#and we don't have too much information on how she grew up after her parents' death but i can't imagine it being all roses and rainbows

[imurasakaw]

first impressions

redstarling, 1.9k, set a little over 5 years ago. pre-relationship.

•••••••

When Jodie found Special Agent Akai, he was, as the Special Agent in Charge had blithely suggested with a wave of his hand, in the break room, smoking.

“You’re not supposed to smoke in here,” she said, feeling the irritation rising, her patience already frayed from a rankling encounter minutes ago out in the office area.

Agent Akai looked up from his phone, cigarette dangling from his lips, nonplussed. He was slouched against the wall next to the trash can. And as Jodie got a better look at him, she grew even more unimpressed. Long hair that came down just past the shoulders—against regulations. A well-worn leather jacket with some noticeable scuffs and tears—dress code violation. As for the smudges of almost bruised-looking shadows and sunken bags under his eyes, she uncharitably decided were likely due to late nights spent smoking and drinking himself into a stupor at a pub. She knew the type; she grew up around the type.

No wonder the SAC asked her to come fetch him—she might have a glowing recommendation from Assistant Special Agent in Charge James Black, but she was still just a probationary agent, and newbies got crap detail. And this man? This man appeared to be a real piece of work. She couldn’t believe someone like this was an FBI agent. She couldn’t believe someone like this could remain an FBI agent.

He hadn’t said a thing since she entered the room, eyeing her in silence instead. She shook her head to herself, and proceeded with what she was sent to do. “Special Agent Akai? The Special Agent in Charge is requesting you in his office,” she announced, putting her hands on her hips, trying to project authority. “There’s an urgent matter that requires your presence.”

The man tilted his head ever so slightly. “Who are you?” he asked.

Jodie took a quelling breath before replying. “I am Special Agent Jodie Starling. I’ve just been assigned here to the New York Field Office today.”

“Ho…” Akai dragged out the single syllable into an idiosyncratic expression of emotion that was, objectively speaking, neutral in tone, yet Jodie couldn’t help but sense a hint of derision. “You’re the new probie?”

She bristled at the belittling moniker, but bore it. It wasn't the first time and until she proved herself to everyone else in the office, it wouldn’t be the last; she knew that. “Yes.”

“How old are you?”

She frowned and crossed her arms, not liking where this was headed. “I don’t see how that is related to the issue at hand, or any of your business.”

“You seem young for this position. That’s all.”

This time, Jodie had to physically swallow down the defensive flare of temper that threatened to disrupt the evenness of her voice. In her mind, she heard all the insinuations that weren't being said. How did someone like you get this position? What connections do you have? Who did you have to bribe or fuck? “I assure you, they would not have assigned me to the Violent Crimes Unit of New York City had I not been qualified.”

Akai’s expressionless, studying gaze did not waver, and as Jodie stared right back, she was beginning to feel as though it was a competition, or perhaps a test, and she did not like it, not from this man who looked like he should model the “Before” picture of an agent rehabilitation program’s brochure.

Finally, just as Jodie had about had enough, Akai seemed to come to some conclusion within his own head, chin dipping in the slightest hint of a nod. “Can I call you Jodie?”

“You may call me Special Agent Starling,” Jodie snapped.

The corners of his lips ticked up, ever so faintly, and the realization hit Jodie that he was probably just trying to get a reaction out of her. It made her feel even worse, because she had met no shortage of men like that, had encountered a group of men like that just minutes ago, her new colleagues. Men who would never view her as their equal in competence and ability, who would bait and provoke and taunt just to see her lose her cool—and she had just lost this round with this Agent Akai.

And now that the root of anger and humiliation had taken hold, it was even harder to keep it in check.

“Well, if you’ve had your fun,” she forced, hearing the bitter tremor in her own voice and feeling the rising sting of indignation clog her throat with heat, “are you capable of following orders, or do I have to report back that Special Agent Akai could not be bothered to part from his nicotine fix?”

She took some measure of satisfaction at seeing Akai blink, his self-possessed composure disrupted for all but a second.

He paused to consider his next words. “I had not meant to insult you,” he said, almost carefully.

How farcical. “Hadn’t you?” Her words were clipped—as far as she saw it, he had not done anything to deserve courtesy.

His brows twitched in displeasure.

“You can go tell the SAC, then,” he said, looking away, “that I will be there soon”—he took another drag on his cigarette, and smoke furled out alongside his next blasé words—“if he has anything new to say to me this time.” 

And what she did then—she knew it was rude, beyond rude—but slapped in the face with that man’s flippancy and his flagrant insubordination against a superior’s demand that would’ve gotten most disciplined if not fired, her self control splintered.

She strode forward in four brisk steps and yanked the lit cigarette from his mouth.

She would later learn that, at that time, Akai had just come off of a three-month-long deep undercover stint in a local crime ring, and that it was with an adamantine force of will that he managed to smother a reflex for violence into a barely-there flinch, but in that moment, she attributed his lack of response as yet another sign of either his ineptitude or his total disdain for her. The flicker of surprise in his eyes had been quickly suppressed, and he regarded her now with stony composure, as though an adult rebuking a wild, recalcitrant child: What do you think you’re doing? His hand that had been raised to his mouth, now empty, fell slowly into a crossed-arm position across his chest.

“You…” She wanted to scream. Am I not enough for any of you to even take me seriously? Is a child all you’ll treat me as?

Then, a more sombering thought struck: Is that all I am acting like? A child? Throwing a tantrum because she isn’t being noticed?

The cigarette in her hand kept burning in the severe silence—until the lit end finally singed her skin. 

The sudden pain wrenched her fully back to reality.

“I—” she began, the steam of her anger lost, a train sputtering to a stop. She took one step backwards. The cigarette lay on the linoleum floor between them, where she had dropped it in shock. “Agent Akai, I apologize,” she made herself say, face hot with shame. “My actions just now were totally out of line.” 

Her father had always told her, ever since she could remember, to not let anyone tread all over her; however, he had also taught her that, when the injury was not grievous, a noble person knew to turn the other cheek. And, divested of her father’s presence so early in her life, she had tried hence to cling hard onto every word, every doctrine, his teachings all the more precious for its scarcity. Her anger had just made her lose sight of it all, and now she stood there, beating herself up.

Something in Akai’s flinty demeanor softened.

He extended a hand, palm up, and she realized he was asking for the cigarette back. She swallowed, her pride balking against the act. But, there was no denying it, she thought; the one squarely in the wrong here was her.

She knelt and picked up the still-lit cigarette, and passed it over. 

As he plucked it out from between her fingers, on his hands, she saw knuckles that evidenced years of regular martial arts training and combat, saw scars and old injuries and gun calluses. 

This close, she can tell that her previous assessments of the agent, colored by personal animus and prejudice, had been wildly incorrect. Contrary to what she had assumed to be the case, she could now see that Akai was well-built under that scuffed leather jacket, and the marks on his hands said that this wasn’t a body cultivated in a gym to be looked at but something to be used. Even his slouch, indolent though it might seem, was controlled. It brought to mind the image of a panther—it might lounge lazily up on the branch of a cypress tree, but its muscles would always be ready to coil and pounce.

This was not some derelict who fancied himself a tough, daredevil guy—this was a true field agent, through and through.

Hadn’t she fallen prey to the very thing she hated others doing to her?

She swallowed again, and tasted something that was not quite humiliation and not quite apprehension. She forced herself to look up and meet Akai’s eyes again, but there, instead of the reprobation or animosity she had expected, she found with surprise a hint of a smile.

She noticed suddenly how startlingly green his eyes were, and how, when not overshadowed by a dour expression, his features, angular and striking and sharp, were exceptional.

“Well, as you said,” he said, “I am not supposed to smoke in here.” He reached to the table beside him for a plastic cup that held about a half-inch of water, and dropped into it the cigarette he had just gotten back. The cigarette fizzled and went out. Then, he tossed the whole thing into the trash. “So, how about we say the blame here was fifty-fifty”—he reached out a hand, and that ghost of a smile solidified into, nearly, a real one—“and call it even, Agent Starling?”

He did not have to give her an out, nor offer her the olive branch. But here he was, extending a hand to her, affording her the choice of whether or not to accept. 

I had not meant to insult you, he had explained, and she had spat in his face, thinking it a flimsy cop-out. Now she thought she might have been incorrect in her judgment of that, too. Perhaps she had just gotten too ingrained in the habit of looking for mockery, even when there was none.

She reached out and grasped his hand. His shake was firm, and his hand, unlike how the man himself had seemed at first sight, was warm. “Agent Akai.”

He nodded at her, once, in acknowledgment, in respect. “Welcome to the team.”

•••••••

[extra snippet, probably takes place during/after they work on a case together.]

“You need not be so defensive. You’re better than the majority of the rest of them out there. You have nothing to prove.”

“You don’t get it.” Of course he didn’t; he didn’t have people whispering behind his back that he only got here because he’s pretty and fucking someone higher up the line. Probably. “Proving myself and establishing myself as an outstanding agent is the only way I can get access to the files and data and resources that I need.” Realizing how that might sound, she added, ���There’s someone that I’m looking for. That I need to find.”

The moment she mentioned that she’s on the hunt for someone, his demeanor shifted, ever so slightly.

“Long-lost family member?” he suggested, casually, but she thought she could hear an undertone of intrigued commiseration. 

“No,” she replied flatly. “The opposite. The woman who murdered my entire family.”

[thef1diary]

Little Big Fan | Two

— Little Big Flight

Read part one here

Series Masterlist

Note: Max isn’t a major part of this chapter.

wc: 1.7k

Isabella hadn't stopped talking about Max since the day the two of you met him—in the grocery store of all places.

Her excitement was beyond imaginable, and that says a lot coming from you, a mother of a six year old that should be familiar with her big imagination.

As promised, Max had contacted you for the details later that day, surprising you with flight tickets and hotel already booked. You called him as soon as you saw the message, and gave him a little earful about doing too much for two strangers.

His response, "we don't have to be strangers anymore."

The harder part however, was explaining to Isabella's father, Tyler, that you were gifted a paddock pass for yourself and your daughter. Unfortunately, the race weekend was during your ex's days to keep Isabella, so you had to tell him about the plans.

While he might've been an okay father, he wasn't the best partner. Which is why when you told him, he laughed, not believing you for a second. That is, until you showed him the flight ticket to the Netherlands, where the next race was held.

You didn't have to tell him that you met Max, your daughter already did because she couldn't contain her excitement.

You spoke to him when you were standing by the door to his house when dropping Isabella off during your week so Tyler would still able to spend time with her before you leave. When he attempted to playfully ask why he wasn't invited to the race, Isabella shrugged but you knew he was actually asking you.

"You're flying out for work, it wouldn't have been possible." You didn't tell him that Max never offered, that secret was yours to keep.

The conversation didn't last long, since a woman you hadn't met, came and stood behind Tyler. Now you usually didn't care about who comes and goes in his house, but it mattered when your daughter was there. Fortunately, the woman was leaving so you didn't have to bring up the topic. A so-called rule he created when the two of you separated.

"Alright angel, I'll see you in a few days," you crouched down and kissed Isabella's forehead. Wrapping her arms around you, she whispered in your ear, "I love you, mama."

"I love you too, angel. Have fun here yeah?" Watching her nod, Tyler sent her inside and remained standing at the door to speak to you.

"I should get going," you told him and turned to leave, but he called your name to stop you. "Thank you for sending her over this week."

"Yeah, no worries." While you were fine with keeping things formal between you and Tyler, you didn't really want to spend any extra time with him without Isabella.

Truthfully, you were still in contact with him because of Isabella as she deserved to grow up around both parents and so far, it was going well.

As soon as you sat in your car, you received a text from a newly familiar person, Max. A small smile grew on your face at the thought of him. While he might've asked for your number to send the pass details, there were a few unrelated texts that were sent as well.

Whether it was just asking about your day, or how Isabella is doing, it made your days a little sweeter knowing that he genuinely wanted to know.

Even in his latest text, he was asking about your day. You responded, telling him about dropping off Isabella at Tyler's, mentioning how much you'll miss her over the next few days. Then, you drove off, dreading to think of ways to spend time without your little one.

—

You had a lot of free time on your hands during the week that Isabella was at Tyler's house. Even after checking off every errand you had to complete, you decided to do some research about the sport. It was a lot of information to take in and all you remember, is that you would miss the practices, but would be able to watch qualifying and the actual race.

It was now Friday, ten days later, and you were boarding a flight to the Netherlands with Isabella to watch your daughter's favourite driver race.

You were quite nervous to take Isabella on a flight, as it would be the second time. The first time was four years ago, and that too was necessary at the time or else you wouldn't have taken a two year-old Isabella on the plane.

However, Isabella wouldn’t have remembered many details from that flight, so it could also be considered her first.

Truth is, you didn't travel much after giving birth to your beautiful daughter, so you kept glancing at her to ensure she was okay during the boarding process.

While Isabella was still very excited to visit a new country, you could tell that she became slightly nervous as she sat down, all buckled in her assigned seat beside yours in anticipation for takeoff.

She was looking out the window, taking in the beauty of the early morning hours. That was, until she noticed the plane beginning to move.

"Mama," she exclaimed a little loudly, immediately finding your hand and grasping on to it tightly. "It's okay, Bella, we're flying to see Max right? Are you excited?" You asked, knowing the answer to the question very well but it was just a little way to distract her. As expected, she nodded eagerly, rambling on about everything she learned about Formula 1 with her daddy.

