#but hey if anyone asks I will gladly elaborate

[envyenvys]

Chrissy in some iconic Willow BTVS outfits

(inspo under the cut)

[gallifreyianrosearkytiorsusan]

Lessons on Intimidation

Author's note: More of Husbandry AU. Thank you to @c-u-c-koo-4-40k for letting me borrow Khopesh! Thank you to @sleepyfan-blog for letting me borrow Cedric.

Summary: Olly is going to tell Cedric about the bullies, and the rest of the squad to warn them about Algret and his brother. Just in case they try to push the other's around. He also asks Kerubiel for mean-ness lessons and 'how to intimidate' people lessons from Khopesh.

Warning: uh... Discussions of bullying. Let me know if I need to add more.

Tagged: @barn-anon, @bleedingichorhearts, @c-u-c-koo-4-40k, @egrets-not-regrets, @kit-williams

Tagged: @sleepyfan-blog, @ms--lobotomy , @thevoidscreams, @i-am-a-dragon34, @gra93fruit-blog

Tagged: @felinisnoctis

Oleandros is going to tell the rest of the Primaris squad about the Apothecary Space wolf Algret and his friend and what they did. Also- he's going to be asking Kerubiel on how to seem mean. Keru's really good at spooking other people.

Oh! Khopesh is great at Intimidation as well. He's going to go ask Khopesh for lessons on intimidation. He sends Khopesh a message, who eagerly responds and they meet up near the Chaos base.

"Hey Khopesh. Uh. I was wondering if you'd teach me how to be Intimidating?"

"Sure!" Khopesh says, excited that one of the Primaris marines wants to be taught how to intimidate others. He's go so many different ideas, "Before that, I want to know the context."

"So ... there are a couple of Space Wolves," Olly explains what had happened, and how they had bullied him to send a message to Cedric.

"Tch, and they call Night Lords Cowards," Khopesh says shaking his head before grinning maniacally as he started talking about his favorite methods of intimidation and methods of torture.

Olly is grateful for his enthusiasm but says, "I ah...I don't want to Actually torture anyone...you Know that right? Its important to me that you know that."

'Ah sweet summer child still an Ultramarine at heart.' Khopesh thinks to himself fondly as he nods and replies, "Suit yourself, but I will Gladly teach you how to make people, think you're capable of such a thing."

"That after all, is the Root of fear. And that will be lesson one, what about you can you use to be Scary?" Khopesh trilled walking around the Primaris who followed with his gaze. "Intimidation is One thing, but to invoke true Fear comes from using what you Have to show you are Capable of inflicting what the fear predicts."

The Night Lord grinned showing off his maw of impressive sharp teeth.

Olly ran his tongue over his own blunt ones. "I don't think will work for me."

"Nonsense!" Khopesh chortled. "Think for a moment, what's something those nice chompers can do that mine can't?"

Olly seemed lost for a moment, before Khopesh sighed and pointed to the pouch he'd seen the Primaris store his rock snacks in. Olly grabs out one of his snacking rocks to show him, still a little confused.

"...I can...eat rocks??" Olly replied. "So can many others??"

"Yes! And do you know how Wild that is to witness??" Khopesh replied with a disbelieving laugh. "Just imagine it! Getting into your targets space, looking over them with your impressive height and Then!"

Oh right, one of the more minor differences between Primaris and First Borns, which while both of them can consume normally inedible to base line human items, Primaris marines have stronger bones, which include dental ones as well.

Khopesh prompted with a flourish. "You rip a chunk of rock from your environment, doesn't matter what or where just as long as you can chew it, and Bite it in Half right in Front of them!"

Olly listens and nods to what Khopesh is saying with a serious expression on his face. He looks around for a piece of rock that would look impressive enough.

"The first things their minds will go to is 'Gee what if that rock was my skull', better bother someone else." Khopesh elaborates, "and of course there are the more subtle ways to invoke fear but we'll get to those later."

"Oh," Olly says, "That's good to know. Thanks Khopesh!"

He looks around and then easily rips up a large chunk of rock, "Like this?"

And he turns to look over at Khopesh with the big chunk of rock and takes a few bite out of it. Making sure his expression was stern-neutral as he did so.

"Oh! This rock is rather- tasty," Olly says happily, breaking out of character, "And the texture is quite nice."

"… I shouldn't say that to the person I'm trying to intimidate, right?" Olly says a little sheepishly. He says after a moment or two of eating the moss covered rock.

"That will help with people thinking you are intimidating if you don't talk about the flavor and texture of the rock you are eating, yes." Khopesh says with a laugh.

Bullying is something that can happen between astartes some times, it happens and it sucks. But- Olly's doing what he can to fix it himself and warn other potential victims of bullying. If he wants more help, he hopes that Olly knows that he can come to him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"What did you want to talk about?" Kerubiel asks Olly as he looks at his fellow Primaris marine curiously.

"Oh- so A couple of Scout Space wolves bullied me earlier today." Olly says, "Because the Apothecary in training was upset that Cedric beat the shit out of him for being an asshole. But he didn't go after Ced because he knows Cedric will beat his ass again."

"And they went after you, despite how big you are because your softer," Kerubiel says, "... have you told Cedric yet?"

"Oh... yeah..." Olly says, "As soon as I find a way to phrase it so that Ced doesn't go all Wrath of Dorn on them."

Kerubiel snorts, "ha- oh, I want to be there to see his reaction."

"It's not funny!" Olly says frowning at the Dark Angel, who continues to laugh, "No- but those flea bitten dogs deserve the Karma they'll get for fucking with you."

"I'm hoping telling Ced that I'm taking mean-ness lesson from you, if that's okay, and you want to - you don't have to-" Olly rambles.

"Meanness lessons?" Kerubiel says with a chuckle, a fond smile pulling at his lips. Some might grow offended to what Olly was babbling, but he knew what Olly was really intending to say. "Sure- I can help with that Olly."

"Oh- thanks, Keru!" Olly says.

"Provided you give me the names and descriptions of those to shit heads." Kerubiel continues.

"... You're going to do something to them, aren't you?" Olly says with a frown, "I can fight my own battles."

"Yeah- and they involved an innocent third party," Kerubiel says with a scowl. "We both know what happens when shitty first borns go after Primaris. How Bad it can get, and how fucking little recourse we have."

"That... that was back in M42," Olly says, "The- the First borns- and Cedric and the other Primaris Marines say that... that things are different on Ancient Terra."

"Yeah sure," Kerubiel says rolling his eyes, "Just because their punishments are lighter, don't me that the protections that the First Borns and Terran born Space marines get doesn't mean it applies to us. It never did, not really in M42, why the hell would it be true here?"

Olly goes quiet and wilts a little at that. "... we could have Claude as Khopesh or Anrir about that."

"Eh, if that's necessary, maybe later," Kerubiel says with a shrug, "And Anrir only cares about Claude, not much about the rest of us. Which I get why. Claude can be adorable and he's adopted him. Good on Claude for getting such a fierce mentor."

"Albeit an unstable one," Olly mutters quiet, "... but then again. He's Terran born, and has survived from the Unification wars to After the Heresy. So."

"Holy Stars," Kerubiel swears, "He's old."

"So old." Olly replies.

Kerubiel and Olly are quiet for a moment, it shows just how dangerous he is. An old man surviving as long as he has in the type of career they have. It's rare and means that Anrir is exceptionally dangerous and good at what he does.

Kerubiel teaches him different ways to move and certain phrases to say, also reminds him of certain kinds of situations and the build up for them so he can realize what he's potentially getting set up for before it happens.

"Alright," Kerubiel says, "I think that's enough for now. Cedric and a couple of the others are going to be visiting Atlas and the other wounded Primaris. Good time to go let a whole bunch of the others know about those shit heads."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Olly and Kerubiel are in the section of the med bay were Olivar, Pallius, Atlas, and Cedric are. The ones who are wounded Cedric is fussing over. Ramiel, taking a break from Chaplain training is quietly speaking with Olivar about something.

Jophiel is happily bouncing from person to person, while Catius is working on some paperwork- occasionally talking to the others about this and that.

Claude is helping Cedric- by carrying some medical supplies from the closet to where he needs them put down. Olly drifts over and watches the situation with a small smile on his face.

Atlas and Catius look over at him, "Something on your mind Olly?"

"Huh?" Olly murmurs, "Oh, just have a message to give to Cedric from an Apprentice Apothecary Algret of the space wolves."

Cedric's face shifts a little and he sets down whatever it was that he was holding and came over to Olly. "What did he do?"

"Uh, he says that 'we're even now.'" Olly says to Cedric.

Cedric's face darkens, "Olly. What. Did. He. Do?"

"Him and a friend pushed me into some mud." Olly says, "And dumped a bucket of disgusting smelling goo that hardened and stank. It took me hours to clean my armor of the stench and mud."

"That bastard." Cedric hisses upset.

"Ced," Olly says gently reaching out to try and calm his sometimes over protective brother cousin, "No really harm occurred. I just wanted to let you and everyone else know. Just in case he decides to escalate his behavior."

"What did the others say when you were covered in mud and stench?" Atlas asks.

"Oh well- the space wolves had planned a head and sent a message saying that I had tripped into something." Olly says. "The Sargent is apart of their Renegade war band. So... Even though I have video proof that it wasn't me being clumsy. You know how First Borns tend to react to their Scouts being 'harmless pranksters' to primaris."

"... Have you told anyone else besides us?" Catius asks.

"Just Khopesh, when he asked why I wanted lessons on intimidation." Olly says, "So- I'm working on not being such an... easy target. Sorry about that guys."

Olly knows he can cause his brothers a lot of stress, and he tries not to. He looks down and scuffs his foot on the ground a little self consciously. Not noticing the expressions on the others faces.

"They lied to a superior officer?" Claude asks, as a clarifying question, a frown on his face.

"Yeah," Olly says, "And they wouldn't let me up until I repeated their words back to them. The mud was... they had prepared that involuntary mud bath ahead of time for it to... be as effective as it was."

Cedric growls a little and his hands clench into fists. Olly gives Cedric a hug, that just so happens to also potential restrain his temperamental brother-cousin.

"No permanent damage happened." Olly informs him, informs all of them.

"Cowards," Jophiel says with an angry hiss, "They didn't go after the one that had smacked them around, I'm surprised they didn't go after me or one of the smaller of us."

"The rest of you are either too intimidating, have psyker powers. too wounded, or too loveable," Olly says in a no nonsense tone, he gestures to the ones with special powers, the ones who are more intimidating (and they know who they are), same with those who are still wounded, and the ones who are easily lovable.

He's not jealous, its fact, some brothers and cousins are far more palatable, far more lovable, and easy to love. While others are less lovable, less palatable.

Part of him wondered if he was a Pariah, or hand the genes, even if just a little bit. But- if he did then he'd have had the training for it, or would have been culled. At least he thinks that is what the Magos on Trainers would do.

But no, he's not special, not like how his brothers and cousins are special. The psyker and non psyker ones. They are so clever, so witty, so strong, and only will grow more so as they get older.

He'll just continue to fall behind and stagger like a clumsy ox after them and try not to drag them down. Try not to be too much of a burden.

"Oh- yeah they are Space wolves, didn't want to go after the 'witches' in case you gave them 'witch cooties' or curse them or other such nonsense, I think." Olly says rolling his eyes, "And they... likely thought it dishonorable to go after the wounded. And I was ... in a place for them to grab. So."

Olly shrugs, he's unfortunately used to be used as a 'messenger' of that kind of nature for his brothers and cousins. And as much as it sucks, at least it's him and not one of the others.

It's something he can do as a way to shield the others from... stuff and things. Especially since all of them do so much to help him. Why not return the favor? Besides, even if those First Borns had hurt him, Pain is temporary and it would heal up quickly.

"I've had bullies use me to send messages to others that had a lot worse than being stuck in mud for a bit." Olly says as a reminder, "So really. I'm fine. Cedric. Everyone. And since Algret and his buddy say that 'we're even now' going after him would only... escalate the situation."

"Have you told Captain Ash'val or one of the others?" Claude asks.

"No, why?" Olly asks, "such squabbles between Scouts are to be kept between Scouts. Besides, the First Borns will most likely side with the First Born Scouts, and then I would have to do punishment for being a 'whiny little bitch' who doesn't know his place."

"Who told you that?" Cedric growls.

"Who told me what?" Olly asks.

"Don't play dumb, what you just said," Cedric grounds out.

"Oh, some asshole back in M42," Olly says, "He's not here, so it doesn't matter."

"Olly..." Catius says coming over and giving his brother a hug.

"It's in the past," Olly says simply with a shrug, happily leaning into Catius's hug while he still has his arms around Cedric as he gives big ol' 'please calm down' puppy eyes to Cedric.

It's sometimes really effective. Sometimes it just makes Cedric huff, puff, and even more protectively growly. "Perhaps talking to Captain Ash'val or one of the others might be a good idea. Or big Burders Arnault and Roland."

"Why?" Says Olly tilting his head a little, "the one that got bullied was me. Not you or one of the others they care about. So they won't give a shit."

"Olly!" Jophiel says with gasp.

"What?" Olly says with a confused blink and a head tilt. "The first borns care about you- and the others. Therefor it would upset them if you or the others were the ones that were bullied. But it's me. They don't know me. Not really. so they won't care. It's fine. It make sense."

Olly says with a shrug, "I'm an acquired taste, and most tend to not like me for being, well me. It's fine."

"... Olly." Ramiel says his voice wobbling a little.

"Oh fuck," Olly says, "I said that out loud, didn't I?"

"... Yes you did." Catius and Atlas say at the same time.

"Why do you think they wouldn't care?" Cedric asks, a complicated expression on his face.

"Because Roland and Arnault are Black Templars- of course they, understandably, prioritize you- and the other Black Templars over the rest of us." Olly starts, "of course the first born brothers and cousins that have bonded to the other primaris marines more care about them. But I'm just... in the back ground. Tied to you lot tangentially. They don't care about me personally, and that's fine."

"There is no way that they care about me, in any capacity, I haven't got the endearing kind of personality type," He shifts a little, stating all of this very matter of factly, he believes every word he's saying, "Besides- it's great that you all have found such people to help and protect you. I can manage. I have before, I will now. It's easier on Ancient Terra, not as many bastards to have to deal with. I know how annoying and difficult to deal with. I just have one of those easy to bully faces and personalities. Haha."

He's always been rather good at that- getting the ire of others directed onto him and off of the others. It's so hard trying to be good, to not be frustrating or hard to work with.

It's like everyone was given certain socialization lessons and he'd missed those classes somehow. And like everyone else was using a secret set of social rules that they all knew about, but no one would really explain them to him.

All that would happen is he'd get punished for unknowingly breaking those rules and punished for doing something when he had thought it seemed like a reasonable action. When he said or did something that someone else had done, but while they were able to do it, he was scolded for it.

That reminds him of one time, when he'd been a lot younger, back on Mars. When they were doing 'free play' sessions and Olly had asked one of their brother cousins if they wanted to play. The cousin had said that he wanted to play with him later. So he'd went away and had come back to ask that brother cousin a couple of hours later if they wanted to play.

Then that brother cousin had yelled at him, saying that Olly was being rude and that he'd already said that he hadn't wanted to play with Olly and that Olly was being rude.

Much to Olly's horror he'd started to cry a little and had tearfully explained that this was later, that he'd agreed to play with him later and later was now.

That same cousin continued to yell and scold that he didn't actually want to play with Olly at all, But he was merely being polite. That he should just go away. That Olly was far to annoying and intense. To just shut up and go away.

Superior officers didn't like questions, even when Olly wasn't trying to be rude. He just ... didn't understand the assignment he'd been given. That the training he had been given wasn't enough.

He wasn't trying to be rude or question there authority. He just ... wasn't sure what he was supposed to do. So no, he wasn't going to pester the older brothers here.

He was far too annoying. Far to difficult to handle for most. To be honest, he doesn't know why Cedric and the others put up with him when he can be way too much.

At least they are nicer about it and say "Olly shush!" at times. Which is helpful, and lets him know when he's being too talkative or is saying something that could potentially offend someone else or something.

[imekitty]

Hi. This is Gdog90. I have a prompt, if you’re interested: “A Retro-Ecto story where Danny comes across Kitty, stood up for a date with Johnny (again), and decides to show her a good time.” I appreciate your consideration.

So I ended up changing the premise a little to work in an idea ironbloodaika and I talked about years ago where Kitty picks up Danny at school on a motorcycle.

-----

“Hey.” Tucker squinted and shielded his eyes from the sun as he looked out at the street in front of Casper High. “Is that Kitty?”

Danny and Sam looked as well. In fact, several heads turned at the sound of a motorcycle pulling up to the curb in front of the school, a girl with bright green shaggy hair perched on the seat, knee-high black boots pressed against the pegs.

“What is she doing here?” asked Danny, quickening his pace on the main path toward the curb. School was finally done for the day, and the last thing he wanted to do right now was fight ghosts.

“And where’s Johnny?” asked Sam. “That’s his bike, isn’t it?”

Kitty shook out her hair as she parked the motorcycle. Danny stopped on the sidewalk right next to her, shivering as his ghost sense fogged up his breath.

“Hey, Danny!” greeted Kitty. “Want a ride?”

“A ride?” echoed Danny.

“Yeah. Your masculinity isn’t so fragile that you won’t ride pillion with me, is it?”

“Ride pillion? What’s that?”

Kitty patted the seat behind her. “It means you sit your cute little butt right here, hug my waist, and straddle my ass while we cruise the streets.”

Kitty wiggled on the seat. Danny glanced at her shapely backside but tried his very hardest to maintain eye contact with her.

“I don’t think Johnny would like that,” said Danny.

“Who cares what that asshole thinks?” Kitty scowled. “He’s cheated on me for the last time.”

“You broke up with him?”

“Yup. I stole his bike and figured you and I could go make out somewhere.”

Danny couldn’t stop a blush from spreading over his face. “Me? Why me?”

“Because Johnny hates you more than anyone.” Kitty leaned forward on the motorcycle, resting her arms on the handlebars. “And I’m looking to really piss him off.”

Danny raised a brow. “So you want to use me for revenge?”

“God, you’re so noble, Danny.” Kitty rolled her eyes. “Don’t be such a square and come have some fun with me.”

Danny chewed the inside of his cheek, assessing the situation.

“Danny, what are you waiting for?” asked Tucker, lightly shoving him.

“What do you mean?” asked Danny.

“Dude, a crazy hot girl is asking you to straddle her on a motorcycle.” Tucker held out his hand toward Kitty. “You can’t possibly turn down an offer like that.”

Sam huffed and shook her head. “Boys…”

“But I don’t want to be part of a revenge scheme,” said Danny, moving to stand in front of Tucker so he could turn his back to Kitty.

“And what if this is some kind of trap?” asked Sam. “We can’t trust Kitty to take Danny anywhere alone.”

