#anyway i'm into hiking and gardening

[zanzibarhamster]

seeing pushback against the idea that "if your only hobbies are social media, fandom, and consuming media with fandom intent you should consider taking up other, additional hobbies, preferably that involve talking to normal people, going outside, or leaning new things" and uh. yeah.

like. this is not some kind of "books good tv bad" thing. it includes dnd. hiking. baking. gardening. blog writing. thrifting. knitting. volunteering at an animal shelter. literally anything that does not ultimately go back to The Algorithm.

fandom is a fun hobby but if someone asks what your hobbies are and your only answers are half-truths disguising the fact that you spend 100% of your spare time either on social media or with the intent of creating content for social media, you need to do something that involves talking to normal people or going outside.

[lunod]

Ok so if I play my cards right I can afford a house all by myself on SSDI. 😬🤞

[flight-freedom]

Me: Gee, I should really be in bed or doing something productive but I lack the motivation, to do either..

Unfortunately Also Me: guess it's time open innumerable tabs of Wikipedia pages about an obscure topic:

[infinitegalahad]

AMERICAN PROMETHEUS AND HIS ATHENA - CHAPTER 2

Pairing: J. Robert Oppenheimer x Female Indentifying! Reader Summary: You and Robert fall into a routine of your Friday Physics meetings with the never skipped dinner after. But as the tension grows stronger, the meetings suddenly cease to be about Physics with a newfound realization; and sudden change Word Count: 3.4k Warnings: N/A Notes: GOD, HE LOOKS SO HOT THERE!!! Anyways! Not even twenty-four hours later. I know, I'm very unwell and couldn't help myself. Thank you so much for all the love and support so much! The next part should be coming out very soon. And let me say, it may or may not get spicy *insert evil cackling*. I am also working on a new and refined masterlist! It'll be linked here, along with a taglist if you are interested.

Masterlist | Taglist

The image of you and Robert formed, and your Friday afternoon meetings with him soon became a little routine between the two of you. However, this barrier created a bond and broke through the force of physics into something else. 

You would always arrive ten minutes before, and Robert certainly noticed this. He enrolled you in watering his flowers outside, which you had no issue doing. Robert insisted on paying you ten dollars, which you felt guilty for taking. Every Friday, when you walk down Shasta Road, the flowers are more giant in bloom, full and radiant in their muted colors. Robert had even put a tiny vase of pomegranate flowers on his desk. In one of your meetings, he confessed that he didn’t know such a plant was growing in his garden. You told him now he had pomegranates to make with his meals. After each session, Robert gave you a pomegranate to go home with. Like him, they were hard to resist. 

The first hour of your meeting would be about physics, but the length of an hour began to shorten down to thirty minutes, forty-five minutes sometimes. You could sense that Robert wanted to get out of Physics much as you on your late Friday afternoons together. 

And then Robert would ask that same old question of wanting to stay for dinner. He’d preface it with the meal he was making, which was starting to fall into the pattern of recipes you recommended. 

And without fail, you would always say yes, lacking hesitation. 

In the first set of meetings, Robert would cook. He’d ask you to go into his living room to turn on one of the records. You’d ask what record, and he answered with any since he would like what you would put on. In the third week of meetings, Robert stopped directing you to his record player, as you soon could locate the record in the middle of his bookshelf. 

Simeusolty putting on a Prokofiev’s Cinderella Record, Summer Fairy began to play low. The intricate and angular melodies to powerful and dramatic orchestration played as you ran your fingers across the bookshelf, observing the elective collection of books Robert had collected. Running your fingers against the thin pages, you looked down at his coach. Two pillows were propped up, and you could see his coffee table in the light. A copy of Sentimental Education rested beside the ashtray of many burnt-out cigarette buds. Robert was in the same chapter as you were. 

Most of the time, you would get bored sitting at the island table as Robert smoked, cut, and cooked. All you would do is drink his Martinis, which you hated before but now loved.  Without asking, you simply started to help Robert with the cooking. Robert never protested against this. 

As the two of you cooked, your conversations ranged in topic and vulnerability. 

Robert asked about your family life and hobbies. You told him you had family in New York City but spent a lot of time hiking in Europe or the Southeastern United States being outdoors. Your mother was much older than your father, but it was never an issue. You were the youngest of three much older siblings, two of whom were your step-siblings. You were into reading and art outside the classroom but absolutely loved the outdoors. Some things you didn't even share with Hatomi, you ended up sharing with Robert. 

Robert also shared parts of his life; in each part, you two learned that you were somewhat similar, as Robert would say, “kindred souls” who have found each other. Robert was also from New York City, but like you, wanted to escape the East and came out West for a change and its natural beauty. He also enjoyed the outdoors, a found horseback rider. In his youth, he was an avid rock collector and even told you that when he applied for a club, they asked him to come to be a keynote speaker. It fits his character. 

One night, as you cut vegetables and Robert sauteed the chicken, he blatantly asked if you have a boyfriend. 

You turn to him, and instead of being flustered and embarrassed, you deadpan and say no, before asking if he has a wife. 

“Had,” Robert corrected. 

Robert had been married to a woman named Kitty, whom Robert said was similar, yet harsher than you. They had divorced three years back, and two had two children together who were three years apart, Peter and Toni. Kitty had moved out to Pittsburgh with their two children but would visit with them every month. Robert did not seem sad by the divorce, saying they still cared for each other but no longer loved one another. 

The two of you remained silent until dinner was ready that night. 

Your meetings further continued with no issue after that conversation.

 It was like any other Friday night meeting. You closed your Physics notebook as Robert got up to prepare dinner, which would be chicken with pomegranate seeds, asparagus, and mashed potatoes which you taught him to cook. You got up and snuck beside Robert, taking pomegranate seeds and putting them in between your lips. 

He looked over and smiled, shaking his head. He mumbled something under his breath in which you missed. 

“Robert, you must stop asking if I will stay for dinner,” You casually teased, bringing another seed to your lips. You moved the bubbly and wet seed around your lips, adding a glossy red color to the center of your lips, “Especially when you know the answer.” 

Your playful words hung in the air, accompanied by a faint smile that danced at the corners of your mouth. The atmosphere was light, and the tension between you and Robert was more of an enjoyable banter than anything serious. The act of painting your lips with the seed was oddly captivating, a unique blend of sensuality and playfulness that added to the moment.

On the other hand, Robert appeared slightly flustered but still managed a sheepish grin. "Well then, why do you always stay, y/n?”

You chuckled softly, savoring the gentle rhythm of your exchange. "Maybe it's your irresistible cooking that keeps me coming back, or perhaps it's the charm and wit of the company."

In mock astonishment, Robert feigned a dramatic sigh, his hand on his chest. "Ah, so you're saying it's not my dashing good looks that have you hooked?"

You playfully rolled your eyes, a mock expression of disbelief on your face. "Oh yes, Robert, your dashing good looks are definitely a bonus. But it's the entire package that keeps me intrigued."

The two of you shared a lighthearted laugh, the energy between you bubbling with a mix of familiarity and affection. Clearly, this banter was a delightful ritual you both enjoyed, a way to express your fondness for each other without saying it outright.

Robert leaned in a little closer, his voice dropping to a more intimate tone. "I might have to keep asking about dinner just to hear your flattering reasons."

You raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in your eye. "Well, if that's your plan, then I'll just have to keep giving you reasons, won't I?"

The playful challenge hung in the air, the unspoken understanding between you both weaving a tapestry of shared moments and shared jokes. As the evening continued, the seed on your lips became a symbol of this unique connection, a touch of color that spoke volumes about the newfound chemistry you shared with Robert.

After finishing dinner and cleanup, Robert invited you to his living space. From what you have seen in his house, the living room was by far the biggest. The room smelt like oakwood with its Mahogany shelves of aged books and artifacts from Europe. Prokofiev’s Cinderella plays slowly as Robert and you rest on the couch, only a few inches apart. 

In a quiet moment that exudes an air of undeniable allure, Robert reaches into his pants pocket to fetch another box of cigarettes. His fingers move with a graceful confidence, effortlessly withdrawing a sleek pack of cigarettes. The soft glow of ambient light plays upon his lean features, enhancing the sharp angles of his jawline and the subtle smirk that graces his lips.

As he taps the pack against the palm of his hand, a sense of anticipation seems to envelop the surroundings. The action is as deliberate as it is captivating, every movement purposeful and measured. With a smooth and calculated gesture, he slides a cigarette from its sanctuary within the pack, drawing attention to the meticulous attention to detail that defines his every action.

Bringing the slender cylinder to his lips, his eyes remain fixed on the horizon, an enigmatic gaze that hints at depths of both experience and mystery. His fingers deftly produce a matchbox, which, when opened, reveals a single matchstick ready for ignition. The flame is brought to life with a flick of his thumb, illuminating his features momentarily and casting an enchanting glint in his eyes.

The first inhalation is a languid dance between his lips and the cigarette, an intimate connection that only accentuates his innate allure. A plume of smoke curls gracefully from his lips, an ethereal veil that frames his visage like a work of art. The atmosphere seems to pulse with his intoxicating energy as if drawn into the magnetic pull of this captivating moment.

As he exhales, the tendrils of smoke disperse into the air, a testament to his ability to command the space around him and the elements that entwine with his presence. The remaining smoke dances and swirls in the air, mimicking the invisible threads of attraction that weave between observer and observed.

You watch the smoke dance across the dark room in its dark and light hues. Robert sees you in admiration of the smoke (and him, but that’s a secret you keep to yourself) and pulls a stick out, holding it out in front of you. There’s no need to respond verbally; you let him put the cigarette between your lips. 

Robert’s fingers, capable and elegant, hold the cigarette with a reverence that speaks of his attentiveness to the details that matter. The slender cylinder is presented not as a mere object but as a gesture of connection, a bridge between the worlds of conversation and quiet contemplation.

He raises the matchbox, its lid flipping open with a soft whisper of anticipation ember at the tip of the match glows with an ephemeral beauty, casting a warm radiance that highlights the contours of his hands and the contours of your cheek.

Drawing the match to the cigarette, the flame bends obediently to his command, transferring its life to the waiting tobacco. As the cigarette ignites, its end glowing with an ember-like intensity, Robert's eyes meet yours, a silent acknowledgment of the shared moment.

Robert brings the cigarette to your lips with a tender elegance, his fingers barely grazing your cheek in a caress that sets the heart aflutter. The touch is fleeting but leaves a lingering impression, a sensation of connection that transcends the physical realm. The smoke dances gracefully from the lit end, curling into the atmosphere like a wisp of shared conversation.

The gesture encapsulates more than a simple offering; it encapsulates his genuine nature and ability to infuse even the most ordinary moments with a touch of extraordinary intimacy. In this ephemeral exchange, the barley touch of Robert’s fingers against your cheek lingers like an echo, a reminder of the subtle and beautiful connections forged through the simplest gestures.

You fall back and take a drag into the cigarette, exhaling the smoke. It was your first time with a cigarette, so you inhaled too much smoke and coughed slightly. 

Robert looks back at you, and like a sly predator watching its prey, he too leans back. You can feel the weight of the pillow sink back. Your mouth nearly drops the cigarette as you look over, goosebumps now appearing over your legs. Shifting in your position, you don’t move farther away. Oppenheimer’s another atom bond, in which you feel connected, despite your differences. 

Hearing your mother’s and older sister's voice ridiculing dating a man who could be one of your brother’s ages, you take another drag and exhale smoke as the nicotine soothes your anxiety. 

“I understand now why people smoke.”

You can feel Oppenheimer’s intense stare, not that it bothers you at all. 

 There’s a small silence for a few minutes. The two of you bask in the setting sun, watching the smoke play against the hues of the sun. You swear you feel your eyes get heavy, both from the buzz of the alcohol and the nicotine of the cigarette. 

