#and was telling her how much i missed her and how much i feared id never hear her-

[ame-to-ame]

there are things that you don't do for a year or more and pick up just right where you left off and these days i fear loving you might be one of them

[katyspersonal]

I love the dreams in which the chorus of Hail the Nightmare sings for me... It is a different song every time, but they are always so beautiful, so... genuine? Invoking emotions I can't even identify. They are entrancing and elevating. Singing of Choir (that I presume is in Ebrietas lyrics) just feels so cold and hollow in comparison, it doesn't have fire in it.

Really would love to see (or rather, hear, haha) another dream like that.

[h4m1lt0ns]

HEARTBREAK SYNDROME.

episode seven :: OBSESSED.

꒰꒰◌‧₊ ⬪˙⋆ pairing ︴max verstappen x ex!y/n

꒰꒰◌‧₊ ⬪˙⋆ genre ︴social media au / irl snippets

꒰꒰◌‧₊ ⬪˙⋆ summary ﹔y/n’s fans are obsessed with heartbreak syndrome, and so is the entire grid. the entire grid.

fc – wonyoung jang (28)

꒰꒰◌‧₊ ⬪˙⋆ warnings ﹕i misspelled ‘hear’ for ‘heart’ in a tweet, sad music, shady behaviour, short one :( none.

y/n

♡ liked by theweeknd, lewishamilton and 10,482,583 others.

y/n beyond grateful 🥹🤍 truly can’t begin to express how thankful i am for you guys, thank u thank u thank u from the bottom of my heart for the support that you’ve shown for the album 🫂💐 it means a lot more than u will genuinely ever know and i’m so happy i get to celebrate highs this high with u !! once again, thank u for letting me share this part of my life with you and thank u for enjoying the sad bullshit i sang abt 💌 i love you. forever. this is ours. grateful for u, always my loves ⭐️🫧❣️

2,492,123 comments.

theweeknd deserved. truly 🖤

➜ y/n thank u for being a part of this 🖤

username NO ONE DESRVES THIS MORE THAN YOU MISS Y/L/N 🙏🏻

➜ y/n I LOVE U GUYS

arianagrande so happy n honoured i got to be a part of ur journey my angel <3 i’m so incredibly proud of u n i always will be y/n 🤍

➜ y/n 🫂🫀

username there’s something so y/n abt y/n naming charles and george as chal and princess on her phone

username carmen is so real for blasting film out

username “acting like a feral dog” CHARLES GETS MEEEEEE

username me 🫱🏽‍🫲🏾 charles 🫱🏽‍🫲🏾 george

username FILM OUT IS SO GOOD I LOVE CARMEN

username no bc what did y/n and abel actually put in that transition?? charles is onto something i fear

username “chal eclair” LMFAOAO

username WE’RE SO PROUD OF YOU Y/N 💐

lilymhe my girl ❤️ forever and always

➜ y/n love u.

y/l/nestate 🎊🎊🎊

landonorris so proud i can’t put it into words 🧡

➜ y/n MY SON IS PROUD OF ME Y’ALL 😭

pierregasly #1 FAN SINCE DAY ONE 🗣

➜ francisca.cgomes liar, that’s me actually

➜ y/n i love you both (kika more) to DEATH

➜ username HAKSKAKWK

➜ username LMFAOOOOO

➜ username pierre is so so so real

username WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH

➜ y/n I LOVE YOU MORE

➜ username we love you more

➜ y/n nah i love you more 😁

➜ username WE LOVE YOU MORE 👹

➜ y/n I LOVE YOU MORE 😡

➜ username 👹👹👹

➜ y/n RAWRRRRRR

➜ username what’s going on 😭

➜ username no clue 😭😭😭

username leave me lonely is on REPEAT

➜ username YOURE A DANGEROUS LOOOVE

➜ username BABY YOURE NO GOOD FOR ME DARLING

➜ username IF YOURE GONNA LOVE ME THEN LEAVE ME HANGING HERE

➜ username THEN ID RATHER YOU LEAVE. LEAVE ME LONNNELYYYYY

username MOTHER SAVED THE INDUSTRY PER USUAL ‼️

yukitsunoda0511 I LOVE YOU

➜ y/n I LOVE YOU MORE

honeymoon 💋

➜ y/n MOMMY

username QUEEN OF MUSICCCCCC 🗣

lewishamilton congrats to the stargirl 🥳🖤

➜ username ariana what are you doing here-

➜ y/n the real star is YOU sir lew 🙏

alexandrasaintmleux MY GIRL MY GIRL MY GIRL 🫶🏼

➜ y/n ALL YOURS BABY ALEXANDRA 😩

senastianvettel beautiful music, beautiful soul ❤️ congratulations y/n! i miss you a lot :)

➜ y/n i miss u too seb 🥲🖤

username y/n stan til i die 🫡🎖

➜ username 🫡

➜ username 🫡

lewishamilton #1 cinnamon girl fan 😮‍💨

➜ y/n i told you you’d love lana 🤭

➜ username y/n x xnda when

➜ username not him commenting twice

➜ username LEWIS IS A Y/N FAN?!?!

➜ username “i told you you’d love lana” bae when did u tell him that 😦

➜ username when did they even meet

➜ username italian gp def, she was at the mercedes garage for george

➜ username i like where this is going 🤭

➜ username me too 🤭

username SEBASTIAN IS ON Y/N’S SIDE?? OH M4X FUCKED UUUUPPP.

➜ username I KNOWWWWWWW

➜ username friendships were LOST huh

jensonbutton love love love the album 💕

➜ y/n omfg. i. well. THANK YOU. ILY??

➜ username jensonbutton she had a crush on when she was little

➜ y/n bLOCKED.

➜ username NOT U EXPOSING Y/N

➜ jensonbutton cutie lol

➜ y/n paSSING THE FUCK AWAY GOOD NIGHT.

➜ username LMFAOO

➜ username FOSKDNS

➜ username WHAT 😭😭😭

➜ username PLS

☆ IMESSAGE with ; BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

y/n: screaming vomiting crying rolling on the floor sliding against the walls scraping my knees snot bubbles in my nose literally can’t breathe

princess george: …

princess george: should i even ask 😐

chili!: j button called her a cutie and said he loved her album

chal eclair: she’s been freaking out abt it for the past half hour

my baby lando: shit i’d freak out too

alabono: bae he’s just a man ???

honey badger: ^^^^

y/n: NO HE’S NOT 😡

y/n: HE’S JENSON BUTTON 😩🤭

PIERRE GASLYYYY: she didn’t react like this when i told her i like her album 🤨

girlfriend kika: tbf ur not jenson button

babygirl alex: okay but she’s so real for that

chal eclair: ¿¿¿¿

chal eclair: since when-

chal eclair: okay.

yukino: i didn’t know y/n had a crush on jenson until her fans exposed her 😭

honey badger: LMFAO

honey badger: I WAS CACKLING I KNEW SHE WANTED TO DIE

y/n: wooOOOW

y/n: let’s laugh at y/n’s pain huh

wifey lily: well he called you cute

y/n: yeah 😍

angel carmen: all of you shut up

angel carmen: y/n.

y/n: yes ma’am 🫡

angel carmen: heartbreak syndrome tour when.

y/n: heheheheheheh

alabono: !!!!?!?!?!?????!?!!

chili!: HEHEHE????

babygirl alex: MISS GIRL.

girlfriend kika: don’t play w me rn

girlfriend kika: i’m already over sensitive from overplaying the heart wants what it wants

my baby lando: so so so real

y/n: something else is coming before tour 🤭

honey badger: spill w the quickness 🙏🏻

princess george: immediately

yukino: Y/N??????

my baby lando: MUM SAY SOMETHING

chili!: BITCH I SWEAR TO GOD

chal eclair: YOU CANT JUST DROP THAT INFORMATION AND DIP

wifey lily: PICK UP THE PHONE Y/NNNNN

chal eclair: LMFAO

chal eclair: carlos is chasing her with scissors threatening to make her bald if she doesn’t say anything 😭😭😭😭

my baby lando: LMFAOOOOO

princess george: 💀💀💀

alabono: cRYING

angel carmen: wait u traitors

angel carmen: you guys are together???

my baby lando: now wait fr.

chal eclair: uhm.

PIERRE GASLYYYY: charles answer the question 😁🔪

chal eclair: bye my pasta is burning

honey badger: cUNT COME BACK HERE

kellypiquet added to their story!

[devourable]

༄ the mermaids

sfw | tws : thalassophobia, yandere behavior, kidnapping, mildly implied pred/prey dynamics? possibly?

happy mermay! doing this before i round back to my last male yandere, then i'll alternate between the girls and enbies 😌

apologies if the pacing on this is kinda ass,,, ive had no time lately and wanted to get this out so i could write other things <\3 hope y’all like it tho

there had been rumors of strange creatures living in the waters of ilanca reef for years now. from beautiful sirens that could lure you to a watery death, to sea monsters that'll snatch you up and swallow you whole, the speculation was so widespread that many were keen to believe it. because of that, the beach was often desolate with only the warning signs of monstrous sea life littering it.

when you discovered it, however, you had to admit.. despite all the warnings, all the rumors, all of the strange happenings? you honestly didn’t care. you liked having the entire beachfront to yourself! and you personally had seen no monsters. therefore you believed none of it, and went to the beach as you pleased.

that was exactly how the three mermaids that had been stalking you wanted it to be.

it had a calculated effort since the trio had taken notice of you weeks prior. it was any other day for them at first — lyonesse was hunting a bit further off shore, tomila was sunbathing on a half-submerged rock, and kallisto had her eye on land. therefore, it was kallisto who noticed when you came traipsing about, lugging a bag of beach essentials on your back and completely oblivious to their presence.

the moment you had arrived, all three girls dove back into the water with such speed that you didn't even notice them. just another dumb human trespassing on their territory, all on your own, they thought — didn't the others warn you? didn't you see the signs? they were there for a reason!

they were just going to scare you off at first. that's what they did to every human that dared to enter their turf. they'd show themselves, the human would run off and tell anyone who'd listen, and they'd giggle amongst themselves as the poor sop who they had frightened was either completely disregarded as another prankster who had a bit too much sun or caused a hysteria which made a throng of beachgoers flee the dunes for fear of being targeted next.

but when the girls reemerged and their eyes landed on you, unsuspecting of their presence as you set up your things in the shade... for some reason, they all stopped. and they all just stared.

...how did such a nice looking human stumble upon their beach? what were these strange feelings they got just from looking at you? why didn't they wanna chase you away?

all three girls found themselves doting on every aspect of you rather than planning how they’d drive you away. you were just so adorable! they couldn’t help it! your cute face, your little mannerisms, the quirky little things you did when you thought you were alone? it enamored them to you within moments.

tomila was keen to try to meet you off the bat. but every time she made a move to get your attention, lyonesse and kallisto stopped her. humans get scared so easily, they reminded her — if you ran off like the others, they'd risk never seeing you again! they had to avoid that at all costs.

it wasn’t like they could chase you on land… if only you’d come to the water! it was no surprise that their human was smarter than the others…

with you out of their reach for the time being, they started small. every time you came down to their isolated section of the beach, you'd find something new waiting for you. sea shells and shark teeth that'd never normally wash up on the beach, an old watch that still worked somehow, a wallet that was packed with money (completely sodden, but still intact) despite the ID mysteriously missing from it, anything that the girls understood to be of value to humans. it surprised you at first, then baffled you — it was clear it was all being placed there intentionally, but by who? you had no clue, but since no one else came to the reef and therefore was never claimed, it was free for you to take. so you kept returning, and the girls kept giving.

it made them so happy when you'd come down wearing one of the bracelets they left, or spent time trying to pry apart the tiny treasure box they'd filled with sea glass and old coins. you liked their gifts! that meant you'd like them when you'd meet, right? it didn’t matter that other humans were warning you to stop coming around, you didn’t listen to them. it had to be because you liked them so much!

for a time, they were content with just that. you usually came alone, and when anyone else dared to stop by — with or without you — they chased off the newcomers with a new aggression that kept them from coming back. stupid humans, didn’t they know that this beach was for you only now? they weren’t allowed! and with their collective effort, eventually everyone was too frightened to visit the beach entirely.

everyone except you, of course!

and when they were sure that no one else would interrupt the moment they had waited ages for, it was then and only then that they revealed themself to you.

needless to say, you were incredibly surprised the day you came down to the usual spot you'd find your treasures in and, rather than finding a trinket or jewelry, you found yourself grabbed by several pairs of scaley, webbed hands and dragged off the beach, into the water, where the three happily chirped and chattered at you — finally, finally, getting to meet their human treasure! and you had so much bonding to do now that you knew of their existence!

it’d be a while before they let you go again… but it’s okay — they watched you for so long, surely they knew about all the things you liked!

they’d make sure you’d be nice and comfortable during your time with them.

[hangesdarling]

YOU WRITE FOR THE KAKAGURI GIRLS?

yumeko jabami with her house pet reader please

deception — y. jabami

PAIRING. Yumeko Jabami x female reader SYNOPSIS. You’re a housepet that caught Yumeko’s attention. CONTENT. Suggestive content, no explicit smut, kinda fluffy in a way WORD COUNT. 1.0k A/N. yepp anon, i write for kakegurui too! i love the manga so muchh

You're always one to hide your intentions cleverly. Masked by a gentle voice, temperate manner, and vulnerability, the housepet ID around your neck had deceived all. But not her. Yumeko Jabami's eyes are too sharp for your deception.