“I really don’t think Johnny would let Kitty drive his motorcycle as part of some elaborate plan to trap you,” said Tucker.

“He’s right,” said Kitty, causing Danny to turn around and face her again. “Johnny would never agree to let me or anyone else drive his bike, even if it would help him finally get one over on ‘that Phantom dick.’”

“Yeah, right,” said Sam. “Of course you would say that.”

Kitty shrugged. “Look, Danny, are you coming or not?”

“I—I’m not sure,” stammered Danny.

“Well, can you get sure?” asked Kitty. “I mean, who cares if it’s for revenge as long as you get to make out with a cute chick, right?”

“That’s what I said!” cried Tucker.

“See, he gets it,” said Kitty.

“What about making out with me?” Tucker pointed to his chest. “Would that piss Johnny off? Because if Danny doesn’t wanna go, I will gladly hop on that bike behind you and go wherever you wanna take me.”

Tucker’s eyebrows waggled, his teeth exposed in a big grin. Kitty’s lips puckered as her own brows drew together in scrutiny.

“Honestly, I don’t even know who you are,” she said.

“What?” Tucker’s jaw dropped. “I’m Danny’s equally hot—if not hotter—best friend.”

Kitty snorted. “In your dreams, maybe.”

Tucker narrowed his eyes and pouted.

“Come on, Danny boy,” purred Kitty, leaning back and patting the seat behind her again, arching and thrusting out her chest as she did so. “If you don’t come with me, I might just have to take out my frustration on this town. And you don’t want that, do you?”

“Are you making a threat?” asked Danny.

“Maybe,” said Kitty. “Wanna find out?”

Danny stared at her for a few moments, studying her face, her body language.

And it was admittedly very nice body language.

Danny at last sighed, straightened his backpack on his shoulders, and started walking up to her.

”Danny!” whined Sam behind him. “You’re not really going to ride with her, are you?”

“I just want to make sure she stays out of trouble,” said Danny. “And I’ve got a Thermos in my backpack if I need it.”

Kitty moved forward on the motorcycle seat to make a little more room. Danny hesitated a moment before swinging one leg over and positioning himself behind Kitty. Kitty scooted back as soon as he was seated, pressing her butt right into his groin.

He could feel his face flushing and burning all at once.

“Just wrap your arms around me,” said Kitty. “And there are a couple of pegs back there you can rest your feet on.”

Danny picked up his feet and easily found the two pegs she was talking about.

“Looking good, Danny!” said Tucker, flashing a thumbs-up and a wink.

“Thanks,” said Danny with an awkward smile.

“Danny,” Sam whined again. “At least wear a helmet.”

Kitty smirked. “Ghosts don’t need helmets, babe.”

Sam opened her mouth to angrily protest but Kitty cut her off with a rev of the motorcycle engine, kicking off down the street at quickly accelerating speed. Students on the curb watched them race by, and Danny was sure he saw Dash’s face among them, his jaw slacked.

Kitty cruised through the town, weaving in and out of traffic, darting from lane to lane to lane, never slowing or stopping for anything.

Danny at first hugged Kitty tight, gritting his teeth as the wind whipped through his hair and lifted his shirt off his back. He didn’t even realize he was practically burying his face in her shoulder.

A cop started chasing them. Kitty turned the whole bike invisible and zoomed ahead, the flashing lights and siren fading into the distance far behind them. She whooped and laughed, so exuberant.

And somehow, it was contagious, because Danny suddenly felt like laughing, too.

He relaxed his hold around her waist, watching the cars and buildings rushing past. He threw back his head and closed his eyes, feeling the way his hair was blown off his forehead and the rumble of the road underneath the wheels.

Kitty turned off onto a road leading out of the busy townscape, winding around a stretch of mountains. She at last came to a halt at a scenic outlook and parked. Danny swung his legs off the bike, stumbling a couple dizzy steps.

“What did you think?” asked Kitty, leaning back against a guardrail and gesturing to the bike.

Danny couldn’t speak for a moment as he tried to find the right words. “It was…incredible.”

“Right?” Kitty grinned. “Better than flying. I mean, flying’s great, sure, but you have to engage your antigravity core, you know? Like you’re weightless, everything inside of you is just floating, and you’re moving but not really feeling the movement.”

Danny nodded. Yes, that was exactly what flying felt like.

“But when you’re on a motorcycle, you just feel so…grounded,” Kitty continued. “Like you feel this connection with the ground and the dirt and the gravel, like you’re part of it, moving with it and not just on top of it. That’s why Johnny and I ride everywhere. Like sure, we can fly like you or any other ghost, but where’s the fun in that, really?”

Danny chuckled. “I think most humans would love to know what it’s like to fly.”

“Well, I would tell them they’re really not missing out on much,” said Kitty with a shrug. “And biking in the human world really is so much more fun than in the Ghost Zone. There really isn’t much ‘ground’ to ride on in the Zone, and what ground there is is usually pretty smooth, no bumps or hills like you find here.”

Kitty sighed, looking at the view stretched out before them, the expanse of trees and hiking trails laid out under gentle clouds in a brilliant blue sky.

“Johnny and I have always been biking,” she said, somewhat contemplatively, like she wasn’t really speaking to Danny. “Ever since we woke up in the Ghost Zone after…well, however we died.”

“You don’t have any idea how you died?” asked Danny.

“Not a clue. No ghost does, honestly.” Kitty smirked at him. “Just you, pretty boy.”

Danny blushed. “Well, that’s because I didn’t exactly die.”

“Lucky you,” said Kitty. “You get to stay here with other humans while I’m stuck in the Zone with ghosts. Ghosts like Johnny.” She paused. “I don’t even remember an existence without him. He was always around, him and his bike.”

She was quiet for several long moments as she stared out at the horizon. Danny watched her, studying her melancholy expression.

“Are you and Johnny over for good this time?” he finally asked.

“Who knows?” said Kitty with little inflection. “I’m just tired of feeling like I don’t matter to him when he means the world to me.”

“So you still love him?”

“Yes, of course. Even though the dick doesn’t deserve anything from me.”

“What did he do this time?”

“He stood me up for our lunch date today,” said Kitty. “I got all dolled up, you know? I did my makeup, went shopping and bought some new threads—okay, I stole them, don’t give me that look—and then I showed up at the restaurant and waited because I knew he was going to be late. I always expect him to show up at least half an hour later than we agree to meet. But that half hour turned into one hour and then an hour and a half and I realized shit, he’s not coming.”

“Did he forget?” asked Danny.

“I never know with Johnny,” said Kitty. “I don’t know if he actually forgets or if he does remember but just doesn’t care enough to show up. So I went out looking for him and big surprise, I find him necking with some other chick.”

Danny sucked his teeth.

“And I was frozen,” said Kitty. “I was burning up, I was so pissed. I was ready to blow up on him, but then I saw his bike nearby and…”

She looked behind her at the parked motorcycle. Danny looked as well.

“I just took off on it,” continued Kitty. “Drove around for hours. Mindlessly. Sometimes in a rage and sometimes numb. No idea why I kept giving that asshole so many chances.” She smirked at Danny. “Found myself thinking about you a lot.”

“Me?”

“Yeah, you. I just kept thinking about how you would never treat me like that. Like why can’t all guys just be sweet and honest like Danny Phantom, you know?”

“Uh…” Danny rubbed the back of his neck. “I mean, I’m not exactly popular with the girls, you know.”

“Which is such a mystery to me. You’re way too cute to be single.”

“I really wish all the girls at school thought that, too.”

“Human girls are the ditziest ever, Phantom,” said Kitty. “But I think that’s part of their charm. I mean, you’re also kind of dumb, but I think it’s adorable.”

“Thanks?” said Danny, raising a brow.

“And that’s why I just couldn’t get you out of my head,” said Kitty. “While I was riding, I just kept wondering where you were, what you were doing, hoping that maybe I might run into you somewhere. Then I noticed signs for Casper High and I realized oh d’uh, you were at school. Because you’re too much of a Goody Two-Shoes to cut class.”

“I—I am not.” Danny pouted. “I’ve skipped class plenty of times to fight ghosts.”

“Ooh, my mistake. You’re a total badass.”

“That’s better.”

“But anyway, I was coming up on your school and I figured, why not try picking you up, huh? I deserve some fun of my own, don’t I?” Kitty turned around and leaned back with her elbows propped on the guardrail, flashing him a wanton grin. “So what do you say, Danny boy? You wanna have some fun, too?”

“Uh…” Danny swallowed. “You don’t actually want to make out with me, do you?”

“Why not?” Kitty popped out a hip, striking a seductive pose. “Aren’t I pretty enough for you?”

“It’s not that,” said Danny. “It’s just… You still love Johnny, don’t you?”

“Yeah, but I don’t want to,” said Kitty, sounding bitter.

“But why do you think making out with me would help you feel better?”

Kitty groaned. “I don’t know. I just thought… Maybe if he could see that I didn’t really need him, that I could just move on to other guys if I wanted to, he might…realize that he really does want me.” She twiddled her fingers. “Just me.”

She sighed and turned around, leaning forward over the guardrail and dropping her head.

“Maybe this was a bad idea,” she muttered.

Danny watched her for some time, the afternoon sun enhancing her dim spectral glow, lighting up her skin and hair with golden tones.

“No, it’s not,” said Danny.

Kitty lifted her head. “It’s not? You think we should make out?”

“Well, maybe not that part,” said Danny. “But the part about deserving some fun of your own, that’s true.”

“Is it?” asked Kitty. “I sometimes think fun is something only humans get to have. Us ghosts are just stuck chasing obsessions, never really happy because we can never get what we’re really after.”

“Ghosts can have fun, too,” said Danny, smiling. “Trust me, I know.”

Kitty rolled her eyes. “You don’t fully understand what it’s like to be a ghost all the time, Danny. You know you don’t.”

“That just means I still know how to have fun.” Danny took hold of her wrist and gently tugged. “Come on. Let’s go have some fun.”

Kitty knitted her brow. “Where are you wanting to take me?”

“Well, you’re the one who’s going to have to take us,” said Danny apologetically. “I mean, unless you want to give me some quick motorcycle lessons right now.”

Kitty laughed. “No, no, human boy, the best part of my day so far has been getting you to sit behind me on that bike.”

“And you know, it actually wasn’t that bad,” said Danny. “I enjoyed it.”

Kitty hummed and grazed her chin with a couple fingers as her lips drew into a puckered smile.

“Come on,” said Danny, tugging her again. “I’ll tell you where to go.”

Kitty gave in and followed Danny’s directions back into town, zooming through the streets and evading more cop cars, never stopping for a single red light and sometimes using intangibility to phase through traffic.

And if Danny had been a normal human, he might’ve been terrified.

But the thrill of being able to use ghost powers to cheat death like this was intoxicating, and he wondered why he had never tried anything like this before.

They at last arrived in a large parking lot that was already filled with many cars. Kitty parked in one of the motorcycle spots and scrunched her mouth as she looked around.

“A fun center?” She frowned at the sign in front of the main building structure. “That seems like a bold claim to make.”

“It is fun,” said Danny, hopping off the bike. “Sam, Tucker, and I come here all the time to play laser tag or the arcade games.”

“You really are such a nerd, Danny boy.”

“I promise you’ll have a good time. I’ll even pay for everything.”

“Pay? Ghosts don’t gotta pay,” said Kitty. “We just use our powers to sneak in wherever we want.”

“Look, on the road, you can break all the laws you want,” said Danny. “But here, we’re gonna be honest humans who follow the rules.”

“You really are such a square, Phantom.” Kitty closed her eyes and focused for a moment, her ghostly glow disappearing. “But all right, you win. Show me a good time.”

Kitty started heading for the door, but Danny stayed back, stunned.

“Danny?” Kitty put one hand on her hip. “What are you waiting for?”

“You can just stop glowing whenever you want?” said Danny, his mouth hanging open.

Kitty laughed and waved a dismissive hand. “Yeah, of course. Johnny and I do it all the time to fit in with the human folk.”

“But how? How do you do it?”

“You really don’t know how to stop glowing yet?”

“‘Yet’? Are you saying this is something all ghosts can do?”

“Boy, you still know nothing about being a ghost.” Kitty took him by the wrist and started pulling him. “Show me a good time first, and then I’ll teach you how to dim your glow after.”

The rest of the afternoon passed quickly with a round of mini golf to warm up, a couple games of laser tag where Kitty very much enjoyed shooting everyone and especially Danny, and a virtual reality experience where Danny and Kitty teamed up to fight off an invasion of aliens.

“They have a game where you can shoot and hunt ghosts, too,” said Danny, looking through the options. “But I don’t know if you’d be up for that—”

“If one of the ghosts looks like Johnny, hell yeah I’d be up for it,” said Kitty with a smirk.

“I’ve actually heard there’s a ghost that looks like me.”

“Well, well! Someone’s famous!”

“Yeah, and I can’t even sue them because ghosts don’t have that kind of legal protection.” Danny shrugged. “But whatever. I guess I’m flattered.”

“I just can’t believe I’m on a date with a video game star.” Kitty hugged his arm. “That’s gonna make Johnny really jealous.”

“A date?” echoed Danny, feeling uneasy but also melting just a little.

“Yeah, what did you think this was?” Kitty then tugged his arm and pointed to a snack food vendor. “Ooh, Danny, can you buy me a pretzel? With cheese? I love that cheap human crap.”

Danny patted his pocket. “I think I have just enough for that.”

“But you know, I really could just sneak up there invisibly and—”

“No, Kitty. We’re normal humans with no powers right now.”

“Such a square,” said Kitty with a small roll of her eyes. “But shoot yourself. Get lots of extra cheese, okay?”

They found a table nearby, and Kitty started noisily munching away at her pretzel, dipping it in the numerous cups of cheese that Danny had to pay extra for. Each pretzel piece was thoroughly coated in golden stickiness.

“That was so good.” Kitty had a ring of melted cheese around her lips as she swallowed the last bite. “Danny, I can’t believe you still have some left.”

“Oh.” Danny handed his remaining pretzel half to her. “Uh, well, you can have it if you—”

Kitty snatched the pretzel from him and proceeded to dunk it in the remaining cheese. Danny shook his head and chuckled.

“Johnny never lets me eat like this,” said Kitty. “He insists that I need to maintain my girlish figure.”

“Ghosts have to watch their weight, too?” Danny raised a brow.

“We don’t really need to eat at all,” said Kitty, “but human food makes us gain weight like crazy. But Johnny and I are done, so I don’t have to keep my snatched waist anymore. And you don’t care if I’m a little chubby, do you, Danny boy?”

“Of course not,” said Danny.

“Yeah, you’re not a shallow dick like Johnny.” Kitty stuffed the last cheese-drenched pretzel piece into her mouth. “You wouldn’t care whether or not your girlfriend had a hot ass and nice rack, would you?”

“Uh—well—” Danny reddened and pinched the back of his neck. “I mean, it’s not like I don’t appreciate those things. I mean, I do like pretty girls.”

“Do you think I’m pretty, Danny?”

Kitty grinned at him, her mouth ringed with cheese and bits of bread stuck in her teeth.

Danny laughed. “So very pretty.”

Kitty hummed and sucked the cheese off each of her fingers, sliding them in and popping them out one at a time. Danny watched each movement, almost mesmerized.

At last, Kitty grabbed a napkin and wiped her mouth. She then leaned back and patted her exposed belly above her short skirt.

“That hit the spot,” she said with a sigh. “I can’t believe you didn’t want to eat your whole pretzel.”

“Well, I could see you wanted it more.”

“You are such a gentleman, Phantom.”

Kitty turned her head one way and then the other, watching all of the people and families with kids walking by, skipping, talking, laughing.

“This was a pretty fun place after all,” said Kitty. “I wish we had things like this in the Ghost Zone. But there aren’t really public spaces in the Zone, just lairs that belong to different ghosts, and they usually don’t like when you drop by for no reason.”

“Yeah, I’m well aware of that,” said Danny.

Kitty lightly hit his shoulder. “Well, maybe ghosts wouldn’t hate you so much if you weren’t so bent on capturing us and sending us back to the Ghost Zone.”

“I only do that if the ghosts are causing trouble.”

“Do you think I’m trouble, Danny?”

Danny laughed. “Are you kidding? You’re huge trouble. You’re like the biggest trouble there is.”

Kitty stuck out her tongue and also laughed. Then she quieted and watched the people walking by again.

“I wonder if I used to have fun like this when I was a human,” she mused.

“You really don’t remember anything about your past life?” asked Danny.

“Not a clue.”

“Then how do you know you were human?”

Kitty stuck out her bottom lip in thought. “It’s just…a feeling I have. Like I wouldn’t say I have memories of my existence before I became a ghost, but I have feelings about it.”

“What kind of feelings?”

“Like…I’m pretty sure I didn’t live anywhere like Amity Park. I mean, I have no idea where I’m from, but this doesn’t feel like it.” Kitty stared at the horizon where the sun was starting its descent. “I’m pretty sure I would recognize it if I just saw it. Johnny and I have been on a couple road trips across the country, but nowhere we’ve been has felt like home yet.”

She shrugged, turning away from the sunset and looking down at the table.

“I mean, you know. Nothing has called to my soul,” said Kitty. “Does that sound crazy to you?”

“Not at all,” said Danny, shaking his head. “What other feelings about your past do you have?”

“Hmm.” Kitty propped her elbows on the table and clasped her hands under her chin as she flicked her eyes up toward the sky. “Daisies. Whenever I see daisies, I feel something. I don’t know what, but they just seem important to me somehow. It’s a good feeling, whatever it is. But I don’t understand it.”

“Daisies, okay,” said Danny. “Interesting.”

“And…the smell of a campfire. I can feel a memory just dancing on the edge of my brain whenever I smell a campfire.”

“So maybe you used to camp a lot?”

“Maybe. I really don’t know.” Kitty thought some more. “But then there’s also something about the sound of rain hitting an umbrella or a raincoat. Or like a tarp or a tent.”

Kitty started lighting up, her green skin glowing with spectral energy as she continued staring up at the sky.

“Rain on a tent,” she breathed out. “Maybe I did like camping.”

Danny watched the shine on Kitty’s skin ebb and oscillate. She did not seem to be aware that her glow had returned.

“And I’m pretty sure Johnny was with me,” continued Kitty. “Whoever I was in my previous existence, he was also there. And somehow we died together. I just feel like that’s right.”

Her glow intensified, the brightest Danny had ever seen it. Her eyes glazed over, a dreamy smile on her lips.

“You really do like Johnny, don’t you?” said Danny.

Kitty sighed. “But I don’t want to.” She looked at Danny, her glow fading. “I really would rather be with someone like you instead. Someone who treats me right and won’t stand me up when we make plans.”

Danny smiled. “I wouldn’t mind being with someone like you either.”