Clutching on to her favourite teddy bear, that she's had since birth, with one hand and the other still holding on to yours, she closed her eyes tightly once the plane picked up speed on the runway. You ran your free hand through her hair, whispering words and asking questions to distract her until the plane was stably in the air.

Fortunately, it was a seven hour flight which wasn't excessively long and wouldn't cause any additional stress on how to keep Isabella entertained.

Having downloaded the movie Cars on an iPad, you were able to keep her busy for two out of seven hours. She was happily watching, forgetting the fact that they were many miles up in air. Despite the fact that Isabella has watched this movie one too many times, it was still her favourite.

Especially after watching Formula 1, she quickly considered Charles Leclerc as Lightning McQueen when she first saw him in the red car on track. Even if Max was her favourite driver, she would speak of the Ferrari driver almost as often.

Fortunately, there was a tad bit of more privacy considering you and Isabella were seated in first class. The credit for that could be given to Max. When you asked him why first class was necessary, he responded with, "you two are my guests for the race, and my guests always need to have one of the best flight experiences."

Although, he didn't mention why it was one of the best and not the best. He held back on the fact that the best experience would be in his private plane. Perhaps one day, you and Isabella would travel with him and he would be able to share the experience. Which he believes would be a whole lot better than flying with his usual team.

The only time Isabella tightly clutched on to your hand, was during takeoff, landing, and some mild turbulence. Other than that, she had a lot of fun constantly finding a way to speak to the flight attendant.

She considered the flight attendant her friend, mainly because she kept bringing Isabella snacks to pass the time. Since Isabella stayed awake during the majority of the flight, she was close to falling asleep near the end.

After the events in the grocery store, you ensured to never leave Isabella's hand in a public place even after she assured you that she wouldn't run away. So, throughout the process of getting your small suitcase, Isabella was standing right beside you, holding your hand.

"Is Maxy gonna pick us up?" Isabella asked as you walked towards the exit. You shook your head, "no, angel, he's busy."

Dejected, Isabella pouted and you had to keep yourself from chuckling at her antics. "We'll see him tomorrow, just one more night," you reassured and the pout was replaced with a smile. If she could wait over a year for Tyler's promise that was never fulfilled, she could wait one more night until it is fulfilled by you.. and Max.

After a thirty minute drive from the airport to the hotel, you were able to get off your feet and relax. While Isabella was fascinated by the view from your hotel room, you picked up your phone and sent Max a text stating that you and Isabella safely arrived as per his request.

Usually, you'd get that request from your mother, as she always needed a text or a call to ensure your safety, especially whenever you were out with Isabella.

As expected, you had an unread message from your mother asking the same. "Bella, come here," you called out and heard patters of her small feet running towards you.

"Are we sending nanna a picture?" She asked, already knowing what was going on and you laughed, nodding.

You snapped a photo of her blowing a kiss to the camera and sent it to your mother. Two minutes passed before you got a response from her, "cutest as always but what about my little girl?"

Opening the camera again, you took a snapped a photo of yourself, holding your thumbs up playfully and sent it to her. "Your little girl is perfectly safe too"

Dropping your phone on the bed, you called Isabella’s name, “I’m gonna catch you!” You playfully chased your daughter, easily picking her up, as there wasn’t a lot of space to run, and attacking her with kisses and tickles.

Your phone buzzed with a text, “beautiful”

You had accidentally sent your photo to Max after it was sent to your mother, who was supposed to be the only recipient.

Taglist: (let me know if you want to be added or removed) @xjval @mrsmaybank13 @cherry-piee @urfavnoirette @solphin @burningcupcakefire @nessacarty1 @dreamsarebig @158cmx @omgsuperstarg @fanficweasley @redbullgirly

[medusagorgongirl1]

I'm sick of this Fandom saying that Dick only eats cereal and that the only thing Tim can cook is a cup of coffee and treating Jason like he's some sort of michelin star chef, like seriously? that's it?

Dick came from a circus full of people with different cultures and backgrounds. Idk if y'all have every gone to one of those big weddings that takes place in your cousins back yard but fucking everyone comes together with food. You make the things you know and love and share them with the people your friends and family know and love. And also Dick was a kid that loved attention, of course he would sit in the kitchen and be entertained by someone while his parents were training. I'm convinced that Dick knows how to cook the most random, homey, comfort food dishes but like nothing 'ordinary'. Like that man can make the best goulash you've had in your life (only with the good paprika), he makes vegetarian momos that even Damian can't resist, his challah had more jew in it than Bruce does. But if you ask him to bring a casserole to a get together, he'll fucking bluescreen and buy a pre-made potato salad.

I agree that Jason is a good cook. As a kid I was poor, but in my later teenage years we were more middle class. That change in being able to buy ingredients, to actually make something homemade with is insane. I'm convince that one day he showed Alfred one of those '3 ingredients browine recipe' and asked if that wasn't too much to use and Alfred introduced him to the concept 'the more ingredients the better taste'. That said, as an adult I don't think he was making all these grand dishes. He doesn't live with Bruce, and frequently changes safe houses. He doesnt have the dishware to make these extraordinary foods. Like he'll make some fettuccine alfredo, but those aren't homemade noodles. He's not making a cheesecake, but he'll make a nice banana bread. I also think that he would be a bit nostalgic for the foods of his childhood like we all are in a way, but he would better it. Like cheap ass Ramen? That man is making a steaming bowl of pho. Baked potatoes? Creamy potatoes au Gratin. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? Fruit tarts with peanut butter cookies. He's not phenomenal, but he's resourceful.

I said this in a previous post but Tim can cook goddammit. He grew up in a big home as tween with an unlimited fridge. He did what kids do; make really shitty food until they understand cooking. He would thrive off of reciving praise from his parents if he informed them on how independent he is. I know he tried to learn how to make all of their favorite meals until he could recite the recipe word for word. And I don't think that left even after he became robin. Because things were shaky with Bruce for a while, and Tim needed to prove himself. He definitely found out how to make the most tasty protein filled post workout foods because he was determined to be a good robin. I think that as an adult a lot of those would stick too. Like he would know how to make a lot of standard meals, and knows how to read relatively re create a recipe. He isn't useless in the kitchen just because he's rich.

Stephanie is always neglected in these and I refuse too, I love her. I think that she would be kinda a combination of Jason and Tim, like she knows as a vigilante (especially one always underestimated) she really needs to prove she can hold her own and I think that means that she would care about her diet in relation to her workout regime. Her diet would probably consist of a lot protein, fiber and vegetables. But also I think she would be more nostalgic that Jason. Because who can't help but romanticize the sight of your mom making your birthday cake and adding a drop of magic that turns it purple. If it comes down to the frozen pizza or the frozen stir fry, she might choose the pizza because it's the same brand her mom would make on Fridays. She knows how to make the foods that are good for her (to an extent, similar to Tim in that way) but she would also be able to make more of her comfort foods. But above all else, she's a sucker for convenience store meals. She's a patsa roni after patrol kinda gal. And some days she'll add in steamed broccoli, but the nights she's really feeling it, she might just turn on some old cartoon and sit on the floor with her pasta roni.

Damian is more interesting. Always being wealthy has him thinking cooking a bit beneath him. BUT, he also how easy it is to poison someone by making their meals. I feel like in the league of assassin's he learned to detect poison in food and knows how to get it back up. But, it's easier to detect that type of thing with plants. I think he knows which plants are poisonous simply by sight, taste and smell. And besides the obvious reason behind his vegan/vegetarianism I think that is also one of the contributing factors. But I still think it took him a while to come around to Alfred and ask to learn how to make more of the foods he can eat. I don't think that would happen until after he has since how the memories from cooking affect Dick, how cooking gives Jason a sense of freedom and control, and Tim independence. I think he would come to recognize the importance of being able to do something for yourself without assistance. I think he would begin with shyly approaching Alfred vegan recipe he found (because vegan/vegetarians recipes are finally becoming more mainstream and popular on social media), and Alfred will agree because he wants Damian to request certain foods. He wants Damian to truly enjoy meals and not just tolerate something Alfred makes. So I think Damian would know how to make a lot of staple dishes, but also a lot of really yummy vegan dishes. But I also think he would have a slight nostalgia for foods more regional to Nanda Parbat. Specifically I think he would miss spicy food and that it would become necessary in his favorite dishes. I think he would be a sucker for a nice lentil soup, so spicy that only Jon can stomach it.

Sorry for the long post, but this has been on my mind a bunch lately.

[riniworld]

my perfect soldier

yandere!emperor x general!f!reader

warnings// mention of blood+injury, that much it.

reference// you,general, woman/girl, y/n, she/her.

remake of this hcs

a/n// i was having a bad wi-fi and when i wanted to save the draft it didn't save, i had a damn long heart attack, then when i was about to cry it said that it had been saved, man the scare!

born and raised as the heir of the throne,in a luxurious life,some people will dream to live like his life, but he hated it.

Baron hated how he shouldn't act like a child because he's the heir, hated the boring meeting he has to attend with his father, hated how he didn't get attention,but he hated his parents more than anything.

a small light lightened his life,his brother,who came to him after 8 years from suffering alone,as he grew up,baron took his responsibility upon himself,he won't let his brother live like him.

in the night of his eighteenth birthday, instead of hearing clapping and partying for him,what the castle heard was a scream, echo in every corner of it.

in that day the death of the emperor and his wife was confirmed and he stood there without guilt or shame "i did it." was Baron's first words on that night.

he did it,he got rid of his misery, he got his revenge for his shattered childhood, for his brother's tears.

he got rid of his misery and gave the people a new misery.

And who can prosecute him? he is the law after all,he put it and he eras it.

as a young boy it wasn't professional to give him the throne but he insisted and killed everyone that was against it.

as the years passed,baron was expanding his empire taking as much kingdoms as he please, starting with small ones to the large ones.

however,Yale,baron's brother,didn't like all the blood that was sacrifice for his brother's pleasure,hence he left the whole empire at age 18,and has never communicate his brother again.

This got on Taron's,as he named himself, nerves, wich lead him to take out his anger on the civilians,the smallest mistake lead to getting killed.

life started to get boring for him until he heard about you,a powerful general that no one had defeated,not like the kingdom you were in was under too much pressure or popular,but it won't hurt him to take it anyway.

anxiety kicking in as you hurry to the throne room, the king asked for you to come,it's not everyday he want to see you so it's must be something important.

a loud thud was heard as you open the door aggressively.

you bow your head a little as you see the prince standing in the room,he smiled at you softly in return,when you get closer to the king you kneeled down on one knee and bowing your head down in front of him.

"your majesty." you said steadily.

"Excuse me for bringing you from your duties in a hurry,general, however we received information that you should hear." the king explain "I'm sure you've heard about the falling kingdoms by now?"

you stood up "i did,your majesty, apparently the new emperor isn't as peaceful as his father."

after a minute of silent the king spoke again "i don't know what is his purpose by this.." he walked to a close table and took a latter that was on it "but it seems we're next." he handed it to you. "I'm counting on you about this."

you opened your mouth to speak but the prince cut you off.

"pardon me but what! you're saying the emperor wants to take our kingdom and you still want to fight? father no one happen to stop him!." he said irritated but didn't rise his voice.

"what do you suggest then? giving up easily? so everyone can call us cowards?" the king said calmly (dumbledore said calmly)

"It is better than wasting the blood of soldiers in vain."

the king sighed in frustration and motion for you to go.

you bow your head and headed out immediately.

planning to call every battalion commander to discuss the plan for the battle.

the day of the battle came,everyone was anxious even you,you'll fight the emperor how can you not?

but as the general you need to keep a steady expression as you check on every soldier,recuse the frightened ones and reassure the ones that has a slight anxiety.

The promised hour has come, you wear your armor, it wasn't alot but it did just enough.

you arrive at the place at the same time taron's has arrive, you two were at the head of your army.

taron scoff as soon as he sees you "a woman? is that what your king could bring? what a joke."

you got irritated, you've always hated when someone talks about you because you were a woman, You extended your hand to the side and someone gave you a bow, you throw the arrow at taron, it didn't land on him as you knew this was a big move to do first but it did scratch his cheek and killed one behind him,you return the bow and say"i didn't laugh" in a calm manner.

taron put his finger on the scratch and look at his blood, he smiled crazily. This was the signal for the beginning of the war.

Two hours have passed since the start of the battle، and it did not go well in your favor. Many of your soldiers were dying, but that does not mean that you were not advancing as well.

you were against the emperor the whole time and the first thing you learned about him is that he's not a silent type because he was talking the whole damn fight.

in a quick motion his blade was at your neck,you expected your head to chop off, but instead taron was smiling widely as he looked in your eyes "it would be such a waste to kill you now." he said.

then he removed the blade away from you as he announced to his army to withdraw.

you wanted to yell after him to come back,to end things, you couldn't return to the kingdom with such shame, even if you didn't lose you know deep down that you would have if he didn't do that.

when you return to the kingdom the king received you with clapping hand and congratulation, you didn't even left your head up you don't know how to tell him what happened in the field.

you were sitting on a bench at the practice ground, your head between your hand thinking about everything.

you felt someone sitting beside you, you were ready to kick out whoever was there but when you left your head up you shut your mouth close, it was the prince "your royal highness!."

the prince was smiling slightly at you,like always, "why are you here alone?."

"I'm just...resting." you say turning your head away.

"you don't seem like usual, what happened at the battle?."

you pause don't know how to say it, "i-..wouldn't have won if the emperor took it seriously," the prince hummed "he was an inch away from killing me but he just backdown..i don't count this as a won." you continue.

