#bugs is now regretting getting her those tickets

[iamvery-confused]

“But seriously Dots gonna start locking herself in her room just making puppets.”- me from last post

[actuallylorelaigilmore]

2023 Movie Journey #5: Ant-Man

ant-man. i loved this movie! it’s just an all-around good time, one of the best franchises in the whole mcu (for me, it’s now my second-favorite, after black panther). 

and the story of me watching this is a fun one: i bought my ticket to see  quantumania before i had ever seen this one or its sequel, presuming based on the cast and everybody i know liking these movies that i had really zero chance of regretting that choice. i just barely squeezed in these movies after buying the ticket--i watched this the night before going to the theater and then i got up early to squeeze the sequel into my morning before i left to see ant-man 3.

because of that time crunch, though, i didn’t fully review these after watching them. i took notes that look more like stream of consciousness bullet points, and now it’s like a year later and i have to make those make sense! lol. here goes.

first off, the action sequences in this movie were way more dynamic because of how it played with the size shifting, and as somebody who desperately needs a reason to care about action sequences, i enjoyed that. they kept it interesting. on top of that, it had so much heist and warmth and fantasy science that this movie balanced the (for me, excessive) action.

i got a full-blown anxiety stomachache during the big heist, because i liked all of the characters and didn’t want any of them to get hurt. special mention here goes out to ant-thony the flying ant: i loved him as soon as we met him, and i also had an instant fear that he wouldn’t survive. thanks, honey i shrunk the kids, for permanently scarring me emotionally as a child. now i am an adult who is terrified of bugs but also has to let them live in my spaces because i cannot kill them. 

scott lang is probably the most sympathetic superhero, though of course that’s subjective. but even though he’s not my favorite (that’s been shuri since black panther), the fact that he only cares about two things in the world when we meet him--and that’s his daughter, and punishing greedy evil rich people and helping those they hurt? just, excellent. this is marvel doing leverage, and i have no complaints.

the graphics of the ants are done really well in this, the cgi wasn’t annoying at all...but they still squick me out. i just don’t like bugs. ant-thony deserved a memorial from scott, though. i didn’t like the feeling that he was replaced by a giant ant pet at the end like all ants are interchangeable. scott had bonded with him! i get that during the action he couldn’t exactly stop and reflect or anything, but either you named your ant friend and you’re genuinely bummed he died, or it’s a punchline and you’ll never think about him again. i prefer the latter.

and like i said, i loved all the characters, but luis’s monologues in the form of attempting to relay important information are the literal best. he is me anytime i try to tell a story. ”i just get excited and stuff.”

my one character exception is the guy played by bobby cannavale, because i just had no use for him, lol. in fact, i didn’t even realize it was him! i kept thinking bobby cannavale’s character looked kind of like bobby cannavale, but not actually like him, through most of the movie--until i was looking something else up and saw his name in the cast. scott’s daughter was great for lots of reasons but her total unimpressedness with bobby cannavale delighted me because i felt the same way.

i thought they handled making scott and hope romantic very well. the actors have good chemistry so i was rooting for them, but the push/pull between  antagonistic and flirty is difficult to do successfully, and they could only move things along so much from her open resentment towards him in the beginning to them being a team by the end. this was too lighthearted a movie to spend much time on Them, so just nodding to it and then making jokes and moving along felt right. 

also i loved that anthony mackie was in this. i’m really not familiar with his character, i saw age of ultron but barely remember it, and i double checked--i’ve never seen any other mcu movie sam is in. BUT i do know the actor, from the hate u give and elsewhere and he’s excellent. so he was a cool choice of character to include and it gave me a nice way to see a little more sam.

the end bits were neat, too. i really love that in hope, they created a genuinely strong female character--not always nice, in fact sometimes an asshole...aka a real person just like male characters are allowed to be. so it felt earned when she realized her father was finally going to work with her at the end. 

and while i find it annoying, as a mostly non-viewer of mcu movies, to have bits with totally other characters and worlds shoved in after the film is over to weave the worlds together and try and make you care about it all...i adore anytime a movie is like ‘X will return’ because when i enjoyed the movie, it’s like a little concluding gift to promise me more--i was really happy when shang chi did the same. 

in the end, my biggest takeaway from this movie is that it is a rare crowd-pleaser. this is one of those movies that, when you’ve managed to avoid watching it for eight years and everybody is eager to tell you how great it is, you can feel a little suspicious of the hype. but it IS that good! as soon as i saw it, i showed it to the one person i knew who hadn’t already seen it, and despite her doubts going in, she also loved it. 

so i can recommend this one to almost anybody, and i wish more movies like this still got made, that are lovable for broad audiences. (i get that marvel movies in general make obscene amounts of money, but i certainly don’t care about most of them, so that’s not what i mean. i want more action movies that make an effort to appeal to people besides action fans. clearly it’s possible!) 

if you have a serious aversion to ants, i would probably advise you to steer clear. but if you like thievery or dads and daughters or michael douglas or a brisk romp with science, this is a really great movie.

[whatisthiswritingthing]

Fake It Till You Make It - Rose Lavelle x Reader

Prompt: Hey. What about Reader & Rose, where R is basically Rose's best friend outside her soccer bubble. Sam and the other youngins were getting on Rose's nerves talking about her love life so that Rose in affect says that she's in a relationship so that they stop. Anyway, Rose is still single and Sam and the others want to meet her GF, so that she convinces R to pretend to be her GF. (Spoiler: Ending could be that they realise that they don't just pretend to be in love)

 “Stupid, so stupid,” Rose muttered to herself, “please don’t answer, please don’t answer,” she kept mumbling to herself waiting for her call to connect to Y/N.

“Well hello to you too,” Y/N smirked when she connected the facetime call.

“Fuck,” Rose’s eyes went wide when she saw her best friend on the screen, blushing a little bit.

“Oh Rose, you say the sweetest things to me,” Y/N continued to smile at her friend.

“Y/N!” Rose exclaimed, almost surprised to see her.

“Rose!” Y/N mocked, the two sat and watched each other, Y/N grinning and Rose’s expression shifting to guilt, “you going to tell me why you called?”

“Oh, uhh, yea, I missed you?” the soccer player attempted

“Of course, you did, I’m awesome!” Y/N continued to smile at her friend, “but you and I both know that’s not the only reason you called me,” her tone softened.

“I kind of did something stupid,” she started hesitantly, eyes off the screen.

“This is my serious face,” Y/N stared back with a blank expression, “what did you do Rose?”

“Uhh everyone was bugging me about not being in a relationship for so long and I was tired of it, then Linds said something about maybe I’m just not telling them. And I wasn’t paying attention just kind of agreed, so now they think I’m seeing someone.”

“Alright? I don’t see the problem,” she looked at her friend.

“Well, the problem is, I was texting you and they asked for a name, so I said yours,” Rose bit her lip, tugging her sleeves over her hands and covered her face.

“Aww Rosey, you want to date me?” Y/N started teasing her again.

“Stop! It just slipped out.”

“I’m not easy Rose, I expect to be wined and dined, flowers, the whole thing,” she smirked, “and I definitely don’t kiss on the first date, maybe the second if you play your cards right,” she ended with a wink.

“Y/N, stop,” Rose begged, her cheeks completely pink.

“Alright, I’ll stop,” she softened again when she saw how flustered the brunette had gotten, “it’s all good if you drop my name when you need.”

“Yea…” she trailed off, “they kind of took your name and already creeped your insta.”

“No worries,” Y/N shrugged.

“But yes, worries Y/N,” Rose said exasperated, pulling her shirt collar over her mouth, “they think we are dating. They know who you are and want to know why they haven’t met you yet.”

“Rose, it’s all good, pretend for a bit, then you break my heart or whatever you need to get them off your back.

Rose nodded but wouldn’t look up.

“That’s not all is it Rosey?”

Rose shook her head, “they want to meet you. They couldn’t stop gushing about how hot you are and how cute we look together, so yea, they’re kind of expecting you to come to the game or supper or something this week.”

“Ahh now I see the worries,” Y/N nodded, smiling softly, “I kind of thought I was going to your game already, you gave me a ticket to sit with your family.”

“But now everyone wants to meet you, so you can’t just leave after and they will hunt you down if you do escape. Mal was ready to message you herself to make sure you were coming to the game.”

“Rose it’s all good, I’ll meet the team after the game. And I’ll be the best damn girlfriend you could want.”

“You don’t have to Y/N, I can tell them I fucked up and just said it to shut them up.”

“Really, Rose, it’s all good. I’m sure you do enough other stuff to get teased,” Y/N shrugged casually, giving her best friend a dopey smile.

“You’ll really come meet them?” Rose lowered her hands from her face slightly.

“Of course! How else will get some of the embarrassing stories they have?”

Rose had never dreaded the three long whistles more than she did that game. She knew Y/N was in the stands with her parents, which was fine, her parents loved Y/N and had know her for years, but now Y/N would be meeting the rest of her team. She could dodge it, say she had some crazy fan encounter or Y/N couldn’t make it, but she knew that would only delay it.

This is clearly payback for teasing all her friends for years, logically she knows its fair, that it her turn to be teased, but that doesn’t make it any better.

“Where is she Rosey?” Sonnett shook the brunette’s shoulders as they all cleared the field.

“She’s with my parents,” Rose grumbled, leading the blonde over towards the family section.

“Ahh come Rose, be more excited to see your girlfriend!” Lindsey joined the teasing, pulling her into a quick head lock.

“Trust me, I’m excited to see her, its you with her I’m not excited for,” she continued to scan the stands to find her family and current fake girlfriend, “at least try and behave while we are in public, I don’t need the whole world knowing about us.”

“Hi Mr. and Mrs. Lavelle!” Sonnett pulled away when they got to the stands, her southern charm coming out, no hint of her teasing left, “you must be Y/N! Rose has told us so much about you,” she shot the midfielder a sly wink, reaching a hand up to shake Y/N’s hand.

“And look! You’ve met Y/N, time to go see your own families,” Rose gently nudged the blonde away.

“I’m Sam,” the tall blonde reached over Rose to shake Y/N’s hand as well

“Where did you even come from?” she turned around quickly, seeing a few other players approach them.

“Be nice Rose,” her mom began to chastise.

“Yea Rose, be nice,” Y/N winked at her, reaching down more to shake another hand, introducing herself.

Rose could feel her body blushing already, this was a terrible idea, she was regretting ever opening her mouth, she knew better than to not listen when her friends are all teasing her.

A few the players talked with her parents before continuing into the tunnel, her core group remaining, making small talk with Y/N and her parents. Y/N was seamlessly talking with the few that remained, including her parents and giving everyone their desired attention. Her mind continued on how much of a bad idea this was, it was hard enough keeping her feelings to herself as it was, but now watching how flawlessly Y/N interacted with her friends challenged her even more. This was such a bad idea.

The group continued to talk before a staff came to collect the players, ushering them away, Rose telling her parents she would call them after and meet them for dinner.

“Why’d you keep her hidden so long? She’s awesome!” Sonnett shook Rose’s shoulders again, “worried one of us would steal her from you?”

That was exactly what she was worried about. She knew Y/N would hit it off with everyone on the team, and with her inability to be open about her feelings, Y/N was bound to connect with someone on the team, someone that wasn’t her.

“You’ve seen her, and you’ve seen me, she clearly upgraded,” Rose did her best to sass back, hoping her face matched her tone.

“Sure she did,” Sam rolled her eyes, gently nudged the brunette.

“Did you see her arms? Those alone are an upgrade compared to you,” Lindsey teasing squeezed Rose’s bicep.

“And you wondered why I didn’t invite any of you to meet her,” Rose rolled her eyes at the trio, frustration beginning to leak out, “now you’ve met her, you can find something else to make fun of.”

“Still you,” Sonnett nodded.

“Tomorrow at lunch,” Lindsey added.

“After recovery,” Sam joined, tilting her head to the side, “weren’t you listening?”

“Fuck,” she whispered to herself, “uhh guess I didn’t hear it.”

Rose now started at the ceiling, she had gone for supper with her parents, Y/N joining them, she was practically family at this point, had been for years really. And she loved watching how Y/N interacted with her parents, her sister, grandparents. She seamlessly fit them all, laughing at her dads bad jokes, her grandmas old stories she’s repeated multiple times, returned her sisters relentless teasing, she charmed her mom into letting her sneak bits while she cooked. Rose loved it all, she had hoped being away for soccer all the time, that distance would ease some of her feelings.

But it didn’t. They only seemed to grow. Every time Y/N would ask about soccer, let Rose rant about her injuries, lack of playing time with Manchester City, was easily the best friend she could ask for. For some reason though, the friends never talked about their relationships, so Rose had no idea how to navigate her feelings.

The entire time for recovery the next morning she was interrogated by everyone on the team about the secret girlfriend she had kept hidden from them all. Rose could easily answer them all, as much as she knew it was a fake relationship, it was nice to imagine that it was true, she could pretend for the day.

Y/N tentatively entered the restaurant she was meeting Rose and her friends for lunch, giving them all a smile when she saw them.

“I’d like to keep my lunch down, so if you could tamp down the disgustingness, that would be great,” Lindsey sassed, smirking over the lip of her coffee cup.

Rose blushed, and forced herself to look away from Y/N. She knew she had a dopey smile on her face as soon as she saw Y/N walk in, but she just couldn’t help it after spending the morning talking about her fake relationship with the woman.

“Hey guys,” Y/N greeted, waving slightly before pulling a chair out next to Rose, “hey babe,” she leaned over kissing Rose on the cheek, causing her to blush even deeper.

The group all laughed at how flustered the midfielder was. But quickly got over it, the waiter coming over to take their orders. Each taking turns to ask the newcomer the same questions they asked Rose, turning the conversation to embarrassing Rose stories as soon as they could.

“So picture this smooth human being,” Y/N sarcastically gestured to the brunette, “goes on an entire date, not knowing it was a date. Then had to awkwardly explain to the poor dude after that not only did she not know it was a date, but did not want to date him even if she did.”

The table burst out laughing, Rose shrinking in on herself, blushing again.

“How many dates-not-a-date, did you go on before they became real dates?”

The fake couple made eye contact, both thinking about their response, deliberating what the other might say.

Y/N bit her lip and looked at her plate, before looking shyly back at Rose, “too many,” looking back down, pushing some food around on her plate, “I don’t even know how many hints I had to drop, how much ass kissing to her family I did, but she never got it. I kind of gave up, was just going to be the best damn friend I could be. Then I got lucky,” she blushed, watching Rose as she kept talking, “she gave me the opportunity of a lifetime, invited me to a game, got to meet her friends. But, she’s worth the wait.”

Rose’s eyebrows shot up, Y/N telling her everything without saying the words. Y/N slid a hand to rest on Rose’s thigh. The pair made eye contact, neither knowing what to say, Y/N’s feelings were in the open, but Rose’s weren’t. And now Y/N felt incredibly exposed, the rest of the table didn’t know the truth behind her story, but Rose did, and she wasn’t saying anything.

“I’m not even surprised, that sounds exactly like Rose,” Sam chuckled across the table.

“I’ll catch up to you guys,” Rose stopped outside the door if the restaurant, motioning her friends to go ahead so she could talk to Y/N alone.

Y/N shuffled on the spot, nervous about Rose would have to say, she hadn’t said anything at her confession during lunch, “Rose I’m sorry, that was a little too honest, I should have just made up some kind of story.”

“Was it true?”

“Uhh yea,” Y/N nodded, “I get you probably don’t feel the same way, and that was why you weren’t engaging anything. That’s fine Rose, I accepted a long time ago I would just be your best friend.”

Y/N tried to show how sincere she was, staring at Rose.

Rose shook her head, “no, I’m an idiot,” she took a step forward, closing the distance. She wrapped both hands around Y/N’s cheek, firmly pulling her in for a kiss.

Y/N was shocked, not immediately responding, when she felt Rose begin to pull away, she curled her arm around Rose’s waist. The kiss escalated quickly, teeth clashing, both too excited, unable to slow them selves down.

“We’re in public!” Sonnett yelled at the couple.

They both pushed apart, taking a couple steps away from each other, both blushing and looking at their feet.

“Uhh I guess this means you feel the same?” Y/N shyly asked.

Rose nodded, “I just thought you were a really good friend.”

“I am, but I want to be more than your friend,” Y/N took a step forward, “I’m going to kiss you again, then I’m going to take you on a date.”

She waited for Rose to nod before stepping forward again, closing the distance and cupping the back of her neck.

This kiss was much softer, more controlled, both trying to convey how they felt. They pulled apart when they both couldn’t contain their smiles anymore.

“I really fucking like you,” Y/N rested her forehead against Rose’s

She giggled in return, “I really fucking like you too,” she tilted her head and kissed Y/N briefly again.

The group, unaware of the change in relationship, cat called from down the block.

They pulled apart, Rose taking steps towards the other soccer players, “I’ll call you.”

She took quick steps, kissing Y/N quickly again before running away to her friends.  

[thatonegreyghost]

I feel like being extra today, so have some California gothic(SoCal edition):

There is no rain. There is never rain. If it comes, it comes when everyone is inside or asleep. Roads flood and swimming pools spill over and there is half a foot of water on every corner. Then it dries and its gone forever. There is no rain.

There is something in the ocean. You can't see it, because you aren't far out enough for the water to be clear, but it doesn't matter; anytime you do go far out enough, it's too deep to see the bottom. There's a ledge where the sandy floor drops into a steep cliff; young kids who are brave enough to swim out the ten feet to reach it dare their friends to jump. You see fishermen on the pier and the beach, and even though you've never seen as much as a piece of bait on the shore, you keep your distance to avoid a hook in your foot. The water glitters with flecks of gold; when the waves crash, the sand is stirred up enough to reveal the precious metal. You've heard stories about people jumping off the pier, but you never see it happen. You love the ocean. Maybe you'll come again when there's less people. There's something in the ocean; maybe one day you'll actually see it.

