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snowdice · 4 years ago

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Finding the Time to Study Fic 2 [Day 16]

Here is my starting post for today’s study break stories session. See this post for more details and feel free to send me asks to keep me going! It’s been a lot of fun so far! I will reblog this post with the story as I write them today. I’ll be constantly looking for ideas of times and places for Janus to have missions, so feel free to send in any you can think of at any point!

If you are a new follower or just don’t want all of these posts clogging your dash, please feel free to block the tag “study break stories” as all posts and voting about it will go there. You can still see the finished product of the story even if you are blocking that tag as I will not tag the edited chapters with “study break stories” but with the tag “folds in paper.” See edited chapters below. Chapters 3-8 and what I have of Chapter 9 are under the cut.

My Masterpost Part 1 Part 2

I also have a playlist on youtube (because Spotify didn’t have one of the songs I wanted). It’s short, and not really for serious listening, but I had fun with it.

Alright. Let’s do this for a couple of hours! :) Also... gosh I need to edit this when school calms down. I’m already on chapter 9 and only chapters 1 and 2 have been edited... When I have time to actually edit, AO3 will be like 0_0.

Chapter 3

Janus and Remus both appeared at the same moment a couple of feet apart in what looked like the inside of a garden shed. There was already a man waiting for them a few feet away. “Sup babes,” Remy said, just like he always did. The T-Agent looked their costumes up and down and whistled. “Now that,” he said, “almost makes me want to be one of you time jockeys.”

“They wouldn’t let me have a gun or a canister of moonshine,” Remus pouted.

Remy snorted. “Sorry, babes, but that makes my job a lot easier. If I’ve gotta fish you outta the 1920s criminal justice system, I’d rather it not be because you shot someone on accident ‘cause you don’t know how to use the safety.”

Remus groaned dramatically. “Everyone is lame.”

Remy just shook his head. “Meet back here when you’ve got the necklace,” he said. “Don’t make a move until after 11:05pm and before 11:17. That’s your window.”

“We know,” Janus said. “See you then.”

“Have fun at the party boys,” Remy said and then lowered his shades to look at Remus, “but not too much fun.”

“Yeah, yeah,” said Remus, already towing Janus out of the garden shed. The way had been specifically cleared for them, so they met no other people before they’d rounded the house the party was taking place and had gotten onto the driveway in front of the house.

Without missing a beat, they strolled up to the front of the house, just as a car pulled into the end of the driveway. Janus rang the doorbell, and a few moments later, a man who was clearly the butler answered the door. They handed over their invitation, and the man immediately let them in.

The party had already started when they slipped into the medium sized ballroom that had been decked out in streamers and other decorations. Janus’s nose immediately wanted to scrunch as the smell of sweat from all the dancing already going on as well as the too strong perfume meant to cover that stench wafted over him. It was by far not the worst smelling time period, but he was pretty sure some people still weren’t aware deodorant had been recently invented.

He checked his time piece which had been disguised as a fancy wristwatch for this trip. “Okay,” he said. “We have about two hours before we need to make our move. We should…”

Remus’s attention was already being dragged away by a young man who seemed to be providing guests with food. “I’m going to go ‘mingle’,” he said, winking.

“No!” Janus hissed. “Re- Richard! No!”

Yet, he was already disappearing into the horde of stinky bodies, likely to go scandalize a bunch of rich folks, and leaving Janus alone. Janus mumbled a curse under his breath that he was sure no one around him would understand even if they could make it out.

Unsure what to do with himself, he wandered over towards where the live musicians were playing jazz music, being sure to keep out of the way of the dancers. He was edging around the makeshift dancefloor, when one of said dancers must have misstepped and knocked into another one. The second man stumbled right towards Janus, arms pinwheeling. Janus reached out on instinct to catch the man as he fell.

There was a moment where the two of them just stared at each other, surprise evident on the other man’s face. He was wearing a mask that just covered the area around his eyes and the top of his nose, revealing a smattering of freckles across his cheeks that Janus imagined extended to his nose.

The mask was a light blue velvet with a flower stuck on the side near his right ear, and a trail of curled golden ribbon bobbed down around his chin. The party continued on around them, a blur of movement and sound.

“Are you alright?” Janus asked.

The man blinked up at him and then tilted his head slightly to the side as though confused, before a smile slowly grew on his face. “Oh, I’m fine Dove.”

“Dove?” Janus asked.

He giggled. “You have dove feathers on your mask,” he explained, reaching up a hand to touch one. His finger brushed the tip of Janus’s ear, “and I don’t know what else I am supposed to call you.”

“My name is Lee,” he automatically lied.

“Is it?” he asked, sounding amused. “Doesn’t seem to fit you well. I like Dove better.”

“Oh?” asked Janus. “And what’s your name so I can not call you that?”

The man chuckled. “Call me Pat.”

“Hello Pat,” Janus said.

“I thought you didn’t want to call me by my name.”

“I changed my mind.”

“Hmmm,” Pat said, finger tracing idly across Janus’s forearm which was when Janus realized with a start that he was still holding the man in his arms. He quickly went to release him, which Pat allowed with clear amusement.

Yet, instead of completely stepping away, Pat grabbed Janus’s arm. “What are you doing all the way over here by the way?” he asked. “Don’t you want to dance.”

“Oh,” Janus hesitated. “I don’t really dance.” Or at least not in the way the people around him were. He’d had basic training for this style, but it had been a while and he was a bit rusty.

“Everyone dances Dove,” Pat claimed. “At least if they know the steps and have the right partner.”

“But I don’t know the steps,” Janus said with an eyebrow raise.

He hummed. “Well, I know the dance pretty well by this point,” Pat said. “Why don’t I teach you how it goes.”

He was agreeing with the soft beseeching tone before he even realized it. Pat pulled him into the middle of the throng of people. He seemed to think, bopping his head to the music playing for a moment, before looking back at Janus. “Heard of James Johnson?”

Janus inclined his head.

“Well, have you heard his new song? Because there’s a dance that goes with it.”

He took a few steps away from Janus and started to dance. Despite his claim to know the steps, he wasn’t particularly good, but he made up for any loss of rhythm with pure enthusiasm.

Janus found himself smiling at the man, and after a few moments, joined in with the dance. Despite his lack of practice, he ended up having a better natural rhythm than Pat. Pat didn’t seem to mind that he was being outperformed, however. On the contrary, he giggled at himself the couple of times he stumbled.

When he fell into Janus’s arms for the second time that night, Janus decided he’d probably had enough dancing for the moment and pulled him off to the side to get something to drink and cool down a bit.

He watched the man take a snack and some punch from one of servers and thank him happily before turning back to Janus. Pat was easily able to keep Janus’s attention as they chatted. He was bubbly and soft, and Janus found himself enchanted as they talked.

He was explaining the steps of a different dance, a couples one. “Knowing how to perform the tango will entrance any girl you want,” Pat said, something mischievous sparkling in his eyes. “Assuming you’re that type of fella.”

“As opposed to what?” Janus asked.

Pat leaned in a bit closer. Not too much, but enough that he was definitely in Janus’s space. “A different type of fella,” he said simply, before smiling and leaning back.

Janus let out a shaky exhale and took a sip of punch. He glanced over at Pat. “Tell me about yourself, Pat,” he said.

Pat hummed in contemplation. “Well, I went to France recently.”

“You did?”

“Oui, c'était amusant, mais j'ai eu des ennuis”

“What kind of trouble?” Janus asked curiously.

“Oh, the kind with a pretty boy and crepes that were way too sweet. Anyway,” he continued. “Other than that, I mostly help out my friend. He’s an inventor.”

“And how do you help him.”

He shrugged, “Running errands mostly, and making sure he gets enough sleep, because otherwise he gets distracted and forgets. And you?”

“I’m a banker,” he said, remembering his cover, but felt compelled to add, “but I like to travel as well.”

“You do look the type?”

“And how is that?”

Pat shrugged. “I can always tell a wandering spirt from the masses, and you are easy to spot.” Pat looked at him then with a secret smile on his face, and Janus felt suddenly known, like the man in front of him had known him for years even though they’d only just met. Looking at him then, he wanted suddenly for that to be fact and not a flight of fancy.

He was brought firmly back to reality in the next moment. “Lee,” a pointed and familiar voice said. Janus’s head snapped up to see Remus, staring at him. He tapped his wrist. Janus glanced at his own wrist: 10:58pm. He just barely managed not to curse.

“I,” he said looking up at Pat. “I’m sorry, but I have to go.”

“That’s okay,” Pat said easily. “It is getting rather late.”

“Yes,” Janus agreed. “Well… goodbye.”

Pat, titled his head, a half smile on his face. “I’ll be seeing you around.”

Janus nodded, and turned away from him towards Remus. He didn’t look back as they excited the ballroom. They snuck into a small side closet for coats that wasn’t being used as it was summer.

“So,” Remus said when the door closed behind them.

“Don’t,” warned Janus.

“I’m not one to judge,” Remus said.

“Shut up.” He glanced at his watch. It was 11:02. “We’ll go in 5.”

“I have to give it to you. He was very cute.”

“We’re not talking about it.”

Remus just laughed joyfully, and Janus did his best to halt the blood rushing to his cheeks.

At 11:07, well into their window, they slipped back out of the closet, and towards the stairs as the party raged on.

Despite how Remus usually never shut up, he was able to be quiet when it counted. They snuck to the master bedroom of the home’s owners in silence. The door was already wide open by the time they got there, and Janus didn’t think anything of it. At least, he didn’t until they entered the bedroom, and there was someone already there.

He turned from the dresser he’d been standing in front of to face them, sending Janus the same smile he had down in the ballroom. Janus and Remus both froze. “Sorry, sweetie,” Pat said. “Were you here for this too?” he held up the necklace they’d been sent for. He closed his fist around the charm made out of time travel tech.

“What?” Janus said.

Pat giggled and winked. “Unfortunately, I need it a bit more than you at the moment. So, I’m gonna have to go.” Janus stepped forward, not really sure what he was intending to do, but Pat just smiled. “See you some other time, my Turtle Dove.” With a snap of his fingers and loud crack, he disappeared. The mask he’d been wearing fluttered to the ground.

Arc I: Finding Cinderella

Chapter 4

Janus was frozen in surprise for a few long moments after Pat disappeared. Which had been, admittedly, his mistake, because, while their window had technically been until 11:17pm and it was only 11:10, the loud crack that whatever Pat had been using for time travel made, garnered the attention of someone else.

“Uh oh,” Remus said, likely hearing footsteps. “Hide.”

That snapped Janus into action, but instead of hiding immediately like a sensible human being, he chose to go for the only link to the man who’d just stolen time travel tech and waltzed away, the mask.

Which was why he ended up getting arrested.

Remy tsked the moment they were all alone in the police car having come to ‘transfer Lee to another facility.’ Remus was already waiting in the front seat, and flashed Janus a smug smile. If Janus wasn’t still handcuffed, he’d slap him.

“Well,” Remy said. “At least you didn’t shoot anybody like I asked. I was joking by the way. I didn’t really want to pick you up from a 1920s police station period.”

“It wasn’t my fault.”

“Mmm, nah, ‘cause Remus managed to not get arrested this time, so you defiantly screwed something up.”

“Oh, he defiantly wanted to screw something all right,” Remus said joyfully.

“Remus,” Janus hissed.

“What?” he asked. “I’m not the horny one for once. Well, no, that’s a lie, but it didn’t affect the job this time.”

Janus groaned and leaned his head back against the seat.

Remy pulled into a seemingly random garage around 20 minutes later. “Alright,” he said. “Here we are.” He got out of the car and then helped Janus out before uncuffing him. “Here’s your ‘watch,’” Remy handed him the timepiece that had been confiscated when he’d been arrested.

Janus put it on and activated it. “Shit,” he said.

“What?” Remus asked.

“An appointment with cultural outreach has already been downloaded to my calendar for once we get out of decon.”

“Oof. Going to baby jail,” Remy laughed. Remus was cackling.

“This,” Janus said, “was not a cultural faux pas. I did nothing that indicated that I was not from this time. I am not some rookie.”

“Don’t forget cell phones don’t exist in the 1920s,” Remus sang.

“The real question is whether or not my foot exists in your…” Remus disappeared before he could finish, a smirk on his face. Janus growled. “By Remy,” he gritted out. He selected the decontamination chamber from his queue, ignoring the appointment that came after it for now.

He knew exactly where Remus would be standing when he landed, which was why he stepped forward on reentry to ram into him.

He yelped in surprise. “Sorry,” Janus said pleasantly. “I must have also forgotten landing procedures.

Remus laughed good naturally. “Aw, come on Jay,” he said, bumping Janus back, albeit much gentler than Janus had been. “It’s not a big deal. You just go talk with some crusty old college professor who is far too interested in spoons and then everything’s fine.”

“It’s the principle of the thing,” he growled. “They’re treating me like I’m an idiot who accidently invented disco in the 1920s when I was conned by some free agent time traveler.”

“‘Conned,’ Remus said. Is that what they’re calling it now?”

“I know where and when you live Remus,” Janus said.

Remus gave him a dopey smile as the decontamination cycle finished and the door unlocked. Janus’s wrist buzzed telling him that the coordinates to the cultural outreach office were now unlocked. Instead of pulling them up, Janus walked to the door.

“Um,” Remus said, following him. “Aren’t you supposed to be going to your appointment?” Janus just kept walking towards their office. “Uh… Jan?”

“It’s absolutely ridiculous that I have to go to cultural outreach,” Janus said. “In fact, no one can make me. If they want me to go have a discussion about the definition of ‘bushwa,’ they’re going to have to have me dragged there.”

“Mmm, I feel like The Boss won’t be too happy about that, and I have a feeling she’d be 100% down to dragging you there herself.”

“Well, then, let her,” Janus said, stalking through the door to his office. “I’m not going to…”

“Ah, Agent Picani,” the woman standing next to his desk, clearly waiting for him, said when he came through the door. “Dr. Picani was informed that there were complications with your last mission and wishes to have a conversation with you and asks that you meet him in his office at the AMO.”

“Oh, um,” Janus said, stumbling a bit before plastering on a regretful half smile. “Unfortunately, I actually have an appointment right now at Cultural Outreach. It’s mandatory and very important, and I have to go now. So, I’ll have to take a raincheck on that.”

“But-” she started, frowning.

“Remus, work on the report!” Janus said quickly as he waved his hand to bring up his timepiece display and jammed his finger at the glowing appointment card in his queue. A few moments later, Janus was at Cultural Outreach.

Cultural Outreach was not part of the TPI, though it often worked very closely with them. It was a collaboration between the government and multiple universities to help government workers, politicians, and other citizens understand and bridge cultural gaps. It had existed before time travel was invented but had expanded to also teach people who needed to time travel how to behave in unfamiliar times and cultures.

After it had to be expanded to provide for the TPI, it had been moved to Silver Mountains University. The building had once just been a museum, but it had been thoroughly renovated and there had been add-ons for office space and some classrooms. It was still a museum, however, its purpose had expanded greatly and there were many areas that were off limits to the general public.