"well,what were you expecting from an emperor?, i respect your power but as much as you've been in the army he must have been practicing more, I'm just happy you're alive." he put his hand on yours.

you looked at him with soft eyes like you were about to cry, in return he looked in your eyes as he spoke "how about you accompany me to the town,hm? like old days."

right,in one point of your serving here you were his personal knight wich made you two so close to each other, even if you treat him as a royal prince he always has treated you as a friend, wich made you,as much as you don't want to admit it,falling for him.

"that would be an honor,your highness."

"great." the prince took your hand and drag you outside.

seeing all the people in the town safe, smiling and laughing was enough to make you smile and forget about the battle.

on the other side,at taron's castle.

"she's incredible." taron was lying on the bed, smiling staring at the roof.

His personal advisor was standing at the door inside "if you say so,your majesty."

taron sighed dreamly "i can't wait for our next battle,y/n, was it?."

"it is,your majesty."

"Gather as much information of her as possible."

"as you wish,your majesty."

the battles continued to happen,Day after day, taron becames quicker to announce the second battle,he start,what you consider it as,flirting in the middle of your fight, saying things such as, "you look gorgeous with blood." , "you make me more insane in your love,dear" , "won't you consider becoming my personal soldier? oh,or maid!." you nearly cut his arm off when he said that, he sometimes cross the lines saying some personal information no one knows.

you got enough with his playing, always announce a battle then backdown when he's close to knocking you off.

it all changed though at that fateful day.

after every fight the prince,keith,would come to you, talking or taking you out with him, the civilians noticed that as much as the servants did, and the rumors spread quickly about you two being in some sort of relationship.

it eventually reached taron's empire.

"what is this fucking thing i hear?! what do you mean there's a rumor about my woman being in a relationship?!" taron was holding his personal adviser by his collar.

"i-i don't know your maje-it what I've heard!." the man says frightened.

taron throws him away making him hit the ground "oh,i know what I'll do, if that shame of a man wants to take my girl away, then I'll just have to make him to never see her again, prepare the army, we'll go get what's mine."

and that's how you end up looking at him standing above while you bleed on the ground.

finally ending this

have a good day/night♡

[makeitmingi]

The Cat and Dog Game [Chapter 19]

Genre: Romance, Fluff, Comedy

Pairing: Yunho x Reader (y/n)

Characters: Chef!Reader, RestaurantOwner!Yunho, MaitreD!Hongjoong, Waiter!Yeosang, Waiter!San, Waiter!Mingi, SousChef!Seonghwa, SousChef!Wooyoung, PrepChef!Jongho

Summary: Yunho's dream was to open and run his own restaurant. But he doesn't know anything when it comes to cooking. Until you came along and accepted the job, bringing with you a small crew. How will the black cat tame the energetic golden retriever?

Word count: 3.2K

The parents stayed even after the restaurant closed. You finished clearing up and went out to see the parents all enjoying a glass of wine, chatting amongst themselves.

"There they are. Good job, the food was great." They all clapped as you walked out with the boys. You all bowed to them. You let out a small sigh of relief, glad that they liked the food. Someone stood up and came over to you.

"I'm Gunho." He held out a hand.

"Nice to meet you, Gunho. You look a lot like Yunho." You chuckled, slipping your hand into his to shake.

"Now, tell me. Did my brother blackmail you into this job?" He leaned in. You blinked, slightly taken aback by his question. But the glint in his eyes showed that he was joking.

"He didn't. Rest assured, I wouldn't let myself get blackmailed so easily." You smirked.

"But he's a good boss." You added with a smile. Gunho nodded in agreement, turning to see Yunho glaring at him.

"So, (y/n). You've been working in culinary?" The mothers sat you down, including San's older sister, who's name you learnt was Haneul. It was cute, the way their names were all linked.

"Yes. My mother loved being in the kitchen so I grew up loving food and cooking. It's all I've ever wanted to do. So I started out as a prep chef and worked myself up from there. I'm grateful that along the way, I met my crew." You explained with a small smile. They all cooed at you, finding you so adorable.

"That's nice. You've done such an amazing job. I can tell your crew respects you too." Mrs Kim (Hongjoong)'s mother complimented.

"Please, there's still a lot I need to learn. I respect them just as much and learn from them. Couldn't have made it without them." You rubbed the back of your neck.

"She's always too humble, our dear leader." Wooyoung said sweetly, slinging an arm around you.

"I'm not... Really... I've mentioned to Mingi that I would like to visit your restaurant, learn more about eels." You gestured to Mrs Song.

"Oh! Of course, any time!" She giggled.

"Do you always do fancy menus like this for the dinner service?" Mrs Jeong asked you. You shook your head, giving her examples of other dishes that you've done.

"Those dishes are more simpler. We don't want to go too fancy, still have things with home-y feeling and tastes. Tonight is different because we've curated this menu specially for your visit tonight. I'm glad you enjoyed yourselves." You informed.

"Yes, your dish was very impressive. All the dishes were very well made. We enjoyed them thoroughly." Mrs Choi smiled.

"Is it true that my brother helped you with your dish? Because your dish was actually really good and my brother has never made anything good." Gunho asked.

"Yah, Jeong Gunho." Yunho threatened. Now that there were no other customers in the restaurant, he could yell.

"Yes. He shredded the meat and learnt to fold the pasta by hand to help me make them. Yunho's been helping a lot in the kitchen."

"Wow, really? I hope I'll see Yunho help out in our kitchens more then." Mrs Jeong said, casting Yunho a look. He just coughed, refusing to meet his mother's gaze.

"Because (y/n) is patient when she teaches me! She doesn't just chase me out." Yunho argued.

"But Yunho is a fast learner. He managed to learn how to fold the pasta after one demonstration. And he always offers to help, which we are grateful for." You smiled. Yunho blushed at how you spoke about him. You missed the look that Mrs Jeong sent you, as well as the shared look that the mothers shared.

"You should teach Hongjoong too."

"And Yeosang too. My dear son can't even fry an egg to save his life." The mothers all added, almost begging you. The sons merely exclaimed in disbelief.

"Say, (y/n). Do you have a boyfriend?" Mrs Jeon suddenly asked. You choked, seeing all the mothers' attention on you.

"Omma!" Yunho yelled.

"What?"

"You can't ask that. Sorry about that, just ignore her." Yunho hissed at his mother then turned to apologise to you, his cheeks so bright red that he was practically glowing.

"It's fine, Yunho." You chuckled, assuring him by placing a hand on his arm. This didn't go unnoticed by Yunho's mother.

But Yunho didn't want you to reply to his mother. Maybe he wasn't embarrassed by his mother but a part of him didn't want to actually hear you say that you were currently attached to Seonghwa or someone else outside.

"Wah, I've always wanted a sister." Haneul said, hooking an arm around you. Thankfully, the subject with Mrs Jeong was dropped after that.

"Wow, Haneulie. That hurts." San scoffed, not one to call his older sister 'noona'.

The families were very nice. They treated you and your crew like their own children. Especially you. Even the fathers adored you.

"Okay, the kitchen crew has had a very long day. Let's wrap up." Hongjoong said and Yunho nodded in agreement. They started to clear the remaining dishes on the table.

"Can we give you a lift home?" Mrs Jeong asked with a soft smile as you came out after grabbing your things.

"Thanks, Mrs Jeong. But I'm good, I drove here." You informed.

"Please, call me omonim. If you ever need help, you can always let us know, alright? We're family now. Thank you for helping Yunho when he needed it and helping him get the restaurant up and running. I think it's a blessing that you came into his life." She said, rubbing your arm endearingly.

"Thank you for thinking so highly of me, omonim. But I can't take any credit. This was all of Yunho's hardwork and effort, even before I came. He did a great job." You smiled.

"You're such a sweet girl. Help me continue to take care of my son?" She asked.

"Of course." You nodded. Suddenly, she wrapped her arms around you to hug you. You froze in the hug, stunned.

Just then, Yunho came out after doing the dishes when he saw his mother hug you. You were so stiff, he was about to go over and pulled his mother away. But you slowly hugged her back.

"One day I'm going to take you shopping, get mani pedis and get our hair done." She giggled.

"I-I look forward t-to that." You replied, giving into temptation and leaning into the motherly warmth that she was giving you.

"Thank you." You whispered when you pulled away. She gave you a knowing smile before you walked over to Seonghwa, who was waiting for you. You gave a small wave to Yunho, who smiled and waved back at you.

"So I've decided to close the restaurant tomorrow, to give everyone a break. Thank you for working so hard today. The parents loved it, it's thanks to all of you." Yunho smiled.

"We didn't do much, we just cooked. You sure you want to close tomorrow?" You tilted your head. Yunho nodded.

"Fine by me." You chuckled. You will probably spend the day resting in bed or with Seonghwa.

"Have a nice night. Rest well." Yunho smiled softly. He was relieved that what happened with you outside earlier in the evening didn't make you awkward.

"You too. And Yunho?" You called out to him. He blinked in confusion.

"Great job today." You reached out to pat his head. Yunho blushed again, his ears getting hot. As you hand moved to his temple, he slightly leaned into your touch. After that, you pulled away, realising his family must be waiting for him and Seonghwa was waiting for you. With a bow of your head, you walked to Seonghwa.

"Goodnight." Yunho said. You gave him a backwards wave as you strolled over to Seonghwa, who was leaning against your car, waiting for you.

"Sorry for the wait." You apologised. Seonghwa shook his head with a kind smile.

"Not at all. I'll drive." Seonghwa took your keys, opening the passenger seat door for you. You climbed in without protest, the fatigue of the day starting to catch up to you.

"Sleep for a bit, sweetheart." He said.

"Mmm, thanks Hwa." You yawned. Seonghwa smiled softly, reaching over to stroke your head.

"Hwa, just now... Mrs Jeong hugged me... And I... surprisingly liked it. I haven't... felt that kind of warmth... in a long time." You said, absentmindedly staring out the window. Seonghwa cast you a small glance before focusing on the road.

"I'm glad, sweetheart. I understand what you mean, it feels nice and unlike any ordinary hug." Seonghwa chuckled.

"It reminded me of my mum's..." You sighed.

When Seonghwa pulled up and parked, you both went upstairs to your house. You showered in your bathroom while Seonghwa used the guest bathroom.

"Dry your hair first. Don't sleep." He stroked your cheek. You hummed tiredly and grabbed the hairdryer.

"Done." You brushed your hair, letting Seonghwa use your hairdryer. You went out to the kitchen and came back in with two cups of tea.

"Here." You placed it down. With the hairdryer still going, Seonghwa sent you a grateful smile. Sitting on your side of the bed, sipping your tea to slowly easy yourself to sleep mode.

'I'm not sure if Yunho managed to inform you guys before you left for the night but he said the restaurant will be closed tomorrow. Have a nice rest and good job today team. Yunho said that parents were really impressed with the food. It felt nostalgic to work like that again. - (y/n)'

'Woohoo! Day off! - Woo'

'To answer you, yes, Yunho hyung did manage to tell us before we headed off for the night but thank you, (y/n). Goodnight everyone. Couldn't have pulled tonight off without you. - Jong'

'Aww, look at Jongho being all sweet. I love it~ - Woo'

'Never mind, I take it back. Goodnight (y/n) and Hwa hyung. See you the day after. - Jong'

'HEY! What about me?! - Woo'

'Hello?! Choi Jongho! - Woo'

'I think he went offline already, Wooyoung ah. - Hwa'

You laughed, looking up to meet eyes with Seonghwa, who was holding the hairdryer with one hand and texting with his other. You put your phone aside and took a sip of your tea.

"I want to be the only one you like."

Yunho's words from earlier kept playing in your head. What did he mean? You have never seen him speak so seriously before. It was almost like he was jealous, he really didn't like the possibility of you liking Gunho more than him.

Why did Yunho act like that? You wrecked your brain trying to figure it out. But at the same time, there was this weird feeling in your chest, hearing him say that.

"(y/n)." Seonghwa put his hand on your leg.

"Ah! Hwa, you scared me. I almost spilt my tea everywhere." You smacked his chest before putting your tea cup on your nightstand.

"More like you were scaring me. I've been calling out to you but you've been staring blankly. What's going on in there?" He tapped your head.

"I'm fine." You slapped his hands away. You slid under the covers, feeling your bones turn to jelly.

"Lay properly." Seonghwa clicked his tongue, tugging the blankets away but making sure they still covered you properly.

"Ah, ah, ah. Stop thinking and sleep. Or you're gonna keep me awake." Seonghwa said, putting his hand over your face. You couldn't see as he obstructed your view but he had such a doting smile. He loved teasing you like this. You rolled your eyes, thinking of a dirty tactic to make him move his hand.

"Sweetheart, you know we've been together for so long. You licking my hand isn't going to phase me anymore." He scoffed. You reached up to pinch the back of his hand.

"OWW! OWW! Let go!" He winced and yelled as he recoiled to pull away from you but now, it was your turn to keep your grip on him.

"Phase you enough yet?" You smirked as Seonghwa twisted his body to try and escape you. You did let him go though.

"You're lucky you didn't get my knife hand." He glared at you with a pout, rubbing his hand.

"I only did it because I knew it wasn't your knife hand." You stuck your tongue out at him. Seonghwa grumbled, turning his back to you to sleep. You giggled and pressed your forehead against his upper back.

"You're in my bubble." Seonghwa murmured.

"You don't have a bubble, Hwa. We have a bubble." You corrected as you further pressed your forehead against his back, making him snort. Being so close to Seonghwa's comforting warmth and the fatigue from the day finally caught up as you drifted to sleep.