The couch feels lighter as you feel Robert get up and walk over to the bookcase. Admiration mingles with a sense of awe as you watch your professor navigate the rows of tomes. His movements are measured and deliberate as he selects a book that promises to unfurl a tapestry of thoughts and ideas. The act itself is a testament to his insatiable thirst for knowledge, a quality that you have deemed extremely handsome to the tall and slender man. 

He walks in front of you and flips through the pages, putting the book down in your lap. 

You put your cigarette in the ashtray and hold the book to examine it, “Les Fleurs Del Mal.” 

“One of my recommendations to you,” Robert responded as he sat back on the couch. The room suddenly got hotter as he felt closer than he did before, “It’s scattered poetry. You can skim, but I don’t recommend it unless you want to enjoy it.”

Your speculation proved to be true when Robert pointed to a page in the book, feeling his thigh scrap against yours. Butterflies danced in your stomach as your cheeks got that burning sensation again. 

“These are some of my favorites,” Robert pointed, his finger gracing the page, “That I want you to read.” 

Halting your breath, you look at him, and he’s looking right at you. More like right into you. Robert's eyes are like an ocean; they're truly the bluest you have seen. They hold a depth that draws you in, in which you find yourself lost, embraced by an intimate connection that speaks volumes without a single word.

“Read?” You almost stutter, “to myself?”

“Outloud, dear.” Robert’s smooth voice politely commands. 

Suddenly, your limbs feel both hot and weak. Robert leans in closer, taking another drag of his cigarette. His gaze does not once leave you. 

You put one hand on the page and the other on the soft pillow as your fingers soften the material. Clearing your throat, you look at the first poem and take in a deep breath to contain a noise of ecstasy and pleasure. 

I know your heart, which overflows With outworn loves long cast aside, Still like a furnace flames and glows, And you within your breast enclose A damned soul's unbending pride;

But till your dreams without release

Reflect the leaping flames of hell;

Till in a nightmare without cease

You dream of poison to bring peace, And love cold steel and powder well;

And tremble at each opened door, And feel for every man distrust, And shudder at the striking hour - Till then you have not felt the power Of Irresistible Disgust.

My queen, my slave, whose love is fear, When you awaken shuddering, Until that awful hour be here,

You cannot say at midnight drear :

"I am your equal, O my King!"

Robert only responds by turning the page to the following poem, A Carcass. In the corner of your eye, his hand rests on the couch, only an inch away from yours. Before looking back at the page, you uncurl your fist, lying all of your finger against the couch, less than an inch away from Robert’s. 

Recall to mind the sight we saw, my soul,

That soft, sweet summer day:

Upon a bed of flints a carrion foul,

Just as we turn'd the way,

Its legs erected, wanton-like, in air,

Burning and sweating pest,

In unconcern'd and cynic sort laid bare

To view its noisome breast.

The sun lit up the rottenness with gold, To bake it well inclined,

And give great Nature back a hundredfold

All she together join'd.

The sky regarded as the carcass proud

Oped flower-like to the day;

So strong the odour, on the grass you vow'd You thought to faint away.

Robert’s index finger is now hooking onto your smaller pinkie. You relax your hand as his hand covers yours, his touch gentle and alluring. You don’t know much you’ll be able to read in a controlled state. Robert turns to the next poem as his hand covers yours, his thumb stroking the top of your hand. 

“My personal favorite,” He murmurs—Love’s Lighting. 

Gulping, you proceed to read, slowly breaking down. 

Last night as I lay awake in bed A flash of you came into my head And into my heart, and straightway fled.

It passed from the chamber suddenly,

Leaving no trace to know it by

But a tightened breast and a wet, glad eye.

Like a moonray soft it came and went,

Which glimmers through where the cloud-wrack's

rent,

Hovers a moment and then is spent;

Or a bee against a window-pane,

Which taps but once and never again, Some autumn day, before the rain.

For one brief moment I felt it stealing Along the verge of thought and feeling

As though some great vague thing revealing,

As though for that moment sad and sweet

My soul was out in the infinite, And Life and Death were as one to it.

You close the book and look at Robert, catching his eyes before looking at your intertwined hands. His hand covers yours, his fingers laced within yours. He gently squeezes your hand, propelling you to move closer to him, which you do. 

“Your eyes,” You murmur as Robert brings you closer to him, your faces an inch apart, “There blue. But there’s something in them. There’s a spark, an explosion. There’s a burning desire, surrounded by the never-ending sea.” 

Robert is just as enchanted as you are. He brings his free hand to your cheek, stroking your smooth skin like you are a fragile China doll. 

“If there is a god, he spent more time on you,” Robert confessed, moving to the back of your hair, entangling and losing himself within the silkiness.

“Y/n, you are among the most beautiful creatures I have seen. Can you let me kiss you?” 

Your hand moves to Robert’s cheek, and he leans into your touch. 

"If there is a god, he spent more time on you," Robert confessed, his voice a warm breath against your skin as his fingers delicately traced the contours of your hair, entangling and losing himself within the silkiness.

"Y/n, you are among the most beautiful creatures I have seen," he murmured, his gaze locked onto your lips with a mixture of desire and reverence. His thumb brushed your lower lip in a gentle, teasing caress. "Can you let me kiss you?"

Your heart fluttered in response, your chest rising and falling with each anticipatory breath. Your fingers moved to cup his cheek, feeling the slight stubble against your palm as you leaned in, your lips drawing closer to his. The world around you seemed to melt away, leaving only the soft, charged atmosphere between you.

His lips met yours in a tender, lingering kiss. It had been your first, so you let him overtake as you enjoyed. It was a dance of sensations, a slow exploration of desire and affection. The touch was gentle, as if he was savoring every moment, every nuance of the connection that formed between your lips. His mouth moved against yours with delicate precision, a symphony of longing and intimacy that left you breathless.

As the kiss deepened, you could feel the possessiveness in the way he held you, his fingers threading through your hair, anchoring you closer. His hand, which held yours found the small of your back, a reassuring pressure that drew you impossibly nearer. 

Time lost meaning as your lips moved together, a rhythm that spoke of shared longing and a connection beyond the physical. It was a kiss that whispered promises of intimacy and trust, an unspoken understanding that bound you together in that stolen moment of tenderness and desire.

As Robert kissed and held you, you loved the sensation of being adored. The romance between you, too, however, was forbidden. He was thirty, and you were a teenager, albeit legal, but recently, a little girl. But you couldn’t resist, and he couldn’t control his desire. After all, Life and Death were as one to it. 

[dawnbreakersgaze]

Happy first day of summer y'all!

Summer to Dr. Greyson means lots of park visits, hiking, camping, walks to just clear his head when things start to get to him, and of course- outdoor dates! Things like carnivals, picnics, nature trails, botanical gardens, heck, even bird watching and the zoo!

Summer also means Grey gets a lot tanner from being outside more, and with that comes some HILARIOUS tan lines. Man takes his hiking gear seriously, so he will have the full foot tan lines, along with some longer shorts lines. Go ahead and make fun of him for it, he's used to it 🤣 his freckles also darken a lot more, with more showing up on his forearms and shins. You'll also see him sporting a HEAFTY watch tanline- like white bread to toast lol.

And yes, you can stare at his legs, he's pretty proud of them. Running up and down the 9+ floors of Akso all day plus all his hobbies has left him with a killer set of gams.

This was a literal speed paint, started yesterday at like 6 pm and finished at midnight tonight 🥴🤭 when you consider I have to take frequent breaks (and also just have other stuff to do) I'm pretty proud of it for only being a couple hours of work! Ignoring the very basic background of course lmao.

Anyway, I hope yall enjoy your little park date with Grey, he caught you checking him out but it's okay, he liked it 😉

[love-nlove]

anyway...

this is my twst oc, monte (mon-tay)

(is lazy but this is all you're getting from me.)

this image was haunting me so i /had/ to draw it

monte (mountain in spanish, since he is a mountain lion)

1st year at NRC, 17 yrs old, 7'2" (220 cm)

he/they, ace-spectrum, asd, touch averse

he is based off a Canadian mountain lion

his hair is thicker and longer since he lives in colder temperatures, they have natural reddish spots in the hair

weighs 80 kg (176 lbs), average for colder temperature cougars, tail is 2'4" (72 cm) long

he is most likely scarabia or ignihyde, not really into the "pack" behaviour of other beastmen.

he has excellent vision, but uses reading glasses to be safe,

he is very athletic naturally and loves gymnastics and track. he doesn't join clubs because they get uncomfortable in large groups for long periods of time

also enjoys mountain climbing and climbing in general. goes on long walks and hikes, runs into jade sometimes (he's a bit iffy at first, but gets along well enough with him)

does not eat vegetables, meat lover through and through, tolerates mushrooms (because of jade)

often wears headphones due to his sensitive hearing, has sensory issues, and prefers lighter materials like rayon and linen, loves oversized sweaters but can bear the cold, again, doesn't like people in his personal space for too long (except grim).

cannot be in close proximity to leona for too long (territorial), extremely uncomfortable due to feeling predatory instincts when he sees jack or ruggie (any canine beastmen)

went to the botanical garden to nap (loves trees), and avoids it because leona already claimed it first sigh

loves and coddles grim, who they see as his cub, but occasionally sends grim away due to predatory instincts..

okay that's it . i'm gonna stop here

[monikahmakes]

I'm in a transitional moment right now. We're on the brink of fall. My kid is starting kindergarten, and I spent enough years in academia that fall always feels like the start of the year anyway. New routines and rhythms are taking shape. And I'm gathering my strength to make some difficult, necessary changes in how I approach my life- resolving to actively use this transition to improve things, rather than just hoping that new circumstances will magically make everything better. (A tempting thought!)

I'm rearranging my studio for more light, more flat surfaces to spread out on, and easier cleaning. I'm organizing my deep hoard of materials. I'm scheming and working for next year's garden as I enjoy the last blooms of this year's. I'm updating my website and finally adding a shop. I'm thinking about scary things like career paths and mentoring and sales and coursework. I'm thinking about self-accountability, about what it would take to really challenge my stubborn fears and resentments about trying and taking risks, about what it means to really appreciate and take advantage of the rather privileged life I've stumbled into.

I'm thinking about growth and stagnation, trauma and agency, memory and heritage. How we are like the forest floor, seeming whole at a distance, but formed of the tiny fragments of our past and our environments, still identifiable if you look closely enough. How beautiful that is- but most beautiful when that conglomeration becomes a new thing, a living thing, a thing that brings forth more complexity and more beauty and more life.

I'm also getting back in the habit of hiking regularly, and taking lots of photos to remind myself of what I saw that inspired me. I'm always behind on processing stuff from my "real" camera, but here are a few quick phone photos from this past week.

(From the top: A ripening Jack-in-the-Pulpit seed cluster. Interesting leaf damage. A gorgeous American Giant Millipede, in the special spot that's the only place I've ever see them. A lost wing, maybe a cicada's. A mushroom emerging from a crack in a wood railing. A hairy-looking fungus on bark. A gloriously big praying mantis. A fallen oak gall (I'm obsessed with galls) that looks like a starry sky. And two more bits of interesting leaf damage and early fall color.)

[darklightsworld]

Hiroshima 2024/09/09-13

Day 1-2

Long time no see... again... This was the worst summer ever. As in, officially the hottest ever with three times as many days over 35°C than usual. Somewhere around 55 days... orz Kyoto does know how to welcome me back ^^; So, I was laying low and dying every time I needed to step out of my flat. It turned out that this ground floor (and not wood) apartment does not heat as fast as my previous ones, so I could get through the day without air-con, but barely, so not much productivity until the evening from me, when I turned it on. You might ask why not the other way round? I cannot sleep in the heat (even in winter I turn the heating off for the night), and without sleeping I'm useless, so I use the air-con from evening to morning. This also meant that I was hardly doing anything for sightseeing, some exhibitions here and there, but it was just too hot.

