic? I literally have no idea what this should be LOL

Hello all Windbreaker fans and Vinny Hong lovers. This is my first Vinny Hong x female reader fanfic. I hope you enjoy and comments/feedback is always welcome! Thanks :3

So, I didn't realize what kind of fanfic this would be after I finished writing it LMAO. Complete despair and heartbreak hahaha. I just chose to write and not think to hard. tbh I'm pretty happy with it. Let me know what you think :) .... also I did not proof read haha I am lazy.

I think I'll do a part 2 to this one!

"y/n? ...... y/n?"

"Y/N?!"

You're head snaps up to look at your mother sitting in the hospital bed next to you. She looked at you slightly worried.

She tilted her head as she asked "Are you okay? I called your name multiple times."

You sat up straighter in your chair and nodded. "Yes. Sorry. I, uh, just got lost in my thoughts for a moment." A lot had happened in the past couple of weeks. My mother got very sick and ended up in the hospital for a second time, nearly dying due to a brain aneurysm. It had put a lot of stress on every part of our lives, mostly financially. We weren't poor, but we certainly did not have the luxury to not work and stay in the hospital for extended periods.

I had thought about picking up extra hours at my part-time job, but I knew it wouldn't help much and I knew my studies would suffer. I was already struggling to keep my grades up. Besides my part-time job, I had to train for the upcoming final race of League of Streets. I was a part of Hummingbird and it was amazing but like my personal life, it was a mess. So much had happened with our team.

The most recent event was Vinny leaving our team deciding to ride with the Ghost crew. He started doing small races for money, which were broadcasted online. I had seen a few. Everyone was confused and upset including me. The whole reason we created Hummingbird was to compete in LOS and win the price money for Vinny's mother but I guess he had different plans in mind.

"It'll be okay honey" my mom said as she reached for my hand. I let let her hold my hand. It was warm and reassuring.

I smiled. "I know mom. I'm glad you're alright .... I was really scared actually." I could feel the pressure behind my eyes build up.

My mom started tearing up. "I know. I know y/n. but it's okay, I'm okay." She squeezed my hand.

I just nodded. "yeah."

After a few minutes and making sure my mother didn't need anything, I hugged her goodbye and started making my way out of the hospital. I took a seat on a bench that was stationed right next to the entrance of hospital. I had taken a bus here and planned on taking it to get back home. It only took me ten minutes to get to the bus stop, so I had a bit of time before I had to leave. I was really tired and too stressed. I found myself looking for more quiet moments out of my day.

I looked out toward the street across from the hospital. It was already dark out, but there was quite a bit of traffic. Honking interrupted the empty, docile night every now and than.

I heard footsteps come around the corner that ended abruptly once they caught up to the bench I was sitting at. As I turned my head to see what or who it was, I hear a familiar voice.

"What are you doing here?"

Vinny. It was all I thought as my eyes met his. His red eye seemed strikingly brighter than it usually was. Maybe it's just because I hadn't seen him in awhile.

"Oh. I was visiting my mom. She recently had surgery." I explained. ".... Are you hear to see your mom?" I asked.

He was quiet for a second before answering my question. "Yeah, she's staying here."

"MMm that's good. Glad to hear she is getting treatment" I said.

"What about your mom? Is she okay?"

"oh yeah! The surgery went well, so everything is good." I gave a sheepish thumbs up. I always became painfully aware of how awkward I felt when interacting with Vinny. I was a fairly shy person and it didn't help how handsome I thought he was. It took time in the beginning for us to get along and establish a relationship. It wasn't hard for me to figure out soon after that I was falling in love with him.

There was a lot I learned about him after Hummingbird was formed and the more I learned the more I desired to be near him. He was hot headed and pretty reserved, but it never really bothered me. I always went out of my way to greet him at practice and I chat with him when I could. I never cared if it was just small talk.

He just stared at me for a moment before saying "Good to hear that."

I knew what what was coming next, or what wasn't. This would be the end of our conversation. I didn't want it to be.

"How have you been?" I asked.

"I'm fine." He said plainly.

"And Jack?" following it up with a smile.

"He's fine too."

Man of few words I thought. I was used to it but I always wondered what actually behind those words: I'm fine.

"Are you really doing fine? I know I'm probably not the first person you think of when you want to talk to someone, but you're my friend. I'm here for you." I blurted out without much thinking.

When I had mentioned how confusing and upset I was when he left our crew, it was an understatement. I was sad and hurt. I also felt so helpless. He left us all behind and had no desire to return.

I looked down at the backpack I held in my arms. There was so much I wanted to say, but none of it seemed enough.

"I'm sorry for everything that's happened. I know you're having a hard time. I wish you hadn't had to leave the team."

"I don't know why you're apologizing, y/n. You don't need to." He replied.

Vinny walked up closer to me until he stood just a few inches from my feet. I looked up and he gaze had softened just a bit.

"You don't need to worry about me. Just focus on yourself. You have a lot going on."

"Yeah."

There was a moment of silence as Vinny and I held each other's gaze.

Then Vinny turned to leave. "I'll see you later y/n."

Before he took another step, I reached for his hand. It was a light grasp, just enough to stop him.

"Come back to Hummingbird ..... at least, at some point. We'll wait for you. It's nothing without you"

Vinny just stared at me before pulling his hand away from my mine.

"Y/n."

"It doesn't matter if it's not tomorrow, or the next day, or weeks from now! J-just come back. Please." I could feel a increase in my heart rate and the pressure behind my eyes building up again.

Vinny sighed and turned away from me.

"There's no reason for me to come back." He said sternly. "There's nothing you or the others can offer me." He continued has he started walking away.

Something warm slid down the right side of me cheek. I blinked and more came out. I was crying.

I just stood there as I continued to watch him walk away. My crying only worsened and I could feel a lump form in my throat.

I can't give up on you Vinny I thought as I recollected the memories of us together and how much our relationship progressed.

I just can't Vinny. I won't. I love you.

After he was well out of my sight, I finally left for the bus station. I cried the entire way.

For once, I wished it wasn't so quiet out.

[missmeasured]

Hey there could you write a short story about Snape catching his beloved (female reader) in a little white lie and punishing her for it? In a dominate way he could tie her up and remind her that lying is not what good girls do. The lie I have in mind is her lying when asked where she was at a certain time but he knows its false. In the end she was only trying to sneak around to get him a birthday suprise. I would like to see her hold out as long as possible before revealing the reason for her lie and maybe even be a little bit of a brat. If you can’t I understand and thank you for you’re time.

Hi Anon!

You’re in luck, and I take requests when they inspire me, and this definitely inspired me. I hope you like it!

Summary: You have just come home with Severus’ Birthday Preset, hell bent on keeping it a secret this year, but he already knows too much and you get caught in a a lie and end up being punished.

Notes: Pairing: Reader/Severus, 1st Person POV, Word Count: 4K

Content Warnings: Explicit NSFW . Reader has a vagina. Daddy kink. Ropes, spanking, vaginal fingering, Vaginal intercourse.

Daddy I’m Home

With a powerful thrust of my hip I swing the door open, struggling with the overloaded brown paper bags of groceries in my hands. “Home!” I huff out as I awkwardly kick my boots off and when I turn my head to the living room I see the Daily Prophet news sheet fold down, he looks at me from his favourite chair. I give him a smile as I rush to hide his gift before he stands up.

I move to the kitchen briskly, throwing the bags down on the counter and putting the parcel that contained his birthday present in a lower cupboard behind the potatoes. I get myself a sorely needed glass of water before putting the food away. I'm parched from rushing around to get home, I had been halfway running with the bags. When I turn around after downing my glass of water he startles me, he is right behind me. I hadn't heard him coming.

“You've been out longer than I thought.”

“Diagon Alley was busy.” I explain.

“Where did you go? Other than obviously the green grocer.”

“Florish and Blotts.”

“Yet…I see no books.”

“They didn't have that cookbook I wanted. Sold out already.” A damn shame because I had been hoping to try my hand at one of the recipe’s my friend made last night.

“Took up a lot of time, did it? Not buying a book?”

“Well I had to look to see if they had it first. What’s with the questioning?” I ask, internally scolding myself. I am already getting defensive and I had told myself I would not be.

“Well you've been gone quite some time. I really thought you would be home before me.”

“Well it took longer than I thought.”

“Indeed. You stopped nowhere else?”

“Okay you caught me! I stopped for an ice cream cone. I didn't tell you because I knew you would nag me about sweets before dinner but I was starving.” I confess to a minor transgression. Ice cream when I was about to cook for us. The roast would take at least an hour though. The ice cream had kept me going when I felt burnt out.

“Oh yes, I am no fun. It is wise to omit things that contain fun lest I become upset.” He is sarcastic, he seems annoyed.

“Why are you all grumpy?”

“Perhaps because my darling little sweetheart is lying to me.”

“I am not!” I hope my lie isn't obvious on my face. It's so hard to keep things a secret from him. How many times has he ruined a surprise for himself by being too observant? Hiding things from him was hard, he always knew when things were slightly out of place.

“You are. I was under the mistaken impression that you were a good girl, and above such nonsense as lying to my face.” He is baiting me to fight him. I told myself I would not ask him what is making him so nosey, it will give me away.

“Severus. I went to the bookstore, I got ice cream, I got groceries… maybe I chatted to too many friends along the way. Did too much window shopping. Would you scold me if something in the window of Madam Malkins caught my eye and I went in to see it?”

“I would scold you because you just lied to me again.”

I’m about to open my mouth- insist I hadn’t when I catch myself. He knows something, but I won’t ruin his birthday present just because he’s an overly observant taskmaster. I turn to try and unpack the food, to give myself time to make something else up. I take a single apple out of the bag when he raps his wand on the counter top loudly beside me and everything flies quickly to their homes, preventing me from using them as cover.

“Care to tell me what kept you?” He was looming in a manner which told me he was in a very particular mood. He was about to make a meal out of this interrogation and play with his food. In this case, me.

I start to walk away, around the island toward the living room door but suddenly he side steps me and I’m backed up against the fridge. “Did you wish to keep your coat on because you intend to run back out the front door or can I take it off?” He asks. I don't even answer, he is undoing the buttons already. Off it comes.

“Things take longer than we think sometimes. I think this dinner will take a while I should really get started…”

“Didn’t you just have an ice cream?”

“Yes but the roast needs a long time-“

“I am not so famished that I will expire if it's delayed.” He tucks some hair behind my ear as he says it. Then something coils around my ankles like a snake.

“Severus no-“ I start, not his ropes. I’m bad at keeping secrets from him at the best of times, tied up and being questioned, I’ll always fail.

“Don't start making demands. Good girls get to say no. Good girls that dont lie get to tell me they’d rather make dinner.” He snatches my hands out of the air like a lizard might snatch a fly and pulls them behind my back. His ropes slither around them too, pulling each wrist tight to the opposite elbow so my arms rested tight against my lower back with no movement.

“I’m not sure what to tell you, I went where I said I went. I didn't think you were the kind of man who wanted to control me down to the minute.” I bite, I’m getting feisty because I have done nothing wrong.

“The attitude you are giving me is unlike your usual nature. I don’t appreciate you meeting my concern with such dismissal.”

“Concern!? I went to the bloody grocery store!” I insist and that seems to rile him more. I’m thrown up and over his shoulder. “Severus, what is your problem!?” I screech as I’m carried to the living room.

“Guess.” He answers as he puts me down.

“I’m going to choose to remain silent.” I sniff haughtily.

“Guilty little pet.” He grumbles. He sits in his favourite chair and pulls me down over his lap ignoring my protests. “Did you know where you were going when you left this morning?”

“Sort of…” I answer truthfully.

“Not all of your trip was planned?”

“No, the ice cream shop was not planned as I said.” I snap. This earns me a slap across the rear before I’m expecting it. “I’m not lying!”

“You are answering me like a brat.”

“I am answering you honestly!” I bite then yelp because he got me again with a really stingy one.

“Incorrect.” He drawls and then we are silent. I chew on my words instead of speaking them. I’m trying to do something nice for him and I am being punished for it. “I shall answer your question because I am not unreasonable. I am angry because a certain someone was in a very dangerous part of Knockturn Alley alone today.”

Shit. I’m still not sure what he knows and I don't want to blow the surprise. What to tell him… I could try to deflect. Asking him if he was there seemed too guilty though.

“I’m waiting.”

“I think you are intent on punishing me so you might as well get on with it.”

Normally each blow to my behind would be accompanied by soothing caresses, apparently my attitude meant I was not afforded them. After a solid round of ten or more, I had lost count, he finally rested his palm against me, but still it did not rub the sting out. He pauses and is silent. My breathing is loud in my ears.

“This silence is the space designed for you to tell me the true story.”

“My silence is my answer.”

“Is it your intention to test my patience?”

“My intention is to get through this so I can start dinner.”

His ropes start multiplying. They begin to wrap my whole torso like a fly in a spider web. They encircle every inch of me all the way up my neck to my face. They don’t squeeze me, but they threaten. He stands and my body is lifted into the air before him. He’s taking me upstairs and I’m not sure why. “Tell me darling, why am I wrapping you up so tightly?”

“I’m not a legilimens.” I answer sarcastically and the ropes squeeze me as punishment as we move up the stairs and into the bedroom.

“Because you apparently need a reminder that you are mine. I shouldn’t have to wrap my magic around you and squeeze you with it for you to remember.” He says as I am deposited on the bed. “What does it mean for you to be mine, sweetheart?”

“That you insist on hitting me repeatedly on the backside when you don’t get your exact way?”

“This isn’t about me getting my exact way. This is about you disregarding your safety.” He is unfastening my trousers. “Since you so cleverly wormed your way into my heart… it is now your responsibility not to die, or to otherwise be kidnapped, cursed, hexed, jinxed or harmed in any way when you could have easily asked me for an escort.” As he lists the things he thinks could have happened to me in Knockturn alley he eases his hands inside my clothing more and more. He pushes the trousers down a little more with each word.

“A part of being mine is not offering up what is mine to various unsavoury characters by going shopping where there are dark corners and bad people looking for a sweet little thing that can be corrupted, coerced, or just plain tricked out of her gold.” The trousers slip off the ends of my feet and he steals my socks too. I’m wiggling on the cool of the duvet in my lacey panties and a turtleneck top he can’t steal unless he is willing to unleash my arms from their ropes.

“Severus, are you telling me that in addition to spanking me you are going to call me naive, easily tricked, and stupid?”

“I am not calling you those things. You are nothing except foolish.” He leaned over and grabbed my torso by the ropes, sliding me over to him. I am trying to avoid being spanked any more so put my feet on his chest and try to push away. “Stop being so difficult.” He grunts.

“Fine.” I bite and move my feet quickly off him so the way he is pulling on me results in me sliding across the bed and our hips meeting in the middle. I wrap my legs around him. “Is that better, sir?” I ask sarcastically.

“Tone, sweetheart.” He warns.

“Temper, dear.” I return.

Then he tries to move me back across his knees and I struggle. This must surprise him, as I never fight him. Usually my punishments are fake things, for transgressions imagined so that we might have some fun together. Normally I am spanked and I am petted in equal measure and it always leads to more sensual touch than pain. This pain for the sake of real punishment has me so feisty and riled that I try, even with my arms immobilised, to get out of his grasp, but he’s strong.

His hand comes down painfully against my almost bare behind and I still, sitting in the string of it. His fingers trace the lace edge of my knickers to where they disappear into the cleft of my bum and I wiggle at the ticklish sensation as it dances along with the painful one.

“Darling, now is the time to say what it is you were doing there. Otherwise I’ll be giving you nine more to complete this set.”

“One.” I belatedly count with gritted teeth in spiteful answer.

He is silent and gives me another.

“Two.” I grumble and I hear emotion in my voice. He rubs my behind for the first time since he began this punishment.

“Three.” My voice cracks, damn it. He is still. I listen to his breathing. He rubs me. I try to force myself to breathe slowly. “Four- Aaaahh I was getting you a birthday present!” I start to count but it hurts enough that I can’t take it anymore, not the pain as much as the implication that I somehow deserve it.

“From Knockturn alley?”

“I know you’ve been out of Doxy eggs and Jobberknoll feathers for three months and I heard the shop down there had gotten a rather large shipment of supplies so I went to inquire.”

“Oh, Darling… that’s a very thoughtful gift… yet it is still true that it’s too dangerous for you to go there alone to acquire such things for me. As thoughtful as you were being.” He responds.

“I feel like you are underestimating my ability to protect myself.” I whimper.

“Are you crying?” He asks.

“I’m just angry.” I answer, trying to control my breathing before I outright weep.

“Sweetheart…We’ve talked about this. You have to use the safeword if you’re feeling overwhelmed.” He sighs and his ropes release me.

I get off him and roll up in a ball on the bed facing away from him. “I wasn’t sure we were playing. You seemed very angry.”

“I was angry. I was completely confused as to why I saw you coming out of that alley and why you were so bloody intent on hiding the truth of it from me. Merlin sake, you could have made some horrible deal with someone down there and have been hiding it from me to save yourself from my ire when I might be the one who could help you.”

I peaked over my shoulder to respond. “You naturally assumed that if I was trying to evade your ire that I would respond best to being tied up and punished?”

Regret washes over his face. “I’m so sorry, pet.”

“You ruined your surprise.” I pout.

He crawls over me, pulling my chin out so he can kiss my lips. “I’m sorry, sweetness.” He kisses again. “How do I prove I’m sorry?” I try to move away from his lips but he is persistent. “Give me those pouting lips, precious.”

“You can’t kiss it better, mister meanie.”

He moves away and I hear him rummage in the bedside drawer. He is probably getting the lotion he made for taking away the sting of these spankings. Sure enough a few moments later I feel his hand come back to my half exposed behind and begin gently rubbing it into my flesh that has been tingling from his harder than usual smacks.

He takes his time, carefully getting everywhere, and even sliding his fingers under the lace and getting the upper part of my behind too. When he’s done his hand presses flat over me and rubs over me, his palm skims my sex on it’s way down to rub my thighs and I can’t help but make a little noise as he brushes me.

Never one to miss a small noise, his hand reverses course, tickling the backs of my thighs before those fingers come up and tentatively pet me through the lace. I surprise myself with my moan. I didn’t think I had been aroused by the spanking, it wasn’t like how it normally was and yet when he touched me all the nerves in my body screamed for more.

