#and the braces I have to get cost at least like 5k

[disastergay]

sometimes I forget that my family will be forced to pay like, $55,467 out of pocket in order to fix a problem with my jaw that, if left unchecked, will permanently ruin my teeth

and this is because our insurance company decided said surgery is not essential to my survival

[kingofsummer93]

Pairing: Feysand Word Count: 5k CW: Tamlin Summary: Newly single, Feyre decides to crash at Mor's apartment while she's away on a European vacation. However, she quickly realizes that the next few weeks might not pan out exactly as she wants for two reasons: 1) Rhysand is there, and 2) the AC breaks. Will they be able to come out of it without falling in love killing each other? Or will they succumb to the heat?

This is part 3 of a collaborative fic written for the writing circle organized by @azrielshadowssing! Check out the masterlist to read the other fics!

Read it on Ao3

Part 1 written by @damedechance

Part 2 written by @hlizr50

Feyre hated the way her body reacted to his presence- the anxiety that rattled her nerves, the defensiveness in her stance, the excuses and apologies instinctively forming themselves on the tip of her tongue. Bracing herself for accusations and outright aggression. Or else, for subtle manipulation, ready to trip her up in a snare of lies and empty promises.

“What are you doing here?” Her voice was flat, devoid of any sort of emotion except for blatant disinterest. As if he were a mere stranger she’d bumped into on the street, and not the ex-fiance whose face she had hurled a ring at a week ago.

She could still feel the weight of that ring on her finger- the physical and symbolic weight of that gaudy monstrosity. Three carats, with a halo of smaller diamond around it, and even more diamond embedded into the band. A dream ring, for some, but the complete opposite of what she would have chosen for herself. Feyre had gaped at the sheer size of it, and then had balked as she tried to imagine the astronomical cost of a ring like that. She had tried not to think of what that money could have bought, other than a piece of jewelry. Actual, tangible things, useful things, like rent and food and security. Things that she had gone so long without.

But those were things that Tamlin had, of course, and therefore didn’t need to worry about. Throwing away an exorbitant amount of money on an engagement ring was not something he had to think twice about.

Feyre clenched her left hand in a fist, trying to dispel the memory of that ring that had started to to feel more like a shackle the longer she wore it. Tamlin caught the movement, his eyes dipping to her left hand. His brows creased in displeasure.

“I was hoping I’d find you here. I’ve been trying to call you, but you’ve been ignoring my messages.” His frown deepened, his tone laced with accusation.

Feyre resisted the urge to roll her eyes or sigh too deeply as she glanced at her phone. She’d been in such a rush that she hadn’t even checked her messages before running out the door. A quick scan of her messages and missed calls showed no less than ten text messages and eight calls from Tamlin, starting late last night. Last night, when she’d been…

Feyre cleared her throat, feeling a flush rise up her neck at the memory of her night with Rhys. She wondered if her expression looked guilty, and then mentally slapped herself. There was nothing for her to feel guilty about. She was free to do what she liked, with whoever she liked. And besides, she told herself, remembering the floral perfume on his shirts, the late nights at the “office”- if anyone should feel guilty, it was definitely not her. And she’d be willing that her ex-fiance didn’t feel a drop of guilt about what he’d done.

She quickly scrolled through his messages, her stomach clenching at the forced casualness she recognized even through text messages, that tone that demanded to know where she was and what she was doing.

I just want to talk.

Don’t you think you owe me that, at least?

Why are you ignoring me? Where have you been staying?

Her phone pinged, startling her so much that she almost dropped it to the pavement. An unknown number appeared on her screen, with three short messages:

Canceled my meetings for the rest of the day.

I simply can’t wait for my personal feast.

Don’t bother getting out of bed, darling.

Her burning flush intensified, sweat beading on her forehead and upper lip. At least she could blame it on the suffocating heat. She shoved the phone back in her pocket, shrugging as nonchalantly as she could, given the image Rhys’ message had conjured to her mind. If only she’d slept for another ten minutes, then she might have ditched work and stayed in bed. Or, as his note had suggested, waited for him on the table, which was the perfect height for him to kneel and…

“Sorry. I’ve been busy.”

Tamlin narrowed his eyes, that cold green gaze flicking back and forth from the phone in her pocket to her face. If they were still together he would have already demanded to see the phone by now, to see what (or, more specifically, who) had caused such a reaction.

“Who was that?” he asked, right on cue.

“That’s none of your business, Tamlin,” she replied, as calmly and evenly as she could.

Sweat was running down her back, she was getting cranky from this encounter, and she needed to get out of this goddamn heat.

“Why are you here?” she asked again, angling her body away from him. I am busy, the posture said. I have nothing to say to you.

Tamlin flinched, but rallied. “Can we go somewhere to talk?”

Feyre loosed a deep sigh. She would rather stand on this sweltering bit of pavement all day than go somewhere with him.

“Please?” he added, before she could say anything. The pleading in his tone gave her pause. That, and the word itself. Tamlin was so used to getting what he wanted out of life that please and thank you were mostly foreign concepts to him.

Tamlin took her surprise for hesitation and pounced for the kill. “I packed more clothes for you. The bag’s in my car.”

Feyre blinked in surprise. “What?”

Tamlin ran a hand through his blonde hair, looking almost embarrassed. “Well, I didn’t know how long you’d be staying here, but I figured, you know, you’d probably need more than a duffel bag’s worth of clothes eventually…”

There was a catch to it, of course, but Feyre softened slightly at the gesture. “Oh. Thanks. I was going to come around to get the rest with Mor, once she’s back from-“

“You’re staying here alone?”

Feyre looked away from that calculating gaze, hating herself for feeling guilty at the lie. “Yes.”

“Can we go up? I just want to talk, just for a few minutes.”

“No!” Feyre blurted. Tamlin’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “No, Tamlin. I don’t want to hear it, ok? Whatever excuses you’re about to spew at me-“

“No excuses! I just want to talk. Five minutes, and then I’ll get out of your hair.”

“Tamlin-”

“Five minutes, Feyre. Don’t you think you owe me that? After throwing your ring in my face and storming out?”

No. No, she didn’t, but Feyre felt a familiar twinge of anxiety at his tone. Carefully controlled, but balanced on a knife’s edge. Ready to tip over into anger at the barest push.

“Fine. Fine.” She threw up her hands, too hot and emotionally drained for a public fight. “Five minutes. But can we at least sit somewhere with AC? I’m about to faint.”

Tamlin’s shoulders sagged with relief. Feyre ignored it, along with the gleam of triumph in his eyes.

---

Rhys felt the condensation on the large iced coffees he was holding drip over his fingers as he stood in the shadows of the coffee shop across the street. His fingers clenched at the scene unfolding in front of his eyes, sending icy liquid spurting from the take-out cups. He had half a mind to march across the street, haul Feyre over his shoulder, and get her as far away from that dickhead as physically possible.

He watched, not quite willing to accept what he was seeing, as they reached a bright blue sports car (of course the asshole would have a car like that), got in, and drove away. Together.

Time seemed to slow down. For a whole minute he couldn’t bring himself to move. If he did then the world would resume its normal activity and he’d be forced to accept that what he had just seen had been real and not just a heat-induced fever dream.

Someone bumped into him on their way out of the store, and time sped up again. “Watch it,” he growled, glaring at the startled customer.

“Sorry!” a teenage girl squeaked, hurrying away from him.

Great. Now he was that asshole who picked fights with strangers on the street.

Rhys stalked to the nearest trash can and dumped out the two coffees unceremoniously. It was on autopilot that he made his feet take him back to Mor’s building, up the stifling stairs, and into her even more stifling apartment.

Moronic. He’d been moronic to think that he was finally getting his shot at the one that got away. For the past three years not a day had gone by where he hadn’t thought of that night on the beach.

Feisty, clever, sharp-tongued Feyre, with those eyes that burned into him as if she couldn’t decide whether to fuck him or punch him. He’d never get over that look.

It had been a huge mistake to pounce on her like that last night. She was fresh out of an engagement (or not, he remembered with a pang) and he’d pounced on her like some sex-starved animal. And beyond that, now that he had reminded himself of the taste of her, the feel of her, the sounds she made- he’d never be able to forget it.

It was punishment, Rhys figured, for letting her slip out of his grasp three years ago. If only fucking Amarantha hadn’t clung to him like some hyena during that entire work function. If only he’d shaken her off, if only he’d gotten Feyre’s number earlier and just fucking called her like a normal person.

And now she’d once again slipped out of reach. If she had ever been within reach, anyway.

She was probably already reuniting with Tamlin, letting him do all the things he had promised to do to her. He spotted the note he’d left her on the counter, the white stationary so innocent compared to the filthy things he’d written. The sight of it suddenly made him see red. He ripped it to shreds and dumped it into the trash without another thought.

It only took another minute for him to pack his clothes and leave the apartment. For a moment he hesitated at the top of the stairs, and then he turned back, fished his key out of his pocket, and left it under the mat.

---

Feyre was boiling. She was steaming, really, and not just from the heat, as she made the trek up the stairs to Mor’s apartment.

Asshole. What an absolute dickhead she’d almost married. Thank god- thank whatever god was up there watching her that she had dodged that bullet. Thank god she had found out about his infidelity when she had, and not after the wedding. She hated to think of what would have happened if she hadn’t. How long would she have suffered his manipulations, before having the courage to leave? If she ever got the courage, that is- if his control and subtle manipulations hadn’t brainwashed her into thinking that kind of relationship was normal.

A shiver ran down her spine, despite the suffocating heat of the stairwell.

The conversation had gone as poorly as she had suspected it would. Bullshit excuses dripping with condescension, essentially blaming her busy schedule for his infidelity. No matter that she always made sure to be home before him. No matter that she had had to explain why she wanted a career in the first place.

“Feyre,” he’d pleaded, as if talking to a small child, “you’ve made your point. We both need to do better. But you can come home now, I won’t hold it against you.”

In the end she had stormed out of the coffee shop and stood by his car until he had been forced to reluctantly hand over a gym bag full of clothes. At least he hadn’t lied about that.

By the time she reached the seventh floor landing she was panting and dripping with sweat. She wondered if Rhys was back yet, and if she’d have time to take a shower and change.

She shivered again, from anticipation this time, as she opened the front door and dumped her bag on the floor. A day in bed (or couch, or table) with Rhys was exactly what she needed to put this morning’s ugly encounter out of her mind. There would be other encounters, of course- she still had to go back and get the rest of her possessions from his apartment. But for today she’d settle for getting the whole ordeal fucked out of her brain.

“Rhys?”

The apartment was silent, and Feyre breathed a quick sigh of relief. From the amount of sweat she could feel dripping down her back, she doubted Rhys would enjoy the feast he’d planned if she didn’t shower first. She chucked off her sticky clothing on her way to the bathroom, almost tripping over her own feet as she struggled to peel off her jean shorts.

After the world’s quickest shower she wrapped a towel around herself and stared at her two duffel bags’ worth of clothing, currently dumped in a heap on Mor’s bed. What, exactly, did one wear for a marathon of sex? Mor would know, of course, but she would also demand to know who she was getting ready for. Feyre chuckled to herself at the thought. That conversation could wait, too.

She pawed through her shorts, tops, and workout clothes, all about as sexy as her sweaty jean shorts she’d dumped in the hall. Why couldn’t she have packed a sundress, or even a cute top?

After a brief hesitation she took out her phone and typed a lightning fast text to her sisters.

HELP

WHAT DOES ONE WEAR TO WAIT FOR A MAN TO COME HOME AND RAVISH THEM?

The answers arrived almost instantly.

Nesta: Who are you fucking?

Elain: Excuse me? Who are you sleeping with? Why haven’t you told us?

Nesta: But to answer your question, one wears nothing. It’s coming off anyway

Elain: Nesta!

Nesta: What? It’s true

Elain: At least a robe. A silky one though, not a terry cloth. OR a cute matching set

Nesta: Yes, that works too, actually. Preferably something strappy. Do you own any corsets?

Elain: Of course she doesn’t own any corsets, she’s an artist. Maybe a teddy, though?

Feyre choked on a laugh. She had no idea what a teddy was but there were certainly none in the jumble of clothing she had brought. Although…

She glanced at Mor’s dresser, where she knew for a fact her friend kept an impressive collection of lingerie. She wouldn’t mind.

Or else she’d just burn the garment and never tell her about it.

THANK YOU

Love you guys

Wish me luck!

Her phone kept buzzing as she rushed to Mor’s dresser. Her hands were shaking with nerves and excitement as she found Mor’s lingerie drawer and quickly looked through the contents.

Something occurred to her as she looked through the mess of lace and silk with growing uncertainty. Was it strange to borrow Mor’s lingerie to sleep with her cousin?

Feyre shut the drawer with a snap. Yes. Definitely strange. Which left her with…

She looked down at the towel wrapped around herself. Elain had said no terry-cloth, but this would have to do. After a quick swipe of gloss and a quick fluff of her hair she padded back towards the main room. She was glancing back and forth between the couch and the dining room table, debating the merits of both, when something caught her attention.

Or, more specifically, the lack of something. Rhys’ note was missing from where she had left it on the counter that morning. Feyre frowned. She clearly remembered leaving the note on the counter, thinking of how insufferable Rhys would be now that they were…doing whatever it was they were doing.

Something like dread was starting to coil itself in the pit of her stomach. Alarm bells were ringing, some bone-deep instinct she couldn’t explain. Something was wrong, but she couldn’t place what it was.

Until she pivoted on her feet and faced the hallway that led back towards the bedrooms. Rhys had left the door to the guest bedroom open all week, even at night, to her endless annoyance. She had no doubt it was his way of reminding her of his presence every time she walked by the spare bedroom. That door was now shut.

Her feet started moving on their own, until she was standing in front of that door. She knew, somehow, what she would find inside. What she wouldn’t find inside. Her heart was in her throat as she wrapped her still-shaking fingers around the handle, and pushed it open.

The bed was stripped, the open closet door showing nothing but boxes of holiday decorations and spare sheets. There were no dark suits hanging in the closet, no books on the nightstand, no dirty gym clothes in the hamper. Rhys had left.

There was a roaring in her ears as she stumbled out the room and slammed the door shut, as horrified as if she’d walked into a crime scene. Her breaths were coming in sharp, quick bursts, and to her horror she felt tears prickling behind her eyes.

He’d played her. Had played her so thoroughly that she had fallen for it, no questions asked. As if once hadn’t been enough. As if she hadn’t been broken enough the first time.

Her gaze snagged on the trash bins. There could still be an explanation, she told herself. Maybe he’d been called away on a business trip. Maybe there were problems with his renovations that he needed to attend to. Except…except that he had her phone number now, and he hadn’t texted her or left another note.

