#best home owner loans

[dcxdpdabbles]

DC x DP fanfic Idea: Side Hustle

Barry needs more cash.

It's not that he is struggling, but unlike Bruce, he had student loans, a mortgage, and all the medical bills for Iris to consider. Even with his wife working, he knew they needed to keep a tight grip on their spending to ensure they didn't fall from the yellow into the red.

This means that sometimes he had to watch Wally's face fall when he admitted he couldn't afford to give him an allowance or even some money to go to the mall with his friends. It's not that his nephew complains—Wally is a very understanding young man—but it still tears Barry up inside to disappoint him.

Significantly when, their hero work cut so deeply into their funds just to keep their speedster metabolism under control. If he hadn't done his foolish experiment, Wally wouldn't be in danger of starvation for following his example.

Blood or not, Wally is like a son to him, and the idea that he can only provide the bare basics is painful. He has a high-paying job now, but it will take a while to get all his debt from when he was a student under control.

Before he married Iris, he was okay with that. He now had a wife and son who depended on him, and he couldn't wait around, hoping things would pick up after a few years.

He managed to pay off most of Iris' medical bills, and the house was an excellent step up from the cramped two-room apartment they shared when they were engaged. Barry knew that these two things were good, but he could do better.

That's how he applied as a research assistant to a strange family company called Fenton Works. The pay was decent, and it was only a short hour's drive from his home—he speed-ran it in five, but he needed a realistic distance to keep his ID protected. And best of all?

He mostly did office work. Half the time, he was allowed to do remote work documenting research data and organizing the owner's inventions and patents.

There were many funds coming from said patents and inventions. If the Fentons weren't so busy spending the money to fund their ghost research—the power grid they needed for the portal alone was almost as much as Barry's entire mortgage—then they could easily be among the few in Bruce's fancy galas.

Barry will admit that he was surprised to learn that Mr. Fenton had a PhD in engineering, applied physics, and robotics. Mrs. Fenton had a PhD in nuclear physics, functional analysis, and renewable energy. Both were currently working on getting a PhD in some form of biology, and Barry was flabbergasted that they spoke about it the same way people casually decided to start a new hobby.

It was hard, but they had the money to just sign up for classes. He wept into his student loan reminders whenever he thought about it.

They made the perfect team- one thought up the idea, and the other created a physical form while they ensured it worked together.

He knew his bosses were certified geniuses who appeared goofy was one thing, but to be confronted with their degrees stuffed away in a storage box was another thing. He hadn't even meant to find them since he had gone in there with Danny- his boss's kid- to find some paper research Dr. Jack Fenton needed.

It was even more shocking to find that Dr. Jack had sold some of his systematics to Wayne Enterprises and that Bruce had used some of his robotics theories in his Batman gear.

It also seemed that most of the Amity Park were unaware of how intelligent the Fentons were. When he was out and about in the city, he kept getting pitying looks for working for the local freaks. It was honestly shocking.

People talked about Jasmine Fenton's bright future, the only hope among the family, in the same breath as calling Jack Fenton an idiot or Maddie Fenton a washed-up housewife. The things they had to say about Danny Fenton were far more disheartening.

Barry knows a thing or two about troubled youths as the Flash, and no matter what the town told him, Danny Fenton was not one of them.

It seemed to Barry that Danny was suffering from blatant bullying and the pressure of his family's shadow. Adding to the confusion of being in the middle of puberty, it created the perfect recipe for Danny to be spirling. It was a rough patch, and it led to him skipping class, dropping his grades, and ignoring his responsibilities.

He overheard the Fentons talking about Danny. Dr. Fentons was starting to grow worried since Danny had never behaved this way before high school while Jazz attempted to defend her brother and excuse his disappearance.

She seemed very aware of why her brother seemed to change.

On the other hand, Dr. Fenton wasn't and mentioned more than once that she and Danny were very close when he was a kid, but lately, he seemed to be shutting her out. Her husband admitted that he figured Danny had gotten a girlfriend- someone named Sam?- but he started to notice his son kept coming home with what appeared to be injuries.

Barry wasn't sure if they were aware that Danny was getting bullied. He was carefully filing some of the old cabinets when it clicked.

"Jazz?" He called out as the Fentons finally stop talking about Dnany's behavior and moved down to the lab. The teenager poked her head into the file office with a curious smile.

"Yes, Mr. Allen?" No matter how often he told her to call him Barry, she seemed determined to keep that barrier between them. Which was fair. After all, he was only around the house three or four times a week for a few hours.

"I have a question, so please feel free to not answer." He starts carefully to keep his tone light. Her smile turns strained at once, and Barry almost tells her to ignore it, but the thought of Wally being Danny's place makes him push on. "What is your family's stance on gay rights?"

Jazz blinked slowly, tilting her head. "I don't mind, and neither do my parents, I think. Why sir?"

"Just curious," Barry said, but mentally, he wondered if Danny knew that.

Jazz didn't look convinced, but she didn't push the issue as she wandered away with a respectful by-your-leave. He waited until she was upstairs before abandoning his work to find the Fentons.

Carefully, he started by updating them on his work, then casually dropped the mention of taking Wally to Pride so he wouldn't be able to work the following week. Neither Dr. so much as blinked, telling him that it was fine.

Barry felt it safe to keep pushing just a little.

"Yeah, I still remember how nervous Wally was about telling me he liked girls and boys." He chuckles. "As if though I didn't notice the signs."

Dr. Fenton raises a brow, face twisted in confusion as the large man turns to Barry. "What signs?"

"Mostly, he is trying to think of excuses to be with his friends more. He wasn't sleeping a lot, got into a bit of trouble in school when some kids were giving him grief, and oh, the way his eyes followed young men about." Barry said as casually as one could.

Dr. Fenton looks pensive. "Interesting."

Ah, it seemed she had picked up on the possibility of Danny not being as straight as he claimed. She thankfully didn't seem bothered by it.

"Jack, honey, you don't think Danny could be....?" She asked carefully.

Dr. Fenton ran a hand through his hair. "It could be. But why didn't he tell us?"

"Oh geez, I wonder why!" Jazz suddenly yells from the stairway. Barry twists around to find her standing there with a defensive glare. She has obviously been eavesdropping, but for how long? "What did you two expect with the way you talked around the house?!"

Dr. Fenton looked mystified. "Jazzy-pants, what are you talking about?"

His daughter only raises her fist, lowering her voice to mimic her father. "What are we doing today, Maddie? I know; how about we rip the ghost boy molecule by molecule!"

Barry's eyes grow wide. He had been working for the family for about six months and had encountered Phantom more than once. He even fought him off as Flash a few times since the ghost was hell-bent on robbing and property damage but was less dangerous than his rouges.

Dr. Fenton's face went pale as she clutched to the table. "Jazz you mean....Danny and Phantom...."

Jazz looked ready to fight them all as she bit out, "If you try to do anything to Danny, I swear-"

"We would never Jazzy-pants." Jack cut in, looking off Kindle. "To think my son was dating a ghost behind my back and I...I didn't even notice."

"Oh, Jack, we have to apologize," Maddie started. "Who knows if Danny could ever forgive us?"

Barry was thinking Flash also had to apologize. Based on their last encounter, Phantom would likely not be willing to hear him out. He quickly pulls out his phone to see if Wally and his team could get close enough to have him consider speaking to Barry.

None of the adults noticed the way Jazz froze in confusion, nor did they notice the slow horror growing on her face as they came to terms with Phantom and Danny dating.

[ozzgin]

Yandere! Yakuza x Reader (II)

Reader is cozying up to her unusual home, and her new friend decides to surprise her with a romantic gift. Or at least what he considers to be romantic: a small reminder that no one else can mess with her. Continuation to the yakuza landlord idea!

Content: female reader, obsessive behavior, mentions of stalking, violence, death, mild gore

[Part 1] | [Part 3] | [Yakuza Masterlist]

You search for your keys and open the postal box, retrieving a thick envelope. You've been living at the new apartment for several weeks now and truth be told, you could get used to this lifestyle. Your commute to work is much shorter, the path is never devoid of people, and there are multiple bakeries on the way back with some of the best pastries you've tasted in your life.

You turn around and look for Daitou, somewhat distracted and dreamy. It really feels like a Hallmark movie. A peaceful, idyllic life. Ah, there he is! The scarred man is standing guard before one of the stores. The curtains have been pulled, blocking any glimpse of the inside. You walk towards him with a certain joyful bounce in your step. As you approach him, you can hear muffled screams coming from the building. He notices you and flashes you a smile. 

"Don't come too close, I hear the owner's been avoiding his loan payment and getting all friendly with the neighboring Family. We're questioning him in the back."

"Don't you usually do the interrogations?" 

"Only if we don't need them afterwards. I'm not too good at keeping them alive, ya know?" He scratches the back of his head and laughs awkwardly. "Do you need anything?"

You open your mouth to speak, but it's a little difficult to formulate a full sentence with the interrupted moans and cries occasionally making their way out. The door is ajar and you avoid glancing in its direction, fixating on the man before you. 

"I...uh... just wanted to know if this letter is intended for me or the landlord. It looks like an official document."

You show Daitou the envelope and just as he is about to grab it, he notices the blood stains seeped into his glove. He quickly removes it, wipes his hand on his shirt, and nonchalantly plucks the paper from your fingers.

"That's for Boss. I'll pass it on, so don't worry."

You nod and bow slightly before hurrying back home. Well, doesn't make it less of a movie, you suppose. Just more of a thriller. Or something like that. You drop your bag, slip off your shoes and throw yourself onto the futon with a loud thud. The warmth of the sheets envelops you and the wails of the shop owner become but a distant dream. 

Without the worry of stalkers, or finding a roof above your head, you can finally rest. 

Tonight is rather dark, with the moon shrouded in heavy clouds. Daitou yawns silently as he observes the masked man testing out passcodes for the entrance. Every now and then he lets out a whispered curse, crossing out another number combination on his little crumpled note. It doesn't take a genius to figure out this is the famed stalker you'd complained about earlier. No one else currently lives in the building. 

Eventually, the keypad lights up and the door unlocks. The mysterious man lifts a fist victoriously and reaches for the handle. 

"Oop! Not so fast!" Daitou drops his heavy, sinewy arm over the man's shoulders, pulling him in a friendly embrace. Like two old pals meeting at an intersection. "Let's take a walk together, what do you say? (Y/N) sleeps until noon on weekends, no need to hurry."

With a grunt, the stalker tries to shove himself out of the tightening hold, but the yakuza doesn't budge. He towers over his new friend with an unfaltering, unbothered grin. 

"Now listen, I don't blame you one bit, ya know? I ain't blind, at least not in this eye", he continues as he points to the real counterpart of his glass prosthetic, "so I'm damn well aware of a pretty girl when I see one. And (Y/N)? That's some good taste alright." 

He gives the man an affectionate pat over the chest, pulling him away from the building into one of the side streets. 

"If you want, we can have a drink before the deed, I know a good place five minutes from here. We can share some stories of our favorite girl, eh?" Daitou looks at his watch, feigning mild concern. "But I'm afraid you're not leaving this neighborhood either way. In one piece, that is." 

His arm goes limp and the masked man is released from the iron hold, tripping over from the sudden lack of support. He crawls against a wall and fumbles for something, swiftly pulling out what seems to be a pocket knife. His breathing is erratic and he points the tip of the blade towards the yakuza, now with his features darkened by a frown. He sounds like an entirely different person and the instant switch to a ragged voice startles the stranger.

"See, the trouble is, I promised miss (Y/N) I wouldn't allow a fucking dog like you to be in her presence ever again. Sadly for you, I'm a man of my word." Despite the threatening tone, his posture is relaxed and he stands before the stalker with his hands bare. 

"If I were you, I'd use that little butter knife on my own throat. I don't go easy on horny cockroaches. Especially the ones that mess with my woman." His final words spill out in a bitter growl. 

A small animal in the trashing jaws of a predator. Blood splatters and pools in the asphalt cracks and drained hands claw at the walls, hoping for an escape. As despair sinks in, the alleyway becomes quiet again, save for the merry whistle of the remaining party. Daitou carefully ties the trash bags with the focus of a child wanting to impress the parents with a chore well done. Halfway through he stops and gasps, surprised.