I was still curled up hiding my face from him in the blankets. He pressed his fingers against me and leaned over to try to see my reaction. “I don’t want to be presumptuous, darling, but your knickers are very wet…” he began. “Do you want me to touch you, or are you too sore at me for it?”

I gave a noncommittal grumble. I was angry. I was also very aroused, and didn’t want to admit it. I heard him breath out of his nose in amusement at my disgruntled mumbles. He trailed those fingertips up and down the part of me that was exposed to him in my defensive side curl.

I started panting into the duvet. When he pulled the lace to the side he paused before slowly touching me “My apology petting is making you so slick, sweetheart. Do you want more? I’m just going to… spread this around, oh dearest… you feel all swollen and ready… do you want daddy’s finger?” He pressed in barley centimetre and I whimpered.

“I see you are determined not to answer me, I will have to read the signs…” he murmurs before I moan into the bedspread as he sank that finger into me. I’m trying to remember my anger but I can’t as he slowly penetrates me over and over while petting my clit and making me clench around him. “I know I have been very bad, precious, but I was only thinking of your safety. I don’t know what I would do without you.” He tells me softly. “Please, dearest, show me your pretty face I can’t stand to have you hide it from me.” He begs softly while making me come undone. Why must he have this power over me?

Truthfully it’s getting awfully hot, panting into the duvet cover with my face hidden from him so I roll my torso over. He smiles at me as I emerge. “There’s my girl…”

“I’m … still.. mad.” I manage but with difficulty as I move towards orgasm.

“I’ll be your eager servant until you forgive me.”

“I need more…” I whine, I’ve been hovering at the edge of something for minutes now and I can’t quite grasp at it.

“My mouth?” He asks.

I shake my head no. I stretch my arms out to him. I want to feel his body weight on me, to be reassured in his wanting of me. I know he is trying to repent for making me angry but I also need to know he is no longer mad. I want to feel him hold me like his ropes had.

“Are you sure?” He asks, but he does withdraw from me in order to crawl above me, seeking a kiss.

“Squeeze please.” I demand with my outstretched arms.

“Before or during?” He smirks.

“Both.” I answer impatiently. He gives me a tight hug, letting his body weight go, he crushes me into the bed. The wool of his clothing is soft on my fingers but sratchy on my inner thighs. When I start grinding against him he pulls away for a moment and relieves me of my undergarments and unbuttons his trousers. “All off.” I instruct, knowing he will likely leave it all on, but my fingers want his flesh and I won’t let him stay buttoned up. It takes a couple of minutes but it’s worth it when he returns. He tries to take my turtleneck. “No. I’m keeping that. I’m always naked you’re always dressed. This time you shiver, I’ll stay cozy. In fact, fetch my socks.” I demand teasingly, and I bite my lip and grin to watch him naked with an erection find my socks with my discarded trousers and bring them back to my feet. He puts them on neatly. I hold open my arms again. “Squeeze.”

“I’m coming…” He rolls his eyes. He is not doing so well at being a devoted servant, he is already giving sass. He does follow orders through and while he squeezes me he kisses me and eventually he pulls away just a little to position himself so he can be inside me.

I sigh happily to be filled and squished at the same time. I wrap my legs around him so my warm sock covered feet cross behind his back. He rocks gently back and forth into me. “I love you, you grumpy man.” I breath into his ear. “Even though… mmm…. You ruin all your presents…”

“I have not ruined anything. While I adore the idea of your present, the only gift I truly cherish is you. So next time… ruin the surprise and ask me to come with you, my love. You’ll make me go grey prematurely worrying over you.” He pants.

“I have one last request for your penance...” I say somewhat shyly.

“Mmm?” He asks, nose buried in my neck, kissing me.

“Fuck me like you’re still mad.” I say it like a question in case he isn’t game for it.

“Oh with pleasure, darling.” He smiles before lifting his weight off me, then biting my neck till I squeal. He begins to slam his hips into mine “Who do you belong to?” He asks.

“You.” I whimper in character.

“That’s right, you were endangering something that belongs to me.” Fuck he’s all stern and it makes me go wild.

“I’m sorry.” I breathe, giving him big apology eyes just for my own enjoyment.

“Don’t make daddy worry or else he is going to treat you like a bad girl. Do you understand?” His dark eyes burrow into me. He’s playing mad daddy for me, but I know there is still truth in this for him.

“Yes sir.” I whimper between mews of pleasure.

“Do you feel you have sufficiently learned your lesson?” When his stern is mixed with being out of breath from the effort of fucking me hard it makes my toes curl.

“Yes.” I choke out.

“I think I will restore your status to good girl provided you remind yourself to whom you belong by begging me to let you come, and then saying my name while you do so.”

Beg him? Provided I have time before my climax comes rushing through my body while he lectures me. “Please Daddy. Please let me come, I promise to be good.”

“Good girl.” He grins, sliding his hand between us to pet me where he knows I won't be able to hold out. “Let me hear you.” He croons. I know I asked for this role play but I feel like he has taken the opportunity to teach me a lesson, to remind me how he makes my body feel. I do belong to him in this way.

“Severus!” I gasp, clutching at his shoulders as he slams into me repeatedly and the waves of pleasure build up then explode through me. He kisses my neck and switches to slow easy thrusts as I spasm around him, eventually slipping out of me but pulling me in close, listening to my shattered breathing.

“Did you not?” I look at him. I hadn't felt him climax with me.

“Doing penance.” He reminded me.

“For how long?” I asked with a laugh.

“Until… I don’t know until after dinner at the least.”

“Oh such a long time for you to abstain.” I roll my eyes.

“I believe you said dinner will take a while.”

“Maybe an hour… Two at most.”

“It will be a very long two hours, precious, as you do look so divine in an apron. If you wish to torture me you could get flour on your face, then I will be really put out about not being able to pull you onto the floor and make you mine.”

“Sir, you will find me willing and able to torture you this evening so don’t give me ideas. Maybe I’ll be wearing nothing but that apron and ample amounts of flour.”

[aroreiel]

So I started writing this initial one shot POV a long time ago, I think in October. I know, right now, I'm not in a good headspace to write at the moment so I haven't done anything with this in a little while. So I've decided I just want to post what I've got now anyway for you all to read and, hopefully, I'll try and complete it some time in the future. So here it is. The gif accompanying it was my inspiration for it. Hope you enjoy it. ❤

Joseph Quinn x 1st person (minors DNI! Not overly smutty but close references. Swearing, fingering, heavy flirtation etc. I can't remember what else.)

Risky Distractions

The interview seemed okay. I mean it was more engaging than the many interviews before it. With questions that Joseph hadn't been asked a million times already. This time they were relevant, they were thought through. The interviewer was even listening to his answers, fucking hell! Not like others who were itching to spit out the next scripted blurb before he could finish. This was rare. And yet, he was different here. I could see in his eyes he was distant, like he wasn't in the room. He was looking at the interviewer and nodding, smiling with a warmth that spread across his face and into the creases of his eyes. Those deep eyes that just lit up. He was honest, he was earnest. It was adorable. It was perfect. HE was perfect. I'm glad I was sitting down. I was exhausted.

So what wrong with him? I could see it and yet no one else could. He seemed distracted. Is something irritating him? I was supposed to be keeping notes, but I'm hugging my notepad like my life depended on it. His eyes suddenly flicked towards me in such a flit, it would almost be impossible to the naked eye if I wasn't already looking at him so intensely. There were plenty of other people in the room, but that gaze was straight at me. I felt it. It made me nervous. But then he always made me nervous. He also made me shake and shiver and...anyway, it didn't seem like anyone else was even paying attention to what he...

...Oh my god, he then did something with his tongue. It almost protruded through the inside of his cheek. Shit. Now this made me panic. What would that look like from an audience perspective? The interviewer didn't notice, thank god. Did anyone else? No, it was just me. This seemed deliberate. It appeared to look like he was just pondering on her latest question, which he could have been doing. I then began feeling that this was all in my overactive imagination...until his eyes did that flit in my direction again. This was for me. My face flushed. The corners of my mouth went up into a wry smile, as I looked around to see if anybody was now looking at me. They weren't. My heart started to beat a little faster now. This isn't what I think it is.

Oh god. This was dangerous. I needed to know. I wondered if I could get his attention without interrupting the interview. I unhooked myself from my papers and then began scribbling on one piece. As I finished I held it in front of me.

'What are you thinking, Quinn?'

Biting my bottom lip, I waited for him to notice. Oh, he knew how to be coy, he'd been so good at it up until now. So I knew he'd have no trouble letting me know what was going on in that beautiful head of his. I waited for an answer. Not expecting what was coming next.

Without even interrupting the flow of the interview I saw those dark eyes subtly shift in my direction. As he tried not to engage me, his hand then went up to his face and slowly his slid fingers over his mouth and continued up to his nose...and inhaled. Inhaling as if it was invading his senses. Then as quickly as it started, his eyes reverted back to the interviewer, but not before he sucked and pursed his lips on the way. He was back in the room. My heart stopped. I crumbled inside.

Oh god. Our morning secret. In the back of his taxi, waiting for the driver to return to take us to the studio. We'd been resisting each other for weeks, the tension would build every moment we were in the same room. But that taxi was where it all, for lack of better words 'came to a head'. For some reason I was more nervous this time, but we couldn't ignore the tension any longer. I'd uncrossed my legs and shuffled in my seat. Staring straight ahead, trying not to look obvious, he'd had placed his hand on my thigh, caressing it gently as it then crept its way up my loose, conservative skirt. It was too slow. The driver would've been back at any moment. So I guided his hand more swiftly to its destination, and he knew what to do next. Massaging, kneading, then slipping his fingers into my now wet folds, he worked his magic, back and forth, then in and out. God, he knew what he was doing. I felt every nerve ending in my body shake. My panic set in as I noticed the driver heading back. "We need to stop." The smirk on his face as he noticed him too...his thrill as he picked up his pace, faster and faster until my head flipped back and everything became a blur. "Just in time, baby." He uttered, as the driver seat door snapped open, and I'd sat back up straight as I adjust my skirt and crossed my legs. Both of us trying to behave like nothing had happened. But I couldn't help but notice a subtle look of complete satisfaction on his face. Bastard.

That was only this morning. I hadn't even had time to change my underwear. We got on with the day as if nothing had happened, focused on the tasks that faced us.

I awkwardly began pulling at the dress material that was sitting just in between my thighs. Trying to release the heat that I could feel spreading there. Again. I felt a shake through my body. Looking around to see if anyone could see it. I then caught a glimpse of Joseph in my peripheral. One corner of his mouth twitched slightly upwards. He saw it.

Well two could play this game. And I didn't care if anyone saw. I wasn't going to make this easy for him. Just thinking about what he did with those fingers earlier that day... it had wrecked me. And we nearly got caught. I'd been trying to keep myself composed all day. But just this one dirty move from him in front of these cameras undid all of that. Everyone now began moving around as if things were about to wrap up. I looked at the time. One minute left until the interview would draw to a close. One minute to make him squirm.

The faces around me were too busy now to care. I kept my eyes locked onto his and, with a smirk, I lightly pressed my hand into a fist and began squeezing slowly. Then my first finger flicked up as if it sprung for attention. I placed in it my mouth and suggestion took over. His eyes did that flit again.

Nothing else. No other sign, no other flinch. He carried on answering the final, now mundane question that the interviewer posed to him. He had that same bright smile, same thoughtful response. Professional. Endearing. He was so fucking good.

This will do it. Immediately a tremble travelled through my body as I carefully, slowly slid my hand down and under the hem of my dress, and began adjusting myself there. Well it wasn't like I didn't need to. I hitched the hem up higher so he could see what I was doing. Biting my bottom lip, my eyes watched for any sign of awkwardness, fidgeting, annoyance...hunger. Anything.

Nothing. Maybe I wasn't so good at this after all. Disappointment and embarrassment washed over me as I straightened my dress and calmed my now redundant trembles with subtle, slow, deep breaths. I just wanted to find the nearest dark corner and hide there until he'd left the room. I knew I couldn't avoid him for long. But right now, I felt so fucking stupid for falling for it. While looking around almost frantically for that space, Joseph now pushed his long frame out of the chair, politely shook hands with the interviewer and was ushered over to a brighter spot of the backdrop for photos with her. I stopped and watched as the interviewer wrapped her arm around his back, as if she'd be eager so to do it from beginning. I couldn't blame her. Bitch. But he never wavered. He lightly rested his wrist on her small of her back, his hand not touching, only hovering. God, he was so respectful, so...

"You'll need to show him back to his private room so we can set up the next interview." a voice from behind me jolted me back into the room.

"Sure, that's fine." It really wasn't. Not now.

"I never asked if it was okay." they snapped, walking away.

Taking a deep breath, I took my steps forward in his direction. Then I froze on the spot as I saw him walking towards me in what only could be described as brisk and purposeful. The expression on his face, his eyes were dark and they were latched onto me. I swallowed the heart that just leapt into my throat. I couldn't tell whether he was annoyed or angry. Not sure I wanted to know, but I was about to find out.

"How long before the next interview?" he was quick to ask.

"Twenty minutes."

I felt a grip tighten around my bicep. "Well you better be able to keep up with me." Just as I realised that grasp was his, he swiftly ushered me out of the studio door, taking care to make sure nobody noticed the brisk pace we were going at. I was struggling to keep up as we made our way down the chilly corridor, which felt like a relief cooling down my now flushed face.

He was through the private door first, with me trailing along behind. It was like whiplash as I'd barely even stepped through the door, when he spun around to face me and, with his arms stretched over my shoulders, slammed the door shut behind me and forced his body weight into mine, pinning me against the door. He found my stare and his eyes bore into mine, a dark wanton expression spread across them. It didn't take me long to realise my pulsating heart had now sunk to the depths in-between my thighs.

"Did you think I didn't notice?"

My breath hitched with his whispered words as his lips lunged, finding a sensitive part of my neck, nipping a tugging at my skin.

"Hitching up your dress like that, in a room full of people? Fuck, you're a bad girl, you know that?"

I felt my legs shake underneath me, as I reached forward and gripped his waist to steady myself. Tingling coarsed through my veins. I was already out of breath. "And what about you? The stunt you pulled during your interview. Don't think I didn't see that."

"Oh that was intentional, and all for you sweetheart."

"Fifteen minutes." I breathed, reminding him of his next interview.

He suddenly grabbed my hands from his waist and wrapped them around his neck. Then tucking his hands under my thighs, lifted me up and carried me over to the table furthest from the door and settled me on it.

TO BE CONTINUED

[lowkeyerror]

The Villain's Hero pt 2

Wanda Maximoff x Reader

Word Count: 1.8k

Notes: Graphic depictions of violence, redemption, gets pretty soft at a certain point, 1st person

Summary: Wanda does what said she would. You try to piece your new life together.

Part 1 | Masterlist

I was strapped down. I had no leeway to move. I could feel the material against my arms. I wish I couldn't move, I couldn't talk, and my vision was blurry.

" Did you think she was going to stop me?"

My blood ran cold.

" I don't fail. A trait that must've skipped a generation. Your little hero wasn't anything to me. I crushed her."

I struggled against the restraints. I could hear my father's laughter echo around the room.

" Oh? You don't believe me. Let me show you what happens when I handle things by myself."

My vision cleared, and I was met by the image of Wanda's bloody body slumped over in a corner.

" You're next."

My body jolted straight up. I was drenched in sweat and my breathing was labored. I was in the same room I was in earlier. This time, there was no Wanda to greet me.

Though my being was in shambles, I tried my hand at getting out of the bed. This time I was successful. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror.

My stomach and thigh were wrapped up. My nose had been reset and there was a small bandage to cover the gash. The bruises were still turning, but it could've been worse. It would've been, if Wanda hadn't patched me up so well.

The house was quiet. I looked around for the hero, taking in the home as I did. It seemed like she lived alone. Everything was neat and clean. I tried not to panic at the lack of her presence, but after that dream I was on edge.

I had a bad feeling in my gut. The type of feeling, that meant I had to find Wanda. She had been in my mind, which meant she knew where to find my father.

He wasn't always an evil man. He was my dad, I didn't think he could hurt a fly. Then mom got sick. Things took a turn for the worse. Her health was rapidly declining, but she still wore a smile.

It wasn't fair. She was a sweet woman, who only wished to help others. She should've had more time.

My father and I agreed on that. We were both messes when she finally passed. I remember feeling so much anger. I developed so much hatred in the world, because a world that would take my mother from me wasn't a world I could respect.

I was young then, impressionable. So the anger that I felt only multiplied under my father's rage. His sanity slipped away day by day, bringing him closer and closer to a life of crime.

Wanda was right, I was his weapon. I never questioned him, he was all I had. I'd already lost my mom, I refused to lose him too.

Part of me wished he'd fought for me, like I fought for him. I did everything I could to make my father happy. No matter how wrong it felt, no matter how much I bled, I did what he asked.

This is the one thing I couldn't do, and he hated me for it. I hated myself for it.

But I knew there was no world where I'd willingly slay Wanda. She had a good point earlier. The hero was my other half.

We fought, we hurt each other, but there was an abundance of respect underneath it all. The woman was a light, perhaps the only one left standing.

She was a beacon of hope for people everywhere. I couldn't take her away from them. She's everything I wished I had to look up when I was younger.

I had to stop her.

Wanda was a person of her word. There was only one place where I thought I could find her, a place I didn't want to go. However, pride moved my feet, or maybe it was fear.

Fear that my nightmare would become a reality.

Much like the night before, I let my feet carry me. I didn't want to think about what I'd find when I got there.

" You are weak. A pitiful excuse of a father and a worse excuse of a man."

Wanda had him by the neck. She was squeezing him so tightly that the wound I made yesterday was leaking. He was in bad shape. It looked like she had beat him quite badly.

His eyes met mine, and he mouthed," Save me."

" Wanda, put him down."

Her gaze was focused on him," He deserves this."

" This isn't your fight, hero," I try to be gentle with my voice.

" He could've killed you," her grip intensified.

My eyes pool," He's all I've got, please."

Wanda doesn't waiver," He doesn't care about you, Y/n. He doesn't even want to claim you as his child. He's used you years to do his bidding."

My heart tightens in my chest. I force myself to look at my father, " I tried so hard after mom died. I tried to be everything you asked for. In fact, I was everything you wanted me to be. You never cared, I don't even remember the last time you told me you loved me. I was supposed to be your daughter, and you were supposed to be my dad."