"Argh!" Yunho slammed his fist onto the mattress as he turned to try and find a more comfortable position to sleep in. He had been trying to sleep for hours.

"Stupid Yunho." He cursed himself, slapping his hands over his face as he recounted what happened.

Or rather, what didn't happen. Your surprised reaction at his confession. You didn't say anything, you didn't even meet his eyes.

Yunho didn't want to suddenly be blurting such things to you. It probably made him look childishly jealous. But he wanted you to like him and him only.

He didn't like the idea of you thinking Gunho was cuter or that San was stronger than him. It almost irked him. He knew it was wrong, especially when you were in a relationship with Seonghwa.

"You just had to open your big mouth, Jeong Yunho." He scolded himself. He stood up and went out to get some water.

'Mingi ah. Are you awake? - Yun'

'What do you want? - Mingi'

'I... I can't sleep... I need to talk to you about something... Can you come over or can I go over to yours? - Yun'

'Fine. Use your key. I'm not getting up from bed. - Mingi'

Yunho got dressed and drove to Mingi's house. Even if he drank at Mingi's house, which he usually did, he already knew that he would be crashing with the other tall male. They always did that when they went over to each other's house. Why did Yunho want to see Mingi? He had no clue.

"Mingi. I'm home." Yunho entered his best friend's bedroom. Mingi was sprawled on the bed, facing down. He reached over to grab his phone, squinting his eyes as the screen showed the time.

"Why are you texting me and coming to my house at 3am?" Mingi asked, mouth slightly obstructed by his pillow.

"I can't sleep."

"And that's my problem?" Mingi snorted. Yunho casually pushed Mingi to the side to make space for him to sit down. Mingi grunted, annoyed to be moved.

"I did something, Mingi ah. And I don't know if I did the right thing." Yunho sighed.

"You killed someone?" Mingi's words slurred.

"Tch! Be serious. Of course not. I... Ugh." Yunho groaned, falling forward and letting his forehead hit the mattress. Mingi lifted his head, raising an eyebrow in confusion.

"Yun, I don't understand a word you're saying. What did you do that got you like this?" Mingi asked, grunting as he pushed himself to lay on his side so he could see his best friend properly. Yunho mumbled something into the mattress.

"What? I can't hear you." Mingi tapped the back of Yunho's head. Yunho lifted his head.

"I... I may have indirectly but directly hinted at having feelings for (y/n)..." Yunho winced at the memory.

"Oh."

"What do you mean 'oh'? What should I do Mingi? I didn't mean to say what I said. No, I mean, I did mean to- No, wait. I don't know! It just came out! Blurted out like that." Yunho facepalmed.

"How do I say this, Yun? But... I guess I expected this to happen soon enough." Mingi said.

"What do you mean by you expected this to happen?" Yunho tilted his head.

"It's so obvious that you have some sort of feelings for her. You're always looking for her, worried about her in some way. You literally follow her around like a dog. Like those COVID dogs that have separation anxiety. I think everyone can see you have feelings for her." Mingi pointed out.

"Don't compare me to a dog!" Yunho hissed.

"Back to the point. Tell me what exactly you told her, what did she say in response or how did she react?" Mingi rested his head against his palm.

"I told her I wanted to be the only one she likes... She didn't say anything or react in any way. Before she could say anything, she was called back to the kitchen." Yunho relayed.

"You wanted to be the only one she likes? What does that even mean, Yun?" Mingi scoffed.

"I.... I overheard her saying she might think Gunho is cuter than me..." Yunho trailed off the last part in embarrassment.

"You were jealous of your own brother?! Geez, man." Mingi burst out laughing. He laughed so hard he held his stomach. Yunho slapped Mingi's arm to make him shut up.

"Alright so she didn't react. Maybe she didn't think that you were confessing your feelings. All's good." Mingi shrugged.

"No, it's not all good! How do you know she didn't think that? What if she thinks I'm trying to get in between her and Seonghwa. I may have just made things awkward between us and ruined our friendship." Yunho shook his head in despair.

"Okay, firstly, I said 'maybe'. I don't know for sure. And secondly, you don't know for sure she's with Seonghwa. Thirdly, do you want to confess your feelings to her?" Mingi asked.

"I don't know..." Yunho rubbed the back of his neck.

"Why don't you know? What are your feelings towards her Jeong Yunho? Do you like (y/n) or not?" Mingi raised an eyebrow.

"I like hanging out with her, I like her company. When she's there, I just want to speak with her and work with her, even if it's the stuffy kitchen or over a hot stove. I worry about her and-"

"Okay, lover boy. That's enough. So you do like her. If you're not sure of what she thought, then confess your feelings to her. Make it clear to her." Mingi advised.

"She may reject me. I don't want to lose our friendship over that." Yunho slumped.

"Yes, she may reject you. But at least you conveyed your feelings. It is a risk that your friendship may never be the same but you never know, Yun. She may like you back." Mingi said, eyelids drooping as he struggled to stay awake to support his best friend. Yunho sighed, getting under the blanket.

"Your eyes literally sparkle when she talks like she's offering you a treat... You definitely like her and she seems comfortable with you." Mingi murmured.

"Again, I'm not a dog... And about her, you think so?" Yunho looked over at Mingi, who nodded with his eyes closed.

"Maybe I'll talk to her soon." Yunho stared up at the ceiling.

~

Series masterlist

[dyns33]

Flufftober 2024 - 28 Murderdock

When she was still a child, Y/N's parents gently scared her with stories of the Bogeyman, who would come and eat her if she was not good.

They talked about it when she behaved like a spoiled child, throwing a tantrum, but also on important evenings that excited her too much, like the start of school holidays, New Year's, or Halloween. It didn't really work.

Y/N didn't believe in these stories, which she found fascinating and funny, laughing while hiding under the sheets, which annoyed her parents a little, even if they found her adorable.

As she grew up, her carefree attitude never completely disappeared. Of course, she wasn't stupid, she was cautious when needed and didn't trust just anyone, but there were many things that didn't scare her, while others trembled.

Like Matthew Murdock for example.

When she was hired by his firm as an assistant, there was a rather strange atmosphere in the offices. On the one hand, some employees looked like soulless robots, who only thought about their cases or money. And on the other, there were those who seemed scared to death.

"And you ? What does he have against you ?" an accountant had asked her timidly during her lunch break.

"Against me ? I don't understand."

"Oh. You're… You're like them then. You seemed so nice."

"What ?"

"Listen, I'm sorry. Don't tell Murdock anything, I don't want any trouble, please. I have children."

Y/N still hadn't really understood what had happened that day, except for the fact that a lot of people were really afraid of Matthew Murdock.

Yet she had seen him and he wasn't that impressive. Of average height, blind, calm, the lawyer didn't seem capable of doing much harm. Physically anyway. Due to his work, he was probably very intelligent, he had contacts and must have information, but that didn't mean he was an evil genius who was going to use it to make others suffer.

The few times she saw him, he seemed normal, polite. Y/N always greeted him by asking him if he was having a good day or if he wanted a coffee. Even if he seemed a bit surprised, he smiled at her and thanked her. Sometimes, he asked her in return how she was.

"It's refreshing." he sighed once, as she handed him the tea he had asked her.

"Tea ? Yes, I like it a lot, it feels good."

"Haha. Sweet. No, I meant you. It's rare that someone is so relaxed with me. I can easily imagine why, but I appreciate it anyway."

Again, she didn't really understand what he meant. But she liked their short chats. He often told her that she was doing a good job, and he was the only relaxed person in the entire building.

Then, after listening to the rumors, reading some reports, attending complicated trials, Y/N began to think that maybe there was something wrong with Matthew Murdock. If everyone was afraid, there had to be a good reason.

He seemed disappointed the first time she passed by him without speaking to him. However, she had done her best to be discreet, so that he wouldn't know she was there.

"Hello dear Y/N." he said with a smile, making her jump, as he entered the elevator.

"Oh. Hello Mr. Murdock."

"It's been a few days since I've had the pleasure of speaking to you, I've missed you."

"I'm sorry." she stammered, leaning against the wall, as far away from him as possible. "I've had a lot of work, I…"

"No, don't do that. You started so well. There's no reason for you to be nervous, even now that you've figured out some essential things. You're doing well, I don't have any incriminating information against me, we can be friends."

"I… Friends, Mr. Murdock ?"

"Call me Matt." he purred, moving closer until she found herself stuck. "I've never really had any friends. Foggy only counts for half, we have common professional interests. And he doesn't really have the choice at this point. Let's go to dinner tonight."

Y/N wondered what she had done to deserve to fall prey to what looked a lot like a bogeyman. A bogeyman as scary as he was visibly lonely, and maybe if she were a good friend, he wouldn't eat her.

[smytherines]

Fuck it, here's an Owen Carvour dissertation

We don't have canon ages for Curt & Owen, but personally I headcanon Owen as being born in 1928, making him 29 when the banana incident happens. This leads to a lot of thoughts that are fascinating to me, because growing up in London during WWII could inform so much of his character.

Personally, I believe DMA's accent is much closer to Owen's natural accent. I think the Owen Carvour accent is something he puts on to make himself sound neutrally British while working abroad, because he grew up working class. RP is how most people (at least in the US) assume British people speak. This also works with the Texan agent mega headcanon, like they both have to put on an act to be spies, just like they have to put on an act with their relationship.

And class is really really important to how you conceptualize this character, because your experience of the war could be radically different depending on how much money you had. Food rationing began in 1940, which in this case would make Owen 12. Rationing isn't fully lifted until 1954.

At Elizabeth II's wedding in 1947, the palace made a big deal about how she was saving ration coupons for the material for her wedding- a full two years after WWII ended.

Here's WWII London:

This is the city Owen would've grown up in. This is a war zone. A city where food is tightly rationed, where sirens were constantly going off and you had to draw down the blackout curtains and go sleep in the tube station with bombs dropping constantly overhead:

If Owen were upper middle class, he might have had a shelter at home, some people did. But I imagine him sleeping in dark, cramped, noisy stations. And he learns to keep his cool. He starts to enjoy the danger because he has to to survive it.

Maybe he has lost loved ones to the bombings. Maybe one morning he comes home from the tube station and half of his house is in rubble on the ground. Maybe he's used to hand me down clothes and simple homemade toys and not having enough to eat. He's used to having nothing, having nobody. That's a headcanon a lot of folks have, and I think it makes a lot of sense for his character.

Even if Owen were one of the kids evacuated to the countryside, maybe that happens when he's 15 or so, it wasn't a Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe situation. For a lot of those kids they were leaving their parents behind in a war zone, sleeping in barns or basements, and most importantly working almost non-stop on British farms because all the regular farmhands were fighting.

I think, if this happened, Owen would be itching to go off and fight in the war. My personal headcanon is that he's an intelligent guy, and he figures out how to forge some basic paperwork to claim he is older than he actually is, so he can go fight in WWII.

But by some fluke he couldn't account for, he gets discovered. And because of his skill and his ability to keep his cool under interrogation, he gets recruited to MI6. A lot of MI6 operatives are upper class men, recruited young from the top schools. He mimicks them.

I think many years later, when he and Curt are escaping a Russian weapons facility, Owen loves Curt and trusts in his capabilities (maybe a bit too much- especially when he's been drinking), but he also feels frustrated that Curt is impulsive and cocky and thinks he is untouchable.

Because Curt didn't grow up the way Owen did. He didn't grow up waiting for the bottom to fall out over and over again. He's certainly got his own shit from adolescence, but he doesn't have that survival impulse hardwired into him the way Owen does. So Owen is careful and cautious for the both of them, trying to keep them both safe and alive.

I think about Owen being trapped in the rubble a lot. He would almost certainly be critically injured. Maybe he has PTSD from the WWII bombings, and he's just trapped in an exploded building, trapped with his own memories of childhood until he's almost feral from it.

This also, btw, is why the AU of Owen as Eurydice from Hadestown is so so poignant to me. Someone who grew up cold and hungry and turned their collar to the world, and then suddenly they fall in love and everything is sunlight all around them. All I've Ever Known is such an important owen!Eurydice song to me

I could keep going from here, but I'll stop for now. This isn't as neat and concise as I wanted to present these thoughts, but I can't stop thinking them

[sleeplesssmoll]

Hey, I also finished event and isn't ending feels kinda rushed? Like it's kinda weird how Jessica did so much to make Blonney stay, but the second Vertin asks her to go with her, she agrees immediately and doesn't mention Blonney at all? Even when Blonney made almost the same proposal?

There are a few things I think could use some refinement but I do think Vertin and Blonney's proposals had a few key differences.

First off, we see how the humans treat Blonney. With limited access to the outside world, this gives Jessica her first impression of humans beyond Green Lake. They belittle and tease Blonney. In Jessica's eyes, Blonney is the most amazing person she knows (not that she knows many) and she still gets treated this way.

Jessica's conclusion: I would never fit in. I don't want to see the outside world. I will make Green Lake the perfect place and we can be happy here together.

Later, she meets Vertin and the others. She notes they are different from the people she normally deals with. As the story goes on, they team falls into “roles”. Tooth Fairy is the mediator. Sonetto is the one who gets stuff done. Horrorpedia is an information bank. Vertin is the problem solver who puts all the information together. She is the one they hand the clues to and with Horrorpedia's assistance, work through the mystery.

While Jessica was acting the entire time, the team's reactions are genuine. Vertin being the emotional support after she kills the butcher and asking her what her wishes are later are genuine acts of kindness.