"Oh man, did I really just say 'my woman'? How embarrassing." He blushes and shyly pushes the wrapped slabs away. "I haven't even asked her out yet, ya know? Better not rat me out, Mr. Stalker." He snickers at his monologue and continues the cleanup. 

"Can you really not refrain yourself from smoking in here?" You try to fan away the puff of smoke, scowling at the young blonde man sitting across the table. 

"Why do you even care so much?" Kazuya groans and stuffs the remains of the cigarette in the ashtray.

"I don't want my carrot cake tasting like tobacco. You're lucky the old man is afraid of you, otherwise you would've gotten your ass banned a long time ago."

"You know, I've been thinking about it lately - haven't you gotten quite the attitude? You have a big mouth for someone surrounded by dangerous gangsters. I could blow your brains out right now." 

He lowers himself in his seat and briefly lifts his shirt, flashing a carelessly tucked in gun. He stares at you for a few seconds, as if expecting a reaction, then lets out a chuckle upon seeing your indifferent expression. 

"Shameless. You could at least try to pretend you don't know I have a soft spot for you."

"Just a wild guess, but your Boss probably wouldn't appreciate you shooting civilians in the middle of a café. That's all." You respond with a shrug. 

Your banter is interrupted by Daitou's heavy footsteps nearing in your direction. Kazuya waves, signaling your location, and kicks a chair out, inviting his friend to join. 

"Where the hell were you last night? I thought you'd come with us for drinks after that long ass questioning."

"Sorry, I had to take care of something." Daitou returns an apologetic smile and tilts his head to gaze at you. "Which reminds me, I brought you this."

Your eyes widen in surprise and a faint red tints your cheeks. Was there some special occasion you didn't know about? He places a small box in your hands and leans back in his chair with a cheerful smirk on his face. Kazuya watches the interaction, equally curious as you. 

You open the mysterious gift, giddy with anticipation. The nauseating smell abruptly invades your nostrils and you can feel the contents of your stomach bubble up and pile at the back of your throat. You gag involuntarily and slap your hands over your mouth, as the box tumbles down. A single severed human finger and some teeth glistening with moisture roll out. 

"What the fuck is wrong with you?!"

Kazuya jumps from his seat, toppling over the table in the process, and lunges at Daitou's throat. The latter can only stare in shock, baffled at a reaction he didn't foresee. There's genuine confusion shaping his features.

"But-...I thought..."

"What the hell did you think, that you'd show up with fucking human remains over some tea and cake?! Jesus, Daitou, she ain't our Lieutenant!"

"But I did- I did tell (Y/N) I'd..." he tries to find you with a pleading, worried look. 

Once the risk of vomiting on the floor has diminished, you shove yourself between the men and gently try to remove Kazuya's arm, still clawed around the other man's throat.

"Let him go, Kazuya. He didn't mean to scare me." You glance at Daitou reassuringly. "Does that mean the stalker guy is now a solved matter?"

The yakuza nods energetically, his eyes now sparkling with pride. He knew you'd understand. Once the tension is lifted, you quickly sweep the gory tokens back into their box and explain the situation to Kazuya. He collapses back in his seat with a frustrated sigh, facepalming himself. 

"I'm so sorry, (Y/N), I should've told you he's being serious when he says shit like this." He glares at his friend. "She didn't actually expect you to go ahead and do it, dumbass. Couldn't you just mention it or something? 'Hey, I took care of that pervert following you around'! You think she would've demanded proof?"

Daitou is nervously fidgeting with his glass eye, as if searching for the proper words.

"But you always say women will like you more if you surprise them with gifts." He concludes with a pout.

There's a prolonged moment of silence and you burst our laughing, as the blonde simultaneously lets out an exasperated whine. You cannot get over the bizarre sight in front of you: someone as massive and imposing as Daitou, cornered like a punished school boy. 

"See, this is what I've been telling Boss. You're a lost cause." Kazuya rests his elbows on his knees, closing the distance between him and Daitou and continuing with a lecturing tone. "If you got a crush on someone, you bring them flowers or something! What are you, a crackhead? Do I have to teach you basic manners?"

"More importantly, uh...what should I do with these? I guess jewelry made of teeth is a thing, but the finger? Won't it go bad?" you cautiously dangle the package next to your ears, listening to the rustle of its contents. 

Kazuya rips the box from you.

"I'm starting to suspect you don't have all the tiles on your roof either. I'll get rid of it, so you better pretend nothing ever happened. Are we clear?"

Both you and Daitou nod obediently.

On your way back, the man can't help the excitement building up in his chest. You liked his gift, didn't you? He hasn't done anything wrong. Does that make it official, then? As he ponders the implications, he peeks at your small frame, barely managing to keep up with him. Would it be alright if he reached for your hand? Is he supposed to ask first? All these steps confuse him to no end.

Nonetheless, he couldn't be more thankful for you. 

[angellesword]

BAGGAGE l JJK (02)

Summary: Drowning in debt and blood, Jeon Jungkook knows he's better off alone, lest he brings people down with him.

But one drunken night changes everything.

In a blink of an eye, Jungkook found himself drowning not only in debt and blood, but also in dirty diapers and judgmental stares from you, a.k.a his long-lost love and the guardian of the son he didn't even know existed.

Genre and warnings: best friends to lovers, co-parenting, idiots in love, slow burn—really slow burn, mutual pining, angst, fluff, implied smut, kissing, minor character death, slight getting back together, cursing, blood, stabbing, loan sharks, OC cusses excessively so watch out

Pairing: dad! Jungkook x adoptive mom!Reader

Word Count: 2.6k

←Previous Chapter (01) | Next Chapter (03) →

******

Eight Years Ago; 2015

Jungkook couldn’t lie. Life at Port Mafia was exhausting him down to the bones, but he felt an onslaught of energy rush through him when he saw you leaning on your car while waiting for him.

“Oho~ Perfect timing. My best friend is here to pick me up~.” Jungkook said in a sing-song voice as he happily skipped down your car. Unfortunately, you didn’t mirror Jungkook’s glowing mood.

“Yeah, I’m here to save your shitty ass from perishing. Here—” You pushed a paper bag into Jungkook’s chest before opening the passenger’s door and shoving him inside.

Normally, Jungkook whined about how roughly you treated him, but he couldn’t ignore the savory aroma wafting from the paper bag anymore. Jungkook had no time for drama when his stomach was growling this loud.

“Crazy bastard. When was the last time you ate!?” You scowled as soon as he entered the car.

Jungkook ignored your question. His eyes glistened with crystals when he saw a container full of crab spring rolls. His favorite! He happily uttered your name and asked, “Are these for me? Can I eat them all?”

A scoff escaped your lips when Jungkook stuffed five spring rolls in his mouth in one go. His question did not need a response, but you answered anyway: “You’re the only one I know who eats spring rolls like there’s no tomorrow. Of course, you can eat them all. I made them for you.”

“Aw, aren’t you a sweetheart~?” Jungkook licked his fingers before extending his arm to demand, “Now give me a drink.”

Room-temperature bottled water touched Jungkook’s hand.

“Huh?” Jungkook didn’t accept the water and looked at you with confusion. “Why are you giving me this bland drink? I want banana milk!”

“Shut your trap!” You unscrewed the bottle cap and forced Jungkook to drink it. “You don’t eat in time and even refuse to drink water. You really wanna die, huh?”

Jungkook’s lips puckered. He breathed, “I agree on the last part, but you got something wrong. I do drink water! I just prefer it with flavor. Jimin-hyung and I had coffee earlier. Although, it’s too bitter for my liking..”

A pause.

Jungkook shut his mouth when he noticed your frown deepen. There was a limit to his jokes, and Jungkook knew this. You and Jungkook had been friends since you were five. You might curse and beat him, but you cared for Jungkook. You really lived up to being his best friend.

“You haven’t eaten all day, and your precious hyung made you drink coffee? Very good,” you said sarcastically.

Jungkook let out a breath, “Hey, it’s not like that, okay? We were busy at the office all day. You know we’re a start-up business.”

Start-up, my ass. The words died down in your throat. Some things didn’t need to be voiced out for them to be valid. One look at Jungkook, and your chest tightened. The bags under Jungkook’s eyes were deep and black. If you argued now, Jungkook would be more exhausted. You didn’t have the heart to watch your best friend suffer. You just wanted to bring him home.

“Right.” You gulped and leaned closer to Jungkook to help him buckle his seatbelt. The move invaded Jungkook’s personal space. He could feel your hot breath on his neck.

You owned a secondhand car that Jungkook helped you pick. The previous owner said it was fully depreciated, but you thought it worked perfectly fine—except maybe the seatbelt. Jungkook always lost his temper every time he fastened this ridiculous thing.

You had to do it for him.

Normally, it took two seconds or less to fasten one’s seatbelt, but for some reason, you took a long time helping Jungkook buckle up, almost as if you wanted to stay in this position for the rest of your life.

“Take care of yourself, alright?” Click. The seatbelt was locked in place. You straightened your back and drove the car.

Present; 2023

Nostalgia hit Jungkook in the face like torrential rain.  As of the moment, you, although allowing Jungkook to sit in the passenger seat of your car, had no intention of getting close to him or whatever.

Jungkook heaved a deep sigh.

It was too cold inside your car. Everything had truly changed. Jungkook often complained about the broken air conditioning of your cheap vehicle back then. However, you were driving a top-of-the-line car now.

The atmosphere was awkward. If someone were to tell Jungkook that he’d one day sit inside your car in silence, he would surely call that person crazy.

There was never a dull moment when he was with you. Currently, the only sound that could be heard was the seatbelt warning signal.

Jungkook hadn’t fastened his seatbelt. It was unknown if he had forgotten about it or lost his mind, thinking he had traveled back to when you still fastened his seatbelt.

Unfortunately, that’s not going to happen again. The only thing you could do was remind him about it.

“Buckle up,” you clenched his jaw. ‘Buckle up’ was the second thing you had said to Jungkook after many years of not seeing each other. You two were at the facade of The Guild earlier. Jungkook was rooted on the ground for a long time, thinking he had gone insane to imagine you waiting for him just like before.

But when he returned to his senses, you were still standing before him, and then you opened your car door, gesturing for Jungkook to hop in.

Jungkook didn’t know what kind of demon (presumably the greedy one) had possessed him to enter your car.

Blame it on his brain that short-circuited, relying only on what happened years ago. He didn’t even hesitate. He just got the hell in, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

What was unnatural was how he tried to fasten his seatbelt. He was a bit drunk, after all. His brain was working slower than usual. Jungkook buckled up while wearing the thick yellow Ronald McDonald gloves.

It took him seven tries before realizing that he should remove the gloves, but before he could, you had already leaned closer, buckling the seatbelt for him.

So much for not helping Jungkook, huh?

Since you were close, your unfamiliar scent assaulted Jungkook’s nose. Gone was the soft fabric conditioner that usually stained your clothing. It was replaced by something expensive that seduced someone instead of overwhelming their senses.

Jungkook suddenly felt like he couldn’t breathe. In all honesty, it wasn’t just him. The strong smell of alcohol on Jungkook terrorized you—instantly turning your mood sour.

“You are drunk.” You moved away, focusing on driving once again. Your hand clenched the steering wheel tighter.

Jungkook didn’t speak. He knew how much you hated it when he drank. It brought you pain and memories from the past you’d rather forget.

Jungkook trembled just thinking about those harrowing memories. Meanwhile, despite your apparent anger, you still turned on the car’s heater when you noticed Jungkook shivering; this awakened another memory.

Once, Jungkook couldn’t stop complaining about how hot it was inside your old car, so you, completely crazy over him, brought out a folding fan to help Jungkook cool down.

It was ridiculous and sweet at the same time. Imagine driving with one hand while using the other to fan the annoying person in the passenger seat. Jungkook didn’t have the heart to see you suffer like this, so he snatched the folding fan from you and fanned himself. Besides, it was dangerous.

Looking back, you had always risked many things to make him happy. Jungkook’s heart throbbed at this realization.

So many years had passed, but you still found a way to care about him.

Jungkook found that he couldn’t take it. He wanted to get away right now. 

“Where are we going?” He asked. Only now did he realize how stupid he was to get into this car.