As everything in Hyakkaou Academy was arranged, it all started with a simple gamble. It was around break time and while most games are ongoing, the game room you came from became a parade of dejected faces. Housepets wishing for another chance to free themselves were met with greater loss, those who are far too greedy and risky have a brand new housepet ID around their necks, but you... Yumeko cannot miss the subtle smile curling at the edge of your lips despite another hundred thousand yen weighing on your shoulder.

You were too lost in your musings to even notice the presence of the girl approaching you. At first, you thought she was just a sweet, thrill-seeking girl who had too much money to spare. You accepted her gamble, thinking it was common for the likes of her to gamble recklessly. 

You were having fun, giving in to her charms as you charmed her back with your smooth words. However, the understanding began to dawn on you like a pile of bricks halfway through the game. Yumeko's game was never a game of luck, none of the cards played could ever win without the level of intuition Yumeko has. 

It was a simple game of three rounds that ended with your loss and yet, Yumeko had already gained the information they needed from you after you won the second round.

After that game, your hand shook as Yumeko enthusiastically took it between hers. You tried to laugh it off, telling her the game got you nervous, that's all. However, the fear rose in your throat as Yumeko gave you a knowing look, one that pierced through your soul and tore away the shroud you concealed yourself with. I can see through you, her eyes spoke. 

This is the end of your deception. This girl with sharp eyes and a deceiving smile came so suddenly and tore away your facade.

Yumeko looked at you, a blush creeping on her cheeks as she caressed your hands between hers. You swore that her brown eyes turned red as she said, "I look forward to gambling with you again, Y/N."

Your hand retracted from hers, and a nervous smile crept on your face as you chuckled, "You sure about that? You can bury me in debt, haha..."

Yumeko giggled softly. That euphonious laugh worming its way to your heart, "Don't think that would happen, Y/N."

———

You know very well that this girl could be the very death of you. Her presence in your life had your persona teetering over the edge, your desire to gamble with the student council becoming stronger. But it was getting hard to hold back whenever you were gambling with Yumeko. The excited glint in her eyes urged you to use all your wits and all the cards up your sleeves. It was like being squeezed out of all the strategies hidden within you for the sole purpose of being a gratifying thing to her. No matter how much you deny it, Yumeko became a newfound fascination you're trying to detest. Whenever you two were left alone, Yumeko couldn't help but be touchy, asking all kinds of things whenever she was kissing you, or sometimes playfully tugging on your housepet ID when she desperately wanted you close.

Yumeko always sees through everything, tearing at the filter of things to get through a more interesting reality. She knew the mutual desire and understanding brewing between the two of you. It wasn't just the heated gambling sessions, or when she pulls you into a kiss but rather an inner, less pronounced desire to seek thrill and fascination within the other.

Her schemes are so lovely, unforgiving, and remorseless, one that dances along with your resolve. After a gamble with one of the student Council members, she wore a housepet ID like a garland, even pulling you close just to tell you how beautiful your cruel necklaces match.

Yumeko gave you that one esoteric gaze only you came to understand. The hunger to gamble. The hunger for something else only the both of you could see.

Gambling came to be Yumeko's life the first time she held a dice, and you've become the love that fueled her desire. The one where she found a divine, almost cosmic understanding. Each touch melts the both of you into one, a mold made to be together to either strike fear or fascination.

At one point, she pulled you aside, hugging you to her chest as her hands wandered around you in a deep desire to bond. You took her blushing, heated face into your hands, relishing her desirous gaze before your lips met hers. The warm brown of your lover’s eyes gazed at you with a perpetual tinge of red. Her gentle arms encircled your waist, creeping a tender hand beneath your skirt. Yumeko wanted to feel every inch of you, the soft smile on her lips contrasting her eyes filled with intent to have you. No one ever came near to the place where you stood in her heart, not even the most insane gambler in the academy.

Yumeko admires your far-reaching mind, and desire to win something more than a stack of money. You carried the humiliation of being a housepet for a greater desire for power. A fault stirring the hierarchy, a quiet force caving away the foundation of Hyakkaou Academy. You were so quiet, yet so poisonous—the perfect dangerous weapon loved by her hands.

Yumeko shared your desire. She wanted to watch the beautiful collapse of this depriving system. After all, every system was bound for ruination to make room for the creation of something tremendous.

Let's gamble to our heart's content, she would say, and make it sound like a chaste confession of love and in her own way, it was.

likes, reblogs, and comments are appreciated, sweethearts <3

[scarasbaefy]

linger

chars; scaramouche/wanderer

; fem reader, angst

note; I AM NEW TO THIS !! i neefd more angst i love angst so im doing it myself. emoly if u see this, HI !!!

Ⰶ

sitting on the bed you shared with your “husband” is all you seemed to do these past few months. scaramouche is rarely ever home. when he is, he doesn’t even bother to greet you. not a smile on his face, and no word is exchanged between you. there hasn’t been any intimacy either. no kisses, no loving touches.

“why don't you just leave him? it’s obvious you’re miserable.” tartaglia said as he seen you walk out the infirmary. he had no idea what he was talking about. he doesn't even know the feeling of loving someone so much that you don’t want to let go. “i love him.” you stated, no emotion present in your voice. who can blame you? you were in a loveless relationship. tartaglia felt bad for you but didn’t say anything more. you stared at his back, watching him as he continued to walk down the hall. everyone was worried sick at your depressed state, except of course scaramouche.

tartaglias words lingered in your mind. maybe it wouldn’t hurt to ask scaramouche why he was acting this way towards you. was it the girl everyone had been talking about? you’d occasionally hear other harbingers talk about a mysterious traveler ruining their plans. 

you walked back to your room with the mystery girl in your mind. sometimes you would read reports from scaramouches missions that had been mailed in for filing. the way he wrote about her and complimented her skills made you slightly jealous. ‘it’s okay,” you told yourself, “soon, she’ll be the furthest thing from his mind!”

before him becoming distant, he would talk to you with the happiest look on his face. he would bring you gifts and strike down anyone who dared to look at you the wrong way, never failing to bring butterflies to your stomach. the memories of the past made you tear up. “i miss my husband.” you whispered as you rubbed your stomach, trying to soothe the sudden cramp you had been getting for a while now.

“i’m right here. stop crying. it’s making you look pathetic.” scaramouche said as he slammed the door shut. “do you know how embarrassing it is having a crybaby wife like you? lumine would never do this. everyone looks at us with pity and i hate it, and it’s all your fault,” his words dripped with venom. 

you felt your heart drop. you didn’t know he was coming home today. the plan to tell him the news you found out from the infirmary suddenly slipped out of your mind, fear of what he’d do to you replacing its spot. 

“i-i.. when did you arrive? i thought you wouldn’t be coming home for another week or so,” you said as you wiped the tears from your eyes. 

scaramouche walked in front of you, grabbing ur face with one hand while rubbing the tears away rather harshly. you immediately tried prying yourself away from him. “stop! you’re hurting me!” you shouted, grabbing his wrists and forcing his hands off your face. “oh give me a break,” he started, “now i can’t even wipe your tears away without you acting dramatic? isn’t this what you want anyways? god, how much more useless can you get? if i knew you were going to become like this, i wouldn’t have married you. id rather walk this land alone a thousand times and witness my friends get killed, than to be seen with a person like you.” your heart dropped for a second time. this time, the aching pain lingered longer. 

you slowly smiled at him. one of those smiles you give when you’ve had enough. months without him talking to you and this is how he treats you? scaramouche furrowed his eyebrows at your reaction. no one should be happy after being insulted. 

“okay.” you said, the smile turning into a bitter expression. you stood up and shoved him away from you. “take your lousy ring,” you took the ring off your finger and threw it towards his feet, “i’m sick of this, and you, and everything you haven’t done. i haven’t done anything to you to deserve this,” scaramouche stood there with a surprised face. he stumbled as he reached to catch your ring, regret immediately washing over him. never in a million years did he think you’d be capable of talking back. you’re a sweet person with no room for hate. “don’t look for me,” you continued, “don’t follow me. don’t even bother mentioning my name,” you made your way towards the door, hand reaching for the doorknob, “and by the way, don’t be surprised when one of your subordinates reports back to you telling you they spotted me with an infant that resembles you.” the electro vision on your back flickered before the sound of thunder roared and lightning replacing where your body once stood, teleporting you out of the building.

[pixie-ass]

Don't Say You Need Me - Jonathan Crane Drabble

Warnings - none except refrenced non consented ghost hands

— ˗ˋ ୨୧ ˊ˗ —

It'd been almost 2 weeks since she'd last heard from the man she loved. Last time she'd seen him he'd been the one to reach out, look for her until he found her, to tell her he missed her and needed her back. Like always she believed him, blurred by the rose lens of love. He'd been there for a while, not long but a little longer than usual until one morning he'd left, with nothing but a few words of how he needed to leave and couldn't explain it to her. 

Here she was now, laying in her bed, a comforter covering her from head to toe as she stared out her apartment window into the gloomy streets of Gotham. The tv was playing in the background, the news reporter buzzing about more criminal attacks of people dying from a gas poison. She could care less, a villain could come into her apartment now and strip her of everything but she wouldn't care, her heart had been ripped out again. 

The moon was bright in the sky, but clouds would come and cover it again, leaving her in darkness again. 

It was late into the night, but she couldn't sleep.

Flipping over, she looked at her small clock, 2:37, it read. It's been days since she'd gotten good rest even if all she did was rot in bed. 

She hasn't always been this way, she'd been with many men before, but none of them had made her so sad to lose like Jonathan had. She'd been strong, never shedding a tear for any of them, telling herself they weren't worth it. But then came the doctor, with his charming good looks and stoic personality. 

Lost in thought she once again stared into nothing in particular, lost in thoughts that kept coming. Her phone lit up, she zoned into it. She was getting a phone call. Sitting up, she picked it up, the caller ID was unknown. 

Furrowing her brows she answered, "Hello?"

"Y/n, hello. It's Jonathan."

Silence filled the room, her heart leaped in her chest, from happiness, excitement, pure bliss. It was like the color had returned into her life once again. She was happy to hear his voice again, like a drug it lured her in and had her addicted everytime.

"My love, where have you been? I've been worried sick." She inhaled shakily, the news of his voice making her happiness overpowering, "Oh, i've missed you so much, Jonathan.." she whispered. She was now sitting up completely, the first movements she'd done in a while.

"I've been busy here at Arkham, you know how my job is. Lunatic after lunatic. You wouldn't believe how many crazies are in this city." His voice sounded the same, yet she could suspect a different hint of tone from his usual annoyed one, it sounded darker, but she couldn't put her finger on it. She decided she was imagining it, from her lack of sleep and time since she last heard him.

She let out a giggle, "Yeah, I'm sure, I've seen the news. There's a new criminal they call the Scarecrow, spraying victims with a fear gas. Another crazy you'll be seeing soon, huh?" There was a noise in the call as if a shift in fabric, "Perhaps if he's caught. I've seen him around the media, his techniques are quite intelligent though, the police haven't caught him, not even the infamous Batman." There was a snarkiness in his voice, his annoyed tone had returned, his tone almost sounded insulted at her comment.

She wondered why, then another question popped up, "Why did you call me until now, Jon?" She was now frowning, looking down at her knees, her heart aching in fear of what he would say. 

"Ah yes, I called you because I wanted to see you, my darling." Her frown lifted, a smile replacing it as she bit her lip happily. 

"I've been wanting to see you more than anything. When did you want to meet up?"

"I'm outside your apartment complex, if now is fine." Jolting up she looked outside her window, seeing him walk into the doors of the complex, her heart raced as she looked at herself.

She looked a bit messy from laying in bed, "Oh, um, yes now is fine. Let me just clean up a bit. Just knock when you're here please." He gave a quick response, as she hung up. She wasn't sure what he needed but now her nerves were getting to her as she replaced the lounge clothes she wore with actual clothes. Slipping on a small black skirt and sweater, she tidied up her hair as she heard a knock. 

Opening the door, she smiled widely, there stood the man she'd yearned for, dressed in his usual suit. "Jonathan…" She embraced him in a tight hug around the neck, holding onto him like he'd disappear into thin air again, "I've missed you so so much." She exhaled into his neck. He placed a hand on her waist, he'd never been much of a physical person. Stepping back, she stared into his face, smile never leaving as she motioned him to come in. He did so, she noticed he was carrying a suitcase with him, she assumed he'd just got out from Arkham. 

"Good to see you too, darling. I needed to see you again." He spoke, setting down his suitcase on the kitchen table. Her heart fluttered at his words, he did seem a bit different. 

He sat down at one of the tables and she accompanied him in doing so. Staring at him, she noticed he carried himself with a new demeanor, she didn't speak until he spoke up first, "I'm sorry I left so abruptly. I had an emergency to see to. You know I love and need you, my darling." 

She nodded, smiling as she grabbed his hand in hers. "I know, my love. Don't worry. I'll always be here for you, I love you more than anything."

Jonathan was pleased to hear this, he gave a smile in return. He knew when he picked her long ago she'd be perfect. No matter how many times he'd left, for months or longer, she accepted him with open arms. He wasn't interested in love or such things but that didn't mean he wasn't good at faking it, he was a master at manipulation and psychological abuse, he was only using what he knew. 

"My darling, since you love me so much, would you do anything I told you?" He leaned over, running a hand through her hair lovingly, then moving to her cheek as he caressed it with his thumb. They both equally knew she would, she nodded, placing her hand on top of his as she leaned into his cool touch, bathing in the feel of it. 