His eyes were blank as they bored into mine," You were the worst thing to ever happen to me. I hope you know you'll be nothing without me. She'll turn you in after this, and you'll rot because that's all you know. I raised you like that for a reason. You will never be able to exist without-"

The crack was viscous. My hands shot over my mouth in disbelief. Tears were wildly streaming down my face. His body hit the floor like a sack of potatoes. The eyes were still open, looking at me with disgust.

Wanda stood still, she was staring at her hands.

" W-wanda?"

Her attention turned to me. She approached me and for a moment I felt fear. My father's last words rang through my ears, what if this was it for me.

" I told you, I'd kill him for what he'd done to you. I don't want you to believe anything that piece of shit ever said to you."

I couldn't take my eyes off of him," He's right, who am I without him telling me who I have to be?"

Wanda shook her head," That's for you to figure out. You could be whatever you want to be."

" What if…" I didn't finish the sentence, my insecurities were getting the best of me.

" We'll figure it out together," Wanda’s doe eyes bore into yours.

I shook my head," I still don't understand why you're helping me."

" You're my other half. Now, let's go."

" What about-" I didn't finish my sentence. When I looked at where my father had just been lying, lifeless, he was no longer there.

" Let's go," Wanda repeated.

With much effort, I followed the woman outside and back to her house.

Wanda gave me something I had never had before in life, a chance. The opportunity to be more than just a criminal. She never pressured me to be a hero, but with my skill set it was almost normal to me.

There were certain things from the past I couldn't let go of. However, there were a lot of people who had switched sides, for whatever reason.

I didn't think of my father a lot. Sometimes he'd slip into my mind, when I was at my lowest, but I didn't let it ruin what I had worked for.

I was on the right side of the fence, thanks to Wanda. I was grateful, but I couldn't convey it too much. I had to keep up our banter and faux-hatred of each other.

Though, the rising tensions between the two of us only seems to grow. It was easier to ignore when we were on opposing sides. However now, I find myself able to admire her up close. This complicates things.

Unfortunately, I have found myself to be in love with the hero. I call myself by the same mantra now, but I cannot erase my villainous past. It will forever taint the legacy I decide to build for myself.

" You look a little lost there, hero."

I frowned," You know I hate when you call me that."

Wanda laughs," It's the truth. You're a hero."

I shake my head to disagree," I'm just doing what I can to right my wrongs."

Wands rest her hand on my shoulder," You're doing more than that Y/n."

" Doesn't feel that way. I feel like… I'm wearing a mask, hiding my true intentions."

" What are your true intentions?"

I paused," I don't know. I just feel like an imposter, Wanda. You know I'm no good."

" Even when we were on opposite sides, I never thought you were bad. You held back and showed too much remorse to truly revel in the darkness."

I chuckle," You think so? I hurt so many-"

" You regret it. You would change it if you could. I watch you beat yourself up everyday over it. You're not the monster you're trying to make yourself out to be."

I closed my eyes as I felt her hand begin to massage my shoulder. I let out a deep breath," I hate letting you see me like this."

" I like it when you show me that you're more than just a sarcastic asshole."

" Glad my weakness brings you happiness."

She gently hooked her finger under my chin, our eyes met," Your weaknesses make you human. However, your emotions will never be a weakness."

It was hard to believe her. My father's words echoed through my head. He was still haunting me. The only thing that gave me any pause was that I was certain Wanda wouldn't lie to me. It wasn't in her character.

" I guess you make me human then," I swallowed hard, almost wishing I contained my words.

" I make you weak?"

My hand shakes as it caresses her face," You make me feel things I never wanted to experience. Wanda, you're the only one I refused to kill. You've shown me kindness when I was undeserving, you protected me when I refused to believe I was in danger, and you saved my life."

" Y/n-"

" You make me feel so weak yet, all I want to do is relish in feeling."

Her lips met mine first. Her grip on my chin didn't waiver, neither did my hold on her face.

I didn't want to let her go. I was afraid that when the kiss ended, whatever we had we would go with it. I thought I had ruined things with my words.

" Stop thinking," she whispered against my lips.

I obeyed her command, my mind was empty. The only thing I was focused on was her. I needed her, and for once that didn't make me feel weak.

She smiled, breaking the kiss," Y/n, the thing you seem to keep forgetting is that you're my other half. That means, I need you just as much as you need me."

My eyes widened in surprise at her words. She giggled and I smiled.

" You never cease to surprise me, hero."

" That's a good thing."

I pecked her lips, unable to help myself.

" It truly is."

[sunshine-on-marz]

Here’s my short story “Knowing Ace” (written by me, I don’t consent for it to my translated, reposted, altered, or claimed) (Srry if formatting is bad, this is copied from docs)

I’ve been working on it for a couple weeks now and I’m very proud of it I hope you enjoy it (also this is heavily inspired by outsiders if you couldn’t tell)

Knowing Ace

July 1st, 1964

“So he’s dead?” I didn't like hearing it from my own mouth any more than I would’ve liked it coming from the doctor, but I figured asking would make him cut out all the medical talk. I felt sick. The doctor just nodded, with a small “I'm sorry”. I didn't care much that he was sorry, sorry doesn’t bring people back.

Ace was the best type of person, not perfect, but the best. His real name was Angel, which I always thought was real fitting, but he hated it, so everyone called him Ace (except for his mom. He never had the heart to correct her).

He was my best friend, or is, it’s not like anyone’s replaced him. He died real young, a month before his 15th birthday (and a month after mine). He wasn't sick or anything either. Well, he was sick, but not like cancer or that type of stuff. We thought it was just a bad flu, but the doctor said it was pneumonia. Ace always thought pneumonia was fake, he never did explain why, but Ace thought lots of stuff was fake (like yellow apples, and the White House). He wasn’t dumb though, he was real smart if you showed him stuff, he just wasn't too good at understanding stuff he couldn't see. That's why we got along, me and Ace. He’d do my math homework, and I’d write his English papers. We got along with more than just school work though, we made a good team in everything we did, and we did everything together.

No one ever really expects good people to die. You expect bad people to die because you kind of want it to happen, but when you like someone, you try not to think about it. It’s not so fun when you do have to think about it, because if you have to think about a good person dying, it usually means they're dying (or, in this case, already dead).

I hadn't realized I'd been talking, but I must’ve said something out loud because the doctor asked me if I could repeat myself, I just shook my head and put my hands in my jacket pocket. The jacket used to be Ace’s, a nice denim patchwork, but he outgrew it. That’s how I got most of my nice clothes, because Ace’s dad has a decent job and Ace was bigger than me.

The doctor looked around the room then back to me and asked “Angel’s parents, are they here?”. I shook my head, I wasn't sure I’d be able to make a sentence that made sense, so I didn’t try. The doctor told me to head home, but I didn’t, I couldn’t leave Ace. I sat down on the floor of the hospital room, and I cried.

I still hadn't calmed down when Ace’s parents showed up but I doubt they minded much, they were both crying too. I’d never seen his dad cry before that. I had never seen anyone’s dad cry, now that I'm thinking about it, but I wasn't thinking about it then.

His mom gave me a real tight hug, and the three of us cried for a while. Eventually, his dad asked me what happened (a pretty understandable question considering his sick, dead son is also covered in bruises). That's what I was scared of. I’d told the doctors what happened, no problem, but the doctors took the easy answer.

“A fight” I said, just barely making it audible, hoping he’d leave it at that. “Why was he in a fight?”. His dad had always scared me a bit, but he scared me extra in that moment. “Some guys wanted money” I told him, but he knew what I meant. Me and Ace had been gambling since we were little, started with spades for an extra dime at lunch in 4th grade, and it was poker and pool at the local bar before we even got to high school. We had quite the reputation. I expected his dad to swing at me, to yell that I got his son killed (me and Ace were a team, but everyone liked Ace, so I got in more trouble), but he didn't. He just looked at Ace (Ace’s body? It feels weird to call alive Ace and dead Ace the same thing) and pushed the hair from his forehead.

“Robert, do you want his necklace?” his father asked, I nodded, and so he gave it to me. A gold cross that Ace had worn every day since he got it for Christmas when we were 9. Ace wasn't a religious guy by any means, he thought church was a waste of time, but he’d loved that cross. When someone questioned it he’d say “God ain't what makes it lucky”, and that was all he’d say about it.

Another thing about Ace, he was always talking. If he wasn't talking, it was because someone had stopped him, or he was waiting for his turn to talk again. It’s not that he was a bad listener, he was just better at conversation. I think the quiet is the weirdest part of not having him around. When you do everything with someone, you don’t really need anybody else, so suddenly, there was no one to fill the silence. Even when I was in a big crowd and everything was too loud for my liking, it still felt silent, because noise and conversation are two very different things.

Now, I'm an alright-looking guy, I wish I was a bit less lanky, but that's life. Ace, though, was attractive. No one could deny that (not that they wanted to, like I said, Ace was fairly well-liked). He was tall with bright green eyes and curly brown hair that fell right at his eyebrows in the front. Guys that didn't like him called him “pretty boy”, which he and I never quite understood because being pretty got him out of a lot of trouble.

It never did get him out of a fight though.

June 28th, 1964 - 3 days before

Walking home after a good game is always a high, Ace and I were up 15 bucks. Ace was going on about a comic he’d read, then we got stopped.

“Boys!” Charlie’s voice scared both me and Ace, I almost hit him. Once we caught our breath, the three of us burst out laughing. Charlie is a friend of ours. He’s older, not sure how old but I know he’s in college. He’s a cool enough guy, but he’s more Ace’s friend than mine, all I really know about him is he has a car and a girlfriend (because that’s all he ever talks about). “Blondie, man, I saw you talking to Nancy, she’s a looker” Charlie laughs and claps my shoulder. Blondie is my nickname because I'm the only brunette in my family and people think that's funny. “She gave me 3 bucks to write her English essay, that's all,” I tell him, and I can tell from how Ace is laughing that I'm turning red. “Yea yea, alright man” Charlie rolls his eyes and shoves my shoulder which makes me stumble forward. “Oh leave him be” Ace says, stepping between me and Charlie. Charlie’s a bigger guy and doesn't always realize it, I wouldn't be surprised if he broke my arm one of these days.

Charlie walked with us all the way to Ace’s house, then left to go do whatever people like Charlie do on Wednesday nights. It was just past 6, which means Ace’s mom would just be finishing dinner. We were rarely home for dinner unless it was a Sunday (Mrs. Nicole makes baked chicken on Sundays, so we always tried to show up), but it was cold and we didn't have anything better to do.

I practically live with the Scotts, my mom works nights at the hospital across town, and I’d much prefer being with Ace than alone staring at my bedroom wall, plus his mom always wanted another kid, so she says she likes having me around.

Mrs.Nicole smiles at us as we walk in “Hi boys, you're home early”. Ace nods and shrugs off his jacket, asking her “How was work?”. His mom tells us all about how one of her 1st graders “lost his very first tooth” and a million other things I wouldn't remember in 15 minutes (Ace got his always-talking trait from his mother). Dinner went real well, and by that I mean Ace’s parents didn't ask where the two of us had been, and the food was good. Ace and I went up to his room after clearing the table, a semi-cramped number that’d have a whole lot more space if Ace hadn’t insisted his dad put a mattress on the floor for me. He sat on his bed, and I sat on mine.

“You think you’ll ever split, y’know, get out of this place?” he asked, which shocked me because usually Ace isn't the hypothetical type. I got my bearings pretty quick though and answered “Not sure man. I’d like to live out in the country someday.” I tried to shrug it off like I’d never thought about it before, but I have. I really would like to move to the country, but I don’t know how I’d survive on my own, and I’m not sure Ace would be good with all the quiet. Ace nodded, he hadn't moved from his spot slouching against the wall, “You’d do good out in the country.”

We didn’t talk much for the rest of the night. I wanted to ask him why he’d brought it up, but I was too tired to get into life planning, so I decided on going to sleep instead.

June 29th, 1964 - 2 days before

I woke up at the sound of the shower running in the next room, which is how I woke up most mornings (I’m a morning person, sure, but Ace is an up-before-the-sun type of morning person). Ace has a real strict morning routine, wake up, watch the sunrise, shower, brush his teeth, do his hair, get dressed. The problem is that these things take a different amount of time everyday, and it’s past noon by now.

“How long does it take to shower?” I know good and well my complaining won’t change anything, but what else was I supposed to do?

“Today? 2 hours” Ace says plainly as he pulls a crew neck over his head. I roll my eyes, we don’t even have 2 hours of hot water (Ace would much rather a long shower to a hot shower, which I just can't understand). “I could’ve wanted to shower too, y’know?” I say (even though I never take morning showers), he looks at me with one of those “don’t lie to me” looks he learned from his dad which shuts me up real quick.

Ace and I don’t really fight. We disagree, then we move on. I guess when you care about someone more than you care about everything else, there's no use in fighting.

The rest of the day is about as normal as it can be. We met up with some kids from school, who I honestly didn't like all too much, a bunch of rich kids who spent way too much money trying to look poor (I have no problems with rich kids, if I’m real honest, Ace could be called a rich kid. My problem is that they're air-headed). Ace seemed like he was having a ball, though, so I played along.

We were out walking with them for hours, but eventually we decided to go off and play pool, just the both of us. It was going great, Ace and I were up 10 bucks a piece, then it happened. Some guy, who must’ve been at least 25 (and who’d lost 3 rounds in a row to us), threw a punch at Ace. A nasty one too. Before I could react one of his friends, another drunk, was shoving me backwards. I don't know how much time passed between that first punch and me dragging Ace out of the bar, I only had one thought in my mind. Get Ace.

I had a realization, somewhere between that first punch and collapsing on the cold, damp, concrete a few alleys over from the bar. I am nothing without Ace. I’m Angel Scotts’ best friend before I’m anything else and I like it that way. I had another realization right after, Ace was bleeding. Bad. I hadn’t seen a blade, but blades are an easy thing to miss when you're being hit by a guy twice your size.

“Ace?” I could hardly speak, my lips were busted and my cheek was bruised and it felt like I had a pile of bricks on my chest. I reached over and tried to grab his hand without moving to look at him. I settled for a tight grip on his forearm.

“Blondie- oh god..oh jeez. Blondie somethings wrong with my leg” His voice wasn’t trembling like mine, but it was quiet, and he was scared. I looked over and sure enough, his leg was bent in a way I’d never seen. I also got a real good look at the gash on his side. A weeping red line from the middle of his ribs to the top of his jeans.

“You’re okay, it doesn't look bad” I was lying through my teeth, but I didn't want him to panic the way I was. We needed help. Ace needed help. I need to get up. I need to get up. I need to get up.

And I did, or I tried to at least, I got to my knees before I hit the ground again. I don’t remember anything after that.

June 30th, 1964 - The day before

I woke up to a bright light in my face. I was sore and my head was pounding. My eyes adjusted when the cop turned off his flashlight.

“Where’s Ace?” It was gravely and shaky and desperate, but I didn't care. I just wanted an answer. It was probably only a second between my question and his response, but I swore I was gonna be sick with the way my stomach was turning.

“He’s in the ambulance. We’re taking you both to the hospital.” He sounded far too calm for my liking. I know it’s his job to be calm, but Ace was hurt. How could he be so calm when Ace is in the back of an ambulance?

“Blondie? Kid what happened?” Charlie’s voice echoed through the alley and I’d never been so grateful to see him. He knelt down beside me and ignored the cop telling him to back up.

“Ace is in the ambulance, go to the hospital” I told him. My head was pounding so bad, and talking only made it worse, but someone had to be there for Ace. To my surprise Charlie just nodded and left.

Ace and I had been in plenty of bar fights, it’s just a part of it. You hustle pool and you either go home with 20 bucks, a bruised ego, or a black eye – but this felt different. It was never this bad, and if it was, I wasn't this scared. I was scared last night, and I was scared when I woke up and I’m scared now. I’m used to being scared, Mr. Scotts scares me because he's tall and muscular and expects me to make something of myself someday, and being alone scares me because I’m not used to it, but I’ve never been scared like this. I just want to see Ace.

And I do. A few hours later (just after 10pm, it turns out a cop found us during his evening patrol) the doctor says I’m fine, I’d passed out from stress and shock mostly, but that I also had a minor concussion and to “take it easy for the next few days”. Yea right. He also told me Ace is in the room next door and that his parents and Charlie had just left, so I ran straight there once the doctor left my room.

“Ace!” I was nervous and excited all at once, but the excitement was gone as soon as I saw him. Now, to someone who didnt know him, Ace would look fine. Good, even, considering the situation, but to me? He looked like hell. Ace never let anything get him down, even when he was crying he could crack jokes, but not now. He was staring at the wall with a look I can only describe as empty until he noticed me.

“Blondie, you’re alright?” He asked, he didn’t sound shocked, just like he needed me to tell him I was okay. His voice is weak and nasaley like it always gets when he’s sick, just worse.

“Yeah, I'm alright, are you alright” I ask him, I can tell he isn't, but I ask anyway because what else was I supposed to say.

“I’m fine, just banged up” he shrugged, then winced, so I figured he was a little more than banged up. “You know there’s a ‘nam vet next door? Got my nurse to tell him thanks, doubt she actually did it though” he talks with his usual cadence, which is a bit off putting.

“That's cool” I, if we’re being honest, couldn't care less about a Vietnam veteran in the room next door, there's probably a dozen of them in the hospital and I’ve been trying not to think about how Ace and I are only a few years under the draft. Plus I’m pretty preoccupied trying to figure out just how ‘banged’ Ace got. “That hurt?” I ask him, gesturing to his side.

“Not as bad as it did last night” he hums, “they numbed me up pretty good.” I silently hope that that’s why he's acting so off, that the medicine will wear off and I’ll get regular Ace back. I just nod.

“What’d the doctor say?” I ask him as I sit on the chair at his bedside. I almost hugged him, I desperately wanted to, but I didn't. We’d never been too touchy, always close, but rarely touching beyond a pat on the shoulder or a high five.

“Said I don’t look good, then started goin’ on about how I’m sick and my body isn't healing right, I don't know. I wasn't listenin’ too good” he said with so little care you’d think he was talking about the crossword in the paper.

“What were you doin’ then?” I tried not to sound too upset, it ain’t right to fight with someone in a hospital, but I really wanted to be mad. I don't know why, it’s not like I've been paying too much attention to what the doctor’s been telling me, but I was mad at Ace for not being able to give me every last detail. I just want to know if he’ll be okay, I thought he was going to bleed out in some alley and now he can’t even tell me if he hit his head? I realized pretty fast that I wasn't mad at Ace, I’m scared for him, and I didn’t like that he isn't as worried as I am.