Kitty returned the smile, no hint of her normal smirk. Her glow returned just a little, brightening her cheeks with a soft green wash.

“Tell you what,” said Danny. “Every time Johnny stands you up, come find me. You and I can go on a date instead.”

Kitty chuckled. “Oh, Johnny would hate that.”

“But what about you?” asked Danny. “It doesn’t have to be a revenge thing, you know.”

Kitty hummed. “It doesn’t, you’re right. Maybe I’ll even get my own bike and let you drive while I ride pillion.”

Danny perked up. “Really?”

Kitty snorted. “No way.” She bumped him with her shoulder. “I like having you behind me.”

Danny reddened but smiled.

A young mother shouted at her child to walk faster and catch up with the rest of the family. Kitty leaned back in her chair.

“You showed me a good time,” said Kitty. “So I guess I have to show you how to dim your glow now.”

She turned to Danny and took both of his hands in hers. He leaned in toward her, waiting.

“There are several ways to do it,” said Kitty, “but the easiest way is to put a damper on all your emotions. Just hold them all back and be completely serious, empty.”

“Empty?” echoed Danny.

“Yes. Empty. Because your feelings stimulate your molecules with energy, making them glow.” Kitty sighed as her glow returned. “Like when I think about Johnny, I just can’t help it.”

She then closed her eyes, still holding Danny’s hands. She tilted her head back slightly.

“But when you empty your mind, all of that stimulation goes away.” Kitty’s glow dimmed and then vanished. She lowered her head and looked at Danny again. “See?”

Danny gawked. “Is it really that easy?”

Kitty took her hands away. “No, it takes some practice. And I imagine it’s gonna take a lot of practice for you to clear out all your emotions.”

Danny pouted. “Why do you say that?”

“Because you’re half human,” said Kitty. “Humans are so freaking moody. Literally everything makes them angry or sad or excited. They’re a mess.”

Danny’s pout turned into a scowl. “I’m not moody.”

“Are you kidding? You’re so moody.” Kitty laughed and started glowing again. “You’re like the moodiest kid there is.”

Kitty continued laughing, but it wasn’t a cruel laugh, an infectious sound that soon broke Danny’s scowl into a smile followed by his own laughter.

After a couple moments, their laughter faded. More families walked by, children shouting and begging their parents to ride the bumper cars one more time, please!

“Guess I should get Johnny’s bike back to him,” she said. “He’s probably blown all his stacks by now.”

“Right now?” asked Danny. “There isn’t time for one more ride?”

Kitty smirked. “Hmm. I suppose there’s always time for one more ride.”

She stood, and Danny followed her out of the fun center.

He was ready to follow her anywhere, honestly.

[alexjcrowley]

Since the House M.D. fandom on Tumblr is getting bigger, I though I'd share with you the fact that all I took six years to finish watching the show, and I started well after it finished airing. Why did I take so long, you ask? Here's why.

I started watching House M.D. suring my second year in high school (in my country high school is five years, btw). When I was a kid my parents watched the show, I only caught bits of it and I didn't like it because I didn't understand it. When I was 15-16, out of nowhere if not pure curiosity, I decided to give the show a shot. I became obsessed with it.

I spent entire afternoons watching it. I was a straight A student, as americans say, I was "a pleasure to have in class" and then I started skipping P.E. to watch House on my phone in the locker room. I forced my best friend to skip the lessons with me (they did it gladly). My classmates skipped P.E. to smoke outside of the gym, I jumped up and down in the locker room to find signal so the episodes would load. I still remember making my best friend watch Euphoria part I and II whole others played volleyball. It did not end there.

I remember being at the house of an old friend studying chemistry and biology (which, ironically, I've always sucked at): it was me, my best friend and a couple of other gals. These girls were trying to understand science homework while me and my best friend were giggling because I spent all the time writing "Gregory House" with hearts around his name or lines from the show on the margins of the science textbooks. And, since I have a heavy hand with pencils and pens, I was never able to lend my science textbook to anyone ever (especially the teacher, who sometimes asked for our textbooks) because I had love notes for a fictional doctor written all over it.

I started referring to myself as House and my best friend as Wilson, and to this day on my phone my best friend is saved (amongst other nicknames) as "Jimmy" and I, on their phone, as something like "untrustworthy limp" (I started watching the show in my native language, not English, and in Italian at some point Wilson calls House "zoppo malfidato"), which, by the way, proved to be incredibly accurate because in a few years I would have started having problems with my left ankle, which would have led me to limp a lot and use crutches.

Therefore the question arises spontaneously: why did I take so long finishing the show? Well, as you can clearly understand, I really liked House's and Wilson's friendship, it meant a lot to me (and later on I would have understood, as an aromantic, it was the qpr I aspired to have).

We all know what happens at the end of season 4. I cried like a baby and all that, it took a couple of days, but I started season 5.

But then, in season 5, House and Wilson weren't magically friends again (who would have thought?). And my poor little heart, simply couldn't bear that. Suddenly I was taking P.E. again, and my best friend was asking about House and I said "I need time to elaborate". And then I didn't, for six years.

"Hey, don't they make up in the fourth episode of the season?" Yes, they do. Do you want to know at which episode of the fifith season I stopped watching because I couldn't bear to see them not being friends? The first. Fucking. Episode. I watched one episode of the fifth season that ended with Wilson saying "We're not friends anymore, House. I'm not sure we ever were" and said "Nope, I can't, MY HEART CANNOT TAKE THIS" and as a matter of a fact it didn't take it. I saw them not being friends for ONE episode for something that was ENTIRELY justifiable and I had to take a moment for six years.

"Then how did you decide to watch the rest of it one day?" well, well, well, let's jump six years forwards, no longer than last year. Last year was the worst year of my life and I doubt this will ever change, it was the first year of university and truly a year I wish I could forget. I started doing things I regret, my life was a mess, I skipped an exam, my mother was angry with me, one night I am crying in fetal position in my shower (I am not taking a shower, I am in my pijama just lying in the shower) and I think "it doesn't get worse than this". I have my phone with me, I open Tumblr to try and think of something else instead of crying and I see, unprompted (I didn't look for it), an House M.D. post.

I had tried to go on Tumblr to look for content on the show 6 years before, I hadn't found a lot. I remember I never finished watching the show. Again, my life sucks, I am thinking very bad things, I am emotionally fucked, I think I'll have to jump from a window by the way things are going. I tell myself (I very vividly remember why I stopped watching House) "it can't hurt more than what I am already going through". I start watching from the second episode of the fifth season, I remembered everything about the show.

I find out if I had powered through two more episodes at time, House and Wilson would have been friends again. I finish the show in less than a month (and the night I watch the finale I make four minutes audios to my best friend at 3 in the morning in which I bawl my eyes out and say very incoherent sad things).

And this, kids, is how I met your mother took six years to watch all House M.D. It just took me to be at the lowest point of my life but oh well if that's the price to pay.

[theliterarywolf]

Hey, I'm always a slut for internet drama, so I'll go ahead and ask: what happened with the No Sleep podcast?

Oh no, nothing happened with the podcast itself.

To elaborate on the whole kerfluffle:

As mentioned before, my students just would not read. It didn't matter if it was read aloud and they needed to follow silently, if it was independent, what have you, they just would not engage.

So, rather than throw my hands up in the air, I thought: okay, let's try something different. So, every so often, I would select pre-screened selections from The NoSleep Podcast. Emphasis on the 'pre-screened' aspect because it wasn't like I was just playing audio out of the blue. I obviously knew I had to make sure that I didn't end up playing anything pornographic or excessively bloody in the classroom. And... Students were engaged! I got strong classroom discussion, a good turn-in rate for classwork, etc.!

And, actually! The vice principal who was supposed to be my evaluator (emphasis on 'supposed to be' because she was supposed to observe and evaluate every other week but, in reality, she only ever swung by once every other month) actually observed a lesson where I used a NoSleep Podcast audio (it was for the story "Dear Jennifer", which centers around a severe parasocial relationship) and everything was fine.

However, a few months down the line when she came back for another rare observation, it was another NoSleep Podcast day. I believe the story for that day was titled "Customer Service". I'm not sure about the exact title, I just remember that it centered around a single mother trying to call Amazon to get some help with the dishwasher she ordered just to end up being tormented by a misogynistic support agent.

Anyway, the class goes fine, discussion and classwork are active and fine, and the vice principal leaves. So the next period passes. Then the next period (which she knows full well is my conference period; keep that in mind). Then lunch. Then the next period. And, finally, during sixth period, this vice principal waddles back into my classroom and, while I'm trying to get students settled before the bell rings, she walks up to me and, with every obnoxious intonation from that scene in Office Space (you all know the one!):

VP - Yeah, so... I can't have you use that audio you played for 2nd period, yeah...

Me - Wait, why are you just saying this now?

VP - Well, it took me a while to get back down here...

Me - You could have sent an email.

VP - Yeah, you just need to find a replacement audio and assignment for 7th period. Yeah...

Me - The audio was fine. It's no worse than you guys having me teach Gatsby with Tom Buchanan's blatant misogyny and racism and Myrtle getting hit by that car.

VP - Yeah, well... If a parent were to complain, I would have to be the one to deal with it, yeah...

Me - ... (thinking "Oh, so you'd actually have to do your fucking job?")

VP - So... Yeah, just make sure to change the audio and make a new assignment, okay? Okay, thank you~!

One of my students, after the bell finally rings - Ms. Lit? Is everything good?

Me - ... Your school's run by cowards. Anyway, get out your Silent Reading books.

And, later that evening (literally, this was around 8 PM), she calls herself sending an email talking about 'Per our discussion today, you were instructed to no longer use audio from the 'NoSleep Podcast' website in your class. This website is listed as containing mature and potentially triggering material...'

To which I responded (my email was formal but this is my angry summary) - EVERYTHING IS 'POTENTIALLY TRIGGERING'. Hell, you guys have me teaching my 10th graders about vaccine articles! I'm sure that could be considered triggering to anyone who lost a loved one to COVID! But, fiiiine! If the issue at hand is to present a perfectly sterile environment with nothing that could ever run the risk of upsetting anyone, I will gladly empty out the classroom library of all the books that the librarian dropped off and give them back to her. Let me know!!!'

...

And to this day, I never got a response to that email. But, hey. I did comply and stop utilizing The NoSleep Podcast in my classroom.

I just started using Uncanny County and various Creepypasta readings instead!

[songmingisthighs]

Blog Rules + FAQ

I've been wanting to make this for a while because I feel like some of you don't have manners (I'm talking about you anons 1-8) and it's hurting those who I'm trying to accommodate (and me ??? bc y'all annoying as fuck, go suck a cactus)

this list will be updated as i go so please refer to this post if you ever want to know something regarding this blog

I don't have many rules bc honestly, this blog is both a joke and a safe space. but the most important rules that I implement are :

the anonymous function is there to accommodate those who want to interact but don't want to reveal themselves or don't have their own account so they borrowed someone else's account and just do not want to out themselves. so, if you have any complaints, comments, critiques, writing suggestions or even straight up hate comments, do it to me off anon or else that's you giving me your consent to absolutely obliterate the fuck out of you and I'm not even kidding when i say i can be SO MEAN when i want to be

that being said, if you do have genuine questions or confusion or even want me to elaborate on some things, do consider the words you use and their connotations. there's a difference between "i don't think this makes sense" and "i don't quite understand this, what does this part means?" or "you're offensive" and "i feel like the word you use is rather insensitive" and I would GLADLY make a 2 page essay to explain my thought process because i know that sometimes the things i say can rub some people the wrong way even though i don't mean it. but for the sake of the shit i wrote like to imitate real conversations between characters esp in terms of like how close and comfortable they are with each other (the kind of relationship hey have), I'm risking myself offending some of you but that's why i am beyond willing to explain myself if y'all ask bc let's be honest, i can't post an explanation after EVERY post when no one is complaining.

tone indicators (/j, /hj, /gen, /affectionate) are never wrong esp if you and i haven't established a relationship bc there are some anons and some blogs that i interact with a lot and we are aware of our relationship alr

keep in mind that these rules exist to protect myself and the anons who genuinely do want to interact with my blog as anons. if you break any of my rules or if you cross me in any sort of way, i have god, an emoji creature that creeps the fuck out of everyone i know, and the fact that I'm a virgo with nothing to lose on my side, so you WILL get wrecked one way or another.

that being said, here are some of the FAQs i got.

q. do you do requests?

a. no, i'm not taking requests. between my series and the recurring ideas that randomly pops up in my head, i don't have the time and energy and frankly i don't want to disappoint. BUT !! if someone sends me an unsolicited request and it ended up inspiring me, i might do it but i'm not promising anything

q. do you only write for ateez?

a. rn yes, but it seems like I'm gonna start writing for xikers ??? and even though most of their members have reached legal age, i am currently not comfortable writing mature/rated stuff for them yet. rn I'm even still incorporating them into my ateez fics as to familiarize myself and i even have this baby!xikers and dad!ateez au thing i made with my friend so for now, that's the best i can provide

q. do you write yandere or darker themes?

a. it depends. i'm still struggling to label certain stuff ??? like i'm still familiarizing myself to the concept of CNC and kinkier stuffs and I'm still expanding my knowledge. that being said, i draw the line on the sexualization of : rape, incest, drugging, bestiality, (and more to be added bc ngl i can't think of anything else rn so I'll get back to you on that)

q. are minors allowed to interacy with your blog ?

a. absolutely, anyone is welcomed. but for the sake of safety and me not being cancelled, if you are a minor, please do not react with my mature stuff or the mature stuff i reblog. I'm putting a lot of trust in yiu guys so please DO NOT betray my trust

q. what apps do you use for your smau ?

a. i use Twinote and Fake Chat which are on android (google play) but idk if it's available on apple store

[icharchivist]

maybe lucifer is into watching belial get laid tho. lucifer would never touch anyone other than sandy but belial doesnt strike me as mutually exclusive with lucilius. so lucifer lives vicariously through his slut of a brother and is happy for him finally getting some attention from his loving fans. you wouldnt wanna deprive them of that right?

type of ask that is exactly why i didn't elaborate when i first hinted at it, while also reminding me that i'm a fool to have thought i could just mention it and not have to pay the price of my hubris, i'm boo oo the fool.

I need to elaborate on an analysis standpoint that we KNOW Belial has sex with others people though, there's this Erune girl that he ends up killing that goes on about how much she got it going with Belial, so we know that him flirting around isn't just talk. Like yeah emotionally speaking he's devoted to Lucilius and no one else but listen if you're lover has been a decapitated head for two thousand years and you're a horny bastard you gotta find physical affection elsewhere. (and while i'm here damning my hubris i'm still here with the further hubris of thinking of adding something horrible to this paragraph and holding back, while also knowing just saying that is going to bring attention to it so now i have to say it, this is an awful day)(anyway isn't it great that getting a head has multiple meanings that doesn't make this specific situation particularly cursed)(this is the thing that was in my mind btw don't ask me to elaborate i've spilled the beans it's enough already😭)

POINT IS that Belial is clearly going around on this one and isn't exclusive to Lucilius, that is a fact.

for Lucifer though....................................... no comment. This ask has already gone completely off tracks and i don't know how i can possibly live with myself after it.

I would gladly deprive him of that though, on a scale from Belial to Lucifer how do you live your slutty life when your beloved is basically away from you for over 2k years. It's terrible either way so hey.

[nushy]

i'm sorry for this one.

(as always, you can find pt.1 here, pt.2 here, pt.3 here and pt.4 here)

pairing: eddie munson x fem!reader

summary: you are the new girl in town and Eddie is seeing something he likes. And you too. And, we finally got to the slutty part of my mind.

warnings: first - SMUT - no minors, pls. a lot of spelling and grammar errors (sorry, english is not my native language), 18+ graphic smut, unprotected piv (don't do this!), oral, smoking, swearing

word count: 2.2K

You were in Eddie’s room, both of you high. He was sitting on the one end of the bed, holding his own guitar, trying to play the song that you earlier played, and you were silently watching him.

You were tracing his fingers; the way they were grabbing the guitar. The big rings on his fingers. How big his hands looked. You wondered how his hands would look on your throat. Or on your boobs. You could feel the heat washing over you. Your cheeks turned red. Eddie continued playing, the muscles on his upper arm were tense. You clenched your legs. You felt like your skin was burning beneath the leather clothes you were wearing.

Suddenly, you stopped thinking. You decided that you would act straight forward.

“Hey Eddie.” he didn’t answer loudly, but you could hear him hum. “Wanna fuck?”

He froze. Slowly, painfully slowly, he looked at you. Your face was like a statue, no emotion. Was this a mistake? He didn’t answer, he was just looking at you. Waiting. He was wondering if he had heard you correctly. You decided to elaborate.

“You know… I’m horny, but I can’t just go to anyone, so I was wondering if you would want to… you know… do it.” You decided to go with a half-truth. You were horny, but you really wanted to fuck HIM. “But, forget it, this was stupid. Pretend I didn’t say that.” you moved your gaze from his eyes and looked at the floor. All of your confidence had disappeared.

Silence.

“You… do you really want to?” he asked, his voice shaking. You looked at him and nodded. Of course you wanted. Has he seen himself? He put the guitar on the floor and stared at you. Your confidence suddenly came back. If words wouldn’t work, then let the actions speak. You stood from where you were lying and went to Eddie, sitting on his lap. He didn’t react, just looking in your eyes, not breaking contact. You rested your arms on his shoulders and looked him, closer than ever before. You traced his face features, remembering everything.

“I want you, pretty boy.” you said, your warm breath brushed his lips. Your voice was heavy with lust. You started this so you had to end it. “Do you want me?” he gulped, giving you a small nod. Oh my, he was so sweet. You moved even closer to him, his arms still on the bed, like he didn’t even dare to touch you. “I want you to fuck me like it’s the last thing you’ll ever do.” you said sweetly in his ear. He stopped breathing. You were worried for a second, but then he took a deep breath. You looked him in the eyes again, your faces only inches away, noses almost touching. You couldn’t take it anymore – so you kissed him. It was a simple kiss, you just placed your lips on his, waiting for his reaction. It was like a start button – he quickly placed one of his arms on your lower back, and the other one on your neck, drawing you closer to him, deepening the kiss. His tongue brushed your lips, wanting permission to enter in your mouth. And you gladly let him in. The kiss was slow, electric even. You could feel the heat in your lower belly growing bigger. And you could feel something else in Eddie growing harder. You smiled in the kiss. You moved your hips, creating friction and he moaned. The sweetest sound you have ever heard. Now his hands were all over you – on your back, on your hips, on your ass. And everywhere they touched you, they left a burning mark.  You let out a sigh when both his hands were on your ass, pulling you towards him. Yours were in his hair, pulling lightly with every touch. His mouth moved to your neck, leaving wet traces. You closed your eyes, wanting to feel every second of this.