One of these areas was the fourth floor, where Janus’s timepiece had dumped him. This was the floor that was almost exclusively for TPI agents and staff of Cultural Outreach who worked with them.

He immediately turned away from the reception area, hoping that he could escape and go sit on the university’s quad or something of the like for the next hour or so in hopes the woman his brother sent to fetch him would give up and go back to the AMO. Yet, the receptionist apparently saw him.

“Janus Picani?” he asked.

Janus grimaced and turned back towards him. “Yes,” he said.

“Is something wrong?” he asked. “You’re 5 minutes late for your appointment and seem disoriented.

“Nothing’s wrong.”

“Is your timepiece malfunctioning?”

“No.”

“Uh… okay. Well, if you sign in here, I can take you to your appointment.”

“…Fine.”

He begrudgingly stepped forward and touched the screen he’d gestured to sign with his fingerprint, and then let the man lead him down the hall.

The door they stopped at was propped open slightly, but he still paused and knocked. “Professor Eran? Your 2:30 is here.”

Janus had just a moment upon hearing the name to think that maybe there was actually some sort of intelligent design of the universe and whatever being of ultimate power had crafted it was a dick.

The door opened and Virgil Eran’s eyes immediately narrowed on him. “Janus.”

“Virgil.”

“I see you’re still late for everything.”

“I see you’re still a bastard.”

Janus saw the receptionist slowly back away in the direction they’d come.

“Why don’t you come in?” Virgil said faux pleasantly.

Janus did, because he really didn’t have much of a choice at this point unless he wanted to jump out of a window… or push someone out of a window.

Virgil turned back into his office and took a seat behind his desk. Janus unhappily followed him in and sat across from him.

He took his time pulling up whatever the TPI sent him and reading it over. “So, I see you failed your recovery mission and were arrested in 1923.”

“It wasn’t like that,” Janus said. “I shouldn’t be here.”

Virgil gave him that same suspicious look he used to give Janus whenever Janus claimed to have not eaten his hot pockets out of the freezer in the middle of the night. He’d only been lying 80% of the time. Virgil had a tendency to forget what he’d eaten in a half-conscious state at 3 o’clock in the morning.

“I shouldn’t,” Janus snapped defensively. “Nothing went wrong with anyone from the time period. An illegal time traveler screwed up the mission details.”

“Well, it is still protocol to make sure nothing slipped when agents go off script. You weren’t prepared to be in a jail cell, and it is possible that you screwed something up.”

“I didn’t screw anything up,” Janus growled.

“Alright,” Virgil said pulling up a document on his desk. “The mission started on July 27th, 1923 at 9:58pm, correct?”

“Oh, god, we’re not really going to fill out a time sheet. I don’t have time for that today.”

“It is protocol and best that the information is documented when it is still fresh in your mind. Besides, your schedule has been cleared for the rest of the workday.” The bastard was enjoying this. He knew how much Janus hated this stuff.

“I didn’t do anything wrong,” Janus said, “it was the damned illicit time traveler.”

“And I will be the judge of that,” Virgil said. Janus should have just bit the bullet and had coffee with his brother. “If you truly did nothing wrong, your supervisor will see that when I send this to her.”

Yet, despite the fact that Virgil clearly relished in his suffering, he was charitable enough to do most of the actual filling out of the forms. He’d read out the questions and write down what Janus said instead of making him do it himself. Janus really only had to do a quick quality check and sign it at the end.

He still was an asshole about the details, but really he’d been like that about stupid thing like the settings for the dish washer and how the pantry was organized during their college days before they’d had their falling out, so Janus wasn’t particularly surprised. When they were finally done, Virgil sent it off to get filed by the TPI.

Then, they were left staring at each other with nothing between them but almost a decade of radio silence and a whole lot of awkwardness.

“I should go,” Janus finally said, standing up.

Virgil tilted his head slightly to the side and gave him a half smile. “Don’t lock the door behind you,” he said. “Not that I’d expect you too.”

Janus took it for the clear attempt at a joke it was intended to be and puffed out a breath of amusement with a head shake. “No risk of that,” he said. Then, he turned and walked out of the office.

Chapter 5

Janus stepped back into the reception area and booted up his time piece. Instinct said to go back to the office despite the fact that it was late enough that most people had gone home, but he hesitated. Surely Emile had given up by now, but considering he’d sent someone to ambush him in his office, Janus wasn’t sure if he should trust that. He could just go home, but he already knew his mind was racing too much to sleep tonight so he’d probably just end up staring at the lake for the next 6 hours. So, he decided on the only other legitimate option he had. He pulled up Remus’s home coordinates and selected.

The home that Remus had chosen (after his long line of rejected requests) managed to somehow make no and absolute sense simultaneously to anyone who knew him. It was a small farm in the United States just west of the Mississippi in 1842 in what would be ratified as the state of Iowa in a few years. When asked why he would choose that time and place, Remus always responded with “I thought it was funny,” whatever that meant.

Unlike most time agents who simply used the identities assigned to them by the AMO as a cover, Remus actually lived his part time.

Janus was… fairly certain he was cheating a bit to get everything done, but he maintained his small farm all on his own, growing most of his own food. The neighbors he had lived very far away, but he still spoke with them far more than Janus did his own.

Janus appeared inside the small home, his eyes already shut. “Are you hear and dressed?” Janus called. Something bumped lightly into his legs.

“I’m in the kitchen!”

Janus peaked his eyes open and squatted to pet the cat at his feet. “That doesn’t answer my question!” he called back to Remus.

“It’s a surprise!” Remus said.

“Remus.” Diesel Fuel the cat flopped to her side on the ground as Janus continued to pet her ears. He heard Remus’s footsteps, and saw cloth covering his legs, so risked looking up. He was currently not only dressed, but wearing an apron that Janus was fairly sure was not time appropriate judging by the fabric and cat pawprint design. He had a bit of flour on his hands, and it may have been a bit too white for the time and place, but Janus couldn’t be completely sure.

“What’re you doing here?” Remus asked.

“My day has been an endless series of frustrations,” Janus said. “So, I have come to see the only tolerable being in the history of the universe.”

Remus snorted. “Since I know that isn’t me, I’ll assume you’re talking about the cat.”

“I still don’t understand why you tolerate this creature,” Janus addressed Diesel Fuel. She blinked slowly up at him. “To be fair, he was assigned as my partner. I didn’t have much of a choice in it. You could go always run away and become feral in the woods if you’d like.”

“So could you, technically,” Remus pointed out.

“I’m thinking about it after today.”

“Would you like some bread?” Remus asked. “That’s all I’ve been making this afternoon. Some fresh should be coming out of the oven in a few minutes.”

“Do you have anything stronger made out of wheat?”

“Ew, no, but I do have vodka.”

“Vodka works.”

“Want me to mix it with something?”

“No.”

“One of those night then,” Remus said, easily. “Let me finish up the bread, so I don’t burn the kitchen down. You can go get the alcohol from the cellar while you wait if you want, or you can just flop down on the couch.”

He was going to just flop down on the couch.

He did just that as Remus disappeared back into his kitchen. The cat hopped onto his stomach, proceeding to purr loudly and kneed at chest. Janus petted the cat and listened to the noise of Remus moving around in the other room, letting his mind drift. His mind drifted to Virgil for a bit and he steadfastly did not allow it to drift to his brother. Yet, the thing that most was on his mind was the strange man who had flirted and charmed Janus all night before mercilessly screwing him over. ‘Pat’ he’d said his name was, but surely that was not his real name.

Janus sighed and scratched the cat’s ear. “He certainly wasn’t an amateur,” Janus mused to the cat. “With that amount of precision to get in before we did, he must have someone not on the ground feeding him information. Perhaps more than one.” He was part of a group of time traveling thieves perhaps or something worse. “I didn’t get a good look at his face since he was wearing a mask,” Janus said, “but I spent a lot of time with him, and I’m sure Remy swiped the mask from the police since it had been on me when I was arrested. It’s a good lead.”

He continued to pet Diesel Fuel. Eventually, Remus came back in, noticed Janus hadn’t bothered to get the alcohol and went outside to the cellar. “I’m going to find him,” Janus told Diesel Fuel. “I’ll stop whatever it is he’s doing, and I’ll bring him in.” Diesel Fuel mewed her support, and Janus patted her on top of the head.

Remus came back in with the bottle of vodka and handed it to him without a word. He sat down on the couch near Janus’s feet and patted his lap so Diesel Fuel would come over to him and allow Janus to sit up.

The bastard waited until he was approximately 3 shots in (he didn’t have a shot glass and was just taking drinks from the bottle) to ask the questions Janus really didn’t want to answer. “Are you mad at Emile?” Remus asked.

Janus groaned, trying to wash out the bitter taste of shame and grief with the sharp sting of vodka. It didn’t work. “No,” he said to Remus.

“Then why have you been avoiding him?”

“Shit, I’m here because I didn’t want to think about it. Can’t we just not.”

“Don’t want to think about what?

“It’s none of your business, Remus.”

He could feel Remus frowning at him, but Janus stared resolutely ahead. At least, he did until a foot poked his face. He slapped it away, but it did the job of getting Janus to look at Remus.

“It is my business,” Remus said, foot still in the air. “I’m your partner and your friend.”

“If I’m your friend, you’ll drop it.”

“So, you’re not mad at Emile,” Remus continued, contemplatively. “Did you do something to him, then?” Janus bit his lip and looked away. “What?” Remus asked. Janus didn’t respond. “Look, I’m sure he’ll forgive you for whatever it is. He’s a good guy. Just talk to him about it.”

“I can’t,” Janus said.

“Whatever it is, it’s probably been long enough that he forgives you. You literally just have to have a conversation, say you’re sorry, and everything will be A-OK.”

“I can’t,” Janus repeated.

“Why not?”

“He doesn’t know about it.”

Remus paused. “So, as far as he knows, you just cut contact with him all of a sudden for no reason and have been avoiding him ever since?”

Janus looked at his shoes. “Yeah.”

“That…” Remus said, “is not fucking fair Janus.”

“I know.”

“Then why the hell are you doing that to him? He’s like… soft and feeling-y. He’s probably really upset.”

“I know, Remus.”

“Tell him. Whatever it is.”

“I can’t.”

“Look,” Remus said. “You tell him and he either forgives you or he doesn’t. If he does, everything’s fine. If he doesn’t… well, it’s not like it would be any different from you two never being in the same room the last few years. Either way, you can’t just do this to him. He’ll probably forgive you. He’s your brother. Brothers don’t… brothers would forgive each other.”

Janus laughed softly and met Remus’s eyes. “That’s the problem,” he said. “He’d definitely forgive me.” He turned away and opened the vodka bottle again. “Now, if you’ll shut up for a few minutes, I’m going to drink until I black out.”

Chapter 6

“Really, Khalid,” Janus said, storming into his boss’s office. “A yellow?” It had been about a week since the 1920s incident, and his incident report had finally been cleared. Sure, it wasn’t a red or a black and he wasn’t facing any reprimand, but it should have been a green.

She looked up at him, clearly unconcerned. “There was an incident,” she said. “You handled it well, but there was one. Therefore, yellow.”

“It wasn’t a time travel incident! It was a rouge time traveler.”

“Janus, you helped me make these rules,” she said impatiently.

“Which is why I know this is bullshit,” he snapped.

She rolled her eyes. “If it was anyone else, you would agree with me. While you didn’t go against protocol and had no time related incidents, the fact of the matter is, you were still distracted by this ‘rouge time traveler,’ didn’t complete your mission, and were arrested.”

“He was good,” Janus said. “You can’t fault me for that. He also could be dangerous and you’re busy handing out yellows instead of working to track him down.”

She raised an eyebrow. “We are working on tracking him down,” she said. “We have done an analysis on the mask and found fibers dating to the 2010s and some DNA. Though it isn’t exactly a high priority.”

“We have no idea who he is or what he’s planning to do. Why is that not a high priority thing?”

“At the moment?” she asked. “Because we have reports of a time bomb being activated.”

“What?” Janus asked sitting up. “When?”

“New Years Eve going into the year 3,000 in Brazil,” she said. “Which you’d know about if you’d bothered to check your integration port this morning before storming into my office.”

“It’s my mission?” Janus asked.

“The incident investigation is over and your active again despite the dreaded yellow,” she said, clearly making fun of him a bit. “So, yes, and it’s a high priority mission, so I’ll be running it.”

“Who all is going?” he asked.

“Other than the two of us, Remus, Lena, and Fred,” she told him. “We leave in three hours, so, you might want to run off to Rhi before Fred gets to her and ties her up for an hour on details.”

Janus nodded and got to his feet. He turned back at the door. “I still don’t deserve the yellow,” he hissed.

She waved him off. “I’ll see you in a few hours, Picani.”

He ground his teeth a bit about the dismissal of his worries, but his resentment was slightly soothed by the fact that she’d assigned him to go on such a high priority mission and with only senior agents.

He took the advice and grabbed Remus from the office, noting Lena hadn’t been able to wrangle Fred yet as she was still at her desk, and they both headed off to see Rhi.

A few hours later, they were all in decontamination together, decked out in truly god-awful costumes. The turn of the third millennia had been a wild event, and the best way to fit in was to look like you’d grabbed something from every century in recorded human history, dyed it in neon paint, and rolled around in a vat of glitter.

Remus had opted to stick his head in a vat of glow in the dark green paint that costuming had offered them, and it wasn’t even going to be slightly disruptive to their covertness.

In fact, costuming had frowned when Janus had insisted he not get his hair dyed and instead wore a bowler hat. They had required him to have flowers made out of glitter on it.

There were five people waiting for them when they landed 6 hours before the turn of the millennia. Three were touchdown agents, including Remy, and two were on location tech support. Usually it would be overkill to have that many people there just for support even with five agents in the field, but today the TPI needed to be cautious because they were planning on instituting a time lock.

Time bombs were dangerous things that would ripple through time if not contained. Even if it did end up going off (killing everyone in its reach), the time lock would serve to prevent most damage outside of the city and, more importantly, the year it was planted.

Janus had only been in two time locks before, and he was one of the most senior agents in the TPI, outranked only by the founder: Lia Khalid. Time locks were designed to keep all time linear in a certain fixed time and geographical area as well as prevent any time travel in and out. Once it was engaged, all forms of time travel would not work for the duration, bar the pin device. Khalid was already switching out her regular timepiece with the slightly bigger one that was designed to support the time lock.

There was a failsafe back at the TPI that could be engaged in an emergency, which was why tech support was here, but other than that, the only thing that could break the time lock was that timepiece, and it would break the moment the time lock ended.