As she looked into the recycling bin all her made up explanations faded out of her mind. She stared at the note that could have changed it all, torn up into dozens of pieces, and her heart broke into just as many fragments.

---

The story ends when it was cold and it was winter and-

Six months.

One hundred eighty-two days.

Four thousand three hundred sixty eight minutes.

Two hundred sixty two thousand eighty seconds.

Feyre stared at the familiar door in front of her, trying not to think of precisely how much time had passed since The Incident. She’d been back to this apartment since then, of course, but now, standing here alone, the memories all came rushing back to her in a torrent.

The shredded note in the trash, her heart shattering into as many pieces. Staring at the text messages from the unknown contact, willing another message to appear, or for her phone to ring. Concocting excuse after excuse, the same way she had with Tamlin.

Thinking that it was her fault, somehow. It was always her fault.

How long had she spent spiraling into dark thoughts, blaming herself, until finally accepting that Rhys wasn’t coming back, that he wasn’t going to text or call her? That it was over, once again, before it could begin? How many times had she typed out a message, her finger hovering over the send button? She didn’t remember, and she didn’t care to.

Did you have to go back to work? had been the first, pathetic one.

Did you get hit by a bus?? had been an attempt at humor.

And it had spiraled, accusations and insults and verbal diarrhea.

YOU ABSOLUTE PRICK, she’d written, about a dozen times. You are the worst person I’ve ever met and I never want to see you again.

But of course she had never pressed send. Because doing so would be acknowledging what he had done, and how thoroughly, how effortlessly he had hurt her. In the end she had eventually deleted that number and the incriminating text message along with it. Some weight had lifted off her shoulders when the message disappeared from her phone, even as she struggled to contain her tears. Tears of anger- at him, but also at herself, for letting him swoop through her defenses and leave her high and dry without so much as a thank you. For the second time.

Feyre squared her shoulders, shaking the memory out of her mind. She wouldn’t let her mind go down that road again. Not now that her life was finally falling into pieces- a feat that she had only herself to thank for, and not a boyfriend or fiance.

After she had finished her first few pieces for Mor’s office there had come a torrent of inquiries, all practically begging her for a chance to commission her for pieces. She had become so busy that she’d even had to turn down work lately. Feyre still couldn’t believe it- that this was her job, that people were actually paying her to do this. Sometimes, when she received a new email from a prospective client, she had to pinch herself to remind herself that this was her life.

Her loft downtown might not be as luxurious as Mor’s, but it was hers. It was her name on the lease, when stuff broke she had to figure it out. There was something liberating about not taking care of others, or being taken care of, but simply taking care of herself.

She would never forget that it had been Mor who had given her that first boost, and who had helped put her back together last summer. It had been Mor who had stood by her side when she had gone to pick her stuff from Tamlin’s, and it had been Mor who had cradled her like an infant every time she had fallen to pieces in the weeks she had crashed at her place.

A familiar pang of guilt twisted itself in her gut at the memory. She had never admitted to her best friend what had happened between her and her cousin. It was easier to blame her broken heart on her ex-fiance than on a one-night stand (two-night stand?) who had never made her any promises anyway.

Which was why, when Mor had asked her to take care of her new kitten while she went on a business trip, she couldn’t very well say no.

Just one week, she told herself. Just one week in a luxurious apartment with a kitten. Get a grip.

With that she stuck her key in the lock and walked into the apartment. The scent of Mor’s favorite air freshener hit her first- curtsy and fresh, almost salty. Like a tall glass of lemonade sipped by the seaside.

And then- a high pitched mewling, followed by a ball of fur careening its way towards her. Feyre let out a choked squeal, dumping her bag to the floor and dropping to her knees as the kitten raced towards her.

“Hi, Lanthys,” she crooned, wincing as the kitten’s sharp, tiny claws dug through her leggings as he pawed at her in excitement. “Calm down, you little monster!”

Feyre cradled the ball of fur, laughing as he licked her nose with his tiny pink tongue. He was purring so loudly and excitedly that she could feel the vibration against her chest. Maybe she should get a kitten. Or a puppy. It sounded like the perfect relationship, actually- they didn’t expect anything other than cuddles, food, and daily walks, and reciprocated with their unending love and loyalty. Much better than a boyfriend, really, they didn’t even talk back.

As if to prove her wrong, Lanthys dug his razor-sharp claws into her jacket, piercing clean through the fabric. “You little devil! Watch it, or I’m going to start calling you Prick…”

A choked sound that definitely did not come from Lanthys made her freeze. Even the kitten seemed to go still in her arms. There was someone else in the apartment. She had probably been too lost in her own thoughts to realize.

As if in slow motion, she lifted her head. She already knew, somehow, who she’d see. Some instinct, perhaps. Some ancient, protective reflex.

She didn’t want to look, but her head moved of its own accord, and there he was, sitting on the couch. As impeccably dressed and handsome as ever, his startling eyes wide as he stared at her. He seemed to also be frozen, halfway between sitting and standing, as if he hadn’t been able to make up his mind.

No. No, no no. She was making this up, this was her mind making up stories, this was-

She didn’t know how much time passed as they stared at each other, frozen in place, Feyre crouching on the ground, Rhys hovering near the couch. Feyre’s hands tightened around the kitten, and Lanthys hissed, digging his claws into her. She let him go with a gasp, and time sped up again. Lanthys wriggled out of her grasp, disappearing into the shadows.

Feyre stood up slowly, her gaze locked on Rhys. She wished her heart wasn’t racing the way it was- she wished the sight of him didn’t awaken something in her the way it did.

Rhys settled back on the couch, seemingly able to master himself faster than she could. “Hello, Feyre darling,” he drawled.

Feyre choked out a laugh. “Darling? You-” She took a breath, unzipping her parka and dumping it to the floor. She was already sweating. “What are you doing here?”

Rhys stood up slowly, as if he was afraid of approaching her. “Mor asked me to look after Lanthys.”

She opened her mouth to retort, and then thought better of it. It couldn’t be a coincidence. Mor would have known. She had done this, she had set this up, not knowing what had happened last summer. Feyre didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

“You can stay,” she said flatly. “I’ll go.”

“Wait!” The strain in his voice made her pause. “Please. I’ll go, you stay, I-” He ran a hand through his hair, so unlike the usual calm, cool, and collected Rhys she knew that it caught her off guard.

“I’ll go,” he said, defeatedly. “Stay. Enjoy the apartment.”

He hurried towards the bedrooms, and Feyre stood, mutely, watching him. Emotions and memories were warring in her mind- Rhys picking her up and bringing her to bed, finding his note on the counter. Lies, she reminded herself. All lies, to rope her into sleeping with him and making her think it would lead to something more.

Rhys rushed out of the spare bedroom, gym bag slung over his shoulder, and when his eyes met hers Feyre couldn’t breathe. That blue gaze dipped, and he frowned.

“Where’s your ring?” he asked

Feyre sputtered, almost choking. “My what?”

“Your ring,” he repeated, his brows furrowing irritably.

It took a long time for Feyre’s mind to catch up to the present. Once it did, she looked at her left hand curiously, almost as if she'd find a ring there.

“What ring?” she asked, very slowly. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

Rhys’ jaw clenched. “Your ring,” he repeated, lips curving into a sneer. “When’s the wedding?”

For a moment she could only gape at him mutely, her mind still catching up to his words. “What the fuck are you talking about?” she demanded. “I broke up with Tamlin in July. You were here. You were…” Her voice broke. “You were here, you absolute asshole!“

But Rhys was moving, and she barely had time to register what was happening as he dumped his bag on the ground and stalked across the apartment towards her.

“What are you-“

She couldn’t breathe as Rhys rushed towards her, and then his hands were on her, lifting her up and pressing her against the wall.

“Put me down, you fucking-“

“What did you say?”

She smacked him on the chest, trying to wriggle out of his grasp. “Put. Me. Down.”

Rhys chuckled, his voice so low and hoarse that goosebumps erupted on her skin. “I saw you.”

Feyre was having difficulty breathing. He was so close that all she’d have to do is lean forward an inch and then his lips would on hers. “You saw me when?”

He swallowed thickly, his throat bobbing. “Last summer. I saw you get into his car. You went with him. I thought-“

The pieces clicked into place, and Feyre gaped at him. “You thought I was getting back together with Tamlin?” Meanwhile she’d been here, wrapped in a towel, waiting for him to come back. It was so absurd that she closed her eyes and laughed.

When she opened her eyes again Rhys was staring at her, an unreadable expression in his blue eyes. “I waited for you.” It came out as more of an accusation than she had meant it to, and he flinched as if she had hit him. “I came back here and waited for you in a fucking towel.”

Slowly, as if he couldn’t quite believe what he was hearing, his lips curved into a grin, amusement shining in his eyes like stars. “My own personal feast,” he whispered.

Feyre smacked him again, even as his words made her shiver. “Why didn’t you call? Do you have any idea how long I waited for you to just call me?”

“I’m sorry.” He dipped his nose towards her neck, his breathing ragged. “I’m so fucking sorry.”

“Why didn’t you call?” she asked again, her voice small.

Rhys lifted his head, all traces of amusement gone. “Because I thought I’d just lost you for the second time.”

Feyre’s hands clenched around his shirt. “For the second time?”

“I’m not making that mistake again,” he declared, voice ragged. He leaned in closer still, as if to prove his point, resting his forehead against hers. “I’m going to put you down on that table, and then I’m going to have that feast I planned. And then I'm never letting you go again.”

Feyre shivered as his words set her blood on fire. She was sweating- from the heat radiating off him, from the sheer presence of him.

“I need you to say yes, Feyre darling.”

She rolled her eyes. “Why are you so annoying?”

He grinned again, eyes shining with pure, wicked delight. “Is that a yes?”

“Yes, you prick!” She needed him to shut the hell up and kiss her, but from the way he was grinning at her she had a feeling he was planning on taking his sweet time.

“Yes,” he agreed, as if he had read her mind.

His gaze dipped to her mouth and he licked his lips, slowly. Feyre bit back a groan.

Finally, finally, he angled his head, his eyelids drooping closed. And then- a vague, mechanical noise from somewhere in the apartment. Rhys froze, his lips a hair’s breadth away from hers.

“What was that?”

“I think,” he said, very slowly, “that the heating just went out.”

“Oh, you’ve got to be fucking kidding me!”

[pitviperofdoom]

Me: I’ve got some time and motivation on my hands! Maybe I should work on one of my immediate projects, like putting the finishing touches on my RQBB piece, or making some headway on my TMA BB piece, or editing the next chapter of the DND AU...

Me: *writes a 5k opener for an au that’s basically The Owl House*

------

“Again.”

Jon held still and kept his eyes shut. Everything ached, his head most of all; the slightest movement sent lightning bolts of pain through his skull. Even now it throbbed like a quiet threat behind his closed eyes.

“Get up, Jon.”

He couldn’t. He was done. Wasn’t that obvious?

“I don’t have time to indulge you. I know you can do more. Now get up.”

He couldn’t.

“Open your eyes, Jonathan.”

That was a simpler request, at least. He could do that much, couldn’t he? He could open his eyes. It barely counted as moving.

Dutifully, Jon forced his eyelids apart. Punishment was swift; this time the pain was so intense that he couldn’t even scream, only curl up tighter on the floor with a strangled whimper. The polished tiles were cold against his face, but they did little to soothe the ache. Warm liquid trickled from his closed eyes; when had he started crying?

Across the room, Jonah sighed. “Already? We’ve barely scratched the surface, Jon. I expected another hour from you, at minimum.” Footsteps echoed against the floor, and Jon tensed in spite of the pain, but the hands that picked him up were gentle. “Come now. Our work is too important for me to indulge you like this. For Titan’s sake, your endurance was better when you were a mere child.”

Jon kept his eyes shut, and hated the part of himself that wanted to curl up again, apologize, and promise to do better. The ache was beginning to recede, just barely, but he kept his eyes shut. If he opened them too soon, then Jonah would take it as a sign that he wasn’t as tired as he behaved.

“Can you make your own way back?” Jonah asked, steadying him by the shoulders. “Or do you need help?”

Jon’s blood ran cold. That was a dangerous question. If he chose to go under his own power, then Jonah might change his mind about letting him stop. But he didn’t want help. His limbs felt like wet clay, and there wasn’t a single muscle in his body that didn’t hurt, but at least they were still his.

“I—” HIs voice cracked in his dry throat. “I can—I can make my own way. Th-thank you, Jonah.” He held his breath.

After far too long for comfort, Jonah sighed again, heavy with disappointment. “Alright, Jon. Get some rest. We’ll do better in the morning.”

“Yes, Jonah,” Jon replied, faint with relief, and waited.

He was met with silence.

“Have you changed your mind?” Jonah said, after a moment. “If you’d like to continue…”

“No,” Jon replied. “No, I’m—thank you. For letting me stop. Just…” He held his hands out in a blind plea. “It’s my eyes, so I need…”

“Ah, of course, how could it have slipped my mind?” He heard a faint rustle from Jonah’s robe, before warm, smooth wood was pressed into his waiting hands. Jon swallowed another sob of relief. “There you are, then.”

“Thank you,” Jon repeated, and turned toward where he hoped the exit was.

The shape in his hands shifted. Smooth wood became downy softness, before the feeling left his hands and landed gently against his face. Soft wings brushed his cheeks, tiny legs grasped the bridge of his nose, and the world returned to him.

He hadn’t opened his eyes, but he could see the room once more: the library’s main room, a vast space where he and Jonah did most of their work. He could see Jonah as well, watching him with the weary patience of a parent indulging a child’s tantrum.

Jon looked away, muttered his thanks again, and limped out of the room.

Even with a closed door between them, the weight of Jonah’s scrutiny never left. Not helping the matter was the wallpaper that, currently, was openly tracking his progress through the countless eyes hidden in the intricate pattern.

That was the downside to navigating with these eyes; when he used his own, he couldn’t see the Beholding that soaked every nook and cranny of the manor. At least then he could pretend that closed doors and distance meant something.

It was a long way from the research wing to his quarters—their quarters—and Jon had to pause several times for a moment’s rest. By the time he reached the last flight of stairs, he was shaking from exhaustion, and strongly considering the benefits of simply curling up in a corner of the hallway and falling asleep on the floor. Jonah certainly kept the carpets plush enough.

His borrowed vision went hazy for a moment, and soft wings beat gently against his face. Jon braced himself against the wall as another powerful headache washed over him, closed eyes be damned. His face was wet with tears again.

“Alright,” he murmured. “Alright. Just a bit farther.”