"Of course, my love." 

"Good." He responded, leaning into her and placing a slow kiss onto her lips. She melted into it instantly, closing her eyes and taking in the feeling she missed so much. His lips were warm and he was perfect as always. 

A small click was heard, but she ignored it, too infatuated with the man's lips to acknowledge or care. That was until a smell filled her nose, his lips had pulled away by now and she began coughing, opening her eyes she saw smoke and Jonathan had been replaced by a terrifying frowning scarecrow. She let out a scream that was quickly broken by another fit of coughs as she stood up, stepping backwards to get away. 

A gruesome voice now filled her head and the room around her was becoming distorted, the lights flickering and dark voids and bugs crawling everywhere. "Oh my darling, having trouble?" The voices seemed to be mocking, she couldn't see him clearly now, only a terrifying dark shadowy figure slowly making its way towards her. She felt hands touching her all over. Falling backwards her body made harsh contact with the floor, she continued to scream, now crying, "Please… please stop, no no no.." she closed her eyes but that only seemed to make it worse as more terrifying images appeared.

"Your pretty little mind can only take so much. Shhh succumb to the fear! Come on my darling, let it all out. Let me see your biggest fears." The voice was tormenting, filling her whole head as she cried harder, the feeling of hands getting more painful on her body. She tried to rub them off frantically, but the feeling only worsened, she felt like she was suffocating. Opening her eyes the scarecrow was face to face with her, distorting and moving into terrifying faces straight from a nightmare. 

"Make it stop, make it stop please!" Her words were coming out slurred, whines and whimpers being all that Johnathan heard. She was trying to crawl away, but not to much success. Jonathan could see it was affecting her greatly, he was pleased, a sinister smirk on his face as he ripped the mask off. She was showing to be a great sport, her fear was much more extravagant than he had imagined. He had used a lower dose on her to test it out, but she showed great promise in his future experiments. 

Cooing at her, he caressed her face again, her eyes widened in fear as she was paralyzed in place unable to writhe away. Her eyes then closed suddenly as her body went limp, her brain must have exhausted from the high levels of fear.  "You're okay now, Dr. Crane will take care of you for being such a good girl." 

[storiesbyjes2g]

3.142 Keep it in the family

After that rather heavy breakfast, I suggested we head to Gilbert Gardens for a stroll around the lake to burn off the calories and the effects of such a serious conversation. He told me a few stories from his childhood and how he and Mama met, which was a story I had actually never heard before. They were at a bar, and she turned around and told him he was beautiful and asked him out at the end of the night. It wasn't hard to imagine her being so brazen, but I only knew the more matured and careful version of Emerald Kierra Pope. Heh, I still couldn't believe Dwayne called her "Kiki." That sounded like a completely different sim, but I suppose she was a different sim then. While I enjoyed hearing happier stories of my parents' youth, I found it odd he would tell so many about him and her. Did he miss her? She must have gotten to him. I hadn't forgotten about them acting weird lately. Maybe what they say about the things we remember at the end of our lives is true. No one on their deathbed lamented about not making enough money or buying a bigger house. No one remembered the petty arguments and dumb stuff we did. It was the good times and people we loved, and he still loved her.

It was quite hot that afternoon, and Dad got tired and wanted to go back home, but I wasn't done with him yet. I needed more time and suggested we go check on Less and the babies, and he agreed. When we arrived, two of the three babies were hungry and screaming. Less already had Arvin, so I took care of Breanna. Dad stood quietly behind us, admiring how well we took care of them...or something. As soon as Arvin was satisfied, Lex woke up and demanded a meal too. Like every other visit, at some point, Dad left to take out trash and do whatever else he could find to help out. The fear of holding newborns must have been pretty strong. If I were staring death in the face, I'd like to think I'd suck it up and hold my long-awaited grandchildren. But to each his own.

Once all the babies were happy and asleep, we retreated downstairs to hang. Mama came in from the pool and was surprised to see us all together in the living room.

"Two days in a row? I should have given you my final wishes sooner!"

"Ha ha," I said flatly.

"You could have just left instructions like normal sims," Dad said.

Mama's head jerked back so far, I thought it would fly off and sock Less in the face. I could count on one hand how many times I saw my parents fight, but each time was dangerously entertaining.

"Did you leave instructions, smartie?" She paused a few seconds for dramatic effect. "I didn't think so!"

He shook his head at her. I could imagine their marriage being full of that, had it continued.

"While we're on the subject," he said, "if you don't mind, there's something I want to discuss with my children."

"Okay. I'll go. But don't be in here traumatizing my babies."

"You've already done that, Mama," I said. "Thanks for that."

"Why, I never! I know where I'm not wanted. I'm going back to the pool!"

He watched her leave, but still didn't say what he wanted to say. Maybe discussing their deaths was just as awkward for them as it was for us to hear about it, even though they spoke so casually about it.

"So...what is it, Dad?" I asked.

"Despite what she thinks, I do have instructions," he said. "But there is one matter left to finalize, and I could use your help."

"Uhhh...okay," Alessia said, nervously.

"Lessi... I want to give you my house..."

"A house?!"

"Yes. But if I leave it to you, I want you to live in it."

"But...I live here."

"I know. After your mom is gone, I thought maybe you'd want to be closer to your brother. My house isn't nearly as big or as nice as this, but it's homey, and there's enough room for everyone."

"But...I..."

She looked so lost. Did Mama not talk to her? Or did she not consider the whole picture? Probably the latter. She was never good at caring about much beyond her nose. I, on the other hand, was giddily distracted by the idea of us being neighbors. Ever since learning Jace abandoned her, I had been trying to think of the best way to help her and the babies. Never once did I consider her moving to live near me until Dub mentioned his rental property. It was the perfect solution for both of us. She'd have family nearby to help with the kids, Des would grow up with faux siblings, and I'd get to keep an eye on Less and be a positive male figure in my niblings' lives. Everyone wins!

"I know that's a big decision," he said, "and expecting you to make it now isn't right, so how about this... I'll leave it to Luca until you decide if you want it or not. But no matter what you decide, I don't want either of you to sell it. I want it to stay in the family."

"But...what do I do with it?" I asked.

"Rent it out and make some money. Or keep it and give it to one of the kids. I don't have a pile of money to leave you like your mom does. This house is all I have. That's why I chose not to rent an apartment when we moved. This house is my contribution to our family's legacy. It can provide extra income for you or a head start for your children or their children as long as it stays in the family."

I had only thought of rental property in terms of a shared living situation like Dub had done. I didn't consider I could take a house I already owned and let someone else live in it while I lived somewhere else. The money tree had already done so much for my family's future, but everything Dad had said opened my mind to so many more possibilities. Just like I told Dub, I could leave Desiree more than just money.

"Of course we'll keep it in the family, Dad."

The evening grew late, and I had to get home to my ladies, so I said goodnight to Dad, silently hoping that it wasn't our final farewell. But in case it was, I gave him a good squeeze and told him I loved him.

I grabbed Less next.

"I love you too. I hope you'll take the house."

"We'll see. You're okay, I guess."

"I KNOW you're not leaving this house without saying goodbye to me," Mama shouted, appearing from nowhere.

"Now, why would I ever think about doing that?" I kissed her on the cheek. "I love you. I'll be back soon."

[offbrandkyoya]

60 scara the widower

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Scaramouche is very lonely. He’s never felt so empty before. He misses you so much, like he’ll ever admit that. Practices were okay. It made him want to gauge his eyes out but anything for his fans.

Scaramouche turns off the music and sits on the floor while taking a sip of water. He’s sweating like crazy and he feels his head spiral. The boys trained separately for 3 hours and the rest is practicing together. Currently, Scaramouche is separated from the others. He kind of missed the loud noises.

He closes his water bottle before staring at the ceiling. He wanted to call you, see how you were doing but his phone got taken away. He wouldn’t get it back till the end of the day which was at night. He didn’t like the idea calling you at night since he cares about your health. Kind of hypocritical since he didn’t care much about his own.

Scaramouche pulls his knees up and rests his chin. “I miss yn…” He mumbled. He’s all alone so he didn’t care about speaking out loud. It’s just him and his thoughts. “Why did I sign up for this if it meant id be away from them?” He sighs before standing up. “I hope they’re okay.” He knows that people at your campus don’t like you at all and he can’t help but worry. You have Thoma and now…

“Fuck.” He says, remembering he’s keeping a secret from you. Scaramouche runs his fingers through his hair. He doesn’t like the idea of not telling you about Albedo and Kaeya. Obviously, it was none of your business to know their relationship but he fears something will happen to your friendship. You get along well with Albedo that he can’t help but think, if Kaeya spills the truth, Albedo would no longer want to be associated with you.

Not only him but Thoma as well. The blonde has some kind of relationship with Diluc and that can also ruin everything. Scaramouche just wants to make sure that you don’t only have him or 5WIRL. He growls, “I’m not their mom.” His face softens, “Still, I love-“ The door opens and enters his manager.

“Oh, I’m sorry, am I interrupting?” He hated her guts. Getting special treatment is kind of annoying. Yet, he doesn’t want to cause any problems so he acts oblivious. “No, I was just relaxing.” “I see but don’t relax too much.” Scaramouche nods and his manager closes the door, walking closer to him. “Listen, Scaramouche.” She rubs her hands.

“About that concert where you…had a reaction…” Scaramouche raises a brow but says nothing. “I need you to be focused. It’s not that I’m angry at you. I’m just concerned. You need to learn how to control your emotions. We don’t want you to look bad in front of everyone.” Scaramouche felt his insides boil. How was he supposed to know his mom was gonna show up that night? He hasn’t seen that woman in years.

“Okay.” Was all he said and she smiles. “Good. Gosh, you’re a much better listener than the rest. Out of all of them you have the most potential considering-“ She paused. “Considering?” He repeats. Her smile falters but continues, “Nothing. You’re just better. So much better that, you can be the new leader.” His eyes widen and she laughs. “Just a suggestion.” “What about Venti?”

Suddenly, she frowns. “He’ll leave. He’s been here long enough and Zhongli isn’t easy to beat. I guess his time has run out. He’s pretty much a nuisance and does nothing but mistakes. Honestly, he should’ve given up long ago.” Scaramouche doesn’t say anything and she smiles again. “Well enough of that. Continue doing what you’re doing.”

She walks to the door but turns back around. “Oh right, I’ve been meaning to tell you; take off that ring. I don’t want anyone getting the wrong idea.” Then she left. Scaramouche brings his hand up to look at the ring. “Like hell I’m taking this off.”

Scaramouche felt sour after hearing all that. Him? The new leader? He scoffs at the thought. “As if.” He’s pretty unstable, mentally and emotionally, so he wouldn’t be right for the job. Plus, Ventis a good leader. He’s confused on his relationship with Zhongli so he can’t really say much on that. Scaramouche heads to the boombox and turns the music back on to continue practicing.

- I watched Barbie

- I also started watching legend of korra after avoiding it for so long

- I love mako

- 🩷

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[stitching-in-time]

Voyager rewatch s3 ep6: Remember

I love B'Elanna episodes, and this is one of her best. There's so much good material for B'Elanna here, and Roxann Dawson gives a fantastically nuanced and hearfelt performance, playing both her and the character of Korenna in this one.

This is probably one of the best episodes of the whole series in terms of directly, confrontationally taking on a relevant social issue, in the way that the original series did in the 60s. The absolutely terrifying thing about it is how much more revelant it's gotten since it first aired, and it just shows how important Star Trek is in terms of saying things that no other show would talk about, or would even be allowed to talk about, in today's political climate.

It starts off nice and normal, with some aliens, the Enarans, visiting Voyager and helping them make some improvements in engineering. B'Elanna is working with two of the scientists, who have been there for a few days, and who she has a good rapport with. We get a little scene with B'Elanna being Harry's wingman with the younger scientist, who likes him (B'Elanna and Harry are such cute bffs!!! I love it!!!) and then B'Elanna goes back to her quarters, where she goes to sleep and has a very racy dream, and has to be woken up from it the next morning because she missed the start of her duty shift. She then tells her other bff Chakotay all about her racy dream, and he's all like 'get it girl, I won't telll anybody you were late for work because of your sex dream, I got you fam.' (Because on Star Trek, people just tell their friends about their sex dreams, or the sexy candle ghosts they inherit, whatever. Nobody has any boundaries on a starship, I guess! lol)

But she keeps having the dreams, and in them she seems to be experiencing someone else's life. Eventually the dreams break through when she's awake, and when she collapses in the corridor, they realize their telepathic alien visitors must be behind it somehow, but they deny intentionally doing anything.

Meanwhile, the dreams go from being fun and romantic to more and more serious. Korenna, the woman whose life B'Elanna is experiencing, is torn between her lover, who comes from a culture outside her society's mainstream, and her father, who's part of the ruling class that oppresses her lovers people. We learn the love affair is clandestine because his people are subject to curfews, and ID checkpoints, and forced deportations. Korenna starts out sweet and innocent and sympathetic to his people, but as he tells her more of what's really going on, she doesn't want to believe that her father could be involved in something so terrible. Her father uses every manipulation tactic to justify his actions, and preys on his daughter's fears to win her over to his side. It's an absolutely devastating scene. Watching her descent into radicalization is horrifying and tragic, and all too familar a sight in our real world of alt-right conspiracy theories- chillingly, the things her father says are the same right-wing talking points we see today on the news.