“I was tryin’ to see you, no one would tell me anything but ‘sit back’ and ‘don't talk’” he says, mimicking the nurses, and suddenly I felt bad for ever being angry at him.

“Well I’m alright” I tell him, pulling my knees up to my chest in the chair. He holds out his hand. “Y’need somethin’?” I ask.

“I mean could you get any farther away? C’mere” he moved over on the bed, leaving it half empty. I quickly fill the space, but don't quite touch him (which is quite the feat for 2 guys in a twin bed), he leans his head on my shoulder.

“You’re my best friend, you know that?” his voice is barely above a whisper.

“Yea, I know. You’re mine too” I tell him, I wanted to say more, but I didn't know what else to say after that.

“You should go out to the country” he starts fiddling with his cross.

“Maybe,” I shrug “would you come with me?”

“Man, I dont think im goin’ anywhere” he says, and with that we fall asleep.

`July 1st, 1964 - The Morning Of

He must've known.

I woke up to being yanked out of the bed and a group of doctors and nurses crowding around Ace and yelling. They weren't panicking though, I was, but they weren't.

“What’s happening?” I tried to shout over them but no one answered. So I shouted it again, and again, and 2 more times after that, but it was no use. So I watched, catching quick glimpses between the nurses. I saw them try CPR, and I saw them put an oxygen mask over his face, I saw them stop CPR, and I saw them take the mask off. Then I realized what had really happened, I saw Ace die.

I didn’t move for a long while, just sitting on the ground as the nurses filed out the room. Then a doctor walked over and crouched next to me, but I hated how childish I felt having a doctor leaning down to talk to me, so I stood up and he did the same.

“Robert, I’m very sorry you had to see that” he said, I didn't answer so he kept going, “Angel was sick, you see. We believe he caught pneumonia at some point over the past few days, which resulted in a pulmonary edema that, with the state his body was in, caused him to suffocate.” It took a second for what he’d said to really hit me. Ace had stopped breathing, and now he was dead, and our last conversation would be our last conversation,and I’d never see my best friend again. Ace hated ‘what-ifs’ but it felt like that was all I could think about. What if I hadn’t brought up pool that night? What if that guy had cut me instead? What if I’d been able to get help? The more I thought the worse I felt. I knew what Ace would say, if I could talk to him. He’d give some hippy “it’s my time” answer, but there’s no way thats true. He wanted to do so much more, he would’ve done so much more. He wanted to be a math teacher, and he wanted to fix up his parents house one day, and he wanted a family even if he wouldn't admit it, and now all he has ahead of him is a burial. There are so many things I should've told him and now I’ll have to talk to a headstone? I had so many questions left for Ace, and so few for the doctor standing in front of me, but I asked one anyway.

“So he’s dead?”…

[carewyncromwell]

Day 3 (Stargazing) for @hphm-ship-week

"A look in somebody's eyes To light up the skies, To open the world and send it reeling... A voice that says, "I'll be here And you'll be alright." I don't care if I know Just where I will go 'Cause all that I need's this crazy feeling -- A rat-tat-tat on my heart -- Think I want it to stay..."

~"City of Stars (cover)" by Kenzie Nimmo and Harris Heller

x~x~x~x

2007 was an exciting year in Wizarding Britain. The Boy Who Lived, Harry Potter, was named the new Head of the Auror Department; a biography about war hero Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody was published in time for the tenth anniversary of his death; and in the Quidditch world, the Chudley Cannons made it to the League Finals for the first time in over a century, though they did still end up losing to League favorite the Montrose Magpies.

For the Magpies' Star Chaser and Captain Orion Amari specifically, however, 2007 was also an emotional year -- for it was the year that his daughter Eos was set to start her Hogwarts education.

When Eos received her letter from Deputy Headmaster Neville Longbottom, she tried to hold in her excitement. She had always been rather soft-spoken, and her hands were shaking with nerves, but she also couldn't stop herself from showering her father with eager questions. Even as she and her father sat out on the roof that night, looking up at the stars like they always did before bed, she couldn't stop talking about the letter still clutched in her hands.

"Right here they say no broomsticks..." Eos mumbled, pointing out the postscript on her school supply list as she looked up at Orion imploringly, "...but they still have brooms at school I can borrow, right? I can still fly if I want to...right, Dad?"

"Of course," said Orion serenely. "Their thought is to protect those students without the flying education you've had. It would be silly and pointless to ask a bird not to use her wings."

This calmed Eos down significantly. "Oh, good. I really hoped they wouldn't stop me from trying out for my house team..."

"They would not. But be aware that Hogwarts's house teams rarely consider first years for their roster, Mooncalf. Even Skye and I had to wait until our second year to be considered."

"Really...?"

Eos visibly deflated. Orion brought his hand down onto his daughter's head.

"Do not take my caution as discouragement," he said gently. "I merely wish to set expectations for you. I would be delighted if you defied the odds and earned a spot on your house team in your first year -- but I would be just as proud, just knowing that you chose to fight those odds to your utmost...or that you wanted to train up before trying out next year. Even if you ultimately chose not to try out at all."

Eos looked appalled. "Not play Quidditch? Why would I do that?"

"However like Nifflers we both are, Carewyn had a different kind of gold to chase at school than I did, and I never resented that," Orion said in amusement.

Eos bit back a grin at the mention of her father's romantic partner.

"I thought Carewyn was your Abraxan, Dad, not a Niffler."

"We are all akin to Nifflers in a way, so long as we have a goal we pursue fearlessly, little Mooncalf."

"Well, my goal is to play Quidditch! Just like you."

Orion chuckled as he lightly ruffled her dark hair.

"If that is what your heart desires, then don't let that go, for an instant. Listen to your heart...and I will always be proud of you."

Eos's face lit up like a silent sunbeam. Beaming from ear to ear, the skinny dark-haired preteen threw her arms around her father's chest and gave him a big hug. Orion cradled her for a moment, looking up at the sky. It was only when he was sure his daughter wasn't looking at him that he took that breath he'd been holding, but truly hadn't wanted her to see him take.

x~x~x~x

The two hugged once again, just that tightly, on Platform 9 3/4 that September 1st. Eos then turned to Carewyn and silently swept over to give her just as big of a hug. At age 11, Eos was quickly catching up with Carewyn height-wise, so her face landed right beside her honorary "stepmother's" chest.

"Write to your father or me if you need anything," Carewyn told her quietly.

Eos nodded. Carewyn's twenty-two-year-old son ward Erik Apollo brought a hand onto Eos's shoulder from behind.

"Don't worry so much," he said with a smirk. "I'll see Doe-Eyes in the halls almost every day -- I'll keep an eye on her."

"Don't think I don't notice you're not promising to keep her out of trouble like I asked you to," Carewyn said very coolly.

Erik gave a bark of laughter. "Hey, I'm a TA, not a fuckin' babysitter."

Carewyn whacked Erik on the arm with her purse while Eos burst into stifled, girlish giggles. The group's banter was cut short, though, when Hogwarts Express gave a loud toot.

"That's our cue, Doe-Eyes," Erik said stridently. "We'd better get moving."

Picking up Eos's trunk, he hoisted it up onto the train, climbed up, and then helped Eos up onto the train as well.

Eos turned around, back toward Orion. Her father gave her a small smile.

"Look up at the stars tonight, Mooncalf," he reminded her.

Eos bit her lip. Swallowing back the lump in her throat, she gave the bravest nod she could. "Mm-hmm..."

The train gave a lurch and Eos had to grab onto the railing on the edge of the door frame to keep from falling over. Erik brought an arm around to support her as the Hogwarts Express began to inch out of the station -- Orion raised a hand in a static wave goodbye, and Eos waved back more actively, even as her big black eyes began to flood with tears.

It was only after the train finally left the station that Orion very slowly lowered his arm and his smile faded. He stared at the opening the train had left through for a very, very long time in silence. Carewyn stood beside him, her shoulder resting beside his before her fingers enclosed gently around his wrist.

Orion looked at her. The red-haired lawyer was likewise looking out at where the Hogwarts Express had vanished rather than at him, but her hand on his wrist was warm and reassuring. She even tried to match his breathing -- as if she was trying to quietly take the heavy weight on Orion's shoulders partially onto hers as well.

Orion's face softened as he exhaled. He leaned in to place a kiss to the top of Carewyn's head, grateful for her support. Carewyn looked up at him.

"Are you ready to go?" she asked softly.

"Yes," Orion said with another heavy sigh. "Yes, I believe so."

Carewyn turned to him. Bringing a hand up to run over his cheek, she held it in place so she could place a soft peck to the side of his chin. Then, securing her arm around her partner's, she walked with him out of the train station.

x~x~x~x

Carewyn and Orion walked through London that afternoon, stopping by Diagon Alley to pick up a new Broom Compass at Quality Quidditch Supplies and some flavor-changing mood tea at Rosa Lee Teabag. They then stopped into Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes briefly to visit Carewyn's old friend George Weasley. Orion ended up taking to the one lone black Pygmy Puff in the cage by the front desk, though once he'd gently scooped it up, he somehow attracted all of the remaining pink and purple Puffs up onto his arms, shoulder, head and clothes, and Carewyn and George couldn't fight back laughter as they worked together to "rescue" Orion from the overly affectionate bundles of fluff.

"Pygmy Puffs are supposed to be very good pets," Carewyn said later, as they strolled back through London together. "Maybe we could surprise Eos with one for Christmas."

Orion glanced away. "...Yes. Hopefully our new furry friend would like our woods as much as we do..."

Carewyn could sense slight melancholy coming off her partner. She knew how close Orion and Eos had always been -- she figured Christmastime had to feel so very, very far away, in that moment.

"...I'm sure they will," she said gently.

She unlocked the door to her flat and headed on inside. Once Orion closed the door behind them, she took his hand.

"Come on," said Carewyn. "There's one more thing I have planned, before we settle in for dinner."

Orion cocked his eyebrows. "Oh?"

Carewyn avoided his eyes as she led him into the center of the room with both hands. Their matching gold partnership bands glinted in the light of the side lamp.

"I'll have to use Side-Along Apparition," Carewyn said bracingly.

Orion ran his thumbs along the back of her hands. "I shall go where you go, my Abraxan."

Carewyn's red lips curled up in a comforted smile as she gave his hands a light squeeze.

CRACK.

In seconds, Orion had been yanked through space after Carewyn, and suddenly the two of them were on a hill just outside of London.

Orion looked around. The view was impressive -- London by night glittered with thousands and thousands of tiny lights, akin to stars...and just above them, twinkling down from above, were the actual stars, blending in with the city below.

When Orion looked at Carewyn, she was smiling self-consciously as she looked out at the view too.

"You always have such a beautiful view of the stars, back in Montrose," she muttered. "I knew I couldn't give you that in London, but...well, I thought at least this way, it'd be easier for us to look at the stars together. ...To tell Eos that we saw the same stars she did."

Orion watched Carewyn as she stared out at the night sky rather than him.

"I missed Erik so much, when he first left for school. I missed him even more when he moved out, remember? And you were there for me then. ...I want to be here for you now. Even if I'm happy for Eos, and I know you are too...that doesn't mean I don't understand how hard it is...knowing that she's growing up. That soon she's going to be her own person, separate from you...and she won't need you so much anymore. ...That's why I want to be there. Because I know it's a happy time, and it will only be happier as time goes by...but that doesn't mean it isn't also scary."

Little by little, Orion's expression melted.

"...Carewyn..."

He brought up his hand to rest under her chin. With his pointer finger and thumb, he gently coaxed her to look at him -- then, swooping in, he kissed her fully. When he broke the kiss, he remained right beside her, their foreheads and noses touching.

"My dear Abraxan...your presence will never fail to give me courage."

Carewyn smiled. Leaning in to peck his lips again briefly, she then brought her head down beside his shoulder as she looked above them.

"Your constellation wouldn't be out tonight, would it?" she asked.

"No," said Orion. "Orion appears in the spring. But Cygnus is very bright tonight -- see? Those are his wings."

"Oh! Right, Cygnus is a swan," recalled Carewyn. "I see him. That really bright star is his tail, right?"

"Yes. That is Deneb. His name is even derived from the Arabic for 'tail.'"

"Hmm..."

Carewyn looked up at the constellation thoughtfully. Orion raised his eyebrows at her.

"Does Cygnus trouble you?"

Carewyn shook her head. "No...just a bit disappointed I can't think of any songs about swans right now."

Orion's black eyes softened. "Ah."

He brought an arm around her as they looked up at the sky together.

"Well...if you think of any, we can enclose the lyrics in our letter to Eos."

Carewyn smiled up at him and nodded. She looked back up at the sky, resting her head back on his shoulder. Orion leaned his head gently beside hers in return.

"I could reach out to my old friend Pitts," Carewyn suggested. "He's a house elf who works in the Hogwarts kitchens. He's Disapparated in and out of the school before...he might leave our letter on Eos's pillow in her new dorm tonight, if I ask him nicely. And reassure him that Eos is a good girl who never gets into trouble and loves sandwiches more than anything in the world."

Orion chuckled. He loved that idea.

[sheriiam]

Sherliam submission: modern au of sherly making a cake for Liam's birthday to surprise him but he puts the frosting too soon out of excitement while the cake was still hot and it starts to melt

(i know sherly is a good cook but is he a good baker?) (also i just have this thought of him sitting in the kitchen early in the morning with a pout trying to put cream back on the cake as its melting off and then ba boom liam wakes up and enters the kitchen)

Omg marry me thank you so much for the submission! Well, I can't promise a full fledged au but maybe you'll have some care for this one-shot. Your idea is lovely btw! Thanks again!

Request: modern sherliam one-shot where Sherlock bakes a cake for Liam and paves way for a melting disaster― he's a good cook but is he a good baker?

Melting in your love~

Sherlock woke up as soon as the first rays of sun started gently seeping into the walls of the room. Their room, he thought with a fond smile as he looked at the lean, petite figure of his boyfriend lying next to him, impossibly cocooned in the sheets. There was a thin, glistening layer of sweat on his forehead― a natural consequence of being so covered in all those sheets (he had snatched Sherlock's too, not that he minded much though).

Ultimately, after turning the fan's speed to full, Sherlock quietly entered the kitchen. There, he opened the fridge and pulled out a bowl of cake batter that he had prepared the previous night. He winced at how cold it was compared to his bed-warm hands.

It was his boyfriend's, William's, birthday today. Well, official birthday, Sherlock thought. April 1st was the date of birth on all his legal documents, and that's the date he liked to celebrate on― Liam never told Sherlock his true birthdate; Sherlock never questioned.

He slowly removed the plastic wrap from the bowl and transferred the batter to a round, baking container. Later, after putting the whole thing into the microwave oven, he took out the frosting-bowl from the fridge and whisked it for good measure.

Would Liam like it? Sherlock thought as he cut evened the warm cake surface with a knife. He had just taken it out of the MW oven and his chest fell swollen with pride of how golden and moist the cake seemed. "Leave it for about half an hour to cool properly before covering it with icing," he read from an online recipe. The sun was rising up in the sky. No matter Liam's bizzare sleeping hours, Sherlock didn't have much time at hand.

"Ugh dammit, let's get done with this." He put portions of frosting on top of the cake with a large spatula and began spreading it evenly. The smell of vanilla filled the kitchen as Sherlock covered the curved side with icing too. He smiled proudly as it all came together.

Until―

"Huh, stay in place," he mumbled while quickly fixing the frosting that kept dolloping down from the side. It had only been a moment since he kept down the spatula when he saw how the icing kept running down slowly, leaving botches of areas from where the cake bread was visible...

The room was bright with sunlight when William woke up. He'd have preferred sleeping a bit more if the rays hadn't directly hit his face and made him dream that he he was burning in flames. With a sigh, he threw his sheets away and kept lying on the bed for a while. Eyes still closed, he remembered what day it was today. More than that, what actually made him smile, were his thoughts of Sherlock running around the house, making coffee or eggs for them. Probably both. Hopefully.

He dragged himself out of bed, making much more noise than necessary to make Sherlock aware that he was finally awake. He left the room after turning off the fan and strolled around the house. A mindless tugging at heart drove him to the kitchen. There he is, he thought when he looked at his boyfriend sitting on the dining table with his back facing him. "Good morning love," he said dreamily.

Sherlock got up to face him, and William noticed how his index finger was covered in pale blue frosting. He titled his head fondly and said, "Aw, you made me a cake―" he clasped his hand to his mouth― "did I ruin your surprise?" Sherlock looked at him and gave a tiny, sad smile. "I was trying to. But I guess I ruined the cake and now I'm thinking if I should start all over again. Sorry, no surprise today," he said, shaking his head.

"I know it's April Fool's, Sherly, but you could lie better than that," William chuckled. But then Sherlock stepped towards him and embraced him with a heartbroken look. "Sherly," William whispered and held him tight. He peeked behind Sherlock's shoulder― he could see the cake. The icing had also disappeared from the top of the side and was now pooling at the bottom in a tray Sherlock had placed below it. Surely, it didn't look that ba―

"I'm sorry, Liam," Sherlock mumbled in his shoulder and William realized he was crying. He quickly stepped a bit away and cupped Sherlock's face in his hands. "Hey," he said with utmost fondness, "it's fine, really. I know how much effort you put into this. And I'm surely it'll taste great, you don't have to make a new one. It's perfect." He placed a finger on Sherlock's lips when he began trying to explain how he should have waited for the cake to cool before putting the frosting.

"Have you invited anyone?" he suddenly asked. Sherlock looked at him for a moment before answering, "I haven't, it didn't seem right to call anyone this early. There's no plan." A lie. Sherlock was supposed to take William to his home in the evening so that his brothers could surprise him― and to a restaurant afterwards― but he wouldn't admit to it just yet. "Then, since it's just the two of us―" William pecked his cheek― "let's cut the cake, shall we?"

It took some effort to drag Sherlock to the table and get him to grab a knife and candles but once that was done, Sherlock seemed to have returned to his usual self. Once he was done placing the candles― and a single cherry― where he wanted to, he stepped back and wrapped his hands around his boyfriend. "Cut the cake, Liam."