The air around LA is dirty. Its orange and gray and disgusting. Breathing it in makes you feel nauseous, dirty, depressed. When it rains(it never rains), you can see all the skyscrapers, and the mountains! The mountains are so clear. It only lasts a few days, and the smog is back. Time slows down on the freeway leading into downtown. You sit in traffic, staring at the license plate ahead of you. Its been ten minutes since everyone stopped moving. You look up at the skyline; has it always been that orange? Someone honks behind you, and you turn your attention to the road. Its been five minutes. No one's moved.

There's a fire somewhere. It makes sense; you got a lot of rain that winter, and the summer was predictably hot. You wake up at three in the morning; on the coast, because you smell burning, in the hill, because a neighbor is pounding on your door. The sky turns red, and when high schoolers leave their third period, they can't see. Nothing gets canceled except for sports. There is ash in the pool; it will stay for weeks until the first home meet.

"Coyotes are back" the sign says. You think of your dog, a good sized dog that can protect itself. You think of your neighbors dog, a scrawny thing that would get snatched in an instant if it were left out at night. You think of your friend's cat, and how the only dead cats you've ever seen are mauled on the side of the road. Coyotes are back. You don't think they ever really left.

The lights went out last night. You know this because your alarm went off at two am instead of six, and because of the blinking 12:01 on your clock. Your fan is still going at least; without it, you would be smothered to death by heat, heat that builds and builds and builds until its cooler outside than in. The pools are open for the summer, but unless you know friends or family with one, you'll have to pay. You think that's kind of cruel, but say nothing. You're too hot to think.

There is a June bug in your house. Its July. There is a June bug in your house.

A gun shot goes off. No, wait, that was a firework. You wonder how your neighbors got those fireworks, the kind that bang instead of whistle and shriek instead of scream. You hope they don't go to the hill to set them off. There have been enough fires in recent years. You hear the bang again. You count the weeks to the fourth of July; three weeks to go. You'll get some sleep in a month.

There is nothing in the dark. Absolutely nothing. You know this because the night makes you feel safe, because it is cool and refreshing. There is nothing in the dark. You walk faster anyway.

A tourist from the Midwest complains about sunburn. You laugh; you don't get sunburn. You can't remember the last time you had sunburn. Sunburn is what happens to outsiders, or those with less melanin. You stare at the strawberry blonde whose face is as red as her hair. Even your white friends aren't so pale; living here, you've absorbed the sun into your skin and the golden warmth into your smile. Outsiders say you are beautiful. Insiders know why.

Disneyland is too expensive. You can't afford it, you don't want to go. You still think fondly of your past trips. Knott's is smaller, more local, but a yearly pass is a fraction of a Disney day ticket. You go to Knott's with friends. You don't regret anything. You say you should go again. You still want to go to Disneyland.

Southern California is its own state. Outsidrrs say "NorCal" and "Frisco" and wonder why locals stare. See's Candies are everywhere, every city has at least one. SoCal is dry and arid and has such a different climate from up north. There are forests in the north. You have never seen them.

There are abandoned train tracks everywhere. You want to walk along them. Your parents and friends say no. You ask why. They say its dangerous, they say there are coyotes on the tracks. They never say you might find a homeless camp. They don't need to; you already know. The homeless aren't dangerous. You stay away from them anyway.

You are chatting with an online friend. They say the snow is bad. They say their parents hate them for coming out. They say they don't feel safe at night because of the things outside. You are shocked. You know thses things can happen, but you never really believed they could before now. You tell them you are sorry. You try to understand what their life is like. You can't; you don't understand how their life is so different, yet they live in the same country as you.

LA to San Diego is 3 hours. LA to San Francisco is 8 hours. You have been to San Diego before. Its very nice. You've passed through it on your way to Mexico. You don't like coming back from Mexico; border patrol is scarier on that side. You worry that you will answer a question wrong and you will be kept on the wrong side of the border. You are a US citizen. You think about San Francisco. You've never been. It sounds lovely.

Your friend has a green card. You don't care; your friend is the same age as you, you met in elementary school. You hear a person in power talking about deportation. You are nervous for your friend. Your friend is a good person, their family is nice. Your friend wonders if they should take the citizenship test. You say nothing.

As a child, the police scared you. No one told you to be afraid of them, you just were. Now, you are still scared. At least this time, you know why.

You keep a bottle of baby powder in your car, right next to the beach towels and a scrubbie brush. "To get the sand off." You say to the questioning looks from the out of towner. You think they are visiting family. Most of your family lives here, and you don't remember who the outsider is related to. They gawk at the ocean. Its just the ocean.

Big Bear is pretty. Its always pretty. In the summer there's camps and in the winter there's snow. You go up for the day, once a year; its why you have a sled you never use.

Fourth of July is pretty cool. You get fireworks from the local high-school or local church, and you spend two hours setting them off. The pictures and video don't come out right, but it doesn't matter. You know this is a holiday celebrating America. You only care about the colors, and in the back of your mind, if someone might accidentally start a fire.

[k-llama-llama]

Carried Through

Twice AU: 10th member

Jaewoo x Twice

The girls have to take care of Jaewoo when he’s sick at the airport

A/N: check out my patreon (patreon.com/kllamallama for exclusive posts!)

Requests are CLOSED…but your feedback is still super important to me.

Masterlist and other Follow Me links in bio!

“I’m going to be honest, Jae, you aren’t looking too hot.” Jihyo stared at him.

He tried to look up at her, but didn’t manage to get higher than her jeans and the row of airport chairs before his vision swam. “Thanks.”

“I’m serious, Jae.” She moved off of her seat, kneeling in front of him. “Are you okay?”

“I told you I didn’t feel good.”

That was an understatement. They’d left the apartment at six in the morning to get to the airport in time for their flight. Jaewoo had gone to bed early the night before, complaining about feeling nauseous. He’d woken up the next morning without feeling any better, and with the added issue of a pounding headache.

Nayeon had packed the last of his bags for him, and he’d stumbled out the door and through the airport. But now, as they waited to board their flight, he was struck with an incapacitating dizziness that was making it impossible for him to keep his head up for more than a few seconds.

“Are you going to be okay on the flight?” Jihyo pushed his hair out of his face, feeling his clammy forehead. “You really don’t look good.”

“I know.” He groaned, trying to breathe through another wave of dizziness. “I think I’m probably going to die.”

“You aren’t going to die.” Jihyo promised. “But are you going to be okay on this flight? Do you feel like you’re going to throw up?”

He shook his head, and then immediately regretted it. “No. Just like I’m going to drop at any second.”

Jihyo clicked her tongue, obviously trying to weigh their options. There weren’t really any. They had to fly to Thailand and they had a concert tomorrow that they couldn’t miss. Whatever bug he hadn’t wasn’t going to stop them.

“Oppa?” Tzuyu settled herself into the seat next to him. “Are you feeling any better?”

He couldn’t find the energy to respond, but heard Jihyo answer for him. Someone was rubbing his back, the only thing he was clearly aware of when the world started to spin again.

“I brought you some water and rice crackers.” Tzuyu said quietly. “Do you want to try them?”

He thought about it. He hadn’t eaten anything since dinner last night, and even that had only been a little bit of rice and a piece of chicken. There was a good chance that something in his stomach might help, but there was just as good of a chance that that would make him throw up.

“Who am I sitting with on the plane?” He asked, resting his forehead on his knees.

“Me, I think.” Tzuyu told him. “Why?”

He shook his head. “I don’t want to throw up on you.”

With great effort, he sat up, leaning his head back against the chair. His vision swam, but if he stayed still it was tolerable.

“Which of us are you willing to throw up on?” Jihyo appeared in his line of vision.

He forced a smile. “Chae, probably. Maybe Jeongyeon.”

“I heard that.” Someone poked him in the shoulder. He didn’t bother turning to see as Chaeyoung placed her bucket hat on his head. “To hide how gross you are.”

 “I don’t think it’s going to help.” He admitted. He was already dreading the pictures that the fan sites got as they were entering the airport, and he wouldn’t be home free until they reached their hotel in Thailand.

Another wave of dizziness hit, and he squeezed his eyes shut.

“Should we take him to a doctor?” Tzuyu whispered, obviously trying not to disturb him.

“It’s a stomach bug.” Chaeyoung countered. “They’re not going to be able to do anything.”

“But he can’t fly like this.” Tzuyu argued.

“She’s got a point, Chae.” Jihyo said quietly. “Someone is going to have to carry him through the airport. And what if something happens on the flight?”

“What would happen?” Tzuyu sounded worried.

Jaewoo forced himself to sit up straighter. He didn’t want them fussing over him, and he didn’t want to miss the flight or cause problems in their schedule. He was going to get up, he was going to walk through the airport and then die quietly on the flight.

“Give me some of those crackers, Tzu.” He held out a hand.

Tzuyu ripped open the bag enthusiastically, removing a cracker, breaking it in half, and then handing it to him. He chewed slowly. Every movement caused his head to spin a little bit more, but the cracker was bland enough that it didn’t immediately make him want to be sick.

“Do you have any water?” He swallowed, the cracker scraping against his throat, which he suddenly realized was very dry.

“Here.” Tzuyu opened a bottle of water, passing it to him. His hands shook as he lifted it to his mouth, but he managed to swallow a sip without spilling.

“Guys, we’re boarding.” Jeongyeon walked over. “Do you need a staff member to-“

She trailed off, but it was clear that the next words were carry Jaewoo.

“I can walk.” Jaewoo forced himself to his feet. He wasn’t sure if the world was spinning or if he was swaying.

Jihyo answered his question with a hand on his elbow. “Are you going to faint?”

“Nope.” He tried to sound certain. “If you can just give me a shove in the right direction and I will stumble my way onto the plane.”

“I’ll walk you.” Jihyo wrapped his arm around her, letting him lean on her without it being too obvious that he was close to dropping.

“My bag.” He mumbled, trying to turn around.

“I got it, just keep walking.” Chaeyoung stopped to pull his mask up over his nose.

Jaewoo tuned out as he was dragged towards their terminal. He tried not to think about what everyone else was seeing. He was almost a full foot taller than Jihyo, but he was hunched over and barely managing to move one foot in front of the other.

This was a first for him. He’d never had worse than the sniffles on a travel day. Usually he was the one helping the girls through the airport. There had been a few months when Jihyo’s leg was messed up when he’d literally piggy-backed her everywhere, including onto airplanes. So he really didn’t enjoy feeling so miserable, with no idea of his surroundings. He trusted them, of course, but it still made him feel uneasy. If it was even possible to feel anything other than dizzy right now.

He was completely numb as Chaeyoung flashed his passport and ticket for him, and then they were onto the plain. Jihyo dropped him into his seat with a huff, and his head smacked against the back.

“Are you trying to give him a concussion?” Jeongyeon leaned over from behind him, poking his shoulder to make sure he was still awake.

“He’s heavy.” Jihyo complained, sitting next to Jeongyeon. “Sorry, Jae.”

“S’okay.” He mumbled. He was thankful they were in business class, because it meant he had a bit more room, a more comfortable chair, and only one person next to him.

Tzuyu finished stowing his bag and sat down next to him. “Oppa? Do you want another cracker?”

“Not now, Tzu.” It came out a little harsher than he wanted. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay, you don’t feel good.” She spread a blanket over his lap, and took his phone out of his hoodie pocket. “Do you want to listen to music, or do you want to plug into the movie I’m going to watch?”

The choice was clear: you were mean to me, so now you have to watch a movie with me.

“I’ll watch the movie.” He flopped his head to one side, holding out a hand for the earbud. They hadn’t even taken off yet, but he was settling in for a long, miserable flight.

“I hate being sick.” He said quietly, turning his face into the seat cushion.

“At least you’re stuck with me and not Chaeyoung.” Tzuyu smiled. “She’d probably draw a mustache on you.”

“Promise you won’t let her and you’ll be my favourite person ever.” He grabbed her hand in his, squeezing it with a pitiful display of strength.

She patted his hand. “Don’t worry. I’ll protect you. And maybe you’ll feel better after we’ve watched Moana.”

“Why do we always have to watch Moana?”

“Because it’s my choice. So shut up and feel better.”

[equizona]

Hey! Can I please request Kyoya with a reader who isn't rich and is studying musical theatre and he doesn't like her a lot at first???

Of course ^^ thanks a lot for sending in the request, and I hope you like it. [This was also very fun to do, I don't do musicals and we usually only do normal ones, but I've done one musical before, and it was The story if evil, we write the thing ourselves based on the story of songs, check it out, even if its Vocaloid, their some very nice songs!]

Also I'm so sorry for Kyoya being OOC, it's kind of how I see him acting around the person he likes? Also I'm very sorry this is bad :|

Soft Voices{Kyoya Ootori x reader}

When you first started in the same year as Haruhi, Kyoya couldn't have cared less about you. Sure, he had done his usual research, but other than that you weren't anything intresting or valuable to him. However, one day you had ended up crashing into him while running down the corridor of the school, and instead of stopping to help him after you had knocked down his things, you had just continued rushing down. Which caused him to be very sour against you.

So to say he was unimpressed when you stepped into the host club was an understatement. Though he knew he couldn't act on it, since it would lower the reputation of both him and the host club. He knew you had gotten a scholarship for musical theater, but he really didn't care, so when the two girls you went with dragged you to Tamaki to rant about how the three of you had decided to come here since your practice had been canceled, he ignored it.

And he continued to do that for months. He wouldn't glance at you. He didn't like you, so he didn't see a reason to interact with you. Especially since the few times you went to the host club you would request either the twins or Tamaki.

But Kyoya was on his way to the newspaper club one day, when he heard a voice. A girl was singing. He walked closer to the door. "Drifting further away, little wish upon the waves. With eyes full of tears she regrets those days." The voice paused for a few seconds. "If the day comes that we are reborn once again..." the voice trailed off, and Kyoya wondered if the girl would continue singing.

Which she did, but the song was different. "Now kneel before me peasants." The voice went from the sad and lonely sound to an arrogant and rude tone, and kyoya frowned in confusion. What happened? He looked at the door sign, and realized this was the musical theater room. "She's a very good actor" Kyoya mumbled under his breath. He remembered seeing some of the girls who was in the club at the host club, meaning this was someone staying behind to practice.

Kyoya realized he had to get going to the newspaper club, and he promptly left.

---

He had originally tried talking to some of the girls, wondering if they would bring him to their practice. But no matter hoe much he tried to buy off and blackmail convince them, all of the girls were very adamant about not letting anyone see until they were done practicing for their play.

So he was left with one option. Y/N, the girl who was a commoner, just like haruhi, but in difference, a commoner he didn't like very much. So, he decided to approach you one day. "Hello there, your miss L/N, are you not?" The black haired boy spoke in his dark and silky voice, trying to make you more willing.

---

You turned around at the calling of your family name, only to see Ootori Kyoya. You'd been to the host club a few times, so you knew who he was. But more than anything you recognized him as the guy you crashed into in the hallway once. You still felt kind of guilty over that, but he never seemed approachable, so you stayed away.

But now he was the one talking to you first, but you'd heard he could be very cunning and manipulative, and since you didn't have a lot of money, you were slightly scared. "Yes, that me. Your kyoya Ootori, correct?" You made sure to keep your voice steady. The male hummed in agreement.

"So, is there anything I can do for you?" You asked him, giving him your best smile. "Well yes, I've been rather intrested in the musical theather lately, and so I figured I should talk to a member." He spoke up, and you beamed. Not a lot of boys actually joined theater, let alone musical theater, so one who was intrested was a score!

"Yes, of course! What would you like to know?" "Well, is there anyway I could join in on practice to see what you do there?" You frowned inwardly, he couldn't. Everyone in the group had decided that no outsiders were allowed into rehearsals after the first time. You shook your head. "Sadly you missed practice day, though it's only a few months until our play is ready and we'll be performing? You could come watch then if you'd like?"

---

That wouldn't do for Kyoya. He liked knowing things, and he wanted to know who had been singing. Though, mabye if he befriended you, you'd let him in? He settled with that. "Ah, well that's to bad, though is it possible we could hang out and mabye you could give me some tips?" That should work.

You grinned, before digging your phone out of your backpack and handing it to him. "Yep! That works for me! Here, give me your number." Kyoya typed his number in,trying not to groan. Kyoya knew how to hold a grudge, and he was still salty.

"And actually, I'm not sure if you remember, but during the first week, I crashed into you. I was almost late for theater, and I didn't wanna be late so I couldn't stop. Also, you were kinda scary and I chickened out from apologizing to you after that, and even if it's a bit late now, I'm very sorry about crashing into you! Anyways,I should get going, talk to you later!" Well nevermind then, mabye Kyoya wasn't so salty about it anymore.

---

It had been two weeks, and no matter how persistent he was, you wouldn't let him go to the practice. Not that he minded that much, you were good company, and you had a nice voice.

Besides, he kind of enjoyed when you would wait outside the host club room and wait for him, before dragging him to do something. Whether that was just walking around and talking, or you sneaking into a market to eat free samples while he face palmed at your stupidity.

---

One day you had brought him to an amusment park. He hadn't actually ever been there, and he didn't really want to. But you were so persistent, And had offered to pay for his tickets as well. Though in the end he ended up paying, and he didn't give you a choice.

---

After about a month or so, Kyoya had lost all interest in the voice he heard, and he would much rather be listening to you talk about your day, before asking him about his. And then you'd just keep on finding anything to talk about so that neither of you were ever bored.

He liked your company far more than he wanted to admit.

---

After about two months, he was coming to term with the fact he liked you. It was ironic, the person he had dislikes the most was now the person he liked the most only about teo months later.

Though he didn't seem to be the only one who realized he liked Y/N. As Tamaki was currently bugging him about it, the twins were laughing at his pain, and Haruhi, Mori and Honey were confused in the background. "If you like her you have to confess to her! You can be her Romeo, wait that ended badly- you can be her prince charming!"