B'Elanna eventually learns the memories belong to Jora Mirell, the older scientist she was working with, who regretted what she'd done, and wanted someone who would care and understand to know what her society had tried so hard to scrub from their history. When she dies, B'Elanna interupts the farewell party for the Enarans, and confronts their leader for the cover up of the genocide his people perpetrated. He denies and makes excuses, the other Enarans don't want to believe it, and the Voyager crew looks uncomfortable, and suggests that she shouldn't say it in the middle of the party. But B'Elanna's not anywhere in the vicinity of fucking around, and she says it all right there, where everyone can hear it.

Later, Captain Janeway tells B'Elanna she believes her, but that Voyager can't interfere with another society, and they must let the Enarans go, and leave them to do what they will, even if it means burying the knowledge again. B'Elanna is still distraught and outraged that no one will acknowledge what happened, and that no justice will be done. But Janeway tells her to go talk to the younger scientist she worked with before she leaves. B'Elanna does, and appeals to her to open her mind and think about what she told them. The Enaran woman agrees to telepathically link with B'Elanna so she can experience Jora Mirell's memories and see what happened for herself. The last shot is of her in the first memory, in Korenna's place, just like B'Elanna was. We're left with the hope that now that someone on their planet had the courage to look the truth in the eye, maybe their society can acknowlege it, and change for the better.

This whole story just hits so hard in light of current events. Are there Israeli parents, right now, telling their children the same things the father in this episode told his daughter, to justify their govenment's genocide against the Palestinians? Somewhere, on some news network, right now, I guarantee there's a right-wing pundit making the same speech the father makes in the town square in this episode, telling his followers how immigrants, or trans people, are dangerous, and undermining our society, and must be controlled or exterminated, for our safety. It's happened so many times in the US, and around the world, and then they say it was for the best, or that it didn't happen at all, so that when they do it again, they can claim that they would never, that it could never happen, don't be ridiculous, we're not evil, what we're doing is right, and for your own good. It makes me want to scream with rage, and I teared up watching B'Elanna march into that party full of complacent people, and speak truth to power, and force them to confront their own complicity in the evil system they benefit from. B'Elanna was and is such an important character to me, because here was a female character who was allowed to express her rage, and the audience was allowed, and even encouraged (some of the time at least), to sympathize with her. I hate when they try to write off her anger as being 'just Klingon things lol' because that is absolutely not what it is, at all. It's the anger of someone who's been marginalized, who's seen injustice, and won't fucking stand for it anymore, anywhere. Who knows everyone deserves better, and will fucking fight for it, whenever, wherever. I love that this episode lets us see that, and that in this story, her outrage is what drives the first steps for these people to start down the path to healing and change. The Enarans are telepathic, so Korenna choosing B'Elanna to relive her experiences wasn't just because she was there. She must have felt that B'Elanna was the person who would feel it the most deeply and fight hardest for what was right.

This episode makes me sad and angry, but it's supposed to. In a country where people are trying to ban teaching our history in our schools, an episode like this is more important than ever. Maybe in some state where schools aren't allowed to teach children about slavery, or the holocaust, or the genocide of Native Americans, or any queer history, maybe some kid will see this Star Trek episode, because their conservative parents think it's just a show about spaceships. And maybe this story will stick with them when their parents try to tell them that it's okay to hate one group of people or another. Maybe they'll hear their parents echoing a villain's words, and they'll start to consider that maybe their parents are wrong. And maybe they'll start to think critically enough to resist the poison of bigotry and break free one day. All it takes is one person to start questioning, and that's how things start to change.

I'm sure there's someone out there who doesn't like this episode, who could find plot holes, or something to criticize, but not me. That's not what's important to me here. This story is what Star Trek is about, at it's core. It's anti-fascist, anti-racist, it's about challenging and dismantling systems of oppression. Since 1966, it's been there to say something hopeful for all us who believe humanity can do better, and I'm profoundly grateful to have it.

Tl;dr: A hard-hitting episode that explores how easily even good people can become indoctrinated to bigoted, xenophobic ideas, and which shows us how even one person standing up and looking it in the eye can make a difference. Absolutely top notch, essential Star Trek viewing.

[zoeykallus]

Hey, if it isn’t too much trouble and when you have all the energy you need, would you consider making (preferably fem!)reader x crosshair fic where some bad guy takes the reader and then after she is rescued the bad guy says “I should have killed your little girlfriend when i had the chance” id really like to see how you would express his emotions in this one, you capture all of the characters’ behaviour soooo well i love your works <3 ty for considering

Aloha!

This isn't going to end well.

Crosshair x Fem!Reader Short One-shot - The Fatal Mistake

Warnings: Angst/Violence/Tiny Bit Of Fluff

_________________

Forgive me for making something up that isn't canon (yet).

After Crosshair managed to flee Hemlocks facility, he reunited with you, after months of being missing. The Doctor doesn't take it too well, especially since Tarkin is watching this failure critically.

Hemlocks spies know about you, and he gets hold of you. As Crosshair tries to free you, things turn ugly.

___________________

The Fatal Mistake

After the sound of gunshots fades, it is eerily quiet for a long moment. A deceptive silence that seems almost peaceful. Until a voice familiar to you breaks the silence.

Crosshair snarls, "You're in over your head, Doctor."

Hemlock knows what Crosshair can do, and yet he feels superior, his movements deliberate, slow and confident, like those of a predator. His posture carries the arrogance typical of a bully who feels superior to his victim.

He has you handcuffed in front of him like a shield, he is sure that he holds all the cards at the moment, even if Crosshair has taken out his men, and he is facing the Sniper alone.

"I don't think so," Hemlock replies in his calm, low voice, almost purring, "I have someone very close to your heart here, as you can see, and I intend to take advantage of the situation."

Crosshair tilts his head slightly forward, his gaze piercingly fixed on Hemlock, almost like a bull ready to charge at any moment. There's so much hatred in his amber eyes that even you feel it run down your spine, though you know that hatred isn't for you at all.

"Bringing her into this was a big mistake. If you take her from me, I have nothing left to lose, and I will walk over dead bodies to get her back," he growls.

Hemlock has one hand on your shoulder, with the other he points to the dead on the ground, the bullet holes still smoking.

"Yeah, I saw that. You've always been willing to take lives, even innocent lives, without hesitation, from what I've heard."

Crosshair grits his teeth, avoiding looking at your face for fear of the judgment that might lie within. He is well aware of his mistakes, and they've kept him up many a night.

"Those were different times, different circumstances," he says reluctantly.

Hemlock smiles and says unapologetically, "Tell yourself that if it makes you sleep better at night. But in fact, I know you hardly slept in the weeks before you were brought to me. Guilt?"

Crosshair doesn't dignify that question with a response, but instead demands, "Let her go."

You listen to the men, nervously. You know that your life or death is being decided here. You feel Hemlock's hand on your shoulder and the handcuffs cutting into the skin of your wrists.

A few minutes ago you thought you were lost, but Crosshair really showed up, he really came to save you. Fear and joy mix. You trust him, you trust that he will do the right thing. You force yourself to take a breath, to trust that Crosshair has the situation under control.

"Tell yourself that if it makes you sleep better at night. But in fact, I know you barely slept in the weeks before you were brought to me. Guilt?"

"Let her go."

You know about the conflict Crosshair still fights with himself regarding past actions of his. You don't judge him, even though the realization when you first learned some things was a shock.

Crosshair raises his rifle and Hemlock's hand shoots from your shoulder to your neck, pulling you closer to him. He doesn't strangle you, but the grip is firm enough to be uncomfortable. Both men are more than tense.

"Get your hands off her, now!"

"I'm inclined to take them from you just to see how far I can break you," Hemlock says, laughing softly.

You hear a gunshot, you feel Hemlock flinch behind you the next moment and let you go. Hastily, you dash forward and behind Crosshair, who hastily comes towards you and pushes you behind him.

The sniper growls, "There's a reason my name is Crosshair, you should know that, Hemlock. You didn't really think you could use her as a shield, did you?"

Hemlock lies on the ground, one hand, on the side of his neck, looking up at the two of you. He's not mortally wounded, probably would survive this. He looks at you, a biting smile on his lips as he says, "You cost me so much, the respect of my superiors, my project, everything. I should have killed her when I had the chance, only to see in your face how you are breaking inside."

Crosshair growls and slowly leans over him, like a predator sure of its prey.

"You won't get another chance at this"

The muzzle of the rifle tilts toward Hemlock's face. Hastily, you look away as Crosshair pulls the trigger several times at once. You smell burning skin, and flesh, and shake yourself. Automatically, you take a few shaky steps away from Hemlock, who is now lying dead on the ground, to escape the smell.

Crosshair hurriedly follows you, you hear him close behind you, "Are you hurt?"

You shake your head and say softly, "No, just still in a bit of shock."

Very slowly, almost tentatively, Crosshair grabs your shoulder, turns you around to face him and looks at you scrutinizing. His amber eyes roam over your face.

"Are you sure?" he asks gently.

You nod and say just as gently, "Thank you for saving me."

Crosshair relaxes a little, a small smirk twitching at the corners of his mouth, barely noticeable, but you know him well enough to see it. He kisses your temple, long and tenderly, maintaining contact for quite a while, a rare gesture.

"Of course. Anytime, Kitten."

Ko-Fi (If you feel like giving me some coffee)

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[the-insomniac-emporium]

SWORDTEMBER '24, DAY 3: SENTIENT

Item ID: PE-2403 Item Name: Cursed Sword Category: A-4 Origin Point: Unknown Owner:  Unknown Description: A large blade, roughly 100cm in length, with a slight curve to the sharpened edge. The handle is approximately 20cm long, with carved wood and leather straps around the tang. Biomechanical growth covers the spine of the sword, stretching over the flat at spots, a muddled red-purple in color. Attempts were made to collect samples, but the sword emitted a high-pitched screeching until the intern lost consciousness. It’s unclear where the sound came from, as at the time the sword did not have a mouth (it has since grown one, which it uses frequently). Although the weapon shows signs of sentience, it is impossible to measure the intelligence or determine the specifications at this time, due to the FPA’s lack of on-hand equipment. Several workers have filed complaints (see supplementary files PE-2403-■■ through PE-2403-■■) due to being “observed” by the sword’s eye(s). Cataloger’s Notes: Regardless of whether or not any officials believe in the possibility of “curses”, I feel this sword is doomed to end up getting passed back and forth between dock workers before eventually disappearing altogether. Perhaps it will get dumped in the woods, perhaps it will be given false records and donated to a charity auction, or maybe someone will just pass it on to their least favorite witless cousin. Either way, I fear the poor thing may never overcome its reputation. Can’t say I’ll miss it too much. Probably. It’s a surprisingly good conversationalist, when it wants to be.

-----

Dealing with living items tends to be… complicated. Lots of paperwork, usually needing to be filled out at least a few weeks prior to shipping, and even then there was a chance it would get flagged for further inspection upon landing on Katal. Things only get more complex for items that only meet partial criteria for being considered “alive”. Such as the sword currently staring Cynthia down from across her office. Yes, staring. Something it is, evidently, capable of doing.

“Swords aren’t supposed to have eyes, you know,” she says, sparing it a single glance. Despite the lack of brow, it manages to look almost forlorn. Quite the odd disposition for a weapon. But it’s been stuck in her office for close to a week now, with no signs of getting moved, and she can only assume it is unused to simply resting endlessly. Truthfully, she knows almost nothing about it.

Unlike the majority of items that pass through her office, the sword (which she has nicknamed Isaac) was not technically confiscated. Rather, it was simply found. Left behind, in between a few boxes, without any documentation. That certainly leant to the immediate rumors involving a curse. Clearly, folks said, someone was desperate to be rid of the blade. Cynthia still wasn’t sure why the thing caused everyone such distress.

“What am I to do with you, poor little Isaac?” She muses, then takes a long sip from her tea (another blend from Naomi, naturally). The sword blinks at her. Once. Twice. Even opens up a second eye to watch her. Then the air is filled with a soft humming, low and soothing, before the flesh along the blade’s spine shifts and splits open. It would be horrifying, if Cynthia’s job hadn’t given her a high tolerance for the absurd.

“AM. I. ISAAC?” Ah. Well. Now, that was something she hadn’t anticipated. Always hard to tell how intelligent these sorts of things are; hard to tell what kind of intelligence, too. What kind of computer lives within this creation? Mechanical, or flesh and blood, like her own brain?... Questions that will never get answered. At least she can answer Isaac’s.

“That’s what I call you, but it doesn’t have to be your name. I certainly can’t make it your name, not even on your official paperwork,” Cynthia explains with a reassuring tone. There’s no way she can put any of this on Isaac’s official record- too many unknown details, all pointing towards the poor thing getting locked away somewhere far worse than her office.

“ISAAC. HMM. A GOOD NAME, CYNTHIA DELABAUNTE. I CONSIDER IT… A GIFT,” Isaac answers. Something about its voice sends a shudder down her spine, yet she feels no ill will from it. At most, a sense of loneliness.

“I’m glad, Isaac, but I must ask a very, very important question… what do you want? What fate do you yearn for? I’m afraid my job may decide for you, but I can certainly influence it,” she says, slowly, softly, in between sips of her tea. By the Ancients, she can hardly wait to tell Naomi about this, even if she knows she’ll be crying by the time she explains what it is Isaac wants most:

“ADVENTURE.”