The mask of wings left his face in a sudden flurry of beating, leaving him blind again. Jon bit back a cry of alarm and stayed where he was, leaning against the wall. He wouldn’t leave—surely he wouldn’t. He’d be back. Maybe he was just…

Before he could work himself into a proper panic, he heard the door at the top of the stairs creak open. Familiar footsteps came tumbling down the steps.

“Fuck, Jon,” a familiar, wonderfully welcome voice breathed out, and Gerry caught him before he could fall.

Jon made the rest of the journey leaning heavily against him, blind and trusting. He could feel gentle puffs of air against his face, fluttering wings that didn’t quite touch, and smiled gratefully.

Eventually Gerry deposited him in a chair and went to retrieve something—from the potions stand, going by the clatter of glass vials. Less than a minute later, one of them was pressed into his hand.

“Here. Need help drinking?”

Jon shook his head. “I can manage. Thanks.” He downed the potion and was rewarded by a receding headache. His eyelids were so sticky that he had to massage them open, and his vision came back in blurry patches, one piece of the room at a time: A single table and chair by the kitchenette. Two beds shoved together in the far corner. The sparsest alchemy array on the Isles. Gerry's face, watching him with open concern.

"Do you know how much you lost?" Gerry asked.

"What?"

Gerry gestured to his face, and Jon mirrored the motion until he found rough, sticky stains streaked down his face. He was confused until some of it crumbled off at his touch, and he looked down to find flecks of congealed blood clinging to his fingertips. "That's probably not good."

"Yeah, Jon," Gerry sighed, short and forceful with held back anger. "Probably isn't." He moved off to the kitchenette, and returned moments later with a damp towel.

Jon cleaned his face, sighing in relief at the coolness against the lingering ache. He put the now-soiled towel aside, eyes finally clear, and caught the briefest glimpse of amber eye spots on coppery wings before their owner alighted gently on the side of his head.

"Yes, of course," he said, reaching up to stroke one of the moth's large downy wings. His familiar nuzzled his finger in return. "Thank you, Atlas."

"He alright?" Gerry asked grimly, already checking the moth for any sign of damage.

"Jonah had him for the entire session," Jon replied. "No overt threats today, he just… didn't let him go until we were finished. So. Could be worse."

"Could be a lot better," Gerry muttered.

It will be, he carefully didn't say. Soon, it will be.

It wasn't safe to talk like that. Not here. Not yet.

After Gerry coaxed food into him, Jon crawled beneath the covers and curled up as small as he could manage. Patched and mended blankets didn’t offer any more protection than the walls of this place, but huddling in the dark made it easier to pretend that Jonah couldn’t see him here. It was the only way he could make himself sleep, these days.

When he awoke to Gerry’s gentle shaking, Jon found that he hadn’t moved so much as a finger in his sleep.

Without a word, he slipped out from under the blanket. The light in their quarters was dimming as twilight approached. Gerry barely glanced up from the book he was reading at the table as Jon shuffled to the kitchenette and the kettle.

Casting the spell was a simple matter of well-practiced sleight of hand, disguised beneath mundane activities. One spell circle traced idly by Gerry’s finger against the page as he turned it, the other drawn in the air as Jon waved away the steam. They never did it the same way twice, nor with any regularity by day or week or month. If it became a pattern, then Jonah might catch it.

The spell slipped into place smoothly, with none of the clumsy ripples of their earliest attempts, and Jon let out a shaky sigh. They had to assume that Jonah was always watching—but now, if he was, all he would see was Gerry reading at the table, and Jon drinking tea at the kitchenette. It was a routine they had set long ago. It was exactly what Jonah would expect to see.

Titan willing, it would be enough. They couldn’t afford to slip up now.

“It’s almost ready,” Gerry assured him. “Everything’s in place. All we have to do is wait for the moon’s alignment to power it.”

Jon ran his hand absently over his arm, scratching at the pockmark scars that dotted his skin. Some of the ingredients had cost them dearly to procure. They likely wouldn’t get another chance on any of them.

When he looked at Gerry again, his friend was watching him with something indescribably soft in his face. “It’ll work, Jon.”

“And if we’re caught?” Jon blurted. “We can’t hide this ritual behind false visions. He’ll sense it no matter what his eyes tell him.”

“Once it’s cast, it won’t matter,” Gerry said with grim satisfaction. “We’ll have our out. And where it leads, Jonah won’t have any of the power he does here.”

Jon took a deep, shaky breath, and nodded. His hands curled and uncurled at his sides, nails digging deep into his palms.

Gerry’s eyes never left him. “What’s on your mind?”

Swallowing against the thickness in his throat, Jon struggled to find an answer. “Is it—is it wrong that I’m afraid?”

“Jon, no—”

“I didn’t want to be here,” Jon went on. “I never wanted—ever since I came here, I’ve wanted to leave. And now we finally have a chance. Why am I afraid?” Gerry opened his mouth like he was about to reply, but Jon couldn’t have stopped himself if he tried. “It’s not like I’m safe here. Today wasn’t even that bad, compared to… it wasn't that bad.” A bitter, ragged laugh tore itself from his throat. "He pushed me until I bled from my eyes, and he was happy to keep pushing, and all I can think is it wasn't that bad. Why am I afraid to leave?" His voice trailed off. Atlas’s wings fluttered against his head, mirroring his agitation.

Instead of answering, Gerry held out his arms. Jon walked into them without hesitation.

“You were a kid.” With his head on Gerry’s shoulder, his hand to his heart, and Gerry’s arms holding him close, Jon felt surrounded by his friend’s voice.

“I was nearly eighteen,” Jon protested. “Hardly a child.”

“I’m just saying, you’ve been here too long not to be scared of what’s out there,” Gerry reminded him. “And it’s not like we’re escaping out the front door. We don’t really know what we’ll find on the other side.”

Jon’s hand curled into a fist against Gerry’s chest, and his other arm tightened around him. If they did this right, then their exit strategy would dump them into an entirely new world, of which Jon had only ever read old books or heard second and third-hand stories. A fresh wave of apprehension seized him.

Not for the first time, he let himself be desperately, pathetically grateful that he wasn’t doing this alone.

“Can you keep it together?” Gerry asked, still quietly gentle. “I just—I know you’re scared. I’m scared too. But I can’t do this alone. This is a two-person job at least, and—”

“Of course.” Reluctantly, Jon pulled back to look him in the eye. “I’m not going to give up at the last moment. You can rely on me.”

Gerry smiled. That was a rare thing, these days. All the more reason not to lose his nerve. Once they got out, Jon was going to spend the rest of their lives giving Gerry every reason to keep doing it.

“I know,” Gerry replied. “Now come on. Let’s finish prepping before we run out of twilight.”

***

“You know,” Gerry whispered late at night, as Jon settled himself into the curve of his body. “By the time I left home, I’d passed up five chances to escape.”

Jon listened in silence. He was never quite sure what to say when Gerry talked about how he grew up. Nothing felt like the right thing to say. Luckily, Gerry never seemed to expect him to say anything at all.

“Those are just the ones I was looking out for, at the time,” Gerry went on. “Couldn’t tell you how many I just didn’t see.”

“You were a kid,” Jon murmured back.

Gerry scoffed into Jon’s hair, and Jon smiled. “Don’t you turn my words back on me. How dare you.” A moment later, “But… you’re not wrong. I was a kid. She was all I knew. I didn’t know who I was without her.”

Safely out of Gerry’s line of vision, Jon allowed himself a thoughtful frown. It was different for him, wasn’t it? Gerry had been born his mother’s son, but Jon had been someone before he was Jonah’s… whatever he was. Student, research assistant, test subject, prisoner.

Before, he’d been the son of parents he barely remembered. He’d been the grandson of a woman who did her best until he drove her to give up on him, and a coven leader came to her with a kind smile and a promise to take away her burden. And now…

And now he wasn’t any of that. Because there wasn’t anything for him to go back to. The only way out was forward, into the unknown.

“I figured it out in the end,” Gerry told him. “You will too. I know you will.”

“I might need help with that,” Jon admitted. “I could use your expertise.”

A soft huff of laughter jostled him. “I’m gonna be in the same boat as you, you know? I’ve never been to the human world.”

“You still know more about it than me,” Jon pointed out.

Gerry was quiet for a moment. “He didn’t tell you anything?” he asked eventually. “It didn’t take much to get him talking, when I was running around with him.”

“Only a few things. His family, his brother, some of his favorite foods. It was all we had time for before we parted ways.”

“Ah, that’s a shame,” Gerry sighed. “The human world sounds amazing—if even half the things he told me about were even real.”

Jon laughed softly. “I know what you mean. Can you imagine someone actually swimming in the ocean? It would strip the flesh clean off your bones.”

“Not if the water’s cold and non-corrosive. Which it apparently is. People swim in the ocean all the time. It’s a thing. They take their kids and everything.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it.” Jon stifled a yawn.

“It was weird, you know?” Gerry went on. “The things he’d talk about like they were nothing. Sometimes he’d say just the wildest thing, and he’d look at me like I was crazy when I didn’t know what the hell he was talking about.”

“Like what?”

“Hmm… trying to think of one I haven’t told you before…” Gerry hesitated. “Did I tell you about how mornings in the human realm just… make water?”

“You mentioned something about the rainwater being cold,” Jon replied.

“No no, this is different. Titan, how did he explain it…” Gerry hummed thoughtfully. “Something about how, when it’s cold enough, everything’s covered in little droplets of water in the morning. The air just… does that. Makes water out of nothing.”

“I’m sure there’s more to it than that.”

“Can’t remember,” Gerry admitted. “He showed me a picture, though. Water droplets on a spiderweb. Looked like tiny little diamonds. Dunno what kind of face I was making, but he laughed at me.”

“Rude,” Jon murmured.

“Still not sure I believe it.”

“Maybe we’ll see it for ourselves. One day.” One day very, very soon.

Gerry’s only reply was to run gentle fingers through Jon’s hair, again and again, until Jon finally fell asleep.

***

The moon sat at its apex, round and bright and wreathed in blue fire that seemed to dim the stars around it. It was the first thing Jon saw when Gerry gently shook him awake.

He stirred, wincing when his movements jarred his injuries. Most of the day had been devoted to Jonah’s experiments, and Jon had fresh wounds to prove it. The burns on his face would heal without scarring, but his right hand was still wrapped in liniment-soaked bandages. Jon avoided putting any weight on it as he rose to a sitting position and pushed back the blanket. The sight of the moon, burning brightly in celestial alignment, chased away any lingering weariness.

They cast their usual cloaking spell with less caution than usual. It was only a stopgap measure at best, a few minutes’ safety to get everything in place. The table, chair, and alchemy set were pushed aside to clear the floor. With steadier hands—Jonah had been focused on Jon today, leaving Gerry a day of respite—Gerry borrowed Jon’s staff to draw the circle. Atlas alighted on his place at the top of the staff, colors fading as he shifted back into wood, and the symbols glowed brighter. Jon fetched each component from their hiding places around the room, and began laying them out amid the lines that Gerry was tracing.

They worked quickly, not speaking, barely breathing. For all their planning, there had been no time to practice. They would get only one chance, and no more.

And so, there was no time or opportunity to brace themselves before Gerry drew the last line, and Jon poured the last drop of Titan blood, and the circle caught the moonfire blazing through the open window.

The spell ignited, and the sheer force of clashing power nearly knocked them both off their feet. Their flimsy cloaking spell shattered, exposing them to Jonah’s sight, but it was far too late to turn back.

Jon had barely regained his footing when his own magic, coursing through the spell circle alongside Gerry’s, was caught in the moonlight’s amplifying effect. For a single, glorious moment, for the first time in years, Jon felt magic—wild magic, covenless magic—coursing through him. He smelled fire and earth and sea air, felt wind against his face, sensed the distant light of stars above them, tasted blood in the back of his throat as drumbeats pounded in his ears. Every sensation rushed him at once, melding together into a storm of color and music. It was the most beautiful thing he had ever felt.

And then the coven brand on his arm blazed, burning away the storm until only the Beholding remained.

It seized him mercilessly, knowledge clamoring its way into his head all at once. It was a confusing mess, so many sights and sounds and thoughts that he couldn’t have picked out a single one among them. But in the end he adjusted, the stream became more focused, and his mind was his own once more.

At the center of the circle, a seam formed in the fabric of the world. It split neatly down the length of it, opening wide into a ragged doorway.

Jon’s heart leapt. They had been planning this for years, researching in secret, sneaking and lying and stealing to get the components together, and yet—only now did he realize that he had never expected it to actually work. The fact that it had, that freedom lay only a few steps from where he stood, was as exhilarating as it was terrifying.

Jonah was on his way, he realized absently. It wasn’t just the inevitability of it; even without his focus on the river of knowledge flowing through him, he couldn’t help but catch a few drops. One of them showed their captor flying up the stairs toward their quarters, wild-eyed and intent.

“Gerry,” he said. “We have to—”

Another scrap of knowledge slipped into his mind, like a dagger between his ribs.

“Jon?” Gerry’s voice sounded far away. Everything was suddenly muffled, even the portal. Even the Beholding, swollen with moonlight, felt far away. The whole world was contained in a single, inescapable truth.

“We can’t.” The words slipped from Jon’s mouth. His hand closed on Gerry’s arm. “Gerry, we can’t.”

“Jon, let go, the portal’s right—”

“It won’t work.” Jon squeezed his arm. “It won’t—there’s not enough power. It’s not stable enough for both of us. As soon as one of us goes through, the spell will fall apart and the portal will close. It won’t work.”

Gerry stared back at him, face suffused with dismay.

Dismay, but not surprise.

Jon’s heart sank like a stone in mud. “You knew.”

“Jon, there’s no time for this, now let go—” He was pulling away, prying Jon’s fingers from his arm, and the portal was within his reach, and Jonah was so close to their door.

“You knew,” he repeated. “How long have you known? How long have you been lying?”

“I had no choice!” Gerry shouted over the crackling, ringing din of the spell. “There was no other way! What was I supposed to do, sit here while both of us wasted away? What other chance was either of us going to get?”

The worst part was, Jon couldn’t bring himself to be surprised, or even all that angry, really. Of course this was going to happen. It was simply the culmination of his entire life, thus far. His parents, his old friends, his grandmother—and now Gerry.

Maybe it was just his lot to be left behind.

Across the room, the door rattled. Jonah called to them from the other side. Jon barely heard either.

“I…” His throat grew thick. “I understand.”

“Jon, I’m sorry,” Gerry said desperately. “I wish there was another way.”

“No, I—” He really shouldn’t be crying. This was a happy thing, after all. Gerry was going to be free. “At least—even if it’s just one of us—”

Gerry smiled through his own tears. “I’m really gonna miss you,” he said.

“It’s not fair,” Jon blurted out. “We were supposed to go together. We were supposed to see it together!”