Eddie was not really experienced – he had been with two girls, the first one only for the simple idea of doing the deed, cause none of them wanted to be virgin for life. The other… he didn’t even know why he was with her – the sex was the most boring thing in the world. But Eddie had other experience – as stupid as it sounded, he spent a lot of time at the back room of the video store, strolling through the endless choices of porno, and, what’s more, he read a lot of magazines, that explained what women wanted. It may sound stupid, but Eddie wanted the woman to be pleased, so he absorbed every word from those magazines, imagining everything in his head. And now, that you were in his hands, he was ready to show you what he had learned. He wanted you to be not just pleased. He wanted you to be in heaven.

His hands moved to your top, searching for a way to remove it, but still not breaking the kiss. You helped him, as you wanted to feel him even closer. That’s why your hands were even faster in removing his shirt. You looked at his naked chest, tracing every tattoo with your fingers. He, on the other hand, was mesmerized by the fact that you didn’t have a bra on – your naked tits were right in front of him. His right hand immediately grabbed you breast, playing with your nipple. At the same time his mouth was moving again on your neck, going lower and lower, until it reached your other tit, placing wet kisses on every inch he could reach. Finally, he sucked you nip, and that started a real fire in you. You let out a loud moan.

“Eddie… fuck.” was all you could say, as one of his hands was massaging one of your tits, and his mouth was sucking and lightly biting the other’s nipple. You could feel him, pulsing underneath you and that made you even hornier. You grinded on his lap, right where you could feel him. Your movement made Eddie groan. He couldn’t take it anymore. He lifted you easily and put you on his bed, him right on top of you, kissing you hungrily again. His hands were now on your hips, squeezing them, moving fast towards your ass. Slowly, painfully slowly, Eddie moved down. Kissing every inch of your neck, your chest, your stomach. Then he moved to your inner tights, his hands playing with your skirt and then really fast moving it up, exposing your pants. You thanked yourself for putting a pretty pair – your favorite black lace one. And by the look of it, Eddie liked it too. He smiled, face so close to your cunt that it hurt you. “Eddie, you don’t have to.” you said quietly, but he just shook his head. He didn’t talk much, he was all action. His finger traced your center, starting from where your entrance was and slowly moving to your clit. It was too much for you. You moaned again and Eddie enjoyed the sound of it – so he did it again, this time applying a bit more pressure. You grasped his sheets. A loud “Ah…” escaped your mouth as he placed a kiss on your clit through the panties.

“Can I?” was the first thing he said after everything started. You nodded, understanding that he was asking if he could remove your panties. And he did. After that he froze for a moment, so you lifted your head and looked at him.

“Eddie, you really don’t have to do it.” you said again. He looked you, his eyes dark and full of lust.

“No, baby, I want it. But let me just worship you for a moment.” He was gonna be the death of you. Cause this had to be the hottest thing a guy has ever told you. What’s more – no guy liked to go down on a girl. Yes, they all wanted a blowjob, or a handjob, but no one wanted to give pleasure to the girl. But Eddie, Eddie was right there between your thighs, his warm breath brushing over your aching cunt. Then, without saying a thing, he just took his tongue out and traced it through you folds, starting from the center and finishing at the clit, then stopping there and sucking on it. You screamed. The pleasure was too much to take, the heat was taking you like a big wave. But it could be even better, when Eddie put one finger in you, curling it in just the right angle to reach the best place.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck, yes…” was all you could say, your breaths shacking. You felt the orgasm nearing, as Eddie sucked your clit, and now had put a second finger in you, fucking you painfully slowly. “Don’t…. stop…I’m so… close” you breathed and Eddie obeyed. He kept the pace, this time looking you in the eyes while sucking on you. You met his gaze, the look of him between your thighs was what triggered the biggest orgasm you have ever felt. Your toes curled, back arched and a soft “Eddie.” left your mouth as a white mist covered you mind. Eddie was still slowly fucking you with his fingers and you could feel a second burning feeling forming. Oh, he is gonna be the death of me, you thought, as you grabbed him and pulled him in for a kiss. You tasted yourself on his lips, but it was not enough, so you grabbed the hand he was fucking you with and sucked on the fingers, still covered with your juices. He groaned at the sight, immediately bringing you for a deep kiss. His hands were again all over you, you needed to do the same, so you traced his strong back, going lower, stopping at his belt and moving to the front, undoing it. You unbuttoned his jeans and grabbed his member. Shit was the only thing you could think of as you felt how hard and how big he was. Eddie bit your ear from the sexual arousal.

“Lay on your back.” you tried to push him, or to guide him to switch places, but he shook his head.

“It’s about you now, I want you to feel good.” he said. You moaned again, this one was so pathetic, as his hand reached for your clit again, rubbing circles.

“No…” you whispered. “I need you… inside of me.” was all you could say as you could feel another orgasm forming form the way he was treating you.

“As you wish, princess.” he said in your ear, making you shiver. He quickly removed his jeans and boxers and reached for his night stand.

“No, I want you like this.” you needed him now. “I’m on the pill.” you murmured, reaching for him. Eddie didn’t hesitate for a moment. He aligned himself with your entrance and slowly started to enter you. You whined at the feeling – he was so big and thick, that just from the tip you felt so cock-drunk. When he was all inside, he stopped for a moment so you could adjust to the feeling. And you? You felt full, in the best way possible. Then he started moving, first slowly, then he started faster, and faster, and faster. His eyes were so dark, the lust making him more confident. He grabbed one of your legs and placed it on his shoulder and his other arm reached for your throat, lightly squeezing it, just enough for your vision to blur. It was so much for you to take – he was completely filling you up, he was reaching all the right spots in you, the way your leg was lifted up helped so much for that thing and on top of that the hand on your throat was the hottest thing in the world. You moaned, screamed, whined, all at once as you felt the orgasm coming.

“Eddie, I’m… so… close.” tears coming from your eyes. Eddie started moving even faster, harder, he somehow went even deeper than before. Your eyes rolled in your head as you reached your climax, your legs started shaking uncontrollably. But Eddie didn’t stop, nearing his own orgasm, he continued the fast pace, you could feel the overstimulation. But it didn’t take much time for him to cum, filing you up even more than you already were. He took a sharp breath and collapsed on the bed right next to you. Your legs were still shaking lightly. And yet, you felt empty. Like a part of you was taken. You still wanted him, needed him.

“Fuck.” was all he could say through his labored breaths. You only nodded, eyes closed, trying to keep the feeling of him, filling you up. “Was it good?” he asked out of nowhere. You looked him with question in your eyes. “I mean… it was my first time going down on a girl, so… was it… good?” He was once again the old Eddie. You laughed.

“Babe, if you ask me now, I could not even tell you my name. It was not good.. it was godlike.”

[lyranova]

Hey💕

Can i get a headcanon where the captains react to nozel and dorothy dating💛

Ty💙

Hiya Anon 🥰! Of course you can I’m sorry these took so long to write but I hope you enjoy these 💕!

———

Yami:

• Would probably think it was a joke at first.

• But once he realized that Nozel and Dorothy were serious he would get serious.

• He would be pretty surprised though, he would ask Dorothy if she was sure she wasn’t sick or losing her eyesight much to Nozel’s annoyance.

• But he would be happy for them and would congratulate them on being together, but he would sometimes give Nozel a hard time about it.

William:

• Would be surprised I think

• He hadn’t known Nozel to really date anyone or show an interest in dating at all.

• But as he thought about it, the signs were there, how Dorothy supported and tried to comfort him especially after the battle with Spade, and how Nozel smiled a bit more around her and was a little more warm and talkative.

• He congratulated them happily and hoped they would be happy together.

Fuegoleon:

• Would be half surprised.

• He, like William, had seen the signs that his cousin and the dream mage had feelings for each other.

• He probably gave Nozel advice on his feelings and how he could try to confess to Dorothy if he wanted.

• He would congratulate the couple and probably told Nozel if he ever needed advice he would gladly try and give it to him.

Charlotte:

• She would be happy for them and maybe a bit surprised.

• She had probably been told by Dorothy about her feelings for Nozel.

• Charlotte probably knew when Dorothy confessed to him her feelings Charlotte was probably the first or second person to find out because Dorothy was so happy and excited.

• She congratulated them and most likely took notes on what Dorothy did so that way she could try to confess to Yami again.

Rill:

• Was the most surprised.

• He didn’t even know the two were interested in each other to be honest.

• He probably reenacted what he thought the confession was like, much to Nozel’s irritation but much to Dorothy’s glee.

• But he would congratulate them and probably offered to paint them a portrait if they wanted!

Jack:

• Like Yami, Jack thought it was a joke.

• He and Yami both probably sat and made jokes until they realized Nozel and Dorothy realized they were being serious.

• Would then be very surprised, he, like Yami, couldn’t believe that Dorothy was dating someone like Nozel.

• But he would begrudgingly congratulate the couple, while muttering how this had to be some elaborate prank or joke.

[writing-in-a-chipotle]

Unbearably Mortal (Part 2)

(Alcina Dimitrescu x gender neutral reader)

Part 1

Words: ~2.5 K

Summary: In which a lot of things happen and none of them are good.

A/N: Hey, y’all! Back at it again with another chapter! Hope you enjoy!

“Nope nope nope nope… no way in hell…” You shook your head violently, unable to process what Mary had said. “This is… this is all some sort of elaborate prank, right? You’re messing with me. Yeah.” You swallowed. Your saliva felt like acid.

Mary grimaced. “I’m sorry, but this isn’t a game. This is very much reality.”

“So… what are they then?” You began pacing the floor, anxiety clinging to the pit of your stomach. “You expect me to believe that they’re some sort of weird, blood-sucking vampires?? You must be out of your mind… they don’t exist! They can’t be real!”

Mary stood up and walked over to you, gently placing her hands on your shoulders. With her blocking your path, you were forced to stop pacing and look at her.

“Listen,” She began, eyes gleaming with fear “I have no need to lie to you. Believe whatever you want to believe, for the only thing on the line right now is your head. Jane and I risked our lives to save you. If we were caught, all of us would have died. So, are you going to freak out and get yourself killed, or are you gonna listen to me?”

You were stunned into silence. Mary was being deathly serious. You nodded shakily.

“Good.” Mary breathed a sigh of relief. “If you had a mental breakdown and they heard…” She didn’t finish her sentence. She didn’t need to either; the implication was horrifying enough as it was.

“Thank you, by the way,” you sighed, sitting back down on the bed, “you really didn’t have to save me.”

“Honestly, I’m still scared out of my mind,” she admitted breathily, “but I’m glad you’re better now.”

“Thanks.”

She hummed, then pursed her lips. Her frown deepened even more. “Well… now what do we do? The Dimitrescu family is notorious for slaughtering any trespassers they find.”

Your eyes widened and your stomach dropped. “Oh no… oh no, no, no…”

You were stuck. You were stuck in a terrifying castle with horrifying, blood-sucking monsters who would gladly turn you into a mangled corpse on their living room floor. You had no way to call for help, and your parents probably didn’t even know what was happening…

Your phone.

You patted your pockets and fished through them. Let’s see: some dirt, a crumpled flight itinerary, your house keys… aha!

“...what’s in the box?” Mary asked, “I don't think I’ve seen anything like it before.”

You blinked. Box? “Oh, this? It’s my phone.” You rotated it slowly in your fingers so she could easily see all its sides. “It’s a bit larger and blockier than your average iPhone because it’s designed to connect directly to the satellite, making it easy to call anyone from anywhere in the world. It cost me a lot of money, but since I was planning on traveling the world after I graduated, I decided it wouldn’t hurt to have it a few years early.”

Mary gave you a completely confused stare. “What’s an… iPhone? Or a sad-del-light? Did you make those up?”

You frowned, your eyebrow twitching in confusion. “Uh… no? I wouldn’t make anything like this up. You… you truly don’t know what modern technology is like?”

She shook her head. “I’ve… never been outside the village. I have no idea what the rest of the world is like.”

“And you don’t have a phone? Internet? Anything??”

“I’m afraid not,” She fidgeted with the hem of her skirt, “the Lords don’t allow anyone to leave the village or write letters to the outside world.”

A chill shot up your spine. “That’s… terrifying…”

Mary nodded, then tilted her head, thinking. She pursed her lips and motioned with her finger for you to come closer. You lean your ear to her.

“What is it?” You whisper.

“There are rumors of a girl who escaped the Lord’s wrath,” she began, “apparently, she managed to leave the village unharmed. There was an old hag who used to moan about how her daughter left her for a new life. She sounded half mad, so no one bothered listening to her.”

Your grandmother. She was talking about your grandmother.

And your mom.

This meant that… your mom knew about these crazy monsters? That she let you come here, to a place where you would most likely die? Alone??

Nothing made sense anymore.

You realized you had zoned out of Mary’s story. You shook your head, bringing your attention back to the present.

“Is that a good idea?”

“Uh, sorry, what?” You blinked. Mary was staring at you like you were an idiot. (Which you were, but that’s not the point.)

“I said,” she repeated, “you need to blend in until we can figure out how to escape.”

“That’s… that’s a pretty good idea. And wait….” you repeated her words in your mind. “We? You want to come too?”

“Goddess, it’s like you’re dense or something.” Mary muttered under her breath. “Of course I want to leave! Are you out of your mi-“

“I get it, I get it,” you huffed, interrupting her, “What do we do now?”

“Now,” she folded her arms, “we need to get you a disguise.” She walked over to a tiny dresser in the far corner and pulled out a neatly-folded maid’s uniform. “I hope you’re my size.”

————————

Turns out you weren’t Mary’s size.

You couldn’t help it; your new friend was practically a walking stick. Your shoulders were too broad, your legs too long; but with Mary’s excellent sewing skills, you were able to make it work… sort of.

“Damn, this uniform is itchy,” you complained, scratching at the neckline.

“You’ll grow used to it after a while,” Mary replied. “Now we need to get to work or-“

“We’ll be made into wine. Got it.” You straightened out your sleeves.

She nodded. “Just follow my lead.”

The two of you walked quickly and quietly out of the servant’s quarters. Your heart was racing. Every time you turned a corner, you half expected a bloodied monster to jump the both of you and tear out your arteries.

You rounded another bend and nearly walked into Mary. She had stopped suddenly and immediately fled to the side of the hallway, bowing deeply at the corridor. You quickly followed her lead.

The moment you bowed your head, a steady buzzing filled your ears.

Swarms of flies flitted through your vision as they flew down the hall, buzzing excitedly. Maliciously. You don’t know how they managed to convey such emotions, but they seemed…. off.

And then, they changed.

The insects spiraled and spun into a large, buzzing mass, sewing themselves into a completely different form; one with a deep black cloak, ghoulishly pale hands, wild blonde hair…

And blood-stained teeth.

Mary curtsied deeply and you were quick to follow suit. “Good evening, Lady Bela,” she said softly, refusing to look up, “how may we be of service?”

Bela gave a bored wave of her hand. “We’re a bit... short-staffed in the kitchens at the moment,” she drawled, “Mother doesn’t want dinner to be served a second too late. She-” Her eyes fell on you and she stopped dead in her tracks. “You smell familiar, human…” she growled.

Oh no, you were dead, you were dead, you were dead. Cold sweat fell from your neck, and your heart raced. Bela stepped closer to you, brows furrowed and hungry eyes glinting.

“They’re new, Lady Bela,” Maria said quickly.

She raised an immaculate brow. “New, you say?”

“Yes, Miss.”

“... I see.”

It was only a moment before she leaned away, but to you, it felt like hours. The Dimitrescu was a terrifyingly deadly whirlwind, one that seemed to stare directly into your soul… maybe even smell your fear. Bela’s lips twitched, giving you a glimpse of sharp fangs.

“Well then, newcomer,” she hissed, amusement dripping in her voice, “if you’re so eager to serve us, I want you to pour the wine.”

Your heart raced in panic, your hands shaking. Pouring the wine meant seeing these monsters at their most bloodthirsty. It meant you would get caught.

I won’t survive, you thought fearfully.

You quickly dropped into a clumsy curtsy before you forgot yourself. “A-as you wish, Lady Bela,” you choke out.

“Hm… we’ll see, won’t we.” She dissolved into a sea of flies and flew down the hallway and out of sight.

You breathed heavily. Your heart was still going a mile a minute. Before you could say anything, Mary grabbed your arm and tugged you along.

“Wha-“

“Shh,” she hissed. “Not yet.”

You followed her silently to the kitchen. This whole situation was too hard to process… you’d barely been in Romania for a day and you suddenly had to face the reality of your imminent death.

You felt lightheaded. Your vision swam.

“Where are you, draga mea?” A smooth, enchanting voice swirled in your mind. You felt your pulse hammering in your temples. The voice sounded so close, yet so far away. It was familiar and warm… but it was too hard to tell if it meant anything. You were too woozy, too lightheaded…

“It’s time to wake up, darling,” the voice continued dreamily, “Open your eyes for me?”

“...hey… hey!” A familiar voice hissed, “hello? Are you alright?”

Your eyes snapped open.

Mary stood in front of you, her hands on your shoulders. Once she saw you move, she breathed a sigh of relief. “Are you alright? You haven’t blinked for the past few minutes, nor have you responded to anything or anyone around you.”

“Yeah, I just…” you swallowed thickly. What was wrong with you? “... I just spaced out.” Mary frowned, giving you a suspicious glance, but didn’t push.

You were in the kitchen. Cooks and maids bustled around in an organized fashion, whispering instructions to each other while slicing, cooking, and plating bright red slabs of meat. You definitely didn’t want to know what kind the Dimitrescu’s were eating tonight.

Someone grabbed your arm and you flinched, turning around. It was one of the older cooks, a salt and pepper haired woman with soot-stained clothes and greasy calloused hands. She shoved a a bottle of wine into your hands so fast, you nearly dropped it. She glowered at you.

“As soon as the meal is served, you pop open the bottle and pour for everyone.” She hurriedly rattled off instructions. “When they finish their drink, pour them another. You do not look at them, you do not touch them or their glasses, you don’t even breathe around them. And for the love of the Goddess: Do. Not. Spill.”

You gulped and nodded. You just had to do your job, then leave. That’s all. You could do this.

Or so you told yourself.

The old woman gave you a quick look, and for a moment it seemed she gave you a twinge of a sympathetic smile. But just like that it was gone, replaced by her signature scowl.

“Alright, we go in three…” she held up three fingers covered in burn scars. One second passed. Then another.

The kitchen maids smoothly entered the dining room in one sweeping motion; a flurry of skirts and iron serving trays. You followed them close behind. The maids placed the trays in front of each Dimitrescu before fleeing to the kitchen single file.

And then it hit you.

You were the only maid who was supposed to stay throughout the entire meal.