[capybaraonabicycle]

The Doctor's Ship (Tenteen x Mels)

Please, @whenyourunwiththedoctor put them into my head this morning with her beautiful collage of pictures and quotes and now I need them to be a thing! So I wrote a tiny bit of a scene for them - don't ask me how this fits into canon; do ask me about the circumstances though, I would love to work on yet another Mels AU tbh

[ID: two images, the first one is of the Tenteen (14th) Doctor looking out the TARDIS door, smiling cheekily, the other one of Mels Zucker, looking upwards with a determined expression and the hint of a smile. end ID]

Mels has seen the police box stand in their garden with doors closed for so long, she has almost forgotten it is supposed to open. There is a flutter in her stomach when John turns the key and he looks over his shoulder, winking at her, like he knows exactly what is going on inside her mind. He probably does. John always seems to know.

He doesn't open the door though, stepping to the side and leaning against the TARDIS's corner – because this is the TARDIS, right? Mels is honest-to-God about to enter the TARDIS, the Doctor's spaceship, step into his realm, experience the wonder of timetravel for herself.

“Would you do the honors?” John asks, tapping the handle invitingly, before pulling back to continue staring at her.

He does that as lot, stare at her. Always has, even before they started seeing each other. Sometimes it feels like he knows her in a thousand different lives and realities, like he looks at her but he's seeing someone else who is also her, who she will grow into, perhaps. He is a timetraveller after all. Or is he?

There is a soft smile playing at his lips, the kind he reserves for her and Donna and Rose and Mel.

“Don't mind if I do, honey.”

She tries to put on a brave face – she is just opening a door after all, nevermind what that might change between John and her – but she can't quite hold back the jitters in her voice. John seems to notice, because right away he is streching out his hand towards her, fingers wiggling back and forth, eyebrows raised in question. She accepts the hand gladly, palm sliding against his calloused skin – he spends way too much time in his tinkering shed, cooking up a present or other for her (or Rose). Still, the pressure is reassuring and now she is pushing open the door, slowly.

She knows immediately. It's hard to miss a 'bigger on the inside' spaceship, but she knows at first glance on the white floor and walls that this is her. Awestruck, she steps inside, John following behind her. It's like the air is buzzing with time, but maybe those are just her nerves, flaring up at the realisation that she has actually found him. The Doctor. She had known, of course, but having the confirmation, finally – frankly, it is dizzying.

“Hello” Mels breathes and the TARDIS hums in response, a sound that goes through her body and into her mind. It feels like coming home.

John is pressing her hand again. “Are you okay?”

He's standing very close, she can feel his breath on her skin. So close. So vulnerable.

It's John, she tells herself. That's all that matters, that's all she has to know. Just John, her friend, her love, who is stupid enough to try and keep the Doctor safe from her and yet is trusting her with this knowledge now. Well, he doesn't know that she's out to get the Doctor, does he? Because he isn't him.

She turns around to him and again he is watching her, all caring eyes and adoring smile. No trace of fear. And why would there be?

“Perfectly” she lies, smiling back, and his own grin grows, showing his teeth.

“Come on!” he beams. “You've got to check out the coffee machine!”

“Your - This ship has a coffee machine?” she laughs, letting him pull her over to the console.

“The best coffee machine in the universe” he boasts, startling when he already finds a cup waiting. He picks it up, sniffing carefully, before plunging his tongue into the scalding hot contents. He winces, pulls a face and hands the cup to Mels, shaking his head, huffing and puffing.

“It's for you” he says and the words sound airy as he's trying to cool his burnt tongue. Mels bites back a grin, taking the cup. He shakes himself violently.

“Triple macchiato with a pinch of cinnamon” he coughs. “I don't understand how you gulp that stuff down.”

“You mean without a bucket of sugar to go with it?” she teases and he glares.

“Careful, love” he then warns, belatedly. “It's hot.”

“Yeah, dear” she deadpans. “I noticed.”

She blows onto the cup, looking around the console in wonder. He passes behind her, lightly touching between her shoulder blades.

“Be careful not to spill onto the console either” he mutters. “Or we could end up Rassilon-knows-where.”

She raises an eyebrow at the haunted look in his eyes. “That sounds like you've got experience.”

He huffs. “Don't remind me.”

She chuckles, taking a small gulp of the coffee. It tastes heavenly. She can definitely see John's clumsy self spilling coffee onto the console and jettisonning the Doctor far out into space. The Doctor was probably livid with him. Mels wish she could have been there to laugh at John and then hurt the Doctor for shouting at him. No one but Mels (or Donna) gets to be cross with John on her watch. Sylvia is on thin ice and only because she annoyingly tends to be right.

“So” John call out at her, putting a hand onto the engine lever. Mels doesn't know how she knows it is the engine lever but she is dead certain and it sends her stomach down to her knees to see John in a position ready to start the ship. Can he fly the TARDIS? “Where are we going?”

“The Doctor lets you fly the TARDIS?” she blurts out and he grins.

“Sometimes” he confirms. “If I'm good.”

Mels blinks. This is getting into dangerous territory. The Doctor is the only one who knows how to fly the TARDIS, isn't he? That's what they all say? So how does John-? No, she is not thinking about that.

Oblivious to her inner turmoil, John winks at her again. “Want me to show you how?”

She forces a smile, putting down the coffee cup and meeting her – very human, very much not the Doctor – friend. “I'd love that.”

“Come on then!” he gently guides her towards the lever, steady arms wrapping around her to help her along.

“John” she says softly, fingers grabbing tightly around the cold metal on the lever, not daring to start the engine yet.

“Yes, Mels?”

He is right behind her and she leans back, craving his embrace more than ever.

“You know I will have to kill you some day?” she asks and he goes still.

Then he hums in confirmation, low and contemplative, before tenderly pulling her against him with one arm, pressing a kiss to her temple.

“Anything you want, sweetie” he promises like she had asked him whether they could adopt a pet and not told him of her plans to murder him. “But not before we've seen the stars!”

[novaksupremacy]

The Veiled Law of Affection- Chapter 8

chapter 8 revolves around S6E6 "Conscience". Cute Benovak stuff, obvious svu case talk, some smut of course (but only a smidgen this chapter), angst, Huang and Casey buddy road trip.

Pairing: Casey Novak x Olivia Benson

Word Count: 7181

by PKJ @novaksupremacy

Read Part 7

            Henry Morton went missing from a birthday party he was attending with his mother. When the SVU team was dispatched they had trouble chasing down any leads. The video footage showed Henry disappearing, but not to where, how it happened, or even who took him. Most of what they did get was tainted by a local neighborhood watch vigilante listening in on the police scanners and strong arming suspects. The closest they got was a description given to them by the Morton’s neighbor, a young man named Jake O’Hara who swore he saw a strange man hanging around recently and that he had seen him in the neighborhood that very morning. They picked up a man that fit the description the boy gave them to a tee and brought him down to the station for a lineup.

“Why is he all banged up?” the redhead inquired after an affirmative ID had been made.

“That idiot with the police scanner was already in Billy’s apartment and beating the crap out of him when we got there. We through him out but unless we get a confession everything is circumstantial because the crime scene was tampered with.” Liv sighed, shaking her head.

“Break him or we gotta cut him loose.” Casey wrapped her arms around Liv’s neck.

“Counselor, someone might see us.” Liv smirked as she pulled the young redhead to settle between her knees, resting her hands on the ADA’s hips.

“Oh no,” Casey said mockingly and gave her girlfriend a quick kiss, a smile spreading across her lips. She pulled back just in case someone actually did happen to walk by. She placed her hands on the brunettes thighs right above the knee. Her desire to be in contact with Olivia’s body overpowered her fear of them being caught.

“Did you get enough sleep last night? You were tossing a lot.” Liv asked placing her hands on top of Casey’s.

“Did I keep you up? I’m so sorry, I think I threw my shoulder out in that last game and its been acting up.” The redhead frowned, “I’ll get it checked out, so I don’t completely screw up both of our sleep schedules.”

“Hey, you keep me up anytime you want Counselor.” Liv smiled and rubbed her hands over Casey’s, “but you probably should get that shoulder looked at anyway.” She pushed her fingertips up the ADAs wrists, under the hem of her sleeves.

“Kiss it better later?” the redhead raised her brows and sighed.

“I think I can take care of that.” Liv bit her lip, staring at Casey’s.

“Mm, I bet you can baby.” The counselor hummed. She brought her hands up to Liv’s collar and straightened it out. “We should probably get back to everyone.” She licked her lips, using the shirt collar to pull herself closer. “By the way, did I tell you how incredibly sexy you look in my suit? Watching you work while wearing my clothes, is very much a turn on.”  She pressed a languid kiss on her girlfriend then turned and walked away, her fingertips lingering behind intertwined with Liv’s. She dropped her lover’s hand as she hit the doorway and turned her head back to look at her. Liv shook her head, she knew Casey was trying to get her all riled up for later. The redhead held on to the frame for a second and winked before heading down the hallway.

“Bily’s neighbor didn’t ask him to babysit, he volunteered.” Fin said as he and Cragen walked into the bullpen trying to poke holes in the suspect’s alibi.

“How old is the kid,” Cragen questioned, listening intently.

“Five,” the detective offered as they continued to walk, “He said Billy never touched him.”

“But what about the mother?” The captain pressed.

“She confirmed Billy’s story, said he was back at the apartment by half passed eleven.”

“Could Billy have left the kid alone for a bit and come back?”

Fin shook his head, “Little boy said Billy was with him the whole time.” He and Cragen reached the crime board where Casey, Elliot and Liv were all focusing.

Cragen picked up the white board marker. “Okay so your witness puts Billy outside Morton’s home in Riverdale at eight AM. His alibi puts him back on Avenue B at eight thirty.”

“Tight,” Elliot states, “But doable.”

Casey shook her head, “No but he’s got to get back to Riverdale to follow Henry into the birthday party,” she pointed at the timeline, a contemplative look in her eye.

The captain looked back at the board, “Henry’s mom said they left no later than a quarter to twelve,

 “..and Billy didn’t finish babysitting until eleven thirty.” Fin continued.

“Well,” Liv added, “there’s no way he made it back to Riverdale in fifteen minutes. Not even on a Sunday”

“We got the wrong guy,” Cragen shook his head.

Munch hung up the phone and joined the conversation, “Looks that way, lab says hairs in Billy’s apartment don’t match the cat hair on Henry.

Casey sighed, “We gotta let Billy go,” she adjusted her posture, “We keep him much longer we’re gonna have a big, fat, lawsuit on our hands.”

Elliot grimaced, “I’ll tell the perv he’s going home.”

The redhead followed him and Liv out into the hall, she grabbed Liv’s arm “Be safe, and I’ll see you when you get back to the precinct.” She admired what her girlfriend did, but she was starting to hate the sinking feeling she got every time she walked out the door. Not only did she ache for her every time she was out of reach, but she also feared the risks that came along with her job. Heaven knows they’ve already experienced their fair share of these since they started dating.

Liv motioned for Casey to follow, and she ducked into the bathroom. After making sure they were alone she cupped the redhead’s face in her hands and kissed her tenderly, not letting go until they could no longer refrain from taking a breath. “I’ll be safe, I promise. I’ll always make it back to you.”

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” Casey still hanging off the kiss.

“I’ll keep this one,” she made sure to look into the ADA’s hazel green eyes as she spoke. “Okay?”

“Okay,” Casey whispered.

“Before I forget,” Liv said reaching into her pocket and pulling out a small box, “this is for you.” She opened it revealing a gold chain with a small gold plated replica of her badge and badge number.

The attorney felt her face flush and her eyes well with emotion.

Liv took the chain out of the box and unclasped it, “This, is so that I’m always with you when I’m out on the job, and so that if G-d forbid something does happen,” she put it around Casey’s neck, tucking it in to her shirt and giving her another tender kiss, “you can show this to whoever you need to, to get to me.”

“Liv, I—” the redhead looked at her girlfriend in awe, “I love—it” she cleared her throat. “I love it.”

The brunette felt her stomach fill with butterflies for a split second before Casey finished her sentence, “Good.” she said, shaking it off. “See you for lunch, Counselor.” She pulled the ADA tight and kissed her goodbye.

“Looking forward to it, Detective.” Casey bit her lip, smiling as she followed Liv back out into the hallway.

*****

Back at the station Elliot and Liv had gotten word from O’Halloran that the perp they were looking for wasn’t an adult but an adolescent. He stated that stones were found in Henry’s throat which Elliot recognized as the same ones from Jake O’Hara, the neighbor kid’s front yard. They called Jake and his mother down to the precinct and filled Casey in on what they found.

“If we are gonna charge a thirteen year old with Henry’s murder, we better have a smoking gun.” Casey said as she moved from leaning on the interrogation window and walked passed Liv and Elliot and then turned around to face them.

“We do,” Elliot said matter-of-factly, “the stones in Henry’s throat. They were from Jake’s front yard. The prints are gonna be his.”

“I bet if we go back to the party security tapes, we’re gonna see Jake.” She turned to Elliot, “We weren’t looking for a kid.”

The redhead played devil’s advocate for a moment, “Okay well what about that man Jake saw?”

The brunette shook her head, “He must’ve made that up.”

One thing wasn’t making sense to Casey, “But Jake O’Hara picked Billy out of a lineup, how could he possibly have known Billy was a pedophile.”

Elliot knew in his gut she had a point, “I don’t know.”

“Alright,” the ADA strategized, “well let’s not hard ball the kid till we get some answers. We can’t afford to make the same mistake twice.”