“When has any of this ever been fair?”

Tears gathered in his eyes until Jon blinked them away. His last sight of Gerry should be a clear one. “Please don’t forget me.”

The door rattled again, and Gerry choked back a sob. “Fuck. I could never. You’re not the sort of person anyone just forgets.”

Before Jon could reply, Gerry lunged forward. Not toward the portal, not toward freedom, but to Jon. The kiss was fast and clumsy with desperation, but the hands against the sides of his face were ruthlessly gentle.

“I love you,” Gerry whispered. “Don’t look back.”

Jon blinked back his tears, confusion cutting through the grief. “What?”

Gerry curled Jon’s hands around the staff and threw him into the portal.

He fell through the riot of color and music, too shocked to scream as the image of Gerry shattered into pieces above him. The light winked out, and Jon fell into the emptiness alone.

***

Jon landed hard, though not nearly hard enough for how long he must have been falling.

He lay in darkness and silence, wheezing softly as he regained his breath, gripping his staff until his fingers went numb and his injured hand screamed in protest. The air was cold and smelled stale. The light show from the portal was gone, but he could still feel its power humming beneath his skin, threatening to burst free.

After a while, Jon gathered himself enough to roll over. The floor felt like stone beneath his hands, relatively smooth but unpolished. With a grunt of effort, Jon planted his staff on the ground and pulled himself to his feet. It was too dark to see well when he opened his eyes, so he felt along the length of the staff until he found the shape of wooden moth wings at the end.

“Atlas?” His voice rasped in his chest. The wood turned to soft chitin, and Atlas took off from the head of the staff to flutter in frantic circles around his head, buffeting him gently when he flew too close. “Yes, yes—it’s alright. We’re alright.”

Atlas landed on his shoulder, and Jon’s eyes adjusted.

Was this the human world? For all he knew, the portal might have simply dropped him elsewhere in the demon realm. He was in a room, possibly a basement, judging by the clutter. Boxes sat in stacks and piles, some of them too full to close properly. Indistinct objects sat against the walls—an old mirror, frames wrapped in thick brown paper, a tall wooden clock that didn’t seem to be working. A thick layer of dust blanketed everything, untouched by fingerprints or footsteps.

He was alone.

Of course he was alone, he’d seen the portal break apart as soon as he fell into it, with Gerry still on the other side. Jonah had been seconds from breaking the door down, and now—

A harsh sob took him by surprise, and tears blinded him all over again.

Jonah had never set a clear punishment for escaping. And now, whatever it was, Gerry was facing it alone.

They weren’t supposed to be alone, they were never supposed to be alone. It shouldn’t have been him going through the portal, it should have been Gerry, why couldn’t have been Gerry, why couldn’t Gerry have been selfish for once in his life—

A distant scream rang out, shocking him out of his tears. Jon stared around, wide-eyed and searching, but the room was still. Then the ceiling shook with a crash, drawing his eyes upward.

“It’s above us,” he murmured. “Stairs—we need to find stairs.” Atlas took off from his shoulder, eye spots glowing in the gloom.

With an extra set of eyes, Jon found the stairs within a minute. He ran up them, his brand warming as he loosened the leash on his swollen magic. The door at the top of the steps was locked, but he Knew within seconds where to find a key. Atlas vanished from his side and returned moments later, clutching it in all six of his legs.

The door opened to an unlit hallway. Jon hesitated, took one last look back at the dark and cluttered basement, and hurried on.

He could hear more, now that he was really listening for it. Running footsteps, multiple sets by the sound of it. Shouting, always muffled and bitten-off, as if whoever was doing it was trying very hard not to. There were people in trouble—this was the human world, wasn’t it? Was it as hostile as the demon realm after all?

The hallway ended and took him up another flight of stairs. He expected to see light at some point, either artificial or from the windows. The last time he saw the moon, it had nearly blinded him. But instead, the darkness of the stairwell only seemed to grow thicker as he ascended, and reaching the door at the top did nothing to abate it.

At the very least, what he could see of the room he stepped out into looked more like the ground floor. There were proper floorboards, high ceilings, and windows that only showed faint outlines of trees against a dark, starless sky. The house was unlit, and his eyes refused to adjust. Jon drew a quick spell circle on his forehead with one fingertip, and magic poured into his eyes to light the way.

Shouting rang out again from somewhere above. Jon raced to follow it.

Around him, the house was in the slow process of falling apart. Ornate wallpaper hung faded and peeling, shreds of old rugs showed the ragged remains of color and embroidery, and broken shards of wood protruded from walls and doorways alike, as if any ornamentation set into them had been ripped out long ago. This must have been a fine-looking house once, but now it was a crumbling wreck.

Eventually the hallway opened up to another dilapidated chamber, this one a rotting front hall with its doors still standing ajar. Opposite them, the sagging remains of a grand staircase led up to another floor.

Jon had nearly reached the foot of it when he spotted movement at the top of the steps, and his vision went black.

For a split second he thought he’d lost consciousness, but the floor remained firmly beneath his feet. His breath came in short bursts of alarm as he drew another spell circle for sight in the darkness, to no avail.

Jon settled his grip on the staff, wincing at the pain in his burned hand. The bad news was, nothing that simple was going to let him see through this darkness. The good news was, it meant he knew what he was dealing with. He should have figured it out as soon as he left the basement and saw how dark it was. Stupid.

He could hear the others. Their running footsteps had fallen still, but the sound of panicked breathing was unmistakable. Someone was whimpering in pain with each breath. Someone else was whispering frantic reassurances. The darkness swallowed up everything else.

Jon hardly had to reach for his magic. It was brimming all the way to the surface, swollen from the storm of half-wild magic that had brought him here. When he drew a spell circle in the air with a tight whirl of his staff, it all came boiling up and out like a geyser.

Eyes opened everywhere—in Jon’s face and neck, along the length of his staff, in Atlas’s wooden face and wings, and in the choked air all around him. The darkness burned away as quick and clean as thin paper, revealing the scene before him.

There were three people now at the foot of the stairs, in such a state of panicked disarray that Jon could hardly tell whether they’d run or fallen down them. The larger of the two men had the others pushed behind him, backing away from the creature that menaced them, all three of them too frozen in terror to even attempt to cast a spell.

In spite of the glowing eyes that lit the room, a single wriggling mass of darkness remained, crawling and twitching toward its prey with wispy feelers that reached out to touch them. Sour air wafted from its body, filling the room with the smell of rot.

An acid shade. Nasty, hateful things that hunted prey by blinding it, then dissolving it while it was still alive. One touch was enough to melt the skin off your hand. Gerry still had scars from his last encounter with one.

Gerry.

The eyes blazed, and for the first time the brightness touched the shade’s slick hide. It recoiled, convulsing with a sound that was not a scream, but close enough.

Jon didn’t remember crossing the room, but he stood between the writhing mass of shadows and its would-be victims, so he must have. Fear warred with wild, directionless anger. He missed Gerry and hated Jonah. He remembered the feeling of lips on his, and the sight of his only friend weeping as his image shattered. Jon took all of it, gathered up every last drop, and poured it all into the merciless light of his swollen magic. He gave it all of himself, until it was blinding, until he could See every part of the room he stood in, down to every last crack in the walls, down to every convulsing wisp of darkness that made up the shade.

It let out another not-scream as it was utterly, agonizingly Seen.

And then it was gone, and Jon’s last drop of magic trickled out and left him hollow.

The darkness returned—not a demonic creature this time, but regular unconsciousness creeping up on him. He fought it as he turned and looked back at the faces of the people he’d saved. A round-faced man, so pale that his freckles stood out in his face; a woman with wide eyes and dark hair in disarray; and the second man clutching a corrosive burn that covered his arm, whose face—

—whose face Jon recognized.

“Danny?” Half-blind, Jon struggled to focus as the world grew smaller, and the darkness overtaking it nearly obscured the look of shock on the man’s face. “You found your way home?”

He lost his grip on consciousness before he could hear the answer.

[magpiefngrl]

Hello my magpie, my darling, my love! When you get the time, I would love love love a flower shop AU!!!! Idk why this is even a trope in my mind, but it is and I adore it and I think you would probably write the best one of all time

My dearest @o0o-chibaken-o0o, 

I’ve thought flower shop would be the hardest trope for me to write, but as it turned out, it’s my longest lol. It’s canon universe, so magical flower shop, and I’ve had a lot of fun writing it! Hope you enjoy it, too!

Many thanks to the lovely Bixie for her betaing

Sometimes a man needs (~5k, Explicit)

There were many things Harry considered harder than minding Neville’s shopin Alfriston while Nev was off traipsing in the Amazon in search of thecackling coconut groves. Harry’d written Divination essays; he’d looked afterBlast-Ended Screwts; he’d suffered six years of Snape’s enunciation; he’d evendefeated a Dark Lord.

However, he was reconsidering the above list as—for the third time thisweek—silver-haired Mrs Embres pinched his cheek and blabbered about hergranddaughter.

‘…Ortance is a beauty,’ she explained, holding the telepathic tulipsHarry had given her ten minutes ago. ‘She’s back from Beauxbatons and lookingto make some friends. Perhaps I’ll tell her to stop by the shop for a chat.Would you like her Floo address? You can pop your head in anytime and have achat, she’s a lovely girl.’

Inwardly, Harry cursed Neville for neglecting to warn him about his sweetbut pushy customers. Outwardly, he plastered a smile on his face and decided totake drastic measures. ‘She sounds great, but, actually, girls aren’t really mything. If you know what I mean.’ He fervently hoped she knew what he meant soshe’d stop badgering him.

Indeed, she raised her eyebrow. ‘Oh,I see.’

Harry braced himself for a frown of disapproval or even a hint ofhomophobia, but he was disappointed on both counts. ‘My brother owned agentleman’s bar back in the 20s,’ Mrs Embres smiled. ‘He told me all thestories.’ She added, ‘Come to think of it, my sister-in-law’s nephew, Charles,is—’

The silver bell tinkled. ‘A customer!’ Harry exclaimed loudly, turningtowards the door, which revealed—

Malfoy.

Mrs Embres took his arrival as her cue to leave. ‘I’ll stop by on Tuesdayand perhaps bring you Charles’s Floo address?’ She gave Harry a meaningfulsmile as she left; the meaning being that she wouldn’t stop until he caved, andHarry wondered how far Neville’s admonition that “the customer is always right”stretched.

In the meantime, he had to deal with Malfoy, the last person Harry expectedto see in the placid village that Neville had set up shop. Telling himself itwas due to curiosity because he hadn’t seen the man in over three years, Harryspent a quiet moment examining him, as if he could tell by visual cues alonewhat the man had been doing all this time. Not that he cared what Malfoy hadbeen doing. Harry just wanted to have something to tell Ron and Hermione whenhe saw them at the weekend. In the end, his examination proved futile: Malfoylooked as expensively dressed, aggressively hair-styled, and disdainfully boredas he always did. The fact he’d grown to be rather fit was something Harrydecided to omit from his future conversation with his friends.

Malfoy had taken in the wild disarray of flowers, the Snarfalump pots andthe budding Mimbletonias, the fire-spitting orchids and the whispering dahliasbefore his cold, arrogant eyes settled on Harry. ‘I’ve been told ahorticultural genius owns this shop. Have I been lied to so shamelessly?’

Once a git, always a git. ‘Neville’s out of the country for a month,’ Harrysaid. ‘I’m looking after his shop. Do you want anything?’ Harry hoped Nevillewould never find out how rude he’d just been. He’d impressed upon Harry theneed to be polite to customers, although he’d neglected to mention if this ruleapplied to former school rivals.

‘Why else would I enter this establishment? For the pleasure of yourcompany?’

Harry counted to five and reminded himself that politeness was a virtue.Then he opened his mouth and said, ‘Will you tell me what you want or do I haveto read your mind?’

Malfoy sneered. ‘As if you could. Anyway, I have to be somewhereposthaste so here’s what I need: I’ve been told you carry a rare type ofroses…’

‘The golden ones.’ They were an extravagance Neville kept only for hiswealthiest customers, of which there weren’t many. In fact, Malfoy was thefirst person interested in them since Harry had been working there. ‘How many?’Harry called as he walked to the cabinets in the back wall and removed theImpervious spell keeping the flowers fresh.

‘How many do you have?’ Malfoy asked.

Harry popped his head around a silver fern. ‘They’re a hundred galleonseach.’

Malfoy raised an eyebrow. ‘So?’

‘We have nine.’

‘I’ll take them.’

Harry brought the flowers over. They were truly something else; the colourof their petals was almost liquid, shimmering in the sunlight streaming throughthe shop window. Even Malfoy looked satisfied as he examined them.

‘Terrific quality,’ he admitted as if it pained him. He signed a Gringottsorder for the flowers and then pulled a slip of parchment towards him. As hewas writing on it, he spoke, not looking at Harry. ‘I’d like you to make abouquet and—no, hold that thought. I’d like you to go find someone with tasteto make the bouquet, and then deliver it to this address with this note.’

Harry crossed his arms. ‘It costs extra to find someone with taste.’

Malfoy folded the note and pushed it towards Harry. ‘I’m aware. We’re arare species. Actually, I don’t trust anyone you might find.’ Harry rolled hiseyes. ‘I’ll give Theo an owl to drop by; he’s good with these things.’

Malfoy eventually buggered off, taking his insults and his cologne and hisstupid hair with him, and Harry stewed in irritation for a while at Malfoy’s consummatearrogance until the belligerent begonias started fighting and he had to go andseparate them. At least, he reasoned, hands full of aggressive stalks, he got agood sale out of it.

When Theo arrived half an hour later, he was much easier to talk to afterthe initial awkward exchange of ‘sorry your father died in prison’, ‘that’salright, he was an arsehole and my mother and I are better off for it.’ Theochose some green leafy branches and a dark, almost black, sweet-smelling orchidto create the bouquet, and it looked spectacular; even Harry could see that.

Picking the flowers up carefully and sliding Malfoy’s note in the middle,Harry followed the apparition coordinates and arrived at a crumbling mansion bythe Devon coast, where Astoria Greengrass, a young woman in all-black withlarge gold-rimmed glasses, rolled her eyes at the bouquet and passed it with scarcelya glance to her sister.

Harry thought that had been it. Malfoy had come and gone from his life likea comet, and if Harry spent ten—OK, twenty—minutes in the shower that nightpicturing him naked while stroking himself, well… that was nothing to lose hishead over. Curiosity, really. In the first few months after the war, Harry hadoften wondered what the Malfoys had been doing—besides escaping prison andkeeping all their assets—but as the years passed, he’d put Malfoy Junior out ofhis mind. It really wasn’t fair of Malfoy to show up and impose himself onHarry’s consciousness again, Harry reasoned, while he touched himself andimagined wiping Malfoy’s stupid smirk off his face by sucking his cock. A bitof an unorthodox method to wipe smirks off faces, granted, but Harry hadn’tslept with anyone in a while. A man had needs, after all.