As soon as it was on Khalid’s wrist, she looked up at them all. “Our information says the time bomb was planted in the costume of one of the ‘Millennium Birds’ who are the organizers of the different events,” she said. Janus had seen a photo of the identical costumes in the mission details. They were all robe like garments with giant fans of feathers coming from the neck that coalesced in a peak a foot above their head to hold a fake bird egg. At least they’d be easy to find. “There are 25 of them throughout the city. We need to find each of them. So, we don’t double count, you’ll need to subtly,” her eyes touched on Remus, “scan each one you find for the bomb and tag them with a tracker if it’s not on them. You can view the already tagged ones, as well as the rest of us on your timepiece even once the time lock is engaged. When you find the bomb, call it in.”

They all nodded, and Khalid looked over at one of the techies. She nodded at her and then the techie flipped a couple of switches. “Three, two, one,” the techie said. There was a slight shift in the air that most people would disregard, but Janus as a seasoned time traveler could feel the change even before his wrist buzzed. He glanced at his timepiece to see it had a big red ‘X’ across its display. He tapped it and was still able to bring up the map of the city with 10 green dots on it all clustered together in their current location.

After that, he tested the scanner on his timepiece that he would use to search for the bomb, just to make sure the time lock hadn’t messed anything up with his equipment. He glanced up to see everyone else was doing the same.

“Keep in contact,” Khalid said before everyone split up. Janus and Remus started by going North while Fredrick and Darlene were to go South. Khalid was a floater who would tag any Birds she saw but was mostly there for backup and orders.

Janus and Remus stepped into the chaos of New Years Eve before the turn of the third millennia. The streets were already swamped with people and it would only be getting worse the later it go.

“Where should we start?” Remus asked.

“Let’s go all the way North to the games area,” Janus said. “We can work our way back here.”

“Okay!” Remus said. “I wonder if they have those fun little genetically modified goldfish as prizes. I’ve always wanted to eat one and see if I end up getting whatever design was on the fish on my body.”

Janus gave him a disgusted look.

“What?! People eat fish all the time!”

Janus shook his head. “We’re not playing the games anyway. We have work to do. Important work.”

“Boo,” Remus replied. Janus chose to ignore him as he spotted one of the Millenia Birds letting people into the gaming area.

They walked over towards the entrance. Janus got in range first and moved to subtly scan the Millenia Bird, Remus doing the same the next moment. After a second, Janus’s timepiece buzzed and lit up red, meaning the bomb was within range. “Well, that was easy,” he said. “It was on the first one we found.”

“Uh…” Remus said. “Jan.” When Janus looked, he was holding up his wrist to show his green lit time piece.

“What?” Janus asked. He quickly moved to rescan the Millenia Bird, and his timepiece came up green as well. Which, meant the bomb was not in range, even though the Millenia Bird had not moved. “But…” He and Remus’s eyes met, and they quickly both started turning in a circle to look at the crowd around him. No one looked like they’d just stolen a time bomb off the Millennial Bird, but then Janus’s eyes caught on a man. He blended in perfectly to his surroundings. He was wearing the disgusting garb of the times, a large light blue piece that bubbled near his hips, and had most of his skin covered in rainbow neon paints. Yet, something about him, the curl of his hair or the way he moved, drew Janus’s eyes to him. He recognized the man immediately even in a completely different dressing style. Yet, what cinched it was the moment Janus’s eyes met his and they seemed to sparkle slightly in the afternoon sun. The next moment, the person Janus knew as Pat, turned to disappear into the crowd.

Chapter 7

“Him,” was the only thing Janus said before taking off after the figure who had just disappeared into the game area.

“What?” Remus’s voice followed after him. “Janus! What?!”

Janus did not pause, just continuing to run after Pat, hopping over two barricades as a shortcut. Janus cursed when he lost sight of the man for just a moment near the prize table filled with colorful goldfish, but he was able to spot him once again walking into one of the tents. Janus blasted into the tent. It was a game where they raced rats, and when Janus entered, Pat was cooing at one of them.

“Who’s a tiny little squishy precious baby?” he was asking one of them, wiggling his pointer finger at it.

“You,” Janus growled stepping up to him.

He turned and tilted his head at Janus with a frown. “Um, me?” he asked, pointing to his chest, all sorts of innocent, but Janus could see a spot of hidden amusement in his eyes.

“Where is it?”

His eyebrows drew together, but it was an act. It was clearly an act! “Where is what?”

“The…” he glanced around them at the people surrounding them. “Thing you just took.”

“I didn’t take anything,” Pat said with a frown.

“Oh, no,�� Janus said. “Fool me once, shame on you. Fooling me twice is not an option.”

“I’m sorry sir,” Pat said. “I really don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Bull. Shit.”

Just then, Remus jogged into the tent. “What’s going on?” he asked.

“It’s him,” Janus said pointing. “He took it. He has it.”

“I… don’t know what you’re talking about,” Patton said. He looked over to Remus with a confused frown.

Remus looked at Janus. “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” Janus said. “It’s him. It has to be him. He’s the mask guy.”

Remus squinted at Pat. “He is?”

“Whoever you think I am, I’m not. I haven’t worn a mask all night. I just did the face paint,” he pointed to his cheeks.

Remus raised his wrist and his timepiece lit up green. He looked at Janus.

“I lost sight of him for five seconds. He must have stashed it somewhere,” Janus said. He turned on Pat. “Where did you put it?”

“…Are you,” Pat asked, his eyes going back and forth between Janus and Remus, “… the police?”

“We are, actually,” Khalid said as she stepped into the tent. Remus must have called her. She inserted herself between Janus and Pat. “Agent Khalid,” she said, offering a hand with a smile. Pat looked at it in surprise and then smiled back hesitantly as he took it. “Apologizes, one of the big game prizes was stolen by someone matching your description. Would you mind coming down to security for questioning? Just to clear it up.”

“Oh,” Patton said, hesitant. Janus expected him to refuse outright, but then he said. “Uh, sure.”

“Thank you very much, Mr…”

“Jonas,” Pat told her earnestly. “Do I need to be handcuffed?”

“No,” Khalid said. Janus frowned at her, but she ignored him. “It’s just a talk for now.” She gestured to the tent entrance. “Come with us.”

He did without argument, and Remus and Janus followed behind the both of them. Khalid did not lead them back to the base, but to a little spot that said “security” near the center of the event. Remy was already there waiting for them at a desk.

“Remy, would you please take Mr. Jonas to go sit down?” she asked.

“Sure, boss,” Remy said, standing up. He led Pat away.

Khalid turned to Janus and Remus once they were out of earshot. “What is going on?”

“It’s the mask man,” Janus said, “the one from 1923, and my scanner said the time bomb was on the Millenia Bird outside the games entrance, but then it was gone the next second, and I saw him, and then he ran away.”

“So, does he have it on him?”

“No. I lost sight of him, and he must have stored it somewhere, but I know he took it.”

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“He’s the man from 1923?” she asked.

“Yes! Remus, that’s him, right? You recognize him.”

“Well,” Remus said thoughtfully. “He was in a mask, and it was dark in the room with the necklace. Other than that, I only really saw his back, and he was wearing pants. Mr. Jonas is wearing a dress, so I can’t really tell if their asses match.”

“Okay, but I was with him for hours. I swear it’s him, and I swear he took it,” Janus just about shouted.

“We’ll question him,” Khalid placated, “and Fred and Lena will keep looking in the meantime.”

“He knows where it is,” Janus insisted. “I swear.”

“Okay,” Khalid said, before leaving to follow where Remy and Pat had gone. She stopped Janus with a hand on his shoulder. “I think Remus and I will do the interrogation.” He opened his mouth to argue. “You know the most about him, so observe from the sidelines and see if he makes any mistakes that indicate you’re right.”

“That’s just to placate me and you know it.”

“Observation’s over there,” she said pointing.

He got a thumbs up from Remus as he walked by, and Janus glared at his back before walking off to the indicated location.

He watched as Remus and Khalid entered the room, and Remy left it. Remy joined him in the observation room after leaving and leaned against the wall.

Pat was sitting at a table and watched Remus and Khalid with that same rubbish placid confusion that he had before. “So,” Khalid said, “Mr. Jonas.”

“You can call me Nick,” Pat interrupted.

“Lia,” Khalid replied. He smiled at her happily. “So, are you enjoying your day?” she asked.

“I am!” he replied. “It’s a big day. You only get to see the turn of a millennia once in your life.”

“Ah, yes,” Khalid said. “Doing anything special for it?”

“Um, not really,” he said. “Other than the party. I’m going to meet up with my roommates after dinner. Kevin doesn’t like this sort of thing, and Joe couldn’t come.”

“Your roommates,” Khalid said, considering him. “Do you live around here?”

“Uh huh,” Pat replied.

“Do you have any ID?”

“I do, want me to get it?”

“If you wouldn’t mind.”

Pat unzipped one of the bubbles on his waist and handed her a chip. “Remus, would you mind going out and getting the ID scanner?” she asked, even though her timepiece would be able to read it.

“Ah, shit,” Remy said. “Props. What do those things even look like?”

As Remy scrambled to find something that would pass for an ID reader so “Nick” didn’t get suspicious of Khalid using her timepiece, Janus watched the two alone in the room like a hawk.

“I see you’re wearing a dress inspired by the 2770s,” Khalid noted, as Remus came to stand next to him.

“Yeah!” Pat replied. “Joe made it for me. He’s really good at fashion design!”

“Can I see?” she asked.

With a happy smile, he reached over the table to let her get a look of the sleeves. Janus saw her subtly scan the fabric, probably to make sure it was from the 2990s and not actually from the 2770s. Considering she didn’t mention it, Janus assumed it checked out.

Remy came back with some sort of device then and handed it to Remus who saluted and wandered back into the interrogation room. Khalid pretended to scan the ID in her hand. She handed it back to him without comment. “So, you said you live with your roommates: Joe and Kevin?” she asked.

“Yep!” he replied. “We’re practically like brothers.”

“Would you mind calling them?”

“Erm,” he titled his head like he was confused by the question. “Well, like I said, Joe is a bit busy, but I could definitely call Kevin.

“Here,” Khalid said, “use my phone.”

“I have my own,” he said with a frown.

“Humor me,” she requested.

“Uh, okay,” Pat agreed. He took the offered 2999 phone and dialed a number on it. Khalid reached over to put it on speaker.

“Hello?” a voice asked after a few seconds.

“Um, hey Kevin, it’s Nick.”

There was a sigh on the other end. “Hello Nick, is something wrong? Why are you calling me from someone else’s phone?”

“I’m fine, I think.” He looked up at Khalid. “Why am I calling him exactly?”

“Hello, I’m Officer Khalid,” Khalid said. “I just wanted to confirm that you are Nick Jonas’s roommate, and he does live in Manaus.”

“Yes, we live together with our other roommate,” the man replied flippantly. “Officer? Is something wrong?”

“I believe there was just a case of mistaken identity,” Khalid said.

“Bullshit there was!” Janus hissed, though she could not hear him.

“No need to worry,” Khalid continued.

“I’m good Kevin,” Pat said.

“Are you absolutely sure?” Kevin asked.

“Don’t be Paranoid, Kevin. I’ll see you Tonight for the New Years Celebration. You know I Live to Party.”

“I am hanging up now,” Kevin said.

“No! Comeback.” The line went dead. Pat handed the device back to Khalid.

She took it and smiled at him. “Give us just a couple of minutes,” she requested. He nodded easily, and she and Remus exited the interrogation room. “I… think we’re done here,” Khalid said.

“No, he’s lying,” Janus insisted, and got a dubious look in return. “I know he is! Remus!”

“The alibi is pretty solid…” Remus said, “and he doesn’t have the bomb on him.”

“Oh, come on,” Janus said. “You can’t say there is nothing fishy going on here.”

Khalid and Remus shared a look. “Janus,” Khalid said. “I respect your intuition. It is usually very good, but you have been a bit intense about the man from the 1920s, and I think that may be blinding you a bit...”

“I am not imagining this!” Janus said. “That’s him and he took it.”

“You only met him once while he was wearing a mask,” Khalid pointed out with a frown, “and you didn’t see him take the bomb, did you?”

“No, but he looked at me and I knew,” Janus argued. They both gave him a skeptical look. “Oh, come on!”

“You know that’s a little weak, Jan,” Remus said.

“Let me talk to him,” Janus requested. “Just give me five minutes to talk with him.”

Khalid raised one eyebrow. “Fine,” she agreed. “You have five minutes, but after that, you have to let it go. We can’t waste any more time.”

Chapter 8

Pat looked up as Janus stepped into the interrogation room. “Hi,” he said with an innocent smile that could cut steal.

Janus didn’t say a word as he took a seat; he just watched him intently. He leaned slightly over the table and steepled his fingers in front of his chin. “So, your name is Nick this time?” Janus asked.

“Nicholas Jonas,” he said. “Always has been.”

“Stop it,” Janus said.

“Stop what?”

“Cut the crap. I know.”

Pat leaned forward, mirroring Janus as he leaned closer, interlocking his fingers and laying his chin on top of his knuckles. “What did you say your name was again?” he asked, pleasantly.

“Janus,” Janus replied.

“No, I’m Jonas,” he said, pointing to his chest.

“Not Jonas,” Janus spat. “Janus.”

“Um,” Pat said, eyes alight with amusement. The bastard. “Those are the same words.”

“No, they’re not. It’s Janus. J-A-N-U.-S.”

“Well, that’s confusing,” Pat said with a frown, but his nose was crinkling. “It’s close to my name. You should go by a nickname instead.”

“What?” Janus said. “No.”

Pat hummed. “How about Love Bug?”

“What! No!” Janus sputtered, almost flipping the table, as Pat winked at him.

“BB Good?”

“What does that even mean?!”

“Mandy.”

“No!”

“Okay, okay, how about Macy Misa.”

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Janus stared at him for a moment. “Fine. Whatever. What was I even talking about?”

“Hmm. I Believe we were talking about my name and how you think it’s not my name.”

“Right,” Janus said. “So, Nick. That was your roommate, Kevin on the phone, right? He seemed a bit unhappy with you. Any reason?”

“Nah, we’re Cool” said Pat. “That’s Just the Way We Roll.”

“Not because you’re messing up a mission right now?”

Pat’s eyes crinkled together. “A mission?” he parroted. “I’m not messing up a mission.”

“Oh, really?” Janus growled. “Because you’ve been captured by the TPI, and I know who you are and what you’ve been doing.”

“I have no idea what the TPI is,” he claimed.

“Yes, you do!” Janus said, standing up. “You obviously do! Or you wouldn’t be playing this game!”

“Game?” Pat asked. “Macy I ask you what you’re talking about.”

“This is all just a game to you isn’t it!” Janus said, slamming his hands down on the table in front of them.

“Whoa,” Pat said, putting his hands up. “Calm down. Your face is getting all red. You must be Burnin’ Up.”

“I’m not sure what, but something about what you just said pisses me off.”

“And that is five minutes,” Khalid said, bursting into the room. He felt a tug on the back of his shirt and glared back at Remus who was putting his own body between Janus and Pat.

“There was no way that was five minutes,” Janus growled.

“It was five minutes,” Khalid gritted out. “Remus, get him out of here.”

“Come on Jay,” Remus said, dragging him back towards the door.