How Kyoya wished he was walking around town with you right now. It's not that he disliked Tamaki, in fact he treasured the blonde a lot, but he could get quite tiring sometimes. As the rest of the host club could get. And he tried calming himself down like your voice always did. It didn't quite work though.

Soon the twins decided to join Tamaki though. "You know, if you like her you really should confess. I've heard shes been getting quite popular with teh boys lately. Who knows what type of person could come sweep her off her feet right under your nose." The twins cackled evily. But Kyoya realized that yes, some perverted rich boy could take advantage of her! But when had she been getting popular among the boys? If she got a boyfriend would she stop hanging out with him? Wait if they became lovers it would open an even bigger field for the two...

"Fine. What is your confession plan then?" He huffed annoyed, not wanting to admit that he wasn't really sure how he should confess to you. Tamaki lit up. "Well, the plan is.."

---

Kyoya hadn't liked Tamaki's plan, and he felt you wouldn't either. So he had taken things into his own hands, something he was starting to regret, because everything was going wrong.

It had started with the day being normal, but when he saw you waiting in front of music room three for him, he walked up and asked if you wanted to walk around the city that day. Your eyes had filled themselves with stars as you beamed at him, before nodding eagerly.

And so it had went, you dragging him around the city, doing random things and talking about random things as he tried to get the courage to confess to you.

Though he hadn't ever gotten the courage. He had been planning on giving up for the day since it was very late, but his phone was out of power. He had asked you borrow yours, but yours was out of power as well. So now you were standing at a bus station since it had started snowing. Kyoya groaned.

You turned towards him. "You okay Kyoya?" You questioned him, and your voice made him feel atleast a little bit better. He nodded his head. You frowned at him. "Don't lie to me." Even when your voice was stern, it was still as soft as ever.

But Kyoya knew he couldn't lie to you, so he gave into his fate. "This wasn't how today was supposed to go. We stayed out way to late, our phones are out of power and it's snowing." He couldn't help but give into his emotions and frown. He glanced at you, but you where only staring at the sky.

Kyoya didn't know how, but somehow the stars where out and it was snowing. He could feel his face heat up at the sight of the pale snow landing delicately on your own S/C skin, along with the stars twinkling in your eyes. Fuck, he was in way to deep for this.

You grinned at him. "Why do you say that like it's a bad thing? Sure we stayed out longer than we had planned, but that just means we like being with each other, right? And phones go out of power sometimes, it's normal! And the snow is lovely, don't you think?" He blinked.

But before he could give you an answer, you intertwined your hand with his and started pulling him to the right. "But no worries! I know my way home, you could just stay over at my place for the night, we don't have school so it's okay!" Kyoya's face was redder than an apple at this point. He wasn't sure why entirely. But it was a pleasant feeling.

"I love you." He spoke without thinking, no like or anything. He knew he loved you, but he hadn't been planning on saying that. And you hadn't been prepared for him to say that either considering how you stopped walking and froze.

You turned around in a split second, your E/C eyes glimmering with both confusion and surprise. "What?" You asked in disbelief. Kyoya sighed, he knew he'd never get the guts to do this again, so he tried giving himself some encouragement. It didn't work. "You head what I said."

You both started at eachother for a while, neither saying a single word. Before you grinned, throwing your arms around his neck with a hug. He frowned in confusion, he was sure you would have denied his feelings based on the long silence?

Not that he was complaining, instead he let out a relived sigh and hugged you back. You stepped away from him, grinning wildly, before taking his hand and rushing towards your house. "Alrighty, date night at my house it is!" You shouted into the night, and Kyoya couldn't contain his own smile.

---

Kyoya had eventually stopped talking with you about Musical theater, and the only times it was talked about was when you brought it up, or the times where he got the two of you tickets to watch one. You never asked him about why either.

But the play that you had been practicing for months to was being played at the school later this evening, and you were inviting him to watch. Even if he wasn't actually interested in playing, he was intrested in your interests, so of course he agreed.

And now you were standing in front of him dressed in a yellow wig, along with a fancy old-fashioned yellow and black dress. He couldn't see your feet, but you looked lovely. "This is so exciting! The play will be starting soon, but I wanted to see you before it started!" You grinned at him, letting your voice play out.

He gave you a tiny smile in return. And you were signaled by one of your friends to get to the stage. He waved as you ran to the stage. The lights went off not long after, and a light shone on one of your friends.

"Long, long ago there was a kingdom by the sea, it was rich and wonderful, with a young queen on the throne. But many people referred to the young maiden as the daughter of evil, for she was truly selfish. She would take and take from her pupils, not sparing any mercy to the people she should have led. However, this tale will tell more than just that, we are here to tell you poeple the story of evil, so that you too, can see the real story of that faithful day..."

The lights went off again, and a new light shone, and there was you. Music started playing, and he realized you had a microphone headset on. "Now, kneel before me peasants." Your cold eyes glimmered sadistically at the crowd, and he felt a shiver run down his spine.

He recognized that voice. It was the very reason he had talked to you at all! He was so stupid, both voices had been so soft, though he had to admit he preferred the person you where with him. But this was nice, he would make sure to support you in your dreams. They where the very reason he met you after all.

---

The story had ended, and Kyoya had to admit it had been awfully sad, but over all a very good story. Some of his fellow host club members where outright crying though.

He raised himself, and went over to you. You smiled, stepping away from your friends after seeing him. "You know, I feel I should tell you that the reason I talked to you was because I wanted to know the person who I had heard practicing oneof the songs. It was unexpected, but not quite that surprising to see you behind the lovely voice."

You snorted, laughing a bit at his statement. Though he was happy you didn't get mad over him lying to you. He wrapped his arms around your neck, burying his face in your H/L hair. He could feel you grin into his chest, not trying to escape from his embrace.

"You know what Kyoya?" He hummed in response. "I love you." He grinned, though luckily nobody could see that. "I love you too." "Only my voice?" "Not at all, I adore everything." "Good, because so do I."

[caitlesshea]

the way you showed me you care

“Shit.”

Booker jumps about a half foot in the air and almost falls off the couch at the sound of his phone ringing. It’s been months since anyone has contacted him, so long that he was beginning to wonder why he even kept it charged. 

In some self sacrificial moments he thought about changing his number so they couldn’t contact him, tricking himself into thinking they would. 

He fumbles forward and goes to answer when it blessedly stops ringing. Just because it takes an insane amount of alcohol for him to get drunk doesn’t mean he hasn’t spent the last couple of months trying. 

Just as he lays back down on the couch it rings again and when he goes to answer it his stomach sinks. 

Copley. 

“What?” Booker growls into the phone and the voice on the other end just sighs.

“How soon can you get to London?”

“Why? Is Andy?” 

“Everyone’s fine.”

Booker releases a breath he didn’t know he was holding and rubs his forehead until he calms down.

“Then why?”

“London. How long?”

Booker holds his phone in front of him, trying to figure out the time and what day it is.

“Give me a couple of hours.”

“Fine. You remember how to get to my place?”

“How could I forget?” Booker responds dryly and he’s only slightly disappointed when Copley doesn’t say anything back. 

“Do you need anything? Money?”

Booker swallows at the softness in Copley’s voice. They’ve always had a friendly enough relationship, one doesn’t get to the point of asking someone to help you end it all without being somewhat close. They always understood each other in that regard.

“That’s the last thing I need. I’ll see you tonight.”

Booker hangs up before Copley can say anything and he smiles as his email pings with a train ticket to London and a rental car reservation. 

He takes one last look at his shitty apartment and grabs the duffel bag he’s had packed since he first got to Paris. 

At the last minute he picks up the copy of Don Quixote that Andy gave him and shoves it into his bag before grabbing his keys and his current passport, a French one, for once. 

Something about being exiled for a hundred years makes him want to be sentimental. And drunk. But he figures he can drink on the train. 

In what feels like no time at all he’s pulling up to Copley’s weirdly modern house in the outskirts of London. Booker tries not to think about what Copley could possibly want, especially considering he dragged Booker to London for it. Before he even turns off the engine Copley is outside waiting for him. 

“You made it.”

“Very astute of you.”

Copley rolls his eyes and Booker follows Copley into his house, setting his bag down on the couch. 

“Gonna tell me why I’m here?”

“I need your help.”

“My help?” Booker asks as Copley hands him a glass of scotch. 

Booker looks around Copley’s office, weird detective board still firmly in place, and waits for Copley to answer. 

When it seems like Copley isn’t going to say anything anytime soon, Booker walks over to the board, heart clenching at seeing Andy’s, Nicky’s, and Joe’s faces reflected back at him.

“None of me?”

“You told me you were immortal. I didn’t really need to do any research on you.”

“Mmm.” Booker swirls the drink in his glass and smirks.

“Couldn’t figure out my real name could you?”

Copley smiles and Booker shakes his head as he laughs.

“You’re very good.”

“Oh, I know.”

Copley smirks at him and Booker feels himself relax for the first time in months.

“So, my help?”

“There’s a job.” Copley hands him an iPad and Booker looks it over. “Andy agreed, but I need supplies and I don’t want to put them on the radar of any of my contacts.”

Booker raises an eyebrow at that and he swears he can see regret in Copley’s eyes.

“Joe and Nicky can get them. They know who we used.”

“Joe and Nicky?”

“Just because they’re super old doesn’t mean they can’t use a computer.”

“But Andy?”

“Oh, yeah, Andy’s terrible.” Booker walks over to sit in one of the chairs as Copley takes the other. “But Joe and Nicky aren’t half bad and I’m sure Nile is even better.”

“Nile. A millennial she is.”

Booker laughs and hands back the iPad. “She giving you trouble?”

“She just wants to have social media, wants to see her family, the usual.”

“Well, Nicky and Joe have an Instagram.”

“They what?” Copley looks like his eyes are going to bug out of his head and Booker rolls his eyes as he opens his phone.

“Not in their names or anything. It’s one of those couple’s accounts. They never show their faces and Nicky thinks he’s funny, posting old photos of them, making people think it’s a filter instead of a yellowed Polaroid.”

“Jesus.”

“Just give Nile some ground rules.”

“And the family part?”

“Ah, yeah, I don’t know if I’m the best person to ask.”

“Why?”

Booker looks up at Copley and realizes he’s genuinely curious. Booker takes a moment to spin his wedding ring that he stills wears and notices Copley still wears his as well. It makes something clench in his chest that he can’t really describe.

“Nothing good will come from her seeing them.” Booker ends up saying quietly and Copley nods. 

Booker doesn’t know what to do with the look on Copley’s face. It’s not pity, or even understanding, but it’s something close, and that makes his heart hurt. 

“Here.” Booker emails Copley the contacts and supplies he’d use for this mission and he waits for Copley to read it before getting up to leave.

“Stay.” Copley says as Booker walks past him. “For dinner I mean, and you can go back to Paris tomorrow.”

“Dinner.” Booker says, even though he packed for at least a week, and doesn’t want to look too closely at why he doesn’t want to leave.

“You cook?” Copley jokes. “You’ve had what, two hundred years to learn?”

“Nice try.” Booker walks into the kitchen with Copley behind him and takes a seat at the bar as Copley pulls out some food.

“Are you ever going to tell me how old you are?” Copley asks as he cuts up some veggies for what looks like a stir fry. “None of you have, actually.”

Booker swallows roughly at the mention of everyone else and he wishes he refilled his scotch before coming out here. One appears in front of his view and Copley gives him a wry smile.

“We don’t really talk about these things.”

“What things?”

“You know.” Booker waves in the general direction of Copley’s office. “Immortality, with anyone who’s not…”

“Ah.” Copley nods and throws the veggies and chicken he pulled out of the fridge into a wok. 

“What?”

“Nothing.” Copley turns to look at Booker and Booker can’t explain it but he feels seen like he never has before. “Doesn’t that get lonely?”

“I think you know the answer to that already, James.”

Copley nods and they sit in companionable silence while the food cooks. Booker wishes he had more to say, but the sting of losing his friends, his family, sits heavy in his throat. 

There’s no Nicky to bet if Andy will guess all the flavors in the latest baklava. There’s no Joe to watch football with and cheer for any team who’s wearing the color green because ‘Nicolò’s eyes.’ There’s no Andy to…

He’s brought out of his musings by Copley’s shout. 

“They have almost a million followers!” 

Booker can’t help it, he throws his head back and laughs, really laughs, for the first time in months. 

~~~ 

Booker was supposed to go home the next day. But it’s been almost three weeks and he hasn’t left. 

It’s not that he wants to stay, that’s a lie, but Copley keeps asking for help on jobs or how to deal with the team and Booker, the martyr, can’t stop himself from asking for more information. 

It’s not like he can’t figure out where they are. He helped them disappear in the world for almost two hundred years, he knows how they operate, but that feels a little too invasive, even for him. 

“They want to take a break for a little while.” Copley sits down next to him with coffee and passes one to Booker.

That’s another thing. Booker isn’t drinking as much and his flask is in his bag. Copley brings him coffee, tea, water. Almost anytime Booker sees the man drinking something, he brings something for Booker, as well. Booker knows it’s a tactic to get him to stop drinking as much, but he finds that he doesn’t care. 

“They do that.”

Copley just looks at him and Booker is reminded of the CIA Agent he met nearly nine years prior. 

“When you’re as old…” Booker smiles at Copley’s look of interest. “Nice try. But breaks are good. And Nile is still new.”

“When will she stop being new?”

“When Andy thinks she’s ready.”

“For?”

“Honestly? Probably never now that Andy’s…”

“Mortal?”

Booker swallows and looks up at Copley. The storm brewing in his own eyes is met with a compassion he doesn’t deserve. He looks away before he does something ridiculous like cry but not soon enough for Copley to notice.

“Booker.”  Copley breathes deeply, almost like it pains him that Booker is hurting. “How long is your exile?”

“A hundred years.”

“A hundred years?”

“Yeah.” Booker doesn’t even realize he’s saying the next part until Copley’s gasp. “A third of my life.”

“A third? So you’re two hundred?”

Booker sighs and figures if the man is letting him live in his house then he might as well be honest with him. 

“I turned two hundred and fifty this past May.”

“Two hundred fifty…” Copley trails off with a look of concentration. “Seventeen seventy?”

“Got it in one.”

“Well, shit.”

Booker laughs at the look on Copley’s face. “You have a board of over a hundred and fifty years of photos of us and my actual age surprises you?”

“Well yeah, especially considering you’re the baby.”

“I am not the baby.” Booker glares at Copley without heat.

“Right. Right, it’s Nile. You’ve definitely got middle kid syndrome.”

“I resent that.”

Copley shrugs and it’s such an odd thing for him to do that Booker smiles. 

“Forty two.” Booker says unprompted. 

“Huh?”

“I’m forty two, give or take a few years.” 

Copley turns his head to the side like he’s studying Booker and likes what he finds. “I’m forty three.”

“I know.” 

Copley rolls his eyes. “So how did you die?”

“The first time?”

Copley nods and Booker thinks about telling him the glorified version of the truth or the actual truth and finds that he actually wants to tell him.

“Army deserter, fighting with Napoleon.”

“Huh?”

“What?” 

“Nothing, just don’t see you as an army guy.”

“It was the thing to do.”

Copley raises an eyebrow at him and Booker sighs. 

“Alright fine, I was a forger, got caught, sent to war…”

“Booker.”

Booker shakes his head. “It wasn’t the last time I saw my family, although...”

“Family?”

“Wife, three sons.” Booker spins his wedding ring, watching as Copley’s eyes follow the movement. 

“I never…”

“My youngest son died at forty two, cancer. I can still remember everything he said to me, screaming that I wouldn’t share my gift with him to help him.”

Booker startles as Copley’s hand comes down on top of his own, squeezing tightly. 

“I’m sorry.” 

Booker turns his hand over in a moment of bravery and squeezes back.

“I’m sorry, too.”

Copley sits back for a moment, seemingly contemplating something, then shakes his head as he gets up to grab a binder on his desk.

“What are you?” 

“Here.”

Copley places the binder down on the table and Booker looks at it like it might bite him.

“What’s this?”

“Open it.”

Booker opens it and sees pages of photos of himself. The photos that should be on the wall with the others.

“So you did have photos of me?”

“Just those and the few that are already on the wall. You’ve been with them a long time.”

“Not that long.”

“Longer than most people will ever get.”

Booker nods at that, thinking back to the time he had with his family, the time Copley had with his wife. It makes his heart hurt, when he thinks about everything he’s done.

“If I had your names I could find more.”

“Sébastien.”

“What?”

“My name, it’s Sébastien Le Livre.”

Copley smiles and the way it lights up his whole face is beautiful. The thought stops Booker’s heart for a moment, but then he lets it wash over him. For once, his attraction to someone else doesn’t feel like a betrayal.

“Booker makes sense now.” Copley smirks. “Although I think I like Sébastien better.”

Yeah, this man is going to be the death of him.

~~~

Booker should really admit that he’s not leaving Copley’s house. They’ve traveled to a few places and Booker’s taken a couple of solo jobs and gone to some of his safe houses to get some of his things but it’s been three months of him living with Copley and helping him with the team's jobs and he can feel himself slipping into a dangerous normalcy. 

You can also cut the tension between them with a knife. Booker doesn’t think he’s ever wanted someone as badly as he wants James Copley, but here he is three months into the first solid home he’s had in over two hundred years, and all he wants is Copley. 

Which is to say, he’s a little miserable. He can’t mess this up. He can’t mess up the one friendship that’s become as vital to him as breathing, he can’t mess up the chance to help his family, even if they don’t know it, and he can’t mess up the chance to spend at least some of his hundred year exile with this man. 

Booker’s trying to figure out how to at least see if Copley’s interested in maybe making their relationship something more when he hears a loud crash from the kitchen. 

“Shit.”

“You okay?” Booker looks around at the mess in the kitchen, a little shocked to see any part of the house in such disarray. 

“Yeah, sorry. I was looking for something.”

“What?”

“A cookbook. My wife’s.”