Still, I thought it can't be that I'm not traveling during the holiday (especially since I'm having a holiday the first time in six years...), so I went to Hiroshima for the first time. It was a mistake. I expected lower temperatures in September, but no, around 35°C every day, and it was hellish. No trips in summer ever again. (I'm starting to feel like schools should just power through summer with air-conditioning and save the longer holiday for fall, September-October, when you can actually enjoy it too. Anyway, I took five days for Hiroshima to make it a slow trip, one that I could survive despite the heat - it was difficult anyway.

Day 1

Not living in the countryside is heavenly for transportation. Hiroshima is very close by Shinkansen, so I ticked off some basic sightseeing on the first day already. Like the Atomic Bomb Dome and the park (skipped the museum, I just didn't have the energy in the heat); Shukkeien Garden, a small but gorgeous park; Hiroshima Castle, which is more of an observatory with historical exhibition - like Osaka Castle, but much smaller. It doesn't have air-conditioning though (or too weak), so I had to spend five minutes in front of a high power fan, because I was about to pass out (not exaggerating...). Quite telling that all the people who came out of the castle flocked to the tiny shop selling ice cream - me included ^^; I closed the day in the shopping district afterward.

Day 2

I tried to take it easy, but the morning was hard. I wanted to visit some shrines and the Peace Monument just north of the station on a hill. It turned out to be a hill with tons of shrines, hiking routes, and I only saw a portion of everything there. It was 433 steps uphill in 35°C in a long skirt (pants stick to you too much). The steps were a bit steep in the second half too (not pictured). Every now and then they had some wise things to say (see above) while mentioning how much was left XD At the top there was this monument with a statue - concrete with metal and no shade at the benches anywhere!!! The view was great, but difficult to rest before going back down... I could refresh at the Hiroshima Museum of Art, fortunately. They had a nihonga exhibition, and since I have a new course to teach starting this semester that deals with mostly premodern Japanese visual arts, it was a useful exhibition for me. I closed the day walking around Ujina island, one of the islands near the coast. I love the sea, I love islands, so it was a nice preparation for the main dish of this trip: Miyajima. There were beaches, but it's the wrong side of the tide with every seashell and debris washing out there. It is also sandy, and I don't like sandy beaches. Anyway, the view was nice.

tbc...

[centipedelightning]

Hi! This is v silly and feel free to like... ignore it but. How would the skelebros react to a monster reader? Specifically an elephant monster. I love elephants n my oc is one :,)

okie my surprise month-long hiatus is over and I get to start with one of the cutest ideas ever!! genuinely love this mousy. You can stay on anon but would you consider showing me your oc??? I don't even need to post the ask or anything, they just sound v cute. anywho since you didn't specify who I'm gonna just go down my list and write until I run out of ideas lmao.

| UT/UF/US Skelebros x gn!elephant monster reader || platonic/non-specified || fluff |

Sans

He thinks you are so so amazing

Elephant puns of course, but I don't need to tell you that.

You are bigger than him naturally and he finds it kinda funny. You have never heard more "How's the weather up there?" jokes in your life.

He also loves naptime with you. Just laying on or next to you and doing nothing. Very chill and relaxing.

He will make you carry all his stuff for him btw. Elephants have incredible strength and Sansy-boy will exploit that.

Shopping? You're carrying all his bags.

Comedy routine? You're carrying all the equipment of course.

Bookstore runs? Science junk? You guessed it.

Papyrus

Let me hear you say "Workout Buddies"!!!

Y'all will suplex random objects for the fun of it.

Elephants aren't really known for their stamina or running abilities, so you probably aren't jog buddies.

Pick him up if you can he loves it.

I am an average hight (5'7" - 5'10") Papyrus truther so if you are taller than him, he loves that as well.

My crafty Papy once again makes a return. He lovesss to make little friendship bracelets and stuff for you. If you have tusks, he likes to make especially big versions to make the decorations more obvious.

Body paint too!! He really enjoys when you two have your more relaxed hang-outs where you just throw on some MTT and chill. You sit on the floor and do your own thing while Papyrus paints your ears, trunk, or back.

Red

Another bitch that will shamelessly mooch. "oh woe is me, I can't reach. :(((((" and it's just the top shelf of the cabinet.

You get hearing jokes. So many. I hope you aren't insecure or something about your ears bc Red has a lot of material. If you are he obviously will stop. but god help you otherwise.

He really likes walking around local parks and public gardens, so you and your superior reach are quite welcome.

He's surprisingly good at making flower crowns and Trust that you will be decked out during the Spring.

He will also carve a little wooden figure of an actual elephant for you for your birthday. he has a matching one that he keeps on his vanity.

Edge

Intimidated by you, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

I hope you know the basics of puzzles and trap-making because Edge will be enlisting your help. If not he's more than happy to teach!

I see Edge as someone that likes to do jewelry-making (like charm bracelets and the like), so you will defiantly be getting cute items that look amazing on you.

Great grasp of color theory when it comes to clothes and skin color/tone btw. He loves to go shopping with you and will make a whole day of it. You now have a personal stylist congrats.

Workout buddies of course. Though you will be doing more cardio than you might have initially signed up for.

Blue

Swim buddies!!! Blue has a pool membership and beach access, y'all will be in the water on the regular.

Where Papyrus does friendship bracelets, Blue makes Kandi! He makes you a lot of fun matching pieces all the time.

Loves going on hikes with you. He will info-dump about all the edible, inedible, and deadly plants found on the local trails. Y’all will also be foraging the whole time.

He tries not to make you haul stuff for him but please offer anyway, he's gonna trip.

If you have piercings, Blue loves to shop around for stuff that will complement you. And there's a lot of room on an elephant's ear!! He has space to be creative!

Stretch

Photos photos photos!

You are his favorite model for sure. Stetch's usual photography subjects are small animals or landscapes, but he's learned portraiture just for you!

He loves naptime with you more than Sans btw. You two can be hanging out watching a show when all of a sudden you have a weight pressing against your arm. He's just comfortable around you! so please don't move him.

For any situation that might call for it, he lovesss getting on your shoulders. It also means he can be even more obnoxious about his own tall ass + yours. Blue hates y'all (he doesn't).

[steve0discusses]

Ep 48 Pt 1: Just Me Thinking too Much About the Shape of Obelisk's Ass

Got swamped by work stuff and sick stuff pushing my stupid fatigue to 11 but hell I need to write about Yugioooooh.

Last we left off, Isis and Shimon died in order to get Pharaoh back the puzzle so he could pull out the spicy god cards.

And I need to discuss butt plate.

(read more about Obelisk's ass under the cut)

I know that Obelisk probably never does a big sitty at any point of his day, but considering I have chronic fatigue now and I just big sitty all the time, I think about sitting a LOT. Like a LOT.

Anywhere this man sits down is destroyed. Like anywhere. He's got a gardening hoe for a rear end. This man could kill you with his butt in a way that's just way more devastating than his fists.

Why does this exist? Like have we EVER seen the back of a god card before? Like ever? It's fascinating, and parts of me wonder if whoever was doing this episode started sweating bullets when they realized "Does Obelisk have a butt? And how chiseled is the butt? I'm very concerned like, does he even wear pants? How cheeks are these cheeks?"

And like was the solution between if Obelisk would have a bubble butt or a flat butt to instead put a giant knife on his ass to cover it up? because I can respect it. It's a weird character design decision but so is this entire show.

And the character design is about to get a little weirder his episode because Yugioh reminded us that fusion exists.

Bakura is true to his word, and so we say "so long" to the theatrical pocket universe where these two yell asides at eachother across the DM table. We will go back to the isekai where Bakura will now become Zorc for the rest of the show.

Does the show give Zorc a British accent, do you ask?

No.

And I'm as confused and disappointed as you are. Alexander the Freakin Great had a British accent. But Obelisk? Absolutely not. Would not make sense. Who would do that?

Now in case you forgot, because I only do like one of these a month, Seto was left behind at the castle courtyard because Yami did not give him a ride to Kul Elna. You may be asking, isn't the...castle courtyard in the capital? Like right in front of us? Like why would Seto be in the desert?

I don't know.

Maybe that was not the capital where Sad Seto watched his not-wife die? Maybe that was somewhere else? Geography in Yugioh is such a mobius strip I've sort of gotten used to this.

Anyway, Seto is in the desert, and it may have been something we found out and I forgot because my fatigue is kicking my ass but like...I'll accept it because it's very funny to me that he's hiking around sand in that outfit, comes over a dune, and just sees those God card he REALLY REALLY REALLY wanted 4 seasons ago but lost to Yugi Muto just mocking him up there in the sky.

Also Seto believes in magic now. It was a very abrupt thing but it had to happen eventually. Better late than never, I guess.

And then the Egyptian Gods freakin biffed it.

Isis and Shimon would be shaking their heads about how they died for freakin nothing from their afterlife plane, if any of this were in fact actually happening and not a weird simulation in Yami Muto's mind that is in a puzzle wired to Yugi Muto's brain.

Speaking of which, back at Yami's tomb, Yugi is having a meltdown.

It's part of his creative process, having a meltdown. Yugi would have massive creative block without his routine. That's just world building.

Yami is also going through his spin cycle, now that the moon blocked out the sun and we don't have any way to fix that.

Except we actually do have away to fix that, we used it in Season 1 when we went up against Mako Tsunami (don't ask me how I remember that random fact but don't remember what I ate for breakfast) but the problem with the ancient Egyptian version of this card game is you can really only summon like 1-3 cards at a time. So, they're boned.

And now it's Seto's turn to fix Yami's problems, which like, wouldn't be the first time, wouldn't it?

Problem is, this Seto is just SO BAD at cards.

I really should've put the towel on this shot ps but like...I got tired. I got a bad fatigue week, so we're gonna go au naturale with this episode.

Now one of y'all did a fancy reblog and showed how Zorc looked in the Japanese version which can I say--is SPICY. Like the US version tried to connect the neck more with the neck of the dragon, so it's like a tummy dragon instead of peen but it uh...doesn't work from this angle, does it?

I'm just still reeling about how there is a dragon dick and it aired on kid's tv and they fully got away with it.

EGYPTIAN ROLAND SIGHTED.

We love Roland.

I'd recognize that bad stache anywhere. Just because you don't got glasses on doesn't mean we don't know you got a Roland doo under that headwrap.

Bless this man.

Also, Roland is shredded? I'm just gonna leave that there.

And that ends this segment. With the way we do image blocks...I uh will have to end it here. I can't have like more than 30 blocks total? And we're at 15 images? I don't know if it's adding text blocks to image blocks in that addition? I'm not sure how this new post system works so I'll just cut it here anywho.

Until then I'm going to go lay down prone on the ground like Yami muto in the image above. Kinda jealous of him rn not going to lie.

https://steve0discusses.tumblr.com/tagged/yugioh/chrono

(and for those who just got here, you can read these caps all in chronological order by using this link right here. Assuming it's the right link. With the new Tumblr post thingy, it has been randomly removing /chrono from the end of my link? Which sucks? anyway, hopefully it works.

[webedragons]

15 People, 15 Questions

I was tagged by @thehiddenbaroness Thank you!!! 

1. Are you named after anyone?

My first name no, but my middle name is from my great grandma on my mothers side. It means "light" which I like. 

2. When was the last time you cried?

I had a stress cry at work two days ago lol, we had a no call no show and I was there 6 hours later than scheduled. 

3. Do you have kids?

No and no thank you.

4. What sports do you play/have you played?

None unfortunately, I was homeschooled so team sports werent really a thing. I recently tried rock climbing and really liked it, and I really want to take dance classes of all sorts!

5. Do you use sarcasm?

I would never. 

6. What’s the first thing you notice about people?

I think i notice how people sound first, i like voices and I recently realized I have some aphantasia anyways, faces are hard for me. I think second I notice clothing, not in a snobby way but in a textile nerd way!

7. What’s your eye color?

Hazel. 