“Remus, I swear to god.”

“Just chill, Janus,” Remus said, slamming the door closed behind them.

Janus shrugged him off. “You chill!” he snapped. “He’s playing you all for the fool.”

“Wow, Macy,” Remy drawled like an asshole. “I’ve never seen you so fired up.”

“Oh, my gosh. No one is going to believe me, and he’s going to get away with this.”

“You’re not really helping your case, babe,” Remy said.

Remus grabbed him by the shoulders again. “Here, let’s go get some water.”

“I don’t want water,” he said even as he let Remus lead him to another room to get a glass of water.

“Look,” Remus said. “I know the Mask Guy thing really sucked, but you have to look at the facts.

“I am looking at the facts,” Janus insisted, “and the facts are, he’s fucking with me.”

“You don’t know what mask guy looks like,” Remus said. “You didn’t see Nick take the time bomb, he has an ID from this time period and a roommate in this time he called on the phone, and he legitimately seems to not know what any of us are talking about.”

“Did you even listen to our conversation?” Janus asked. “He was screwing with me the entire time!”

“Janus…” Remus said.

“What?” Janus said, narrowing his eyes at Remus’s tone.

“I know you recently had a bad experience, but not everyone who flirts with you is doing it out of evil.”

Janus’s mouth hung open for a few seconds. “That’s what you got out of our conversation?”

“He called you Love Bug.”

Janus felt his face heat a bit at the reminder. “That’s not… I. I’m stealing your cat and then never speaking to you again.”

Remus laughed. “Ah,” he said. “Young lust.”

Janus elbowed him roughly in the side. “No!”

“Yes!” he crooned, pleased.

“You are the worst partner,” Janus hissed. “When I’m right you owe me 10 loafs of your fresh bread.”

“Branching out from poptarts?” Remus asked.

Janus shook his head. He still wasn’t happy about the state of things, but he could feel himself cooling down a bit.

Khalid came out of the integration room after a few minutes, leaving Pat with Remy. “What was that?” she asked him.

“He got under my skin,” Janus said.

“We’ll talk about it later,” she said. “For now, we’re letting him go and then going back to looking for the bomb like we’re meant to be.”

“Fine,” Janus relented. “Just do me the favor of tagging him before he leaves. Just that. I beg of you.”

“Sure,” she agreed. “If it will calm you down.”

He nodded.

“Then, let’s go,” she said. When they met back up with Remy and Pat, he saw Khalid make the subtle gesture that would tag Pat like they would have for the Millennium Birds. Pat sent him what could pass as a sweet smile if Janus didn’t know better. Then, they walked him outside, leaving Remy on clean-up duty for the make-shift security office.

“So, I’m free to go?” Pat asked. His bemused expression edged far too much on the side of amused verses confused for Janus’s taste.

“You are,” Khalid said. “Have fun at the festivities.”

His hands went flapping about. “Oh, you too!” he said. “Well, I guess you’re working, but you can have fun anyway, I’m sure.”

“We’ll do our best,” she said.

He gave her a blinding smile and reached forward to shake her hand enthusiastically. Janus rolled his eyes and looked up at the heavens. “It was nice to meet you!” he said, “and you too, Remus!” He turned to meet Janus’s eyes. “Macy Misa.”

Janus pressed his lips together.

Then, Pat turned and walked away.

“Well, now that we’re done with that,” Khalid said, turning to them. “We have only a few more hours before midnight and we really need to find the time bomb.

“Oh,” Pat called. He’d paused a few yards away and turned back to them. “Thanks for letting me go so easily by the way,” he said, “and just in the Nick,” he winked, “of time too.” Janus narrowed his eyes at him. He smiled back. “Wrist check,” he said holding up his arm to show off the timepiece there. Khalid immediately looked down at her own wrist just to see that the one timepiece that could move through the time lock was no longer there. Pat made a gesture and disappeared.

All three of them stared at the spot he’d been for a long moment.

Janus was the one to speak first. “I want. The yellow. To be erased. From my record.”

Chapter 9

Khalid immediately called everyone back to base.

“What happened?” asked Fred when he and Lena arrived. The tech people were already scrambling to get through to the TPI and get the time lock broken from the outside.

“Remus, Remy, and Khalid got played by Pat or whatever his name is. It certainly isn’t Nick. He was just setting up a joke,” Janus told him.

“Stop being smug,” Remy said. “It’s not a good look for you.”

“Pat is…?” Lena asked.

“They guy who fucked me over in 1923,” Janus said, “and is currently in the middle of fucking us all over because he stole the pin timepiece, and by extrapolation, probably the time bomb too.”

“It will be fine,” said Khalid, “because what he doesn’t know is that timepiece has a tracker on it. Wherever and whenever he went, we’ll have his coordinates.”

“Speaking of,” one of the techies said. “It’s about to break. You might want to hold onto something.” Janus grabbed for a support beam next to him as the techie put a device on the ground in the center of the base. It blinked once, twice, and on the third blink the ground rumbled. There were sounds of panicked yelps outside. The fail safe for the time lock was not nearly as gentle as ending it correctly.

Everything settled after a few moments, and they all straightened themselves out. Janus’s timepiece buzzed to indicate it was now functioning normally. Khalid had returned her usual timepiece to her wrist and now used it to open a display they could all see. “The pin timepiece’s closest time/space coordinates are…” she trailed off. “Right outside?” She frowned. “That’s strange. Why would he still be here?” She turned to march outside, following the coordinates to a trash can. She pulled the pin timepiece out and stared at it. “Fuck,” she said.

“What just happened?” Remy asked.

“He ticked us,” Janus said. “Again.”

“He was stuck in the time lock,” Khalid said. “That’s why he got our attention. He couldn’t leave with the time bomb unless he had the pin timepiece or we broke the time lock. Apparently, he’s smart enough to know that if he took the pin timepiece away from here, we’d probably be able to find him, but he knew we’d break the lock as soon as the pin went missing. So, he must have stashed his own timepiece and went back in time within the time lock to grab it while we were distracted with the past version of him. As soon as the time lock went down, I imagine he left.”

“Probably with the time bomb,” Janus said.

“Probably with the time bomb,” she confirmed.

And everyone knew the only thing worse than a time bomb was a time bomb you didn’t know the location of.

They evacuated after that, of course, and time locked the location once they were out just in case they were wrong, but midnight 3000 struck without thousands of people dying in Brazil, so the time bomb had defiantly been removed from then.

The, they initiated a time travel lockdown for all nonessentials, not willing to let random history students get caught up in an explosion if Pat decided to set the thing off somewhere.

Then, it was a matter of figuring out everything they could about ‘Pat.’ First, they checked the tracker data as Khalid had tagged him with one of the Millennium Bird trackers. It wouldn’t work outside of the zone they’d set up that day, but the record would show his behavior during the time lock after he’d escaped with the pin timepiece.

There had been many little green dots on the map that day as Fred and Lena had actually been doing the job they’d set out to do, but most of those were running around in the south. There had been one green dot, however, that appeared suddenly in the game area about 10 minutes before the time bomb had been stolen.

They could see Janus’s yellow dot almost brush his when he’d been chasing the earlier Pat down, around when he’d lost him briefly. The earlier Pat must have all but handed it off to his future self.

“He doubled back,” Remus commented when they watched the recorded data. It was a ballsy move and one that most people balked at, because there were inherent dangers any time you interacted with yourself from a different point in the timestream. It was ripe for paradoxes. It made everyone at the agency even more worried, because if he was willing to risk that, then what else was he willing to do?

#study break stories #not writing

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sirloozelite · 5 years ago

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Rebels AU plays ‘Go For Broke’

(Side note: For anyone who hasn’t played ‘Go for Broke’, it is essentially reverse Monopoly. You start with a million dollars, and your goal is to lose it all!!!!)

Scene: Kaesoka’s apartment. Maul has left after the business with the forfeit as he felt uncomfortable, leaving the usual five to play instead.

Kanan: So hang on a minute.... the goal of this game is to lose all of your money?!?! I guess his will be an easy win for you Ahsoka!

Ahsoka: Hey!

Kaeden: He’s not wrong love. You lost all your money in monopoly with ease. This should be a walk in the park for you.

Ahsoka: Kanan swindled me out of that money!

Kanan: No... you gave it to me when you sold me your properties for money, and then landed on my hotel Mayfair.

Ahsoka: I still think you cheated.

Hera: No that was Masana, She kept stealing money from the bank!

Ninth Sister: No proof!

Hera: WE ALL SAW YOU DO IT MASANA! THERE ARE FOUR OTHER WITNESSES!

Ninth Sister: Yeah... one of which is blind! Besides, who’s not gonna believe me? I’ve got a very trustworthy face.

Kanan: Says the Inquisitor!

Ninth Sister: Former Inquisitor, please! Anyways, I’m going first!

One hour later

Hera: Time for the horse races again. Place your bets on what horse you want. I’m going for number 2. Medium chance of winning, medium money payout!

Ahsoka: Number 4. Low chance of winning, but high money if I do.

Kaeden: Same! Horse 4 forever!

Kanan: Horse 3 for me. Medium to low chance of winning, but a high ‘reward’ if I do.

Ninth Sister: Horse 1 for me as always. Very high chance of winning with minimal payout. Don’t want to end up making too much money.

Hera: And so the bets are placed. Time to spin the spinner!

Hera spins the horse race wheel, and it eventually stops on horse number 3.

Kanan: DAMMIT!!!!

Hera: Ha! So that means you win three times your bet, which was 50,000 credits, meaning you get a whopping 150,000 credits as a reward. Nice job Kanan!

Kanan: WHY DO I KEEP MAKING MONEY!!!! I WANT TO LOSE IT ALL!!!

Kaeden: Hey... its just the way the game goes sometimes. (rolls dice and moves forward 6, landing on a hotel owned by the Ninth Sister) Oohh.. sorry Masana, gotta pay you 100,000 credits in rent now for a night at your lovely hotel.

Ninth Sister: Bugger!

Ahsoka: (rolls dice and moves forward 9, landing on the same square as Kaeden) Oh dear... looks like I gotta pay rent too. Sorry Masana!

Ninth Sister: Just don’t desecrate my hotel with your nightly activities! We all know that’s why you’ve both rented a hotel room for the night together!!!

Ahsoka and Kaeden: 0_0

Ninth Sister: XD

Another hour later

Hera: Ok everyone... this is it! Both Ahsoka and Kaeden have little money left, and they are playing the betting wheel. Both have bet their final 10,000 credits on different colours. Ahsoka has chosen red, whilst Kaeden has chosen black. Whoever wins the money loses, whilst whoever loses the money wins the game. Make sense?

Ninth Sister: Not at all.

Hera: Oh and Kanan has bet 1 million credits on red 7. If he wins he gets double his bettings.

Kanan: There is no chance of me winning anyways. Somehow I’ve ended up with 13 million credits!!!!!

Ahsoka: That’s because you kept winning at the horse races.

Ninth Sister: And the stock exchange market. Those shares you took out were really lucrative. Who knew that ‘blaster manufacturing’ would be so popular.

Kaeden: And lets not even discuss the slot machines. I’ve never seen someone spin that many wins in a row!

Kanan: -_- Yes we get the point.. thank you very much!

Hera: I guess we will see. Let’s spin the wheel!

Hera spins the betting wheel. Everyone looks on with excitement as it jumps between black and red.

Kaeden: If you win this Ahsoka I’ll be pissed!

Ahsoka: If you win this Kaeden I’ll be pissed too!

The wheel begins to slow before it eventually comes to a stop..... on red 7.

Ahsoka: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kaeden: YES!!!!! I LOST ALL MY MONEY!!!! I WON!!!!!

Hera: Not only that... but it was a red 7, which means Kanan gets a payment of 2 million credits as a reward!!!

Kanan: .... I KRIFFING HATE THIS GAME!!!!! (flips table in rage)

Ninth Sister: 0_0

Hera: 0_0

Kaeden: 0_0

Ahsoka: MY TABLE!!!!! CALEB YOU BASTARD!!!!!!

#The One-Shot Saga #ahsoka tano #kanan jarrus #kaeden larte #hera syndulla #ninth sister

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anxietymymiddlename · 5 years ago

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His and hers circumstances

Pairing: Jumin Han x MC4

Summary: Jeahee is going out with Zen? The surprising news leave her with a broken heart, still she can not find the courage to confess her feelings to her afraid that she will not accept her. Trying to confront her confusing emotions, Jumin enters her every day life like a storm while dealing with his own issues. A little bit more than friends, but with their emotions not sorted out yet, what will happen when they will end up under the same roof?

[Chapter 1] [Chapter 2] [Also on Fanfiction.net]

[Chapter 3: Wine tastes a bit like love]

Spoiler Alert: Secret ending spoiler.

"I smiled at you, lied to you, pretended everything was fine. I thought I'd give up, but I couldn't. And though I held back as I always, the truth was I wanted to scream I love you as hard as I could. The wine tasted sour that night; I thought it tasted a bit like my love for you."

Everyone was excited about New Years. The city was buzzing more than usual. He could not share the excitement. All the decorations, the fancy ads; it was easy to exploit an event like this. As a businessman he could at least justify the whole hype as a way to generate profit, no matter how cynical that sounded. Taking some time off was undoubtedly the best part of this; though he could live without the traffic on the streets. It took him more than usual to reach his apartment.

His phone rung again. He didn't even bother checking the identity of the caller. Was it the tenth or the eleventh time by then? He had lost count. He should have taken the hint already but of course he would not give up that easy. Pointless. He had already decided that he would not answer or return his calls. Had it not been his father new girlfriend and her company, he'd very much like to spend his night with his father, he was also a bit excited at first, but he had no intention to put up with when he found out they would not be alone. And he had even asked him to buy a present for her, it was infuriating. He felt like a fool for believing even for a moment that he'd be willing to spend the New Year's Eve just with him.

"Have a happy new year, sir." "Thank you, Mr. Kim, you too," he said coldly and exiting the car.

At days like this, he missed his best friend the most. Just the thought that he'd like to have him by his side that moment made his steps feel heavier. He stopped in front of the entrance of the building, his breath was taking shape in the cold air. He looked up at the sky for a moment. Writers and poets were paid liars, he thought. Writing texts and texts about how even when someone was not still in this world, he'd stay with you forever. Parts of V were still with him, the memories they shared, the photographs he had gifted him... But he could faintly remember his voice anymore, his face was often blurry in his mind, he had to revisit old videos and photographs often to remember it clearly and that scared him. What if one day he'd forget him completely? Instead of feeling him by his side, he'd very much like to have him there, alive and well.

His friend loved the starry sky, but he was not there to see it. If he were, he'd like to ask him so many things. V would surely give him the answers. His advice was always helpful. Had he forgiven him? He asked himself that many times, but could not answer. Lately he started to think that he could not hate him from the beginning, so there was nothing to forgive. But he'd never be able to tell him that. There were times he thought that it'd be nice if V was there and he was not; he even wondered if someone would miss him as much as he missed him if that was the case.