Booker’s heart seizes at the mention of Copley’s wife. It’s not that they haven’t talked about her, hell Booker’s seen more pictures of her than he’s ever seen of another person, but something twists in his gut, burning hot like jealousy, and he hates it. 

“What were you trying to cook?”

“Huh?” Copley’s looking around frantically and not really paying attention and Booker puts his hand on his arm to stop him.

“James.”

Copley looks at him and visibly relaxes as Booker bends down to look in the cabinet Copley was cleaning out. 

“You don’t have to.”

“I want to.”

Booker finds what he thinks Copley is looking for and stands up to hand him a small book that has pretty cursive writing on the front.

“Here.”

Booker looks into Copley’s eyes as he takes the book. Their hands brush and Booker swears the butterflies he feels make him feel like a teenager again, which is honestly impressive. 

“Sébastien.” Copley says in his infuriatingly elegant accent and Booker feels himself moving closer, so close that he can feel Copley’s breath against his own lips. 

It only takes a second, and then Booker is surging forward and kissing Copley, who drops the book and wraps his hands around Booker’s waist. 

Booker reluctantly breaks the kiss when the need to breathe becomes too much. He looks into Copley’s eyes and is pleased to see a similar look of want reflected back at him. 

“What are we doing?” Copley whispers as Booker presses up against him and pushes them into the counter. 

“Whatever you want.” 

Copley takes that as an invitation and he surges forward, Booker grabbing onto his hips to stop the momentum as he feels Copley’s tongue seek entrance into his mouth.

Booker gets so lost in the kiss, so lost in pulling Copley’s shirt from his pants and undoing the buttons to his shirt that he’s pretty sure he’s never been kissed like this before, and that’s saying something. 

Before Booker gets what he really wants, which is Copley somewhere horizontal, Copley breaks the kiss with a shout.

“Shit.”

“What happened?” Booker’s looking frantically at Copley. “James!” 

“Cut myself.” Copley looks at him as he pulls his hand in front of him to show the bleeding the knife that was on the counter behind Booker caused. 

Booker helps him bring his hand under the water as he grabs a towel. As soon as the blood washes away Booker turns his hand over looking for the cut and doesn’t see any.

“Where’d you cut your hand?”

“I, I don’t know.” Copley’s looking at his hand like he’s never seen it before and Booker doesn’t think, he just grabs the knife and slices Copley’s hand again and then his own.

“Sébastien!”

“Just look.” Booker wipes the blood away from his own hand and Copley’s and places them next to each other as they watch both wounds heal. 

“Holy shit.”

“Does this mean?”

“I don’t know what it means. Usually a person has to die for us to figure it out.”

“Uhh, about that.”

“We can deal with this later?”

Booker leans in closer to Copley and kisses him again, magically healing immortal hands long forgotten.

~~~

Except, not so forgotten, when Copley shoots awake in the middle of the night, grabbing his head and nearly throwing Booker out of bed.

“James?” 

“Sorry, nightmare.” Copley looks over at him and then turns on the light and Booker can see the worry lines on his face.

“Tell me.” Booker says as he reaches up to cup Copley’s cheek as Copley leans into him. 

“It was nothing.” Copley shakes his head as he scoots closer to Booker. “The team.”

“What about the team?” 

“Nothing, probably just nerves for the next job.”

“James. Tell me what you saw.” 

Copley sighs as he lays back down and Booker hooks his leg over Copley’s as he waits for him to speak.

“I don’t want…”

“I’ll be fine.” Booker says as he leans in to kiss Copley. “Tell me.”

“Andy and Nile were training, Joe was sketching something and Nicky was cooking.” 

“Shit.” Booker lays back down and rubs his hands over his eyes. “We dream each other.”

“We?”

“When there’s a new immortal.”

“So you think?”

“I don’t know what to think. This hasn’t happened before.”

Booker looks over at Copley and sees that his eyes have gone wide and he has a panicked expression in his face. 

“Hey.” Booker turns on his side so he can pull Copley closer. “We’ll figure this out.”

Copley nods just as his phone starts ringing. They both jump at the noise as Copley shows him the caller is Andy. 

Booker tries not to listen but it’s kinda hard when he’s hugging Copley and he misses the sound of Andy’s voice.

“They’ll be here tomorrow.” Copley says as he drops his phone on the nightstand.

“Alright. I can get out of your hair.”

“What? Sébastien, no.”

“I’m not supposed to see them. Hell, I’m probably not supposed to even be speaking to you.”

“Sébastien.” Copley runs his fingers through Booker’s hair. “This is your home. I want you to be here.” 

Booker can’t help it, he kisses Copley like he’s never going to be able to again, as he reaches over and turns off the light. 

~~~ 

Morning comes all too soon and Booker hates it. This sanctuary he’s built, his home, according to James, is about to be overcome with people who hate him.

“I can meet them somewhere else.” Copley says as if he can read Booker’s mind. Wouldn’t that be something. 

“No. They’re probably almost here anyways.” Booker would know, as he broke his own vow and tracked them, just so he knew how much time he’d need to prepare.

“Do I even want to know?”

“No.” Booker smiles and Copley leans down to kiss him just as the doorbell rings. 

Booker holds tighter to his coffee cup as Copley lets them in and for the first time in almost a year he’s looking directly at Nile, Andy, Joe, and Nicky.

“Booker!” Nile says delightedly as she practically skips over to hug him. He sinks into the hug, grateful to at least not have burned this bridge.

“Hey, Nile.”

Nile pulls back and Booker looks over to Andy, who looks the same, if not well rested, and he hugs her, too.

“Book.” 

Book squeezes her again as he steps back. Booker looks at Joe and Nicky, who stand formidable and together but with their heads tilted to the side like they’re trying to figure something out. 

“Did you dream of Copley, too?” Nile asks him and before Booker or Copley can answer Andy gasps as she looks across the living room.

Everyone turns toward her and Booker instantly realizes what she’s looking at and so does Copley. It’s Booker’s copy of Don Quixote that Andy gifted him last year. 

But that’s not all, no, she’s going to notice Booker’s boots by the door, his laptop on the table, his sunglasses and motorcycle helmet on the shelf. It looks like he lives here, because he does. 

“You didn’t just get here today, did you?” Joe asks him as Andy looks at him smiling. 

“No.” Copley answers as he comes up to Booker and places a hand on the small of his back. 

Booker can’t help it, he leans into the touch and turns towards Copley to give him a small smile. 

Booker chances a look back at the others and feels warm at the sight of Nile, Andy, Joe, and Nicky all smiling at him. 

Nicky walks over to him and pulls both Booker and Copley into a quick hug. 

“It’s destiny.”

[indestinatus]

Yellow Brick Road

TIVATOBER 2020 // DAY 17

↳ prompt: Scarecrow - rated T (1,726 words)

summary: Alone in the hideout from Sahar, Ziva finds herself doing something she didn’t expect, which brings back memories from the past. 

A/N: also known as - if you chose to read one story of this whole series, please let this be the one.

read it on AO3 🌾

Heavy rain poured down on the gray tiles of the sidewalk. There was enough water on the street to reflect the blurry traffic lights and undefined skylines, at least until a car passed by and splashed it all over the closed stores. Umbrellas piled up in front of a popular restaurant and some moved across the street, but Ziva’s vision was out of focus enough to only distinguish them as blurs of color, disappearing quickly.

It had been hours since she had passed the point of tiredness, now breathing only out of instinct. Her eyelids burned but she kept them open, watching the skies fall. 

It was rare for her to need a break like this, though it was turning even more frequent these days. She could only track Sahar down for so long - with just a name, the mysterious woman quickly vanished only to reappear again in another city a few weeks later - and after so many failed attempts of getting to her, Ziva decided to wait until they came to her instead. 

That usually didn’t take long. 

A taxi stopped just in front of her and a man rushed to open the door, motioning for a woman just behind him to enter ahead. She did so hurriedly, holding what looked like the man’s suit over her head as she disappeared into the backseat of the car. 

A second later, the man did the same, hastily running a hand through his wet hair before disappearing. Ziva thought she saw him smile to himself, but the car sped up and she lost track of them before she could confirm. 

Two strangers she would never see again, nor hear the end of their story. 

She didn’t really process how or why, but suddenly she found her reflection staring back at her, heavy bags under her eyes and hair dripping wet. Ziva blinked, realizing she had crossed the street and now stood in front of the glass door she’d been watching from the opposite side all evening.

Before she could change her mind, Ziva’s hands moved on their own accord and pulled the door open. Blaming the tiredness for her poor choices, she stepped into the movie theater, searching for the ticket booth.

The air conditioning of the room made her soaked clothes feel cold. She picked a spot near the exit, blending into the shadows. In a second she had memorized all viable routes of escape, but it had been more out of habit than from a real necessity. 

Her heart was in her throat when the main title started to play. It was this loud melody with a classic tune to it, the high notes revealing the passage of time. As the title appeared, nostalgia burned in her chest. It had been too long since she’d last seen it, way too long.

“I thought this was a colored one.”

“Do you really want me to spoil it to you, woman?”

“I’ve read the book, you know.”

“Then how come you always manage to quote it wrong?”

“How do you know they’re the right lines? Perhaps they’re different in the book.”

“I wouldn’t know.”

“Yes. Exactly. You would not know.”

“Don’t brag now. You’re the one who hasn't seen a movie that’s seventy years old.”

“I had other things to do.”

“That’s older than Gibbs.”

“That’s older than you.”

“Miss David. You hurt me this way.”

“Shush. It’s about to start.”

“You… Wicked Witch of the West.”

“Hm… Doesn’t she die?”

“You’ll have to watch and see.”

It knocked the breath out of her. She already knew it was coming, but the sudden change from sepia to technicolor was still a marvelous thing to see. Bright colors invited the viewer to enter this brand new world, and Ziva let herself get lost in the songs and the details. 

The room was almost empty, some people scattered across the rows ahead. She wondered if they had seen this movie before. Probably, considering how old it was. Though she knew the story by heart, it was because she’d read the book a dozen times while growing up, it being a classic in her mother’s personal library. 

He had teased her the whole day when he discovered she’d never watched it. She remembered it clearly—quoting lines and singing lyrics, he’d succeeded in driving her crazy enough for her to give in, which led to them renting a DVD copy on a free Friday night. She brought the beers and he led the place, the one between them who had a television at home. 

Tony’s selective memory always surprised her, though his insistence in getting under her skin was a force on its own. He would bug her until he got what he wanted, and she was used to it—most times great at fighting back—but some days she just wanted to give in and see that typical smile of his, the one that stretched over his face until the corners of his eyes got wrinkled. 

She could picture it so clearly, the image still imprinted under her eyelids.

It was a memory she visited often, that day. It had been one of those moments no one could know it would become a memory until it did. Their laughter, the sureness of safety and the genuine feeling of happiness were things that still warmed her heart, whenever she thought of it. They were so young and worry-free, she always felt a sting of regret for not cherishing the moment more when it was happening. 

Dorothy reached a crossroad, unsure of which path to go next. When the Scarecrow changed the arm that pointed where to go, some people chuckled, and Ziva smiled weakly. He had always been her favorite one of the group. There was something really endearing about his clumsiness and care. He was smarter than he would ever know, and it was a charming quality she rarely saw in people.

“How can you talk if you haven’t got a brain?” quizzed Dorothy, tilting her head.  

“I don’t know,” replied the Scarecrow. “But some people without brains do an awful lot of talking, don't you think?”

“Yes!”

“And what do you mean by that?”

“Nothing.”

“Yeah… Right.”

“What? It’s true. Plus, he’s cute.”

“He’s a scarecrow.”

“So…?”

“Don’t tell me you’re turned on by a scarecrow.”

“I did not say I was ‘turned on’. You are wiggling my words.”

“Twisting.”

“I thought it had been a twister.”

“Just… Watch. See? Now your scarecrow is also part of the narrative.”

“I like him.”

“Sometimes I just can’t respect you.”

“He talks a lot.”

“You say that to me all the time!”

“Well, you do talk a lot.”

“Are you admitting to like me, David?”

“I will call Ducky right away. We finally solved it - your brain is there, only it is made out of straw.”

“Ha-ha. Very funny.”

“Hm.”

Ziva felt her heart clench when the thought of Tony showing it to Tali crossed her mind. Had he done the same? Was he excited over little details and quoted its famous lines just like he did with her? Or did it remind him of them? Did they ever get the chance to watch it together or he avoided it? She certainly stared at the movie theater marquise for hours before she gave in, the tiredness making her too vulnerable. 

She missed him so much her bones ached from it. 

Ziva wondered if she would ever feel the same again. That flickering in her chest whenever they spoke in riddles, both of them catching each other’s stolen glances more frequently than not. They had always been good in sharing non-verbal cues, and even if they bickered until one of them got tired, the silence was the one thing she missed the most. 

To be able to be understood like that by someone else, it was the closest she had ever been to love.

“Oh,” confided Dorothy to the Scarecrow, “I think I’ll miss you most of all.”

She pressed a kiss to his cheek, saying goodbye. Both of them were too emotional to say anything else, Dorothy wiping the tears with her hand and him giving her a sad smile. There was something incredibly bittersweet to have known it would have come to this all along. 

Ziva struggled to breathe. She didn’t recall when exactly she had started crying, but she couldn’t see a thing now. There were only blurs. 

She tried to remember the last time she did cry. Her chest ached from keeping it silent, the loud beating of her heart the only thing she could hear. She knew it would happen as soon as she bought that ticket, but there was something quite soothing about being in a dark room where no one else knew her. 

She could finally be free, even if for a brief moment.

Ziva stood up before the credits started rolling. Hastily wiping the tears from her face, she exited to the street, hoping for once that she was really invisible, and no one would approach her now. 

The rain had stopped. It was much darker now, though the street lights seemed brighter. The line of people outside of the restaurant had disappeared, probably already inside. Some taxis were available at the other side of the street, but she preferred walking. She couldn’t take any risks now, knowing she could quickly become the prey. 

Ziva looked up to the sky, clenching her jaw. Letting the cold air inundate her lungs, she tried to ease her breathing. Tony and Tali were somewhere safe, far away from there, but at least they were under the very same sky. She wondered if it was raining there. She wondered if they were okay. 

Closing her eyes, she pictured them again. Happy. She needed them happy, even if it meant they had found happiness without her. There was no other way to keep her going, other than to imagine them alive. Even if it looked like nothing more than a dream, she needed them there, safe, tucked away in her heart.

When Ziva opened her eyes again, the sadness had already been buried. 

With Dorothy’s words still ringing in her mind, she ducked her head, following the gray brick road into an adjacent alleyway. 

There is no place like home, she had said. 

And wishing for nothing more than a pair of ruby slippers, Ziva David disappeared into the shadows. 

[roodllle]

Year in Review - Animal Crossing New Horizons

I started writing this review/criticism in May of 2020 but decided to update it as the year went along and post it on the anniversary of NH’s release. I would like to preface that this is mostly going to be full of questions of criticisms, I love this game. I have not been able to put it down since I got it on March 20th. My first AC game was NL and then I played HHD. I was ecstatic when they announced NH at E3 2019 and kept trying to find other games to fit in my AC shaped hole in my heart but I wasn’t able to fill it till this game came out. I feel like the pace of the game is great with how you build up to unlocking terraforming and 5 stars, and I feel like the updates are well timed especially with how crazy 2020 was for everybody. That being said there were some things that irked me. 

Some of the points I will bring up came from other people/commenters I have seen on here, Discord, Reddit, and Twitter that I also agree with. Some other points are from Youtubers such as ShayMay and ChuyPlays. And others are from me. 

With that out of the way, let’s get on with the review. Warning, I guess, don’t expect this to be an essay, this is just a patchwork quilt made up of thoughts.

Terraforming

I wish cliffs/tiers had a smaller level? Like how we’re able to make stepping stones for our rivers if we don’t want to put a bridge down/use our vaulting pole. I just wish there was a cliff alternative. 

Another cliff alternative would be if we could put bridges between cliffs. I think we’ve all been there where we see this picture 

          thought ‘we can do that!!” then realized it was photoshopped

When we go into terraforming, I wish a grid showed up on our island. It would make it much easier to avoid hitting the wrong square when I’m trying to change a river. 

Having us be able to “close” a waterfall from a lower level but not create a new on at the same spot. 

Also the fact we can add a 4th tier but can’t put anything on it is just strange to me. I know we have to have a limit to how high we can go, but at least let me put nature stuff, such as trees/flowers/bushes, on top of it instead of just a flat piece of land. 

Houses

Why no ceiling items? Find it odd they added a bunch of stuff in HHD and didn’t add that to the new mainline game

There’s no reason I can think of to why we can’t access our storage when we’re crafting inside our house. 

Buildings

Dodo Airlines

The Dodo Islands right now are very boring and barely use them. I have enough money and materials to not go farming and save up all my NMTs for when I go villager hunting, which has also become a rarity. I think it would be a good idea to make some islands seasoned themed. Have them be all rare, but have an island where it’s fall and has maple leaves falling, a cherry blossom one, one with snowflakes. I wouldn’t recommend they make Holiday themed ones, but having seasonal ones would be nice.

When I mess up a dodo code or accidentally hit ‘make a bridge’ instead of incline, etc. why do I have to restart the ENTIRE conversation instead of the characters just being “oh? did you mean “x” or “would you like to retype it?” like is it that hard??  

Resident Services

As much as I love Isabelle this game has made me very indifferent towards her. I think they gave her a role that didn’t need to exist. They could have either let us roam around without any warnings to who was roaming around our island, in the campsite, or any weather updates. Just have us rely on our villagers, the TV, and our eyeballs. OR they could have given us a social media like app and/or a weather app. Instead, they gave us Isabelle that only announces something once a month.

Nook’s Cranny

This might just be me but can they add a little DIY area in the store? Maybe just make to where you can only customize things?? This is more out of convenience than an actual problem  

Speaking of customization, since you can make medicine but also buy can we do the same for the custom kits and bait. Like make it where we can buy bait and also make our own custom kits? I just think it’s weird that they give us either/or for medicine but not for the other 2 that I honestly use way more than medicine.