Without you even knowing it, Bela had assigned you one of the most dangerous jobs at the castle; one where you had to stay, alone, in the same room as four hungry, bloodthirsty vampires.

You quickly began pouring the wine.

You walked around the massive mahogany table, trying your best not to spill the blood-red drink. You poured for Bela first, and you tried your absolute best not to look her in the eye. You didn’t know what you would do if you saw her grinning.

You moved on to the next Dimitrescu: a redhead with glistening fangs. As you poured, she suddenly hissed. In your surprise, you fumbled the bottle. But you didn’t spill.

The last sister (you assumed all three of them were sisters based on their similar appearances) was a brunette with mischievous eyes. You didn’t mean to look at her… you really didn’t…

Based on her low, rumbling cackle, you knew you were doomed.

The last Dimitrescu, the Lady Dimitrescu, was much different than the other three. She was incredibly tall, with a flowing white dress that fell to her ankles, a wide-brimmed hat…

And pearly-white satin gloves.

Why did that seem so familiar?

You shook your head. You had to stop thinking and just pour the wine! You only had one more glass to fill, after all.

The brunette stuck out her foot, and you went down.

You landed on top of the bottle, and it shattered under you. Glass and wine flew everywhere, piercing your clothes, slicing your skin, staining the rug…

And completely drenching the front of Lady Dimitrescu’s immaculate dress.

The air cracked with electricity. “You...” she hissed, in a stranglely familiar voice.

Before you could even beg for forgiveness, the towering terror of a woman stood from the table and grasped you by the collar before you could even blink.

She growled, breath smelling of blood. “You will pay for your insole-“ her breath hitched. Her death grip on you loosened and faded, till you dropped to the floor like a rag doll.

Fearfully, you looked up at her.

Her demeanor had completely changed. Where once stood a cold-hearted monster was a shocked, crying… woman. Tears streaked down her face, dripping from her chin as she sunk to the floor. She didn’t look like a monster, she looked… human.

The lady reached out a gloved hand, then flinched as if burned. She looked lost and confused and sad; unable to process what she was looking at… or rather, who she was looking at.

A chill ran up your spine, fearful tendrils snaking through your system as you both stared into each other’s eyes.

And then, Lady Dimitrescu uttered a single word, barely a whisper at all, and your stomach dropped. Your world spun.

“Y/N?”

You couldn’t move. Couldn’t think. Everything you had ever known was completely useless, and your life would end at any moment, you were sure. You felt like crying, you felt like throwing up.

She said your name.

Lady Dimitrescu, one of the most powerful supernatural beings in the world, who couldn’t possibly know who you were, had said your name.

It was too much. There were too many strong emotions, too many near-death experiences in one day. Your body was bloody and exhausted, your energy spent.

You collapsed on the dining room floor, and your vision faded to black.

[that-one-weeb-but-starwars]

A ball| Tup

Note: they did not need to make him that Pretty

Warnings: no not really, just Tup and Y/n fallin in love and steamy scene at the very end but kinda not really, also this is really long

Reader: female

Part 1 | 2 (in the works)

"Checkmate," Satine spoke.

"Damn it..." Y/n muttered, hand on her chin as Satine had one yet again another game.

Satine smiled at her, as Y/n tried reading the board seeing how it had exactly happened.

"Duchess, excuse me." A guard interrupted their leisurely game outside in the guards of the castle.

"It's no problem, what seems to be the problem?" Satine questioned.

"The preparations for the ball are underway, the royal seamstress says your outfits are done and asks if you both can approve of them."

"Yes of course," Satine spoke, two more guards walking up with boxes.

"Oh. no, I'm quite okay," Y/n responded, resetting the black and clear glass pieces.

"Y/n, you are turning 19, my dear, you'll need to look presentable," Satine spoke.

"Dutchess I believe I look presentable, I'm quite comfortable like this as well," Y/n told.

"I know my sweet child, you've always been comfortable with the bare minimum, but please, let me spoil you for one day," Satine responded.

Y/n was quiet as she set the final piece down, "very well..."

Satine smiled as she stood up to look inside the box and approve the dress, Y/n sat in thought, Satine wasn't her mother, no they looked drastically different after all, Y/n had been left in a bush in the palace gardens, Satine finding the child alone and in silence, busying herself with one of the flowers. Satine had gladly kept the child inside the palace walls until a parent came along, but no one ever came and Satine was suddenly a mother.

"Mistress." The guard spoke snapping her out of thought.

"Oh uh, yes." Y/n spoke standing up from her seat, and looking at the creme outfit with barely a glance, "Yes, it's beautiful, tell the Seamstress 100 thanks."

The guard nodded covering the box as they all bowed and left, Satine frowned, "Come walk. Let's talk my daughter."

"General Skywalker, do, do we really have to go as well?" Tup questioned, droids handing them all dark blue suits almost black in color, and matte.

"Yes, Obi-Wan was double security at this event for the Dutchess, and I agree with him," Anakin spoke, "Separatist parties will be there, Duchess Satine has a knack for being able to convince people, and with Padame they're practically an unstoppable team."

"But," Tup spoke, "Sir a, a party?"

"Diplomatic party, you'll be fine Tup."

Anakin then walked away to let his boys get ready and go get himself ready.

"I look good," Fives spoke checking himself out in the mirror.

"It's nice to wear something besides armor." Hardcase commented, "Makes me feel like a civie."

"A civie that just has thousands of replicas." Dogma argued.

"Oh get the stick out your ass," Jesse argued, "We can have fun for the one time in our life on the job,"

"Hey," Kix placed a hand on Tup's shoulder, "You okay?"

"Huh? Yeah," Tup spoke, "Crowds, uh aren't my thing."

"I'll make sure Rex posts you on the patio outside, you won't be around too many people then," Kix told.

"No, It's fine, I'm on the job- I'll, uh...just focus on that," Tup responded.

"Are you sure?"

Tup nodded as Kix returned the nod in understanding, going back to dressing himself, Tup went over to his bunk to dress, he'd admit, even though he was the same as everyone else in that room, he still felt shy, being a bit leaner than the others he started pulling his armor off to dress in the new outfit, simply putting the outfit over his blacks.

"What- No! Hey I want a titty window!" Fives argued.

"No," Echo demand, buttoning up his brother's shirt fixing Fives vest as well.

Tup stayed silent as he buttoned up the shirt, tucking it into the slacks and putting on the matching vest.

"OH Ho HO!" Fives whistled, "Look at Tup!"

"Yeah, thanks," Tup spoke, fixing the collar of his shirt, and pushing up the sleeves.

"Come on! Let your hair down! We're going somewhere fancy!"

"I'm good." Tup spoke

"He's way to excited for this." Dogma protested causing Tup to chuckle.

"You look nice." Tup commented.

"Uh. Yeah I guess." Dogma spoke.

The two had gotten close due to one another due to being not only regular troopers with no rank, but due to there quietness.

"OH HO HO! LOOK WHO JUST CAME IN! GENERAL TANO!"

The boys turned there head whistling playfully.

"Bad bitch is the house."

She wore a pinstrip pant suit, the lines orange on white fabric and a pair of heels. She laughed.

"We're almost there." She spoke, "Skyguy wants us on the transports now."

Tup followed suit of everyone else. Everyone doing as asked, it was odd, seeing everyone dressed up all fancy and nice.

Y/n sighed.

"Look up madame. They'll be plenty fine gentlemen there." A maid tried to pursuade, "or a woman if you'd prefer."

"Yes. I know." Y/n responded mindlessly, nose stuck in the book about game tactics, her goal to be her mother, "mhm. I've never tried that before."

The maid sighed finishing y/n's hair in the crowned braid.

"Look look beautiful."

"Mhm."

The maid frowned, and there was a knock on the door. It opened as Satine came in, the maid bowing and leaving quickly.

"You're nose still stuck in a book. You remind me much of Obi-wan."

"Is the party over yet?" Y/n questioned flipping the page.

"It hasnt even began my dear." Satine spoke, expecting a comment back Y/n kept silent sitting infront of her simple vanity it black in color and matched the bench she sat on.

Satine walked over, taking the open spot next to Y/n.

"What is wrong me dear?" Satine inquired, "You don't avidly read strategic books unless something is wrong."

Y/n sighed, marking the book with a string and setting it down.

"I. I just don't wish to go." Y/n responded.

"It is much bigger than that isn't it?" Satine refered, catching Y/n in her lie.

"I." Y/n sighed, "I am nervous."

"For what my darling?"

"People." Y/n responded, "I. This. People...it's...I dont have the skills."

"Well of course you do,"

"I've never been out the palace walls, I've never fallen in love, I've never been taken advantage of- I just- Don't know anything about people," y/n defended "I've never even seen another sential species besides the holograms and images in my books that use words. I know every launage out there but have never met there people- I-"

"Calm down, take a deep breathe." Satine soothed, "everything will be fine. I will be at your side. The whole time, and you know me. Don't you?"

Y/n nodded as Satine smiled, "You're turning 19 my dear, becoming a young woman. You can do this, and I will guide you through whatever you ask."

Y/n only nodded once more, "now. Lets put our. Pain killing heels on and make haste shall we? Guest are arriving and I'd like to introduce you to your very first group of friends, but first."

Y/n watched as Satine pulled out a box, "I had something much. Much more elaborate my birthday, but you I know. Like to keep things as simple as possible."

Y/n took the small box in hand. Opening the golden box there was a small golden crown, it reminded her of a laurel wreath, yet without as many leaves, a few littered around the gold band with a stone that was ment to set on her forehead.

"For you're love of nature a green stone." Satine spoke.

"Its beatiful, thank you." Y/n spoke softly pulling it out of its box.

"Allow me." Satine spoke, y/n handing it over and bowing her head, Satine with a smile set the item on her head.

Y/n raised her head back up, "quiet beatiful you have become."

Y/n smiled smallly, "now. Shall we make haste? To make new friends?"

Y/n nodded smally as Satine smiled.

With that they were off, y/n following Satine dressed up nice, and thanked maker for the soleless sandles given to her instead of heels.

Y/n wouldn't lie, when General Kenobi arrived as they walked out onto the royal landing pad she found no interest in him, bowing her head respectfully, she did the same with Anakin. A bit more intrigued with Ashoka, but nothing pictures hadn't depicted. A man stood next to Anakin, who was soon introduced as Captain Rex. Y/n welcomed and thanked him for coming, but besides that, she was silent during the conversation.

"Sir, apologies for interrupting."

"It's fine, Jesse go ahead," Anakin spoke, Y/n watching the man with a large tattoo on his face gave a brief report to his general as the two joined the tight group of talkers.

Y/n was intrigued with the man next to him, hair tied back in a bun as his brother in arms talked. He too seemed the silent type, staying behind Jesse's shoulder rather than next to him, it was a slight difference Y/n realized.

"Lady Y/n, these are two are some of my finest men, Jesse and Tup."

"Lady Y/n" Jesse spoke bowing his head.

"Nice to meet you," Tup spoke nervously, his hand outreached for a handshake, Jesse quickly pulling his brother's hand down who was already a nervous wreck.

"Apologies for my brother! He doesn't know how to act!" Jesse scolded elbowing Tup slightly who was already shaming himself mentally and Y/n could sense it, but Jesse was already dragging him away with an insane amount of apologies as he left. 

Y/n watched as they got far enough away to where Jesse had started to drag Tup by the collar of his shirt.

"Lively bunch aren't they?" Satine questioned Y/n who nodded.

"My apologies Duchess, Lady Y/n. The 501st is not very big on tradition, and neither is there general."  Obi-Wan scolded as Anakin shrugged.

"It's okay." Y/n finally spoke up, causing heads to turn, "I, um, apologizes. Duchess if I may."

"Yes, you can go ahead," Satine spoke worried for the girl as she rushed off quickly. 

"Will she be okay?" Ashoka questioned.

"She has no social skills, and on top that, no friends her age," Satine spoke solemnly, "I wish to help her but she's a closed book." 

"Have I got the perfect trooper for her to make friends with," Anakin responded

"You're not sending Fives or Hardcase over to her, if anyone to watch her it'll be Cody, at least he can stay on task," Obi-wan argued.

"I think me and my master have the same idea," Ashoka smirked.

"I- I'm sorry general- Me?" Tup questioned.

"Yes I need a clone with Lady Y/n at all times, and since she seems to like you after a slip up that could have cost us a whole war," Anakin spoke, "You're watching her,"

"General! I. I can't watch her! I. I. I. I have patrol!" Tup tried to argue.

"Kix is on patrol now, she's supposedly back in her room," Anakin spoke.

"Her- what!?" Tup argued.

"one of the guards will escort you thanks again."

"Wait! General!" Tup argued but he was walking away and waving to Tup happily. 

"Are you the clone trooper known as Tup?" A guard asked walking up to him.

"yes, but wait a minute!-"

"This way." 

Tup had no option but to follow a guard at his back and his front as they escorted him to the room. Anxiety racked his body, his hands clammy and squeezing each other as he gulped, the guards stopping and knocking.

"Mistress your escort is here."

"Oh, yes," Y/n spoke quietly, "He may come in alone."

The guards posted outside her room as Tup pushed one of the doors opened, he walked in silently and closed the door behind him carefully.

Looking straight on the large french doors were opened to a patio. Walking towards the open doors he found Y/n sitting on the floor a stack of books beside her with a chessboard by her side, her knees raised to her chest as her dress was laid out around her.

"I'm uh, your guard for the dance," Tup spoke, his thumb pressing into his palm.

"You can go back, I'm not going," Y/n told him, her mouth and jaw covered by her arms propped on her knees.

"oh, uh..." Tup spoke, not knowing what to do.

Y/n looked beside her, "You can sit, maybe you'll get in less trouble that way?"

He nodded in agreement, taking a seat on one side of the chess board. They sat in silence against the wall. Tup looking down at the pieces of the board set up on their respective sides, his clammy hands couldn't help but move a piece. Y/n looked overhearing the crystal click on the board. Looking down she picked up a piece and moved it, Tup moving his next piece without a word. Y/n looked down at the board, her legs falling from her chest and onto the ground flat as she looked over in thought. Picking up her next piece she took his pawn, setting it down on the side.  As they played they could hear the talk of guests starting to come to the palace. Due to where Y/n's room was it wasn't much to hear, just the occasional burst of loud laughter. 

"Ah yes! Yes!" One laughed spoke loudly, "I love the stars!"

Y/n suddenly came with an outburst the came with the man's hearty laugh, "I have loved the stars to foundly-"

"-to be fearful of the night." Tup finished moving his next piece.

Y/n's moved her gaze up softly then chuckled, "Mythology lover?"

"When I have the time, I mostly learn through tell and hear," Tup responded watching Y/n capture another piece.

It was silent again as Tup captured yet another piece, his eyes drifting over to her stack of books. Eyes glancing over the titles.

"H.P Lovecraft?" Tup questioned Y/n nodding.

"I find his stories interesting, I enjoy the horror genere as a whole." Y/n smiled moving her next peice, "do you like horror?"

Tup nodded, "I do occasionally, again hear and tell mostly."

Y/n nodded, "come with me."

Y/n stood up, walking into her room, Tup watching her.

"Come on." Y/n gestured holding out a hand for him.

He took it gently and was pulled up from his spot on the floor. Y/n led him by the hand into her room and towards a wall pushing on a certain spot a small door opened. Y/n leaned down walking through the door as Tup followed, Y/n closed the door behind them.

"Woah."

Y/n smiled, "the palace library."

"I am the only one who's ever in here." Y/n contuined.

The two walked side by side, out from the side of the room and into the center of the room. Tup turned around to speak, but he watched her pass a dusty window, the sun set passing in through cobwebs and dusty, shining on her think crown, her dress flowly and made up of multiple thin layers of fabric.

He gulped as she turned her head, stopping in her spot.

"What's wrong?"

"I," he started but stopped for a momment, "My name, its. It's Tup. I don't know if you-"

"Remember you?" Y/n questioned, "I do."

She walked up to him a hand extended, "Y/n."

He smiled as they shook hands.

"Tup." He introduced himself once again as they chuckled lightly.

They pulled away, Y/n's hands clasped infront of her.

"Well Tup its very nice to meet you again."

"Its nice to meet you too Lady Y/n."

"Lady Y/n!"

She took a quick step back from her closeness with Tup, clearing her throat.

"Oh thank maker..." the gaurd spoke under his breathe, "the duchess wishes for you to greet your guest."

Y/n nodded softly, "Well. Let's go?"

Tup nodded, the two leaving side by side in silence. They two making there way down to the main set of doors which led to the throne room.

"Lady Y/n." Obi-wan spoke, "The Duchess ask I escort you in while introduced."

"Oh." Y/n spoke looking at Tup he gave her an akwards thumb up, she chuckled and smiled at him with a nod.

Y/n smiled Obi wan extending an arm, Y/n linking arms with the Jedi General. The doors opened as they walked forward.

"Introducing Lady Y/n! Daughter of Dutchess Satine! Next in line for the throne!"

Y/n and Obi-wan walked forward people clearing a straight shot to her mother. Her and Obi-wan walked forward, feeling the stares on her she kept silent. It soon because uncomfortable, feeling the gaze more than just simple admiration or awe. She tensed as they walked making her to the steps to Satines throne. She pulled away from Obi-wan, bowing her head to her mother as she walked up, a smaller throne simplistic like how Y/n liked it and took a simple seat, she watched Tup sneak into the room carefully standing next to a man who had a medical band on his arm with his suit, before everyone started to fill the room again.

Satine stood up, she was making a speech Y/n zoned out, it was a greeting, thanking everyone personally for coming to celebrate Y/n's transition into womenhood.

"That's why I am glad to speak, Y/n's hand is extended for potential marraige candidates!"

Y/n sat up shocked, and Satine thanked everyone once again and took a seat. Everyone going back to chatting.

"Excuse me!? Marraige?" Y/n argued.

"It is a formality you do not have to marry anyone."

"Im not taking anyone into consideration," Y/n defended, crossing her arms and leaning back in her seat.

"Lady Y/n-"

"No." Y/n spoke, she was beyond annoyed.

"Thank you for your time..." he spoke bowing his head and walking away heart broken.

Y/n rejected any man that came up to try and give there hand to her.

Tup watched from afar, Kix and Dogma by his side. Men contuined to go up to her and as more and more did she seemed more and more irratated. He quickly walked away from his brothers would watched him out of confusion.

Watching him walk up to the thrown he started walking up the steps.

"Y/n," Tup spoke, holding a hand out for her, "I'd like to spend time with you, perhaps a dance?"

"Hey! Buddy wait in line!" A man argued but Y/n looked at Tup thanks in her eyes.

The lighting on him seemed perfect, he back lit perfectly, his eyes holding a smile along with his lips. Y/n grabbed his hand lightly as Tup helped her up, the two walking down the stairs hand in hand.

"Thank you." Y/n spoke they now in the crowd of people.