8. Scary movies or happy endings?

Both at the same time! I’m a big fan of movies like crimson peak (mostly for the costuming though). 

9. Any talents?

I’m a decent singer and a pretty good cook and baker. I don’t know if I would say any of those are talents, but they’re things I've practiced a lot. 

10. Where were you born?

in  the state of Wisconsin, USA. 

11. What are your hobbies?

Textile arts mostly! Crochet, knit, embroidery, Tunisian crochet, hand sewing. I’d love to pick up weaving, spinning, and quilting, but I have limited space. I do also like a good hike, usually with my dog. I play some video games, more now that I graduated, and I read almost everyday! 

12. Do you have any pets?3! A dog a cat and a hamster :D I love them all, they keep life interesting. 

13. How tall are you?

Five foot six on a good day, when I’m not slouching lol. 

14. Favorite subject in school?

English I think, with science as a close second. 

15. Dream job?I just graduated with my nursing degree and I think right now my dream is to get experience in that field. Eventually the dream is to work as a wound care nurse, but like part time? So I can have hobbies like, gardening and owning chickens, because I have always wanted chickens. 

No pressure, those of you who I'm tagging! Just something to perhaps fill an idle few minutes. Sending all of you hugs, forehead kisses, and high-fives per your preference :P @morwensnonsense @cosmiccoincidence @highempressofdirt @icameoutonthetardis @bitchterra @rainstorm-banshee @guppiesforsale @officialgleamstar @maryellencarter @callmebliss @mercedesdfu @kai-eats @omgpoindexter @bythebyandbithebi @curlyhairedbooklover @boldlyygo @fulgurite-and-petrichor

[nicistrying]

Fri 29th March

Loooovely lie in this morning! We all woke up at 6am but we stayed in bed for family cuddles & snoozing 😴 it was a beautiful day so we went for a nice long walk from the village where we're getting married, then back to the little cafe for lunch. It was just the loveliest day 🥹🥹

The last pic ^ is where we're going to have some of our photos taken up on the moors 🥰

Also, I dug out these leggings I bought probably 2 years ago in the sale that I could never get into (bought a size 6 thinking great they'll stay up for running bc size 8 always seems too loose and I have to be yanking them up all the time, but these are an extremely tight and not very stretchy 6) - I wasn't bloated today so thought I'd see if they were an option and I got into them fine and the waistband wasn't uncomfortably tight, I thought great! A new pair of leggings I can wear for hiking when I'm not bloated! Looked in the mirror and saw they have this awful front seam and give horrible camel toe 😂😂 I was devastated bc I love the colour of them, they're thick, they stay up, they're a nice material... but they look freaking awful 🤣

Anyway. I didn't have any other sports leggings clean and I wanted full length bc it's still chilly, so I wore them anyway out of spite bc this is the first time I've managed to wear them to go anywhere, and just kept my fleece pulled way down all day to hide the situation 😂 In the end I felt mostly cute and thankfully we didn't run into anyone else on our walk 🙌

Did some good spring cleaning when we got home - Matt mowed the garden and cleared out a corner to plant wildflowers, and I did a load of deep cleaning inside. We both finished around 6, had baths, and have cuddled on the couch watching tv and eating our cakes we brought home from the cafe. It has been just the loveliest day ❤️❤️❤️

[toffee4you]

A “Peaceful” Mountain Hike

Content: Prefect!reader, GN!reader, reader is distrustful of Jade, platonic, tricked into eating the ‘shrooms (someone please arrest Jade), crackfic, ft. Ace/Deuce/Grim at the end

Jade dialogue: cyan

Prefect dialogue: default color

I don't know how to write in-character dialogue, so enjoy ♡♡

Today was a weekend, a quiet one.. and not exactly an ideal one. You had to catch up on your alchemy homework since Grim ended up spilling your potion over during a fight with Ace. It was tedious work, but a rare moment of peace and quiet since no one else was in the cultivating area of the botanical garden. You hummed to yourself as you picked ingredients for the potion, albeit, having a hard time finding the majority of them. In the midst of your searching, you heard a familiar voice from behind.

“Ah, Prefect... Perfect timing!”

You turned around to see Jade smiling his usual slippery smile, still dusting off a bit of dirt from his lab coat. You didn't like his tone, not one bit.

“Jade Leech? What is it now...”

You sighed, deciding to humor him just this once rather than ignoring him. The moment his smile curled wider upon receiving your attention, you began to regret that decision.

“Oh my, why the distasteful tone? I was simply in the midst of tending to my mushrooms when I spotted you. My heart simply ached upon seeing you waste away your weekend on that project you failed...”

Already, you knew he had another angle here. How did he know you failed your project anyways? You weren't even in the same class!

Rolling your eyes, you turned around to leave, not wanting any part in an event that may end with you working for a whole week at Monstro Lounge. That was, until he started following behind you with his hands folded in front of him. You knew that shady pose anywhere.

“Say, Prefect... I am aware that you may have some misunderstandings about us, but I would not mind helping you with this task of yours for a simple, personal, price. That is--”

You raised an eyebrow and turned abruptly on your heels, nearly getting ready to throw hands with him. He could tell, and thus backed up a few steps while flashing a wide-eyed look of fabricated shock.

“...Now whatever is that reaction for? I simply ask of you to join me during my hiking trip!”

“...A hiking trip?”

So, after some hard consideration, you found yourself trailing behind Jade on a grassy mountain. He helped you finish your project beforehand, which you appreciated, but that also meant no going back. It wasn't as if you needed to anyways, at least not initially. He seemed like an unexpectedly fun person to be around outside of Octavinelle; enthusiastically teaching you about the mountain's flora and fauna, fetching safe, wild-grown fruits for you to try... Maybe, you thought, he was actually a genuinely nice person to be around as long as you're off campus. There was still doubt in your mind, but you decide to place at least a bit of trust in him.

Nearly the whole trip was surprisingly safe. Sure, you were exhausted, but at least you were alive and in one piece—plus, you didn't get forced into any unwanted work. At this point, you were quite relaxed between having your stomach full of the delicious, grilled river trout that Jade caught for lunch and the overall healing experience. Your hands were placed lazily behind your head as you walked at your own pace, with Jade slowing his down to match you.

“You know, Jade? You're actually a pretty cool guy! In fact, I wouldn't mind hanging out more often.”

Jade turned his head with his usual smile, which now seemed more friendly to you than before.

“Is that so? I am glad to hear that, Prefect. I'm even so glad that I'd like to end our trip on a special note...”

This brought back a creeping feeling on you again, but once again, you forced yourself to trust him a little more. Maybe he really was misunderstood because of his associations. Thinking about it now, he was the sanest one in his group, right...?

...

Every positive thought went down the drain when you saw him pull out a handful of mushrooms. You staggered back with your hands up, shaking your head nervously.

“Jade...? What is that? What are you trying to do with those? You just want to plant them together... Right...?”

Without a word, he stepped forward, still grinning at you...and it seemed like a shady grin once more.

You were about to turn your back to him and run, but he swiftly caught you and popped a mushroom down your mouth. Good thing it was a small one, or else you would have choked on it.

“Hmm... I heard this mushroom has quite a few special properties to it despite being edible. Could you tell me what you're feeling right now, Prefect?... Prefect? Oh my, it seems to have...”

And the next thing you saw was the heads of your two friends and a pair of familiar ears. It seems you were back in Ramshackle again, with Ace and Deuce bickering while Grim noticed you waking up.

You rubbed your aching head, letting out a huff of exhaustion. Cold sweats, body aches, fatigue... yeah, those effects were “special” alright. Your friends went silent after seeing you in such a condition, slowly turning to look at you. They wanted an explanation, and you'd definitely owe it to them later.

“...Ace, Deuce, Grim... If Jade EVER asks you to hike with him, don't. go.”

[violetsareblue-selfships]

heyo! I'm here for 👀 science 👀 hehe. what are your f/os' favorite things to do during your favorite season? ♡

hiya kuroh! had to brainstorm a little, that's why this is a little late hehe

anyways... my favorite season is spring so, of course, picnics were the first thing that came to mind and all the things that come with that - packing the basket together, potentially making flower crowns/cloud-gazing and everything actually during the picnic (also reading/drawing the surroundings also counts - like i can see rafayel painting while we're snacking :3)

other things include picking strawberries (i mean one of sylus's audios mentions it specifically hehe), going for walks & going to flower gardens (ooh or butterfly gardens?) & doing photoshoots with all the pretty flowers & greenery (and also depending on the f/o - horseback riding's also a good idea for spring & so is hiking)

it's really funny that it's my favorite season and i actively had to think of other activities but here you go! :3

[star--anon]

I'm bored, let's talk Thominho

1, 2 (not necessary to reading this one; they're all just scrambled headcanons)

Thomas draws in his spare time. Is just constantly doodling. Carries a ballpoint pen in his pocket everywhere he goes. Fancy restaurant? He's doodling the food on the napkin. Mountain hike? He's doodling the sunset on his hand. Car crash? He's doodling the wreckage on the airbag.

prefers charcoal drawings. He says everything's simpler in black and white.

There's hundreds of charcoal drawings of Minho in the attic (where Thomas works). Minho mutters that they're creepy, but his ears will also get really blushy whenever he sees one.

Minho doodles little mazes in his spare time. He's getting increasingly better at them (once bought a puzzle book for adults just to study how they drew mazes). His goal is to paint an entire mural, but he has to find the right design to paint first. Anything he's drawn so far, Thomas has cracked in under an hour.

Thomas secretly loves waking up and having Minho slap ten pounds of paper on his face like "Solve these."

The attic to their house has slowly evolved into their art studio. Minho goes up there to play bass guitar sometimes. Thomas can feel tremors in the walls when he does.

...Hmm.

Minho manages to live with it most of the time, but there are days when he wakes up and can't handle the disorientation of only being able to hear out of his right ear. Sometimes he slips on his hearing aids (he's not the biggest fan of that thing), and other times he puts in an earplug in his right ear and lets the rest of the world fall away. Then he scurries up to the attic and plays bass guitar for hours.

or he sits next to Thomas and half-daydreams half-watches him bloom a portrait from charcoal.

Thomas is a crazy bit in love with tea.

All their friends have, at some point, asked Minho what his boyfriend wants for Christmas/his birthday. Tea leaves. The answer is always tea leaves.

One time Minho brought home a cute teacup set from his work trip and Thomas basically tackled him with a hug

Minho tries to keep a backyard garden?? I can't get this out of my mind. Starts out nurturing little flowers and is fucking devastated when they die. Literally sobbing into his pillow T^T

just picture Thomas rolling up his sleeves aboutta throw hands with nature. He is going to garden the fuck out of them flowers

anyway Thomas and Minho now have a thriving backyard. Minho handles most of the physically challenging work like soil-turning and weeding and driving Thomas to the seed shops, meanwhile Thomas is researching how to stop plants from dying all the time

Flowers for bees 'nd butterflies, tomatoes, spring onions, etc.

Thomas makes the best soup. And yes, of course, they use their own home-grown ingredients. More than once, he has had to fight Minho away from the pot though.

"Minho it's not even done-" "Soup." "Let me at least put it in a bowl first-" "Soup."

Minho refuses to apologize. It's good soup.

[supernovaslut]

TRACK 2: OVER MY HEAD

Joel Miller x OC

Word Count: 9.2k

Warnings: MDNI, cursing, canon typical violence, guns, men being men, emotional unavailability, minor character deaths, tragic backstory™

Previous Chapter ~ Masterlist ~ Next Chapter

“You can take me to paradise

And then again you can be cold as ice

I'm over my head (Over my head)

Oh, but it sure feels nice.”

“How much longer?” Ellie groans as the trio hike through the forest, sunlight filtering through the trees, giving the area a calming glow. They’ve been hiking all morning, and Ellie is getting sick of how silent it is with Rhia and Joel refusing to speak to each other.