Why do the Able Sisters get to have all of the colors of an item in their shop but Nook’s Cranny can’t? And why can’t we just be able to customize all items that have multiple looks/colors? Example, why can’t I just be able to change the wood type for the antique set instead of having to buy each one? I get that the furniture catalog is already small, but that’s not my fault. They’ve decided to not add past furniture sets into NH. 

Able Sisters

Let us multi select clothes instead of it just being how much we can wear. idc if it’ll just put those clothes in our personal storage and then we’ll have to run home and put it in that storage, I just hate having to walk back in and out every time I want a dress in multi colors. ALSO tell us if we already bought it, like a little storage icon or something

Why can’t we hang any article of clothing on the back wall, why do we have to either make it or have the OG qr designer come to our island? 

Why can’t we have the transparent option when designing clothes? I think it would make many designer’s lives easier instead of having to make 8 versions of the same outfit.

NPCs

I have played this game almost every day since it came out, minus 2 days. I have also been able to make friends on discord that help with trading/cataloging/etc. I have all of Saharah’s, Kicks’, Label’s, and Redd’s items. I have all of the fish/bug models I want and have no desire to “catch them all”. I haven’t talked to Wisp in months because I have most of the items and his idea of “expensive” is 10k bells. The only NPC I actively look forward to is Celeste because even though I now have all of her DIYs, she still gives out star fragments, regular large or horoscope, when I talk to her. 

What I’m wondering is if they’re planning on doing anything else with these characters. Before I speak further I’m going to weed out characters that I am actually fine with. CJ and Flick will always be there if I want a bug/fish model, I understand that Saharah/Kicks/Redd have a ton of stuff to get and w/o the help of my discord friends, I probably wouldn’t have gotten everything till late 2021. 

So that leaves Label and Wisp. I understand Wisp is there for beginners, but now that I’m at a point where I am a bell millionaire and have most of the Nook’s items cataloged, there is no reason for me to talk to him. I wish Nintendo had put in a system where depending on the person who Wisp is talking to, it determines how much money you have in your bank account/looks at your catalog, Wisp’s item’s worth goes up.

As for Label...I never saw her as viable. I also thought the tickets were dumb and you don’t even have to talk to her to have her items show up in the shop the next day. I think it would be great if when you bought all of her items, she decided to join the Able’s sisters in their shop like in NL and then have Gracie show up in her place for the weekly NPC. 

Where is Blanca? Or Brewster? Or Shrunk, Katrina, Gracie, or Kapp’n and his family? I understand we will probably never see characters like Harriet or Pete because they have been replaced by a new system, but what is the excuse for these other characters? I’m hoping they show up in year 2 of NH but...we’ll see.

Villagers

I think having your first villagers living in basic homes is a good idea but one that quickly gets annoying. I found Sherb while villager hunting for the 1st time and have had him ever since, but his house is stuck at basic lazy setup. Instead of me going back and forth on whether or not i should trust somebody enough to hold Sherb, get somebody else out, then get him to move back to my island, You can have it to where you let them leave, then just wait till he comes to the campsite to visit and reinvite him. You get his actual house and he still remembers you. This could also go for you accidentally letting somebody go or letting somebody go then regretting it. Also it’d be fun to see some old villagers again.

I was curious and looked back on past games to see how many new villagers were released each game and NH has been the least amount. NL released 112 new villagers in total while NH has released 8. I’m hoping they might release more down the line but, hella disappointing imo. Along with the Sanrio update and adding those characters to the game, I am more hopeful that they’ll be adding new characters!

Having an “event” of sorts where you visit a villager’s house and they’re looking inside their closet. They look at you in surprise when you walk in and sheepishly explain that they were going through their clothes/items. They then decide to ask you for help since they can’t decide what to get rid of/what to keep and think you have a good eye for that sort of thing. Basically, a way to get rid of any clothes/items your villager somehow received bc I guess Isabelle scolding them isn’t enough.

A big problem I feel like everybody has is the villager dialogue. Yes they added sub personality types for each personality but they are not perfectly cut in half, ex. are the Sisterly types where there are 4 B types and 20 A types, like?? How I have “fixed” this problem is by having one of each personality type on my island so I always have different conversations with my villagers, but I understand not a lot of people do that. Some people just want normal/peppy types on their island bc they’re cute as hell, I get it. I know it would be...difficult to come up with unique dialogue for all 399 villagers, including Sanrio, but....you could at least for the “gimmicky” villagers. Some examples of these villagers are Ribbot and Sprocket, Lucky and Ankha, the super hero squad, and Kabuki. 

Quality Life stuff

Why cant we sit AND wish on stars? And I don’t mean the sit emote; why can’t I sit on a bench and wish on stars?

It sucks when I’m about to hit my rocks or just do a lot of dig work and then my shovel breaks in the middle of it. To show the tool is about to break, cracks should start to form on the handle and get deeper/longer as you keep using it, starting when you have 5 uses left. You can also add an auditory element by making the tool sound like its struggling when you are using it. Net/Shovel/Axe/Fishing Pole can have cracks show up on the handle, Slingshot can have crack show up at the bottom of the 2 spokes while having 1 at the top of the handle. And the watering can have cracks at the base of the can.

If our inventory is full when I dig up a flower, why can’t I replace it with another flower to bury? And if I can dig up an item at an diagonal item, I should be able to bury it again at the same angle.

Other

Having more...liveliness?? on the island, idk how else to say it. Example is whenever you travel by plane there's a chemtrail in the sky afterwards, maybe just seeing other planes go by throughout the day. Maybe you can get a hint Redd or Gulliver will be visiting you tomorrow if you see their boats beyond the horizon, Redd’s just crusin’ and the Gulls’ boats looking messed up. On a week where you don't have a new camper, maybe have an old villager visit. That leads me too

I wish villager’s doors could count as “exterior decorating” and we can just put any ornamental on there instead having to hope that your villager will put the wreath on their own door. 

Conclusion

If you read this whole thing holy shit, thanks!! Go treat yourself on my part lol If you disagreed with me or whatever feel free to chat with me about it! 

[faustonastring]

Hi! I like your headcanons and I was thinking... A headcanon about the main six playing Animal Crossing and how MC would react to them. Thank you for doing it!! You're a pretty good writer!!

So how Mc reacts is totally up too you, because your Mc is either your oc, or a cooler version of your self, so I’ll compromise and give you my hot mess of thoughts, because I am so glad you asked.

Main six playing animal crossing

Asra and Muriel have both been playing since the game cube version, and always points out how convenient the new features are, and they always complain about how they took away morning aerobics.

Asra also plays as isabell in smash and whoops every ones ass.

Julian got wild world for Portia when it came out, and she’s been playing it ever since.

Julian on the other hand doesn’t see the appeal, but plays it with Portia because it makes her happy, but doesn’t understand how to play and fell in about three pitfall seeds and its not even five minutes in

Lucio and Nadia both hopped on the bandwagon during quarantine. Nadias island had five stars about a month in, it’s been over two months and if Lucios island is only at two stars.

Asra time travels on every game, and his island is full of hybrid flowers, and weird furniture. Nothing matches but he gets and A+ for effort. He’s also like a year ahead of every one.

Muriel and Portia islands are both very natural, portias is sectioned out,into diffrent areas, and muriels whole island looks woodsy and like a campsite.

Lucio and Julian don’t know what they’re doing. Julian doesn’t care and lucio is throwing a hissy fit because he still hasn’t been able to update his nooks cranny.

Lucio hit zipper with his net and felt no remorse. He also cried when beardo moved on his island.

Muriel some how got stuck with Kidd as a starter villager, and for some reason he still hasn’t left. Which makes Muriel and lucio mad because Muriel wants him gone and lucio wants him on his island

Nadia got Raymond on her island and gave him to asra, who them sold him to Portia for five hundred nook miles tickets.

Nadia, asra, and Portia all have a nookazon, and Portia and asra, are active as hell on the discord server.

Asra sells his villagers and hits his ugly ones with a net until they leave. So does Portia.

Muriel feels bad hitting his ugly villagers with a net so he ignores them, and gives his villagers away for free, no matter how ‘rare’ they are and gets emotional if you leave a tip.

Nadia some how has almost every diy, and will craft you anything. For a price.

Julian stopped playing as soon as he caught an Easter egg while fishing.

Every one expect for lucio is partaking in the weddings day event with Reese and Cyrus. They all send they’re sets into the group chat and Julian gets judge because he’s not playing the game and lucio said no.

Lucio tried the wedding event and hated it.

Portia at one point made Raymond wear a maid outfit and now regrets it deeply. She had too reset his character because he wouldn’t take it off.

Asra has dom and Judy on his island and couldn’t be happier.

Muriel wants all the bear villagers and is willing to trade lucio Kidd for *shivers* beardo.

Asra has a whole bunch of weird fish and bug models

And Nadia finished her whole art exhibit and fossil exhibit

Lucio gets scammed by reed every time.

Muriel buys turnips for everyone but lucio if his prices are low enough, because he’s the only one who remembers or is up on time.

Julians turnip prices are always the highest but they wouldn’t know that because he gave up.

Julian also doesn’t come back even after Portia explained to him the event was over. Those thirty water eggs just scared him for life I guess.

Nadia got all her sisters as obsessed as she is.

Lucio Hates is but keeps playing it because he doesn’t want to feel left out.

Asra made an obstacle course for everyone and makes his friends pay fees to see the meteor showers.(he gives them a discount)

Asra also skipped over the whole Easter event.

Muriel is the only one who doesn’t mind zipper. He doesn’t like him sure, but he gets it. He respects the hustle.

Asra also also has all the Sanrio ambio cards.

No wait- It’s atleast a C+

If you have any more thoughts please add to the list. And if you want to read more of my trash my master list is here

Next headcanon: asra when Mc has a cold

My request are open!

[lovemesomesurveys]

[-infatuatedgirl]

Hey, what’s your name? Stephanie.

How old were you when you got your first cell phone? Weren’t you just tingling with excitement? I was 16. I wouldn’t say that, but it was cool. I’m old, so it wasn’t a smartphone yet.

Do you ever read the results of the surveys you make? I don’t make surveys.

How many belts do you own? Zero.

If you had to live with one pair of shoes, what would they be? My Adidas.

Do you believe in love at first sight? No.

How about forevers? It happens.

What’s your comfort food? Lately, it’s actually been ice cream, which is weird cause I wasn’t ever a big ice cream person before.

What do you use your cell phone for, aside texting and calls? Ha, I hardly use it for those reasons. I use it for the apps more than anything.

Are there any picture frames in the room you are in? Yes.

Did you ever ride a limo? Yeah, several times. My dad used to work for a limo company when I was a kid, it was cool.

Do you use a lot of hair products? Not at all, just shampoo and detangler.

Creepiest movie ever? Hmm. Not sure which movie I’d give that title to.

Do you ever wonder what your life looks like to someone else’s eyes? Gah, I don’t want to know.

Have you ever walked into a crowded room and felt so alone? I do often feel alone even though I’m rarely completely by myself.

What’s your current status in facebook/myspace? I shared some random meme thing earlier. I like never post actual statuses anymore, I just share stuff now and then.

What was your dream job as a child? I wanted to be a teacher.

Is it still the same? No.

Did you ever stay up all night? Fun, right? As a kid? Yeah. Especially when my cousins slept over. We’d try to stay up with junk food and soda and watch movies, play games, etc and see who could stay up the latest. Ever took a Bzoinkoid? I don’t know what that is.

Do you like cracking your knuckles? Sometimes it just needs to be done.

What color’s your car? I don’t have a car, I don’t drive.

If you don’t have one, what color would you like it to be? I’m not sure.

Did you ever do something you promised yourself not to? Didn’t it feel good? I have and some of the things did and some I regretted.

What’s the ‘craziest’ color you dyed your hair? Red was my first bold color I did.

What’s your definition of fearless? Having no fear? ha.

Don’t you get a bit happy when you take an iPod shuffle survey and the song fits perfectly? I don’t like those type of surveys, actually.

Do you like paranormal stuff?(shows,movies,books,etc) Nah.

Do you believe in those? No.

What’s the weirdest compliment you ever received? Did you even take it as a compliment? “You’re pretty for having polio.” I’ll never forget some random woman coming up and saying that to me. Like what does that even mean? I don’t have polio and I don’t know why she assumed I did apart from the fact I’m in a wheelchair? Also, does that imply people with polio aren’t usually attractive according to them?

Do you have a favorite stuff toy? What’s it’s name? My shitload of stuffed animal giraffes. What’s the most exciting project you were given? Hmm.

Are you familiar with Polyvore? If so, do you have an account? No.

Did you accomplish your New Years Resolutions last year? I stopped making those several years ago.

What are you passionate about? Nothing. :/

Without passion we’d truly be dead. Fact or fiction? I haven’t felt passionate about something in a long time and it does feel like I’m really missing something. Like, I think you should have something  you’re passionate about, it’s fulfilling. 

Are you guilty of internet slang? I use the ones like, “omg”, “wtf”, and “lol”, but otherwise I’m very much about being grammatically correct.

Would you rather be hurt physically or emotionally? I would rather just not be hurt at all - how about that?! <<< Right, like wtf.

Were you ever truly and completely happy with yourself? No.

Is your life balanced right now? No.

Did you ever roll down a ramp or hill? Countless ramps as someone in a wheelchair.

If you can’t be with the one you love, will you be with the one who loves you? I don’t want to just settle.

What’s your favorite scent? I have a lot.

Are/were you forced to believe something you don’t? When I was a kid both sets of grandparents tried pushing their religious beliefs on me.

Are you very dependent on people? I’ve had to be very dependent the past couple months now due to health setbacks.                                                                                       

Do you let small things ruin your day? Ugh, I do let stuff like that get to me way too much and too easily these days. Like every little thing.

Do you over-analyze things? Yepppp.                                      

Did you ever wonder what life would be in a stranded island? It would be depressing and lonely. Also, probably terrifying. <<< Yeah, not something I’d want to experience that’s for sure.

Do you have a good sense of direction? Nooo. I’m the worst.

What’s your opinion on Kesha? I liked some of her songs.

Are you excited for what the future holds for you? I’m scared of what the future holds for me to be honest.

Are you more of a listener or a talker? I’m definitely more of a listener than a talker.

Indoorsy or outdorsy? Indoorsy for sure.

Name something that you think is overrated. Bacon and sushi. It seems like literally everyone loves both and I don’t get it. 

How about underrated? Hmm.

What’s one question you HATE being asked? Hmm.

Is it personal or it just bugs you? --

Do you own any comic books? Nope.

Or you’re more of an anime/manga person? I’m not into those either.

Do you have any weird phobias? If so, what? Ugh, I don’t even want to type the words but the fear of holes and clusters lsjlskfklsdjflkdsjfdlsk

Were you ever obsessed with something then realized how lame it really was? Twilight. :X

If you had a time machine would you visit the past or future? The past.

Or is the present too good for you? No, definitely not. What would you change in that time zone? In the past? I’d change some things that would make it so I wasn’t dealing with some of the health stuff I’m going through now. Some of it could have been so easily avoided and managed, but I was stubborn, irresponsible, and negligent.

What’s the title of the first survey you created? I’ve only made one survey, many years ago, and I don’t think I titled it.

What color is your iPod/mp3? I have a black iPod Touch, but it’s been stored away and unused since 2012. I use Spotify on my phone for music, which is gold.

Do you think you could live without music? I’ve hardly listened to music at all this year so far and I’m still alive.

Describe your favorite top. I love all my graphic tees.

Do you change your style frequently? No. Especially not now. I just live in leggings and graphic tees.

Are you a tshirt-and-jeans kind of person? No, I’m a leggings and graphic tees kind of person.

What’s the most traumatizing event that ever happened to you? The one that made me a paraplegic. 

Do you own a diary/journal? This is it.

Do you write there often? I definitely do.

Don’t you hate it when there’s nothing good showing on TV? I got into this routine the past few months and have my lineup of shows.

Insert your favorite smiley here: :) 

How many live concerts have you been to? Like 6 or 7.

Did you keep the tickets as a souvenir? Yeah.

Tinypic or Photobucket? Aw, the days of Tinypic and Photobucket. I’m sad because I have a shit ton of photos saved on Photobucket and I can’t access my account. D: Like, I’m talkin’ photos from Myspace days. 

Tumblr or Xanga? Well, it’s just Tumblr now... <<< I really do like Tumblr, but I also miss Xanga. The survey community was huge.

What do you do when you’re really nervous? Fidget, squirm, pick at my nails, bite/pick my lips, mess with my hair, twiddle with my hands, jump to worst case scenarios...

Do you have a bad habit you just can’t break? Picking at my lips, nails, and skin. :/

Would you say you’re down to earth? I think so.

What’s the first thing you see when you look at yourself in the mirror? I really try to avoid that as much as possible cause I hate what I see.

Do you find peace in being alone? I haven’t felt peace in a very long time.

Summer holds such wonderful things. Fact or fiction? Fiction. I could just skip right on by it to be honest.

Ah,summer (: What’s your favorite thing about it? The only thing I like is if I’m able to go to the beach. If I had a beach house with private beach access and didn’t feel miserable for months, then I wouldn’t mind summertime. 

Are you faint to the sight of blood? Just the mention of it makes me feel weak.

What’s something you’ve grown used to? I feel like this is how it’s always going to be... :/

What’s your favorite dessert? Lately, I’ve been really into ice cream. I was not a big ice cream person before, like until recently it had been a few years since I had any at all. Suddenly, I’m all about it. *shrug*

Do you like spicy food? I loved spicy food, but I can’t have it anymore. :(

Are you easily bored? I didn’t used to be. I think my boredom is actually the depression, though.

Do you wish for the same thing at 11:11? Or does it change depending on how things are going in your life? I don’t do that.

Do you even wish at 11:11? Nope.

[shirorozutriea]

Touch in a Slow Gay Way

Here ya go! WRW2019 Day 2!! Enjoy.