"Seems you needed it," Tup answered as Y/n chuckled.

"To the libary?"

"Actually," Tup spoke quietly, "I'd...like to have a dance with you."

Y/n flushed, "t-that sounds good. Yeah."

It was almost on cue did everyone backed up circling people who wanted to dance, Y/n and Tup in the center of it.

"Um. Tup." Y/n spoke.

"Hm?"

"Do you know how to dance?"

"Oh. Uh." Tup spoke, "no actually, do. Do you?"

Y/n shook her head no. The two laughing together as the music started.

"Suppose we should act like we're doing and maybe we'll fall in?" Y/n laughed.

Tup smiled in return, "I suppose."

The music started as they watched other, a simple waltz. Y/n and Tup luckily able to copy others, hands which once were placed in hand on on him, soon became more intimate, fingers intertwining. Tup's hand moving from her hip to the small of her back, she leaning into his touch just a bit more.

"Not bad." Y/n spoke softly, "we're doing decent."

Tup chuckled softly in return, "I suppose us clones learn quick."

"Clone?" Y/n questioned, "you're a clone?"

Tup looked at her confused, "You. You don't know that?" He questioned confused.

"I." Y/n spoke, "I don't mean to sound, uh, Rude."

Tup frowned, maybe she was an avid clone hater?

"I um. Havent payed much attention, to your face, my apologies." Y/n spoke, a flush coming to her cheeks.

"Am I offensive?" Tup questioned.

"No. No. Not at all." Y/n spoke, "On the contrary actually. I. Find you most appealing, your. Voice and presence is quiet soothing. You're a good man."

It was Tup's turn to flush, spinning her around softly as everyone else did. Her dress picking up just the slightest at the ends. Pulling her back into his grasp, it was sudden for both of them, there chest pressed up against one another, faces close, Tup's hand now across the small of her back grabbing her other hip as he lowered her into a dip, Y/n's arm around his neck as he did.

The claps of everyone was muffled in there ears.

Tup's nose brushing against hers as he tilted his head softly, Y/n stopping him with a hand on hie jaw , and she was raised up again in a flash.

"I. Im sorry" Tup apologized, everyone still clapping as Y/n bowed to him red faced.

"I...must go." Y/n spoke quickly rushing away and into the crowd.

"Wait!" Tup called rushing after her, she rushing out the throne room.

"My lady-"

"Im quiet fine a game of tag is all." Y/n defended rushing off, the urge of wanting Tup so bad fueling her feet as she ran from him.

Tup rushed looking both ways, "Which way did she go?"

"Left sir-"

Tup rushed after her, his shoes clicking against the marble floors of the palace as he ran. Seeing her take a turn up ahead he called her name once more, following her quick steps, she rushed into her ungaurded room and closing the door behind her.

Making it to the doors he panted for a moment, soon calming his breath he knocked on the door.

"Please! Y/n I did not mean to upset you!" He begged, "I. I should have asked asked you! I should have never just jumped into it!"

Y/n quiet as she leaned against the door, her body pressed up against it to keep it closed, he seemed genuinely angered with himself, and worried for her.

"I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." Tup spoke softly, "I...just..."

Y/n stayed silent listening.

"I. Seen you for the first time walking up with my brother to report to General Skywalker..." he informed, "I had no idea someone could look so beautiful until I seen you, then. Well then we started that chess game."

Y/n's cheeks grew red as she listened, her heart starting to drop its quickly put up walls.

"You just spoke and It was beautiful. I. I'm not good with words either. I." He sighed, "I didn't realize someone like me could have so much in common with you... half the time my brothers don't like any same things as me. And we're all copies of each other."

The knot in her stomach grew as she gulped, "I. Tup. Its not that I'm mad at you."

Tup was surprised to hear an answer, "I. I think you're quiet beatiful, I. I just...I've never..."

"Y/n you do not need to explain yourself to me." Tup told her.

"Just. Let me finish." Y/n spoke calmly, "I've, well. Tup. I. I. I've never kissed anyone."

Y/n stopped waiting for a laugh, or even a 'yeah right', but she got a sincere chuckle trying to break the ice, "neither have I."

It was a surpise to Tup when the door opened softly, Y/n's flushed face being seen due to the light of the hall.

"Are you okay?" Tup questioned Y/n nodding her gaze to the floor.

"We're you being..serious?" Y/n questioned softly.

Tup nodded, growing nervous himself.

"Would you..umm. like too?" Y/n questioned, "kiss me?"

"I..um." tup spoke his face full red, "yes.."

Y/n opened up the door a bit more so he could come in, taking the hint he walked in the room dark. His eyes not having to adjust as the French doors which were uncovered let in moonlight.

Y/n closed the door quietly, locking it behind her so they'd be uninterrupted. He turned his head watching her walk towards him.

Oh maker.

They stood infront of each other nervously, refusing to make eye contact. Y/n with a shaking hand reached out her hand, her fingers dancing along his shoulder as he looked down.

"Tup. I." Y/n spoke, her other arm following her first one on the other side of his head his hands slipping onto her hips.

Nerves in a bundle they tensed in one anothers arms, faces leaning in slowly, noses brushed up against one another. A few of Tup's fingers tapped and tilted her face to the side as he tilted his own face the other way.

"Tup...Im nervous." Y/n whispered against his lips, "what happens if...if i like it too much?"

"I'll do anything you ask me..." he mummbled her hot breathe hitting his lips.

It was silent for another momment, Y/n's eyes slolwy closing as Tup's followed. They leaning in the small space as there lips pressrd against each others. The bundle of nerves melting away and falling into ribbions that slowly started to knot.

The kiss was, cute, nothing more than pressing there lips against one another and then pulled away little space between there lips, a new found hunger filled the both of them, Tup pressing forward in a much more passionate kiss, y/n kissed back, lips dancing against one another. Y/n pushed into Tup. Breathe heavy through the armature kisses. Tup mindlessly picked Y/m up, her legs wrapping around his waist as they contuined to kiss. Walking over to her bed he placed her down carefully, climbing over her body.

Kiss only breaking for air, "Do. Do you want this?" Tup questioned, things had moved awfully fast and turned into a one night stand, love filled relationship neither could explain.

Y/n nodded, "Only from you"

"Are you sure? I don't want you unsatisfied." Tup spoke honestly.

"If its you I'll never be unsatisfied." Y/n told him, the two kissing again, Tup holding his like a peice of glass under him.

"I love you." Tup whispered against her lips.

"I love you too Tup." She spoke back. Tup kissing her once more.

[justkending]

The Number One Rule. Chapter 20.

Summary: Y/N has always been seen as “Steve’s rambunctious sister.” However, she grew up, graduated, and moved to London to study abroad for 4 years and get her bachelor's degree. The girl that returns looks nothing like the teenager that left, but don’t worry the attitude is still there and stronger than ever. What’s to come of the two grown adults that used to push each other's buttons, but now have a lot more in common than they’ve ever realized.

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Y/N Rogers (Steve’s little sister)

Word Count: 3000+

A/N: Ok this is the last full chapter I have written. I’ve begun on 21, but it’s only about halfway done. I’m hoping to have it done by the Saturday, but no promises... Please be patient with me as I have a rather busy schedule and want to give you the best chapters! I hope you all enjoy this one:)

Chapter Twenty:  

Another two weeks had passed, and today was move in day for Y/N into her new apartment. 

She had got a small little flat in Midtown Manhattan, so she was right in between her mom and Steve and Bucky’s house. Having not really time to get furniture and not really having the money for it just yet, she went ahead and got a furnished apartment, so moving in was easy with only bringing in her bedding, boxes of clothes, and decorations. 

The flat that she got was an open concept studio. The only walled rooms were the bathroom and a single closet at the entryway. Everything else was out in the open with no dividers. 

They had given her a bed, couch, dresser, coffee table, and the dining table was an island in the middle of the kitchen looking out to the living room. She went thrifting during some free time finding a bookshelf and end table for her bed to add to the space. 

Bucky and Steve had taken the weekend off to help her move in the heavy loaded things. Becca was coming later to help with some decorating to liven up the space. 

“Where’s this one going?” Steve asked maneuvering through the doorway. 

“They’re literally labeled, big guy,” Y/N shouted from the bathroom where she was organizing her toiletries. 

“Not this one, Miss. Sass,” Steve countered. 

“Just throw it by a wall somewhere then. I’ll get to it later,” she shouted back. 

Bucky came in shortly after with two smaller boxes topped on each other. 

“Ok, I think that’s it. At least in my car,” he noted, dropping them down in the kitchen.

“All clear in my truck,” Steve added with a huff as he brushed his hands off. 

Y/N came out from the bathroom with her hands on her hips and let out a loud breath. 

“Great. All that’s left is decorating and at least making my bed so I have a place to collapse once exhaustion hits me,” she smiled. “And according to the time,” she looked down at her watch, “that will be about 20 minutes.”

Bucky chuckled before moving over and wrapping an arm around her shoulder and squeezing her body into his side. Which she gladly used him as a wall to cave into. 

“Yeah, 4 hours of moving things from mom’s to here was my workout for the day,” Steve laughed. “Now, I was promised dinner and a drink for my payment of heavy lifting, if I remember correctly.”

Y/N rolled her eyes at her brother who batted his long eyelashes at her waiting for her answer. 

“Fine, I’ll call in for pizza. Anyone know a good spot around here?” she asked breaking away from Bucky for just a quick second to grab her phone before rushing back to hold onto him once again. The quick movement made Bucky laugh at how needy she was being for his touch. 

He wasn’t complaining though. Now that Steve knew about them, the simple touches (they were being nice and not being as touchy as they’d like for Steve’s comfort. He was still getting used to it) meant all the world now they can embrace it instead of hide it. 

“There’s Angelo’s and Joe’s. Both mouth watering New York Pies,” Bucky answered, as he wrapped his other arm around her holding her into his side more. She snuggled into his chest as she typed away on her phone for the menus.

“Any preference, Stevie?” she asked. 

“I’m feeling Joe’s. While you order that, I’ll go to the corner store for some beers. Want anything specific?” he asked standing up rolling back his shoulders in a stretch before grabbing his keys. 

“You know the answer to that,” she said, sending a raised eyebrow from behind Bucky’s arm. 

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll get the Rose,” he waved off moving to the door. “Buck? Anything special.”

“I’m good with whatever.”

“ ‘kay. Be back in a minute.”

Steve walked out the door and instantly Y/N fell back onto her bed with a bounce. 

“You’re really that tired?” Bucky laughed looking at her stilled self. 

“I’ve been packing way before you guys got there to put everything in your cars,” she answered with her eyes closed. 

“Did you sleep last night?” When he didn’t get a response and she just moved her arm over her eyes, he knew the answer. “You waited until the last minute to pack everything up, didn’t you?”

“Not everything… Just my entire bedroom…” she said, peeking an eye out with a small smile. 

Bucky chuckled before falling down next to her. Both of them looked up to stare up at the high exposed ceilings. 

“I did my bathroom the day before,” she noted. 

“What else do you have left to do to make this feel like your home?” he asked, turning his head to her. 

“Eh, I’ll go thrifting with Becca tomorrow probably and find decorations here and there. But considering this place is maybe just two of my bedrooms at mom’s house, I won’t need much,” she shrugged looking at him. “Definitely need to get a plant or two… Or five.”

Bucky shook his head with a grin before moving to envelope her again and pull her into his chest. 

“I feel like everytime I’m going to come over, you’re going to have a new plant.”

“Well…”

“Am I wrong?” 

“No.” 

“You’re a dork,” he laughed, kissing the crown of her head.

“Hey! Plants purify your air and bring joy to my heart. It’s scientifically proven,” she pouted, pulling away enough to see his face. 

“I didn’t know you were part of a science experiment,” he played on. “Would make sense for a lot of things…”

“You little-,” she shoved him away before jumping off the bed and moving to the kitchen. 

“Hey, I’m kidding. I’m kidding,” he laughed slowly chasing after her. “To an extent.”

“Don’t talk to me,” she huffed, going back to her phone to order the pizza. The little pout of her bottom lip just made her all the more cute instead of intimidating though. 

He rolled his eyes as he moved to stand behind her trapping her in her position by the island. His arms holding the counter top on both sides of her body.

“That won’t last long…” he whispered in her ear in just the right voice to make her shiver. 

But she didn’t give in, no matter how bad she wanted to. Two can play this little game. She hit the call button and turned around looking at him. 

Just as she opened her mouth to talk, making it a show and making him think she was about to say something to him, she brought her phone to her ear and answered.

“Hi, I was wanting to place a delivery order,” she said fluttering her eyelashes at Bucky before ducking under his arms and walking away. “Yes, I’m going to do a large pepperoni and a large margarita pizza.” She continued as she aimlessly walked around the flat. 

Bucky shook his head watching her. Before he had the chance to do anything further… Becca came in with a loud huff. 

“Good God. Y/N, you have a hot neighbor!” she shouted and the two turned to her. Bucky with furrowed eyebrows and Y/N with a look showing she was on the phone. “Oop, sorry,” she shrugged with a whisper as she walked to Bucky with a brown paper bag. 

“Hot neighbor?” Bucky asked. 

“Yeah, right next door. I might have to hop on that…” she winked as she started emptying the bag. Random little snacks and bags of candies, probably for their girls night they planned for later that evening. 

“I thought you were dating someone,” Bucky questioned as he grabbed a bag of swedish fish. Becca quickly smacked his hand and sent a warning look. 

“Keep up, Bucky. We stopped dating like a month ago,” she shook her head. 

“Wait, what was his name again? Scotty? Sco-”

“Scott. And yes. We had almost completely different schedules, so it just wasn’t working. Eh, I’m not worried about it. He was a good lay, but I’ll live,” she tilted her head grabbing a bottle of wine and moving to put it up in the fridge. 

“Oh, God. Please don’t tell me about guys you’re sleeping with. I don’t want to hear that,” Bucky squirmed. 

“You’re a child,” she shook her head before turning to Y/N who was walking to the opposite side of the island. “Who was on the phone?”

“Joe. I was ordering some pizza,” she answered. “Sweet guy actually. But what were you talking about when you came in?”

“Oh!” she shouted excited. “You have a hot neighbor!”

“Is that so?” she raised her eyebrows before moving to the fridge to grab a bottle of water. 

“Does that spark an interest in you Y/N/N?” Bucky asked, turning and looking at her with surprise. 

“I’m not talking to you, remember?” she pointed. 

“You just did,” he tilted his head with a sassy smirk. 

Instead of answering, she stuck out her tongue and turned back to Becca. “Elaborate.”

“310D, right to the left of you,” Becca noted. “Longer blonde hair and those damn arms that look like if you wrapped a ribbon around them, it would take a single flex to pop it.”

“Catch a name?” she asked with a laugh. 

“You do realize we’re dating right?” Bucky asked, crossing his arms. 

“No, I didn’t catch it. I was just looking at him before he went into his apartment. I don’t think he even saw me,” Beck continued ignoring her brother. 

“Interesting. You’ll have to figure it out,” she added, taking a swig of water. “Wouldn’t hurt to know the neighbors name.”

“Um, hello…”

“Oh, say less. Don’t have to tell me twice to interact with a perfect specimen of a man,” Becca laughed.

“I feel like I’m invisible,” Bucky mumbled, watching the two start to giggle about whatever telepathic thing they were talking about. 

_________

Steve came back soon after with the drinks, and not even 10 minutes after him, the pizza was delivered. 

They all sat around eating and talking with the limited furniture after Bucky set up the TV, along with Steve yelling at him that it was HDMI 4 not 2. That was a whole fight in itself. 

Steve eventually left around six and Bucky was leaving soon after so the girls could have their first girl night in Y/N’s new apartment. 

That was until Bekah let out a long groan. 

“What?” Y/N asked leaning over for an M&M on the coffee table. 

“One of my classmates just texted me asking about something for an essay I completely forgot I had due. My professor has it due at 8am tomorrow like the crazy person she is,” she sighed, looking at her phone before looking at the couple on the couch she was facing on the floor. “What kind of insane person doesn’t do the midnight deadline? This professor is going to be the death of me.”

“How much of it do you have done?” Bucky asked. 

“That’s the thing,” she said with a wrinkle of her nose. “I completely forgot about it until this text…”

“You haven’t started?” Y/N chuckled, but you could tell she was worried for her friend. 

“No…” Becca replied. “I may or may not have been putting it off and happened to forget it entirely.”

“Let me guess, it’s practically 30% of your grade for the semester?” Y/N said with a raised eyebrow. 

“You know me so well…” she replied with a pathetic smile. “I’m going to have to bail on girls night tonight. Please don’t hate me.”

“I don’t hate you, Beck,” Y/N shook her head. “I get it. I just recently got out of that world, so I know how it goes.”

Bucky watched as the two interacted and laughed at his sister like the annoying big brother he was. 

“Go before you fail the class. We can always reschedule,” Y/N waved off. 

“You sure?”

“Positive. Now go. Every second counts,” she said, standing with Becca as they moved to the door. “Stop by the coffee shop on the way out. Espresso is your friend tonight.”

“Yes ma’am,” Becca saluted as she grabbed her things and stepped out of the apartment. “Oh, and next time I come, I’ll make sure to get hot neighbors name,” she added with a wink. 

“That’s your next homework assignment.”

“Oh, that’s one I won’t be putting off.”

After a head shake to her friend, Becca rushed out of the building off to her own place. Y/N shut and locked the door behind her and walked back into the kitchen. 

“Does that mean we get to have a girls night?” Bucky asked with a smirk. 

“Ha Ha, very funny,” she laughed before falling onto the couch and laying her head in his lap looking straight up at him. “But yeah. I’d like some company first night here. It’s a big emptyish kind of space.”

“Don’t have to ask me twice, doll,” he smiled as he started stroking her hair gently. 

“Oh, hey! I’ve been meaning to talk to you about something,” she noted, readjusting in her spot to see him better. 

“Should I be worried?” he asked is a teasing manner. 

“No,” she chuckled before grabbing his hand and starting her pattern tracing that he learned she loved to do. It was calming is what she had told him. “It’s about Steve.”

“What about Steve?” Bucky asked as he watched her finger tip glide across his palm in a gentle manner, sending shivers up his arm. She was able to do that everytime. 

“Well, you know my host family I talked about?” He hummed as his answer. “So Peggy was the daughter of the people I was staying with. She was about 4 years older than me and kinda turned into my mentor. Badass woman if I might add.”

“I remember you talking about her. From the stories you had, she seems like she can definitely hold her own,” he laughed. “What does she have to do with Steve?”

“I’m getting there, slowly…” she said, adding a dramatic tone to the conversation. Bucky rolled his eyes playfully as he went back to playing with her hair. “Peggy and I talked about her coming here and staying a while. A week or so. Maybe later. However, that was when we were living together and just mapping out times to meet up again. Now, she’s got a job opportunity here and was wanting to come and stay for a little to scope out if she wants it and is willing to make the move to New York possibly.”