You opened your mouth to speak, then closed it again. You wanted to say something but changed your mind at the last minute.

“Where do you live? I will bring you home.”

“No need.” Jungkook turned you down in a heartbeat. Who would have thought you would clench your jaw and disagree?

“You are drunk. I am bringing you home.”

Jungkook inhaled sharply. There must be something wrong with his head when he wished to see you. Your relationship was severed years ago. You two no longer understood each other. Just look at you—even your way of speaking changed. Jungkook’s tooth ached while listening to you talk formally.

But in the end, Jungkook told you the way home—just not his exact address.

“I’ll be okay here. The streets going to my apartment are narrow. Your car won’t be able to get in.” This wasn’t a lie. Jungkook lived in the poorest area of the city. Going there would only burden you, especially because many gangs waited there. They did not appreciate newcomers. Besides, your car was too flashy. You might end up walking home with a stab wound.

Thinking about that ugly scene, Jungkook shivered again. “Seriously. Just drop me off here. I’m not that drunk, okay?”

It was meant to be a reassuring statement, but your face turned ashen upon hearing that. The rims of your eyes even went red.

Jungkook touched on a sensitive topic that made your heart beat like a drum. He expected you to lash out just like before, but contrary to Jungkook’s thoughts, you simply pursed your lips like you were enduring something painful.

And then you finally stopped the car.

“Contact me.” You handed a calling card to Jungkook. The latter hesitated to receive it because for what? Why did you two need to contact each other again?

You sensed his hesitation. Your grip on the calling card constricted. You almost pushed it to Jungkook’s chest.

“Give me yours,” you demanded as if you knew your former best friend would never call you.

Jungkook held his sneer. He didn’t have a business card. Nobody would want them, so what’s the purpose of printing?

“I’ll call you.” Jungkook snatched the business card and hastily opened the door. He got out in the blink of an eye.

You were stunned but didn’t stop him.

“Thank you for the ride. Happy New Year. See you around.” A lie. He would not see you ever again.

It was too embarrassing. Jungkook was not used to feeling his heart beat crazy again. He was an old man now. He couldn’t handle intense emotions.

Seeing you after a long separation opened wounds he thought had already healed.

He fooled himself. He was a clown.

Literally.

Jungkook went straight to the comfort room of his apartment. His system really knew how to cooperate, huh? He was only vomiting now that he was out of your judgmental stares.

But really, could he blame you? Jungkook also looked at his reflection in the mirror, judging his clown self. He wished the brown patches in the mirror could cover it whole.

He didn’t want to see his face—didn’t want to think that he really met you while wearing the Ronald McDonald mascot costume.

Jungkook: “...”

Jungkook punched the mirror. 

And then let out an animalistic groan.

Jungkook hated physical pain, but he had a rush of dopamine seeing his hand bleed.

His thought of wanting to die was unleashed. He suppressed his pain and anger for years but couldn’t hold on any longer.

Just for today, Jungkook wanted to let it out. It was New Year, after all. He swore this was the last time he’d cling to his past.

And so he punched the mirror one more time. It hurt. It hurt so much that he wanted to cry or die.

Jungkook collapsed on his bed, breathing heavily.

Breathed in.

A tear fell.

Breathed out.

More tears.

He couldn’t die, so he just cried until he fell asleep.

***

Jungkook was jolted awake the next day by the banging on his apartment door. The sound was piercing, perfectly and annoyingly matching his pounding head.

A groan escaped Jungkook’s lips. He had to drag his heavy body to open the door. His eyes were still bleary from having woken up, and before he could properly look at the person in front of him, a knife had already penetrated his skin.

“Good morning, Jungkook-ah. I’ve come collecting debts~” The person who stabbed Jungkook had a saccharine voice, but the killing intent mixed in it was apparent.

Jungkook touched his aching stomach, unable to pay attention to the intruder. He looked at his hand; two colors were mixed together, giving an illusion of something hopeless and terrifying: reddish-brown, the color of dried blood from punching the mirror last night, and now fresh red blood stained his fingers.

Jungkook had been stabbed and was pushed to the ground before he could groan in pain.

“Why the long face, Jungkook-ah? Aren’t you happy?” The intruder mocked.

Jungkook was familiar with this intruder. He was Lee Sung. This man collected debts on behalf of Jang Min, his master.

“Eh? You’re not answering me? Jungkook-ah, it’s New Year. Where’re your manners? Haven’t you learned anything?” Lee Sung sneered, hauling Jungkook to his feet only to slam him against the wall.

Jungkook cursed internally: Bastard, yes, it’s fucking New Year. Won’t you give me a break!? But as usual, he couldn’t voice out his indignation. He didn’t have the energy and power to do so.

Powerless people had no voice. If there was one thing Jungkook learned in life, it was to act according to what the one in power wanted. It would make his life easy because he didn’t see the point of fighting when he knew he would lose from the start.

“You promised to pay eleven thousand yen for this month’s interest. Where’s the money~?”

Jungkook screwed his eyes shut. He lost track of the amount of interest accumulating in his debt. He didn’t even know how much the principal amount was. How could he remember? He was drowning in debt. Would you care how many times the waves hit you? No, right? You would only think about surviving or grasping for a life jacket.

His current life jacket amounted to nine thousand yen, so that’s exactly what he said.

“I have ₩9000 with me,” Jungkook’s Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat. Cold sweat slid down his spine. “Can I...pay the remaining amount next week? I swear I—”

Lee Sung slashed Jungkook’s exposed collarbone with a knife, possibly to get him to stop bargaining.

“Of course, Jungkook-ah. I’m a generous man, don’t you know?” The lunatic with a weapon slashed another layer of Jungkook’s skin. “But I’m afraid I must cut your skin twice. One for each won you cannot pay today. Seems fair?”

Without waiting for an answer, Lee Sung already hurt Jungkook. The latter didn’t fight back. By the time the intruder was done, he had spat on Jungkook’s face and then pushed him.

The wooden floor creaked as Jungkook’s trembling body fell down.

“See you next week. Prepare the money, or I’ll have to cut your throat the next time we meet.” And then Lee Sung was gone.

Jungkook gritted his teeth, clutching his bleeding stomach. He had to call for an emergency before he lost consciousness. Unfortunately, his phone was on the bed. He struggled to crawl just to reach for his phone.

Perhaps the universe saw how helpless he was that he was granted exceptional luck: he had managed to call for help before his hand lost all power, dropping his phone as darkness clouded his vision.

***

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A/N: Please leave a like or comment if you enjoy reading this fic. It motivates me to write faster. Thank you ~~

[babyhatesreality]

Hi hi!! Kind of a random thought, but how would daddy!stucky deal with little!reader losing something super important to her?? I lost my glasses today and they were super important to me and not very cheap either :( they were my only pair so now I'm stuck without them and I've cried about it 363739 times. Now I'm dying for some daddy!stucky comfort bc I feel terrible and am so so sad about it :(((((

Hey babes! So I know I'm the worst for taking so so long to answer this, and I seriously hope I'm not reigniting bad feelings here, bringing attention back to this. If I am, please forgive me, and I know that I love you and want you to be happy.

I can tell you that if you lost something important to you, your daddies would move heaven and earth to find it. Forget Apple tags to find stuff- they've got spy gear and the ability to hack into every single camera on the freaking planet. It does not go missing for long.

This one time, you accidentally left Pipsqueak (your penguin stuffie) at Avengers Con. Captain America and the Winter Soldier had made a panel appearance and did some signing, and while they were onstage you were in the breakroom with Aunt Natasha, Wanda, and Pietro watching on the monitor. You'd been playing and giggling and having a great time, when Peter burst into the room, eager to show you all the gifts that people had given Iron Man. In the exuberance and chaos, somehow Pipsqueak got swept into a random bag of other gifts. The last panel was done, and your daddies were done signing, and it was best for all of them to make a quick retreat together. All personal bags got back to each caregiver, and the agents were going to follow later on with the rest of the paraphernalia.

You were back at home before you realized to your horror that Pipsqueak was missing. Steve held you while you sobbed, while Bucky started hacking his way into the security cameras from the hotel so fast he nearly set the screen on fire with his metal fingers. They saw one of the convention volunteers with Pipsqueak in her hands, and before you knew it, the three of you were back on the Quinjet to get to the penguin as fast as you could.

Once the situation was explained, the volunteer of course gave Pipsqueak to your Papa to give back to you. She had been trying to find the owner anyways, and was relieved.

Little did she know that her kindness and professionalism would result in her college loans being completely paid off instantly, as well as a starting position in SHIELD the moment she graduated. All courtesy of your very grateful daddies would truly would walk the world over to get you the blade of grass that you'd misplaced.

[anamericangirl]

I noticed something recently. Since yesterday, I've been pointing out on liberal posts that Kamala said "Trump wanted to abolish the supreme co-… The supreme co… The supreme… … Land… of our… … … constitutional… American land." and that I think she might be retarded. And people have been replying saying she didn't say that, or that I need to prove she said that, or asking me where she said that.

Same goes for Biden when I point out his golden quotes such as "I was the vice president for Barack America"

Libs always have no idea what I'm talking about. They always demand I prove they said those quotes. When I said Hillary wanted to build a wall long before Trump did, they say she never said that, and I show them the video and they don't wanna watch it.

What I'm getting at is

Liberals don't even watch the speeches of their own candidates. They don't watch them at all! These are incredibly commonly known quotes, these are easy to find videos, these are things they say unbelievably commonly in all of their speeches and libs are always dumbfounded when you bring them up.

THEY DON'T EVEN WATCH THEIR OWN RALLIES.

If I said that Kamala said "We need to build Strength through Joy" at the DNC, which is literally a Nazi thing (google "Strength through Joy"), which she DID SAY, and Oprah Winfrey ALSO SAID IT, the libs would reply "She never said that" as though they didn't even watch the DNC at all.

It's fucking wild

They are completely uninformed, they aren't listening to their own candidates, they're voting entirely out of hate or racially fueled shit like "I want to vote for a black woman" instead of actually watching their speeches.

I've watched every single Kamala, Biden, Trump, RFK Jr, Obama, Hillary, etc. speech for every election I've been old enough to vote for because it's extremely important to me as a human being to know who I'm VOTING FOR TO BE A REPRESENTATIVE OF MY VOICE AND A LEADER TO MY GODDAMN FUCKING COUNTRY EXCUSE ME GOD

And when I bring up quotes that liberal politicians say, liberals will always demand I'm lying and demand proof, and when I give them the proof they refuse to watch it!

I am 100% convinced liberals are just white-hating racists who want slavery to make a comeback which is why they're so strongly for letting illegals into our country and giving them the right to vote and mass amnesty because the democratic party fought tooth and nail to give slaves full voting power so they could get their slaves to vote for the left wing politicians who wanted to keep slavery going because they were filthy rich under slavery, but now that slavery's been abolished they're looking for any other way they can get colored folks to vote blue hence giving them $150,000 home loans in California. 100% convinced.

Get "I study history" on, liberals. Reminder that Kamala's literally a descendant of slave owners. Liberals regularly say shit like "All white people should be killed because they're descendants of slave owners" but despite factual evidence Kamala's a descendant of slave owners, they make an exception.

Sorry liberals. But you are horrible people, you're racist, you're intentionally uninformed, you don't put a single bit of effort into reading about US history or the history of the politicians you're voting for, and you're retarded.

Liberals are the definition of low information/no information voters. They get all their news from tiktok and think they’re informed enough to vote on who is the best person to lead the country.

They have no idea how much context and information they are missing.

And at this point I think it’s largely intentional with some people because otherwise they would have to confront the fact that these liberal politicians they are putting on pedestals as the saviors of America who will restore “democracy” (another term they don’t know the meaning of) are literally everything they claim to hate.

It says a lot about them when they can pull up Trump quotes from 10 or 15 years ago but they can’t tell you what Kamala said yesterday.

[williamsonnawfc]

See You Again

When your loan contract with Barcelona is up you instantly begin thinking about how it will effect a very special relationship you've created with Alexia.