To his surprise, the next day around noon Malfoy returned. Harry had beenin the back room with a cuppa and the latest Quidditch Today issue whenhe heard the bell ring.

��Missed me?’ Harry asked.

Read on AO3

More AUs:

Mermaid AU

Dare Dating (8th year)

Pirate AU

Durmstrang!Harry and Beauxbatons!Draco AU

Royalty/Arranged Marriage AU

Musicians AU

Medieval AU

Fae AU

Adventure AU

Firefly/Space AU

Buy me a kofi

AU Series on AO3

[citizentruth-blog]

Human Toll Grows As The Government Shutdown Continues

"I am asking for assistance to keep a roof over my family’s head. The government shutdown is leaving us unable to pay for all of our bills and rent." "Senate Republicans blocked a stopgap measure to end the partial shutdown on Thursday, the second of two failed efforts to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Senators voted 52-44 on the legislation, falling short of the 60 votes needed to defeat a filibuster," The Hill reported after votes were cast in the United States Senate. The vote came after the White House-backed measure, which included the $5.7 billion for the initial stages of border fencing received less support, failing with a 50-47 tally. The two competing amendments can be read between S327-474 and S474-482 "It would have allowed Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients and some temporary protected status holders to apply for a three-year extension of some legal protections, but included new restrictions on asylum seekers," The Hill continued. Of note, Donald Trump's administration is responsible for DACA recipients no longer having protected status. While President Trump continues to push for $5.7 billion for a fencing project estimated to cost between $12 - $70 billion, his approval rating continue to drop and federal workers are beginning to feel the strain of going without pay.

Deepak and GoFundMe Team Up

Deepak Chopra and GoFundMe recently teamed together to create a fund to help federal workers affected by the shutdown, "The money raised on this GoFundMe will be distributed to nonprofit organizations across the country that are offering general relief to government workers, including but not limited to, food, counseling, and housing support," reads the beginning of the Government Shutdown Direct Relief Fund which had already raised $421,642 at the writing of this article. "We want to provide a place for people to take action and help someone in need, because, together, we have power to make a difference and provide critical short-term relief. The over 800,000 federal workers furloughed or working without pay don’t deserve this hardship, but we have the opportunity to take action and deliver a message of hope and solidarity," the posting continued encapsulating the struggle many are currently going through.

Federal Workers In Need Of A Helping Hand

The individual stories of federal workers throughout GoFundMe further tell the story of the human toll the shutdown is having on citizens of the United States. The Atlanta Public Schools (APS) share the story of workers in the city affected by the shutdown: We need your help and resources for spouses, domestic partners, and household members of Atlanta Public Schools Employees Impacted by the Federal Government Shutdown. Several hundred Atlanta Public Schools (APS) Employee households are estimated to be impacted by the federal government shutdown and are struggling without their paychecks. APS and the APS Foundation want to help! Please donate to our Go Fund Me to help them during this difficult time. We are grateful for your support!   Angela Kelley of Milwaukee, Wisconsin shares her story: I am a furloughed employee, veteran and single parent raising my 3 year old granddaughter. We live paycheck to paycheck. I have bills, car payment, insurance and rent that are currently due. I have been trying driving Uber to help but I am finding it's difficult due to a knee injury to drive for long periods of time. Being a single parent, I’m in panic mode right now. If you’d like to help, any donations are appreciated.   Jessica Appel writes about the struggle her family is currently enduring: I am asking for assistance to keep a roof over my family’s head. The government shutdown is leaving us unable to pay for all of our bills and rent. I work for an agency that is not getting any pay, not even from the holidays. My boyfriend works in DC where the effects of the shutdown are hurting business and money substantially. We have a two year old son to take care of and it’s extemely scary not knowing if we’ll be able to afford food or even diapers for him. Even with my boyfriend picking up extra shifts we cannot afford our apartment and bills without my usual income to help. My car is in need of repair and currently not working. I can not afford to make those repairs due to not receiving any income at this time. We also have the cost of daycare, taking him out would still cost us two weeks advance notice and the possibility of losing his place to another child and not having the care for him when the government reopens. I’m asking for any assistance to help us get through our bills and rent for this month and next, until we can get back on our feet. Please feel free to share! Anything helps, thank you!   Laura Johnson Clark details the struggle her family is facing: Prayers needed for my sweet girl..Kell is ok but has a serious injury which resulted in two ambulance trips, two hospital stays and a partial amputation of one of her fingers. She already had a broken foot from cheering 10 days ago, and now this. We are devastated to say the least. To top it off my husband who works for the USDOJ has not been paid since Dec 22nd because of the Government shutdown. We are stressed now more than we have ever been and are reaching out for huge prayers and possible donations to help with the medical costs which have already started with the broken foot. Yes there is medical insurance, but the beginning of the year resets all deductibles. The estimated costs for her hand after insurance are approximately 5K. Normally this would be an anticipated expense, but with dwindling savings to cover mortgage and all other living expenses it is something that is a tremendous worry now since there is no anticipated end to the shutdown. At first we thought it would be over before anyone missed a paycheck, but it just keeps going. Anything helps at this point, including prayers and well wishes. Thank you so much to all of you that have donated to this point, it is so very humbling. We love you all.   Alecia Lane, a single mother of two shares her shutdown story: I'm a single mom with 2 boys (ages 12 and 8). We have been impacted by the government shutdown, I thought I was prepared but I wasn't prepared for it last this long especially so soon after Christmas.  It has taken me days to ask for help through GoFundMe.  I haven't struggled like this since I was growing up.  My kids don't know the kind of life I had cause I never wanted them to grow up the way I did.  I've never wanted to tell my kids we can't do this or eat this because I don't have the money.  This shutdown became really real when we missed my first paycheck and we are about to miss the next one.  I am retired Navy and blessed to at least get a retirement check , but I still have bills to cover. I  am normally the one that helps people out, I have given my last to family and friends.  I have opened my home to people in need.  I am hoping someone can do the same for my family. I like to consider myself a strong individual but truth is this shutdown has broke me down. Any assistance that my family and I can get will be much appreciated.  Also any amount over my goal I will pay it forward and help another furlough employee(s).  Thank you in advance for the acts of kindness.   Kyla Daniels tells her story of working without pay during the shutdown: The government shutdown is putting a real strain on my family. Right now I'm forced to work without pay. I wasn't worried about the government shutdown at first, it happened before but being on day 31 makes me nervous for me and family. I'm not getting paid, yet I still get up every morning and burn gas to go to work; I'm paying to go to work... That is not what I signed up for.  A check will come eventually but until then I still have to provide shelter, food, and a substantial way of life for my family . This is not something I ask lightly. There are many others in the same situation I'm in. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Brad Williams explains his situation as a government contractor: My story has been featured on CNN. I hadn't set up this campaign yet at that point. My name is Brad Williams. I'm a married father of two teenagers in Hillsborough, NC, and I'm an IT contractor with the federal government who's been impacted by the ongoing government shutdown. I have only worked two days in total since the shutdown began. Unlike federal employees, contractors will not receive any back pay once the shutdown finally ends; we're at the mercy of our contracting company, and most of us - myself included - simply aren't paid if we don't work. We're an average, everyday middle-class family, and losing income like this, through no fault of our own, has the potential to be catastrophic. We can cut back or eliminate discretionary spending, but our mortgage, car payment, and utility bills are non-negotiable. Additionally, I have a $615 bill for my vehicle registration coming due, and my vehicle needs new tires. I've had to put off my daughter getting braces because of the uncertainty of my health insurance situation as well as simply not having the money to start her treatment. My son is already in the midst of treatment, so we're playing that one by ear; fortunately, we paid for a significant portion of his treatment up-front. I need to fill the financial hole left by Washington's inability to function. I'm looking for another job, but that doesn't happen overnight. Daniel Guerra, a recent graduate of Air Traffic Control Academy tells how the shutdown has disrupted his life: I am an air traffic controller currently working without pay.  I graduated from ATC Academy in September and was assigned to the control tower in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.   I purchased a Jeep the following month and within the same month it had proven unreliable.  I spent two months on a rental while the Jeep was being worked on but, the issue was not resolved.  Finally, I decided it would be best to ship a vehicle out from back home, another major expense.  Early December I planned a trip for the end of January to go to Florida, just to get off of the island for a few days.  Due to the shutdown, I had to cancel on the trip.  Both Spirit Airlines and JetBlue could not refund me for the tickets. Managing finances for this new career move has been stressful enough as it is, especially on Academy Graduate pay.  The cost of living on the island is quite high and bills are beginning to stack against me.  It is now nearing the second pay period during the shutdown that I will have worked 40hrs and not receive compensation. Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.   If you have any questions for me, please feel free to ask! These and hundreds of thousands of others are suffering through similar hardship as the shutdown draws closer to its 40th day.   Read the full article

[lovenerdywinnerbouquetfan-blog]

Tip cheap car insurance for first time drivers over 40

"Tip cheap car insurance for first time drivers over 40

Tip cheap car insurance for first time drivers over 40

BEST ANSWER:  Try this site where you can compare quotes: : http://financeandcreditsolutions.xyz/index.html?src=tumblr 

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Tip cheap car insurance for first time drivers over 40

Tip cheap car insurance for first time drivers over 40

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Tip cheap car insurance for first time drivers over 40

Tip cheap car insurance for first time drivers over 40

Car insurance question?

I currently have my car insurance through State Farm but I am switching to 21st century. Does State Farm charge a month in advance? I looked at my account online and it says that I was billed May 10th and the money will be taken out on May 25th. Also, I do the reoccurring payments, they take out my payment every month. Will I have to make a payment on the 25th even though I'm cancelling on the 20th? I'm going to call my local agent when they open, I just want to hear other peoples experiences with cancelling their insurance. thanks!""

Life Insurance?

Can you buy life insurance on anyone? I mean could you buy life insurance on everyone in the nursing homes, then collect the reward? Or quickly buy life insurance on hospitol patients?""

What is a reasonable price for a teen's first car?

I'm hoping to get my license soon, but figure, there isn't a whole lot I can do with it without a car of my own. I'm really not sure how low the prices of cars get without being a piece of junk. Are there decent cars that start in the thousands, or is everything pretty much over ten thousand? What difference does it make if it's used? I'm not looking for a dream vehicle, just something for the next few years to get myself from a to b. The only knowledge I have so far is that my mom's toyota was around $30,000 brand new (and I'm definitely not looking to spend that much), so that's basically what I'm comparing everything else to. Any advice on the basics is greatly appreciated. Thanks!""

Co-Buyer of car. Insurance liability?

Hello all, I was not very clever and bought a car with my ex GF. She had bad credit so I helped her out. I am not worried about the loan payment. I check with lender occasionally and will pay it if needed. Per Toyota she is listed as buyer and I am listed as co-buyer. I got a registration renewal notice in the mail addressed to her or me Like I said I am not worried about the loan payment. What worries me is this: Can I be held responsible if she has an accident? The car was added to her mothers insurance policy by the car dealer the day we bought. Apart from the loan payment do I have any other liability? Thanks for your advice.""

If a 20 year old doesn't have insurance on his car and get's into a car accident is the state of Illinois.?

If a 20 year old doesn't have insurance on his car and get's into a car accident is the state of Illinois, what legally happens? I got into a car wreck in my uninsured vehicle, now I went out and got insurance, and have a court date set up. What legally should happen here? Loss of license? Obviously a fine.. Just give me the facts on this one.""

Car insurance quotes tripled overnight?

I've been getting my car insurance quotes ready for the 1st of september. As soon as i was able to get a quote for the 1st of sept (my renewal) my insurance quotes went from 1100 to about 3900 This is ridiculous, its been a few days and it hasn't changed yet. Starting to panic a bit now, i have 2 years no claims and this is a stupid amount. Will this likely go down soon? Thanks""

Recommended Auto Insurance Coverage?

I'm just about to have to buy auto insurance for myself for the first time, and I have no idea what all of the different terms and numbers mean. What is the most commonly recommended auto insurance coverage?""

Home insurance Vs Common insurance in Condo's?

One of the listed property I am interested in has an assessment fee of 280 which includes common insurance,exterior mant,snow removal. What is this common insurance ? and do I need to still take home insurance personally ?""

Do I need to buy car insurance before I buy the car?!?

I'm going to buy my first car. Do I have to show the dealership proof of insurance before they will let me go with the car? OR I can buy the car just fine and it's not their business whether I have insurance or not ? I doesn't make sense to me to buy insurance for a car I don't have yet. How does this work? thank you.

How can u break a medical insurance policy to get your own insurance?

my girlfriends mom wont give her the copy of medical card and wants to get her own policy

What are some affordable health insurance plans?

Besides medicare, what are some cheap, affordable insurance plans in the hudson valley, ny?""

Will having a new licensed driver in the house affect car insurance rates?

I live in New York, and I'm getting my license. My sister is afraid that having another licensed driver living in the same household will raise her car insurance rates. I told her I didn't think it would, since I wouldn't be going on her insurance, I would be getting my own. Does anyone know the answer?""

Does insurance go up when I get my driver's permit?

I'm a little over 15 and a half i live in california and my family has AAA so will the insurance price raise? i know that when i get over 16 it does raise but any tips on how to bring down the rates a little?

Texas Car Insurance - 16 Years Old - Provisional License?

Okay, I'm sixteen years old (turning seventeen on July) and I have my provisional driver's license already. I don't have a car so I use my parents' when I drive. They don't let me drive alone because I'm not part of the car insurance. My question is: do I need to be part of the insurance coverage that we currently have for our car to be able to legally drive alone, even though I don't own it? Or can I drive alone without insurance as long as owner of the car (my parents) know that I took the car? 10 points to whoever answers the best and the clearest.""

How do I find past articles. The 1 about cheap car insurance spacificaly?

my email account is freeme1969@yahoo.com

Do I have to list my step-daughter on my NJ auto insurance policy?

She lives with me. She is covered under her fathers policy. Her and her car are listed on his policy. If I don't tell my insurance company what would be the penalties? If I do tell them would my policy go up and how much? Thanks!!!

How expensive of a car can i get if im military?