“Sounds like a fun plan,” he nodded. “But I’m still waiting on the Steve part.”

“Patience, B. Patience,” she said squeezing his hand slightly. “It has to do with Steve because I think Peggy would be a great match for him.”

“You want to set up your brother?”

“Yes. And if there is anyone in the world that I can think of that can handle his hard head as well as challenge it, it’s Margaret Elizabeth Carter.”

“You know your brother hates when we set him up on dates,” Bucky made note of. “She better be something else if you think it’s going to work out.”

“Oh, Peggy is the definition of something else,” Y/N smirked still concentrated on the lines on his hand.

“Ok, so when is she coming to town?”

“Not sure yet. She’s still waiting to hear back from the agency that she was talking with on a good date for them both. I mean she can always come visit before that, but travel isn’t cheap, so it would be smarter for her to just come when she also has business to attend to.”

“Valid point.”

“So you think it’s a good idea? You wanna join my team to play matchmaker with Stevie?” she asked with that damn grin that got him every time. He just can’t seem to say no to it.

“As much as your brother hates these kinds of things, you seem pretty set on it. So I’m trusting you know what you’re doing,” he smiled, brushing a thumb on her cheek. 

“When do I not know what I’m doing?” she retorted gleefully. 

“Well, there was that one time at Coney Island that you,-” he started, just in an effort to push her buttons. 

“It was a rhetorical question that should not be answered. That is if you want to stay the night,” she said with an attempt of a threatening face. 

“It’s cute you think you have an intimidating stare,” he replied, now pinching her cheek where his thumb was. 

“I can be intimidating,” she sat up with a pout. 

“Sure you can, Y/N/N,” he nodded with a smug grin. “That face exudes intimidation.”

When she actually set in her deathly stare that Bucky had seen when she was upset, he took a step back from his teasing. 

“Ok, I’m kidding now. I know you can do it,” he said with a daunted face. The glower on her own features immediately dropped at getting the reaction from him she wanted and went back to her cute sweet innocent smile. “It’s kinda scary how easily you can flip that switch…”

“It’s a talent. What can I say?” she shrugged with a wink as she stood up and went to make popcorn. “So what movie are we watching tonight?”

(Tags for this series is closed. If you would like updates, please turn on my notification:)

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[onepieceshifters]

Hey! I'm a shifter too, in my wr I've scripted there's a laptop that can answer any headcanons or questions. Still haven't managed a complete shift, but I'm trying. I'm so interested in using shifting to find out things about characters. Do you use shifting in anyway to answer headcanon asks? I personally want to know what the "real" answer to ask's are instead of what a person would want to here. Could I request relationship hc's for Croccodile with a male s/o?

hey hey remy here :)

oh, i love the idea of having a laptop that can generate the answers to headcanons, that would make our job 10x easier LOL.

we don't necessarily use shifting itself to answer headcanon asks, but usually we draw from our experience interacting with the characters. we can also use divination forms such as channeling, tarot cards, pendulum, shufflemancy, etc...

the one you would most likely want to know about if you're looking to communicate with people from your DR is channeling, which to quote admin jax is "a form of divination where you can speak, hear, be touched, or feel their presence. it's the process of communicating with someone in reality's higher self."

of course, when channeling you cannot be physically harmed, even if you can feel touch. the most you’ll get is a phantom pain, and that’s in rare scenarios where the person you’re channeling decides to be a little silly. (for example, when sanji kicked admin blue and she could feel it in her ribs, or when my drself used her devil fruit on me and i could feel the sting 💀)

most of our admins have experience with channeling since we usually channel our crewmates / people from our drs! personally, i've channeled sanji the most, and i can usually keep sessions going for an hour or more at a time if i'm not drained!

now why we wouldn't usually use this for answering asks, there's two reasons:

channeling can be really draining, especially if it's not someone you're accustomed to channeling regularly! one of the first times i channeled sanji, i kept the channel open for over an hour, and once i closed it i felt like falling over asleep LOL

two, the recipient may not always be comfortable answering the questions asked. for example if i hit up crocodile rn and asked, "hey, my man, how would you act around your boyfriend?" he might try to stab me LOL

if anyone wants to know more about channeling or the process of doing it, feel free to send an ask and i'll always gladly elaborate further!

it's honestly so fun to channel lolol not every one piece fan can say that they've been personally yelled at by boa hancock (i was terrified)

unfortunately none of us write crocodile but i hope this was still informative~

- 🐀

[flymyhp]

Birds to Spellbooks pt.2

Pairing: George Weasley x Hufflepuff!reader

Summary: After a month of giving George Weasley a chance, their last night before the Yule Ball has them both realizing what they’ve missed for years of resentment. 

Words: 2,308

Warnings: Pure fluff, so cheesy i’m disgusted with myself. Enjoy!

A/N: This was requested, but I was planning on writing a second part anyways haha. There will be a third part coming up, and it will probably be the last part to this story, I already have everything planned for it. I wouldn’t know what else to write after the next part but if anyone has any ideas for drabbles, imagines, or headcanons for George or any other character I’ll gladly write them! 

The next month would come as a surprise for y/n. Although it took a little while, she found herself actually enjoying her time spent with George. At first, she was hesitant about the idea of taking walks around the grounds with him after classes, and sitting next to the black lake throwing stones in and watching them sink to the bottom, but the hesitation drifted away a few days later.

The two were sitting leant up against a tree, watching the black lake, when the hesitation turned to anxiety.

He cleared his throat and played with his fingers on his lap. “Y/n?” She looked up at him. “Can I hold your hand?”

Her heart began beating faster. “You ask like you never have before.” She remembers their conversation a few days ago.

“I didn’t ask then, it was nice, but I couldn’t appreciate it properly with all the chatter about you loving me going on.” He gave her a grin that had her rolling her eyes. “I never said that, George.”

She held her breath and reached her hand over to his lap where his hands were sitting. He met her half way and held her hand in his own. To her own surprise, she felt something in her chest. A light and tickling feeling, accompanied by her own heart which beat faster and faster as the seconds carried on. She liked this feeling. She wondered if he felt it too. 

She half expected him to make a joke about the situation, but instead he caressed her knuckles with his thumb. It seemed impossible for her heart to beat any faster, so it skipped instead. Feeling as though she might have a heart attack on the spot, she forced her eyes back on the water.

It wasn’t either of their ideas to start spending their time watching the ripples of the water and talking about their lives before Hogwarts, and before they met each other. Their walks around the grounds led them here, and when George saw the way y/n looked out into the lake in admiration, he kept bringing her here. 

Another surprise to y/n came as she realized she didn’t want to leave their spot that evening. She didn’t want to hear the next chime of the castle bell as it drew nearer to curfew. 

All she wanted to do was ask him if he felt it too. It was something she’d never felt before. She knew she was right in thinking that it would be easy to develop feelings for the boy that unintentionally forced her into being an outcast. 

“You know, I don’t really want to leave tonight.” He broke the silence with the exact words y/n was thinking. Could he tell?

She didn’t have to force her eyes this time, she looked up at him again. “I wasn’t going to say anything, but I’ve been having the same thought. I like it here, I like being here with you.”

He smiled down at her. “Are you confessing your undying love for me now?”

There it was. She knew he couldn’t help but let it slip. It didn’t annoy her though, she giggled.

“Not just yet, Georgie.” 

She didn’t know it, but his heart had been beating just as fast as hers. 

“Whenever you want to hear my confession, just ask, bird.” 

His words were soft. They made her feel the same way. Just as she was about to ask him to elaborate, the dreaded noise of the bell came.

Her eyes closed and she let out a frustrated sigh. She let go of his hand without thinking and stood up, brushing out her hoodie. With a tug, her hand was back with his, and she was now sitting back down. Though she didn’t find herself on the ground this time. 

“What are you doing?” Her voice came out small.

Her seat on his lap sent another giant wave of feeling into her chest, this time it was stronger than when he held her hand. 

“Being bold.” He gave her a small smile. His hands snaked around her waist, and his head laid on her chest. “We don’t have to leave just yet, do we? We’ve still got half an hour.” 

“We always leave at nine, though. We can stay a little longer if you’re willing to run with me to bed.” She said with another giggle.

He lifted his head up with a smile. “Always am.” 

She thought about his statement about being bold. Without thinking too hard about it, she put her arms around his neck and held him tight to her chest. His grip around her waist tightened and he took a deep breath. She laid her head on top of his.

“We could just stay here all night, actually.” He mumbled into her chest, barely audible. 

She smiled and wondered if she’d be willing, half of her told her she’d give anything to stay out here all night like this. The other half wondered what everyone would think if neither of them were back all night. 

She wasn’t sure if she actually liked George, or the idea of being loved. If this was even love at all, she was sure that she didn’t love him.

Yet, anyways.

“Hey,” The softness in her voice swept through the air. It was practically music to his ears. “What are we?”

He thought for a moment. “What do you want to be?”

Once again, she was left without an answer. “I was hoping you’d have that answer for me.”

“Never without asking, bird.” 

Y/n had always heard about the bare minimum in a relationship. Everyone told her what the least someone should do for you was, and what nothing felt like in a relationship. No one had ever explained what above the bare minimum was, what more there was and what you should expect. Was this more?

“Georgie?” She started, not even thinking of the question before it left her mouth. “Have you ever been in love?” 

She couldn’t see it, but he smiled. It was so subtle she didn’t feel it, but he nodded. “I’m not quite sure to be honest. I’ve never spent time with anyone like this before.” Her eyebrows furrowed in thought. “Have you?”

“I was once. I don’t know if it was love. It faded almost as soon as it came. But I’ve never spoken to anyone the way I do you.” Her voice was frail as she spoke of him. “I didn’t think he saw me the way everyone else did. Turns out I was wrong. I moved on fairly quickly though.”

“When was this, bird?” His heart ached at the thought of anyone seeing her as less than what she was. He felt like he was in heaven being with her, especially tonight. He couldn’t imagine anyone not feeling the same way around her. She’d opened up to him, not that she was a closed book, but it made him feel as though she trusted him. 

“Only last year. It was only about three months. Nothing special at all.” She admitted to him. He hummed into her chest. “I’d like to look at the water for a bit before we go.”

She shifted her weight, turning around so her back was to his front. His arms remained on her waist and their hands were tangled together. He rested his head on top of hers. 

“The ball is tomorrow, Georgie. Are you prepared to spend your evening fawning over me again?” She joked with him. 

He chuckled along with her. “I do that pretty much every day, don’t I?” It seemed like every word that left his mouth made her heart skip. He had a way of making her laugh at the same time. She loved the feeling. “This past month, y/n, has been wonderful. Just talking to you has been wonderful. I had barely even touched you before tonight but I wouldn’t have changed any of it for anything.” 

She didn’t know what to say besides repeating his exact words. But she wanted him to know that she felt the same without just flat out saying ‘same here’. She found her solution. 

“George?” She leaned up a bit and turned her head to his. 

“Love?” She wasn’t prepared for that. He wasn’t prepared for her next words.

“Kiss me.”

This time, his heart leaped. She’d never seen him blush before, but before she could even see it he placed his hand on her neck, leaned in, and connected their lips. 

At this point, she was seriously considering never leaving their spot. She knew for sure now that she didn’t want this moment to end. She was sure he felt the same way. Her hands found a place in his hair, not pulling on it but twisting the ends as he kissed her. Again, and again.

He pulled away for a second to look at her. “You mean the world to me, bird.”

His nickname had grown on her, along with the other pet names he’d throw into a conversation now and then, which always left her speechless. She kissed him again, only for a moment. There was a hint of sadness in his eyes when she pulled away. 

And then, the chime of the bell. They’d overstayed their welcome at the lake and it was now ten. Curfew had set in. A slight wave of fear set into y/n’s bones as she looked into his eyes and realized finally, she liked George Weasley. If it wasn’t obvious enough, she just didn’t take into account her own feelings until they had to end the night. 

“Are you sure we have to go?” He asked her, dread thick in his voice.

She shook her head, not sure if she could get the words out. “I want nothing more than to sit with you, kiss you, and feel your hands on mine, but you do realize I have to get some beauty sleep so I can look my absolute best for you tomorrow evening.”

“You don’t need beauty sleep for that, love. It comes naturally to you.” His words left a smile on her face and made her shy away, her hands played with his in her lap.

Her head fell, trying to hide her red cheeks that she was sure he could see in the moonlight. He lifted her chin back up to look at him and kissed her one last time before they had to get up. 

It took everything in him to not say the words as they pulled away. He didn’t want to scare her away now that she was finally in his arms. He didn’t want to do anything that would ruin everything. 

She rolled off of his lap, taking his hand he’d offered and stood up. 

“We’ve got to be quick and quiet going back to our dorms, which means you can’t make out with me in the entrance hall.” She nudged his shoulder with her own as they walked slowly, hands still laced together.

“That’s unfortunate, but I hope you don’t expect me to let you go wandering off on your own to the basement do you?” He swung their arms as they etched closer to the castle.

“I don’t want you to get in trouble, George.”

“And I don’t want you to get caught by filch on your own, or Malfoy, if it comes to that.” He started as she smiled to herself. “You don’t have to worry about being alone anymore. Besides, I’m practically an expert at getting out of trouble, or dealing with being in trouble. I am a twin, you know.”

“Yeah, the most cheeky twins I’ve ever known.” She grinned up at him. Quickly, she jumped to her tippy toes and kissed his cheek as they found themselves at the entrance. This time, she saw him blush.

He returned the favor with a kiss on her forehead. “Ready, dear? Remember, quick and quiet.” George unlocked the door with his wand, and they tiptoed inside, George in front of her making sure no teacher or prefect was near. “All clear, bird.” 

They were careful not to get caught on the way to the Hufflepuff common room. Every few minutes they’d have a scare and hop into a classroom or closet, each time they took turns giving each other a kiss and giggling like children.

Finally and dreadfully they reached the basement. With a pang of hurt in their hearts as they had to end the night. 

“Don’t be sad, bird.” George whispered to her, his forehead against hers. 

“I didn’t want it to end, George.” Her eyes were beginning to water.

He grabbed her chin gently. “Tomorrow night will be even better, I promise you. And, since it slipped your mind tonight, you can confess your love for me then, if you’d like.” With another one of his famous grins. 

“As long as you give me yours too.” She giggled, covering her mouth afterwards, scared of making too much noise.

He looked into her eyes for a moment, knowing he’d have to leave her. He kissed her one last time for the night. “As soon as you ask, you’ll hear it.”

She knew she didn’t have time to ask now, and she regretted letting it slip from her mind earlier in the night. As he let their hands part from each other slowly and he began to walk off, not taking his eyes off of hers until he absolutely had to, it hit her and she felt it. Hard. She didn’t just like George Weasley, she was in love with him. And she didn’t know it yet, but he had been for years. One thing she did know though, was that he would find out tomorrow night at the Yule Ball. 

[janekfan]

Too Much

https://archiveofourown.org/works/26972698

When Jon stalked back into the archives the fierce conviction in his face belied his ragged appearance. Tim wasn’t stupid. He’d known there was something shady happening in this place probably before Jon did, considering. It didn’t stop him from purposefully hardening his heart against his pallid skin and bloody throat, his poorly bandaged hand, his filthy, mud-covered clothes.

“Jon?” Martin’s voice was soft and it set off a trembling in him that Tim could see from across the room. “Hey--” Without warning, Jon bent double over the nearest wastebasket, going down hard on his knees as he emptied his stomach painfully, shaking so hard the bin rattled. “Oh, oh, Jon.” Hands fluttering over his back, Martin hovered close, unsure of what to do, before settling next to him on the floor to hold his hair back, plaiting it loosely to keep it out of the way.

“Nngh...s’sorry.” Jon collapsed the rest of the way, resting his weight over the bin, his forehead on the arm slung across the top. “I, I...clean. Clean it up.” Shuddering, voice thick and wavering on a heavy breath. “God, I. I’m so, so sorry.” Another bout of dry heaving cleaved through him, Martin’s hushed reassurances making the ire in Tim rise to vitriolic levels and if he stayed any longer in this room he knew he’d do something to upset Martin. Physical violence had never been the way he preferred to resolve disputes but the confirmation of being trapped here. Trapped by Jon made him desperately want to lash out. Scream. Kick. Throw a tantrum and that wouldn’t do, even if the anger and dissolution flooding into every empty space left behind by the deaths of Danny and Sasha and his freedom begged him to take it out on the one thing left that represented it all.

“Tim, where are you going?” Martin’s attention was still focused primarily on the man panting under his palms, but he spared him a glance.

“Can’t be here for a while.” He flashed a bitter smile. “Guess I’ll be back, won’t I?” He was suffocating and if he stayed here one second longer he’d explode and Martin didn’t deserve that.

Martin had his hands full of a sick and shivering Jon so had no choice but to let Tim go. It was probably best at the moment. He’d been sniping at Jon even before he’d disappeared and the fury flashing behind his eyes wouldn’t help anyone right now. And besides, Jon was going to pass out any minute by the look of it.

“Jon?” His head jerked up and he swayed where he kneeled.

“Sorry, s’sorry…” the slurred apologies certainly weren’t a good sign. “‘L’get this cleaned up.” When he moved clumsily to do so, Martin stopped him with a hand on his cheek, ignoring his temperature for now in favor of attempting to catch his unfocused gaze.

“Let me worry about that later.” And Jon looked stricken, but when Martin pulled him to his unsteady feet he was more concerned with staying upright, embarrassment shoved unceremoniously to the back of his mind. “Can you stand?” Whole, long seconds passed and Martin almost asked again, but Jon took a wobbly step only to topple into the taller man who caught him up and held him close.

“S’sorry.” Martin hitched him a little higher. “Dizzy. Jus’...ah.”

“It’s alright, Jon.” Who knew having a cot in the archives would prove to be so useful and Martin was grateful for it now, lowering him as gently as he could. “Nothing to be sorry for.” The hiss of pain sucked through his clenched teeth didn’t bode well. “I’ll be back.” With the first aid kit, warm water, maybe a change of clothes--he was pretty sure he had a few things. They’d be big on him but certainly cleaner than what he was in now. When he returned with his supplies, Jon had tipped onto his side, apparently asleep, and Martin was careful to wake him slow, worried when he didn’t seem to remember where he was or what was happening. With him so sluggish and lethargic, Martin wasn’t sure where to start (maybe a 999 call), deciding top to bottom was as good a plan as anything. Forcing cheer into his tone, he talked about what had been happening while he'd been away, dipping a cloth, wringing it out, and wiping the muck off his skin, noting the pallor in his face underneath all of the dirt. He had the start of a pretty intense fever and looking at him it wasn’t hard to puzzle out why but the only thing for it right now was water and rest.