You live in my dream state Relocate my fantasy I stay in reality You live in my dream state Any time I count sheep That's the only time we make up, make up You exist behind my eyelids, my eyelids Now I don't wanna wake up

You knew your time at Barça would be cut short. You wished it could last for the rest of your career, live out your football days in your home with the one you loved. However, Arsenal being Arsenal insisted you come back to the club as soon as they found out about the first of their two ACL injuries this season. As a central midfielder you had a constant pressure to meet the expectations of the club ever since they found out Alexia would be out for the majority of the season with her own ACL injury. All you wanted to truly do in life the moment you found out about it was wrap her up in a big hug and nurse her back to the Alexia that could lead her team out of the tunnel on the weekend and win knowing she captained that winning team. But the universe always has other ideas.

It was on your lunch break when a member of staff approached you asking you rather politely if you would follow them. In a instant as you realised where they were leading you your mind began to run at 150 miles an hour running through different encounters you'd had over the course of the previous week wondering if you'd broken any of the clubs rules. Your thoughts were brought to an immediate halt as you now stood outside the president's office chewing on your bottom lip, hands slightly trembling as the member of staff opened the door slowly to let you in. What you found inside brought you instant confusion, there around a conference table sat the president of the club, Jonatan, Jonas Eidevall and your father. There was no hiding from the girls who you were and who your father and his side of the family were being the owners of FC Barcelona and of the women's side too, many thought he bought your place on the team until they saw how you played and realised you had done it all on your own. 

20/20, 20/20 vision Cupid hit me, cupid hit me with precision I wonder if you look both ways When you cross my mind (Yeah), I said, I said I'm sick of, sick of, sick of, sick of chasing You're the one that's always running through my daydream, I I can only see your face when I close my eyes

You didn’t know how to feel when they told you the news that you'd be returning to Arsenal after almost 8 years. You had an instant feeling of joy at the thought of seeing some of your old teammates and one of your best friends, Leah Williamson. Almost instantly after you felt dread and fear, fear at how you were going to tell your teammates here and Alexia - you dreaded that most. You also dreaded settling into a new environment a new team, a new home. 

You politely asked if you could excuse yourself from training for the rest of the afternoon so you could break the news to Alexia and begin packing seeing as you had to leave for London on Friday and today was Tuesday. After gathering all your gear from you locker you began the silent walk through the facility towards the door that would lead you to your car. 

As you heard the loud laughter of your teammates who you now saw as your sisters you considered turning around and acting as if you hadn't just been told the heartbreaking news, but your mind instantly went back to the hazel eyed, brunette that you'd spent pretty much everyday of the last 8 years with knowing she was most likely sitting, leg propped up on the couch watching trash tv telling Nala all about what she wanted to do with you when her leg allowed her to, as that's all she'd talk to you about somedays. Always planning for the future, my Alexia. Tears threatened to fall as you thought of all the moments you'd miss with her as you'd now be almost 1000 miles away from your love but you pushed them back forcing yourself to look like nothing was an issue as you'd subconsciously got yourself safely to the home you shared with Alexia. You got out of your car before walking up to the front door putting the key in twisting it to unlock it. 

Can I get a kiss? And can you make it last forever? I said I'm 'bout to go to war And I don't know if I'ma see you again Can I get a kiss? (Can I) And can you make it last forever? (Can you) I said I'm 'bout to go to war ('Bout to) And I don't know if I'ma see you again

“Im home, mi amor”, you shouted into the house whilst kicking off your shoes and placing your training bag down. Walking through the house you noticed that the brunette you loved so much was passed out on the couch cuddling Nala, whilst she continued to sleep you chose to make food for her for when she woke up. You decided your mama's famous paella that both you and Alexia loved so much. So 40 minutes later when the sleeping beauty woke up you had a plate full of her favourite rice dish ready to give her. You carried both of your plates as you passed one to her you sat down next to her.

“Why are you home so early cariño?” You heart instantly began to break as you realised this wouldn't be your home by the end the week, your home would be London the sheer thought of it sent you into a mental panic and Alexia being Alexia instantly picked up on it. “What's wrong amor? Did something happen at training? Did someone say something to you?” You turned to look into those hazel orbs that communicated so much more than her words, they communicated her love, concern and behind it all her fear.

“Something happened, but I want to clear up straight away it was not the girls.” She sighed a breathe of relief knowing that the girls weren't bothering you inter absence. “Okay if it wasn't them then what was it?” You hesitated for a minute, braking eye contact and beginning to play with the rings on your hand, specifically the promise ring Alexia got you a year into your relationship. “They want me to go back to Arsenal, Friday would be my last day here for I don't know how long”

All Alexia could do in that moment was stare in disbelief, she was certain her cariño was playing a prank on her it was a very stupid one, one that would ultimately end in her demise if it was a prank but by the look on your face she knew this was real, very real.

“I only have one thing to ask of you.” Alexia instantly nodded in return. “Can I get a kiss? And can you make it last forever?” Alexia instantly leaned in connecting their lips in a passionate kiss that said more than just I love you.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL

3/6/2023

ARSENAL WFC V BARCELONA FEMENI

Can I get a kiss? (Can I get a kiss?) And can you make it last forever? (Oh, forever) I said I'm 'bout to go to war (Go to war) I don't know if I'ma see you again (See you again) Can I get a kiss? (Can I) And can you make it last forever? (Can you) I said I'm 'bout to go to war ('Bout to) And I don't know if I'ma see you again

Walking out at Wembley was a feeling that would never go away, it was euphoric. The hymn began and the handshakes as well as the coin toss took place all before the referee’s whistle blew signalling the start of the first half. Barça instantly had possession of the ball allowing the one and only Alexia to get them one up however we were able to equalise thanks to Frida by the time it was halftime. Alexia assured me in a text last night that even though it was her first game back in the champions league I wasn't to go easy on her and by the time the second half began going easy on them was in the back of my mind. All I cared about was winning, we were going to win this. I had to make my sacrifice worth it. 

3 goals in the first 30 minutes of the second half. That's all it took for the new Champions League winners to be decided, Arsenal had won the Champions League. Arsenal had beaten Barcelona. The referee blew their whistle to signal and everyone dropped to their knees in joy or in sorrow, for the girls in red it was joy and for those in yellow it was sorrow.

Apart from one, she felt both. the girls on Barça’s side were her sisters, but so were those who played for Arsenal. She was pulled out of dwelling over that the a certain Irish woman picked her up and began running around with her on he shoulders making the younger girl giggle before being placed onto her own two feet and captured into a bone-crushing hug. “You did this for us Señorita!” the Irish woman screamed in her face. “Only for you my leprechaun!”

Out of the corner of her eye she saw her amor consoling those on her own team as they beat themselves up over the defeat believing they could've played so much better. Somehow she had managed to escape the Irish woman and was able to walk over to the girls specifically Alexia, her Ale. Before she could say anything she was pulled into another bone-crushing hug “I’m so proud of you, cariño” was mumbled into her neck. “I'm proud of you amor, you played so well.” Was the response she thought would be fitting, “I don't want to think about my performance all I want to think about is when I'll see you again.”

“Make this kiss last forever and you'll see me everyday for as long as we both shall live.”

[m-jelly]

Bodyguard's touch - Chapter 1

@ladycheesington <3

Pairing: Levi x Fem!Reader

Genre and tags: Modern AU, bodyguard Levi, romance, fluff, falling in love, cute, emotional hurt, comfort, protective Levi.

Story concept: Born the illegitimate daughter of a rich CEO, he hunts you down and welcomes you into the family. Levi is ordered to be your bodyguard and live in butler. Levi is order you 24/7 and the two of you develop strong feelings for each other. While falling in love with each other something strange is going on with your father's powerful business. Your father, his wife and two kids are being nice to you, but Levi begins to suspect that you were welcomed into the family for horrible reasons. Levi works hard to uncover the truth before you are hurt and beyond help.

AO3 link

Part 2

You sat in the back of the convenience store as you ate your small lunch. You released a long sigh and felt exhausted. You worked two jobs just to make ends meet after your mother passed away. You were devastated and a debt had appeared from nowhere. You weren’t sure who was draining your mother dry of money, but someone was pissed and you had loan sharks sniffing around you so much. So, you worked hard and did your best. You even sold your childhood home just to get them off your back for a while.

You flinched at the bang against the door. “Coming!” You packed your food away and cleaned up. You opened the door and smiled at your manager, who was the sweetest man in the world. “Sorry.”

Dennis wafter his hand. “Don’t be sorry, okay? We’ve had an influx of people in. Take a half hour later.”

You blushed hard. “Oh, but that’s way more than I need.”

He placed his hand on your shoulder. “Take it.”

“I appreciate it. I really do.”

He winked at you. “I’ll man on till you get on the other.”

“Got it!” You hurried over to your till and got behind the long counter. You yanked on your apron and made sure your gloves were in place for the hot baked goods you’d made. You smiled at your first customer. “Hello, did you find everything you need?”

The smiled. “Yes, perfect. Oh, you baked different things! Could I have a sausage roll with pork, apple and honey?”

You put on your gloves, used the tongues, pulled out what they wanted, and slipped it into a bag. “Great choice!”

They took smiled as you bagged everything and said the price. They tapped their card against the reader. “I really hope you get a nice bakery someday. Your food is so good.”

You bowed your head. “Thank you, enjoy!”

You and Dennis worked together to get through the very long line of customers. Lunch was always a rush and it got to the point where you had almost none of your baked goods left to sell, so the hot food area was closed up. You cleaned up the counter space before leaving the area and began sweeping up and cleaning the floors. You couldn’t believe how much of a mess people left behind. You wanted to strangle some people.

“Excuse me?”

You stopped sweeping and gazed at the owner of the deep gruff voice. You gripped your broom as you stared at a well-kept man in an expensive suit with white and grey hair slightly swept back, a trimmed white beard and dark eyes. You gulped hard as you felt a little uncomfortable as he stared at you. You noticed he was staring at your chest, you were confused but realised he was looking at your name tag. You glanced behind him to see two men in suits with him that had what looked like earpieces in their ears. You blushed when the handsome raven-haired bodyguard stared at you and blushed a little. 

You looked away and hummed. “Can I help you sir?”

“You are a pretty little thing, aren’t you?”

You gripped your broom even tighter. “Sir?”

He put his hand in his pocket as he grinned. “I can’t get over how pretty you are.” He chuckled and pulled out a silver case. He opened it and pulled out a business card. “I would like to have a word with you about something in private.”

You backed up. “I’m sorry, sir, but company policy states I cannot take contact details from customers.”

He offered the card to you. “I’m not a customer. I’m not buying anything here.”

“I’m sorry sir, but you being in the store qualifies you as a customer.”

He clenched his jaw a little. “It is really important that we talk.”

You bowed to him. “I’m sorry sir, but I cannot take that card.” You turned and made your way over to your boss. “Dennis? That old rich man keeps trying to give me his contact card.”

Dennis looked over at the man trying to come over. “Oh, that’s business tycoon Mr Chester Carter. It is best that you stay away. It is weird that he’s approached a young woman with his number.” He pushed you along to the back room. “Go have your half hour and I’ll deal with him.”

“Thank you.”

Dennis waited for you to leave before he walked over to Mr Carter. “Excuse me, Mr Carter but can I help you?”

Mr Carter glared down at Dennis and said your name. “I need her.”

“I don’t care who you are, but you should be ashamed of yourself for trying to take advantage of a sweet and kind woman.”

Mr Carter stared at Dennis for a while before turning to his bodyguards. “Levi? Get it done.”

Levi sighed. “Yes, sir.”

Dennis shook his head. “Nope, no you are not hovering around my shop.”

Levi walked outside with his boss. “I’ll wait for her after work. I’ll make sure she gets your message.”

Chester adjusted his tie. “I appreciate it. This needs to be done.”

“I’ll ensure it is.”

“You are my most trusted and best bodyguard.” He placed his hand on Levi’s shoulder and smiled. “I expect good things.”

Levi bowed his head and watched his boss leave in his armoured car. He clenched his jaw a little and felt irritation within him. He folded his arms and leaned against the wall as he thoughts about you. He covered his mouth and hid his smile. Levi thought you were cute beyond words and wanted to just wrap you up in his arms. He knew if you agreed to what Mr Carter had planned, then he would be taking care of you and keeping a close watch on you. By what Chester told him, you were close to his age and you had a similar life.