“’Bout 5 hours,” Rhia and Joel say at the same time.

They glare at each other until Ellie speaks up, “We can manage that.”

Rhia smiles at Ellie, then stomps ahead, passing Joel without so much as a glance. They walk for another hour or so, making it onto an actual road and out of the forest.

“You've gone this way a lot? No Infected?” Ellie asks the childish adults, hoping to spark conversation.

“Not often, no,” Joel says curtly, scanning the edges of the forest as Rhia keeps an eye on their six.

“What are you looking out for?” Ellie asks them.

“People,” Rhia replies, her voice flat and serious.

“Oh,” Ellie says, then, “Are Bill and Frank nice?”

“Frank is,” Joel answers.

Rhia smiles back at her, “You’re gonna love Bill.”

“Is he cool?” Ellie asks.

Rhia laughs, “I don’t know if ‘cool’ is the word I’d use.”

Rhia hasn’t spoken to Bill and Frank in months. It was getting harder to do much of anything since her cat died and she was left alone. Again. She has to apologize when she gets there, Rhia thinks, maybe she should have brought a peace offering, too.

“How'd you get that scar on your head?” Ellie asks, which brings Rhia back to attention. She realizes Ellie is asking Joel, but the phantom sting on her eyebrow answers all the same.

“What? Is it something lame? Like you fell down the stairs or something?” Ellie asks again when Joel doesn’t answer.

“I didn't fall down any stairs,” Joel says after a sigh.

“Okay, so what then?”

Rhia shakes her head at the pair. She had asked Joel this same question before and already knows the evasive story he is telling Ellie now.

· · ─────── ·⌖· ─────── · ·

*4 ½ Years Ago*

“The deal was I help you out and you tell me what you find,” Rhia said, pushing a finger in Bill’s face. The pair were standing in the dining room of Bill’s house, Rhia incensed, hair loose and wild and jumping with her movements while Bill watched stiff and emotionless as always.

They heard a creak in the floorboards and Rhia turned around to see Joel entering the house. Rhia froze, getting a good look at him after 6 months. He was wearing a flannel similar to the last time she’d seen him, but his hair had a touch more silver in it, his beard recently trimmed. She hadn’t had a welcoming first impression from the man, but she couldn’t deny how handsome he was. She thought that maybe the grumpy demeanor was part of the appeal.

“Oh, good. You’re here,” Bill said, stepping away from Rhia.

“Tess here?” Rhia asked, looking past Joel.

“I told you I’d do this alone,” Joel said to Bill, ignoring Rhia.

“And I’d like to ensure that I get my truck back in one piece, so Rhia’s goin’ with you,” Bill said.

“Like hell.” “I think the fuck not,” Joel and Rhia said at the same time.

Frank walked in, carrying a bag of what Rhia guessed was produce from the garden. “Oh, Joel, you made it,” he smiled, setting the bag on the table, “You two heading out soon?” He looked between Rhia and Joel smiling. He knew the two couldn’t stand each other, but he had a feeling the two would one day come to realize how alike they truly were.

“I don’t want to spend 20 minutes with the man, let alone 20 hours. Let him go alone. I have nothing in this, anyway,” Rhia shrugged, grabbing her backpack.

“I guess you don’t really want to find them, then,” Bill said, making Rhia freeze in her tracks. Joel looked between the two, curiosity and suspicion weighing down the center of his brows.

“If I go, you’ll help?” Rhia asked, turning to Bill.

He nodded.

Rhia groaned, “Fine. Let’s get this show on the road, then. I’m not driving first,” and stomped out to the truck. Joel gave Bill and Frank a look of annoyance.

“Stay safe,” Frank encouraged.

“Try not to kill each other,” Bill laughed.

Joel rolled his eyes, “I’ll remember this,” and turned, following Rhia to the car. He slid into the driver’s seat, Rhia already having made herself comfortable in the passenger seat, one foot resting on the dash.

“Take your foot off the damn dash,” Joel ordered, starting the car.

Rhia gave him a sideways glance, narrowing her eyes, before she put her other foot on the dash, keeping her eyes on Joel. He let out a deep sigh, pulling out of the driveway.

“Have fun!” Frank laughed from the gate, letting them out of the neighborhood.

Joel drove for hours. It was about a 9 hour drive to Richmond, Virginia where Bill had set up a deal with some Fireflies to trade guns for drugs to then make deals with FEDRA officers back in Boston for food stamps for Joel and Tess and whatever the hell Bill needed, Rhia hadn’t paid attention. Around and around it went and she was just along for the ride. She only needed one thing from Bill and he was gonna hang it over her head as long as he could to keep her smuggling for him.

Rhia finally got bored staring out of the window and turned to look at Joel. She examined the entire right side of him. The gray strands twisting into the dark curls of his hair, his downward sloped nose, and his stiff posture, one hand on the wheel while the other rested on the center console.

“What?” he asked, noticing her eyes on him. He’d avoided looking in her direction all morning, choosing instead to keep his eyes on the never ending roads. They hadn’t even been listening to music.

“How’d you get the scar?” Rhia asked, referring to the raised line at Joel’s temple, retreating into his hairline.

He didn’t answer.

“C’mon, old man. We’re not listening to music, we’re not talking. I spend ninety percent of my time alone, I’d like to be able to speak to the few people I do see, especially when I’m stuck alone with them for twenty hours,” Rhia huffed, crossing her arms as she fully faced him, back resting on the door.

“Stop calling me ‘old man,’” he ordered.

“Tell me how you got the scar,” Rhia countered.

He looked at her then, astonished by the gall of this little shit. Her arms were crossed tightly across her chest, the sleeves of her oversized gray Boston College sweater hiding her hands. She had pulled her hair up into a bun, loose strands framing her face where her eyebrows furrowed and her lips pressed together tightly, eyes boring into him with a challenging glare.

He turned back to the road, “Got shot. He missed.”

“That’s it?” Rhia asked, shocked, “You at least get the asshole?”

“No. I missed, too,” he said after a moment.

“Shit aim,” Rhia ribbed, earning a side-eye from Joel. She knew he wasn’t telling her the whole story for a reason, but she didn’t want to push him. She was surprised she even got as much as she did.

“I got this scar fighting another kid for a ration pack,” Rhia said after a moment, showing Joel the jagged white marks on her forearm, “I bit him, he bit back. FEDRA asshole took the pack, kept it for himself. I was so pissed at the kid until I realized it wasn’t his fault that he was hungry. It was FEDRA’s for starving us. Sometimes we take things out on the wrong people for the right reasons. I’m no pacifist, but did the guy you tried to shoot at least deserve it?”

Joel looked ahead at the road, grip tightening at the wheel, “At the time … I thought so.”

· · ─────── ·⌖· ─────── · ·

*Now*

“You know, seeing as it’s just the three of us, I was thinking I should pro…” Ellie says when Rhia tunes back in.

“No,” Joel cuts her off.

Rhia rolls her eyes, “Why not? I had my own gun younger than her.”

“Really?!” Ellie asks excitedly, “That’s sick!”

Joel turns to Rhia, noticing the vacant look in her eyes, the shake in her breath—until she straightens up and shakes her head, saying, “On second thought, Joel’s right. You don’t need one.”

“What?!” Ellie exclaims, disappointed, looking between Joel and Rhia.

Rhia chuckles, “Don’t worry, kid. You’ve got us.”

Ellie sighs dramatically. They come upon a dilapidated building and Rhia recognizes it as one of Joel’s stashes.

“Cumberland Farms,” Ellie reads the crumbling sign.

“Hang back a minute,” Joel says to the girls as he pulls ahead towards the building, “Gotta grab some stuff I stashed.”

“Stashed? Why do you have stuff stashed here?” Ellie asks, following him. Rhia takes another look around them, ensuring they’re all clear, before following as well.

“You ask a lot of goddamn questions,” Joel grumbles. “Yes, I do,” Ellie nods. “So, are either of you gonna answer me or what?” She looks to Rhia, already knowing after less than 24 hours that she is far softer than Joel. Still a bit of a brick wall, Ellie notes, but who isn’t in this world?

“We hide supplies on routes in case we find ourselves short on gear,” Rhia answers as she enters.

“Which I currently am 'cause,” Joel starts until Ellie cuts him off, running to a broken down Mortal Kombat arcade machine.

“No way! You ever play this one? I had a friend who knew everything about this game. There's this one character named Mileena who takes off her mask and she has monster teeth, and then she swallows you whole and barfs out your bones!” Ellie sighs deeply, feeling the buttons, “Oh, man.”

“Forget the spot?” Rhia asks, sitting on the countertop island in the center of the room. She watches Joel kick debris around in search of his hiding spot.

“No. I'm just zeroing in on it. It's been a couple of years,” he denies, giving Rhia a sassy look. He knows that she knows damn well the last time he was there because she was with him.

“Okay, well, I'm gonna take a look around, see if there's anything good,” Ellie pipes up from across the room, realizing Rhia and Joel wouldn’t notice her stepping away with their attention so focused on each other. For people that claim to hate each other, they can’t seem to leave each other alone, Ellie thinks, theories filling her mind.

“Trust me, it's all been picked over already,” Joel warns, kicking the wall.

“Maybe, maybe not,” Ellie replies, walking to a different room, “Is there anything bad in here?”

“Just you,” Joel quips, still searching.

“Ah. Getting funnier.”

Ellie disappears around the corner and Rhia watches the doorway for a moment before turning to Joel when he utters a quiet,

“Fuck.”

“You doin’ alright there, cowboy?” Rhia asks, enjoying watching him struggle.

Joel turns to her, hands on his hips, “You could help.”

Rhia frowns in mock contemplation, tilting her head. She gets more comfortable on the table then smiles, “You got it.”

Joel rolls his eyes and continues searching, “If you just came along to give me grief the whole time, you can go back.”

Rhia scoffs, “I bet you’re prayin’ I quit. I’m not going anywhere, Joel.”

“And why not?” Joel stops his search, getting fed up with this damn woman.

Rhia stares at him for a moment, debating whether to be truthful, whether he’s earned it.

“I need to know that kid gets to where she’s going,” she finally says, standing. She’s told him her truth, but she’s lying to herself. “Why are you taking her, Joel? And I don’t wanna hear about anything Tess said.”

Joel sighs, looking anywhere but at Rhia. He may not be much of an extrovert, but Rhia had always been able to read him. It took her a while to know all of his little mannerisms as well as she does now. She knows he’s going to tell her the truth.

Joel’s mind is spinning. Joel knows how to read people, and what he sees when he looks at Rhia is contradiction. She is half his age, yet, for as long as he’s known her, she has carried the heavy coat of grief the depth of which he’s only seen in the mirror. She is immature and petulant, but serious and adept. She is outgoing and kind, yet suspicious and guarded. A teasing smile, but darkened and weary eyes. Every time he thinks he understands her, she continues to surprise him. She did it when she chose to come this morning and she’s done it again now.

“Tommy’s somewhere in Wyoming. Marlene promised Tess and I a car so we could go find him if we brought the kid to a meeting point. Problem was, everyone was dead when we got there, so now I’m taking her to Bill to see if he can get a hold of the Fireflies,” Joel explains.

“Why didn’t you take her back to the QZ? Why did you bring her with you? You can try to convince yourself it’s because Tess told you or because you want to find your brother or any other righteous endeavor, but I know you better than you want me to, Joel Miller,” Rhia steps up close to Joel, their faces inches apart. She’s searching his face. For what, Joel doesn’t know, but he pulls away before she can find it.

“You don’t know a goddamn thing.”

His voice is low and gravelly and Rhia knows she’s got her foot right on the line. She steps around him, walking to the end of the aisle and stopping at a shelf. She turns to Joel, making sure he’s watching as she stomps lightly, the floor beneath her giving a hollow sound.

“I just want to know which version of you I’m getting for this run,” she says innocently, stepping back so he can access the hatch.