Conclusion: Vertin isn't just a clever person, she's also nice. Jessica even mentions she's grown to like Vertin when they are talking about wishes.

Then we have the ending. What makes Blonney and Vertin's proposals different?

It starts here:

Blonney trying to bargain with her without truly understanding the problem. Jessica explains that in the time Blonney was away she grew up and changed. She doesn't want to wait anymore.

Here Blonney tries again, making an offer she may not be able to uphold (parents). She lists a bunch of things she likes to do to tries and convince Jessica but Jessica had a taste of the outside through Blonney's colleagues. Jessica brings up the fact one day her true form will be revealed and she'll be treated like a freak. She also doesn't understand a lot of the things Blonney is bringing up. Overall the proposal feels flimsy. Blonney is not only saying these things to try and escape. She truly wants Jessica to be happy too but she doesn't know how to accomplish this.

Vertin tries another route with similar intentions. She walks Jessica through why it wouldn't work because even if she stayed, things would get stale for Jessica. Keeping people here is not the key to her happiness, it only numbs her loneliness.

Vertin addresses her fears of rejection, loneliness, and boredom. After this, she brings up the crazy things she's seen around the world to entice her interest. She is not using discos malls to convince Jessica, but instead the dreams she has of music, meadows, and arcanists tomfoolery. She is offering her the life of an arcanist not the life of a human like Blonney did. Blonney is beginning to embrace her heritage, but she still has that human lifestyle etched into her persona. The things she offered are more associated with humanity than arcanum.

Then Vertin says this:

She promised to give what she can offer. There are no grandiose claims like Jessica who thinks she can everything someone needs or Blonney who wants to offer things but she doesn't have the means to really do it. Vertin is offering to do what she can. That is also why she is the only one able to make a promise. I don't even think Jessica used the word "promise" when she was making her offers meaning there is extra weight behind the word in her eyes.

Bonus headcannons that no one asked for but this is the perfect place to put it. Thanks for the opportunity anon lol

Have you ever had a friend gets along with animals? For example, stray cats approach them on their own. Bunnies, naturally skittish creatures, warm up to them quickly. The squirrels get way to close and they chill. I think Vertin could fall into that category.

In this moment, Jessica can sense her intentions and finds them to be genuine. (This is an assumption, I don't speak bambi.)

Anyway, this is how I processed the ending.

I'm biased because I loved seeing Vertin, Madam Z, and Tooth Fairy in this event but one thing I'd definitely fix is the translation.

I am certain they wanted to use the word "interested" but we ended up with "attracted". This is great meme material but as a lorecrafter, it really gets in the way. The devil is in the details of this game so it's easy to overlook/misunderstand something because of clunky translation.

[winters-rose-daughterofcain]

Part 2 of Everlark and their parents lets go Peeta your turn now.

Now this one is harder. We know very little explicit information about Peeta's family so a lot of this will be inference and my own personal interpretation of the family and their dynamic based on what we do see, what we don't see, and the way Peeta acts, so if you disagree with me that's all good lol.

So first, Peeta grew up in an absuive household. That's not a debate that's explicitly canon. Him mother not only hits him, implied to be with something, but also calls him a worthless creature when he burns the bread for Katniss. No matter that circumstance that is not how you treat your eleven year old child, that is not how you treat any child period, and this clearly isn't a one off or first time. Even though we personally see very little of the abuse on page, I at least think its impact of Peeta is very clear.

This boy has abysmal self esteem, when he discovers Katniss and Haymich have hidden things from him again he feels as if they view him as weak and stupid and too dumb to get it, that's the automatic assumption even though we know that's so far from the truth it's laughable. But for a child that grew up being consistently insulted and belittled it's not that far of a jump to make.

His ability to lie, also I think is relevant here. That kind of ability with words doesn't come from nowhere, that doesn't just happen that's something practiced. A theme with Katniss and Peeta's talents throughout the trilogy is that even the things they are good at and that help them were born from necessity. Katniss is so good with a bow and practical survival skills because she had to be, because even though she grew to love hunting, she and her family would have died without it. Peeta's skill with art comes from working at the bakery it comes from years worth or practise and labor he put in as a child, and I think his ability to lie, manipulate, mask his true feelings and talk his way though things stems from a similar place. His mother is called 'the witch' colloquially, we see she clearly has a temper and resorts to violence and insults quickly. A lot of children who grow up in abuse grow to be very charming, they learn how to lie and manipulate the situation to get themselves out of trouble and to keep themselves and potentially their siblings safe. At least to me Peeta's unmatched ability to impact and morph a situation with just his words could very easily be linked back to his childhood. We all love that Peeta is such a good manipulator but only ever uses it for good, and I think this is partially why, because he doesn't even want to be necessarily, it was a skill born for survival. His mothers cruelty is also shown very much to not be reserved purely for him, she chases starving children away from their empty bins, speaks awfully about the seam and the people from it.

His father is a complicated man. he clearly dose have love for Peeta and is shown many times to be a kind man at his core. But he is passive. He may bring Katniss cookies and make generous trades, he may have been the one to impart that inherent kindness we see in him onto Peeta, and may have been the only safe adult in the house, but he is passive. We don't know the extent of how much he steps in when his wife starts acting out, but from what we can see of her effect of Peeta clearly not enough. He also doesn't come to live with him after the games, none of them do. And while I understand practically that might not be the most reasonable situation, a newly disabled, traumatised sixteen year old boy was still left to live alone. His family may have visited often, they still talk we see him going to dinner with them, but I think their lack of mention speaks more than anything else here.

The relationship between his parents was also not exactly the best model to grow up observing. When he is five years old his dad tells Peeta is was in love with another woman, he points out her child to him, explains how he lost her. There is no addendum of how much he loves his mother now, how it was in the past. Peeta grew up with parents he was acutely aware did not love each other and from what we see and here, don't even pretend to act like it.

Now how dose this relate to Katniss. This first part is more my own speculation so ignore me if you disagree, but Katniss in the first games mentions Peeta doing certain things with her she remembers her parents doing, and wondering where he learnt it from, thinking surely not his own parents. And I think she's right, I think he learnt it from hers. Peeta is observant, I think after his father pointed out Katniss and her mother he payed attention, not just to Katniss but to her parents as well. I think he was a little fascinated by this family, these parents who clearly adore each other these children with skin clear of bruises who have never been made to feel like nothing from there parents who clearly think the world of them. There was six years from when Peeta noticed her to Mr Everdeens death, that's six years for him to observe this family and their love. Not obsessively, not even knowingly, but I think it happened. I think the Everdeens weren't just Katniss's reference for a relationship but Peeta's as well. I don't think she was the only one drawing comparisons, even if he didn't completely realise what he was doing.

(Additional evidence for this pointed out by @intellectual-punk in Mockingjay Haymitch tells Katniss the doctors showed Peeta the propo of her singing The Hanging Tree and he recognized the song and Katniss says she doesn’t know how he could as he never heard her sing it. Haymitch says he remembers her father singing it as their fathers traded. Peeta hasn't heard this song since he was 11, he’s 17 at the time of remembering it. So for him to remembering it after so long after last hearing it and clearly not hearing it around the house we can imagine that her father must have sang it near every time the two men traded and that Peeta was either specifically listening to his singing as he knows from his father that that is how Mr Everdeen won over Mrs Everdeen or he was just generally paying attention to the man either on his own or in relation to Katniss.)*Found in notes {Thank you so much for this}

I also think, going back to people seeking out the familiar, that Katniss reminded him in certain ways of his father. They're both quiet, both people associated with providing food in one way or another. I think he see's her in the way that while they both clearly love him, they both struggle to show him, leaving him to question it for a long time. But where his father fails to protect him, Katniss doesn't. Katniss doesn't have his fathers passivity, far from it, Katniss Everdeen is anything but passive. She actively works to protect him and others, she speaks out loudly when she finds something wrong, she still has that kindness, but it never gets in the way of what's necessary.

This is also where I see his mother come in, I think he dose see some similarities there. In their tempter, in the sharp way they can use their words, in the way she underestimates him in the beginning and even hurts him on occasion, shoving him into the vase (I think?) and cutting his hands after the first interview. But in so many ways Katniss is the opposite. Peeta may have developed a crush because of her voice, but he falls in love because of the way she helps people, because he knows her intrinsically and intrinsically Katniss is someone who cares. He always comments on her healing ability, even if she finds it lacking it's clearly something he loves about her, hands that heal instead of hurt. His mother was cruel to everyone especially those less fortunate, meanwhile Katniss would give everything on her to those who need it more. He see's the similarities yes, and unconsciously that familiarity might be a small drive towards her, but ultimately he loves Katniss for the ways in which she is different from his mother, the ways in which his mother failed, for the ways in which she stepped in where his father fell short. As well as for a lot of other reasons of course, but I think his parents impact is definitely something to consider.

[kandyzee]

HEY GUYS, THIS IS A MASSIVE RANT. I SENT MY FRIEND, thought u guys might wanna see it too 😜 cause it's about the Gallagher sisters, mainly 😘😘 IT PROBS DONR ALL MAKE SENSE anywayyy

Something I really like in shameless is how well the woman characters are written. The ones that we are meant to hate (Karen and sammi) are very good at making us hate them without their actions making no sense yk. They ain't just doing crazy shit so that u hate them they are just deeply flawed people. When Karen has her whole emo phase that makes sense to me. She's a clearly mental ill girl who has suffered alot. Yeah she cuts her hair and dyes it she makes bad choices but in a way that makes sense for her. I hate sammi for what she did to Ian and mickey but she had a reason. Sammi had her child taken away from her ofc she's gonna act a irrationally.

I reallyyy like Debbie and Fiona. They get alot of hate but I really think that'd because they don't take time to understand the characters. They aren't made to be hated but they are strong minded woman so ofc they get hate. One of the main cristisms of Debbie's character is that she is unappreciative, selfie and a bad mother . Debbie is a little rude, but the other stuff just makes no sense. Fiona gives alot of raise her siblings and Debbie shows she values that from the start of the show. She is constantly trying to look out for fiona because even at a young age she understood that fiona didn't have anyone to help her. Debbie (same as fiona) takes on alot of responsibility from a young age. You would think that the person who went through something that fiona can very much relate to would understand her right? It's crazy to me that so many people don't think that. The fact that Debbie takes on so much responsibility shows she isn't selfie and it shows she values fiona because she has always be willing to help. Debbie does do bad things ofc that's the point of the show but if u compare it to some of the male characters (like Frank who has done terrible things) the hate she gets is extremely disproportionate.

Fiona gets alot of hate for her relationships and that she is always "demanding praise". There is alot of valid criticism of fionas parenting that can be made such as her reactions to Ian being in a relationship with Jimmy Steve's dad or the fact she left Liam when she leaves the show. First I wanna talk about how she is "always demanding praise". I think that is very easily explained as that she didn't get any her whole childhood. Fiona had to start looking after her siblings as younge as 5 and even then she had to hear Frank dismiss her work for years. We know fiona was good at track and was in team at school but she had to drop out of school so she no longer had academic validation either. To her she had to give up everything to raise her siblings her childhood was taken from her it makes sense she wants to feel appropriated. Now the more interesting one to me. How fiona handles relationships, this will be alot of me guessing what her childhood was like cause we get hardly enough information

Fiona from the first season is presented as a 'slut' (I HATE THAT WORD) and given that she did have so much adult responsibility as a little girl I don't think it's far off to think that she falls into the "girl who thinks she's mature for her age and dated older men" pit. The fact that she so thinks Ian and ned is "just sex" enough tho ned is fucking dinosaur kinda strengthens that idea for me. She thinks it's normal for Ian because it was normal for her. Given that fiona wasn't getting parental or academic validation I can see her finding it through sex and less than healthy relationships. That why i think she goes back to Jimmy Steve when she knows he's not good for her, thats why she sleeps with her boss and his brother. Unhealthy and bad relationships are what she grew up with.

This kinda makes me wanna talk about how Debbie and fiona are just so similar. They have lots of shared experiences and often make the same mistakes/ choices. Debbie also finds herself in unhealthy relationships. Plus, they are both queer (ik fiona isn't canon, but we all remember Jasmine fiona is defo bi ). Fiona sadly is unable to keep her little sister from becomes in some ways like her. I think Debbie sees that. she has always understood fiona, so when she's starting to take a more "motherly " roll for the Gallaghers, she probably sees that she's the "new fiona". Unlike fiona tho Debbie has a real chance of giving franny a better life than her, franny doesn't have to grow up in a home where every one is fighting for themselves as much as they fight for each other. Franny won't take up so much responsibility like fiona and Debbie. THIS IS WHY SAYING DEBBIE IS A BAD MOTHER IS FUCKING STUPID.

ANYWAY, fiona isn't a perfect parent because she's not a parent. She's an older sister. She can't fill that role even if she did do everything right. Debbie isnt selfie, she grew up too fast and understands fiona to a level where that's enough, she doesn't always need to outwardly tell fiona "she's so thankful" "she's so proud" because she just gets it. Karen and sammi are well written characters.