It's been two months since Weiss gay-cefully confessed to Ruby and the date went well at the same day. Ruby couldn't stop smiling throughout the whole time and Weiss can't seem to stop looking at every precious reaction from Ruby.

 Now, there are in the stage where they want a bit of an intimacy from their respective partner. A simple yet intimate touch from their partner will suffice the inevitable thirst.

 “Blake.” Yang looked at the newly coupled. “Do you see what I see?”

 Blake look up from her book and look at the couple. “They're lovey dovey?”

 “Aside from that, kitty cat.” Said Yang.

 Ruby lifted a hand, dangerously inching closer to Weiss’ thighs, but then immediately stop.

 “That, Blake! That!” Exclaimed Yang, hands pointing at the two.

 “What's wrong with that?” Asked Blake.

 “It's thirst, Blakey. Thirst!” Jabbered Yang.

 “What of it?” Asked Blake, nonchalantly looking back at her book. Yang grabbed her book and then throws it far away, as Blake's eyes widen.

 “It's painfully obvious they want to at least be intimate with each other!” Stressed Yang.

 “And what are you going to do about it?” Asked Blake, but soon regrets that she even asked.

 “We'll help them.” Grinned Yang, her eyes glinting mischievously.

 Blake sighed inwardly. “And how are you going to do that?”

 “I have a plan.” Claimed Yang.

 “Of course… but don't think I forgot you throwing my book.” Blake said, hissing slightly. This alarmed Yang, and she made a run away from the latter.

***

Yang approached the eating couple with Blake glaring daggers at her from the back. Weiss noticed this and smiled teasingly.

 “Did you somehow throw her book, Xiao Long?” Asked Weiss.

 Yang looked at her. “How did you know?”

 “Just a guess, it's that or her cans of tuna.” Chuckled Weiss, Yang joined the laughter.

 Yang sat down in front of the two with Blake in tow. Ruby glanced at Yang in confusion.

 “So, what's up new couple?” Grinned Yang.

 “Normal.” Said Weiss, sipping her coffee. Yang raised a brow. “Fine. The usual, like you and Blake, we're openly affectionate with each other.”

 “Won't your Dad would found out about this?” Asked Blake. Weiss eyes soften and the statement.

 “Thank you for worrying, Blake. But he's out of my life.” Hissed Weiss. “I'd rather give up my title as an heiress than leave Ruby.”

 Yang smiled at the notion and winked at the blushing redhead which didn't go unnoticed by the latter who blushed harder.

 “That's so sweet, Weiss.” Smiled Blake whilst Yang nodding beside her.

 “I'm just stating the truth. I don’t want to leave Ruby.” Said Weiss. “Just being with her and having a chance to be the one she love as I do to her, is enough reason for me to stay.”

 Weiss looked Ruby with a soft genuine smile as the latter smiled back, albeit a bit flushed at the previous statement.

 “That is so sweet, Weiss. I'm getting diabetes.” Laughed Yang. Blake smiled at the couple.

 “You know what?” Grinned Yang as she grabbed something from the pocket of her varsity jacket. “Here. Take this.”

 Ruby and Weiss looked at the two slip of paper from the latter's hands, eyes blinking in confusion with Yang just grinning at the two.

 Weiss grabbed the papers. “What is this, Yang?”

 “Read it.” Said Yang, chuckling.

 Weiss read the paper and her face immediately lit up, her eyes widening.

 “Really, Yang?” Asked Weiss.

 Yang nodded. “Yup. Just don't do any funny business.”

 Weiss blushed at the statement. “We're not going to do anything indecent, Yang.”

 “I hope so.” Said Yang, her voice lacing with playfulness.

 Weiss playfully rolled her eyes at the golden haired girl.

 “Well, me and Blake need to go out now. Enjoy your time.” Waved Yang, standing up from her sit.

 “Blake and I.” Said Blake, Yang only laughed at the statement before dragging Blake away from the couple.

 Ruby looked at Weiss who seemed happy for some reasons when she received the paper.

 “Weiss, what did the paper said?” Asked Ruby. Weiss looked at Ruby and grinned, uncharacteristically.

 Weiss gave Ruby the paper.

 This is a limited edition ticket for a whole week.

You two are free from the clutches of your awesome sister and soon-to-be-sister Yang Xiao Long and kitty Belladonna(don’t tell her I wrote this).

Have an awesome week! Don't do any funny business, got it?

Xiao Long guys!

 “Ignore the pun in the end.” Sighed Weiss, yet her smiled didn't fade.

 “Someone sure is happy.” Giggled Ruby at the alabaster girl's sight.

 “It's more of a sense of relief. I really don't like it when your sister is glaring at me. I may be the most intimidating one out of the four of us, but I don't stand a chance against an intimidating raging sister like Yang.” Weiss said, involuntarily shuddering with the thought of Yang breaking all of her bones.

 Ruby chuckled at Weiss.

 “Well, at least we got a week straight cuddles.” Grinned Ruby. Weiss smiled and kissed Ruby on the forehead, before resting her head on her girlfriend's shoulder.

***

Day 1 – Saturday

Light obscured the four corners of the room as the alabaster girl groaned at the sudden interruption of the sunlight to her face.

 Rising up from her slumber, her eyes adjusting to the light as she looked around, only to come face to face with a certain beautiful girlfriend of hers.

 Her eyes soften as she stared at the girl sleeping soundlessly beside her. She brought up her hand to the top of the sleeping girl's head and ever so gently brushes the bangs of the latter.

 She leaned down, pressing her lips to the redhead’s cheek, earning a soft groan from the latter, her eyes opening to see a smiling Weiss in front of her.

 Ruby grinned at the sight of her girlfriend, her hands reaching out and wrapping her arms to the girl's neck, pulling her down for a kiss.

 “Morning, beautiful.” Hummed Ruby as she brush her hand to the white tresses.

 “Morning to you, too.” Weiss said laying down on the latter's chest snuggling to it, making Ruby chuckle, pulling her closer.

 “How should we start our day?” Chuckled Ruby.

 “I don't know. Any ideas?” Asked Weiss, looking at the redhead’s eyes.

 “How about we get up first and then we'll go to a café for breakfast?” Asked Ruby, blowing air to the latter's hair.

 Weiss giggled at the action. “It's a date.”

 Ruby softly smiled. “Yes it is.”

 The two got up from their cuddling and went to a separated bathroom to get ready. Once they got out from the bathroom, they immediately went to walk towards the café.

 “Welcome to Blanc. Table for two?” Asked the waiter.

 “Yes, please.” Replied Weiss, the waiter leading them on a far corner where they could stay in private.

 “Thanks for the spot!” Thanked Ruby. The waiter smiled and nodded.

 “Anytime.” The waiter bowed and grabbed a notebook. “What would you like to order?”

 “I will be having a black coffee and some pancakes with maple syrup. And Ruby will have milk and also pancakes with chocolate syrup and a side of cookies.” Ordered Weiss.

 “Is that all?” Asked the waiter. The alabaster girl nodded.

 “If I may, we're having a freebie for couples today. And we would like for you to try our newly invented coffee, Crema de Rosas(I'm just thinking names at the back of my mind), it is for free, no need to pay.” Said the waiter.

 Ruby perked up. “Sounds neat! Sure.”

 The waiter smiled before bowing again. “I'll be back with your orders. Please enjoy your stay here.”

 The waiter went off to gather their orders, leaving the couple.

 “Wow, they have free coffee. Isn't that amazing, Weiss?” Beamed Ruby.

 Weiss nodded at the notion. But something is bugging her mind. She shook her head, shaking the thoughts away.

 “Yes, it is very nice of them.” Said Weiss.

 The waiter head back to their table and place their orders.

 “Here you go. Enjoy your stay.” The waiter bowed before leaving them.

***

Ruby exhaled in satisfaction. “The meal is great! I like that place.”

 Weiss smiled. “I agree with you. Especially the coffee.”

 “Yeah! That taste so good.” Exclaimed Ruby. “I want to have some of that the next time we go their.”

 Weiss giggled at the sight of her girlfriend, gently intertwining their hands whilst rocking them slowly.

 “Weiss, I love you.”

 Upon hearing the declaration, Weiss faced erupted, her facing adoring the same color of her girlfriend’s hoodie. Weiss stuttered, trying to form coherent words, while Ruby giggle beside her.

 “I-I love you too, Ruby…” Weiss muttered, blushing. Ruby smiled at the reply, squeezing the girl's hand a bit tighter.

***

Day 2 – Sunday

It was midday, Ruby was playing games while Weiss is browsing her studies. Ruby looked at the latter, staring at her white tresses of silk framing her body in an alluring manner.

 She took a sharp breath as her mind was dusted off of her desires to her lover in a way she wanted it to be more intimate. But she held back, she held back. She wouldn't want to push the girl in a way she didn't want to, she won't do that to her love.

 She went back to her scroll, continuing her play as her mind keeps running with the thought of Weiss in her arms, blushing, panting and nake—Hold up! No! She won't think those—stuffs, whatever the hell it may be called.

 “Ruby.”

 “Yes, Weiss!” Panicked Ruby, her head doing a whiplash. Weiss looked at her confused, but shrugged it off.

 “Are you bored?” Asked Weiss.

 “A bit. But you should do your work first, it's alright.” Grinned Ruby.

 Suddenly, she heard the chair creak as if it was pushed and a hand on her arm. She looked down and saw the girl she's been swooning, standing with a gleam in her eyes. Ruby gulped at the sight.

 “W-Weiss..?” Asked Ruby.

 “Come down, here.” Said Weiss.

 Ruby obliged at the latter's request and hopped down from her bunk. She stood in front of Weiss, standing a few inches taller than the latter.

 “What is it, Weiss?” Asked Ruby.

 Weiss suddenly hugged the latter and bury her head on the girl's chest. Ruby was taken aback from the action, but nonetheless hugged the alabaster girl back.

 “Weiss?” Called Ruby. The latter hummed. “What's wrong?”

 Weiss shook her head. “Nothing. I just wanna cuddle with you.”

 Ruby laughed at the statement and pulled a little before kissing the latter in the forehead.

 “You didn't need to ask, Weiss.” Ruby then holstered her up, carrying her to the bed, both of them laying down comfortably.

 The couple stayed silent after laying down. Ruby, feeling her lover's breath on her neck as Weiss bury her head to Ruby. Likewise to Weiss, she could feel the girl's heart beat giving her comfort.

 Ruby nuzzles to Weiss, slightly peppering kisses on the latter's neck before pulling away, resting her forehead on the latter.

 “Sleep, love.”

***

Day 3 – Monday

“How's your two days?” Asked Yang, her arm dangling on Ruby's shoulder.

 “Comforting.” Said Ruby. Yang grinned at this.

 “And most certainly, silent.” Said Weiss, sipping on her coffee. Yang’s smile faltered a little, before smirking.

 “Did you two do the thing?” Grinned Yang, teasing was evident on her tone.

 Weiss nearly choke on her coffee and Ruby groans in embarrassment.

 “Well?” Waited Yang.

 “Shut it you brute. We didn’t. Take your mind off the gutter,  please.” Chided Weiss. Yang pouts at the statement.

 “So boring.” Complained Yang. Blake sighed at her girlfriend's antics.

 “Leave them be, Yang. What they do is not our concern as ours to them.” Said Blake. Yang pouted, then grinned.

 “Well, I did say we're leaving you alone for a week.” Laughed Yang. Yang stood up.

 “Well then, we'll be going now. See ya next week.” Said Yang, leaving the two with Blake in tow. The two watched them walk as they disappear in the sea of people.

 “Well, can't say I didn't missed them. Right, Weiss?” Said Ruby, grabbing a cookie.

 “Certainly.” Smiled Weiss, sipping her coffee. “Yang may be rambunctious and Blake may be quiet for the most part, but they are part of our lives and it is certainly a bit unsettling for them to not be around us.”

 Ruby looked at her in awe. “You really missed them, huh?”

 Weiss flinched and looked away, her face flushing. Ruby grinned, having caught a glimpse of the alabaster haired girl’s red face, in fact her ears are glowing red.

 Weiss coughed. “I don't miss then that much.”

 Ruby only smiled at the girl, eating her cookies. Weiss pouted, but choose to ignore the whole scenario. After all, it was really nice to be able to talk to them again.

***

Day 4: Tuesday

It was another day of no improvements. Now, that's just depressing. Days have past and there was no improvement towards our hesitant couple. Ruby had so many times to act, but just as always, fear and hesitation struck her down. The same goes for Weiss, there was skin ship and all, but it wasn't enough. They are still hesitant, and Yang could see that.

 “Okay, wow. These two are… oh my Oum.” Groaned Yang. Yang was looking, very thoroughly. No changes.

 “Blake, answer me. Why?” Yang groaned in frustration.

 “Don't ask me, I'm not Ruby nor Weiss.” Sighed Blake. “Just leave them be. They're not kids to be monitored all day, you know.”

 Yang bit her lip and sat down harshly, her chair scratching the marbled floor. “But I wanna see progress. P R O G R E S S.”

 Blake sighed, closing her book with a dull thud. “And I suggest for you to stop spying on them like a lovesick stalker.”

 “I'm not—Blake!” Pouted Yang. Blake smiled at Yang.

 “They can do it. Just like how they confessed to each other.” Chuckled Blake. Yang perked up and grinned.

 Yang raised her hands and shrugged. “Fine. But if they didn’t have any progress at all, I will personally lock them up in a room.”

 Blake laughed. “You don’t have to go that far, you know.”

 Yang leaned on her chair, looking up in the ceiling. “I don’t, but it's taking them so damn long.”

 Blake again laughed and returned to her book with Yang watching the couple, as they dilly dally around.

***

“Weiss, can you help me here?” Asked Ruby, looking at her notes.

 “What is it?” Asked Weiss, reaching for a stool near Ruby, before leaning closer to the girl, their shoulder’s touching. Ruby noticed and silently panicked.

 “I can't understand this formula.” Said Ruby, pointing at the text on her notebook.

 “Oh, that. Just do this and this.” Said Weiss as she continue to teach her how to use the formula.

 Ruby silently stared at the girl as she admires the sight of her near her. She watched how her lips move with every word as she unconsciously leaned in, her lips touching the other girl's cheek. This earned a surprised gasp form the alabaster girl, jolting Ruby from her stupor as she clasped a hand to her mouth.

 “Holy cra—I'm sorry, Weiss. I didn't know what came over me.” Panicked Ruby, her cheeks flaring red. Weiss just stared on the table with wide eyes and slacked jaw.

 “Weiss?” Called Ruby. Weiss slowly turned at the girl.

 “…fair..” Muttered Weiss, her bangs obscuring her eyes.

 “W-what?” Asked Ruby.

 “… That wasn't fair, Ruby.” Said Weiss, her lips quivering.

 “S-sorry..” Laughed Ruby, sheepishly scratching the back of her head. Weiss looked at her with determination.

 “I will take my revenge, Ruby Rose.” Declared Weiss. Ruby's eyes blinked twice in surprise before snorting, letting out a laugh.

 Ruby looked at Weiss with love in her eyes and a smile crossing on her lips. “I'll be looking forward to that.”

 Weiss’ mouth clamped shut, her ears burning as well as her cheeks as she stared at the girl in front of her.

 “Damn it, Ruby. Why do you have to be this beautiful?”

 Yang, watching this ordeal grinned in excitement. Her eyes twinkling and she can't stop giggling. Blake looked at the couple and smiled lightly.

 “Would you look at that. Those two are so precious.” Said Blake, noticing the couple's redden cheeks.

 “Damn straight! Those two are cute as hell.” Giggled Yang.

***

Day 5: Wednesday

Shocking.

 It was a shocking morning. Why? Well, an unexpected has happened.

 It all happened after the first class. Ruby was walking on the halls towards the library to get some books for research. As she was walking and is nearing an empty room, someone grabbed her wrist, proceeding to drag her on the empty room. She was about to scream when she saw familiar white tresses.

 “Weiss?” Whispered Ruby as she looked at her captor.

 Weiss looked at her with half lidded eyes. Ruby audibly gulped as the girl in question leaned in and trapped her in the wall.

 “Oh shit! What?!” Panicked Ruby.

 Weiss let her go and holds her hand, dragging her out of the room.

 “Uhh, Weiss?” Called Ruby. Weiss squeezed her hand, before letting go.

 “Where are you going?” Asked Weiss, still not looking at her.

 “Library. I need a few books for the research paper.” Said Ruby.

 “Okay.” Replied Weiss.

 Ruby looked at Weiss in confusion and concern. Well, who wouldn't? Your girlfriend suddenly dragging and pinning you in an empty room. What was that?

 They reached the library and Weiss let's go of Ruby's hand.

 “I'll be on my way now.” Said Weiss. Weiss was about to leave, but Ruby called her. She looked back, only to be kissed by the redhead.

 “See ya later, Weiss.” And with that Ruby entered the library.

 Weiss was left alone with flaring cheeks.

 “My god, Weiss. You pinned her to a wall on an empty room. She kissed you!”

 Weiss’s mind is running wild.

***

“Uhh… Ruby? W-what are you—”

 Weiss looked at Ruby, the girl's eyes seemed to glow in the moonlight as she hover on top of her.

 “You, suddenly pinning me to a wall… do you know that I can't focus on my research because of that?” Said Ruby, frowning.

 Weiss gulped at the intimidating look on the latter's eyes.

 “Shall I give you a punishment for that?” Giggled Ruby.

 Weiss shivered at the tone Ruby used. Seductive and sultry.

 “You're driving me crazy, Ruby.”

 Ruby leaned in and kissed Weiss in the top of her head, on the nose, on each side of her cheeks, on her ears, and lastly on her lips.

 The kiss carried a gentle warmness stirring in Weiss, as well as the scent of roses she had grown familiar with.

 Ruby broke the kiss and looked at Weiss.

 “Ruby?” Asked Weiss. Ruby looked at her with eyes brimming with love and… lust.