He slowly approaches her, looking down to the hatch and back up to her face, another contradiction. Her tone tells him she’s apathetic, but her eyes are wide and hopeful. He used to think she was a sheep in wolf’s clothing, but he’s learned better than that over the years.

“I’m taking her because I need to know that she gets to where she’s going,” Joel echoes her response, a hint of something in his eyes that Rhia thought she’d never see again.

Joel doesn’t wait for her reply, crouching down to free the hatch. Rhia opens her mouth to speak, then stops, looking towards the dark doorway Ellie had gone through.

“Where’s Ellie?” Rhia asks as Joel takes what he needs from the stash. He stops, both of them looking to where Ellie had disappeared.

“Ellie?” Joel calls. No answer. He calls her name again. Nothing.

Joel and Rhia give each other a look, pulling out their guns in tandem as they approach the doorway, Joel taking the lead. As Joel reaches the dark entryway, peeking around, he relaxes and Rhia watches Ellie stride in.

“Picked over my ass,” Ellie scoffs, triumphantly shaking a box of tampons.

“Holy shit. You’re sharing,” Rhia gasps, earning a laugh from Ellie.

Joel shakes his head and goes back to the stash, sticking the rifle he’d been carrying into the hole.

“What are you doing?” Ellie asks.

“There's not much ammo out there for this thing. Makes it mostly useless,” Joel replies, closing the hole and standing.

“Well, if you're just gonna leave it there …”

“No,” Rhia and Joel reply in tandem as they exit the store. This time, they don’t acknowledge it.

They hike in a newly comfortable silence … that is until Ellie speaks up.

“Holy shit.”

Joel and Rhia turn their heads and slow to a stop as they see the remains of an airplane, mostly reclaimed by nature after twenty years.

“You guys fly in one of those?” Ellie asks in wonder.

“A few times, sure,” Joel says, humored by the kid.

“Once,” Rhia smiles sadly. Joel notices the softness in her tone and her distant gaze. A memory of firelight and auburn hair flashes in his mind.

“So lucky,” Ellie sighs as she looks at the plane, imagining what it is to fly.

“Didn't feel like it at the time. Get shoved into a middle seat, pay 12 bucks for a sandwich,” Joel says, shrugging. Rhia nods, chuckling, and, to his surprise, Joel feels proud to have caused it.

“Dude, you got to go up in the sky,” Ellie said in amazement.

“Yeah, well, so did they,” Joel rebuked, humor gone.

He and Rhia walk off as Ellie mutters a quiet “Grim,” following.

“So,everything came crashing down in one day?” Ellie asks, walking between Rhia and Joel.

“Pretty much,” Rhia shrugs.

“How?” Ellie asks, confused and curious, “I mean … no one was infected with Cordyceps, everybody’s fine, eating in restaurants and flying in planes. And then, all at once? How did it even start? If you have to get bit to be infected, then who bit the first person? Was it a monkey? I bet it was a monkey.”

“It wasn’t a monkey,” Rhia laughs.

“I thought you went to school,” Joel mocks.

“FEDRA school,” Ellie replies matter-of-factly, “They don't teach us how their shitty government failed to prevent a pandemic.”

Rhia and Joel look at each other, then Joel sighs, giving up.

“No one knows for sure,” he starts, “but, best guess … Cordyceps mutated. And some of it got into the food supply. Probably a basic ingredient like flour or sugar. There were certain brands of food that were sold everywhere, all across the country, across the world. Bread, cereal …” He pauses, “pancake mix.”

Rhia picks up for him, “You eat enough of it, it’ll get you infected. So, the tainted food all hits the store shelves around the same time, Thursday. People bought it, ate some Thursday night or Friday morning. Day goes on … they started to get sick. Afternoon, evening, they got worse …” Rhia trails off.

“Then they started bitin’. Friday night, September 26, 2003. And by Monday, everything was gone,” Joel finishes.

Ellie watches her haunted guardians as they speak, their faraway looks. She may be young, but she, too, understands how much death can weigh.

“It makes more sense than monkeys,” she tells them, “Thanks.”

Rhia gives her a pained smile as Joel stiffly replies, “Sure.”

He stops them, then, gazing out across the fields. Rhia knows what he’s thinking.

“What?” Ellie asks.

“We’ll cut across the woods here,” Joel points.

“Isn’t the road easier?” Ellie asks.

“Yeah, it's just... There's stuff up there you shouldn’t see,” Joel says evasively.

“Well, now I have to see,” Ellie says.

“I don’t want you to,” Joel orders as Ellie walks off, “Serious. Ellie!”

“Can it hurt me?” Ellie calls back.

“No,” Joel answers truthfully which earns a humorous sigh from Rhia.

“You’re too honest, man. Should’ve said ax murderer,” Ellie laughs. She looks around as she walks, Joel and Rhia following.

“Uh … whatever it was … think it’s gone.” She stops, her gaze falling on the pit of bones and personal effects.

Rhia and Joel stop beside her, the latter speaking up, “About a week after Outbreak Day, soldiers … went through the countryside, evacuated the small towns. Told you you were goin’ to a QZ, and you were … if there was room. If there wasn’t …” He trails off.

“These people weren’t sick?” Ellie asks, a twinge of anger in her voice.

“No, probably not,” Rhia shakes her head.

“Why kill them? Why not just leave ’em be?” Ellie asks sadly.

Joel answers somberly, “Dead people can’t be infected.”

Ellie looks to Rhia, and the woman turns away, the teen’s pleading eyes reminding her of her own, so many years ago.

· · ─────── ·⌖· ─────── · ·

*September 26, 2003*

The sun set over the forested mountains of Tennessee, the Wynn family settling in for dinner in their stilted cabin. 8-year-old Rhiannon watched the planes soar overhead from her bedroom window. She’d never seen so many in one day, though the whole day seemed to be out of the ordinary.

She’d counted 17 ambulances and 8 fire trucks on the drive home from school. Her sister, Stevie, winded through the hills up to their home carefully to keep out of their way. She’d just gotten her license that morning and proudly showed it off to her little sister when she’d picked her up.

“Woah! You really did it!” Rhia had exclaimed, examining the license.

“Oh, you thought I’d fail?” Stevie laughed, flicking her eyes between her sister and the road.

“Daddy said you were an ‘accident waiting to happen’, but I think you were an accident 16 years ago,” Rhia joked, smiling mischievously at Stevie who gasped, feigning hurt.

“Damn, Ri. Guess this accident isn’t driving you to Dollywood tomorrow,” Stevie shrugged, an exaggerated sigh leaving her lips.

Rhia’s eyes widened and she turned in her seat, leaning over the center console, “Dollywood?! I wanna go! Stevie, please. I’m sorry! You’re a great driver. Pleaaaase!”

“Okay, Okay!” Stevie laughed, gently pushing Rhia back into her seat, “You win. Settle down.”

“Rhia! Stevie! Time for dinner,” their mother called, snapping Rhia out of the memory.

“Coming!” she heard Stevie call. Rhia exited her room, following her sister down the stairs to the dining table. It was set for 4, yet their father was nowhere in sight.

“Where’s dad?” Stevie asked, sitting at the table.

Mom sighed, shaking her head, “I don’t know. He hasn’t answered my calls. He’s probably caught up in traffic from whatever’s goin’ on in town.” She looked at the door, then back at her kids. “Sit down. Eat. He can warm up his dinner later.”

The sisters sat, piling their plate with bread and meat and vegetables. Rhia went to take a bite of bread when they all heard a bang at the door. Rhia jumped, dropping the bread on her plate. She turned around as her mother walked to the door slowly.

Another bang and then jiggling at the handle. Rhia looked to Stevie who watched the door curiously. Their mother got closer and closer to the door, until—

Bang! The door swung open, slamming against the wall as a man stumbled in, holding a hand to his shoulder.

“Dad?” Stevie questioned, standing.

“Dear?!” her mother exclaimed, going to help her husband to stand. “What happened?” She walked him to the couch, sitting him down and looking over his disheveled body.

Stevie and Rhia rushed over, watching from beside the couch as their father panted, “We need to leave. Charlotte, help the girls pack. Only the essentials.”

“Rhys, what the hell are you goin’ on about? What happened to you?” Charlotte asked frantically, examining the wound he’d been covering. It looked like a bite mark. “Who did this to you?”

“Daddy?” Rhia asked softly, worry in her voice.

Charlotte looked at her daughters, hoping she didn’t show them as much fear as she felt. “You heard your father. Stevie, take Rhia upstairs. Help her pack a bag,” she ordered. Stevie nodded, taking Rhia by the hand and leading her upstairs.

When they were out of sight, Rhys grabbed his wife by the shoulders, leaning forward, “Charlotte. It’s madness out there. Some sort of disease. I don’t know.”

“Honey, you’re not making sense, and you’re scarin’ the kids. Hell, you’re scarin’ me!”

“You need to listen to me!” Rhys bellowed, shaking her, “Folks are attacking each other. I saw Raymond at the gas station getting his neck torn out by some old lady. Tried to help him and he turned on me. That’s how I got this.” He motioned to the bite on his arm.

Charlotte shook her head, “What the hell, Rhys? Is this to do with all the commotion in town? The riots on the news?”

“Yes,” Rhys nodded, then winced in pain, “Everyone’s lost their minds and we need to get out of here.”

“Why leave? We’re in the mountains. Almost an hour away from town,” Charlotte asked, helping Rhys stand.

He stumbled towards the stairs, “It’s not safe here. It’s not safe anywhere.”

“Then where do you suppose we go? Huh?” Charlotte stopped at the base of the stairs, trying to talk sense into her husband, “I’m not gonna pack the kids up and freak them out for nothin’. Where are we gonna go?”

Rhys sighed, sitting on the stairs. He shook his head, the horrors from town replaying in his mind, “I don’t know, Char. I just know that sooner or later, they’re gonna start coming up the mountain. Whether it’s to hide or kill, I don’t wanna be here for ’em.”

Just then, the tv turned blue and a National Emergency Alert came on, the siren blaring through the house. Charlotte looked to Rhys, who stared blankly at the wall.

She took a shaky breath and scrunched her eyes closed before nodding, “Alright. I’ll pack the bags. Can you bandage that yourself and meet us at the car?”

Rhys nodded, “Yeah. I can do that. Hurry.” Charlotte casted one last worried look at her husband before bounding up the stairs and straight to Rhia’s room where Stevie was helping shove her clothes into a backpack.

“Mom? What’s going on?” Stevie asked, stopping. Rhia sat on the bed, fearfully clutching a stuffed giraffe.

Their mother looked between her daughters, wishing she could ease their fears and kiss them goodnight like any other day, but she knew they would not be coming back to this house again.

“We’re going on a road trip. Pack warm clothes and sneakers … like when we went to Washington to go hiking in the parks. Remember, Rhia?” She looked to her Rhia who nodded, a spark of hope in her eyes.

Charlotte smiled sadly, “Gonna be just like that, okay?”

“Can I bring my stuffies?” Rhia asked, looking at her mountain of stuffed plushies in the corner of her room then back at her mother, searching for comfort her mother cannot give.

Charlotte held the tears back and shook her head, “You can’t, sweetie … but you can pick one. Just one.” Rhia frowned, then held her giraffe closer. “Okay,” Charlotte nodded, “Stevie, when you’re both ready, go downstairs and pack a bag of food and water. Only pick stuff that won’t perish, okay?”

Stevie nodded, catching the weight of her mother’s fear so her sister wouldn’t have to. Their mother left them to go pack and Rhia looked up at her sister who stood frozen and staring at the empty doorway.

“Stevie? I’m scared. What’s happening?” Rhia asked, tears welling up in her eyes as she hugged her giraffe tighter.

Stevie winced and put a hand on her sister’s head, “I know you’re scared, but mommy and daddy need us to be strong, okay? I don’t know what’s happening, but whatever it is, we’re gonna be okay. I promise.” Rhia nodded, wiping her tears away.