Ofc I like Karen a whole lot more than I sammi. Karen actually means so much to me. She's gets even more hate then Debbie like ik that's the purpose of her character but I feel like they hating her for the wrong reasons. AND THUS IS ME ONLY TALKING ABOUT FI AND DEBBIE SO TELL ME IF U WANT TO KNOW ABOUT MANDY AND SVET OR LIKE KAREN MORE

[watermelons-dont-grow-on-trees]

Online

back on my silly-goofy streak

CW: pet whump? sort of?, casually dehumanising remarks, mentioned homophobia, this is me working through my larry stylinson ptsd and the things ive seen on the internet before (actually please have a minute of silence and grieve my sanity with me, i had way too much fun writing this)

masterlist

taglist: @ziptiesnfries @fleur-a-whump @lumpofsand @risk606

Heated discussions on a forums, concerning Will and Eddie's relationship and them keeping Oliver as a pet

Diana has assistants read these forums religiously so she knows how to get better fan engagement and make more money on the boys.

---

streetratnumber1: im new to the fandom what the fuck is a 'weddie'

aWeddiengIsOnTheWay: it's a shipname for Will and Eddie

aWeddiengIsOnTheWay: they might be dating

streetratnumber1: for real?

2waycompass: no

2waycompass: it's a mass delusion

weddieshipper97: you don't have to like it but it's there

aWeddiengIsOnTheWay: it's controversial, but there's so much evidence supporting it

streetratnumber1: what evidence? i'm so lost

freeweddie95: *sent link* check this out

streetratnumber1: so we have some questionable pictures basically

2waycompass: yes, but there's nothing more to it

2WaySlut: there *might* be something there, that's the point

weddieshipper97: there is! they are dating, but d*ana y*ung is a homophobic bitch and doesn't let them come out

streetratnumber1: isn't that the lady who got them famous

khaiismymuse: she's the boys' manager, yeah

2waycompass: actually, there's one article where another artist, who works with her talks about her homophobia

2waycompass: *sent link*

2waycompass: but that still doesn't mean Eddie and Will would ever date

weddieshipper97: how do you run headfirst into the point and miss it?

streetratnumber1: this was so much more information than what i asked for

streetratnumber1: what's wrong with you all

---

streetratnumber1: sorry to bother everyone, but what's with this pet thing?

2waycompass: they rescued him from a shelter

2waycompass: *sent link*

streetratnumber1: is this real?

3waywitheandj: yeah unfortunately

3waywitheandj: they should have had the decency not to make it public

eddiemorelikedaddy: what, everyone and their mother has pet's now, it's totally legal

3waywitheandj: everyone??? what are you talking about

2WaySlut: my parents had one ever since i can remember

eddiemorelikedaddy: we do too

3waywitheandj: okay, here's a question, have you ever stepped a foot outside whatever fucking suburb you grew up in

2WaySlut: you're just bitter you can't afford one

2waycompass: 2WayStreet is insanely rich and they still chose to rescue one, that says a lot about them

streetratnumber1: okay that actually sounds good

3waywitheandj: is everyone out of their damn minds here?

freeweddie95: im really uncomfortable with the whole thing

freeweddie95: what if they rescued because they don't value pets enough to buy a proper one

3waywitheandj: again, are you all out of your minds???

---

2waycompass: Does anyone have *those* pictures of their pet? Is this a real thing?

streetratnumber1: what pictures

2waycompass: Someone posted about it after their show yesterday, apparently he had a wound on his face??

2WaySlut: i was there, first row, hate to admit it but the boy looked rough

streetratnumber1: dont start drama, we dont know what happened

2WaySlut: 2 minutes ago you didnt even know about it

streetratnumber1: yeah there's some sort of scandal with the band every week, and look i love their music but the fandom sucks

2WaySlut: fuck off

2WaySlut: but i do have a blurry picture

2WaySlut: *sent media*

aWeddiengIsOnTheWay: he could have fallen for all we know

2waycompass: well this was helpful smh

2waycompass: does anyone have a picture from before the gig to compare

khaiismymuse: here is one

khaiismymuse: *sent media*

aWeddiengIsOnTheWay: this doesn't prove anything, he has his hair up in a bun and later it's let down, that's all we know, stop speculating

3waywitheandj: how do none of you see a problem with them keeping a whole human pet

streetratnumber1: first of all his name is oli and second they rescued him

3waywitheandj: doesnt take away from the fact that thats a person

2WaySlut: *sent link* educate yourself

khaiismymuse: that's a great article

khaiismymuse: i hope theyll bring oli on their next tour

3waywitheandj: your all disgusting

2WaySlut: you can't even spell

---

aWeddiengIsOnTheWay: the way they look at each other...

2waycompass: they havent even talked publically in months

weddieshipper97: they aren't allowed to

2waycompass: oh my god just grow up

2waycompass: i get that they have a strict management with some pr rules in place but that doesn't make them secret lovers

khaiismymuse: why does this even matter again

freeweddie95: they just do it to take the attention away from the incident with that poor boy

3waywitheandj: why is it always weddie shippers that start the biggest fights can yall just chill

aWeddiengIsOnTheWay: i literally only said they looked at each other

aWeddiengIsOnTheWay: it looked lovely

aWeddiengIsOnTheWay: get out if you don't like it

3waywitheandj: i hate this fandom you cant participate unless you jump on these insane bandwagons of why the boys are either horrible people or gay

3waywitheandj: and for the record they cant be that great if they still chose to keep oli

2WaySlut: youre such a hater

freeweddie95: why are you even here if it's so bad

freeweddie95: *sent link* this article summarises the situation pretty well

khaiismymuse: i agree with 2waycompass we havent even seen them together outside interviews where they *don't* speak and concerts

aWeddiengIsOnTheWay: okay what's your point

2WaySlut: youre all hopeless

[breadvidence]

@secretmellowblog meta'd on my shitpost (picking at parallels and patterns in character deaths, check it out) and brought up the connection between Javert & Éponine. I could chew on this topic at length, it's like gristle, not much to go on but you go on anyway. Couple of offhand thoughts:

These are two children of criminals who yearn for bourgeois respectability without believing in their ability to attain it. Because of the age and sex gap there's differences in how that manifests, alas—for men, there's a career; for women, a husband. (I mean, historically, there could've been a career for a woman, but in the context of a novel by Victor Hugo—less so.) They both aim lower than what they want. Javert, there's a whole melodramatic passage about it in the novel, check I.V.V. Éponine—well, why Marius? She could pine after anybody; she's might've fucked men of his social class or higher, and almost certainly ones wealthier. I think he hits a perfect blend of the bourgeois and the disreputable, prudery and good manners in a worn-out coat.

Occurs to me to wonder—do we have textual evidence that Javert has always conformed to his adult understanding of probity? Fic tends to take the course that he broke with his parents very young and functioned as an accessory to authority from childhood, but I don't recall there's definite evidence he wouldn't see a part of himself in Éponine's exploitation by her father. (I.V.V includes the phrase "as he grew up" prefacing the description of his attitude towards society etc. I could read a lot into those four words.)

In the back of my brain is a depressing Javert survives post-Seine unfix-it fic which functions mostly as a narrative accounting of why his return to the police would be a betrayal of his moral awakening (and why he might reasonably make that betrayal, should he survive—why should he grasp that the institution itself is nonfunctional, or functions to harm, when what's been fucked is his sense of his own ability to determine right?)—anyway, should such a thing be written, say that Éponine survives too so that she can become a police informer with Javert as her handler (before his derailment Javert would never, but if all criminals are not inexcusable, if not all crimes are to be punished, why the fuck not use informants, they're useful and the other officers do it). Éponine threatened to bring the police down on her father and PM; she's never going to be the kind of girl who the law protects, but she clearly thinks it functions well for someone.

... To be silly, the gap between Javert and Éponine isn't actually age, it isn't sex, it's that she is effective at accomplishing her goals (except for fucking Marius, sad trombone noise) while nothing Javert does stays done (except the once).

[teaberrii]

Chapter 19: Something to Hide

After ending a five-year relationship, you pour all your energy into work. Your latest assignment? Staying at a popular bed-and-breakfast to gather information. It should be a piece of cake... If only the owner isn't the man you scolded on the street.

Jing Yuan/You

Notes:

Cross-posted on Ao3

Female reader

Chapter index at the end of chapter one

“Sounds like now isn’t a good time.”

He must've heard the overlapping conversations. You look over your shoulder where Yanqing is eating with the rest of the kids. You face forward and walk to a quieter part of the yard.

“What do you want?”

"A chat. One that will work to your advantage. I know all about your little detective games, but you should stop sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong. It won't do you any good."

"I don't know how much you know," you say flatly. "But, it sure sounds like you're scared of us finding out more, which means you have a lot to hide, don't you?"

He quietly scoffs. "As I said, let's have a chat… and you'll see why. It's about your dear 'ol Jing Yuan. Tell me... How much has he really told you about himself?"

This man’s bluffing. He’ll say anything and everything just to get the upper hand. You should know after all that you found out.

“You haven’t known each other for very long,” he continues. 

Someone tugs at your shirt, and you look down and see Yanqing.

“...I'll give you until tonight to think about it.”

Then, the line goes dead.

You lift the phone away from your ear, and then Yanqing asks:

“Who was that?”

You give him a small, tight smile as you slip your phone into your pocket. “No one. Don’t worry about it.”

“Oh… Okay. Well, I saved you some food!”

You follow Yanqing back to the table, determined not to let the conversation get the best of you. But you can still hear that man’s voice in the back of your mind:

“...Tell me... How much has he really told you about himself?”

You’re eating the food Yanqing got you when one of the moms comes up beside you. “I’ve never seen you around here before… Where are you from?”

“The city.”

You’re about to take a bite of a mini bread roll when she asks, “Is that where you met Jing Yuan?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Oh, well, it’s just… he met his ex-wife in the city through a mutual friend. I was so shocked it didn’t work out. They were such a loving couple, and—”

“You seem to be very interested in his life.”

"Ah, well…" You know she's uncomfortable when she breaks the awkward eye contact. "He seems like a great guy, and—"

"He is."

"Oh, I didn't mean that he wasn't! We were classmates, you know. We pretty much grew up together. And I just..." She gets the hint when you go back to eating your food without even looking at her anymore. You hear her walk away, and then you take a bite of your food.

“Hey.” Seels walks up to you with a small plate of her own. “Hope you still have some of your sanity left.”

“I’d rather deal with the kids than the parents if I’m being honest,” you mutter.

Seele chuckles. “Pros and cons to both.” She subtly nods at the woman who has just spoken to you. “Was she asking you about Jing Yuan?”

“How did you know?”

"She likes to brag that she was classmates with him. Weird flex, considering he's not a celebrity, and all of us pretty much know him."

“Yeah, well, it’s cause he’s rich.” You turn to the other side and see Bronya sipping orange juice from a wine glass. “Don’t judge.”

“Where can I get one?”

Bronya chuckles. “Comin’ right up.” She puts her glass on the counter.

"I want one, too," Seele says.

Just then, you feel your phone buzz inside your pocket.

General: I’m on my way.

"Jing Yuan's coming?" Seele asks just as Bronya returns with two wine glasses and a tub of orange juice.

“Yeah.”

“Well, the man’s got fifteen minutes before the party’s officially over,” Bronya says, filling the glasses.

Once she passes you a glass, you ask, “Do you mind if I ask how the two of you met?”

"We were at the same orphanage." Well, you aren't expecting that. "We met when we were like… seven in Xianzhou. Got adopted by different families."

"We went our separate ways for years before we somehow ended up working at the same company together," Seele says.

“That definitely sounds like fate,” you say.

“We didn’t know at first,” Bronya says, chuckling. “We even got off on the wrong foot.”

"She accused me of the one stealing snacks from the lounge." Seele rolls her eyes. "Proved my innocence later by presenting evidence."

“How did you two end up back here?”

"We were caught up in the massive layoffs that one year." Bronya finishes her orange juice. "The job market was hell on earth, and after months of looking we just… stopped."

“To clarify, we thought that taking a mental break would help us get our energy back,” Seele says. “So, we came up here for vacation. Loved it. And thought…”

“Hey, why don’t we start a business together?”

“And that’s how we started a mechanic business.”

“Just like that?" you ask. "Wow. What a jump! From corporate to mechanic.”

"I work on the vehicles," Bronya says. Then, she nods toward Seele. "She does all the business and administrative stuff. It really was an interesting jump," Bronya says, "but it was related. Our last job was with a company producing electric cars."

“Still…” You and Bronya turn to Seele who’s looking at the counter. “There are times when I miss the corporate life though.”

“I called her crazy,” Bronya whispers to you. “There’s so much freedom in running your own business and doing your own thing.”

"I never said it was bad," Seele says. "Just… It felt pretty daunting in the beginning. But after things settled down, we adopted Clara, and continued hustling from there."

"Um… How did you cope with that, if I may ask? You know... the insecurity and uncertainty in the beginning?"

Bronya looks at you curiously, but it's Seele who asks, "Is this just out of curiosity or are you looking for advice?"

The sound of the doorbell echoes throughout the house.

"That must be our guest of honour," Bronya says loudly. "Didn't all you people want to see Jing Yuan?"

Some kids and parents follow Seele to the door.

As soon as she opens the door, she says, “Good to see you, Jing Yuan.”

“I hope I’m not too late.” He holds up a small present. “I thought Clara might like this.”

“Dad!”

“Hi, Jing Yuan!”

You watch as some kids surround him like he’s a celebrity. He affectionately ruffles Yanqing's hair and politely greets everyone else before his eyes land on you.

Seele gestures for Clara to come up. "Come look at what Uncle Jing Yuan got you, Clara."

Jing Yuan crouches as Clara shyly walks up to him. “U-Um, hello.”

“Happy birthday, Clara.”

She takes the gift with both hands and says, “T-Thank you.”

"Why are you suddenly so shy?" Seele asks, putting her hand on Clara's shoulder. "You've seen him plenty of times."