 “Can I touch you, Weiss?” Asked Ruby.

 Weiss licked her lips and nodded. Ruby leaned in and kissed Weiss’ neck, slightly sucking and biting in it.

 “You're so beautiful, snowflake. I love you..”

***

Day 6: Thursday

Weiss’ eyes popped open and she stared at the ceiling wondering what had happened last night.

 “Did that just happened?”

 Weiss looked beside her and saw Ruby sleeping peacefully. She could see the rising of Ruby’s chest with every breast—breath.

 Weiss’s mind blanked out.

 Ruby opened her eyes slowly, only to be greeted with a Weiss with eyes wide as a saucer and jaw dropped. Ruby blinked in surprise, before giggling.

 “Weiss, are you alright?” Asked Ruby.

 “Did that really happened yesterday?” Asked Weiss back. Ruby grinned and nodded.

 Weiss looked at her and hugged her tightly.

 “Oh my god. It happened.” Whispered Weiss. “Oh gosh. I love you so much, Ruby.”

 Ruby laughed at her girlfriend's antics and hugged her tight.

 “Can we stay and just cuddle all day?” Muttered Weiss.

 Ruby hummed. “Sure thing, princess.”

***

Day 7: Friday, Last Day

Yang was humming along beside Blake as they walk to the cafeteria. Usually, they'll be with Ruby and Weiss but we know that they are probably cuddling somewhere in the campus, particularly at the dorms.

 As Yang contemplated what could have happen to the two couple, as if on cue, they arrived, noticeably different.

 Yang stared. They're… glowing? Not literally. Ah, they're blooming.

 “Shit, Blake.” Hissed Yang.

 Blake looked at Yang in worry. “What is it?”

 “And here I thought they wouldn't do it because they're, well, hesitant… cowards. But…” Yang just stared at the couple as they smile around and talk and laugh.

 “Yang, that's normal. They're not kids.” Sighed Blake. “But it is a surprise.”

 The couple reached their table and sat down.

 “So, this is the last day. Are you guys coming back?” Asked Ruby.

 Yang grinned and gave Ruby a side hug.

 “Did ya miss me, sis?” Asked Yang, chuckling and ruffling Ruby’s hair.

 “Ask Weiss that.” Smirked Ruby whilst Weiss turned red.

 Yang looked at the alabaster haired girl. “Oh. Are you missing us, Ice Queen?”

 “N-no.” Stuttered Weiss, looking away.

 Yang’s eyes widen, then suddenly burst out laughing. Blake giggled behind her book and Weiss continue to pout, while Ruby smiled fondly at the three.

 “Wow, Weiss. Don't worry, we missed ya too.” Chuckled Yang, patting Weiss’s back gently.

 “Anyways!” Exclaimed Yang. “Did you two have—”

 “Yes we did. Can we please not converse about it?” Blushed Weiss as Ruby giggled and snort a bit.

 “She's embarrassed because she always—MPPHFFF!!”

 Weiss put a hand on her girlfriend's mouth and glared at Ruby, who only sweat drop and raise her hands in defeat.

 “Alright, alright. But that doesn't mean, you can't get out with it.” Smiled Yang. Weiss gulped and looked at the glaring sister of her lover.

 “Let's talk later, Schnee.” Smiled Yang as Weiss nodded a fearful ‘yes’.

[writing-in-the-impala]

You Always Hurt The Ones You Love (Part 7)

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader

AU: Professor!Bucky Barnes/ Teacher!Bucky Barnes

Series Summary: You fall for your smoking hot literature professor Bucky Barnes (quite literally) what follows you never predicted would happen.

Warnings: Swearing, Drinking, teacher-student relationship (but like it’s all legal chill) and mentions of PTSD because it’s Bucky, SLOWburn we’re in for a long ride

Word Count: 1741

A/N:  Analysis of Bucky stolen from @yetanotherobssesivereader who wrote an amazing post describing how Bucky showed signs of torture and that he wasn't okay I  loved the analysis and think it's canon so I had to include it

MASTERLIST | SERIES MASTERLIST | Part 1,  Part 2,  Part 3,  Part 4, Part 5, Part 6

You were dreading going to class and seeing Bucky, you didn't know what you should do, you knew you can't not turn up to class because that would send a strong message of you not wanting to see him but you also knew you didn't want to see him because you were confused and you hated the fact that you were longing to kiss him again. You approached his classroom with dread however we're surprised to see the whole class outside the room in the corridor. "What's going on?" You asked one of your friends from class.

"Doors locked, no one knows where Barnes is." He replied and you nodded a thanks. Minutes later everyone received an email.

"Class cancelled. Couldn't find a parking spot. - J.Barnes"

"Class cancelled!" Some kid shouted and the crowd dispersed. You decided to go to Tony's office because you weren't in the mood to take a subway all the way home.

"Hey kiddo." Tony said when you knocked on the door and walked in.

"Hey, you busy?" You asked.

"Always but never when you come in." He said with a wink and you laughed.

"I wanted to talk about May's birthday." You said.

"Aren't you meant to be in class?" Tony asked as you sat down opposite him.

"Barnes cancelled." Out simply replied.

"Oh yeah apparently he's off sick all week." Tony replied, sick? So he lied in the email saying he couldn't find a parking spot, so this means all your classes with him are cancelled.

"Yeah, anyway Peter and I have a proposition." You said and Tony leaned in.

"I'm listening." He replied.

"You know how May has always wanted to spend a night in one of those hotels where the rooms are huts in the water." You said.

"She never told me that..." Tony said.

"She probs knew you'd pay and take her that's why she never told you, anyway they are really expensive but Peter and I have been saving up for literally years and we have enough for a room for you and May for a week in AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort but we forgot about the flight so we were wondering if you could help us out pay for te flights and we'll pay you back when we have the money because we need to book this now and don't have enough." You explained.

"Kid I can pay for the room too." Tony said.

"No, we don't want you to pay we just want a small loan if you get me? We'll pay you back." You explained.

"Okay, how about we do this I'll book the rooms and flights and you'll pay me back?" Tony asked and you nodded.

"That would be amazing yes please." You said.

"Okay so when am I booking this." Tony asked.

"I was thinking flight out in May's Birthday and then a week in Malaysia?" You said and Tony nodded clicking some stuff on his computer.

"Okay, aaaaand booked. You and Peter are coming too." Tony informed you.

"No we don't have enough to pay for so many flights." You protested.

"Yeah but I do and you deserve to enjoy yourself after collecting all that money, May would want you there." Tony explained.

"It's meant to be like a romantic get away for the two of you." You continued to protest.

"That's why you and Peter have your own rooms and so you won't bug me I bought extra tickets so both of you can have a +1. And if it's a romantic get away you should bring a boyfriend and Pete can bring that nerdy friend he builds ships with or his new girlfriend." Tony said.

"How do you know about her?" You said confused.

"I know everything." Tony said and you thought not everything you don't know Bucky kissed me but you were never going to tell him that.

"Get ready to spend a week with Natasha." You said.

"You know what leave, and don't come back. If you bring Natasha you're not allowed on the plane." Tony said and you made a fake offended face. "You have 2 months find someone and I don't want to kick you out but I think I'm late to teach a class, I'm not really sure." Tony said and you laughed before hugging him, thanking him and saying goodbye.

Bucky didn't show up to class for the whole week. On Friday you got annoyed, this was childish, yes he made a mistake but does that mean you can't be friends, does that mean he can't teach you, you were gonna fail just because that idiot kissed you. You didn't know what annoyed you more the fact that he regretted kissing you so much that it hurt and made you feel terrible or the fact that he was acting so childish. You decided to go to Steve so you knocked on the door and heard a "come in." So you opened the door to see Steve sitting at his desk grading some papers. "Miss L/N, how can I help you?" He said formerly and you shit the ford before speaking.

"He's not ill is he?" You asked your voice angry but weak.

"I don't know what you're talking about." He said.

"Cut the bull shit Rogers you're mean to be the honest one, he's the lying one." You said annoyed.

"Language, Okay fine yes he isn't ill but he might as well be he hasn't left his flat all week I don't know what's wrong." Steve said.

"He hasn't told you?" You asked your mood changing why wouldn't Bucky tell Steve, his best friend.

"No. All I know is it's something big because Bucky is pretending nothings wrong but something is up." Steve said you could see he's being honest that he's worried. "How did you know he wasn't ill?" Steve asked and you didn't know what to say, because he kissed me and then went missing so I know he's avoiding me is what you wanted to say but knew you couldn't.

"Because he sent an email saying class is cancelled because he couldn't find a parking spot and then Tony said that actually he's ill so I knew he's lying to someone." You explained. "So what's wrong with him?" You asked sitting down.

"I don't know, he doesn't tell me stuff." Steve said.

"But you're his best friend I thought he tells you everything." You said confused.

"You'd think." Steve said with a slight laugh that he used to mask the pain. "Look Bucky avoids telling me things he believes will hurt me or upset me, he tries to deal with problems alone." Steve explained and you felt bad for Bucky and Steve noticed the look on your face as it's the way he felt and he continued. "Look I know Bucky has told you a lot he's been really open with you which is rare for him but how much did he actually tell you?" Steve asked.

"Just bits and pieces, he told me he had a bad experience in the army, he was captured and he was made to do terrible things, something to do with Tony that's why Tony isn't too fond of him um, he told me about his PTSD, his depression, he told me about you saving him that's about it." You explained.

"Wow So he actually told you most of it. Okay I'm gonna explain to you something about Bucky, which you've probably noticed with the times he's had outbursts on you, now this is between me and you because I just want to explain Bucky a bit to you because I know he tried to push away people he's don't it with me too and I just want you to know he thinks he's doing the right thing." Steve explained, it sounded odd why was Steve now talking about Bucky pushing you away? Did Steve actually know about the kiss? He did. You were sure of it.

"So Bucky is bad at dealing with emotions but good at hiding them, after he was captured by Hydra and then rescued from te Hydra Facilities to me he smiled but when I looked away he'd stop fake smiling. For a long time I didn't realise but it was one of the signs he wasn't okay but he hid it well. When we were celebrating the rescue everyone was together but Bucky, he decided to sit apart from everyone tossing back whiskey and probably trying to forget what happened when he was captured. I know they did terrible things to him he's never told me that but when I first saw him at that facility he was repeating his name, rank and serial number the therapist told me it was a sign he was tortured, I was an idiot for asking him to go on another mission with me. But he followed me like the amazing friend and soldier he is, and because of me got re-captured by Hydra after nearly falling to his death out of a train, they tortured him broke him. And yet he still pretends like none of that happened, when Bucky was rescued and went through the therapy to be Bucky again he tried to push me away, he was scared he'd hurt me, he pushed Dot away too. He has trouble letting people in and let me tell you that after Dot broke up with him I thought he'd close off again completely but he didn't he actually opened up, but now he's trying to push you away because he's scared he's gonna hurt you. His PTSD is getting worse which probably means he thinks he's the winter soldier and not Bucky and he's scared that he will hurt you. He cares about you and if you care about him you will try and reach out to him even when he shuts the world out." Steve said his eyes pleading you to save his friend.

"Thank you, this must've been hard for you to tell me.... you know what happened the other day don't you?" You asked cautiously.

"I live across the hall, he didn't even have to tell me I heard the swearing." Steve said.

Part 8 | More stuff I wrote

Tags (send me an ask or message and I’ll add you): @iconictaurus@whosmarisaaarw@grayxswan@sideeffectsofyou @alt-er-love-er-alt

[urdbell18]

A Seed Hidden in the Heart Chapter 9: The One with the Blizzard

AN: Happy Easter! To those who don’t celebrate Easter happy Sunday. Regardless, enjoy!

The last week of school leading up to the holiday break could be summed up in one word; caos! Not even halfway into the week Zelda was ready to tear her own hair out. The focus levels of her students was zero and she was really considering throwing in the towel. Zelda had decided long ago that she would break up her mid term with the actual test that would take place later in January and a project that would take place over the holiday. Her students weren’t the happiest with having a project over the break but that’s why Zelda gave them the whole week before to work on it. Not that they did. Which was a problem for her fourth period Spanish and fifth period French 1 classes, they would only have access to the main material of their project that week. Zelda’s project for her level one classes was an oral book report. Students would have to read a book and give key points about the book using the language that they had learned plus a written report about the book, which she allowed them to do in English. Zelda brought in the books which she assigned to an individual student in terms of interest or challenge.

All of the books that she brought in belonged to Vida. When Zelda asked her daughter if she could borrow her books she could tell that Vida had mixed feelings. On one hand she liked helping her mother teaching but one the other they were her books and she was protective over them. They spent a majority of Sunday afternoon going through Vida’s collection to see which ones that Zelda could take and were appropriate for her students. Vida helped though she kept her Madeline books close to her tiny body. Vida cherished her Madeline books, Zelda wouldn’t dream about taking those when there was a chance that they would come back in less than the perfect condition that Vida kept them in. Zelda only trusted her students to a point which was why she was aiming towards the books her daughter no longer reads or never really liked. Which ended up being smart.

A few of the books that Zelda took were from Vida’s baby and toddler years. They were thick cardboard books with little language in them and large pictures that clearly told what the story was about. They were perfect for someone like Seth Grinwis. Over the weeks the few students that fought her cleaned up their acts so that they could scrape a passing grade at the end of the year but Seth Grinwis refused to participate. Zelda gave him Vida’s baby books because if recent test scores proved anything he wouldn’t be able to understand even the more simpler books. When they broke for lunch she found the books torn apart and in pieces on the floor. Zelda’s blood boiled with rage, she warned her students of the consequences and Seth Grinwis complete lack of respect astonished her. She wrote a note to herself to give Seth detention when they get back from break.

Despite everything Zelda found that her mood remained placate and the only reason as to why was because of Mary. When her mind wasn’t consumed with lesson plans or her duties to her family Zelda found herself thinking of Mary. Zelda spent her nights doing as much research as she could on Ambrose’s laptop, the options didn’t overwhelm her like before and slowly an idea was forming in her mind. By Thursday she had everything set up exactly as she wanted it.

There just came one little hitch. A snow storm was threatening to hit the area. Around half a foot of snow was going to fall over the weekend starting mid to late Friday evening and stopping, if they were lucky, Sunday morning. Combine that with the last day of school before break and about a fourth of the student body even attended school. A few teachers had called out as well but Hawthorne wasn’t budging, he still declared it a full school day. While Zelda still went to work she let Sabrina stay home. It was still unclear if Hilda would be going into work but she wanted to get some last minute essentials and it would be a whole lot easier on her if she didn’t have to take Vida with her. Unlike the high school Vida’s school closed and having just recovered from a nasty bug Zelda didn’t want her out unless it was unavoidable. Sabrina didn’t mind, she just shrugged and went back to bed.

After that everything fell apart. The restaurant Zelda made reservations for left a voicemail that they wouldn’t be opening over the weekend due to the weather. The rest of the town followed, the alert went out before noon. It meant that Zelda was left with no choice but to cancel. Which she was going to do but as they sat in her office eating lunch the words wouldn’t come out. Zelda let the hour end with Mary kissing her on the cheek and leaving a trail of perfume behind her. It still nawed at Zelda when she made her way home at two. She should have told Mary and it would only be fair that it be done face to face. She agonized over it, pacing the hall like a caged tiger. Ever so often she stopped in front of the phone, gearing herself to call Mary but at the last minute she chicken out and resumed her pacing. Eventually, Hilda, who had been watching Zelda from the kitchen with Sabrina, got fed up and with a huff stod in the direct path of her pacing, grabbed her by the arms, and pushed her out the door, clicking the lock so Zelda couldn’t get back in. Zelda just stood on the porch in a mix of flabbergast, anger, and freezing. She couldn’t believe that her sister threw her out of her own house. The door opened but before Zelda could yell about being tossed out Hilda threw her her coat and purse and closed the door again. With a huff Zelda put her coat on and went to the only place she could go, her car. Zelda sat in her car, fuming and shivering, how dare Hilda kick her out. Her purse started to vibrate and after some digging Zelda was able to find her phone. Across the screen was a message from Hilda.

Hilda: Go see your girlfriend

By the time Zelda pulled up to Mary’s house it was snowing steadily. Mary rose an eyebrow when she opened the door but let her in. Zelda placed a kiss on Mary’s cheek as she entered, hanging her coat on the coat rack.

“Not that I’m not happy to see you but… you know.” Zelda did know. The reason played out in front of her through the window that was behind Mary.

“Yes well… Hilda kicked me out.” Zelda rolled her eyes as Mary started to chuckle but Zelda herself couldn’t help but smile as well. The whole situation was ridiculous.

“Now why would Hilda kick you out?”

“I wouldn’t stop pacing over not telling you in person that I had to cancel.”

“Why did you do that? I knew instantly from the weather report that we weren’t going.”

“I just… I…” Zelda shrugged. She couldn’t figure out how to express what she feeling, in any language. Instead she stepped closer to Mary, wrapping her arms around Mary’s waist and resting her head on her shoulder. Mary’s perfume filled her senses causing Zelda to nuzzle her face further into Mary’s shoulder. Mary sighed, her chest slowly rising and falling against Zelda’s, and wrapped her arms around Zelda’s shoulders.

“Well… you’re here now and welcomed to stay if you like.” Zelda hummed as she thought it over. A part of her knew that she better get on home, the weather was bad and the roads won’t be drivable for long. But another part of her, a small part of her that she pushed so far down that she could pretend it wasn’t there, was telling her to stay.

For the first time in a very long time she listened to that small part of herself.

“What did you do?” Zelda hummed and turned to her side so she faced Mary. After a light pasta dinner and a movie they went upstairs to just lie in Mary’s bed. Mary handed her those same pajamas as before, they were starting to grow on her. Mary changed into her green robe, Zelda was growing attached to that robe, she like how smooth it was and how it warmed up with Mary’s body heat. She rose an eyebrow hoping Mary would take the hint and continue. “That ‘selfish thing’, what was it?” Oh, that. Zelda sat up and brought her knees up to her chest. She wasn’t in a ball but her knees were close enough that she could rest her forearms on them. She sat there in silence looking straight ahead at the plain wall, the only sound was their breathing and her heartbeat. She’s never told this story to anyone before.