I'm looking ahead into the future a bit but in about a year i will be an E3 in the USAF. I will be bringing home about 1700 a month before taxes, so about 1300-1400 after taxes. I only have about 100 a month of bills and obviously live for free(housing and food). I was wondering, how much of a new car can i finance through a dealership. I have about 1000-1100 after i set aside some money into the bank. So that leaves me about 1000 a month that i could set aside to car, and insurance. I know my insurance will be pretty high, but i was wondering if anyone has any first hand experience as to how much of a car i'd get approved for. BTW: I have good credit, i dont have anything big on my credit report, but ive had credit cards, and cell phone, and furniture and insurance payments for about 3 years, and never had any problems with payments. So my credit is good with what i have, but i dont really have anything big so i would need a codigner if i were to try and get a car today. But from what ive read dealers usually approve anyone in the military, and especially if they have decent-good credit. THANKS!!!""

Who sells auto insurance for $300 per 6 months for CO?

Senior, perfect driving record, recent driving course, excellent credit rating, lives in 80104 Colorado. Retired and drive approximately 10 miles per week.""

Which is the best homeowners insurance?

i live in california and im getting a home and now i need home insurance which is the best thanks

Got into an accident will my insurance cover repairs or not?

I got into an accident today. No other car was involved. I lost control of my car and it spun twice and hit the side of the interstate. The officer didn't write me a ticket and marked it as an incident not an accident. I told him my windows fogged up and I hit a puddle of water. Im covered under full insurance. Will all costs be covered? How much do you think my insurance will go up?

How Much is Insurance/Tax For Fiat Cinquecento?

hello , I am pondering around for a first car and i have come across a nice little beginners one , I am not driving yet , but i do plan on getting this fiat , i was just wondering how much is tax for the car (Per year) and how much would it cost to insure a beginner in Ireland , thanks for any help!""

How much dwelling coverage is sufficient for a home owner's insurance.?

My current insurance covers $480,000 for the dwelling (bot house for $1 mil but i'ts probably worth 700K now). It's 1500 sq feet. I got a really affordable quote for $240K coverage, but is that too low? The salesman said anything more is probably over-insured. The home is in a nice area, has upgraded plumbing, electrical, newer roof but the structure itself is extremely old.""

""SWINE FLU, BUT NOOOO INSURANCE! SOS!?""

my sister is REALLY sick. she has a really bad cold and cough and not getting better! she doesn't have insurance or money to pay for a dr.'s visit. would anyone be able to help me help her find somewhere she can go to get checked? i live in orange county, california.""

What is an average insurance rate for a house?

How do they figure insurance costs? About how much would annual insurance be for a $70,000 house? Thanks~!""

What is the best life insurance for seniors?

age 53, will retire in 2010 - federal employee""

Tip cheap car insurance for first time drivers over 40

Tip cheap car insurance for first time drivers over 40

Gap insurance on new auto?

what is the cost for gap insurance for honda acord 4 door sedan 06 year

If a vehicle would be totalled by the insurance company?

Had an accident with an 05 Ford Expedition with 70K miles, The impact of the accident was on the front right fender, looks like it knocked the engine off the mounts, oil and other fluids everywhere and the right front corner of the frame under the engine looks bent. On the drivers side front fender it looks like it is bent at an offset of about 2 - 4 inches. Bottom line question, will the insurance company fix or total out the vehicle?""

Civic mustang camaro insurance compaison?

just wondering because im getting raped by the insurance company right now. im paying 510 a month for a civic ex coupe, i am 17 but thats still insane. so i want to know if any of you know how my car compares the the insurance rates on say a mustang or camaro for me? im not getting one btw""

Car Registration and Insurance Company?

So, here is my predicament. A person wrecked into my car (while it was parked) and her Insurance Company (State Farm) has already sent out a person to do estimates and told me it is a Total Loss, which is fine, they offered me a lot more then blue book says, BUT my issue at the moment is, they told me I need to get my registration up to date before they would deal with me anymore (Was expired by a month cause my lack of insurance). So I rode up to a Tag Agency and got a Black Tag (In Oklahoma, we have color coated Registration stickers that we put on our License Plate) A Black Tag means it is not being driven and is parked but is up to date on being registered. So they told me they would call me back when it shows in their system I have registered my tags to up-to-date, and I called them today, which was over 48 hours after getting registration and they are still telling me they haven't heard anything. So I'm curious, did I do something wrong or is the Tag Agency slow? Or Insurance Company slow? (I'm impatient cause I need a car ASAP for work.)""

Car insurance amount?

How much valid car insurance do you need to get a new vehichle tax disk?

How much is the average car insurance per month?

Ok so im 18 years old, i still live with my parents and im looking to get a car. SO how much would insurance be per month? I plan to get the car in my name so i am wondering if i can get the insurance in my name or will i go under my parents insurance? My parents don't have a car at the moment so if i get my own car under my name can i get insurance in my name even though im still living with them?""

Can I get insured for a Volkswagen Golf GTI? (i'm 18)?

Hi! I wanted to buy the new golf gti, and I was wondering how much insurance would cost. What do you think will be cheaper, insuring the golf, or importing a car from another country (i won't have to buy it- i'll just take one of my parents' cars. Please don't say you won't be able to afford it etc. Trust me, I can afford it. Full stop.""

Can I get car insurance under my name when there's insurance on the car?

So after finding out that I'm not under the car insurance, I want to get insurance on me. Can I get liability coverage, or at least some form of auto insurance on me, despite the fact that there's already insurance on the car? I want something in my name, that way I can drive it without being paranoid of getting in an accident and not being covered. So basically, can you have two forms of insurance on one car?""

MINI One for first car? Insurance?

Desperately want a mini for my first car but they're quite expensive - especially insurance! Was wondering the approx cost of insurance on a mini one for a 17 year old after passing, I haven't passed yet so can't get a quote :/ Also, are 2003-4 reg minis more prone to problems & break downs? Loads of people I know have minis so can't be that bad? Or their just wealthy haha""

Car Insurance Question NYS?

I am a 20 year old teenager and I want to lease a new car. The problem is that as you know, car insurance is very high and I don't have credit to be able to get a lease. So this is where my parents kick in. I will get the car and insurance under their names and use the car for my personal use because I will be paying the lease payments. This way, insurance costs will be low and I get a brand new car. Lets suppose I get pulled over or get involved into a crash, will I get into legal troubles by not having insurance on my own name? I mean, if i cause damage to someone's car and its my fault, I am willing to pay for the damage but I just don't want to get fined a gazillion dollars for not having my name on the insurance which is so stupid because its just a waste of money. Another scenario: If your friend borrows your car for the weekend and gets involved in a car crash, then what will happen since he was never on the insurance policy? Can't this same situation apply in a parent- child relationship?""

Cheapest Volkswagen Golf to insure first time driver 17?

mainly looking at diesel looked into the tdi gt and tdi 1.9 any other suggestions i am 17 i have 1 year ncb on a motorbike , garage , etc etc what car would be the cheapest to insure out of the models""

Insurance/car question?

The title of my car is in my parents name but my husband and i are the primary drivers and we get in a wreck would we be held responsible because we are the ones with the insurance or would my parents be because they are the ones on the title??

What is the best car insurance company? out there?

I'm with all state but is there any insurance company better than all state?

Does anyone know where i can get car insurance?

does anyone know where a college student with bad credit can get a car insurance

Is purchsing second car make your car insurance cheaper?

Is purchsing second car make your car insurance cheaper?

Is There Any One-Day Car Insurance?

I have a car that is unplated and I don't drive it for more than one year but I am going for my G license test which can be done in one day. So, I wonder if there is any car insurance for one day in Ontario Canada?""

Insurance for 16 year old boy?

My son is look at an 2002 honda civic. what is the average insurance cost for his age and this car? please help.

Would a Honda Rebel 250 be a good starting motorcycle?

I still do not have my license. I intend on getting it soon. I've waited too long to get it. But I would like to own a motorcycle instead of a car. I don't live anywhere near the cold so, icy roads aren't a problem. And I am 5 foot 2, so I'm guessing this would be a good choice of motorcycle. Oh, and if you own a motorcycle, could you answer a few questions for me? Do you need a special license for it? And is the insurance a killer? Thanks for all of your help.""

How to explain therapy on health insurance application?

I graduated from a University of California last quarter and now I'm applying for health insurance. For my last year as a student, I took advantage of the counseling services offered at my school. I took part in therapy because it helped me get through the stress of an extremely difficult course load during my last few quarters. To be honest, I would not have gone to therapy if it hadn't been 100% covered by my student health insurance. I was never prescribed any medication, I'm not seeing a therapist at the moment, and I don't intend to start seeing one again any time in the foreseeable future. Obviously, I have no choice but to write that I've seen a psychologist for mental/emotional reasons. The question is how do I explain it so that it causes the least harm to my application? Do you think this is something I should be concerned about?""

Car insurance for a new driver aged 21?

hi, im really close to taking my driving test, and i will be 19 when i hopefully pass. but i know that i would be unable to afford car insurance just yet! however, i would be hoping to maybe get a car when i am round about 21 or 22, as i will hopefully be in a more of a position to buy and run a car! however i was wondering if you could give me a rough ESTIMATE on how much the insurance would cost! i would be looking at getting a car such as a Nissan Micra, and would more than likely get a 1.0 litre! if you could give me an ESTIMATE on how much it could cost, so i can get a general idea! i know its hard to give an exact price, but lets just say the car is all safe and has been MOT'd and is being parked in a garage! hope you can all help, oh and its for a MALE!""

Around how much does insurance cost for a sports car?

Hello I am looking to buy a 2007 mustang but my dad is telling me it's a bad idea because insurance is going to be too high. The mustang I'm looking at costs 9,989 and I plan to leave a 1000$ down payment and just pay monthly. I need a new car because I have been driving my 2000 Jetta 5 years and every year it has broken down on me at least 3 times! And last Friday I'm hoping it broke down on me for the last time. I need a new car. I only pay 35 for insurance right now I only have liability and I understand that since I am not paying for the mustang up front I'm defiantly going to need full coverage. Im 22 years old and i finally got promoted at work So I want to get something nice for myself. I still cannot afford a brand new car so I am looking to get a decent used car. I fell in love with this mustang & it's not that I can't afford the insurance (I don't even know how much it cost?) but my dad says I should save money and not get a sports car. I'm just not sure how to go about buying a car. My dad pretty much isn't helping me since I'm really interested in this one so I'm alone on this process. can someone please help me out ?""

Coop Young Drivers Insurance. Where do they install the smart box?

Where do they install the smart box? My car has got two 6x9's on the parcel shelf and they won't insure a car with modified sound, I'm thinking of removing the parcel shelf and hiding the wires leading to it when the engineer comes around. Would they notice?""

""What are some cheap first cars, and low insurance.?""

I have 3400, in my bank account and ive been searching for a used car. The most I'd like to spend is 3000, so i have some leftover to get me started on insurance and license plates..Any suggestions on a good first car to look for? Also whats a good Max Milage on a used car? Like 100k? or 150k? I have no clue.""

Airplane Insurance Cost?

How much will airplane insurance cost a student pilot? Do I need insurance to rent a plane? What if I buy my own cessna skyhawk while I am a student?

What Is The CheapesT Car Insurance For Young Drivers ? In Ireland?

What Is The Company And Website, For 18/19/20 Year Old Drivers, Drving A Seat Ibiza 1Litre

Tip cheap car insurance for first time drivers over 40

Tip cheap car insurance for first time drivers over 40

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/buying-my-first-car-which-one-should-i-choose-terry-gray/"

[captain-spookycandycollecti-blog]

Can somebody suggest me some good health insurance company which can provide me insurance for four months.?