William blew the candles, and Sherlock gently sang happy birthday right next to his ear. "Have some," William offered a tiny piece of cake with a smile. Sherlock, in turn, made him eat it before having some himself. "Is it any good?" Sherlock asked nervously. "It's amazing, Sherly. And it allows me to do this―" William broke off to scoop some melted frosting with his finger and dab it on Sherlock's nose. "Glad to know you're having fun in my misery," he said and in return coloured William's face with icing at which the latter screamed.

"Happy birthday, Liam," he said.

William thanked him with a kiss.

[sk8termikey]

Chapter 5 of 21 Questions

better interface on wattpad

  Lily and Alex were now finding themselves in Jade's living room, where they all gathered there with Lucas to play board games. Following their shifts, it was some well-deserved quality time together beyond the workplace.

While playing, there was some food on the table and as Lily took a nugget, she couldn’t help but think about Matt. For the past few days, she hadn’t been able to take him off her mind, thus leaving her friends curious about the cause of her distraction – they knew not to ask her as she would definitely tell them at one point. Lily had never been used to making friends so this was a major change in her life as she never expected to feel attached to someone so quickly. It had only been a month and a half since she and Matt started talking, but the feeling of creating a bond with someone was honestly special to the girl.

~~~

          Following several hours of Uno – and Alex winning almost every round, they grew somewhat weary of the game and collectively agreed that it was time for everyone to depart; especially since they all had work scheduled for the following day. The only exception was Lily, who had chosen to take a day off. Consequently, the two girls bid farewell to Lucas and Jade before making their way back home.

As Lily was driving, she observed Alex who had fallen asleep in the passenger seat – it was to be expected given that it was nearly midnight, and both of them were drained from their long day at work. As they neared their destination, Lily received a text message but chose not to divert her attention from the road. Instead, she decided to wait until they reached their destination to check the message since they were almost home.

When they arrived home, Bernard was waiting for them. The cat couldn’t care less about where they had been – it is a cat – but the way he was sitting right behind the door made the girls giggle a bit as Bernard looked like he was scolding them for coming back so late. After petting their beloved pet, Lily and Alex both went into their respective rooms to have a shower and get changed. 

A dozen of minutes later, Lily was finally able to check her phone and saw that she had received a text from Matt – it being so late was usual for them now as they were both free mostly during the evenings. As it often happened recently, a text from Matt was enough to make a smile appear on Lily's face. She reminded herself that it hadn't been long since they started talking, but their blooming friendship was already cherished by Lily, who was enjoying the unusual change in her life.

Matt

Lily

Matt

Good you're awake

Guess which pokemon i caught today

Ooh it should be a good one

Sounds like a good one

IT IS

Do I even get some hints??😭

Like its type at least

Yes my bad😅

1st hint: water

2nd hint: it's huge

That's what she said-

Sorry

Anyways

I have gyarados in mind

I know it's easy to find one in the DS games but maybe pokemon go is different

Drum rolls

It is…

A wrong answer

I wish i could have one tho

Wait i know then

Wailmer??

Those were my only 2 thoughts tbh

YES

I CAUGHT A WAILMER

THAT'S AMAZING!!!

I know wailmer is also easy to catch on DS lol but ig they changed all the capture rates

Probably bc some pokemon as hard as hell to catch and they don't look like they should be

I'm just glad I can catch them while driving because I don’t actually have that much free time to go wander outside everyday

I still can't over that thing of yours

If i ever play pokemon go, I might have to buy one

It's honestly the best gift my mum has given me

But if you ever play, please tell me

Ofc!!

I should find my 3ds and flex some of the pokemons I have. Some you'll never have for example👀

That's a bit mean 

But I do kinda want to see rare pokemons even if they’re not mine

Yayy I'll let you know when I find it

Expect to cry from jealousy in the next couple of weeks haha

Oh that reminds me

I'm leaving tomorrow on vacation

For a couple of weeks actually

Might not reply often…

Bro it's fine dw

Is it like school holidays rn?

I honestly have no idea how school breaks work nowadays

I finished school almost 2 years ago???

You do remember I'm 19 right?

Ye ofc but maybe you're in uni idk

Which you aren't obv

No I'm not, I'm working full time

It's just a vacation to celebrate my friend's birthday 

🤝🏻🤝🏻

That's so cool to do smth like that

I hope they have a great time!!

And you as well ig

I really hope as well, she's one of our closest friends and she's turning 18 so major celebration

Wait

The emojis

You also work?

Yes, with my best friend!

Uni isn't your thing either?

Nope :))

I had thought ab going at first bc of social pressure yk

Society telling us to keep studying for 10 years then having a job until we fucking die😃

But then I realised I should do my best to find what I actually wanna do

And I'm pretty happy now

That's great

I'm the same way I'd say, my brothers and I knew we wanted to work together and none of us was really keen on going to college 

I love that for you

Can I ask what you guys do?

Shit

Unsent

Damn fuck what do i say

Unsent

Ig we're in social media?

You sound unsure😭

Sorry if it was too personal

No no, it's fine I think

You?

I work at a café/bookshop

Literally my 2 passions united

Sounds real good

Look at us being fulfilled adults

Yayy

Omg I just remembered

I have an anime to watch

What is it?

You want to stop talking to watch it?

Oh no dw!

I can watch it tomorrow honestly, I’m off

And it’s demon slayer, one of my faves<3

The episode was out on sunday so i’m already late to it lol

Do you watch anime?

Not really, but I may have watched a couple as a kid

Couldn’t tell you which ones honestly

But on the same subject, i’m quite a nice cartoon fan

OMG ME TOO

Children cartoons >>>

What would my life be without them

Pokemon and cartoons are now our main common points

Which are some of your favourites?

Hmm lemme try and make a top 3

I feel bad to have an actual order bc they’re all my babies

But

Star vs the forces of evil

Idk if I ever heard of it but it sounds nice

IT’S AWESOME

Then I have miraculous ladybug

Wait i think i know that one

Is it like the french heroes?

YES

It’s still made for 7yo kids so the plot goes w that but they’ve been trying to appeal more to young adults now bc we’ve all been watching since middle school lmao

Bonus is I keep my french up to date

You speak french??

That’s such a talent

I’ve taken classes in hs and ig i liked it enough to keep learning by myself

But i know I’ll have a hard time if i ever manage to go to France

I’m sure you’ll do great!

Will i keep discovering talents of yours?

Obv

I have lots😎

That’s not true lmao but yeah we’ll learn more ab each other

We have time :))

Good to know :)

I need to know the last cartoon tho

Might be a good rec for me

Oh yes ofc

Gravity falls

And special mention for shera and the princesses of power

Those 4 hold an important place in my heart

Ok rewind

???

GRAVITY FALLS??

GRAVITY

FALLS

??

YES??

Should i be worried ab your reaction?😭

Omg no

I just wasn’t expecting you to mention it

I LOVE gravity falls

Dipper my man

I’m so happy

My friends like gravity falls as much as an average person haha so it’s so cool to have someone who’s a big fan like me

Mabel my girl honestly

Her collection of jumpers>>>

She does have an awesome closet

Dang i want to rewatch it now

Me too bro

Gonna open disney+ tomorrow

Fuck if i wasn’t on the plane tomorrow i would def suggest we watch it together

Noooo :((

Another time🤞🏻

Still gonna watch a few ep tomorrow tho

You’ll tell me which one you watched

Ofc i got you bro

Not wanting to be rude but my brothers made me realise I need to pack💀

So

I kinda need to leave

No worries!

Have fun on your trip and I hope your friend will enjoy it as well

Thanks, talk to you soon

Yess, bye :))

Thank you for reading. Votes and comments are always appreciated if you like this story :) The story is co-written w @/little_grapejuice on wattpad

[lazypanartist]

Chapter 3

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A Rose By Any Other Name

Would Feel As Frigid

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Warnings: mentions of violence, other questionable activities, theft, and the American school system

Notes: a little over half of you said to name Reader, so that's what we'll do!

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Previous

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SO chapter 2 finished up the 1st Belle Reve visit. Here we're starting round 2!

---

"And all you did was interview them."

Adam, our yearbook drag-along, seemed annoyed. "Some psych kids can only DREAM of seeing into thoughts of criminals like these!"

Rachel bumped her brother's shoulder, setting her lunch tray down next to his. "Big whoop. The staff, here AND at Belle Reve, don't want us to keep being delinquents or whatever."

"They're sick of us already," I offered. "Guards don't wanna see us, school doesn't want to deal with the fallout if we get arrested. And the inmates probably don't want us locked up with them, for the most part."

Adam scowled at me. Typical maneuver from him, really.

"Yeah? I'm sick of seeing you, too."

I smiled at him, watching as his scowl deepened.

"Feeling's mutual, A. Get any good pictures of Ray and Shimmer? Or did you get to everyone but me?"

"I'm getting student-inmate interactions next time. The guards gave me a small tour of the prison yesterday - it's massive!"

"No kidding.." My mind floated back to the giant gate we had gone in by. "Absolutely huge."

"Next visit's next Thursday." Rachel reached across her own tray, grabbing something off her brother's. He gave her a withering glare, but she only smirked in response.

Adam sighed, turning his attention back to me. "The guy in charge - Mister Strange, I think - said that you guys are doing something a little different next week. Apparently everyone's getting a guard this time around.. not just everyone but you."

"Huh." It was the only intelligent response I could find.

"Yeah," he filled in. "Must be bad if there aren't any exceptions."

I nodded. "What do you think it is? Pairing us off?"

He shrugged. "Good question. Whatever it is, it'll probably get into the school paper."

Rachel sighed. "So everyone knows how much trouble we're in?"

"Nope." Adam nudged his sister's arm gently. "Not if they don't already, of course. School's painting it as an excursion for the inmates to get outside interaction."

"Oh." Rachel perked up slightly. "Because they don't want to spoil their own name?"

"Probably." Adam shrugged. "If it was up to me, it'd be a chance for you guys to learn from your mistakes and see what you could become. Which it is, of course, but that's not what the school's saying."

"Right." I nodded. Rachel copied the action, grinning when our eyes met.

"Good thing, too," she giggled. "I'd hate to have everyone know my sins or whatever."

Adam rolled his eyes. "You were just dragged into it, Ray. You'll be fine."

"Yeah.." Rachel mumbled. All I could do was silently agree with her hesitation.

–

Cameron seemed excited the next time I went into the interview room. I noted in the back of my mind the lack of cuffs, and Bob stepping into the room behind me.

"Casey! Welcome back."

"You seem.. hyper?" I was wary, of course. He hadn't seemed this openly emotional the last visit, and the sudden presence of his demeanor..

His eyes widened, and he looked past me to the guard. "You didn't tell them?"

Bob huffed in what was probably contempt. "Nope. Get up." And with that he passed me, heading towards the door behind Junior.

I eyed the inmate questioningly, and he grinned.

"You're getting a tour! Of course you probably don't want to, but if you keep on your "current path" or whatever you're here for.." he trailed off with his air quotes before motioning for me to follow. Bob was holding the door open on the other side, a similar hallway to the civilian side laid out in front of me. I could see Lainey and Devastation, flanked by two guards, down the hall already.

"Psst."

She glanced back, and I waved. Lainey smiled, returning the gesture before rounding a corner I hadn't seen previously.

Oh.

"So, today's agenda." Junior slowed down, walking next to me in the hall. "Is of course, the tour. From what I hear of my dad's chat with the director, Strange, you're sticking with me all day." He put emphasis on the "all", dragging it out. "That means bunk check, lunch, rec time, everything."

"Fun," I offered. "So, like 60 days in without the jumpsuit."

"Exactly!" He grinned, nudging my arm. I could hear Bob huff in front of us, but he obviously wasn't bothered enough to react further.

We rounded the corner, passing through a door (Bob was behind us now, holding it open.)

I must have gasped. All I know for sure is that the size of the intake was massive - probably to contain some of the larger incoming inmates.

We ventured through a few more hallways, Junior talking the whole way. Things about "two inmates per room", "twenty rooms per side of the hallway", "two sides per hallway", and a few more things about the bunk check. Something about the lifting and shaking of mattresses and bedding to check for stashed contraband.

It's been a while, so I don't remember for sure. I wasn't listening much anyways, instead taking in the concrete surroundings.

It took a minute before I noticed that we weren't following Lindsay and Devastation anymore.

"Hey, Junior?"

His nose wrinkled. "Please, Cameron's fine."

"Sorry.. Cameron. Where'd the girls end up?"

"Oh!" He gestured towards our left. "They took the left hall in intake. Whole place's segregated by gender except intake, outgoing, and interviews. I don't know why we took the long way to bunks.." he glanced back at Bob, who merely huffed as his answer. Cameron turned back to me and shrugged before taking an abrupt right, down another hallway.

"And.. here!" He stepped into a cell, turning around and spreading his arms. "Ta-da!"

I glanced around. It was.. space. Four concrete walls, a metal bunk bed that looked older than Bob.. there wasn't much bedding either. A small toilet took its place in a far corner, a blanket strewn beside it.

"Huh."

He glanced behind me before chuckling, eyes falling slightly. "Yeah. It's not much, but until I'm 25, it's home."

My eyes widened. "Oh, wow."

He nodded before motioning me closer. I hesitated and he rolled his eyes.

"He can't check my bunk until one, you're out of the doorway." I stepped to the side, and Bob walked past me. "And two, my bunkmate's here."

I blinked before taking a step towards Cameron and the bunk. "Who's your bunkmate?"

"Oh, not a big name or anything." He smirked. "Just Mister Freeze."

I blinked. "Oh."

He looked quickly between Bob and I before rolling his eyes. "Oh, come ON! Do we even really have to wait for him?" When Bob didn't answer, he sighed. "He's still shadowing my dad! There's no way he'll get here in time for Case and I to finish the tour!"

Bob thought for a minute before huffing again, passing between Cameron and I. The other teen's eyes widened before meeting mine again, flashing a grin and thumbs-up as Bob struggled up the bunk's ladder.

We kept glancing between Bob and one another while we waited, Cameron offering a smile every time our eyes passed. I started returning them after the third.

Finally Bob came back down the ladder. I could hear footsteps coming down the hall as he painted quietly.. quite a few sets, actually.

"Congratulations, Junior." Cam's nose wrinkled again. "You're set. I'll walk you 'n Casey back t' the chow hall - if it 'as up to me, they'd fully integrate for the tour." He rolled his eyes before turning. "You two'll have plenty of supervision without me there too, but Director Strange made it clear that you," he turned momentarily from the door, pointing at Cameron, "should have another set of eyes on you."

Cameron chuckled. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."

"Like I said." Bob finally got the door back open - he must have jammed the lock - and started back down yet another hallway. "If it 'as my choice, they'd all be in suits with the same restrictions as you inmates. If the school's plan is to scare you kids straight, they need a better strategy!"

I sighed, rolling my eyes when Cameron shot me a confused look before smiling.

"Right. Guards want us here for real? Can't blame you."

I could tell that the previous day's sentiment was true - most people at Belle Reve were sick of us already. Cameron, though?

He offered me another smile in return, nudging my arm. "Please. It might actually be bearable if you stick around."

"For eight years?!" I laughed. "I don't think I'd make it!"

He shrugged. "Hey, if you and me stick together, you'll be okay."

I could tell, even back then, that he was right. Even if I didn't know what it was about..

---

WHOOH finally finished this chapter! So much brain fog rn! Chapter 4 coming asap, love y'all, ciao!

Next

[acefaun]

Can you please write a comfort fic where mc is stressed about her exam, which is in two months. Please write it from Tauxolouve's( did i spell his name right?) pov. I am new to this fandom and thankfully there are many fics, but i want one specifically from you. You don't need to write it now, please take your time. Thank you.

Tauxolouve~ Exam

Synopsis: You’ve been so focused on studying for this exam of yours that it takes a little coaxing from Lou to realize that you need to start focusing a bit more on yourself as well. So don’t worry, Lou’s going to help make sure you have nothing to stress over.

✨Masterlist✨ Female goldfish!

A/n: Welcome to the fandom, beloved! 🥰 I hope you enjoy your stay! You're more impressive than me for a newcomer, you got his name completely right! When I started in this fandom I stuck with calling him Lou. Not to mention a few of the other gods also had to put up with my horrifying attempts at spelling their names.  And I wasn't sure if you meant his POV as in Lou’s 1st person POV or just his perspective in the 3rd person, so I settled with his 3rd person perspective. 🤔 I haven't played around with POV too much with the gods so I hope this is alright. 

–Word Count: 3,163–

Your room was quiet, the only noise was the sound of your feet pattering back and forth across the floor. It was some time after lunch, a meal you skipped in order to go over your study materials. There was quite a bit you had to look at from the last school year and you realized—quite apprehensive—that it was  a lot of material, more than you anticipated.

This was it, you needed to formulate a plan of attack. You had more than enough time to create a good strategy. Well… You felt like there was enough time, but two months would go by like nothing! It felt like just yesterday you had started school and yet here you were about to cram nearly a whole year's worth of studying into two months. It was time to get serious! 

***

Tauxolouve hummed as he watched you sitting across from him. It was typical for him to ask to join you for a meal, if only to spend extra time together before he either had to return to work or you had school. So, he took you out today to have a cute lunch at a picnic table under a tree. Only… you were too preoccupied to comment on his choice of a date spot. In fact, rather than looking at him, your eyes were glued to a familiar book that seemed to have been following you for the past few weeks. 

Originally, he hadn't noticed the book or two that you carried around with you, but it was hard not to notice your lack of attention. Your eager voice met his ears less and less as you placed your focus on these books. He wondered how entertaining they must have been. Well, he only had to reach over and snatch it from you to ascertain its contents, but he wasn’t that cruel. 

Instead, while you were busy fixing your meal, he took the opportunity to ask you a question while you were—he assumed—listening. “So, what kind of book has stolen my lovely lady’s attention this time?”

You hummed quietly, and he thought you hadn’t heard him for a moment as you hesitated to answer. But your mind was clearly just elsewhere as you finally replied, “It’s just a school book. I have to study for a test. It’s not too interesting, so I won’t bother you with what it’s about.” It was a simple yet blunt answer. It didn't provide Lou with much to comment on, but he wanted to try and strike up a conversation with you while you had the time.

“A test,” he repeated in question, his eyes flickering over to your books to try and grasp what the test could have been on. “Well, based on how hard you’ve been studying, I think you’ll pass with flying colors. I noticed you’ve been studying diligently the past few weeks. Is your exam soon?”

“I’ve got,” you paused, and Tauxolouve watched your eyebrows furrow as you wracked your brain for an exam date. “I’ve got about five weeks left.” You hummed, your nose scrunching up—which Lou thought would have been cute if you weren’t so clearly frustrated with something. Though, he didn’t speak up. He waited patiently for you to spill your woes to him, which you did not a moment later. “Only five weeks? There’s no way that’s enough time! I thought I planned better than this to get through all the material… I didn’t realize there was so little time to study.” 

“Love,” he called out to you, trying to ease your panic. He wasn’t entirely sure what he could do to help, but at the very least, he was there for you. “Hey, what’s the matter? Isn’t five weeks plenty to familiarize yourself with the material?”