It was not like him to be so sentimental. Maybe the night was getting to him. His hand searched or his key card in his pocket. It was a chilly night. He entered inside the building and took the elevator avoiding eye contact with the security guard, no need for a typical greetings.

Finally home. Elizabeth came running at the sound of the door and greeted him with a meow, rubbing herself on his trousers as a welcome. He smiled and leaned down. At least he had her. His long fingers run through her fluffy, white fur and he smiled sadly at her. Her being there was enough. It should be enough for him. It was New Years Eve so he should give her a treat to thank her for being by his side. He opened the cupboard and picked a gourmet can of cat food. She meowed and run to her bowl, anticipating the unexpected gift.

"I'm coming," he said pouring a glass of wine for himself in the meantime.

Placing her bowl by his armchair, he sat on it and took a sip. The night view from his apartment was always soothing; he was not very fond of his place, but he always loved the view. But it felt quieter than usual, no matter how much effort he'd put to its decoration it always felt kind of empty. Unknowingly, he had become more aware of his growing loneliness, and the unfamiliar feeling that accompanied that fact was stressing him out. He had to deal with it a lot the past few days, it was tiring and it agitated him a lot. He took another sip of his wine, he knew he should have eaten something first but his appetite was not great lately. Contacting his nutritionist would be a good idea. A change in his diet could help. It'd be nice if he had dinner with his father, it'd been a while since the had dinner with someone. He did enjoy eating Kang's cake, even though he was avoiding eating sweets.

"I hope you like it," he said looking at Elizabeth and she meowed at his voice; her appetite was just fine though.

It seemed like his father had given up. His phone had been quiet for a while. He took it out of his pocket and checked his missed call. He had also sent a text asking where he was and why he was not asnwering. He rubbed his forehead feeling more and more exhausted and decided to text him back just to inform his that he was ok. He'd stand by his statement but there was no need to worry him about his wellbeing. After texting him, he eyes stopped on the RFA app. She had not logged in since that way. Was it worng of him to contact her that night?

-Jumin Han has entered the chatroom-

Yoosung: Just a few hours left… And thus another year comes with me being single.

Seayoung: No surprises here. Yoosung: Too late to find one now… T^T

Saeyoung: IT'S Saeyoung: THE Saeyoung: CEO! Yoosung: Jumin, hello! Jumin Han: Hello. Yoosung: I did no expect you to see you here! Saeyoung: Shouldn't you be enjoying a luxurious meal somewhere right now? Why are you on your phone? Jumin Han: I was planning to, but my father preferred his girlfriend over me. Saeyoung: I think the sad part is that your father has a girlfriend but you are not. Jumin Han: How is this the sad part? Yoosung: Are we just a bunch of forever alones? Saeyoung: LOL! Talk about yourself. Saeyoung: I'm going out tonight! Meal with my employee! Yoosung: A WOMAN? 0^0 Saeyoung: NOT TELLING Yoosung: So mean! Yoosung: Maybe you'll be the next one to find love after Zen Saeyoung: Yes, it seems it's too late for Jumin now Jumin Han: More importantly, Min – Seo has not logged in for a while now. Saeyoung: More importantly, he says! Saeyoung: DO Saeyoung: YOU Saeyoung: MISS HER? Jumin Han: It's concerning, since she used to log in at least once a day. Saeyoung: Keeping tabs I see Yoosung: Eh? Jumin, are you interested in her? 0_0 Jumin Han: Never mind, forget I asked. Saeyoung: Love is in the air! Yoosung: I'm spending the day with my parents by the way. My mother cooked for us. Jumin Han: A family meal. Sounds nice. Saeyoung: Are you changing the subject? Saeyoung: Don't you want to know how is she? Jumin Han: I just thought I should ask. Yoosung: Why don't you call her? Though I think Jaehee mentioned he was working an evening shift today. Jumin Han: I see… Well, I have to go now. Good night. Yoosung: Goodnight! Saeyoung: Hey, wait

- Jumin Han has left the chatroom -

Entering the chat room proved to be a bad idea after all, the conversation just added more to his stress. The ex-agent was really pushing it. He had teased him like that repeatedly the past few days for some reason and it had become tiring. He'd never give him the pleasure to confirm his claims but he could not deny it either, it felt wrong to do so and that added to his confusion. He was aware that he was interested in her but at this point he was not even sure if she would ever be interested in him.

Now laying on his bed, he wished the day would end already. No point in worrying, it'd be better if he could keep his emotions in check. Elizabeth hopped on the bed and curled beside him purring, satisfied by her meal. He let the phone fall from his hand on the mattress and shifted his body trying to get more comfortable. Petting Elizabeth with one hand, he unbuttoned a few of his button with the other. He did not have he energy to change; how unsightly of him. His eyelids felt heavy, it made him wonder if the wine and his exhaustion were getting to him.

He had fallen asleep before he realized it; he woke up after a short nap by he sound of his mobile phone ringing. Letting out a groan, he rubbed his eyes and looked at its screen, initially thinking that it would be his father again. But the name he saw on it made him sat up right away. Min-Seo… His heart raced. As the phone kept ringing, he needed a moment to regain his calm before picking it. It was so rare for her to call him, what could she possible need at such an hour? Did she just want to wish him happy new year or was it an emergency? What time was it anyway?

"Yes, hello..." he answered, his words were a bit stiff. "Jaeheeee… What took you so long to answer?" she whined. "Is it because you are with him right now?" "Well… I am no Ja-"

His heart sank. So she had just pressed the wrong name before calling. Was it disappointment what was feeling at that moment?

"I know you are with him… Why though? Jaehee…. Don't go, ok? I don't like it..." "Min-Seo, where are you right now?" hearing taking like this was asking for immediate action. "Jaehee is my angel after all," he ignored his question. "I don't want to give up on you… I can't. I like you." "Min-Seo… Can you please tell me where are you right now?" he tip toed around his room, picking up his jacket and wallet and putting on his shoes as quickly as he could. "That's not important..." "It is..." "The thing is..." she paused. "I like you… I like you so much..." her voice was lower now. "I like you so much, so why can you be mine? Be mine, please… How can I make you mine?" she asked sobbing.

He stopped. Listening to her voice so close to his ear, her heart beat fast even though he knew these words were not meant for him. She leaned on the wall feeling weak and tried to catch his breath again, what was his body getting excited for, his heartbeat was not normal. She was clearly drunk, every word she said was painful, but for a moment it felt like she was talking to him.

"Min-Seo, is anyone else there with you?" "What? Are you jealous?" suddenly, she sounded happy. "I am… I am extremely jealous right now. So is anyone you can put on the phone right there? I want to make it clear that you are mine." "Ahahaha… You don't have to be," she laughed. "But I was jealous too you know..."

She sounded bashful. He'd had to work around her mood shifts somehow. But still, it was ridiculous that she had not realized that she was talking to the wrong person. Then again it was working on his favor so he could not complain. If Seayoung was in his place, he'd definitely try to change his voice and pretend he was Jaehee, but he could never pull that off. Not to mention that the thought alone was already quite embarrassing.

"I know," he said. "I hated it." "I know… It must hurt." "It does hurt… It hurts a lot..."

Was she crying again? Her emotions were in disarray.

"It hurts a lot," she continued. "… But I want you to be happy. Be happy even if it's not with me..."

She sniffed. How should he react to that? It felt like he was invading into something personal, but he could not just hung up the phone.

""Can you give me someone else on the phone, please?" he had to know where she was. "Why are you insisting so much? I only like you, no need to get jealous. I am alone- Hey, give me that!" "Hello..." an unfamiliar voice. "Do you know the owner of this phone?" a girl asked. "Can you tell me her address? I'll take her back home, she is in no condition to go alone." "Yes..." he ponder over her suggestion. "I know her, so I will come to pick her up. Can you tell me the address of the place?"

Sending her back to her place was probably not a good idea. She'd be alone, no one could help her if there was a need. Telling her address to a stranger didn't seem proper too. Plus, if Jaehee returned home soon, things could turn bad. If she had to face her, she would do it when she was sober. However, the girl on the phone had turned silent. Could it be that as he was wary of her she was also suspecting him?

"We had a fight and she didn't tell me when she'd go. Can you please stay with her until I come?" he asked already leaving the penthouse and entering the elevator. "She sounds pretty drunk, so I'm worried..." "Well… She… Ok. The address is..."

"Oh, it's not that far from her workplace..." he raised a hand as soon as he reached the pavement to call for a cab. "Thanks God a nice person was nearby."

That put his mind at easy. Since the pub was not close to his place, it'd take a while to reach her. He was also worried about the traffic he would encounter on his way there. Luckily he had found a cab easily. Since his driver had already gone home, he didn't have another option. He had to admit that his bad driving skills would put them both in danger in this kind of situation.

"Please hurry, I'll pay double..."

His left leg was shaking from his nervousness. A couple of hours ago he could not even imagine that he'd end up involved in something like this. Since he was already concerned by her absence in the chat room, he should have trusted his judgment and call her to check how she was dealing with the news. If he had, all this would have been avoided. He should not have hesitated.

It took them a while to reach the place and each minute had made them more and more anxious about her situation. He had called a couple of time to check if she was ok; the girl just told him to hurry up. It was not easy to stop her from drinking. She was going on and on about different types of wines in the background and asking for more while the barman repeatedly declined. As soon as he entered, his nose was attacked by the smell of booze and cigarettes. It was packed with young adults, you could barely hear the music over the noise of their conversations. He could not hold back a disgusted face while his eyes were scanning the whole room. He could not understand why someone would choose to spend his New Year's Eve like that. He finally spotted her sitting by the counter.

"Min-Seo!" he called struggling to pass through the patrons.

Her face was red, she was supporting her chin on the counter while holding an empty cup. She was completely wasted. Straightening her back, after she heard the sound of her name, she looked around and let out a hiccup. Next to her was standing a group of four people. A young girl with long, dark hair was alerted by her sudden move. He deducted it was the girl he had spoken with on the phone. When he had almost reached her, she finally realized he was the one who called her name and waved at him hard in a sudden spur of energy.

"It's the handsome CEO Jumin Han!" she said aloud mimicking Saeyoung. "JUMIN, HERE!"

"Yes, I'm right next to you," he grabbed her hand to stop her from waving right in front of his face. "Mr. Han is here!" she told the girl beside her. "Mister..." she squinted her eyes. "His name is JUMIN!" "Thanks for taking care of her," he bowed. "I'm Min-Seo," she stood up and raised her hand. "Are you her boyfriend?" the girl asked angrily and pointed a finger at his chest. "How could you have a fight with her a day like this? And you let her go out and drink alone? What if something happened to her? Did you cheat on her or something? She was crying a lot you know." "Eun-Ji..." the guy next to her smiled nervously. "You should not pry too much..." "No, guys like him piss me off..." "Jumin," Min-Seo placed a hand on his shoulder interrupting the girl and pointed at them rather enthusiastically. "They are dating!" "I see, good for them." "They are a couple!" "Now you are just repeating yourself." "They even kissed!" "I guess that's what couples do," he took the cup out of her hand. "No! I want to drink more!" she whined trying to grab it back. "You drunk enough. Let's go now," he pulled her arm. "No!" she grabbed the counter. "Why are you even here?" "I came for you..." he started pulling her harder. "Come on, don't make a scene." "No! Where are you taking me? I want to stay here!" "Now you are just being stubborn," he started to loose patience. "Has she paid her tab?" "Ah? Yes," the girl answered. "Good then," he grabbed her and placed her on his shoulder. "Thanks again." "You say that, but are you even her boyfriend?" the girl was still suspicious. "Ah! It's Jumin's butt! Hello!"

Eun-Ji's friends tried to hide their laughter seeing her waving at it happily. They had already drawn enough attention and the situation was getting more embarrassing by each meaning; he could feel his cheeks burning. If nothing else, he was grateful she had stopped struggling and was just hanging there counting the tiles on the floor while skipping a few numbers in between. Her attention span was non existent at that point.

"Goodnight then," he wanted to leave the pub as soon as possible. "No! I want to go back!" she cried when they finally exited the place. "Shut up, I'm trying to help you!" he finally snapped and opened the cab's door; he had asked the driver to wait for them. "Oh, like a hero!" she laughed as he was putting her down. "A hero needs a them song!" "Get inside," he asked but she was resisting. "Maybe I should come up with one… Doesn't Han almost sound like man? Are you Juminman?"

It was pointless, he could not reason with her. She wasn't even listening to what he was saying and she would not budge either. In the end, he gave up trying to resolve things politely and held her up, princess carrying him in the cab along with with. Luckily she did not react to that, she was too busy trying to come up with the lyrics.

"Please take us back," he said out of energy. "Juminman-Juminman! It's the amazing Juminman!" she hummed swinging her legs up and down. "He has a cat and a big house, he calls her cute when she meows!" "Isn't that spideyman theme's tune?" he asked exhausted. "The lyrics don't sound very heroic though." "Ah! Spideyman is the best!" she clapped her hands. "Let's go watch Spideyman Close to Home together!"

Clearly, she was unable focus on one thing, the very next moment she was singing the ridiculous song she had come up with again and then claimed that she had come up with one for Elizabeth too; it was essentially the same tune but she was jut meowing instead of singing. He covered a smile with his hand, he could not believe he had found that cute. But what had surprised him the most was that she had cut her hair in the few days they had not met. They were almost at the same length she had them when they first met; it brought back memories.

His fingers run through them; he could not hold back the urge to touch them. Under his touch, she let out a happy sound and made herself more comfortable on his lap. His heart beating fast made him feel uneasy and he removed his hand clumsily. Her energy level had fallen and her eyes had started closing.

"Juminman..." she hummed. "Are we there yet?" he asked the driver but in reality he didn't mind it, staying like that for a little longer. "I'm sorry, sir… It'll take a while." "Were are we going? Are we going home?" "We are going to my place." "Will Jaehee be there?" she mumbled. "That's impossible." "Of course it is… It is, isn't it?" she teared up. "I'll be there..." he touched his forehead on hers. "Just bear with me."

Thankfully, she was quiet for the rest of their ride, just mumbling random words from time to time. He had to support her while walking since her steps were unstable till they reached the penthouse. Elizabeth greeted them right away and rubbed her fur on their legs while he was trying to take off her shoes. Letting a loud interjection by the sight of the white cat, she eagerly tried to pet her slipping from his hands and she fall on the floor facedown, startling Elizabeth who run away and hid herself under a chair.

"No, come back," she cried. "I don't think you're in the right state to pet her," he commented taking off a shoe; it was easier that way. "Jumin, does she hate me?" she asked in tears. "I'm sure she doesn't." "Elliabeth, why do you reject me too?" she let a woe, crawling towards her, she didn't even pronounce the name properly. "Come here, Elizabeth! Let me show you my love." "Just stop for a moment-" he said struggling to take off the other one. "What's this?" she covered up her mouth. "Is this the feeling of rejection?" "Oh, no..." he stopped caring about the shoe and quickly carried her to the bathroom, placing her by the toiler and held her hair back. "Is it because I am a girl?" she asked, tears running down her face. "Come on..." he rubbed her back, trying to calm her down. "Is it?"