“I thought my son answered all your questions?” Mrs. O’Hara asked as she sat back down at the table in interrogation.

“We just have to follow up on a few things,” Liv stated as her and Elliot sat down across from the suspect and his mother.

“Jake this man you picked out of the lineup,” Elliot said as he folded his hands on the table, “He didn’t do it.”

“Told you I wasn’t sure,” Jake said sounding disappointed. His mother rubbed his back.

“It’s okay honey, you did your best.” She said to him reassuringly.

“I guess it was number two after all,” the young teenager said woefully.

“No Jake,” Benson interrupted, “number two was an off-duty cop.”

Jake’s voice full of feigned remorse, “I’m sorry,” he sighed, “they all looked alike with those sunglasses. I only saw the picture for a minute.”

“You never saw the man, did you?” Elliot questioned.

Jake immediately started to try to back pedal, “Well I did but I told that other officer I didn’t think I’d be able to recognize him again.”

Elliot stormed out of the room, realizing the detective Jake was referring to was Wolinsky, their neighborhood watch pain in the ass. He grabbed him by the collar and began berating him for getting the kid to make a false testimony before throwing him in the lockup. He walked back into interrogation closing the door behind him.

“I don’t understand,” Mrs. O’Hara said getting agitated, “What’s going on?”

“What’s going on,” Elliot barked, “Is that Jake identified a man he never saw. You made it all up didn’t you Jake?”

“I’m sure it was a misunderstanding.” His mother protested.

“Well, there’s a few other things we don’t understand.” Liv said, “Like why Henry was covered up in cat hair.”

“Or how these stones from your yard,” Elliot placed the evidence baggie on the table, “ended up in his throat.”

Jake tried coming up with answers to all of this as the detectives pressed him but soon burst into a fit of tears when Liv threatened him with the notion of matching fingerprints. He was begging his mom not to send him back to camp, claiming that what happened to Henry was indeed an accident. Mrs. O’Hara explained that Jake had been sent to a camp for troubled youth. He showed them his arms, full of cigarette burns.

“Mrs. O’Hara,” Liv said softly, “We still need to place Jake under arrest.”

*****

“So, he said the kids at the camp tortured him?” Casey stuck her chopsticks into Liv’s takeout container grabbing for a piece of broccoli and popping it in her mouth.

“You know, we could just order a larger order of chicken broccoli and ya know split it? But yeah, he broke down into tears and told us how they sodomized him and burned him with cigarettes. It was horrifying.”

“That’s awful! I’ll talk to Huang and see what he knows about the place. Did you guys talk to the vic’s father about this yet? Also, while yes, it would be more efficient to share but its more fun to watch you squirm when I steal yours.” The redhead giggled trying to poke her chopsticks back into the container much to her girlfriends protest.

Liv brought her arm back to play keep away, taunting Casey keeping the container just out of arms reach. “Come on Counselor, where’s that athletic agility?” the chuckled. At this point, the litigator was not even focused on the container and only on the brunette’s lips as they parted in a jesting smile. She leaned in and kissed them, reaching behind her to toss the chopsticks onto the table behind her. Her girlfriend followed suite with the takeout.

“Is the door locked?” Casey panted, her hands fumbling with the buttons on Liv’s shirt. She didn’t actually wait for an answer before sliding a hand under the brunettes bra, caressing her breast.

Liv reached behind her, double checked the lock, and shook her head yes. She brought her wrist up between them, “I have about thirty minutes left.”

Casey let out a sultry laugh, “I can do a lot to you in thirty minutes, Detective.” She smirked and bit her lover’s lip, pulling it towards her as she straddled the brunette.

“Oh yeah Counselor, should I set a timer?” Liv whispered as she pulled the redhead tight to her body, their kisses were messy, heated, and filled with need. She wrapped her arm around the small of Casey’s back, picking her up as she stood up and flipping her back down onto the couch underneath her.

The ADA fervently grabbed at the detectives zipper, “Baby, if you think I can’t top you from down here you are sorely mistaken.” She panted as she continued kissing and slid her fingers down into the brunette’s waistband.

Liv’s breath caught in her throat as she let out a little sigh of pleasure at her girlfriend’s touch. She leaned her body hard down against Casey, rolling her hips as the redhead’s hand continued to tease her. Casey began fingering her slowly and was just about to further her exploration of Liv’s body when she heard the door handle start to jiggle.

“Hey, hey Casey? I think you door might be jammed, seems like its stuck.” Elliot called out from the hall, “You want me to throw my shoulder into it?”

Casey let out a heavy frustrated sigh, “It’s locked Elliot, for a reason.” She brought her hand up to her forehead.

“What’s wrong? Lionel Granger interrupted your lunch one too many times?” he joked, “C’mon Novak, you gonna let me in or what? I thought you were meeting Liv for lunch.”

“I’m a little preoccupied at the moment El.” The redhead said with mild annoyance.

“Huh? C’mon Case, open the door I’ve got a stack of five’s for you!” The detective stood outside, a confused look on his face, his impatience growing.

“We’re busy!” Both women shouted at the door in unison.

“OH,” Elliot froze, “umm okay, shit, my bad. Liv, I’ll just uhh, meet you at the car in twenty.” He made some vague hand motions as he shifted awkwardly from left to right a few times, not quite sure where to put himself and then headed back towards the squad room. As he headed back towards his desk John was headed down the hall with a pile of paperwork.

“You might want to try later,” the younger detective said still a little shell shocked.

“Hey El, why? Casey not in the office?” Munch stopped mid step.

“She’s,” he paused, “out to lunch.” Elliot headed back to his desk and stared at it in silence.

*****

Judge Preston adjourned the arraignment hearing as Casey gathered up her belongings for the day. Elliot and Dr. Morton were sitting in the front row of the gallery watching as Jake went through the arraignment process.

“Hey Casey,” Elliot whispered trying to grab the ADA’s attention. She turned to face him with a small smile, his face was solemn as she walked over. “This is Brett Morton, Henry’s father.”

Her face softened as she extended her hand to him in a firm handshake, “Very sorry.”

“Can I speak with Jake,” Dr. Morton asked somberly.

Casey turned towards opposing counsel, “Cleo? Can we have a moment please?”  The defense ushed Jake towards the prosecutor, Dr. Morton walking around the partition to greet him.

“Dr. Morton,” the young boy said, his eyes filled with tears. “I’m so sorry, Henry was my friend.”

Brett took a deep breath, “I know, Jake.” He sighed, “Why’d you do it?” The Doctor tilted his head down to get level with the boy. Casey watched the young boys body language from over Dr. Morton’s shoulder.

“I don’t know,” Jake sobbed, tears streamed down his face, “Something’s wrong with me.”

“Jake,” the victim’s father choked back a sob, “What did Henry say before he died?”

The tears fell freely down the child’s face, “He said he wanted his mommy.”

Casey could feel there was a tension escalating and nodded to the court officer to lead the young boy and his attorney away.

Dr. Morton turned around to face her, “What’s going to happen to him?”

“Without a plea bargain, he’ll stand trial and go to prison.” She said calmly, assuring the man that justice would be done.”

“Ah,” he nodded, “he’s a juvenile. He’ll be out at eighteen.”

Elliot and Casey looked towards each other concerned, “Dr. Morton,” her voice was soft but steady, “we’re trying Jake as an adult.”

The doctor’s face contorted in shock. “No. I lost a child and I know one thing. It’s wrong to lose another child to a life in prison.”

Elliot spoke quietly, “As a parent I can’t imagine what you’re going through.”

“Putting Jake in jail doesn’t mean I’m getting justice.” The man shot back.

“And putting him in that camp doesn’t mean you’re responsible for what he did.” The detective retorted, his eyes showing empathy for the victim’s father.

*****

Huang met Casey outside the courtroom, he could always tell when she needed a friend to lend an ear about a case.

“Maybe I am wrong,” she said waving her hand as she spoke. She was truly torn about how to go about prosecuting this.

George turned his palm up as he answered as if weighing the options in his hand, “Dr. Morton is caught between his anger and his guilt.”

“What, just because he recommended that camp?” The lilt in the redheads voice made it clear she found that hard to digest.

“He feels responsible. He feels that if Jake hadn’t been abused there, Jake wouldn’t have killed Henry.” Huang reasoned.

“What do you think?” She looked to him for guidance.

“Jake suffered there. He was burned. He was possibly raped.” He stated.

Casey interjected, “Yeah but lots of kids are traumatized. They don’t go out and kill other kids. I mean every time they shoot up a school we say it was because they were bullied.”

George softened his voice, “Sometimes they were, and the question is whether that’s the reason Jake killed Henry.”

“Alright well what do you know about this camp?” she questioned.

“Rhinebeck Survival. No incidents that I’ve heard of.” The FBI liaison stated, racking his brain.  

“That you’ve heard of.” Casey emphasized.

George smiled, “I’m sure the director will talk to us. Feel like taking a ride upstate?”

*****

“So,” George smirked looking over at Casey as she drove, one hand on the wheel, left foot up on the seat, sunglasses covering her eyes.

“So?” she responded cautiously, lowering the radio.

“Now that we are not surrounded by the entire squad and its just us,” he smiled like he was up to no good, “How are things with Olivia.” He made sure to over annunciate the syllables of her name in a teasing manner.

The redhead immediately blushed and couldn’t help but smile at the mention of her girlfriend. “Very well, thank you.”

“So, it’s pretty serious?” He inquired, “I promise I’m not psychoanalyzing, I’m strictly asking as a friend.”

“I’d like to think so?” Casey chuckled, “I think at this point I’ve almost told her I love her about a thousand times. So yeah pretty serious.” She took a sip of her coffee and put it back in the cup holder.

“Why have you stopped yourself,” Huang probed.

“Okay, now you’re psychoanalyzing.” She jested.

“Maybe a little,” he laughed, “but really, why?”

The redhead shrugged, “Afraid, I guess? That she won’t say it back, or worse that she will and won’t mean it, or worse even still that she will and will mean it and then something happens to her.”

“That,” George took a deep breath and tried to unpack that statement, “is a lot of overthinking Casey.” He chortled.

“Well, she hasn’t said it either,” she tried to rationalize her thinking. “So, what am I supposed to think?”

“That maybe she’s just as scared as you are?” He offered consolingly.

The ADA sighed, “You’re right. I mean something to her, I know that much.” She took her free hand and pulled the chain out from her shirt, “She gave me this today.” She blushed again.

“Wow,” George said taken aback by the grand gesture, “You know, Casey. Even though neither of you have said it with words. I think you’ve already said it to each other in a million separate ways without even realizing it.” He grabbed his friends hand for a second and squeezed.

“You might be on to something there, sir.” She smiled as she pulled into the camp’s driveway. “Ready?” She raised her eyebrow as she took her sunglasses off, placing them in the center console as she stepped out of the vehicle.

*****

Upon their arrival back at the DA’s office, after a day of fact finding. Huang and Casey  tried to petition Judge Donnelly with the information they had been provided between the camps director and its other attendees.

“Jake O’Hara burned himself?” Judge Donnelly said in disbelief.

George nodded, “The camp’s director tried to explain to his mother that he should be institutionalized. She didn’t believe him, she threatened a lawsuit and then she took Jake home.” He said exacerbated.

Casey continued, “He was thrown out of two private schools in Brooklyn for violent behavior and arson. His mom had to move him to Riverdale.”

“The kids a sociopath!” George interjected.

“He’s only 13.” Liz said, having trouble believing what she was hearing.

The psychiatrist huffed, “Well, he has all the classic symptoms. He’s glib, he lies, he has no remorse, no empathy. He’s narcissistic and he’s extremely manipulative. He fooled both of us.”

Casey leaned against the bookshelf, “Even Brett Morton and he’s a psychiatrist. He lives right next door. He never saw how devious Jake really is.”

“If the boy is mentally ill, we’ll send him to a hospital.” Donnelly shot back nonchalant.

“Sociopathy is a personality disorder, a lot of shrinks believe there is no cure.” George spoke calmly, hoping Liz would see what he and Casey were trying to convey.

“What do you think?” Liz queried.

Huang sighed, “You can’t grow a conscience.”

“Jake knew what he was doing was wrong and didn’t care. It’s the right decision to try him as an adult.” Casey dug her heels in.

Donnelly shook her head, “It’s too late, Dr. Morton came to see me this morning. He begged me to send Jake to Family Court. So, I moved it. The case is being heard right now.”  

Casey flew into the Family Court room as the Judge was starting to adjourn, “I’m very sorry to interrupt, Your Honor, but we’ve made a mistake.

The Judge tilted her head, “That’s refreshing. I don’t often hear that in my courtroom.”

Elliot, who was sitting in the gallery with Dr. Morton watched Casey intensely.

“The District Attorney’s office has reconsidered our decision to try Jake O’Hara in Family Court. We request that the case be moved to Supreme Court for trial as an adult.” She pontificated.

The Judge shook her head, “Hearings have begun. Jeopardy has attached. If I dismiss now, the case is over.”

“These are highly unusual circumstances,” Casey plead her case, “Jake O’Hara lied about his abuse. All of his injuries are self-inflicted” She pressed.

Dr. Morton flinched, “What are you saying?”

“Dr. Morton!” the Judge scolded.

“We interviewed witnesses at the camp! They all told us Jake burned himself.” The fiery prosecutor was making sure to stress the issue at hand as she spoke.

The victim’s father stared at Jake, his mouth hung open in shock. “I believed you.” He stammered and stood up from his seated position in the gallery. “I fought for you!”