Clara looks up at her mom and quietly says, “...But not this close.”

Seele laughs. “And what does he look like up close?”

Clara is looking down when she quietly says, “...Handsome.” Then, she quickly runs off with some of the kids, including Yanqing, running after her.

Jing Yuan stands as Seele says, “Thanks for the gift.” She laughs. “I’m sure she’ll love it.”

Everyone else starts walking back into the living room, but Jing Yuan walks with you. You’re itching to bring up what Caelus’s uncle said to you, but now isn’t the time nor the place. So, you do your best to shrug off the thought before it eats you alive.

◆◆◆

“He wouldn’t kill someone.” March scrolls to the next page and continues her dramatic reading of Welt’s manuscript. “I’ve known him far longer than you have, my dear. The detective that you’ve grown to love… Has a dark side eating away at him every. Single. Day…” She looks up. “The periods really give it that extra oomph.”

The trio are sitting in their cabin living room, taking a rest day as it's forecasted to rain. Almost thirty minutes ago, it had been just March and Dan Feng. They were playing a board game as their friends were holed up in their rooms. Welt—with his laptop—was the first to emerge from his den and had asked his friends to read the latest plot twist in his novel.

"So, what comes next?" Dan Feng asks. "Don't tell me our Ms. Femme Fatale is just going to leave our ace detective after all they've been through."

“Yeah, don’t leave us hanging, Welt!”

Welt takes his laptop from March and puts it on the table. “The story will get there.”

Dan Feng has a little smile when he asks, "Is that code for 'Sorry, guys. I have no idea what's next. Still figuring that out?"

“No spoilers.”

"Whatever it is… I just need a happy ending!" Then, March sees Dan Heng coming downstairs. "Look who decided to come out of hibernation. What have you been doing all morning?"

“...Researching schools.”

Welt and March glance at each other before looking at Dan Feng. Ever since lunch with you and Jing Yuan, March hasn’t seen the brothers talk. When Welt noticed something was wrong, March explained what had happened.

"Have you decided on one?" Then, Dan Heng says the name of the most prestigious university in the nation. "Why am I not surprised?" March asks.

“Go big or go home,” Welt adds. “But, they’d be crazy not to take you.”

"I've already started my application," Dan Heng says, opening the fridge to grab a bottle of water. "Hopefully, I can make it for their winter semester."

Dan Heng has just closed the fridge when his brother asks:

"How long is the program?"

Silence.

He looks around the room. "What? Everyone else is allowed to ask questions but me?"

“Two years, part-time. One year, full-time.” Dan Heng walks over. “...Is there a date for your surgery?”

“It’d be around the same time you start your semester… if you get in.”

March sighs. “Why can’t you two just hug it out like real men?”

“Oh, I don’t know, March. Maybe it’s cause my brother has cooties.”

Dan Heng sits next to Welt. “...What’s going on between you two?”

March and Dan Feng look at each other. “What do you mean?” she asks.

Welt closes his laptop. "I sensed it, too. Something seems… different about you two."

“Oh, I get it.” March’s quick laugh turns into a deadpan look. “I might’ve gotten a few wrinkles because this guy”—she hits Dan Feng’s leg—”is like an adult child who can’t take care of himself.”

“Me? Are you sure you’re not talking about yourself?”

Dan Heng sighs. “Why can’t you two just hug it out like a real couple?”

March and Dan Feng turn to him with an appalled look.

“Why is your face turning red, March?” Welt asks.

"It's not!"

Dan Heng and Welt smile at each other.

Then, March quickly stands. "...I'm going out to buy some drinks before it really starts to pour." She walks beside Welt. "Come with me."

“Me? Uh, okay.” Welt stands and looks at the brothers. “Want us to get you anything?”

“Skittles frappucinno.”

March looks slightly disgusted at Dan Feng's request. "What in the world is that? Sounds like diabetes in a cup."

“It’s you if you were a drink.”

“...Is that supposed to be a compliment?” Welt asks quietly.

“Anything for the cooler brother?” March asks, looking at Dan Heng and Dan Feng almost rolls his eyes.

“I’m good.”

“Well, shoot a text if you want us to get you anything.”

Then, Welt and March are out the door.

After a short silence, Dan Heng says, “...I understand why you’re upset. I would be, too, but—”

“I get it.” Dan Feng isn’t looking at his brother. “I’d hate it if you forced yourself to do something you don’t want to do. Everyone suffers that way.” A small pause. “...I’ll cheer you on.”

“...And I’ll do the same for you.”

“Cheer me on for what? Recovery?” Dan Feng waves his hand dismissively. “If you’re going to do that, might as well be my butler while I recover.”

“Are you sure you don’t want that job to go to March?”

“Listen, that girl will probably be flying to a different country this same time next year.”

“...Is that why you want to stay friends with her?”

“What are you talking about?”

“You know what I’m talking about,” Dan Heng says as his brother looks away. Then, Dan Heng stands. “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”  He walks to the kitchen but stops halfway and looks over his shoulder. “...I know you aren’t looking for advice, but I’m going to say it for March’s sake. Talk to her. At least, there’ll be no misunderstandings.”

Dan Heng knows his brother likes to poke fun at his advice, but this time he remains silent.

◆◆◆

Yanqing is asleep in the backseat when Jing Yuan is driving back to the bed and breakfast.

“...Caelus’s uncle called me today,” you say, after making sure Yanqing’s still asleep.

“What did he want?”

“A chat. He didn’t go into details… No surprise there. But, he mentioned you.” A small pause. “...He asked me how well I really knew you, and how much you told me about yourself.”

You don’t know, but there’s a quiet anger that’s bubbling beneath Jing Yuan’s calm exterior. Maybe he shouldn’t be surprised that Caelus’s uncle is trying to interfere with his relationship.

“I obviously know better than to just believe him, but I admit it’s been bothering me and…”

“...It’s what he wants.” Jing Yuan takes your hand that’s resting on your lap. “...And, I think I know what he’s going to say.”

You turn to him, surprised. Hang on. Does this mean there is a secret? Neither of you gets a chance to say anything when Yanqing yawns.

“What did I miss?” he asks sleepily.

“Nothing.”

Yanqing looks from you to Jing Yuan but doesn’t say anything and looks out the window. Then, your phone buzzes, and you pull it out.

Have you decided?

You glance at Jing Yuan, and then another message comes.

Time's ticking.

You had to resist blocking this number.

“This is getting fucking ridiculous,” you mutter.

“What is it?”

Jing Yuan pulls up to the bed and breakfast, and Yanqing asks, “Are we walking Mom back?”

You turn around and put on your best smile. “Shall we go?”

Once Jing Yuan parks the car and all of you step out, Yanqing goes on ahead. You quickly show Jing Yuan the ominous text, and he says:

“...I’m going to call him.”

There’s an anger in his voice that you cannot explain. A lion ready to pounce. A dragon awakening. Whatever it is, it’s reflected in his glare.

It doesn’t take long for the line to go through.

“What’s taking so long?” You quickly walk up to Yanqing, preventing him from getting close enough to hear the heated conversation. “...Why does Dad look so angry?”

You crouch and gently turn Yanqing’s head toward you. “Don’t worry. He’s dealing with a customer.”

“O-Oh…”

“Everything will be fine. Trust Mom, okay?”

Yanqing slowly nods and hugs you.

When you hear footsteps approaching you, you turn and see Jing Yuan. But, another voice comes:

“Yanqing.”

You stand upright as Jing Yuan’s ex and her fianceé walk up to you. Yanqing looks from his birth mother to you and back to her.

Her fianceé looks at Jing Yuan. “...Wasn't expecting to see you here, but thanks for taking care of that problem earlier.”

Problem?

You turn to him, and Jing Yuan says, “A guest was causing issues for everyone else.”

Then, his ex looks at you. “...Has he contacted you yet?”

"So, you were the one who gave him my number," you say flatly. 

“Wow. What’s going on?” March and Welt are walking together, and as they get closer, you see Welt carrying a small bag of drinks. “This can’t be a family outing, right?”

"What did he want with you?" Jing Yuan asks his ex. "...Just her number?"

March and Welt glance at each other, and then she leans over. “Hey, Yanqing, let’s leave them with the boring adult talk.” She reaches into the bag and pulls out a snack. “Let’s eat on our way back.”

Yanqing runs to March and says, “Oh, but I’m not hungry. I just came from a birthday party.” “A birthday party? Whose?”

March and Yanqing start walking ahead, and Welt follows close behind.

Jing Yuan’s ex looks at him. “Yes. That was all he asked about.”

“...Why are you asking?”

Her fianceé had just come out of the bathroom, and he saw her on the phone.

“We’re on the same side,” Caelus’s uncle said.

She knew it was a dumb question, but she still had to ask:

“What are you going to do?”

“Is it just me, or does it sound like you’re worried about your ex’s girlfriend? That’s a rare sight amongst women.” Then, a soft chuckle. “I’m not going to do anything to her if that’s what you’re worried about. I’m going to put an end to this once and for all.”

By turning you against Jing Yuan?

Jing Yuan has the same thoughts when he says, "He's threatening me and aiming to put her in a difficult position." Then, his sharp gaze lands on his ex. “He’s also going to get you involved.”

“Me…? With what? What could he possibly threaten you with? Don’t tell me it has something to do with Yanqing.”

“No.” Jing Yuan looks at her. “And for Yanqing’s sake, you won’t go along with whatever he says because it’ll end up destroying all of us.”

You slide your hand in his, and Jing Yuan turns to you. It’s written all over your face. Worry. Frustration. Confusion. Only he has the answers, and as much as he doesn’t want to hide anything from you, a part of him is afraid of what you will think after he tells you more about his past. Will you blame him just like he once blamed himself? Will you turn your back on him and walk away?

“I heard my name.”

“Geez, Yanqing,” you hear March say as she runs towards the group. “Don’t go running off like that!” Welt is walking behind her.

“They're too slow!” Yanqing turns toward his dad. “What are you talking about?”

You and Jing Yuan glance at each other, and then you say, “We... were talking about how we’re going to take you on vacation with us. March was the one who suggested it.”

March points to herself with mild confusion.

Jing Yuan nods. “It got postponed because Dan Feng went to see Luocha about his shoulder.”

“Ah!" March makes a fist and hits it against her palm. "Yeah, that’s right.”

Yanqing looks from March to Jing Yuan and then to you. “...A vacation? Really?”

“You don’t believe us?” you ask.

“It didn’t sound like you were talking about a vacation.”

The fianceé sighs. “It’s because we wanted to spend time with you.”

You and Jing Yuan turn to him, surprised that he’s playing along.

“...That’s right,” the ex adds. She crouches and puts her hands on her son’s shoulders. “...I miss you, Yanqing. I miss spending time with you.”

He steps back, and the hurt is obvious on her face. But, it’s only for a moment.

“...You're just saying that to get me to go back to the city. But, I don’t want to go back,” he says, not looking at her. “Not forever.”

She exhales softly and asks, “...Are you happy, Yanqing? Are you happy with Jing Yuan and…” She looks at you. “...Her?”

"Yes!" A small pause. “You keep saying that you want to keep me in the city because of my future… but I’m happy right now.”

“...While it’s important to think about the future, it’s just as if not more important to cherish the present.”

March gently nudges Welt. “Stop trynna act all philosophical.”

Jing Yuan’s ex sighs. “...Alright. I understand. But, if you ever change your mind… you know that Mom’s door is always open." A small pause. "Can I get a hug?”

Yanqing takes one step forward, hesitates for a moment, but then walks up and hugs her.

“Is it just me, or did this turn in a direction we never saw coming?” March asks quietly.

“...Just let it be,” you whisper, and Jing Yuan nods.

Eventually, you, Jing Yuan, and Yanqing are walking together towards your cabin. Occasionally, Yanqing runs ahead, leaving you and Jing Yuan at the back.

Jing Yuan’s hand finds yours, and as you turn to him, he says:

“...About what I said earlier, Caelus’s uncle wants you to pick a side."

Your breath gets caught in your throat, and you tighten your grip around his hand. “About that… You said earlier that he’s going to try to put me in a difficult position. What… What did you mean? What’s going on?”

“...Before I left my position as Director, I had a friend interested in taking over my position.”

Jing Yuan and his friend from university were finally catching up on life. His friend had invited him over, and the two men were currently seated adjacent to each other. But what Jing Yuan thought was a reunion between two friends quickly turned into a conversation that would haunt him.

“...So, you’re leaving your company,” he said.

“That’s right.”

His friend cleared his throat. “Have they decided on who’s going to take your place?” He awkwardly scratched his head. " I’m actually looking for another job, and, well…” He didn’t need to go on for Jing Yuan to know where this was going. “...Okay, I’m just going to say it. Could you, well, could you refer and put in a good word for me? That’s allowed, right? Because…”

The rest fell on deaf ears as his friend rambled on and on about how he needed this job, but Jing Yuan didn’t need to hear more because…

“You wouldn’t want to be there.”

His friend stopped talking. “Why not?”

Jing Yuan sighed. “It’s… not as clean as you’d think if you know what I mean.”

“...Are people making up numbers or something?” Then, he lowered his voice. “Is the company losing money? Is that the real reason why you’re leaving?”

“No,” Jing Yuan answered flatly. “There are practices that you wouldn’t want to abide by.”

“...Please, Jing Yuan.” This was a response that Jing Yuan wasn’t expecting. “I… could really use the help.”

Your heart is slowly sinking to your stomach as you listen.