She started vomiting after that again and again, coughing in between. Her tears mixed with her snot. He felt that he was not even waiting for an answer to her question; it was sad that she had reached to that conclusion by herself. When her vomit finally stopped she looked pale. Exhausted, she leaned on her side, supporting her body on his torso. Just how much did she like her to drink until she reached to that state? She had dirtied both hers and his shirt. Sighing, he helped her to the bathtub to wash her face and then helped her on her feet, taking her back to the room and sat her on the bed.

Making sure she had placed her properly in a sitting position, he took off his shirt and changed quickly, then looked back at her. Her shirt had vomit on it and he also got her wet while he was trying to clean her face. He picked one of his shirts and proceeded to change her as carefully as he could. The result was ridiculous; it was too big for her but it should keep her warm. He'd made sure to order a change of clothes through the net from the shop located in his apartment building; they were lucky he had read the situation and placed an on his way to the pub before the store closes. The benefits of living there; they sure were hoping to sell overpriced last minute gifts. He had seen an outfit he'd thought it would suit her a couple of days ago, he bought a pair of shoes to match too. The should be delivered by the morning, they contacted him saying that they had left the package to the security guard as he had ordered. He made a note to ask for it the next morning.

"You are so troublesome..." he said, helping her lay on her side and knelt on the bed to place pillows behind her back.

He was about to stand up when he noticed her fingers were grabbing his shirt. She was breathing heavily, mumbling Jaehee's name once again. A tear run on her face. How many days was she crying for her? He swept it with his hands and sat beside her patting her head softly.

"It's ok now..." he rested his back on the bed-board and looked at the night view from his bed.

Fireworks lightened up the sky; his eyes, though tired, opened wide. It was midnight already. Elizabeth run under his bed scared while she moved beside him, curling up more on his sheets. Her grip had loosen up and her breathing slowly became lighter, she was asleep. She took her hands in his and watched her breathing.

His friend loved the night sky; he'd gaze silently at it even when his sight was fading. He always wondered why but he had missed his chance to ask him what was so special about it. As she was laying beside him and he watched the fireworks illuminating the sky. he thought that they were really beautiful for the first time in his like and that he'd like to watch them again if he were with her. And with that, he could not help but wonder if the starry sky held some special memory for his friend. If that's was why he was solemnly smiling at it. It'd probably be like that for him every time he watched fireworks since that day.

"Happy new year, Min-Seo..."

#jumin han #jumin han x mc4 #mysme mc #mysme jumin #mystic messenger #mysme #mysme fanfic #mystic messenger fanfi #jumin #mm jumin

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omfganna101 · 5 years ago

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This week, fast forward to past weekend. Damn, we didn’t even have Sex?

SO!! Here is the thing, I am at this point in my life, where I have this very kool, and comfortable living… thing…and.. I like my friends the way they are… I mean. I have a cat! Lol and I have an amazing job, and I travel …a lot… to like Mexico and Jamaica. ANYWAYS! IRL – I am looking for someone to complement my life, someone to be there… and Someone one who “preferably” wont yell at a Mario Party game when he loses. Or she! I mean I like both, but yes, Yes, this happened.

You know when you invite a guy over, and you clean your whole house beforehand. EVEN that back corner of your toilet bowl, because you think damn! A guy is going to piss here and will see this one black spot. Well, I did that. I cleaned my whole, and I mean my WHOLE entire apartment. Bitch I even cleaned my closet, and no Eminem was not playing at that moment.

I looked fresh fam! my hair was so soft; I mean I washed it… (you know what I mean). Rule #1, never invite a new person to your house on the first dangout!... OH yeah he called it a dangout, because we were splitting on things we contributed to this first “Date”. I can’t!... #smh …He walked in, with a raggedy shirt, and was sweating… I’m sorry, You needed 3 hours to get ready so you can sweat at my HUMBLE ABOAT!. I have nothing against bigger guys, I like them…sometimes. But maybe you shouldn’t tell me you were once a coke addict, and that you hate sushi! Because we are no longer friends. So, upon playing Mario Party, I was like ok! So, you are not going to be my friend. You will never probs see me again, so why not try to be seductive.

I flirted, I was laughing at “No funny jokes” and I even went up to make us drinks a few times. Then I pulled my shirt down a little more and sat on the same couch. Put my leg overtop, and… NOTHING! Oh lord! At this point we were watching a movie.. On “Aheem” “Aheem” NETFLIX! 0_0. Isn’t the whole point of Netflix to watch an old movie so you can get busy!! … I guess not. Him – “Hey so since I have been drinking, can I sleep over?” I was like… yeah on my couch, ((cuz bitch not horny no more)) and I can give you blankets. He’s like.. or on your bed… I’m like… OR THE COUCH! Listen, ladies… if a man does not treat you like a princess for the night.. Don’t open your legs! End. Of. Story. So, I think he took the hint because I didn’t want him sleeping over… I wanted him gone!

By far the weirdest part of all, is that he woke me up at 2am. Woke me up to say he was leaving… First of all, thank you for telling me. Yes, I 100% appreciate that I was made aware you weren’t stealing anything. But dude… FINALLY?. And this was by far the BEST outcome I could have had. Welcome to my blog bitch! Because you were the final straw for making me want to write about your nut balls!. WHICH, may I add Don’t taste great!.

Back next week with another nut case! #Staytuned #Matryoshkas Stay Tuned!

#matryoshka #house cleaning #date first dates #fml #flirty #cat #hangout #nutcase #men #icanteven #stay tuned #lookingfresh #cleaning #drinks #mario party #netflix and chill #family #lovely life #so weird

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zellybelly · 6 years ago

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Bloody Hell (Part 3)

Part 3! AAAAA

I’m much more invested in this than Familiar Faces, so this will probably be what’s posted for a bit beside one-shots and art

This and the others are going to be long since I forgot how much shit went through this episode 0_0

It was a long, not really, and slow, really, awkward walk to the gate by the greenhouse. Not just because of the silence. Louis let her sit beside the wall to rest.

Honestly, she’d been through so much worse, she would be fine. She could still defend herself, walk, but it took a lot of energy. After this though, she’d try to take it a bit easier.

She looked down beside her, at the overgrown weeds around them. A dandelion caught her eye.

She reached over and grabbed it. She saw another, this one was dead, with all the seeds. She grabbed it too.

She twirled the dead one between her thumb and forefinger. She noticed that Louis looked over to her, watching her.

She turned to look up at him, and his head snapped away so it would seem like he hadn’t been staring. He only glanced back when she offered him the dandelion.

He stared at it.

His hand reached out and took it. When he did, “Make a wish,” she told him.

One blow was enough for all the seeds to detach and fly around in the air.

“Louis?” Her voice was soft, and she avoided his eyes when he looked at her. “I never got the chance to... but I’m sorry. For... everything.” Her eyes stung. One hand came up to cover her eyes, “I didn’t stop AJ from shooting him. I somehow.. taught him to kill monsters. Guess I wasn’t specific.” Her voice cracked and a hiccup caught in her throat. “I wish I could change everything if it meant you all didn’t have to be in so much pain and-”

“Stop.” She looked up. His arms were crossed and he was looking ahead at the school, where it all happened. “In a few weeks, or days or hours those raiders be here, burn down our plan, and steal or kill us.”

“They aren’t burning or stealing anyone.” She snapped.

He swallowed. “You sound like Marlon.”

She gaped at him, and he quickly finished his thought, “Not about fighting... but when he was trying to cheer us up. Give us hope. For years I sat around making stupid jokes, playing stupid games, while my best friend was left with all the responsibility. All the tough calls. All the sleepless nights. And, eventually, a bullet in the head.” He squeezed his eyes shut. His hands tighten their grip on his coat. “And I didn’t do a damn thing about it.”

She looked down, back at the dandelion in her head. Its golden color was bright and happy. At least something was. She looked back up to Louis when he continued.

“And then when you tried to tell us what he was really like, and AJ shot him, I blamed you. Both of you.” It was then that he turned to her, and knelt down so he was sitting on his knees and closer to her level. “If I could take it back, I would. I knew that as soon as you got back, I-I still do.”

“Louis.” She interrupted him. “I told you. AJ killed him, and I didn’t do anything. No one saw that coming. And he was your best friend, you were right to be so pissed. Even if it hurt.” She raised a had to where her heart was. “It felt like you hated us. I understood if you did but I...”

He cut her off with a hug. “I never hated you. Either of you. I just... didn’t know what to do.” He whispered to her. He pulled back and stood up.

Any sign about their conversation was gone, and his smile was back. She accepted his hand to help stand, wincing as it stretched wound a bit.

“Thanks for being my cane.” He responded with that goofy grin of his.

She didn’t really know what to expect, never having seen a greenhouse in her life, but this wasn’t really what she thought.

It was a large glass building, the glass was ridiculously fogged over. And she thought that the weeds and plants were overgrown, this brought it to a whole new level. Ivy growing on the wall was thick, couldn’t see the glass behind it.

“I guess I didn’t realize how long it’s been. How much it’s changed.” Ruby commented. She walked up to the door and tried the knob. That didn’t work, so Ruby gave a good kick to the door with her body, but nothing happened from that either.

“That’s not budging.” Mitch crossed his arms, coming to stand by Ruby.

“You gonna stand there sulking all day, or you going to do something useful?” Ruby scolded him.

Louis laughed, but Clem had the decency to cover her mouth to muffle the giggles from her throat. “Well, we’re just going to have to find another way in. We need that barbed wire.”

Mitch didn’t respond. He just turned and walked around the corner.

“Um, Louis? You can stop.” Clementine told the boy who gave her a raised eyebrow expression. “I can walk. It’s not that bad.”

“Yes, you were only shot 3 times in the stomach.” He replied sarcastically, but let go.

“I’ll check around the corner, you help out Ruby?” She offered. When he nodded, she walked over to the corner, where Mitch was being an angsty teen.

She raised an eyebrow but didn’t go to talk to him. He’d just talk up more shit. First, she headed to the window and look through. Well, tried to anyway. She couldn’t see jackshit in there.

The only other thing she could really check out was the ladder. It looked like it was falling apart. She just hoped this would hold out better than the helicopter blades back in Richmond.

It led up to the roof. She took a few steps back so she could see the roof better. She couldn’t see much, but it looks like there was a broken window. “Looks like there’s a broken window. We can climb up the ladder and get in through there.”

Ruby and Lou came around the corner, Ruby had a big smile on her face. “ Good spotting, Clem. Mitch, gimme a boost.”

Mitch, as always had a different idea. “Wait. Make her go first.” He pointed at Clem. Clem gave a sigh, seemed like this guy wanted her to die. “We send the one we don’t mind losing.” The tone of his voice kinda made her a bit worried like he was ready to kill her in a second.

“Mitch! That’s an ugly thing to say!”

“Dude, she’s injured. She could die in there.”

She took on a glare. “Well, I’m the only one who really has a plan, but sure, I’ll go.” She turned to Louis and lightly hit his arm. “Make sure walker Clem eats him first, okay?”

She grunted when they gave her a boost to climb the ladder. It agitated her wound, but she could deal. She’d been through worse shit than this.

“Be careful!” She heard Ruby call to her when she made it to the top. She glanced back down at them and gave a nod. “Give a holler if one grabs you.”

With a heave and a flash of pain, she jumped through the window. She landed with a loud thump on the wooden counter there was. Instinctively, a hand went to her wounds. They weren’t throbbing, but she felt her heartbeat as if her heart was now in her hip.

She glanced around the place and climbed down from the counter. The beds were overgrown with weeds and other plants. Though some looked like the herbs that would help out, with food or medicine.

Her thoughts were cut off by groaning. She looked to see that the walkers, who she thought were dead, were getting up. “Fuck.” She cursed.

The others must’ve heard the groaning because she could hear them banging at the door.

“Clem? Clem!” She heard both Louis and Ruby, but not Mitch. Big surprise. She quickly ran, or hobbled over and grabbed a knife, just in time for the first walker to get there. She quickly stabbed it in the head, but before she had time to respond to her friend’s distressed calls, the other two came.

She did the same as she did to the first, and did a quick stab in the head, but the blade wouldn’t come out. She groaned as she tried to pull it free, but it wouldn’t budge.

Seeing the last one get close, she just shoved the walker away, as well as the knife. “Fuck, fuck fuck fuck.” She muttered out loud, though it was loud enough for the others to hear. The banging on the door got louder.

She dodged the walker when it came up to her, avoiding the arms. She couldn’t dodge the second one when she bumped against one of the walls. She glanced behind her to see if anything useful was there, and she managed to catch sight of a crowbar.

Without a second thought, she grabbed the bar and with both hands, stabbed it through the walker, right between the eyes.

She felt the blood get on her face, and it was only then, did she realize how shaky her breath was.

She hobbled over to the door and removed the wood, before leaning against one of the garden boxes, an arm around her torso. The wound was hurting again.

Louis and Ruby practically broke down the door when they opened it. Ruby went up to her and placed her hands on her shoulders, “You okay?” She gave Clem a smile when she got a nod.

“I’m fine, but... it hurts.” She commented on the wound. Ruby gave her a concerned look, turning to Louis. He got the hint, coming over and putting a hand around Clem. She leaned on him while they looked around.

They found a lot of good weapons, and with Louis’s help, though it was really all him, she got the knife out of the walker’s skull. A crowbar, a shovel, and some hedge clippers.

They, as in Mitch and Louis, got a cabinet open, showing off tons of barbed wire. More than enough for what they needed.

Mitch found fertilizer underneath it all and began talking about making a bomb.

Clem look from Mitch to Ruby. They had found the school nurse, the one adult who stayed with them. She had taught Ruby everything she knew about meds and patching people up.

They were arguing about burying her or setting her corpse on fire. Louis didn’t get in the crossfire, so it was up to her to break it up.

“We’re burying her, After all that she’s done for you, it’s the least we can do for her.” She snapped at Mitch.

“It’s not a her, it’s a walker!” “Brody was a walker when you buried her, how is this any different?” That shut Mitch up.

The next two weeks were hell. No signs of Lily or Abel, but that just made it worse.

Since she was injured, Ruby told her to take it a bit easier, but she still helped out where she could. Discussed plans with people, took watch a few times, anything really.

When she wasn’t, she was getting to know Rosie. She was a sweet dog, and Clem just loved her. Some nights, Rosie would come into their room and sleep by Clem’s bed. She offered the dog a spot beside her, and Rosie jumped, literally and figuratively.

By the time the end of the second week rolled around, she felt back to normal. Well mostly. This skin around the wound was still a bit sensitive, but everyone knew to avoid that area.

AJ went to join Tenn on patrol, or correction, look out. Totally different.

Her attention was drawn when she heard arguing. It was Louis and Violet. Not that she was surprised. With their different personalities, she would be surprised if they didn’t fight.