You put his hand in his pocket and pulled out his phone. He unlocked it and looked at the messages sent by his boss. He stared at your picture and felt his heart skip a beat. He smiled but his smile faded when he saw Heather’s name pop up. Heather was the daughter of Mr Carter and he wasn’t the biggest fan of the stuck-up rich girl who cried to Daddy whenever she could. He despised how she’d scream in delight at Levi whenever he was around. Levi enjoyed being away from her and he was going to enjoy being around you.

He frowned when he noticed some guys hanging around that were loan sharks. Levi was made aware by Mr Carter of what had gone on in your life. He was going to make sure he’d protect you from anyone wanting to hurt you. He snarled a little at the guys but saw them perk up meaning you were on your way out. He turned and saw you just walk out of the shop and say bye to your boss.

Levi walked up to you and wrap an arm around you and pulled you against his body. He lowered his voice to you. “Before you say anything and scream, I’m protecting you. Behind us are four loan sharks. Pretend I’m your boyfriend picking you up.”

You felt your cheeks burn. “Fine, but weren’t you with that old pervert today?”

“I was.” He glanced back at the men following. “I need you to stay calm, okay?”

“I’ve been fine on my own for this long.”

He pulled you to his car. “Trust me, kitten, when there are four of them you’re going to get a rough down and being a woman? You’ll get the worst kind.” He opened the car door. “Get in.”

You looked over to the four men and then back at Levi. “I don’t know.”

“If you don’t pay them money, they’ll take what they want from your body. Get. In.”

You gulped hard and climbed into the car. You flinched when he slammed the door shut and locked you inside. You pressed yourself against the window and tried to watch what was going on. You whimpered and felt a little scared. You looked into the wing mirror and saw Levi talking with the four men. You gasped when you saw Levi slam his fist into the face of one of the men and disappear out of view as he moved with them away.

You slapped around at the door trying to find the lock release. You turned and leaned over to the driver’s side and felt around the wheel until you saw the lock you needed. “Ha!” You held your breath when the car opened without you unlocking it. You slowly looked up to see Levi standing there. “Uh…”

Levi gripped the top of the door. “What are you doing?”

You stared at him for a while before yanking your body back, opening your door and running for it. You looked back as Levi shouted your name. You screamed when you saw him sprinting towards you. Levi was catching up with you and you didn’t want him to. You kept running as fast as you could to your apartment. You skidded past a few people and went to run up the outside steps to your floor, but Levi slammed his arm across your path.

You gasped and gazed at him. “Ah!”

Levi snarled. “Listen here, you little.”

“Get back!” You slapped him. “You’re just a crazy pervert like that old man! I will not fuck him! You, you…PERVERT!”

Levi stared at you. “P…P…Pervert?” He slowly went bright red. “I’m not…I…how am I a pervert? I’m just trying to protect you as my boss asked. My boss is your father.”

You felt your cheeks burn when you heard people whispering. “So, he wasn’t trying to get me in bed like some old rich men do?”

“No.”

You placed your hands on your cheeks. “Oh…oh this is embarrassing.”

Levi sighed. “I should have told you. He should have as well.” He pulled back and rubbed the back of his neck. “Let’s start over. My name is Levi Ackerman, I am a bodyguard and have been Mr Chester Carter’s top bodyguard for years. For the rest of my speech, we need to be in private.”

You nibbled your lip. “Fine, come on in.”

Levi watched you go up the stairs and felt his heart skip a beat at how beautiful you were to him. He really liked the fire that was inside you. He moved up the stairs and down the hall to your door. He admired you and couldn’t believe you’d slapped him. He liked you and he was looking forward to getting to know you.

You unlocked your door and pushed it open. “It’s very simple and not much. Do you want tea?”

“Please.”

You moved into your apartment and felt flustered that it was just one big room and a small separate room for your bathroom. “I uh…it’s pretty crap.”

Levi slipped his shoes off and hung his jacket up. “It’s cute.”

You moved around in the kitchen and felt your heart racing. You glanced over at Levi and felt nervous. Levi was incredibly handsome to you and with his blazer off you could see the impressive muscles. You liked how strong he was and that he did protect you from those loan sharks, but he was also cute and easily flustered. You were pretty sure he was a bit perverted because he had such a reaction to the comment. You didn’t mind that he could be a bit of a pervert, as long as it was with you.

Levi frowned when you let out a little moan. He glanced over at you and saw you slap your hand over your mouth and become flustered. “Something wrong?”

You shoved a cup into his hands. “N-no.”

He hummed. “Okay.”

You climbed onto your counter and sat. “So, what was it you needed to talk about in private?”

He leaned against your other counter and sipped the tea. “Firstly, this tea is delicious.”

“Thank you.”

He sipped again and sighed. “Mr Chester Carter is your father.”

You choked on your tea. “What!?”

He put his cup down and sighed. “Your mother was a baker, correct?”

Your eyes widened. “Yeah…yeah she was…”

“Mr Carter met her and had a romantic affair with her. He intended to leave his wife for your mother, however, your mother left him and he could never find her. He had searched and searched for her and finally found her, but it was her grave.” He released a long sigh. “He investigated and was shocked to find that the person who organised the funeral was her daughter. Mr Carter did the math and well, your mother running away lined up with close to your birth.”

You gulped hard. “I…see…”

“Mr Carter was deeply in love with your mother. He wanted nothing but the best for her. He wants to be a father to you.”

You whined a little. “I don’t know about that.”

Levi downed some of his tea. “Look, I won’t lie to you. His two kids and wife are pieces of shit and they’ll probably be cold to you. Mr Carter is always thinking up schemes, but he has talked about your mother a lot and how it was true love.”

You sighed. “It’s a lot to take.”

“I understand. Mr Carter wants to clear the debt and have you living in a home that was meant for your mother. I will be your personal bodyguard and butler. I will serve only you.”

You gazed at Levi for a while. “So, you’d have to look after me?”

He nodded. “Twenty-four-seven.”

You shivered a little. “You’ll get sick of me.”

“I doubt it.” He moved closer to you. “You’re full of surprises. You’re the first person in years to ever lay a hand on me.”

You gasped when you remembered you had slapped him. “Oh! Is your cheek okay?”

“I’ve had worse.”

You jumped off the counter and slipped past his beautiful frame causing him to be intoxicated by your scent. You opened your small freezer and got out the ice pack. You wrapped the back up in a clean tea towel and turned to Levi. “It still must hurt a bit.”

Levi blushed as you pressed it against his cheek. He leaned into your touch and hummed in happiness. “I suppose it does sting.”

“You don’t have to act all tough. Also, thank you for getting rid of the loan sharks for me.”

He placed his hand on yours. “Don’t mention it.”

You hummed and lowered your head. “You were just doing your job, right?” You clenched the pack and then smiled at Levi to hide your feelings. “Still, it was kind of you.”

“You’re welcome. Now, no running from me if things get bad again, okay? If you’re going to run, you run to me.”

You nodded. “Okay.”

He pulled your hand and the pack from his cheek. “You should get something to eat and rest as well. I have to head get my car and make sure this area is secure. I’ll take you to and from work.”

“But I never agreed to the whole situation with Mr Carter.”

“You don’t need to. He has asked me to protect you and I want to. If you accept, then I’ll be a bigger part of your life and you get a new home.” He walked to your door and pulled out a cigarette case from his blazer pocket. “I’ve done many stressful jobs such as looking after his other daughter, who is demanding, and taking care of troublesome clients. This job? I want to do.” He popped the cigarette into his mouth and stepped outside. He gazed at you and lit it. “Because of you.”

Your eyes widened as your heart skipped a beat. “Levi…”

“Goodnight.”

“Night.”

Levi waved his hand and made the long walk to his car. He smiled a little at how cute you were. “Tch, damn adorable brat.”

You packed up a nice breakfast as your cheeks burned at the thought of Levi. He’d been looking after you for a few days now. Every trip to work had been amazing. Levi and you would talk and you discovered you had a lot in common, but the one thing he wouldn’t talk about was his job. He said basic things about it, but he wouldn’t go deep and you were sure it was because he might have done things he wasn’t proud of. You didn’t mind though because Levi was kind to you.

You perked up when you heard a knock at your door. You rushed over and opened it to reveal Levi on the other side with a cigarette between his lips. “Good morning, Levi.”

“Morning, kitten.”

Your cheeks burned. “I made breakfast.”

“How kind.”

You offered him the little box with food in it. “You can have it while you keep watch.”

He took the box from you with cute bears on. “Thank you. I’ll enjoy it. Are you ready to head out?”

You grabbed your bag and hummed. “Yeah.” You gasped and grabbed a thermos. “Your tea as well.”

“You take care of me too much.”

“I just want to make sure you eat plenty and are well.”

He sighed as his heart swelled. “Tch, damn kitten.”

You pointed at Levi. “Those are bad for you.”

He pulled the cigarette from his mouth. “I know.”

“You should stop.”

“It calms me.”

You pouted. “But it’s bad for you and it’ll make you sick.”

He tilted his head. “Thank you for caring so much about me.”

You put your bag on and hurried out the door. “It’s nothing really.”

Levi smiled a little and followed you to the car. “How many jobs are you working today?”

“Just the one. I’m in the bar today.”

He growled a little. “Tch, that’s the worst one.”

You sat in your seat. “It’s not that bad.”

“It’s terrible. You get treated like shit by customers.”

You put your belt on. “Today might be a better day.”

Levi sighed and drove you to the small bar you worked at sometimes. He wished you didn’t have to work these bad jobs, but it was your choice and you still hadn’t decided to join the Carter family yet. He also understood why you wouldn’t want to join the Carter family. Even though Levi was paid well by the Carters, they were a shifty and spoiled family. He didn’t like each member for certain reasons, but there was one member of the Carters he adored and it was you.

Levi got the door for you and saw the exhaustion on your face for a split second before you covered it up with a cute smile. He hummed and gripped the door. “Tch.”

You turned and looked over at Levi. “Something wrong?”

“No.”

You sighed and turned to your job. “I’ll see you in a few hours. Enjoy your breakfast.”

“Thanks.” He watched you go inside. He reached inside his pocket and pulled out his cigarette case but paused. He remembered how you wrinkles your cute nose up when he smoked around you. He sighed. “Why do I care what she thinks?” He climbed into his car and grabbed his breakfast. He opened it and felt himself blush and smile when he saw how sweetly presented everything was. “Tch, damn cute kitten.”

You hurried around the bar serving different people. You ignored the drunken men trying to touch you or grab you, but it all became too much when a woman started accusing you of purposely flirting with her boyfriend to get a better tip. You were panicked as someone confronted you, shoving you and shouting right in your face. Your heart was racing as you felt the fight or flight urge in you. You wanted to fight so badly, but you needed your job.

Your cheeks burned as she screamed and shouted at you. You felt so embarrassed so you bowed to the woman. “I am so sorry, Miss. I will return your food and get you something else and I’ll get you a new drink too.”

She rolled her eyes. “You’ll get me food and drink? You should have done it right in the first place instead of flirting with my man! You really think he’d want you when he has me?”

“I’m just doing my job, Miss. I was just serving your party. If my service came across as flirting I am sorry, it was not my intention.”

“Talking back to me now, huh?”

You gulped. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t-.”

She launched her plate at you causing the plate to break and cut your arm up when you raised your arms to protect yourself. “I don’t want to hear it! Do you know who I am!? This is disgusting!” She pointed to the floor. “Clean it up.”

You knelt as you fought tears. “Yes.” You slowly picked up the pieces of the plate and put them in your hand. You gasped when she pressed her heel down on your hand causing it to be cut by the broken plate. “Ow.”

She smirked at you. “Oh, I’m sorry I didn’t see your hand there.” She grabbed her drink and held it above your head. “You look a little dirty, let me help.”

You winced and closed your eyes tightly expecting to feel the drink. You were accepting of this all. You knew this woman was a regular and was fucking your boss. So, no matter what you did or said she was in the right and you were wrong. You needed this job because out of all of them, it paid the best and you could get tips as well.

“Tch, oi, oi, oi, what the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

You opened your eyes to see Levi crushing the woman’s wrist and turning it so the drink poured on the floor. “Levi.”

The woman’s eyes widened. “Levi Ackerman!?”

Levi snarled. “No one touches that woman, do you understand.”

“I d-didn’t know she was with you!”