“...I told him the consequences,” Jing Yuan says. “But, he was desperate because of his family’s financial situation.”

“Did you refer him?”

Your phone buzzes. You and Jing Yuan glance at each other before you take out your phone. It buzzes again. Now, you have a message from Kafka and Herta with the same worrying content:

CEO of The Knights B&B accused of ruining a man’s life nearly a decade later

Chapter 20

End notes:

We've finally reached the climax. I was going to end this with a cute little scene where Jing Yuan asks Yanqing if he wants to give you a goodnight kiss. But I decided on this instead.

I think I should just make the grand finalé with someone giving Caelus's uncle a good 'ol punch to the face. Man gets arrested and call it a day LOL

Tag list: @suoshiii @lordbugs @lxry-chxn @seirenspinel @immahuman @queencybow @nqctre @grimreapersscythe @winterpein @asakenajustexistshere @sunsethw4

[gtlurker]

Finally chapter six of inhuman, unfortunately I couldn't find a way to squeeze any g/t into this chapter, but, new perspective and new characters are introduced in this new addition, enjoy!

Chapter six,

Damien

Im three hours into the thirteen hour flight from venice italy to vancouver canada, and each passing second im more tempted to knock out the pilot, take the wheel and break most of the air traffic safety rules.

It took me ten years to find my sister, and I hired the two most idiotic men to retrieve her. I would've done it myself if it weren't for the fact that I was in Europe when I got the notification that she was still in the same town we grew up in.

I knew my father wasn't an idiot when it came to where he put his labs, he strategically places them in old worn abandoned buildings so that they're not on the government's radar. Unfortunately for him, I'm not as stupid as the government and was able to find isabelle.

Granted it took me ten years, but I know for a fact that she's still alive and not too injured. I know for a fact that she's going to have a lot of changes due to the unique nature of our fathers experiments, but it won't be anything I cant reverse.

I was seventeen when Isabelle was taken to the lab. My mother and father came home that day to tell me about what they had done, and informed me that I was going to be taken there as well. Not for the same reason as my sister though, they wanted me to start visiting the labs so I could learn what I would be in charge of after they passed. Of course when I protested their reaction was not what i was expecting. Instead of the usual violence and threats on my life, they said something a hundred times worse.

They had threatened to use Isabelle for tests that the subjects were not meant to survive.

With how They had gone into detail about the different ways they could make her death slower and more agonizing, I knew I didn't have much of a choice but to force other innocent children into the same sick fate that hundreds have been put through due to my parents. In a way I'm just as bad as they are, I couldn't find another way to save my sister and instead hurt dozens of others just like her, And I don't even know if I truly saved her at all.

Nine more hours into the flight I'm tempted to just grab a parachute and jump out of the plane window.

I refrain however, I don't think the other passengers would appreciate a sudden loss of pressure in the cabin. The last hour of the flight Is always the longest and I feel like now Is worse than ever.

I sigh for what feels like the millionth time since I boarded the plane, and I only sigh louder when the baby I'm sitting ten seats in front of starts wailing once again. Anyone who brings a baby on a plane should at least have the decency to be able to keep it quiet. Yet another sigh escapes my lips as I unbuckle my seatbelt and make my way over to the women holding the baby, my expression carefully folded into an expression that masks the annoyance that is building inside my core.

Once I reach her seat, and see the baby's little face scrunched up with tears running down his face, alongside a clearly exhausted mother who looks like she hasn't gotten a wink of sleep in the last week. I tap her shoulder and her eyes meet mine, the dark circles under her eyes abundantly clear. “Excuse me miss, I don't mean to be rude,” I tell her in my customer service, and I hold out the small blue stuffed bear that I keep with me for situations like this, “but would your child want this to help him calm down?” the baby in question stops its blubbering and begins to make grabby hands at the toy, and his mother accepts the toy with a grateful smile and I leave before she can initiate any small talk.

Once the plane has landed, I waste no time grabbing my bags and calling a taxi to take me to the very odd address I was given by the idiots I hired. Since I was in such a rush to leave Italy, I only packed three bags to take with me. One for essentials, one for my equipment, and one for Isabelle's things that I managed to get my hands on after my parents threw them all out. The cab driver is a young man in his twenties, he seems tired and based on his expression I assume he's not really one of those chatty drivers i hate.

I lean back and pull out my phone, a simple black burner phone that I use to contact anyone involved in my less than legal life. After scrolling through the seemingly never ending list of contacts before finally coming across the one i need. I click the call button and bring the phone to my ear. Once I hear the voice on the other end of the phone, I speak before they have a chance to take a breath. “You have twenty minutes.”

[ones-g]

"I'm not a minor"

Synopsis: Y/N owns a piercing shop where she also does piercings herself. The rule of any site like this is to always ask for authorization from parents/guardians of minors to be able to do their job without any complaint. But this rule could be broken only this once thanks to a stubborn blonde.

—Ding Ding Ding.

The door of the premises had been opened, achieving the sound of the bell located on its threshold. A not-so-tall figure entered slowly while looking around the room.

"Welcome, please wait at the counter now I'll take care of you" You exclaimed when you noticed the presence of the feminine. You were accommodating some new products that had recently arrived, you were busy.

The blonde had heard you, of course she did. She had approached the transparent counter, inside it some jewelry or piercing materials were displayed. Natalie was entranced observing those pieces.

You finished accommodating most of the things and returned to your workplace. You met the feminine silently watching the exhibited pieces. "Thanks for waiting" You said.

She raised her head and saw you, face to face. He gave you a smile and then said. "I was passing by and... well I really wanted a piercing"

Leaning against the counter you examined it. He looked too young. "Sure... I'm Y/N, nice to meet you" You reached out your left hand towards her.

"Natalie Scatorccio, the pleasure is mine I guess..." He whispered as he shook hands with yours.

"Okay Natty, I need your ID" you informed after separating their hands and leaning back on the counter.

The blonde's eyes widened a little, apparently she didn't expect that request. "My ID?"

"That's right, you look very young honestly and I don't want a complaint to my precious place" You answered laughing a little at her, it was obvious that the girl was underage.

The girl in front of you sighed, scratched her eyebrow, and looked at you again. "I'm not a minor" He justified himself. "I implore you to remove the idea from your head that I am a minor"

You raised both hands to the height of your chest, you kept laughing at her. "In any local you're going to have to answer that question, honey."

"It's policy, a rule, something we respect so to speak." You walked around the counter until you reached her side. "You should lie better, Natalie"

The aforementioned gave a nervous giggle. "I'll give you double just for a fucking piercing," he spat.

"Are your parents capable of denouncing? Or setting the place on fire?" She fell silent after your questions. "If they are capable of that... there is the door, get out"

Natalie quickly shook her head, snapping her fingers as she approached you "Believe me, they don't even care" She clucked and crossed her arms. "But if you refuse, I'm leaving, I won't insist. It's not my style"

You narrowed your eyes, was I playing a psychological game on you? You deigned to look out through the window, you noticed that few people passed by over time. You looked back at her and sighed heavily.

"Okay Natty Scatorccio, which one do you want to do?"

"Breathe, you'll just feel a sting in a matter of seconds."

The girl had decided on the eyebrow piercing. It had surprised you since apparently the blonde was already more than sure that this was her definitive piercing.

The pointed object quickly penetrated the little meat located on the girl's eyebrow. She simply winced in 'pain'. "Okay, just let me…put this in its proper…" You placed the curved piece carefully while biting down on the tip of your tongue for concentration and balance. "Perfect, that's it" You informed walking away from the blonde removing both gloves from your hands.

The girl got up and went to the mirror in front of her. An ear-to-ear smile grew on his face. "Don't touch it so much, just to take care of it..." You said

"It's perfect..." he murmured. "How much do I owe you?"

You turned to her and shook her head "Nah, it's free"

His face changed drastically. "You're fucking with me" You denied again.

You walked back to the counter and entered it. "Are you really telling me? Are you letting me have it for free?" He asked again making you laugh

"Yes Natalie and take it" You handed her a paper which she received "It's a guide to cure it, you don't want to lose your eyebrow right?" you joked

Natalie chuckled a bit. "Thank you, you really are good at your job" You shrugged your shoulders and smiled.

"Get out before I change my mind" And without further ado, that younger blonde for a few years said goodbye to you.

But apparently he didn't realize that behind that piece of paper was your number. You liked Natalie Scatorccio.

[karenandhenwilson]

The whole foster care and foster parents situation in 9-1-1 keeps really challenging my suspension of disbelief. Especially if I start thinking about it in more detail in plans for some stories. I love the idea of Hen and Karen being foster parents and also adopting another child (or even a couple more children). I just wish it would be executed more carefully.

Let's start with Nia. She was clearly never intended to stay in foster care for long or get adopted by anyone. Everything we learn about that situation while she is reintroduced to her mother points at that. And while I don't know much about the US system here, there are just so many question marks about this.

If Nia was always supposed to eventually come back into her mother's custody, why wasn't there regular contact between them? It has to have been painful for Nia to be separated from her mother, who as far as we see is a very dedicated mother but was stuck in a horrible situation for a little while. And it had to be such hardship for her mother, too, to be completely separated from her daughter while she rebuild her life. Did she really believe she'd ever get her daughter back? Or was she fearing the whole time to never see Nia again until she was 18 and maybe not even then if Nia grew up to resent her without knowing the real circumstances? 

If Nia was never supposed to be adopted, why were Karen and Hen so convinced they would adopt her eventually? Where did the communication between Deidra or any other social workers and the Wilsons break down so much that there was such a miscommunication between them? Of course, Hen and Karen should not have been told any details about Nia's mother's life that weren't necessary for Nia's care, but it should have been made clear from the very beginning that Nia wasn't with them to stay. That her mother had every chance and intention to get back into a place where she could take care of her daughter again.

And of course, there is then Karen looking for Nia's mother. (And how did she even find her? After Deidra gave out the information about Mara's brother and his parents I kind of suspect she helped here, too. Which just brings up a lot of questions about Deidree and her suitability for the job she is doing.)

Then Karen and Hen prepared for months to adopt a baby. I don't fault the grandmother of that baby to change her mind after all. But I think it's a horrible decision of Deidra to come in and go "I'm sorry this adoption of the baby didn't happen. But I'll use your disappointment over it to push this horrible traumatized child at you and guilt trip you into fostering and hopefully adopting her all the while without telling you why exactly she is so traumatized to give you a chance to make it even worse instead of giving you the ability to help her."

That's how Mara showed up. She was tossed at foster parents without giving the foster parents even just the slightest bit of information about the trauma she was dealing with. I've seen the argument about Deidra protecting Mara's privacy with that, but I call bullshit to that. Hen and Karen were made responsible for Mara and her well-being. That includes her mental well-being. How can they help her to deal with the trauma of finding her parents dead and being separated from her half-brother if they don't know about any of it?

I agree that it's not right that Hen and Karen learned this information through Athena looking up Mara's parents. (Though, at least Mara's call to 9-1-1 would have been publically available anyway, right? Those calls are all made public in the US, as far as I know?) But they should have never needed to look up the information illegally because it should have been Deidra's duty to tell them at least the bare facts: Mara found her parents dead. Mara was separated from her half-brother because his father didn't want to take her. Because otherwise Hen and Karen had no chance from the very beginning to deal with either of those traumas.

Then there is Mara's blanket. We learn right at the beginning that the blanket is the only thing she has left of her old life. Why is that? I could understand that if there had been a fire. And in the beginning, I suspected exactly that: I thought a fire had killed Mara's family and when she was rescued, she held on to the blanket as it was the only thing that escaped the fire. But instead, we learn she found her parents dead and nothing was destroyed. Did the system really take everything else from this girl? Did they really not let her take anything else with her when she went into the system? That doesn't seem very humane or compassionate. (Or maybe I'm just not aware how truly horrible the system is in the US.)

Then, there is the whole situation of Mara being taken away from the Wilsons. That's a lot about corruption, of course. I mean, the adoption was nearly finalized as far as we learn. And suddenly Karen and Hen are declared unfit to be foster parents? Unfit to adopt? And seemingly no one took the time to look into it a little more closely? I honestly was also expecting Denny to be taken away from them in these circumstances. If they aren't fit to adopt another child, how are they fit enough to care for the child already in their care? Wouldn't it also have made sense for the Councilwoman to go all in here and do everything to have both children taken away from Hen?

At last, there is Maddie and Chimney becoming foster parents for emergency placement in less than 24 hours. Clearly without any kind of background check or anything else. When we saw with Hen and Karen how long it took for them, and how many hurdles they had to take. But it's canon now that somehow while one couple had to work for months to be granted this place, the other couple could just take it because from one moment to the next they wanted to. (Looking at both couples and comparing them brings up some horrible thoughts here, right? But I know for a fact the showwriters didn't consider that. They only considered how they could turn this situation they had created into something a little hopeful for the end of the season. I would not be surprised if s8 starts with Mara being taken away from Maddie and Chimney for the drama's sake.)

So, yeah. As much as I love to see more of the Wilson family, the drama the show writers create artificially for them is grating on my nerves the more often it happens. It also feels disingenuous for the representation Hen and Karen provide. There are so many other ways to bring storylines and drama into their family dynamic, and sometimes the writers were very successful in creating that: Hen's plans to change her career, the disappointment over the IVF not working for Karen, Toni showing up in LA unannounced and the conflict between her and Hen, the accident at Karen's work. We know nothing about Karen's family. I'd much prefer some drama with Hen's in-laws than this bullshit of a woman letting her grief lead her to ruin a little girl's life even more than it already is.