“I have other stuff I need to do.” “What stuff?”

“Nothing. It’s just... it’s important.” Oh boy.

Violet’s eye twitched. “Goddammit, Louis, take this seriously, for once in your life!”

“Hey!” Louis cut in to defend himself. “I’ve been taking this seriously for fucking days! Almost two weeks!”

As always, Violet had a response, “So has everyone. Get over yourself!”

She just stared awkwardly at the two until they noticed her there. Lou shook his head and walked past her. She felt a pang of hurt that he didn’t even acknowledge her. Maybe she was too used to hearing his jokes now. “I thought Lily and Abel would show up days ago. I’m not sure why they're holding off.”

Violet sighed and crossed her arms.

“All I wanted was more time to prepare, but this waiting sucks. It’s got everyone on edge.”

“You want my help?” “Sure. Can you check up on everyone? I need to board up the hallway since Louis isn’t going to.” Clem nodded.

Ruby was fine, Willy and Aasim were nowhere to be found, Omar was walling up some windows, and Rosie was trailing behind Clem like she was a duckling.

All she had left was to check up on Louis and Mitch.

She went to Mitch first, knowing that when she would talk with Louis, it would a long conversation, and she’d probably forget to check on Mitch afterward.

“Hey, what are you doing? That the bomb?” She crossed her arms. It was an instinct now, whenever she was talking with someone, to have her hands on her hips or her arms crossed.

“Nah, test. Gotta see if the bomb will go off.” Her arms uncrossed and she stared down at the small device in Mitch’s hands. He saw the expression of horror on her face and he smiled. Smiled. “This little thing won’t kill anyone. Just gotta see if it’ll light.” “Let’s hope so. Our entire plan rests on that ‘little thing’.” Mitch just rolled his eyes. He stood from his spot and tried to light it, but his hand seemed too stiff from messing with the bomb. She offered to do it, and surprisingly, he gave it to her without any comment.

She bent over and lit it, taking a step back. Mitch did the same, both of them were about 3 feet from it.

The fuse went all the way to the end, and nothing happened. “Fuck!” Mitch cursed. The two of them walked closer to the bomb.

Like it was waiting for them, it exploded, sending flying pieces of plastic everywhere. Clem yelped, tripping over her own feet. She fell onto her butt and scooted away from where the bomb was.

They had caught the attention of everyone outside, all looking in their direction.

“Well, that’s better than the last one,” Mitch spoke with pride.

“Hey, as long as it’s ready when they get here, you do whatever you need to,” Clem commented. She stood and dusted her pants off, not that it did much.

And with that, she headed over to Louis. Honestly, she hoped that they could at the very least talk. She noticed within the past few days, whenever he was near, her heart picked up speed, and fluttered in her chest. She found herself staring at him more, admiring his features.

“Hey, Lou.” “Why hello there, your Majesty.” She rolled her eyes and gave him a soft smile. One night they spent playing the piano, and Louis came up with the idea for nicknames. In the end, they settled for Queen Clem, and King Louis, after much pleading on Louis’s part. She caved when he promised to never call her Clemster. She hated that nickname.

He gave her a smirk and pulled back the string on the bow he was holding. He released, and the arrow flew... right into the ground. “Ugh, shit.”

“Louis?” She walked up to him and placed her hand on his shoulder, lightly turning him to her.

“Clem... I...” His voice died on himself, having to swallow for a moment to continue. “I know... I know we went through this when you got back... but...” He looked away from her.

“Louis. I know.” She gave him a slight smile. “We need to put it behind us. We both know we’re sorry, and that we forgave each other.” Her hand on his shoulder gave it a squeeze. “Although, not sure that will help your archery skills.” She joked. The area was filled with arrows, and only one hit the target, nowhere near the middle.

“Hey, think you could do better?” He challenged, offering the bow. She took it gracefully.

“I know a can.” “Damn, go ahead then.” He gave her one of those toothy smiles, “In that direction please.” He pointed to the target. “And when you miss, I am totally laughing out loud.”

She rolled her eyes and took aim. She got in the proper stance, nocked an arrow, took a deep breath... and released

THUNK!

She gave Louis a cocky smile, seeing that her arrow hit a bullseye. “Take that, King Lou.” She gave him a playful wink.

Louis just shook his head but applauded her nonetheless. “Fine, fine. Your skills outweigh mine, Queen Clem.”

The two of them gave small chuckles. Clem stopped, however, when she noticed Violet coming out of the admin’s building. “Hey, I’m going to check in with Vi, okay? Then, more target practice?” She offered.

He nodded. She gave him a wave before leaving him to pull all his arrows out of the trees and ground.

“Back hallway’s secure. How is everyone? Okay? Or, you know, a complete mess?”

“They’re trying-” “Trying isn’t going to stop the raiders. Trying isn’t-”

“Vi.” Clem gently interrupted. “They are ready.” She assured. “We’re defended and everyone is eager to get the fight over with. Louis was even practicing with a bow.”

Vi gave her a look. “Louis? And a bow? How did that go?”

Clem let out a hearty chuckle, “Only one arrow hit the target, wasn’t even close to the middle.”

“Yeah, Louis was never a long ranged person. He’s up close and personal.” She felt her face heat up and she lightly smacked Violet’s shoulder.

“Shut up.”

Vi opened her mouth to say something, but they were interrupted by the doors opening and arguing.

“Because you’re boring and your idea is stupid!”

“I’m being stupid? You’re the one who can’t think straight. If you could hear yourself-” “Guys! What the fuck?” Violet interrupted them. The argument caught the attention of everyone, forming a crowd around Aasim and Willy.

“Violet told us to work on the traps together, but Aasim won’t listen to anything I say!” “That doesn’t mean you have to scream at each other.” Ah, Louis, always the peacemaker.

“Stay out of this,” And Aasim. The stubborn one. “I have an idea for duffel bags filled with bricks. We drop them on the raiders if they get to the admin building. Willy here,” She glanced over to the smaller kid, who looked like his nerve was about to pop, “wants to use a giant, idiotic swinging log to take out one raider at the most. It’s completely stupid.”

Clem looked between the two of them and went over their ideas in her head. Willy’s trap would cause more damage, but it would only be good for one swing. And it would take a lot of work to set it up, plus, if it did kill someone, they’d have to plan for it hit the head, prevent reanimation. Aasim’s plan, while not as flashy, would definitely be easier to pull off. And if they were dropping them on the raiders, it would hit the heads first.

“Guys,” arguing, “guys,” arguing, “Guys!” She barked, walking between the two of them, one hand on each shoulder to keep some distance between them. “We’re using Aasim’s plan. It’s more practical, and it won’t take as long to set up.”

“Mine’s practical!” Willy defended, pushing past Clem to get closer to Aasim.

“No, it isn’t. It’s exactly the kind of thing a child would think of. Especially a child who has no idea what he’s up against-” That was it. Willy’s fist balled up, striking Aasim right in the gut. She winced, hearing the sound of contact. Aasim doubled over in pain.

Everyone else took a step back, and Willy seemed to realize what he just did. His feet shuffled before he darted away into the building.

“Dude, you okay?” Louis went over to Aasim, but he was waved away.

“Yeah. Fine, shit!” Aasim walked away, cradling his torso.

“At this rate, we’ll all kill each other before the raiders get here.” Violet rubbed her temple. Clem nodded with her and watched Aasim sit on one of the giant plush couches.

“Right, what we need is something to break the tension.” Louis agreed with them. He turned and started to walk over to Aasim. Vi and Clem followed, curious about what his plan was.

“Hey, buddy, how’s it hanging?” Louis plopped himself next to Aasim, who was still cradling his stomach. Clem sat herself down on a comfy armchair next to them, and Violet was on the other couch.

“Dude, fuck off.” As always, Louis shrugged off the insults.

“Sulking in the corner isn’t gonna help us fight the raiders. Or turn that frown upside down.” Clem raised an eyebrow. She knew Louis was a cheesy guy, but that was just... awful.

And just as she expected, Aasim kept his head down and the insults rolling, “You get more annoying every day.”

“Regardless,” Louis frowned lightly, “I’ve come up with a plan to make everyone feel better.”

“Let me guess,” Clem cut in, pulling her legs underneath her, “a game?”

Louis gave her a smile, “Correcto mungo!” He cheered.

“Uh, haven’t played a game in weeks, since that night with Marlon.” Clem looked down, feeling her stomach sink with guilt. Though she had been forgiven by the kids, she still felt the guilt of it on her shoulders.

She noticed Aasim looking away, towards Ruby with a small smile. “I mean, if you wanna go ask Ruby to play, I don’t mind waiting.”

“Shut up, dude! I swear to god.” Aasim snapped at Louis, who had the biggest victory smile on his face.

“You have a crush on Ruby?” Violet inquired. All they got was Aasim’s nervous glances. That confirmed it all.

“What’re we playing?” AJ and Tenn walked up, joining the game. Tenn sat by Violet, and AJ sat on the ground by Clem’s chair.

“Truth or dare!” Louis shuffled up the cards, picking out random sections and placing them in the top or bottom.

“But you don’t use cards in truth or dare.” Violet protested.

“You do in this. Highest card get’s to ask, lowest has to answer. Clem, if you would?” He handed her the deck after drawing a card of his own. She grabbed hers, and the deck went around until everyone got a card.

She got the low card, and Violet got the high card. The blonde pushed her lips together in thought, “Hmm, this should be good. Let’s see...” She paused once again. “Marry, Fuck, Kill.”

“Vi.”

She rolled her eyes, “Fine. Marry, Flip, Kill. Ruby, Aasim, or James, that guy who saved you.”

Clem placed a hand to her face, “Oh my god.”

“Hey,” She felt Louis tap her shoulder, “You gotta answer. Them’s the rules.”

Clem thought about it over her head, running through all her choices and options. “Okay... let’s see, I would marry... Ruby.”

Louis threw his head back with laughter, “Watch out, Aasim, she’s totally going to swoop in and ruin your dreams.” He warned, nudging Aasim lightly with his elbow.

“You gotta admit, Clem’s a way better catch than you.” Violet cut in, giving Clem a wink. She responded with a smile and a roll of her eyes.

“I would um... Flip?...”

“Flip, flip, flip, flip, flip-”

“Flip, flip, flip, flip.” AJ and Louis chanted. She gave Lou the stink eye.

“... James.”

“That’s...” Violet trailed off, “an interesting choice.”

“Funny, you say ‘horrifying’ differently then I do.” Clem smacked his shoulder giving him a glare, before looking away with a flush on her cheeks.

Violet ignored him, “Didn’t you say he wore skin, like, human skin?” Clem nodded, “I wonder if he would take it off to...ugh... you know what, nevermind.” Clem get out a bark of laughter, bending over a bit.

“And that means you’re killing-”

“This is amazing-”

“Aasim!”

She noticed his shoulder slump in relief, “Oh, thank god.”

“What?!” Louis cried. “You’d rather die than marry or flip Clem?”

“No!” Aasim quickly denied, unable to look at the amber-eyed girl. “I didn’t mean it like that!”

“It’s fine Aasim.” She dismissed with a laugh, “I get it. Round two boys!” She reached for the deck and drew a card and passed it around the group.

“I win!” She cheered.

“And poor Aasim loses.”

“Definitely a dare.”

Aasim raised an eyebrow, “Okay, do your worst.”

Should not have said that. Cause what she had in mind would make him want to hurl. More than once. “You have to kiss... a walker.”

“What?”

“No way.”

“Gotta play by the rules, my dude.”

“That’s like, I could die!”

“Avoid the teeth, go for the cheek.” She replied with a smirk. Violet shuddered, but they all watched attentively as Aasim walked up to one of the impaled heads on the spikes.

After much mumbling on his part, he did it. He kissed a walker. And almost immediately, he ran away, gagging. They burst out in laughter as he stalked back to his seat.

There were lots of calls from, “I can’t breathe!” Louis, “That was amazing,” Vi, and “I hate... everyone.” from Aasim.

“Well,” Louis concluded, “I think we all learned something about our good friend Aasim today. Mainly that he has no romantic charm, whatsoever.” Aasim replied with shut up, but everyone knew, Louis would never ever shut up.

“Look sharp, y’all. It’s time for round three!” They passed around the cards again.

She got the low card, and Louis got the high card. He stared at her card for a moment before nodding, “I got it. We’ve been pretty hard on Aasim here, teasing him about sweet Ruby. Seems only fair we mercilessly tease someone else about unrequited love.” He turned to her with that cheeky grin of his, “So, Clem, anyone here you like-like?”

“Like-like? What are you, six?” “Seven, thank you.”

“I’ve made a lot of good friends here... but I’m not sure I have a crush on someone.”

Louis raised an eyebrow, and she caved. “Yeah, yeah I guess I do, sort of have a crush on someone. And I think they like me back.” She felt her cheeks burning, so she buried her face in her hands.

The game ended on a nice note. Tennesse told them of his idea, that walkers wouldn’t always be around, mentioning how the world moved in cycles. It was a beautiful thought. She doubted they would live to see it, but it was a nice thought.

She was offered to hang out by both Violet and Louis, one at the bell tower, and the other at his beloved piano.

She knew which one to go with. No second thoughts.

BALALALALLALALA Ughhhh... this took so long

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inseomermaid-blog · 6 years ago

Text

An Inner Circle First-Timer’s Concert Experience In Seoul [#WINNEREverywhereTourinSeoul]

So. If you tell me freakin’ one year ago if I’d be flying to Seoul for a Kpop concert, I’d smack you for slander.

Buuuuut here we are, a week after WINNER’s Everywhere Tour in Seoul :))))) I’ve just begun to recover. Literally, it took me a week to get through the stages of mourning and to accept that it’s over HAHAHUHU

Anyway, here’s my (and Liz’s) experience in attending a concert in Seoul!

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Why we wanted to see them in Seoul (when it was sure they were gonna go to MANILA anyway):

1. It’s Liz’s annual bday trip gipp!! Or idk, this is part of the rationalization we thought of AHAHA. Initially, we were set for Singapore as it would be way cheaper for sure, but another reason came up....

2. We wanted to see them in their most “comfortable” version - Not sure if comfortable is the word, but I guess we wanted to see them how they were in their home country?? Speaking comfortably in Korean and all? We were anticipating that for other countries it would probably be just Yoon speaking most of the time (not that it’s a problem with us HAHA), and we wanted to see all them four being their natural makulit presence on stage (without them thinking about the language hinderance--even if kami yung hindi makaintindi sa kanila :)))) I know it’s a weird reasoning but :)))) And it’s been a long time since they’ve done a full concert in Seoul! We just wanted to be there in the kickoff concert. I mean, if we were willing to fly out to see them, o di todo na namin diba? Seoul it is!

How we got the tickets:

Here’s the thing: this is not our first rodeo. We’ve already successfully watched Coldplay in Singapore last year after (WHAT I THOUGHT WAS ALREADY) a bloody online ticketing war. Coldplay tickets were wiped out in 20 minutes, I think? But I was able to secure 7 tickets (3 VIP standing, 4 upper box tickets) after much death and resurrection.