He yanked the woman closer to him. “Doesn’t matter if she is or isn’t. You don’t treat people that way, you disgusting human being.” He released her before slamming his fist into her gut. He watched her drop to the floor and vomit all over herself. “Tch, bitch.” He turned to you and noticed the blood. “Kitten.”

You sniffed. “It’s okay. I’m okay.”

Levi gripped his fist tightly making the leather glove groan. He scooped you up into his arms and adjusted you. “I’m taking you home.”

“I don’t have first aid there.”

He looked down at you. “We’re not going there, we’re going to the home Mr Carter has for you. I have ensured it is fully supplied for you.”

“Levi…”

“This stuff today? It will never happen again if you stick with me and move into the Carter home.”

You clung to Levi and hid your face. “I just want a shower and bed.”

“Let’s get you home then.” He placed you in the back of his car and put his blazer around your shoulders. He climbed into the driver’s seat and made his way to your new home. “We’ll clean you up first and then I’ll treat your wounds.”

You pulled his blazer tightly around you. “Yes, Levi.”

He sighed and pulled into the secure parking spot under the building. He picked you up into his arms and carried you into the lift. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there the whole time. I failed to protect you.”

You hugged Levi’s neck. “You did great. You saved me just in time.”

“You’re only saying that to make me feel better.”

“No, I mean it.”

He chuckled. “You’re too cute sometimes, kitten.”

You blushed and hid your face. “What’s with the pet name? I never asked.”

“You remind me of one.” He walked out of the lift towards your door. He unlocked the door and kicked it closed behind him. “You’re cute and sweet, but you’ll claw someone’s face off if you have to.”

You laughed a bit. “I didn’t do much clawing today.”

He took you to the bathroom and sat you down. “No, but I could see that you wanted to. Plus, you have a mean slap.”

You giggled. “Levi.”

He started the shower and talked you through how to use the expensive thing. He sighed. “It’s a bit crazy, but it is nice.”

You nodded and walked over to it. “Thank you.”

He pointed. “Heated towels are there. I’ll get some clothes for you.”

“I appreciate it.” You waited for him to leave before you washed up in the shower. You wrapped up and saw clothes left for you. You pulled the soft clothes on and moved out of the bathroom and bedroom to see Levi in the living space setting up the medical things. “Levi.”

Levi looked over to you as he blushed hard, he couldn’t believe how pretty you looked. “Feel better?” He saw you welled up as you nodded. “Hey, hey, hey.” He walked over to you and hugged you. “It’s okay.”

You clung to him as you sobbed against his chest. “I’m not crying!”

Levi held you close. “Of course, you’re not. I see no tears.” He released you and sat you on the sofa. “Let me tend to these wounds while you don’t cry.”

You sniffed and rubbed your tears with the sleeve of your long shirt. “Mm. Thank you.”

He cleaned your arm up and saw that you didn’t need stitches at all. He wrapped your arm up in a bandage. He inspected your hands and placed a few plasters on. “There, all better.”

“Thank you.”

“You want something to eat?”

You shook your head. “I want my mum.”

Levi’s eyes widened as you started sobbing again. He pulled you close and held you tightly as you cried yourself to sleep. He sighed and thought about bringing his mother and father over because he knew both would shower you with love. He picked you up and carried you to bed. He tucked you in and promised himself that he would take great care of you and make sure you wouldn’t cry again.

[emmatgc]

Wonderful World FanFic (Chapter 6)

(This is only for Seon Yul and Soo Hyun shippers, nothing more. This is my own interpretation . This is a sequel to their story. New characters were added. This will be a mini novel for most probably 10 parts. Enjoy and thank you for the few who are supporting this! This is for you who made a request ❤️)

Chapter 6: The Moon is Beautiful 

“He likes you” is on a loop on Soo Hyun’s mind a lot after that fateful night talking to her sister. Seon Yul on the other hand is feeling good. He likes seeing Soo Hyun happy or at ease. He is worried about Yoo Ra but he has always been a very private person and for him she is just a friend, nothing more. She wonders why Soo Hyun brought her up during their time together and it made him smile. Was she jealous? nah , it is impossible, he thought. 

 A lot has happened in 3 months. Soo Hyun managed to get a loan for her staff and the physicians even if those were really volunteers but with her connections, even though she rarely uses it, the orphanage is thriving under her care. It is an exclusive one but one open for an opportunity of a foster home and care if a family fit to be one will adopt a child. Their daily routine was to start their day at 8am, have breakfast at 7am and lunch at 11am and end by 5pm. It is a whole day of work and “Wonderful Smiles” just like Soo Hyun, is a work in progress and like their owner, a very good one. Soo Hyun is not always present everyday at the orphanage for her other duties as an author. She is thinking of coming back to teach in a university should her schedule allow.Seon Yul on the other hand, is present and available to the kids everyday not missing a day or an hour. The children adore him and the staff loves him. From time to time he would do conference calls and talk to his Chief Resident at the hospital. 

One day, he got a call from his best friend , Soo Jin.  “Hey, how is our prodigy doing there?. He replied, “I am just doing fine, thank you for asking”. “Any news to share with me, bro? “Ummm, Nothing that would entertain you, Soo Jin. “You always entertain me, Seon Yul”. They both laughed and shared some hospital stories while Seon Yul was gone and stories from the orphanage. Before their phone conversation ended, Soo jin told Seon Yul that Yoo Ra has been asking about him and Soo Hyun and it is exhausting to constantly reply to her that it is none of her business. “Our pretty friend might have a little crush on you, Seon Yul, better be careful” “You sound like it is a bad thing, Soo Jin”. “Well, love can make pretty girls crazy”. “I'll talk to her when I get back”. “Oh good, are you finally getting back? I was thinking you might live there and give up everything here for your lady love? “ What are you talking about? Seon Yul was puzzled but also smiling. “Seon yul, my man, you are a smart man, don’t go stupid on me now. You are there for her. You liked her, always has been. Your revenge is done and what's left? Love”.  That is impossible Soo Jin, he replied. “Is it really? Impossible? For you, two? I don’t think so but anyways, it's your life and again, I am telling you to be careful always but I also want you to be happy and I hope you are”. “Seon yul nodded and smiled, Soo Jin’s words comforted him and before they finally hung up the phone, he said “I am happy, truly”. 

Soo Hyun and Seon Yul are two people who share the same silence and experiences over the last 10 years. People are baffled why they are almost “in sync” with each other. Even the staff are surprised at how smoothly they work together and it seems that both know each other too well. There was a week when Soo Hyun got sick. Seon Yul, as the Doctor notices Soo Hyun coughing. Typical Soo Hyun just brushed it off as a normal cough until she fainted one afternoon. She had an allergic reaction to a food she had eaten in one of her book tour signing events and it is a good thing they already had a pharmacy in place inside the orphanage. Seon Yul got so worried and acted as her nurse during her recovery stage. Seon Yul realizes he doesn't want Soo Hyun getting hurt or in pain. Soo Hyun was treated at the orphanage for the 1st 2 days and her medical care continued at her house. Seon Yul wanted first hand to take good care of her. He monitored her day and night. 

Soo Hyun woke up late one night and she saw Seon Yul sleeping near her bed, his arm in her bed and his head down on it. She didn't want to wake him up but as soon as she wanted to move or attempt to go down her bed , she was surprised to hear “Don’t you dare get off your bed, Dr. Soo Hyun”. Jumping and acting a little scared, it is actually kinda dark in her room, she replied “I thought you were asleep, you scared me!” “Well, i wasn't really asleep, I was just pretending to be, besides, I know you are stubborn , stubborn enough to get off this bed and go back to work!” Seon Yul was being funny she thought but he aint smiling at all, he was serious. Soo Hyun, being the joker at times said “You sound so serious, it was just a minor thing”. 

“I don't want you getting hurt, alright? I need you to be ok, Soo Hyun”. Soo Hyun was shocked to hear him call her first name for the 1st time ever. I’m sorry, I hope it's ok to call you by your 1st name? Seon Yul was shy and nervous. “I am too old to be called by you by just my 1st name”, she replied. “I don’t care,” he replied almost instantly. Soo Hyun’s chest tightened a little bit. She got butterflies seeing how nervous Seon Yul is and hearing her name that way, is a pleasant but awkward surprise. “I am sorry for making you worry, Seon Yul. I am sorry you had to look after me. I am alright though, no need to check up on me all the time”, she reiterated to him. “Please, let me take care of you, Soo Hyun”. Soo Hyun bursted out laughing and said “are you taking care of your guardian?” He seriously replied, “You are not my guardian anymore remember” Seriously, you’ve got to take good care of yourself. You are not only allergic to some food but you are clearly exhausted. You need to rest and sleep more. I did some laboratory tests on you and it seems you haven’t gone for a regular check up for a year! Soo Hyun is smiling, is he mad at me? She asks herself. He seems so mad at the thought of her neglecting her health and so on and she can’t help it but think, this might be the feeling when somebody is worried about someone, or maybe if her son is old enough to care, if he was alive, and he will tell her this? Soo hyun and her thoughts were shut down when Seon Yul stood up and walked away from her a bit. Why is he acting this way?

“You are not listening to me”, he said. Soo Hyun is grateful , but she is confused as to why Seon Yul is acting so worried and weird at the same time. Seon Yul, Thank you, she replied. “I am listening but I guess I am also still on a high from the painkillers you gave me”. They both smiled. I will see you tomorrow. Sleep well. The next day, when Soo Hyun woke up, there were flowers in a vase. Her staff said it was from Seon Yul, that he picked it outdoors while he was jogging early in the morning. Seon yul gave her “Mugunghwa” also known as the rose of Sharon. 

Soo Hyun’s ex husband came to visit her after knowing at her Mom’s house that Soo Hyun is recovering at the orphanage. He brought flowers, too. He brought white lilies. It’s Soo Hyun’s favorites. Both chatted a lot and discussed some “work” related stuff and he opened up about her wanting to teach again. Seon Yul was told by the staff Soo hyun got a visitor and he wanted to check who. He entered her room and saw the two of them laughing at each other. Seon Yul was again, so serious checking up her blood pressure and her IV. He looked at him earnestly and he just smiled and greeted him. He thanked Seon Yul for taking care of his ex wife. “Thank you for taking good care of my ex wife, Dr. Seon Yul”. It is good she listens to you and stays treated here. She can be stubborn, you know. Seon Yul got a bit irritated hearing the words “ex wife” and answered, “I know” and excused himself. 

“Well, somebody’s jealous. Haha” Soo Hyun smacked Su Ho’s hand in return. “You dont have to say that!” He replied, “That you were my ex wife? It's the truth! Haha still laughing at Seon Yul and her. He is so obvious, my goodness, it is so obvious, you two! What is? Soo Hyun asked. “Come on Soo Hyun, the boy gave you “rose of sharon” flowers and I gave you lilies! So? She was confused. Oh my, you don't know what “mungunghwa” means? It is deep affection. Like eternal adoration and devotion or something. That kid is smart. He doesn't do things without thinking about it. Oh, don’t tell me “he just picked it out outside “ hahaha he didnt’ .

The guy was obviously jealous of me and that is why I mentioned you as my “ex wife”. Please leave now So hu, Soo hyun shouted at him embarrassed by what she heard from him. They laughed out loud and just felt warm to be having this conversation with her ex husband. Before So hun left, he told Soo Hyun “I will always have your back, Soo Hyun, you know that right? If he makes you happy, go for it. It's not gonna be easy but hey, nothing is. At least, he is a million times better looking than me” hahaha. So Hun left and again, a lot of feelings are intertwining in Soo Hyun’s thoughts. 

Seon Yul was indeed jealous and he knows it. He shouldn’t be, they are exes, of course he will visit her. His thoughts are running wild. He seems irritated that he didn't know her favorite flowers. He also seemed bothered that they were laughing and they hugged each other, too. Seon Yul has always been an introvert and one thing’s for sure, he has never been in love. So, he doesn't know just yet. He was reading a Japanese book to kill time until he came back to Soo Hyun’s room. He wanted to ask Soo Hyun to eat outside since she is now almost healed and recovered. He had it all planned out with the staff. Together with the flowers in the table, her favorite and allowed foods to eat, Soo Hyun was happy to be asked out since she was dreading staying for a couple days in a room confined and strictly monitored. Under that same moonlight there they were, both sitting and eating casually. He handed her a plate and got her food even if she insisted it was hers to get but Seon Yul won’t let her. They were music sort of and the trees, and the leaves were swaying like in the movies. It was a great ambiance, a romantic one. 