“Dr. Morton, sit down!” the Judge ordered.

Elliot stood up in an attempt to calm the doctor and escort him from the court room.

“You lying little bastard!” the man shouted.

The judge banged the gavel down, “The court officer will remove Dr. Morton from this courtroom.

Both Elliot and the court officer tried to get a hold of Brett Morton and calm him down as he continued shouting, “You little prick! You should rot in hell.”

Jake O’Hara smirked back up at him from the defense table. \

“Lets go before she locks you up!” Elliot warned.

“You bet I will!” The Judge raised her voice sternly.

“Monster!” Brett shouted, breaking down in tears as he was led out of the courtroom, “You murdered my son!” He began to hyperventilate, “I can’t breathe!” He turned towards Elliot, “Do you understand? Jake will get out when he’s eighteen. He’s a sociopath! He will kill again! And again! And again!” he said through gritted teeth.

Just then Jake O’Hara walked past with his mother guiding him by the shoulder. He stopped in front of Morton and Elliot. “I’m sorry for what happened, sir.” He stated blankly with fake remorse. “I really am.” A smile crept across his face.

“You’re not sorry! You don’t know what sorry means, you have no feelings!” Brett Morton shouted as Jake continued to walk backwards, facing him, and taunting him.

Jakes mother shouted over her shoulder, “Leave my son alone.”

Within a split second Dr. Morton had grabbed the court officers gun and pushed the man at Elliot to keep him from seizing him, raised the gun and shot Jake directly in the chest.

Casey came around the corner just as the gun went off and the child fell to the ground. She flew across the vestibule and kneeled down next to Jake, tossed her briefcase to the side, and immediately began to apply pressure to the gunshot wound. She looked up in horror as Elliot managed to subdue Dr. Morton and knock the gun away from him. “Somebody call a bus!” She shouted. She grabbed the boys mother’s hands and pushed them down on the wound, “Keep pressure.” She switched positions and began to administer CPR.

Elliot’s face was one of complete shock as to the events. It all happened so fast. He watched as Casey pounded on the boys chest, blood seeping out around the mothers hand over the wound, Dr. Morton on the ground next to him in cuffs.  

*****

“I knew the guy was wound too tight,” Elliot pondered watching Brett through the one way glass of the interrogation room. “Should’ve seen it coming.”

“You didn’t know Morton would shoot him, we all thought Jake was a victim.” Cragen offered empathetically.

“Kid snowed everyone.” Elliot said quietly almost whispering to himself.

The door opened and Liv stood in the doorway, “Elliot.”

“Jake’s dead.” He stated before turning around, he already knew why she was there.

“He never made it out of surgery,” she sighed, tilting her head to the side. Elliot pushed passed her and walked out. She turned to follow him.

“Olivia,” Cragen called out, she turned to face him. “Don’t.” he shook his head. “But have you checked on Casey?”

*****

The lights were all off in Casey’s office as Liv rapped lightly and opened the door, “Case?” she called out softly into the darkness.

“Hey,” she rasped from the general direction of the sofa, “I’m over here.”

The brunette walked quietly over, “You okay?”

Casey had her head leaned back against the cushions with her hand pressing an icepack over her forehead.

“Baby did you get hit? At the courthouse today?” Liv sat down on the couch, she ran her fingers down the side of her girlfriend’s face.

A small smile crept up the corner of Casey’s mouth as she felt the brunette’s caress. “No beautiful, just a bad migraine.” She took her free hand and felt around for her girlfriend and placed her hand on her leg.

“Why don’t you let me do that for a few minutes?” the detective whispered continuing to stroke the redhead’s face.

Casey shifted her weight and laid her head in the brunettes lap, her legs crossed at the ankles propped up on the arm of the couch. Liv gently took the ice pack and placed it on the coffee table and calmly began to rub the counselor’s temples, pressing her fingers down along her jawline. The counselor let out a soft groan as she felt the tension release from her face.

“How’s Elliot?” she asked, her eyes still closed. “Morton just threw that guy in front of us, he couldn’t have grabbed the gun if he wanted.”

“He’ll be okay Casey. El just deals with things in his own way.” Liv continued to massage, running the pads of her thumbs over the redheads cheekbones and sinuses.

“What about Jake?”

Liv took a deep breath, “Case, he died in surgery.” She could feel the warm tears falling from the corners of Casey’s eyes onto her hands. “Shh baby, don’t cry you’re gonna make your migraine worse.”

“Liv, I—”

“Shh, I know.” She leaned down and kissed the top of her girlfriends head. “I know.”

*****

Liz Donnelly stepped off the elevator and charged towards the squad room. Casey begrudgingly following on her coat tails. “How could let this happen,” she shouted walking straight up to Elliot.

“You got some nerve lady,” he growled angrily at her. “That kid was killed because you sent him to Family Court.

Donnelly curled her lip, “I didn’t stand there and watch Brett Morton grab a gun.” She sniped.

Elliot took another step towards her. “You sure as hell put it in his hand. What, you didn’t want to say no to a grieving father? You afraid the press would call you a cold hearted bitch?” he quipped.

Casey stepped in between them before they could tear each other’s heads off. “If you two wanna blame each other, go ahead.” Her tone was calm and serious. “But I have a job to do. Now, what’s our decision on Dr. Morton?” As she spoke neither Elliot nor Liz let their gaze deviate, eyes locked, shooting daggers.

“Charge him,” Liz muttered, “Murder two.” Her stare was still confined to Elliot.

He clenched his jaw, bucking at the judge, “His son was killed by a psychopath who was gonna walk.”

“And that gives him the right to kill a kid? I want him arraigned by tomorrow morning.” She finally pulled away and shot Casey a look that she meant business and if the ADA didn’t follow through it would be her ass. The then turned on her heel and stormed off.

Elliot turned towards his friend, “Just gonna cover her ass? Just sweep it all under the carpet?” he grumbled.

She stepped in front of him as he tried to walk away, “My job is not to protect my boss.” She asserted.

“Then do the right thing,” he snapped, “You saw Morton. The guy was out of his mind. It’s not Murder Two, its manslaughter.” He then followed Donnelly’s lead and stormed off.

Casey could feel her eyes welling up as he walked off. She didn’t want to be in this position at all but here she was, stuck. She could feel the sick heat of anxiety rising up her throat and rushed off to the closest ladies room. The redhead splashed cold water on her face and then leaned over the sink, pressing her palms down on the cold white ceramic basic. Tears fell from her eyes as she tried to compose herself, but she couldn’t stop the shaking. The door creaked open, and she turned her head to see Liv standing there, arms folded.

“We’ve got to stop meeting like this,” she tried to laugh and only ended up choking back a sob.

Liv’s face softened and she stepped forward pulling Casey to her and holding her close. She kissed the top of the counselor’s head. “You are way stronger than you give yourself credit for, Case. You can do this.” She pulled back to look into her girlfriends hazel eyes. She kissed her delicately.

*****

Morton stood up as Casey walked into interrogation. “How’s Jake?” he questioned trying to seem concerned.

Casey did her best not to roll her eyes, “He died in surgery.”

“What have I done?” He sat down, shook his head, and stared off into the distance.

His attorney, Zeirko, did his best to calm him down, “You were out of control Brett you didn’t know what you were doing. If this isn’t “extreme emotional disturbance,” I don’t know what it is.” he said softly.

“So, you’re going for an affirmative defense.” Casey said pointedly, “What do you want?”

“Man Two, minimum time” Zeirko stated firmly.

“I have a better idea,” Casey scoffed, “Why don’t we just throw him a parade?”

“I don’t like your tone.” Zeirko sneered.

“And I don’t like 13 year olds being shot to death in the courthouse.” Casey clapped back.

Morton looked up from the table, “You think I meant to do it?”

“You grabbed a court officers gun and pulled the trigger.” Casey turned towards Morton and stated point blank, she wasn’t pulling any punches.

 “I don’t remember any of it, I just snapped.” Morton stammered.

“Well, that’s convenient.” The sarcasm dripped from the prosecutor’s voice through gritted teeth.

“No that’s “extreme emotional disturbance.” The defense protested.

“Well, you’ll have to excuse me if I don’t take your clients word for it.” The redhead scoffed.

“Fine. Have your psychiatrist examine him.” Zeirko offered.

*****

Casey walked out of the courthouse with the intentions of grabbing another coffee before the recess ended, she tensed as she heard Elliot’s voice snarking at her.

“You really went after Morton in there.” He said with contempt.

“He killed a kid he knew what he was doing,” she retorted as she turned and walked towards him.

“You’re so sure about that because of something he wrote 15 years ago?” he questioned argumentatively.

“Elliot, he’s screwing with us! This grief-crazed father crap—It’s all an act.” The redhead said with frustration. Why was it so easy for Elliot to believe this guy? This was clearly a ruse to get away with murder in her eyes.

“I spend my life locking up skells for murdering children. The system says they go away to prison. Fine. But if it were my son lying on that slab, I don’t know what my rage would make me do.” The detective sighed.

Casey opened her mouth to reply but was interrupted by a voice from behind them.

“Detective Stabler?” A woman called out.

“Yeah?” Elliot responded, he looked over Casey’s shoulder to see who had spoken.

“You’re served.” The woman said flatly and handed Elliot a plain envelope.

“Subpoena.” He said disparagingly. “Zeirko’s calling me to testify for the defense.”

*****

Even with the mountain of evidence on the prosecution side, the skillful cross examination delivered by Casey and the fact that Dr. Morton had all but outright admitted what he did, the jury still came back with a verdict of “not guilty.” The ADA couldn’t help but wear her disappointment on her face as she exited the courtroom.

“I didn’t think they’d acquit him.” Elliot offered consolingly.

Casey nodded, “Well, this trial wasn’t about Brett Morton or “extreme emotional disturbance” or even your testimony. Jurors didn’t want Jake O’Hara running loose and Brett solved that problem.” She reasoned.

“We can’t treat these kids, so we kill em?” Elliot asked incredulously.

The redhead stuttered, “I don’t have the answers, I don’t think anyone does. Maybe that’s why they acquitted.”

Dr. Morton called out from behind them as he came down the front steps of the courthouse, “Ms. Novak,” he said garnering for her attention, “Ms. Novak.”

Casey and Elliot turned to face the newly free man, “You seem pretty satisfied.”

“I am.” Morton answered, straight faced.

“Well, you got away with it.” The young prosecutor said with disdain.

“Oh, I suppose I did.” There was barely any inflection to Brett’s voice.

Elliot tilted his head, “Tell me one thing, when did you decide to kill Jake?” he questioned.

“In the courtroom, once I knew what he was. You were right” the doctor turned to look at Casey, “I looked around, saw the officer, realized I could take the gun. I just waited for the right moment.”

Elliot shook his head, “You manipulated us just like Jake did.”

Morton shook his head, “No, there’s one big difference, Jake would’ve killed again. I won’t.” He shrugged his shoulders and left the pair by themselves.

They turned towards the street. “Hey, I’m going meet Liv at McFadden’s, do you want to come with?” Casey asked, she and Elliot had their own way of apologizing to each other in true sibling fashion. Their apologies were always unspoken coded in a trip to the bar or for a slice of pizza, a teasing joke, and a rib nudge.

“Love to, but I got to get home or Kathy’s gonna have my ass on the couch.” He gave her a pat on the arm and headed off in the opposite direction.

She nodded and threw up her hand to hail a cab, she could’ve caught the train, but she missed Liv and wanted to get to her faster. She watched out the window as the cab went up to midtown, mulling over everything that had transpired in court today. The redhead pondered what made people tick, what made one person a sociopath, one person a hothead, a kind empathetic soul, or her afraid to tell the one person who has meant more to her than any other that she loves them. She shook the thoughts loose, pushed them down as the cab pulled up at the bar. “One day at a time Novak.”  

The ADA opened the door to the bar to find her girlfriend already waiting for her. Olivia’s eyes lit up as Casey walked in, her stomach still did flips every time she laid eyes on the red head.

“Hey beautiful,” she said as the ADA moved closer and sat down on the stool next to her.

“Hey yourself, Detective.” She smirked as Liv handed her a whiskey sour.

“Heard you had a tough loss, figured I’d have this ready.” She ran her fingers up Casey’s thigh, sending a shiver through her body. The redhead grabbed it with her left hand and held it in place as Liv reached the top of her thigh and downed the drink with her right hand.

“Have anything else ready for me?” She quirked her brow and put the glass back down on the bar.

Liv raised her eyebrows in response and squeezed down on her girlfriends leg, “Bathroom?” she subtly nodded her head towards the door at the back of the bar.

Casey got up and walked that direction, the brunette waited about sixty seconds and then followed her. She tapped lightly on the door to the single person bathroom to immediately be pulled in. The redhead locked the door and then roughly pushed her up against the wall, kissing her fiercely. “I have been fantasizing about your lips all day, Detective.” Her lips curled into a smile as she unzipped Liv’s pants, her teeth grazed the other woman’s neck as her hand made slow, deliberate circles around the brunette’s clit.

Liv bit down on her own lip trying to stifle her moans. “Counselor,” she panted, “here? What if someone needs to get in here?”

“They can wait,” Casey moaned into her neck, “I can’t.” She ran her tongue over Liv’s pulse point and slid her hand further into the brunette’s slick and began to penetrate her.

“Casey,” the detective moaned into her lover’s ear, trying not to be too loud. She wrapped her leg around her lover, holding tight to the back of her neck with her hands.