We thought we were prepared for a WINNER ticketing war lol. We were not. Everything (or at least the seats we targeted) was more or less gone in less than 4 minutes.

There were two waves, one week apart. Both of them were intense :)))) I guess our third-world country internet cannot compete with their 5G data network?!

A HUGE HUGE HUGE thank you to Cams and Dianne for basically hand-holding me throughout the entire process of securing tickets from Seoul!! T_T Without them, we probably wouldn’t have gotten tickets. All transactions were smooth and hassle-free. There were a lot of K-ICs who also wanted G-ICs to attend the Seoul concert and thus were purchasing tickets so scalpers can’t get to them first. They also helped me with tips and advice on where to stay, where to go, etc etc as it was our first time in Korea. Sobrang bait and helpful nila as in! T_T

---

Of course that was only half of the problem:

In less than a month, we had to book flights (ANG MAHAL NA NITO SIYEMPRE), book hotel (Thank you Agoda for your occasional flash sales) and of course, VISA. We highly recommend TravelPros for your Korean visa processing needs! We spent around 700 pesos for this, and we got the visa in exactly 6 days. Super fast. Pero may drama pa kami dun sa visa requirements LORD HAHA pero hindi ko na kwento haba na nito. BASTA when we got the visa I wanted to throw a fiesta, ganung level =))

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CONCERT D-Day~~~

We wanted to get in early-ish because we were anticipating the DVD / merch line.

The train was a bit confusing for this stop!! We knew we were not the only ones because some of the Koreans were also confused where to get off haha

This ad greeted us before the exit!

Entering the Olympic Park Stadium~

Sure enough the line was at least 500m already when we arrived at around 10:45.

AAAAAND YES I lined up for 2 hours for the DVD 0_0 Under the heat of Korean summer 0_0

Questions in my mind while in queue:

1. why does everyone look so fresh except me

2. how to spot foreigners: they use umbrellas for the heat

3. Don’t be weak

4. why am I doing this again

Anyway, tada~

Let’s just ignore the part where if we waited until 3pm, or at least when the line tapered off, I could have gotten it without the sunburn on my batok but where’s the fun in that no?

Liz and teh boyfriend lined up for merch (mercifully it was shorter) and they were able to buy 2 lightsticks (OUR FIRST ONES YAY! Hirap daw lagyan ng battery lol) and shirts (X and XL lang ang available sizes but it still works out!?? What is this Korean sizing sorcery?!)

---

All the cafe / restos were full (Mamamoo was also having a concert that day!) so we had to settle for convenience store food :))) It wasn’t bad!

Met Cams and lots of other PH-ICs who travelled from MNL! You can check out #ICsPHGoesToSeoul to see what everyone was up to while in Seoul.

We got a lot of fans (as in pamaypay) from different fansites (and thus we didn’t have to line up, yay!) and actually saw the faces behind big accounts* HAHA it was surreal.

Actually, the whole thing was pretty surreal (YA THINK) in a good way. Since it’s our first time to attend a KPop concert, we didn’t know a lot of things. One of those was... lining up for freebies given by fansites.

Girl, INTENSE. As in, pila kung pila ang mga bagets and not-so bagets. Paano naman kasi ang cute ng freebies! Fans, stickers, photocards, etc. Looking back feeling ko dapat pumila/bumili kami BUT holehhhshit it was really so hot, and after lining up for 2 hours we wanted to just save our energy.

Super tita namin right?!

Also most of the masternims who were offering their freebies were all speaking in Korean (malamang) so we didn’t know if it was free or for sale... AH BASTA MAGULO isip namin hahaha yeaaaah looking back we should have at least tried BUT yun nga, it was really too damn hot to walk around talaga. Maybe next time!! (next time talaga?!)

Kill time! We just randomly sat anywhere we could #ifItfitswesits

At some points, we could hear the sound check so medyo spoilery siya (we heard Jinwoo’s solo performance HAHA) at the same time we were like OMG 0_0

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FINALLY TIME TO ENTER!

Our seats were 2F (as in second floor). We were initially planning to aim for 1F but giiiiiirl waley. 2F wasn’t that bad! Ang nasa isip ko MOA Arena levels where it’s too high up. This was okay (as if may choice kami HAHA). 1F would be the best seats talaga. Standing is a gamble because there’s a chance you won’t be able to see anything BUT the interactions that WINNER made with the standing group was really worth it :))))) WATCH THE FANCAMS IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT I MEAN

I tried to use MIXLR for the first time pala, since I wanted to kinda pay it forward. The first time I “experienced” a WINNER concert was through Cami’s Fukuoka?? mixlr concert and back then I thought, it’s amazing that someone would really try to share this experience with us that can’t make it to the concert.

(Now that I’m replaying my mixlr, I AM SORRY FOR THE THOUSAND OMGs I SAID =)))) I swear I’m more coherent than that--except when you know, Mino was body rolling live, Hoony was lifting his shirt to reveal his perfect 6-pack abs, Jinwoo with his ethereal voice and stage presence, and Yoon’s powerful vocals and performance. Wala na talaga ako masabi kung hindi OH MY GOD =)))) So I’m not sure if I’ll ever mixlr again hahaha kasi marami naman who does it and is more pro about it??? let’s see :)))

Here are some notable thoughts I remember from the concert (sorry more Tagalog here because all the feels)

1. ANG GWAPO NILANG LAHAT. I mean, fo sure I didn’t stan them for visuals (promise talaga! It was really about the music. Sawain ako sa visuals actually) BUT hooooshit. They are different irl. I’ve seen them before in NAIA airport for like.... 10 seconds and like I knew they were really good-looking. BUT ON STAGE. IN FULL PERFORMANCE GLORY. THEIR VISUALS ARE INSANE.

youtube

2. SOLO STAGES. WHERE TO BEGIN. I didn’t know I’d see Mino perform Body live ever (I thought he had retired the song and I’ve accepted it) BUT GOOD LORD. The “mashup” for Body and TOTL was just made to be together. The stage and performance was oozing with sexiness and charisma and my mind was just a puddle at this point. Mino doesn’t do full-on sexy very often (am I right? It’s like between deliberate sexy and swag, he’d go for more swag) so when he did this... live... the body rolling... the kinda grinding.... we died.

3. JINWOO. Jusko. Where to start with Jinwoo. I’m rewatching our fancam of his Untitled 2014 performance and it’s the only one who made me feel goosebumps. Especially the part where he went up the stairs and the spotlight was on him, and he was singing so passionately and the audience was just in complete awe. IT WAS A MAGICAL MOMENT I CAN’T EXPLAIN. It’s like as he walked up the stairs and sang, it was like he was taking his rightful place as a superstar. Jinwoo is not even my bias but I super kaduper want him to succeed and become more confident with this abilities (I am speaking from someone who watched Who is Next haha). After his solo stage, my immediate first thought was: JINWOO IS READY TO HAVE A SOLO ALBUM.

4. YOON’S SOLO STAGE. Lol I cried. Ever since I’ve heard It Rains (his solo song), I’ve wanted to hear it live, but I didn’t expect that he’d sing it ever again--maybe he’d sing Wild and Young but not It Rains. The arrangement was “simple” but the experience was HOLY. As in, it was like angels were singing. His clear and strong voice filled the whole arena. The adlibs he did were insane. Literally it was like going to church. The lights and the background visuals were stunning. Sobrang full on drama / rocker Yoon mode! It is something to behold live. Also... INSTINCTIVELY. I also never thought I’d see Yoon perform with a guitar ever again. (Ang drama?? never talaga?? hahaha but I never know with Yoon kasi! He’s so experimental with genres that when he’s already done something already, it might take a long time for him to comeback [in this case, to his rocker roots]). When he took off his blazer... BAKLA SIGAW TALAGA AKOOOOooooo =)))) Looking at him perform like this, I can’t believe he didn’t go solo. I know he’s happier with a group (and I am thankful) but his presence as a solo artist is still very much there. I hope Yoon can release his solo album soon because Liz and I will definitely fly again to Korea when that happens!!! :)

>>>[OPEN FOR A SURPRISE]<<<

Grabe thissss pic.twitter.com/AvxeuT4Xoh

5. HOON. How so even begin writing about Deputy Lee’s stage. He performed Ringa Linga (modified with Hoon’s rap which was a cool touch I think) and Serenade (EVERYONE’S WAITING FOR THIS). I don’t know where haters get the idea that Hoon can’t dance. Like... are you guys BLIND?!?!? He’s one of the most naturally gifted dancers I’ve ever seen--because he dances to feeling**, not with just choreo. Ringa Linga was a perfect choice for him because he was able to showcase his vocals, dancing prowess and abs all at the same time. The dance breaks were insane. AND MY GOD, Hoon’s body is perfection. His arms, torso, legs... ART.

6. The costumes, lights (LIGHTS), pyrotechnics, over-all stage design was just A++++. I don’t know why I thought it was going to be a much simpler stage but they really went all-in with everything.

7. The nebula ocean was beautiful. I keep saying in the mixlr... “I’ve never seen so many Inner Circles in my entire life” because it’s true! For some reason there is a notion that we are a small fandom and maybe that’s true compared to others... but we are not less powerful. At least 99% of seats were taken, the standing was packed. Everyone was doing the fanchants. Almost everyone had the lightstick. It was humbling and inspiring to see all the fans who love WINNER come together in one venue, screaming their voices out and singing to the songs (while still being respectful and attentive to each stage performance).

4winner 4ever 💙💙💙💙#WINNEREverywhereTourInSeoul pic.twitter.com/dKXYst03v4

8. The boys really love each other. As in, you can feel their chemistry and their teamwork onstage. Of course, I don’t understand the ments while it was going on (by now I’ve seen the translated fancams of course) but I can definitely tell from their body language and the way they regard each other that they are brothers. And they were just so happy! Running to and from the stage, taking fan’s phones, they were on FULL-ON fanservice. I could feel the love from where I was sitting.

9. I want to pick my favorite stages but I don’t know how. It was surreal to shout “Neol johahae!” for REALLY REALLY and answer Hoon’s pizza pasta so so with “YUM YUM!” =))))) Sobrang surreal na nangyayari siya sa harapan ko at hindi sa Youtube (with subtitles). Love Me Love Me stage was super cute, Moviestar was tear-inducing. Speaking of Movie Star, the fan event was so funny! They were really surprised because it happened right smack in the middle (usually it happens at the end, but they were expecting it kasi). All four of them were very confused and I feel like they really didn’t see the video as much because they were busy being... confused with what was happening. But when they understood they look like they were touched and slightly cross that we were able to fool them HAHA.

Also:

MINYOON MINYOON MINYOON

10. There were many cute moments of ICs that I witnessed. Like, before the concert started, they were playing WINNER songs on the screen. Then suddenly, Body was played. Inner Circles all screamed =))) BASTA SOBRANG FUNNY. During Mino’s kissing scene, half of ICs were turned on, half were saying “Nooooo” =))) Then during encore, we were supposed to sing We Were (as in the whole song). When it was already the second stanza, the singing became softer and softer, because it was apparent that ICs haven’t memorized the lyrics. Everyone laughed hard. IT WAS SOOOOOO CUTE T_T

BONUS:

After the concert, we kinda rushed to the back exit to wait for WINNER. Lol it took more than an hour for them to come out (of course lots of picture-taking, maybe even speeches for the team, etc etc). We saw Yang Hyun Suk (ICs began to chant his name too #insidejokefromtheconcert and sure ako labas sa ilong yun hahaha), PO, Jinwoo’s dad, Yoon’s mom, most of the dancers (Gahee my love were you there) to name a few.

Again, it was a tender moment because the van was supposed to “cover” their exit from the door, but the fans cried “Noooo” and begged security to let us see them :)) So after a few minutes, the van adjusted its position, so WINNER could walk out and wave to the crowd outside. They looked very very very happy and thankful to see us. <3

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We met with some of the PH-ICs again to talk about the concert IN TAGALOG PARA TODO YUNG FEELS :))) I can’t wait to see everyone again in November!

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Aaaaand by 12 am we were back in our hotel after getting lost in Dongmyo exit HAHA. Can’t blame us, all our braincells were left in the Olympic Park Stadium :)) It was really a memorable experience that we hope we can repeat for sure on November (WHICH IS MY BIRTHDAY MONTH). Aiming for nearer seats this time, but let’s see what the universe will give us.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

I thought if I finally see WINNER live I’d be finally scratching an itch--like I’ve already see them live and that’s that. But NOOOOOooooooOOOOOooo. It’s completely the opposite. Now YouTube and mixlrs are not enough anymore T_T When you’ve seen them live... you just want to repeat the experience over and over again.

To all Inner Circles still reading up to this point: CONGRATS and THANK YOU:))

Also, my god. You can forget everything you’ve read up to this point but just remember this.

SEE

THEM

LIVE.

See them live.

I am not kidding around. You should, at least once in your life. Even if it’s just General Admission ticket or the farthest seat***. It’s different when you are in the same venue and you see them performing LIVE right in front of your very eyes. In my opinion, Yoon’s voice is 10x better live---recording absolutely does not do him justice. Same with the Mino, Jinwoo and Hoon. Their vocals, dance skills, over-all charisma cannot be simply captured by the camera. YOU HAVE TO SEE THEM LIVE TO KNOW WHAT I MEAN, WHY I’M SO ADAMANT ABOUT THIS :)))) I’ve seen performers that are exactly the same live as they are in YouTube or sound the same like Spotify but I can say with complete confidence: not WINNER. I can say their true strength is live performance.

I’m sure I’ve missed a lot but this is becoming a research-paper already HAHA so I’d end it here. SO glad we pushed for this trip, so blessed that everything worked in our favor (we were the last flight out before the NAIA airport incident happened huhu) and we’re already looking forward to November in MNL****! :)

till then bye~

P.S. If you want to chika more or need me to translate the Filipino bits lol just hit me up on teh Ask :)

*we saw at least 2 big Yoon masternims that we avidly follow talaga, 2 european ics we follow (lol “european” what is dead giveaway lol) and 1 of the 3 japanese KSY fans we also like HAHA so cute T_T

** I’m not a dancer, but my boyfriend is, and I remember him saying that personally he has more respect for dancers who dance according to what he feels--because it’s one of the highest forms of expression (as opposed to just relying with choreo). It’s a testament to a dancer’s ability that he/she is able to catch the beat without “thinking” about it too much--so the dance becomes the story of the dancer, not the choreo. LOL I think I’m botching his explanation about it but it’s just I remember Hoon whenever my boyfriend and I talk about freestyle dance.

*** Of course it you can’t make it due to various reasons that’s okay, but if you have a chance to make it happen, don’t hesitate. I’d say it’s worth every penny you’d spend to see them live.

#yg winner #winner yg #위너 #WINNEREVERYWHERETOURINSEOUL #ICsPHGoesToSeoul #YOON #강승윤 #JINU #HOONY #MINO

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