Seon Yul started the after dinner conversation. “ How are you feeling?” I am great, thank you. I have the best Doctor”, she replied. I’m sorry, he said. For what?, she replied. “For not knowing your favorite flowers”. Soo Hyun laughed loudly “hahaha, Oh God, don’t be! I don't even remember anymore. It has been a long time since” He then seriously replied “ But Soo Hu didn’t”. Of course, he was my husband. I would be angry if that detail was left out or erased, she honestly replied. They talked about the orphanage and they talked about her plans to go back to teaching. 

Seon Yul doesn't know what took over him but when Soo Hyun started talking about her plans and the way she smiles, he noticed her eyes lit up, her face blooming and her lips, so soft and all in 1 slow motion. All this pent up emotions for the last 6 years. He doesn't know if he hears everything she is saying, and in that moment he knows. This is the moment he is waiting for. With his heart beating so fast, and another lifeform taking over his body, with a thousand times of confidence and desire,  he held her hand softly and he said the words “The Moon is Beautiful”. 

The feeling of being so close yet so far. Suddenly, there was silence but there was music in the air. They stared for a while, until Soo Hyun finally opened her mouth and said “Are you in love with me?”

(The Moon is Beautiful means “I love you or I am in love with you" in many cultures especially in the Japanese culture. This is an inspiration I got from the Kdrama “Romance is A Bonus Book" which is one of my personal favorites of all time. Chapter 6 is coming up soonest. I am sorry something came up today but I hope I made you smile with this chapter 😘) 

[grits-galraisedinthesouth]

The Stench is REAL: Rotten Eggs + Reeking Weed Factory+ Bad Pipes = "It smells. Bad. VERY bad. VERY VERY bad."

The irony of bridezlla Rachel MEgain Markle kicking up a fuss over a one (1) hour "spectacle" inside the Queen’s "musty" chapel, only to acquire a 1st homebuyer loan for an odorous property.

"It smells like offal that has been rotting in the sun. It makes my stomach churn," a local from the Montecito area reportedly told The Mirror. "I’ve seen lots of homeowners closing their windows when it wafts over."

"According to the New York Post, the smell is wafting over from a nearby bird refuge (which is situated on a 42-acre stretch of saltwater marsh). Specifically, the refuge is the Andrée Clark Bird Refuge, which happens to be one of the largest wildlife refuges in the U.S. Cameron Benson, the City of Santa Barbara's clean water manager, told the Mirror that stagnant water can contribute to the smell, and that the “odor issues are sporadic and sometimes they are worse in some conditions."

"Last year, it was reported the Duke and Duchess of Sussex live just minutes from a legal weed factory base in Santa Barbara, California. 

The couple's mansion is just up the road from the 20 large greenhouses full of the plants - leaving the luxury suburb reeking. 

Neighbours made a string of complaints, sparking the company to install new “odour control systems”.

The Meghans, Dorito & Markus can get high just by standing outdoors as "...one resident complained that the stench was so bad that they had to pull over while driving along the road."

Imagine taking out a $14.65 million dollar loan on your VERY first home: a 9 bedroom, 16 bathroom mansion and you are CanNOT use your property for business purposes. No Spotify podcasts, NO staged Megflix/Netflix zoom calls, NO staged juggling acts outside the windows, NO book interviews, NO staged instant messages from Beyonce, NO Easter egg hunts, NO cooking shows, NO Variety photo shoots---- only 1 chicken coop interview with NOprah.

The 14,500sq ft, or 1,350sq m, main house sits on 7.4ac of grounds that include a pool, tennis court, tea house and children's cottage.

Money Pit : "The pair have paid a lot less for the property than a previous owner: in May 2009 it sold for more than $25 million. It was put on the market in 2015 for $34.5 million but failed to sell. It was relisted at the start of this year for $16.975 million, selling to the Sussexes for $2.325 million less than the asking price at $14.65 million."

From asks @the-cat-with-the-emerald-tiara-1 Royal Organic Weed "Harry's Choice"

Poll Error: The 4th answer "Money Pit of Montecito"

[gabessquishytum]

People to whom Dream has loaned his boyfriend, aka Hob, because he’s a very busy man and Hob is an insatiable slut: a non exhaustive list.

Calliope - his ex wife. Got the holiday home in the divorce. Takes Hob on long leashed walks on the beach

Lucienne - his best friend/assistant. Strict disciplinarian, makes sure that Hob works to be a good boy. Praise kink activated.

Corinthian - his business partner. Sadist. Makes Hob cry on the regular - Hob adores him.

Olethros - his (not so little) brother. Finally satisfies Hob’s raging size kink.

Joanna Constantine - his business associate. Bisexual chaos. Hob comes back with a bad attitude, even more horny than before.

Lucifer Morningstar - local nightclub owner. Hob just wants them to step on him, and Dream can kind of sympathise.

Dee - his big sister. Everyone's favourite soft domme. Occasionally tag teams Hob with Lucienne. Buys him cute outfits, sends him back home wrapped like a pretty present for Dream.

Something something it takes a village to satisfy a slut 😌

[sehetep-shenwer]

Long post: life update

Em hotep y'all,

I can't even remember if I said anything here but I have moved across the country for college and yikes it's been a dumpster fire.

I thought I was going to have a pick of some apartment units and I ended up with a dinky studio apartment because the owner fucking lied. I was an idiot and still feel like one even now. I got fucked financially, emotionally, and mentally.

Not even thinking about classes as I'm more worried about paying off loans, working, and my overpriced apartment.

I also feel like I failed my deities because I promised I'd find a way to set up altars for them and Idek how I'm gonna leave them offerings with these altars I have.

I'm aware I don't need fancy altars to show my love and devotion to Them but I really wanted to fucking have something set up. I'm finally in my own space and I somehow feel even more caged now.

Not happy with myself tbh. Dunno how I'm gonna heal from the bullshit I dealt with at home. My trust in people, save for the kemetic community and other friends, has been shattered. I don't want to become jaded and bitter but it's all I know how to be right now to survive.

Thank you all for your prayers and being with me. My asks are still open and I'll do my best to respond. I think I'm going to start offering my tarot and oracle services on here, just need to get payment stuff set up.

Need to meditate with my deities cause I'm sure They're wondering "wtf he bashing himself jfc" idk. Anyway, senebty.

[javob]

Saw a post about pandemic office real estate, and it made me want to long post about how the problem is in my city. Note; this is also a picture of the ongoing “mall” problem.

Part of the problem is that the bubble that is commercial real estate and real estate in general is becoming more obvious, and no one wants to sell for a low price, and also no one wants to be left holding the bag.

Here is an example of something in my home city. A commercial office building was recently put up for auction. It’s about 5 stories and was constructed in the 70’s, and has asbestos that the new owner would be responsible for, and is also not ADA compliant due to where the elevator is located in relation to the entrance, which the new owner would also be responsible for.

It is currently owned and managed by a very wealthy property conglomerate who obtained the building in 2008 at a bargain price, and have not done anything to improve the building.

They also have not had any tenants since they have bought the building.

It went up for auction and barely scraped over $1 million, which the owners decided was not enough and scrapped the sale entirely.

This example paints a picture of what commercial real estate is like in my home city. Large commercial buildings are left to rot because firms are acting as speculators. They don’t want to be landlords because that would impose a duty to do maintenance on most of these older buildings that haven’t had maintenance done on them for a long time. Also no tenants means that insurance on the building is a low price. Double also, they don’t want to allow tenants at a lower rent because that would lower the value of the building and reduce a sale price (their ultimate goal).

They also have deep enough pockets (and taxes in my city are generally low enough) that they can continue paying property taxes. Holding onto that perceived value also makes it look a lot nicer for when these companies take out loans to buy more property.

Selling the property for a bargain price is also a no go, because it reduces the property value of their adjacent holdings.

What I am trying to get at is forces in play make the best move for owners of these buildings to not do anything with them.

They will not do anything until they have a liquidity crisis, and if these companies with lots of capital have a liquidity crisis, chances are, things are going even worse for the average person.

How to fix this in a way that doesn’t fuck over everyone is a problem and frankly I’m not sure the city has any best solutions available.

[ariel-seagull-wings]

@themousefromfantasyland

Ghosts is a supernatural-themed BBC One sitcom that premiered in 2019, written by and starring The Six Idiots (Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard and Ben Willbond). This marks the group’s fourth project together, after the sketch show Horrible Histories, fantasy comedy Yonderland, and feature film Bill.

The premise revolves around a young couple, Alison and Mike (Charlotte Ritchie and Kiell Smith-Bynoe), who inherit the derelict Button House with plans to turn it into a hotel. Little do they know, Button House is also home to numerous restless spirits who have died there over the centuries, unable to leave the grounds and resigned to squabbling with each other for eternity: Robin (Rickard), a caveman and the oldest of the ghosts; Mary (Katy Wix), an eccentric woman burned as a witch during the Stuart era; Kitty (Lolly Adefope), an excitable and naive Georgian aristocrat; Thomas (Baynton), a melodramatic and easily-infatuated Romantic poet; Lady Fanny (Howe-Douglas), the repressed and overbearing Edwardian-era owner of the house; The Captain (Willbond), a pompous, World War II-era military officer; Pat (Howick), a friendly scout leader who was accidentally shot in the neck with an arrow by one of his scouts; Julian (Farnaby), a slimy Conservative MP who died as the result of a scandalous sex mishap; and Headless Humphrey (head - Rickard; body - Yani Xander), a beheaded Tudor nobleman who, due to his own clumsiness, spends most of his time trying to reunite his head and his body.

When the ghosts learn of the couple's plans for the house, they conspire to scare the couple away. Things don’t quite go as they expect, as the ghosts prove themselves to be pretty ineffectual at haunting; however, thanks to a spiritual hand causing Alison to suffer a near-death experience, she gains the ability to see and hear them. After finding out that her husband has taken out a massive loan to renovate the house, which the couple can't get out of, Alison and the ghosts form an uneasy truce as both she and Mike try their best to stop their dream home/hotel from turning into a complete nightmare.

[legzakimmbo]

October & The Visit - Gainesgoe Fic part 2 and 3

A tree with no leaves in the autumn.

When you’re walking by and you see a tree out of the corner of your eye, you don’t tend to acknowledge it. Walk into a tree, you acknowledge its presence but you swiftly resort to cursing it out. Some people who like trees may stop to admire it for a moment, especially if it's their favorite genus.

Ross encountered a tree that caught his attention on multiple occasions. It was quite a calloused tree. Brusque, even. Despite its sharp, vindictive surface, he still wanted to run his hands down its vitriolic trunk, feeling every curve and crevice that it had. He wanted to know the tree inside and out. He wanted to be selfish. He wanted to have the tree in his empty, fruitless garden so, in the fullness of time, he would be satisfied.

Initially, he never would have gone for such an abrasive tree.

In fact, he probably would have never been interested in any tree until he crossed paths with this one. Especially not one with rough edges or tattoos, or even…

“Are we still talking about trees, pet?”

He looked up at the reverend, shaking his head and tracing his thumb across his other hand. “No. I don’t think we are.”

“Thank the Lord. As if my day hasn’t been enough of a clusterfuck, I just thought you were just some nutter who wants to have sex with a stump.”

“Don’t think that’d be very pleasant,” Ross muttered in more of a ribbing tone. Bernice would let out a chuckle in response, standing up from the pew and lifting the small glass of sherry off of the poorly balanced Bible.

“Well, I can’t blame you, dearie. Majority of the lookers in Royston Vasey are cunts, but you best hurry up and get with one of them. You can at least try to change them, but you’ll never be able to change an inbred monkey who wipes their shit on the walls.”

Ross would actually consider this vulgar advice with a hum. He stood up and flung his khaki jacket over his arm, finalizing his decision. “Yeah. Cheers, Reverend.”

And with that, he bid his farewell and pushed himself through the rustic church doors.