“That’s my good girl,” the redhead mewled into Liv’s neck, “keep making those pretty noises for me.”

“Daddy,” the brunette’s breath hitched as she whimpered.

“Mmm what was that baby? Who’s your Daddy?”

“You are, Casey, you are.” Liv could barely breathe, “Casey I’m gonna—” before she could finish she could feel herself tighten and convulse around the ADA’s fingers, her liquids dripping down to the redhead’s wrist. She couldn’t do anything except sputter her lover’s name over and over again.

Casey continued to massage her sensitive spot gently before pulling away. Liv whined, feeling empty now. “I promise,” the fiery prosecutor kissed her. “When we get home baby I’m going to take very good care of all your needs.”

“As long as you let me take care of yours too,” Liv whispered still trying to catch her breath.

“Oh, that’s a plea deal I’d cop to any day, Detective.” She smirked against the brunette’s full lips, “We should probably get back out there.” She kissed her again as she unlocked the door and headed back to the bar, her girlfriend following her after a reasonable pause.

Back at the bar they had ordered another round of drinks and appetizers by the time John Munch walked through the door.

“Okay, I’m here!” he threw his hands out to his sides, “bring on the secret boyfriends.” He clapped his hands and rubbed them together.

Casey shot Liv a look, “Oh boy, Fin is gonna upset he missed this.” She ribbed her and Liv nodded in agreement, both women holding back a chuckle.

Munch walked towards them, “Always lovely to see you ladies, but where are these mysterious gentlemen you’ve been hiding?”

“John,” the prosecutor chuckled, “They’re right here.” She was unable to contain the amusement she was getting from this.

Munch looked at her puzzled, “I don’t understand, do they work here or something.”

Liv looked at him, “May I introduce to you, ‘Secret Boyfriend Number One’,” she said pointing at herself, “and ‘Secret Boyfriend Number Two’.” She pointed to Casey who also pointed at herself.

John dropped his shoulders, “You mean you guys are just schtuping each other?”

“You almost sound disappointed, Munch.” Liv took a sip of her drink.

He chuckled, “Hardly, I just think it wasn’t worth all cloak and dagger.” He placed a hand on the side of each of their arms. “Mozeltov. Now what are we drinking?”

Read Part 9

[princesspastel8]

Chapter 2: "I'll Wait"

Dipper POV

The air still held gloom from the news of my parents' death that I caused of course. It isn't hard to create your own bomb. Seriously, who sells the products on store shelves without asking for an ID or a background check? Idiots.

I'm currently sitting at the kitchen table next to Mable, who's really out of it. I believe she's the most hurt out of us all. She was their favorite. I had good grades. I helped around the house when money became an issue. I never went to them for anything. I took care of myself more than they ever have, but because I wasn't full of bubbles and loaded bullshit I never pleased them.

I sigh heavily, running my hand through my hair. I glance at mable and sigh again. She hasn't even touched her pancakes. "Mable, you have to eat. You don't want to lose that figure you worked so hard to get over the years." I point out blankly.

Mable looks at me for a second, then turns her head back to her breakfast. "But Dipper.....our parents...their-"

I cut her off by patting her head. "I know, Mable....I know. I'm hurting too, but our parents wouldn't want us to moron for too long. They would want us to explore life while keeping them in our hearts. It's okay to moron, but don't use the youth you still have to do it. Why don't you call Grenda, Candy.....oh! And maybe even Pacifica? It seems like you two were getting along at the party. Yeah?"

Mable smiles a little, picking up her fork. "Yup! She was so nice! She even said how sorry she was and got me this necklace!" She cheers while showing me.

I roll my eyes but smile to cover it. The chain is a bright pink while the Jewel hanging from it is a 'shooting star.' I frown, thinking about Bill but force my smile back. "That looks really nice Mable, how cool of her."

"Yeah, but thanks for cheering me up! Awkward sibling hug?" She said with a mouth full of pancakes.

I sigh, holding out my arms. "Awkward sibling hug."

We hug each other, not leaving out the 'pat pat'. Moments like this when she isn't being so selfish and stupid make me miss the old Dipper. Or maybe hate? I can't tell anymore at this point.

Once we finish our breakfast, Mable rushes to get ready to meet up with her friends and leave me with our grunkles. I decide to pay a visit to Ford , who is most likely in his lab. I walk to the vending machine, punching in the key code. It moves to the side, allowing me to walk down to his lab.

I raise an eyebrow at the new creatures kept in either cages or jars. I hear a clock of a gun as a red glowing dot appears on my forehead. I don't flitch, keeping my hands in my pockets, and chuckle. "Wow, grunkle Ford, what happened to you after we left?" I joke.

I see his eyes widen in the dark as he quickly lowers his gun. "My goodness, Dipper! You can't just walk in without knocking. Apologies, my boy."

I nod my head, turning on the light. My eyes widen in fear and shock. On the wall are arrows and red string with pictures stamped into the wall by thumbtacks. The pictures and arrows, along with red strings, are leading to the big picture in the middle, Bill.

I try my best to gain back my composure, but I'm failing. Why does he have all of this? Does he know I'm trying to bring Bill back? This will ruin everything!

Ford looks at me with a raised eyebrow than to his wall. He chuckles and walks over to me, placing his hand on my shoulder.

I flitch, looking up at him. "S-so uh.....what's all of that?"

"Ah, I've been keeping track of strange sightings from the aftermath of weirdmageddon. There isn't much, but you can never be so sure!"

I sigh from relief. I walk over to the wall and laugh quietly. These pictures aren't anything big. The only thing big about one of them are the noms throwing up rainbows. I take a glance from his desk, noticing a 4th journal?

I walk over to pick it up, but it's taken out of my hands instantly. "No, Dipper, this is off limits!" Ford scolds.

"Why? I'm just as curious as you are. Why can't I at least read it?"

"Because anything could happen if anyone were to find out that I've written a 4th journal. It's best to leave it in here. Out of sight out of mind."

"But grunkle Ford -"

"Curiosity killed the cat Dipper. Now hand me that -"

Ford is cut off by Stan rushing into the lab. "Stanford, Soos got his head stuck in the hole of that tree....again."

"Ah! Stay back, you demon squirrels. Oh dude, sweet nectar!" Soos shouts from outside.

Ford sighs and looks at me. "Close up my lab once you're done looking around and remember what I said Dipper, curiosity killed the cat." He said before leaving.

I simply nod my head. A smirk grows on my face as I turn my head, reaching for the journal. I hold it, tracing my fingers over the number '4'.

"Curiosity killed the cat, huh? Well, satisfaction brought it back, grunkle Ford.....hehe."

••••

It wasn't hard returning the journal after creating a copy of it. Thank goodness they didn't get rid of the printer that nearly killed me back when I was 12.

I'm laid up in my bed, my legs kicked up. I hold the copied book over my face as I read through it. Nothing was really interesting, but I was hoping I'd find another way to bring Bill back quicker.

I sit up quickly, a page catching my full attention. I chuckle after reading the title of the page, "When the end comes to pass, and the world is set to flames. Call on the dream demon, for he is what can get you saved."

The more I read, the more I feel my heart jumping with joy. "Five sacrifices must be made. The blood and the souls will come together around the Cipher circle, bringing power for the dream demon to come forth from the mindscape. The ritual must be performed at midnight. The sacrifices must be humans and caused by a human. However, materials are needed for trapping the souls. Five heads from the golf ball land, nom vomit, and....hehe Bill's stature."

I close the book and place it into my desk drawer with the lock and key. After locking it up, I lay back in my bed, staring at the wooden ceiling.

"So there is a quicker way to bring Bill back, huh? It's a more fun way, too..." I chuckle, closing my eyes. Soon, my dream demon, very, very soon.

As soon as I fall asleep, I open my eyes, confused by my surroundings. "Where the hell am I-"

"The mindscape pinetree!" I hear someone pip in from behind me.

I turn around, a bright smile growing on my face. "Bill!"

He spins around me, trapped inside his triangle form. He lands on top of my head, playing with my little Dipper birthmark.

"Well well well didn't think you'll find another way to bring me back so quickly. I can't believe how stupid Sixxter really is! He just left the journal! No, he thought it was a good idea to create another one! Hahahahaha!"

I hum at the sound of his laugh, my body at ease. "I know, right? He really thought I would listen to him. They all still treat me like I'm that damn brat again."

"You were a whiney brat pinetree."

I look up at him with a blank expression. "You weren't supposed to agree with me, Bill."

He laughs, floating around in the air. "But I did, and it was worth seeing that face of yours again!"

I roll my eyes and look away from him, crossing my arms over my chest. "Whatever. I'm not a kid anymore."

"I know, pinetree. I know. I just miss ya is all! My powers are so weak even after all of these years."

"Yeah, I know you're straining yourself just to see me in my dream right now. But don't worry, I'll have you back before you know it."

His eye twist up into what I guess is a smile. "Looking forward to it, pinetree!"

"I'll even look through one of those journals and case a spell so you can see through my eyes during those kills."

"I still can't believe you killed your parents. Well done!" He claps.

I bow playfully as I laugh. "Thank you, thank you! There's more to come!" I cheer, enjoying the sound of Bill's laughter.

"As much as I hate to say this, but my time is up."

I pout as he floats closer to him, landing on my head again. "Do you really have to go so soon?"

"Not enough power, but no crying! You did that enough when I first came to see you."

"Ugh, don't remind me. See you never insane Dorito." I joke.

"You too psycho crybaby. I'll wait pinetree. I'll wait.."

[gracemarkss]

finished s4 in my txf rewatch so i'm here's my top 10 so far. these are vaguely in order.

10. oubliette (s3ep08). this episode gives us soooo much big brother mulder. his gentle insistence that lucy, despite everything she's been through, is strong and capable and has value - that she can save this girl (and he's right). when scully calls him out on his overidentifying with lucy and he insists not everything he does or feels goes back to samantha...but when lucy dies, you know he's losing sam all over again. he can't save them all, he can't even save most of them, but by god does he try.

9. memento mori (s4ep14). cliche as hell but the fact that it opens with scully's sensual voice over reading her romantic diary entries which are addressed to mulder...insane. both of them facing a terrible reality, deep seated fears - losing her and abandoning him (is dying a betrayal?) the fact that he's ready to make a deal with the devil. the fact that skinner DOES. death vs love, fight!!!!!

8. beyond the sea (s1ep13). gillian is insaaaaane in the episode like how could anyone involved in this show not think she was capable of anything and everything? scully is such a great character in part because of the constant tension that exists between expectation and desire. the things she should want, the things she wants to want, the things she actually wants. she craves her father's approval while chafing against the weight of his expectation. the "i love this job" "you love your father" exchange goes craaaaaazy. and that's not even getting into the role reversal!!!!

7. pusher (s3ep17). another cliche but god does this episode go hard. another spectacular look into mulder's psyche and another situation that highlights the depth of their connection. when he kneels down in front of her and hands her his gun...i wonder how many times mulder walks into a situation and thinks that maybe he'll die. that maybe he wouldn't mind. i wonder how much scully knows that (her fear here makes me think she knows, and it terrifies her.) but all's well that ends well i guess (them holding hands).

6. end game (s2ep17). i just love that the narrative forces mulder to choose between samantha and scully and he tries to rig the game to save both. from "nothing else matters to me" to if anything happens to scully i'll kill everyone in this room and then myself. there's obviously a lot more going on here and i love all of it but that's my main takeaway. oh also dd rules in this ep. his regression back into a lost little boy saying "i'm sorry, dad," bill mulder you are bones.

5. wetwired (s3ep23). another classic "what are you afraid of" episode and this time the answer is "the prophet you are following turns out to be false." trust is their most valuable and sacred currency. the potential loss of that is truly devastating. let's not even get into the fact that mulder thinks scully's gone missing (again) and it's his fault (again) and he has to break this to her mother (again) and let's not talk about the fact that maggie defends mulder to scully and trusts him with her daughter's life despite everything. and let's definitely not ever mention the scene where he goes to id the body.

4. paper hearts (s4ep10). yet another cliche but there's a reason these episodes are well loved and considered among the best. "it's somebody though" just sums up everything you need to know about mulder. he is so deeply hurt and so good despite it all. he really is the best boy. another ep dd is superb in.

3. demons (s4ep23). part of the reason i love this episode is just because i think the premise of mulder drilling a hole in his head and injecting ketamine in it is hilarious. but also profoundly sad. can you tell i have a thing for mulder angst yet? and episodes that highlight how deep and loving his and scully's relationship is, however you interpret it? she's the first one he thinks of to call when he wakes up in a bad situation. she drops everything to be there for him. she won't stop him, she'll just take the keys and drive. what can i carry for you. what can i do. i will not let you go alone. another great example of dd's ability to play mulder at his smallest - when he tells his mother he needs to speak with her with his head down and his voice pitched just a bit higher...i'll jump.

2. ice (s1ep08). truly what needs to be said. i know this is a ripoff of the thing but i've never seen the thing so this is better probably. stuck in a small space, paranoia at the top of the world...also the guy who plays the landlord in new girl is here and i love that. both dd and ga are also both crazy hot in the ep. i think it just rules even as a standalone and is a great way to introduce someone to the series. just fun and sexy and tense.

3 (s2ep07). HE'S WEARING HER NECKLACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

honorable mentions: lazarus (s1ep15); darkness falls (s1ep20); little green men (s2ep01); the field where i died (s4ep05); grotesque (s3ep14); terma (s4ep9).