“No,” you whined. “I need to master the material in five weeks, not just know what it’s about. But it’s not just these books, I need to search more.” Your eyes scanned frantically over the two books that you had on the table, making Lou wonder what you could have been searching for now. But he figured if there was anything you needed, you would ask him—your loving and most caring boyfriend. “I’ve gone over those already as well as the previous books… Right, so I have a few more to go and then I can start…” You trailed off, leaving Lou in the dark about your study methods. 

He hummed, offering quietly, “I could always-”

“I’m sorry, Lou,” you suddenly apologized, surprising him and leaving him confused. As far as he was aware, there was no need for you to be apologizing to him. Well, you interrupted him, but that was no problem. You’d done him no wrong. But still, you looked guilty as you packed your books into your bag. “I have to go back to the library. There’s no way I can wait to study this. The sooner I get the information in my head, the easier this exam will be.” 

Of course, you always cared so much about your studies and Lou admired your dedication. Even as you rushed to leave your date with him, he couldn’t fault you for prioritizing something above him when he so-often had to prioritize his Wishes work over you. So, he offered you a smile, and helped you gather the few materials you had on the table. “Please, don’t worry about it. I don’t need you to stress about me when you’re clearly already worried about these exams. I’ll just have to plan an even better date for next time. I’ll always be here to support you. Do you want me to go to the library with you?”

The slight wince on your face told him that the answer was no long before you uttered a second apology, “Sorry… Well… It’s not that I don’t want you to come, but… I think you know what I mean when I say I’d probably be too distracted by you if you followed me to the library.”

A quiet chuckle left his lips, but he wasn’t offended by your rejection. In fact, he more than understood what you were saying. “Of course. It’s for the same reason Karno prefers that I don’t bring you along when I have a pile of wishes to grant, I suspect. I wouldn’t want to get in the way of your studying and we can always spend all the time we want together after you’ve gotten through your work.” 

The smile that spread across your face was something that made all of his efforts worth it, even if your time together was short today. The way you put your bag down on the bench to hug him was just a plus as you wished him farewell. “Thanks for understanding, Lou. I’ll definitely have to treat you to a date once all of this studying is behind me.”

“I think that’s the other way around,” he mused as he snuggled you closer to his chest. “I’ll have to reward you for doing your best. I’m really proud of you, (Name). I love how you give everything your all.”

You hummed, nudging his chin with your head. “I love you too, Louie.”

“Well,” he added fairly dramatically, making you look up at him with those precious, curious eyes of yours. “Since you love me so much, and I love you so much… Surely you wouldn’t mind if you at least finished your meal before running off to the library?” Seeing the way you faltered, he quickly explained his reasonings. “I don’t mean to keep you, but I’m only looking out for your health. I want you to eat something before you get lost in your books for hours on end. So… can you at least have this one meal for me?”

You sighed, but he grinned. He knew he had already won with the face you were making. There was no way you would deny him when his reasoning was so pure and well-intentioned. “Fine… But only because you asked nicely.” Of course it was only because he asked nicely. After all, he’s Lou. He only ever asks nicely.

***

Maybe… Maybe he should have tried to make that request a little differently before he let you go off to complete your study mission. It seemed his request for you to have that one meal with him was taken literally. From what he could tell, all you’d been doing since then was eating small snacks here and there; you were completely disregarding your health and it was making him worry. 

He thought you might’ve asked for help if you were having trouble with your studies, but you didn’t seem to be doing that either. Well, he hadn’t been getting any new wishes from you in the reflection pool. He would know, he checked it very frequently as a way of checking in on you without showing up and distracting you. 

To be fair… it had only been a few days since you requested a break with him to focus on school. It was concerning how quickly you deteriorated on your own with nothing to make you smile or laugh. Even your few showers were filled with youtube videos of what you were studying. 

He pursed his lips as he watched you turn over in your bed once more. You were even losing sleep over this stupid test of yours. Usually he respected your decisions and let you take these challenges head-on. But this time… he couldn’t obey you. He just had to step in; it was for your own good.

Your reaction was sure to be one of surprise, but he kept reminding himself why he was doing this as he connected your room to the mansion’s door, walking through. He was only doing this to help you. Though, he knew you had the ability to be stubborn. Lou would just have to show that he could be stubborn too. He wasn’t going to leave your presence until he was sure you were taking care of yourself in addition to your studying. He’d be your personal life coach and tutor if he had to; he wasn’t going to let you suffer alone.

Closing the door softly behind him, he walked forward in the quiet room, pausing at the foot of your bed. His determined expression softened as he gazed upon you. You were so perfect to him, even when you were sleeping. The only thing that distracted him was how uncomfortable you looked. The blanket was only half-way on the bed; it was barely covering you! It was as if you tossed and turned so much that you’d just completely discarded your object of comfort. 

Quietly, he picked up the fallen end of the blanket, only flinching back when he heard a shriek. Bolting up from where he was crouched, he noticed that you were now upright in bed, your wide eyes glued onto him. “L- Lou?! You nearly gave me a heart attack! Why are you creeping on the floor of my room? I thought you were some kind of boogie monster. I thought I was having a bad nightmare…”

“Your blanket fell,” he answered as though it were obvious as to why he was on your floor. But then again, he did enter your home without permission and that had to have been the reason you were screaming. Gently, he placed it back on the bed with you, making sure it was in a position where it wouldn’t fall off again. “Sorry… I know that’s not a reason for me to be in your room at this time of night. Truthfully,” he hesitated. “I was worried about you. So, I was checking up on you through the reflection pool and I’ve decided to help you.”

You blinked, and for a moment he thought you were just dazed by what time of night it was. But that wasn’t the case. “Help?” The singular word was voiced in confusion. You tilted your head as he sat beside you on the bed. He was determined to be there for you and help you through this, but it didn’t seem like you were understanding him or what he was there to do. “Help me with what?” 

For one, he was there to help make sure your blanket didn’t end up completely on the floor, leaving you cold in the night. But more than that… “You’re having trouble with your studies. If you weren’t, then you’d have time to eat actual meals and take full relaxing baths. You don’t have time to enjoy yourself—even when you’re sleeping you seem completely restless.” 

“Oh,” the vowel left your lips as you rubbed your tired eyes. Lou felt bad for having interrupted your sleep, but he was desperate to be by your side through this struggle. He wasn’t going to let you suffer alone. Sighing quietly, you muttered, “I’m okay… It’s only going to last a few more weeks. What’d I tell you…” You trailed off. “Five weeks? A month?”

Reaching his hand out, he carefully passed his fingers through your messy bed hair, doing his best to soothe it out. “It doesn’t matter how long it takes. If it takes us five weeks or more, I’m going to be here, taking care of you and helping you learn what you need to know for this exam.” 

Now, your eyes were open again, the same as they were when you first caught sight of the intruder in your home. You gazed at him with a tired weariness. “But you have work… You can’t just drop that to help me. I promise I can get everything done on my own. And… And if you’re here because you’re worried about me passing, I promise I will! I’m studying really hard. I have a study plan. I know everything I need to have memorized before the exam–”

“(Name),” he interrupted you with a kind smile, leaning closer to you to completely take in your attention. “You might be able to memorize what you need to know. But I’m here to help you do more than memorize useless things. I’m going to help you understand what you’re studying. Understanding something is much easier than memorizing hundreds of notes, don’t you think?” His kind smiles always made you relax. 

He could see the worries in your eyes fading. Though, he couldn’t tell if you were feeling relieved by his promises or if you were simply tired. Still, if he wanted you to put your complete faith in him, then he was going to need to know what you needed to know for this exam. After all, it would be pretty embarrassing to make such a bold claim and then not be able to help you at all with your studying. 

A content sigh left your lips and he was surprised when you grabbed his hand that was previously trailing through your tangled hair. He didn’t resist as you pulled him down beside you as if he were your own personal stuffed animal. Well, he deserved as much for causing you to nearly have a heart attack… 

Your fingers gently caressed his hand as you said quietly, “Thank you… I was determined to do everything on my own at first, but… your idea sounds better than mine. Plus,” you paused. “I like the idea of spending time with you. It’s only been a few days, but I miss having you around. I think that was only adding to my stress.” You glanced up at him, shyly meeting his gaze. “I don’t think I could’ve lasted a whole month like this.”

He gently smiled, relaxing on the bed beside you, resting his head on the shared pillow. “You lasted longer than I did, if that makes you feel better. I did come barging into your room late at night…” He trailed off, but he didn’t really feel bad for having invited himself into your room. In fact, your acceptance of him made him feel glad that he made the choice to show up. “I’ll always be here if you need me—even if you turn me away because you think you don’t need me. We’ll get through every single challenge together.” With his free hand, Tauxolouve reached up, his fingers gently caressing your cheek. You were always so soft to him—it made him happy to have you so close.

He was going to keep you close and he was going to make sure stress couldn’t creep up on you again. He was sure most of your worries stemmed from this exam and that as soon as it was over, you’d be back to your usual happy self. But until then, he’d have to do his best and be your sword and shield. Tauxolouve would make sure you understood everything you needed to know, even if he had to go to Huedhaut for explanations on what the heck you were learning. 

Other than that little bump in the road, ensuring you were eating, sleeping, and taking care of yourself properly were easy tasks. Well, he considered them easy, but that’s because those were all things he could easily do along with you. Even if you didn’t have time for any fun leisure activities, his main goal was to make sure you were happy while reaching your goals. Overall, it sounded like a perfect plan that would suit the both of you. Humming quietly to himself, he nuzzled closer to you, his smile brushing lightly against your skin. You were his darling to care for and love.

[alanshee-keeper-of-realms]

Three Toons and a Baby (Sneak Peek)

Synopsis: It's hard being the world's most beloved mascot, but toss in a new divorce and a baby, even for the Mickey Mouse it's too much. Having a breakdown, he goes to the only other two he knows will understand his predicament after all they're all Overworked Mascots. One incident away from it all crashing down,

A/N: Welcome to the 1st chapter that I am working on, setting things up ect I just love the fluffiness and couldn't wait to share

Also if you don't think Daffy would be a good parent The Looney Tunes Show Episode That's My Baby, when he took care of Tina's Nephew, he even went to Mommy and Me classes to better bond with the kid,

Daffy Duck hilariously would be the best parent out of all of them.

.

.

The mouses mind tunneled as he scooped Marian up, putting her in the backseat of the car and getting in speeding off, he felt so tired yet so awake, he laughed to himself as he drove around not knowing where to go

Not to Goofys he had the Grandkids this week, Donald was off in Europe for some Disney Paris thing, can't even think of Minnie the reason he was like this. His mind continued to spiral as he laughed again,

Minerva had up and disappeared, tossing the baby at him and taking off, leaving him to juggle a new baby along with the rest of his responsibilities, two toons popped into his mind and he instantly started heading to their place

I hope they're home, please be home his mind begged,

Marian suddenly started crying in the backseat. As he whipped around the corner, he slammed a hand into the steering wheel, snapping

“Be quiet!” it just made her cry more

Focus don't focus on her focus on getting there focus, relief filled him as he saw the drive, stopping at the security booth the woman gave him a look, before just letting the mouse in, not wanting to ask questions as he drove up to the main house, stepping out of the car walking up and ringing the bell as his daughter cried from the car, he felt frustration at the end of his rope, as he covered his ears

She was another responsibility, another thing he had to care for this would shatter the stay perfect mindset Disney had about him, oh how much trouble he might be in, he was so caught up in his frazzled thoughts he jumped at a gentle hand on his shoulder Daffy must've heard the child screaming, he was over by the car, meeting the worried eyes of one Bugs Bunny he croaked

“I can't I can't-” he felt his throat tightening, his breathing picking up as everything tunneled, he grabbed his ears again,

“Woah Mick, come here cinderfella,” he didn't register himself even being picked up by the rabbit, let alone the look of deep concern that Daffy and him had shared, or the whisper of,

“He drove her here with no car seat just laid in the back” the mouse felt like everything was spinning and before he knew it the world went black,

“Oh Tex” Bugs caught the mouse as he about fell out of his arms fainting, the baby was still screaming, face somehow red,

Daffy was ever patient and with the strongest parental streak Bugs had ever seen in a toon, the duck marched into their home murmuring only comforts as he headed to the kitchen to get he a bottle, while his husband took Mickey to one of their guest rooms,

“Oh Michael dear, what have ya gotten up to?” the rabbit asked the unconscious mouse as the toon laid him onto the bed before tucking him in,

Bugs was concerned at the dark rings underneath his longtime friends eyes like he hadn't been getting enough sleep, the hair that normally was neatly swept back and held down with an obscene amount of gel was miskempt and frazzled. Bugs deciding to watch the other until he woke up, he sat in the armchair in the corner,

He wasn't sure when he'd dozed off or how long it had been, but a groaning made him jolt up as the others' eyes fluttered open,

“There's those beautiful ambers,” he gently teased as the Disney toon tried sitting up but he forced him to stay down,"Nuh uh doc you lay right there, what ya pulled last night needs explained before you get more shut eye, ye look worse then Kim Kardashian without her self tanner,”

“But I have work” he tried protesting as the rabbit shook his head, not amused at the workaholic attitude of the mouse, however Daffy with a smug look on his beak walked in tossing a phone on the bed, judging by the case that was Disney themed he knew who's it was,

“Should really not have yer pasthword as yer daddies birthday, but I called Iger for ya, tried yellin at me bout getting you back in but I stuck it to em! Ye got a week,” He preened as Bugs kissed him on the cheek, the mouse looking stunned,

"They've never agreed, how- before interrupting himself looking around a worried and horrified expression on his face,

“Oh Dad, Marian!” He tried scrambling up, Bugs pushing him back as Daffy again was grinning, he turned to show the baby mouse tucked in his arm sound asleep,

“So that's this little cuties name,” he tickled her under her chin as the baby yawned kicking a foot out, the rabbit smiling towards the pup before whipping around to the mouse with narrowed eyes

“Ye are starting to have a track record with kids Mick an I don think I like it, you drove up here with her not in a carseat” he hissed dangerously,

To the Rabbits surprise, the mouse rolled on his back, tears pricking in his eyes as he began crying, breaking down again,

“I fucked up Bugs, I fucked up with Eleanor and now Minervas dumped Marian on me and just left, I thought I could handle it but I have just so much, so fucking much! And when Disney finds out about her,”

His breathing was picking up again as he spiraled once more, his hands flew to his eyes as he rubbed them with the heels of his hands,

” I am so dead, this will shatter everything, everything they built around me. At least Eleanor they could write off as my niece, in the modern era there's no way! People would sniff it out so fast,"

Instantly, Bugs gently tried to pull the mouses hands away from his face, especially as he began scratching,

“Easy Mickey, 5 things remember”, taking a deep breath trying to get the other to follow, he was about to say it again, when he heard

“I hear you” croaked out,”I can't taste anything, I feel your glove on your hand its a soft yet course texture, I smell the perfume that Daffy wears”

“Good” he coaxed taking a deep breath in ”In and out,”

He felt relief as the other took a deep breath and copied him, the rabbit looked to his husband as the Duck signed

Going to the kitchen to get Marian her bottle, love you

He nodded, signing back

Love you too

Before turning back as finally the toon's hands fell away from his face, worry definitely flashed through Bugs mind as he spotted bloodshot eyes, he'd seen the mouse at his worse before but not to this level, as he croaked,

“I'm surprised Eleanor hasn't marched in here to kick my ass out.” making the rabbit snort,

“Even if she was here, I wouldn't let her Doc, but she's off for 2 weeks over in Japan for some modeling and tour around gig. You are in a state of mental crisis ye haven't been getting sleep, you did something so unbelievably outta character as endangering Marian like that. You are taking the week to relax,"

"But Marian needs-" the Warner snorted interrupting,

"Daf thrives off taking care of the kids, you just focus on yerself Mick, even parents need a break. Please just sleep," the mouse didn't know why, he wanted to fight to keep pushing but the toons gentle pressure on his chest to keep him laying down was soothing and he found himself feeling the exhaustion,

"Alright but just 5 more minutes" he trailed off slipping back into sleep almost as soon as his eyes shut,

The Warner pulled up the blankets and gently patted his friends back before standing up, he pulled the curtains shut and walked out closing the door behind himself, going towards the kitchen he was amused to find Daffy playing with Marian in the living room as he came down the stairs

"And this little piggys name is Porky and he owes Daffy 50 dollars" Bugs rolled his eyes fondly as he snorted, making the duck look at him,

"What's so funny rabbit? it's the truth, and if he doesn't pay it, he is gonna go wee wee wee,"

"Sure Doc," he replied as he sat next to them smiling as Marian turned her head, he offered a finger and she gripped on,"Hi, little mouse, whatcha up to scamp?"

She kicked her feet out yawning as she let go and brought her splayed hand to her chest looking around with wide eye

"She's so curious, always looking around,"

That made the lagomorph smile,and say in a baby voice

"Maybe wonder mouse is just in awe of the big wide world," As he playfully tugged on a foot causing her to whine,

"I know he's a bully," he heard his husband quip, the rabbit giving a teasing glare towards him for it

She began to whine, mouthing her hand Bugs stood knowing from their own kids what that meant,

" Getting hungry, aren't we Doc? Dont worry, I gotcha kiddo" he walked into the Kitchen pulling open a cupboard, "Now we should have Yep!"

He pulled down the can of open formula they had from when their Granddaughters Max and Yakkos daughters Lillian and Blair stayed over, along with a bottle

Daffy rushing in holding Marian out as he finished up, he went to ask what was wrong when he smelled it,

"Oh dear" he sat the bottle down in the warmer, reaching under the sink to grab the bath basin, as his husband tackled peeling the infant out of her now soiled onsie and the absolutely decimated diaper,

"Oh Tex kid, you really tried showin up our Eldest with yours," the baby just whining and fussing uncomfortable as the Duck laid her down in the basin"Yes Yes we know, one second sweet mouse,"

[artificialqueens]

Looking At The Lights (JeLa) - Divine

A/N: I’m back again with another Christmas fic! This time inspired by Looking At The Lights. I’ve been hoping for them to release it since hearing it live, and after a year its finally out, anyways enjoy this lil JeLa hurt/comfort. :) CW: mention of death