Her advice wasn’t the most professional, he was aware of that. But for some strange reason, it somewhat made sense. As he walked, he took the time to slip his jacket back on, initially intending on just walking back home. But almost as if he was enticed by it, he took a different route. One slightly more rural and less riddled with maniacs. Autumn did a fine job at filling the silence with the sound of wind in his ears and dead leaves succumbing to his merciless step. Ross took his time, grazing over each and every tree that lined the old boulevard with a newfound interest.

With each tree he passed by, his walking speed decreased, until he drew to a halt, biting the inside of his lip for only a brief amount of time before he took action. He drew his phone out of his pocket and continued his journey home, holding the phone up to his ear once he had dialed a specific number.

A few seconds passed.

“...Hello? Yes, hi, I was wondering if I could take out a loan..Yes. 100 pounds. Actually, best make it 200.”

—----------------

Ross anticipated this day.

Matter of fact, he positioned himself on the sofa closest to the door, eyes aimlessly running over the outrageous articles splayed across the damp paper. Each headline meant nothing to him, for all he thought about in his head was how he was going to carry out the remainder of his petty little plan. Two hundred pounds would surely be enough to summon him after a couple of days. While it was a more merciful amount compared to the 2,000 the bar owner foolishly took out, he actually considered going all the way and taking a loan of ten grand. Of course, he didn’t fall through with this ; he only wanted to be paid a visit. Not to be murdered on his doorstep.

Settling with 200 might have been a good idea. He wasn’t quite certain.

About an hour or two passed, and the clock was just ticking over 4:32pm. By this point, Ross decided to save himself from the crippling boredom and actually get some leftover work done.

But as his pen hovered over the previously empty slate of paper, there came the graceless knock on the door, and almost immediately, Ross pushed himself off the sofa, flattening any creases on his dressing gown and pressing the mic down. “Doorbell works, you know.”

“Ohh! I didn’t notice that there! Fancy that!”

If there was one thing the brunette realised, it was that voice did not belong to Mr Lisgoe.

It was shrill. Perhaps a little bit annoying to listen to. It had a particular tone that you would expect from a dunce in a film. Ross, fairly disappointed, took a moment to actually look into the camera, being met with a large, simple looking man. Behind him stood someone who was more lanky in frame, and possibly just at least a bit more intimidating than the fat one. But that was hardly an achievement.

No. Neither of them could have been Lisgoe. Or so he hoped. Maybe his drunk thoughts deceived him.

Regardless, he buzzed them in, but only peeked his body out of the door a little. Once he arrived outside, the man, already breathless, began to rummage through his pocket before drawing out a crumpled piece of paper.

“All right! Says here you owe about 200 quid, so if you could-”

“Sorry, who said that?”

The two looked at each other in confusion. Ross’ tone of voice remained monotonous, whilst finally, the lanky one spoke up himself.

“Look mate, we’re not playing about. It’s been days, and really, someone with such a lovely apartment should be paying up quickly.”

Ross shook his head, closing the door a little bit more to stop either of them from trying to get any more prying glances into his private domicile. “If this was so important, I don’t see why they would send tweedle dee and tweedle dum to my door. How do I know that you’re both real loan sharks, and not trying to con me?”

“Ah-ah! Debt collectors. We don’t like the name loan shark, do we, Glenn?”

“Frankly, I don’t care what you prefer. I think you’re wasting my time.”

“We’re not-”

“I’m closing the door now.”

“Wait!”

The larger one used his weight to keep it open, which almost baffled Ross a bit. He was very close to just paying them so they could leave him alone.

“Barry, leave it mate, he might not-”

“What will it take!?”

Barry and Glenn were now both just staring at the brunette with earnest appeal. Uncomfortably, he adjusted his glasses and folded his arms, now leaning against the frame of his door. “I want you both to bugger off and send your boss.”

They exchanged a nervous glance. “No, I don’t think you’d want-”

“Cheers, bye!”

Following his farewell, Ross managed to force the door shut, locking it and smiling audaciously before returning to the sofa.

As predicted, it didn’t take long before the brunette was greeted with a much harsher knock, but it failed to waver his decision as he made his way back to the door. He was certain who it was, and so just buzzed him in without any need for introductions.

The familiar, unimpressed face of Mr Lisgoe was in fact at the door ; it was safe to say he wasn’t in his best mood. He had one arm leaning against the door, and the other positioned on his hip. The hand in his pocket tucked his jacket out of the way, so Ross could see (and possibly appreciate) his figure more clearly.

“I’m starting to think you’re just taking the piss out of me now,” Lisgoe spat.

“Sorry you feel that way.”

“A few drinks and a walk outside doesn’t mean you can take out 200 quid from my pocket and tell my men to bugger off. Do I look like your fucking sugar daddy?”

His husky, gravelling tone of voice accentuated by his thick Northern accent echoed throughout the brunette’s apartment, but like always, he did not waver one bit.

“You know, I never took you for an idiot, Lisgoe. Not until now.”

“You fucking what?”

“I haven’t spent a dime. I don’t need it.”

Lisgoe scrunched his brow in confusion, rendered speechless by the logic he was hearing. Meanwhile Ross would walk back into his apartment, leaving the door open enough to be considered an invitation inside. However, the debt collector didn’t falter from his position. Rather, he stood waiting, allowing his eyes to glaze over the portion of the flat he could see from his perspective. It was very suave. The cool undertones of the walls perfectly reflected the part of Ross’ personality he actually admired the most.

He really needed to stop thinking of him in that way.

The brunette shortly returned with a stack of money, leaning against the frame once again with that same irritating, monotone look. “Don’t get me wrong, I could do with two hundred quid. Everyone could. But actually, I just wanted to talk. To you. Sober.”

These words had Lisgoe thinking, as if you could actually see the cogs turning in his mind. Once it had processed, an unsure, coarse chuckle was what broke the silence.

“Are you having a laugh?”

Course he wasn’t. It didn’t take a lot of mind to see that Ross was dead serious, and so was the expression on his face. As this realisation came to be, Joseph’s laugh swiftly reduced down to a humoured smirk. “Wow. Shit, you really aren’t pulling my leg. Well,”

He followed these words by forcefully pulling the money back into his own hands, holding it up for Ross to see again. “This is not your plaything, Gaines. You don’t get to take it whenever you please.”

“Maybe if it was easier to talk to you, I wouldn’t have had to do that.”

“Why do you want to know me so fucking bad?”

“Same reason you want to know me.”

There was an uncomfortable pause.

Lisgoe shook his head slowly, letting out a deep huff before fumbling in his pocket. Out he drew a pen. Ross noted this, and went to step indoors. “I can grab you some pape-”

“No need.”

He used his free hand to grab Ross’ jaw quite abruptly. Ross quickly tensed up, and his hand raised, but only to hold onto Lisgoe’s wrist, putting up almost no fight in response. However, instead of going for the option Ross desired deep down, he began to scribble down something quickly across the skin of his neck. The pressure of the tip lightly dug into his jugular, but not enough to cause much harm. Soon after, Lisgoe let go, stuffing the pen back into his pocket. “You want to know me so bad? Start with that.”

If Ross denied not receiving a small sensation from that moment, he would have been lying.

Yet again, there was no goodbye.

Once Ross shut the door, he made his way over to the mirror so he could actually get a sense of what was written : the initials ‘JNL’ and a phone number.

What a character.

-------——––----—-—

Still can't comment or reply but thank you so much for the support on my last gainesgoe fic mwah LUV YALL hope u like this one

[feastonkings]

jeremy allen white / he/him ——— no way is that JAX CROMWELL.. they’re a 33-year-old HUMAN notoriously known for being HOT-TEMPERED & STUBBORN but there are some people who have seen them being HOSPITABLE & ADEPT. if you ask me, they remind me a lot of a spork tattoo, intense drumming beneath your skin, a name embroidered on a pristine chef’s coat, just another drink to get through dinner service, and muffled screaming coming from the cooler, but that could just be because they’re considered the SUPREME CHEF around town. just keep an eye on them & see if their true colors shine through..

GENERAL.

full name: jaxon sean cromwell nicknames: jax classification: human gender / pronouns: cis man, he/him age / birthday: 33, february 17th orientations: bisexual, biromantic occupation: head chef & co-owner of bobby's bayou & bbq location: middle district status: single, open family: wendy cromwell (sister), hal cromwell (brother) strengths: hospitable, adept, caring, resilient, meticulous weaknesses: hot-tempered, stubborn, vengeful, cynical, antisocial character inspo: tbd

BIOGRAPHY.

tw: death, alcoholism, terminal illness

as far back as jax can remember, food had always played an important part in his life. every major life event, memory, and milestone in jax's head had a meal or a food attached to it.

jax was the first born and he lived the first seven years of his life as an only child. they were having lasagna the night his parents told him he was going to be a big brother. the night wendy was born, all he can remember is popcorn because his dad had brought him out to see a movie and it was near the end he'd been rushed out to meet his mother at the hospital. waiting in the lobby, he was still picking kernel shreds from his teeth.

the first meal his parents let him cook for everyone was breakfast. jax had been in the third grade, he made banana's foster french toast and two egg omelets for everyone. after that they didn't question when he asked to cook for everyone.

cooking made jax feel good, his best friend bobby seemed to get that and his parents encouraged him. he wasn't always the best at understanding his siblings' hobbies, but eventually he learned to be supportive of them the same way his parents had been of him.

in his teen years he caused trouble, much like a normal teen. never anything too serious, just some general mischief and partying. some of that picked up when it was revealed that his father had a very aggressive form of cancer. they'd been having salmon and asparagus that night, later jax would drink two bottles of red wine from the wine cellar.

this was when cooking became a coping mechanism. he started to learn all the different recipes he hadn't yet from his parents, friends parents, grandparents, and anywhere else he could.

jax tried to show his love for his father by making him whatever he wanted to eat and getting him anything he needed, but it was awful to see him like that.

wendy had her boyfriend who she went to for support though jax tried to be a rock for both her and hal whenever they needed it. he wasn't the best with emotional support, but he was good to listen and give a hug.

tragedy struck twice in the same year for jax. his father lost his battle to cancer and then his best friend was killed in a mysterious accident everyone was calling a mafia hit gone wrong. jax was devastated and he really didn't know how to deal with both blows at once. even cooking wasn't quite enough, this is when drinking accompanied it as a crutch for him.

he wasted no time getting out of town for awhile, going to culinary school and going to train in some of the best restaurants in the world.

when he came back home, it was with the intention to open his own fine dining restaurant in honor of his best friend who always wanted to open it with him. unfortunately he wasn't able to do it on his own so he ended up needing to open it with someone else who ended up getting a loan from the mafia they are still paying back.

he throws himself into his work, spending many hours creating new dishes and perfecting everything or simply scrubbing his kitchen to keep his mind off things. unfortunately alcohol is still a crutch the same way cooking is, he has yet to truly deal with the loss of two of the most important people in his life.

when he does take a break he makes time for family and a close friend or two he's kept over the years.

HEADCANONS.

he has always had a quick temper that has occasionally gotten violent when alcohol is clouding his judgement. usually it fizzles out just as quick as it sparks.

more to come...

[thenightling]

I'm noticing too many people cheering on the concept that items in musuems need to be "rescued" and "returned to the rightful owner" without consideration that it's not always a cut and dry "evil rich man stole our stuff and put it under glass" case.

It's not always black and white. There are shades of grey. Sometimes the country donates the artifact to the museum or the museum is in the native country and the artifact is handled respectfully and then there are times when those in power would destroy said artifacts if they were not protected in a museum, like when the French Revolutionaries smashed the heads off the statues of Saints in Notre Dame because they thought they were kings. Or what the Taliban did to those ancient sculptures in Afghanistan.

Sometimes the government of a country doesn't know best (cough) Taliban (Cough).

Sometimes the country of origin is careful with the artifact, is the home of the museum, and wants to use the museum to educate the world about their culture, or the item is on loan and will be returned to its homeland in a few weeks or months.

Let's not demonize all museums now because it is fashionable. We still have need of them. Some people won't accept history is real unless the physical proof is right in front of them. Don't diminish access to education just to be self-righteous.

Yes, there is art theft, there is tomb desecration. But there is also conservation and preservation and sometimes museums (especially at times of war) are the only places that will do that.