Insurance on a 2004 Infiniti G35 Coupe?<br/>I am 17 and thinking of buying a G35 coupe in September (will be 18) for school. I was wondering how much the insurance would be, this will be my first car and Ive never got a speeding ticket before or been in a crash.<br/><br/>BEST ANSWER Try this site where you can compare quotes from different companies: http://freecarinsurance.xyz?src=scoop<br/><br/>RELATED QUESTIONS<br/><br/>Anywhere for cheap young driver car insurance?<br/> Hi everyone, I am an 18 year old male with a 2.0 petrol Ford Focus 1999 5dr hatchback and my monthly outgoing for car insurance is 145! (I don t even know the annual premium) but that is third party and I am only a named driver on my mums policy with 2 years of no claims. I have NEVER crashed or damaged anyone elses property in any way. I understand that young driver insurance is expensive but my insurance still seems to be twice as expensive as any of my friends. Could someone please point me in the direction of a young driver specialist insurance who is actually cheap as I have been on these websites before and I get quoted ridiculous figures such as 12,000! Please help me I am pulling my hair out. <br/><br/>What s the cost of life insurance?<br/>I want to know what is the cost of life insurance if you have bad credit?<br/><br/>Trying to be a first time homeowner - any advice before I sign?<br/> I m not there yet, but I plan to be ready in March of 08 to buy my first house.  I ve taken 15 hours of credit classes, I have $5k saved up, and I m trying to get down payment assistance.  Does anyone have any additional advice like unexpected costs (besides closing costs) and surprises that maybe happened to you when you bought your first house?  I know to stay in my budget and not buy something I really can t afford.  But for instance, do I find a lender first and then a house, or is it vice versa?  And after I find a house and a lender, how long does it take to close?  Is it stressful getting all your paperwork together? <br/><br/>Car Insurance quotes - Inquries to my credit file?<br/> I am planning to buy a used car. So I began checking the insurance quotes online. I gave my personal information like Social etc. Now when I checked my credit file there are inquiries made by some insurance companies. Now my doubt is, will these effect my credit score. I am lot worried because, I have checked too many insurance quotes for the last one week. I doubt it will make my credit score fall. Please help if there is a way to rectify this. <br/><br/>How do you get proof of auto insurance?<br/> i just got my driver s license, (i m 17) but i haven t been able to drive yet because my dad says i need to get an insurance card as proof of insurance.  It was supposed to come in the mail a week ago.  No one else i know had to do any of this, and they could drive as soon as they got their license.  is there a faster easier way to get proof of insurance?   thanks <br/><br/>What type of doctor pays least for malpractice insurance?<br/>Just wondering what type of doctor pays the least on average for malpractice insurance? I have heard dermatologist and radiologist any others?<br/><br/>Can I buy liability insurance on an auto I am buying from a family member and still be covered?<br/> The family member is holding the title in their name until the car is paid for and only putting me on their policy as an additional driver until May 2015.  Our contract states at that time I will have to provide my own coverage but how can I insure something I don t own and be sure that all or any claims will be paid by the insurance co?<br/><br/> How do auto insurance companies investigate fronting   as in what do they look for?   <br/> Insurance is very expensive when their is a main driver and if someone is listed as a secondary (occasional driver) the bill is significantly lowered and is able to legally drive the car.  Therefore fronting   is when for example a parent lists their kid as a occasional driver when in fact they are the main driver.  It is illegal and can carry consequences.  my question is specifically how does insurance companies distinguish in event of a accident claim when fronting has occured?  I have seen a few things such as investigating actual ownership of vehicle and somehow companies look into credit card charges for gas or something idk how that works..  How do they find out? I imagine it would be incredibly difficult as companies don t follow the car around to see for themselves who the driver is.   <br/><br/>With auto insurance ...does changing policy holder and primary driver mean a lower insurance quote?<br/> I live in NY    I have an accident in my driving history. My fiancee is insured under my policy as well as I but I am the primary driver. I was told if I listed her as the primary, they would rate the insurance on her history, not mine.     I was later told I had to open a new policy completely, listing her as the primary me as the secondary driver, for insurance to rate against her history, not mine.    Is this true?    Any help/advice is greatly appreciated and thanks in advance. Best answer lands a 10! <br/><br/>Does the Affordable Health Care law really prevent insurance companies from denying pre-existing conditions?<br/> They say that now, insurance companies can no longer deny insurance to people with pre -existing conditions. So what was HIPAA passed in 1996 for? This law states that insurance companies CAN NOT deny people with pre -existing conditions. The only change I see is it gets rid of the 12 month exclusion period.     I had two aunts with lupus, both lived in California and had insurance, until they moved to Texas. If they could have kept their insurance, they would have, but for some odd reason liberals are against insurance across state lines. They had no problem finding insurance, they just had to be out of pocket for 12 months.    HIPAA also states that if you can go six months without any medical visits, advice/procedures, insurance companies are not allowed to look further than that and must not apply the exclusion period.     So did the Affordable Care Act really stop insurance companies from denying coverage for pre existing conditions, or was it ALREADY a law?    http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consume... <br/><br/>Which insurance companies hold driving records the shortest?<br/>My insurance rates are ridiculous, because progressive holds ur points against you for 35 months. So tickets that i have that are over 2 years old are still effecting me. Does anyone know which insurance companies hold your driving record shorter than that? <br/><br/>Can you get insurance for something you order online?<br/>I m buying a macbook pro from Pc world but will I be able to get insurance?<br/><br/>Could I recieve health insurance coverage for an old untreated injury?<br/> Well im in my early 20s and i ve come to you all with a quesiton...   This summer I bucked my knee both ways and I ve yet to receive medical attention for it (I haven t even had it looked at). Thinking it would heal in a few months on its own I braced it and went on with my life. It s been 6 months now and it s still showing signs of major instability and pain. I recently got a really nice health insurance plan ( 200 a month premium with a 1,000 deductable 100%-0) in hoping that I could get an MRI and a doctor could diagnose me for surgery. Is there any flaws in my plan.. i.e. a doctor determining that my injury is old? <br/><br/>Why is KTM insurance so expensive?<br/>I just recently purchased a 2008 KTM 250 xc-f, and as part of my loan I had to get it fully covered. I m just curious why a 250cc dirtbike costs more to insure than my 2004 600rr was; same coverage. Is it because it s new? <br/><br/>Laundry room flooded up and downstairs. How do I deal with insurance?<br/> May washer broke and flooded the whole house, upstairs and down. The water level vacuum hose popped off so the washer just kept filling and filling and filling until we got back to stop the washer. Obviously there is so much damage I need to file an insurance claim, but I am worried they wont cover it because they might consider it normal wear and tear   of the machine and that is not covered in my insurance. How do I make it look like a pipe corroded or broke so the homeowners insurance will for sure cover it?   <br/><br/>LANDA INSURANCE (real deal or fake?)?<br/>WHATS up with Landa Insurance. www.landainsurance.com is really sketchy. Says its for Texas and Cali but also out of state and when u click on out of state its like 766 bucks in your cart... Seems pretty weird.. No online quotes or anything...<br/><br/>Is canadian car insurance valid in the US?<br/>if I want to rent a car in the us will I have to purchase the rental car company s insurance?<br/><br/>Can i borrow from my life insurance policy?<br/>Can i borrow from my life insurance policy?<br/><br/> Are these all life insurance has same kind of plans or they have several ,which one do you have?<br/>ok lets make it easy ---------which one do u have?<br/><br/>Any idea what a first year insurance agent with Progressive would make (on average)?<br/>I understand they are P&C only, just wondered what type of income that could yield?  I wonder what some of the minimum goals/expectations they might have are? <br/><br/>Insurance on a 2004 Infiniti G35 Coupe?<br/>I am 17 and thinking of buying a G35 coupe in September (will be 18) for school. I was wondering how much the insurance would be, this will be my first car and Ive never got a speeding ticket before or been in a crash.<br/><br/>I have a question about individual health insurance....?<br/>I m helping my boyfriend look for health insurance and we re trying to figure it all out.     The one thing catching us up are detuctibles.  If he pays $120 a month with a $5000 detuctible, does that mean he pays $5000 first before getting any benefits? <br/><br/>Wont be able to pay rent and car insurance this week?<br/> i mismanaged my money and now im in a dilemma.i get paid on the 6th. but wont have enough money to pay rent and car insurance.  i have three choices. 1)pay my car insurance and be late with rent just pay it on the 20th.. late fee is $75. 2. pay rent and let car insurance cancel for a week. which i really don t wanna do since i don t know the consequences. i am financing a car. 3) pay rent and pay car insurance with savings account. but the funds wont be available until the next week. but the banks will try to process this over and over again.<br/><br/> How many people out there would love a health care insurance exchange, where you can buy insurance on your own? <br/>and not have to choose a job based on benefits, and you could switch jobs without worrying about losing coverage. Why would people be against this, unless they are part of a union and do not want everyone to have great benefits like they do? <br/><br/>I am planning to leave the country for two years and have a car insurance question.?<br/> I will be out of the country for two years doing a peace corps type volunteer program, I am currently on my father s car insurance and don t own my own car.  I pay about $400 a year to have the right to drive one of his cars.  Is it worth cancelling my insurance for two years or will the uninsured penalty be worse.  I am currently 22 and a recent college grad.  Thanks for any help. <br/><br/> Moving to CO in a month, how do I go about switching my car insurance? <br/> I m under my dad s insurance now (AAA).. it s his and my car on his policy. I was told by them that once I cancel it, it ll take effect immediately and be taken off the policy. I m moving to CO on the 18th of next month and want my new insurance to take effect on that day. If I start my policy for that day and cancel the AAA the same day, will they pro-rate June s insurance so I don t have to pay for the full month since my car won t be insured by them for that whole month? I just don t want to get stuck paying the bill twice in one month. <br/><br/>Auto Insurance Increase-Is this too much?<br/> I backed into a tree that was in my blind spot 2 nights ago and got an estimate today of $2446.00 damage. My deductible is $250. My insurance agent quoted me a 75% increase in my monthly insurance cost. 75%!!!! This is ridiculous to me considering I have no other points on my insurance or any history. In the end after paying this increase over 3 years (plus deductible), it will cost me $2410. Shouldn t insurance save you money? Isn t there anything I can do (other than pay to fix my car out of pocket)? <br/><br/>Am I still on my parents  insurance now that I m a part-time student?<br/> I was wondering if I am still eligible for insurance (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi) even though I am a part-time student? I had forgot about that before I made my schedule and it s too late to add classes, but I take prescription medications and I really need insurance! I ask this because my step-father asked for confirmation that I m a full-time student (I guess he didn t know I was only part time) and I was like..I m not full-time anymore! I have a doctors appointment tomorrow. How convenient. I researched online and apparently under the Affordable Care Act I am still eligible. But if I m still eligible, why is BCBS still asking for confirmation? I looked at the BCBS of Mississippi site but I couldn t find anything. I m so confused and I cannot afford to lose this insurance! Thanks for any help guys.. <br/><br/>How much will insurance cost per year for a scooter/moped?<br/>I am 17 and would like to know roughly how much insurance would be for a basic 125cc moped/scooter<br/><br/>240sx insurance?<br/>will the cost of insurance for a 1995 nissan 240sx be high or low?<br/><br/>How much does small business insurance cost on average yearly ?<br/> my friend is doing a project for her college class and needs to know a rough estimate on the yearly cost of small business insurance. Her business<br/><br/>Can somebody suggest me some good health insurance company which can provide me insurance for four months.?<br/>I graduated very recently from a US university. And, I had campus care insurance. It might take some time for me to join the job. And, I would like to  have some kind of health insurance for four months. Can you please suggest me some good company which can offer me insurance for such a short period? <br/><br/>Speeding ticket cost in Sandusky County OH?<br/> I was issued a speeding ticket this past Saturday in Woodville OH (Sandusky County) for going 51 mph in a 25 mph zone. I am from Michigan. Do Ohio points transfer to Michigan licenses? He told me they don t transfer but the internet says otherwise. How much will the ticket cost? (He only wrote me for speeding, no reckless driving charge). The court s website does not have an option to search for how much I owe, and not knowing is really stressing me out.   (I know speeding is bad, no excuses, etc etc. The circumstances are irrelevant. I just want to know cost.) <br/><br/> How much cash on hand is needed after one has rent, utilities, food, gas, car payment and insurance paid? <br/>How much cash on hand is needed after one has rent, utilities, food, gas, car payment and insurance paid? <br/><br/> Just got my M1 , wondering what kind of motorcycle I should look at? ( price/Insurance wise )? <br/>I have my eye on the Suzuki 500 gs , Since its considered a Touring sport, I will have cheaper insurance... Any suggestions on some motorcycles, I live in Ontario Canada.    Thanks <br/><br/>Which insurance companies offer the lowest rates for a vehicle?<br/>I would just like to know with peoples experience with different insurance companies which ones are more reasonable than the others. I m looking to buy a sports car   soon so I just need to know which insurance company won t rip me off. thanks   <br/><br/>I am foreigner 68 jear old Can i buy one insurance for hospital in Cebu?<br/>I am foreigner 68 year old  Can i buy one insurance for hospital in Cebu ?<br/><br/>How much does it cost for car insurance for an 18 year old male at insautoinsurance?<br/>How much does it cost for car insurance for an 18 year old male at insautoinsurance?<br/><br/> If someone else gets a speeding ticket while driving your car, does your insurance go up? <br/>If you let someone drive your car in Ontario, and they get a speeding ticket, and they aren t on your insurance for the car, will the insurance for that car still go up?   They have a G2, but do not have their own car, so they don t have their own insurance for a car. <br/><br/>Sporty car under 5k?<br/> I m a high school guy and have worked all summer to buy my first car. I really want something sporty and fun to drive. I want a manual transmission. So far I think celicas are my best option but are they fast/fun to drive? What are some other options? Are miatas reliable and how old should I go when looking at them? Are tiburons or eclipses reliable/fun? Please help!<br/><br/>Insurance rates: What would you guesstimate for a 23yr old Male?<br/>I got PERFECT driving record. No test when i got a license either.  #1, really only $100! My friends (who I really wouldnt trust for accurate answers like this) claimed $350 but I couldn t believe that! <br/><br/>Insurance on a 2004 Infiniti G35 Coupe?<br/>I am 17 and thinking of buying a G35 coupe in September (will be 18) for school. I was wondering how much the insurance would be, this will be my first car and Ive never got a speeding ticket before or been in a crash.<br/><br/>CheapEST foreign cars to maintain? (Audi / Lexus / Volvo / Volkswagen )?<br/>I am getting a 2002-2003 of this car, so 2007-2008 warranties are no use to me. <br/><br/>Will obstruction of plate show up on car insurance?<br/> I got a ticket for obstruction of plate this morning and I was wondering whether this will show up as a record on the insurance. I would rather pay it off myself because I don t want my parents to find out. Also, will it increase the rates? I read somewhere that no proof of insurance can increase rates, but I got a ticket for that awhile ago, it didn t affect anything. <br/><br/>Can i buy car insurance in another state?<br/>I live in PA, but im currently staying in Iowa for another month. Just bought a car here with a temperary plate, and i was wondering if i can buy insurance here so i can drive this car around for a month, then ship it over and register it over there. Thanks! <br/><br/>What is the cheapest/best home insurance right now?<br/>my home insurance just went up from roughly $800 to $1300 a year! Is their a better, more affordable one out there? Thanks <br/><br/>Need advice on Whole Life Insurance Policy!?<br/> Just to make a long story short: I have had a life insurance policy since I was 22. I put in $1200/year. I am now 26. I was talked into getting this policy from someone who I respected but does not now, knowing they did not have my best interests in mind. I do not need life insurance at this moment, although I know there will be a need further down the line when I might have a greater chance of being uninsureable and the premiums will be higher. However, I am rated as preferred so I dont know if that will hold true. Should I surrender this policy? If I do I will have a check for $1331- basically I would lose out in $3469- BUT it might be better to lose that money now than to keep contributing $1200/year while the cash value grows very SLOW and my death benefit is only $176,000 anyways, which is NOT enough anyways... Any advice would be helpful. If I do surrender the policy I plan on opening a ROTH IRA and funding it with $200/month- the 100 from the ins. and 100 more of my money. <br/><br/>What would insurance cost for a 16 year old?<br/>I turn 16 in two weeks and i might be getting an Infiniti G35 coupe. We have state farm and i can t due a quote since i don t have my license yet. Can anyone give me an idea of how much the insurance would cost?<br/><br/>Should i have my g2 licence for sure to get my auto insurance?<br/> I ve my international driving permit and g1 license.... but when i try to get auto insurance quote in the internet... The results are not given,if i mention i have my international driving licence or G1 licence....   So this is making me wonder, only if i have g2 licence... its possible to get my car insurance in canada?  ... Please help.   <br/><br/>How can i cut my insurance premiums? UK?<br/> I have  1.9 diesel 306, and have also a TT99 on my driving license which although my ban ended a while ago i have to declare and keep on license till 11/11.I have been driving legally for 18months now but its costing me a fortune every month for the insurance.    How can i reduce my insurance from average of around 3000.   Or does anyone know what cars are likely to be cheap to insure and run, (baring in mind i have partner and two kids to fit in the car as well.     Thanks in advanced <br/><br/>I live in new york city can anybody tell me who has the cheapest car insurance in the city?<br/>I live in new york city can anybody tell me who has the cheapest car insurance in the city?<br/><br/>Honda CBR 125r... Insurance price for a 17 year old?<br/> In case this could be misunderstood, by even if it could be out by 150 would be useful   I in no way think it would only cost 150 <br/><br/>Is there any reason why i can t add someone to my car insurance?<br/> If i add my sister to my car insurance, because she is a woman and older with lots of driving experience it will lower my insurance quote simply because she is on there.     But does she need to actually use the car, or can i just get her added to the car for the saving. I know the insurance company wouldn t necessarily check but if i needed to make a claim could they dismiss it if it was uncovered the additional driver never used the car or intended to use it.    We also live in different houses, will that make a difference, as from quotes i have done it doesn t usually ask for a second address, could i say she was living with me for insurance basis?    Thanks in advance. <br/><br/>Home Owners Insurance Question?<br/>I let my friend borrow my trailer, and while he had it, it was stolen. So, the trailer was stolen while on his property. Would my home owners insurance cover this? If not, what steps do I need to take to get this covered? <br/><br/>I got into a car accident with no car insurance.?<br/> I m a pretty safe and responsible driver. My Mom and I came out of the grocery store. I was the one that got into the drivers seat with no insurance, but i do have a license. My mom does have insurance, but she never feels like driving. As I was backing up, I inched towards the back and saw a clear area behind me. i took my foot off the brake i felt a thump. I was shocked! I didnt even see this car.     What happened was that this woman, with possibly no license or insurance quickly saw a parking spot and pulled into the space directly behind me. As she pulled in, I hit her passenger rear side tail light and some minor scratches. This tattooed man gets out of the car, the husband of the woman driving. He immediately starts cursing and insulting my mom, my mom s is pretty feisty too, but they both calmed down after a minute. The SUV i was in had a minor dented scratch, about the size of 4 inches.   We called the cops, but they just told us to exchange insurances.    Now we both don t have insurance, but i have a license. Now they re party is threatening us that they re going to call the cops.  This doesn t scare because we re actually going to go make a report tomorrow, just to stay safe.     They re also asking for more than $200 which is the most we are willing to offer, I dont even think its that much. this is the link showing the damage on they re car.https://picasaweb.google.com/109358750425975094423/Desktop?authkey=Gv1sRgCOSmm8fy14zMNw    How much is the cost of that. And if i do end up paying up, I m doing it by check to the driver, whom doesnt have an I.D.     So, what can you recommend me to do? I think its kind of my fault for the accident, since i did back up into her car. Any suggestions, I will consider. Thanks!!! <br/><br/>I crashed my financed car with no insurance. Now what?<br/> Hi everyone, just yesterday I crashed my Car. It s wrecked. I was not covered by insurance at the time because I forgot to send the payment in but I m sure it s too late now. Since my car is wrecked I pretty much lost my job. I still owe the finance company 7k. I really can t afford to pay it back at this point. What will happen to me? Will I go to jail? Thank you <br/><br/>Any 18 Year old drivers with car insurance?<br/>I m 18 and I cant find any insurance under 7K and this is clear ageism. Are there any other young drivers who are sole policy holders with cheaper insurance?<br/><br/> Will the health insurance companies that we have continue to raise their prices 200-2,000/year? How can-?<br/>businesses pay for this except to basically drop coverage or take it all out of your salary and raises?  Our raises are already frozen at 2% due to the economy.<br/><br/>Car damage from freeway road hazard.  Will my rates go up if i fix thru insurance?<br/>While driving on the freeway, a metal object from car in front of me fell and damaged the front of my car.  Will my insurance raise my rates or negatively effect my insurance record if I go through insurance to get it fixed?  I use Mercury insurance in California and I have standard collision coverage. Thanks <br/><br/>Just checked quotes for insurance of cars and it comes to 7000 pounds.?<br/> Well the cars i have selected are Audi a4, bmw 3 and 1 series, merc A and C class, and cars equavilant to this range, hel me to find away to reduce the insurance to 1000-3000 pounds i have my relatives in here shall i buy insurance considering his nae as first owner and me as 2nd what are the cons for doing this. Help me dont wanna get douchy car. <br/><br/>How much would taxes and homeowner s insurance be...?<br/>How much would taxes and homeowner s insurance be on a home purchase of $100,000 with less than 20% down? I am trying to estimate a total monthly payment (PITI)  Thanks. <br/><br/>How much cash will be taken due to the Affordable Health Care Act?<br/> I ask how much cash will the IRS deduct from my refund due to me not having any health insurance?  OK I know its bad that I have no health care but I just found a full time job a month ago that provides health care that I can afford and use.  I did not have any health insurance for the 2012 year and just learned that the IRS will take cash from you refund due to the poor, i.e, me, not having insurance.  So can somebody tell me (who is actuality intelligent and knows taxes) how much cash I will loose for this B.S. Law?    P.S. Please don t comment just to tell me I m a lazy jerk who just won t spend the money to get health insurance.  I work very hard and work two part time jobs just to have food and shelter.  I understand that insurance is high due to people getting hurt and can t afford the bill so it gets written off.  When I get hurt or sick I stay at home and heal myself, I don t abuse the system!  I just can t afford the monthly payment for health care with my other bills! <br/><br/>Insurance on a 2004 Infiniti G35 Coupe?<br/>I am 17 and thinking of buying a G35 coupe in September (will be 18) for school. I was wondering how much the insurance would be, this will be my first car and Ive never got a speeding ticket before or been in a crash.<br/><br/>Why Amerigroup insurance doesn t cover breast pumps?<br/> I thought all insurance companies had to cover breast pumps according to the Affordable Care Act? I called and they told me they only cover them if it s medically necessary. I am due in 2 months and wanted to get everything ready early. How will I know if it s medically necessary for me or not? They weren t helpful in telling me<br/><br/>Car insurance?<br/>i don t think is progressive, i ll keep on looking <br/><br/>If a get 2 years ncb from riding my moped. Could I transfer the ncb over to when I get insurance for a car?<br/>If a get 2 years ncb from riding my moped. Could I transfer the ncb over to when I get insurance for a car?<br/><br/>How much does sr-22 insurance cost for a DUI conviction in the state of TN?<br/>just wanted to know if anyone knew what i m looking at to pay for this to get a restricted lisence because i couldnt find it on the interet<br/><br/>Motorcycle insurance question?<br/> Hey,    I dropped my motorcycle on the right side yesterday during a turn. It s a 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250r. Two pieces of fairing were damaged pretty badly (right side and front piece).      I just got insurance the day of the drop (before dropping it). Will insurance cover the damage?    Also is it even worth getting them involved? I already have very very high insurance ($400 a month for a Honda Odyssey) due to previous car accident. I don t want to get any more things on my record. Will my insurance go up if I call them?    The replacement fairings will cost me $560 out my pocket. I have a $250 deductible on the bike. So I would save about $300. Is it worth it? <br/><br/>Do you think 248 dollars a month for car insurance a little to much?<br/>?<br/><br/>Let s not have universal health care but just make health insurance more affordable?<br/>if you disagree can you please explain why<br/><br/>What is the average life insurance amount people take out?<br/>What is the average life insurance amount people take out?<br/><br/>Do you think I could live off of 1800 a month?<br/> I m 18 and thinking about moving out in about a year. I would be making about $1800 a month. The rent of the apartments I m looking at are $555-600. My car insurance is $220. My phone is $65. I ve never lived alone so I m not sure how much utilities usually cost. And I don t eat that much so I probably won t spend any more than $70 a week for groceries. And I use $80 a month in gas for my car. I know I could probably make it with a roommate, but I don t know anyone looking for a roommate. And although I get along with pretty much everyone, I think living alone would be fun too. I know I would probably be broke most of the time. but I m usually broke anyways, because my mom asks me for money and stuff since I m 18 now. <br/><br/>What is the BEST LIFE INSURANCE to get?<br/>Do you have a life insurance? I would like to get one but i dont know what companys are good and how much money.. I have ask state farm they have a 30-term policies and if u dont die by that time you get back all your premiums all the money u have paid. but is very expensive for 100k gotta pay about 45dls.<br/><br/>Who is the owners of target?<br/>I heard they are owned by the French<br/><br/>How much does insurance on a Catamaran cost?<br/>In USD$, what is the average price for insurance on a newer catamaran? <br/><br/>Changing motorcycles and insurance question?<br/> Long story short I have got a new bike. The bike I am Insured on has about 2 months left before I gather another year no claims. However, I was wondering would/do Insurance companies offer a way for me to transfer the next/last 2 months to my new bike (At a possible cost) then charge me a full year when its due (In 2 months)    Any help will be appreciated. I don t want to phone my insurance up cause every time I phone someone like that and tell them I have a new bike I want to insure they go crazy and keep phoning me!    I have 1 years NCB and i ll be 18 in 2 months (when I will get 2 year NCB)   Cheers    Geoff <br/><br/>Concerned about insurance rates for 2011 Mustang - 305 HP V6?<br/> I really want this car for my next car but I m concerned about insurance rates. Will it be considered a sports car   even though it has the same engine as   family car   types like the Fusion? I m over 25 (will be 26 in December) and I ve not had any accidents just a couple of speeding tickets - one when I was 19 and one when I was 23. I m buying later in the fall as a graduation present to myself since I m finishing my master s degree and I m still driving my 02 Sunfire from high school.   <br/><br/>Do I need car insurance to rent a car?<br/>If I have a valid license but do not have insurance, can I rent a car? <br/><br/>Health insurance companies are ASKING for big rate hikes. does that mean they will get them?<br/>so ocare didn t put health insurers out of business.<br/><br/>What are the cheapest auto insurance companies operating in Florida?<br/>I am looking for the cheapest one with bare minimum coverage that will legally allow me to drive<br/><br/>Is Children s Health Insurance Plan valid in all states?<br/>I ll be heading off to college in August in North Carolina and live in Texas where I have CHIP as my health insurance. Will it be valid in NC?    Thanks! :)<br/><br/>What should I do when the at fault party has no car insurance?<br/> I got into a minor car accident, it was the other party s fault but he doesn t have car insurance.  Because it was a rental car, my own car insurance is not going to cover.  Now the rental car company is going to charge me for $3,000 for the damage which I did not have a chance to get a second opinion. Besides I did not use my credit card to pay for the rental since my credit line is not enough to pay the balance, I used my debit card instead.  what should I do? <br/><br/>What would be a cheap motorcycle to insure....?<br/>im 20 with im going to do a safety course id like something sporty looking...new or used...would it be cheaper to go with a older bike so i can carry liability or do older bikes have alot of problems....inform me with you advanced riders knowledge<br/><br/>Insurance on a 2004 Infiniti G35 Coupe?<br/>I am 17 and thinking of buying a G35 coupe in September (will be 18) for school. I was wondering how much the insurance would be, this will be my first car and Ive never got a speeding ticket before or been in a crash.<br/><br/> https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-much-would-insurance-cost-i-drove-audi-s4-age-16-christian