***

As daylight savings came to an end the one hour difference felt like hundreds, typically it didn’t bother DeLa, she’d always been the type to enjoy the holidays. Hell she usually pulled out her Christmas tree November 1st, only for Jinkx, her best friend to get her to compromise with the night of Thanksgiving, though she always managed to convince Jinkx to help her put it up early. So when DeLa didn’t call her the night of Halloween expressing her excitement for the upcoming jolly season, she was alarmed, though knowing DeLa was a lightweight she thought she might’ve drank herself into a deep slumber, but she didn’t get a call the next morning either, just a normal good morning text. Jinkx brought it upon herself to FaceTime her best friend, while it was ringing she’d remembered that her nana had passed about three years ago now, from eating mistletoe of all things, but DeLa hadn’t been the same since, hadn’t been as jolly, though she attempted to put on a front, Jinkx could tell she hadn't enjoyed it the same since, only putting up tree, not traveling back home and forcing Jinkx along to spend the holidays with her family. Teena and Jinkx had been going to her home instead. DeLa answered the phone completely ready for the day as usual at the early hour only, she didn't seem as bubbly as usual. 

“Hey Dink.” She smiled, sipping her coffee. 

“No Christmas decor recruitments this morning?” Jinkx questions. DeLa’s smile fades the smallest bit as she shakes her head. 

“No, I think I’ll wait until December this year.” 

“Well that’s not like you at all, you don’t want to drag me out to the mall to all those pop up christmas shops to buy new ornaments? No new seasonal bath and body works hauls? I was actually looking forward to it this year.” 

“No.. well, not no, just not right now. I’m sure it’ll be fun when the time gets here though! Sorry to disappoint ya Dink-a-doo…” 

Jinkx frowns a little and hums, it was so strange to see the life of the party, the biggest smile in the room, be so sad, it hurt, she loved DeLa, she was probably her favorite person, despite their bickering. She wanted to see her smile, and make her laugh, which was surprisingly hard to do considering DeLa was always so busy making other people laugh she tended to always just wear a smile on her face as she tried to think of her next joke to make Jinkx cackle. 

“Are you okay with me coming over? I wanna get this whole thing kickstarted for ya.” 

“I mean, I’m not doing anything, but I’d need to clean first-“

“Oh don’t stress about it, I'll help you.” Jinkx assured her, DeLa sighs, finally giving in.

“Alright… I’ll put on some tea or something for when you get here.”

“Okay, I’ll head over right away.” Jinkx says before smooching the phone.

After finishing their goodbyes, they both hung up. DeLa was so stressed decorating was honestly the last thing she wanted to think about. She didn’t know if losing her grandmother was the only thing dragging her down so much, but more so how much the loss was affecting everyone in her family, and how everyone was expecting her to be the light at the end of some sort of depressive tunnel. While she was happy she could provide that happiness for her family, but at the same time it made her feel as if she had to hide and shelter her own feelings for their sake. 

Teena wasn’t very fond of their Nana, being the only goth in the family, moving to Chicago, refusing to follow their traditions and religion really pushed her away from them, so when she passed she was bummed but not necessarily devastated, but didn’t want to be around her family more than she had to be, she paid her respects at the funeral, but didn’t stick around for the family reunion afterwards, rather walked the neighborhood with her little sister, who was much more hurt than she was, to comfort her. Even then she expressed her fears of having to be the one to keep everyone in good spirits for the next few months or years.

Over time it had really started to work her down more through the holidays, the first year was awful, everyone was in tears, nothing felt the same, everything felt so out of order, it was so bad that DeLa announced she wouldn’t be coming home for next Christmas, that she’d rather spend it at her own home, her family didn’t appreciate her choice and called her selfish for not wanted to spend this special time of year with her family and loved ones, it hurt her to hear them all blow up on her like that, she’d never really been a negative center of attention before. She remembered having to gather her things and walk through the snow out to her car in tears with her sister and Jinkx on the phone, weeping about how she’d basically been fully isolated because of a single decision. The next two years she’d spent them at home, and didn’t feel up to it this year. 

Jinkx arrived at DeLa’s cozy vintage house, and knocked on the door, after only a short moment the door opened and DeLa smiled up at her long time friend before pulling her into a tight hug. Jinkx smiles while hugging DeLa.

“Alright honey, let’s get you in the holiday spirit, but first I’ll help you clean up.” She says walking in with her arm wrapped around her shoulder. 

DeLa’s messy was never actually messy, usually consisted of just putting things back in their place, not real mess, but she was a little surprised to see their was dishes that needed to be cleaned, shoes scattered across the living room and a few unpacked burlesque bags from shows, nothing terrible, just out of character. Jinkx plopped DeLa down on the couch before pushing the curtains open and began cleaning up, DeLa was embarrassed and felt bad, telling Jinkx she could do the cleaning and that it wasn’t the gingers responsibility, but Jinkx insisted, hair pulled up into a messy bun as she strolled around the house as if it were her own, she’d been there enough times that she knew it as well as her own home, she knew where everything went, where to find cleaning supplies. After loading up and starting the dishwasher she went over to DeLa who was curled up on the couch and was watching Jinkx’s every move.

“I'm gonna go put up these costumes and props, you go ahead and go get your Christmas stuff out of the basement okay? And we can decorate together.” Jinkx smiles. 

DeLa nod before standing up, Jinkx’s smile fades a little, maybe her frowning a bit worried was dramatic, but she just wanted her best friend to be okay. She took the bags into the packed burlesque room and began sorting through them and placing them where they belonged, it took just as long as it took DeLa to haul up her large totes full of Christmas decorations. When she stepped out to the living room she saw DeLa now kneeling on the floor, looking through the totes slowly, perhaps looking too sad as she was sulking in the glitter so much that when Jinkx turned Christmas music on using Alexa she’d jumped.

“Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. Now let's see what we’ve got here. Shall we start with the tree or.. err everything else? You’ve got a process don’t you?” Jinkx questions. 

DeLa thought for a moment before digging through a tote, mostly stockings, the tree skirt, other soft things, she pulled out a binder from the bottom, flipping it open revealing a list, trimmed in festive doodles, glued onto a piece of red construction paper, and laminated, Jinkx looked over her shoulder scanning the list..

SWITCH 

-wall decor (replace fall decor for winter, hang stockings)

-rugs, pillows, blankets, etc

-figurines 

-candles 

-wallflowers 

CHRISTMAS TREE TIME!!!! 

-lights

-garland

-ornaments 

-star

-tree skirt 

OUTSIDE: 

-“hang lights” (just plug them realistically those things never get taken down)

-put our lawn reindeer lights

-switch wreaths 

-wrap stair banisters and rails with garland

“Hmm.. detailed list.” Jinkx says, honestly impressed. 

“Thank you, I laminated it so I can just use a dry erase marker and reuse it every year.” She smiles, a genuine smile, warm and bright, making Jinkx smile in return. 

“You’ve always been one smart cookie Dooley.” Jinkx wrapped her arm around her friend's shoulders. DeLa’s face twisted in displeasure to the nickname, but it was lighthearted. 

“Thank you Dink.” She smiles resting her head against the ginger for a moment before looking back at the list. “I guess we should get started with the walls, hm? Gotta switch out the little pumpkins for little Christmas doohickeys and stockings.”

“Let’s get started then.” 

—

It was an all day job, but alas, the house was decorated, the woodsy autumn smell had shifted to the smell of sweet sugar cookies and hits of pine. The two of them were exhausted and collapsed on the couch on top of each other, cuddling while looking at the work they’d done. It warmed DeLa’s heart to see her home festive again, but that song of sadness could still be felt deep in her chest as she thought about how happy she had been in past while setting all of this up, it felt like a chore half way through and the only reason she hadn’t given up was because Jinkx was by her side helping her through it. 

Feeling like this honestly scared DeLa. She’d never been this sad before, she hated it, she just wanted to be happy again. She felt her eyes getting heavier as she was comforted by Jinkx’s sweet honeysuckle scent, wrapped up in blankets now, her thoughts were running a thousand miles a minute, but Jinkx being here somehow muffled all the mean and scary voices, soothing her with her presence. 

Jinkx noticed DeLa falling asleep, though she was fighting it. Jinkx kisses her head, pulling her a bit closer, if it were possible. Letting the woman know she was there and it was okay if she wanted to sleep, she could tell that even through her drowsiness, she was still thinking about the entire world. She just wished she could switch them off for a day, let DeLa be DeLa. Once DeLa closed her eyes, Jinkx knew she’d be trapped for at least 30 minutes as DeLa was resting on top of her, she could deal with it though.

The remote being within arm’s reach helped, she reached over and flipped through a few options on Hulu, eventually settling on family guy, again, she always found herself coming back to the raunchy cartoon. She lost interest half way through an episode at some point and started scrolling through her phone, seeing a memory from this time a few years back. The two of them, in the same house, DeLa wearing a cute Christmas pinup dress matched with red stockings, on her tiptoes, not wearing heels to help her match the gingers height, holding mistletoe over their heads as she kissed Jinkx’s cheek who was smiling warmly with her arms around her friends waist. She remembered that day, it was more fun than she’d admit at the time but she remembered Ruby and Randy had both come over to help as well, the photo was Randy’s idea. She smiles down at the screen, she knew how much she adored DeLa, she wanted her heart. Brought her so much joy, she just hoped that she was able to start getting back into those happy spirits. 

DeLa stirred a little, startling Jinkx, who looked down at her, DeLa stretched making a squeaking sound before opening her eyes looking at Jinkx confused. Jinkx giggles a little. 

“You alright there?” She questions, booping her nose. 

“Yeah.. when is it?” She questioned groggily, eyes closing again, before cracking into a smile when she heard Jinkx’s cackle. 

“Same day, just a little later, you decorated your way into a small coma.” DeLa yawns as she attempts to say “oops.” and rests her head back where it previously was. 

—

As the season continued, Jinkx was making sure to keep an extra close eye on DeLa as the season continued, making sure that if she wasn’t getting better, that she at least wasn’t getting worse. Taking her out for coffee, to look at Christmas lights, all of DeLa’s favorite things to do this time of year… it seemed to be working, but Jinkx knew DeLa was particularly good at hiding how she actually felt until she burst. 

Most of the holiday season was over, yet DeLa hadn’t forced Jinkx into listening to any terrible Christmas covers of dogs or cats meowing and barking christmas songs. Jinkx knew it was time to actually sit down and talk to DeLa about the matter, regardless of what she tried to get DeLa to have some fun, it didn’t work. She’d invited her over for some coffee and festive movies since it was snowing outside at  a violent speed, she expected for DeLa to get trapped here over the night, or would at least suggest she’d stay, for her own safety and comfort; they were cuddled up on the couch when she decided it was time to bring it up. 

“DeLa..” Jinkx says softly, after placing her mug down. DeLa turns her head and hums in confusion. Seeing Jinkx’s expression she knew it was a serious matter. 

“You’re so sad, I want to fix it, but I don’t know how. I need you to stop acting like you're okay and actually tell me what’s wrong. I don’t like when you’re like this.. I miss my happy ray of light.” Jinkx frowns, turning to face her friend. 

“I-i..” DeLa pauses, seeing the concern in Jinkx’s eyes. Her lip quivered as she started sniffling, tears following shortly after. I wanna be happy… I really do, but I just can’t get past this feeling of dread, I miss when I was happy this time of year, waiting month after month to cover my house in lights and glitter, and to force you out into the snow to play around.. I really do, but I can’t bring myself to let go of this awful feeling that I don’t even really know what is! I’m so sad, and hurt and I can’t even place it, I’ve grieved my Nana enough to realize her wrongs while she was alive, my family is bitter but over it for the most part, it’s just ever since all that happened I feel like nothing but darkness comes with this time of year!” She spewed, Jinkx pulled her sobbing friend into her arms and squeezed her tight, but as if a poor situation couldn’t get worse the harsh winds of Portland stole any and all  the physical light they had, this for some reason only made DeLa cry harder. “Even the universe is out to get me!” She weeped. 

“Shh, baby it’s okay, hang on.” Jinkx says calmly, trying to sooth DeLa before getting up and going over to the fireplace full of candles and lighting them all before going around lights the loads of candles she has throughout her home. She then grabbed a few pillows and blankets, setting them up in front of the fireplace before dragging DeLa with her, wrapping a blanket around her shoulders before sitting next to her. 

“DeLa. You mean the world to me, and I know you’re hurting and I’m sorry you don’t feel like yourself. I’m sorry I can’t take your sadness away, but denying it and pushing it down deeper isn’t going to make it go away, which I know how scary it can be. I’ve experienced this before, I wish you would’ve come to me about this sooner. I love you baby, I’ll always be here for you. There’s nothing you can do that will stop me from loving and supporting you, remember that okay? Now come here.” Jinkx opens her arms as DeLa scooted over, basically into her lap as she held her close. 

“That really means a lot to me Dink, and makes me feel better about all of this.. not completely, but knowing you’re here beside me really helps..” She starts tearing up again and sniffles. 

Jinkx smiles sympathetically before gently grabbing her face and kissing DeLa sweetly, not something they did often, this one felt different from others they’d had, but Jinkx liked the feeling, it was warmer, filled with love. Jinkx pulled away to rest her head against DeLa, surrounded by the darkness, looking at the lights.

[khodorkovskaya]

22.12.22

im so lost about what to do with B. so far my tactic has been not messaging him first and, if he messages me, i reply. but im not gonna initiate any kind of interaction myself. it's just weird how we've been texting back and forth every day for a month and he insisted on seeing me and then poof radio silence. im confused but i do admit that i have been feeling a lot better ever since he stopped messaging me.

i saw my bestie before she left to the airport and we talked about boys and gossiped and omg her ex left to live on a farm like that's so funny to me. and i brought up B and she said i should message him on the 1st of january like "new year, new me. let's leave our relationship in 2022 and start 2023 without old baggage". and idk, it did sound tempting at first bc i am a dramatic bitch and plus i think now id be able to write a better and more heartfelt letter than last time. but... what's the point? that's just gonna lead him on even more. id much rather just keep my distance and not interact with him unless there's a real necessity. sure, there's a lot to say about this whole situation and maybe it would be good for me to write this letter just for myself and my own self reflection, but is that really useful? it's just gonna make things worse and hurt B even more.

anyway, as ive said before, i haven't really had the time to unpack everything that's happened. i feel like i need to analyse our relationship/breakup to be able to move forward. bc it's been at the back of my mind for such a long time and i need my conscience to be fully clear to be able to move on. so yesterday before bed i thought about B and reread my old diary entries on here.

and it's just so... sad how bad our relationship was. i was unhappy for five long years and for what. there was not one moment with him when i felt content and satisfied. five long years of unhappiness and frustration. and even the few fun moments that we had together were always under the shadow of this inescapable doom. it's so tragic. it's so tragic how something you believed was a pillar of your existence and your reason to live and such an integral part of you life was just... a bad relationship. not like in an abusive sense or like he was a bad person. no. it was just a mediocre relationship between two incompatible individuals. and all those dreams and hopes and tears and frustrations were just... a bad relationship.

so many years it felt like it was my destiny. i believed that B was the only one for me, that the planets had aligned when we first met. that this was it, he was going to be there forever bc he was meant to be with me. that everything in our lives had synchronised in such a perfect way and the possibility of us not being together was non existent. i believed that if we hadn't met that one night at a club in january of 2017, it would've happened either way. we would've met another time, at another club or at a park or in another country or a different year. but we would've found each other regardless bc we were meant to be together. and this belief kept me going. it kept me hoping that i just have to wait a little bit and it will all be perfect one day bc it was supposed to. but in the end, it was just a bad relationship. nothing more, nothing less. there was no magic or destiny or synchronicity. we were just in love and then it didn't work out. and that's it.

and then i thought about B's proposition of getting back together and actively working on trying to make it work, now that we both realised that our relationship was a bad one. and i actually believe that he's capable of change, despite what everyone says. (whether i want to get back together with him is a different question. and for now the answer is a definite no. but im just saying that in theory i know that he can put a lot of effort into things and change.) and i thought about some happy moments that we had together. not like extraordinary moments, but just little things that i enjoyed and wish we could've done more.

i remembered that one time when we were chilling in bed together and he went on instagram that he never used back in the day. and we looked at funny pictures of alpacas together and it made me laugh a lot. this moment lasted for maybe like 10 minutes. but if i ask myself the question "what does a perfect relationship look like" i think it's full of moments like this. just goofing around, laughing together, chilling and not thinking about anything else. and we barely had any moments like this with B, that's why that memory of us looking at alpacas on instagram stands out to me so much. i thought about how, if we do get back together, we'd make sure to have many moments like this. just cuddling in bed together and laughing. and then we'd kiss through the laughter and id feel his smile on my lips and we'd have sex and feel warm and in love. i thought about this scenario and started to touch myself. but then i remembered that ive had this fantasy scenario for years but... it never happened. this basic bare minimum scenario of cuddling with your boyfriend and smiling and having sex while being a happy and carefree couple never happened. it never happened.

it made me cry so much bc how many of what i believed were happy relationship moments were ever real? was our "insane sexual chemistry" that he'd always bring up ever real? throughout the five years of our relationship i had never ever initiated sex bc i felt so awkward about it. and so many times i just wanted it to end. i reread the stuff i posted on here throughout the years and it's just "im insecure in the bedroom", "my bf wants sex but i don't" over and over and over again.

so what does that mean? we had that one sweet moment while looking at alpacas on instagram, we went one that one cute walk in summer of 2021 that i really loved, we had a great trip to sarajevo in 2019, that at the moment was overshadowed by him trying to start a business... and that's it. that's literally it. that's the complete list of all fulfilling moments of our 5 year relationship. and yet i believed that it was written in the stars and that he was oh so perfect for me. like what was this all for? it's so astronomically absurd! all this frustration and suffering and all this never-ending hope, like what the hell was that? like it's astonishing how unhappy i was and yet it lasted for so long.

anyway, this whole thing is bothering me so much. nothing is clear, im very confused. and i just want it to be over.

[fanilys]

Ordering from the TOBE Store + first time using EMS

I've made a post about my experience buying jpop stuff from CDJapan and DHL. I wanted to buy Number_i goods too but currently, they're only available on the TOBE official store which only ships through EMS. I wanted to share my experiences in case it might be helpful to fellow international fans (especially those from the PH like me) who are new to this kind of thing. Hopefully you can learn from my mistakes 😂

1st purchase: delivered straight to PH address

My first purchase included the GOAT standard edition and 1 photo. I would've gotten the limited editions as well, but they were already sold out. This was after the preorder period but about a month before the release date. I got a confirmation email after placing the order, and then nothing more until the package got shipped around a month later.