The sisters grabbed their bags and headed downstairs where they packed up a backpack of food and water. Stevie tossed in the first aid bag from under the sink as well. We won’t need it, she thought, but just in case.

“Girls? You ready?” Charlotte asked as she sped down the stairs, bat in hand.

“What’s with the bat?” Stevie asked.

Charlotte looked at the bat like she didn’t even know she was holding it, “Just in case.”

“Just in case of what, mom? You haven’t told us what’s going on,” Stevie protested.

“Nothing. Let’s go. Your father’s waiting for us in the car,” Charlotte dismissed. The siblings followed their mother out the door and down the driveway where the car sat running, their father in the driver’s seat.

“Rhys, open the trunk!” Charlotte called out as they approached.

Nothing happened.

“Rhys, come on!” She banged on the window of the trunk. Still nothing. Charlotte looked through the window to see Rhys just sitting there, unmoving.

“Stay here,” she ordered her daughters, handing them her bags and the bat. She approached the driver’s door, seeing Rhys look dazed and empty eyed.

She called his name, hoping to get his attention. When he didn’t react, she opened the door. At the sound, Rhys turned, his eyes milky and devoid of consciousness, dark veins crawling up his skin. He snarled and launched at his wife, toppling her to the ground, teeth clacking together as he tried to bite her. She yelped, begging him to stop as she held him back with her arms.

“Mom!” Stevie yelled, running over and smacking her father in the head with the bat.

He flew off of Charlotte and Stevie dropped the bat, freezing in place as she said in horror, “Oh, my god. Oh, my god. What did I do? Dad?!” She took a step towards him as he shuffled on the ground, his limbs moving in odd directions.

Charlotte held Stevie back, “No! Stay away from him. Something’s wro-”

Before she could finish, Rhys launched at her from behind, sinking his teeth into the flesh of her shoulder. She screamed in pain, turning her body and slamming back into the side of the car, holding him down.

“Get in the car! Now!” she yelled. Stevie stayed frozen in her spot, “Stevie, now! Get Rhia!”

At the mention of her baby sister, Stevie snapped back to attention, turning to where Rhia stood surrounded by their stuff, crying.

“What’s wrong with daddy?” Rhia cried as Stevie picked her up, running to the other side of the car and opening the back door.

“Don’t look, Rhia. Just stay down,” Stevie instructed, tossing the bags in with Rhia and slamming the door.

Stevie ran around the car again just as Charlotte slammed Rhys into the side of it again. He released her shoulder and she crumbled to her knees.

“Mom?!” Stevie asked, not getting too close.

“Get in the fucking car, Stephanie!” Charlotte yelled, grabbing the bat and swinging it at her husband’s head. She screamed as she bashed her husband’s head in. Screams turned into sobs, tears mixing with the blood of the love of her life, dead at her hand. She stumbled to her feet, holding a hand to her shoulder. She dropped the bat and got into the driver’s seat.

“What happened to dad?” Stevie asked from beside her.

“Mommy? Where’s daddy?” Rhia quietly muttered from the backseat. Stevie hadn’t let her look out the window.

Charlotte ignored her children, putting the car in drive and taking them away from home forever.

After about an hour of silence, Rhia had fallen asleep. Stevie reached back for one of the bags, keeping her eyes on her mother’s wound. She took the first aid kit out of the backpack, opening it up and taking out a mini hydrogen peroxide spray bottle.

“Don’t waste it, Stephanie,” Charlotte instructed, pushing Stevie’s hand away when she tried to clean her wound.

“It’s gonna get infected, mom,” she protested. Charlotte let out a shaky breath, tears spilling down her cheeks, “I think it already is.”

Stevie paled, “What are you talking about?”

Charlotte sighed, pulling over when she felt they were far away enough from civilization, deep in the mountains, “Your father had a bite like this … and then he … became whatever it is he became. It’s gonna happen to me, too.”

“No,” Stevie shook her head, tears flooding her eyes again, “No. You don’t know that.”

“I do. Honey, I do. I can already feel it. I can’t put you and your sister in danger like this.” “No. Mom. No,” Stevie cried as her mother opened the door and stepped out.

“Take care of your sister. Never, ever leave her, okay?”

“Mom, plea-”

“Promise me, Stevie!” Charlotte cut her off, “Promise me you’ll stay together. No matter what.”

Stevie got out of the car, circling it to stand in front of her mother. She was as tall as her mother, having grown a few more inches over the summer. She remembered being as small as Rhia, looking up to her mother as this untouchable, giant goddess. Now she can see the top of her head. The illusion is over and her mother is only human. In this moment, they are equals.

She stared at the spreading infection on her mother’s shoulder for a long while before she managed to choke out, “I promise.”

Charlotte nodded, “Good.” She looked at her sleeping daughter in the backseat, “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, but you have to be strong. Whatever’s going on out there, whatever happens … I love you both so much. So did your father.”

Rhia slowly came to in the backseat, groggily looking towards the front of the car to where she expected her mom and sister to be. When they weren’t there, she sat up, finding them when she looked out the window.

“Mommy?” Rhia asked, her voice muffled through the door.

Her mother looked at her, placing a hand on the glass, then turned to Stevie again, “Head north. Find somewhere safe. Only trust each other.”

“Mom, I don’t know what to do. I … I only just got my license. I can’t-”

“You can, Stevie. You can, and you shouldn’t have to, but you need to.”

“I can’t do this alone, mom, please!” Stevie cried.

She held her hands, examining the face of her daughter one last time, “You have to. I love you. Your dad and I will always be with you. Always.” She slowly backed away.

“Mommy? What’s happening, Stevie? Where’s mommy going?!” Rhia asked, pressing her cheek to the window to see her mother.

“Go,” their mother ordered, “Stevie, go!”

Stevie numbly turned around and got into the driver’s seat. She put the car in drive. “No!” Rhia screamed as they pulled away, banging on the window, trying to reach her mother’s retreating form, “No! Mommy! Stop! Mommy, please! Stevie, stop! We can’t leave her! Mommy!”

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” Stevie muttered to her sobbing sister over and over again like a mantra, driving away and not daring to look back at her mother in fear that she’d turn back around. She was only a child, now forced to be both mother and father in a crumbling world.

Charlotte watched her daughters drive away, an odd twitch beginning in her arms and head. When her children were safe and out of view, their mother sat in the empty road, muttered a prayer to a god who never listens, and let the infection take over.

· · ─────── ·⌖· ─────── · ·

*4 ½ Years Ago*

Rhia slept peacefully in the truck, curled up against the door … until she was roughly shaken awake.

“We’re here,” Joel said, turning off the car.

Rhia groaned, opening her eyes, “You’re a dick.” She exited the car, grabbing her backpack from the foot well and following him to the truck bed where they unloaded the cargo.

“I can drive back since you drove the whole way here,” Rhia offered, closing the door with her foot.

“No need,” Joel said curtly, walking off to the meeting point.

“What? You don’t trust me? Don’t think I’m a good driver?” Rhia asked, offended.

Joel huffed, “Well, I know you definitely never got a license.”

“Well, I’m so sorry the fucking world ended before I got the chance to,” Rhia scoffed.

Joel ignored her and walked ahead to where the Fireflies stood waiting with their cargo. Rhia was getting real sick of being ignored and belittled by this pretentious fuck.

“Miller. Who’s the girl?” the man Rhia assumed was the leader said.

“Nobody. Let’s get this over with, Carson,” Joel replied, dropping the crate on the floor between them.

Rhia glared at Joel before turning to the Fireflies with a smile, “Rhiannon. Nice to meet y’all.”

The man, Carson, ignored her, focusing on Joel, “This is less than Bill and I talked about.”

“Yeah, well, more’s gonna cost ya,” Joel said nonchalantly, face void of emotion.

“This is what it should cost,” Carson said, looking down at Joel. “Not anymore,” Joel replied, not feeling threatened. Rhia could have laughed at how Carson attempted to intimidate Joel, using his height over her partner to no avail. Joel was immovable, untouchable. She wasn’t scared of the Firefly’s temperament with Joel at her side. Carson gave in, sighing and nodding to his lackeys to hand over the goods.

As Joel packed the crates in the truck bed, Rhia grabbed the last crate from the leader.

“So, where’d you come from?” he asked, looking her up and down. “Oh, just a few hours away in a little town called Nunya,” Rhia scoffed.

His lip twitched in annoyance, grabbing her arm when she made to walk away.

Just as Rhia opened her mouth to tell him off, Joel called out, “Rhia! Let’s go!”

Rhia ripped her arm from Carson, walking over to the truck. All the while, Joel stared Carson down, arms crossed and eyes narrowed as Rhia closed the trunk and spun around, joining Joel in his staredown. Mirror images of each other.

Carson looked between the duo and laughed, “’Till next time, Joel. Rhiannon.”

· · ─────── ·⌖· ─────── · ·

They were two hours into the excruciatingly long drive back to Bill’s when Rhia broke the unofficial silent treatment they were giving each other.

“You know, I didn’t need your help back there.”

Joel scoffed, “You were about to get yourself shot. Again.”

“You know, if you stopped treating me like I’m just arm candy, maybe they would, too,” Rhia rebuked, glaring at him.

“Oh, so it’s my fault?” Joel asked sarcastically.

“Well, it sure as hell ain’t mine,” Rhia pursed her lips, “You don’t treat Tess like this.”

“Tess can handle herself, unlike you.”

“Well, how the hell am I supposed to prove that I can if you don’t give me the chance? Huh?!” Rhia exclaimed, absolutely in awe of how little he thought of her, “Don’t even trust me to drive.” She let out a cynical laugh at the thought.

“I’m a great driver,” she muttered, hugging her knees and looking out the window, “My sister taught me.”

Joel froze. She’d never mentioned her sister before, and, in this world, it wasn’t hard for him to guess why. Their argument ended there, but Joel spent the next two hours thinking about the girl sleeping beside him.

He had a hard time admitting to himself that she was right. He was treating her as a hindrance instead of a partner, but he didn’t need a partner. It was hard enough for him to let Tess just past the stony front, but not much farther. It didn’t make sense to him that this young, reckless, beautiful woman could get under his skin so quickly. He shook away the thoughts slowly forming in his mind, thoughts he hadn’t had in a very long time.

After another hour, Joel pulled over on the side of the road. The sun had started to rise in the distance and as much as he wanted to get back to Bill’s and as far away from Rhia as possible, he couldn’t drive another second without at least getting a quick nap in. He thought of just sleeping right there and driving again when he woke up, but then he looked at Rhia and sighed deeply.

“Hey,” he said, shaking her lightly unlike earlier.

“Tired, Stevie,” Rhia mumbled. Joel’s hand hovered over her shoulder. There it was again. A small puzzle piece in the enigma that was Rhiannon.

“Rhia, wake up,” he said, shaking her again.

Rhia shot up when she heard his voice, eyes wild as she turned to him. She relaxed when she realized it was Joel. She hoped he wouldn’t ask about Stevie. He didn’t.

“You drive,” was all he said.

Rhia rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and looked at him with confusion, “What?”

“You wanna drive or not?” he asked, unbuckling his seatbelt and opening the driver door.

“Um … yeah,” she said, doing the same.

They both got out of the car and circled the front, stopping in front of each other at the hood.

“Why?” she asked, looking up at him. She was a tall woman, but he was still taller than her by at least a whole head. She thought of Stevie, then, and wondered if she was taller than her now. She couldn’t remember.

“I’m tired. We’re gonna end up in a ditch if I keep driving and I don’t wanna waste time sitting here, either,” he shrugged, looking anywhere but at her.

She narrowed her eyes, suspicion giving way to satisfaction as she nodded and passed him to get in the driver’s seat.

When they were settled in their switched spots, Rhia smiled, “You’re gonna see how great of a driver I am.”

“Don’t push it,” Joel grumbled, reclining the seat a bit farther and shutting his eyes.