[life-is-just-messy]

Why you need to keep a lid on your ambition (be SMART)

The short version:

Don’t waste time and motivation on setting and following through on goals which won’t help you in the long run. 

Choose SMART goals - Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. 

The long version:

Depending on what professional field you’re planning on going into (if it’s a professional path you’re following - and if you have a plan) this will apply to varying degrees.  Sure, if you’re an entrepreneur or someone who’s really media-based, like a youtuber, or a writer or something, there’s a little bit more leeway -  but there’s a reason that the saying “jack of all trades, master of none” is prevalent.  Sure, there’s something to be said for having a diverse skill-set, and there’s nothing wrong with learning a new language or playing an instrument even when it’s unlikely to benefit your working life - but when your side-projects start to take up time that you could be using to do more important things, that’s when you might want to re-evaluate. 

Okay, that’s kind of vague - let me be more specific.  I spend most of the evening before my HSC Chem exam (the final high school exam) learning to solve a rubik’s cube.  Was it important? Not even remotely. Was it a good idea? not really.  Looking back on it, it’s really clear to me that I was just petrified - that exam was clearly very high-stakes - and to be honest I get the feeling that if I had tried to concentrate on it I would have worked myself into a state of hysteria. 

And then you get things like my very serious, if short-lived, impulse to learn Japanese. I was born and raised in Australia, so English is my first language, and I speak decent French, so if I were to pick up another language the best choices for me would almost certainly be Mandarin or Arabic (particularly because I’m planning to be a teacher, and it would be really helpful to any potential first-generation immigrant kids if the teacher could at least fill in a few gaps.) but I was fixated on Japanese. It was a waste of time, and I didn’t get far.

So, a rule of thumb for both short-term and long-term goals that you’re considering setting - be SMART.

Specific. Instead of setting a goal like “I want to run more” - be clear. Do you want to get fit? To lose weight? To improve your running form? To spend more time outside? Don’t be vague - when you’re setting goals (and ideally writing them down (I mean, if you’re getting seriuos about them)) you  want to save your future self as much effort as possible. Don’t make yourself work it out every time you look at the paper - be really clear the first time. 

Measurable. This is more important, in my experience, in terms of being abe to track your own progress to give yourself a motivation boost when you feel like you’re getting nowhere. To continue with the running example, there are loads of free apps - or if you don’t have a smartphone, go with a good old stopwatch and use google maps to plan out your route. If it’s something like “improve my marks in {subject}, then use anything that’s marked - homework assignments, tests, etc. Depending on how committed you are, consider using excel! Personally I usually just keep all the relevant pieces of paper in one place to accumulate until I’m ready to look back at them. 

Achievable. Want to learn 4 different languages? That’s great. Want to do it in 4 weeks? Good fucking luck. Want to learn to ski in Australia? Hope your pockets are deep! There’s not much you can’t achieve if you really, really put your mind to it - but you have to think of the cost. Everything has one - mostly time and money related. Being quite introverted, I know that improving my people-skills is really important. Doesn’t mean I don’t hate it. Consider using that trip for shopping - put that goal back on the shelf, and walk away for a few days. Most likely, you won’t care anymore. But if you’re still thinking about it? Sit down with a pen and paper, or even just think about it, and work out what it would need to be achieved. 

Relevant. Gonna be honest, this one is my weakness. I love random shit - I always have. As a matter of fact, my box of shiny-trinkets-I-pick-up-off-the-side-of-the-road is currently full. So when I am struck with the impulse to learn Japanese? To memorise the algorithms that lead to solving a Rubik’s cube? I want it bad and I want it now. But I know that, really, I should be reading, or cleaning my room, or cooking food with actual nutritional value instead. And it’s tempting, it’s so frickin tempting, to just have it as a hobby or an interest anyway - and sometimes it is. But think long and hard before taking it on - remember, if you chase both rabbits you’ll catch neither. 

Time-bound. Let’s be real. You ever plan to write a book? To run a marathon? Learn a language?... thought so. Did it get done? Nope. Not because you didn’t want to, or didn’t know how - but we’re all unlikely to do something unless it is immediately important. Try “I’m going to be able to run 5k by the first of April”. Woah - suddenly it’s gone from abstract to real. Your brain will be breaking it down - tracks it can run, bracing itself, planning ahead. And this may not be obvious, but if you’ve picked the right goal, you’ll feel the attitude shift.

Hope this has been helpful - as always, my ask box is always open.