I received the shipment email with the tracking number a week after the release date. The tracking number couldn't be found on the shipping company's tracker provided on the email (Sagawa), but I was able to track the package on parcelsapp after a couple of hours or about a day after. This website shows the status of the package across all the services where it can be tracked. In my case, it was on Japan Post, PhlPost, EMS and Universal Postal Union.

One concern I had with EMS is that I wasn't sure whether they'll be delivering to my address or if I will have to pick it up at a post office. I also wasn't sure how much the additional fees were for receiving the package. I found this reddit thread that explained the process for EMS and it helped clear some things up for me.

A couple of days (less than a week) after I started tracking the package, the status updated to "Letter Courier enroute to delivery", which as the thread says, means that the package will be delivered to my address.

I was asked to pay 212 PHP before getting the package. I wasn't issued a reciept, but I didn't question it since it was also stated in the post. But upon reading other people's comments online and a lot of digging through PhlPost's pages, it seems that the correct amount, called the Presentation to Customs Charge (PTCC), is only 112 PHP for all EMS packages. I tried to contact PhlPost through email and messenger to confirm this, but never heard back from them.

In summary, I ordered the CD after the preorder period and got the shipment email about a week after the release date. It arrived at my address about a week after it was shipped.

2nd purchase: had it delivered to JP address but didn't get it in time, reshipped to PH instead

My second purchase was quite troublesome. I was going to stay in Tokyo and was hoping to just get my package there to lessen the shipping fee, and more importantly, to avoid PhlPost since I had issues with them.

I ordered the Numbering bundle after the release date, as well as 1 photo. I would've ordered more photos but again, the ones I wanted were sold out. The expected shipping dates for each item are indicated after you add them to cart. The bundle was to be shipped as soon as possible, while the photo was to be shipped after early June.

The place I was staying at allows packages to be sent to them as long as they meet certain conditions. I thought "after early June" meant that my package could be delivered during my stay (3rd week of June), so I placed my order around 2 weeks before my flight to Tokyo, and hoped for the best.

I was actually concerned that the package would arrive before I do, so I emailed the accomodation before placing the order to confirm if this was okay, and they promptly replied that it was fine. If I had known about this much earlier, I would've ordered everything, including the Ariake Arena concert goods, beforehand. Unfortunately, the presale period was already over that time.

While in the middle of my stay in Tokyo, I still hadn't received the shipment email. I sent an inquiry to TOBE store to ask if my order can be delivered before the end of the week and if I can cancel if it couldn't, since I won't be at the address anymore. I didn't say that I will be overseas by then.

They replied a few hours later, only saying that they can't change my shipping information since the package has already been prepared for shipping and that I should coordinate with the shipping company specified in the shipment email.

I was a bit confused since I still haven't received any shipment email at this point, but I didn't reply anymore and just hoped that I could still get the package before the end of my stay. Unfortunately, that didn't happen and I left Japan without receiving it.

I only received the shipment email a few days after my flight back home, around 4 weeks after placing the order. I contacted the shipping company (Yamato) immediately to cancel the delivery.

The next day, I saw on their tracker that the package was on the way to the delivery address. I still haven't heard back from them, but I contacted my accomodation to inform them to just disregard it, which they acknowledged right away.

After the delivery attempt, the status on the tracker said that it was under investigation. I waited for a few days, but neither Yamato or TOBE store contacted me.

I sent another inquiry to Yamato, this time asking if they can just forward it overseas. This time, they responded right away, saying they can't. They asked for the original delivery address (my accomodation) and processed returning to sender once I sent them the details. I contacted TOBE store again to inform them that the shipping company could not forward the package overseas, and asked if it was possible to get a refund instead.

They sent an email on Friday of that week, saying they will confirm the situation first. The package was returned to sender the following week based on the tracker. TOBE store emailed me within that day, confirming that they received it. They apologized for the refund request and asked for the updated address to resend the package instead.

I don't know what would've happened if I insisted on getting a refund. I just agreed and sent them the details needed since I felt like that was the fastest way to be done with this issue. I also updated my details on the store website as per their instruction.

They said that they would send the payment instructions for the additional shipping fee in mid-July or later, but I received it on Friday of that same week (1st week of July). There was nothing to pay yet, they only advised what I would need to do once I receive the actual email for payment.

The next week, I received the invoice for the additional shipping fee and paid it right away. Then I got the shipment email on Friday of that week (2nd week of July).

I tracked the package again on parcelsapp. It was the same as last time until the status updated to "Item for Customs examination" on Monday night of the following week. I was worried since I don't remember seeing this status last time.

My package didn't have anything out of the ordinary and was below 10,000 PHP, so there shouldn't be any problems. Thankfully, the status updated to "Returned from Customs" and "Letter Courier enroute to delivery" at around Tuesday noon. Seems like the status was updated late, though, since the timestamps say that it was already for delivery at around 9 AM, but I was frantically refreshing the tracker all morning and it didn't appear until around noon.

The package was delivered to my address a few hours later and I was asked to pay 212 again. I told the delivery person that EMS packages are 112 as per PhlPost, and they apologized and said they forgot that that was the fee for EMS. I think the PTCC depends on the type of package, so maybe it really was an honest mistake, or maybe it wasn't. I also wasn't issued a receipt again. In any case, I paid 112 this time and finally got my package after about a month since my stay in Tokyo, around 1 1/2 months since I placed the order.

To recap everything...

TOBE store ships via EMS and the package can be tracked on parcelsapp a few hours to a day after you get the shipment email. It may take a while from the time you purchase before the package actually gets shipped. The estimated shipping period for each item can be seen when you add them to cart, so take that into consideration if you wish to receive the package within a certain timeframe. If multiple items with different shipping times are checked out together, the package will be shipped based on the latest shipping time.

For any modifications (such as change in delivery details, request for cancellation or refund, etc), you will have to contact TOBE store. They may not always be able to accomodate to your request, but they were responsive to my inquiries and were able to have my package reshipped to PH after a failed delivery to the place I was staying at in Tokyo. For changes in orders within Japan, you can contact the delivery company indicated on the shipment email directly. Reshipments will incur another shipping fee.

For PH deliveries, when the tracking status updates to "Letter Courier enroute to delivery", that means the item will be delivered to the address you provided within that day. I've only used EMS twice and my packages were delivered to my address both times.

From what I've read, you may have to pick up the package from the post office yourself and pay additional taxes in certain cases, such as when the package: exceeds 10,000 PHP (including shipping fee), is too large, contains restricted or suspicious items, or contains more than 6 discs. I'm not sure if this information is still accurate or up to date, so it might be good to do more research online or try to contact PhlPost directly if you need more clarification. Though in my experience, they're not responsive to emails or on messenger. This reddit thread may also help explain how EMS works.

When the package arrives, the receiver will have to provide their name and signature. You will also have to pay 112 PHP for the Presentation to Customs Charge (PTCC). PTCC is only 112 PHP for EMS packages as stated on PhlPost's page. If you get charged more, you can inform/remind the delivery person that it's only 112 for EMS, or at least ask for a receipt if they insist on a higher price.

Opinions, other options I've looked at

The actual process from purchasing to delivery is quite simple overall, but for me there are a lot of factors that complicate it. Buying items overseas costs a lot, so I want to include all the products I want in one package to reduce the shipping fee. The problem is that some items may already be sold out by the time you're ready to order, so it can be hard to time it right.

Right now, there's no option to specify your preferred date of delivery. TOBE store will ship your order based on the timeframe stated on your cart.

Preorder items have an exact delivery date, but they will arrive after this date if you're outside Japan. When I ordered a CD after the preorder date but before the release date, it arrived around a week after the release date.

For other items, there is no exact delivery date stated. Some items can be shipped as soon as possible, while some items may just have a broad delivery date such as "will be shipped after early/mid/late July" or whatever month is indicated.

I ordered a package scheduled to be shipped "after early June". I thought it could be delivered within the 3rd week of June when I was staying in Tokyo, but it only got shipped on the 4th week. It was delivered the day after I got the shipment email, but I wasn't there to receive it anymore. I coordinated with the delivery company (Yamato) to return the package to sender, and then with TOBE store to have it reshipped to my PH address.

TOBE store currently only uses one delivery company for overseas orders, which uses EMS. EMS packages will go through the post office, which I personally think can be a bit of a risk in itself in the PH. To be fair, both my packages were delivered in good condition less than a week after I got the shipment email. But you will have to do some resrarch in order to make sure the delivery goes smoothly. I found it difficult to find a comprehensive and updated guide regarding overseas packages from PhlPost themselves, but a few helpful articles and reddit threads came up during my searches. It's helpful to know what you can, can't, or how much you can include in a package, as well as the corresponding fees when you receive the package. Sad to say, but some post office employees may try to scam you, so it would be good for you to have some knowledge about the process too.

Obviously, I ended up spending more than originally intended, but at least I know better now. If I have the chance to go to Japan again, I'll have a better idea on what to do and how to time my orders.

Maybe some time in the future, TOBE products will also be available in physical stores or other online stores that have other shipping methods. I think having different options can make it more convenient and enticing for fans to buy the goods they want. But it's times like this that I remember that TOBE is still a relatively new company even though their artists have been in the industry for a while.

There's also the option of using package forwarding services, where you can have multiple packages shipped to one JP address, which can then be combined and sent overseas as one package. Before you can start using the service, you will first be required to submit an ID or document to verify your identity. There are also additional fees depending on the specific website you use. I opted not to try it at this time since I didn't want to make things more complicated for myself, so I can't give any insight on how it works.

Right now, I'm just waiting on one more package. I decided to try CDJapan's proxy service for the first time and preordered the No.I album bundle though them. They will be the one to purchase it from TOBE store, then they will ship it to the customer's address after it arrives at their warehouse.

The advantage of this is being able to select other shipping methods, which can offer more flexibility for the customer. Of course, the downside is that there are additional fees per proxy item. Aside from the service itself, some shipping methods like DHL also recently started charging an additonal fee of 430 PHP for items below 10,000 PHP. This fee is currently not being charged for EMS packages. Proxy orders on CDJ also can't be cancelled or modified as stated on their terms. Despite all this, I thought to try it anyway just to see how it compares.

After that, I think I'll be taking a break from buying any more merch for now. Aside from the costs, constantly tracking the package and making sure it gets to you can also become stressful. I might just buy again if there are a lot of goods I really like and can order at one time, or if I'm able to go to Japan again and can plan it accordingly.

As much as I wish I could buy everything I want without a second thought, I'm not rich nor carefree enough to do that 😅 I'm still thankful though that I'm able to spend for these things at all, and I'm satisfied with the stuff I do have.

So yeah, if want to buy merch abroad then it's always good to know how it works, but I think the most important thing to remember is to be mindful of your purchases. I love Ni, but I really don't need to buy everything they put out. Spend according to your own budget and if you do choose to buy something, consider if it's really worth it to you. I've spent a good amount on merch and I don't regret my purchases, but I'm still mindful about how much I spend. This is a hobby after all, and being a fan is supposed to be an enjoyable experience. It's okay to not buy everything or anything for whatever reason.

Hope this post can be helpful. Thank you for reading, especially if you read through this entire thing!

[thriveonanonymity]

29. Goodbye. Part one of three.

Preface: The story before you is set in a world of magic; though it's users and the common folk prefer to refer to magical talent as "charms"

The sounds of rain fell heavy from the open balcony door. A trail of blood followed them both; Elias pulled his friend towards the hearth, sat him down and slid down the wall beside. His blade was still slick with red. There was a silence between them for several minutes. They didn't have much time, but neither man knew what to say. "Why?" Elias said. His friend's face looked pained, but not from the sword wound in his stomach, "You know why." "Do I?" Elias' voice was quiet, but unlike himself, it didn't sound serious and stern. He hadn't felt such intense guilt since the day of his father's death. "Oh, that- don't worry about that!" he tried to move up the wall, but settled back with a groan, "fuck... I knew you were good with a sword, but," "I didn't-" Elias stumbled for words, "I-" his hand clenched the hilt. "I know, I know. Sorry- shit!" he let out another groan and pushed his hand harder against the wound, as if trying all the lost blood back into his body, "Gh... I did it. I ordered you to do it. I didn't really want to tell you tha-" "But why-" "But why did you follow my order? Think about it. How many times have you seen people bend over backwards to do as I've told? You know how charming I can be," Remi laughed at his own pun, but the laugh quickly turned into a series of painful coughs, his voice creaky, "fuck..." There was a pause as Elias processed what was said and done. The rain fell as they sat in silence, the green cloak of Remi growing heavy with blood. His hand relaxed on his weapon, and his mind accelerated ten-fold. He thought back, remembering every time his friend gave an order, he remembered all the ways he phrased himself not to reciting his every word in perfect detail. He remembered- "Why did the frost not protect you? It did when I first... um," Elias paused, the situation still not fully realised within his mind. "Because you had no ill intent," and anticipating the question, "I haven't told you before, it wasn't relevant." "...You were always quite shifty about it," Elias smiled weakly. "Shifty?" the dead man smirked, "Where did you pick that one up?" "You," he retorted, a tone of loving annoyance in his voice. "Ah..." his eyes turned somber, "I'm- ...I'm sorry." They just sat there for a time. The blood on Elias' sword turned black, slowly, his mind blank. Their goal was achieved, the body of the man they had come to kill lied in the living room, but there was neither triumph nor satisfaction. They both knew there wouldn't be even when they go back; and just one of them didn't care about that.

part two!: next

Was that heavy? I hope so. Love writing shit out of context! I know it's not yet august in some parts of the world, including my part of the world, and also it's not 29th of august, but fuck it. I write when I feel like it in order I feel like writing and no one will ever stop me! Buhahaha!

This is part one of the part one of this scene, because tumblr is not allowing me to put all these wooooords into a single post. On the actual 1st of august I wrote the third part, it is easy to find via the linksss. This is also a repost; because the tags work weird when on the original post, which is a reblog of this challenge.

[finnegansundaysociety]

A Clean Treatment

Session 2

<<1ST | < PREV | NEXT >

this is a fanfic including my utmv oc Sanitizer!Sans and @stitchau's character Stitch. i fell in love with Stitch pretty much instantly, and Cleaner Sans is directly inspired by Stitch. i think they'd be good friends, Stitch cleaning up people's mental junk while Cleaner cleans up the rest! plus my boy needs therapy

fic under the cut!

Knock knock.

Cleaner fidgeted with the fabric of his cloth mask. He thought the last session ended fairly abruptly and felt stupid for interrogating Stitch like he did.

Why does it matter what Nightmare is doing in Treatment Space? That guy could really do with some therapy after all.

I didn't need to ask about it. I didn't need to clean everything. I didn't need to... come... here...

why did i polish the doorknobs...

why did i vacuum...

why didn't i answer his questions...

Cleaner's mind continued to race. He stepped back from the door and moved to leave.

Creeeeeeak.

Stitch opened the door, "Sani? I'm ready for you now." Stitch always had a smiling expression, but they seemed pleased to see Cleaner.

Cleaner calmed his breathing and went in.

The tick tock of the many clocks on the walls returned as soon as he crossed the threshold. It felt familiar, but still as uncomfortable as last week.

"Come in, come come." Stitch gestured to the couch. The couch and the chair were in the same position as last week. The rug was also still in the same position, slightly offset from the furniture to cover the stains.

Cleaner sat and looked around. He noticed the ordinarily pristine Treatment Space was even cleaner this time around. The books had likely been dusted minutes before Stitch opened the door. The rug hadn't been walked on since it was last vacuumed.

Oh... Not so clean.

There was a spot on the far edge of the couch.

Stitch sat, flipping through the pages on their clipboard. They clicked their pen three times, an amount that stuck out to Cleaner. It was inconsequential to click the pen three times. The first would activate the pen, the second would deactivate it, and the third would activate it again.

Why.. would they click it three times...?

....Why?

...........................Why?

"Sani?" Stitch asked, "I would appreciate if you could answer so I can better understand how to help you."

Cleaner squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head, "I'm sorry, what was the question?"

"Do you want to talk about your home and eating?"

Yes. Cleaner said.

No, he didn't say anything. He wanted to.

But he didn't.

.

"Sani?" Stitch asked.

That spot. On the couch.

.

That was all he could think about.

.

The answer was yes. Cleaner wanted to talk about eating. Cleaner wanted to trust Stitch.

.

That spot.

.

On the couch.

.

Stitch tilted his head, his smile and wide open eyes folding to make a concerned expression.

.

Stitch huffed, "I'll give you as much time as you need."

.

That spot.

.

On the couch.

.

Cleaner was sitting.

On the couch.

With the spot.

.

.

.

That.

.

Spot.

.

On.

.

The couch.

.

.

.

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.

"Is there anything I can do to make you more comfortable?" Stitch asked. thatspotonthecouch

. thatspotonthecouch

"Would you like a communication aid?" Stitch asked. thatspotonthecouch

. thatspotonthecouch

"Do you need water or food?" Stitch asked. thatspotonthecouch

. thatspotonthecouch

"Do you want to step out of the room?" Stitch asked. thatspotonthecouch

. thatspotonthecouch

. thatspotonthecouch

. thatspotonthecouch

Cleaner felt something grip his leg. It shook him from his stupor. He hadn't realized how fast his leg was bouncing up and down until Stitch grabbed it.

Stitch held Cleaner's gaze. Even though Stitch's eyes were nothing more than emotionless black circles and white pinpricks, Cleaner felt worry wafting off of Stitch.

"Let's step outside and you can tell me what's wrong."

Thank you for reading!!! i'm hoping to do at least a few more of these, getting into Cleaner's mind, his history, and maybe helping him out a little bit!

im really proud of how this one came out, i hope you guys like it as much as i do!