Rhia chuckled and started the car, setting a steady speed down the road. She smiled proudly as she drove and didn’t notice Joel peeking at her with one eye. He stifled a smirk at her giddiness and forced himself into slumber. Only four more hours with her, he thought, Then, he’ll never have to see her again. For some reason, that thought didn’t bring him the peace of mind he’d been hoping for.

· · ─────── ·⌖· ─────── · ·

*Now*

The world is so often silent nowadays. Rhia can hear the squeak of the swinging sign before they even make it to the fence surrounding Bill and Frank’s. The world is so often silent nowadays, but this is different. This silence feels like a warning. Joel and Rhia give each other a look as they approach the fence.

“Stay there” Joel says to Ellie as Rhia punches in the door code.

Joel opens the door, letting the girls in first. They walk silently down the road, stopping in front of Bill’s house. Rhia notices the wilting flowers at the front end of the lawn. She already knows what they’re going to find inside.

She prays she’s wrong as Joel reaches for the handle. It’s gonna be locked, she thinks, It’s gonna be locked and they’re just asleep inside. The door swings open and Rhia lets out a defeated sigh.

“What the fuck?” Ellie says as they step inside.

“Bill?” Joel calls out. Nothing.

“Frank?” Rhia tries. Nothing.

Joel looks down the hall and then steps into the dining room, turning back to Ellie to say, “You stay there. Ya hear anything, you see anything … yell. Rhia, check upstairs.”

Rhia nods, ignoring the itch in her throat to tell Joel off for telling her what to do.

“What if they’re gone?” Ellie asks quietly. Joel stares at Ellie and Rhia can tell he’s trying to fight the lump forming in his throat. Ever the emotional avoider, she thinks as he walks away without a word. Ellie turns to Rhia who frowns, her eyebrows knitting together.

“Stay here,” Rhia reiterates. She turns and heads upstairs, checking each room with her gun held out in defense.

Empty. Empty. Empty. Each room looks like it hasn't seen foot traffic in weeks. Rhia doesn’t want to jump to conclusions just yet. Frank’s been in a wheelchair for the past couple years. They haven’t had much need to go upstairs because of it.

No amount of rationalization can explain away the stench of death that’s settled upstairs … or the note addressed to her on the nightstand in the guest bedroom Rhia was all too familiar with. She picked it up and sat on the dusty bed, trying her damnedest to push away the memories floating around the room. She opens the letter, attempting to read the jagged, unsteady handwriting:

Rhiannon,

If you are reading this, Bill and I are dead. Somber, I know. I’m hoping Bill lets me die alone, but I’ve spent enough years with the man to know better. It’s damn near impossible to write nowadays, so I’ll keep this short. Forgive Joel. If anyone can get through to him, it’s you.

Do not mourn us. We lived as we died: together. I hope you can do the same.

~Frank

Rhia lets the words settle around her, hands shaking as she grips the paper tighter. She hears Joel call for Ellie downstairs. She lets out a deep breath, deflating, eyes squeezed shut. Then she stands, eyes empty as she leaves the room behind.

“So they're dead?” She hears Joel as she starts down the stairs.

“Mm-hmm,” Ellie responds so softly Rhia almost doesn’t catch it.

The steps creak under her feet and Joel turns to her, his face hardened as he tries to hide his grief. Rhia sees it, anyway; the dull eyes, the pursed frown, eyes looking anywhere but at her or Ellie.

Joel glances up at Rhia as she joins in beside him. He sees his pain reflected in her; balled fists, tight jaw. She meets his eyes, an unspoken understanding forming between them. She brushes her hand against his as she turns to face Ellie.

“You, you wanna?” Ellie asks them, her eyes glancing down at their hands hovering barely an inch away from each other.

“Go ahead,” Joel shakes his head, “You do it.”

“August 29, 2023,” Ellie starts, “If you find this... please do not come into the bedroom. We left a window open so the house wouldn't smell, but it will probably be a sight. I'm guessing you found this, Joel, because anyone else would've been electrocuted or blown up by one of my traps. Hehehehehehehehe. Take anything you need. The bunker code is the same as the gate code but in reverse.

“Anyway… I never liked you, but still, it's like we're friends… almost. And I respect you. So, I'm gonna tell you something because you're probably the only person who will understand. I used to hate the world, and I was happy when everyone died. But I was wrong because there was one person worth saving.”

Rhia doesn’t notice Joel’s eyes on her. She is too far in her head thinking of him.

“That's what I did. I saved him. Then I protected him. That's why men like you and me are here. We have a job to do. And God help any mοthеrfսckеr who stand in our way. I leave you all of my weapons and equipment. Use them to keep Rhia and—” Ellie stops.

Joel takes the paper from her, turning away from both girls to read on. He reads it. Reads it again. He ignores the food and wine pairing Bill recommends and rereads the same line over and over again, “let yourself care about her before it’s too late.”

“You get one, too?” Joel turns at Ellie’s question, following her eyes to the piece of paper crumpled in Rhia’s fist. Rhia avoids his gaze and he hardens again.

“Stay here,” he tells them and leaves.

Rhia stays where she stands, but her mind is far away, deep in memory.

“You don’t hate each other,” Ellie says not as a question, but a fact. The sheer confidence of the statement brings Rhia back to her body, a powder keg of every emotion she’s ever felt.

She looks this child dead on, eyes a half-lidded void, “What do you know?”

“Nothing,” Ellie says quickly, turning away from her.

Rhia shakes her head, the weight of guilt pushing her impending implosion to its limit, “I’m sorry. I—I’m sorry.”

She hurries away, blowing out the front door. She doesn’t stop until she’s down the road and standing in front of the gate to leave. She reaches a hand out for the door, but cannot bring herself to grasp it. She drops to her knees, ignoring the scratch of the rough pavement, and cries.

She clutches her neck, heaving quick breaths as her mind spins. She can’t bear the pain in her chest, the fear squeezing her bones. She is alone. As always, in the end. Alone. Her parents, Tess, Stevie, Bill, Frank … all gone.

Her mind wanders to Joel. Her jaw clenches, the things she’s kept buried coming to claw through her throat. Anger, joy, grief, love. All for him. She wonders what else he will claim of her.

She stands, roughly wiping her tears away and turning back to the house. She enters just as Joel and Ellie come up from the basement.

“You didn’t leave?” Joel asks, the twinge of relief in his voice surprising him.

“Thought I told you,” Rhia smiles as if she hadn’t broken down sobbing a few moments ago, “Not getting rid of me.”

He nods, “Then grab what you can and stick it in the truck. I’m charging the battery now and then we’re heading to find my brother.”

“They’re gonna help us find the Fireflies,” Ellie adds.

Rhia nods back, “Let’s get to it.”

Over the next hour, the trio combs through every inch of the house, taking what they need. Clothes, food, weapons. All of it stocked up in the truck.

“Needs another hour,” Joel says to Ellie as she runs her hand under the faucet of the garage’s sink.

“They have hot water!” she exclaims happily, “I’m taking a shower, and then you’re showering because seriously…”

She lets out a puff of air as she leaves the garage, running into Rhia. “Hey, Rhia. Guess what? There’s hot water! We can shower!”

Rhia smiles at her excitement, “Yeah, I know. Go enjoy it while you can.” Ellie smiles and runs off.

Rhia enters the garage and Joel turns to her, eyes wide in anticipation. She mentally curses those big, brown eyes of his. They make it hard for her to think, and she needs to think clearly around him.

“Something wrong?” Joel asks, noticing the dazed look in her eyes

“Why did you come back?” she asks quietly, eyebrows knit in confusion, “You didn’t need me to get to Bill’s. You didn’t know you were going to have to take her across the country yet. Why did you ask me to come?”

“I don’t know,” he shrugs, meeting her eyes. She knows he is lying.

“Joel, if we’re gonna take this kid across the country together, we need to trust each other,” Rhia frowns, “And right now I don’t trust you.”

“What do you want from me?” He asks, letting out a frustrated sigh.

“The truth.”

“The truth?” Joel starts, “I wasn’t thinking. I shouldn’t have brought you into this.” It is the truth, in a way. He just omits the why. He wasn’t thinking when he showed up at her house. He was in pain and his body brought him to her. He shouldn’t have brought her into this danger, but he wanted her.

In his grief over Tess, he sought Rhiannon out, and, like a fucked up post-nut clarity, he now regrets it. At least, he tells himself he regrets it. His mind wanders to the end of Bill’s letter again. Let yourself care about her before it’s too late. Joel thinks it already is.

Rhia nods, looks around the room. She’d spent many mornings in this garage packing, unpacking, idling, talking. Most of which was spent with Joel. Now, she looks around and sees the gathering dust of dead friends and deader memories.

“You think I can’t handle it?” Rhia asks defensively, “I’ve saved your ass plenty of times, Miller.”

“It’s not that,” Joel shakes his head, “I know you can handle yourself.”

“If you’re just trying to get me to bail, it’s not gonna work,” she says, stalking up to him. She stops, so close to Joel that she has to lift her head to meet his eyes, “But don’t for a second think it’s because of you or anything we once were. I’d love to turn around and never see you again.” She lets out a dry, humorless laugh. “Hell, I’ve prayed for it. But Ellie’s not gonna make it all the way across the country just the two of you. So, I’m coming whether either of us likes it or not.”

If she wasn’t so blinded by her anger and rejection, she’d notice his hands hovering just off her waist. Joel doesn’t even realize he’s doing it, unconsciously drawn to her.

Joel’s mind is a racetrack, going around and around in hopeless circles over whether he should apologize or push her further away. He’s so caught up in his self torturous loop, he doesn’t notice her eyes flicker to his lips, chapped and slightly parted, before she spins around and stomps out of the garage.

After they all shower and pack up, the trio finally can head out. Joel, obviously, takes the driver’s seat and Ellie and Rhia reach for the passenger door handle at the same time.

“Nuh uh. Kids go in the back,” Rhia tuts.

“Aww, c’mon. It’s my first time in a car,” Ellie begs.

“Fine,” Rhia chuckles, then quickly adds, “For a little bit.”

Ellie settles in the front seat, touching every inch of her area, “It's like a spaceship.”

“No, it's like a piece of shit Chevy S10, but it'll get us there … I think,” Joel says, buzzkill as ever.

“I can’t believe this piece of shit is still kickin’,” Rhia laughs, leaning forward from the middle seat, her arms resting on Ellie and Joel’s seatbacks. She looks at Joel and loses herself in the wet curls of his slicked back hair. He smells of cheap soap and the unwashable outdoorsy scent of twenty years of unreliable hygiene. She catches his eye in the rearview mirror. How long had he been watching her stare at him?

“Old as you, Joel,” Rhia jabs, pulling back to her hostile facade.

He purses his lips in annoyance and turns to Ellie, “Seatbelt.”

Ellie gives him a confused, but excited, “Hmm?”

He sighs and leans over her, pulling the seatbelt out and strapping her in, “Seatbelt.”

“So cool,” she remarks under her breath.

“Aww! Baby’s first car ride,” Rhia jokes.

“Ha, ha!” Ellie says sarcastically as Joel pulls out of the garage. She opens the glove box, pulling out a cassette tape and shoving it in the player, ignoring Joel’s protests.

“Put it back … Ellie. Oh, no, wait,” Joel changes his mind, turning up the volume as “Long, Long Time” by Linda Ronstadt plays over the shitty speakers, “No, leave it. Leave it. Oh, this is good. This is Linda Ronstadt. Do you know who Linda Ronstadt is?”

“You know I don't know who Linda Ronstadt is,” Ellie deadpans.

“I don’t even know who Linda Ronstadt is,” Rhia pipes up, still leaning forward.

“Sit back,” Joel orders. Rhia parrots his words mockingly, unmoving.

And so Joel, Rhiannon, and Ellie begin their journey, unaware of all that lies ahead…

Taglist: @pedritosdarling