Jon pushed him away when he began on his neck and it took Martin several minutes to talk him back down, convince him that he was safe before he was allowed to hold a warm compress over the gash across his throat to loosen the blood. It was deeper than it looked and longer than he’d have liked; another brutal scar to add to his growing collection and how was any of it fair? Butterfly stitches applied and covered over with clean bandages, Martin gave Jon a break and kept urging him to drink. He was so silent, focused on pulling in short and shallow breaths, and Martin kept his questions to himself, trying to ease the ruined jumper over his shoulders when it became clear that he was too sore to do it on his own. Each centimeter bared developing bruises just beginning to black and Jon’s breath hitched the higher he was forced to raise his arms, exposing more over his stomach, his ribs and Martin couldn’t help himself.

“What happened?”

“Mm?”

“These bruises?” He ran a delicate thumb over the edge of one, watched him shiver in response.

“Oh…” Martin got the impression Jon was answering from somewhere far away and didn’t blame him. “Asked questions.” He didn’t elaborate and Martin moved on to his hands, draping the blanket over him while he unwrapped old dressings and examined the burn spanning his entire palm and fingers. He didn’t want to think about the shape of it, like he’d shaken hands with the wrong sort, and instead examined the broken blisters lining the long, ruined fingers of both hands, cleaning them gently and applying salves and more bandages before slipping a worn jumper over his head and joggers onto narrow hips, tying the cords to keep them secure. Jon was too pliant, too submissive, more than spent after whatever he’d been through and he sighed in heavy relief when he was finally allowed to lay down.

“Better?” Martin brushed some stray curls out of his face after tucking him in and he nodded.

“Tired.”

“You can sleep, it’s alright.” Jon forced heavy lashes apart, closed them again when Martin swept light fingertips over them. “I’ll keep watch. You’re safe.”

Late into the next day, Martin saw Jon back to Georgie’s flat where he immediately curled up in bed with the Admiral, clutching his borrowed clothes, so baggy they dwarfed his small frame and made the vulnerability in him that much more. He shared a cup of tea, spoke with Georgie in a hushed voice and urged her to keep an eye on him if he’d let her. She nodded resolutely and wished him luck when he left to return to the institute.

“Well?” Basira accosted him immediately as soon as he stepped through the door.

“Christ, Basira!” Hand over his heart, Martin calmed his racing heart, suddenly surrounded by the lot of them.

“Well?”

“He’s exhausted.”

“Aren’t we all?” Martin ignored Tim’s comment. It wasn’t a competition, just a bad situation all around, and after treating and cataloging all of Jon’s myriad injuries, he didn’t feel like continuing along that track. It wouldn’t help anybody. It wouldn’t convince them that Jon was as much a victim in all this as they were. That he didn’t want this. Instead.

“He’ll be back in a few days. Or probably tomorrow, knowing him.”

“Wonderful.”

“Tim!” Martin pinched the bridge of his nose, already exasperated. “Tim, just. Go easy, alright?”

“Oh, I’ll go easy.” Full of grief and anger and heartbreak with nowhere for all of it to go, it had sharpened into a blade Tim wielded with deadly precision. Jon had been at the other end of it for a long time and despite his own frustrations with him, Martin wanted to shield him from the worst of it even if he knew he wouldn’t be able to. If Tim wanted to hurt Jon, he would, and it made him want to weep.

Sure enough and right on time, Jon dragged himself into the archives, mumbling a breathy ‘thank you’ to Martin as he passed by him to his office on new fawn’s legs. It didn’t escape his notice that he was still wearing the jumper, bundled up in it with his bandaged fingers tangled in the sleeves.

And work began again as though they’d never stopped.

Jon could have spent the next eternity wrapped up in bed, bundled in the comfort of Martin’s clothes and hiding from his very new and very real responsibilities. He ached, deeply, profoundly, in a million different ways, crushed by the weight of it all and barely able to breathe. Georgie was disappointed by his decision to go back to the institute but he had to do whatever he could to protect the rest of them, even if that meant playing into Elias’ hands until they came up with a solution together.

If they would have him back.

Reading the statements was going slow, too slow, the pounding in his head increasing whenever he tried to focus. Jon kept the lights low, avoiding the hallways with their cold fluorescent bulbs beaming down at him from above, bowing his back, trying to push him into the floor, keep him there like an insect pressed between pages and he would gladly succumb if it meant he could rest.

“Oi!” He jumped at the sharp voice, groaning when the stabbing hurt all over his body intensified.

“T’Tim?”

“‘Y’yeah.’” He mocked, tossing a stack of folders onto the already overflowing surface of the desk.

“What, what’re these?” Though his hands were shaking and sore, Jon picked up the pile, paging through distractedly.

“How the hell should I know. Martin said you asked for them.” He had?

“I don’t. I’m sorry, I don’t remember.”

“Tch. Of course. Busy work to keep us preoccupied so we don’t have time to plot?”

“Wha--no, no!” It seemed his paranoia continued to have lasting consequences and he supposed it was only fair. “No, I wouldn’t. I. I’m sure I asked for them.” Reasonably sure, though for the life of him he couldn’t remember when. He couldn’t remember asking Martin but there was no reason for Tim to lie. Fingers snapping in front of his face jerked him back to the present.

“What’s wrong with you?” His eyes were narrowed and he was standing so close, too close, and suddenly Jon was on his feet, swaying into the wall and pushing past Tim in a desperate bid for the loo, head pounding enough to make him ill and only just making it in time to rid himself of the tea he didn’t remember drinking. Shaky, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, leaning back against the wall and willing the spinning to stop or slow or do anything that might make it less overwhelming. He washed his hands, his face, letting the cool water drip from his chin and closed his eyes against his reflection in the mirror. When he returned Tim was gone and Jon was thankful, tears prickling, threatening, as he sat back in his chair and rested his forehead on his folded arms for only a moment.

It was better in the stacks, dark and still, silent save for the rustling of statements and that didn’t make any sense at all even though something in the back of his mind insisted it did, encouraged him to pick one up and devour it. But the letters swam on the pages and his legs refused to hold him up any longer and he slid to the floor, hugging the folder to his chest and breathing in the stale scent of old, yellowing paper and ink. He felt so poorly, so tired, and he didn’t remember curling up on the floor but he must have, because he was, the statement still crushed in his arms like a safety blanket. How long had he been asleep? Getting up seemed too monumental a task and he let his eyes slip shut with a sigh, breathing through all the pain of his injuries.

Too much. This was all too much.

But it was quiet here among the boxes and envelopes, tucked with his back against the shelf grounding him, taking away some of that awful wooziness, the feeling of vertigo he hadn’t quite gotten rid of after his encounter with Mike Crew. He was safe here underground; underground was the opposite of up, the opposite of falling endlessly and he breathed in, out, slow, measured. Until his physical self seemed to drop away with everything else.

Plucked like a weed, Jon was lifted into the air, hauled up by his collar and set clumsily on his feet, pressed forcefully into the shelving. If it wasn’t for the hand at his throat (his throat, she was going to slice him open, bleed him like a game animal) he would have fallen and he was so scared of falling, no air in his lungs, just the deafening rush of it in his ears, so he scrabbled desperately, the statement fluttering away somewhere in favor of holding onto wrists attached to arms attached to shoulders attached to Tim. The world tilted on its axis, rolling like a ship at sea and he was desperately afraid of being released into that endless void.

“--Hiding down here?” How long had he been speaking? His face, features so twisted in revulsion of him he almost didn’t look like Tim, was close enough that he could feel his breath on his face. “Martin’s been worried sick looking for you!” Why was he yelling at him? He’d, he’d been here, not hiding, not doing anything. Just trying to, to, stay on the ground. Everything blacked out when Tim shook him roughly, shouting something else, and Jon didn’t know what he wanted, what would make him leave him alone, stop being so angry with him. He was going to be ill, too dizzy even when mercifully held still again and he was torn between letting go and taking his chances with Crew and sticking to Tim like a burr. But Tim made the decision for him, shaking him off, dropping him to his feet and shoving him forward and Jon knew he shrieked, shameful, loud, but he was falling, falling, falling and he hurt where he’d been pushed, like his bones were trying to make room by doing their level best to yank themselves free.

But he was plunging down, straight down, unmoored, unanchored, too much space, infinite space and nothing to grab to slow himself and he was going to fall forever and ever and ever and--

“Jon!”

No. He’d. How.

“Martin…” Whimpering, voice choked with tears, more of them streaming, pouring down his face, and he clung to Martin, solid, strong, holding him.

“Tim, what did you do?”

“M’falling...m’falling, Martin.” Clutching, clawing, he was going to hurt him if he wasn’t careful but he was too frightened, he had to be hurting him. Sobbing, selfish, stupid, and he couldn’t stop.

“You’re not, I’ve got you, Jon, I won’t let you fall.” Murmuring gently, embracing him tightly and it hurt, but he’d rather hurt than fall forever. “You’ve got to take a breath, Jon.” But all the air was rushing past him, too quickly to drink up even a sip, let alone breathe any into his seizing chest. “I’ve got you, try for me.” And he did, he would swear it, he’d try anything for Martin but he’d always failed in the most important tasks. He’d always failed the most important people.

At least he wasn’t falling anymore.

“Tim, what did you do?” Martin shifted Jon, passed out over his shoulder with bandaged fingers still tangled in his jumper and he was surprised he hadn’t torn it in his panic. Gently he pulled him into his lap, boiling with heat beneath his hands and heaving hard-won, gasping breaths.

“I--” He swallowed, shock naked in his expression. “I found him here, on the floor. Uh, pulled him up?” Tim raked his hair back. “I was rough, but. I didn’t mean.” Martin could only hope he looked as angry as he felt and Tim stopped speaking, following him to document storage like a lost puppy.

“Mm…” he held Jon tight, secure, relieved that he’d come around as quickly as he did even if he was groggy, setting him firmly on the cot, exerting pressure on his shoulders, an unspoken ‘I’m here, you’re here, no one is falling.’ He ducked his head, hiding from the light and groaning low.

“Jon, look at me.” He hadn’t noticed before, the black of his dilated pupils swallowed up by deep brown irises, but with the light, and his sensitivity to it, Martin suspected a head injury. “Jon?” Gently he tilted his face up with the tips of his fingers under his chin, trying to catch his dazed stare as it slipped over him like water over a stone.

“Hey! Stop ignoring him!” Jon flinched, hands clapping over his ears and curling even farther into himself while Martin glared. “Sorry.” Tim mumbled, arms crossed, leaning against the wall to give them some space.

“S’okay, Jon.” He inched closer. “Did you hit your head? Does your head hurt? Can I check?”

“Check?” Before Tim could do much more than scoff, Martin shushed him. If he wasn’t going to help, then it would be better for him to leave.

“Yep.” He didn’t wait for much more confirmation, just carefully reached forward under Jon’s wary gaze and buried his fingers in thick, unkempt curls, smiling softly when he leaned into the touch. Bolder, he cupped his face with his other hand, stroking along his cheek and watching his eyes drift closed with a hum. “Ah, oh, Jon.” Right at the back of his skull there was a large swelling, painful to the touch if Jon’s reaction was anything to go on. “Were you hit?”

“Hit?” Jon’s wrapped, burned fingers brushed against his own when he went to check for himself. “Daisy hit me.” Just a stated fact that chilled Martin to the bone and he watched his other hand come up to touch the column of his bandaged neck. “Daisy cut me.” He glanced back at Tim, trying to gauge his reaction, relieved to see horror blossoming in his expression and when he turned to Jon again, it was as if he was seeing Martin for the first time. “Martin?” He let his weight fall into his palm, and when his dark, damp eyes slipped shut, tears ran down his face. “Don’, don’think m’well.”

“Okay, it’s okay. I’ve--” his eyes flicked towards Tim. “We’ve got you.” Jon swallowed and Martin could feel it against his palm, literally holding his cut throat in his hands. "Can you tell us what's wrong?"

“Hur’s. Spin...falling, m’falling.” He paled, clutched at the linens, his breath shallow and fast and even Tim came forward in concern.

“I’ve got you, won’t let you go anywhere, Jon.” To Tim, “Don’t think he can tell which way is up. Vertigo? Concussion? We’ve got ice packs in the freezer yeah?”

“Anything else?”

“Ginger tea? If we have it.”

“M’tin…” He brushed stray curls back away from his forehead. “Stay? Please?”

“Of course I will.” Gentle and soft and Tim returned with tea and cold compresses quickly, passing off the mug to Martin, going so far as to sit beside Jon. “I’ve got to let go of you now.” And the look of panic and sorrow and resignation told him more about his state of mind than anything else.

Martin promised he would stay.

Martin was letting him go.

Jon was not surprised.

Just sad, so, so sad.

Prepared to be tossed aside.

“‘Course...s’sorry.” Another swallow, another and another, swallowing it down, how frightened he was, how lonely. Tears slipped over Jon’s skin, over Martin’s. “M’sorry, sorry.”

Too many.

Too much.

He watched Jon pull away, swaying, woozy, grip tightening on the sheets such that his knuckles were bone white. Alone again. Alone always. How dare he think or hope or dream otherwise.

“Got’chu, boss.” Martin waited until Tim had him ‘round the shoulders, pressing him into his sturdy side, before removing his hand and holding the mug to his lips.

“Drink this down and then some sleep, I think.” Together, they tipped him carefully sideways, grabbing his hands when they flew out to the side in an attempt to break a nonexistent fall, and Tim pressed a cold pack to the back of his neck, a shadow of a smile crossing his face when Jon relaxed into the pillow.

“You’re alright, boss. Won’t let you fall.”

[mage-and-the-tantrums]

Excerpts from a book I will probably *try* to write

333 Days home.

333 days ago exactly. August the 5th, 2020, I took my final return flight, from Istanbul to Tunisia, after 5 years of expatriation. After graduating quietly, on my bed while wearing shorts, I found no reasons to stay in Turkey, and no reasons to not come back home, in a world torched by a global pandemic.

Upon returning home, and within a month, I discovered how badly my family failed and grew apart. I never thought it could happen to us. My sister helped wake me from my stun. "They just behave for a couple of months, when you were here for vacations, and also whenever we called you on messenger. It's broken", she said, with an acceptance that should be forbidden to her age.

I was led, mystically, to discover some dark secrets. I refuse to talk or write about them here. Only one person besides me knows the whole truth.

The bitch and a half about knowing something that you cannot divulge to anyone, and I mean absolutely not a living soul, is that it detaches you from the world. It leaves you questioning your two best friends with whom you thought you would discuss anything. You charge and trial "in absentia" them, and you find them guilty without them actually doing anything. It has been an education, to discover what loneliness truly meant. I felt corrected, back to school, as harshly as possible, just because I thought I was alone when in Istanbul. Life showed me, in the span of 30 days, how much I could be alone, while within my family, my friends, and the country that I love and missed beyond words.

I would sit next to my friends, in the backseat of a car, listening to autotuned american rap (which I disdain), while they converse about girls, cars, and the eventuality of marriage with the inexplicable costs that it imposes in our country, and how one should escape this sorry corner of the world to Europe. I would hear scribbles and syllables, as if I shrank and sank 6 feet deeper into myself. The only thought swimming in the pool of my brain is "how little do they know about the dilemma tearing me apart. They are here, they have known me for years, they are practically the family I chose for myself. And yet, and yet, we're oceans apart. Nothing would be the same ever again. How many secrets could a person hold while sitting next to you ? We're all strangers to one another.

I truly discovered how loneliness could snatch someone from their settings, to dictate its own terms and draw an existence, in pale shades of grey for that someone to dwell in. At some point, I realised that, no matter how shockingly and frighteningly true my thoughts were, there were equally dangerous and self-destructive. Looking into what felt like a void is fun and instructive and intellectually probably sexy, until it begins leaking into your life, which it does pretty often. I was as alone as I permitted myself to be. I figured that I needed to create a breathing gap between me and some shit in my life, that, in the end, is none of my business. Some persons decided and acted, while apparently thinking so little to none about the consequences. It is not, nor it will ever be, under any pretext, my problem. I kept repeating it, slowly, breathing it into my lungs, and holding to that breath, in the corner of my room, during some long ass nights, and I realised that I really needed to believe that. I needed to find a formula to market that idea to my brain which kept feeding on the void. Truth can be a very subjective and useless concept. So I turned to another, more pragmatic concept; priorities. I asked the primordial, narcissistic question: "What about me ?". No one was asking that question, so I did.

From there, I cruised my way to restore some inner peace after a chaos that was served to me, and before I could speak, crammed down my throat. If I could reduce it down to a words, it would be this: "Everyone thought of themselves. Nobody thought about me, so why the fuck should I lose sleep over it ? I'll think of myself as well, because if I don't, no one will".

Friendships are another big, juicy topic. Tough love all the way, and if you don't like it, then you're overly sensitive. Tough love wrapped by layers and layers of selfishness and a critical lack of any notion of emotional intelligence. But at the end of the day, I think that I am privileged to have a circle of people with whom I can ride and spend time. It could have been a lot worse.

The food is awesome. I genuinely think that Tunisian cuisine is criminally underrated. It never got properly marketed on a global level (nor it ever will). It is very hard to not gain weight here, and I am regularly (although with a shy frequency) I go out to run.

Financially, I am leeching off my Mom, since I am still working on establishing an eCommerce platform with a friend. She gladly helps, and I feel so grateful for her support. She has been my guardian in these difficult times.

Do I think about expatriation again ? I honestly do not know. Tunisia has been sinking for quite some time, and everyone is looking for a way out. I am convinced that we should stay here and fight. No matter how little the effort, we should grab the situation by the reigns and ride our way, no matter where. But I understand those who believe in the "personal salvation". Everyone should aspire for a financial and a moral dignified life, which is becoming harder by the day here. The social tissue is more like a bikini now, with the bra being the wealthy who got wealthier (upper), and all of the rest including the middle class who are sinking deeper into the pit of bank credits. Want to get married ? that would be this huge amount that would never be able to pay for with 2 salaries and a 10 years saving account. Want to purchase a house ? how cute. Mathematically and financially impossible, even with the most elaborate and strict saving measures. But hey, all is possible with a huge, fat, juicy credit bank that would suck nearly half of your salary (if not exactly half) for 1 to 2 decades.

Being back home is re-calibrating your tongue, your digestive system and your daily habits. It is a constant rewiring, and an eternal effort to make things better, because we know better now. Being back home is struggling to find your place again, because everyone is so used to your absence they often need to be reminded you're here now. Being back home is the choice to actually stress-test your relationships, and see if people would bother to grant you once again, access to their lives. Being back home is the shocking resolution that most won't bother to call, and that most relationships are as random as the circumstances. In a parallel reality, you wouldn't even be friends. Being back home is very far from being the solution to anything. But being back home feels like recharging. It feels once again that I am alive.