“I ran away.” Zelda turned her head to the side to look at Mary. Mary placed a hand on her hip, her nails scraped against the cotton material of her t-shirt, and gave Zelda a soft smile. “My mother sent Hilda, our brother Edward, and myself to boarding school in England as soon as she could. Over the years I craved being over there because it was the only time that I had for me. I could pursue what I wanted and my opinions and needs mattered. I was afraid of losing that so when I entered my final years of high school I worked my ass off and graduated early. I didn’t tell anyone and when we landed in London I told my siblings to go on without me if I wasn’t back by a certain time. I took my return flight ticket and exchanged it for one to Portugal.

I spent the next two years hitchhiking across Spain and France. I worked when I needed money or a place to sleep. I spent most of my time in the larger cities like Paris and Barcelona to take in the art and the culture. I made it all the way to Vienna until Edward found me. He brought me back kicking and screaming. He and my mother made me apologise for running off but I’m not. I don’t regret it one bit.” Zelda didn’t know that she was crying until she felt the hot tears running down her cheeks. She still remembered that moment of liberation, feeling completely free and having nothing to worry about other than her needs and how her mother and Edward tried to take that feeling away. Mary sat up, her hair was tousled from laying on it. She brought a hand up to caress Zelda’s cheek, her thumb running over the tracks her tears left. Zelda’s eyes fluttered and she nuzzled her cheek into Mary’s palm. Zelda then leaned in to kiss Mary, it was soft and slow. Mary deepened the kiss but kept the slow pace. Mary’s arm snaked around Zelda’s waist, bring her closer. When Mary fell back onto the bed Zelda didn’t get up,  she swung her leg over so she was straddling Mary. She continued on kissing Mary with their bodies close together well into the night.

Zelda ended up staying until Sunday morning.

Going anywhere Saturday was impossible but it stopped snowing early Sunday morning. Zelda called home Saturday to tell Hilda where she was and that she was still alive. She also talked to Vida, letting her daughter know where she was and to mind her Aunt Hilda. Vida seemed okay with her not being there but Zelda told Hilda to call if something was wrong. Hilda didn’t call once. At around nine Zelda woke up alone but after showering and heading downstairs she found Mary in the kitchen fixing breakfast. It wasn’t anything elaborate, scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, coffee, but it was enough. Dr. Cerberus called asking if she needed any assistance getting home. Zelda thought about it and agreed to his offer. So she dressed in the clothes that she wore coming to Mary’s house and kissed Mary goodbye when he knocked on Mary’s door. He came with a large plow truck, Mary was happy to hear that he plowed her roads and thanked him for doing so. He hitched Zelda’s car to the back and she rode with him in the front. In the side mirror Zelda saw Mary standing in her doorway, shivering in her green robe and waving with a soft smirk on her face. Zelda watched until Mary disappeared from view.

When they arrived at her house Dr. Cerberus joined her saying Hilda invited him for a cup of tea. She didn’t question him, she was trying to trust him more, it was the least she could do after all that he had done. Vida was waiting for her, she latched onto her legs and after placing her coat in the closet Zelda picked her up. Being at Mary’s was fun, exhilarating, but she missed her daughter. A little while later she and her daughter went outside. Vida wanted to play in the snow and after finding all of the gear Zelda agreed. And though freezing Zelda felt a ball of warmth in her chest as she watch Vida trekking her way in a snowsuit through waist deep snow, doing snow angels, sledding down hills, and making snowmen, or trying to, neither of them were very good at it. Later they sat by the fire in the den with hot chocolate and tired from being outside Vida curled into her lap and fell asleep. Zelda smiled softly as she comb her fingers through her daughter’s hair. Since arriving home Zelda noticed something eye opening. No one questioned where she was or what she did. Everyone was fine, the house was still standing, and her daughter showed no lasting effect caused by her absence.

So maybe her mother was wrong, it was okay it be a little selfish.

AN: I will not comment on what may or may not have happen. I’ll leave that to you guys ;)

[acaciarosewrites]

Start All Over: Once Upon a Time one-shot

Start All Over

April 2001

Emma felt cold.

Frozen both physically and symbolically. 

She couldn’t believe what she was witnessing. It must be a dream or a hallucination! It had to be. There’s no way that Neal would do this. But he is. The man she loves has feelings for... the man she thought loved her - nods to the guy on the motorcycle. Agreeing with him, planning it out with him.

Emma had arrived at their meeting place earlier than expected. She couldn’t help herself, she is was excited. She and Neal are were going to start a life together. No more crime - they were going to start an honest living. In Tallahassee. Emma shakes her head as Neal started talking but she can’t stand to listen anymore, she can’t stay.

She does.

She hears everything.

Hears motorcycle guy tell Neal that the watch Emma was wearing will be enough to put her away, just for a little while. Just enough to get her back on track. She, Emma Swan, is important... special. She must do her part in... in breaking the curse.

What the Hell?

There is no such thing as curses in the magical sense. There is no such thing as magic. Point blank and period. Motorcycle guy is starting to sound just like Ingrid, the crazy woman who wanted them to become a family, for Emma to become her daughter... for Ingrid to be Emma’s mother. The crazy woman who had tried to kill her. And God she hadn’t thought of Ingrid in a while - the pain still lingers inside her that the woman she thought of as a mother figure role model was crazy and that all her hopes and dreams at fourteen were crushed within a matter of minutes.

Just like all her hopes and dreams of a crime-free life with Neal.

She starts paying more attention as she overhears Neal agree and that... that he wants no part in anything concerning... concerning the Enchanted Forest. Even if that means leaving Emma.

What the Hell!

Neal was... she can’t believe...

Neal is just as crazy as motorcycle guy and Ingrid. Maybe it was good he didn’t want anything to do with her. Even though she loves him... she doesn’t want anything to do with him.

Emma slowly and stealthily walks away. She doesn’t rush - rushing would only raise the chances of getting caught and she doesn’t want that. She doesn’t need that.

Emma doesn’t even breathe any easier as she gets further and further away.

She is five blocks away when her phone buzzes in her coat pocket. She mentally curses as she answers Neal’s call.

“Hey.”

“Emma? You okay?” Neal asks. She has to give it to him. Neal can act - it actually sounds as if he cares about her and is concerned for her well-being.

“I’m fine. Took the long way around. I’ll be there in twenty. You sell the stuff alright?” She questions.

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll see you in a half-hour.”

“See you soon,” Emma tells him, “love you.” she barely waits for a response before she hangs up the phone and turns it off. She dismantles it quickly, throwing the battery in the trash and the separate pieces behind a dumpster and into a sewage grate. She hesitates when getting rid of the watch around her wrist. There’s a chance she can fence it herself and use the money to start all over but there is also a chance she’d get caught with stolen merchandise and she doesn’t want to risk it.

She can’t risk it.

Emma doesn’t know why but somehow, she just knows that she will regret getting caught... being sent to jail... In the next minute, she’s ripping the watch off her wrist and throwing it to the ground. Emma stomps on it once, twice, three times before taking off.

The blonde runaway also knew she couldn’t risk going back for the yellow bug that had become sort of like a home for her and her former partner-in-crime.

Shaking her head, Emma decided that she needed to get out of town. Now.

She has no idea where she’s going... well... she sure as hell isn’t going to Tallahassee.

Maybe she’d head to California. Or New York. She doesn’t care where life ends up taking her now, all she knows is she’s getting out and she wasn’t looking back. Emma thankfully had all her meager possessions with her already. Including the couple hundred dollars cash that she and Neal had left. It wasn’t a lot, but it would be enough to get her a bus ticket out with some money left over.

Emma makes it to the bus station in record time though she was careful to make sure she wasn’t followed. The runaway finds out that a bus to New York is leaving within twenty minutes and that a boarding ticket won’t put too much of a dent in what is left of the money. Emma hurries over to buy a one-way ticket and from there heads to the bus that will get her out of this place and take her far away from the man who sold her out to some stranger all because of some delusion in his head about magic.

There is no such thing as magic.

If there was she wouldn’t have ended up in all those horrible foster homes. She wouldn’t have had a crappy childhood. Maybe she would have been adopted by one of the families that had taken her in. Maybe a long-lost relative would have stepped up and claimed her.

But none of that had ever happened. Emma was the little lost orphan girl with no family and no friends. She thought she would have finally had that - a family - with Neal, but it wasn’t meant to be.

Emma snorts at that. Meant to be? That was really sappy - even for her.

Getting on the bus is easier than she thought it would be. Though it all comes down to self-preservation. The fact that Emma’s looking out for herself... She grew up looking out for herself - if she didn’t, who would? Running away from Neal, motorcycle guy, and delusions about magic is easy to do because she’s only looking out for her own skin.

It’s second nature really.

How sad is that?

Emma chooses not to ponder on it too much. Instead, she reclines back in her seat at the back of the bus and waits for the rest of her fellow travelers to board and get their luggage settled. Ten minutes later the bus is leaving the station and Emma is on her way to start her life over. Definitely not for the first time, probably not for the last time but she secretly wishes, as she did when she was just a little kid, that this time would be permanent.

[therandomfics]

Anniversary: FINAL

“And then, I wish you’d seen the look on his face, Sonny. It was priceless! He looked like he had finally been defeated. I mean, I’m worried about Anna but at the same time, I’m not. She’s a big girl. I hope she sees this as a favor done,” you rambled on, excited about having finally gotten one over on Peter. He’d constantly gotten you for so many years that even though it was one small step, you felt like you’d moved a mile. 

“Maybe he’ll finally leave you alone. I hope he does. I’d like to see you back in Manhattan some day,” Sonny replied. You could hear the ticking of his turn signal in the background and the acceleration of his car’s engine. 

“I didn’t know you were driving. I’m sorry! Call me when you’re back at home.” 

“Nah, it’s really okay. I won’t be home for a while,” he explained. More turn signals, a little bit of mumbling beneath his breath. “Are you at home now?” 

“Yeah just walked in about five minutes ago.” A knock at your door startled you and caused you to stand up from your couch. “Hey, I think Anna’s here. I’ll call you in a little bit ok?” 

“Alright. Good luck.” 

You hung up and walked to the door, where the person on the other side had knocked yet again. When you opened the door, you were surprised to see Peter standing there, red faced and angry. 

“Oh no, no, no,” you said quickly and tried to shut the door, but he had already jammed his way in and pushed you back by the time you’d even grabbed for the door. 

“Who do you think you are trying to ruin my life, huh?” he asked as he continued pushing you back into your apartment, kicking the door shut. “I had a good thing with Anna. She never asked any questions and I had a promised bed whenever I wanted it. Now, thanks to your stupid prank, I’ve lost her.” 

When the back of your legs finally hit your bed you folded, sitting down and staring up at him. He always towered over you, but now it was much worse; much more intimidating. “Wh-what exactly was your plan? I would show up and see you and what? Fall in love with you again?” 

“No. Obviously I want nothing to do with you now,” he snapped and stepped back, still looming over you. “And by the way, I know that you and Sonny haven’t fucked yet, so what’s the hold up? Does he find you repulsive, too?” 

Your heart sank a little at that comment, even though it was from someone who didn’t deserve your time or energy, and had always been a problem.. it still hurt. “Did you bug my apartment?” you questioned, grimacing at the idea of Peter having any insight into your personal life. 

“No, I don’t need to. I just need to know where you are. Obviously having your vitals doesn’t hurt either,” he admitted, immediately giving himself away. 

You looked down at your wrist, to the fitness band that you’d been wearing for almost two years now. It had been a gift from Peter and he’d set it up so that you could start using it immediately. Obviously that was how he tracked your movements and your heart rate. “Wow. You’re really something else,” you commented as you unclasped it and tossed it onto the floor. “Why won’t you just leave me alone, Peter? Why can’t you let me go?”

His phone, in his pocket, beeped nearly the moment your band hit the floor. 

“Minute to minute updates?” you questioned, standing up and shoving him backwards. “We are divorced, you stupid piece of shit. You have absolutely no reason to be here, let alone invade my privacy by continuing to monitor my actions via a goddamn FitBit!” 

He grabbed your face and squeezed your jaw tightly with his hand, reducing you to nothing but a whimper. “Watch your pretty little mouth.” 

He was obviously delusional, insane even, for being in your apartment and watching your every move, trying to convince you to meet up with him by pretending to be someone else, along with every other horrible thing he’d done - and that was just since you’d been divorced. 

When you raised your arm up and brought your elbow down onto his forearm, you were able to break away from his grasp and shove him backwards - only a few feet, though. It was enough for you to drop to the floor and grab your Cubs baseball bat, one that Peter had given you, and bring the barrel down against his foot. 

He cried out in pain and tried to kick you, but the years you’d spent learning how to ballroom dance and slide along the floor in a dress made it much easier to slide in jeans. You took the knob of the bat and began jabbing it into his knees until the pain of your hits caused him to hit the floor. 

“Don’t fucking move!” you shouted as you stood up and pointed the bat at his head. “I’ll fucking break it, I swear, and you’ll only have the batting cages yo used to take me to to blame. Don’t get up.” 

You reached into your pocket and pulled your phone out, dialing 911. The bat was steady pointed at Peter’s face, only inches away so that when you swung back it wouldn’t kill him, but it would at least make him have an involuntary nap. The regret on his face was clear as day. He was re-playing his choices of the past few years, you figured, and very few of them seemed to be positive. 

“Thank you. Yes. It’s the top floor, and I’m the only apartment up here,” you explained and then hung up. You shook your head at Peter’s rigid form on the floor and dialed Sonny. “Hey. It wasn’t Anna. It’s Peter. I’m fine - I’m fine - yes. Okay.” 

“Why don’t you just update Facebook too, so everyone else can know?” he asked bitterly from the floor. 

“Jesus Christ, for once would you just...” you sighed and then drew back, hitting the side of his head with just enough force to shut him up for a few minutes. “Be fucking silent.” 

A few minutes later, uniformed officers rushed into your apartment. You explained the situation as it had played out, but Peter’s story didn’t match yours. 

“She invited me here to reconcile,” he was explaining from the hallway outside of your apartment. “I don’t know she just snapped and started hitting me. I don’t know what happened. I really thought we were going to get back together.” 

Sonny walked into your apartment a few minutes later and shut the door. “This could get ugly.” 

“It’s already ugly, Sonny,” you said with a sigh. “Imagine what would have happened if I hadn’t been able to get him off of me for those few seconds? You might have found me at the morgue. Not here.” 

“Don’t talk like that,” he said with a sigh. “I went over to Anna’s and spoke to her. She said she’d be willing to be a character witness for you and she’d also like to explain why Peter was in Sleepy Hollow tonight. You’ve got the messages, too, plus your past restraining order. It’ll be messy for him, is what I meant.” 

You nodded and sat down on your bed, staring blankly at the floor. “I wanna move.” 

“You want to move?” he asked as he sat down beside you. 

“Yeah. Somewhere he isn’t going to be. Maybe.. Seattle.” 

Sonny shrugged gently. “Seattle? They’ve got good coffee so I’ve heard, and I guess I could handle the rain, too. It’s only like 75% of the year right?” 

With a smile, you looked up at Sonny and nudged him softly with your elbow. “Who said you were invited?” 

“Well I just figured since you’re gonna marry me someday it would make sense for us to be together, even if it’s in Seattle,” he explained, a grin tugging at his lips. 

Two officers stepped back into the apartment and you rose to your feet. “I gotta go in,” you explained, though Sonny already knew. 

He nodded and stood up too, a sign that he would go down to the station with you. “Let’s get it over with,” he suggested, and placed his hand on your lower back to guide you forward. “It’s gonna be fine.” 

_________

Peter’s erratic behavior combined with the testimony of Anna, several women you’d never met before, Sonny, and yourself all made for a solid case against him. He wasn’t sentenced, which you figured he wouldn’t be, but he was given no contact orders and was forbidden from being more then 300 feet from you at any given point in time. If he attempted any communications with you, he would be put in jail. If he was found near you or your home, he would be put in jail. You couldn’t have asked for much more when you looked back on his career within the justice system. It probably hurt the judge to do an ADA like that, but you cared a lot less now than you did before. 

Sonny bought you a new FitBit and let you set it up yourself, and though you trusted him with your life, such a meaningful gesture meant more to you than anything else he could have done.. except for one thing. 

Sonny had access to your laptop, and why wouldn’t he? You’d been living together now for a few months and were starting your life together. He’d seen you look at the same house several times, and even start emails but never compose or send them to the realtor who was showing your dream house. 

“I got you something,” he said, giving his best impression of mystery. He handed you an envelope and sat down beside you at the kitchen table. 

When you opened it and realized what was inside, you nearly screamed in excitement: confirmation for two tickets to Seattle, Washington... and a confirmed meeting with the very realtor you’d been so nervous to contact. 

“Pack your bags, babe.” He leaned over and kissed your forehead, letting out a small laugh at the shock and awe your were experiencing. “We leave tonight. We have plenty of time to think about the move, but I want you to know that I’m on board, too.” 

You stared down at the tickets for along moment, before you burst out laughing and wiped the tears from your eyes. “Guess what?”

“What, doll?” 

“Today’s my one year anniversary of being a Zygmunt again.” 

He shook his head with a laugh and pulled you into his arms, planting a kiss on your lips. “Happy Anniversary, Miss.” 

Tag List: @halloup @enthusiastic-french-toast @sasbb23 @inlovewith3 @glimmerglittergirl @cecilyjmorgenstern @braincandyreads @thebeckyjolene @babypink224221 @juliie-isabel

Okay, so I decided to make this the final chapter because I’m legit stoked about my new fic... and also because this is the longest I’ve ever dragged a fic on and I didn’t want to end it unraveling at the seams.